I have just seen this over on the DT from Bruno Waterfield.
Today President Vaclav Klaus has given a speech to the EU Parliament. In his speech he has asked for debate on the idea of European Integration. Seeing as he is the President of the Czech Republic, whose nation holds the rotating EU Presidency this sounds like a normal, right thinking kind of speech.
Nope, the EU Parliament decided, in the collective and infinite wisdom to Boo the Czech President. That's right, jeered him.
Bruno quotes Avril Doyle MEP as stating that debate "is a recipe for chaos".
This is not exactly the first time President Klaus has received a less than warm welcome from the EU Parliament.
We have seemingly passed the point now where MEPs are even worried about masking how undemocratic the whole EU project is. How can such actions be defended?
We have elections coming up for MEP's this year and there are a lot of people who will still vote for MEPs that want more of the EU. Excluding Daniel Hannan and Roger Helmer I am struggling to think of any British MEPs that are against more integration into the EU. If the Conservatives are not out the the EPP-ED by the time of the Euro Elections they will not get any of my STV votes, UKIP will.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
New Poll - Bank Bonuses
New Question.
Did the government make a mistake by failing to legislate that public money should not be used to pay bonuses BEFORE the re-capitalisation using tax payer funds started?
You can register your vote on the poll, and if you care to elaborate you can do so in the comments field of this post.
Did the government make a mistake by failing to legislate that public money should not be used to pay bonuses BEFORE the re-capitalisation using tax payer funds started?
You can register your vote on the poll, and if you care to elaborate you can do so in the comments field of this post.
97.5% Of People Polled Think Jacqui Smith Has Abused The Expenses System
Another one of my polls has closed. This time I had asked "In your personal opinion, has Jacqui Smith abused the MPs expenses system?
You replied:
Yes - 97.5% (40)
No - 2.5% (1)
Not sure - 0% (0)
Interesting, and frankly unsurprising data. All but one person who took part thinks that Jacqui Smith has abused the system, and despite assurances that the rules have not been broken nobody felt they we're unsure when they voted.
Recent testimony from neighbours might force an investigation to take place.
I wrote previously that the Home Secretary has shown utter contempt for tax payers through her behaviour, it looks like that contempt has been mirrored back on her.
I will leave the poll up for another day or so.
You replied:
Yes - 97.5% (40)
No - 2.5% (1)
Not sure - 0% (0)
Interesting, and frankly unsurprising data. All but one person who took part thinks that Jacqui Smith has abused the system, and despite assurances that the rules have not been broken nobody felt they we're unsure when they voted.
Recent testimony from neighbours might force an investigation to take place.
I wrote previously that the Home Secretary has shown utter contempt for tax payers through her behaviour, it looks like that contempt has been mirrored back on her.
I will leave the poll up for another day or so.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Obama Stimulus Package
The Obama stimulus package has now been signed into law.
This is the last of the Western Worlds credit being thrown at the US public sector on infrastructure works, and on tax rebates to America's poorest.
Obama's gamble, like Gordon Browns, is kind of like pumping hundreds of pounds into a fruit machine, losing, and then borrowing hundreds more from a friend to win some back. When that eventually has gone you borrow some more from the local thugs that you never really got along with; knowing full well in your heart and in your gut that the chances are very unlikely of paying the thugs back, let alone your friend. You just hope that your friend recognises that you are trying, and that they will see that as more important than actually getting their money back.
Unfortunately this stimulus package is unlikely to stimulate anything more than Mrs Obama's temperature tonight; so we might as well all start packing canned goods away as the clock is now ticking on a real financial meltdown. In ten to twelve weeks, when the "credit crunch" has not gone away and the tax payers of the US and the UK owe hundred of billions more than we did a year ago for the benefit of politicians headlines the real measures required to rescue the global economy will have to begin. This will start with, a massive rolling back of the frontiers of the state, most especially in the UK.
Hopefully, not to long afterwards we can have a General Election and boot our useless bunch out. The Americans have only just got their socialist into office, so they will be stuck with a few more years over soundbites and dodgy smiles.
We will all, of course, be much poorer for the benefit of yet again trying, and failing to impose a grand socialist government upon the UK.
Only the British would be stupid enough to bring them back into power in another 10 or 15 years.
This is the last of the Western Worlds credit being thrown at the US public sector on infrastructure works, and on tax rebates to America's poorest.
Obama's gamble, like Gordon Browns, is kind of like pumping hundreds of pounds into a fruit machine, losing, and then borrowing hundreds more from a friend to win some back. When that eventually has gone you borrow some more from the local thugs that you never really got along with; knowing full well in your heart and in your gut that the chances are very unlikely of paying the thugs back, let alone your friend. You just hope that your friend recognises that you are trying, and that they will see that as more important than actually getting their money back.
Unfortunately this stimulus package is unlikely to stimulate anything more than Mrs Obama's temperature tonight; so we might as well all start packing canned goods away as the clock is now ticking on a real financial meltdown. In ten to twelve weeks, when the "credit crunch" has not gone away and the tax payers of the US and the UK owe hundred of billions more than we did a year ago for the benefit of politicians headlines the real measures required to rescue the global economy will have to begin. This will start with, a massive rolling back of the frontiers of the state, most especially in the UK.
Hopefully, not to long afterwards we can have a General Election and boot our useless bunch out. The Americans have only just got their socialist into office, so they will be stuck with a few more years over soundbites and dodgy smiles.
We will all, of course, be much poorer for the benefit of yet again trying, and failing to impose a grand socialist government upon the UK.
Only the British would be stupid enough to bring them back into power in another 10 or 15 years.
Quiz Question
For 1pt. Who Said "There is nothing you could say to me now that I will ever believe" ?
For 1pt. Who did he say it to?
For 1pt. Spot the Irony?
For 1pt. Who did he say it to?
For 1pt. Spot the Irony?
A Hypothetical Histroy
If, 15 years ago, the effective number 2 to John Major had of been a member of the unaccountable House of Lords, and had of come out and spoken, in a foreign land, about the UK economy being in a little more trouble than the Prime Minister was willing to admit, this would be a BIG story.
If, 15 years ago, a balloted deputy Prime Minister, to an un-balloted Prime Minister was suggesting a different role could be found for the besieged PM, this would be a BIG story.
If, 15 years ago, the Suns political editor had of questioned why the Prime Minister had not resigned already, this would be a BIG story.
If, 15 years ago the Home Secretary and the Chancellor of the Exchequer were proven to have been claiming second house allowances on their ONLY houses, this would have been a BIG story.
So, a message from me to the supposed "respected" press outlets.
Perhaps you can spare us your alleged indignation when the people of this country do finally eject Mr Brown and his idiot associates from office. We will all be holding this countries "impartial media" [sic] in equal contempt for going easy on the worst government this country has ever seen.
Remember that the next time you are reporting on the blogosphere.
The reason there are so many people blogging these days is not solely down to stupid politicians being idiots; it is as much to do with formerly respected media outlets selling out.
If, 15 years ago, a balloted deputy Prime Minister, to an un-balloted Prime Minister was suggesting a different role could be found for the besieged PM, this would be a BIG story.
If, 15 years ago, the Suns political editor had of questioned why the Prime Minister had not resigned already, this would be a BIG story.
If, 15 years ago the Home Secretary and the Chancellor of the Exchequer were proven to have been claiming second house allowances on their ONLY houses, this would have been a BIG story.
So, a message from me to the supposed "respected" press outlets.
Perhaps you can spare us your alleged indignation when the people of this country do finally eject Mr Brown and his idiot associates from office. We will all be holding this countries "impartial media" [sic] in equal contempt for going easy on the worst government this country has ever seen.
Remember that the next time you are reporting on the blogosphere.
The reason there are so many people blogging these days is not solely down to stupid politicians being idiots; it is as much to do with formerly respected media outlets selling out.
Twitter Feed
I have decided to take down the Twitter feed.
I am staying on twitter, but, having given it a go am finding that most of my updates are about the blog you are already reading. Thus, it's doesn't make too much sense (to me) to have updates about my blog appear in a Twitter feed at the top of my blog.
Sorry Twitternuts, I was never one for continuing a fad past my own short interests.
If you want to follow me on Twitter, feel free. Look me up as Danny1979.
I am staying on twitter, but, having given it a go am finding that most of my updates are about the blog you are already reading. Thus, it's doesn't make too much sense (to me) to have updates about my blog appear in a Twitter feed at the top of my blog.
Sorry Twitternuts, I was never one for continuing a fad past my own short interests.
If you want to follow me on Twitter, feel free. Look me up as Danny1979.
Free At Last! (Well, Almost)
Finally, the day I have been waiting for, for nearly two years.
I am, very nearly, free.
Just spoke to SKY. They will be switching my line rental services to them. In a matter of days I will have completely have ended all association with BT.
Ah, BT. Soon to be just a distant, but bitter memory.
Has anyone else had the misfortune to have felt the cold, rude and uncaring touch of BT? I bet it isn’t just me that feels this way.
I am, very nearly, free.
Just spoke to SKY. They will be switching my line rental services to them. In a matter of days I will have completely have ended all association with BT.
Ah, BT. Soon to be just a distant, but bitter memory.
Has anyone else had the misfortune to have felt the cold, rude and uncaring touch of BT? I bet it isn’t just me that feels this way.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Blair Wins $1m
Guido says, Blair has won $1m.
Daniel1979 wants to know if Blair will be paying income tax on that in the UK?
Daniel1979 wants to know if Blair will be paying income tax on that in the UK?
Strikes To Take Place At Morning Star Newspaper
I blogged here in late January that there was a possibility that journalists at the Morning Star newspaper might go on strike in a pay dispute. On Friday, 14 Journalists took part in a ballot with a 11-3 result is favour of strike action.
The Guardian is now reporting a one day strike is planned for Monday 23rd February, and a further one week strike will follow at a later date.
Management at the Morning Star gave staff a 3% pay rise and a one off 3% payment last month. The NUJ had criticise the Morning Star for putting this in place before the workers had agreed saying that management had undermined the collective bargaining process. Management have since offered to increase this to a 4% rise and 4% payment in a hope to avoid strike action.
A recent large donation from an anonymous donor was given with the caveat that it was not used on staff wages. However some of the journalists are thought to earn as little as £18,000 p.a.
Jeremy Dear of the NUJ has said "Our members feel forced into this action by a management that is refusing to pay its staff a fair rate for their work. They don't want to go out on strike but if that's what it takes to win fair pay then they are clear that is what they'll do"
The papers management will continue with negotiations in the hope that strike action can be avoided.
The Guardian is now reporting a one day strike is planned for Monday 23rd February, and a further one week strike will follow at a later date.
Management at the Morning Star gave staff a 3% pay rise and a one off 3% payment last month. The NUJ had criticise the Morning Star for putting this in place before the workers had agreed saying that management had undermined the collective bargaining process. Management have since offered to increase this to a 4% rise and 4% payment in a hope to avoid strike action.
A recent large donation from an anonymous donor was given with the caveat that it was not used on staff wages. However some of the journalists are thought to earn as little as £18,000 p.a.
Jeremy Dear of the NUJ has said "Our members feel forced into this action by a management that is refusing to pay its staff a fair rate for their work. They don't want to go out on strike but if that's what it takes to win fair pay then they are clear that is what they'll do"
The papers management will continue with negotiations in the hope that strike action can be avoided.
Section 76 Protest
St George's Day Snub
I think this story comes up every year, but a Labour council (Sandwell Council) has withdrawn funding for a St George's Day parade over concerns if might attract far right elements. (Presumably, by "Far Right" they actually mean the "Far Left" BNP)
I read this story on Con Home, here. They also illustrate that Conservative Councils are taking the opposite approach and are encouraging St George's Day activities.
My feeling is that the approach, typically, but not exclusively by the Labour Party in ignoring all things English, and the Union flag is wrong. Firstly, the approach is a double-standard when compared to the (welcome) encouragement towards Welsh and Scottish identities and emblems.
Secondly, if extremist elements have "hijacked" our symbols, (and i am not convinced this is the case) then the solution is not to ignore that this has happened, but to claim them back. We should be educating our school children about the Union flag, and in fact the flags of all the component nations of the UK. We should be using our emblems and flags to represent our fair and decent values.
The UK should not be presented as a prison to the Scots and the Welsh, but as a group of nations who have stood together, and been stronger for it for over 400 years as Great Britain, and 200 years as the UK. We have a rich and diverse history that should be embraced, not filtered and objectified.
I saw a very revealing cartoon strip recently on Blue Eyes Blog recently that comes to mind now, you can view it here.
I read this story on Con Home, here. They also illustrate that Conservative Councils are taking the opposite approach and are encouraging St George's Day activities.
My feeling is that the approach, typically, but not exclusively by the Labour Party in ignoring all things English, and the Union flag is wrong. Firstly, the approach is a double-standard when compared to the (welcome) encouragement towards Welsh and Scottish identities and emblems.
Secondly, if extremist elements have "hijacked" our symbols, (and i am not convinced this is the case) then the solution is not to ignore that this has happened, but to claim them back. We should be educating our school children about the Union flag, and in fact the flags of all the component nations of the UK. We should be using our emblems and flags to represent our fair and decent values.
The UK should not be presented as a prison to the Scots and the Welsh, but as a group of nations who have stood together, and been stronger for it for over 400 years as Great Britain, and 200 years as the UK. We have a rich and diverse history that should be embraced, not filtered and objectified.
I saw a very revealing cartoon strip recently on Blue Eyes Blog recently that comes to mind now, you can view it here.
Trevor Kavanagh Asks Why Is Gordon Brown Still Prime Minister?
Things just got worse for Gordon Brown. The Sun has seemingly now ended its long love affair with New Labour and its chief political voice asks in todays edition "Why is Gordon Brown still the Prime Minister?"
Mr Kavanagh points out that Brown should have resigned by now, and in the absence of his resignation he should have been told to step down. 92% of this blogs readers have already agreed with that sentiment.
Hat Tip: Chris Whiteside
Mr Kavanagh points out that Brown should have resigned by now, and in the absence of his resignation he should have been told to step down. 92% of this blogs readers have already agreed with that sentiment.
Hat Tip: Chris Whiteside
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Section 76 Of The Counter-Terrorism Act 2008
From tomorrow section 76 of the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008 comes into force.
Under the law anybody taking a photograph of a current or former member of the police, armed service or security services can be prosecuted and/or fined. The act allows for police officers to remove the cameras of people taking photographs of them.
When I was at school, not too many years ago we were taught that cameras were forbidden in the Soviet Union and in East Germany. This, our liberal teacher told us was because cameras can be used to document offences of the state against civilians; as such, they were considered a tool that can bring about civil unrest and encourage protest against the Communist Governments. This particular teacher, sneered at this particular law and the system in which it helped preserve.
We take a big step further into Labour's totalitarian state tomorrow, as professional photographers can be arrested and detained for doing their jobs. Tourists taking pictures of the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace are liable for prosecution. Taking photos in the street, at sporting events, at weddings and during state proceedings could all lead to the possibility of prosecution.
Shamefully our two houses in Parliament have failed this country and its population miserably by allowing such a massive assault on our civil liberties to be enacted.
The National Union of Journalists and the British Press Photographers' Association have been warning about the potential impacts this law will have. The fact is Under section 76, eliciting, publishing or communicating information on members of the armed forces, intelligence services and police officers which is "likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism" will be an offence carrying a maximum jail term of 10 years.
The NUJ is arranging for photographers to gather outside New Scotland Yard tomorrow with photography of N.S.Y. and any nearby police officers starting at 11am, they are encouraging any one who is attending to bring their cameras. (Daniel1979 has work commitments tomorrow, but I will be happy to publish the account of anyone who does attend.)
Is this what you voted for? Do you feel safer?
In case you missed it before, here is a video clip I posted previously (from YouTube) of a PCSO trying to stop a person in the street taking photographs. From tomorrow, a PCSO will be allowed to have succeeded in this aim, and the man with the camera could have been prosecuted. There are plenty more videos on You Tube of the police trying to cease cameras or stop people taking pictures of them.
Under the law anybody taking a photograph of a current or former member of the police, armed service or security services can be prosecuted and/or fined. The act allows for police officers to remove the cameras of people taking photographs of them.
When I was at school, not too many years ago we were taught that cameras were forbidden in the Soviet Union and in East Germany. This, our liberal teacher told us was because cameras can be used to document offences of the state against civilians; as such, they were considered a tool that can bring about civil unrest and encourage protest against the Communist Governments. This particular teacher, sneered at this particular law and the system in which it helped preserve.
We take a big step further into Labour's totalitarian state tomorrow, as professional photographers can be arrested and detained for doing their jobs. Tourists taking pictures of the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace are liable for prosecution. Taking photos in the street, at sporting events, at weddings and during state proceedings could all lead to the possibility of prosecution.
Shamefully our two houses in Parliament have failed this country and its population miserably by allowing such a massive assault on our civil liberties to be enacted.
The National Union of Journalists and the British Press Photographers' Association have been warning about the potential impacts this law will have. The fact is Under section 76, eliciting, publishing or communicating information on members of the armed forces, intelligence services and police officers which is "likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism" will be an offence carrying a maximum jail term of 10 years.
The NUJ is arranging for photographers to gather outside New Scotland Yard tomorrow with photography of N.S.Y. and any nearby police officers starting at 11am, they are encouraging any one who is attending to bring their cameras. (Daniel1979 has work commitments tomorrow, but I will be happy to publish the account of anyone who does attend.)
Is this what you voted for? Do you feel safer?
In case you missed it before, here is a video clip I posted previously (from YouTube) of a PCSO trying to stop a person in the street taking photographs. From tomorrow, a PCSO will be allowed to have succeeded in this aim, and the man with the camera could have been prosecuted. There are plenty more videos on You Tube of the police trying to cease cameras or stop people taking pictures of them.
More Snouts In The Trough
The Mail on Sunday has a piece that Alistair Darling has also in the past claimed a second house allowance whilst lodging with a friend. The friend in this case, is Lord Moonie who was last month implicated by the Sunday Times for offering influence in the legislative process in exchange for cash.
This is another example that the people whom form our government showing their contempt for the tax payers that pays their wages.
We can conclude from the efforts of this Labour government to cover up expense claims, and by the continued revelations of their profiteering that they will not be tightening the rules whilst they can still draw upon so much of our money.
I look forward to hearing Conservative proposals to clean up the rules and the system.
This is another example that the people whom form our government showing their contempt for the tax payers that pays their wages.
We can conclude from the efforts of this Labour government to cover up expense claims, and by the continued revelations of their profiteering that they will not be tightening the rules whilst they can still draw upon so much of our money.
I look forward to hearing Conservative proposals to clean up the rules and the system.
Post #100
This is my 100th post, and to be honest I did not think I would reach 100 so quickly.
I did struggle in the first few weeks to get posts on the blog regularly and often would find myself stuck with writers block. The more I have blogged in January the easier I have found it. I feel like I have found the voice for this blog now.
I shall not stop on every 100 posts, but on this occassion I want to stop briefly and look back.
In case you missed them, here are 10 of my favourite posts from the previous 99.
In 2008
I ask if we should try something a little different? here.
I talked about National Anthems within the UK, here.
I wanted to share the email I sent to President Klaus, and the reply I had received, here.
In 2009
I blogged about EU plans to take over North Sea Gas & Oil reserves, here.
I asked if Belgium has actually ratified the Lisbon Treaty? here. (I am still not sure).
I pointed out that your number plate might not be legal, here.
I asked where is the public outrage and protest? here.
I blogged about potential strikes at the Morning Stat newspaper, here.
I shared my the results of where I sit on the political compass, here.
I talked about freedom of speech, here.
I would like to thank those of you who have linked to this blog and who have contributed with comments. I am always interested in feedback, and I want to hear what you like and don't like, and also when you do and do not agree with me.
I did struggle in the first few weeks to get posts on the blog regularly and often would find myself stuck with writers block. The more I have blogged in January the easier I have found it. I feel like I have found the voice for this blog now.
I shall not stop on every 100 posts, but on this occassion I want to stop briefly and look back.
In case you missed them, here are 10 of my favourite posts from the previous 99.
In 2008
I ask if we should try something a little different? here.
I talked about National Anthems within the UK, here.
I wanted to share the email I sent to President Klaus, and the reply I had received, here.
In 2009
I blogged about EU plans to take over North Sea Gas & Oil reserves, here.
I asked if Belgium has actually ratified the Lisbon Treaty? here. (I am still not sure).
I pointed out that your number plate might not be legal, here.
I asked where is the public outrage and protest? here.
I blogged about potential strikes at the Morning Stat newspaper, here.
I shared my the results of where I sit on the political compass, here.
I talked about freedom of speech, here.
I would like to thank those of you who have linked to this blog and who have contributed with comments. I am always interested in feedback, and I want to hear what you like and don't like, and also when you do and do not agree with me.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
25 Random Things About Me
Seeing as everybody else has done this, I thought I would too.
1. I have sung live at both the Royal Albert Hall and Wembley Arena.
2. I have supported Man Utd since the second game of football I ever saw on TV, (3-3 vs Tottenham, I think 1985), but, perhaps unsurprisingly I have only seen one game at Old Trafford.
3. I have however been lucky enough to see England at Wembley five times, but I have not been to the New Wembley yet.
4. When I was growing up I wanted to be a professional footballer, my mum put me off and kept telling me that I was crazy as there was no money in football, and all of the top footballers are miserable as they also have to work as plumbers and in shops during the week.
5. My school once set up a student council, I attended two meetings and demanded school lockers and a payphone, we got both so I stopped attending… the school council stopped meetings less than two months after starting up.
6. In 2003 I was convinced Saddam Hussein had weapons of Mass Destruction that they could be deployed within 45 minutes. I shall never, ever, blindly trust any government’s statement anywhere in the world after this lie.
7. After John Kerry was selected to run for the Democrats in the 2004 US election, I am the only person I know that thought he would lose. I said so out loud in a pub in Uxbridge and spent the next two hours arguing with the entire pub and staff. (I was right though).
8. I did however predict that Rudy Giuliani would win the Republican nomination and Presidency in 2008.
9. I did see the credit crunch coming, and my wife and I told anyone who would listen. We sold her house in 2007 and are now renting. We look forward to getting back on the property ladder in early 2010. No one believed us, but my in laws think I am some kind of genius now. (we didn’t see the £ crashing so bad against the €, and paid for it getting married in Ireland last year)
10. I only got into blogs about 14 months or so back. I discovered blogging when regularly visiting the Daily Telegraph online and contributing to online debates on the UK and the EU… Eventually I found my way to the blog pages, particularly Daniel Hannan's page and have ever since had a bit of an obsession with blogs and blogging.
11. Before he disappeared, my favourite blog was Tractor Stats.
12. Even though I am of a centre right political persuasion, I cannot bring myself to join the Conservative Party because of their views on Europe. I did once contribute money, (I think it was £20) under Iain Duncan Smiths Leadership.
13. I think the BBC should be sold off in piecemeal.
14. Overall, I think the US makes better TV than the UK.
15. Overall, I think the UK makes better music than the US.
16. I think the “greatest film ever made” is Forrest Gump.
17. As a child I teased my dad mercilessly about his bald head, he had been losing his hair since aged 29. I started losing my hair at 19, and was ‘balding’ at 22.
18. I met my wife through work, meeting her is the best thing that ever happened to me. I never considered myself as “happy” before I met her, and now she is my whole world.
19. Whilst studying, I would work up to 90 hours a week as a chef because I needed to pay my own way and couldn’t face working in a shop. I got a strong work ethic and learned a lot of life lessons from one of my head chef’s.
20. Whilst working as a chef, I cooked for Christopher Dean, a Super Grass concert, (when they were topping the charts), Bill Oddie and am told that I was Radiohead’s favourite pizza cook (During a stint at a Pizza Express restaurant.) I never got to meet any of them in person. One of the Italian restaurants I worked for had 3 sites, I found out last year that my wife had, back then worked in one of them, whilst I was also working for the company; we never met until ten years later.
21. I play the same numbers on the lottery every week since it started. I have never won more than £10; I don’t think I have won more than £50 in all these years. I am convinced, absolutely convinced that my numbers will be drawn one day, whether I have purchased a ticket or not.
22. I once shared a flat with somebody who was in exile from Zimbabwe and had organised rallies against the Government there. One day I came home and the clock in my bedroom, which had been wrong by an hour, had reset itself to correct time, and every time we used the phone from then on it would click; like in the movies when it has been bugged. (I always assumed it was him that was being monitored). When I moved out I left my phone and video cassette player in the flat for the people that took my room on.
23. The same flatmate has become an artist in the UK and paints. Each painting is worth in excess of £10k. At one point, we had over £100k worth of art stored behind some chairs.
24. I am absolutely convinced that my late Grandparents house is haunted. As a child we would spend school holidays there, every child in the village would pack into their front room with us and we would do Ouija boards. I could probably host a whole blog on the ghostly goings on of that house (and their neighbour’s house). One of those people got in touch on Facebook recently, in her first message she revealed she still tells people about my grandparent’s haunted house.
25. I was in favour of the Monarchy until the Queen signed the Lisbon Constitutional Treaty. I still like Queen Elizabeth, but now think we should do away with the monarchy, in a law making sense anyway. I also think we should have a wholly elected second chamber in parliament. (I have some things in mind for later blog posts, but still have a lot of home work on this first.)
1. I have sung live at both the Royal Albert Hall and Wembley Arena.
2. I have supported Man Utd since the second game of football I ever saw on TV, (3-3 vs Tottenham, I think 1985), but, perhaps unsurprisingly I have only seen one game at Old Trafford.
3. I have however been lucky enough to see England at Wembley five times, but I have not been to the New Wembley yet.
4. When I was growing up I wanted to be a professional footballer, my mum put me off and kept telling me that I was crazy as there was no money in football, and all of the top footballers are miserable as they also have to work as plumbers and in shops during the week.
5. My school once set up a student council, I attended two meetings and demanded school lockers and a payphone, we got both so I stopped attending… the school council stopped meetings less than two months after starting up.
6. In 2003 I was convinced Saddam Hussein had weapons of Mass Destruction that they could be deployed within 45 minutes. I shall never, ever, blindly trust any government’s statement anywhere in the world after this lie.
7. After John Kerry was selected to run for the Democrats in the 2004 US election, I am the only person I know that thought he would lose. I said so out loud in a pub in Uxbridge and spent the next two hours arguing with the entire pub and staff. (I was right though).
8. I did however predict that Rudy Giuliani would win the Republican nomination and Presidency in 2008.
9. I did see the credit crunch coming, and my wife and I told anyone who would listen. We sold her house in 2007 and are now renting. We look forward to getting back on the property ladder in early 2010. No one believed us, but my in laws think I am some kind of genius now. (we didn’t see the £ crashing so bad against the €, and paid for it getting married in Ireland last year)
10. I only got into blogs about 14 months or so back. I discovered blogging when regularly visiting the Daily Telegraph online and contributing to online debates on the UK and the EU… Eventually I found my way to the blog pages, particularly Daniel Hannan's page and have ever since had a bit of an obsession with blogs and blogging.
11. Before he disappeared, my favourite blog was Tractor Stats.
12. Even though I am of a centre right political persuasion, I cannot bring myself to join the Conservative Party because of their views on Europe. I did once contribute money, (I think it was £20) under Iain Duncan Smiths Leadership.
13. I think the BBC should be sold off in piecemeal.
14. Overall, I think the US makes better TV than the UK.
15. Overall, I think the UK makes better music than the US.
16. I think the “greatest film ever made” is Forrest Gump.
17. As a child I teased my dad mercilessly about his bald head, he had been losing his hair since aged 29. I started losing my hair at 19, and was ‘balding’ at 22.
18. I met my wife through work, meeting her is the best thing that ever happened to me. I never considered myself as “happy” before I met her, and now she is my whole world.
19. Whilst studying, I would work up to 90 hours a week as a chef because I needed to pay my own way and couldn’t face working in a shop. I got a strong work ethic and learned a lot of life lessons from one of my head chef’s.
20. Whilst working as a chef, I cooked for Christopher Dean, a Super Grass concert, (when they were topping the charts), Bill Oddie and am told that I was Radiohead’s favourite pizza cook (During a stint at a Pizza Express restaurant.) I never got to meet any of them in person. One of the Italian restaurants I worked for had 3 sites, I found out last year that my wife had, back then worked in one of them, whilst I was also working for the company; we never met until ten years later.
21. I play the same numbers on the lottery every week since it started. I have never won more than £10; I don’t think I have won more than £50 in all these years. I am convinced, absolutely convinced that my numbers will be drawn one day, whether I have purchased a ticket or not.
22. I once shared a flat with somebody who was in exile from Zimbabwe and had organised rallies against the Government there. One day I came home and the clock in my bedroom, which had been wrong by an hour, had reset itself to correct time, and every time we used the phone from then on it would click; like in the movies when it has been bugged. (I always assumed it was him that was being monitored). When I moved out I left my phone and video cassette player in the flat for the people that took my room on.
23. The same flatmate has become an artist in the UK and paints. Each painting is worth in excess of £10k. At one point, we had over £100k worth of art stored behind some chairs.
24. I am absolutely convinced that my late Grandparents house is haunted. As a child we would spend school holidays there, every child in the village would pack into their front room with us and we would do Ouija boards. I could probably host a whole blog on the ghostly goings on of that house (and their neighbour’s house). One of those people got in touch on Facebook recently, in her first message she revealed she still tells people about my grandparent’s haunted house.
25. I was in favour of the Monarchy until the Queen signed the Lisbon Constitutional Treaty. I still like Queen Elizabeth, but now think we should do away with the monarchy, in a law making sense anyway. I also think we should have a wholly elected second chamber in parliament. (I have some things in mind for later blog posts, but still have a lot of home work on this first.)
Friday, February 13, 2009
Recommended Reading
The Spectator has launched a wiki-investigation into the Economic downturn. They are looking for insiders and whistle blowers who might be willing to help them understand some of the things that happened. You can read, and contribute here.
Daniel Hannan tells us which country the CIA considers the greatest threat to US national security, here. (You can probably guess which.)
John M Ward has a look at the Devil in the Detail in the changes we are being asked to accept, here.
The Libertarian Party were talking Balls earlier in the week. Ed Balls, of course, and looking at his little economic revelation, here.
John Redwood takes a look at another £8.5bn that has been lost as a result of the bank bailouts, here.
A very British dude asks some questions of David Cameron’s approach to Jacqui Smiths expenses scandal, here.
Guido published the second letter from the Centre for Open Politics to the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner, regarding Jacqui Smiths expenses arrangements, here.
The Huntsman looks at the Geert Wilders incident, and identifies the villain of the piece, here.
Dizzy needs your help with an important scientific analysis, here.
Cato has an amusing story from his previous life as a copper, here.
Letters for a Tory writes to Alan Johnson about giving children Argos vouchers for giving up smoking, here.
The Daily Referendum has a survey result on the Euro’s popularity within the Labour Party, here.
Britain not Brussels sets out 25 reasons why Britain should leave the EU, here.
I no longer have Tractor Stats to refer to for a pictorial giggle, so instead this week check out what Rapblog thinks of LabourList, here.
Daniel Hannan tells us which country the CIA considers the greatest threat to US national security, here. (You can probably guess which.)
John M Ward has a look at the Devil in the Detail in the changes we are being asked to accept, here.
The Libertarian Party were talking Balls earlier in the week. Ed Balls, of course, and looking at his little economic revelation, here.
John Redwood takes a look at another £8.5bn that has been lost as a result of the bank bailouts, here.
A very British dude asks some questions of David Cameron’s approach to Jacqui Smiths expenses scandal, here.
Guido published the second letter from the Centre for Open Politics to the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner, regarding Jacqui Smiths expenses arrangements, here.
The Huntsman looks at the Geert Wilders incident, and identifies the villain of the piece, here.
Dizzy needs your help with an important scientific analysis, here.
Cato has an amusing story from his previous life as a copper, here.
Letters for a Tory writes to Alan Johnson about giving children Argos vouchers for giving up smoking, here.
The Daily Referendum has a survey result on the Euro’s popularity within the Labour Party, here.
Britain not Brussels sets out 25 reasons why Britain should leave the EU, here.
I no longer have Tractor Stats to refer to for a pictorial giggle, so instead this week check out what Rapblog thinks of LabourList, here.
A History Of Valentines Day
There is no agreed story or history of how Valentines Day came about, but I came across this version a few years ago.
Valentine's Day started in ancient Rome. February 14th was a holiday to honour Juno the Queen of the Roman Gods and Goddesses. The Romans knew her as the Goddess of women and marriage. The following day, February 15th, began the Feast of Lupercalia. This was a longstanding cutom which involved a feast in honour of the heathen god.
Under the Roman Empire the lives of young boys and girls were strictly separate. However, one of the customs of the young people was name drawing. On the eve of the festival of Lupercalia the names of Roman girls were written on slips of paper and placed into jars. Each young man would draw a girl's name from the jar and would then be partners for the duration of the festival with the girl whom he chose. Sometimes the pairing of the children lasted the entire year, and often, they would fall in love and would later marry.
The pastors of the early Christian Church in Rome endeavoured to do away with the pagan element in these feasts by substituting the names of saints for those of maidens. And as the Lupercalia began about the middle of February, the pastors appear to have chosen Saint Valentine's Day for the celebration of this new feast.
Under the rule of Emperor Claudius II Rome was involved in many bloody and unpopular wars. 'Claudius the Cruel' was finding it very hard to get soldiers to join his military. He became convinced that the reason was that roman men did not want to leave their wives and families. As a result, Claudius cancelled all marriages and engagements in Rome.
Saint Valentine was a priest at Rome at this time. He and Saint Marius aided the Christian martyrs and married couples in secret. When the authorities discovered this he was apprehended and dragged before the Prefect of Rome, who condemned him to be beaten to death with clubs and to have his head cut off!
In prison, the jailers daughter was often present and tended to some of the prisoners. She and Valentine became close, and Valentine fell in love.
He was executed on the 14th day of February, about the year 270. He left a note in his cell for his new love and signed it "From your Valentine."
The custom of young men choosing maidens for valentines, or saints as patrons for the coming year, arose from the drawing ceremony. Eventually instead of drawing names, men selected a maiden and sent a message to them to indicate attraction. The line "from your Valentine" or "be my Valentine" started getting used as per Valentines original note.
Valentine's Day started in ancient Rome. February 14th was a holiday to honour Juno the Queen of the Roman Gods and Goddesses. The Romans knew her as the Goddess of women and marriage. The following day, February 15th, began the Feast of Lupercalia. This was a longstanding cutom which involved a feast in honour of the heathen god.
Under the Roman Empire the lives of young boys and girls were strictly separate. However, one of the customs of the young people was name drawing. On the eve of the festival of Lupercalia the names of Roman girls were written on slips of paper and placed into jars. Each young man would draw a girl's name from the jar and would then be partners for the duration of the festival with the girl whom he chose. Sometimes the pairing of the children lasted the entire year, and often, they would fall in love and would later marry.
The pastors of the early Christian Church in Rome endeavoured to do away with the pagan element in these feasts by substituting the names of saints for those of maidens. And as the Lupercalia began about the middle of February, the pastors appear to have chosen Saint Valentine's Day for the celebration of this new feast.
Under the rule of Emperor Claudius II Rome was involved in many bloody and unpopular wars. 'Claudius the Cruel' was finding it very hard to get soldiers to join his military. He became convinced that the reason was that roman men did not want to leave their wives and families. As a result, Claudius cancelled all marriages and engagements in Rome.
Saint Valentine was a priest at Rome at this time. He and Saint Marius aided the Christian martyrs and married couples in secret. When the authorities discovered this he was apprehended and dragged before the Prefect of Rome, who condemned him to be beaten to death with clubs and to have his head cut off!
In prison, the jailers daughter was often present and tended to some of the prisoners. She and Valentine became close, and Valentine fell in love.
He was executed on the 14th day of February, about the year 270. He left a note in his cell for his new love and signed it "From your Valentine."
The custom of young men choosing maidens for valentines, or saints as patrons for the coming year, arose from the drawing ceremony. Eventually instead of drawing names, men selected a maiden and sent a message to them to indicate attraction. The line "from your Valentine" or "be my Valentine" started getting used as per Valentines original note.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Freedom Of Speech
The Universal Declaration Of Human Rights states:
"Everyone has the right to freedom of expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference, and impart information and ideas through any media regardless of frontiers"
So, if we look at the world, and in particular the UK this week, have we taken a step closer or a step back from this Universal Declaration?
Let me offer something close to some quotations, for censorship in the UK is not an original tyranny...
For [blogs] are not absolutely dead things, but do contain a potency of life in them to be as active as that soul whose progeny they are; nay, they do preserve as in a vial the purest efficacy and extraction of that living intellect that bred them.
As good almost kill a man as kill a good [blog]: who kills a man kills a reasonable creature, God's image; but he who destroys a good [blog], kills reason itself, kills the image of God, as it were, in the eye.
And though all the winds of doctrine were let loose to play on the earth, so Truth be in the [Internet], we do injuriously by licensing and prohibiting misdoubt her strength. Let her and Falsehood grapple; who ever knew Truth put to the worse in a free and open encounter?
I cannot praise a fugitive and cloistered virtue, unexercised and unbreathed, that never sallies out and sees her adversary, but slinks out of the race, where that immortal garland is to be run for, not without dust and heat.
A man may be a heretic in the truth, and if he believe things only because his pastor says so, or the assembly so determines, without knowing other reason, though his belief be true, yet the very truth he holds becomes his heresy.
Give me the liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely according to conscience, above all liberties.
All Quotes, somewhat updated from John Milton published in a a pamphlet in 1644 promoting the liberty of unlicenced printing called Areopagitica; (not something that could be said out loud at the height of the civil war.)
Freedom of speech should not be curtailed to suit peoples tastes, and preferences. It is in fact an inheritance that has been fought for many times over, and is often squandered. The yolk of totalitarianism is upon us, and we are no longer free to utter words of discontent. Libel laws, do, or at least did not, stifle freedom of expression, but allowed for correction when misinformation occurred. The reason the title and author is listed on the outside of books is so that they could be easily rounded up and destroyed in the event of a successful libel act, in the 1600's.
So I find myself asking, was it necessary to ban an elected official from the EU from coming to this country to talk? I think not. Mr Wilders should have been welcomed to the UK, if only so that those who disagree with him should have been allowed to freely tell him as much, and why they disagree.
Why have three blogs, all critical of the government disappeared in full from the internet? Not blogposts, but entire websites and user profiles. [Lord Elvis, Tractor Stats and Electro Kevin].
And yet again, the lesson is not to be learnt, it has been learned and is written in our history.
First they came for the communists,
And I didn't speak up because I wasn't a communist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me,
and by that time no one was left to speak up.
We don't observe history to give school kids something to do. We observe history because it is our chemistry set. It is what we have tried before, it is what worked and what did not work. It is the true measure of people. The avoidance of wars today is rooted in learning the lessons of yesterday.
By what or who's authority are we censored today?
Did you cast a vote for a government promising to quash the voice of opposition? Then why have such actions been carried out using the tools of government, and under the cloak of civil protection?
Do you feel safer now?
We don't always get the government we vote for. And thanks to our current democratic defecits, with the EU, local pfifdoms, and electoral boundary discrepencies we have nothing close to "representative democracy." The apathy of the masses is the fuel of the tyrant. If you can help engage people, and help their views be heard you are helping free speech and democracy. Popular uprising and discontent is the only tool of resistance that can work.
Never doubt that a small, but determined group of citizens can change the world for the better, for it is the only thing that ever has.
"Everyone has the right to freedom of expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference, and impart information and ideas through any media regardless of frontiers"
So, if we look at the world, and in particular the UK this week, have we taken a step closer or a step back from this Universal Declaration?
Let me offer something close to some quotations, for censorship in the UK is not an original tyranny...
For [blogs] are not absolutely dead things, but do contain a potency of life in them to be as active as that soul whose progeny they are; nay, they do preserve as in a vial the purest efficacy and extraction of that living intellect that bred them.
As good almost kill a man as kill a good [blog]: who kills a man kills a reasonable creature, God's image; but he who destroys a good [blog], kills reason itself, kills the image of God, as it were, in the eye.
And though all the winds of doctrine were let loose to play on the earth, so Truth be in the [Internet], we do injuriously by licensing and prohibiting misdoubt her strength. Let her and Falsehood grapple; who ever knew Truth put to the worse in a free and open encounter?
I cannot praise a fugitive and cloistered virtue, unexercised and unbreathed, that never sallies out and sees her adversary, but slinks out of the race, where that immortal garland is to be run for, not without dust and heat.
A man may be a heretic in the truth, and if he believe things only because his pastor says so, or the assembly so determines, without knowing other reason, though his belief be true, yet the very truth he holds becomes his heresy.
Give me the liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely according to conscience, above all liberties.
All Quotes, somewhat updated from John Milton published in a a pamphlet in 1644 promoting the liberty of unlicenced printing called Areopagitica; (not something that could be said out loud at the height of the civil war.)
Freedom of speech should not be curtailed to suit peoples tastes, and preferences. It is in fact an inheritance that has been fought for many times over, and is often squandered. The yolk of totalitarianism is upon us, and we are no longer free to utter words of discontent. Libel laws, do, or at least did not, stifle freedom of expression, but allowed for correction when misinformation occurred. The reason the title and author is listed on the outside of books is so that they could be easily rounded up and destroyed in the event of a successful libel act, in the 1600's.
So I find myself asking, was it necessary to ban an elected official from the EU from coming to this country to talk? I think not. Mr Wilders should have been welcomed to the UK, if only so that those who disagree with him should have been allowed to freely tell him as much, and why they disagree.
Why have three blogs, all critical of the government disappeared in full from the internet? Not blogposts, but entire websites and user profiles. [Lord Elvis, Tractor Stats and Electro Kevin].
And yet again, the lesson is not to be learnt, it has been learned and is written in our history.
First they came for the communists,
And I didn't speak up because I wasn't a communist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me,
and by that time no one was left to speak up.
We don't observe history to give school kids something to do. We observe history because it is our chemistry set. It is what we have tried before, it is what worked and what did not work. It is the true measure of people. The avoidance of wars today is rooted in learning the lessons of yesterday.
By what or who's authority are we censored today?
Did you cast a vote for a government promising to quash the voice of opposition? Then why have such actions been carried out using the tools of government, and under the cloak of civil protection?
Do you feel safer now?
We don't always get the government we vote for. And thanks to our current democratic defecits, with the EU, local pfifdoms, and electoral boundary discrepencies we have nothing close to "representative democracy." The apathy of the masses is the fuel of the tyrant. If you can help engage people, and help their views be heard you are helping free speech and democracy. Popular uprising and discontent is the only tool of resistance that can work.
Never doubt that a small, but determined group of citizens can change the world for the better, for it is the only thing that ever has.
Internet Censorship
Is the blogosphere being Censored?
In recent days a number of blogs have been "taken down". So far, I can see that Tractor Stats and Electro Kevin have disappeared. Thanks to the comment thread on the post by Obnoxio I have learned a few things about what has been potentially going on.
This article shed some light on who may be behind this.
If we are not free as bloggers to express our opinions and art on the Internet then there is (yet, another) severe problem with our "democracy" in the UK.
In these two examples it isn't blog posts that went missing, it was the entire blog. There are other blogs and other platforms, just because expression is not free, it does not mean it will not be seen and heard.
Freedom of Speech is protected in the Magna Carta and by the UN under article 19 of the international covenant on civil and political rights. I can not know what the stated reason is for these blogs having been taken down, but the reason had better be good or TS and Kevin will have grounds for a counter action. They may also, if they haven't already wish to read this.
For Tractor Stats fans, his work is also showcased here.
Tractor Stats & Electro Kevin will hopefully be back on new platforms. Guys, email me when you are and you will have a link from this blog.
In recent days a number of blogs have been "taken down". So far, I can see that Tractor Stats and Electro Kevin have disappeared. Thanks to the comment thread on the post by Obnoxio I have learned a few things about what has been potentially going on.
This article shed some light on who may be behind this.
If we are not free as bloggers to express our opinions and art on the Internet then there is (yet, another) severe problem with our "democracy" in the UK.
In these two examples it isn't blog posts that went missing, it was the entire blog. There are other blogs and other platforms, just because expression is not free, it does not mean it will not be seen and heard.
Freedom of Speech is protected in the Magna Carta and by the UN under article 19 of the international covenant on civil and political rights. I can not know what the stated reason is for these blogs having been taken down, but the reason had better be good or TS and Kevin will have grounds for a counter action. They may also, if they haven't already wish to read this.
For Tractor Stats fans, his work is also showcased here.
Tractor Stats & Electro Kevin will hopefully be back on new platforms. Guys, email me when you are and you will have a link from this blog.
Poll Closed
Last week I asked, "How Has Your Personal Opinion Of Carol Thatcher Changed This Week, If At All?"
I like Her More - 14 (40%)
No Change, I Always Liked her - 16 (45%)
No Change, I never Liked Her - 3 (8%)
I Like Her Less - 2 (5%)
So only 2 people from a total 35 say that they like Carol Thatcher less than they did before, and only 5 People (13%) registered a negative vote.
A little surprising perhaps given the depth of opinions, but none the less an open poll.
I will leave the results up for another day or so. Don't forget to vote on the new poll on Jacqui Smith. Currently 100% of people feel she has abused the expenses system, thus far.
I like Her More - 14 (40%)
No Change, I Always Liked her - 16 (45%)
No Change, I never Liked Her - 3 (8%)
I Like Her Less - 2 (5%)
So only 2 people from a total 35 say that they like Carol Thatcher less than they did before, and only 5 People (13%) registered a negative vote.
A little surprising perhaps given the depth of opinions, but none the less an open poll.
I will leave the results up for another day or so. Don't forget to vote on the new poll on Jacqui Smith. Currently 100% of people feel she has abused the expenses system, thus far.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Be-Wildering
There is not much that you can be absolutely certain on, especially in politics.
But I would almost be tempted to bet the house that Geert Wilders will arrive in the UK and be allowed to leave the airport unmolested.
Just about the only thing that we can be certain of, is that when the EU makes a law, The UK Government will never, ever, act in contradiction to it. Free movement of citizens within the EU is one of their crowning diktats. There is no way, at all the UK Government will be standing in Geert Wilders way tomorrow.
UK laws, they have no problem ignoring. EU ones are a different matter.
Update: 12-Feb-09: I stand corrected. Today is a very bad day for free speech in the UK
But I would almost be tempted to bet the house that Geert Wilders will arrive in the UK and be allowed to leave the airport unmolested.
Just about the only thing that we can be certain of, is that when the EU makes a law, The UK Government will never, ever, act in contradiction to it. Free movement of citizens within the EU is one of their crowning diktats. There is no way, at all the UK Government will be standing in Geert Wilders way tomorrow.
UK laws, they have no problem ignoring. EU ones are a different matter.
Update: 12-Feb-09: I stand corrected. Today is a very bad day for free speech in the UK
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