England here we go!

I like the fact that people in England are driving around in cars and vans sporting England flags. World Cup fever has hit hard and people are out to enjoy themselves. And why not? The flag of England is a simple one but it represents the Cross of St George, a red cross on a white background. It stands out in a crowd, partly because of the brightness of the design. Nothing dull about it! However, there are people who themselves are dull, mainly local authorities where cream-crackered cretins can impose their crazy notions on others. Why they think supporting your country in a football tournament is anything other than normal defeats me.

Taxi drivers in Cheltenham have been banned from displaying flags! And some dippy headmistress told her pupils not to show any flag in the school, until she back-tracked saying "It upsets the kids. That's why we have changed it". Chris Keates, general secretary of teachers' union NASUWT, had to add his ten cents worth of dubious comment to the head's woes. He said, "It is, however, essential that we do not surrender to those with a racist and fascist agenda or stifle national pride in the achievements of a multicultural England football team which is representing a multicultural nation." I doubt if the team members are thinking of this balderdash! They all appear well adjusted Englishmen at ease with their sporting abilities and team comaraderie!

So, as England gears up for the World Cup, it seems a plethora of World Cup songs are out there for us to go for! Usually, it is just the official song - not this time! I've clocked twelve already.

They are, with links:-

1. World At Your Feet – Embrace (Official Song) http://www.embrace.co.uk/
2. (Is This The Way To) The World Cup - Tony Christie http://www.isthistheway.co.uk
3. Hurry Up England - Sham 69 And The Special Assembly www.virginradio.co.uk *
4. England are Jolly Dee – The Hamiltons https://www.audioville.co.uk/
5. We Are the Champions (Ding A Ding Dong) - Crazy Frog www.crazyfrogfootball.net
6. Chant Like and English Fan - The Laddz http://www.theladdz.com/ http://www.myspace.com/theladdz
7. Hi Ho Come on England - John Leyton http://www.johnleytonofficial.com/
8. Sing it for England - Young Stanley http://www.myspace.com/youngstanley http://www.singitforengland.co.uk/
9. Who Do You Think You Are Kidding Jurgen Klinsmann? - Tone Def All Stars http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2006180246,00.html
10. World In Motion - New Order www.neworderonline.com/Music/Song.aspx?SongID=69
11. We are England - Ricky www.weareengland.co.uk
12. England My England - Dead Poets Society www.myenglandsong.com

* www.virginradio.co.uk/djsshows/shows/breakfast/features/world_cup_song/video.html

This year there's practically a song for every player! It is quite apparent that people are going to enjoy themselves hugely and this is only a part of it! So, come on England, let's have fun!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/3732249.stm

Read More

Aroma Therapy!

Going through the Sunday papers on a Thursday evening, I chanced upon a column in one of the magazines inserted into the Mail on Sunday. Carol Caplin's got a column! Nice work if you can get it! Remember her? She was the guru who gave Cherie Blair insights into the universe. It is alleged that Tony joined in to witness the sessions of therapeutic wonders.

In her column she answers three souls who have problems. The first line of each answer could have been something she might have said in Tony's presence.

Answer 1. "This appears to be what is called trauma-induced anticipatory anxiety, which I am confident can be treated by a new type of therapy" - Could this be Tony's fear of Dave Cameron's Home Office inquisition?

Answer 2. "Do you live in a fantasy land?" - Possibly a reference to hands-on governing or hands-off governing? Both are touchy subjects for New Labour!

Answer 3. "It's not only about her ruining you both financially - you are being a total wimp and seem to have been from the start of this relationship." - Oh dear! Too many book signings and lecture tours, no doubt!

Carol then obligingly offers information about Hopi Indian ear candles and where to get them. Perhaps they might be good for ailments such as Ministerial Deafness and Tony's Auricular Syndrome. The country is crying out for a real herbal remedy!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/breakfast/2778797.stm

Read More

Social Service? More like Social Menace!

I have just witnessed on television tonight, the Real Story, a pitiful tale of the all-powerful nature of the British state when its underlings are in the "we-know-best" frame of mind and who find saying sorry the hardest thing. Tonight it was the case of the Hardingham family, who had their three children removed and subsequently adopted after a court hearing. Most of the extended family suffer from brittle bone disease, but the zealots from Norfolk Social Services were unimpressed. They got the view of two "experts" who said that it was "categorically" not the case that the child in question, who had his bone broken, was a sufferer of the disease. So on the say-so of these medical pointyheads, the family court had the three children adopted.

The case shows how much we need to be on our guard against the state case-worker who cannot see past the end of the nose that's looking at a file! So the Hardingham's are expecting another baby. As Mrs. Hardingham said "We do not know if we will get a knock on the door!"

Medical science did not stop in 1984 but to witness the handiwork of some experts used by the state one would very much think so. Abuse of a child is very much a criminal matter, and needs most certainly to be investigated but the over-zealous nature of gimlet-eyed pursed-lipped penpushers is also a matter of great concern in a democratic society.

One relative in the Hardingham family, whose young child experienced the very same fracture, carries around a letter stating that this disease is present. How frightening it must be to feel that an illness, which seems to have passed into social service oblivion, could possibly be the reason for wrongful imprisonment or forced removal of your children. When these children are old enough they could seek out their natural parents, who will be overjoyed no doubt but Social services will need to do some explaining!

I would think a lot of people in Norfolk are wondering what their tax money is going towards.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/real_story/4757959.stm
http://www.brittlebone.org/index.htm

Read More

Conservative Blogger

This is a good blog that has come to my attention! Comes from a young chap, James R Skinner, putting forward the Conservative cause - Cameron's that is!

http://jamesrskinner.blogspot.com

Somehow Andy Cameron and Ally's Tartan Army came to mind and I meandered into thinking of Davey Cameron and the Tories' Blue/Green Army!

Sorry James!!

Read More

Guantanamo Poll

I thought I would close this poll as we'd got to 57 replies. A kind of Heinz variety! The answers show a decisive number in favour of the place stating put, which is what I figure will probably happen until Bush leaves office. This was the way the 57 were recorded -


It carries on as normal - we've got a war to fight! = 25 (43.9%)
I don't really care! = 16 (28.1%)
Prisoners get let out and the US Government/Bush go before a War Crimes trial in the Hague = 6 (10.5%)
The UN goes in to see what's been happening? = 6 (10.5%)
Be closed down immediately - no questions asked? = 4 (7%)

I've started a new poll which may be more for a UK audience, but knowing that Blair is a "guest" on The Daily Show With Jon Stewart, it could have a wider audience!

Read More

On being a Bishop

The New Testament states that a bishop should be "blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach". Also, "This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work" and "Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil".

Just recently the Episcopal diocese of California (centered on San Francisco but not covering the whole of California!) had an election for a new bishop. Seven candidates were selected to be put forward for a vote. This election would not have been that surprising except for the mix of candidates. At least two were openly gay (that is living with "partners") and the others all seemed to be signed up for the "pick 'n mix variety" of Christian belief. If you read their personal statements all appear very nice people. However, they are keen to emphasise diversity as if this is the keystone of the Faith. Statements like "of opinion and expression that flows from a transforming, confident faith" basically imply all is accepted as opposed to all are accepted!

The Cathedral of the diocese (Grace Cathedral) has a statement - The Episcopal Church is not a "preachy" Church, and although it does maintain those rituals common to the Christian Church since its inception, it is not a "you must follow the rules or else" type of Church." I would like to think that is so, but it does now appear within the higher echelons of the Episcopal Church that "you must follow our rules or else" applies. What of those who do not recognise the validity of two of the candidates on the grounds of not believing in the sacramental nature of women's ordination. Or those that do not recognise the validity of gay partnership as a truth because it conflicts with traditional teaching on celibacy and matrimony?

Modern day thinking in the Episcopal Church is that a bishop is "of good report within" and can be "the wife of one husband, or the partner of one man/woman"! This is the new advocacy. Some Episcopalians have thrown their toys out of the pram and left the church to enter continuing Anglicanism, others have stayed trying to keep nanny from swapping the traditional toys with new fangled gismos! Personally, I hope to be an Anglican for some time yet, but the comprehensiveness is moving ever more towards exclusiveness, and one based on a belief that only a liberal do-as-you-think-best approach is correct!

http://www.bishopsearch.org/nominees.html#andrus
http://www.gracecathedral.org/church/episcopalchurch_faq.shtml

Read More

Rearranging the Deckchairs on the Titanic?

So Blair gets a drubbing at the election. Instead of reflecting on the "local" voting decisions, he spirits himself away in his bunker to reshuffle the cabinet. What on earth for? Nobody has heard a dickie-bird from him about the election. Too shattered, I suppose.

Now Charles Clarke, who was apparently so much wanted that the Prime Minister stated as much in the Commons on Wednesday, is summarily sacked the following night. Whilst it was Clarke who presided over the cock-ups, it's his spivvy boss who's the real culprit. On Wednesay he pats Charles Clarke on the back, then stuffs him a day later. Clarke is right to feel more than just miffed! If I were him I'd use the Commons as the place to tell Blair what's what.

And Jack Straw gets demoted (too much in the Brown camp?), Geoff Hoon is demoted, and the trouserless Prescott gets to do sod all but keeps his government house, his car, his salary, and his perks. What exactly is Blair thinking of? Will all this make a diference?

Those in the Labour Party who sussed this chancer are unfortunately in early graves. Mo Mowlam recognised his duplicity, Robin Cook had him down as if a schoolboy let loose in the headmaster's study, and Donald Dewar was always uncertain of him. The Labour Party has never really fitted well with Blair's "policies". His only worth was making the party electable. In that he cannot be denied his value. But a chancer he will always be.

He is a person who gets more kicks out of being a rebel who isn't totally accepted. Joining the Labour Party was rebellious, so was joining CND, and being anti-EU was just as rebellious!! (Read his 1983 election address for Sedgefield (link below) - before money and power corrupted!) He's been a rebel at school, as an early pop idol wannabee, and with so many other things.

Rearranging his cabinet won't do any good. The press, TV, and whole country have him down as someone who's time in office is over. This sad pantomime will continue for yet awhile, I fear, but he will only get more trouble if he stays.

And when he does go the Labour Party should get a choice of leader, not a shoe-in for Gordon Brown. Democracy not autocracy!

http://www.sovereignty.org.uk/features/eucon/tbouteu.html

Read More

A Policeman's Lot Is...Clearing Up The Mess!!

What a carry on! Clarke can't count, can't ask proper questions, and can't read what's put in front of him. As the tally of foreign criminals committing new offences goes on, he stands firm in his belief that only an incompetent is fit to rectify his mistakes. If everyone else was given so much leeway where would that put employment figures? "Sorry no jobs going. All filled by people trying to rectify their mistakes! Wait till the firm collapses. You might get lucky with the administrators!"

So Jo Public has to live with the thought that if he gets thumped in the night, or, heaven help us, murdered then we can expect no real forensic study in solving the situation and preventing a further catastrophe. Has Charles Clarke given the wretched police officers searching for the 38 "missing" foreigners anything other that a piece of blank paper?

If he doesn't know where they are, how certain is he that Osama Bin Laden is not residing in South Kensington, or anywhere else. Perhaps he's in Norwich posing as an Old Labour voter! Charles Clarke can't definitely say he's not here. Bin Laden is after all a "missing foreigner" so where is he?

Useless - the lot of them. Anyone reading this from outside the UK should know that a pantomime is playing in London. It's not a comical one, but seriously tragic!!

From the BBC -
Some 38 out of the 79 most serious offenders - including killers, rapists and violent offenders - have not been accounted for.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4967592.stm

Read More