On May 7th BBC Parliament will be showing their coverage of the 1997 General Election.
I'm pretty confident that when it gets to the wee small hours and we're watching the rendition of 'Things Can Only Get Better' by D:Ream, I might finally start to believe it!
Slightly more information here
I don't want to pass comment on the Virginia Tech shootings. There's nothing I can say which hasn't been said already.
That said, I missed this until today and think people should know about it.
Waleed Shalaan
A 'pamphlet' has been released claiming the UK may have reached a tipping point which may irreversibly change the character of our nation.
I think the report is right.
Before anyone makes a comment that discussion about this is racist, please, go fuck yourself, stop stifling debate!
This country is geographically insignificant with limited resources.
Its already overpopulated, crime is high, people can't afford decent homes because we aren't building enough to cope with demand.
We've always been a welcoming nation but we've been taken advantage of in recent years.
Enough is enough. Time for two things:
1). No more. Don't bother coming, to most people, I think its fair to say new immigrants (irrespective of reason) are no longer welcome. A self serving, self absorbed little 'elite' group insist otherwise - You are wrong. Its ok for you people on your high salaries with your 'bought and paid for' homes to tell the rest of us which views to take. Doesn't make you right though.
2). A purge. We should check every single 'immigrant', check their status, whether they have any involvement with criminality, whether they're a contributor or detractor when it comes to society and then decide whether they should stay or go. None of this messing around with immigration tribunals (which are a joke), either in or out. If they're out - put them on the next flight out of here.
This has nothing to do with race or ethnicity. I make no comment about a particular nation, colour, creed or religion. All i know is that I'm sick and tired of people taking advantage of our good will. I'm sick and tired of overcrowding, lectures about what I can/can't think or say.
To hell with it. This country belongs to those born here. End of.
The BBC are inviting Questions for Tony Blair.
A 'selection' of questions will be put to him on the Politics show this Sunday, 15th April.
Forget whatever else we know about Tony 'War Criminal' Blair for a moment.
Lets consider his comments today about the Sailors stories farce.
Apparently, Blair thinks that -
"in hindsight" the navy's decision to allow sailors held captive in Iran to sell their stories to the media was not a "good idea".
Hindsight? What is the man talking about. Was blatant from the off that it was a terrible idea. It was condemned before the papers hit the press. Hindsight?! Give me a break!
Apparently Blair wasn't "involved in the decision". Does anyone believe him? Really.. do any of you believe a word this man says?!
Earlier, Defence Secretary Des Browne said he took full responsibility for allowing the stories to be sold.
Lots of Labour Ministers 'take responsibility' for poor decisions. How come they remain in office? Surely flawed decision making at this level should result in the sack - immediately?
Mr Blair said that he did not think such stories would be sold in future.
Were they sold in the past? Were they fuck! I'm reminded of Winston Smith's job in 1984, seems Blair thinks he can rewrite the past.
"With hindsight was that a good idea? No, precisely because people would then misrepresent that somehow the navy were encouraging people to sell their stories, which they weren't doing at all."
Err. No. That isn't the issue at all. Serving members of the armed forces should never profit from the role in this disgusting way.
As for the propaganda value, please! We look like idiots from whichever angle you look at this farce.
He said he, and the navy, were "not content" with the decision but felt they had little choice, given that the stories had to be told in the freed captives' own interests "to counteract the propaganda the Iranians had put out using them".
What absolute nonsense! If there was a good reason to get these stories out, the Sailors could have quite easily issued a statement through the MOD, without payment, without seeming like greedy, manipulated fools.
Mr Cameron responded to Mr Browne's statement by saying there should be a full Ministry of Defence inquiry, to allow lessons to be learned.
He's no better. Enquiry! As Jim Royle would say - "enquiry my arse!". If Browne made the decision, his head should roll.
Cameron - grow some balls or piss off back to your posh country pad and stay they you useless berk!
For me, this has once again shown our government to be a bunch of idiotic liars, incompetent spin merchants, propagandists and imbeciles.
What a bunch of wankers!
It was revealed today that the MOD (yeah, right, so this didn't come from Downing Street?) have allowed the captured sailors to sell their stories to the press.
What a sickening state of affairs.
The propaganda coming out of the UK for the duration of this 'crisis' was no different from that coming out of Iran: lies & spin.
What an undignified approach to this event.
I wasn't going to criticise the sailors directly, I feel that they probably took the right actions in not fighting back when massively outnumbered. I think they made a dignified (although not entirely true) statement at their Press Conference.
If they wish to get "their side of the story" out there then they should provide a statement which the MOD should release. They should not profit from this event. They should not allow themselves to be a propaganda tool for the government.
This type of thing does them great dis-service personally and plays into the hands of Iran (assuming Iran were in the wrong).
The whole situation is quite bizarre as it seems nobody has gained any strength or credibility. What it has done though is prove that the UK is a weak, banana state republic which has disgraced itself yet again on the world stage.
A message to the sailors: take your 2 weeks leave, do with it as you wish then quit or go back to work. I personally don't want to see or hear from you again. I'm sure this is representative of all but the Little Englanders at the Sun & Mirror.
My thanks to Shutter for pointing out this post about Patientline.
Please take a little time out of your day to read more about this greedy vulture preying on the weak and elderly.
Bastards.
Our government once again have went on the world stage and told blatant lies.
Are we surprised? No.
Are some of us angry? Yes.
Quite frankly its proven beyond any doubt that Iran were right to take these spies prisoner. I find the whole thing despicable.
I don't blame the servicemen for doing what they were ordered to do. I blame those at the top.
I'll say it once again, loud and clear; Bastards.
Britain now has no credibility whatsoever.
I am truly ashamed to be British
So Iran is about to release the 15 British personnel it arrested on March 23rd.
Perhaps now is an appropriate time to look back on this event and the response of the British Government.
The government insisted that these people were in Iraqi waters when they were detained.
Many people did not trust this statement due to the lies we had prior to our invasion of Iraq
People always said that the government might not be trusted in circumstances such as this in future. I firmly believe that to be the case on this occasion.
We dithered and sounded weak on the world stage
We are weak
What could we have done about this? Short of Nuking Tehran, absolutley nothing. We simply no longer have the military strength to take on this country. What with the reduction in our military capacity and the ongoing occupation of Iraq, its hardly surprising.
China and Russia crippled our lame attempt to get a statement at the UN, instead, we got a feeble comment which was laughable.
Ahh, but diplomacy saved the day
Really?! Two weeks of international humiliation for our service men & women, our nation and government is a good thing?!
Those Iranians are a bunch of duplicitous bastards
Profoundly disagree. We've been dictating to other nations for so long that when they stand up to us, we start calling them lunatics, dangerous, etc. Its not them who invaded Iraq without moral or legal justification. Its not them who've historically destroyed the character of the middle east, its not them who caused the conflict in the middle east. No, that lies firmly on our shoulders. We should learn our lesson - mind our own business. If Iran want Nukes, let them have them, if "we" don't want them to have them, destroy ours.
We don't own the world, we aren't in charge, we're a weak, morally bankrupt, greedy, undemocratic, uncivilised country.
We should spend a considerable amount of time assessing our priorities and putting right the ills of our society without dictating to others.
As for Blair swanning around like he's a hero: Fuck you, war criminal!
I'm not usually one for petitions, but in this case, I think i'll make an exception.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to bring in new legislation to prevent the current abuse by banks and companies in relation to Penalty charges.
Sign
In other news, the OFT today announced a review into these charges.
John Fingleton, OFT Chief Executive said: 'The UK retail banking market performs well in many dimensions, especially relative to international norms. However, the issue of bank current account charges is a matter of real concern to the banks' customers, and raises wider questions about competition and transparency of pricing. The initial scoping work we have undertaken has demonstrated to us that this is not only an issue for those people who are being charged, but also for customers who are not defaulting on their bank accounts.
'A quick-fix solution is not the answer as this might be of limited long-term benefit and could have unintended and far-reaching consequences across the whole sector and on consumers as a whole. We will look forward to co-operation from the banking sector in reaching a conclusion to this matter which is satisfactory to consumers and which will strengthen competition, efficiency and customer outcomes in the UK retail banking sector.'
For more on reclaiming your bank charges, please take a look at penaltycharges.co.uk
Some time ago, it was revealed that Ruth Kelly, former Education Minister was sending her child to a private school.
Despite the rank hypocrisy in this, she went on to complain that the Mirror had breached her sons privacy.
It was bollocks at the time and is still bollocks now. We all know nobody has the slightest interest in her children. They do have an interest in a minister essentially admitting that the service they enforce on the rest of us wasn't up to spec.
Its heartening to read today that the Press Complaints Commission have rejected her spurious, arrogant complaint.
Kelly, you are in imbecile of the highest order. A true Blairite. You think you can have your cake and eat it. You can't.
Once again, if you had any sense of decency, you would have resigned then. Now its even more appropriate.
Of course, we all know that as a Labour minister you are immune from resignation so you should be sacked. Trouble with that is, Blair needs all the cronies he can get at the moment.
You're a joke, not worthy of serving in McDonalds or Burger King let alone in Parliament or the Cabinet.
So please, do us all a favour, go fuck yourself!
BBC
Fifteen British Navy personnel have been captured at gunpoint by Iranian forces, the Ministry of Defence says.
The men were seized at 1030 local time when they boarded a boat in the Gulf, off the coast of Iraq, which they suspected was smuggling cars.
The Royal Navy said the men who were on a routine patrol in Iraqi waters, were understood to be unharmed.
Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett has demanded the immediate and safe return of the HMS Cornwall servicemen.
She added that she had called for a "full explanation" from Iran and had left them in no doubt that she wanted the group and their equipment back immediately.
The frigate's commander, Commodore Nick Lambert, said he was hoping there had been a "simple mistake" over territorial waters.
Not sure what to make of this as yet but it doesn't bode well.
A 68-year-old grandmother who was convicted of growing cannabis at her Northumberland home is facing eviction if she does not stop using the drug.
Patricia Tabram, from Humshaugh, was spared jail at Carlisle Crown Court on 7 March after being found guilty of possessing and cultivating cannabis.
She claims to use the drug to relieve pain and depression, and has said she intends to continue "self-medicating".
But her housing association said she will be kicked out if she does.
Mrs Tabram was arrested in 2005 when police raided her bungalow near Hexham.
She was in breach of a six-month suspended jail sentence when the officers, acting on a tip-off, found the plants and growing equipment in a walk-in wardrobe.
During her trial, she claimed the drug helped relieve depression after the death of her son and pain following a car crash.
'Last resort'
Despite being warned that she faced a jail term for breaching the suspended sentence, she was given a 250-hour community service order.
Afterwards she said: "I'm going to go on medicating. The police can come to my house every week. I'll give them a cup of tea."
Milecastle Housing, the association with which she is a tenant, held a board meeting to discuss her future, and decided not to evict her immediately.
Tenant services manager Chris Scott said: "The board of Milecastle Housing has agreed to apply to the court for a possession order, suspended for up to two years.
"If the order is granted, she will be allowed to continue living at the property only as long as she observes the terms of her tenancy agreement and specifically does not cultivate, possess or use cannabis in the property.
"Mrs Tabram has been informed of the situation and that her right to remain a resident in the Milecastle property depends entirely upon her behaviour.
"We will be monitoring this very closely in liaison with Northumbria Police."
Milecastle Housing said it made the decision based upon Mrs Tabram's age, health and personal circumstances, as well as association guidelines which state that eviction should be a last resort.
What despicable behaviour from the housing association. What do they hope to achieve by evicting a pension for a little bit of pot?
I'm minded to write to them and express my disgust.
If you feel inclined to do so, their address is -
Milecastle Housing Ltd
Beaufront Park
Anick Road
Hexham
Norhumberland
NE46 4TU
What a crap budget.
Trying to use this to gain some popularity? Cretin.
I would critique it point by point but I'm really not inclined to do so.
Brown: You are a no-hoper. You are a waste of space just like the rest of your party.
It does nothing for anyone.
Go hang your head in shame.
According to The Register the BBC have suspended a free education resource portal because the EU are upset it might affect commercial providers.
Personally, I find this a sickening abuse of the power of the EC and that the BBC are out of order for bowing to this demand.
Education is one of the most important tools in our society. Profits for companies are considerably further down the list of priorities.
Quite frankly I'm disgusted with this approach and think MP's should demand its restoration forthwith.
BBC:
Israel has reiterated that it will not deal with the new Palestinian government of national unity that is expected to be approved shortly.A spokeswoman for Israeli PM Ehud Olmert accused the cabinet, made up of rival Fatah and Hamas factions, of endorsing the use of terror.
Time was, I didn't take a view on the Palestine/Israel issue. Was just too deep seated in historical rivalry for me to get my head around it.
Over recent years I've watched and seen Israel act in a despicable manner and get away with it.
Last year, they murdered around 1,000 Lebanese citizens yet it is they who claim the "other sides" are terrorists.
The only reasons the West haven't condemned them and imposed sanctions are (it would appear):
I've just got back from work.
Last year, we used some of our resources to get staff taking calls for Sports Relief.
This year we decided that it went well so we would again field calls for the event.
Was a thoroughly enjoyable evening and we raised a small fortune in a short period of time.
More than that, having taken many calls myself, it was great to find out that there are so many generous, compassionate people in this country. Not just those donating but people like us, giving up our time to help out.
Its easily forgotten when we look at the depressing stories in the media just how good the people in this country are when we want to be.
That said, I think its only right to pass some form of comment on the subject matter itself.
I think last nights episode of The Apprentice showed where things are wrong:
People were making casual decisions about spending £25,000 or £150,000 on tickets for a fairground as if it were equivalent to spending 50p on a newspaper. At the same time, billions of people around the world are in desperate need of medical treatment, food, shelter, clean water, protection from violence etc.
The inequality in the distribution of wealth at every level should be tackled. But no rich country will ever intentionally make itself poor to help raise the standards of life in another.
Its things like this which make me question the value of capitalism. It seems greedy and selfish. Thats because it is.
Ok, thats my Bono bit over. I think i'll call it a night!
Technology + Legislation + Politics + Fear = Police state.
Ok, so I'm simplifying but most people can understand the concept.
The BBC report -
Police have used new technology to trace witnesses to a crash which killed four members of a Tyneside family.
Paula Gilbert, 29, her partner Neil Jex, 37 and sons Tristan, three and Kaiden, seven months, of Hebburn, died on the A1 near Catterick on 3 March.
The only survivor, Macauley Gilbert, eight, is recovering in hospital.
Police using Automatic Number Plate Recognition have identified 70 drivers who were in the area at the time of the crash and asked them to come forward.
They hope the letters they have sent out will jog the memories of people who may have information which could assist the investigation.
Now its fair to say this is a "positive" way of invading people's privacy but it won't bring back the dead.
Just goes to show that the technology to track people en masse and retrospectively is up and running. We all know about cell site analysis and use of other systems to track people but when they can query a database in this way then contact people just for being in an area at a given time, its cause for concern.
Just wait until they introduce ID cards. Oh, it'll be touted as the greatest thing since sliced bread but you can bet your bottom dollar it'll be hooked up to CCTV, facial recognition, the PNC and a whole host of other system.
The only thing they won't have is a camera in your home. Thing is, with profiling, is it really necessary to do that?
Be prepared to prove your innocence because it feels like the presumption of guilt is on its way in.
