Blair on the Slave Trade

The BBC report that Tony Blair expresses his "sorrow" over the slave trade but will not offer an apology.

For once, I have to say I'm in agreement.

Nobody in their right mind could possibly argue the slave trade was a positive way for humanity to develop - although there is the argument that thanks to this disgusting way of treating people western society (in particular the European nations with former empires) has benefited greatly from this cheap labour.

So yes, we can all think back to this as a black time in our history but we (the current) generation do not owe the descendents of those involved in the slave trade an apology.

They have not directly/personally suffered as a result of this and it was not our generation who started or developed the slave trade.

Those demanding or expecting an apology should quite frankly get over themselves.

More bollocks from the EU

What a surprise, the EU Court decided today that the alleged free market (i.e. the reason the EU is supposed to exist) isn't free at all.

So could anyone tell me what benefit this organisation is the ordinary citizens of Europe when it won't even stick up for their right to participate in this economic miracle?

Bloated, corrupt and nothing like the 1970's referrendum suggested.

Time to close this institution down.

All it does is cost us billions and give every man and his dog the right to come to our country.

Getting to be quite a theme now but ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

Patricia Hodge questioned by Police

Oh how nice it is to refer to a serving cabinet member being interviewed by the Police.

Would love to be a fly on the wall as they interview Blair and Brown.

More big brother nonsense

The BBC are reporting that Police are now using technology which will allow them to fingerprint drivers at the side of the road.

This is because they don't believe you are who you claim you are. So you have to prove your identity to the state.

Why don't these people realise we don't want their fucking authoritarian rules?

I'm heartily sick of reading about the latest policy, legislation or gizmo which gives the state more control over the citizen.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

Every single day I see at least half a dozen people commiting overtly criminal acts. I often see police drive past totally ignoring this.

Out of sheer exasperation I have to say: Do your fucking jobs and leave the rest of us alone.

What a joke this country has become.

Iraq a disaster.. yeah, err no, but...

Make up your mind you odious little man.

"Mr Blair was challenged by Sir David over the violence in Iraq, saying that the Western intervention there had "so far been pretty much of a disaster".

The prime minister replied: "It has, but you see what I say to people is why is it difficult in Iraq?

"It's not difficult because of some accident in planning, it's difficult because there's a deliberate strategy - al-Qaeda with Sunni insurgents on one hand, Iranian-backed elements with Shia militias on the other - to create a situation in which the will of the majority for peace is displaced by the will of the minority for war."

Ok, so "it has" followed by a cop out. People will always fight back if you invade them. Doesn't this prat know that?!

Then...

"Downing Street insisted it was not Mr Blair's view that the violence in Iraq had been a disaster.

A spokeswoman said: "He was simply acknowledging the question in a polite way before going on to explain his view.

"To portray it as some kind of admission is completely disingenuous."

So lets double check what he was asked and how he responded:

Mr Blair was challenged by Sir David over the violence in Iraq, saying that the Western intervention there had "so far been pretty much of a disaster"

The prime minister replied: "It has".

That is not politely acknowledging a question, he was agreeing with a statement.

What a wanker.

John Yates letter in full

Guido has a copy of the letter from John Yates to the Public Administration Select Committee into the cash for honours enquiry.

Interesting developments. Well worth a read.

Link.

It would appear from his comments that the most important information they have has yet to leak hopefully destroying Blair's defence of an unfair trial etc.

Tell Tony Blair to resign

If, like myself you think Tony Blair should go, do feel free to tell him.

News from a fresh perspective

Tomorrow sees the launch on the Sky platform of Al Jazeera English (formerly Al Jazeera International).

This will be available on channel 514 from 12 noon.

Wikipedia blurb -

Al Jazeera International is a 24-hour English-language news and current affairs channel headquartered in Doha, Qatar. A subsidiary of Al Jazeera, it aimed to commence global broadcasting in June 2006 but had to postpone its launch until 15 November 2006.

Al Jazeera International is the world’s first English-language news channel to be headquartered in the Middle East. The channel will provide both a regional voice and a global perspective to a potential world audience of over one billion English speakers, but without the usual Anglo-American worldview. Instead of being run under central command, news management will rotate around broadcasting centres in Kuala Lumpur, Doha, London and Washington, D.C. "following the sun".

The station will broadcast factual programming including news features and analysis, documentaries, live debates, current affairs, business and sport.

Josh Rushing, who was featured in the documentary Control Room, will be an on-air personality at the new channel. It has also been announced that veteran British broadcaster Sir David Frost and former BBC and CNN anchor Riz Khan will join the new channel. Other previously well-known journalists set to join the channel include:

* David Frost (broadcaster) (BBC)
* Felicity Barr (ITN)
* Stephen Cole (BBC)
* Jane Dutton (BBC, CNN)
* Darren Jordon (BBC)
* David Foster (Sky)
* Shiulie Ghosh (ITN)
* Kimberly Halkett (GLOBAL TV)
* David Hawkins (CBS News)
* Dave Marash (ABC)
* Rageh Omaar (BBC)
* Veronica Pedrosa (BBC, CNN)
* Shahnaz Pakravan (BBC, ITN)
* Mark Seddon (Various)
* Steff Gaulter (Sky)
* Barbara Serra (Sky)
* Lauren Taylor (ITN)


Could be interesting to see the end of western media dominating the airwaves.

Innocent

So the BNP leader Nick Griffin has been found not guilty in his trial for "Incitement to racial hatred".

Maybe its time people like the Chancellor stop telling people how they should think -

"I think any preaching of religious or racial hatred will offend mainstream opinion in this country and I think we've got to do whatever we can to root it out from whatever quarter it comes.

"And if that means we've got to look at the laws again I think we will have to do so".

Quite simply, people in this country are and always should be free to speak their mind. Setting aside for a moment the fact that this is something which generations (and countless millions) of British people have fought and died to preserve, censoring the views of a citizen does not change their mind!

All over the western world there is debate on Immigration and its effects, why should the UK be any different?

We are a tolerant country, perhaps too tolerant at times but there comes a point where people should say "enough is enough".

Looking at the figures from the early 90's shows a huge rise in the population of this small country. The public are quite right to want to debate this.

However, the PC brigade have decided we mustn't discuss this, if we do we're automatically branded a racist or a bigot. This really must stop.

I'm no supporter of the BNP but It has to be said their policies on the whole reflect the views of a large part of our society and perhaps are a majority view.

Although I do feel that this paragraph may cause concern for most of us -

"and the introduction of a system of voluntary resettlement whereby those immigrants who are legally here will be afforded the opportunity to return to their lands of ethnic origin assisted by a generous financial incentives both for individuals and for the countries in question".


Certainly, the three mainstream parties have a very similar approach [to each other] on these issues. It could be argued that we, in effect have a one party state.

Its important to ask why turnout at elections is so low and why such a small proportion of the electorate actually vote for the majority party.

In the 2005 General Election turnout was 61% and the Labour party secured 35% of the vote. So to govern this country you only need to get 25% of the UK electorate voting for you.

That is a scandal and his been totally ignored by all parties - perhaps because it works in their favour.

The self censorship shown by British political parties has also been reflected in the media yet if you simply ask people what they think, these views tend to differ significantly from what people are instructed to think by their leaders.

Maybe now he has been found innocent, the easy villification and demonising carried out by the PC brigade will become harder and the BNP and other parties will get a voice so they can start to get their message out to the electorate.

Donald Rumsfeld resigns

Fox News are reporting that Donald Rumsfeld is to step down.

They are quoting "Senior Whitehouse Officials".

Don't let the door hit your arse on the way out Donald.

Peerages: Police contact Gordon Brown

The BBC are now reporting that the Metropolitan Police have contacted Gordon Brown and other members of the NEC to request written statements revealing their own knowledge of the Cash for Peerages scandal.

Whilst It remains to be seen how this will pan out, commentators and bloggers are pointing out that this would appear to be taken very seriously by the Met. This can only be a good thing.

That said, Lord Goldsmith is still not stepping aside over making a possible decision on whether his employer, friend, party leader & the man who made him a Lord should face prosecution or not.

Democracy? My arse!

Message to Blair - for the love of god - GO

The more I see this vile man the more I loathe him and his politics.

Try watching todays press conference.

His arrogance knows no limits.

Lets hope Guido is right on this.

Shame they couldn't take him to Baghdad and lock him up with Saddam.