Age of Unreason
Football, politics and religion can sometimes bring out the worst in people as in this case of an Indian guru convicted of rape whose followers refuse to believe that 'their man' has done anything wrong.
The same thing happened in the Socialist Workers Party (SWP), some years ago, when a senior party figure was accused of rape, but instead of calling in the police to investigate the allegation the party leaders rallied round 'Comrade Delta' and set up an internal committee of inquiry, would you believe, which went on to exonerate their colleague, unsurprisingly
In America, Donald Trump has boasted that he could 'shoot someone in the street' and not lose support among his core fans.
And if you doubt that apparently ordinary Americans could be so primitive, ignorant and stupid - just have a look at Trump's Twitter feed.
And if you doubt that apparently ordinary Americans could be so primitive, ignorant and stupid - just have a look at Trump's Twitter feed.
India guru rape case: 23 die in unrest as Ram Rahim Singh convicted
BBC News
Violent clashes have taken place in Panchkula (footage by Sudeep Sachdeva)
At least 23 people have been killed in violent protests over the rape conviction of a popular religious leader in north India.
The victims are believed to be Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's followers. Angry supporters rampaged through Panchkula town, near Chandigarh.
About 2,500 of Singh's followers have been arrested, police said.
Earlier, his devotees smashed cars and set media vans alight, saying he was innocent.
More than 200,000 of his followers had flocked to the Chandigarh area ahead of Friday's verdict.
Violence has spread to Delhi, as Justin Rowlatt reports
Singh, who says he has millions of disciples, was found guilty of raping two women at the headquarters of his sect, known as Dera Sacha Sauda, in 2002.
Thousands of army, police and paramilitary forces were deployed. They fired tear-gas canisters and water cannon into the crowd to try to restore control, says the BBC's Ravinder Singh Robin in Panchkula.
However, the region's police chief BS Sandhu said the violence was now under control.
How a divided India fuelled the rise of the gurus
Singh, 50, was taken into protective custody by the army following the conviction.
The court is expected to sentence him on Monday.
Who is Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh?
At least 23 people have been killed in violent protests over the rape conviction of a popular religious leader in north India.
The victims are believed to be Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's followers. Angry supporters rampaged through Panchkula town, near Chandigarh.
About 2,500 of Singh's followers have been arrested, police said.
Earlier, his devotees smashed cars and set media vans alight, saying he was innocent.
More than 200,000 of his followers had flocked to the Chandigarh area ahead of Friday's verdict.
Violence has spread to Delhi, as Justin Rowlatt reports
Singh, who says he has millions of disciples, was found guilty of raping two women at the headquarters of his sect, known as Dera Sacha Sauda, in 2002.
Thousands of army, police and paramilitary forces were deployed. They fired tear-gas canisters and water cannon into the crowd to try to restore control, says the BBC's Ravinder Singh Robin in Panchkula.
However, the region's police chief BS Sandhu said the violence was now under control.
Image copyright - REUTERSImage caption - Crowds smashed television trucks in Panchkula after the verdict
Curfews have been imposed in several areas of Chandigarh city and across the state of Punjab, and internet services were suspended.
Violence also spread to the capital, Delhi, where two train coaches were set on fire, according to reports.
Curfews have been imposed in several areas of Chandigarh city and across the state of Punjab, and internet services were suspended.
Violence also spread to the capital, Delhi, where two train coaches were set on fire, according to reports.
How a divided India fuelled the rise of the gurus
Singh, 50, was taken into protective custody by the army following the conviction.
The court is expected to sentence him on Monday.
Who is Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh?
- Controversial leader of the Dera Sacha Sauda sect, which claims to have 60 million followers around the world
- Took over the sect - which describes itself as "a non-profit social welfare and spiritual organisation" - when he was 23
- Performs at rock concerts, acts in films and even has his own line of food products
- Known as "rockstar baba" and "guru of bling" because of his shiny, colourful clothes
- Has been accused of mocking Sikh and Hindu figures
- Has been investigated for murder and rape, charges he denies
- Has been accused of forcing followers to undergo castration to "get closer to god"
The flamboyant "godman" convicted of rape
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh criticised his counterpart in the state of Haryana for allowing so many of Singh's followers to travel to Chandigarh.
Chandigarh is the capital of both states. The border between the two states has been sealed.
Singh had arrived at court in Panchkula, near Chandigarh, from his ashram in Haryana in a convoy of more than 100 vehicles.
Schools and offices in the area were closed, trains were stopped, roads were blocked and three stadiums were set aside as makeshift prisons in case of trouble, officials said.
Another great cartoon making fun of Donald Trump after his toxic remarks about there being some 'fine people' on the recent match in Charlottesville by the KKK, white supremacists and Neo Nazis.
Donald Trump is seems intent on destroying his already beleaguered presidency with ill-judged comments about there being some 'fine people' among the Ku Klux Klan, Neo Nazis and white supremacists who marched in Charlottesville the other day.
Ben Jennings 'nails it' with this great cartoon depicting Trump in a corner, tweeting away furiously, unconcerned about the enormous harm he is doing with his crazy, out of control behaviour.
Politicians are not necessarily responsible for the people who pledge loyalty to their cause, in much the same way as football clubs can't stop supporters from following their favourite team.
Unless, of course, said supporters step out of line, start behaving like hooligans, turn violent and threaten other people's safety, at which point those in positions of leadership have a duty to respond.
By any measure you care to use Donald Trump has failed this test of leadership because while he speaks of 'unifying' America he has a track record of goading and encouraging the worst instincts of his fan base.
The obvious example being his 'birther' campaign President Barack Obama which candidate Trump used to smear a Democrat President in a vile, racially motivated way.
The young child wearing a Ku Klux Klan suit is a symptom and a symbol of Trump's America.
Yet another Trump supporter, Trent Bennett, a science teacher from Arkansas, has been exposed after making ugly racial comments about President Obama and the First Lady Michelle Obama whom he described as a 'chimp".
Now of course there are out of control supporters in every highly charged political situation, but this kind of vile behaviour is inexcusable and deserves to be condemned out of hand buy the President-elect himself.
Except that Donald Trump has encouraged his followers to believe that Barack Obama is not a legitimate POTUS with this involvement in the so-called 'birther' campaign alleging that President Obama is really not an American citizen.
Trump accepted subsequently that these allegations are completely false but lots of his supporters don't seem to have got the message - or don't want to perhaps having been whipped up into a frenzy of anger and prejudice.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/trent-bennett-resigns-malvern-high-school-racist-facebook-posts-barack-michelle-obama-a7501521.html
Teacher resigns after posting racist Facebook comments about Barack and Michelle Obama
Trent Bennett also promised to delete his social media accounts
By Justin Carissimo - The Independent
First Lady Michelle Obama and U.S. President Barack Obama wait for leaders to arrive for the Nordic state dinner on the North Portico at the White House, May 13, 2016, in Washington, DC. Drew Angerer/Getty
Trent Bennett, a science teacher at Malvern High School in Arkansas, resigned from his position on Thursday after posting racist comments against Barack and Michelle Obama on Facebook.
While commenting on KTHV-TV’s Facebook page last week, Bennett called the first lady “Michelle Obummer” and “America’s First Chimp.” He also admitted that he was happy to see "that nasty chimp and her spider monkey hubby gone for good."In subsequent posts, he repeated the false assertions that President Obama was born in Kenya—he was born in Hawaii.
The teacher also complained about the protests over the police shootings of African-Americans by calling protesters "monkeys."
Lots of Donald Trump's supporters are successful, intelligent and often people, but a significant number are lumpen 'hillbillies' like this chap who believes that Barack Obama played a big part in the 9/11 terror attacks on America in 2001.
Now that was fully seven years before Barack Obama won his first presidential election in 2008, but why let the facts get in the way of a good story, as the saying goes.
But that's the state of American politics these days where ugly lies and fake 'news' stories are all 'grist to the mill' of Trump's right wing supporters who have taken over the Republican Party.
Donald Trump is seldom away from Twitter as everyone knows (to coin a favourite phrase), but I've yet to hear him call out one of his own supporters who described Michelle Obama, as an 'ape in heels'.
Now there is no doubt that these words from a public official amount to ugly, unacceptable and racist language - from one of his own "Make America Great Again' supporters.
So you would think that the President-elect would have no hesitation in condemning such vile behaviour in the strongest possible terms.
But while Donald rails against Saturday Night Live (a satirical programme) for poking fun at his (often bizarre) behaviour, he's as quite as a church mouse when it comes to denouncing this racial abuse of America's First Lady.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/west-virginia-michelle-obama-ape-in-heels-pamela-taylor-return-to-work-a7470261.html
West Virginia official who called Michelle Obama ‘ape in heels’ returns to work
Pamela Ramsey Taylor says 'it will be refreshing to have a classy, beautiful, dignified First Lady in the White House'
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh criticised his counterpart in the state of Haryana for allowing so many of Singh's followers to travel to Chandigarh.
Chandigarh is the capital of both states. The border between the two states has been sealed.
Singh had arrived at court in Panchkula, near Chandigarh, from his ashram in Haryana in a convoy of more than 100 vehicles.
Schools and offices in the area were closed, trains were stopped, roads were blocked and three stadiums were set aside as makeshift prisons in case of trouble, officials said.
Trump's America (21/08/17)
Another great cartoon making fun of Donald Trump after his toxic remarks about there being some 'fine people' on the recent match in Charlottesville by the KKK, white supremacists and Neo Nazis.
Trump's America (20/08/17)
Donald Trump is seems intent on destroying his already beleaguered presidency with ill-judged comments about there being some 'fine people' among the Ku Klux Klan, Neo Nazis and white supremacists who marched in Charlottesville the other day.
Ben Jennings 'nails it' with this great cartoon depicting Trump in a corner, tweeting away furiously, unconcerned about the enormous harm he is doing with his crazy, out of control behaviour.
Trump's America (16/008/17)
Politicians are not necessarily responsible for the people who pledge loyalty to their cause, in much the same way as football clubs can't stop supporters from following their favourite team.
Unless, of course, said supporters step out of line, start behaving like hooligans, turn violent and threaten other people's safety, at which point those in positions of leadership have a duty to respond.
By any measure you care to use Donald Trump has failed this test of leadership because while he speaks of 'unifying' America he has a track record of goading and encouraging the worst instincts of his fan base.
The obvious example being his 'birther' campaign President Barack Obama which candidate Trump used to smear a Democrat President in a vile, racially motivated way.
The young child wearing a Ku Klux Klan suit is a symptom and a symbol of Trump's America.
Trump's America (02/01/17)
Yet another Trump supporter, Trent Bennett, a science teacher from Arkansas, has been exposed after making ugly racial comments about President Obama and the First Lady Michelle Obama whom he described as a 'chimp".
Now of course there are out of control supporters in every highly charged political situation, but this kind of vile behaviour is inexcusable and deserves to be condemned out of hand buy the President-elect himself.
Except that Donald Trump has encouraged his followers to believe that Barack Obama is not a legitimate POTUS with this involvement in the so-called 'birther' campaign alleging that President Obama is really not an American citizen.
Trump accepted subsequently that these allegations are completely false but lots of his supporters don't seem to have got the message - or don't want to perhaps having been whipped up into a frenzy of anger and prejudice.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/trent-bennett-resigns-malvern-high-school-racist-facebook-posts-barack-michelle-obama-a7501521.html
Teacher resigns after posting racist Facebook comments about Barack and Michelle Obama
Trent Bennett also promised to delete his social media accounts
By Justin Carissimo - The Independent
First Lady Michelle Obama and U.S. President Barack Obama wait for leaders to arrive for the Nordic state dinner on the North Portico at the White House, May 13, 2016, in Washington, DC. Drew Angerer/Getty
Trent Bennett, a science teacher at Malvern High School in Arkansas, resigned from his position on Thursday after posting racist comments against Barack and Michelle Obama on Facebook.
While commenting on KTHV-TV’s Facebook page last week, Bennett called the first lady “Michelle Obummer” and “America’s First Chimp.” He also admitted that he was happy to see "that nasty chimp and her spider monkey hubby gone for good."In subsequent posts, he repeated the false assertions that President Obama was born in Kenya—he was born in Hawaii.
The teacher also complained about the protests over the police shootings of African-Americans by calling protesters "monkeys."
Trump's America (30/12/16)
Lots of Donald Trump's supporters are successful, intelligent and often people, but a significant number are lumpen 'hillbillies' like this chap who believes that Barack Obama played a big part in the 9/11 terror attacks on America in 2001.
Now that was fully seven years before Barack Obama won his first presidential election in 2008, but why let the facts get in the way of a good story, as the saying goes.
But that's the state of American politics these days where ugly lies and fake 'news' stories are all 'grist to the mill' of Trump's right wing supporters who have taken over the Republican Party.
Ape in Heels (14/12/116)
Now there is no doubt that these words from a public official amount to ugly, unacceptable and racist language - from one of his own "Make America Great Again' supporters.
So you would think that the President-elect would have no hesitation in condemning such vile behaviour in the strongest possible terms.
But while Donald rails against Saturday Night Live (a satirical programme) for poking fun at his (often bizarre) behaviour, he's as quite as a church mouse when it comes to denouncing this racial abuse of America's First Lady.
Pamela Ramsey Taylor says 'it will be refreshing to have a classy, beautiful, dignified First Lady in the White House'
By Shehab Khan - The Independent
Michelle Obama - AP
The director of a non-profit organisation in West Virginia will return to work after being suspended for referring to Michelle Obama as an “ape”.
Pamela Ramsey Taylor, a director at Clay County Development Corporation, West Virginia, posted the comment on Facebook and was suspended from her role at the Development Corporation.
She is now set to return to her job later this month, according to a letter seen by Charleston Gazette-Mail.
Ms Taylor initially took to Facebook in support of Donald Trump’s victory in the US election.
The Washington Post reports on the ugly behaviour of two public officials in West Virginian who mocked Michelle Obama, America's First Lady, as "a Ape in heels."
Pamela Ramsey Taylor, a director of Clay County development corporation posted the following comment on Facebook after Donald Trump's election as president, ushering in Michelle Obama's replacement as First Lady by Melania Trump:
"It will be so refreshing to have a classy, beautiful, dignified First Lady back in the White House", before adding:
"I'm tired of seeing a Ape in heels."
The local mayor Beverly Whaling is then reported as replying with the words:
"Just made my day Pam."
"What the fuck's wrong with these people?" is the question any reasonable person is bound to ask and, of course, Team Trump bears some responsibility given the hateful tone of the recent election campaign.
Read the full story in via the link below to The Washington Post, but as usual having been caught red-handed the two individuals involved deny their behaviour was racist.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2016/11/14/ape-in-heels-w-va-officials-under-fire-after-comments-about-michelle-obama/?wpisrc=nl_most-draw8&wp
The director of a non-profit organisation in West Virginia will return to work after being suspended for referring to Michelle Obama as an “ape”.
Pamela Ramsey Taylor, a director at Clay County Development Corporation, West Virginia, posted the comment on Facebook and was suspended from her role at the Development Corporation.
She is now set to return to her job later this month, according to a letter seen by Charleston Gazette-Mail.
Ms Taylor initially took to Facebook in support of Donald Trump’s victory in the US election.
Trump Supporters (16/11/16)
The Washington Post reports on the ugly behaviour of two public officials in West Virginian who mocked Michelle Obama, America's First Lady, as "a Ape in heels."
Pamela Ramsey Taylor, a director of Clay County development corporation posted the following comment on Facebook after Donald Trump's election as president, ushering in Michelle Obama's replacement as First Lady by Melania Trump:
"It will be so refreshing to have a classy, beautiful, dignified First Lady back in the White House", before adding:
"I'm tired of seeing a Ape in heels."
The local mayor Beverly Whaling is then reported as replying with the words:
"Just made my day Pam."
"What the fuck's wrong with these people?" is the question any reasonable person is bound to ask and, of course, Team Trump bears some responsibility given the hateful tone of the recent election campaign.
Read the full story in via the link below to The Washington Post, but as usual having been caught red-handed the two individuals involved deny their behaviour was racist.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2016/11/14/ape-in-heels-w-va-officials-under-fire-after-comments-about-michelle-obama/?wpisrc=nl_most-draw8&wp
