Tuesday
Dec212010
All donations gratefully received
Tuesday, December 21, 2010 A supporter who died this year very kindly left Forest £2,000 in his will. I suggested to the executor of his estate that instead of putting the money into the general pot that covers all our campaign costs, we might put it towards a one-off event (or resource) in our benefactor's name.
Any suggestions?
PS. This morning we banked a further £300 from another supporter. All very generous and much appreciated.
Reader Comments (10)
Perhaps an organised protest outside parliament with propa banners followed by a huge party at Boidales ...?
May he rest in peace.
What about an annual memorial award for a person in the public or private eye who does most for the cause of personal liberty?
Then as Patsy suggests drinks at Boisdale.
Well done that man, and my sympathies to his family,
Howabout using the money to rent a private space for a 'smoky drinky' party as Dick Puddlecote would say?
Dave - good idea but make it smoking related liberty. The Lib-Dems and Cons, for example, think they care about personal liberty but somehow don't think one's right to choose to smoke, or not, or to choose to smoke at smoking venues has anything to do with personal liberty.
If we award this to people - it must be because they have backed smokers rights to choose - and not just because they hate CCTV for example :)
Pat you said 'The Lib-Dems and Cons, for example think they care about personal liberty but somehow don't think one's right to choose to smoke, or not, or to choose to smoke at smoking venues has anything to do with personal liberty.'
Sorry to be commenting completely off the subject, but do Mps really need to think of it as a personal liberty? It has been alleged on this site before, that there are two Mps that smoke inside their HOC offices, there (despite there being an agreement in place, that they should not)by smoking they are not breaking any laws as The HOC is a palace. The next G20 style summit that they have, The Secretary of State will agree the venue be exempt no doubt for the duration of the event. I thought it maybe wise to point this out that many of the Mps, don't need to identify with it even those of them that smoke because it simply does not affect them and in certain circumstances they can get away without complying with this law, in the way that we have to..
Our MPs and visiting foreign diplomats are clearly not sticking to the smoking ban.
Why should we ?
I wonder if the £2,000 is more than ASH received in bequests. Maybe you could have an annual award for the 'Fake Charity of The Year'. List the amount of money they receive in donations versus grants from government bodies and interested parties.
There are plenty of contenders other than ASH in the health sector and a huge number in climate change. We also have 'charities' giving debt advice who are actually paid by the banks for collecting the money.
There are no doubt many others who would qualify for such an award.
I suppose an expose of ASH in the national press is out of the question?
Hi Ruth, I was referring to those two parties specifically because both made great noises before the election about reinstating a lot of the personal liberties we lost under Nulab. Whereas they can see things like the Terrorism Act, CCTV and speed cameras, and establishing a national DNA database from birth are freedom issues of concern, they don't seem to understand that people should be free to socialise when using a legal product that they are told is "harmful."
That's why the LibDems Freedom Bill was such a scam because the biggest freedom people could enjoy wasn't even on the radar for them even tho the right to choose to smoke, continue smoking, and socialise in public with other smokers was the most begged for freedom back.
The Tories have obviously signed up entirely with ASH and Tobacco Control or they wouldn't have Ann Milton or Andrew Lansley - both determined anti-smokers - so high up in important Govt health positions.
This is why I suggested that if this memorial award idea is given consideration, it should be tied to the issue of smoking and smoker's rights . There are plenty of politicians, journalists and pressure groups fighting and speaking loudly about other civil freedom issues but few speak up for smokers or their right to enjoy smoking.
We should specifically reward those that do.
Pat, I could not agree more with your comments. Perhaps Brian Binley MP could be nominated for such an award, for standing up for business owners in recognising that the smoking ban is closing thousands of pubs and ruining the social lives of millions.
When the ban was overturned in The Netherlands it was reported back, that ordinary people were really suffering and that many had stopped going to pubs. Perhaps the money could also see, that this all gets good press coverage. We should make a point of praising the actions of Hollands coalition. A coalition government that listens to its people.
Hi Simon!
How about a Liberty and Smoke Police tour for The Intended or any band or bands that supports freedom of choice.
A few of the songs on the new album have liberty themes to them. Not to mention --ahem--"The Smoke Police" song.
Matt Finlayson (Canada)