For Howard and others who enjoy excuses from accused persons.
Peter Duncanson
Just heard on the local (Northern Ireland) news:
Michael Stone (our local one[1]) is facing five charges of murder
arising out of his attempt a few weeks ago to enter the Stormont
Parliament Building while carrying various weapons.
The news report quoted his lawyer as saying that his client's
actions were not terrorism -- they were "Performance Art".
[1] http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/6182996.stm
--
Peter Duncanson, UK
(in uk.business.agriculture)
Steve Firth
> The news report quoted his lawyer as saying that his client's
> actions were not terrorism -- they were "Performance Art".
You owe me a new keyboard and monitor, I've just sprayed coffee all over
the place.
Howard Neil
Fortunately for my keyboard I heard this news while out this afternoon.
Equally fortunately, the road was totally empty otherwise my car would
no longer be in one piece.
This is quite incredible as an excuse and the average court will be
incensed that such a defence could be used. It may well backfire and
result in a heavier penalty that he would otherwise have got. Judges,
for some strange reason, don't like having the p!ss taken out of them.
--
Howard Neil
Peter Duncanson
The lawyer was very careful to explain that he was speaking as
instructed by his client. Stone was appearing via video link from
the prison in which he is being held. There was no danger that he
might escape while everyone in the courtroom was convulsed.
Stone claims that the weapons he had with him were not viable. The
hearing was adjourned for forensic scientists to investigate this
claim.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/breaking-news/ireland/article2087440.ece
Michael Stone actually is an artist "painting large expressionist
works in primary colours and gloss paint". He "explains" his latest,
not so abstract, work here:
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/article2087186.ece
My Stormont stunt was performance art: Stone
[Published: Tuesday 19, December 2006 - 12:53]
By Maureen Coleman
Milltown murderer Michael Stone has come up with a novel way of
justifying his Stormont stunt - by claiming it was "performance
art".
In an open letter to the Secretary of State Peter Hain and the
Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde, Stone referred to himself as "an
author and artist" and alleged that his "unfinished work",
entitled 'Never Say Never', was aimed at exposing the "futility
of the politically-motivated violence created in a political
vacuum".
The notorious loyalist admitted his attack on Stormont buildings
on November 24 was "extreme", but had the desired effect of
highlighting the need for political stability in Ulster and the
"obvious threat that without devolution and a sustained period
of power-sharing between democrats, the spectre of our troubled
past may return to haunt us".
Stone even went as far as to say that his "work" had been
influenced by Picasso's painting of Guernica in which he
depicted the slaughter of innocent civilians during the Spanish
Civil War and by columnist Eamonn McCann, who occupied a
building in Londonderry to protest against the war in Iraq.
He also claimed he was inspired by Revs Ian Paisley and Ivan
Foster, who were forcibly ejected from Parliament Buildings in
Stormont during an Anglo-Irish protest in the 1980s.
"As an artist I viewed the political event at Stormont as an
opportunity to exhibit a work in performance art," Stone stated.
...
Jim Webster
"Peter Duncanson" <ma...@peterduncanson.net> wrote in message
news:qgbgo2tf1t9p4sms4...@4ax.com...
> "As an artist I viewed the political event at Stormont as an
> opportunity to exhibit a work in performance art," Stone stated.
> ...
the problem is, his comments aren't any more outlandish than those normally
made by some politicians in the North of Ireland ;-(
Jim Webster
Pat Gardiner
"Jim Webster" <j...@websterpagebank.freeswerve.co.uk> wrote in message
news:4ur4tvF...@mid.individual.net...
Shall I correct him, Peter or will you?
It is alright, I'll do it.
When talking to Peter it is "Northern Ireland", when discussing it south of
the border it is "the six counties" or "the North" or maybe the "North of
Ireland."
If you get confused, in writing, "NI" covers every possible view. Equally
"mainland UK" or "British Isles" can get you into all kinds of trouble.
When the pub discuses the Second Anglo-German War dive out the nearest
window.
You really have to do some travelling.
--
Regards
Pat Gardiner
www.go-self-sufficient.com
>
> Jim Webster
>
Oh No
he is completely mad, one excuse is as likely to be valid as another :-)
Jim Webster
"Oh No" <no...@charlesfrancis.wanadoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:1166623144.6...@f1g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
isn't madness assumed to be the norm in Irish politics!
I must admit that whilst I can see Howards point, a defence so
ostentatiously over the top does deserve some sort of arts prize
Jim Webster
Geoff
<j...@websterpagebank.freeswerve.co.uk> wrote:
>
>"Oh No" <no...@charlesfrancis.wanadoo.co.uk> wrote in message
>news:1166623144.6...@f1g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>>
>> Howard Neil wrote:
>>> Steve Firth wrote:
>>> > On Tue, 19 Dec 2006 15:55:00 +0000, Peter Duncanson wrote:
>>> >
>>> >> The news report quoted his lawyer as saying that his client's
>>> >> actions were not terrorism -- they were "Performance Art".
>>> >
>>> > You owe me a new keyboard and monitor, I've just sprayed coffee all
>>> > over
>>> > the place.
>>>
>>> Fortunately for my keyboard I heard this news while out this afternoon.
>>> Equally fortunately, the road was totally empty otherwise my car would
>>> no longer be in one piece.
>>>
>>> This is quite incredible as an excuse and the average court will be
>>> incensed that such a defence could be used. It may well backfire and
>>> result in a heavier penalty that he would otherwise have got. Judges,
>>> for some strange reason, don't like having the p!ss taken out of them.
>>>
>> Sounded very reasonable to me. Either way, he is completely mad. And if
>> he is completely mad, one excuse is as likely to be valid as another :-)
>>
>
>isn't madness assumed to be the norm
In your world? Guess so!
Howard Neil
> isn't madness assumed to be the norm in Irish politics!
> I must admit that whilst I can see Howards point, a defence so
> ostentatiously over the top does deserve some sort of arts prize
The prize should be to spend the rest of his life carving rocks, under
close scrutiny. Let him put his artistic enthusiasm to good use.
--
Howard Neil
Jim Webster
"Howard Neil" <hn...@REMOVETOREPLY.co.uk> wrote in message
news:45896554$0$8711$ed26...@ptn-nntp-reader02.plus.net...
but there is something magnificent is the defence. A breathtaking disregard
of probability, common sense, or even reality.
It is, in itself, a work of art ;-)
But as you say, the appropriate reward is already available on the statute
book
Jim Webster
Peter Duncanson
<j...@websterpagebank.freeswerve.co.uk> wrote:
Will he be approaching the Arts Council of Northern Ireland for
funding, I wonder?
By complete coincidence, on the same day that Stone was appearing in
court via video link an exhibition of prisoners' art was opened in
the Visitors' Centre of his prison.
Old Codger
the accident? :-)
--
Old Codger
e-mail use reply to field
What matters in politics is not what happens, but what you can make
people believe has happened. [Janet Daley 27/8/2003]
Howard Neil
> Howard Neil wrote:
>> Steve Firth wrote:
>>> On Tue, 19 Dec 2006 15:55:00 +0000, Peter Duncanson wrote:
>>>
>>>> The news report quoted his lawyer as saying that his client's
>>>> actions were not terrorism -- they were "Performance Art".
>>>
>>> You owe me a new keyboard and monitor, I've just sprayed coffee all over
>>> the place.
>>
>> Fortunately for my keyboard I heard this news while out this
>> afternoon. Equally fortunately, the road was totally empty otherwise
>> my car would no longer be in one piece.
>>
>> This is quite incredible as an excuse and the average court will be
>> incensed that such a defence could be used. It may well backfire and
>> result in a heavier penalty that he would otherwise have got. Judges,
>> for some strange reason, don't like having the p!ss taken out of them.
>>
> Would the North Wales constabulary accept that as a justified reason for
> the accident? :-)
>
No, neither would any other.
--
Howard Neil
Jim Webster
Jim Webster
grey...@gmaildo.tocom
>>>>> result in a heavier penalty that he would otherwise have got. Judges,
>>>>> for some strange reason, don't like having the p!ss taken out of them.
>>>>>
>>>> Sounded very reasonable to me. Either way, he is completely mad. And if
>>>> he is completely mad, one excuse is as likely to be valid as another :-)
>>>>
>>>
>>>isn't madness assumed to be the norm in Irish politics!
>>> I must admit that whilst I can see Howards point, a defence so
>>>ostentatiously over the top does deserve some sort of arts prize
>>>
>> Will he be approaching the Arts Council of Northern Ireland for
>> funding, I wonder?
>>
>> By complete coincidence, on the same day that Stone was appearing in
>> court via video link an exhibition of prisoners' art was opened in
>> the Visitors' Centre of his prison.
>>
> life imitating art imitating life imitating art!
>
Stone is a complete nut, but the situation up there is delicate, and
there is the suspicion in Republican circles is that he was allowed
far too much leeway. Now that we are enjoying a certain amount of
peace, and some progress is being made (allowing that both Adams and
Paisley are in danger of losing some of their support) the like of
Stone is not needed..
--
greymaus
Just Another Grumpy Old Man