Follow the yellow brick road

Once again, I am wondering why our government can't be more like the Australians.

Australia has formally rejected a US request to take in detainees from the Guantanamo Bay military jail.

Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard said the decision was based on "stringent national security and immigration considerations."

It is the second time in a year that Australia has rejected such a request.

But we'll take in some of the 60 considered 'no risk' by another country and presumably pay for them and their families at a time when our own workers are being made redundant and people are losing their homes.

Not particularly charitable of me? Perhaps. But there are jobs going in Afghanistan.

Fear not, though, for as our sovereignty erodes on a daily basis, with a combination of approval and ignorance from our politicians and media, the EU have decided to step in and try make the decisions for us:

A senior US official has described as a "significant step" Portugal's offer of asylum for some inmates from the US detention centre at Guantanamo Bay...

In a letter to EU members this week, Portugal urged them to follow its lead..."The time has come for the European Union to step forward," he wrote.

Well, Common Immigration is a fundamental part of the Lisbon Treaty which they assume will be forced through despite opposition, so why shouldn't they? I mean, in a few years they'll be deciding when we go to war, and who do you think will make up the bulk of the troops? Not the French...

Common EU history, anyone?

This should come as no surprise to anybody.

MEPs have given the green light to a multi-million pound state-of-the-art "House of European History" to be opened in Brussels by 2014.

The project to "promote an awareness of European identity" is the brainchild of Hans-Gert Poettering, President of the European Parliament and a Federalist German Christian Democrat.

"I should like to create a locus for history and for the future where the concept of the European idea can continue to grow," he said.

The European Parliament has approved the plan for a permanent exhibition on history with a display area covering up to an acre.

The creation of the museum goes hand in hand with moves by Germany and France to create a "European history book", to be taught in all schools across the EU to foster a common cultural identity.

You're mentally ill if you disagree with them, they're rewriting history, they threaten people who disagree and they want to stop a free press.

Remind you of anything?

This is the year you can tell them where to go

That transcript referred to, for those who have forgotten or who might not have read it, is here [emphasis mine]:
Daniel Cohn-Bendit, MEP: I brought you a flag, which — as we heard — you have everywhere here at the Prague Castle. It is the flag of the European Union, so I will place it here in front of you.

It will be a tough Presidency. The Czech Republic will have to deal with the work directive and climate package. EU climate package represents less than what our fraction would wish for. It will be necessary to hold on to the minimum of that. I am certain that the climate change represents not only a risk, but also a danger for the future development of the planet. My view is based on scientific views and majority approval of the EP and I know you disagree with me. You can believe what you want, I don’t believe, I know that global warming is a reality.

Lisbon Treaty… I don’t care about your opinions on it. I want to know what you are going to do if the Czech Chamber of Deputies and the Senate approve it. Will you respect the will of the representatives of the people? You will have to sign it.

I want you to explain to me what is the level of your friendship with Mr Ganley from Ireland. How can you meet a person whose funding is unclear? You are not supposed to meet him in your function. It is a man whose finances come from problematic sources and he wants to use them to be funding his election campaign into the EP.

President Vaclav Klaus: I must say that nobody has talked to me in such a style and tone for the past 6 years. You are not on the barricades in Paris here. I thought that these manners ended for us 18 years ago but I see I was wrong. I would not dare to ask how the activities of the Greens are funded. If you are concerned about a rational discussion in this half an hour, which we have, please give the floor to someone else, Mr Chairman.

EU Parliament President Hans-Gert Pöttering: No, we have plenty of time. My colleague will continue, because anyone from the members of the EP can ask you whatever he likes. (to Cohn-Bendit:) Please continue.

President Vaclav Klaus: This is incredible. I have never experienced anything like this before.

Daniel Cohn-Bendit: Because you have not experienced me..

President Vaclav Klaus: This is incredible.

Daniel Cohn-Bendit: We have always had good talks with President Havel. And what will you tell me about your attitude towards the anti-discrimination law? I will gladly inform you about our funding.

Hans-Gert Pöttering: Brian Crowley, please.

Brian Crowley, MEP: I am from Ireland and I am a member of a party in government. All his life my father fought against the British domination. Many of my relatives lost their lives. That is why I dare to say that the Irish wish for the Lisbon Treaty. It was an insult, Mr. President, to me and to the Irish people what you said during your state visit to Ireland. It was an insult that you met Declan Ganley, a man with no elected mandate. This man has not proven the sources from which his campaign was funded. I just want to inform you what the Irish felt. I wish you that you get the programme of your Presidency through and you will get through what European citizens want to see.

President Vaclav Klaus: Thank you for this experience which I gained from this meeting. I did not think anything like this is possible and have not experienced anything like this for the past 19 years. I thought it was a matter of the past, that we live in democracy, but it is post-democracy, really, which rules the EU.

You mentioned the European values. The most important value is freedom and democracy. The citizens of the EU member states are concerned about freedom and democracy, above all. But democracy and freedom are losing ground in the EU today. It is necessary to strive for them and fight for them.

I would like to emphasize, above all, what most citizens of the Czech Republic feel, that for us the EU membership has no alternative. It was me who submitted the EU application in the year 1996 and who signed the Accession treaty in 2003. But the arrangements within the EU have many alternatives. To take one of them as sacrosanct, untouchable, about which it is not possible to doubt or criticize it, is against the very nature of Europe.

As for the Lisbon Treaty, I would like to mention that it is not ratified in Germany either. The Constitutional Treaty, which was basically the same as the Lisbon Treaty, was refused in referendums in other two countries. If Mr. Crowley speaks of an insult to the Irish people, then I must say that the biggest insult to the Irish people is not to accept the result of the Irish referendum. In Ireland I met somebody who represents a majority in his country. You, Mr. Crowley, represent a view which is in minority in Ireland. That is a tangible result of the referendum.

Brian Crowley, MEP: With all respect, Mr. President, you will not tell me what the Irish think. As an Irishman, I know it best.

President Vaclav Klaus: I do not speculate about what the Irish think. I state the only measurable data which were proved by the referendum.

In our country the Lisbon Treaty is not ratified because our parliament has not decided on it yet. It is not the President’s fault. Let’s wait for the decision of both Chambers of the Parliament, that is the current phase of the ratification process in which the President plays no role whatsoever. I cannot sign the Treaty today, it is not on my table, it is up to the parliament to decide about it now. My role will come after the eventual approval of the Treaty in the Parliament…

Hans-Gert Pöttering: … In the conclusion — and I want to leave this room in good terms — I would like to say that it is more than unacceptable, if you compare us, compare us with the Soviet Union. We are all deeply rooted in our countries and our constituencies. We are concerned about freedom and reconciliation in Europe, we are good willing, not naïve.

President Vaclav Klaus: I did not compare you with the Soviet Union, I did not mention the word[s] “Soviet Union”. I only said that I have not experienced such an atmosphere, such style of debate in the past 19 years in the Czech Republic, really.

Ends

On reading this transcript, an e-mail was sent to Brian Crowley, asking him how on earth he feels able to shit on democracy in such a manner. This was his response:

From: Brian Crowley MEP [mailto:briancrowleymep@eircom.net]
Sent: 15 December 2008 14:27
To:
Subject: RE: Daniel Cohn (danny the red MEP)



Dear xxx


Thank you for your e-mail of 15th December last and attachment regarding my recent meeting with President of the Czech Republic, Mr Vaclav Klaus. I have only recently been made aware that an extract of my comments during the meeting with Mr Klaus had been made available in the public domain.


I was not aware at any time that the meeting was being recorded and nor were any of my colleagues from the European parliament. This is the first time that I have encountered a secretly recorded meeting of this nature. Furthermore, some of the words attributed to me are incorrect, since I never mentioned my father once in my presentation. Be that as it may, President Klaus released the highly edited extract of the transcript for his own purposes.


Thank you for taking the time to write to me and I wish you a very happy and peaceful Christmas.


Kind regards


Is mise le meas


Brian



Brian Crowley MEP

President of the UEN Group

Leader of Fianna Fáil in Europe



Maryborough Lodge

Maryborough Hill

Douglas

Cork



Tel (021) 4896 433 Fax (021) 4896 401

Email briancrowleymep@eircom.net

Web www.briancrowleymep.ie

In short, what they say is okay because they didn't know it was being recorded.

Make no mistake: voting for pro EU parties in the UK is the same as voting for these cunts. And they are cunts. Nasty, evil, dangerous people who don't want you to have your say because they know that when the people are asked about the EU, they have this rather irritating little habit of saying NO. Which means people like Pottering, who should be strung up for the part he is playing in eroding our freedoms (he sits with the British Conservatives but they're also pro EU so not so strange bedfellows) have to go through the whole rigmarole of coming up with a reason why they can ignore referendums.

Of course, the reason they can ignore referendums is because people vote for candidates who are pro EU. So really, if you want to blame someone, chances are all you need do is look in the mirror.

The European Elections are in June 2009 and they are proportional representation so anyone who says 'vote xxx and it's a wasted vote' is probably too dumb to function.

Another touch of the vapours

There is a possibility I am even more ill than I thought. A quick chat with The Devil has confirmed that I am. You see, on top of being in love with David Miliband my fantasy now involves David Miliband AND David Mitchell.



I thought my type was emotionally stunted fuckwits who went to boarding school but now I need to include "geek" in that too.

Happy New Year

What more do you fucking want? A medal for making it through without giving up?

Pah.

They'll go out in Trixy's New Years Honours 'you've made it through yours tax return' on January 31st.

Good fucking luck, I'm shit scared of mine.

My heart bleeds.

Via The Devil, this little story about criminals pretending that their unattractive attire is causing them significant distress.

Criminals wearing orange jackets while working in the community have been abused and jeered at by members of the public, according to study by leaders of the probation officers.

Community, church groups and at least one local council are refusing to accept placements involving offenders dressed in jackets bearing the words “Community Payback”.

You know what, mate, those people you screwed over to deserve your sentences are probably slightly more deserving of our sympathy than you. Shut the fuck up and get sweeping.

If I were in charge (and frankly you are suffering from a lot worse) I would hire this chap to be in charge of the prisons:

Arpaio set up a "Tent City" as an extension of the Maricopa County Jail. Many prisons and jails throughout the United States have used, and continue to use, tents to house inmates. Tent City is located in a yard next to a more permanent structure containing toilets, showers, an area for meals, and a day room. It has become notable particularly because of Phoenix's extreme temperatures. Daytime temperatures inside the tents have been reported as high as 150 degrees in the top bunks. During the summer, fans and water are supplied in the tents.

When Arpaio took office, inmates were routinely being released early due to overcrowding. Arpaio believed that "courts, not head count" should determine when an inmate is released, and that no officer should be deterred from making an arrest for fear that the inmate would be released due to jail overcrowding.During the summer of 2003, when outside temperatures exceeded 110 °F (43 °C), which is higher than average, Arpaio said to complaining inmates, "It's 120 degrees in Iraq and the soldiers are living in tents and they didn't commit any crimes, so shut your mouths." Inmates were given permission to wear only their pink underwear.

You're not on holiday, you're being punished. Want tea and hugs and the opportunity to blame someone else? Join the Lib Dems when you get out.

best laugh I've had for ages

Readers may be aware that I don't think too much of Declan Ganley standing in the UK in the European Elections, in short because I think he will be devious and try to steal votes from withdrawalists when he is pro EU.

Oh, how supremely fucking funny...

clash of civilisations?

According to the New York Times, the Great Samuel P Huntington died on Christmas Eve.

In 1993, Professor Huntington provoked great debate among international relations theorists with the interrogatively-titled "The Clash of Civilizations?", an extremely influential, oft-cited article published in Foreign Affairs magazine. Its description of post–Cold War geopolitics contrasted with the influential End of History thesis advocated by Francis Fukuyama.

Huntington expanded "The Clash of Civilizations?" to book length and published it as The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order in 1996. The article and the book posit that post–Cold War conflict would most frequently and violently occur because of cultural rather than ideological differences. That, whilst in the Cold War, conflict likely occurred between the Capitalist West and the Communist Bloc East, it now was most likely to occur between the world's major civilizations — identifying seven, and a possible eighth: (i) Western, (ii) Latin American, (iii) Islamic, (iv) Sinic (Chinese), (v) Hindu, (vi) Orthodox, (vii) Japanese, and (viii) the African. This cultural organization contrasts the contemporary world with the classical notion of sovereign states. To understand current and future conflict, cultural rifts must be understood, and culture — rather than the State — must be accepted as the locus of war. Thus, Western nations will lose predominance if they fail to recognize the irreconcilable nature of cultural tensions.

A few more days and he would have once again seen how true his words were when he wrote that

In Eurasia the great historic fault lines between civilizations are once more aflame. This is particularly true along the boundaries of the crescent-shaped Islamic bloc of nations, from the bulge of Africa to central Asia. Violence also occurs between Muslims, on the one hand, and Orthodox Serbs in the Balkans, Jews in Israel, Hindus in India, Buddhists in Burma and Catholics in the Philippines. Islam has bloody borders

For what have we in the Gaza Strip than another tedious ongoing battle between Islam and Jew. Again. What do we have in Afghanistan than the Muslim Taliban fighting western ideology?

Huntington did say that The West should stop with their continual push of trying to spread liberal democracy as it was none of their business and rushed democracy doesn't work: for a clear example of the latter have a quick look at Russia. Really, you'll only need a wee peek.

I agree that we should stop interfering in every other country which is why I was against the war in Iraq. I am, however, in favour of the war against the Taliban and for ensuring that in North Pakistan there aren't suicide bomber training camps for the simple reason that these people are trying to kill people like me, you, my friends and family.

In general people get the government they deserve and why should we persist with this Bush Doctrine of blowing the fuck out of everyone just because they're not like us? Live and let live; maybe that's what they want.

I shall end with this rather pithy way of summing up these problems we face if we persist with trying to change the world, as said by Jack Mizon, formerly of the Grenadier Guards when fighting in Afghanistan:

“They [the Taliban] believe that when they die they’re going to wake up with 27 virgins,” he said to me one night, after a heavy day of constant fighting. “So how can you fight against someone like that who doesn’t give a shit?”

I do hope that Huntington's ideas don't go with him to his grave, because he talked an awful lot of sense and a few people out there could do well to remind themselves that we're not the world police.

Cold Turkey and left over sprouts

The BritBlog Round-up: Cold Turkey is up over at Jackart's place.

Trixy does BBC

Not in a Debbie Does Dallas kind of way, in a 'let's not report a story in anything like an unbiased manner. But then, I'm not funded to the tune of millions by people who have no fucking choice so, what do I care?

Quite. Not much.

It's not too tricky to work out which side I am on in the whole 'Middle East' debacle. (David Miliband's, of course) and this little piece of news which has managed to reach me even though I am in the middle of nowhere really does rather fuck me off and reinforce my prejudices that Hamas are Nasty Cunts.

Egypt says the Hamas militant group, which controls Gaza, is preventing hundreds of wounded Palestinians from leaving for treatment in Egypt.

Cairo says dozens of empty ambulances are at the Rafah crossing - the only one to Gaza which avoids Israel.

I know there are lots of people out there who think that Israel are always wrong but I, once again, don't blame them. The cease fire is over, Hamas like firing rockets at them: go for it, I say.

I was rather fair and said that I could see why the Palestinians decided not to renew the ceasefire

I am STILL bloody waiting for the EU and government to inform me how much we, the hard up tax payer, fund the terrorists but I guess I'll have to wait until they come back from hols. So sometime around March, then...

crikey

15,000 of them. That's a lot. And you're leaving in a few months time, so we're told.

Blimey.

Much amusement at Hugo Rifkind's article...

Maybe you read this now as the only survivor of your own little festive apocalypse. Under the dining room table, naked except for a party hat, beating off the advances of your snarling, brandy-butter-crazed family dog with the charred remains of grandma's thighbone. “Nooooo!” you will be wailing. “If only I had been appraised of the stark and leafleted warnings of Baroness Morgan of Drefelin, the Minister for Children, in conjunction with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents! Woe! Woe!” Sob, growl, thunk.

Most entertaining: do read the rest...

Posted on Trixy's behalf.

So here it is

Merry Christmas, everyone is now drinking and eating too much.

Have a wonderful yuletide festival winterval whatever the bollocks doesn't offend people too much these days.

Here's a toast to you all and hoping that:

1) You never get made an example of a 'generous rectangle

2) You get pissed and insult someone you hate

3) I get shoes from Santa but don't have to explore Santa's sacks too vigorously.

Pip pip

Trixy

Merry Troughmas!

Note: I am not the lovely Trixy.

All aboard the Christmas gravy train:

The European Union’s institutions in Brussels have been accused of squandering millions of Euro of European taxpayers’ money by paying for their employees’ Christmas travel expenses at a time of economic crisis. Hans-Peter Martin, an independent member of the European Parliament from Austria, wrote to the press denouncing this “shocking privilege.”

“The money would be better spent financing meaningful social projects,” Martin wrote. Last year, the European Commission and the European Council jointly spent just under 47 million Euro (USD 65 million dollars) to pay for the Christmas travel arrangements of their 22,800-odd employees.

Now, 47 million Euro is chump change, let's face it, when compared to horrors like the cost of the CAP. And many people might even say that it's quite fair for an international organisation to fund a trip home for Christmas. All good and well.

But (and you knew there was one, didn't you?) let's just do the sums shall we? 47 million Euros divided by 22,800 employees gives us an average of well over 2000 Euros per person!

Now, given that the EU institutions are, by definition, all in Europe, what the fuck do they need an AVERAGE of 2000 Euros for, to get from one bit of Europe to another bit of Europe? For fuck's sake, you can drive from Belgium to most of the EU in a day. 2000 Euros buys an awful lot of fuel. Accepting that far-flung places like Spain and Portugal or the Eastern bloc might need a flight, that's what, 250 Euros? 500 Euros if you're generous to a fault. And I bet that more people who work for the EU live closer to their work than those that live further away.

What the fuck are they pissing all our money away on?

This via Mr E must have been commissioned by a man.

Few points I'd like to make
1) 17 year olds go only for looks (or men)
2) or perhaps 1 b) looks are subjective
3) Drinking a requirement when dealing with men
4) Cured cancer, have we? No? Then stop wasting time and money with fucking stupid reports and either leave uni or try for a proper degree.

*yes, I am having a slight strop today

strops and sequins

Strictly Come Dancing winner Tom Chambers should not have been allowed to dance in the final, according to fellow competitor Lisa Snowdon. The model and radio presenter was "fuming" after Holby City actor Chambers made it through to the last programme, her father said last night.
She felt he should have been eliminated in the semi-final last week after scoring lowest marks from the judges.

I actually agree everyone should have gone into the final because otherwise the public votes would not have counted at all and that would have not been fair. If it was to be a decision based on the judges and people at home then it had to be that way.

I can understand why Lisa was upset and "fuming" because Tom was actually popular with the public, what with bringing personality to his dancing and not seeming so self satisfied and falsly grateful. She knew she would be the first out in the final with Tom there because the only reason she got that far was because of the judges.

Now, as someone who actually ballroom dances I am well aware of the fact that the best people should stay on. I was rather annoyed after the weeks progressed with John staying on because he ceased to amuse me. But for me, Lisa was not the best because she didn't add that je ne c'est pas to her dancing.

Therefore, when Austin went, I transferred my support to the other dancer who got the point of the competition.

You didn't win but you took part in a competition millions of people would love to have the opportunity to do. Get over it, love.

It's hardly rocket science

Well, well well. Whodathunkit. Increases in child benefits have led to an additional 45,000 children being born in a year. There is a particular boom amongst poor women since Labour made having children a profitable enterprise.

Hands up who is in the slightest bit surprised?

This is a classic example of why we must stop rewarding people for being reproductively irresponsible. I do not want to pay for 16 year olds to have more chavvy children and continue this cycle of 'it's my rights innit' culture.

Analysis of household survets found large numbers of poorly educated women who said they were not using contraception because they wanted to have children.

Either shut your fucking legs or use contraception and get a fucking job until you can afford to have children. Because I see no bloody reason why I should have to pay through the nose for your lifestyle choice.

*I hope Mark Wadsworth doesn't regret appointing me in his cabinet now.

Leaders of Europe?

Have a look at this tv show which has as guests UKIP leader Nigel Farage and Tory MEP for the South East of England.

Across the table from them is a really hideous creature who has crawled out from under his EU rock: Gay Mitchell. He really is one of the dumbest people I've ever heard although he's probably quite bright compared to some other MEPs.

After 30 seconds of speaking you can see that his reason for existing is to stop the British taking over Ireland. That's why there has to be as second referendum: so the Irish (who, as he will tell you, are doing very well as a sovereign nation with 75% of their laws made by the EU), can let the British know that they don't want them back.

I heard an anecdote this week that Mr Mitchell was often to be heard talking about how his father fought the British and for Irish independence for the whole of his life. To which Dan Hannan replied that was odd, because his father was only born in 1934.

Enjoy.

MPs are....

Are MPs just incapable of answering a fucking question?

Bob Spink (Castle Point, UKIP)

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions his Department has had with the European Commission on possible UK membership of the European single currency in the last two years.

Ian Pearson (Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Economic and Business), Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform; Dudley South, Labour)

Treasury Ministers discuss a wide range of issues with their counterparts in other countries, as well as the European Commission. The Government's policy on membership of the single currency in unchanged. It remains as set out by the Chancellor in his statement to the House of Commons in October 1997, and again in the Chancellor's statement on the five tests assessment in June 2003.

That wasn't the question, Mr Pearson.

The President of the European Commission says that he's been discussing with 'the people that matter' (that's the politicians to him because he's a cunting eurocrat) i.e. senior figures in the Labour administration, the prospect of Britain joining the Euro.

Now, I know that the chances of you, by virtue of you being a Labour MP, being able to lie straight in bed are rather low, but even you can realise that that your rather pointless little statement is rather irrelevant.

Speaking of pointless replies which don't answer the question, I must reply to that minion in the dept of health who replied to my polite query on the state of dentistry in this country by quoting the report I quoted at him in the first place back at me.

Twat.

Something the government could do

Trixy is rather grateful she didn't have to go to Wootton Bassett today: not because she doesn't want to pay her respects to those who put their lives on the line to protect ours, but because today, driving through the town, there were six brave men brought back in wooden boxes.

Lieutenant Aaron Lewis from 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery
Lance Corporal Steven Fellows
Sergeant John Manuel
Corporal Marc Birch
Marine Damian Davies of the Commando Logistics Regiment.

No, she was glad she was in London because the tears were flowing freely* when the coffin of one Marine stopped in front of her the other week and it rips her to shreds every time. Six would have been too much. As a friend of mine in the RAF says "it does an upsettingly good job of bringing back the suppressed reality of what we're all up to."

That's a few more widows, fatherless children and parents having to bury their own children.

Which is why the Military Covenant is so important. Earlier this week the MoD announced that the AFCS payments for tariffs 1-4 (that's pretty fucking bad) which were doubled and retrospectively in the Armed Forces Command Paper are going to arrive before Christmas. The next few will arrive in the new year.

But that still leaves an awful lot to do in order for the government to be doing their job of maintaining the Military Covenant: to ensure that those who put their lives on the line, who risk making the ultimate sacrifice and who also give up many civil liberties in doing so are not penalised for doing that.

When you look at the huge wastes of money (I'm actually too tired of linking to the fuck ups we know: £14bn on the EU, £20bn at least on the NHS computer system, the pointless Welsh Assembly and Scottish parliament, regional assemblies, crack groups of social workers roaming the streets trying to make us live according to some Nu Labour guidelines) wouldn't you rather that instead of these, we say to the government to stop with their brain washing programme and, before giving us a nice tax cut, make sure those in the armed forces and their families and ex servicemen and women are properly looked after. Because they are doing a more important, worthy job than any politician.

young men going to fight on the front line have decent accommodation vs Peter Mandelson getting a huge salary, expense account, £2m house and staff.

I know which one I'd prefer and it'd be Mandelfucker living in a cardboard box under a bridge rather than any veteran with untreated Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

But then, I'm not the Secretary of State for Defence.

*And I hope they continue to do so when I see such a sight. So sad, so poignant and so moving.