Showing posts with label President Obama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label President Obama. Show all posts
Friday, December 18, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
OMG - Gordon Brown In South Park!
As per the Daily Telegraph
In the episode to be aired later this year, Mr Brown becomes part of an international plot to steal money from aliens in a bid to solve the global recession.
He and other world leaders agree to claim the "space cash" found on a fugitive spaceship.
However, the Prime Minister orders a nuclear attack on Finland after he discovers that it plans to tip off intergalactic police about the ploy.
In the episode to be aired later this year, Mr Brown becomes part of an international plot to steal money from aliens in a bid to solve the global recession.
He and other world leaders agree to claim the "space cash" found on a fugitive spaceship.
However, the Prime Minister orders a nuclear attack on Finland after he discovers that it plans to tip off intergalactic police about the ploy.
Hat Tip: Tory Bear
If you missed it before, reaction to the President Obama election was captured superbly by the South park Creators.
Another little tip, you can create your own South park characters at this online studio.... Here is one I did earlier of me.
If you missed it before, reaction to the President Obama election was captured superbly by the South park Creators.
Another little tip, you can create your own South park characters at this online studio.... Here is one I did earlier of me.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Another year, another £85m
Seems Jacqui Smith has decided not to resign over the "Wankergate", or as I may start referring to it, "Masturgate" scandal.
I said yesterday that she should be sacked, not allowed to resign; but, maybe she should be sacked now seeing as it is clear that she would rather drag the dignity of her post through the mud rather than give up her £22,948 house top up payments, the £20,694 on her office and stationery, or the £92,587 that she is granted to pay for a staff, (£40,000 of which ends up in hubby Richards pocket).
All in all, Ms. Smith Claimed £145,331 in additional payments in the 2007/8 payments. A drop in the ocean of the combined £86.7m claimed in total (£55.3m are listed as "staffing costs"). But the £145,331 is on top of a salary of £141,866. (As per the stats published here, by Guido). She is still claiming on her house in Redditch while that lovely grace and favour house sits empty.
Journalists are just going to follow her and Brown around the G20 asking Gordon Brown if she is going to resign or if he is going to sack her. Jacqui Smith will never be allowed to get passed this and it is going to get in the way of her being taken seriously in the role of Home Secretary. I wonder if President Obama asked weigh in with an opinion? I guess Hilary will not be asked in case it opens up old wounds. Maybe Obama will give her a gift basket of DVD's her and Dicky to enjoy, that will save us taxpayers a few quid, and at least he knows the Smith family are movie fans.
I said yesterday that she should be sacked, not allowed to resign; but, maybe she should be sacked now seeing as it is clear that she would rather drag the dignity of her post through the mud rather than give up her £22,948 house top up payments, the £20,694 on her office and stationery, or the £92,587 that she is granted to pay for a staff, (£40,000 of which ends up in hubby Richards pocket).
All in all, Ms. Smith Claimed £145,331 in additional payments in the 2007/8 payments. A drop in the ocean of the combined £86.7m claimed in total (£55.3m are listed as "staffing costs"). But the £145,331 is on top of a salary of £141,866. (As per the stats published here, by Guido). She is still claiming on her house in Redditch while that lovely grace and favour house sits empty.
Journalists are just going to follow her and Brown around the G20 asking Gordon Brown if she is going to resign or if he is going to sack her. Jacqui Smith will never be allowed to get passed this and it is going to get in the way of her being taken seriously in the role of Home Secretary. I wonder if President Obama asked weigh in with an opinion? I guess Hilary will not be asked in case it opens up old wounds. Maybe Obama will give her a gift basket of DVD's her and Dicky to enjoy, that will save us taxpayers a few quid, and at least he knows the Smith family are movie fans.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Teleprompter President
Despite my warnings a few weeks ago, here. Seems President Obama is having more teleprompter problems as reported by Sky News:
A teleprompt blunder has led to Barack Obama thanking himself in a speech at the White House in a St Patrick's Day celebration.
Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen was just a few paragraphs into an address in Washington when he realised it all sounded a bit too familiar.
It was. He was repeating the speech President Barack Obama had just read from the same teleprompter.
Mr Cowen stopped, turned to the president and said: "That's your speech."
A laughing Mr Obama returned to the podium to take over but it seems the script had finally been switched and the US president ended up thanking himself for inviting everyone to the party.
A teleprompt blunder has led to Barack Obama thanking himself in a speech at the White House in a St Patrick's Day celebration.
Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen was just a few paragraphs into an address in Washington when he realised it all sounded a bit too familiar.
It was. He was repeating the speech President Barack Obama had just read from the same teleprompter.
Mr Cowen stopped, turned to the president and said: "That's your speech."
A laughing Mr Obama returned to the podium to take over but it seems the script had finally been switched and the US president ended up thanking himself for inviting everyone to the party.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Obama Is For Federalised Europe
Some more pieces on the EU Federalist puzzle have fallen into place today with President Obama's public backing of a Federal Europe, we are about to see a change to the open foreign policy between the US and Europe.
Nile Gardiner writing in the Daily Telegraph, here, says that President Obama will be travelling to Europe in two weeks as the first President to be openly supportive of the creation of a Federal Europe. On his visit he will strongly back a European Security and Defence Policy.
With France very recently seeking to re-join the NATO fold and with NATO and the EU's command structures increasingly converging, the defence cornerstone of an EU Federalist state is being maneuvered into position.
It would seem that NATO will be the defence partner to a Federalise Europe, and when the time is right the America and Canada will withdraw from its command and logistics structure and Norway will then be forced to come into the EU or go it alone. Such a move may also secure Turkeys ascension into the Union.
This of course leaves the UK in a precarious position. With previous US presidents being cautious of a Franco-German led Federalised Europe, there has been sufficient support for NATO within North America and The UK Governments to present to the voters a counter-balanced international view. That is to say that The UK is looking further than the EU in it's diplomatic relationships.
However, in the last decade, and bound legally by The Lisbon Constitutional Treaty UK Foreign policy has become more EU centric,and dependant. It will cease to exist as a competency at the end of this year, as Foreign Policy will be headed by an EU International Commissioner, and policy within the EU will be considered internal.
So I make one more plea, perhaps upon deaf ears and to the already converted, but ask yourselves, when and where did you vote for a Federal Europe? Where and when did you vote for a Common European Defence Policy? Where and when did you vote to grant this (and previous) Governments the authority that we no longer wish to have self determination, and seek subservience to a post-democratic Union of Europe?
How many lines in the sand must we cross before The UK wakes up to what it is surrendering? We need an open and honest debate about the EU; it is in fact long over due. But we need it now, and yet despite European Elections coming soon there is no talk in our media and in our conversations about Federalising Europe. Do we not already have sufficient evidence that centralising decision making away from voters makes our society weaker and less cohesive?
If the EU and a Federalised Europe is truly the answer, then let it be decided by open debate and persuasion of opinions, rather than by subversive tactics and non-democratic means.
Part of the problem is a lack of coherent vision by alternative theories, but let me set some out. Let these mull around in your brain for the afternoon, and think about if you would prefer A Federal Europe, to one of the below. The other problem is that people opposed to further integration are divided by their positions on how little EU we should have. We need more cooperation between these people and groups.
Free Trade Europe. The EU is not the sum of all European Institutions, there is the Council of Europe and EFTA which are entirely separate. The UK is relatively comfortable within The Council of Europe, and loves EFTA, so why not be like Norway and get the hell out of the EU? It is the trading deal people did vote for in the 1970's without the Federalisation.
EFTA Countries are in the EEA (except Switzerland) but are free to conclude free trade agreements with other countries internationally.
Ask yourself how the UK can best trade its way out of this current recession and you will see that we need to be making independent trade deals with countries like China, India, Singapore and South Korea.
The Commonwealth. The UK has pretty much turned it's back on the Commonwealth and citizens of Commonwealth countries no longer enjoy the same privileges that were once available.
When the UK undertook a space programme in the 60's and early 70's we looked to Australia as partner. Not so long ago The British Empire reigned over a quarter of all people on our planet.
No one in the UK wants to return to Empirical Transnational Influence, there are many, many countries outside of Europe where we share more commonality in Politics, law making, language and history. Re-establishing The Commonwealth as a trade organisation would benefit the UK, and help some of the worlds poorest countries and people.
Anglosphere. As with the Commonwealth it would be a geo-political concept, yet more centralised around an even more tight knit, and familiar cultural basis. Would also allow for the United States to participate, and centre around the English Speaking countries of the world.
See also the Anglosphere Institute, here.
Open To Suggestions. Think you have a better idea? Let me, and everyone know in the comments.
Nile Gardiner writing in the Daily Telegraph, here, says that President Obama will be travelling to Europe in two weeks as the first President to be openly supportive of the creation of a Federal Europe. On his visit he will strongly back a European Security and Defence Policy.
With France very recently seeking to re-join the NATO fold and with NATO and the EU's command structures increasingly converging, the defence cornerstone of an EU Federalist state is being maneuvered into position.
It would seem that NATO will be the defence partner to a Federalise Europe, and when the time is right the America and Canada will withdraw from its command and logistics structure and Norway will then be forced to come into the EU or go it alone. Such a move may also secure Turkeys ascension into the Union.
This of course leaves the UK in a precarious position. With previous US presidents being cautious of a Franco-German led Federalised Europe, there has been sufficient support for NATO within North America and The UK Governments to present to the voters a counter-balanced international view. That is to say that The UK is looking further than the EU in it's diplomatic relationships.
However, in the last decade, and bound legally by The Lisbon Constitutional Treaty UK Foreign policy has become more EU centric,and dependant. It will cease to exist as a competency at the end of this year, as Foreign Policy will be headed by an EU International Commissioner, and policy within the EU will be considered internal.
So I make one more plea, perhaps upon deaf ears and to the already converted, but ask yourselves, when and where did you vote for a Federal Europe? Where and when did you vote for a Common European Defence Policy? Where and when did you vote to grant this (and previous) Governments the authority that we no longer wish to have self determination, and seek subservience to a post-democratic Union of Europe?
How many lines in the sand must we cross before The UK wakes up to what it is surrendering? We need an open and honest debate about the EU; it is in fact long over due. But we need it now, and yet despite European Elections coming soon there is no talk in our media and in our conversations about Federalising Europe. Do we not already have sufficient evidence that centralising decision making away from voters makes our society weaker and less cohesive?
If the EU and a Federalised Europe is truly the answer, then let it be decided by open debate and persuasion of opinions, rather than by subversive tactics and non-democratic means.
Part of the problem is a lack of coherent vision by alternative theories, but let me set some out. Let these mull around in your brain for the afternoon, and think about if you would prefer A Federal Europe, to one of the below. The other problem is that people opposed to further integration are divided by their positions on how little EU we should have. We need more cooperation between these people and groups.
Free Trade Europe. The EU is not the sum of all European Institutions, there is the Council of Europe and EFTA which are entirely separate. The UK is relatively comfortable within The Council of Europe, and loves EFTA, so why not be like Norway and get the hell out of the EU? It is the trading deal people did vote for in the 1970's without the Federalisation.
EFTA Countries are in the EEA (except Switzerland) but are free to conclude free trade agreements with other countries internationally.
Ask yourself how the UK can best trade its way out of this current recession and you will see that we need to be making independent trade deals with countries like China, India, Singapore and South Korea.
The Commonwealth. The UK has pretty much turned it's back on the Commonwealth and citizens of Commonwealth countries no longer enjoy the same privileges that were once available.
When the UK undertook a space programme in the 60's and early 70's we looked to Australia as partner. Not so long ago The British Empire reigned over a quarter of all people on our planet.
No one in the UK wants to return to Empirical Transnational Influence, there are many, many countries outside of Europe where we share more commonality in Politics, law making, language and history. Re-establishing The Commonwealth as a trade organisation would benefit the UK, and help some of the worlds poorest countries and people.
Anglosphere. As with the Commonwealth it would be a geo-political concept, yet more centralised around an even more tight knit, and familiar cultural basis. Would also allow for the United States to participate, and centre around the English Speaking countries of the world.
See also the Anglosphere Institute, here.
Open To Suggestions. Think you have a better idea? Let me, and everyone know in the comments.
Saturday, March 07, 2009
Monday, March 02, 2009
FTSE Drops Below 3700
The FTSE lost £47.7bn today after HSBC issued a £12.5bn rights issue to the market and shareholders to help generate cash to shore up its balance sheet. HSBC were one of the least affected banks of the current financial crisis, which has the market worried about the whole of UK PLC.
The FTSE now sits below the value it was at before Labour came to power in 1997, closing at 3,625. The DOW has followed suit and has dipped below 7,000 for the first time since 1997.
The Bank of England will meet again this week to make a decision about interest rates. It is likely that rates will be cut further. Such a move might be designed to encourage lending but it seems the banks still do not have sufficient capital to kick start another lending splurge. Plan A has failed, we need a Plan B.
Whilst this has been going on Gordon Brown has set off for his visit with President Obama. So far, the media are predicting that the PM will get a luke-warm reception. I personally think that President Obama is convinced that the PM will be out of a job after the next election and is playing exactly the same card Gordon dealt George W Bush in his final year by ensuring their "relationship" not appear too friendly, to avoid alienating his successor.
The FTSE now sits below the value it was at before Labour came to power in 1997, closing at 3,625. The DOW has followed suit and has dipped below 7,000 for the first time since 1997.
The Bank of England will meet again this week to make a decision about interest rates. It is likely that rates will be cut further. Such a move might be designed to encourage lending but it seems the banks still do not have sufficient capital to kick start another lending splurge. Plan A has failed, we need a Plan B.
Whilst this has been going on Gordon Brown has set off for his visit with President Obama. So far, the media are predicting that the PM will get a luke-warm reception. I personally think that President Obama is convinced that the PM will be out of a job after the next election and is playing exactly the same card Gordon dealt George W Bush in his final year by ensuring their "relationship" not appear too friendly, to avoid alienating his successor.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
"2-Oaths" Obama
And thus a nickname is born.
Apparently Chief Justice John Roberts has been dubbed "Oaf of Office" in the US Media for his role in Obama's Oath of Office.
Chester A Arthur and Calvin Coolidge also had to repeat the oath.
Chester A Arthur swore the oath at home with a New York Supreme Court Judge John R. Brady, but then repeated it when he arrived in Washington D.C.(as he was ascending from the Vice-Presidency to the Presidency after the death of President Garfield)
Coolidge also ascended from the Vice Presidency after his Father administered the initial Oath of Office upon receipt of the news via messenger that President Harding had died. He re-took the Oath of Office upon his return to Washington D.C. the following day.
Apparently Chief Justice John Roberts has been dubbed "Oaf of Office" in the US Media for his role in Obama's Oath of Office.
Chester A Arthur and Calvin Coolidge also had to repeat the oath.
Chester A Arthur swore the oath at home with a New York Supreme Court Judge John R. Brady, but then repeated it when he arrived in Washington D.C.(as he was ascending from the Vice-Presidency to the Presidency after the death of President Garfield)
Coolidge also ascended from the Vice Presidency after his Father administered the initial Oath of Office upon receipt of the news via messenger that President Harding had died. He re-took the Oath of Office upon his return to Washington D.C. the following day.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Thoughts On Obama
I didn't have a great day at work, the "A" key on my keyboard seems somewhat defunct and this blog is competing with a televised Man Utd game which is on the telly now, so I will keep it brief (for a change).
I wish Barrack Obama, and the people of the US well, I hope he can deliver the upon the promises he has made. I would not have personally voted for Obama, and I fear this is all a very big build up to a very big and very public fall from grace where he will go from super hero to super villain, which will again (as with Bush) distract the course of debate from important subject to the politics of personality. Very simply I agree with the parallels of Obama 2008 and Blair 1997... I suspect UK 2008 is what may happen to US by 2014, if Obama follows a Blair-esque political agenda of "change".
Anyway, there was an election and it was a fair one, I have no problem with the outcome because it is the will of the people. I have never brought into the anti-American sentiment that has malaised Europe in the last few years, and I personally hope that comes to an end now, and that the view of America can return to one of high standing in the world. I certainly think it deserves it.
The high point of the Obama campaign for me came when it was all over. Thankfully, the good people of South Park very succinctly summed up how a non-Obama (like me) supporter has viewed Obama supporters (in this case Randy Marsh), enjoy...
I wish Barrack Obama, and the people of the US well, I hope he can deliver the upon the promises he has made. I would not have personally voted for Obama, and I fear this is all a very big build up to a very big and very public fall from grace where he will go from super hero to super villain, which will again (as with Bush) distract the course of debate from important subject to the politics of personality. Very simply I agree with the parallels of Obama 2008 and Blair 1997... I suspect UK 2008 is what may happen to US by 2014, if Obama follows a Blair-esque political agenda of "change".
Anyway, there was an election and it was a fair one, I have no problem with the outcome because it is the will of the people. I have never brought into the anti-American sentiment that has malaised Europe in the last few years, and I personally hope that comes to an end now, and that the view of America can return to one of high standing in the world. I certainly think it deserves it.
The high point of the Obama campaign for me came when it was all over. Thankfully, the good people of South Park very succinctly summed up how a non-Obama (like me) supporter has viewed Obama supporters (in this case Randy Marsh), enjoy...
Monday, January 12, 2009
Guantánamo Closure?
Reports are leaking tonight (UK time) that President-Elect Obama is ready to give the order to end the detention of terrorist suspects at Guantánamo Bay in his first week of office. This is of course a campaign pledge, and will be well received world wide.
I would personally like to see these captives put to a fair trial in the US. This is of course dependant on available evidence, and an acceptable process being in place. Where no evidence is available then these detainees must be released. We will likely see a scenario whereby a group of individuals currently classed as dangerous by the US government will be released back to their home countries within weeks.
The tragedy of this whole situation is that The US has detained people without due process, which has been an awful example to set. There are rogue nations in this world it is right that the world community looks at these nations and signals its concerns. Those messages have been blunted by a lack of vision and convictions on behalf of the outgoing administration in the US.
If Western Society wants to hold up our society and ways to the developing and oppressed to act as a beacon of hope, we must ensure that those ideals are untainted; for the message is seen not as one of hope, but one of hypocrisy.
I would personally like to see these captives put to a fair trial in the US. This is of course dependant on available evidence, and an acceptable process being in place. Where no evidence is available then these detainees must be released. We will likely see a scenario whereby a group of individuals currently classed as dangerous by the US government will be released back to their home countries within weeks.
The tragedy of this whole situation is that The US has detained people without due process, which has been an awful example to set. There are rogue nations in this world it is right that the world community looks at these nations and signals its concerns. Those messages have been blunted by a lack of vision and convictions on behalf of the outgoing administration in the US.
If Western Society wants to hold up our society and ways to the developing and oppressed to act as a beacon of hope, we must ensure that those ideals are untainted; for the message is seen not as one of hope, but one of hypocrisy.
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