The MuppetLord's Wanderings

Football?

2011-08-28T15:50:00.000+01:00

No, no, no...football is not the be all and end all. Too much posing, ego, money...oh and fouling....lots and lots of taking the piss. Joey Barton? Really?

I like cricket...there's nothing like taking a cricket ball to the ribs and apparently not caring enough to notice.

You know what I like better? Motorcycling...why? It's because they're hard as nails..see this crash with Jorge Lorenzo at Laguna Seca in practice.

Incidentally, you may have noticed Libya all over the news. No real mention of Syria though.

Long Break

2011-07-18T19:01:00.000+01:00

Yes, that's right. It's been a long time since I have done anything. Why? Well EVE Online to be honest...yes I have spent far too much time playing that game.

Anyhow, now that I no longer do this, I have time in order to get this blog running again.

Well...what's happened since last time....well...the American's finally got their #1 target...nicely done as well. Stealth choppers rock.

Er...apart from that....not a lot....

Wait, I hear you cry, what about a detailed comment? Well...it's because that takes time and I haven't had any. *grins and shrugs*

I will get my brain in gear and begin once again to comment, hopefully coherently about random stuff.

later!

MuppetLord.

Students and stuff

2010-11-13T11:22:00.000Z

I see that smashing up business' seems to be the new student thing to do... Ok, I'm being facetious, but did they not notice that they'd picked up a few anarchists on the way to Millbank?

Incidentally, the building they trashed doesn't have the Conservative Party working there. No doubt that will be of great comfort for any of the business' that were smashed up.

Random side link, I hear some Twitter users are not happy about a failure for Paul Chambers to overturn his conviction for,

'sending a menacing electronic communication when he tweeted: "Crap! Robin Hood airport is closed. You've got a week to get your shit together, otherwise I'm blowing the airport sky high!"'

Pardon? Is he completely out of his mind? In which way could that be classed as harmless or flippant?

If you said that at an airport, you would probably find yourself staring at some heavily armed police in very short order. Oh well, obviously being a trainee accountant doesn't require a lot of intelligence...

X Factor

2010-10-26T11:36:00.002+01:00

Yes, yes, I know, what on earth am I doing making a comment about X Factor, also known as the Simon Cowell Karaoke Contest? Well it's all very simple you know...

Once upon a time, nearly a year ago now, a small Facebook campaign was set up to try and stop the eventual winner of X Factor getting the guaranteed Christmas #1. This used Rage Against The Machine (RATM), and their song Killing In The Name. Surprisingly, this actually worked, with RATM getting #1, and Joe McElderry getting #2.

Now, the campaign may have started of as a way of keeping Simon Cowell off the Christmas #1 spot, but it was also turned into a charity effort, with those buying the single asked to donate to Shelter. Due in part to this, when RATM decided to get involved, they donated all profits of the single to Shelter as well....and a cheque was presented to the organisers of the campaign, Jon and Tracy Morter, at the free concert that RATM performed in Finsbury Park. Incidentally, how many people outside the campaign were aware of this? I sure as hell didn't read it in any of the articles printed at the time.

Now, as you know, the current series of Cowell's Karaoke is going on about some bloke called Wagner...and according to the headlines below, he is being kept in by a campaign on Facebook....by the organisers of the RATM campaign.

Anti-Cowell campaigners claim they are keeping Wagner on The X Factor"

WAGNER COULD WIN X FACTOR IF FANS PLOT MAKES GOOD

Wagner Saved By Facebook Plotters

Pardon? Anyone who bought the RATM single are not going to be phoning ITV to vote on Wagner. Incidentally, they mention a Richard Robey, who is either a founding member or early member of the initial campaign. Last time I checked, the Morter's were the founders of that. MuppetLord is amused.

Also, shock! horror! Cheryl Cole mimed! Er....has anyone listened to her singles? If they aren't autotuned wholesale, I'm a pod person.

ok, now what?

2010-10-23T20:08:00.000+01:00

Yes, yes, I know I haven't been updating this again much as I had promised to do.

Randomly not being bothered to blog does tend to minimise the tendency to post...as does the lack of things to talk about. The world of employment does tend to be a problem.

Anyhow, enough of that, good evening to those that still keep an eye out. If you don't, welcome. In fact, I suspect I have no readers at the moment... :D surprised? No, not really.

Despite the singular lack of blogging over a significant length of time, there doesn't appear to have been much change in the status quo...even the band are still going...

There are still troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, although for how much longer seems to be up for debate now. At some point there is a point where both countries are handed back to their respective governments, although would you expect them to be able to cope the way they are at the moment? Anyhow, maybe it is time to let them to get on with it yes?

Of course, what with one thing and another, it appears a lot of governments have a bit of a problem with the cashflow...some are actually attempting to deal with it, others are not. Personally I am impressed with the unions' complete inability to face the facts. Oh yes, cut costs, but make sure you don't cut jobs or funding etc.... What planet are these guys on? Governments have been acting like a lot of people by spending money they didn't actually have... Oh well, I think they are going to be in for a bit of a shock...although watching France try to starve itself off from oil supplies is quite amusing.

At least there has been some good news with the Chilean miners being rescued...(yes, I know, one was from Bolivia).

Anyone noticed the singular lack of a big scary monster recently? No bird flu, SARS, BSE, CJD, plague, alien abductions etc....ok, sorry, forgot they mentioned Bin Laden the other day.... Actually, haven't they mentioned the raising of the Terror Threat Level..... Is it me? Run for your lives! We're all doomed!!

Remember folks, if you think it's safe, it probably isn't.... I'll just have to remember to keep an eye out for all those crazy people, and hide in my hermetically sealed bunker designed to sit out the End of Life As We Know It....or Wayne Rooney leaving Manchester United, whichever comes first....

MuppetLord out...

Resistance is futile...

2010-10-02T15:07:00.004+01:00

So....once again we are being inundated with rubbish television.... The X Factor, Celebrity Come Dancing etc are back....all I can say is fortunately Big Brother has finally bitten the dust...

What is with the pointless 'talent shows' that are on at the moment. Apart from being a money maker for a certain Simon Cowell, how many of them are actually any good? I mean come on, Jedward sell more than the guy that won...Joe McElderry...and his album still isn't out nearly a year later...

Yes, that's right, MuppetLord bought Rage for Christmas #1, and yes, that was good for music....although have you heard the charts recently? I admit to not having listened to the charts for ages, but I can't remember when they were this repetitive. Anyhow, old fart rant over.

In other news, I notice Pakistan appears to have dropped off the map recently.....yes they still need help....in more ways than one as well..

Is it me, or is there nothing really happening at the moment? Either that or the news organisations are saying very little at the moment? Cue the conspiracy theorists..

Currently, I am feeling pointless...perhaps there is something in the water....maybe that's it, need more alcohol....[randomly points out that back in the middle ages, beer was safer to drink than water].

I need to get my brain in gear....so....perhaps same time next week I will have something to talk about yes?

double standards

2010-08-20T22:49:00.001+01:00

I notice a lot of stuff about Lockerbie at the moment. Understandable..however, perhaps we should mention the Iran Air flight shot down by the USS Vincennes....

Random Chaos

2009-12-29T22:08:00.005Z

Ok...so that was 2009....not a lot written as you can see....unfortunately the joys of employment do tend to cut into the free time in order to elucidate the imaginings of the now.

However, what have we learned this year, other than to make sure that all luggage was in fact packed by yourself, and that you'd be better off travelling naked...

Ah yes, religion once again has been at the forefront of things....again for all the wrong reasons.....oh well, better luck in the next life yes?

The great imponderable, also known as women are still as unfathomable as ever. Perhaps they should come with a manual....with simple diagrams please.......with arrows and exclamation marks if necessary. Perhaps it is the way they walk yes? But seriously folks, what is with all the antagonism? Have you got nothing better to do? Take a little time to consider the beauty of the female form and of the joy they can bring to the world.

In random news, Rage Against The Machine to UK Christmas #1!! Nice campaign, and yes, MuppetLord did do his bit to get them there. The thing is the press haven't figured out the point. Simples...it was to make sure an X Factor single didn't get #1 for Christmas. ....job done yes? It had nothing to do with any other week, or indeed any other ulterior motive, although winding Simon Cowell up is always a bonus. Talking of which, what was the deal with giving Joe a song that Miley Cyrus actually had on her current album? Obviously X Factor couldn't write a song for the winner....oh well...perhaps next year right? Side link, shame about the Muppets only getting to #32...it deserved better.

Apart from some famous people dying, very little mention of Dan O'Bannion, screenwriter for Alien amongst others.

We're all doomed....that is all...until the next time...

...and the UK is what?

2009-12-26T14:05:00.004Z

Let me get this right, a Nigerian gets onto an aircraft in Lagos, transfers onto a US carrer in Amsterdam, and then tries to detonate a device on the approach to Detroit....and because he is a former student at University College London between September 2005 and June 2008, it's a concern about the UK?

If I remember rightly, the US are supposed to check the details of all passengers on US airlines before they take off....

Cops Hunt For UK Link After US 'Jet Bomb' Plot

A little proportion

2009-10-17T17:30:00.001+01:00

You'd think that he was someone important......

RIP Les Paul

2009-08-13T19:42:00.000+01:00

Rock guitar pioneer Les Paul dies - BBC News

Doomed?

2009-05-17T13:05:00.003+01:00

Need I say more? A little bit of perspective here. It's flu..ok? If it was Ebola, I could understand the panic, but come on this is getting silly.

St. Georges Day

2009-04-23T00:01:00.000+01:00

St. George for England!

Well....

2009-03-23T00:18:00.002Z

So...it's nearly April, and what have we learned so far this year?

Well...the recession seems to be entirely bank created and sustained, so lets stop giving them money and making the start lending to get things moving again. Am I the only one that sees this?

Jade Goody has died. No, I don't know anything about her other than the fact that she used to be on Big Brother. I just wish people weren't being so blatantly false about her. Yes, she's died, and it's a shame, but lets move on. There's more press about her than Natasha Richardson ffs.

F1 starts up again this next weekend....will the changes make it more interesting...also...back on the BBC..

ceasefire?

2009-01-17T23:37:00.001Z

So...the ceasefire starts in less than 25 minutes.... Let's see who breaks it...

2009

2009-01-11T14:57:00.000Z

Well....it's that time of year again...it's grey, wet and there's yet more conflict in the Middle East.

Isn't it time that we stopped with this endless cycle of pointless death? I would say more but can't be bothered anymore.

The only way this will stop is if both sides put down their weapons, not just one side.

Anyhow....enough of this morbidity, lets make 2009 a year where we put aside our differences and realise we are all the same, and that this planet we share needs to be given a little respect before it's too late...and I think we have a very short period of time to do this.

It starts now...

Confused?

2008-10-26T23:58:00.000Z

Yes, yes I am. For a start...search for Bloodhound SSC.....attempting 1000mph...from the same team that brought you Thrust SSC.

Then those dozy sods that thought it would be a good idea to go for a run in the Lake District, when the forecast has been for rubbish weather for about a week.... I hope you pay the bill for the RAF and mountain rescue guys having to save your backsides!

On to something slightly more sane....anyone think this whole, "we're in a recession and we're all DOOMED!" thing is going a little too far? Either that, or I need to do some more reading...and what's with giving Mandelson a position of power?

Also, the clocks went back, so watch all the accident rates go up...

Endless

2008-08-09T19:10:00.000+01:00

prevarication....or so it seems.

I have been off my blog for far too long.

So...the Olympics is happening in Beijing....and they don't want you to talk about Tibet, freedom, human rights, pollution etc. Please feel free to mention these things when you mention the Olympics in China.

Talking of the Olympics...anyone going to be watching it? I won't because it isn't interesting...and I definitely won't be watching the 2012 London Olympics....because lets face it, we aren't exactly going to be leading the medals table are we? That and the fact it is costing a small fortune to put on....

Actually....talking of the Olympics....it's not the top news item anymore....it's Russia invading Georgia. So far, there hasn't exactly been much from the international community, but then again, they aren't very good at things like that.

Side link....you know this whole global warming thing? Right now it is chucking it down outside....in fact I think it has done for most of the day...

China

2008-04-06T14:33:00.001+01:00

Did they seriously think that people would not protest about Tibet and human rights?

Chaos

2008-01-26T11:40:00.000Z

So...am I the only one that thinks the incidents with the 'Palestinians' and the Egyptians is typical stupidity?

Do they look particularly oppressed to you? I'm sorry, I believe that the only people who oppress the Palestinians are the Palestinians themselves.

Why? Well...short example...when the Israelis pulled out of Gaza they left behind a state-of-the-art greenhouse for the Palestinians to use. What did the Palestinians do? They destroyed it......that's taught those nasty Israelis a lesson......

Oh well....so it continues...and what is with the Egyptians backing down against armed groups crossing their border? Aren't they supposed to get their guns out and shoot back?

*shrugs*

Well...

2007-12-27T18:49:00.000Z

...this was going to be a random post about how strange it is that Heathrow can't apparently cope with fog etc., but then of course Benazir Bhutto has been killed.

This is where we hope that the people of Pakistan are able to keep the extremists from gaining control, as a civil war would rip the country apart.

The last thing we need is for Pakistan to fall apart.

Merry Christmas

2007-12-25T13:53:00.000Z

Have a Merry Christmas everyone!

Cleaner?

2007-12-06T19:08:00.000Z

Resort bans 'lewd' items for sale - BBC News

Er...ok..

Well....

2007-12-01T20:10:00.000Z

So, a teacher lets a lad called Mohammed call a teddy bear Mohammed...and apparently it's her fault....insulting Islam apparently.

Now personally I didn't know you couldn't do that.....but the reaction of the Sudanese whipped up by the clerics says all you need to know.

You wouldn't think we were in the 21st century would you?

How?? Part 2

2007-11-24T14:35:00.000Z

I am gobsmacked. Really I am. Not about England losing, because I have seen that one coming for a while, but how incompetent the Government appear to have become.

You know those two discs with those 25 million details on....well apparently it is more....like another six more....and if that wasn't bad enough...if you are an illegal immigrant in the security business...no worries....

How??

2007-11-20T17:06:00.000Z

Can someone tell me how you lose 7.5 million records?

Do they not have secure deliveries or even specific people? Do they have sign out forms?? Are there no safeguards???

They still expect us to support an ID card scheme....I don't think so...

Greetings

2007-11-09T23:28:00.000Z

Right, this is a long overdue post on here. I have been somewhat focused on work etc. and haven't been able to devote the attention I need to blog and also read blogs.

I will be posting shortly.

MuppetLord

Colin McRae

2007-09-16T12:53:00.001+01:00

RIP

Intermission

2007-07-06T23:43:00.000+01:00

Greetings.

Yes, I know, I have been uncharacteristically silent on the old keyboard. Why? A number of things really.....

The lack of things to say, not that there hasn't been anything happening however, considering the continuing slaughter in Iraq, Afghanistan etc. We've also had the attempted terrorist attacks in London and Glasgow Airport.

Spare a thought for those caught up in the floods, who will have a trying few months getting things back to some sort of normality.

I have been focusing a bit on internet based computer games...Nexus War which is linked at the side, and also a new one called Rule The Seas....pirate based.

Also, the MuppetLord hit 31 today, so I have been celebrating.

Normal service will resume in due course.

Long

2007-06-15T19:59:00.000+01:00

Well...yes I have been a little lax on keeping this up to date.

Anyhow...congrats to Lewis Hamilton on winning a GP on his 6th race. The 100th running of the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy was marred by the deaths of a rider and 2 spectators on the final day. This weekend is Le Mans time again...

...and most gobsmacking (if you don't keep up) is that Palestinians are officially insane... Fatah v Hamas....in the so-called Palestinian Territories. For once we see quite how dangerous they are to everyone in the region....is it any wonder the Israelis don't trust them?

Anyhow...enough for now...something longer to come...

Madeleine McCann

2007-05-12T21:00:00.000+01:00

Please visit these websites:

Child Exploitation and Online Protection (Ceop) Centre
Virtual Global Taskforce

If you have any information please contact:
Portugese Police on 00 351 282 405 400.
Portugese Crimestoppers on 0044 1883 731 336.

UK Crimestoppers : 0800 555 111

Darfur...

2007-04-29T23:36:00.000+01:00

Would you believe it is 4 years since they started slaughtering each other in Darfur?

What a waste of life...

St George's Day

2007-04-23T00:01:00.000+01:00

St George for England!

Testing

2007-04-22T19:45:00.000+01:00

Hello, hello, anyone there?

News thoughts

2007-04-08T15:43:00.000+01:00

Well..the Navy lot have been released....Iran has either been strong and was friendly, or has had to back down depending on your point of view.

Slightly odd as far as the released crew are apparently able to publish books etc... I was under the impression that you could only publish once you have left the service....

More random deaths on the streets of England....is it me or is it more common, or just more reported?

What, sunshine across England and no talk of hosepipe bans? Is there something wrong? Oh, I forgot...carbon emissions and global warming are more important...even though the biggest source of carbon emissions is not humans nor the equipment we use.....

Any guesses? Well, the ocean is the largest source of CO2. That and the fact that the biggest source of global warming is not cars, aircraft or even coal burning power stations but in fact the largest ongoing fusion and fission reaction for miles around....also known as the Sun.

The Chancellor comes up with even more ways of screwing the motorist for even more cash...yes, apparently if you appeal against a speeding conviction and lose, you pay towards helping victims of crime.

What about sorting out the benefit fraud....you could save a fortune by getting that cut to minimum levels...or is that me being sensible?

Watched an interesting programme recorded off More4...The Last Days of the Raj. It amazes me that Sikh, Muslim and Hindu would slaughter each other for little reason at all. What is even more incredible is that those kind of atrocities are still happening over 60 years later, all because someone is not of the same religion. It makes you wonder if we have learned anything over time...and a lot of the time, the answer seems to be no.

Apart from that, have you heard of anything interesting recently?

Stuff

2007-03-31T15:47:00.000+01:00

Casinos apparently aren't happening....at least not for a while it seems. The House of Lords showed some common sense by rejecting the proposal for the supercasinos and the regional casinos.

Of course, Blackpool reckons it is in with a chance now. I reckon it is unlikely, especially as the Government have to do some reworking now...if they decide not to drop it that is.

Football....are England actually worse than we think they are?

As for Iran....what do they think they are playing at? Do they not realise that it isn't the early 80's anymore? You can't just take people out of international waters and use them for propaganda without some sort of reaction these days.

They had better hope that the other end of the tail they have just tweaked doesn't belong to a pissed off tiger...

Salutations

2007-03-17T20:04:00.001Z

Evening all...long time no chat. Well...I have been busy.

Anyhow....Wembley is finally complete...£800m to do.....and that is just for a football stadium. Consider the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff...a multi-purpose stadium...yours for £130m.

F1 starts again this weekend....and a few new faces in the teams...I wonder who will come out on top...

Blackpool is still whinging about how it didn't get the super casino....guys...who cares? It needs to do a hell of a lot to deserve something of that magnitude...and having free parking on Saturdays from 7:30am-12:00pm isn't going to do it. Who in their right mind goes into town at 7:30 on a Saturday? The shops don't open until at least 9:00....and you wouldn't be in long enough to stay until 12:00 for a start off.

Hmm....more random slaughter in Iraq....and still no real condemnation...you've got to ask what the Iraqis have done to deserve what is rapidly becoming a hell on earth...

David Cameron is rapidly becoming as annoying as Tony Blair....and as vacuous. Anyhow....

Later!

Casino

2007-02-17T23:26:00.000Z

Ok, so I haven't posted anything since it was announced that Blackpool wouldn't be getting the supercasino. Not that I didn't see the point, but I wanted to see how it was played...

All images are © the Evening Gazette.
Published by the Blackpool Gazette & Herald Ltd, Blackpool.
Newspaper Licensing Agency

If you want to check out the articles, you probably only have to search for casino on the Gazette website...

Anyhow...was I surprised? No, not really. I was surprised by Manchester, only because I thought that the Dome was going to get it though. However, that doesn't mean that I blindly follow the rubbish that gets spouted by the council though.

Anyone who seriously thought Blackpool was going to get the casino was probably on something. If you have a serious look at Blackpool, it needs more than a casino to boost its fortunes.

It was a constant mantra throughout the bidding process that it was 'casino this, casino that'...and apparently nothing else. The reasoning was that because of the casino, people would come to Blackpool and use the hotels and shops etc.

However....bearing in mind that there are very few top quality hotels here (braces for storm of protest from Blackpool Hospitality Association), and as for the shopping.... Preston has more than us these days....not only designer brands like Debenhams, but also lots of little high fashion shops etc as well. What does Blackpool have? Well....we have M&S...and that's about it really. Oooh..we've got a Starbucks!! Big deal... Ok, so they are extending Hounds Hill Shopping Centre....and when was the last time locals actually did much shopping in there?

There is also the nightlife in Blackpool....and while Club Sanuk, Syndicate etc may be popular, you also have to consider the fact that a lot of this place is a bit of a no-go zone. Don't believe me? Check out the video in the article here.

Is this really the best that Blackpool has to offer? Would you come here?

Did I mention the much vaunted conference facilities? You have the Winter Gardens....which quite frankly isn't up to the job anymore. You have the Norbreck Hotel for the other big convention sized events. Other than that, a couple of the hotels do conference stuff....

Blackpool has been allowed to decline for far too long by the council...and it shows...and despite work such as the new seawall development, and the 'People's Playground' thing I don't see it changing much.

The plus points of Blackpool? Well the Tower is still there...as is the Pleasure Beach. The Sandcastle? Well..if you can call it an attraction...

Now, admittedly a lot of people have never been to Blackpool...so I open this up to people who either live here or have been here either on holiday or on weekend trips. Am I wrong, or is it a true reflection of this town?

Snow

2007-02-09T21:17:00.000Z

Excuse me? It's what 3 inches deep and we can't cope? Wtf is wrong with this country? I'm sure Scotland can cope with at least 10 feet before they start worrying about stuff.

Oh well....another sad demonstration of the fact that England can't hack it anymore.

Wait a moment...

2007-02-02T23:59:00.000Z

I get the impression that Sikhs and Hindus are getting a mite peeved about being lumped together with the Muslim community....

..and more

2007-01-28T22:53:00.000Z

After seeing Top Gear, I am much in awe of Richard Hammond.

Congratulations to Shilpa Shetty for winning CBB.

Hi!

2007-01-28T12:32:00.000Z

Ah, 1st post of the new year...and I have an epic list of links that are worth reading....however...it will take an age to put them in..

So...I'll just link to Isaac Schrödinger instead, because he found them all. Always worth a read. I'm just about 2 months late in reading them. Basically start from August/September 2006 and keep reading....it'll take a while, but it's worth it...and congratulations are also in offer.

In other news....who would have thought that less than a quarter of an inch of snow could cause so much chaos. FFS, this is supposed to be a modern country, yet we can't even keep the roads clear...or run trains....because it's either the wrong kind of snow, or the wrong kind of leaves...

Sodding pathetic is what it is...

...and for those of you who are following the super casino decision....it's this week apparently....and what are the chances of Blackpool getting it....slim to none I suspect...but then I am cynical.

I see that Iraq is still a slaughterhouse of muslim on muslim violence....and the Palestinian areas and Lebanon aren't much better.

Did anyone see that comet? I didn't....because it was cloudy....as per normal... I think we aren't supposed to be able to see these stellar events because it would explain the clouds for every single one of them in the past few years...or is it just me? Probably me actually....I've probably annoyed the gods a number of times..

Celeb Big Brother? No, missed that....and celeb ice skating...

I'm more interested in the return of Top Gear tonight!

Hopefully this is a sign of more frequent postings to come...if not, I obviously have more brain boosting to do.

The End

2006-12-30T23:57:00.000Z

Saddam has been executed.

Strange & Other

2006-12-22T18:42:00.000Z

I don't know about you, but I think this thing with fog at Heathrow and other airports is a little odd. Anyhow...what do I know?

Also, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone!

Hopefully 2007 will be a better year than 2006 was.

Hmm

2006-12-03T18:43:00.000Z

Well....hasn't it been an interesting month, especially with the apparent spate of poisonings possibly perpetrated by the Russians, although yet to be proven.

Is Castro dead? Who knows...

Aren't Take That quite impressive, especially by notching up #1 in album and singles charts...

Aren't I quiet?

Well, ok, so I've been busy, and haven't been in the right mindset to add onto here. Those of you that visit regularly will have noticed the minor tweak to my reading list. I am seriously behind in reading all my blogs, so it might be quite a while before I catch up again.

Other than all that lot, major news was that Alan 'Fluff' Freeman has died.

Anyhow, I will be doing some more tweaking to the blog...slowly but surely..

Toodle pip!

Remembrance

2006-11-11T11:33:00.000Z

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

5th November

2006-11-05T00:05:00.000Z

Remember remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot

A Word

2006-10-14T19:17:00.000+01:00

When I started this blog, I thought I would have something to say, but I found I did not. Slowly but surely I found that I did. However, now that there is so much to talk about I find that I have nothing to say.

Perhaps it is due to the fact that so many people are talking that a single voice is lost amidst the noise.

Perhaps, due to the things that I have learnt, I now think a little differently that I did before.

Perhaps it is an evolution of conciousness ... or perhaps a evolution of thought.

I have become weary of the darkness in our world...and the excuses for it. I have become weary of the emptiness that has pervaded our everyday lives, and pointless ravings of so-called celebrity, of focus groups, of political correctness, of insularity.

I have become saddened by the loss of kindness, not just the love between soulmates, but the little things that make life easier. Where are the kind gestures that spoke of civility and community? Where is the life that makes it worth living?

I open the paper and read of savagery and other works of inhumanity across the world. I read of these acts in the name of religion, of communities, of hatred, hostility, of intolerance, of fear, of ignorance.

I turn on the television and see the aftermath of Death stalking the land.

I wonder where this will take us....to our destruction...or to a better place, where people rediscover those things that make us better humans.

I wonder when people will rise above this, become enlightened, become generous and considerate again....or will we be doomed to failure?

How many generations must pay this price of blood before we find peace?

Long time no chat..

2006-10-07T12:14:00.000+01:00

...but then again, I've been busy.

Anyhow...it's been relatively busy yet quiet on the news front. Still Muslims slaughtering each other in Iraq and Afghanistan, and yet it's Ramadan at the moment. I suppose they will make it up afterwards.......

The Hamster survived a crash at silly speeds, and best wishes on a full recovery.

Europe beat the US once again at the Ryder Cup.

Oh, and Jack Straw gets it in the neck. I don't know about you, but the short bit of film that was on the news showing that group of covered up women protesting made me laugh. Why? Well....apart from the fact that they didn't appear to be women.... Yes, it looked like a group of blokes covered from top to bottom in womens clothes....and last time I checked, Muslims don't like that kind of thing very much. How did I know? Well...how many women do you know that can stride like that? Personally I don't know any.

What was with the Met pulling that Muslim policeman off Diplomatic duty? I thought the Police didn't have gender, or religion? Obviously more political bollocks. I'm sorry, if the guy can't do the job, then he shouldn't be in the Police.

Other than that...nothing much happening in the world of insanity...oh...apart from Eris....but that is par for the course...being as she is the Goddess of Discord.

Normal service will be resumed shortly.

5th Anniversary

2006-09-11T00:12:00.000+01:00

On this day in 2001 some 2,801 people died in the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the crash in Southern Pennsylvania.

It is estimated that around 500 nationals from 91 countries were killed.

Let us remember them.

A Brief Greeting

2006-08-29T13:04:00.000+01:00

Salutations!

You may have been wondering why it has been so quiet on here recently. Well...to be honest, there has been very little to talk about, bar the JCB DieselMax hitting 350mph.

I am bored of opening the paper and hearing about the latest slaughter in Iraq by the usual suspects etc., and consequently can't be bothered to write about it. That isn't to say I'm ignoring it, because I keep up with BBC News, Sky News, CNN etc...

Actually...I want to hear the condemnation by the entire Arab world about what is happening in Iraq...you know, Muslims killing other Muslims just because they happen to be a different branch of Islam....but...that isn't likely to happen is it?

Sorry, I'm cynical.

Anyhow...I need to catch up on all my reading.....again!!

I'll post again when I can come up with something more coherent...

tOodle Pip!

Lord Stevens Comments

2006-08-13T11:22:00.000+01:00

If you're a Muslim - it's your problem
(Taken from the News of the World, 13th August 2006)

WHEN will the Muslims of Britain stand up to be counted?

When will they declare, loud and clear, with no qualifications or quibbles about Britain's foreign policy, that Islamic terrorism is WRONG?

Most of all, when will the Muslim community in this country accept an absolute, undeniable, total truth: that Islamic terrorism is THEIR problem? THEY own it. And it is THEIR duty to face it and eradicate it.

To stop the denial, endless fudging and constant wailing that somehow it is everyone else's problem and, if Islamic terrorism exists at all, they are somehow the main victims.

Because until that happens the problem will never be resolved. And there will be more 7/7s and, sometime in the future, another airplane plot will succeed with horrific loss of innocent life.

Equally important, those British politicians who have seemed obsessed with pandering to, and even encouraging, this state of denial, must throw off their politically-correct blinkers and recognise the same truth—that Muslim terrorism in Britain is the direct responsibility of British Muslims.

If only they would follow the lead of Home Secretary John Reid, whose tough, pragmatic, clear-sighted approach has been a breath of fresh air. Only then can they properly work out how to tackle it.

For instance, every airport in Britain is in chaos over the plane bomb-plot alert as every passenger is subjected to rigorous security checks. Why? They take lots of time, lots of staff, and are extremely expensive.

I'm a white 62-year-old 6ft 4ins suit-wearing ex-cop—I fly often, but do I really fit the profile of suicide bomber? Does the young mum with three tots? The gay couple, the rugby team, the middle-aged businessman?

No. But they are all getting exactly the same amount and devouring huge resources for no logical reason whatsoever. Yet the truth is Islamic terrorism in the West has been universally carried out by young Muslim men, usually of ethnic appearance, almost always travelling alone or in very small groups. A tiny percentage, I bet, of those delayed today have such characteristics.

This targeting of airport resources is called passenger profiling—the Israelis invented it and they've got probably the safest airports and airlines in the world.

In all my years at the front line of fighting terrorism, one truth was always clear — communities beat terrorists, not governments or security forces. But communities can't beat terrorism unless they have the will to do so. My heart sank this week as I saw and read the knee-jerk reaction of friends and neighbours of those arrested in this latest incident, insisting it was all a mistake and the anti-terrorist squad had the wrong people.

I have no idea whether those arrested are guilty or not. But neither have those friends and neighbours. They spoke as if it was inconceivable such a thing could happen in their community; that those arrested were all good Muslims; that Islam is a religion of peace so no Muslim could dream of planning such an act.

But we heard the same from the family and friends of the 7/7 bombers, didn't we?

And the two young British Muslims who died as suicide bombers in Israel. Then there are the British Muslims known to have become suicide bombers in Iraq.

There is currently a huge, long-running and complex alleged Islamist bomb plot being tried at the Old Bailey. And a fistful of other cases of alleged Muslim terrorism plots such as the 21/7 London Underground case are also awaiting trial.

All this would suggest the blindingly obvious—that terrorism is a major problem for the Muslim community of Britain. Of course, there will be instant squealings that this is racism. It's not. It's exactly the same as recognising that, during the Northern Ireland troubles that left thousands dead, the IRA were totally based in the Catholic community and the UVF in the Protestant.

And that, most importantly, IRA terrorism only began to draw to a close when that Catholic community it was based in decided as a whole that it was no longer prepared to back violence as the only way forward. Interestingly, it was Catholic revulsion over republican terrorist atrocities such as Enniskillen and Omagh that fuelled that change.

Well, Muslim terrorism in Britain is based in, has its roots in, and grows in, our Muslim community. The madmen of 7/7 and other suicide bombings didn't hide among the Hindu communities, worship in the Sikh temples, recruit at Catholic churches, did they? It may be true that events in Iraq have angered sections of the Muslim community. I have no doubts, whatever Tony Blair says, that it was a catalyst. I also think it's entirely fair for Muslims, if they wish, to vocally oppose Britain's continuing involvement there.

I can recognise, too, that recent events in Lebanon inflame some people, and they want their voices of protest heard. The absolutely unacceptable problem is that this opposition is used by too many to turn a blind eye to, or excuse, terrorists in their midst.

Blasting a passenger airliner out of the sky, killing hundreds of innocent men, women and children, is NEVER acceptable. Under any circumstances. There is NEVER an excuse.

A terrible tragedy costing Muslim lives in Lebanon or Iraq or Afghanistan is never ever an excuse for terrorism here.

It is totally unacceptable, totally wrong. What one party perceives as a wrong, no matter how strongly they feel, does not, in turn, justify another wrong being done to avenge it.

And until every single member of the Muslim community believes that and preaches that —from an ordinary parent to imam or madrassa teacher— terrorism can't be beaten.

Politicians must accept this truth, and do something about it. One example would be to tackle this chaos at our airports and the passenger profiling I described earlier. Another must is to reconsider ID cards. The importance of knowing whether someone really is who they say they are has never been higher.

This must be combined with improved border controls, logging exactly who goes OUT of the country as well as who comes in should also be reconsidered, whatever the politically correct among us may say. The time terrorism suspects are kept in custody before charge has also caused dissent. Currently the maximum is 28 days — it may well be this should be reconsidered and, if necessary, raised again to, say, 42 days.

Plainly, Muslim terrorism isn't going away. We need to consider everything in our battle to defeat it. But that's the responsibility of all.

Not least the community where, sadly for them, it is festering.

Leader from the Daily Telegraph

2006-08-11T22:31:00.000+01:00

Leader from the Daily Telegraph 11th August 2006
Only Muslim families can stop this infamy

For anyone sanguine enough to believe that the July 7 terrorist atrocities last year were simply an aberration, yesterday's events must have disabused them. Once again we learnt that British-born Muslim fanatics are prepared to commit slaughter on a mass scale in the name of jihad. The apparently successful thwarting of a plot to blow up transatlantic aircraft with bombs fabricated aboard the planes is a sorely needed success for Scotland Yard and MI5 following the controversial Forest Gate raid and the tragedy of the killing of the innocent Brazilian Jean Charles de Menezes. We are all too ready to criticise them when they get it wrong, but we must understand their need to act decisively on the intelligence they receive.

The terrorist strategy of combining suicide bombing with easily concealed explosive ingredients is not new. It first surfaced in 1995, in a suspected al-Qa'eda plot when nitroglycerine was carried aboard a plane in the Philippines in containers for contact-lens solution. What is new is the scale of the alleged plot, with as many as 10 aircraft being targeted, in which thousands of people could have perished. This has led America's Homeland Security Secretary, Michael Chertoff, to offer the view that it is ''suggestive of an al-Qa'eda plot''. The British authorities are wisely more reticent, stressing that their investigation is at an early stage.

What is not open to doubt is that most, if not all, of the 21 arrested suspects are British-born Muslim youths, most of them of Pakistani ethnic origin, and even one white, middle-class convert to Islam. After the July 7 bombings, Tony Blair called Muslim leaders together in Downing Street for a summit. Its purpose was to encourage the ''Muslim community'' to foster a climate that would prevent young Muslims becoming so radicalised that they are prepared to blow themselves and their fellow citizens to smithereens. Too late, of course. The global loathing for the United States and its ally, the United Kingdom, has helped corrupt the minds of a generation of disaffected young Muslims - a process speeded by extremist clerics who, in far too many cases, have been allowed to come and go with impunity.

And what precisely is this ''Muslim community''?

Is it represented by Khurshid Ahmed, a member of the Commission for Racial Equality, who yesterday expressed his shock that young Muslims could be involved in such a plot and voicing relief that they had been apprehended? Or is it represented by Fahad Ansar of the Islamic Human Rights Commission, who depicted the operation as a cynical ploy by the Government aimed at ''diverting attention away from its policy in the Middle East''? In truth, there is no such thing as a single ''Muslim community''. The Muslim Council of Britain is held by the Government to be the authentic voice of this frequently disparate group, which hails originally from at least a dozen different countries. But is it? A trenchant analysis - When Progressives Treat With Reactionaries - written by Martin Bright, the political editor of the Left-wing New Statesman, concludes: ''The Government has chosen as its favoured partner an organisation that is undemocratic, divisive and unrepresentative of the full diversity of Muslim Britain.'' Too frequently, its leaders depict as mainstream what most people would describe as extreme. Its stand against terrorism has been muted.

For any government grappling with a problem of such dangerous complexity, this may be an understandable mistake. It is time it was rectified. Alienated young Muslims will not be won round by convening Downing Street seminars or sending out gimcrack road shows manned by the very community leaders for whom they have little but contempt. Of course, the Government must maintain a dialogue with all shades of Muslim opinion, but if ministers seriously believe that this will deter potential young terrorists, they are being alarmingly naïve.

In reality, this is not a job for government at all. The one thing that unites Muslims in this country is their respect for the family. It is the bedrock of their society, something that many in this country look at with envy, given the catastrophic social impact of family breakdown among other groups. The long march to win back disaffected Muslim youth must start in the home, and the neighbourhoods of which they are a part. This is not a problem that lends itself to top-down solutions. It has to start at the bottom, with a recognition that fathers and mothers, brothers, sisters and the extended family are the people most likely to spot, and most able to stop, emerging radicalism.

Meanwhile, the events of the past 36 hours have once again achieved the enormous disruption and uncertainty that is always a key element of the terrorist game plan. Air travel will became even more tiresome as security checks become ever more rigorous. There are also profound commercial implications for the way airports and airlines conduct their business. John Reid, the Home Secretary, rose to the occasion yesterday, speaking with quiet eloquence of the sheer evil of the plotters and the heinous nature of what they were attempting. He carefully avoided any note of triumphalism, despite what appears to have been an exemplary operation by the police and the security services. He also, quite rightly, warned against complacency. A wounded animal is always dangerous and, if this is an al-Qa'eda conspiracy, it means the days and weeks ahead will be perilous.

Catchup

2006-08-10T15:57:00.000+01:00

I was so far behind, I thought it was easier to post the title links....so here you go...

Isaac Schrödinger on

Reaching The Alien Thought

Perils of Apostasy

A Stagnant Culture

Iranian Provided Rockets

Muslim Outrage

The Hated Sect

Dispelling Myths

Islamic Tolerance

Instilling Fear and Loathing

Reality v Empty Words

Tim Worstall on Leonard Cheshire VC.

La Petite needs help. More here.

On the 6th of August it was the 15th anniversary of the web going worldwide.

Reuters Doctoring Photos from Beirut?

Reuters Should Disband

USS Neverdock (a huge list...sorry)

Iraq - Interview With An Iraqi General

Part 1 - Interview With An Iraqi General - T. F. Boggs

Part 2 - Part II: Interview With An Iraqi General - T. F. Boggs

UK - "To hate America is to hate mankind"

UK Islamists: Make Jihad on Israel

Iraq - Good news roundup

Israel - "A Word About the BBC"

Islam - "Muslims must bear the grunt of their failure"

Lebanon - Why Hezbollah is doomed

Israel - BBC bias noted

Lebanon - The "hiding among civilians" myth

Lebanon - Video: Israel destroys rocket truck

Lebanon - Photos: Hezbollah blending with civilians

Israel - The Photo that Started it All

Lebanon - BBC: "Working for the enemy"

UK - BBC: 9/11 is a laughing matter

Islam - Know your enemy

UK - BBC: Oscars for terrorists

Jerico - 6 Palestinians killed in Jericho prison

Lebanon - Reuters faking photos?

Lebanon - Media faking stories

Islam's liberals are on the march

Lebanon - More fake photos?!?

Lebanon - Photogate: AFP joins in

Lebanon - Reuters admits second photo fake

Lebanon - Reuters:"Picture Kill: How We Got Here"

UK - BBC bias noted

Lebanon - Photogate:more staged photos?

Lebanon - MSM reports on photogate

Photogate - Classic photo fakery

[EDIT - Of course it will be interesting to see who the arrested people are who were behind a 'Mass Murder Terror Plot']

Comment

2006-07-30T17:34:00.000+01:00

An article that I thought was worthy enough to post in its entirity.

The tall story we Europeans now tell ourselves about Israel
By Charles Moore
(from the Daily Telegraph 29th July 2006)

Sir Peter Tapsell is, if the phrase is not a contradiction in terms nowadays, a distinguished backbencher. He first entered the House of Commons in 1959. Noted for his grand manner, he is the longest-serving Tory MP.

At foreign affairs questions in Parliament on Tuesday, Sir Peter rose. He wanted Margaret Beckett to tell him whether the Prime Minister had colluded with President Bush in allowing Israel to "wage unlimited war" in Lebanon, including attacks on civilian residential areas of Beirut. These attacks, he added, were "a war crime grimly reminiscent of the Nazi atrocity on the Jewish quarter in Warsaw".

Mrs Beckett firmly rejected the premise of the question - that Mr Bush had permitted "unlimited war" - and moved on, but I found myself winded by Sir Peter's choice of words.

What is happening in Lebanon? After the kidnapping of two of its soldiers and the firing of hundreds of rockets against its people from across the Lebanese border, Israel is trying to crush the Hizbollah fighters who have perpetrated these acts. In doing so, it has also killed civilians. Some 500 people have died in Lebanon as a result.

What was the "Nazi atrocity on the Jewish quarter in Warsaw"? There were many, of course. But Sir Peter was probably referring to the events of April-May 1943. The Nazis had earlier deported 300,000 Polish Jews to Treblinka. As news of their fate reached Jews in Warsaw, they decided to revolt against further round-ups. For about a month, they resisted. They were subdued: 7,000 of them were killed and 56,000 were sent to the camps.

Sir Peter surely knew this, yet he chose to speak as he did. Here is a man who has been in public life for more than 50 years (he was an assistant to Anthony Eden in the general election of 1955), and yet he compared Israel's attack to the most famous genocide of the 20th century. What possessed him?

I ask the question, not because I am interested in Sir Peter - he is not an important figure in the current debate, though he may differ on this point. I ask, rather, because his remark seems to me a symptom of a wider unreality about the Middle East, one that now dominates. It tinged the recent Commons speech by William Hague, the shadow foreign secretary. It permeates every report by the BBC.

You could criticise Israel's recent attack for many things. Some argue that it is disproportionate, or too indiscriminate. Others think that it is ill-planned militarily. Others hold that it will give more power to extremists in the Arab world, and will hamper a wider peace settlement. These are all reasonable, though not necessarily correct positions to hold. But European discourse on the subject seems to have been overwhelmed by something else - a narrative, told most powerfully by the way television pictures are selected, that makes Israel out as a senseless, imperialist, mass-murdering, racist bully.

Not only is this analysis wrong - if the Israelis are such imperialists, why did they withdraw from Lebanon for six years, only returning when threatened once again? How many genocidal regimes do you know that have a free press and free elections? - it is also morally imbecilic. It makes no distinction between the tough, sometimes nasty things all countries do when hard-pressed and the profoundly evil intent of some ideologies and regimes. It says nothing about the fanaticism and the immediacy of the threat to Israel. Sir Peter has somehow managed to live on this planet for 75 years without spotting the difference between what Israel is doing in Lebanon and "unlimited war".

As well as being morally imbecilic, this narrative is the enemy of all efforts to understand what is actually going on in the Middle East. It is so lazy.

Thus, for example, you would hardly know from watching the television that most Arab nations in the region, with the notable exception of Syria, detest the power of Hizbollah. You would barely have noticed that Hizbollah is a Shia faction, actively supported by Iran, and therefore feared by most Sunnis and by all who resist Iranian hegemony.

Nor would you have seen investigations of how Hizbollah places its missile sites in civilian areas, or coverage of the report in a Kuwaiti newspaper that Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hizbollah, was expected in Damascus on Thursday for a meeting with the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad, and the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council. You would also not have gathered that the Cedar Revolution in Lebanon, which the television so recently invited you to admire, cannot possibly be carried through if Syria and Iran and Hizbollah are able to operate in that country.

Behind the dominant narrative of Israeli oppression is a patronising, almost racist assumption about the Arabs, and about Muslims, which is, essentially, that "they're all the same". Public discussion therefore does not stop to consider whether the immediate ceasefire called for by most European countries might hand a victory to Hizbollah, which, in turn, would ultimately lead to a much greater loss of life. It just postures.

Part of the same attitude-striking is the attack on Tony Blair for being the "poodle" of America, instead of pursuing an independent foreign policy.

This week marks the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the last Middle East crisis in which Britain acted without concerting with America. On July 26, 1956, Gamal Abdel Nasser, the president of Egypt, nationalised the Suez Canal. Britain accounted for a third of the ships passing through the canal at that time, and we feared that Nasser had put his foot on our windpipe. Eden, perhaps reeling from his good fortune in having employed the young P. Tapsell, concocted a secret plot with France and Israel to regain control of the canal by violence and bring about the fall of Nasser.

Ignoring the delicacies of a presidential election in America and a president, Dwight D. Eisenhower, who had publicly made it clear that his country opposed force, we went ahead and invaded Egypt on November 5. Furious at having been deceived, America immediately refused to support the pound in the markets, and we crumpled almost overnight.

The then chancellor, Harold Macmillan, who supported the attack from the first but ratted on it in November, wrote in his diary on August 18: "…if Nasser 'gets away with it', we are done for… It may well be the end of British influence and strength for ever." Well, Nasser did get away with it, and British power in the Middle East did collapse.

We have now passed half a century in which the ultimate responsibility for these decisions has passed from us (and from France) to America. Unless we seriously propose to try to regain that responsibility, either alone or in concert, we do well to try to work closely with America rather than acting like a querulous octogenarian. Mr Blair's efforts in Washington yesterday to search for a ceasefire that prefers durability over immediacy are perfectly sensible.

Yet Mr Blair is bayed at by all parties and most of the media. It is as if, having relinquished power, we Europeans now wish our own powerlessness upon the rest of the world. We make vaporous and offensive Nazi comparisons. We preach that unilateral action is always wrong. That position can be maintained only by people who do not have to make life-and-death decisions. It is cheap and immoral.

[edit: After the incident at Qana today, I head about this :

Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora denounced Israel's "heinous crimes against civilians", and said there was "no room on this sad morning" for talks until Israel had halted its attacks.

He called for an "immediate, unconditional ceasefire", and praised Hezbollah militants who were "sacrificing their lives for Lebanon's independence".

I'm sorry....is that statement to mean that Hezbollah (actually isn't it Hizb'allah?) is implementing the will of the country of Lebanon? So...in that case Lebanon declared war on Israel?

Please tell me I'm not reading too much into that statement.

Various Items I Found

2006-07-30T17:33:00.000+01:00

This is sort of a collection of items that because of my chilled out routine have not been posted...so here they are..

Blognor Regis on a jet....

Strange things in China from The Register.

Wired News on blogging from Beirut.

Meryl Yourish on reading material, more here.

Bakri 'begged to be evacuated from Lebanon'

An article about Lance Corporal Jabron Hashmi,part of the Intelligence Corps who was killed in Afghanistan, and his family who are hitting back.

Chicken Yoghurt about the ID card scheme (links to The Register). More here. It's doomed apparently.

Time Safari on the 7th of July.

Random Acts of Reality on something that brings him joy.

Comment

2006-07-16T23:46:00.000+01:00

Well...what can I say...you know who won the World Cup, you know who won Wimbledon.

I was going to say something about the news, but to be honest, what can you say?

1 year on..

2006-07-07T12:29:00.000+01:00

Today is a year since 52 people were killed in the attacks on London.

Now this is the bit which will get me abuse...I don't believe the 2 minutes silence is appropriate.

Why? Well, there is a good reason....where are the 2 minutes silence for all those killed by the IRA? I am not saying that those killed shouldn't be remembered, I am just saying a bit of proportion is required.

September 11th quite rightly has a memorial service...as does 11th November for fairly obvious reasons, although it's scope has been widened to include all those killed in combat.

[edit : I believe it should be up to the families involved to have a moment of reflection, rather than the country being ordered to by the Government.]

Feel free to dispute my reasoning in the comments.

B'day!

2006-07-06T00:06:00.000+01:00

Happy birthday to me!

Semi Finals

2006-07-05T23:27:00.000+01:00

hmm...nearly the finals we wanted.....Italy v France.

Quarter Finals

2006-06-30T14:14:00.000+01:00

Germany v Argentina (1-1) (4-2 penalties) - Good match...shame it had to go to penalties. A good display ruined by the Argentinian scuffles at the end.

Italy v Ukraine (3-0) - A poor start to Ukraine, but came out pushing in the second half. Unfortunately it didn't seem as though any luck was going to go Ukraine's way.

England v Portugal (0-0) (1-3 penalties)
1st Half - Hmm...a bit more urgency from England for once. However, still messing up passes.
2nd half - What on earth was Rooney doing? I'm not surprised he was sent off after seeing the replay.
Penalties....the curse of England in international football...why can England not take penalties? Oh well...I can't say I'm surprised.

Brazil v France (0-1) - The holders out! The French pushed Brazil all the way, and looked the better team throughout.

Non football....

2006-06-28T14:51:00.000+01:00

I know, I know....lots of World Cup coverage...not enough other stuff....so, here is the other stuff....starting with something slightly football related...

A warning to motorists...

While you may have noticed the Israeli armed forces starting to build up in order to rescue a kidnapped soldier from Hamas. What you might not have noticed, is that Israelis are frequently on the receiving end of rocket attacks...

The Big Pharaoh asks about outrage...

Freedom for Egyptians highlights the programming on Islamic Saudi television....

An interesting article from the Daily Telegragh - Dissident tells of assaults and threats against children during 66 days in jail run by Iran's clerical regime.

The Religious Policeman has called it a day..

Meryl Yourush links to Menachem Begin on Israel.

Jews in France are going to defend themselves...

Meryl has a comment about double standards towards Israel.

About Gaza and crisis.

Charles Moore on Cromwell's actions in 1656.

An article in Power Line about Arafat....(I can't remember where I got this from.)

Israel and Palestinian students.

Nick Flynn won't be charged for the breakage of the three Qing Dynasty vases at The Fitzwilliam Museum in January. I should think not.

A Tangled Web on racial profiling and why it works.

Also...remember that explosion on the beach in Gaza...and update. Article from the Washington Post.

CAMERA (Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America) on the Charles Enderlin video of the beach explosion....

Who is Charles Enderlin? He is the France 2 reporter involved in the so-called Al-Dura affair....

Infidel Bloggers Alliance on a Brief History of Islamic Terror. Also a comment about the Palestinians.

Atlas Shrugs also looks at incident at the beach in Gaza.

Time Safari on Why I Am Not A Muslim. (via Isaac Schrödinger)

Why it is so hard to be friends with Muslims...by a Muslim.

Sex slaves in the US...on trial...links to here.

A piece about Taslima Nasreem.

The Devil's Kitchen on Gordon's Taxes....all 80 of them.

An interesting article by Muriel Gray. (via Middle Class, Middle Aged, Middle England)

A number of articles by Simon Heffer....

Blair should have got it right by now.

A government of back-seat drivers.

Inside the weird and wonderful mind of Charles Clarke

..and finally....a pensioner sent to jail....for refusing to pay her council tax because of living conditions in her area.

Update - she was released after someone paid her fine.

Last 16

2006-06-25T14:41:00.000+01:00

Ok, so I didn't finish off the final matches of the groups...primarily because I missed too many of them....due to screen 2 at once, and being out on two occasions.

Anyhow...last 16

Germany v Sweden (2-0) - Cracking game. Although Sweden seemed to be all over the place, Germany have appeared to have stepped up a gear. As well they might....they play Arentina next.

Argentina v Mexico (2-1) - Now that is what the World Cup is about....two teams pushing hard to win. First match to go into extra time, and very nearly into penalties. The game could have gone either way, but Mexico proved themselves, and are a team to watch.

Italy v Australia (1-0) - Ok..this will be interesting. Indeed it was....it looks like Italy cheated their way into the Quarter Finals...on TV replays it was a definite dive. Australia do not deserve to go home so early.

Switzerland v Ukraine (0-0) (0-3 penalties) Talk about a tight game. 1st match this tournament to go to penalties.

Ecuador v England (0-1) - The phrase here...'Put Up or Shut Up'. This is the opportunity for England to prove how good they are. No excuses.

1st half - what? They are managing to play worse than they did against Sweden. What is with the diving? They are lucky Ecuador haven't been able to take advantage.
In fact, what is with the dirty tackling? Are they seriously incapable of playing the game properly?

2nd half - You have got to be kidding. Good goal from Beckham, but England are incredibly lucky. Sloppy play will get punished from now on. I'm sorry but that was a pathetic display of England 'quality'.

Portugal v Holland (1-0) - Ouch..that was a rough game. Portugal get to play England next.

Brazil v Ghana - (3-0) -Poxy ITV commentators..writing Ghana off the instant the whistle blew. To be honest, I didn't expect Ghana to win. However, I didn't expect them to be thrashed, and so it appears.

Spain v France - (1-3) -A good game...apart from Thierry Henry doing some acting in order to get the free kick which led to goal #2.

World Cup

2006-06-20T15:28:00.000+01:00

Well this is the day that we find out how good the England team is but first.....

Ecuador v Germany - A fairly straightforward display by the Germans. So...Germany tops the group...now England need to win to avoid playing them next.

Sweden v England - Says it all really....two times England were ahead, and two times Sweden equalised. With Owen injured and unlikely to play for quite a while, England have to up their game...Rooney & Crouch have to be able to work well...especially seeing as Walcott is unlikely to be in a game, despite a perfect opportunity yesterday.

My prediction stood quite well...lets face it, Sweden could have won it. Anyhow...Ecuador next....don't underestimate them.

Costa Rica v Poland - Well, I can't watch 2 matches at the same time. Anyone know what it was like?

Paraguay v Trinidad & Tobago - Didn't see this one either...for the same reason.

Random question - Can any American readers enlighten me on what 'metric football' is? I've been reading a few blogs, and I keep coming across this game. What is it?

p.s. - another random question....why are certain Americans so hostile towards football?

Wednesday 21st June

Portugal v Mexico

Iran v Angola

Holland v Argentina

Ivory Coast v Serbia & Montenegro

World Cup part 3

2006-06-18T11:09:00.000+01:00

Friday 16th June

Argentina v Serbia & Montenegro - Can you say football? Now that was a thrashing. Probably the bookies favourite to win now, although you never know at the World Cup.

Netherlands v Ivory Coast - Good match.

Mexico v Angola - I bet that was a shock. Being booed off the field after the match has to be a bit of a bad sign for the Mexicans.

Saturday 17th June

Portugal v Iran - I didn't see this one, but it appears Portugal didn't have too much trouble in this match.

Czech Republic v Ghana - Missed most of the 1st half, but what I saw was impressive. I think the African nations are beginning to catch up. Probably the shock of the tournament.

Italy v USA - Well...what can you say....3 red cards, only the 4th time this has happened since '98. To be honest, I reckon this would have been a win for the USA. Italy were pretty much on the back foot, and had to resort to quite blatant cheating to stay level. A major improvement for the USA team, who played with passion and some nice touches, playing with 2 men down and holding the game level is worth a mention in anyone's book.

Quietly, I hope that the USA can get through to the last 16 because after that performance, I think they deserve it.

Sunday 18th June

Japan v Croatia - a good game. The players looked knackered towards the end.

Brazil v Australia - Well that was interesting...I think Australia did a good job.

France v South Korea - Could France be going out of this World Cup? South Korea did well to keep them contained as well as equalise.

Monday 19th June

Togo v Switzerland - A fairly straightforward match for the Swiss.

Saudi Arabia v Ukraine - Well that might have eased fears over being thrashed by Spain in the first game.

Spain v Tunisia - Well...that was a late rally by the Spanish...almost the upset of the tournament.

Manchester 1996

2006-06-15T19:21:00.000+01:00

On the 15th June 1996, the IRA detonated a bomb in Manchester city centre, just next to Marks & Spencer's.

Pictures here.

World Cup cont.

2006-06-15T19:20:00.000+01:00

Wednesday 14th June

Spain v Ukraine - Well the Ukraine got a major shock in that one. The sending off was a little harsh, but when shown from the referee's angle, it was a legitimate call. Regardless of that decision, Spain ran rings around them. A potential final candidate?

Tunisia v Saudi Arabia - Although seemingly out of it, Tunisia got that last goal to equalise. To be honest, a fairly even match between the two.

Germany v Poland - One that Poland had to win to continue in the Cup...sadly a late goal from Germany sealed their fate.

Thursday 15th June

Ecuador v Costa Rica - A convincing win, enabling Ecuador to progress to the second round for the first time.

England v Trinidad & Tobago - Well, I almost got my prediction right...83 minutes until the first goal. To be honest, England were let off today. Trinidad & Tobago held them at bay quite convincingly, and threatened a few times. England basically played the same as they did against Paraguay.

If they continue in that vein, they are going to have their arses handed to them on a plate, because for the most part, every other team that has played has been far more convincing. There was some shoddy passing, and letting the ball get too far from their feet.

Sweden v Paraguay - A bit of a hard fought match.

World Cup

2006-06-13T17:44:00.000+01:00

Now, I don't know about you, but I'm watching the World Cup, and so far, so good. Good games all round (ish) but you know what I mean.

Friday 9th June

Germany v Costa Rica - Good game...Germany were a little shaky in defense, which will have to be worked on, but a solid win.

Poland v Ecuador - Another fast paced game.

Saturday 10th June

England v Paraguay - Unlike a lot of people, I am incredibly cynical about England coverage, because I believe England are incredibly overhyped, and this game proved it. They started strong, and got a lucky goal off Beckham. The second half proved to be typical England..start off strong, then apparently lose interest. They were lucky that Paraguay were unable to get focused and punish for that lack of interest. More on England later.

Trinidad & Tobago v Sweden - Impressive match by both teams. They both pushed hard, and were pushed hard in defending the goal area. I'd say this is a good showing for Trinidad & Tobago, and expect them to play hard in their remaining games.

Argentina v Ivory Coast - A bit of a scrappy game, with plenty of Argentinian theatrics. One day they will not be successful in their acting ability and will be punished for it. Until then however..... A good showing from the Ivory Coast...I hope they push hard in their remaining group matches.

Sunday 11th June

Serbia & Montenegro v Holland - Quite surprising that there weren't more goals to be honest.

Mexico v Iran - Iran started well, but were eventually outclassed by Mexico.

Angola v Portugal - A good showing from Angola, pushing Portugal hard throughout the match.

Monday 12th June

Australia v Japan - Well this definitely looked like a Japanese win....until 3 gobsmacking goals in the final few minutes sealed a Socceroos win. A team to watch I suspect.

USA v Czech Republic - A bit of a thrashing to be honest. The USA seemed outclassed, and possibly unprepared for this match. I don't know if this is due to the lack of international experience in the squad, or underestimating their group opposition. More below.

Italy v Ghana - It may be an Italian win, but they had to work for it.

Tuesday 13th June

South Korea v Togo - Interesting match. South Korea obviously had a bit of a major half time chat....because they made up for the goal they conceded. Sitting on the ball late on was a bit of a shame....even their fans thought it was a bit much.

France v Switzerland - A bit of a stalemated game. No real flair from the French, and Switzerland did well to keep France contained.

Brazil v Croatia - What a match...1-0 says it all. Croatia did not back down once. If England come up against either of these two, a loss is probably guaranteed.

MORE

England - I seriously expect England to get a draw on Thursday, and as for Sweden, I expect a draw or a loss. Why? They aren't good enough. If they manage to play a competetive 90 minutes in either match, I might be surprised, but so far, they have played to form. It was like this at the last World Cup, and at Euro 2004. Push and then let it go. I may be proved wrong, but if they play like this, there is no chance in getting past the second round, because every other team that has played so far with punish them repeatedly.

USA - Having read comments on CNNSI, it appears that there has been a lot of hype with the USA team. Also, it appears that there is a lot of indifference by the US generally....plus the fact that it is often seen as an after-school girls sport. I say...people...it's FOOTBALL...not soccer...and it is a WORLD sport....as this is the World Cup. Until it is treated like the major sport and event that it is, I don't expect the USA to make much headway. Perhaps more players in Europe, and maybe getting European coaches would improve things in significant areas.

Up to date

2006-06-08T11:49:00.000+01:00

This was supposed to be posted yesterday, but Blogger threw a wobbly....anyhow...

Just a couple of articles to mention :

The funeral of Nishi Patel-Nasri was held.

Article from last week....Simon Heffer on David 'call me Dave' Cameron.

Who is accountable these days?

Shaun Bailey on the prevalence of knives.

Iraqi students are dragged off buses and murdered.

Yvonne Ridley, who converted to Islam after being kidnapped by the Taliban in Afghanistan has said, "I don't think the Muslim community should communicate with the police any more until they start showing some respect."

I had a long rant posted here, but I decided not to run with it.....all I can say is with comments like that, is it any wonder people are increasingly wary of Muslims?

I am not going to go on and on about ROONEY! like everyone else will be...I personally don't think he will be fit enough to play. As for whether England will do well in the World Cup...I have no idea. If they play like they normally do, they'll be out before the quarter finals. If they play with the mindset to win, scoring goals at every opportunity...then they might do it.

Actually....flash poll!!

Will England make the Final, or will they get kicked out before? Let me know.

Hmm...so he is fit....allegedly....well he has six weeks of training to catch up on now. Starts tomorrow...Germany v Costa Rica.

Oh I just love headlines like this - DNA database is shared overseas". Does anyone think that there is any point to the ID database when information is already being handed over to anyone who wants it....obviously officially, but is it accurate?

Breaking news!! It appears that al-Zarqawi may have been killed.

BBC, Sky News, CNN reports.

Hmm

2006-06-03T18:25:00.000+01:00

Well....what to talk about? No idea....I am on a can't be bothered mode at the moment....so needless to say I am behind on my reading..

I'll say more tomorrow.

Odds and Sods

2006-05-30T21:52:00.000+01:00

Paul Gleason has died.

Simon Heffer sounds off about flags...and quite rightly. You see that banner at the top of this page? It is a rotating mix of the Cross of St. George, and the Union Flag. Does that mean I'm racist? No, it means I am patriotic. I am sick of those that deny the right of the English to be patriotic about our country. After all, do you hear complaints about the Cross of St. Andrew, or the Welsh dragon? Of course you don't.

Only Prescott's croquet balls are driven now - the title says it all really.

France Echos has a piece about a teacher being attacked and recorded on a mobile phone.

Submission, the film by Theo Van Gogh who was subsequently murdered. (via Middle Class, Middle Aged, Middle England)

Diary of a Bow Street Runner asks you to imagine the newspapers if drunken cliches prevailed...

A bit of local news....after being closed down since January, Syndicate is reopening on Saturday 3rd June, under new management.

Also, a bit of a warning here, if you decide to come to Blackpool, keep out of the water if the tide is in....trying to go swimming can be fatal...especially if you are drunk. Two died this last weekend.

Confused?

2006-05-26T22:39:00.000+01:00

Yes, I am.

Hutton Enquiry Auction

2006-05-24T22:29:00.000+01:00

Iain Dale spotted this bit of insensitive fund raising for the Labour Party... a copy of the Hutton Enquiry into the death of David Kelly was auctioned off, signed by none other than Cherie Blair for £400.

Also picked up by An Englishman's Castle.

Drinking from Home and The Anglo Saxon Chronicle have found out an Early Day Motion was filed in Parliament by Stewart Jackson, Conservative MP for Peterborough.

EDM 2224

"CONDUCT OF LABOUR HON. MEMBERS AT MAY 2006 FUNDRAISER
22.05.2006

Jackson, Stewart

That this House notes that senior members of the Labour Party including hon. Members and Government Ministers attended a party fundraising event last week at the Arts Club in Mayfair; further notes that a copy of the official report by Lord Hutton into the death of Government scientist Dr David Kelly, signed by Ms Cherie Booth QC, was auctioned for party funds raising £400; believes this conduct to be in appalling bad taste, arrogant and crassly insensitive in seeking to make money, albeit indirectly, through hawking, as a novelty item, an official Government report into the death of a public servant; regrets the distress caused to the family and friends of the late Dr Kelly; calls on the Labour Party to apologise for such tasteless and offensive conduct and to donate the money raised to an appropriate charity; and deprecates such conduct by hon. Members."

I see the ministers involved have apparently apologised.

"Mr Bryant and Mr Purnell said: "This was a private event. No one intended to give offence and if there is any offence, we sincerely apologise.

"We have not received any money for this item and we want to make it clear that we will not accept any."

Oh that's all right then....obviously you have no shame in auctioning off an enquiry into a man's death.

More here.

"The prime minister's official spokesman said he would not get involved in the row, adding that "it was a party matter and nothing to do with us".

Hmm...the PM's wife is involved, and it has nothing to do with them? Have the Labour Party any moral compass at all?

If they wanted to raise money, they should have found something more suitable to auction....another reason, as if there needed to be any more of why the Labour Party are singularly unsuitable to govern this country.

Longer Post

2006-05-23T15:26:00.000+01:00

There are a few posts here....in no particular order, because I can't be bothered today, they are in the order that I find them in my bookmarks. Feel free to comment....you can you know...

Seneferu asks for an end to the stupidity.

Isaac Schrödinger refers to the spiritually filthy.

Eteraz has a piece on the LRA in Uganda. See also here for more information.

Apparently a lot of African Muslims are becoming.....Christian. (via IBA)

It seems those Danish cartoonists had better need some protection...from terrorists.

A comment from Peter Kilfoyle about the change needed in the Labour Party. (via Blairwatch)

How a US Navy Corpsman made a difference. (via Isaac Schrödinger)

The Desert Mordor - Isaac Schrödinger....linking to here.

Bangladesh...where women are scarred for life. See here, and here.

The Devil's Kitchen on why Britain Should Be Great.

The Archbishop of Sydney...has been challenging Islam. (via Western Resistance) (text here)

USS Neverdock refers to the French Intifada...and mentions a couple of things about the UK you might have forgotten.

Polly Toynbee on Comment is free... about Civil Discourse...or the lack of it. The Devil's Kitchen comments.

The Devil's Kitchen reckons it is time to abolish the UN.

The Ministry of Truth reckons Labour needs a future rather than a legacy. (via The Devil's Kitchen)

The Devil's Kitchen on Israel.

While we're with The Devil's Kitchen, an update on Jack Idema.

The ID Card scheme may have been a mistake?

Longrider on copyright infringement.

Daring Fireball on Rob Glaser. (via The Devil's Kitchen)

The Devil's Kitchen links to Mr Eugenides, who links to an article in the Guardian by Joseph Harker, who seems to consider white people as racists for flying the England flag.

Ayaan Hirsi Ali resigns from the Dutch Parliament. (via Isaac Schrödinger)

Blairwatch on ID for sale. This is a current problem, and they want a one stop shop for it???

The 13th of May was the first anniversary of the Bobur Square massacre in Andijan, Uzbekistan. Read this as well.

The Pub Philosopher askes whether you can teach British values.

A Tangled Web on what Hamas is teaching the children...

Freedom for Egyptians on bloggers being arrested, and pro-reform protesters being attacked.

The Big Pharaoh on one of the bloggers arrested, and a later update..

...also Free Alaa The Blog

Bill Sticker on flying the flag.

Students in London complain about Islamic studies.

On Israel.

The Koran v Mein Kampf....see more here.

Israel and the Middle East. (via Saber Point)

A piece about Steven Vincent.

If Islamists were to dominate....

Meryl Yourish on a warning about Pluck/Blogburst....they get to keep your stuff...

Also, Meryl on what Yasser Arafat was like...

Ok, that's your lot.

Little Post

2006-05-20T20:46:00.000+01:00

Why a little post? Well I am actually working on one with stuff I marked to post previously but didn't get round to....so a bit out of date, but worth reading....but tomorrow.

For now...Eurovision is on tonight....my pick for winner....Finland!

Eurovision for those that don't know, is an annual song contest with a representative from each country. After last year it was changed in that there are now semi finals, with the winners to go through to join those that did well last year.

Anyhow....who has performed at Eurovision you may ask....well ABBA, Katrina & The Waves, Celine Dion etc.

Apparently even the US is thinking of borrowing the concept for a State representing contest.

But, back to tonight....why am I putting Finland forward? Well you see, they are a metal band called Lordi...with a song Heavy Metal Hallelujah. Let's just say it is a complete surprise choice for the Eurovision.....and if you check out the website you'll see why as well.

UPDATE 0:34 - Wow...that was a good tip wasn't it? Next time I'll actually put a bet on. Well done Lordi, you did good.

Hmm

2006-05-14T18:54:00.000+01:00

I've been a bit busy working, hence the lack of an update, and I haven't had my usual reading time...so I have sod all to talk about.

Congratulations to Liverpool for winning the FA Cup, and congratulations to Fernando Alonso for being the first Spaniard to win the Spanish Grand Prix.

There has been bad news this week, including the murder of Nisha Patel-Nasri, a Special Constable with the Metropolitan Police.

Readers Topics

2006-05-06T21:15:00.000+01:00

Here we are with a couple of topics as chosen by you the humble readers....all 3 of you. :D

Anyhow...

Mrs Aginoth suggests a "my solution to....." series....

Part 1 - The Pensions crisis.....don't do pensions.....find out how much a pension payment is and put that amount in a separate bank account providing guaranteed money at the end of the day....plus an amount of interest I suppose. I really wouldn't know how to deal with those that have nothing after paying in for many years.....I suspect the companies will do what they can to avoid paying up.

Alternatively we could ask all those public sector workers to give their pensions to those that provided it....i.e. the taxpayer. Pay into your own pensions for once.

*Ponders whether a wholesale reform of the benefits system would be in order....the difference to provide for those whose pensions have disappeared.* It would only be a short term solution, with the plus points being that once the deficit pensions are covered, there would be a significant reduction in benefit system fraud., and the money could be provided on services.

Part 2 - The NHS....I suspect a layer of management...perhaps even 2 could be removed. Instant cash for all the stuff like beds, equipment etc. Any NHS readers able to give their view on that? It's simplistic I know...but I'm sure an element of Occam's (Ockham's is the alternative spelling) Razor surely applies to both suggestions.

Pardon? Oh yes, William of Ockham put forward the following attributed comment:

"Entia non sunt multiplicanda praeter necessitatem"

or

"Entities should not be multiplied beyond necessity"

also posited by Isaac Newton as:

"We are to admit no more causes of natural things than such as are both true and sufficient to explain their appearances."

...which I suspect comes down to the KISS rule...Keep It Simple Stupid.

Mad Dog asks about the new England manager...why I have no idea. Personally I couldn't care less who is manager as long as England win a championship for once. If the manager happens to be English, it's a happy bonus.

If we're on about records, then Sven is hardly convincing is he? By record, I'm talking trophies....and no, we haven't got one. After all they keep going on about 1966....ffs it's 40 years ago......I wouldn't be too proud of that one....the players now are working professionals....

To be honest, I say don't use Premiership players....they get bucketloads of money and don't perform....why not make it performance related...(win, get paid; lose, you pay into the coffers the same amount)?

I suggest using the division below...I think it's the Coca Cola Championship lot....(I wish we still had the old divisions...1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and then the rest...I get confused with the current naming system). After all, I suspect they would be well chuffed to play for their country....might play to the top of their ability as a result...lets face it if there can be upsets in the FA Cup, surely there can be in the World Cup.

As for the other comment on Haloscan centering text....well that is what this particular template does.

Tololy asks about whether my blog is primarily politics and news based....answer...no, it just happens to be what is annoying me at the moment. Personal entries don't interest me...sad but true.

That ends this weeks trial run...please feel free to comment or make suggestions...next Friday I will open up for suggestions once again for the Saturday ramble.

Thanks for stopping by...please come again!

Hmm

2006-05-05T15:00:00.000+01:00

Well...surprisingly I don't have anything to say.

I'm not surprised about the local election results, and I'm not sure the Cabinet reshuffle has gone quite as planned. I notice Charles Clarke was sacked....although the BBC News at 1 said resigned. Why on earth is Prescott still in position? I notice however that he has been stripped of all his powers.....so he can't bugger anything else up. Ruth Kelly has been moved.

Patricia Hewitt is still somehow in the same job. Margaret Beckett as Foreign Secretary??????

Oh well...somehow I think, like the song.....there may be trouble ahead..

Other than that....I notice that Iraqis are still being slaughtered by other Muslims.
Zacarias Moussaoui will rot in a SuperMax prison....quite appropriate I think.

I'm bored....

I know...cunning plan....you the readers get to choose the topic. Then I will attempt to write about it....(is this really a good idea?) Suggestions in the comments please. Perhaps every Saturday....we shall see....so go on, get your thinking caps on....

News

2006-04-30T18:26:00.000+01:00

An Englishman's Castle links to an article in the Telegraph Money section about how business could teach politicians a thing or two.

Drinking From Home has a couple of links about Prescott.

Boris Johnson has an interesting piece about Labour's view of law & order. Diary of a Bow Street Runner also comments....he isn't happy.

Simon Heffer in yesterdays Telegraph asked...what do you expect from men on the make? Also he mentions that David Blunkett also had his part to play in the ongoing scandal.

Michael Howard has one thing to say...'If Labour had any honour, Clarke would go.' Of course there is more....yes apparently 2500 foreign criminals have been allowed to stay. Criminals? What criminals? Perhaps the problems start from the top...even though he might have to sack Charles Clarke.

I have a better idea....get rid of the lot of them. They have to go....incompetence should not be tolerated.

Those elections are coming.....which are wide open to fraud....because the Government won't do anything about it.

EDIT - I almost forgot.....council tax is likely to surge....with the possibility of even more if you have a nice view, or even extensions....thanks to Prescott.

VOTE LABOUR OUT!!

Flogging The Simian on being an expatriate American looking in.

The Big Pharaoh on judgement day...by Iran.

Late Comment

2006-04-28T00:08:00.000+01:00

Devil's Kitchen points out yet another reason why the Tories aren't going to win the election.

He has added to his list of things about Charles Clarke that he doesn't like....namely he's incompetant.

While we're talking about Charles Clarke...apparently we are traitors......see?

Patricia Hewitt is apparently a 'walking advert for Disability Allowance'.

As for Tony Blair....well The Devil's Kitchen makes quite a strong point....because of this...comment here. Perfect.co.uk comments here.

The state of the NHS.(via Tim Worstall)

Apparently New Labour is going bust.

You will no doubt recall the suicide attacks on Dahab the other day. However, did you hear about the attack 2 days later? I caught it as a breaking news item on Sky News, but only briefly. It was only because I read Sandmonkey that I knew I hadn't imagined it.

I'm not talking about Prescott, because lets face it, it's everywhere.

Ok, that's all for now.

20th Anniversary

2006-04-26T11:00:00.000+01:00

Today is the 20th Anniversary of the Chernobyl accident.

Random

2006-04-25T19:16:00.000+01:00

Jeremy Thompson's weblog on Sky News is 6 months old.

It appears that Eurovision will be interesting for once this year....because of the Finn's entry....Lordi.
The Devil's Kitchen has a good post about Jack Idema.

AS you will probably have gathered from his posts on here, The Devil's Kitchen doesn't like Charles Clarke much. Well Tim Worstall has apparently lost his rag as well with the rancorous thug.
While we're talking politics...Abolish the Welfare State.

The Devil's Kitchen also has something to say about the honour killings in Germany.

Politicalog talks about passing exams.

The Joy of Curmudgeonry has a piece on the Monarchy. (via The Devil's Kitchen)

Meryl Yourish has a good post....about Palestinian terrorist bombs. (via Michelle Malkin)

A piece about artwork.

Child abuse.

AbbaGav on chat-up lines...

It is said that Hamas should learn the cost of terrorism...(via Isaac Schrödinger)

Also by Isaac...a piece about the Islamist brotherhood.

Western Resistance on Islam's continuing respect of other faiths...this time bulldozing the Malaimel Sri Selva Kaliamman, a Hindu Temple in Malaysia.

In Tehran, the police have been ordered to arrest women who dress 'un-Islamic'.

Morality laws in Indonesia.

An amusing cartoon at Zipperfish....via (Western Resistance).

France's airport security is a little worrying.

While we're on France, they want to control information on the web.

North Ossetia is being threatened by Muslim extremists.

Bill Sticker has a funny couple of items to check out.

Alittle bit of local news for a change. I don't know if you've heard, but apparently The Syndicate is closed....permanently, although the site has an announcement saying they are closed for redevelopment.

TVR appears to be going to the wall. An End of An Era?

It is even covered in the national press...car magazines, clubs and enthusiast publications.

So, Blackpool isn't finished.....

Egypt

2006-04-24T22:39:00.000+01:00

I was going to do another post but then I heard about the terrorist attacks in Egypt.

St George's Day

2006-04-23T08:23:00.000+01:00

Today is the celebration of Saint George, the Patron Saint of England, who slew the terrible Dragon.

Take the time to celebrate this day, and show pride in your country. Ignore those who would stop you from flying the Cross of St. George, the symbol of our great country.

Be proud to be English. You are one of a kind and tolerant people. Take back our flag from people who have sullied its great name. St. George for England!!

Historic Figures : St George - BBC History
Religion & Ethics : St George - BBC
St George's Day - A Day For England
Wells Bombardier

Happy Birthday

2006-04-21T00:04:00.000+01:00

Happy 80th Birthday Your Majesty.

More Stuff.

2006-04-20T12:47:00.000+01:00

Tuesday the 17th April was the 100th anniversary of the Great Quake which hit San Francisco killing around 3000 people.

Nepal is getting vicious.

An article by James Loney, one of the Canadians rescued alongside Norman Kember. (via Depleted Uranium)

The Devil's Kitchen on The Euston Manifesto.

Also by TDK, a comment about the Tory party losing the working class. While we're talking about political parties, here is one to avoid. Talking about ones to avoid, apparently the Conservatives had nothing to say about the BNP.

While we're on British politics...Alan B'Stard is back....

Sandmonkey refers to the French political system.

Some 60 scientists wrote a letter to the Canadian government with regard to their policy on so-called climate change. (via The Devil's Kitchen)

Isaac Schrödinger refers to The Big Pharaoh about the sectarian riots in Egypt.

According to the Hamas #2, Mohammed Abu Tir, Jews control US Christianity amongst other things. (via Isaac Schrödinger)

Everybody fears Mohammed. (via Isaac Schrödinger)

Muslims are still killing people in Thailand.

Freedom for Egyptians has a few interesting pieces to consider...

Muslims and Christians Clash following Churches Attacks in Alexandria, Egypt

Muslim Brotherhood Leader Akef says “Fuck Egypt”

Sectarian Clashes Continue in Alexandria for the third day, One Muslim Dies

Security Solution is No Longer an Option for Copts' Persecution

Sandmonkey's view on the clashes is a complaint.

Mumbo Jumbo on boycotts....she is less than impressed.

Sandmonkey has a look at Judas.

Sandmonkey again refers to the following...Losing my Religion.

How to Lose Your Job at a Saudi Newspaper. (via Terrorism Unveiled)

Cox & Forkum on Hamas's response to the suicide bombing in Tel Aviv.

Spy Blog has a piece about the Legislative & Regulatory Reform Bill also known as the Abolition of Parliament.

The Sleepy Policeman has the list....SRO's Laws of Policing.

Odyssey

2006-04-16T16:03:00.000+01:00

Why the title? Well this is stupidly long. Why? Well I took a couple of days off from reading blogs, and when I did get round to it there were quite a few posts worthy of mention. Admittedly there are a lot from Western Resistance, but they have a lot to say.

Isaac Schrödinger considers the Ultimate Act of Blasphemy. Islamic law denies basic human rights.

Article 18.

"Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance."

Also relevant is Article 30:

"Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein."
Quotes from the UN here.

Isaac Schrödinger has a piece on Islamic discipline.

Also a piece on how Saudis treat their foreign workers.

Apparently Egyptians are going down the route towards killing apostates. More here and Sandmonkey's take. It looks like they were all emailed. Still in Egypt, three Coptic churches in Alexandria were attacked by Muslims, 1 Christian was killed, with about a dozen more injured. Sandmonkey has more here as does Freedom for Egyptians.

Western Resistance again with reports of a rape victim who was flogged in Bangladesh.

Another case where a woman was gang-raped due to a fatwa in Pakistan, the perpetrators of which have apparently been released without charge....her life is now in danger.

Apparently you can marry daughters off before they are born in Pakistan. A brave woman is fighting her 'marriage' to a man agreed when she was only 1 year old.

More on Pakistan.

In Germany, Ayhan Surucu was convicted of the murder of his elder sister because she lived 'like a German'. Leilouta comments.

A Muslim father in Singapore pleaded guilty to raping several of his daughters.

Looks like the Australians are trying to remove the Imam of Lakemba Mosque in Sydney. Still in Australia, a Muslim teacher in Perth is described as peaceful apparently.

In America and interesting case involving the Oakland, California based group, the Black Muslims.

Family abuse.

Eritrea obviously doesn't like Christians very much. The Religious Policeman has a comment about fish.

Apparently we can't use the phrase 'Islamic Terrorism'. Why not?

Interestingly the mullah of a mosque in Naftalan, Azerbaijan has been arrested for selling marajuana.

Apparently the Iraqi beauty queen has resigned due to death threats.

Two more of the Muslim-led gang that for 3 weeks tortured and eventually killed a 23 year old Jewish French man, Ilan Halimi have surrendered to the police.

In India, there have been clashes between Shias and Sunnis.

Still in India, the 17th Century Jama Masjid mosque in New Delhi has been on the receiving end of several explosions.

The Religious Policeman apparently hasn't been invited to the party...not that he's that bothered.

An interesting piece for the accomodations for the Saudi team for the World Cup.

The Big Pharaoh has something to say.

Dangerously Subversive Dad has something to say about the situation regarding Iran.

TottenhamLad has a competition....Spot the 'Racist'.

Infidel Bloggers Alliance has a piece on Muhammad Abu al-Hawa, an Arab man murdered by Palestinians and later buried in a 'traitors grave' for selling property to Jews.

More at the Times - "The al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades claimed responsibility, saying that a similar fate awaited traitors who sold to Jews land or property in Arab east Jerusalem."

Don't vote Labour. Check this out from BackingBlair.

Alton Towers is having RFID tags in the visitor wristbands.

The Daily Ablution has an interesting piece on CND amongst others.

Sky News has an interesting video on the dark side to China's booming economy.

Apparently Russia is happy to fund Hamas.

Samanth Burns has an interesting comment on education...or not.

Pub Philosopher has a good piece on the 400th birthday of the British Flag on the 12th of April...known to many as the Union Jack.

A Very British Dude tells what your car says about you.

Have a listen to the Psychiatric Hotline. (via Mental Nurse)

Silicon.com has a campaign : ID Cards On Trial. Important reading. (via Not Little England).

Chicken Yoghurt has a piece on the birdflu.

If you managed to read to here...CONGRATULATIONS! Go, read and inwardly digest...consider the implications. Thanks for taking an afternoon out of your schedule to read this. I'll try not to do it again.

Tweaks

2006-04-14T11:27:00.000+01:00

Ok, I am tweaking the blog to try and tidy it up a little. Is there anything that seems glitchy?

First off....can you see my banner? I can see it ok on Opera, but not in Firefox or IE. It is a GIF file, so you should be able to see it....if not, what browser are you using?

Update : No, it doesn't like it. More tweaks to do...so old banner it is for the moment.

Update #2 : Ok, I have a banner...just not a GIF one. Oh well....tweaking to continue...hopefully I can get my animated one working shortly.

Update #3 : Success!!

Mentions

2006-04-12T15:50:00.000+01:00

A few things to mention, not necessarily in any order or even right up to date:

Richard Holmes is a little angry with the lack of knowledge of the military.

Chicken Yoghurt has a huge list of reasons not to vote Blair.

Boris Johnson has a piece on the French...via Air France.

Bow Street Runner has a look at the state we're in.

Baron Bodissey has an interesting post up at the Gates of Vienna: I'm a Terrorist Groupie, Hear Me Roar. A definite must read.

Perfect.co.uk has news....from the future.

Michelle Malkin has a piece on a race hate crime.....They screamed: 'Get Whitey!'

Whilst we're talking about race hate, here is a case in London.

A Good Samaritan has spoken of his disgust after a dying man was heckled by yobs.
Travis Marshall, 42, tried in vain to save an elderly driver who had a heart attack at the wheel and careered into a bus.

But as the victim took his last breath, sick youths in tracksuits and hoods clashed with police and yelled: "He is just a white man."

Mr Marshall, who performed emergency CPR on the man in St James's Road, Bermondsey, last Friday, said: "It was sickening. Here you had a dying man, people trying to save him and police trying to clear the scene. Then there were these black youths and all they wanted to do was fight the cops. They were saying, 'You think I am scared of you because of your uniform'.

"I told them to have some respect because a man was dying and they shouted, 'Who cares - it's just a white man'."

Mr Marshall told how a black woman next to him pleaded with cops to arrest the youths.

He said: "These people should be ashamed to walk the streets. I would try to help someone whatever their colour. You can't print what I really think of them. They are scum - scum of the earth."

Michael Totten has an open letter to Hezbollah. (via Sandmonkey)

Still with Sandmonkey...a post about Dr. Hassan Al Turabi.

Agora has a piece on Asmaa Abdol-Hamid, a journalist in Denmark. All is not as it appears.

The Religious Policeman has a post on a surprise visit to a Saudi journalist.

Cheeky Monkey says bring back the birch. If the pictures don't makes you wince, I don't know what's wrong with you.

icLiverpool has an article about the Wirral Egg Run. (via Nanny Knows Best)

A handful of posts worth reading from FaithFreedom:

Why Judaism is Superior to Islam
How Much Does The Quran Rely on Fear? And What’s Love Got to Do with It?
“Moderate” Muslims Muddy the Waters
Will the Internet Slay Islam?

Now for something a little lighter:

Graaaagh!

Right now, pagans are plotting to spoof a powerful petticoat. My carnivore and Pritt-Stick are flummoxed, and copper wires that I work with may be stout.

I'm Federal Agent Jack Bauer, and this is the most sobbing rat of my life. (via 24 Dreaming)

Congratulations!

2006-04-09T19:33:00.000+01:00

Congratulations to Charles and Camilla on their first anniversary.

Ponderings

2006-04-09T19:14:00.000+01:00

Ok, so you might have noticed that I haven't posted on a couple of things recently, primarily because others have talked about it. Namely the bombing of a major Shia shrine in Iraq....by suicide bombers dressed as women.

The other was the murder of the nurse whilst going for a break.

Anyhow, something else has caught my attention...namely we're all doomed. DOOMED!!

FFS....is it me or has the Government and the press finally lost the plot? Birds get flu every year. How many people have died from bird flu? Someone must have a link....it isn't much. In an earlier post I can't be bothered to link to, I mentioned that approximately 12,000 people die a year in the UK from bog standard flu. That should be of more concern, but that would mean being sensible, and you know that isn't going to happen.

Let's face it, who are the people that are catching this flu and dying? That's right, people who are practically sleeping with the sodding birds. Now how many people can put their hand up and say they share a room with about 200 birds? Anyone?

Exactly, so the chances of the rest of us getting it has to be pretty remote I would have thought.

As for the Government, does anyone trust the Labour Party? I am asking you people, do not vote Labour back in unless you want to be a citizen of a true dictatorship. Yes, the Labour Party seem intent on denying us the very rights that make the UK what it is.

Tell Tony where to go....and his mate Gordon too. Talking of Gordon, as and when Tony leaves (if ever), why should Gordon Brown be the next leader? What happened to leadership elections? Besides, would you trust Gordon Brown?

LABOUR OUT!

Labour are a wunch of bankers, and corrupt, lying bastards as well.

Wandering News

2006-04-08T23:28:00.000+01:00

Simon Heffer has a few things to say generally. He doesn't have anything good to say about Dave though.

The Gates of Vienna reckons that Reavers are already here...

According to Pakistan, terrorism is the fault of Jews and Hindus. Pardon?

Pedestrian Infidel also mentions the plight of the Kalasha, a Greek community, believed to date from the time of Alexander the Great, in a remote area of Pakistan near the border with Afghanistan.

Mr Angry has come up with an interesting resolution to pensions.

He also has a thing or two to say about those bathroom attendents in clubs these days.

The Devil's Kitchen has a low opinion of celebrity faces pimping for the Labour Party....here's Patrick Stewart.

DK also mentions a proposal by Right For Scotland.

Michelle Malkin on the wonderful world of the Department for Homeland Security....it's a mess.

While we're with Michelle Malkin, have you heard about the South Park episode? Check it out at The Political Pit Bull.

Iraq The Model on newspapers in Baghdad....or perhaps not. (via Isaac Schrödinger) Is that a bad sign or not? The final sentence is probably a ray of light:

"This is one more time that makes me feel happy we have the internet and the means to use it."

Sandmonkey has a thing to say about The Arab Blogistan.

Also...things are really bad in Iraq.....

Continuing with Sandmonkey a further post on Female Genital Mutilation.....and it is not good at all. Like he says..

"WTF is wrong with these people?"

Mind you, he reckons he is doomed anyway. The Big Pharaoh comments,

"God does not need protection"

Neferteeti says how enlightened the Egyptian authorities are.

Still with Egypt, Freedom for Egyptians has a piece on the fatwa against idols.

Tim Blair on the scourge of bellydancing in the 'Palestinian territories'. Leilouta has more.

Big Pharaoh notes that Danes don't respect Muslims now. Pretty obvious why though.

Pedestrian Infidel asks, "What would truly 'Moderate Islam' look like?" He isn't expecting much though.

On a lighter note..Vitriolica has found an old picture.

Hmm

2006-04-05T18:18:00.000+01:00

A rare second post...because there is always something worth talking about...

Gene Pitney has died.

Is anyone surprised that Denis Donaldson has been executed? Peace is a relative term in Northern Ireland.

So, remember Nick Flynn....who tripped over his shoelace and ended up knocking over and smashing some Qing Dynasty vases? Well, he's just been arrested.....a police spokesman said,

"A 42-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage in connection with an incident at The Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge on January 25."

So let me get this right, a guy who trips over his laces and hits 3 unprotected vases (estimated value, when not in smithereens, £100,000) on a staircase, vases which incidentally weren't insured is guilty of criminal damage? Does anyone see the logic of this situation?

There is a reason why people are warned not to take drugs like ecstasy.....brain damage.

Simon Heffer warns about dictatorship...here in the UK. I guess the Labour Party want to be in power for ever. I don't think so you power hungry bastards.

Continuing with the Labour theme, Patricia Hewitt visited the University Hospital of North Staffordshire.....to an eye theatre, closed for the past 10 months which has been reopened specially. I guess the NHS really is up shit creek if you have to resort to stuff like that.

I see David Cameron has had a go at UKIP. Nice one you moron. Why aren't you in the Labour Party? After all you seem to be copying them a lot these days. I suspect UKIP will get a few more votes this time around.

Politicians? What a wunch of bankers.

Huge Post on Various Things

2006-04-05T13:12:00.000+01:00

Ok, I've been catching up after a couple of days not keeping current...so this is going to be a long one. I hope you've got a drink and something to eat.

First off...The Devil's Kitchen has got it in for Charles Clarke....last roundup.

An interesting article from The Guardian about the Labour Party, they need a mission not a monarch apparently. (via Tim Worstall)

DK questions the honesty of Home Office Minister Andy Burnham. Mind you he doesn't like David "My Blog cost £6200" Milliband.

You may have heard that Borders, an American bookstore, a little like WHSmith I suppose, refused to stock a magazine called The Secular Humanist because it showed those cartoons. It got a fair bit of stick from various sources...however, they are hitting back...a letter from the boss. (via Tim Worstall)

The Devil's Kitchen reckons we're all doomed.....not. Yes, the issue of CJD has reared it's ugly head once again. Dangerously Subversive Dad asks the obvious question..."Why Aren't We All Dead Yet Then?"

Still in the vein of disease, a rant about measles.

The Devil's Kitchen has a rant about that public sector strike the other day....not impressed with them at all.

Still with The Devil's Kitchen...a warning for the future...starting with the ban on smoking in Scotland. Bawbags has a comment as well.

"He who controls the present, controls the past. He who controls the past, controls the future."
— 1984, George Orwell.

Blues and Twos notes that the police chiefs fear coming under Whitehall control.

On to something altogether more unpleasant....selling your daughter in India. Links to Bookdrunk.

Apparently it is ok to beat women in Africa. (via Isaac Schrödinger)

The Infidel Bloggers Alliance has a good piece by Pedestrian Infidel, From Jihadist to Human. It is in 6 parts.

Isaac Schrödinger on the slaughter at Banu Quraiza by Mohammed.

Isaac Schrödinger again, knows the key. He links to the Honour Killings article below as well as a number of previous posts on the subject...one of which links to a letter from Saudi Arabia.....it's still happening.

Honour Killings at Terrorism Unveiled.

Sandmonkey has a piece on female genital mutilation. Just to prove how out of touch Islamic scholars are from reality, Dr. Muhammed Wahdan provides the following quote to the question :

Interviewer: Is this what happens in reality?

Dr. Muhammad Wahdan: I have no relation to reality. I am talking about how things should be.

Interviewer: You are a religious sheik, from Al-Azahar University. You cannot say you have no relation to reality.

Dr. Muhammad Wahdan: Reality is a mistake, we must rectify it.

Pardon?? You heard it people, he said he has no relation to reality. Also, reality should apparently be rectified. You what? Anyone know how to rectify reality round here? Well that explains quite a few things doesn't it?

Leilouta has something to say about it as well.

Jihad Watch tells that Abdul Rahman is not alone...also criticising the Chicago Tribune.

Brussels Journal reports that an Estonian soldier is due to be flogged in the UAE.

The Big Pharoah says why he is afraid of the Egyptian ballot box.

The Religious Policeman on buying shares Saudi style. $26,000 to get started. They obviously don't want people investing do they?

Now killing people for minor transgressions is not something exclusive to Muslims....Christians used to do it....a long time ago though. Go to March 30th and the post entitled Religious Fundamentalism rears its ugly head yet again. I can't link to it properly for some reason.

On a lighter note...lazy frogs.

Late Ponderings

2006-03-31T22:34:00.000+01:00

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

2006-03-29T19:15:00.000+01:00

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

2006-03-27T11:00:00.000+01:00

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

2006-03-26T11:30:00.000+01:00

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

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

Hmm

2006-03-25T12:34:00.000Z

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

2006-03-23T16:03:00.000Z

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.)