Happy New Year!

It's coming up to Midnight. I'm logging off this thing and going to down some champagne. Hope everyone has a wonderful year in 2007.

Tomorrow's another day and another year. I've got a feeling it might just be a little bit better.

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Scarlett Ribbons!!!

John Scarlett, the head of MI6, the Secret Intelligence Service of the UK, has another honour to add to his name, apart from that of Dodgy Dossier Compiler. He's getting a knighthood.

This is an utter disgrace. The man can no more be relied upon to give the country accurate intelligence reports than can the cleaners in the Ministry of Defence. It is an outrage on the British people.

Perhaps when Her Majesty lifts the sword over his shoulders he might tell her where he thought those WMD were. Pity Henry VIII couldn't be king for a day again!

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Saddam Swings for Security?

So Saddam Hussein is dead. I would like to think that this will draw a line under all the violence, squabbling and animosity, but I tend to doubt it. Even the "moderate" Arabs that Blair and Bush talk about feel it will be a hard struggle. By this time next year it could well be exactly the same.

Saddam Hussein was a dead man the moment he was found in that foxhole. Whether it be at the hands of a judicial hanging or of the mob, he would never have survived. My feelings are that it was better this way. Otherwise we could well have witnessed a kind of Mussoloni end. Humanity can get to be very low on occasions. Bush got his way, rather like a gamekeeper despatching a sickly pheasant, except that Bush was asleep in bed at the time.

Most Americans will not be phased by this. After all, their state killing facilities are up and running and still despatching the weak, the wicked, and the wretches of society. My problem with the "death penalty" is that it allows for no rehabilation back into society. It also has a God-like approach to salvation. If Saddam faced this "penalty" what of the rest of us. Are we going to float off into oblivion, or are we true to our Faith. For those that have no faith or profess the non-existence of a deity, then it definitely is all over when the fat lady sings.

I get the impression that, instead of trying to seek out the lost sheep and bring them home, a lot of people would prefer to set the ravening wolves on them. "Look, Lord, this is the way to round up lost sheep!"

When Idi Amin was being labelled a tyrant, one bishop, whose name I can't remember, pointed out that if Amin had got down on his bended knees to seek forgiveness, then the message of the Christian gospel was that we should forgive. It seems this is the hardest thing for people to accept.

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Blair's Big Bee Gee Vacation

I may think Tony Blair is a lot of things but he is entitled to a private life, as is everyone else. Currently he is on a winter holiday break at the Florida home of Robin Gibb, erstwhile Bee Gee member. Some carping creeps have decided that Blair is not entitled to this break. They even go so far as to suggest he is trying to get some sort of "freebie" out of Gibb. So guess what? The plonkers in Downing Street have let it be known that Blair "is paying to use this home". They should have told everyone to "MYOB!" but that, of course, is not politically wise.

Now how many of us have paid to stay at friends houses? Do these carpers pay their friends or don't they have any? It's all a lot of silly nonsense.

Blair staying in Gibb's house (or mansion, as they would like it called!) has no bearing whatsoever on matters of State. The next time anyone says you can stay at their villa/cottage/mansion/whatever say "Oh I couldn't if I don't pay you wads of money, or give stacks of dosh to a deserving cause, as I don't want to be seen as a hypocritical sleazy freeloader, you know!"

Carpers everywhere? Get a new life in the New Year!

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Will it be a Happy New Year for ECUSA?

The way the Episcopal Church is bounding into 2007 I wonder very much that things can hold together. The New Testament tells us that a bishop should be "of good report without". Seems most are trying to become only of good report within their own cabal.

Another church, the historic Christ Church in Savannah, has become the latest to find their bishop treating them with contempt. No wonder secularism is on the rise in western democracies! Apparently, according to this church, the bishop will not answer their perfectly proper questions about what is happening since Katharine Jefferts-Schori took over. Take a look at their link "Read this important letter from the Rector, Wardens & Vestry to the Congregation!" - I think it is rather disturbing.

The picture on this posting shows the three bishops of the Diocese of Georgia. All seems sweetnesss and light with them. In fact they seem to be sharing a good joke. These Christian gentlemen, Bishop Louttit, Bishop Shipps, and Bishop Keyser, are the stewards of the Faith in Georgia. So if the General Convention adds in new doctrines to the Episcopal Church, are the faithful allowed to ask their bishop for guidance? Apparently only if you're signed up to the new doctrines already!!

Bishop Louttit appears to be an odd cove. Turns up at a service unannounced, then tells the Rector "I owe you a telephone call" and departs. Given a warm reception, they say, but he then gets the diocesan chancellor to write what amounts to a threatening letter.

What was that joke? Surely not themselves?

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Superbug increase sparks warning

I mentioned Edward Jenner earlier. It's a pity he can't be resurrected and taken round to see that verbose Aussie doubling up as the Health Secretary. She really hasn't got a grip on things. She didn't last year when she was fumbling about in the dark over Rover Group. Nottinghamshire coroner, Nigel Chapman, has warned a superbug could cause "huge problems" for the NHS. The infection clostridium difficile (C Diff) had been a contributory factor in 12 deaths in Nottingham hospitals in the past month apparently. Everyone knows that washing your hands after going to the lavatory is the thing to do. But does everyone DO it? Not from what I can see. Stand in a gents loo anywhere and glance around. You'll see plenty coming in and going out WITHOUT ever doing it.

The C Diff Support Group has some good stuff on all this.

The BBC says "C Diff is usually spread on the hands of healthcare staff and other people who come into contact with infected patients or contaminated surfaces such as floors, bedpans and toilets." Correct! A couple of months ago I spent 2 nights in hospital. I could see that not everything was OK on that score. Perhaps Mrs. Hewitt should spend a couple of nights in a hospital and then report back (honestly) to the Commons.

Just before Christmas I was in a supermarket and needed to go to the loo. The stink in the gents was unbelievable and I told the security guard so. Problem, I thought, was that he didn't take it that seriously! The problem here lies in our hands - literally!

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Gerald Ford on Iraq

Gerald Ford disagreed with Bush about invading Iraq. "Rumsfeld and Cheney and the president made a big mistake in justifying going into the war in Iraq. They put the emphasis on weapons of mass destruction." He points out that he understood the reasons but thought them weak. "Well, I can understand the theory of wanting to free people," Ford said, referring to Bush's assertion that the United States has a "duty to free people." But the former president said he was skeptical "whether you can detach that from the obligation number one, of what's in our national interest." He added: "And I just don't think we should go hellfire damnation around the globe freeing people, unless it is directly related to our own national security."

Precisely! But the trouble is OIL is seen as the number one for US internal security. Let it run out and you have all manner of mayhem. Bush took the view, I suppose, that gas stations without gasoline are a far worse nightmare than Saddam sitting up in bed watching home movies!!

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Tories to plan for 300mph trains

Whatever kept them thinking about this for so long? I well remember Prof Eric Laithwaite saying this was a real way to solve the problems with British Rail, as was. He appeared on such programmes as Young Scientist of the Year and he used to demonstrate all his inventions with great gusto and enthusiasm. I was really persuaded by his argument.

When David Cameron gets his Virgin Thunderbolt underway perhaps he will give Eric Laithwaite a mention, and explain why the British establishment is so averse to inventors, discoverers, and designers. After all, it took Edward Jenner over 20 years to obtain recognition from the clowns in the Royal Society that vaccination worked. They should have been around today for the Aids pandemic! What was I saying about giving credit where credit is due? The first Tory train should not be the "Dave Cameron Comet" but the "Eric Laithwaite Levitated Loco"!

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Of Indian sexuality and British angst?

Here's another quango taking the Blairite "airheads know best" route to political correctness. The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) has decided that British rule in India needs an update to include "made-up evidence". New lessons are being concocted. What on earth do they think they are doing. Obviously trying to follow the lead of all the other quangos that have signed up to the New Labour nightmare, (or is it daymare?).

Quoting from the Daily Telegraph article today - Teachers are told to direct pupils to internet sites with links to material on the gender perspective of the history of India and "Indian genders and sexualities".

What exactly are Indian genders and sexualities? The word gender has been hijacked by these political fascists to mean a rainbow of sexual proclivities. Gender is a grammatical term for male- and female-related words and meanings. Sex is either male or female. Nothing else. The Indian peoples do not have genders any more than the rest of us. There are male Indians and female Indians.

Ken Boston, the QCA's chief executive, says these new lessons are intended to help schools explore the impact of British rule in greater depth. Rubbish. It's all to denigrate, cheapen, and vilify.

Why are these people given such jobs. He should stand in the corner until he says sorry!

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Gerald Ford

I thought Gerald Ford was an excellent president. A man of compassion, integrity and common sense. It was a pity he didn't get elected in 1976, but then in a democracy election isn't everything. Many people muttered about the fact that he never ran for national office but only sought re-election. I hardly think it matters. Gerald Ford was there because the system allowed for it. He had to contend with the fact that he took over from two very flawed characters. He brought dignity back to the Presidency. America needed that!

Being the longest living former president, Ford saw how things changed since he left office. Some good things, some bad things, but mostly just the stuff of life. He witnessed a further 30 years, and only intervened when he felt he had something to say. He was a good man!

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Been Buying Beans Mrs Blair?

We are not even into the New Year and I see this!

"The government will also look at using supermarket loyalty card technology to see how people use public services."

Excuse me!?! I thought I had an agreement with these cards that third parties would not be involved. How come Blair wants to cast his beady eyes over the computer printouts? See, this is what those of us opposed to ID cards knew he would be tempted to do.

New Year, New Ways please Mr.Blair!

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Tories release 'key Britons' list

The Tories, under David "two-brains" Willetts, have been discussing and determining those Britons which have shaped this country. I think the list is a good one. The chattering classes, and the BBC, have made much of the inclusion of Aneurin Bevan. Now Bevan was decidedly anti-Tory, in much the same way as Paul Revere was! However, it shouldn't be a case of throwing the baby out with the bath water. Bevan had vision like the other eleven. I don't find Oliver Cromwell a character to agree with, but I feel I can accept he did do some good, like shaping the origins of the British Army.

Too much today we are stuck in our own camps, blowing raspberries at others without having the wit to see or hear properly. The list is about shapers, so it is obvious that Churchill and Thatcher, who were primarily changing existing circumstances (Churchill on appeasement -Thatcher on corporate stupour, both union and management), would not be so readily included.

All 12 on the list have done things that have maintained until today (except the British Empire!) and will no doubt continue as such, albeit with modifications.

Conservatives should get past blinkered thinking. Yes, Thatcher got this country moving, but it was only transient policies, not shaping. Nye Bevan took the Beveridge Report (and before Liberals protest, yes Beveridge was a Liberal!) and shaped it into the NHS. It probably took a fiery Welshman, with cunning, skill and determination to do it. His only mistake was to con the public into believing that "National Insurance" had anything to do with insurance! That being, he deserves the recognition and well done Willets and his team for putting him there!

1. Saint Columba (521-597) Christianity in Britain
2. Alfred the Great (849-899) The Kingdom of England
3. Henry II (1133-1189) The common law
4. Simon de Montfort (1208-1265) Parliament
5. James IV of Scotland (1443-1517) The Kingdom of Scotland
6. Thomas Gresham (1519-1579) The stock market
7. Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658) The British Army
8. Isaac Newton (1643-1727) The Royal Society
9. Robert Clive (1725-1774) The British Empire
10. Sir Robert Peel (1778-1850) The police
11. Millicent Fawcett (1847-1929) Universal suffrage
12. Nye Bevan (1897-1960) The National Health Service

There's a saying "Credit where credit is due" and we certainly owe some credit to these people.

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Episcopal thoughts

The Episcopal Church of the United States is now comprehensively comprehensive. It comprehends all things and seems to keep to no single source of truth. The new leader is firmly entrenched in that gloriously illiberal liberal tendency. The synogue of the Libertines would have needed instruction!

In an interview in the New York Times she is condescending towards the Roman Catholic Church, of which she was a member until the age of 9. A baptised Catholic preaching novel doctrines to the American branch of Ecclesia Anglicana! She said of procreation "Roman Catholics and Mormons both have theological reasons for producing lots of children." She also said, in response a question about Episcopalians' interest in childbirth matters "It’s probably the opposite. We encourage people to pay attention to the stewardship of the earth and not use more than their portion."

Oh dear! It's all this flighty thought process which has put the Episcopal Church into such a mess. I have no great feelings about Katharine Jefferts-Schori. I do not know the lady. But I have a sneaking suspicion that her Catholic angst is cluttering up Anglican altars. It seems those whose doubts form the new certainty are now controlling the church rather than those whose certainties allowed doubts to question their faith.

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Christians in crisis?

It now seems that the Blairite New Britain has a fully fledged army of politically correct zealots all ready and eager to have a go. Blair smiles sweetly when confronted. But the seriousness of all this is that here we have a man whose views on democracy and free speech seem to have been sent to Mars and back. Much of them are undemocratic and give the nod and wink to these zealous jobsworths.

One such jobsworth works for Wyre Borough Council or more preciously the people of Fleetwood in Lancashire. A Christian couple (Mr & Mrs Roberts) in Fleetwood tried to display Christian literature next to gay rights' leaflets. They were astonished when the council objected. The jobsworth saw his opportunity and phoned the police who apparently had "experienced and skilled police officers" ready to come round to the Roberts' house for a "re-educating session". They thought some homophobic offence had taken place.

Now, after a long time and the approaching trial (yes, it had gone that far!) the police and the borough have caved in. The couple have been awarded an out-of-court settlement of £10,000 which they will give to charity.

I find all this very threatening, that the state has taken it upon itself to suggest that a particular way of living is to be accepted in total by all. Mr Roberts has made plain he never implied, suggested or believed in unpleasant remarks. He simply wanted to make a point of view. Personally, I would have let the gay leaflets go, but Mr Roberts has a perfect right to his methods and his views, so long as they are lawful.

It is the way the police are prepared to pounce on democratic rights to pander to these "New Labour" fascists that makes me so angry. It is a holier than thou approach. Banning free speech is the first line of attack when the argument is weak.

Blair struts the world speaking of democracy but his Downing street bunker mentality, with all its attractions for the rather nasty hangers-on, has made him so less plausible as a democratic advocate. How is it that the police have had to revisit his place to insist on emails and documents being handed over? Obstruction of justice in the bunker?

The police must wonder what their political masters want. Is it chasing people down over free speech violations or making sure that crime doesn't pay? Suddenly it appears somewhat scary!

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Beckett admits 45-min claim was wrong

Well, well!! I wonder what took her so long. It's just the way that this government cannot admit to any error or mistake that get's me.

I suppose "probably" is better that being in permanent denial. I just can't see how they think that all the spin, lies and deceit have helped in any way. And there still is no plan for tomorrow other than "staying the course".

What a mess they and we are in.

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Episcopal Parishes in Va. Break Away

It's been a sad old business, but the Episcopal Church of the USA is beginning to realign now on a permanent basis. Truro Church in Fairfax and The Falls Church in Falls Church, two of the oldest and most influential in the USA have had enough of the novelties and reasonings of the current hierachy. Things have come to a head ever since Gene Robinson, an avowedly gay man in a relationship, was made Bishop of New Hampshire. Under the leadership of Mrs Katharine Jefferts Schori it is only time before many more move to a new home within Anglicanism.

My personal feeling is that the once harmonious Church that was very much the same wherever you went within the United States, became a kind of refuge for the new age zealot. Now firmly in control, they want their brand of "loose-ended" Christianity accepted. However, woe betide those that don't fall into line. Comprehensiveness? Not any more!

George Washington served as a vestry member in Truro Parish as did his father, Augustine. What would they make of it all? The creeds and confessions enable the church, as in the words of Vincent of Lerins (d. 450) "to hold fast to what has been believed everywhere, always, and by all" (Commonitores). Being told that we must believe in things so different from those that George Washington heard his rector say is not a sound practice. By that thought process, the Christian Faith will end up as if going through a version of Chinese whispers!

A lengthy and expensive legal fight is expected over those historic church properties, which are worth millions of dollars. "We fully intend to assert the church's canonical and legal rights over these properties," Bishop Peter Lee of Virginia said in a news release, calling it a "sad day for the church."

Sad day indeed!

http://www.newrivernotes.com//va/truro1.htm

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Mail Mess!

Last Friday I watched Tonight with Trevor McDonald. Although most nights it's not with Trevor but some other reporter, it is always intriguing viewing. I don't suppose the chap in charge of this country watches (Blair self deprecatingly acknowledged this fact last week!). If he had he would realise what a mess everything is. Or does he already know, as his scribes in Downing Street seem to have been working on a memo suggesting that most of the country thinks his New Labour project a disaster - "shambles"!

The programme was a treat with veteran reporter Michael Nicholson probing the bizarrre antics of Royal Mail. The main nonsense uncovered was the practice of postmen dropping off sacks of mail outside so-called safe houses. These could be anyone's place, not necessarily with the owner's permission or knowledge, and left for hours on end. As Nicholson said to the camera, "This is not safe, now is it?" The answer is a ringing no. Apparently in London large amounts of mail gets stolen from these hidey-holes. No worries then for Royal Mail. The stuffed shirt who came on defending the Royal Mail's day seemed totally unworried. The chairwoman of Postwatch was slightly more concerned, but even she thought the practice of dumping these bags in the view of any old footpad with a penchant for other people's CDs was sort of OK!

Any wonder this country, let alone the Home Office, is not fit for purpose? During the programme it was revealed that a record reviewer, who was sent 52 CDs from various parts of the country by the ITV team, had 8 not turn up. 8 CDs someone else is playing! Some days it is worse for him.

All this shows how under New Labour there is a crazed approach to go for meaningless targets with the customer/voter/citizen being dumped on in the process. Blair has the cheek to suggest that Post Office branches can close to save money. But these cretins in charge are wasting it by the bucket load the other end! Blair couldn't care less about rural Post Offices. He stopped them doing most Government work anyway. The Airhead then says slyly that they should give the customers what they want, in this competive world. He knows diddly-squat!

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Blair defends Saudi probe ruling

Blair's come out burbling. The sudden decision to wind-up the two year Serious Fraud Office inquiry was in the "national interest," he said.

"Well, he would, wouldn't he?" This retort was said over 40 years ago, but is still a good remark! In Blair's case, spot on! And he's continuing to claim butter wouldn't melt in his mouth as far as the honours case is concerned. He repeated Downing Street's claim that he was within his rights as Labour leader to nominate a number of working peers every year. Though most people are convinced it was so long as they coughed up cash!!

It all stinks, Tony, old boy! Face up to it, you've conned us.

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Corrupting the corrupt?

I was speaking to someone the other day and suggested she had a blog. "Oooh NO!" she cried "I'd have to do it every day!" I suddenly thought that she had a point. Whilst I'm thinking of things to put in my blog every day, I don't always manage it. C'est la vie!

However, I'm quite taken with the way the Vacuous Airhead manoeuvres members of his government to suit the situation. The Serious Fraud Office has apparently decided to drop a corruption probe into a defence deal with Saudi Arabia. How come? Well it all boils down to National Security, or so the hapless (or is it hopeless?) Lord Goldsmith told the House of Lords on a dull day. The SFO had been studying a 1980s deal between BAE Systems and Saudi Arabia. The Saudis had threatened to pull out of a new £6bn deal with BAE unless the probe was brought to an end. So it was all done and dusted just as Blair likes. And he has the brass neck to lecture the Iraqis on democracy?

When this government came to power it was trumpeting an ethical foreign policy. Or at least Robin Cook did. But then that greasy pole climber, Alastair Campbell, took over and the policy was ditched. Now it's all very UNETHICAL!

All the good Labour politicians seem to have died off recently. It's as if God is saying "You want New Labour? I'll give you New Labour!!" More and more are quietly falling into line. Foreign policy is now decidedly "foreign". So we won't get to hear of the high class call girls' antics, the brown envelopes, and the seedy telephone calls. Shame!

Lib Dem MP Norman Lamb said "How on earth can we lecture the developing world on good governance when we interfere with and block a criminal investigation in this way". On this, I agree with this LibDem. It's all very odd. Over the last few weeks I watched the BBC's "The State Within" with Sharon Gless and Jason Isaacs. Gripping drama, every minute. If only 10% of that was true it makes our leaders look like B-Wing material. Somehow I think it was based on a higher percentage of probability.

Seeing as Blair is only governing on 20% of the total electorate's positive support, his democratic shoes are not really worthy things to be standing in! Roll on next year, I say.

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Bureaucracy 'gone mad'!

Craven District Council (good name for a bureaucrat's district!) has just perfected organised lunacy to a tee! Organisers of a village Christmas party have been told they must carry out a risk assessment of their mince pies - or their festivities will be cancelled. Council bosses say posters will have to be displayed at the party in Embsay, in the Yorkshire Dales, warning villagers the pies contain nuts and suet pastry. What a load of rubbish!

Are we to suspect EVERYBODIES' mince pies this Christmas? I would suggest for starters that anyone attending the Leader of Craven District Council's Christmas party (I hope it's not cancelled!) should peel off the top of each mince pie offered and put them under an ultra violet scanner to check for rogue elements.

Can't be too careful, can we?

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