Wednesday, February 28, 2007
28/02/07 – POLICING
TELETEXT 184 FEB 27 21:45:20
Call for more police cash
The Assembly Government should put up the money for more police community support officers, the Lib Dems say.
The said ministers should demand more money from Home Office and Wales’ four police forces should be refunded the money spent on a failed merger.
The Lib Dems also repeated their call for policing to be devolved to the Assembly.
However, given the farcical nature of policing in Wales, as demonstrated by the following story, why then would any minister want to take control and face the blame when they can just leave the problem at the hands of Westminster puppet masters.
TELETEXT 184 FEB 27 18:44:50
Break in at police station.
Police in Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire, are investigating a break-in at their own station, it has been revealed.
Raiders broke into the station overnight when there was no-one inside the building. It is unknown if anything was stolen in the incident.
Dyfed Powys Police have confirmed there was a break-in, but would only revealed that an inquiry is “ongoing”.
However, kudos to the Liberal Democrats, they seem to be the only one of the British parties that seem to realise that the Assembly should continually seek to advance their control over new areas. They are, seemingly, the only British party to realise that there are differing situations and needs in Wales. And they are, seemingly, the only British party to realise that local control over the police (in this case at national level, aka, the Assembly) is better.
¶ 7:59 PM 1 comments
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Call for more police cash
The Assembly Government should put up the money for more police community support officers, the Lib Dems say.
The said ministers should demand more money from Home Office and Wales’ four police forces should be refunded the money spent on a failed merger.
The Lib Dems also repeated their call for policing to be devolved to the Assembly.
However, given the farcical nature of policing in Wales, as demonstrated by the following story, why then would any minister want to take control and face the blame when they can just leave the problem at the hands of Westminster puppet masters.
TELETEXT 184 FEB 27 18:44:50
Break in at police station.
Police in Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire, are investigating a break-in at their own station, it has been revealed.
Raiders broke into the station overnight when there was no-one inside the building. It is unknown if anything was stolen in the incident.
Dyfed Powys Police have confirmed there was a break-in, but would only revealed that an inquiry is “ongoing”.
However, kudos to the Liberal Democrats, they seem to be the only one of the British parties that seem to realise that the Assembly should continually seek to advance their control over new areas. They are, seemingly, the only British party to realise that there are differing situations and needs in Wales. And they are, seemingly, the only British party to realise that local control over the police (in this case at national level, aka, the Assembly) is better.
28/02/07 – DINAS A’R SIR ABERTAWE
(I hope that is right)
Swansea has had mixed fates in the news, firstly, there shows a dramatic increase in drink related deaths in Swansea, it may be a result of the university, (with all the bars and clubs always seeming to have rock bottom prices on alcohol), and may even be partially due to the relaxation of the drinking laws, although that hasn’t been in affect long enough to have accurate figures about. However, this has got to be stemmed, cracking down on the ‘happy hour’ deals, which seem to be permanent, would be a start.
Secondly, Kudos to Swansea City council who have pulled the plug on a £84million computer project as costs rose and delivery dates slid in favour of a £1million system that does (seemingly) do the same job – I just wonder if the systems are (as they appear to be) the same, and have the same result why did they choose the more expensive?
TELETEXT 184 FEB 26 23:49:10
Drinking death toll increases
Alcohol-related deaths in Swansea are rocketing with two people on average dying every three weeks as a result.
Shock figures from the Office of National Statistics have revealed the true extent pf the rising toll of alcohol abuse.
About 221 people died of drink-related causes between 1998 and 2004. between 1991 and 1997 the figure was 137.
TELETEXT 184 FEB 27 18:35:56
£84m IT System ditched
Swansea council chiefs have ditched plans for an £84m customer service system in favour of a £1m one instead.
Private firm Capgemini had been in line to provide new technology to replace the council’s office IT system.
But as the projected price of the new up-to-date system rose, the council decided to ditch the expensive system and go for a radically cheaper one.
¶ 7:57 PM 0 comments
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Swansea has had mixed fates in the news, firstly, there shows a dramatic increase in drink related deaths in Swansea, it may be a result of the university, (with all the bars and clubs always seeming to have rock bottom prices on alcohol), and may even be partially due to the relaxation of the drinking laws, although that hasn’t been in affect long enough to have accurate figures about. However, this has got to be stemmed, cracking down on the ‘happy hour’ deals, which seem to be permanent, would be a start.
Secondly, Kudos to Swansea City council who have pulled the plug on a £84million computer project as costs rose and delivery dates slid in favour of a £1million system that does (seemingly) do the same job – I just wonder if the systems are (as they appear to be) the same, and have the same result why did they choose the more expensive?
TELETEXT 184 FEB 26 23:49:10
Drinking death toll increases
Alcohol-related deaths in Swansea are rocketing with two people on average dying every three weeks as a result.
Shock figures from the Office of National Statistics have revealed the true extent pf the rising toll of alcohol abuse.
About 221 people died of drink-related causes between 1998 and 2004. between 1991 and 1997 the figure was 137.
TELETEXT 184 FEB 27 18:35:56
£84m IT System ditched
Swansea council chiefs have ditched plans for an £84m customer service system in favour of a £1m one instead.
Private firm Capgemini had been in line to provide new technology to replace the council’s office IT system.
But as the projected price of the new up-to-date system rose, the council decided to ditch the expensive system and go for a radically cheaper one.
28/02/07 – LABOUR FAILING THE NATIONS HEALTH.
Well there have been increasing number of stories, about more failings in the NHS in Wales: here are some of the stories of labour’s mismanagement and ineptitude at helm of the country.
TELETEXT 184 FEB 26 23:59:09
Baby services ‘under-funded’
More money needs to be spent on the care of premature babies at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff it has been claimed.
Assistant children’s commissioner for Wales, Rhian Davies, said there should be more funding for the specialist care.
During a hospital visit, she said services in Wales are under-funded, under-developed, and under-resourced.
BBC INTERACTIVE 15.20 FEB 27
Emergencies ‘overwhelm’ hospital
Patients waited more than two hours on to be admitted to the Royal Glamorgan Hospital as emergencies “overwhelmed” the hospital over the last three days.
Up to seven ambulances queued outside the LLantrisant hospital on Monday.
Less than two weeks ago the Welsh Ambulance Service declared a state of “special emergency” after record demand in Cardiff and the Vale mid February.
People were urged to dial 999 only in life threatening cases after calls reached “unprecedented levels”.
BBC INTERACTIVE 15.20 FEB 27
Eye drug private costs ‘immoral’
Elderly patients are paying up to £2,000 a month for sight-saving injections as the NHS awaits guidance on new drugs, BBC Wales has found.
Some sufferers have already paid thousands for private treatment for a condition which can lead to blindness.
This is even though Wales’ local health boards have been told they can pay for the treatment now.
Plaid Cymru AM Rhodri Glyn Thomas, chair of the Assembly health committee, said they situation was “immoral”.
BBC INTERACTIVE 15.20 FEB 27
Hospice warning of service cuts.
Hospices have warned they may have to turn away terminally ill patients in Wales because of a funding crisis.
The hospice of the Valleys in Tredegar, Blaenau Gwent, which provides palliative care said it would have to cut services unless it was “properly funded”.
Hope Hospice serving north and mid Wales also said it faced a shortfall.
But health Minister, Dr Brian Gibbons, has promised to provide, £2m, core funding annually for the 12 charitable hospices in Wales.
Ok, granted the last one isn’t strictly the fault of the NHS because they neglect that sector of care so much that charities have to stand-in and take up the slack. And in order to attain a veneer of impartiality in my opinions on Labour, I’ll enclose the following story.
TELETEXT 184 FEB 27 18:44:50
More A&E consultants pledged
The Assembly Government is putting more A&E consultants into hospitals, First Minister Rhodri Morgan said.
Mr Morgan had been asked about reports of patients waiting hours to get into the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in LLantrisant, South Wales.
Mr Morgan told AMs: “The Key thing about A&E is you need more A&E consultants. We are providing more.”
¶ 7:52 PM 0 comments
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TELETEXT 184 FEB 26 23:59:09
Baby services ‘under-funded’
More money needs to be spent on the care of premature babies at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff it has been claimed.
Assistant children’s commissioner for Wales, Rhian Davies, said there should be more funding for the specialist care.
During a hospital visit, she said services in Wales are under-funded, under-developed, and under-resourced.
BBC INTERACTIVE 15.20 FEB 27
Emergencies ‘overwhelm’ hospital
Patients waited more than two hours on to be admitted to the Royal Glamorgan Hospital as emergencies “overwhelmed” the hospital over the last three days.
Up to seven ambulances queued outside the LLantrisant hospital on Monday.
Less than two weeks ago the Welsh Ambulance Service declared a state of “special emergency” after record demand in Cardiff and the Vale mid February.
People were urged to dial 999 only in life threatening cases after calls reached “unprecedented levels”.
BBC INTERACTIVE 15.20 FEB 27
Eye drug private costs ‘immoral’
Elderly patients are paying up to £2,000 a month for sight-saving injections as the NHS awaits guidance on new drugs, BBC Wales has found.
Some sufferers have already paid thousands for private treatment for a condition which can lead to blindness.
This is even though Wales’ local health boards have been told they can pay for the treatment now.
Plaid Cymru AM Rhodri Glyn Thomas, chair of the Assembly health committee, said they situation was “immoral”.
BBC INTERACTIVE 15.20 FEB 27
Hospice warning of service cuts.
Hospices have warned they may have to turn away terminally ill patients in Wales because of a funding crisis.
The hospice of the Valleys in Tredegar, Blaenau Gwent, which provides palliative care said it would have to cut services unless it was “properly funded”.
Hope Hospice serving north and mid Wales also said it faced a shortfall.
But health Minister, Dr Brian Gibbons, has promised to provide, £2m, core funding annually for the 12 charitable hospices in Wales.
Ok, granted the last one isn’t strictly the fault of the NHS because they neglect that sector of care so much that charities have to stand-in and take up the slack. And in order to attain a veneer of impartiality in my opinions on Labour, I’ll enclose the following story.
TELETEXT 184 FEB 27 18:44:50
More A&E consultants pledged
The Assembly Government is putting more A&E consultants into hospitals, First Minister Rhodri Morgan said.
Mr Morgan had been asked about reports of patients waiting hours to get into the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in LLantrisant, South Wales.
Mr Morgan told AMs: “The Key thing about A&E is you need more A&E consultants. We are providing more.”
Friday, February 23, 2007
23/02 – DELIBERATLY MISLEADING WELSH VOTERS?
TELETEXT 184 FEB 22 23:55:39
Plaid Cymru has said that it is considering legal action after Labour claimed Plaid would join a Tory-led coalition after May’s Assembly election.
The Welsh nationalists said such statements – a key part of Labour’s election strategy, are untrue and are against electoral law.
Labour is “deliberately misleading the Welsh voters,” Plaid said.
CEEFAX 2 115 FRI 23 FEB 12:16/29
Blair warns Wales over Tory rule
Tony Blair has warned against the Tories seizing power in a “rag bag coalition” in Wales, at the opening of Labour’s Welsh conference in Llandudno.
Mr Blair said Wales had been “stronger, fairer and better” under Labour.
In his final speech to the Welsh party as Prime Minister, he said the only other choice in May’s assembly election was a Tory-led coalition. …
Well, from a politics enthusiast’s point of view it is getting very exciting and intriguing to boot. Labour (as you’ve just read) are saying that Plaid would join a Conservative led coalition I assume that would encompass the Liberal Democrats, in a grand coalition (well not quite grand coalition – because that would imply all political parties) anyway this assertion relies on some key presumptions:
a) That the Conservative party will be the largest party after the election, granted the conservatives made the most progress at the last assembly election, with Plaid loosing some seats if I recall. However, I still feel that Plaid would be the main party of opposition (I can’t foresee that Labour will not retain the status of the largest party).
b) Secondly, it assumes that there has been a close relationship between the two parties, however, the recent budget wrangling indicates that Plaid and the Conservative party are not close enough to realistically consider that they will form a coalition government.
c) Thirdly, the Labour accusations are very precise, the said Plaid will join a Tory led coalition, however, if I am correct in point a) then the conservatives would be joining a Plaid led coalition.
In my opinion there is only really one plausible possibility for coalition and that is between Plaid and Liberal Democrats, lets face it has long been policy of the Liberal Democrats to have a Welsh Parliament with powers equivalent to that wielded by Scotland’s, this would be a the intuitive next step of Plaids aim of self-determination within Europe (or independence – have they listed that as an aim, still dumbfounds me that there is a nationalist party that won’t say independence), and the removal of tuition fees for Welsh students in Wales. So ideologically they – for a short while – share aims, and other factors like the practical management of the Assembly’s duties they are so entwined with real politick, policies that compromise might be realised.
So if Plaid did challenge Labour, what will be the result?
Well, I’m not well versed in Electoral law, I can tell you the names of some of the acts, and their general purposes, but none in enough details to comment in a competent legal capacity. However, I believe that the recent budget disharmony between Plaid and the Conservatives will be enough to rubbish Labour’s claim.
However, court action is costly, and as Plaid is sitting on the largest election campaign pot it has (possibly) ever had, thanks to the bequest that it received late last year, it could just be a tactic by labour to tie-up Plaids money fighting this law case, leaving Labour free employ money that it readily has as a British national party.
Finally, has anyone noticed that Labour’s recent electioneering has been to demonise the opposition? In 2005 general election, the mantra was, “a vote for the liberal democrats will let the conservatives in through the back door”, and now: “a vote for Plaid will let the conservatives in through the front door in a coalition” if Labour have been so good to Wales, then why does it feel the need to consistently and continually deride the opposing parties. The fact is that a Cardiff University report illustrates that the Welsh Labour Government is mishandling the European Objective One Fund, where the health minister is incompetent enough to vote for an inquiry that he vehemently and impassionedly opposed, where the Welsh NHS is falling behind that of England, and a government that seems hell bent on centralising all hospital facilities in Cardiff, (i.e. taking the neurosurgery from Morrison Hospital in Swansea).
Labour know that they have a reputation and a record in Wales that will make them (rightfully) unelectable therefore they have resigned to fight this election based on scaremongering, and idle doom day scenarios that will never come to fruition.
Finally, as the Ceefax article shows Tony Blair was espousing the latest mantra, it would be a fitting précis of his legacy if he was found to be breaking electoral law.
¶ 7:33 PM 0 comments
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Plaid Cymru has said that it is considering legal action after Labour claimed Plaid would join a Tory-led coalition after May’s Assembly election.
The Welsh nationalists said such statements – a key part of Labour’s election strategy, are untrue and are against electoral law.
Labour is “deliberately misleading the Welsh voters,” Plaid said.
CEEFAX 2 115 FRI 23 FEB 12:16/29
Blair warns Wales over Tory rule
Tony Blair has warned against the Tories seizing power in a “rag bag coalition” in Wales, at the opening of Labour’s Welsh conference in Llandudno.
Mr Blair said Wales had been “stronger, fairer and better” under Labour.
In his final speech to the Welsh party as Prime Minister, he said the only other choice in May’s assembly election was a Tory-led coalition. …
Well, from a politics enthusiast’s point of view it is getting very exciting and intriguing to boot. Labour (as you’ve just read) are saying that Plaid would join a Conservative led coalition I assume that would encompass the Liberal Democrats, in a grand coalition (well not quite grand coalition – because that would imply all political parties) anyway this assertion relies on some key presumptions:
a) That the Conservative party will be the largest party after the election, granted the conservatives made the most progress at the last assembly election, with Plaid loosing some seats if I recall. However, I still feel that Plaid would be the main party of opposition (I can’t foresee that Labour will not retain the status of the largest party).
b) Secondly, it assumes that there has been a close relationship between the two parties, however, the recent budget wrangling indicates that Plaid and the Conservative party are not close enough to realistically consider that they will form a coalition government.
c) Thirdly, the Labour accusations are very precise, the said Plaid will join a Tory led coalition, however, if I am correct in point a) then the conservatives would be joining a Plaid led coalition.
In my opinion there is only really one plausible possibility for coalition and that is between Plaid and Liberal Democrats, lets face it has long been policy of the Liberal Democrats to have a Welsh Parliament with powers equivalent to that wielded by Scotland’s, this would be a the intuitive next step of Plaids aim of self-determination within Europe (or independence – have they listed that as an aim, still dumbfounds me that there is a nationalist party that won’t say independence), and the removal of tuition fees for Welsh students in Wales. So ideologically they – for a short while – share aims, and other factors like the practical management of the Assembly’s duties they are so entwined with real politick, policies that compromise might be realised.
So if Plaid did challenge Labour, what will be the result?
Well, I’m not well versed in Electoral law, I can tell you the names of some of the acts, and their general purposes, but none in enough details to comment in a competent legal capacity. However, I believe that the recent budget disharmony between Plaid and the Conservatives will be enough to rubbish Labour’s claim.
However, court action is costly, and as Plaid is sitting on the largest election campaign pot it has (possibly) ever had, thanks to the bequest that it received late last year, it could just be a tactic by labour to tie-up Plaids money fighting this law case, leaving Labour free employ money that it readily has as a British national party.
Finally, has anyone noticed that Labour’s recent electioneering has been to demonise the opposition? In 2005 general election, the mantra was, “a vote for the liberal democrats will let the conservatives in through the back door”, and now: “a vote for Plaid will let the conservatives in through the front door in a coalition” if Labour have been so good to Wales, then why does it feel the need to consistently and continually deride the opposing parties. The fact is that a Cardiff University report illustrates that the Welsh Labour Government is mishandling the European Objective One Fund, where the health minister is incompetent enough to vote for an inquiry that he vehemently and impassionedly opposed, where the Welsh NHS is falling behind that of England, and a government that seems hell bent on centralising all hospital facilities in Cardiff, (i.e. taking the neurosurgery from Morrison Hospital in Swansea).
Labour know that they have a reputation and a record in Wales that will make them (rightfully) unelectable therefore they have resigned to fight this election based on scaremongering, and idle doom day scenarios that will never come to fruition.
Finally, as the Ceefax article shows Tony Blair was espousing the latest mantra, it would be a fitting précis of his legacy if he was found to be breaking electoral law.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
20/02 – MONEY FOR NOTHING
TELETEXT 312 FEB 20 19:34:41
Prescott Budget Increased
The budget for John Prescott’s department has been boosted by 30%, new government figures have revealed.
The Deputy PM’s office will receive an extra £587,000 to help him carry out “ministerial responsibilities” despite his loss of many powers last May.
Tory Spokesman Oliver Heald attacked the increase as “scandalous” but PM Tony Blair’s spokesman said it is “a technical accounting mechanism”.
Technical accounting mechanism is what exactly?
Regardless of what a technical accounting mechanism is, an office which has had the majority, if not all, of its responsibilities removed from it is now having an increase in funding – If only these jobs existed in the real world!
I was watching channel, 4, news earlier today and here are some of the costs they quoted:
£600 – for a new plaque on the door,
£700 – for new business cards,
Which leads me to ask why do you need a new plaque, surely it should just read “office of the deputy prime minister” or “deputy prime minister” what would necessitate changing the door plaque?
Channel 4, news also said (incidentally, I don’t normally watch channel 4 news because it always seems so apocalyptic) that the addition money was to cover the grace and favour accommodation, ironic since John Prescott has fallen from grace and is currently out of favour.
It astounds me that in Whitehall there is not a department which is responsible for administering and maintaining all governmental buildings and estates such as the palace of Westminster, Checkers (or however it’s spelt) and all other grace and favour apartments – only seems logical all other companies / institutions have estate departments.
Another very interesting point that Channel 4 made was that No. 10 justifies (or one of the reasons why No. 10 justifies) John Prescott and his department’s funding is that Prescott chairs 9 ministerial committees. However, channel 4 reported that whenever they use the freedom of information act to establish the frequency of the meetings their request is blocked – so Downing Street refuses to say how cost effective Prescott is – not very transparent government is it.
¶ 10:01 PM 0 comments
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Prescott Budget Increased
The budget for John Prescott’s department has been boosted by 30%, new government figures have revealed.
The Deputy PM’s office will receive an extra £587,000 to help him carry out “ministerial responsibilities” despite his loss of many powers last May.
Tory Spokesman Oliver Heald attacked the increase as “scandalous” but PM Tony Blair’s spokesman said it is “a technical accounting mechanism”.
Technical accounting mechanism is what exactly?
Regardless of what a technical accounting mechanism is, an office which has had the majority, if not all, of its responsibilities removed from it is now having an increase in funding – If only these jobs existed in the real world!
I was watching channel, 4, news earlier today and here are some of the costs they quoted:
£600 – for a new plaque on the door,
£700 – for new business cards,
Which leads me to ask why do you need a new plaque, surely it should just read “office of the deputy prime minister” or “deputy prime minister” what would necessitate changing the door plaque?
Channel 4, news also said (incidentally, I don’t normally watch channel 4 news because it always seems so apocalyptic) that the addition money was to cover the grace and favour accommodation, ironic since John Prescott has fallen from grace and is currently out of favour.
It astounds me that in Whitehall there is not a department which is responsible for administering and maintaining all governmental buildings and estates such as the palace of Westminster, Checkers (or however it’s spelt) and all other grace and favour apartments – only seems logical all other companies / institutions have estate departments.
Another very interesting point that Channel 4 made was that No. 10 justifies (or one of the reasons why No. 10 justifies) John Prescott and his department’s funding is that Prescott chairs 9 ministerial committees. However, channel 4 reported that whenever they use the freedom of information act to establish the frequency of the meetings their request is blocked – so Downing Street refuses to say how cost effective Prescott is – not very transparent government is it.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
15/02 - DISBELIEF, MR MORGAN
Why when the public are concerned about the future of the their homes and the environment as a whole, the leader of our government is more excited by the prospect of a suntan without the hassle of the airport. He would be better served trying to combat the emissions that are produced within his dominion.
But at the end of all this, it’s just another indication of out of touch politician, who is becoming increasingly senseless in his statements and speeches, and dubious in his competence to represent his constituents’ and the feeling in the country as a whole.
Sources:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/6359559.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/6305013.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/6356073.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_west/6264931.stm
http://www.benfieldhrc.org/climate_change/sea_level_rise/UK84m.rise.jpg
¶ 12:27 AM 0 comments
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If there ever was example of why people are loosing faith in politicians, why political apathy is on the increase and voter numbers are decreasing. It could be summed up in the comments of Rhodri Morgan today, when he said that it would be a benefit to Wales if we developed a Mediterranean climate. Ignoring the fact that as the National Trust stated yesterday that the Welsh coastline is experiencing a dramatic increase in the level of coastal erosion, destroying major tourist attractions like the Gower. Ignoring the fact that if the world warms up, and the sea levels rise, Cardiff; Swansea; Newport; Wrexham and the vast majority of coastal towns and villages will be underwater, displacing the majority of the population and forcing impromptu refugee camps and emergency housing to spring up throughout the highland areas of Wales - just what tourists want to see! (You can see what areas are affected by the maps included below – although it would be helpful if Birmingham wasn’t written across Wales.)
Why when the public are concerned about the future of the their homes and the environment as a whole, the leader of our government is more excited by the prospect of a suntan without the hassle of the airport. He would be better served trying to combat the emissions that are produced within his dominion.But at the end of all this, it’s just another indication of out of touch politician, who is becoming increasingly senseless in his statements and speeches, and dubious in his competence to represent his constituents’ and the feeling in the country as a whole.
Sources:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/6359559.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/6305013.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/6356073.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_west/6264931.stm
http://www.benfieldhrc.org/climate_change/sea_level_rise/UK84m.rise.jpg
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
14/02 – BRITAIN ‘COLLUDED WITH CIA’
Teletext 313 FEB 14 21:09:06
‘NEWS’
Britain ‘colluded with CIA’
The European Parliament has approved a report accusing Britain, Germany, Italy and other EU nations of turning a blind eye to CIA rendition flights.
The report gives no direct proof the CIA ran secret prisons in Europe, but accuses some governments of complicity.
The report claims that since September 11, 2001, more than 1000 covert flights have taken alleged terrorists all over the world for interrogation.
What does this indicate? The fact that 11th September 2001 was a fulcrum in international relations in this century. It implies that European countries are willing – as demonstrated by other factors, i.e., information sent with plane passengers, in addition to the FBI being permitted to scan and keep on their criminal databases the fingerprints of British tourists (The Observer, Sunday 7th January 2007) etc… that countries are petrified of opposing the USA. Bush was clever when he said 9/11 was not an attack on America but it was an attack on the ‘West’, if it was an attach on the west – why didn’t this heavily synchronised attack happen in more that one country, why did it attack (and we assume try to attack) institutions of the American government and military, i.e., The Pentagon, and prospective attacks on the Congress or Whitehouse – this misnomer of the attack on the west has paralysed all opposition to overt and aggressive military action, or perversions on the beliefs, liberties and rights that countries in the west typically attach to life and justice.
¶ 11:27 PM 0 comments
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‘NEWS’
Britain ‘colluded with CIA’
The European Parliament has approved a report accusing Britain, Germany, Italy and other EU nations of turning a blind eye to CIA rendition flights.
The report gives no direct proof the CIA ran secret prisons in Europe, but accuses some governments of complicity.
The report claims that since September 11, 2001, more than 1000 covert flights have taken alleged terrorists all over the world for interrogation.
What does this indicate? The fact that 11th September 2001 was a fulcrum in international relations in this century. It implies that European countries are willing – as demonstrated by other factors, i.e., information sent with plane passengers, in addition to the FBI being permitted to scan and keep on their criminal databases the fingerprints of British tourists (The Observer, Sunday 7th January 2007) etc… that countries are petrified of opposing the USA. Bush was clever when he said 9/11 was not an attack on America but it was an attack on the ‘West’, if it was an attach on the west – why didn’t this heavily synchronised attack happen in more that one country, why did it attack (and we assume try to attack) institutions of the American government and military, i.e., The Pentagon, and prospective attacks on the Congress or Whitehouse – this misnomer of the attack on the west has paralysed all opposition to overt and aggressive military action, or perversions on the beliefs, liberties and rights that countries in the west typically attach to life and justice.
14/02 – BOOK CLUB
Paperback: 175 pages
Publisher: Y Lolfa (14 Feb 2007)
Language English
ISBN-10: 0862436117
ISBN-13: 978-0862436117
The details (immediately above) and the picture are taken from Amazon.co.uk
¶ 8:01 PM 1 comments links to this post
In my fantastically romantic evening (spot the deliberate mistake) I’ve come across this newly released book which picks up on the theme of my previous thread. Although the sub-title indicates that it doesn’t consider Welsh attitudes to the English, so it is yet to be seen how balanced the argument is, and the publisher (Y Lolfa) doesn’t do much to reduce this apprehension. Nevertheless, here are the details: it might be an insightful read.
Paperback: 175 pagesPublisher: Y Lolfa (14 Feb 2007)
Language English
ISBN-10: 0862436117
ISBN-13: 978-0862436117
The details (immediately above) and the picture are taken from Amazon.co.uk
¶ 8:01 PM 1 comments links to this post
Saturday, February 10, 2007
10/02 – ENGLISH RUGBY SUPPORTERS
I went to what was generously described as a ‘mini reunion’ of old school friends today during the six nations’ rugby tournament.
I was trying to avoid the television as much as possible as had set the video for the game (incidentally my efforts to avoid the scores was thwarted by me leaving radio Wales on the car radio). However, I was stunned by the amount of English supporters (this being Chepstow, Monmouthshire, Wales) this isn’t in itself unusual or untoward, however, what I found truly stunning was those who were wearing English rugby tops were more vocal in their support for Scotland during the second game of the day than during the first game, i.e. the England game.
WHY, WHAT’S THE POINT?
I always consider myself to be a pretty reasonable chap, and a positive rugby supporter. i. e. I only cheer the teams I support, applaud excellent rugby by who ever played it. But why, in a dire game, would you cheer for someone just for the annoyance or spite of others? And why would you be more vocal about supporting the team playing, in this case Wales, when you weren’t that vocal supporting your team, in the case England.
Before I have some English nationalists on here saying it’s a two way street, I’m not suggesting it isn’t but which ever way you travel down the street, it just doesn’t make sense to me.
¶ 9:51 PM 1 comments
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I was trying to avoid the television as much as possible as had set the video for the game (incidentally my efforts to avoid the scores was thwarted by me leaving radio Wales on the car radio). However, I was stunned by the amount of English supporters (this being Chepstow, Monmouthshire, Wales) this isn’t in itself unusual or untoward, however, what I found truly stunning was those who were wearing English rugby tops were more vocal in their support for Scotland during the second game of the day than during the first game, i.e. the England game.
WHY, WHAT’S THE POINT?
I always consider myself to be a pretty reasonable chap, and a positive rugby supporter. i. e. I only cheer the teams I support, applaud excellent rugby by who ever played it. But why, in a dire game, would you cheer for someone just for the annoyance or spite of others? And why would you be more vocal about supporting the team playing, in this case Wales, when you weren’t that vocal supporting your team, in the case England.
Before I have some English nationalists on here saying it’s a two way street, I’m not suggesting it isn’t but which ever way you travel down the street, it just doesn’t make sense to me.
Friday, February 09, 2007
09/02 - MORE SNOW
Like a kid in a candy shop.
Like a kid in a candy shop. Thanks Rhys, for the information about dictionaries, I've had a quick look on Amazon, but I can't find any that are appropriate. Oh incidentially, the question arises from Christmas, and my lovelly Christmas cake, on which I iced "Nadolig LLawen".
¶ 8:33 PM 0 comments
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09/02 – WELSH LANGUAGE QUESTION
I’ve noticed that in the Welsh language when you write Nadolig Llawen (for instance) you normally only capitalise the first L in LL. However, since in the Welsh language LL is a letter in its own right, why then do you only capitalise the first part of the letter rather than the whole letter, i.e. Nadolig LLawen?
Is this just because of the computer function that it capitalises the first letter, as it is in English?
Incidentally, I’m looking for a decent Welsh-English dictionary, (roughly £20), any suggestions? ¶ 12:32 AM 1 comments links to this post
Is this just because of the computer function that it capitalises the first letter, as it is in English?
Incidentally, I’m looking for a decent Welsh-English dictionary, (roughly £20), any suggestions? ¶ 12:32 AM 1 comments links to this post
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