Bernard Moffatt's blog

A former Spanish Police Chief (Civil Guard) has defended the use of torture of suspects in the Basque country.

He was interviewed by the Spanish television station TV3.

Report here from Argia:

http://www.argia.eus/albistea/former-civil-guard-defends-torture-basques...

‘ROTTEN RIGHT FROM THE START’ - RED HERRING ON THE NEW IRISH POLICE COMMISSIONER

James O’Toole pulls no punches in this YouTube report for RED HERRING on the appointment of former PSNI man Drew Harris to head the Garda Síochána.

He says:

‘the last two Garda Commissioners over their stint as Garda Commissioner became mired in corruption so Leo Varadkar has decided to cut out that developmental phase and go for someone whose rotten right from the start'

Hardly has Nicola Guffogg and her Treasury chums socked me with another extortionate tax demand this year than the latest report from ‘Popeye’ (aka Alex Allinson MHK) and Co suggests that Alf Cannan should take over Manx Radio or at least pour more money into it. This will be grist to the mill for Alf and his trusty sidekicks like Nicola and Sheila at the Treasury bunker. Meanwhile the other political members like Bill Henderson MLC will nod their heads like those santa figures you saw in toy shops years ago.

Who says you have to go to Tynwald Hill to enjoy Tynwald Day. Saying that Howard Quayle looked a bit crestfallen that Mec Vannin had not entered an appearance. At least I think that’s the question he appeared to be answering the report on MTTV was a bit disjointed. I warm to Howard at moments like this ok he may not be cutting edge at Brexit but he knows how to play to the local crowd

Meanwhile PAG (the Travelwatch of Manx politics) couldn't believe there luck although from the stall shot later it didn’t seem that business was brisk.

I’ve not been much moved to attend Tynwald in recent years the decline for me started in 1979 when the ‘common folk’ and their carrying on was unceremoniously booted of the ‘Fairfield’ t the memorial field behind.

I lifted my aversion to the ‘show’ one year when Guardian journalist John Sweeney was over. ‘You must come to the fair I said’ - I was well rewarded as he ran about comparing it to Trumpton.

Despite being President of Mec Vannin for many years I have respected the decision of the Committee though to attend the ‘Tynwald Day’ despite my own personal aversion.

I pressed the Irish government some weeks ago following concerns that the treatment of migrant fishermen in the Irish Fishing Industry was exploitative.

This is of course a problem across Europe (and Globally) but Ireland did try to take steps some years ago to address it - apparently to no avail (see link):

http://www.transceltic.com/blog/irish-government-should-act-over-traffic...

I often think when I visit the ruins of the Keeil at Eary Cushlin that the ‘Christians’ must have been tough men in those days. It wasn’t just the living conditions and the environment (grand in summer but pretty testing in winter I would imagine). It was also just the chance that a passing Viking longship whose crew had not heard the word might pop in!

That was real dedication and I bet their wasn’t much doing when they handed round the collection plate - if they did back then - still!

PAG are holding a meeting this week at which alternatives to the NHS will be outlined. There’s the detail as always Manx Radio which at something of a loose end as MHKs and MLCs pack up their buckets and spades and swimming trunks for the long break has so far managed to turn this into several news items. I feel a sense of dread that more media ‘quackery’ will follow.

I’m less concerned by the impact of media quacks though than any 'reforms' in this direction that David Ashford MHK (Health Minister) deems worthy of sending our way.

Does I wonder Chief Minister Howard Quayle MHK see himself as a latter day Orson Welles there are aesthetic similarities after all!

The Isle of Man government likes to tout its links to China and there’s no doubt that quite a few politicians and Civil Servants have generated some exotic trips at our expense for themselves from such ties.

No doubt the Chinese official with the education brief will be all smiles on his visit to the Isle of Man in the next few days:

https://www.manxradio.com/news/isle-of-man-news/chinese-education-boss-v...

However China uses education as a weapon to destroy the culture of its political minorities such as the Uyghur.

While Department of Education officials in Mann showcase the Manx education system I am sure their guest will be all smiles.