Late Ponderings

Devil's Kitchen doesn't like Gordon Brown.

Proud Suppressives have an interesting post about Scientology.

Western Resistance has an interesting post about a Jesuit priest...partly relating to Abdul Rahman, now given asylum in Italy having been released.

Devil's Kitchen really doesn't like Gordon Brown.

The Western Standard, a Canadian newspaper is being sued....for publishing those cartoons....but it will cost a small fortune.....donate here.

Via Infidel Bloggers Alliance here, The Crazy Rants of Samantha Burns here.

Pickled Politics on how the ongoing animosity between India and Pakistan is hitting Wikipedia.

I don't have anything to say about Dr. Rice coming to the North West. Why? Well it is a courtesy by Jack Straw after having visited the US.

As for Wem ber ley, did anyone expect a London project to go even vaguely smoothly. I mean, how can you not take responsibility for your own construction? Unbelievable.

Lack of Military Pride

Yesterday, six Scottish regiments were amalgamated into the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

The Black Watch, the King's Own Scottish Borderers, the Royal Scots, the Royal Highland Fusiliers, the Highlanders and the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

The new regimental motto is Nemo Me Impune Lacessit (No one assail me with impunity).

The Black Watch, raised in 1725. Known as the Black Watch because of the dark colour of their tartans.

King's Own Scottish Borderers raised in 1689.

Royal Scots raised in 1633 and was the oldest Regiment of the Line of the British Army.

The Royal Highland Fusiliers were formed in 1959 by the amalgamation of the Royal Scots Fusiliers (21st) raised in 1678, and the Highland Light Infantry (71st, 73rd and 74th) the origins of which was the 73rd, raised in 1777.

The Highlanders were formed in 1994 with the amalgamation of the Queen's Own Highlanders and The Gordon Highlanders, dating back to 1778.

The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was formed in 1881 with the amalgamation of the 91st Argyllshire Highlanders raised in 1794, and the 93rd Sutherland Highlanders raised in 1799.

Highland lament: Scotland's oldest regiments march into history.

Pride in tradition is at the heart of the fighting spirit. Men die for it. That tradition is being destroyed, on grounds of economy. While the Army is at a stretch round the world, these regiments are scrapped at the behest of Gordon Brown - the man who's just come up with the idea of a "Veterans' Day". Today those traditions are no more.
Marching into history

Death of a regiment, birth of a battalion

The Scottish are rightfully angry at what has been done to these historic regiments in the name of economy savings for 'social spending'.

Iraq Scots lament passing of heritage.

Latest

A brief comment about Norman Kember...the selfish idealist.

A heartwarming story about Ali Abbas.

Hmm..so British troops are going to be deployed to Afghanistan....where nutters like this are waiting.

Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali has a very good article about respect, pointing to the case of Abdul Rahman as well as cases in Iran and Indonesia.

Isaac Schrödinger has an appalling tale of a little girl in Afghanistan.

Isaac also refers to Pedestrian Infidel's question : Why do people convert to Islam?

Mike's Noise writes a letter to CPT about Abdul Rahman (via Michelle Malkin below). Incidentally, Abdul Rahman is not the only Christian being persecuted in Afghanistan (via Isaac Schrödinger). Michelle Malkin asks 'What are you praying for?' The answer seems to be death.

Infidel Bloggers Alliance refers to a prominent scholar from Dubai who has made remarks about Abdul Rahman.

Hmm...so Hamed Karzai apparently intervened...though it doesn't appear to be working very well.

Infidel Bloggers Alliance has an interesting post on hatred.

Sandmonkey has the translated transcript from the interview with Wafa Sultan on al-Jazeera. Interesting reading.

Tim Blair...barbecued hatchback anyone?

I forgot to post about the Shabina Begum case. Boris Johnson makes a pertinent comment about the case.

Lady Hale pointed out that the school had respected cultural and religious diversity by allowing girls to wear a skirt, trousers, or the shalwar kameez, with or without a headscarf. This was a "thoughtful and proportionate response", as shown by the fact that girls were worried that they would come under pressure to wear the jilbab if it had been permitted.

The Daily Ablution comments some more.

Manic has a choice word about Mr Charles Clarke....it isn't nice though. Chicken Yoghurt spotted an article in the Independent. Copy here.

Manic is a bit miffed with Tony. Really he is....time to go he says.

A comment on probation. You won't like it.

Very British (Political) Subjects notes that Humphrey has died.

Seeking a Little Truth has an interesting piece about America...specifically....sedition.

Bloggerheads has an interesting piece....it appears flying cars have been spotted in Australia. At least two of them.


Edit: Well at least one of the freed hostages is grateful. Canadian James Loney said,

"To the British soldiers who risked their lives to rescue us, to the government of Canada who sent a team to Baghdad to help secure our release, to all those who thought about us and prayed for us, for all those who spoke for us when we had no voice, I am forever and truly grateful," he said. "It's great to be alive."

Apparently they are protesting in Afghanistan because of the potential release of Christian, Abdul Rahman.

Mothering Sunday

Today is Mothering Sunday, also known as Mother's Day.

Be good to your mum, get her something....flowers, cd's chocolate etc.

Hmm

Well, well, well....it appears that not only are the 3 rescued hostages not thanking their rescuers, but they are refusing to provide information that could help. Well, if they go back, stuff them, they shouldn't be on a list of people that need rescuing.

If I was daft enough to go to a warzone and get captured, then upon my release I would be buying several cases of beer to give to my rescuers, and I would also be providing as much information as possible.

I can only think of two appropriate words....ungrateful bastards.

Simon Heffer has a pertinent suggestion...

"Given his refusal to co-operate with his rescuers, they should immediately invoice him for services rendered - or even send the ungrateful old fool back to his captors."

Simon Heffer also comments....'Even the French don't deserve Chirac'.

Charles Moore has an interesting couple of things to say about Jack Straw....namely he is a man of straw when it comes to Muslims.


Image Copyright Daily Telegraph 25th March 2006

Talking of the Labour Party....and corruption....mud tends to stick....end the piece ends with the following appropriate words..

"Sadly, though, the whole political system, not just Labour, is being tarnished. That is Mr Blair's legacy, and his country's tragedy."

Harriet Harmon has been gagged. I wonder if it is because her husband, Labour Party Treasurer Jack Dromey, questioned the Party about the loans?

Of course Tony can do no wrong.

Isn't it about time the Labour Party were removed from power?


Update :

Text of Norman Kember's statement:

"Is the reporter who invented the headline 'Storming Norman' present? No? Then we'll proceed.

There is a real sense in which you are interviewing the wrong person.

It is the ordinary people of Iraq that you should be talking to - the people who have suffered so much over many years and still await the stable and just society that they deserve. Another group that I hope you do not forget are the relatives of British soldiers killed or wounded in Iraq. I do not believe that a lasting peace is achieved by armed force, but I pay tribute to their courage and thank those who played a part in my release.

I am not ready at this time to talk about my months of captivity except to say that I am delighted to be free and reunited with my family. In reality it was my wife who was kidnapped last November. She suffered more than I because while I knew that I was alive and well, she did not.

I thank all who supported Pat during this stressful time. While in Baghdad we had opportunity to thank the Embassy staff who worked so diligently for our release. I now thank the staff in Britain who also dedicated so much time to the same.

Then I am grateful to all those from many faith communities who appealed for my release and held prayers and vigils in my name. Pat assures me that I will be overwhelmed by the volume of goodwill messages - our home is currently like a flower shop.

I thank the media for agreeing to share news and reduce the stress on me. I now need to reflect on my experience - was I foolhardy or rational? - and also to enjoy freedom in peace and quiet.

Thank you."

Hmm...does that seem a little bit forced to you? Oh well, as long as the troops don't have to rescue more peace activists.

Random Comment:

Did you know the Muppets are 50 years old?

Stupidly late edit : Clocks go forward at whatever time in the morning.
That's right it's going to be British Summer Time.

ADJUST THOSE CLOCKS

200th Post! & Other News

Yes, this is post number 200....I'm surprised I got this far.

Anyhow here are a few things that you might find interesting.

1 - Apparently Saudi extremists are stopping young men for playing football. Pardon? Yes, I know this is from last year, but still it makes you wonder what these people are on.

2 - Rendition flights.....73 times since 2001 through UK airports. This from Alastair Darling...Transport Secretary. So why was Jack Straw as Foreign Secretary unaware of them then?

3 - Interesting piece from LibertyCentral about the Legislative & Regulatory Reform Bill.

4 - Blogging as seen by doctorvee.

5 - Gateway Pundit has an interesting piece about an Egyptian Coptic Christian being deported from Canada.

6 - I only recently found out that Andreas Katsulas had died.

7 - I haven't commented on the threat of execution of Afghan man, Abdul Rahman for converting to Christianity. Others have done a better job, such as Western Resistance. The Religious Policeman comments on Apostasy. Sandmonkey comments that the man is obviously "crazy".

8 - Europhobia on the latest news on the loans...specifically on Rod Aldridge, now former Executive Chairman of Capita.

Blairwatch also has a comment to make about the loans....or possibly the attempt to 'move on'.

9 - The Religious Policeman remarks about understanding and moderation. While we're on that subject, what about cartoons again....as well as Ahmed Akkari, who did the rounds trying to whip up anger.

10 - Riots in Dubai......because a bus is late. Pardon? Isn't that just a little over the top?

11 - Norman Kember and the 2 Canadians, Harmeet Sooden and Jim Loney are free.

(edit : I've read Irshad Manji's book, The Trouble With Islam Today. Definitely worth reading, if only to find out what she is on about.)

News

This was originally supposed to be a short list of articles...indeed the ones below...however, I had to comment on the recent problems of Messr's Blair.

Tony, is in trouble with loans, amongst other things. Basically the Labour Party are a bunch of corrupt lying bastards....especially when you consider that the party treasurer was kept out of the loop. However, it appears questions are being asked....sounds like John 'Thumper' Prescott is on the warpath. Oh, and trying to abolish Parliament is not working either.

Ian, sorry Sir Ian, is in trouble yet he is about to get a bonus, despite illegally recording the phone call with the Attorney General as well as all the other problems. I am obviously moving in the wrong circles.

Random articles I have seen.....

Extra strong whisky?

Sandmonkey pointed to this lightsaber duel. Very cool.

Also mentions the 10 strangest Lego creations.

I can't remember who linked to the future of pizza at the moment.

March for Free Expression



NeanderNews has linked to the colour version of the Imam's dossier.

Also, here is a list of the top 20 Muslim inventions of all time from Fausta's Blog.....sort of.
Update: Cryptic Subterranean has more.

More Notes

The Religious Policeman has a 'Short History of Arabia'.

Freedom for Egyptians has an interesting piece about the Koran...'it encourages terrorism'.

The Sandmonkey reckons he's an extremist....partly in response to this. Also back to those cartoons....apparently the Yemeni newspaper editor who published those cartoons is under arrest, and Yemeni lawyers have called for the death penalty. Is that a little extreme? To you or me, yes, but not to them.

Europhobia has a roundup link for the Legislative and Regulative Reform Bill....which is being referred to as the Abolition of Parliament.

Devil's Kitchen has comment about Jean Charles de Menezes.

Also this past week, a couple of sad anniversaries...

It is 2 years since the bombings in Madrid.

It is also 10 years since the massacre in Dunblane.

Latest News - Hmm...Palestinians kicking off. Well that is one way to piss everyone off.

Snow!

Snow! In Blackpool!! It's Stuck!!

A couple of items

Isaac Schrödinger has an interesting couple of posts....Cruel Affection which led from What Muslims learn.

Hmm....what you see is not what actually happened in Gaza in those images shown around the world. See Second Draft for graphic evidence. It begs the question, what is reality?

Apparently an apology from Tony Blair will 'never be accepted' by the De Menezes family. In that case, go away.


This is an interesting article about using solar panels and other helpful devices in order to reduce dependency on the National Grid. There is one thing that jumps out at me.....cost.....approx £10,000 for some panels and a wind generator. I don't know about you, but I don't have that kind of money lying around to spend.

Odd News

Western Resistance has the latest on the Muslim who led the gang that tortured a French Jew to death.

Dodgems...with Jaguars? WTF? How the hell could they do that to a collection of any type of cars? Fuckwits.

Blackpool is trying to get World Heritage status. Pardon? What kind of drugs are these people on? Anyone who has spent any time in Blackpool would be bemused to say the least.

Talking of which, it looks like the North Pier Theatre is closing. To be honest it isn't that much of a surprise. Talking of closing, Heaven & Hell has closed.

Hmm.....that's all for now.

Blogs

It seems a number of police blogs are having to shut down.

I have posted previously on the problems that faced The Policeman's Blog, but since then Cayman Cop, Brian's Brief Encounters, and now World Weary Detective have been forced to either refrain from mentioning the police, or shut down completely.

WWD has posted the following statement from the Management Board of the Metropolitan Police Service dated March 3rd 2006:

"Recently the organisation has become aware of a series of web-logs or blogs - where authors - claiming to be police officers - have offered their views on a number of issues in a highly personalised, often controversial manner.'

This statement is followed by 'guidance' on writing blogs. In summary, this states that although 'blogging' cannot be stopped, the 'impact of expressing views and opinions that are damaging to the organisation or bring the organisation into disrepute' must be considered. Disciplinary proceedings may be considered against posters of material that may be (among other things) defamatory, offensive or otherwise inappropriate."

WWD comments "I have committed no crime. I have compromised no police operations. I have received no payment for anything published on this blog. All opinions expressed are my own.

It is therefore with deep regret and great sadness that I must announce that I will no longer be submitting posts to this blog. I cannot challenge New Scotland Yard. I am weary indeed and cowardice is my bedmate. The protection of my family must take precedence.

To each and every one of you - take note of what has happened here and be afraid."

He finishes with the following quote:

"If you want a vision of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face - forever." - George Orwell.

Obviously the powers that be don't like voices that don't follow the party line. It seems we are not far from 1984 anymore.

(edit - Rachel from North London posted these famous words:

First they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the Communists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me
and there was no one left
to speak out for me.

FIRST THEY CAME FOR THE JEWS - MARTIN NIEMOLLER. )

Stuff

Nzingha has an interesting comment about women in Saudi.

More about the cartoons internationally from Brussels Journal.

Apparently BoingBoing have been banned in the Middle East....their response...get bent! Michelle Malkin had the link. Also Michelle has a comment about the Internet Jihad....using pictures of Mohammed.....strange isn't it?

The Pub Philosopher has pointed out a worrying trend in London for the Danes.

World Weary Detective pointed out this quote from Tony Blair...

"In theory, traditional court processes and attitudes to civil liberties could work. But the modern world is different from the world for which these court processes were designed."

Pardon? In theory? Just because you apparently don't want the British people to protest doesn't mean we should have to put up with having our liberties removed just because of the apparent threat of Muslim extremists. I still don't see how they are more threatening than the IRA...after all they killed a lot of people in the UK over the years.

Talking of politics....does anyone seriously think that Tessa Jowell is innocent?

Isaac Schrödinger has linked to a question....is Allah halaal?

PS - Snowing in Blackpool!! Strange but true....it won't stick though...too warm.

(edit: I forgot to mention the psychotic Pakistani militants that killed the US diplomat and 3 others in a car bomb in Karachi yesterday. Oh those militants are Muslims as well.