Quick Thought

My computer is a little ****** up, just now, so I'll save you from a long boring posting I'd planned, on the recent hypocrisy, shown by both The Daily Mail & News International over public service broadcasting.

Still since I've spent too long trying to beat my PC into performing, so I'll just add my meagre thoughts on the pleasing news that Americans have elected Barack Obama as their next president, it seems to me the best man won, clearly its note worthy the he is the first black American to hold the top job I just hope that journalists, will realise sooner rather than later that it is his ability to articulate his policies and vision that have got him elected rather than the other factors like Senator McCain's age 71 and his vice presidential candidate Sarah "MOM" Palin (blimey who would vote for someone who boasts about their blimin parental skills rather than political competence, being a mom is hardly a qualification for potential running the worlds biggest most influential nation).

Finally something I always find refreshing, which might sound cheesy to many is the genuine love of and pride in America by both sides of the political spectrum and all communities in the US, which I don't think is ever likely to shared in this country due to the class system exemplified by our Royal family.

China's new cultural revolution

I spot in this weeks Isle of Thanet Extra news of Mr Feng Jun's (of electronics company AIGO) visit to the isle of Thanet, and my immediate attention is drawn to the picture attaching to the article.

It shows Mr Feng Jun, in what at first appears to be fancy dress and then the after reading the caption is revealed as mayoral regalia, unfortunately it doesn't state whether it was his own or lent to him by fawning representatives of Thanet council.

Just going off at quick tangent, this all got the nuerons in my brain sparking, well glowing and for some reason, memories flooded back to a time, and I don't remember detail but I recall a local councillor in a moment of er .... decided to dress up in Arab garb and drive round Ramsgate Harbour as part of some ill thought out hoax. Of course I could be suffering from false memory syndrome and it was something I think that occurred back in the Eighties, when we were all a little less dignified than today. Anyway since many of my readers, weren't born then you'll have to ask your parents.

Right getting back to our more dignified present, lets just hope that Thanet council keep things in perspective, and show a bit more integrity than the Olympic organisation in Beijing, who seem to have surrendered as far as press freedom is concerned. For more details and balanced view I offer you The Independent view click here ""Beijing doesn't like to give the world's press an inch or the home grown China View article click here "Press freedom shall not go above laws".

Anyway just getting back to Mr Feng Juns visit, I see that various dignitaries attended although I am a little surprised that Thanet council website , make no mention on their own news pages despite one presumes close involvement with the parties concerned.

Perhaps Sandy Ezekiel and company could be a little more open in whats going on, this sort of report also sets my mind on questions of how much is this going to cost us, just briefly coming back to past events in Thanet I believe that previous enterprises have left us the public exposed to financial penalties like Ramsgate harbour, when the Sally Line disappeared, this weekend Eastcliffe Matters reports another cracker, the old M&S building in Margate looks like a new TDC financial burden of 3 million, Christ no wonder their selling our assets?

On the plus side Mr Jun's company believes you'll be reassured to know in "Freedom in technology" and "Freedom in life" , no mention about thought or speech. On the plus side, investors from China will probably not be able to prejudge us since their most likely blocked from putting a search in to google like er....england thanet councillor sandy ezekiel who knows what that would turn up.

Let just hope that before anyone gets rich quick here, that time is taken, to stop chinese business from taking a leak into our water supply, that we don't all end up looking silly, or end up bank rolling this whole scheme, just so that a handful of " business men" can make loads of money at our expense.

What is missing in all this, is what if any benefit will accrue to the local community from all this nonsense about China Gateway. A few months ago one our esteemed tory leaders had the cheek to interupt me at public meeting, and announce that this project would create 3500 jobs well perhaps someone would like to justifiy that claim.

Right now all this looks like, is a plot from a movie, its just a pity the likes of Kenneth Williams, Sid James, Charles Hawtrey, Kenneth Conner and their ilk are no longer with us, what a carry on! Lets have the facts now how much is this going to cost us? What jobs? For whom? Will we benefit?

Finally if the China Gateway is to succeed it has to be benifical to all concerned, clearly Mr Jun is an accomplished business man, head of a successful company AIGO who will I don't doubt be aware that doing business in europe is not the same as in China, so lets hope our local leaders also appreciate that and start opening up. I hope this enterprise succeeds, and it should, I don't doubt that Mr Jun and his countrymen will recognise the strategic benefits of the Manston location but lets hope reasonable precautions are in place to protect the local environment.

Blogger panics as Internet connection breaks

I have had that sinking feeling, this morning as a result of my Internet connection failing (which I am informed is just a temporary blip, but any how I have come down to my local library to see if my contingency plan a works.

So far I've moved on to my second machine and problems with the ancient antique KCC computer thingies freezing is a bit of a pain, also it appears that voice dictation is not an option unless I can persuade one the staff to take dictation(best not), I am reliant on my own abilities, just hope the damn spell check works.



Apparently there is a time ration for each of the users and but I think I will be allowed an extra couple of minutes, anyway its quite quiet here, as I decided that KCC Gateway was not for me so I've nipped down to Cliftonville Library which remarkably unlike Gateway, does not have performance artists or snaking queues of Thanets finest form fillers (you know the sort, on disability benefit, since their bottoms are permanently glued to the sofa cushions).



In fact apart from the occasional enquiry at the adjacent desk and of course the Internet terminals this is about as much like a Library as your going to find thank God.



Since I understand the rationed time in this establishment is one hour, I have no time to compose one of my finely tuned essays with all the usual concomitant research.



What would I have written about, well Human Rights is one issue, I understand (and this is all guess work) that Olympic host China apparently told a few porkies, on the application form for staging the Olympics which I suppose given the complexity of these things is always a danger.



Still from what I recall China a country which is no stranger to controversy as in having no qualms about supplying arms to tinpot African states for the purpose of er.... killing their citizens etc. The specific problem though I have in mind is their apparent claim that they would clean up their act as far as human rights, which of course they have done nothing of the sort. I was hoping to give a reference point since Amnesty International issued a story on this earlier in the week, this computer is too slow to be trying to Google( you'll have to do it yourself).



Not much on the local front as I say my thoughts are with the hypocrisy and bollix about the Olympic spirit, at the same time as china still occupies Tibet, imprisons bloggers and continues to persecute religious minorities. Well done Olympic Committee ! Keep taking the money.



Still I just hope that when all these Chinese businesses arrive, most likely courtesy of a lot of fawning from local politicians, that they wont be bringing, their corrupt disregard for democracy and or take a leak in our water table. Still I'm sure local politicos, are far more pragmatic than me, and whilst I want to see more jobs in this area, I don't want to be taking crap from the Chinese government.

Blimey 55 minutes! you might just find a few errors!

China gateway closed to Thanet bloggers

A few things have prompted me to bring up the question of freedom to blog, one was an article in Metro newspaper (free daily paper in London), which reports on the numbers of writers arrested by Chinese authorities, and secondly of course BBC News coverage of the continuing disgraceful progress of the Olympic torch tonight's highlighting how Chinese citizens are carefully vetted before being allowed to witness its progress to Beijing.

Obviously most bloggers are not professional writers, but do offer something journalists cannot and that is the ability to write what they want without considering financial matters (or grammer or who they upset). It seems clear to me that journalists on newspapers particularly local ones must be aware of upsetting advertisers, particularly local government which countywide spends around eight million pounds a year, with Thanet council around 200,000 pounds a year.

In life we have to be pragmatic, but I just wonder whether local councilors and public employees should be accepting hospitality from the Chinese government, admittedly China isn't the most repressive regime but it's certainly the case that its citizens do not live in a free and fair society. So whilst our local planning authorities consider implications of the China gateway development and its potential to destroy the local environment and poison our water, maybe they should also consider the corrosive nature of dealing corrupt regimes.

Perhaps Thanet council could insist that the Chinese authorities release political prisoners including bloggers before they give permission for the Manston Gateway development to go ahead. One thing is for sure I will not be getting an all expenses paid holiday or even a business trip courtesy of the Chinese government anytime soon also the China gateway as far as the Internet is concerned is clkosed and likely to remain so for a long time.

The People's Republic of China

Human Rights in China

Labour hypocrisy and the Chinese Circus

I can understand athletes, sports men and women, being over come by the spirit of the Olympics, the ideals of the Olympics etcetera but when the Prime Minister, takes part in what was a PR exercise for the corrupt and abusive Chinese regime, it just underlines how out of touch he and his government are.

China as we all know occupies Tibet and ruthlessly puts down opposition which is at odds with much of Labours own policies (I think), of encouraging the break up of the United Kingdom, and open boarders, so just what the hell is Gordon Brown allowing this Chinese PR Circus into downing Street, even more offensive is the sight of what I take to be Chinese security pushing and shoving participants about outside 10 Downing Street. Click here to see video.
I read somewhere that Gordon Brown had taken on a new advisor to stop stupid gaffs, well it doesn't look like its working. Still one outcome is that news today, that china has killed or is that murdered 8 rioters, will move to the back pages, doubt we will not hear any labour ministers speaking too loudly on that issue.

Finally this torch waving PR is promoted as a journey of Harmony, which clearly its not, one thing we all ought to remind ourselves is that the Olympics sports run for two weeks, the bullshit goes on forever.

Trivia in a global context.

The now frankly boring kerfuffle concerning the right and wrongs of local stuff, ought to be behind us, and hopefully it will be soon. Still what is trivial to some, is of major importance to others.

As I mentioned last week, I have been very busy, however fortunately last week, I was busy in a non working, indulgent sort of way, with a city break to my favourite place New York. As part of our "walking holiday" we were strolling along last sunday when, a convoy of noisy vehicles, drove past with the occupants shouting and waving flags as they travelled down the road. To those of us walking up 5th Ave towards the museums it was a curiosity but what seems trivial, on surface often runs deeper.


Earlier I had seen, large numbers of Police outside what I understand to have been the Serbian consulate in New York, watching the news on Kosova Independance the following day, you get the bigger picture.


A few days later, you can draw more conclusions, as foreign embassys are attacked in Belgrade I personally hope Kosovo, gets its independence, it's not surprising that Serbia, which is no stranger to war crimes, is supported by Russia who also have a scant respect for world opinion, being happy to murder those that offend as in London.


Anyway coming back to things Thanet I will draw a line on those comments on the previous post some time shortly. As a punishment I am considering force feeding you with anecdotes from my holiday and using explicit photos of me in front of some of New Yorks iconic scenes. Luckly for you lot however I return to work at some ungodly hour tomorrow so you may miss out.



Important note this is written whilst half awake, half baked and any other half you can think of.



Lets hope some one writes something interesting locally and trivial.

Perspective

Some things that start as enjoyable diversions can become obsessive, takeing over your life, blogging might well fall into that catergory.

Last week I found myself on holiday, sitting in the back of a bike hire shop which also doubled as an Internet Cafe, adding yet another post, now although I get bored easy, surely I could have spent more time on the beach.



I always have plenty to say, but since returning on Saturday afternoon I have made a conscious decision to put this (blogging) on the back burner (sometimes two hours a day cannot be healthy unless your earning from it).



One experience from last week, occurred when walking down a busy street in a Majorcan resort, mid-day I felt ice cold despite the heat, it took a second or two for me to realise why. I had just walked passed the bar which a couple of years previously, I'd seen the first reports on the London bombings on the telly.



This week saw the sixth anniversary of Bin Laden's, attack on America, and when you see how one man's sick and twisted vision of politics and religion, results in the death of thousands and a lasting fear for millions it makes you think.



Seeing Bin Laden's image in the media this week, it's difficult for me not to blog, apart from being a sick twisted individual, looking at him with his dyed hair & beard, you cannot help think that despite the fact, he is a cold blooded murderer, as a man he also must be complete tit.



At some point Bin Laden didn't have the depth of charactor to realise, when his beliefs past those limits where humanity was more important than obsession. I shall not be adding much to this blog if anything this week.

Sir Elton John thinks outside the box!

Genius Sir Elton John has come to the brilliant conclusion, that it would be an incredible experiment to close the Internet for five years, just to see what art might be produced in that timeframe, for the full story and words of wisdom click here for the Sun article.

Apparently the great man believes that the Internet has stopped people creating stuff, as someone has created well over one hundred thousand words of middle aged ranting, some of which may be readable, I'm sure he knows what he's talking about. Unfortunately the article does not mention, how business and commerce would survive.

Blair’s last stand
Ends with meaningless twaddle

Well its here at last, Blair’s finale, and wouldn’t it be good if the last ten years had lived up to the expectations which I think even those who generally voted Tory shared on the night of his election to government. To be honest it’s only in the last year or so that you realise the enormity of the Blair deception, it started with all that nonsense from the Tory press of government by spin, which most people ascribed to sour grapes, but ever since the scandal over that bogus weapons of mass destruction report, only his die hard supporter seem to believe him.

Well life's full of disappointments and for most that’s how is been. Here’s some of Blair’s failures, ending free education, and introducing the lead weight of debt to students of middle & low income families (free in Scotland), minimum wage just a pathetic PR stunt (from someone who will no doubt be fully immersed in the trough out of office), sending Britain’s forces into an ill thought out conflict on the basis of bogus information.

In fairness, there have been improvements, to the health service but at vast cost, as an example your GP is earning more than ever, working less and you can’t see them at the weekend. The economy has improved, but we see mismanagement, family tax credits out of control (I’ve just received a statement informing me of my entitlement 4 years after last claiming (£0.00)).

So how’s it end up, on his last weekend of power, apart from a slightly stale smell of something that’s been in fridge to long, we have Blair taking a firm stand in Brussels with his four now famous red lines but totally meaningless since I’ve yet to see any report in the Media that gives an adequate explanation. I suspect that as ever, that whatever advantage he’s secured, it will be something like our opt out on the working time directive, where British citizens are 2nd class and have less protection than the rest of Europe.

Artists impression of Blair's four red lines (not as clear as they should be)

As with any contract such as this Treaty, unless there’s a clear simple explanation of their purpose, then these things are bound to cause dispute, example most people have a contract of employment, this tells you what you want to know pay, holidays, etc the rest is small print, all we’ve got is waffle.

Will it get any better with Gordon Brown, I think not, this is what he has to say "Thanks to the negotiating skill of Tony, the four red lines have been achieved and I think people, when they look at the small print, will see that we did what we set out to do, and that was to make sure that in these areas we were properly protected as a country to make our own decisions when we want to do so."

One major change to add to the Blair legacy, which has set us on the road to break up of the United Kingdom, as Scotland heads toward separation, Blair is the allowing an unelected monolithic EC to negotiate international agreements.

Finally being the showman to the last, with his look at me approach, even something as simple as choice of faith, appears to involve the taxpayer, funding his visit to see the pope, since he has as I understand been a practicing catholic for some time, was it really necessary to head off to Rome.

Quote of the week

Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett speaking about the recent Knighthood Salmon Rushdie is quoted as follows "Obviously, we are sorry if there are people who have taken very much to heart this honour, which is after all for a life-long body of literary work."

Now presumably as Margaret Beckett is speaking on behalf of the British government, it just makes you think how cowardly, the Labour administration has become, this country prides itself or a least used to on our freedom of speech and now the Foreign Secretary has kiss goodbye to that illusion.

Whether you agree or disagree with any point of view, thought and creativity are what make us human, so to have a government minister grovel to extremists who would with their bigotry deny basic humanity is beyond belief.

I say what I think and anyone is entitled to challenge it, lets face the facts the vast majority of British people from whatever their backgrounds are heartily sick of politicians bending over backwards to please or be polite to barbaric extremists.

If nothing else this half arsed apology which presumably is intended to appease foreign governments like Iran and Pakistan is an insult to Sir Salmon Rushdie (suggesting a mistake has been made) , an insult to the British people (inferring that we come second to foreign politicians), and finally an insult to the Queen(whose birthday honours are to be devalued, just to keep some foreign governments happy).

I think it would be a little more dignified if British ministers didn’t comment on this matter. Plain and simple Salmon Rushdie is a British citizen end of story!

a small side show

My apologies for raising just one small concern, for what was an otherwise great event at Palm Bay this weekend.

A big part of any event, is the marketing, the stalls, hot dog stands etc. and strolling through the craft tent, I stumbled across one little stall, which amongst craft jewellery and that sort of thing, stood out for this reason it did not clearly state what it was about.

The stall in question offered a free ‘stress test’ but for some reason despite having large piles of books by L Ron Hubbard founder of the church of Scientology, failed to make clear if they were representatives of Scientology.

Curious just to confirm whether I was correct, so I asked if they were in fact from the same outfit as those recently subject to BBC’s Panorama programme. The answer was yes and although they hadn’t prepared a sign stating who they were, the gent I spoke to immediately handed me a DVD entitled “Panorama Exposed”(I’ll let you know if its any good).

As you may or may not be aware I’m no friend, to organised religion, cults or that sort of thing since the blood bath from many religious groups and factions is endless, and I question whether any group should be entitled to take space at this sort of event, particularly if they are not clear as to what their about.

Now all I’ve heard about this group is fairly negative but that’s not to say their right or wrong but I do worry about organisations that aren’t up front, I regard all religions as complete tosh, which is the safest view to have.

Finally, why would you hide your link with your church? I’ll go no further I understand some groups have rather ferocious lawyers.

Suggested reading Wikipedia entry

Danger Blogger at Work

Amnesty International has reported that the number of countries that now restrict access to the Internet is on the increase; as is the cooperation from the likes of Cisco Google Yahoo & Microsoft with corrupt regimes such as China with poor human rights records.

What’s this got to do with you well, not a lot if you don’t value your freedom, but if you do, perhaps is time that we all start to register our distaste with Google Yahoo and Microsoft etc as Amnesty suggest that they have been complicit in suppressing freedom.

One example quoted in the Telegraph is that of Shi Tao a Chinese, reporter whose now serving ten years in prison after Yahoo were kind enough to pass on his details to police.

According to Amnesty, sophisticated filtering systems are used to restrict free speech and thought in 25 countries including India, Iran, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia.

I realise sometimes business has to be pragmatic but just how much business do these internet companies do, that they cannot just say no. If all these companies agreed to not offer assistance, in online repression, then maybe some of these countries would think again.

Fortunately here in Thanet we are current able to enjoy spouting great ideas and nonsense. It’s pleasing to see Kevin and Adem of Thanet Blog list being credited for their work in this weeks Thanet Times. Maybe we should just occasionally stop and think for a moment, about the millions around the world, who are threatened, punished and criminalised for doing what I’m doing (writing Bolix) or like you for reading it or maybe the Thanet Blog list for promoting it.

Still I don't think we should take our freedom for granted, even with a Labour government we've seen one attempt to outlaw free speech, in relation to discussing religion and one that actually is in place and quite effective is the one which gags local councillors from freely discussing local issues. If you don't believe me check out the Standards Board of England.

Amnesty Internet Warning

SHOCK HORROR
Bignews experiences technical problems

Thanet residents and the Global audience, have doubtless been wandering, aimlessly through the forest of dross, that is the internet since Monday, when Bignews last published, needless to say, there has been a damn good reason for this, er well not really. OK I did forget my log on details and had a minor panic attack last night but by the time I managed to sort out, was past caring.

Its not know whether 'Thanet Life' 'Eastcliff Matters' or even 'Eastcliff Richard' hits the same spot but I have been thwarted in my attempt today, to blog, firstly by the damn fine weather tonight, deciding to go cycling instead and then Mrs Me insisted I watch 'the Apprentice' held over from yesterday, due to Mrs Me watching some damn football match.

Blog or watch my favourite TV show (about the only thing I watch) no contest. I'm thinking of repeating some of my earlier posts and perhaps involving you the reader to point out my mannny errors.

Bignews Margate’s Пиршество Семьи *

Its seems incredible, but KFC have apparently trade marked the phrase “family feast”, no big deal you might think, until you find a lawyer for some big, all powerful global company writing you letters, telling you that they can no longer use, the English language to express yourself.

According to several reports licensees of the Tan Hill Inn, in Yorkshire have had to put up with a bit of advice from KFC lawyers on the use of the phrase “family feast”. The fact that the Tan Hills ‘Family Feast’ refers to a traditional Christmas dinner and KFC’s ‘feast’ is something that comes fried in oil in a bucket, which in my case I try to forget as soon as I’ve got the grease off my hands. It seems that lawyers were worried that Joe public might somehow confuse the two things.

There are principles involved here, KFC the fast food chain formally known as Kentucky Fried Chicken, before we got too lazy to use whole words (and cook) or was it some marketing re-branding. Once we concede this sort of nonsense where does it stop.

Most consumers are fairly sophisticated, I think we can tell the difference between pubs which these days are generally clean, cosy, comfortable and provide good food to fast food joints which often have all the stark ambience of a supermarket but longer queues, primitive staff and greasy surfaces.

I occasionally arrange a family feast here at Flaig Mansions, will I in future have to consult a lawyer rather than a cookery book, if so I have this two word phrase I’m considering getting trade marked one word is OFF, I can’t tell you the other until the lawyers have sorted it.

How did we ever get to a situation where foreign corporations can highjack or rather trade mark the English language. I know I frequently abuse the privilege but I’m British, so I feel entitled.

Finally a restaurant that mentions on its website “a computer controlled process ensures thorough cooking” is always a consideration when eating out.

One I made earlier My own unique recipe for Chicken

BBC Story

The Publican Story

KFC site "Quality Chicken".

* I think its Russian for family feast, I had enough legal threats this week.

Sunday newspapers new low with one exception!

I've often thought why do editors of newspapers, rarely have their names prominently displayed. And I can only assume particularly after reading this morning's News Of The World, that quite simply they are embarrassed by their output.

I won't even bother, to look up the editor's name of this weeks news of the world because quite honestly, his or her product this week is complete and utter tosh.

Now this particular edition, has would you believe it, nine pages devoted Prince William's relationship with Kate Wotsit, now whilst this is noteworthy in a minor sort of way it is hardly needs such coverage.

Since will are often led to believe, that Rupert Murdoch influences, the output of his publications should we believe that the British royal family is one of his obsessions. I think all this pseudo celebrity bull, concerning the Royal family, that Murdoch papers in particular pump, out weekly has a corrosive effect on the role of the British Royal family.

I am no supporter of the monarchy, and would like to see a debate on their role, but when that debate is masked by trivial crap from a foreign owned press it really hacks me off.

News of the world is a great paper, when it does what it's best exposing, real celebrities, public figures and particularly politicians preferably with their trousers round their ankles.

It's actually quite sad that this mass circulation newspaper cannot make room for news. Not for the first time, have I found that local newspaper 'Kent on Sunday' is actually a preferable read to both of Murdoch's papers including the Sunday Times which these days, seems to have joined the race for the gutter with its populist appeal, even having what I call the 'Jeremy Clarkson' section appealing to middle-aged yobs.

Middleage BORE ON SUNDAY

As ever my opinions are eccentric, but really it comes to something when you enjoy a free local newspaper more than one costing two quid. And I don't know who the editor of the KOS is but they do a damn good job.

Friday the 13th birthday celebrations

Bignews Margate is er

one year plus a day old today!

OUR GLOBAL HEADQUARTERS*

A MESSAGE TO FROM THE PROPRIETOR

As you might imagine, yesterday's first birthday for Margates most popular overrated blog were somewhat muted, since due to a combination of indifference and failing memory the anniversary was somehow overlooked.

Last weekend, I did take time out to consider what if anything I had achieved, well a quick assessment, shows that I have produced 400 plus posts, mistreated well over 100,000 words, offended many, resulting in approximately 30 threats of violence and hopefully ruffled a few feathers in local government and the shady world of quangos.

It would be nice to think that, some of our local politicians and local-authority big wigs, have been guided by this blog and others, into acting with more care and responsibility, and since possibly the biggest motivation, I have for writing this stuff, was the almost casual announcement that £8 million had been spent on the Turner Contemporary Gallery, with nothing to show except red faces.

Now I don't doubt, that there are certain, shall we say interest groups, who would if they could, attach all kinds of draconian regulations, to curb the likes of me. Earlier in the week I noted the posting of Simon Moores, Thanet life ''Anything Goes'' which touches on the subject of regulation, incidentally Simon Moores whose often criticised is instrumental in drawing my attention to the world of blogs, for which I thank him although many will not.

I hope that whether you like my opinions or not it adds something to local debates, because one thing I've become acutely aware of is how our local newspapers understandably, steer clear of local controversy, which if you look at their advertising revenue you can well understand. By this I mean with the exception of maybe the Thanet extra, a campaigning attitude on anything does not seem to exist, the Isle of Thanet Gazette generally adheres purely to the facts.

One report you didn't see this week, elsewhere was reference to councillors who were advised not to take part or vote in last week's crucial Westwood Cross meeting. Admittedly I didn't make as big an issue, as I should have, as I expected local professional news outlets to comment at least in a factual way

Anyway Bignews Margate would like to say thank you to those who regularly read this.

CHEERS!

*NOT REALLY

Games up for Britain

We occasionally hear people trying to define what makes us British, well this is no definition just a point.

The acts of Parliament joining Scotland and England thus creating Britain came into effect on 1st May 1707, shouldn’t we be having a party.

I’m not aware of any celebrations, chances are nobody would invite me, though I would assume 300years might be worth a bit of a do.

I realise that Scottish nationalist will take over the Scottish parliament a couple of days later, which I assume will be the beginning of the end.

Maybe ignoring history is what makes us British for a week or two more.

I might have got my dates wrong or something, and that wikipedias not much cop .

Tony Blair 'uncertainty'

In today’s Observer, Tony Blair says that he has created uncertainty, over his announcement not to fight the next election, for me this seems one of the least uncertain items for him to worry about.

I find the most disturbing aspect, of Tony Blair, is how when he gained power, he gave the impression of someone who cared, about those who helped put him in office, back in 1997 he couldn't be inclusive enough every thing was the 'peoples' this, that and the other, even including the 'peoples princess' Diana Spencer. How many of us were genuinely tricked into believing that Blair and his government gave a toss for the ordinary working people of this country.

Well ten years on almost, I honestly cannot think of much that Blair has done for us mere mortals, it seems he cannot brown nose, the top knobs enough. In the Sunday Times, we read that Tony Blair is shortly to be hob-nobbing with rich America billionaires, at some function at Downing Street (I just hope I'm not paying for the food as well as the venue).

It looks to me like Blair, is sorting out his future, I wonder if having helped the Bush's family & mates in their Iraqi adventure, whether he will be looking for one of those jobs as a "consultant" with the American defence industry. He’s shown an uncritical attitude to America, which has diminished this countries standing in World and America.

I feel, Blair and his aides have used spin, for so long, that they, no longer, have the same handle on reality that we the ‘people’ have. Even if Blair is uncertain about things, I'm convinced that the British public are certain that much of Blair's reign has been more about promotion of Blair, than the 'people'.

Iraq what was it all about ?

Tough question, as one who never believed in weapons of mass destruction I did however believe that Blair and Bush had a semi Honourable intention of liberating Iraq from the tyranny of Saddam Hussain although the carnage that has since ensued I actually predicted when Bush first announced his intention of invading Iraq.

With no clear exit policy from either Bush or Tony Blair one interesting facet of this debacle was the subject of a BBC Radio 4 documentary, Baghdad billions, which reveals corruption and incompetence of the coalition in Iraq particularly amazing is reference to billions of American dollars (proceeds of Iraqi oil sales) being air-freighted by the pallet load to Baghdad where it simply disappeared.

If this tale of incredible greed, corruption and incompetence is of interest, this is available to hear via their listen again page for a day or two.

Baghdad Billions BBC webpage

Rogue Middle-East state threatens nuclear terrorism

Incredible as it seems, a rogue Middle-Eastern state driven by religious intolerance is threatening nuclear terrorism (see Sunday Times) and America says nothing, almost unbelievable except the country in question is Israel who for some reason who are proposing to launch the first nuclear attack since 1945.

For the last year or so our newspapers and media have frequently referred to the threat of Iran and Korea having nuclear-weapons, although for last 20 to 30 years it has been an open secret that Israel the rather unstable hostile country loved by Americans have had nuclear devices, yet no yank of consequence has ever thought to mention it.

As far as I know unlike Israel, neither Iran or North Korea currently occupy any territory which doesn't belong to them. However Israel still occupies land it took back in the 1960s, and not only that but does quite well from exploiting that land.

It's no wonder that there is so much hostility to the West, by the Islamic world when Western governments refuse to challenge Israel's aggression. This year when Israel attacked innocent civilians in the Lebanon, even telling the Royal Navy when they could evacuate British civilians from Beirut, our own government did and said nothing.

Times online