Asian taxi drivers beat stoke lad to pulp, media blackout.

[Rafe Zetter]

Staffordshire Police and the local media have been quick to cover up the horrific assault on a local lad by a gang of Muslim taxi drivers in Stoke.

This evening (1st) Shaun Middleton lies unconscious in a high dependency unit in Stoke with suspected blood clots to the brain and a fractured
spine/neck plus other injuries consistent with a severe beating.

This morning his friends, many who are Catholics went to church and said prayers for Shaun in an atmosphere charged with emotion, fear and dread.

Shaun, a resident of Blythe Bridge, had enjoyed a night out in nearby Stone with friends on Friday having earlier taken a taxi ride the 8 mile journey
to Stone and paid £11.00 for the fare. The same Asian owned private hire vehicle ferried the trio back from Stone to Blythe Bridge and the driver
demanded £22.00 for the fare. Shaun, described as a “reserved quiet lad”, made the mistake of questioning the fare, at which point the
driver sped the four miles to the unofficial waiting area by Pizza Hut in Longton where Shaun was dragged out of the car, set upon and given a severe
beating by six or more Asian Muslims which was witnessed by his pal and distraught girlfriend.

The brutal attack has not been mentioned once in any of the local news outlets, Staffs Police have failed to provide and issue a description of the
attackers and there is every chance that another passenger who questions the fare of a Muslim driver could face the same brutal form of justice.
Professional indigenous taxi drivers deal with fare dodgers by locking the doors of their cabs and driving the passengers to the nearest police
station. There is however no case here that Shaun and his two friends were fare dodgers, quite the opposite; they had the money to pay what they
believed was the correct return fare. Shaun was not given the opportunity of explaining his version of events to a police officer or to strike a deal
with the driver, he had his head bashed in by at least six Muslim thugs.

If the situation was reversed it would no doubt have been headline news – “white racist thugs attack Muslim passenger” complete with all the usual
sickening accompaniments from the Police, the local MP, the race equality advisers and the Muslim apologists.

[Mark Goodge]

On Tue, 03 Jul 2007 23:13:00 +0100, Rafe Zetter put finger to keyboard

Post by Rafe Zetter
Staffordshire Police and the local media have been quick to cover up the horrific assault on a local lad by a gang of Muslim taxi drivers in Stoke.

That's because it didn't happen. This is a hoax that has been making
the rounds over the past couple of days.

Mark

[Rafe Zetter]

Post by Mark Goodge
On Tue, 03 Jul 2007 23:13:00 +0100, Rafe Zetter put finger to keyboard

Post by Rafe Zetter
Staffordshire Police and the local media have been quick to cover up the horrific assault on a local lad by a gang of Muslim taxi drivers in Stoke.

That's because it didn't happen. This is a hoax that has been making
the rounds over the past couple of days.

I've not seen it anywhere else other than the BNP website, can you give me links where else lit appear as I'd like to verify wether it is true or a
hoax as you suggest.

Rafe

[Mark Goodge]

On Wed, 04 Jul 2007 21:45:48 +0100, Rafe Zetter put finger to keyboard

Post by Rafe Zetter

Post by Mark Goodge
On Tue, 03 Jul 2007 23:13:00 +0100, Rafe Zetter put finger to keyboard

Post by Rafe Zetter
Staffordshire Police and the local media have been quick to cover up the horrific assault on a local lad by a gang of Muslim taxi drivers in Stoke.

That's because it didn't happen. This is a hoax that has been making
the rounds over the past couple of days.

I've not seen it anywhere else other than the BNP website, can you give me links where else lit appear as I'd like to verify wether it is true or a
hoax as you suggest.

It's been spammed across various message boards and forums. A variety
of racist and conspiracy websites have also re-published it as if it
were fact. In all cases, these are direct copies of the original from
the BNP website. Some of the sites which have re-published it have
directly credited the "BNP news team" as the source. There is
absolutely no independent confirmation of this alleged event at all.

If it had happened, it would be very easy to verify. You could just
phone the police and ask them if any such incident had been reported.
Or you could get in touch with the church that the "victim" is alleged
to attend and ask them about the prayers that were said in the
morning's service. The article alleges that the victim is a Catholic -
there aren't that many Catholic churches in the area, so it wouldn't
take long to call all of them if necessary.

Incidentally, the story refers to a "Shaun Middleton" of Blythe
Bridge. However, there is no-one of that name on the latest electoral
register for that area. There isn't even a Shaun Middleton anywhere in
Stoke, according to 192.com.

Mark

[Zhang DaWei]

Could this be the story?

http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=158315&command=displayContent&sourceNode=158315&contentPK=17801192&folderPk=87654

(or http://tinyurl.com/2wvbdy if the long link is broken).

[Rafe Zetter]

Post by Zhang DaWei
Could this be the story?
http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=158315&command=displayContent&sourceNode=158315&contentPK=17801192&folderPk=87654
(or http://tinyurl.com/2wvbdy if the long link is broken).

Hmm... Looks like they (the BNP) were telling the truth after all.

[Mark Goodge]

Post by Rafe Zetter

Post by Zhang DaWei
Could this be the story?
http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=158315&command=displayContent&sourceNode=158315&contentPK=17801192&folderPk=87654
(or http://tinyurl.com/2wvbdy if the long link is broken).

Hmm... Looks like they (the BNP) were telling the truth after all.

There's nothing in that article which comes anywhere near confirming the
more lurid details of the BNP story. The Sentinel article doesn't tell
us anything about the race or religion of those involved, and it doesn't
even say that those arrested included the taxi driver.

Mark

[Geoff Berrow]

Post by Mark Goodge
There's nothing in that article which comes anywhere near confirming the
more lurid details of the BNP story. The Sentinel article doesn't tell
us anything about the race or religion of those involved, and it doesn't
even say that those arrested included the taxi driver.

Well they did say it was a cover up, what would you expect?

And without wishing to give any credence to the BNP, it does rather read
that way.

Though that may be because the enquiries are ongoing.

I can't see them being sensitive enough to cover it up - after all some
clever sod thought it was a good idea to give Salman Rushdie a
knighthood. Now that really was a move designed to promote racial
harmony wasn't it? Sheesh, you couldn't make it up! In fact it is so
blatantly stupid, I can't help wondering if it wasn't designed to stir
something up and make these folks break cover.

Uh-oh, I can feel the conspiracy paranoia coming on...

[Mark Goodge]

Post by Geoff Berrow

Post by Mark Goodge
There's nothing in that article which comes anywhere near confirming the
more lurid details of the BNP story. The Sentinel article doesn't tell
us anything about the race or religion of those involved, and it doesn't
even say that those arrested included the taxi driver.

Well they did say it was a cover up, what would you expect?

Except that the BNP were claiming a cover up even before it had got as
far as the press. That's a bit like getting your retaliation in first.
And what information we do have from the press report is different to
the claim on the BNP website - according to the Sentinel, the victim has
a fractured cheekbone, whereas the BNP story has him fighting for his
life with blood clots to the brain and a fractured spine. Those are
details that, if true, would certainly have made the news - even if the
race of the attackers was being covered up, there's nothing
controversial about reporting the outcome of the assault.

I suspect that what actually happened was that a six of one, half a
dozen of the other kind of incident with a leery and possibly
intoxicated passenger picking an argument with a cab driver who then
overreacted. If the passenger was white and the cabbie was Asian, then
it's hardly suprising that the BNP tried to make political capital out
of it.

Mark

[Jason]

Post by Rafe Zetter

Post by Zhang DaWei
Could this be the story?
http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=158315&comm
and=displayContent&sourceNode=158315&contentPK=17801192&folderPk=87654
(or http://tinyurl.com/2wvbdy if the long link is broken).

Hmm... Looks like they (the BNP) were telling the truth after all.

No, the BNP were NOT telling the truth. Compare the BNP story, with all
its lurid made-up details, and the facts of the case, as reported in the
Sentinel (see below).

Although the BNP story has been exposed as (mostly) a pack of lies, why
is 'Rafe Zetter' (if that is his real name), banging on about it? I
suspect it is because he is a BNP member or sympathiser whose mission on
this newsgroup is to publicize BNP lies. This obnoxious little fascist
should crawl back under the stone where he belongs. I suggest that any
further trolling by this person should be treated with the contempt it
deserves. This group should not be used as a platform for BNP racism.

Here is the Sentinel story:

CCTV CHECK AFTER ASSAULT

09:40 - 11 July 2007

Detectives are reviewing CCTV footage as part of their investigation
into an assault sparked by a row over a taxi fare. Officers from
Stoke-on-Trent CID arrested two men last week over an attack on a
26-year-old man which left him hospitalised with a fractured cheekbone.

They are still investigating the incident, which happened outside Tesco,
in Baths Road, Longton, at about 1.30am on June 30.

Surveillance footage taken from the surrounding area is being scanned
for evidence.

A Staffordshire Police spokesman said: "We are currently reviewing CCTV
evidence and inquiries are very much ongoing."

The two Stoke-on-Trent men arrested - aged 26 and 27 - were questioned
before being released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Anyone with information about the assault should contact Stoke-on-Trent
CID on 08453 302010.

[Geoff Berrow]

Post by Jason
This group should not be used as a platform for BNP racism.

Not disagreeing Jason, but neither you nor anyone else can say what this
group should be used for.

I suspect Rafe is just trolling but there are some interesting
discussion points.

Did the Sentinel hide the race of the attackers because of responsible
journalism (if that's not an oxymoron) or because they were instructed
to?

Would the reporting indeed have been different if the roles were
reversed?

Did the Queen /really/ think it was a good idea to give Salman Rushdie a
knighthood?

Do muslim extremists /really/ think that planting car bombs will pave
the way to an integrated society? In fact all they are doing is making
life difficult for all the decent muslims.

[Mark Goodge]

On Wed, 11 Jul 2007 20:24:25 +0100, Geoff Berrow put finger to

Post by Geoff Berrow

Post by Jason
This group should not be used as a platform for BNP racism.

Not disagreeing Jason, but neither you nor anyone else can say what this
group should be used for.
I suspect Rafe is just trolling but there are some interesting
discussion points.
Did the Sentinel hide the race of the attackers because of responsible
journalism (if that's not an oxymoron) or because they were instructed
to?

Or because they don't know it?

Post by Geoff Berrow
Would the reporting indeed have been different if the roles were
reversed?
Did the Queen /really/ think it was a good idea to give Salman Rushdie a
knighthood?

It wouldn't have been up to her. But, in any case, Rushdie has written
much, much more than just one book which got up some people's noses,
and within the circle of literature in which he works he is very
highly regarded indeed. If it weren't for the furore over The Satanic
Verses, there would be no doubt at all that he is an entirely worthy
recipient of a knighthood. So maybe a better question would be: why
should a knighthood not be offered just because one of his many books
happened to offend some religious fundamentalists?

Post by Geoff Berrow
Do muslim extremists /really/ think that planting car bombs will pave
the way to an integrated society?

No, because an integrated society is precisely the opposite of what
they want.

Post by Geoff Berrow
In fact all they are doing is making
life difficult for all the decent muslims.

They think that decent (as we would define the term) Muslims are
collaborators.

Mark

[Geoff Berrow]

Post by Mark Goodge

Post by Geoff Berrow
Did the Queen /really/ think it was a good idea to give Salman Rushdie a
knighthood?

It wouldn't have been up to her. But, in any case, Rushdie has written
much, much more than just one book which got up some people's noses,
and within the circle of literature in which he works he is very
highly regarded indeed. If it weren't for the furore over The Satanic
Verses, there would be no doubt at all that he is an entirely worthy
recipient of a knighthood. So maybe a better question would be: why
should a knighthood not be offered just because one of his many books
happened to offend some religious fundamentalists?

For the simple reason that it may put lives at risk unnecessarily. I
don't even think there is anything particularly bad about Rushdie's
book. I haven't read it and I doubt many of those who protest so
vehemently have either. But that doesn't matter to them - it's just a
convenient excuse.

[Jason]

Post by Geoff Berrow

Post by Jason
This group should not be used as a platform for BNP racism.

Not disagreeing Jason, but neither you nor anyone else can say what this
group should be used for.

Can't we? Surely there's a charter for this group? If so, what does it
say?

Post by Geoff Berrow
I suspect Rafe is just trolling but there are some interesting
discussion points.
Did the Sentinel hide the race of the attackers because of responsible
journalism (if that's not an oxymoron) or because they were instructed
to?

Of what relevance is the "race" of the attackers at this point? The
Sentinel has reported that: "The two Stoke-on-Trent men arrested - aged
26 and 27 - were questioned before being released on police bail pending
further inquiries." Any more positive identification of the men at this
stage could prejudice any future case. The race of the attackers only
becomes relevant if it transpires that this was a racially motivated
attack, rather than, say, a simple dispute over a taxi fare. Only the
police enquiries will establish that.

The Sentinel are not "hiding" the "race" of the attackers: it would not
be normal practice to identify the ethnicity of arrested suspects at
this point for the reasons stated above.

Post by Geoff Berrow
Would the reporting indeed have been different if the roles were
reversed?

Not at this stage (see above).

Post by Geoff Berrow
Did the Queen /really/ think it was a good idea to give Salman Rushdie a
knighthood?

Sorry, what's this got to do with the Longton incident?

However, I'll state my view. I am opposed to the honours system, so I
wouldn't favour giving anyone a knighthood. That aside, if the honours
system has to exist, then Rushdie has as much right as anyone else to a
knighthood. Muslim extremists have no right to dictate to non-Muslims
who they should choose to honour or not to honour.

Post by Geoff Berrow
Do muslim extremists /really/ think that planting car bombs will pave
the way to an integrated society? In fact all they are doing is making
life difficult for all the decent muslims.

Agreed. I hold no brief for muslim extremists. However, as you rightly
say, the majority of muslims are decent people who want to live
peacefully in this society, and have no time for extremists.

[Geoff Berrow]

Post by Jason

Post by Geoff Berrow
Not disagreeing Jason, but neither you nor anyone else can say what this
group should be used for.

Can't we?
Surely there's a charter for this group?

Yes there is. I wrote it.

There are some restrictions on content, but only regarding things like
advertising. Even so, as this is an unmoderated group, the charter is,
at best, a guideline document.

The BNP have a right to post relevant arguments here and you have the
right to post yours. I don't have problem with that. All subject to
the laws of the land, of course.

Post by Jason
what does it
say?

http://www.usenet.org.uk/uk.local.north-staffs.html#uk.local.north-staffs

[Jason]

Post by Geoff Berrow

Post by Jason
Surely there's a charter for this group?

Yes there is. I wrote it.
There are some restrictions on content, but only regarding things like
advertising. Even so, as this is an unmoderated group, the charter is,
at best, a guideline document.
The BNP have a right to post relevant arguments here and you have the
right to post yours. I don't have problem with that. All subject to
the laws of the land, of course.

That's where you and I part company. I don't think the BNP have a right
to disseminate their racist filth. Don't forget that they are not a
mainstream political party, however much they pretend to be - they are
nazis.

I am unsubscribing from this group. If you want the group to be a
mouthpiece for the BNP and for racist morons like 'Rafe Zetter', then
you're welcome to it.

To be frank, the group has becoming increasingly irrelevant anyway.
Apart from Zetter and the odd troll or bit of spam, nothing much happens
on it. Let it die.

Jason

[Rafe Zetter]

Post by Jason

Post by Geoff Berrow

Post by Jason
Surely there's a charter for this group?

Yes there is. I wrote it.
There are some restrictions on content, but only regarding things like
advertising. Even so, as this is an unmoderated group, the charter is,
at best, a guideline document.
The BNP have a right to post relevant arguments here and you have the
right to post yours. I don't have problem with that. All subject to
the laws of the land, of course.

That's where you and I part company. I don't think the BNP have a right
to disseminate their racist filth. Don't forget that they are not a
mainstream political party, however much they pretend to be - they are
nazis.
I am unsubscribing from this group. If you want the group to be a
mouthpiece for the BNP and for racist morons like 'Rafe Zetter', then
you're welcome to it.

As far as I can see this group has been receiving very little input from any political party be they bnp or whatever, and as for Jason's personal
insults they really don't bother me at all, I really have little time for clueless idiots who are so unable to grasp any ideas other than their own
and engage in rational mature discussions.

Think about it, I raise a perfectly reasonable point about an alleged racist incident and subsequent alleged 'cover up'. And this obviously low IQ
prat whom I've never spoken to in my life immediately starts hurling abuse and insults.
How he got the idea that I am a member of the bnp when I don't support *any* political party (I actually support direct democracy through I&R).

Furthermore due to my family background I 'could' take extreme offense at being called a Nazi.

The problem with Usenet is that is is too full of uneducated idiots like Jason, to quick to make assumptions and form ill conceived opinions based on
very little knowledge or understanding, too eager to start a fight when they find that they are inadequately equipped to discuss, too keen to have
their own say whilst being overly eager to suppress any opinions other than their own.

I've said it before on this group and ill say it again. Freedom of speech is a rare and valuable thing and should be protected at all cost. Even
though it may mean that you have to put up with other peoples opinions.

Or a Voltaire famously said "I may not agree with what you say, but I will fight to the death for your right to say it"

People like Jason are also hypocritical as well as ignorant, he calls me a Nazi and a fascist, and yet he is the one keen to suppress other peoples
ideas, and freedoms of speech !

I'm sure Usenet will be a much better place for his departure.

RaZe.

Post by Jason
To be frank, the group has becoming increasingly irrelevant anyway.
Apart from Zetter and the odd troll or bit of spam, nothing much happens
on it. Let it die.
Jason

[Jason]

I haven't quite gone yet. Before I do, I would like to make the
following points:

1. The person who calls himself Rafe Zetter has really no cause to
complain about my so-called insults, when he takes it upon himself to
call me a "clueless idiot", an "obviously low IQ prat", an "uneducated
idiot" and "ignorant".

2. He may consider me an idiot and a prat: that's his prerogative. But
he is wrong when he calls me uneducated and of a low IQ: I am neither.

3. 'Rafe Zetter' claims to indulge in "rational mature discussions".
However, what he actually did was to copy an inflammatory and largely
untrue story from the BNP website onto this group, without initially
acknowledging the source. Then, despite being given ample evidence that
most of it was factually incorrect, continued to insist the BNP story
was true. To my mind, he is the person who is unable to grasp any ideas
other than his own.

4. I did not call 'Rafe Zetter' a Nazi: I called him a racist. There is
ample evidence of this from the inflammatory and bigoted nature of his
posts in this and previous threads.

5. I did however characterize the BNP as a fascist and nazi party, and
I stand by this. You only have to look at the past histories of BNP
leaders. The BNP founder, John Tyndall, for instance, used to strut
around in Nazi uniform and celebrate Hitler's birthday.

6. If 'Rafe Zetter' is not a BNP sympathiser, why does he take it upon
himself to reproduce inflammatory BNP material on this group?

7. I support freedom of speech, but there have to be limits. The law
recognises this when, for example, it makes incitement to racial hatred
unlawful. Several BNP leaders have past convictions for precisely this
offence. Nothing is going the shut the BNP up entirely, and they will
continue trying to spread their racist filth in our communities. But I
do not believe we should go out of way to encourage them by giving them
a platform for their odious views.

8. 'Rafe Zetter' states that I will no doubt come back under another
name (hopefully one a bit more imaginative next time). In fact, unlike
'Zetter', I use my real name on this group and do not hide behind
pseudonyms taken from defunct football pool companies.

[Geoff Berrow]

Post by Jason

Post by Geoff Berrow

Post by Jason
Surely there's a charter for this group?

Yes there is. I wrote it.
There are some restrictions on content, but only regarding things like
advertising. Even so, as this is an unmoderated group, the charter is,
at best, a guideline document.
The BNP have a right to post relevant arguments here and you have the
right to post yours. I don't have problem with that. All subject to
the laws of the land, of course.

That's where you and I part company. I don't think the BNP have a right
to disseminate their racist filth. Don't forget that they are not a
mainstream political party, however much they pretend to be - they are
nazis.

What's that got to do with anything? As I've said, they, like you have a
right to say what they like within the laws of the land.
Are you seriously suggesting we should censor them? And still give you
the freedom to call them disseminators of racist filth and nazis?

Post by Jason
I am unsubscribing from this group. If you want the group to be a
mouthpiece for the BNP and for racist morons like 'Rafe Zetter', then
you're welcome to it.

Well I think that's a shame. Your opinion is just as relevant as Rafe's
To give up and leave means another victory for the BNP. Is that really
what you want?

Post by Jason
To be frank, the group has becoming increasingly irrelevant anyway.
Apart from Zetter and the odd troll or bit of spam, nothing much happens
on it. Let it die.

Now you're just getting tedious. This group is the product of the
people who subscribe to it. As one of them you, and I, are as much a
part of the problem as anyone. Anyone can post, anyone can start topics.
But if you want a group where everyone agrees with you set up a
moderated forum.

As I've said, I'm not defending the BNP, but your language has been
worse than Rafe's in this exchange. If racism is to be defeated, this
is not the way to do it.

I suggest you let the red mist clear and make sensible contributions.
To defeat racism we need to preach tolerance. But tolerance should not
only extend to other races and cultures, it should also be extended to
those whose views differ from our own. As is often mis-attributed to
Voltaire "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death
your right to say it."

[Rafe Zetter]

Message- from Jason contained

<snip>

Post by Jason
. If you want the group to be a
mouthpiece for the BNP and for racist morons like 'Rafe Zetter', then
you're welcome to it.

Well I think that's a shame. Your opinion is just as relevant as Rafe's
To give up and leave means another victory for the BNP. Is that really
what you want?

Don't worry Geoff, "I am unsubscribing from this group" is one of the most idiotic and childish statements to be overused on usenet, i've heard it a
thousand times over the last 15 years.

He will no doubt come back under another name (hopefully one a bit more imaginative next time).

[Robin Roberts]

Post by Rafe Zetter
He will no doubt come back under another name (hopefully one a bit more imaginative next time).

I have been considering pressing my local authority to supply free
contraceptives to all who require them. But I thought it might be of
interest to others and helpful all round to air this idea as wide as
possible.

Seems to me to be common sense to supply free contraceptives to
those who want them regardless of age, gender or creed as and
when needed and/or requested. We already have a world wide
problem of over population which we can do something about with
our present technology and understanding of procreation. From what
I can gather over-population is one of the major "push" factors influencing
an individuals decision to go for another country. The control of this
factor would reduce population movement.

However the biggest beneficiary would be the planet. There
would be a decline the need for fossil fuels and other non-renewable
sources of energy. Less resources would be required and fewer
would need to be exploited. It is a great pity that this option, which has
so many advantages, has not really been explored in sufficient depth.

I know that this is a controversial subject and one which requires
careful and considerate handling. Your comments would be
appreciated.

[Peter Constantine]

I don't think the BNP have a right to disseminate their racist filth.

I would rather the BNP were able to promote their moronic agenda in
public where it is open to question and critcism than be driven
underground and given the cachet afforded by censorship.

Don't forget that they are not a mainstream political party, however
much they pretend to be - they are nazis.

The BNP came eighth in the 2005 General Election and is the fifth(?)
largest party on Stoke-on-Trent City Council. It is naive to simply
dismiss them as not mainstream just because many BNP members have been
proven to have links to neo-Nazi organisations.


x

["Patriotism is a pernicious, psychopathic
form of idiocy." - George Bernard Shaw]

[Robin Roberts]

Post by Jason
Can't we? Surely there's a charter for this group? If so, what does it
say?

I have been considering pressing my local authority to supply free
contraceptives to all who require them. But I thought it might be of
interest to others and helpful all round to air this idea as wide as
possible.

Seems to me to be common sense to supply free contraceptives to
those who want them regardless of age, gender or creed as and
when needed and/or requested. We already have a world wide
problem of over population which we can do something about with
our present technology and understanding of procreation. From what
I can gather over-population is one of the major "push" factors influencing
an individuals decision to go for another country. The control of this
factor would reduce population movement.

However the biggest beneficiary would be the planet. There
would be a decline the need for fossil fuels and other non-renewable
sources of energy. Less resources would be required and fewer
would need to be exploited. It is a great pity that this option, which has
so many advantages, has not really been explored in sufficient depth.

I know that this is a controversial subject and one which requires
careful and considerate handling. Your comments would be
appreciated.

[Rafe Zetter]

Post by Geoff Berrow

Post by Jason
This group should not be used as a platform for BNP racism.

Not disagreeing Jason, but neither you nor anyone else can say what this
group should be used for.

This group is for local issues, the incident took place in Longton i'd say thats local enough.

Post by Geoff Berrow
I suspect Rafe is just trolling but there are some interesting
discussion points.

Just curious really, there have been a lot of these stories going around usenet regarding racist attacks on whites not being reported by the media, as
this is rather close to home I think it worth looking into.

Post by Geoff Berrow
Did the Sentinel hide the race of the attackers because of responsible
journalism (if that's not an oxymoron) or because they were instructed
to?

I doubt that they were 'instructed' to hide anything, I suspect that they are just subconsciously following a sort of general politically correct
agenda that stipulated that white assault on black/asian = major racist headline, asian/black assault on white = bury head in sand.

Post by Geoff Berrow
Would the reporting indeed have been different if the roles were
reversed?

I suspect so.

Post by Geoff Berrow
Did the Queen /really/ think it was a good idea to give Salman Rushdie a
knighthood?

who cares what she thought, it wasn't her decision. and neither is it any business of muslins to criticize our honors system, if we want to give the
fellow a knighthood then that is our prerogative and no business of anyone else.

Post by Geoff Berrow
Do muslim extremists /really/ think that planting car bombs will pave
the way to an integrated society?

I don't think that they want an integrated society.

In fact all they are doing is making

Post by Geoff Berrow
life difficult for all the decent muslims.

Not to mention the decent British folk they are trying to blow up, eh...

Raze

[Peter Constantine]

Post by Geoff Berrow
Did the Sentinel hide the race of the attackers because of responsible
journalism (if that's not an oxymoron) or because they were instructed
to?

Hopefully just good journalism (although this is The Sentinel...). This
was apparently NOT a race-related incident and therefore the race of
those involved is irrelevant.

Post by Geoff Berrow
Would the reporting indeed have been different if the roles were
reversed?

Hopefully not.

Post by Geoff Berrow
Did the Queen /really/ think it was a good idea to give Salman Rushdie a
knighthood?

We'll probably never know what The Queen thought of the decision. The
recommendation would have been made by The Arts & Media Committee
chaired by Lord Rothschild and including Jenny Abramsky, Ben Okri,
Andreas Whittam Smith and others.

What people seem to forget is that Rushdie has a large body of
award-winning work apart from 'The Satanic Verses'.

Post by Geoff Berrow
Do muslim extremists /really/ think that planting car bombs will pave
the way to an integrated society?

Does anyone really think that Islamist terrorists are seeking any kind
integrated society? Surely their objective, other than self-destruction
and martyrdom, is the creation of an exclusively Islamic state or
caliphate?

However... given that highly educated professional people apparently
constructed three car bombs that all failed to explode maybe the
Islamists should be asking themselves "Whose side is Allah really on?"


x

["There are no accidents. God's just trying to remain anonymous."]

[Rafe Zetter]

Post by Peter Constantine

Post by Geoff Berrow
Did the Sentinel hide the race of the attackers because of responsible
journalism (if that's not an oxymoron) or because they were instructed
to?

Hopefully just good journalism (although this is The Sentinel...). This
was apparently NOT a race-related incident and therefore the race of
those involved is irrelevant.

Post by Geoff Berrow
Would the reporting indeed have been different if the roles were
reversed?

Hopefully not.

It shouldn't be, but I do suspect otherwise.
Had it been a gang of white lads assaulting an assaulting an Asian taxi driver then you can bet the headline would read
"Asian taxi driver beaten up in Racist attack".

Post by Peter Constantine
Does anyone really think that Islamist terrorists are seeking any kind
integrated society? Surely their objective, other than self-destruction
and martyrdom, is the creation of an exclusively Islamic state or
caliphate?

No need for the quesion mark, they have said so themselves.
As one leading mullah (name ?) said in response to a UN report on the need for better understanding of the underlying causes of terrorism, "We are not
fighting so that you will give us something, we are fighting to destroy you".

Post by Peter Constantine
However... given that highly educated professional people apparently
constructed three car bombs that all failed to explode maybe the
Islamists should be asking themselves "Whose side is Allah really on?"

HeHe did you hear the one about the Irish Muslim suicide bomber who police found glued to the ceiling at Belfast train station ?
Apparently he had set off a 'no more nails' bomb. ;-)

RaZe

[Mark Goodge]

Post by Zhang DaWei
Could this be the story?
http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=158315&command=displayContent&sourceNode=158315&contentPK=17801192&folderPk=87654
(or http://tinyurl.com/2wvbdy if the long link is broken).

It could be. Although there is very little information in that article,
so it certainly doesn't confirm the more lurid details of the BNP story.

Mark

[Peter Constantine]

Post by Mark Goodge
That's because it didn't happen. This is a hoax that has been making
the rounds over the past couple of days.

I haven't seen it myself but apparently the incident was reported on
page 11 of The Sentinel on Tuesday 3rd July 2007.


x

[Mark Goodge]

Post by Peter Constantine

Post by Mark Goodge
That's because it didn't happen. This is a hoax that has been making
the rounds over the past couple of days.

I haven't seen it myself but apparently the incident was reported on
page 11 of The Sentinel on Tuesday 3rd July 2007.

I've just checked, and no, it wasn't. There's no story remotely like
that in that day's paper.

Mark

[Rafe Zetter]

Post by Mark Goodge

Post by Peter Constantine

Post by Mark Goodge
That's because it didn't happen. This is a hoax that has been making
the rounds over the past couple of days.

I haven't seen it myself but apparently the incident was reported on
page 11 of The Sentinel on Tuesday 3rd July 2007.

I've just checked, and no, it wasn't. There's no story remotely like
that in that day's paper.

Hmm... I havn't been able to get a copy of that days paper meself so I can't verify either way, this seems a strange story, one would expect such a
horendous act to make headline news, unless as has suggested it is being supressed du to PCism. Also regardles of the validity of this particulry
nasty incident perpetrated by an asian on a Briton, I have noted recently that there here certainly does seem to be some degree of bias in the
reporting of violent racial incidents in that where the perpetators are white the incident gets much more coverage than if the perp is asian or black.
Perhaps we find it more shocking when wites strike back, certainly it is statistically much less common so perhaps that is why there is more of a
scoop factor, or perhaps it is as the BNP claim that the media are biased againt us whites. At least i think that is the point they are making.

RaZe

Post by Mark Goodge
Mark

[Jason]

Us whites? This guy's a BNP troll. Best ignored.

Post by Rafe Zetter
Hmm... I havn't been able to get a copy of that days paper meself so I
can't verify either way, this seems a strange story, one would expect
such a horendous act to make headline news, unless as has suggested it
is being supressed du to PCism. Also regardles of the validity of this
particulry nasty incident perpetrated by an asian on a Briton, I have
noted recently that there here certainly does seem to be some degree of
bias in the reporting of violent racial incidents in that where the
perpetators are white the incident gets much more coverage than if the
perp is asian or black. Perhaps we find it more shocking when wites
strike back, certainly it is statistically much less common so perhaps
that is why there is more of a scoop factor, or perhaps it is as the
BNP claim that the media are biased againt us whites. At least i think
that is the point they are making.

[Jason]

This has been copied from the BNP's website. Not exactly where you'd
expect to find unbiassed reporting.

Post by Rafe Zetter
Staffordshire Police and the local media have been quick to cover up
the horrific assault on a local lad by a gang of Muslim taxi drivers in
Stoke.
This evening (1st) Shaun Middleton lies unconscious in a high
dependency unit in Stoke with suspected blood clots to the brain and a
fractured spine/neck plus other injuries consistent with a severe
beating.
This morning his friends, many who are Catholics went to church and
said prayers for Shaun in an atmosphere charged with emotion, fear and
dread.
Shaun, a resident of Blythe Bridge, had enjoyed a night out in nearby
Stone with friends on Friday having earlier taken a taxi ride the 8
mile journey to Stone and paid £11.00 for the fare. The same Asian
owned private hire vehicle ferried the trio back from Stone to Blythe
Bridge and the driver demanded £22.00 for the fare. Shaun, described
as a “reserved quiet lad”, made the mistake of questioning the
fare, at which point the
driver sped the four miles to the unofficial waiting area by Pizza Hut
in Longton where Shaun was dragged out of the car, set upon and given a
severe beating by six or more Asian Muslims which was witnessed by his
pal and distraught girlfriend.
The brutal attack has not been mentioned once in any of the local news
outlets, Staffs Police have failed to provide and issue a description
of the attackers and there is every chance that another passenger who
questions the fare of a Muslim driver could face the same brutal form
of justice. Professional indigenous taxi drivers deal with fare dodgers
by locking the doors of their cabs and driving the passengers to the
nearest police station. There is however no case here that Shaun and
his two friends were fare dodgers, quite the opposite; they had the
money to pay what they believed was the correct return fare. Shaun was
not given the opportunity of explaining his version of events to a
police officer or to strike a deal with the driver, he had his head
bashed in by at least six Muslim thugs.
If the situation was reversed it would no doubt have been headline news
– “white racist thugs attack Muslim passenger” complete with all
the usual sickening accompaniments from the Police, the local MP, the
race equality advisers and the Muslim apologists.

[Rafe Zetter]

This has been copied from the BNP's website. Not exactly where you'd expect to find unbiassed reporting.

<snip>

Post by Rafe Zetter
The brutal attack has not been mentioned once in any of the local news
outlets, Staffs Police have failed to provide and issue a description
of the attackers and there is every chance that another passenger who
questions the fare of a Muslim driver could face the same brutal form
of justice. Professional indigenous taxi drivers deal with fare
dodgers by locking the doors of their cabs and driving the passengers
to the nearest police station. There is however no case here that
Shaun and his two friends were fare dodgers, quite the opposite; they
had the money to pay what they believed was the correct return fare.
Shaun was not given the opportunity of explaining his version of
events to a police officer or to strike a deal with the driver, he had
his head bashed in by at least six Muslim thugs.

here is the story from the sentinel
http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=158315&command=displayContent&sourceNode=158315&contentPK=17801192&folderPk=87654

And here fm the BNP
http://www.bnp.org.uk/news_detail.php?newsId=1589

Post by Rafe Zetter
If the situation was reversed it would no doubt have been headline
news – “white racist thugs attack Muslim passenger” complete with all
the usual sickening accompaniments from the Police, the local MP, the
race equality advisers and the Muslim apologists.

The sadest part of all this is that the BNP seem to the only ones actually telling us the truth, and I have no doubt whatsoever now that had it been a
gang of whites assaulting a young asian boy like this then it would (quite rightly) have been headline news.

RaZe

[Mark Goodge]

Post by Rafe Zetter
here is the story from the sentinel
http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=158315&command=displayContent&sourceNode=158315&contentPK=17801192&folderPk=87654
And here fm the BNP
http://www.bnp.org.uk/news_detail.php?newsId=1589
The sadest part of all this is that the BNP seem to the only ones
actually telling us the truth, and I have no doubt whatsoever now that
had it been a gang of whites assaulting a young asian boy like this then
it would (quite rightly) have been headline news.

Given that several aspects of the BNP article are demonstrably
incorrect, I can't see how anyone can say that they are telling the
truth and the Sentinel are not. Unless, that is, the person making that
suggestion is a BNP supporter. In which case, he's too stupid to have an
opinion worth hearing.

Mark

[Rafe Zetter]

Post by Mark Goodge

Post by Rafe Zetter
here is the story from the sentinel
http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=158315&command=displayContent&sourceNode=158315&contentPK=17801192&folderPk=87654
And here fm the BNP
http://www.bnp.org.uk/news_detail.php?newsId=1589
The sadest part of all this is that the BNP seem to the only ones
actually telling us the truth, and I have no doubt whatsoever now that
had it been a gang of whites assaulting a young asian boy like this
then it would (quite rightly) have been headline news.

Given that several aspects of the BNP article are demonstrably
incorrect, I can't see how anyone can say that they are telling the
truth and the Sentinel are not. Unless, that is, the person making that
suggestion is a BNP supporter. In which case, he's too stupid to have an
opinion worth hearing.

Until the full facts of the investigation are released we can only speculate, personally I wouldn't be in the least surprised if the bnp havn't
embellished the story with a few 'fact' of there own. It would be pretty normal behaviour for an politician to add a few 'facts' to make their story
seem more real (Weapons of Mass Destruction anyone ?). But at the same time I can't help the feeling that the central point they are making about
asian-on-white violence being mis-reported or given different coverage than white-on-asian violence is pretty valid. It also seems to me that when it
is a white person assaulting a muslim or black person then it tend to be assumed that it is a 'racist' attack (as if that some how makes it any worse)
but it is not portrayed as racist when it is the other way around.

Post by Mark Goodge
Mark

[Dystopia]

On Wed, 11 Jul 2007 16:18:30 +0100, Mark Goodge

Post by Mark Goodge

Post by Rafe Zetter
here is the story from the sentinel
http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=158315&command=displayContent&sourceNode=158315&contentPK=17801192&folderPk=87654
And here fm the BNP
http://www.bnp.org.uk/news_detail.php?newsId=1589
The sadest part of all this is that the BNP seem to the only ones
actually telling us the truth, and I have no doubt whatsoever now that
had it been a gang of whites assaulting a young asian boy like this then
it would (quite rightly) have been headline news.

Given that several aspects of the BNP article are demonstrably
incorrect, I can't see how anyone can say that they are telling the
truth and the Sentinel are not. Unless, that is, the person making that
suggestion is a BNP supporter. In which case, he's too stupid to have an
opinion worth hearing.
Mark

The BNP have circulated a leaflet in the Longton area describing this
incident, or at least their version of it, and I have no doubt that
most of those reading it will believe every word.

This area has a BNP Concillor and I am sure it is significant that
according to National Census data it is also the area of the city
where the population have the lowest educational attainment.

There are more idiots in the world than wise men which is why we end
up with the politicians we have.

[Peter Constantine]

Post by Dystopia
The BNP have circulated a leaflet in the Longton area describing this
incident, or at least their version of it, and I have no doubt that
most of those reading it will believe every word.

Given that a few taxi drivers beating someone up in a dispute over a
fare is not in itself a racial incident, I wonder if the distribution of
such a leaflet would qualify as "inciting inflammatory rumours about an
ethnic group for the purpose of spreading racial discontent" as defined
in the law relating to incitement to racial hatred.

Perhaps the BNP should be reported to the police...


x

["For a politician to complain about the press is like a
ship's captain complaining about the sea" - Enoch Powell]

[Dystopia]

Post by Peter Constantine

Post by Dystopia
The BNP have circulated a leaflet in the Longton area describing this
incident, or at least their version of it, and I have no doubt that
most of those reading it will believe every word.

Given that a few taxi drivers beating someone up in a dispute over a
fare is not in itself a racial incident, I wonder if the distribution of
such a leaflet would qualify as "inciting inflammatory rumours about an
ethnic group for the purpose of spreading racial discontent" as defined
in the law relating to incitement to racial hatred.
Perhaps the BNP should be reported to the police...

When I read the initial posts to this thread I emailed the police at
Longton and asked if they such an incident had been reported to them
so they obviously know about the leaflet. That was three days ago
and I have not yet received a reply, mind you this is not unusual I am
still waiting for a reply to a letter I sent them month ago.

[Rafe Zetter]

Post by Rafe Zetter
Staffordshire Police and the local media have been quick to cover up the
horrific assault on a local lad by a gang of Muslim taxi drivers in Stoke.

Anyone have an idea of how the poor lad is doing ? How is the investigation proceeding ?
The Media does indeed seem to be quiet on this case, wonder why ?

regards

RaZe

[Peter Constantine]

Post by Rafe Zetter
Anyone have an idea of how the poor lad is doing ? How is the
investigation proceeding ? The Media does indeed seem to be quiet on this
case, wonder why ?

Because police have arrested someone and the matter is now
subjudice?

Apparently the victim's family have declined to make any comment or
confirm any details of what happened to the media.

No doubt we'll hear more if/when the case makes it to court.


x

["Race hate isn't human nature; race hate is
the abandonment of human nature." - Orson Welles]