Wardman Wire Magazine

You are browsing the archives of 2007 October.

I was interviewed on the Matt Revell’s Political Radio programme last night.

The interview was about how the Society of Homeopathy had a post removed from the Quackometer blog rather than addressing the (very serious) questions raised, and the changes that we need in the way the libel laws work in this country.

We discussed what homeopathy is (effectively a Placebo effect - which can work, sometimes, for certain conditions), and talked through what has happened, and some of the questions raised.

Two new wannabe Usmanovs in a few days. Ye Gods.

First the Society of Homeopaths, and now the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

In the Britblog Review yesterday, I emphasized a case where the Society of Homeopaths has attthat Another day, and yet another of example of Usmanov-style censorship by exploiting the absurdities of the UK libel laws under which UK-based ISPs and webhosts can be held liable for third party content.

The back story is that there has been criticism of the effectiveness and approach of the Society of Homeopaths for some time, and the posting at the Quackometer was one of the more recent articles on ths subject.

This emphasizes once again the need for Reform of UK Law - such that the it is easier to debate matters rather than attempt to suppress debate by the back door. I said this:

The Society of Homeopaths is doing an Usmanov (and Schillings!) and attempting to shut down blogs as a way of shutting down criticism. They are about to get their fingers burnt. In this case it is not about shares in Arsenal, it is about - among other things - whether the Society of Homeopaths are going to take responsiblity for their members who have peddled homeopathy as a cure for malaria in Kenya. Go to this article for the update, then read the history and post your opinions on what the Society of Homeopaths did to Quackometer:

My web hosting company Netcetera have received a complaint from the legal representation of the Society of Homeopaths about this posting. On the request of my hosting company, I have taken down this post while I try to understand the concerns of the Society of Homeopaths.

The following was the article which has been removed: (text courtesy Ministry of Truth).

This is perhaps a possible new strategy for Alisher Usmanov.

Picked up from the estimable Spy blog a huge long title but I cannot do any better.

The Reynolds defence against libel is a way for a journalist targetted in a libel action to prove that they were diligent in writing the problematical article. It has a record of not being very effective, but the Spy blog has an analysis of this defence in the Alisher Usmanov / Schillings “Reputation Protection” operation:

Via The Sun

ALISHER USMANOV, the Russian billionaire trying to get hold of Arsenal, has adopted a macabre tactic — plundering the dead.

Usmanov, who has a 23 per cent stake in the Gunners, is attempting to buy all the shares owned by folk who have died.

John Hemming highlights another abuse around the Family Courts System:

I have an example of egregious behaviour by the family justice system to present.

The petition states:

The Petition of a British Citizen

Declares that a Local Authority has recently told a mother that she will not be allowed contact with her adopted child if she continues to protest outside the Family Court.

The Petitioner therefore requests that the House of Commons urges the government to legislate to prevent Local Authorities from using control over contact with their children to prevent parents from protesting about the unfairness of the Family Justice System in England and Wales.

Thus does a request for justice become an excuse to deny justice.

Welcome to the the land of Catch-22.