From first-class MP to peace - your views (From Keighley News)
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From first-class MP to peace - your views
7:50am Thursday 10th November 2011 in Readers' views By Letters to the editor
Demand for rail price hike to be scrapped
Readers who rely on the local railway network may find it interesting to note that Kris Hopkins MP has at his disposal a complimentary first-class pass courtesy of the Grand Central Railway Company (theyworkforyou.com).
So what chance is there of Mr Hopkins supporting the views of tens of thousands of rail travellers who have signed a petition, handed into 10 Downing Street this week, by Jenny Agutter, no less? The petition organised by the Campaign for Better Transport demands that planned fare rises are scrapped. If they are not, they warn that fares will rise in excess of 25 per cent by 2015.
The private profiteering owners of Britain’s railway companies know exactly how to limit any scrutiny by our representatives in Parliament — they treat them to first class tickets thus ensuring they are ignorant of what it is to travel like sardines in overcrowded, filthy carriages.
If any parliamentarian ought to take note of Miss Agutter’s welcome foray into politics, then Mr Hopkins should.
Paul Carr
Oakworth
Kris Hopkins MPresponded: “In common with many Yorkshire MPs, I do make use of a pass provided by the Grand Central Railway Company, thereby saving approaching £200 to the public purse for each return journey to Westminster I make.
Anyone who might suggest that I am in some way influenced in my views on train companies by this arrangement clearly does not know me very well. Judging by his comments, I would certainly put Mr Carr into this category. On the issue of rising rail fares, I have no hesitation in standing shoulder to shoulder with passengers who feel both angry and worried about future price hikes.
The Government’s argument is that fares have to rise as a means of reducing the amount of taxpayers’ money spent on our rail network and there is clearly a logic to this.
However, given the huge financial pressures currently being endured on people’s pockets at the present time, I would hope that an appropriate compromise can be found.
Take the risk of peace upon ourselves
With the approaching Remembrance Day commemorations we certainly must remember, but it is time to acknowledge that outbreak of armed conflict is a sign of abject failure, not success.
Martin Luther-King commented: “High tech or low tech the result is the same — war not only kills, maims and displaces people but also perpetuates anti-inhumane values which cripple us all.” The writings of the 1914-18 war reflected the horror, the sorrow and the futility of war; the writings of 1939-45 reflect the horror inflicted on civilians, Jews, gipsies, communists and anyone speaking out against the Nazi regime.
The ensuing Cold War, with its threat of nuclear annihiliation has dumbed our senses. While acknowledging that with hindsight different paths, policies and decisions could have been taken, at some point war was inevitable.
Since the 1930s, the white poppy has been worn to symbolise the need to work to create the conditions in which the warmongers will not prosper.
This is not to deny the suffering and bravery of those actually involved in armed conflict, and it could be argued that it is not the military which initially takes the decision to go to war; it is the politicians who are acting on our behalf.
It is, therefore, the responsibility of each and every one of us to live and act to make the war machine redundant.
So many people are working through charities and agencies to make the world a better place, yet the act of war is contrary to these efforts.
At this time of remembrance let us take the risks of peace upon ourselves, not impose the risk of war on others.
Can we, as a society, put more energy into preparing to take such risks rather than preparing for war.
Sylvia Boyes
Wimborne Drive, Keighley
Help wanted with research into health
I am writing to ask if your readers might be able to help me with my research.
Earlier this year I started a PhD entitled The Mental Health of the British in Colonial India, 1858-1947, at the University of Huddersfield.
It may be that some of your readers lived and worked in India before 1947.
Perhaps there are local people who have family diaries and letters or were told stories of colonial life there.
I would welcome the opportunity to meet with them and listen to their memories, particularly any which may relate to mental ill-health.
I retired last year after 35 years in local authority social services work in West Yorkshire. I am a qualified social worker who moved into senior management in psychiatric services.
I can be contacted at the address below, (01274) 565468 or mike.young111@btinternet.com.
Mike Young
5 Langley Avenue Bingley
Car park needs closing down
Why has nothing yet been done about the ongoing disgrace that is the Changegate car park, in Haworth.
It seems the good folk of Haworth are content to turn a blind eye to the despicable situation where unwitting, decent visitors to the village – often Brontë lovers from around the globe – are fleeced of nearly £100 at the car park. It is daylight robbery.
I watched a family return to their clamped car, to be greeted by the two heavies sitting in wait in their Land Rover, before then demanding £80 from the family to release the clamp, for parking slightly outside the bay. I watched as the dad had to borrow money from his children, their distress so clear.
Moments later these fine men were ruining someone else’s day. I couldn’t watch any more, it was too upsetting.
Clearly some legal loophole allows this disgusting practice to continue. The people involved in running the car park are beyond contempt, in my opinion.
What upsets me more is how the people of Haworth can allow this appalling situation to carry on in their community.
It is shameful that the car park has not been closed down.
It seems that local people are content to make profit from visitors to Haworth but care not a jot once they’ve spent their money and headed for their cars. There is nobody there warning parkers about what will happen, no signs up, nothing. The car park needs closing down immediately by any means possible.
Rob Hardy
Coventry Road, Market Harborough, Leicestershire.
Pleasant surprise at town council meeting
I had the pleasure of attending the town council meeting on November 3 and was expecting to see much controversy and in fighting.
I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised.
Apart from one occasion when a councillor got a bit irate about whether or not they should be discussing a set of minutes, the rest of the meeting went very smoothly, with many councillors getting their chance to ask questions and make points and votes being cast.
Seemed like democracy in action and pretty much what I was hoping for.
There were even two Bradford councillors there who were being very pleasant and spoke openly about happily working together with the town council for a common purpose.
It seems that if I am ever going to see the famous “back biting, bear pit” of a council fighting among themselves then I’ll have to attend future meetings as I saw nothing of the sort at this one.
I’d like to say many thanks to all the councillors who were there, for making me feel most welcome and putting my mind at rest about the people who represent our interests.
Andy Wade
Providence Crescent, Oakworth
Comments(53)
Keighley Watch
says...
12:31pm Thu 10 Nov 11
Little Green Man
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5:02pm Thu 10 Nov 11
jimmy k
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8:11pm Thu 10 Nov 11
Little Green Man wrote:Is that rhyming slang?
At least Kris will never use taxpayers money on a £60 toilet brush - he probably got a complimentary one off Armitage Shanks.
punnybarsteward
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9:12am Fri 11 Nov 11
r.beale
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12:38pm Fri 11 Nov 11
It has been reported that David Samuels land line was severed in the small hours of Nov10th / 11th. An unconfirmed report states that a U.F.O was seen in Long Lee with a little green man and a Metro logo.
A spokesperson for Keighley Town Council denied any knowledge,of the incident.
Mr Samuels is resting quietly at home, he assured us that he would soon be back.
jimmy k
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12:57pm Fri 11 Nov 11
r.beale wrote:Thats me done,let the david samuels show run.
NEWSFLASH ! ! ! It has been reported that David Samuels land line was severed in the small hours of Nov10th / 11th. An unconfirmed report states that a U.F.O was seen in Long Lee with a little green man and a Metro logo. A spokesperson for Keighley Town Council denied any knowledge,of the incident. Mr Samuels is resting quietly at home, he assured us that he would soon be back.
Stevo54
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2:06pm Fri 11 Nov 11
Little Green Man
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2:37pm Fri 11 Nov 11
Little Green Man
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2:45pm Fri 11 Nov 11
r.beale
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2:59pm Fri 11 Nov 11
r.beale
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2:59pm Fri 11 Nov 11
Little Green Man
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3:11pm Fri 11 Nov 11
sult/however else he might misinterpret it.
r.beale
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11:36pm Fri 11 Nov 11
samuels david
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3:43pm Sat 12 Nov 11
Trying to stamp out truth in our small town of Keighley by these wearisome little people is bound to be unsuccessful, and proves once again efforts to curtail free speech is futile.
So as indicated, truth is resumed, and with even more resolve!
As it seems to be standard policy within KTC not to examine policy with ratepayers I will not debate issues, only post information with comments I find appropriate.
I have found over the past year that the standard of debate regarding the activities of KTC is being dictated by a minority of small minded egotist who have a wish to control, but who, unfortunately, are still under mother’s domination.
Therefore having no wish to to lower myself into that detph of slime I shall restain from answering all threats, insults and bareface lies, innuendoes which have been used in the past to bury truth.
David (not anonymous)Samuels
samuels david
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3:43pm Sat 12 Nov 11
Trying to stamp out truth in our small town of Keighley by these wearisome little people is bound to be unsuccessful, and proves once again efforts to curtail free speech is futile.
So as indicated, truth is resumed, and with even more resolve!
As it seems to be standard policy within KTC not to examine policy with ratepayers I will not debate issues, only post information with comments I find appropriate.
I have found over the past year that the standard of debate regarding the activities of KTC is being dictated by a minority of small minded egotist who have a wish to control, but who, unfortunately, are still under mother’s domination.
Therefore having no wish to to lower myself into that detph of slime I shall restain from answering all threats, insults and bareface lies, innuendoes which have been used in the past to bury truth.
David (not anonymous)Samuels
Little Green Man
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6:26pm Sat 12 Nov 11
Ron, sorry, dragging you into a slanging match wasn't my intention (although I'd be suprised if anyone could point out any slanging I might have done) A pint would be nice but unfortunately I'll not be in town for a while but if you're ever in the Boltmakers have I look around I could be there - pick me out and I'll buy you a pint with pleasure, and in the spirit of the season close upon us (as the shops would have us believe) I will extend that offer to Mr Samuels, again with pleasure.
r.beale
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9:08am Sun 13 Nov 11
Lets us hope that some things in this Town will not change.
samuels david
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2:47pm Sun 13 Nov 11
samuels david
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3:29pm Sun 13 Nov 11
David Samuels
It would seem members of the KTC secret society thought it outrageously funny that I had been momentarily silenced by a member of KTC, or possibly a member of his family who cut my internet connection.
I'm not surprised at the action, as it takes very low intelligence to be a follower and servant of the cligue leader of KTC, a person known to have the acumen of spit, as heatedly stated by a member of the public who commented on the stupidnes of the attack.
However as the New Mayor Cllr Wright would say, ‘move on’ after he legally banned Cllr Lockly from asking a crucial question in KTC chambers!
So as the Mayor can’t ban me, legally or otherwise, I’ll mention the cost of sending two member of KTC Management and Staffing Committee to a Planning Conference in London, Cllr Brooksbank and Hudson the cost approching £500, for why!
What with the cost of Morris dancers of £150, and the cost of the near £139 for the urgently needed Grit Bins stickers, needed presumingly for those ratepayers who couldn’t recognise a ‘Git Bin’ from a double decker bus.
I could place many more 'howlers' here from the past few months KTC files. However the ratepayers should question local KTC or even District Councillors, who don’t seem to want to get their hands dirty with this situation!
Whilst I believe that the above is of a serious matter an even more challenging subject for the secret society masquerading as Keighley Town Council is that of the vast profits which we ratepayer have been assured many times will pour out of the once again delayed opening of the town centre casino, known so far as the money pit old police station.
Question, whilst it is a fact that the ‘secret society’ will not allow the ratepayer the fundermental rights of viewing the exorbitant financial schedules, will the hierarchy publish the monthly financial details, including ALL salaries etc, without the full legal smoke and mirror malarkey, a situation I suspect has been used in past.
David (not anonymous)Samuels
jimmy k
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4:12pm Sun 13 Nov 11
Little Green Man
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4:26pm Sun 13 Nov 11
jimmy k
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7:33pm Sun 13 Nov 11
r.beale
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10:22am Mon 14 Nov 11
samuels david
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7:34pm Mon 14 Nov 11
However one would have thought, with what I understood were his alleged left wing views, he would have assumed that some Keighley ratepayers with debt problem, not erased by any fees paid to ‘debt councillors’ who are allegedly to be housed in the magnificence of the Civic Centre would not be best pleased to have been made aware Cllrs Brooksbank, Liberal, and himself, could trip off to London for a freebe conference at a cost of £335, but hell if you have the prolific spending policy of KTC behind do you care?
David (not anonymous) Samuels
Little Green Man
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7:38pm Mon 14 Nov 11
samuels david
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11:29pm Mon 14 Nov 11
David (not anonymous) Samuels
Little Green Man
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6:40am Tue 15 Nov 11
samuels david
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12:03pm Tue 15 Nov 11
From your past utterances and ill mannered rants at the truth of information placed before the public I would not believe you, even if you told the truth on your deathbed!
David (not anonymous) Samuels
Little Green Man
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12:10pm Tue 15 Nov 11
samuels david
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1:25pm Tue 15 Nov 11
I have nothing but praise those who are fighting for a true democracy in Keighley Town Council and are repulsed by he verbal gobbledegook and the 'smoke and mirror' techniques used to silence debate.
David (not anonymous) Samuels”
Little Green Man
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3:30pm Tue 15 Nov 11
samuels david
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9:05pm Tue 15 Nov 11
I don’t make mistakes deliberately, so when I do I apologise!
I had previously indicated I had no wish to engage with you or your types because of the ill-mannered rhetoric recieved.
I am only answering this post because
I firmly believe that the ratepayers of Keighley are being denied democracy and I believe you are playing a part in that process, whoever you are!
I believe you are a member or partner, or a family member of a KT Councillor.
For some time, it has seemed to me you wore your anonymous cloak to conceal your identity and by concealing your identity you and others tried to suppress, I believe, information which I sincerely believe is a right in a free society.
The ratepayers of Keighley are entitled to unconstrained access to all operational issues which are not of National importance and the issues within a parish council are not, in my view, of such importance.
For reasons still fully unbeknown to me you have, I believe, belittled and characterised the attempts by others and myself as issues which were not vital to local democracy.
To many people I’ve spoken to on a daily basis since your intervention, has created a taste of revulsion.
Your attitude, which of course you are entitled to demonstrate, I suggest should be of reasoned argument and based on facts.
You had first had an argument based on the fact the cost of KTC providing ‘events’ was only a ‘few pennies!’
When that ‘few pennies’ argument was revealed as costing £10,000, £20.000 and even more.
When it was revealed that since 2002 the cost of ‘training courses and travelling expenses’, subscriptions to various ‘trade magazines' etc was in the region of £100,000 your tone and oratory became vicious in the view of some members of the public.
No reasoning or explanation was ever offered and so it became perceived you and what was seen as aliases were the views of a Council, who whilst legally were following the letter of the law were not honourably fulfilling the spirit of local democracy.
For instance utopian promises of vast profits from the Civic Centre and the lack of answers of questions from the public, still to be answered, and your total refusal to admit anything was wrong only added suspicions that you are part of a conspiracy to silence debate.
Ridicule, derision and humiliation as you are aware has long been part of Keighley folklore.
The Trumpton Mayor was introduced as you are aware years ago, and was brought back into prominence when, I believe a high ranking member of KTC sent to me a facsimile of the 'Trumpton Mayor' in an envelope with writing virtually identical to a letter I received a few years ago from a KT councillor.
The Westerman affair and the subsequent comments from his successor Cllr Wright, has added, in my view, that the perception of KTC as the Status Quality has disappeared.
Without fanfare, or the usual 'smoke and mirror' technique, why not ask, directly, the general public the following question:
After nine years and with vast amounts of public money spent what benefit if any to you as a Keighley Ratepayer has the KTC achieved.
David (not anonymous) Samuels
Ps Do the world a favour, don't reply!
Little Green Man
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9:19pm Tue 15 Nov 11
jimmy k
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10:57pm Tue 15 Nov 11
Little Green Man
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7:34am Wed 16 Nov 11
samuels david
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12:51pm Wed 16 Nov 11
You ignore and seemingly turn your back on these desperate people.
Are your eyes closed to the sick, infirm, the hungry and cold as I believe as you do?
You glory in showing disrespect and sneer at the fact I and a few others have a view which tries to point up, that your pride and joy, Keighley Town Council spends ratepayer’s money on frivolities such as training courses, which has had no affect on the well being of ratepayers.
Of course the participating councillors and staff no doubt will have enjoyed the largesse of financially stretched Keighley folk.
Such immoral waste of ratepayer’s monies, as you are most probably aware could best be used to help those needing respite from the activities of KTC.
Donating these wasted monies to those in need would have a profound effect!
As you have stated on more than one occasion you ‘enjoy a good joke’ and your sick comment that ‘Daves just kidding,’ is yet another lie from you, as I don’t joke about those in need!
How despicable that you can justify asking Ratepayers to pay money to a debt management company at the Keighley Civic Centre which may open sometime next year, a centre which has already cost ratepayers dearly.
I’m afraid its people like you who give religions a bad name as you and your kind use hypocrisy as a sport against those less fortunate than yourself.
As a ‘good’ Christian Little Green Man I think you are a disgrace, and the sad thing is, I believe you and your kind enjoy that status as you furtively hide behind your anonymity!
David (not anonymous) Samuels
Little Green Man
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1:05pm Wed 16 Nov 11
samuels david
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1:34pm Wed 16 Nov 11
David (not anonymous) Samuels”
samuels david
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1:49pm Wed 16 Nov 11
I've had two landline calls and it has been noticed that you haven’t used all your aliases so as to defend your illogical and sad posting’s!
David (not anonymous) Samuels
Little Green Man
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2:12pm Wed 16 Nov 11
samuels david
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6:01pm Wed 16 Nov 11
As stated earlier on this issue, unfortunately for you, because of the many aliases you have used you have boxed yourself into a tissue of lies and deceit of which there is no escape.
To expose yourself now would lead to even more ridicule than you receive at present! I would also refer you to my comments of
12:03pm Tue 15 Nov 11
‘As you talk the same as a KTC and are anonymous I have no way of verifying your statement.
From your past utterances and ill mannered rants at the truth of information placed before the public I would not believe you, even if you told the truth on your deathbed!‘
David (not anonymous) Samuels
(Over to you sweety!)
Little Green Man
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6:20pm Wed 16 Nov 11
samuels david
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7:06pm Wed 16 Nov 11
You, a self professed 'good Christian', it’s not like you to play dumb.
WoW! This is a new ploy!!!
David (not anonymous) Samuels
Little Green Man
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8:05pm Wed 16 Nov 11
I challenge you to prove one single 'fact' that you have alleged about me during this conversation, and by prove I mean actually come up with some proof and not just reiterate that because you think I'm evil then you must be correct. Actual proof Dave, come on, I guarantee 100% you will fail this challenge or you will make some excuse or you will spout some more gibberish - whats it going to be Dave? My money is on gibberish...
jimmy k
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8:13pm Wed 16 Nov 11
samuels david
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11:43pm Wed 16 Nov 11
No I’ve no personal axe to grind with anybody.
However unlike Little Green Man, you know or you could even be another alias, who can tell, I don’t need to tell people that I’m a good Christian, as most certainly I’m not!
I’ve at the stage where for a very long time this ‘Good Christian’ has accused me and others of misusing this blog.
This ‘Good Christian’ ignores the plight of others while ‘poking fun’ at those of us who are trying to do something positive for this town without taking the ratepayers hard earned money as expenses.
I am not in the business of trying to do myself any favours thank you, but after many, oh many months of personal abuse from cretins who talk alike, who rant without facts or figures, who bring debate to the low level of horse manure and by doing so bring scorn on my home town, then I get angry.
I get angry when people such as the gibberisly evil of Little Green Man makes light of a lack of education in me or with anybody, as if it’s a crime that it happens yet becomes a hypocrite when not noticing his own spelling mistakes!
I’m fed up with the KTC and its seemingly undemocratic policy towards elected representatives of the people.
When I spoke the truth my land line was cut at least the decent people of Keighley stood up for me.
That moment was when I decided that people such as Little Green Man and his cohorts should be aware even very old people, such as me will stand and fight the bullies who enjoy the little ‘fun’ which little Green Man so much enjoys, a fact which he has spoken of on other occasions
It’s obvious he does not care what is happening in Keighley, so one can presuppose he cares only for himself, which of course is the right of anybody, but to take the stand that he is right all the time brings me to the conclusion, as I’ve said many times it’s time he looked at responsibility, and just for once say sorry for all the upset he has caused not only me but the many others, not only on this blog and I’m sure in many other spheres in his miserable life.
He won’t simply because Little Green Man lacks the ability to stand up as a human being!
Little Green Man is stupid in my view, I make a comment on the financial activities of KTC and he attacks me for that comment, does he then really think that I’m going to lay down as he kicks me?
Love and kisses to Little Green Man for being a 'good Christian'.
David (not anonymous) Samuels
David (not anonymous) Samuels”
samuels david
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11:46pm Wed 16 Nov 11
You reap what you sow!
Night Night all!
TruthTold
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11:53pm Wed 16 Nov 11
PS -why does he post the same thing twice? Is once not bad enough!!
samuels david
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6:04am Thu 17 Nov 11
My crime is telling the Truth about the spending activities and the lies distributed by KTC against me to members of that organization while bizarre, is not unexpected.
That the ‘bile’ TruthTold states I spew forth because of my moral standing which is that, whilst legal I believe that it is morally wrong that a convicted felon should not be entitled to sit as an unelected Councillor in any Parish or City Council. (Westerman did not receive even one vote in the Morton Ward.)
I remind Truth Told that the good ‘Samaritan’ committed a crime, which obviously is OK if committed against me, however if that same crime was to be committed against Truth Told I suspect TruthTold would not so easily cheer the villain on!
I will continue to voice my views regarding the activities of KTC, and I will continue to be proud of my own activities in the Charities, which is in desperate need of a thousand fold increase while KTC spend ratepayer’s money on increasing salaries and activities of questionable value.
Local Keighley charities have received my personal support for nearly fifty years and as stated above, in spite of the personal venom generated against me for defending myself I will continue!
In simple terms TruthTold I accept reasonable debate on my views, based on fact not fiction, truth not lies, and if verbally attacked by you or anybody I will not sit down waiting to be kicked by those hypocritical so-called self styled ‘good Christians’ who admit they enjoy ‘poking fun’ at me and lack the moral strength to say sorry.
Good morning all.
David (not anonymous) Samuels
Little Green Man
says...
6:42am Thu 17 Nov 11
susan j
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11:47pm Thu 17 Nov 11
Little Green Man
says...
10:59am Fri 18 Nov 11
Keighley Watch says...
12:31pm Thu 10 Nov 11