The Nazi v. EU Bureaucrats comparison - a defence

"The danger, as time goes by," wrote Howard Jacobson, "is that we will tire of hearing about the Holocaust." He was not writing about Boris Johnson's comparison of the EU Project to Hitler and his Nazis, but an introduction to Levi's "If this Is A Man". He was pondering how the memory of the Holocaust is (sometimes unwillingly) preserved and obliged to each individual; how certain individuals may find it difficult to "[take] the medicine, especially when we don’t accept that we are sick." There are those who tire of hearing about the Holocaust (too often, they believe): equally there are those who do not want it's memory to be used in vain. Vanity is not the cause of Boris' argument.

Firstly consider the argument that drawing upon the memory of the Holocaust or its architects is morally compromising in the context. There are those who would say that this is "hysterical", and those who would argue that it is not relevant. Indeed, there are those who would argue that the atrocities and human killing ("the demolition of men" with which Levi was himself preoccupied) which the Holocaust caused are not comparable to the building - or remaining part - of an economic union and peaceful union which has not seen a war since World War Two (which was a part of the Holocaust). Both will be shown to be wrong in turn. Argument one assumes that a psychological or emotional factor negatively and unnecessarily influences the use of history in such a debate; but such an argument itself includes an equally influential emotional factor of which it accuses the other side - there is an emotional or psychological fault which, wrongly and unjustly, believes it should have control over this history. Argument two suggests that a comparison can't be made because people aren't being killed for the latter; however, the Union which some seek to protect and remain in is very explicitly suggesting proposals to build a European Army to secure itself against war and terror (the latter of which includes Isis, which similarly wants to affect genocide).

I was rightly annoyed, then, when a friend used Godwin's Law to criticise Johnson's comments. Godwin's assertion that, "As an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches," is often synonymous with Strauss' Reductio ad Hitlerum ('reduction to Hitler') - which can be very dangerous. One  has just to hear the insult "TwitterNazi" to be infuriated. However my point should still persist and reject the misuse of Godwin's Law: the Honourable MP John Mann did not accuse former Mayor Livingstone of being a "Nazi Apologist" in vain; and Boris' slight comparison should not be interpreted as an ad hominem argument without substance. Boris was not using the Hitler analogy as an easy joke (he finds the EU Project neither funny, nor does the criticism he faces make such a remark "easy") or as an extreme example just because of the length of the EU debate. The criticism is insubstantial in spite of its argument.  

Secondly realise that even worse than the above arguments accusing their opposing arguments of things which they do too,  they also fail to understand the line of argument which the former Mayor was advancing. Boris was not suggesting that the EU Project seeks to kill people or commit genocide as Hitler's Nazis did: the point is that they want to use state powers and governing powers to create a more federalised EU superstate. In addition, Boris' mention of Napoleon shows that he was trying to use history to explain why forming such a country or state would not and should not happen.

"Out" campaigner Jacob Rees-Mogg recently said as much. Offering analysis of how the EU Project was a "deliberate, malevolent attempt to force people to do what the British electorate didn't want", he asked attendees of his speech to the Adam Smith Institute, "is your country Europe, or is your country the United Kingdom? Is it a bureaucratic, Napoleonic-code state - or is it a free state where everything that isn't specifically prohibited is allowed?" He added that "We have abrogated our democracy to a state - but that state is a failed state."

Realising the current "state" of things (pun intended) is indeed important. In his 2013 Introduction, Jacobson further argued that "Recollection has not been worn away by years and controversy nor subsumed under the necessity to take a long view of historical events . In much of this book, immediacy does the work of theorising and education." In the current context, taking a long term view (of the past) is NOT betrayed by a view of the present; nor does it blind how we see the future. Immediacy is doing the work because laws are being passed by the EU, members of the public and powerful groups are mentioning the past (from Johnson to Obama and Cameron), and plans for a European Border Force are being proposed or planned. Therefore, to identify today that EU Bureaucrats are using state power (and trying to manipulate consensus in favour of "ever closer union") is as current as any view could be. It also means that remembering how the Nazi's tried to orchestrate society and power through government apparatus is morally required.

BoJo is not sick. Actually, he is trying very morally to offer a sustainable solution - a cure, not a medicine - to a European Project which is trying to affect what Lord Lamont branded "not naturally one entity." His, and fellow campaigners', comments are rather edifying. We should applaud him, not demoralise him, for using "historical fact" as IDS decisively defended.

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NOTE TO EDITORS: I will upload photos soon. Please feel free to republish this, or quote it freely. I'd appreciate recognition that it came from me - and if you could tell me post-publication, please. IT IS EXPRESSELY AN OPINION PIECE.

Royal Mayoral Candidate: Multiculturalism Is Dead

A royal candidate running to become the Mayor of London has proposed a "Tough Love Multiculturalism" to combat "pollution" and scroungers.

Prince Zylinski, who is of Polish descent and running on an independent platform, said "Multiculturalism is dead" because of the number of people who come to England, especially London, with the intention of not integrating. 

"There are three boxes which any community needs to tick," said Zylinski as he outlined his policies on social cohesion. "Number one: they come here to work, not for benefits. Number two: they pay their taxes. Number three: they want to integrate; they don't want to impose their values on English society."

And he claimed it's "just not on" when "a classroom of Muslim school girls jumps up with joy when they hear about the bombings in Brussels."

He summarised that "our people, my people tick those boxes" and should be a "role model for everyone else". In a strong pledge to, he promised: "If I was mayor of London, I would be strongly fighting for that; for everybody to get that message."

And he said that he wants "a tough love multiculturalism" because "if people want to be here, they have patriotic." Speaking on the day of Queen Elizabeth II's birthday, he said "the obvious message, Happy Birthday." 

Explaining his policies on social cohesion and communities, Zylinski expressed his pride in "challenging Nigel Farage to a duel in Hyde Park Last Year" last year. 

Speaking exclusively to The Freud Word he said: "I'd ban him from London. It's the mayor's duty to combat pollution in the city. He stirs up hatred in communities and he knocks my people." He stated strongly that "I am a Londoner born and bred, and I will not have anybody talking about my people the way he does."

Zylinski with his sword, his campaign logo 

He was campaigning yesterday outside a joint Evening Standard and Centre for London debate between the two highest-polling candidates, Sadiq Khan and Zac Goldsmith. He claimed: "I call Zac a barbie doll; and Mr Khan is very wooden and has had a charisma bypass. None of them are really up to the job."

If there's any consensus between the candidate, it's ""the objective fact that housing is the number one issue in this election". But he proudly boasted his credentials as "a property developer for thirty years", claiming "I'm the only professional property person. These two don't have a clue."

Zylinski criticised "their main activity over the past few years" as having been "opposing development or sitting on the fence." 

"It needs someone with balls and experience, and I've got it. Boris Johnson as London Mayor has vast planning powers, which he only used twelve times in eight years. I'd use those planning power twelve times a day."  

His campaign coverage is certainly growing, with a string of long newspaper features, including in the Evening Standard, The Telegraph, Sunday Times. He says his campaign is "different", "I'm the dark horse" and "I'm certainly the most colourful character."

He also boasts that Steve Hilton, David Cameron's former advisor, has done "analysis on who the ideal candidate would be, and I'm the one who ticks all the boxes."

P.S. PHOTOS TO BE UPLOADED ASAP. And links to other news site sources. 

4,780 Sign Petition Against Cafe Takeover

Nearly 5000 people have signed a petition over two weeks in spite of a decision to allow the Golders Hill Park Cafe to be taken over. 

The Refreshment House, which has been run by the same Pazienti family for forty-three years, seemingly lost the battle against catering chain Benugo (when), when "The City of London... decided not to renew the lease."

Owner Andrew Pazienti outside the Cafe

Writing on democratic website Change.org, the family says: This has come as a great shock and sadness to both, the family and customers many of whom are now in their third generation."

"The City of London has failed to take into account the views of their customers and singularly sold out in favour of the large chain. This will inevitably lead to higher prices and rob the customers of their delicious home-made Italian ice-cream," it claims.

And the sentiment has been voiced by former workers and customers on social media. Helena Abreu, who worked for the Pazienti's eight years ago, said "I saw how much heart and soul he put on this place. Don't take that away from him because he doesn't deserve [it]." 

Local journalist Sandy Rashty, who writes for the Jewish Chronicle and won the GG2 Young Journalist of the Year Award last year, also branded the decision a "shambles" on Twitter.  

The order will be seen as a major loss for local family-run cuisine businesses, with local newspaper Ham and High already reporting that City of London Corporation has given Benugo the right to run a Parliament Hill Heath-cafe and one in Highgate Wood. They also published an article in which the sister of Miriam Hyman, who died in the 7/7 bombing, said: "Gathering at the cafe she knew each year makes it more bearable as we support each other... It won’t be the place Mim knew."

A public meeting has been arranged to look at the ruling for Wednesday 6th April at Highgate Civic Centre at 7:45pm, for which the campaign pleads those who care to "come along and show your support."


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Note to editors: I wrote this article on Saturday 1 April and, due to the weekend status, have as yet been unable to include a response form the City of London Corporation. Nonetheless, I have emailed their PR: I will update this as soon as I receive one.

"Engagement, Education and Social Action": FZY's New Head

FZY, the Federal Zionist Youth movement which takes the largest number of Jewish teenagers on "Israel Tour" each summer, has elected Noah Levy as its new Mazkir (National Director). 

Noah, a third year student at University of Bristol and former head of its JSOC (Jewish Society), said it will be "a great honour" to head the organisation. "I’m looking forward to teaming up with other youth movements to enhance community cohesion for a strong and united Jewish future in the UK," he mused.

Speaking to The Freud Word, Noah explained his priorities as "engagement, education and social action." He said: "For next year, I'm passionate to increase engagement with our Hadracha -leadership programmes - all over the country. Along with this I want to increase participation on all our programmes including our gap year - Year Course.

I am passionate for Tikkun Olam, this is a concept which unifies Jews from across the spectrum: so my vision is for FZY to increase its engagement with social action and to be a leading player within the community."

And Ed Tyler, current Mazkir, praised Noah's "passion for the Jewish community in the UK, and love of Israel" as the reasons why he will be " the ideal replacement." He added: "Noah will be a fantastic Mazkir and I have no doubt he will keep the movement on the upwards path it is on at the moment..." 

"I really hope he is able to work with his incredible competitor and friend, Laurie Hirschowitz on developing her ideas for the movement as well as his own," he said. Tyler can't reveal Noah's majority, but he told The Freud Word that "it was a very tight race and could have gone either way."

Reflecting on his current job, Ed added "I feel we have made tremendous progress in engaging our members and developing new and exciting ideas for FZY. We are extremely excited to see a rise in our numbers for Israel Tour, the birth of new programmes Livnot and ATID, and the passion of our members at our recent Veida (conference) shows that youth movements such as FZY should continue to be an integral part of British, Jewish society"

He summised: "It will be emotional for me to leave my post in August, but I know I will be leaving FZY in very safe and capable hands."

Tyler also said that the new policy to "change reform service to an 'egalitarian service'" was a sign of good things to come. "On various cross communal seminars with other movements I've seen how well they (services from different strands of Judaism) work together and are able to create one joint Egalitarian service which represents all their forms of Judaism. I believe the service we run has the potential to do this better than it does to serve one particular stream of Judaism," he mused.

Sir Eric Pickles: We Can Take In More Immigrants

Former Communities and Local Government Secretary Sir Eric Pickles yesterday criticised UK's "relaxed approach" to taking in immigrants since the migrant crisis last summer.  

Speaking to Sixth Form Students at JFS, based in Kenton,  the Conservative MP said: “Frankly I find it really difficult to take a relaxed approach." 

Sir Eric Pickles

In response to the "small numbers" who have been welcomed in UK, the MP for Brentwood and Ongar recalled “major contributions” of the “Kinder Transport” and those children who were evacuated from Nazi persecution in their homelands during the Holocaust. He also recognised the contributions to British society made by many of “the people who came from death camps.”

But he identified the "fine line" between accepting too many or too few immigrants in the UK. "The Prime Minister has treated it well," he said. 

And speaking about his lack of regret at having been "moved on" from his former Secretary job in May last year, the recently appointed "Sir" said that sometimes "you've had your chips and got to go." Instead he said he is "proud" of his work as Chairman of Conservative Friends of Israel (CFoI). 

Pickles, who had addressed CFoI’s Parliamentary reception the night before, referred to Israel as a “bastion of liberty and democracy” and “a good ally to this country.” He emphasised that “our economy is extremely linked with Israel’s” and impressed students with the statistic that “one out of six prescriptions in the UK” is based on pharmaceutical knowledge from Israel.

The MP also highlighted his most recent appointment as the  UK’s Special Post Holocaust Envoy. “Views of the Holocaust… is forever faced with contemporary politics,” he claimed. And he added that “there is a surprisingly large amount of Nazi loot floating around Europe now" and promised he is using “democracy, charm and damn-right blood rudeness at times” to educate and affect change.

He vehemently criticised “people who want to rewrite their own history” and “the majority of people who obviously didn’t [do anything].” And when similarly asked his views on the controversy over the Cecil Rhodes statue in Oxford, the Special Envoy said: “No we shouldn’t [pull it down]… you can’t re-write history.” He added: “It’s like ISIS” smashing ancient artefacts in a museum in Mosul.  

Maggie The Yeti: How Sir Eric Pickles Met PM Thatcher

Conservative MP Sir Eric Pickles yesterday revealed the former Prime Minister grabbed him "like a yeti" when he first met her. 

The Former PM,  often called the "Iron Lady"

Speaking to Sixth Form Students at JFS, based in Kenton, Sir Pickles MP told students that then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher “like a yeti, grabbing you” introduced herself to invite him to apply to stand as a Conservative Parliamentary candidate in the 1992 election. He concluded that "she won me over" and “I owe a lot to Margaret Thatcher.”

But the MP for Brentwood and Ongar explained how he was born into a family of “Labour and Cooperative Party” supporters. He fascinated students with his early love of Trotsky’s History of the Russian Revolution, which he read “page to page.”

However he claimed that “I think I’m [now] a Conservative” and that he didn't regret Cameron’s decision to “move [me] on” from his role as Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.  Sometimes “you’ve had your chips and got to go,” he said.

And he claimed to be immensely proud of his work as Chairman of Conservative Friends of Israel (CFoI) since early 2015. Pickles, who had the night before addressed CFoI’s Parliamentary reception, referred to Israel as a “bastion of liberty and democracy” and “a good ally to this country.”  He emphasised that “our economy is extremely linked with Israel’s” and impressed students with the statistic that “one out of six prescriptions in the UK” is based on pharmaceutical knowledge from Israel.

Pickles further highlighted his most recent appointment as the  UK’s Special Post Holocaust Envoy. “Views of the Holocaust… is forever faced with contemporary politics,” he said, adding: “there is a surprisingly large amount of Nazi loot floating around Europe now.”  Perhaps the most honest insight to his current role came when he described the use of “democracy, charm and damn-right bloody rudeness at times” to affect change.

He criticised “people who want to rewrite their own history” and “the majority of people who obviously didn’t [do anything].” And when similarly asked his views on the controversy over the Cecil Rhodes statue in Oxford, the Special Envoy said: “No we shouldn’t [pull it down]… you can’t re-write history.” He added: “It’s like ISIS” smashing ancient artefacts in a museum in Mosul.  

And in response to a further student’s testing question, the MP revealed he finds it “Frankly… really difficult to take a relaxed [approach]… to small numbers [being welcomed in UK].” He praised the “major contributions” of “Kinder Transport [children]” and “the people who came from death camps.”

Sir Eric Pickles, the Conservative Friends of Israel Chairman