About Steph « Steph’s blog

About Steph

21 July, 2007 by steph

Me
I’m 31 years old, of mixed English-Sicilian heritage and live in East London with my brother and nephew. I also have a home in Nissa, Sicily.

My Politics
I’m an anarchist in the tradition of Errico Malatesta and inspired by the Liberation theology of Fr. Gustavo Gutiérrez, who said: “To know God is to do justice.” Although I’m a practicing Catholic, I rarely agree with the Vatican.

I strongly believe in the right of indigenous self-determination and oppose imperialism, capitalism, globalisation, oppression, and all forms of fascism, including Zionism.

My Work
I’m a lawyer (avvocato), specialising in criminal law - mainly cases involving kidnap or the use of force. I’m currently on a career break so I can spend more time with my family, blogging and working on my tan.

98 Responses to “About Steph”

on 4 September, 2007 at 11:54 pm1 ylei

I am sorry. I am late.
on 5 September, 2007 at 10:05 pm2 steph

Hi Ylei thanks for dropping by
on 7 September, 2007 at 10:57 am3 autorul

Congratulations for your blog. I like’it. Of course, I don’t understand all, coz I don’t know very well english. I’m romanian journalist. It’s off topic :). See u!
on 7 September, 2007 at 1:37 pm4 steph

Thanks Autorol.
on 9 September, 2007 at 5:50 pm5 Saladin

Fellow Bloggers -

I am a “late adapter” of technology — enough so that it’s pretty amazing that I have a blog in the first place. But I do, and now I’ve discovered blogrolls. I’m putting together a list of links to other blogs on my site and I want get permission from each of you to do so. If you’re willing I’d also like you to list me on your site (a couple of you have laready done so - thanks!), but this is not quid pro quo or anything.

Be Well
Saladin

My Blog: http://soboredwiththeusa.blogspot.com/
on 9 September, 2007 at 8:49 pm6 steph

Hi Saladin, I’ve already put you on my blogroll. I’d be happy to be on yours. Thanks.
on 11 September, 2007 at 10:54 am7 Tom

Hello Stefania,

I´m politically active too. I would like to talk to you directly. You know my email address. How can I contact you?

Tom
on 11 September, 2007 at 11:40 am8 steph

Hi Tom. You can email me: stephiblog@gmail.com
on 11 September, 2007 at 4:51 pm9 Roberto

Steph: Congradulations on the new design in your blog. Roberto
on 16 September, 2007 at 1:08 pm10 aMmAr

Hi Steph its quite surprising to see an English-Sicilian girl like you to be so politically active that also has her own unique point of view about the current affairs.

Keep up the good work nice knowing you
on 18 September, 2007 at 11:18 am11 steph

Thank you aMmAr
on 19 September, 2007 at 1:17 pm12 Matt Wardman

>kidnap consultant

How does one get to be a kidnap consultant? Fascinating.

And are you advising on how to avoid kidnap or how to do it ;-?
on 19 September, 2007 at 2:39 pm13 steph

Hi Matt, first question: what I do requires connections to the kidnappers.

Occasionally we (my brother and I) will advise a company on its security policy but we never advise on how to avoid kidnap. Mainly we act for the victim of a kidnap but it usually the kidnappers who contact us. We act as a go-between.
on 24 September, 2007 at 7:58 pm14 Mister Dez

Kidnap Consultant. Do people consult you before they kidnap? Or after they have kidnapped? Then you should know more about what is going on in McCanns minds than the McCanns themselves.
Carry on Blogging!
on 25 September, 2007 at 2:34 pm15 steph

Thanks Dez,

no I don’t advise them before hand. I get a phone call from a security company (like the one the McCanns have just hired) or from the kidnappers, asking me to get involved. I like to know who I’m dealing with.

I don’t deal in child abductions because the kidnappers that I deal with don’t kidnap children. Kidnapping children for ransom in Western Europe is rare (from the kidnappers point of view its a bad idea) but I have know enough about kidnap to know how implausible the McCanns story is.
on 25 September, 2007 at 5:53 pm16 attendingtheworld

Thank God for Intelligence! As I often comment: “There IS intelligence on (in) WordPress.”

Great Blog.

ATW
on 29 September, 2007 at 4:02 pm17 Paradisewildchild

The face of the blog has changed; it looks more professional now. Thankfully, the person behind the blog is the same, beautiful, passionate, analytical mind filled with compassion and empathy for all the people of the world.
You’re prolific and we love your writings. Keep it up.
on 30 September, 2007 at 6:53 pm18 steph

@Paradisewildchild

Thanks.

I’m glad you like it. I prefer this website too. Hope all is well with you and it’s good to hear from you again.
on 1 October, 2007 at 9:55 am19 Andrew Bedell (LLedeb)

Loving the look of the blog Steph.
on 1 October, 2007 at 7:46 pm20 boatangdemetriou

Hey ya Steph.

Nice site, looks great. Very interesting articles and I like your politics, even if I probably disagree with most of it!

All the best to you.

Have a sneak peak at my site if you fancy. Mr Boatang and I set it up recently.

regards

John

http://boatangdemetriou.wordpress.com/
on 2 October, 2007 at 2:32 am21 steph

Thanks Boatangdemetriou, I checked out your blog when you left a comment on my boxing post, you’re right we do disagree on a lot but I like your writing.

I’m going to add you to my blogroll.
on 2 October, 2007 at 1:54 pm22 steph

Thanks Andrew.
on 6 October, 2007 at 3:12 pm23 sayasaja

Hi Steph, it’s a great blog.
Your point of view wakes me up that many people of western country actually realy love peace. Not only love money, diamond and oil (and ready to war to get those stuff).
I’m from Indonesia. I’m sorry for my bad english.
Can I put your blog in my blogroll? Thx.
on 11 October, 2007 at 3:11 am24 wrwebb

Steph,

Do you think WordPress would exist in a state of anarchy? Craigslist would, but that’s obvious.

-Rob
on 18 October, 2007 at 12:40 am25 jack backerman

So let me get this right you hate usa etc but you support the terroist regimes and terroism ? i mean i cant get over the fact that you must be intelligent so how can you support people who use dream tactics of religion to force illitterate people to kill themselves most of whom never went to school ! its no wonder the kiddnappers get in touch with you as you appear to support their cause !! you dont like anyone being against islam ?? well not every muslim is a terroist but every terroist has been a muslim !! on the plus side your not a bad looker ! buyt as they say looks can be deceiving !!
on 18 October, 2007 at 4:19 pm26 steph

By terrorist regimes you mean the America, Israel, Britain, Australia and Saudi?!! I don’t support any of those regimes.

Actually, most terrorists are nominally Christians and Jews, and most suicide bombers aren’t illiterate, they’re educated.

I neither condemn nor condone kidnap as tactic.
on 27 October, 2007 at 10:22 pm27 Ric

Intelligent, passionate, and Sicilian! And a blog that’s intelligent and passionate too! My Sicilian half resonates. Good blog.

Grumpy Lion
on 31 October, 2007 at 1:23 am28 steph

Thanks Ric,

viva Sicilia

ciao Steph X
on 3 November, 2007 at 7:18 am29 opit

Ric is the Grumpy Lion ; and a good one. Yours is a unique resume if I’ve ever seen one. have a look at
http://mollymew.blogspot.com/
on 3 November, 2007 at 4:37 pm30 steph

Thanks Opit,

I’ve just checked out mollymew: great blog.
on 6 November, 2007 at 3:54 pm31 Ric

Mr. Backerman is misinformed. Every terrorist has not been a Muslim. Here in the United States we have Timothy McVeigh, Eric Rudolph, the Klan, a variety of armed right-wing militias, skinheads, and so-called Nazis. Islamic terrorists may have control of the worldwide market, but they’re not the only ones out there. We even have terrorists in charge of our government - people who bomb civilians, turn military and paramilitary units loose on civilians, who torture and murder, who do not believe in the rule of law, who do not believe in democracy and are doing their very best to bring it down wherever it threatens to crop up. They’re called Republicans and Conservatives, and they’re led by Bush and Cheney, Rice and (Gonzales) soon Mukasey.
on 9 November, 2007 at 9:39 pm32 steph

@ Ric

I couldn’t agree more. Terrorism is a tactic. I’m a practising Catholic, I don’t accept that a warmongering, drink sodden, degenerate, terrorist and coward represents Christianity, and I don’t accept that his friend, Osama Bush Laden, represents Islam.

I hear all this crap about Islamic culture. Sicilian culture is part Catholic and part Islamic. The Islamic contribution to Western civilisation and European culture is enourmous. And as George Carty pointed out English Common Law is based on the Shari’a.
on 14 November, 2007 at 4:16 pm33 commiedyan

Are you serious about being a kidnap consultant? What does the work entail?
on 14 November, 2007 at 4:55 pm34 steph

@ commiedyan

I’m a lawyer and have defend people accussed of kidnap and acted as a victim communicator (go-between) in the past.

In Italy, kidnap is an offence against the patrimony, so no lawyer is allowed to negotiate with kidnappers but in reality no one in their right mind would go to the police because the courts will freeze their assets. So Italian lawyers routinely ignore this law an act as go-betweens - obviously I didn’t. I only worked as a victim communicator outside Italy - because I’m a good girl

Kidnaps are usually resolved by wiring money to an off-shore bank account, sometimes a private investigator hands over money.

I’m not acting as a victim communicator or doing criminal defence at the moment but I occassionally still do kidnap consultancy, which entails advising companies about kidnap and kidnap recovery.
on 14 November, 2007 at 6:21 pm35 commiedyan

I should tell you kidnapping is a regular fund-raising activity by Islamists in southern Philippines.
on 14 November, 2007 at 6:29 pm36 Heather

Steph…

“I’m a lawyer and have defend people accussed of kidnap and acted as a victim communicator (go-between) in the past.”

So if they get caught you make money and if they don’t get caught you make money. lol

Are there any clients you won’t defend?
on 15 November, 2007 at 12:25 am37 steph

@ Heather

I refused to touch divorce cases for moral reasons but I don’t have a issue defending someone just because they were charged with kidnap.
on 15 November, 2007 at 12:29 am38 steph

@ commiedyan

Kidnapping is a regular fund-raising activity for a lot of revolutionary groups, including ETA and Brigate Rosse. It’s propaganda by deed.
on 15 November, 2007 at 6:05 pm39 commiedyan

Oh. But I can’t consider Philippine Islamists revolutionary.
on 15 November, 2007 at 6:12 pm40 steph

I wasn’t suggesting that they are, I don’t know anything about them. I was just saying that that is what a lot of revolutionary groups and separatists do to fund their activities. A lot of people think that if the motive is financial it’s not political but that’s not always the case. Political groups often ask for ransoms.
on 16 November, 2007 at 3:45 am41 Abigail Santos

“When I’m not blogging, I’m a lawyer and kidnap consultant.”

Sounds like you lead an interesting life.
on 17 November, 2007 at 5:56 pm42 steph

@ Abigail

Thanks, I do, but not the being a lawyer and kidnap consultant bit. Sounds a lot more interesting than it is. See my comment @ 35 but on the plus side, I get to travel.
on 22 November, 2007 at 2:37 pm43 Observer

Hello Steph,

Came to you via Anorak. Some well thought out comments on the Mccann case.

As you’re an expert in kidnapping, anytime you fancy kidnapping me….well in the words of Leonard Cohen….. I’m your man !

I shall follow your words over the coming weeks.

byeee
on 22 November, 2007 at 3:29 pm44 steph

Hi Observer

Lol, how much would I get for you?

I’m an expert on kidnap recovery not kidnap but I have some idea about how kidnap works.

Thanks
on 24 November, 2007 at 7:12 pm45 Vinay

hi steph,
your’s is an impressing blog.i am novice in blogging and i have written two articles on Iraq and Pak. Can u plz comment on them.

thanks
on 26 November, 2007 at 2:17 pm46 Observer

how much would you get for me ?

bugger all i’d suspect but hey you never know i may end up with Stockholm syndrome and then you’d be paying to get rid of me !

but for the time being I’ll watch you blog from afar.

byee
on 26 November, 2007 at 2:45 pm47 steph

Okay, so i won’t need the handcuffs then
on 26 November, 2007 at 3:40 pm48 Observer

now you’re just bein cheeky…. but now you mention it…pink fluffy ones please

byeee
on 7 December, 2007 at 8:01 pm49 radicalhypocrite

Added you on my blogroll. Permission?
on 16 December, 2007 at 10:24 pm50 moh2o

Hi Stephanie,
I thank you in advance for having such fine blog. You seem like a nice woman. I have a blog I want to share with you too. Here:
http://justicerangers.blogspot.com/
on 17 December, 2007 at 2:57 am51 Danny Downey

Hey Steph…love your site…I always love dropping by to read some articles you write. I hope all is well and you are doing good.

feel free to drop by some of my new blogs

http://entertainmentthis.blogspot.com

http://entertainmentthat.blogspot.com

access to some really cool sites for all FREE movies, TV, and documentaries.
on 17 December, 2007 at 12:20 pm52 steph

Hi Danny

What happened to the Palestinian info websites?
on 17 December, 2007 at 12:23 pm53 steph

@ Moh20

Interesting blogsite, we have the same problems with sex trafficking in Europe.
on 19 December, 2007 at 2:19 pm54 rhea

I guess I’m confused. I haven’t perused your blog outside your “about” page yet, so I don’t know much about what you do or why you do it except for your comments herein.

I’ve never been one to criticize defense lawyers for who they defend…I strongly believe in everyone’s right to a fair defense. However, I’m confused by two of your comments: “I refuse to touch divorce cases for moral reasons but I don’t have an issue defending someone just because they were charged with kidnap”, and “I neither condemn nor condone kidnap as a tactic.”

Regarding your first comment, is kidnapping not a moral issue? Even if its motives are financially or politically based, it bears moral consequence because of its effect on victims and societies. If your reason for staying away from divorce cases is that it doesn’t constitute a criminal defense, I would plead the right to divorcees in seeking counsel to help navigate the complex legal system. The legal system exists not only for criminals and victims, but for civil actions as well. If your reason is because you see divorce itself as immoral, then that leads to my second question….

I’m baffled as to how you don’t condemn kidnapping as a tactic. If it’s because you defend kidnappers, that makes no sense…attorneys don’t compromise anything by condemning the acts of people they defend. If it’s because you see nothing wrong with kidnapping or you’re focusing on its usefulness as a tactic, then I would strongly encourage you to reevaluate your stance based on the impact on victims. I do admit this issue is personal, but I hope I’m not the only person to condemn kidnapping as a tactic.
on 19 December, 2007 at 7:02 pm55 steph

Rhea

I strongly disagree about divorce cases, in my view, divorce lawyers are without exception, unscrupulous, devious, parasites, who serve no good and needlessly cause misery and suffering. I also don’t believe in the right to free representation in civil cases.

In criminal cases, the right to free representation is a must. Kidnap and legitimate use of force are my specialities. I rarely handled any other cases. I agree there are circumstances where kidnap is immoral and there are some defendants I wouldn’t represent but as a means of resistance to State oppression or to raise money to resist State oppression, I think it can be morally justifiable, that doesn’t mean I condone it, but I won’t condemn the tactic. And frankly, if I did, I wouldn’t be a good victim communicator or intermediary.
on 19 December, 2007 at 8:34 pm56 rhea

Ah, so it’s the lawyers who are unequivocally immoral, not the divorcees.

Just to offer another voice, I happen to know a whole handful of morally sound divorce attorneys. Maybe that’s rare. I probably know more slimy ones, but in any case, I try to avoid lumping any group of people into a rigid “without exception” category. I find that humans show remarkable variance, even among divorce attorneys. I anticipate that you will disagree, but alas…rebuffing another person’s statements would seem to suggest that it is a difference of opinion rather than fact.

I agree that kidnapping can be a morally justifiable act when done in resistance to State oppression, but I consider it a lesser of two evils. Therefore, while I agree with you, I still see it as bearing moral weight in every case. Whether it’s actually a moral or immoral act is something that must be considered separately in each case.

Um…I agree that if you plainly condemned kidnapping as a tactic, you probably wouldn’t make a good communicator or intermediary.
on 20 December, 2007 at 12:59 am57 steph

@ rhea

I happen to know a whole handful of morally sound divorce attorneys.

That’s your view. I’ve given mine.

Divorce lawyers leech off their clients, the clients’ former spouses, or the legal aid system. They would never tell their client to accept a reasonable settlement if they thought they could extort more. And would never refuse to represent a parent who used access to the kids as a bargaining tool. Why? Code of ethics.
on 20 December, 2007 at 3:54 pm58 heather

@ Steph

You haven’t done any posts on the US Presidential election, who do you want to win?
on 20 December, 2007 at 4:13 pm59 Simon

Rhea - “I happen to know a whole handful of morally sound divorce attorneys.”

They can’t be very good then.
on 20 December, 2007 at 5:20 pm60 steph

@ Heather

I’m not going to support any candidate in that election, it’s going to be a two horse race between the CEO of the Democrats plc. and the CEO of the Republicans plc but I might do a post on it.
on 21 December, 2007 at 9:29 am61 Paul Travers

Hi Steph.

Keep up the good work. The only thing about your position on divorce lawyers is that you are denying the profession the benefit of your excellent forensic skills. But as for the rest of it, you are quite right.

A fellow lawyer
on 21 December, 2007 at 12:14 pm62 lwtc247

Steph, What if Ron Paul won? Do you see any change in US foreign policy? Would Paul be allowed to change it? Can he thrust his hips in the oval office saying “I’ve got the power” or will some jumped up little APAC snot be doing it some Jan 2009?i
on 21 December, 2007 at 2:41 pm63 steph

@ lwtc

History proves it’s not hard for a committed person to assassinate the US President but even easier to assassinate a candidates character. You can’t win the US presidency without money and the media, and the investors and the media like sure bets, that why they back brand names like Clinton and Bush.

Hilary isn’t running on merit, she’s running on her husband’s name. I have no idea who will win but I’m sure that they will have ticked all the rights boxes to get the Republican and Democratic nominations - so I don’t think they will be too much different. Clinton bombed three continents.
on 21 December, 2007 at 3:06 pm64 steph

Thanks Paul.
on 24 December, 2007 at 6:08 pm65 Danny Downey

Hi Steph, Sorry For not getting back sooner…

Palestine is still the Issue, I make that my main thing to blog about….

I post daily on
http://windowintopalestine.blogspot.com

and I created
http://stopthesiegeongaza.blogspot.com/

and then I get around to sites like this and a whole lot more
http://palestine.dailyvoices.com/community

http://www.zimbio.com/The+Palestinian+Times

and a whole lot more….
I have over 24 blogs and I blog about Palestine on all of them…
on 4 January, 2008 at 10:47 pm66 Tim

YOU ARE HOT AS HELL!!!!
on 13 January, 2008 at 6:46 pm67 Ahmed

Hi Steph:

interesting blog, enjoyed the posts. Keep bloggin

Ahmed
on 13 January, 2008 at 7:04 pm68 steph

thank you Ahmed
on 3 February, 2008 at 2:23 pm69 Matt

I found your blog to be intelligent and quite interesting. I appreciate your thoughts on racism, free speech, and the importance of discussion, namely on subjects such as the holocaust. Your blog is very refreshing compared to the mainstream media.

Matt
on 3 February, 2008 at 10:10 pm70 steph

Thanks Matt
on 6 February, 2008 at 7:21 pm71 Ric

Steph -

Try this
on 8 February, 2008 at 11:24 pm72 Sue

Does this blog have any link to George Galloway?
on 10 February, 2008 at 12:00 pm73 steph

@ Sue

No it doesn’t.
on 10 February, 2008 at 4:49 pm74 steph

I’m selective in who is in my blogroll, that doesn’t mean they all share my political outlook, many of the blogs don’t but I think they are well worth reading.

But not every blog in the blogosphere is of equal value, which is why, as a general rule, I don’t accept trackbacks from any blogs not on my blogroll - I see no reason to promote a blogger just because he or she is desperate for hits - I call that spam!
on 11 February, 2008 at 2:58 pm75 Landers

Why have I not noticed the “About Me” page before!

How strange!

Hola Steph! Hope you’re well.

x
on 11 February, 2008 at 3:19 pm76 steph

Hi Landers

Good to hear from you. I’m great how about you?

Steph X x X
on 11 February, 2008 at 6:54 pm77 Landers

I’m great ta m’ darlin’

Over the chuffin’ moon that I’m the blogroll! Cheers! x
on 12 February, 2008 at 4:17 pm78 steph

I’m a regualrly visitor your blog and would be a regualrly commentator if it wasn’t so hard to leave comments on bcuk nowadays.

I don’t do that “if you put me in your blogroll, I’ll put you in mine,” I put blogs in I like. If someone asks me to put their blog in the blogroll I’ll have a look at it, if I like it it goes in, if I don’t… well… I didn’t!
on 18 February, 2008 at 11:20 am79 Landers

Well I’m honoured to have a little spot on yours!
x
on 9 March, 2008 at 4:17 am80 Jesse

can you give a brief overview of your opposition to capitalism?
or maybe give an example/definition of capitalism at least.
curious….(i searched “capitalism”…this is the only article found.)
on 9 March, 2008 at 5:37 pm81 steph

@ Jesse

Thanks, good question. I’ll do a post on that tomorrow or Tuesday (or get Rob too ). My main opposition to capitalism is that it is oppressive.

Capitalism can’t be wished away, the only way it can be defeated is piece at a time. This generation isn’t going to defeat capitalism but there are some aspects of capitalism, like globalisation, usury and private ownership of natural resources, that we can do something about.
on 12 March, 2008 at 8:04 pm82 steph

@ Jesse

Rob has written a post on Anarchism and Capitalism.
on 25 March, 2008 at 3:48 pm83 MJ "revoltingpawn"

Steph…

I am liking your blog so far and nice to read the opinions of our friends across the ocean. We both have the word revolution in the title of our blog! I am sure we would not totally agree on the meaning of revolution but I have had a interest in anarchism recently.

Oh, you are totally beautiful.
on 26 March, 2008 at 5:44 am84 Abu Zaynab

Hey, I really like your posts and would love if you post on my blog as well:

http://www.shiaislam.wordpress.com
on 26 March, 2008 at 1:36 pm85 steph

@ Abu

I have had a look at your blog, I haven’t left a comment yet but I will. I’ve put you in my blogroll and would recommend anyone who is interested in Shia Islam to read it.
on 27 March, 2008 at 9:04 am86 Abu Zaynab

Ok, great thanks so much. I will but your blog on my blogroll as well. Take care…
on 29 March, 2008 at 9:06 pm87 Jose

Comestai bella!!
Just came to say Hi and a belated Bonna Paque!!
Ciao!! xx jose
on 30 March, 2008 at 12:49 am88 steph

Hi Jose

Pasqua felice

great to hear from you.

I doing fine, what about you?

ciao Steph

xxx xxxx xxx
on 22 April, 2008 at 9:50 pm89 heather

Are you on vacation? Post another article already.
on 23 April, 2008 at 2:14 am90 The Western Confucian

Dear Steph,

I stmubled across your blog recently and like it a lot. I’m also a practicing Catholic with anarchist leanings, but I agree with Vatican almost always.

Keep up the good work and God bless.
on 23 April, 2008 at 2:19 pm91 steph

Thanks
on 23 April, 2008 at 2:20 pm92 steph

I was just taking a break.
on 23 April, 2008 at 8:01 pm93 sayasaja

Steph, how about come to Indonesia during your break?
on 24 April, 2008 at 7:26 pm94 steph

Thanks Sayasaja
on 24 April, 2008 at 9:45 pm95 Chapman Drago

I have found this blog and it is really informative. It tells me things you do not hear anywhere else.

Will you do a post about what is happening in Zimbabwe? You cannot let ‘the dot on the world’ be the only voice from the UK
on 30 April, 2008 at 8:08 am96 Yasir

i really liked you point of view
Well done dear and keep it up
on 2 May, 2008 at 12:59 pm97 steph

Thanks Yasir
on 4 May, 2008 at 8:08 pm98 TransGalactic Publications

“GENOCIDE: The New Order of Imperialism”, is a compelling, illustrated insight by DOM MARTIN into the genocidal use of depleted uranium against the innocent of this generation and of generations to come. The book can be fully previewed at the link below:

http://www.dommartin.cc/GENOCIDE/Main.htm

Permission has been granted by the author, Dom Martin to reproduce, in printed form, blog or web media, excerpts or artwork from the book.

The Editors,
TransGalactic Publications