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Telegraph
16 minutes ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
Why is James O'Brien recycling an anti-Semitic lie?
What kind of person would unquestioningly believe that British Jewish children are taught that 'one Jewish life is worth thousands of Arab lives and that Arabs are cockroaches to be crushed'? Step forward James O'Brien, LBC's prince of the bien pensant. Today, the radio presenter received a message from a listener calling himself 'Chris' who made these overtly anti-Semitic claims. O'Brien apparently duly repeated them on air without so much as a how's your father, prefaced by the baffling statement: 'I'm fascinated by objectivity, which is why I'm going to read out this from Chris'. The listener's message began by pointing out that 'warped views are not just an Israeli problem'. What? So it's OK now to smear an entire nation as holding 'warped views'? The fact that this alone did not set off alarm bells in O'Brien's mind was worrying enough. Make such a claim about any other people and the author of How To Be Right would surely be the very first to cry racist. But that was only the prelude. 'Chris' went on to extend this 'Israeli problem' to include Jews in this country as well as their cousins in Tel Aviv. 'My wife was brought up Jewish and at shabbat school in a leafy Hertfordshire town…' his message continued. Let's press pause again there. For one thing, it just sounded phony. 'My wife was brought up Jewish'? Yeah, right. But the mention of a 'shabbat school' was hilarious. There is, of course, no such thing. Jews do not go to school on the sabbath. These red flags also fluttered too high above O'Brien's head for him to notice. He continued to read out the message to his 1.5 million listeners. Thus, middle Britain was treated, in O'Brien's honeyed tones, to Chris's claim that at 'shabbat school', his 'wife' had been introduced to the aforementioned bigotry towards Arabs. The fact that O'Brien at no point realised the nature of what he was reading is downright disturbing. Let's make this absolutely clear. Of the 15 million Jews in the world, you'll be hard pressed to find any who holds such repugnant views of anybody, including Arabs. Attend any pro-Israel rally and you'll never hear anything like it. Especially not in Britain. It is true that a handful of extremists, especially in Israel, sometimes chant disgraceful things about their enemies. Jews have their thugs and nutters just like any other people. But these are in the vanishingly small minority, like the BNP in Britain. To suggest that this amounts to an institutional indoctrination, akin to the brainwashing in Gaza, is quite obviously an anti-Semitic lie. Obvious, at least, to anybody with common sense. In concluding his shameful monologue, O'Brien intoned: 'Whilst young children are being taught such hatred and dehumanisation, undoubtedly on both sides, as Chris points out, then they will always be able to justify death and cruelty.' He added: 'There is a danger, perhaps, that we only ever hear one side of the dehumanisation and propaganda.' No, there isn't. Not everything has two sides, James. There is such a thing as right and wrong. Obviously Israel, being a real-life country in the real world, isn't perfect; obviously it has its own extremists and criminals, like every other state on Earth. But to compare the Middle East's only democracy to Gaza, where every strata of society is poisoned with the toxic ideology of the death cult, is frankly abhorrent – let alone suggesting that British Jews are engaged in the same thing. Think of the scenes on October 7, when the half-naked corpses of Jewish women were paraded through Gaza while mobs spat at them, jeered and beat them with sticks. Could you imagine such a thing happening in Tel Aviv? Could you imagine Israelis cheering as children and the elderly were taken hostage? Of course not. But I wonder whether O'Brien can. Maybe I shouldn't be so surprised. In 2014 and 2015, the author of How They Broke Britain gave vast amounts of airtime to the bogus claims of the VIP sex ring based on testimony by Carl Beech, who was later imprisoned both for sex offences and for perverting the course of justice. He later expressed regret. But in August last year, he caused outrage by praising a video on social media that blamed 'Zionist backers' for the Southport riots. He later claimed not to have watched the clip in full and condemned it. A certain pattern is emerging here. As inexplicable as it might be, O'Brien has a huge listenership and more than a million followers on social media. LBC has removed the 'warped views' clip from the internet. For untold numbers of people, however, the damage has already been done.
Vancouver Sun
2 days ago
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
'Legalized election interference': Poilievre byelection challengers blast long-ballot protest group
OTTAWA — Efforts by an activist group to swamp the byelection ballot where Pierre Poilievre is trying to win a seat are angering some opponents who were hoping to spoil the race for the Conservative leader. Several independent and third-party candidates said the meddling of the electoral-reform activist Longest Ballot Committee (LBC) was detrimental to the group's stated aim of strengthening democracy and, if anything, would give Poilievre an easier pass in the critical byelection, scheduled for Aug. 18. The LBC plans to make the ballot the most crowded federal race in Canadian history with more than 100 candidates as a publicity stunt protesting against the government's refusal to implement a different voting system other than first past the post. It has done so in recent races in other ridings. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Jesse Cole, a spokesperson for independent candidate Bonnie Critchley, called the LBC's ballot crowding 'a form of legalized electoral interference' that drowns out legitimate voices for change. 'These candidates, who have no true intention of serving the people of Battle River–Crowfoot, only make it more difficult for legitimate, local independent candidates like Bonnie Critchley to challenge the status quo of Canada's dominant, two-party system and ensure a voice for her community,' Cole said in an email. Critchley, who lives in the riding, penned an open letter in late May asking the LBC not to interfere in the byelection. Her request fell on deaf ears, with 122 LBC-affiliated candidates on the ballot as of Monday afternoon. The group is aiming for 200 by the time nominations close next Monday. Critchley, who said she hoped her 'independent' label would attract free thinking small-c conservatives who voted for Conservative Damien Kurek in the recent federal election, will now be far from the only candidate with that affiliation. (Kurek was easily re-elected by a 71 point margin, before stepping aside to open a seat for Poilievre.) Libertarian candidate Michael Harris, who also lives in the riding, accused the protest group of making a joke out the riding and those who live there. 'Let's call it what it is: a coordinated mockery of the democratic process, designed to flood the ballot and drown out real debate,' said Harris in an email. Harris said that the meddling of the LBC, formerly affiliated with the satirist Rhinoceros Party, was no laughing matter. 'This flood of joke candidates doesn't just waste voters time. It actively hurts serious independent and third-party candidates who are working hard to give this riding real alternatives to the status quo,' said Harris. Harris said he's spoken to thousands of people who live in the riding and he believes most oppose the LBC's involvement in the byelection. He adds that the out-of-province group is flummoxing his efforts to press Poilievre on matters of local and provincial importance, such freeing local egg, poulty and dairy farmers from Ottawa-imposed production quotas and ending equalization. Another third-party candidate, Abraham Grant, called the protest campaign 'visual noise designed to obfuscate and frustrate the administration of democracy.' The Calgary-based Grant leads the United Party of Canada, which advocates for provinces standing up to federal and supranational power . NDP candidate Katherine Swampy also said she was vexed by the protest group when she was collecting signatures for her nomination papers. 'I found it very difficult to collect the 100 signatures because people were either very conservative, or worried about signing for someone who is on the longest ballot,' said Swampy in an email. Swampy, who ran in the neighbouring riding of Leduc—Wetaskiwin in the recent federal election, admitted it was also hard for her to collect 100 signatures there, with Conservatives dominating the region's politics. Liberal Darcy Spady was the only candidate not to criticize the LBC for its meddling in the byelection. 'Every Canadian has the right to put their name on a ballot and run for public office,' said Spady through a spokesperson. Poilievre called the initiative a 'scam' at a recent townhall in Stettler, Alta. , and suggested that the signature threshold for nominations be upped tenfold to 1,000 to make it harder for paper candidates, like the dozens running for the LBC, to get on the ballot. LBC spokesperson Tomas Szuchewycz said in an email that Poilievre's comments show exactly why the group's work is so important. 'Ever since we started the LBC years ago we have been calling for politicians like Mr. Poilievre to step aside and recuse themselves from deciding election rules … Poilievre's proposal for a new 1,000 signature requirement would have a profound and negative impact on Canadian democracy,' said Szuchewycz. 'In most of Canada it would turn every election into a two party race, and in safe ridings, like Battle-River Crowfoot, we would likely see no election at all, races would simply be won by acclamation,' he continued. Szuchewycz wouldn't say whether he saw Critchley's open letter asking the group to stay out of the byelection. One LBC-affiliated candidate, Matthew Gillies, said he saw Critchley's letter and decided to run anyways. 'I gave (the letter) some consideration prior to my decision to become involved (but) concluded that her concerns were without merit,' said Gillies. Gillies, who lives in Ontario, said that the protest group bears no responsibility for the shortcomings of legitimate campaigns. 'Any independent candidates, whether they are truly unaffiliated, or running as a protest option against a riding associations' choice candidate, will succeed or fail based solely on the growth of their personal brand,' said Gillies. Stettler, Alta. resident Brad Wohlgemuth said he thinks the group is spoiling the democratic process. 'Most of the people I've talked to are disgusted. It's also driving some people away from voting all together; like what's the point?' he said. National Post rmohamed@ Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our politics newsletter, First Reading, here .
Edmonton Journal
2 days ago
- Politics
- Edmonton Journal
'Legalized election interference': Poilievre byelection challengers blast long-ballot protest group
OTTAWA — Efforts by an activist group to swamp the byelection ballot where Pierre Poilievre is trying to win a seat are angering some opponents who were hoping to spoil the race for the Conservative leader. Article content Several independent and third-party candidates said the meddling of the electoral-reform activist Longest Ballot Committee (LBC) was detrimental to the group's stated aim of strengthening democracy and, if anything, would give Poilievre an easier pass in the critical byelection, scheduled for Aug. 18. Article content Article content The LBC plans to make the ballot the most crowded federal race in Canadian history with more than 100 candidates as a publicity stunt protesting against the government's refusal to implement a different voting system other than first past the post. It has done so in recent races in other ridings. Article content Article content Jesse Cole, a spokesperson for independent candidate Bonnie Critchley, called the LBC's ballot crowding 'a form of legalized electoral interference' that drowns out legitimate voices for change. Article content 'These candidates, who have no true intention of serving the people of Battle River–Crowfoot, only make it more difficult for legitimate, local independent candidates like Bonnie Critchley to challenge the status quo of Canada's dominant, two-party system and ensure a voice for her community,' Cole said in an email. Article content Critchley, who lives in the riding, penned an open letter in late May asking the LBC not to interfere in the byelection. Article content Article content Her request fell on deaf ears, with 122 LBC-affiliated candidates on the ballot as of Monday afternoon. The group is aiming for 200 by the time nominations close next Monday. Article content Article content Critchley, who said she hoped her 'independent' label would attract free thinking small-c conservatives who voted for Conservative Damien Kurek in the recent federal election, will now be far from the only candidate with that affiliation. Article content Libertarian candidate Michael Harris, who also lives in the riding, accused the protest group of making a joke out the riding and those who live there. Article content 'Let's call it what it is: a coordinated mockery of the democratic process, designed to flood the ballot and drown out real debate,' said Harris in an email.
Calgary Herald
2 days ago
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
'Legalized election interference': Poilievre byelection challengers blast long-ballot protest group
OTTAWA — Efforts by an activist group to swamp the byelection ballot where Pierre Poilievre is trying to win a seat are angering some opponents who were hoping to spoil the race for the Conservative leader. Article content Several independent and third-party candidates said the meddling of the electoral-reform activist Longest Ballot Committee (LBC) was detrimental to the group's stated aim of strengthening democracy and, if anything, would give Poilievre an easier pass in the critical byelection, scheduled for Aug. 18. Article content Article content Article content The LBC plans to make the ballot the most crowded federal race in Canadian history with more than 100 candidates as a publicity stunt protesting against the government's refusal to implement a different voting system other than first past the post. It has done so in recent races in other ridings. Article content Article content Jesse Cole, a spokesperson for independent candidate Bonnie Critchley, called the LBC's ballot crowding 'a form of legalized electoral interference' that drowns out legitimate voices for change. Article content 'These candidates, who have no true intention of serving the people of Battle River–Crowfoot, only make it more difficult for legitimate, local independent candidates like Bonnie Critchley to challenge the status quo of Canada's dominant, two-party system and ensure a voice for her community,' Cole said in an email. Article content Critchley, who lives in the riding, penned an open letter in late May asking the LBC not to interfere in the byelection. Article content Article content Her request fell on deaf ears, with 122 LBC-affiliated candidates on the ballot as of Monday afternoon. The group is aiming for 200 by the time nominations close next Monday. Article content Article content Critchley, who said she hoped her 'independent' label would attract free thinking small-c conservatives who voted for Conservative Damien Kurek in the recent federal election, will now be far from the only candidate with that affiliation. Article content Libertarian candidate Michael Harris, who also lives in the riding, accused the protest group of making a joke out the riding and those who live there. Article content 'Let's call it what it is: a coordinated mockery of the democratic process, designed to flood the ballot and drown out real debate,' said Harris in an email.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
BBC Breakfast star taking extended break from show amid presenter shake-up
One BBC Breakfast star has announced she will be taking an extended break from the BBC show amid news of a huge presenter shake-up and real fears Naga Munchetty might leave A BBC Breakfast presenter will be taking an extended break from the show amid a huge shake-up for the popular news programme. The breakfast show runs every morning from Monday through to Saturday. There is also a separate segment on BBC News on Friday's and also on BBC Breakfast on the Saturday morning called Newswatch, which covers some of the biggest news of the week. This week, the focus was on the Gregg Wallace and John Torode MasterChef scandal as well as the BBC's Gaza documentary. However, at the end of the segment, the presenter and journalist Samira Ahmed announced the segment would be going on a break. She told viewers: "We are off the air for a few weeks now, but please do continue to get in touch with us over the summer and we'll be back with more of your thoughts about how the BBC covers news in the first week of September." Fans were disappointed by the final segment for the summer. One wrote: " last one too," whilst another shared: "Well, that was a waste of 10 minutes!! #BBCBreakfast." A third penned: "Not this again. #bbcbreakfast." There have been real fears that Naga Munchetty could be leaving the BBC. Last month, it was revealed show boss Richard Frediani was on extended leave on the flagship show after complaints about his behaviour. "Her team last week renewed talks with LBC. The Global Radio station would suit her as there's far less of the fluffy nonsense that's involved in working at the BBC," a source had said. Reports say that Naga's representatives are currently in discussions with rival broadcaster LBC regarding a potential job change. Naga and Charlie Stayt present BBC Breakfast from Thursday to Saturday morning, while Jon Kay and Sally Nugent take the helm from Monday to Wednesday every week, except when they take breaks from the show for holidays. The BBC recently released their salaries, with Charlie staying with the £190,000 salary band, whereas Naga has had a £10,000 increase to her earnings, moving from £345,000 to £355,000. It has always been the case that Naga has been paid more than Charlie. Her pay packet accounts for 180 days of presenting on BBC Breakfast, as well as her Radio 5 Live programme and election coverage. BBC Breakfast insiders have defended the under-fire boss at the centre of a bullying probe, with one claiming: "The truth will come out." Show boss Richard Frediani is on extended leave on the flagship show after complaints about his behaviour.
