Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Then & Now plus X Factor
Then and Now plus X Factor
On one of the History Channel I have been watching a programme about the unsung heroes of the second World War people like the Train Drivers who were ferrying cargo, petrol, troops, bombs etc to keep the war effort a lot of time when bombs were dropping and when German planes were strafing them, there were the Land Army Girls and Young Women who were put on the land to feed the country, the Bevin boys, young men conscripted not into the Army but down the Coal mines and they were no released from their duty till several years after the War had finish with no back pay or demob suit. The one thing they had in common, they were British and they got on with the Job without any histrionics. After watching this exhilarating and tear jerking programme I felt a deep sense of pride in the people and in being British.
Then I switched by mistake to that X Factor programme which started its life being a stage for new singing talent, you had a panel of Judges who would listen to you sing and make a judgement on your ability. This seems to me not to be the criteria anymore now you have to sing and then you asked a string of questions about your private life, the more you can trowel on the emotional blackmail, plus tell the most outlandish story so you can get the women judges in tears the more likely you will get through to the next round. WHAT has that got to do with your ability to SING????
If that doesn’t work you humiliate yourself by falling on your knees and beg, yes beg while doing this it helps to cry and whine about how bad life is for you. Now if you do win you run out in hysterics to join your supporters who in turn go hysterical. WHAT an absolute disgrace, yet pages of this nonsense goes into the press, one wonders what the young people from GB i1940’s and 1950’s thought of this. One thing is for sure they would not recognise the behaviour of the people of this British Isles, that is until they meet our Boys and Girls who serve in the Armed Forces giving their all for this country the last remnants of the saying “Proud to be British”
Martin Clarke Sittingbourne Kent
On one of the History Channel I have been watching a programme about the unsung heroes of the second World War people like the Train Drivers who were ferrying cargo, petrol, troops, bombs etc to keep the war effort a lot of time when bombs were dropping and when German planes were strafing them, there were the Land Army Girls and Young Women who were put on the land to feed the country, the Bevin boys, young men conscripted not into the Army but down the Coal mines and they were no released from their duty till several years after the War had finish with no back pay or demob suit. The one thing they had in common, they were British and they got on with the Job without any histrionics. After watching this exhilarating and tear jerking programme I felt a deep sense of pride in the people and in being British.
Then I switched by mistake to that X Factor programme which started its life being a stage for new singing talent, you had a panel of Judges who would listen to you sing and make a judgement on your ability. This seems to me not to be the criteria anymore now you have to sing and then you asked a string of questions about your private life, the more you can trowel on the emotional blackmail, plus tell the most outlandish story so you can get the women judges in tears the more likely you will get through to the next round. WHAT has that got to do with your ability to SING????
If that doesn’t work you humiliate yourself by falling on your knees and beg, yes beg while doing this it helps to cry and whine about how bad life is for you. Now if you do win you run out in hysterics to join your supporters who in turn go hysterical. WHAT an absolute disgrace, yet pages of this nonsense goes into the press, one wonders what the young people from GB i1940’s and 1950’s thought of this. One thing is for sure they would not recognise the behaviour of the people of this British Isles, that is until they meet our Boys and Girls who serve in the Armed Forces giving their all for this country the last remnants of the saying “Proud to be British”
Martin Clarke Sittingbourne Kent
Monday, September 22, 2008
Not Everything is bad in England
Not everything is bad in England in spite of what NU Labour has done to ruin the UK, the past few weeks have been very good weather wise, just right to explore Kent. This time of year there is always a Horticultural/Farming show plus the end of all the Village Fetes. Two weeks ago I made my annual visit to the Goose Fair in Challock Nr Ashford, this fair is based on when the Geese were driven to Market. This is a real Country Fair with lots of shows and demonstrations by Amateur clubs, plus you have a lot of local stalls selling their wares an excellent typical English scene, The following week I was of to a Cider and Apple festival at the Brogdale Trust near Faversham A registered charity, responsible for the maintenance of the National Fruit Collection. This was a great Day Tractor and Trailer ride round the fruit plantations, various local crafts on display, hog roast, cooking demo, live folk music and of course lots of Apples and Cider a great day out. Sadly I missed this year Hop Festival at Faversham the last time I went there was a plethora of Morris Dancers, the streets of Faversham do make for a unique festival. Weddings are also a must for this time of the year something our NU Labour Government has tried their best to discourage but they continue to flourish. Valerie and I (married 38 years) were to friends of ours Graham and Jenny Sargent invited us to their daughter’s Karen’s wedding. The pair have a lovely converted Barn and in the grounds they had a large and I mean large Marquee erected for the Wedding breakfast and subsequent party, it was a traditional White wedding the evening was followed by a three piece band, no drunks, no plastic glasses, no family fights and no disco a great day to remember.
So as you can see there is lot to be thankful for being English and being a Man of Kent mind you it would be better if could get rid of Gordon and his cronies.
Martin Clarke Sittingbourne
So as you can see there is lot to be thankful for being English and being a Man of Kent mind you it would be better if could get rid of Gordon and his cronies.
Martin Clarke Sittingbourne
Sunday, September 21, 2008
JK Rowling is she against marriage?
JK Rowling gives £1 million to NU Labour
In a statement, JK Rowling, who wrote the first of her best-selling books about boy wizard Harry Potter while claiming to be an impoverished single mother, ( obviously one with a lot of time on her hands) indicated that her gift was motivated by Labour's record on child poverty and Tory leader David Cameron's offer of tax breaks to married couples.
I have never read a Harry Potter book and I have only seen pieces of a film when my grandchildren are watching it on DVD. Why? at 58 I have grown out of Clildrens' Books especially ones that copy old fairy tales and rearrange them, mind you the money this women has made is phenomenal pity I can not write like her. Mind you I am glad I did not buy one of her books now I realise she was supporting the Labour party and why has she done this because she believes this Government s record on child poverty is good! Where has she been for the last 10 years the gap between rich and poor in GB is greater now then ever has been, or does she think this does not effect children. She then goes on to say David Cameron's offer on Tax breaks for married couples is wrong, it has now been established that children brought up with parents who are married do better then any other relationship but the she was a single mother and seems to me she resents Married families she certainly must have a strange set of ideals if she thinks being a single parent should be the norm.
She would better of giving the money to a children's charity but the that would not get her a safe Labour seat to become an MP
In a statement, JK Rowling, who wrote the first of her best-selling books about boy wizard Harry Potter while claiming to be an impoverished single mother, ( obviously one with a lot of time on her hands) indicated that her gift was motivated by Labour's record on child poverty and Tory leader David Cameron's offer of tax breaks to married couples.
I have never read a Harry Potter book and I have only seen pieces of a film when my grandchildren are watching it on DVD. Why? at 58 I have grown out of Clildrens' Books especially ones that copy old fairy tales and rearrange them, mind you the money this women has made is phenomenal pity I can not write like her. Mind you I am glad I did not buy one of her books now I realise she was supporting the Labour party and why has she done this because she believes this Government s record on child poverty is good! Where has she been for the last 10 years the gap between rich and poor in GB is greater now then ever has been, or does she think this does not effect children. She then goes on to say David Cameron's offer on Tax breaks for married couples is wrong, it has now been established that children brought up with parents who are married do better then any other relationship but the she was a single mother and seems to me she resents Married families she certainly must have a strange set of ideals if she thinks being a single parent should be the norm.
She would better of giving the money to a children's charity but the that would not get her a safe Labour seat to become an MP
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
SCHOOL AGE TO RISE TO 17
SCHOOL AGE TO RISE TO 17
It never ceases to amaze me how Government, Politicians and so called experts can be so out of touch with the people they supposed to represent, in this particular case I refer to increasing the age a Young person has to stay at school or should I say full time education. Young people and children in to day’s British society are very difficult to deal with for many reasons, a big majority detest School and some even hate it so how they going to benefit from staying on till their 17 years old? This troublesome group of teenagers can cause havoc in a school by their disruptive behaviour a lot get tarred with they trouble makers, yobs, prison fodder yet in reality they are a group of young people who find no interest in the school system, they find it boring and the teachers patronising.
My idea is when a youngster reaches the end of the secondary 4th year i.e. 15 to 16 years old they should be allowed to leave School if they have a full time job with a contract no matter what the employment, if they do not have this they will not be able to leave until 17. This will encourage youngsters to behave in school with the knowledge that they will need a good reference to find a job, they will come the influence of mature adults who will become their role models rather then listening to a group of other youngsters who normally spout a load of rubbish based on something a celebrity said. I left school and went to work on A Hinge and Son Farmers as an Agricultural Apprentice at 15 years 3 months of age; it was the best introduction to the real world there could be. I was expected to work hard, be reliable, good timekeeper, honest and have loyalty to the firm, yes all these things could taught in school but that was just theory this was practical hands on. When you came in bragging about some idiotic teenage escapade you performed at the weekend there would always be one old timer who tells you belt up and stop talking rubbish but at the same another one would pull you to one side and give you advice. This was real education some thing a school could never give.
Today we are obsessed with getting our youngsters to University and if they do not go society treats them as failures and inferior yet I know many people of my age and younger who has become very successful business man employing hundreds of people some with University degrees. Some started as apprentices some just as labourers and should success be just counted in financial terms what about all those people who become involved in community based projects, Scouts, Cubs, Football teams etc in my own sports of Judo and Sombo there has been many a top Black Belt and Coaches who have mundane work yet in my eyes they are still a success.
The reason Government etc have increased the age to 17 is not for the benefit of the Young People it is for their benefit it brings down unemployment and give the smockscreen that they care about the education of young people.
Martin Clarke
It never ceases to amaze me how Government, Politicians and so called experts can be so out of touch with the people they supposed to represent, in this particular case I refer to increasing the age a Young person has to stay at school or should I say full time education. Young people and children in to day’s British society are very difficult to deal with for many reasons, a big majority detest School and some even hate it so how they going to benefit from staying on till their 17 years old? This troublesome group of teenagers can cause havoc in a school by their disruptive behaviour a lot get tarred with they trouble makers, yobs, prison fodder yet in reality they are a group of young people who find no interest in the school system, they find it boring and the teachers patronising.
My idea is when a youngster reaches the end of the secondary 4th year i.e. 15 to 16 years old they should be allowed to leave School if they have a full time job with a contract no matter what the employment, if they do not have this they will not be able to leave until 17. This will encourage youngsters to behave in school with the knowledge that they will need a good reference to find a job, they will come the influence of mature adults who will become their role models rather then listening to a group of other youngsters who normally spout a load of rubbish based on something a celebrity said. I left school and went to work on A Hinge and Son Farmers as an Agricultural Apprentice at 15 years 3 months of age; it was the best introduction to the real world there could be. I was expected to work hard, be reliable, good timekeeper, honest and have loyalty to the firm, yes all these things could taught in school but that was just theory this was practical hands on. When you came in bragging about some idiotic teenage escapade you performed at the weekend there would always be one old timer who tells you belt up and stop talking rubbish but at the same another one would pull you to one side and give you advice. This was real education some thing a school could never give.
Today we are obsessed with getting our youngsters to University and if they do not go society treats them as failures and inferior yet I know many people of my age and younger who has become very successful business man employing hundreds of people some with University degrees. Some started as apprentices some just as labourers and should success be just counted in financial terms what about all those people who become involved in community based projects, Scouts, Cubs, Football teams etc in my own sports of Judo and Sombo there has been many a top Black Belt and Coaches who have mundane work yet in my eyes they are still a success.
The reason Government etc have increased the age to 17 is not for the benefit of the Young People it is for their benefit it brings down unemployment and give the smockscreen that they care about the education of young people.
Martin Clarke
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
My Knee & Hip v the NHS
Some of you are most probably aware that I have to have a Hip and Knee replacement, my knee it must be getting on for 7 years that I have been waiting and for my hip 3 years. Our sacred cow called the NHS has done its best to prevent the operation happening WHY? money it seems that Big People (I am 23st 7lbs) need special beds in recovery and you need constant vigilance for 24 hours after the operation. So how do they prevent you having operation:
1) They tell you that as a big man you could die on the operating theatre because your lungs will not push your chest up
2) Big people suffer easily from Blood clots which could kill you
3) Cannot get a knee replacement your size
4) Knee will only last a year then will have to be replaced
So you think hang on I can put up with the pain a bit longer because there is no way I want die but eventually, the pain and the fact you can no longer walk any distance without a stick and hanging on to railings, you decide to take the risk. Then they tell you if you lose 8 stone they will operate, this will take me to a weight I was at 15 years and how do I lose this weight? I eat moderately I do not drink alcohol during the week and only limited amount at weekends plus I still train 5 days a week admittedly always in a seated position. Eventually you get a surgeon who will operate only to be told 24 hours before the operation it has been cancelled this has happened twice in 3 years, so back to another appointment with yet another surgeon. The last one I saw was three weeks ago he agreed to operate but the told me he was leaving the area the following day can you believe it. So my next appointment is in October if that is a waste of time I will be going private to a hospital in Belgium at a cost of £8500 I will have to break into my savings and go with out a few things but it will be worth it but I will be thinking all the time WHY HAVE I PUT MONEY INTO THE NHS SINCE THE AGE OF 15?
This last year has been the worse for me as I have become a cripple and for the first time in my life I can understand what permanently disabled people must be going through. People look at you as if you are some sort of freak because you walk with a stick, some in my case enjoy my disability comments like “I bet you wish you had not done Judo now” or “I thought sport was good for you ha, ha”. The frustration at not being able do things is most probably the worst thing NO the worst is when someone offers to help you across the road, talking to you as if you are some half wit.
Hopefully my disability will not be permanent and in a years time I hope to be back walking country lanes again.
Martin Clarke Sittingbourne
1) They tell you that as a big man you could die on the operating theatre because your lungs will not push your chest up
2) Big people suffer easily from Blood clots which could kill you
3) Cannot get a knee replacement your size
4) Knee will only last a year then will have to be replaced
So you think hang on I can put up with the pain a bit longer because there is no way I want die but eventually, the pain and the fact you can no longer walk any distance without a stick and hanging on to railings, you decide to take the risk. Then they tell you if you lose 8 stone they will operate, this will take me to a weight I was at 15 years and how do I lose this weight? I eat moderately I do not drink alcohol during the week and only limited amount at weekends plus I still train 5 days a week admittedly always in a seated position. Eventually you get a surgeon who will operate only to be told 24 hours before the operation it has been cancelled this has happened twice in 3 years, so back to another appointment with yet another surgeon. The last one I saw was three weeks ago he agreed to operate but the told me he was leaving the area the following day can you believe it. So my next appointment is in October if that is a waste of time I will be going private to a hospital in Belgium at a cost of £8500 I will have to break into my savings and go with out a few things but it will be worth it but I will be thinking all the time WHY HAVE I PUT MONEY INTO THE NHS SINCE THE AGE OF 15?
This last year has been the worse for me as I have become a cripple and for the first time in my life I can understand what permanently disabled people must be going through. People look at you as if you are some sort of freak because you walk with a stick, some in my case enjoy my disability comments like “I bet you wish you had not done Judo now” or “I thought sport was good for you ha, ha”. The frustration at not being able do things is most probably the worst thing NO the worst is when someone offers to help you across the road, talking to you as if you are some half wit.
Hopefully my disability will not be permanent and in a years time I hope to be back walking country lanes again.
Martin Clarke Sittingbourne
Saturday, September 06, 2008
CIA & MI5 Rig Referendum
Daniel Hannan is the Conservative MEP for South East England and he is one of the Good Guys an MEP who has not gone native unlike most MEP's who get elected to represent us but then get used to the money, the expenses and the high life. Once they have experienced this cushy little number they suddenly become Deaf, Dumb and Mute.
I have attached his blog site well worth a read especially the piece about the CIA and MI5 being involved in the referendum which put us into the EU
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/Daniel_Hannan
I have attached his blog site well worth a read especially the piece about the CIA and MI5 being involved in the referendum which put us into the EU
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/Daniel_Hannan
Friday, September 05, 2008
OPEN EUROPE
Open Europe
Open Europe Bulletin: 4 September 2008
New Open Europe briefing warns EU trials in absentia could mean miscarriages of justice
Georgia crisis would have been better handled under Lisbon Treaty, say EU politicians
A plan to circumvent the Irish "no" vote begins to emerge
News in brief
Open Europe in the news
1. New Open Europe briefing warns EU trials in absentia could mean miscarriages of justice
Open Europe has published a new briefing note which warns that EU plans to impose recognition of foreign trials in absentia could lead to miscarriages of justice.
The European Parliament this week adopted a proposal that would allow citizens to be extradited automatically to another EU country after having been convicted by a foreign court in their absence.
Judgements in absentia would be recognised by several countries that do not currently allow this practice in their own judicial system, including Britain. The proposals, which were put forward by seven countries, including the UK, were described as "by their very nature a violation of the fundamental procedural rights of the accused" by the European Criminal Bar Association.
The proposal will now be presented to the Council of Ministers within the next three months, after which the document will start the process of becoming national law.
Please click here to read Open Europe's new briefing:
http://openeu.bluestatedigital.com/page/m/661f27c961e28569/P6LmQl/VEsH/
2. Georgia crisis would have been better handled under Lisbon Treaty, say EU politicians
Europe's leaders have failed to agree on sanctions against Russia in response to its invasion of Georgia. However, they did threaten to "postpone" planned talks on cooperation with Moscow. Unarmed EU civilian observers are also to be sent to Georgia to ensure the Russian army is abiding by its ceasefire agreement. Vladimir Putin praised the "good sense" of the EU for not imposing sanctions. (Les Echos, 3 September)Although EU leaders were deeply divided on the approach to take to Russia, there were numerous statements claiming that the crisis proved the need to bring into force the Lisbon Treaty. French President Nicolas Sarkozy said that "If the Lisbon Treaty, which is in the process of being ratified, had already been in force, the EU would have had the institutions it needs to cope with an international crisis", including an EU Foreign Minister and "a real European diplomatic service". (Le Figaro, 18 August) EU Commission Vice President Margot Wallstrom said, "I was encouraged and impressed by the determined action taken by the French Presidency but can not help thinking that with a new treaty it would have been easier to have a better coordinated response, faster and with greater authority." (Wallstrom blog, 3 September)A European Commission official told the EUobserver website that, "Some people are saying that Georgia - which has changed the atmosphere in Europe - could be used as a pretext for the Irish to hold a second referendum". (EUobserver, 3 September)European Parliament President Hans-Gert Poettering called on all member states to ratify the Lisbon Treaty "as quickly as possible", saying that the Georgian crisis proved why it is important for the EU to be united (EUobserver, 2 September)
3. A plan to circumvent the Irish "no" vote begins to emerge
All eyes continue to be on Ireland, where the government has proposed the idea of a second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, despite the resounding 'No' vote delivered on 12 June.
After strongly denying any prospect of a second Irish referendum on the Lisbon Treaty back in July, the Irish Europe Minister Dick Roche has now publicly announced that a second vote would be "appropriate". (Newstalk Radio, 22 July, and Irish Independent, 25 August)
Prime Minister Brian Cowen also admitted that a second referendum will be considered. However, it was suggested that people might only be allowed a second vote on parts of the Treaty, with much of the text just being pushed through the Irish Parliament.
A report in the Irish Independent stated that: "It is possible for the Dail to pass some parts of the treaty without a public vote, and it is understood that Mr Cowen sees this course of action as an option." (2 September)
Meanwhile, according to the Irish Times, Irish officials met with their Danish counterparts last month to get advice on how Ireland could opt out of crucial aspects of the Lisbon Treaty - like the opt outs the Danes adopted following the "no" to the Maastricht Treaty in a referendum.
In 1992, the Danish government responded by coming up with a proposal to "opt out" of four key areas of the Maastricht Treaty - the euro, defence, justice, and common EU citizenship. The proposals were then approved in a second Danish referendum in 1993. (Irish Times, 28 August)
Several pro-Treaty commentators have questioned in the media why a referendum was held in Ireland in the first place. They argue that only some of the elements in the Treaty are constitutional changes and therefore legally require a referendum.
So it seems likely that in October Ireland will be offered the option of "opt outs" from the most sensitive, constitutional elements - for example, the provisions on an EU defence, Home Affairs, and the Charter of Fundamental Rights.
The Irish government will then try to push the rest of the Treaty through the Dail without a referendum, and will allow a second referendum only on the question of whether Ireland should opt out of the most controversial elements.
In this way, even if the second Irish referendum on the opt-outs returns a 'No' vote, the Treaty will still come into effect for all other member states.
Legally such a process could be achieved in one of two ways. The contents of the Lisbon Treaty could be inserted into the forthcoming Croatian Accession Treaty (expected at the end of 2009). The text would be the same as the Lisbon Treaty, but would also make provisions for Ireland's opt outs. This would be legal, but would require the other 26 member states to re-ratify the new Treaty. This would be unpopular in Britain, as the Government would not want to push an unpopular Treaty through the Commons just before a general election.
The alternative is to bend the law. The current problem for supporters of the Treaty is that giving Ireland legally-binding opt outs from Lisbon should require a change to the treaties, which in turn would have to be ratified by all other member states. However, the law could be fudged, as it was after the Danish "no" in 1992. Britain's former "ambassador" to the EU, Sir Stephen Wall, recalls in his recent memoirs that EU leaders simply invented a whole new type of legal arrangement to get round the "problem":
"Member states rallied round the plan that had been in gestation for some weeks, of providing an interpretation of the treaty which would, as the Council's legal adviser, the clever and inventive Frenchman Jean Claude Piris, advised the heads, clarify the treaty provisions for Denmark."
"It was an intergovernmental act with binding legal consequences. However that did not mean, either in national law, community law, or constitutional law that it needed to be ratified."
While neither of these options are ideal from the point of view of the pro-Lisbon camp, they are probably the only realistic ways to "get round" the no vote. There seems little prospect that a second referendum on the same treaty would be won. A new poll for the Irish Sunday Independent found that people would vote no by 44 to 42 percent if a second referendum were held. The poll also showed a sharp drop in Brian Cowen's popularity, down 34 points since he was elected in May.
The main pro-Lisbon opposition parties in Ireland have also reacted angrily to suggestions of a second referendum. A spokeswoman for Fine Gael said that talk of a second referendum only served to highlight the "arrogance and lack of respect" the government has for voters. A spokesman for the Labour Party said comments about a second referendum were "not helpful" and that there can be no question of simply putting the same proposition to the people again. (Irish Independent, 28 August)
Meanwhile, the European Commission has been rolling the pitch for a return to the Treaty. The Commission's office in Dublin last week issued a briefing to journalists blaming the "British media" for the Irish no vote, and complaining that it could not control "anti-establishment" bloggers. In a separate report this week the European Parliament called for EU regulation of blogs (see the Open Europe blog for more details).
4. News in brief
EU military mission in Chad dependent on Russian support. Russia has agreed to send four helicopters and up to 200 military personnel to take part in the EU mission to Chad despite recent tensions with Europe over its role in the Georgian crisis. EU officials this week decided to accept Russia's offer, as the mission has long struggled to muster enough helicopters. Daniel Keohane of the EU Institute for Security Studies in Paris said: "Despite spending 200 billion euros annually, it still took fully six months to find only 16 helicopters and 10 transport planes for the Chad mission." (Irish Times 4 September)
Brown's fuel poverty plan thwarted by EU rules. Gordon Brown's plan to raise £500 million to fund fuel vouchers for vulnerable families, which was the centrepiece of the Prime Minister's relaunch, has had to be abandoned as a result of EU rules. (Guardian EUreferendum Times 4 September)
EU to regulate bloggers? The European Parliament's Culture Committee has adopted a report recommending the regulation of blogs, including making it impossible to blog anonymously. (Report OE blog Expressen 4 September)
EU renewables targets to push half a million people into fuel poverty. The new wind farms required in the UK in order to meet EU renewable energy targets could add £6 billion a year to consumers' energy bills, adding 25% more to the current cost of domestic electricity. According to the Government's former chief scientist Sir David King, the drive to increase the UK's wind power to meet EU targets for renewable energy could push half a million more people into fuel poverty. (Telegraph EUreferendum 28 August, PA 4 September)
Did EU win the Olympics? The EU-funded organisation the Young European Federalists have said in an open letter to athletes from the 27 EU member states that if they became Team EU they would have a higher medal tally than the US, China or Russia. French President Nicolas Sarkozy said that, "The European Union therefore takes the leading position. It's a victory for sport and for the fundamental and common values of the people of the union." (Sun EUobserver Dan Hannan's blog Telegraph 26 August)
EU emissions rules stop production of classic Vespa. EU emissions restrictions have effectively ended the production of the classic Vespa PX. The new rules require automatic gears and make the production of a two-stroke engine larger than 50cc economically unfeasible. Andy Gillard, editor of Scootering magazine said that it was the end of an era, whilst Piaggio UK general manager said that the PX "will undoubtedly go down in history as one of the best". (Telegraph 26 August)
EU price controls increase phone bills. Vodaphone has announced that it will increase the price of domestic phone calls to make back revenue it has lost because of EU price controls on overseas calls. (Times 19 August )
5. Open Europe round-up of EU news
Every morning Open Europe produces a round-up of news from all around Europe, looking at the French, Spanish, Belgian, German and Scandinavian press as well as UK coverage of EU issues. If you would like to receive the press summary by email, please sign up on the front page of our website - http://openeu.bluestatedigital.com/page/m/661f27c961e28569/wKQSlR/VEsHAg==/
Open Europe also runs a blog on all EU-related issues which is updated regularly, and where you can post your comments. To read our blog, click here: http://openeu.bluestatedigital.com/page/m/661f27c961e28569/OnknIB/VEsHDQ==/
6. Open Europe in the news
UK Government welcomes EU plans to allow citizens to be tried in their absence in other member statesDaily Mail BBC 3 September, 4 September
Various papers picked up on Open Europe's new briefing paper on EU plans which would impose recognition of foreign trials in absentia. Open Europe's Pieter Cleppe was quoted on the BBC website and in the Mail, as saying, "This proposal could open the door to serious miscarriages of justice and ministers should not be supporting it."
United in PowerlessnessNational Interest Open Europe blog 18 August
US magazine the National Interest quoted Open Europe dismissing the notion that the Lisbon Treaty would make Europe a more serious player internationally, saying: "Open Europe points out that EU members collectively spend but 1.6 percent of their GDP on the military and have been steadily cutting expenditures since the 1990s: 'Why will the short war in Georgia change this long trend when the other wars--which EU members are actually fighting in--have not?'"
EU sends development aid to RussiaTelegraph blog 18 August
On his Telegraph blog, Alex Singleton questioned why the EU gives aid to Russia, citing an Open Europe report calling for control over development aid to be returned to member states.
UK Government too passive about EU proposalsNews of the World 17 August
Open Europe was quoted in News of the World, in a piece looking at a House of Lords report on the EU Commission's Annual Policy Strategy. The report criticised the UK Government for taking a too passive an approach to proposals coming from the Commission.
170,000 people work for the EU, as revealed by Open Europe researchHeritage Foundation Het Nieuwsblad Overheidsmanagement.nl SP National Interest 11 August, 14 August, 18 August
Open Europe's research, which found that the number of people working for EU institutions has reached 170,000 people, far more than it claims, continued to receive coverage, reported in several European newspapers in particular.
71 per cent of Irish voters against a second referendum, according to Open Europe pollLe Monde Le Figaro L'Express Elsevier 25 August, 26 August
Open Europe's poll, which found that 71 per cent of Irish voters were against a second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, continued to receive coverage
Open Europe Bulletin: 4 September 2008
New Open Europe briefing warns EU trials in absentia could mean miscarriages of justice
Georgia crisis would have been better handled under Lisbon Treaty, say EU politicians
A plan to circumvent the Irish "no" vote begins to emerge
News in brief
Open Europe in the news
1. New Open Europe briefing warns EU trials in absentia could mean miscarriages of justice
Open Europe has published a new briefing note which warns that EU plans to impose recognition of foreign trials in absentia could lead to miscarriages of justice.
The European Parliament this week adopted a proposal that would allow citizens to be extradited automatically to another EU country after having been convicted by a foreign court in their absence.
Judgements in absentia would be recognised by several countries that do not currently allow this practice in their own judicial system, including Britain. The proposals, which were put forward by seven countries, including the UK, were described as "by their very nature a violation of the fundamental procedural rights of the accused" by the European Criminal Bar Association.
The proposal will now be presented to the Council of Ministers within the next three months, after which the document will start the process of becoming national law.
Please click here to read Open Europe's new briefing:
http://openeu.bluestatedigital.com/page/m/661f27c961e28569/P6LmQl/VEsH/
2. Georgia crisis would have been better handled under Lisbon Treaty, say EU politicians
Europe's leaders have failed to agree on sanctions against Russia in response to its invasion of Georgia. However, they did threaten to "postpone" planned talks on cooperation with Moscow. Unarmed EU civilian observers are also to be sent to Georgia to ensure the Russian army is abiding by its ceasefire agreement. Vladimir Putin praised the "good sense" of the EU for not imposing sanctions. (Les Echos, 3 September)Although EU leaders were deeply divided on the approach to take to Russia, there were numerous statements claiming that the crisis proved the need to bring into force the Lisbon Treaty. French President Nicolas Sarkozy said that "If the Lisbon Treaty, which is in the process of being ratified, had already been in force, the EU would have had the institutions it needs to cope with an international crisis", including an EU Foreign Minister and "a real European diplomatic service". (Le Figaro, 18 August) EU Commission Vice President Margot Wallstrom said, "I was encouraged and impressed by the determined action taken by the French Presidency but can not help thinking that with a new treaty it would have been easier to have a better coordinated response, faster and with greater authority." (Wallstrom blog, 3 September)A European Commission official told the EUobserver website that, "Some people are saying that Georgia - which has changed the atmosphere in Europe - could be used as a pretext for the Irish to hold a second referendum". (EUobserver, 3 September)European Parliament President Hans-Gert Poettering called on all member states to ratify the Lisbon Treaty "as quickly as possible", saying that the Georgian crisis proved why it is important for the EU to be united (EUobserver, 2 September)
3. A plan to circumvent the Irish "no" vote begins to emerge
All eyes continue to be on Ireland, where the government has proposed the idea of a second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, despite the resounding 'No' vote delivered on 12 June.
After strongly denying any prospect of a second Irish referendum on the Lisbon Treaty back in July, the Irish Europe Minister Dick Roche has now publicly announced that a second vote would be "appropriate". (Newstalk Radio, 22 July, and Irish Independent, 25 August)
Prime Minister Brian Cowen also admitted that a second referendum will be considered. However, it was suggested that people might only be allowed a second vote on parts of the Treaty, with much of the text just being pushed through the Irish Parliament.
A report in the Irish Independent stated that: "It is possible for the Dail to pass some parts of the treaty without a public vote, and it is understood that Mr Cowen sees this course of action as an option." (2 September)
Meanwhile, according to the Irish Times, Irish officials met with their Danish counterparts last month to get advice on how Ireland could opt out of crucial aspects of the Lisbon Treaty - like the opt outs the Danes adopted following the "no" to the Maastricht Treaty in a referendum.
In 1992, the Danish government responded by coming up with a proposal to "opt out" of four key areas of the Maastricht Treaty - the euro, defence, justice, and common EU citizenship. The proposals were then approved in a second Danish referendum in 1993. (Irish Times, 28 August)
Several pro-Treaty commentators have questioned in the media why a referendum was held in Ireland in the first place. They argue that only some of the elements in the Treaty are constitutional changes and therefore legally require a referendum.
So it seems likely that in October Ireland will be offered the option of "opt outs" from the most sensitive, constitutional elements - for example, the provisions on an EU defence, Home Affairs, and the Charter of Fundamental Rights.
The Irish government will then try to push the rest of the Treaty through the Dail without a referendum, and will allow a second referendum only on the question of whether Ireland should opt out of the most controversial elements.
In this way, even if the second Irish referendum on the opt-outs returns a 'No' vote, the Treaty will still come into effect for all other member states.
Legally such a process could be achieved in one of two ways. The contents of the Lisbon Treaty could be inserted into the forthcoming Croatian Accession Treaty (expected at the end of 2009). The text would be the same as the Lisbon Treaty, but would also make provisions for Ireland's opt outs. This would be legal, but would require the other 26 member states to re-ratify the new Treaty. This would be unpopular in Britain, as the Government would not want to push an unpopular Treaty through the Commons just before a general election.
The alternative is to bend the law. The current problem for supporters of the Treaty is that giving Ireland legally-binding opt outs from Lisbon should require a change to the treaties, which in turn would have to be ratified by all other member states. However, the law could be fudged, as it was after the Danish "no" in 1992. Britain's former "ambassador" to the EU, Sir Stephen Wall, recalls in his recent memoirs that EU leaders simply invented a whole new type of legal arrangement to get round the "problem":
"Member states rallied round the plan that had been in gestation for some weeks, of providing an interpretation of the treaty which would, as the Council's legal adviser, the clever and inventive Frenchman Jean Claude Piris, advised the heads, clarify the treaty provisions for Denmark."
"It was an intergovernmental act with binding legal consequences. However that did not mean, either in national law, community law, or constitutional law that it needed to be ratified."
While neither of these options are ideal from the point of view of the pro-Lisbon camp, they are probably the only realistic ways to "get round" the no vote. There seems little prospect that a second referendum on the same treaty would be won. A new poll for the Irish Sunday Independent found that people would vote no by 44 to 42 percent if a second referendum were held. The poll also showed a sharp drop in Brian Cowen's popularity, down 34 points since he was elected in May.
The main pro-Lisbon opposition parties in Ireland have also reacted angrily to suggestions of a second referendum. A spokeswoman for Fine Gael said that talk of a second referendum only served to highlight the "arrogance and lack of respect" the government has for voters. A spokesman for the Labour Party said comments about a second referendum were "not helpful" and that there can be no question of simply putting the same proposition to the people again. (Irish Independent, 28 August)
Meanwhile, the European Commission has been rolling the pitch for a return to the Treaty. The Commission's office in Dublin last week issued a briefing to journalists blaming the "British media" for the Irish no vote, and complaining that it could not control "anti-establishment" bloggers. In a separate report this week the European Parliament called for EU regulation of blogs (see the Open Europe blog for more details).
4. News in brief
EU military mission in Chad dependent on Russian support. Russia has agreed to send four helicopters and up to 200 military personnel to take part in the EU mission to Chad despite recent tensions with Europe over its role in the Georgian crisis. EU officials this week decided to accept Russia's offer, as the mission has long struggled to muster enough helicopters. Daniel Keohane of the EU Institute for Security Studies in Paris said: "Despite spending 200 billion euros annually, it still took fully six months to find only 16 helicopters and 10 transport planes for the Chad mission." (Irish Times 4 September)
Brown's fuel poverty plan thwarted by EU rules. Gordon Brown's plan to raise £500 million to fund fuel vouchers for vulnerable families, which was the centrepiece of the Prime Minister's relaunch, has had to be abandoned as a result of EU rules. (Guardian EUreferendum Times 4 September)
EU to regulate bloggers? The European Parliament's Culture Committee has adopted a report recommending the regulation of blogs, including making it impossible to blog anonymously. (Report OE blog Expressen 4 September)
EU renewables targets to push half a million people into fuel poverty. The new wind farms required in the UK in order to meet EU renewable energy targets could add £6 billion a year to consumers' energy bills, adding 25% more to the current cost of domestic electricity. According to the Government's former chief scientist Sir David King, the drive to increase the UK's wind power to meet EU targets for renewable energy could push half a million more people into fuel poverty. (Telegraph EUreferendum 28 August, PA 4 September)
Did EU win the Olympics? The EU-funded organisation the Young European Federalists have said in an open letter to athletes from the 27 EU member states that if they became Team EU they would have a higher medal tally than the US, China or Russia. French President Nicolas Sarkozy said that, "The European Union therefore takes the leading position. It's a victory for sport and for the fundamental and common values of the people of the union." (Sun EUobserver Dan Hannan's blog Telegraph 26 August)
EU emissions rules stop production of classic Vespa. EU emissions restrictions have effectively ended the production of the classic Vespa PX. The new rules require automatic gears and make the production of a two-stroke engine larger than 50cc economically unfeasible. Andy Gillard, editor of Scootering magazine said that it was the end of an era, whilst Piaggio UK general manager said that the PX "will undoubtedly go down in history as one of the best". (Telegraph 26 August)
EU price controls increase phone bills. Vodaphone has announced that it will increase the price of domestic phone calls to make back revenue it has lost because of EU price controls on overseas calls. (Times 19 August )
5. Open Europe round-up of EU news
Every morning Open Europe produces a round-up of news from all around Europe, looking at the French, Spanish, Belgian, German and Scandinavian press as well as UK coverage of EU issues. If you would like to receive the press summary by email, please sign up on the front page of our website - http://openeu.bluestatedigital.com/page/m/661f27c961e28569/wKQSlR/VEsHAg==/
Open Europe also runs a blog on all EU-related issues which is updated regularly, and where you can post your comments. To read our blog, click here: http://openeu.bluestatedigital.com/page/m/661f27c961e28569/OnknIB/VEsHDQ==/
6. Open Europe in the news
UK Government welcomes EU plans to allow citizens to be tried in their absence in other member statesDaily Mail BBC 3 September, 4 September
Various papers picked up on Open Europe's new briefing paper on EU plans which would impose recognition of foreign trials in absentia. Open Europe's Pieter Cleppe was quoted on the BBC website and in the Mail, as saying, "This proposal could open the door to serious miscarriages of justice and ministers should not be supporting it."
United in PowerlessnessNational Interest Open Europe blog 18 August
US magazine the National Interest quoted Open Europe dismissing the notion that the Lisbon Treaty would make Europe a more serious player internationally, saying: "Open Europe points out that EU members collectively spend but 1.6 percent of their GDP on the military and have been steadily cutting expenditures since the 1990s: 'Why will the short war in Georgia change this long trend when the other wars--which EU members are actually fighting in--have not?'"
EU sends development aid to RussiaTelegraph blog 18 August
On his Telegraph blog, Alex Singleton questioned why the EU gives aid to Russia, citing an Open Europe report calling for control over development aid to be returned to member states.
UK Government too passive about EU proposalsNews of the World 17 August
Open Europe was quoted in News of the World, in a piece looking at a House of Lords report on the EU Commission's Annual Policy Strategy. The report criticised the UK Government for taking a too passive an approach to proposals coming from the Commission.
170,000 people work for the EU, as revealed by Open Europe researchHeritage Foundation Het Nieuwsblad Overheidsmanagement.nl SP National Interest 11 August, 14 August, 18 August
Open Europe's research, which found that the number of people working for EU institutions has reached 170,000 people, far more than it claims, continued to receive coverage, reported in several European newspapers in particular.
71 per cent of Irish voters against a second referendum, according to Open Europe pollLe Monde Le Figaro L'Express Elsevier 25 August, 26 August
Open Europe's poll, which found that 71 per cent of Irish voters were against a second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, continued to receive coverage
Friday, August 29, 2008
SHOE BOMBER
Subject: FW: Shoe Bomber Sentenced ..................And Nobody Heard About It ! Sentence of Reid ......Remember the guy who got on a plane with a bomb built into his shoe andtried to light it?Did you know his trial is over?>>> Did you know he was sentenced?>>>>>> Did you see/hear any of the judge's comments on TV or Radio?>>>>>> Didn't think so.>>>>>>>>> Everyone should hear what the judge had to say.>>>>>> Ruling by Judge William Young, US District Court.>>>>>>>>> Prior to sentencing, the Judge asked the defendant if he hadanything to >>> say.>>>>>> His response:>>>>>> After admitting his guilt to the court for the record, Reid also >>> admitted his 'allegiance to Osama bin Laden, to Islam, and to the >>> religion of Allah,' defiantly stating, '>>> I think I will not apologize for my actions,' and told the court 'Iam >>> at war with your country.'>>>>>>>>> Judge Young then delivered the statement quoted below:>>>>>>>>> January 30, 2003, United States vs. Reid. Judge Young:>>>>>>>>> 'Mr. Richard C. Reid, hearken now to the sentence the Court imposesupon >>> you.>>>>>> On counts 1, 5 and 6 the Court sentences you to life in prison inthe >>> custody of the United States Attorney General.>>> On counts 2, 3, 4 and 7, the Court sentences you to 20 years inprison >>> on each count, the sentence on each count to run consecutively.(That's >>> 80 years.)>>> On count 8 the Court sentences you to the mandatory 30 years again,to >>> be served consecutively to the 80 years just imposed.>>>>>> The Court imposes upon you for each of the eight counts a fine of >>> $250,000 that's an aggregate fine of $2 million.>>> The Court accepts the government's recommendation with respect to >>> restitution and orders restitution in the amount of $298.17 to Andre>>> Bousquet and $5,784 to American Airlines.>>>>>> The Court imposes upon you an $800 special assessment.>>>>>> The Court imposes upon you five years supervised release simplybecause >>> the law requires it. But the life sentences are real life sentencesso >>> I need go no further.>>>>>> This is the sentence that is provided for by our statutes. It is afair >>> and just sentence. It is a righteous sentence.>>>>>> Now, let me explain this to you, we are not afraid of you or any ofyour >>> terrorist co-conspirat ors, Mr. Reid. We are Americans. We havebeen >>> through the fire before.>>>>>> There is too much war talk here and I say that to everyone with the >>> utmost respect. Here in this court, we deal with individuals as >>> individuals and care for individuals as individuals.>>> As human beings, we reach out for justice.>>> You are not an enemy combatant. You are a terrorist.>>> You are not a soldier in any war. You are a terrorist.>>> To give you that reference, to call you a soldier, gives you far too>>> much stature.>>> Whether the officers of government do it or your attorney does it,or if >>> you think you are a soldier. You are not----- you are a terrorist.>>> And we do not negotiate with terrorists. We do not meet with >>> terrorists.>>> We do not sign documents with terrorists. We hunt them down one byone >>> and bring them to justice. So war talk is way out of line in thiscourt.>>> You are a big fellow. But you are not that big. You're no warrior. >>> I've known warriors. You are a terrorist. A species of criminalthat is >>> guilty of multiple attempted murders.>>> In a very real sense, State Trooper Santiago had it right when youfirst >>> were taken off that plane and into custody and you wondered wherethe >>> press and the TV crews were, and he said: 'You're no big deal.'>>>>>> You are no big deal.>>> What your able counsel and what the equally able United Statesattorneys >>> have grappled with and what I have as honestly as I know how triedto >>> grapple with, is why you did something so horrific. What was itthat >>> led you here to this courtroom today?>>>>>> I have listened respectfully to what you have to say. And I ask youto >>> search your heart and ask yourself what sort of unfathomable hateled >>> you to do what you are guilty and admit you are guilty of doing?And, I >>> have an answer for you. It may not satisfy you, but as I searchthis >>> entire record, it comes as close to understanding as I know.>>> It seems to me you hate the one thing that to us is most precious.>>> You hate our freedom. Our individual freedom. Our individualfreedom >>> to live as we choose, to come and go as we choose, to believe or not>>> believe as we individually choose.>>> Here, in this society, the very wind carries freedom. It carries it>>> everywhere from sea to shining sea. It is because we prizeindividual >>> freedom so much that you are here in this beautiful courtroom.>>> So that everyone can see, truly see, that just ice is administered >>> fairly, individually, and discretely.>>> It is for freedom's sake that your lawyers are striving sovigorously on >>> your behalf, have filed appeals, will go on in their representationof >>> you before other judges.>>> We Americans are all about freedom. Because we all know that theway we >>> treat you, Mr. Reid, is the measure of our own liberties. Make no >>> mistake>>> though. It is yet true that we will bear any burden; pay any price,to >>> preserve our freedoms.>>> Look around this courtroom. Mark it well. The world is not goingto >>> long remember what you or I say here. The day after tomorrow, itwill >>> be forgotten, but this, however, will long endure.>>> Here in this courtroom and courtrooms all across America , theAmerican >>> people will gather to see that justice, individual justice, justice,not >>> war, individual justice is in fact being done.>>> The very President of the United States through his officers willhave >>> to come into courtrooms and lay out evidence on which specificmatters >>> can be judged and juries of citizens will gather to sit and judgethat >>> evidence democratically, to mold and shape and refine our sense of >>> justice.>>>>>> See that flag, Mr. Reid? That's the flag of the United States of >>> America .>>> That flag will fly there long after this is all forgotten. Thatflag >>> stands for freedom. And it always will.>>> Mr. Custody Officer. Stand him down.>>>>>>>>>>>> So, how much of this Judge 's comments did we hear on our TV sets?>>> We need more judges like Judge Young, but that's another subject.>>>>>> Pass this around. Everyone should and needs to hear what this fine >>> judge had to say. Powerful words that strike home.>>>>>>>> No virus found in this outgoing message.
WE NEED GORDON HENDERSON
Last weeks political attacks on the good nature of our next MP Gordon Henderson was quite despicable, it was obvious that the letter attack was orchestrated by his political opponents to confuse people. So let’s correct some of the inaccurate information:
Liberal Democrat Peter Morgan insinuated that the clean up campaign was just a publicity stunt by Gordon, well as an ex politician Morgan should have checked his facts, because Gordon has been involved in this campaign for some years, for those on his mailing list will know as we have had to put up with his endless photographs depicting clean up events. So a cheap shot Mr Morgan I expect to see your apology next week or will there be another letter twisting the truth.
As for the row about pensioners working after retirement, where did Gordian state that it would be compulsory for pensioners to clean up streets? NO WHERE once again the twisting of the truth by his opponents mind you after 10 years Derek Wyatt’s labour Government we should be used to Labour people being economical with the truth.
Gordon suggested that pensioners should be encouraged to help with voluntary work and get paid if necessary is there anything wrong with that? The problem is that this government sends out different messages one they say we need young blood and dead wood has to make way for young shoots etc. then they tell us we should all work till we are 70. The complaints about pensions should be linked to this as it is under a Labour Government that pensions have disintegrated I have colleagues of mine who wanted to retire at 60 but have to carry on way past 65 because their pensions on which they spent thousands of pounds on have become worthless, several have said they would welcome the chance to earn a little extra money in their retirement plus help the community.
As for Derek Wyatt I did send in letter last week which I noticed was not printed (but can be seen at martinclarke.blogspot.com) I have taken out a paragraph which I reproduce here:
Mr. Wyatt spends most of his time trying to ridicule the Conservative and LibDems, while he should be trying to deal with issues like the Pension Crisis, Housing Crisis, Unemployment Crisis, Violent Crime Crisis, Price of Fuel Crisis, and Cost of food Crisis I could go on. Trying to score cheap political points is not worthy of any MP from any party. Mr. Wyatt and the Labour Government remind me of Nero watching the flames as Rome burnt, let hope the election comes soon before the UK becomes a third world country.
My advice to Gordon keep fighting for the people of Sittingbourne & Sheppey they desperately need a voice in Parliament not just a puppet
Martin Clarke Sittingbourme
Liberal Democrat Peter Morgan insinuated that the clean up campaign was just a publicity stunt by Gordon, well as an ex politician Morgan should have checked his facts, because Gordon has been involved in this campaign for some years, for those on his mailing list will know as we have had to put up with his endless photographs depicting clean up events. So a cheap shot Mr Morgan I expect to see your apology next week or will there be another letter twisting the truth.
As for the row about pensioners working after retirement, where did Gordian state that it would be compulsory for pensioners to clean up streets? NO WHERE once again the twisting of the truth by his opponents mind you after 10 years Derek Wyatt’s labour Government we should be used to Labour people being economical with the truth.
Gordon suggested that pensioners should be encouraged to help with voluntary work and get paid if necessary is there anything wrong with that? The problem is that this government sends out different messages one they say we need young blood and dead wood has to make way for young shoots etc. then they tell us we should all work till we are 70. The complaints about pensions should be linked to this as it is under a Labour Government that pensions have disintegrated I have colleagues of mine who wanted to retire at 60 but have to carry on way past 65 because their pensions on which they spent thousands of pounds on have become worthless, several have said they would welcome the chance to earn a little extra money in their retirement plus help the community.
As for Derek Wyatt I did send in letter last week which I noticed was not printed (but can be seen at martinclarke.blogspot.com) I have taken out a paragraph which I reproduce here:
Mr. Wyatt spends most of his time trying to ridicule the Conservative and LibDems, while he should be trying to deal with issues like the Pension Crisis, Housing Crisis, Unemployment Crisis, Violent Crime Crisis, Price of Fuel Crisis, and Cost of food Crisis I could go on. Trying to score cheap political points is not worthy of any MP from any party. Mr. Wyatt and the Labour Government remind me of Nero watching the flames as Rome burnt, let hope the election comes soon before the UK becomes a third world country.
My advice to Gordon keep fighting for the people of Sittingbourne & Sheppey they desperately need a voice in Parliament not just a puppet
Martin Clarke Sittingbourme
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Read this and tell me there is Justice
PLEASE SUPPORT ROBERT HUGHES CAMPAIGN
(PLEASE ENJOY DON'T DESTROY)
MALIA 2008
This is an email that i have sent to MP Hazel Blear and thought i would send to you all for your kind support. Thanks.
Dear Hazel.
I am Maggie Hughes the mother of Robert Hughes who was attacked in Malia on June 17Th 2008 while on holiday by 5 British thugs who smashed him repeatedly around the head with bottles and kicked him repeatedly in the head until he lay there bleeding from his ears and was left lifeless in the busy streets of Malia outside a nightclub to die.
He has had to undergo so far 3 life saving brain operations to help ease the pressure from squashing his stem in the brain and to save his life. Robert had to have half of his skull removed and was in a coma for nearly 4 weeks. We are now waiting for Robert to have his 4Th operation to place the left side of his skull put back into place to support his brain and we have been told that approximately 3 weeks later we maybe able to arrange for Robert to be airlifted back to a hospital in England to undergo further hospital treatment and care.
As a family we feel very lost and alone as we are still here in Greece nearly 10 weeks later and Robert still has a very long way to go and he has lost a lot of his memory and is very child like which is destroying us as a family to see the damage that has been done by these 5 cowardly British thugs who attacked my son in an unprovoked attack..
I nearly lost my son twice as we were told on 2 occasions that there was no hope for Robert and it was up to him to pull through. After the second operation Robert woke up in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) paralysed down the left side of his body and also was blind in one eye due to them fracturing my sons eye socket by breaking the eye bone and affecting the nerve near his eye.
As a mother and a family we have been through hell and back being in a foreign country not knowing the language and having to take in that my son that is a footballer, a football coach for children and a fitness instructor may never be able to do this ever again. All because 5 thugs wanted to play a game of football with my sons head and destroy him until he had nothing left.to live for.
Recently Hazel it has been brought to our family's attention that these thugs are on face book and there is evidence that we are being told that they have placed pictures of themselves taking the mickey out of my son and bragging about what damage that they have caused to my son and left a caption to say in code Is he not dead yet?.
I have not seen this yet myself but i am awaiting a copy to be sent to me via fax today which makes me feel disgusted that these people are actually human and have no remorse for what they have done.
The reason why i am writing to you as i have met you on many occasions through Usdaw my union and have listened to you on many occasions about the fear of violence and now as a mother and a family i am reaching out to you to help me promote my sons campaign and for you as a great MP to highlight our situation in the struggle that we are having to get through all the red tape that is making a barrier for not only my family but my son Robert.
We tried for weeks to get the British police involved it was due to perseverance and determination and the help of Interpol to make them sit up and notice that we badly need their help. Also Hazel i have contacted my local MP who is Tom Brake and i have spoken to a member of staff in his office who returned my friends call as i did not have any response after my attempt to contact failed due to them not phoning me back.
I am disgusted not only because of this but when i did speak to a colleague from Tom's office all he said to me was in a very firm voice "What is it that you think that Tom could do for you Mrs Hughes?.. I would of thought Hazel that he would of said 'This is what we could do for you Mrs Hughes as your local MP to support you and your family to help you with this terrible situation regarding your son Robert Hughes and this vicious attack on him?.
Hazel, I really need your help and advice on how to move my sons case forward in Greece and to bring these 5 English thugs to Justice over here to face punishment on where they committed the crime.
Hazel i have two very important things on my mind one is to bring my son Robert home with me and the second one is to sit on the other side of a court room opposite these cowards that have destroyed my sons life in Greece awaiting their sentence's.
Thank you for reading my email and i really look forward to receiving your support and other MP support very soon.
Yours Sincerely
Maggie Hughes
(Mobile No: 07961 700 815)
P.S. To read more on the story and to see some pictures of Robert please visit GOOGLE and type in Rob Hughes in Crete in search icon. Also look on London tonight on the 7th August 2008 it will show a video footage of Robert and also on GMTV. Thanks
PLEASE SUPPORT ROBERT HUGHES CAMPAIGN
(PLEASE ENJOY DON'T DESTROY)
MALIA 2008
Since sending this letter i have been told yet again by the British police that they cannot help my son nor my family in this matter i now believe that its because the senior officers in the mps department cant be bothered due to financial reasons
What happened to my sons human rights and a duty of care to us as British subjects and the fact the the Greek police would look at my son case in a different way if the saw our English police getting involved.
I now have lost all faith in British justice and believe its about a budget not human rights that counts now days.
Please could you also support us to get the British police to look in to this and to do the job and investigate this crime
Thanks.
.
Mrs Maggie Hughes .The Mother of Robert Hughes.
Please pass this email on thank you.
(PLEASE ENJOY DON'T DESTROY)
MALIA 2008
This is an email that i have sent to MP Hazel Blear and thought i would send to you all for your kind support. Thanks.
Dear Hazel.
I am Maggie Hughes the mother of Robert Hughes who was attacked in Malia on June 17Th 2008 while on holiday by 5 British thugs who smashed him repeatedly around the head with bottles and kicked him repeatedly in the head until he lay there bleeding from his ears and was left lifeless in the busy streets of Malia outside a nightclub to die.
He has had to undergo so far 3 life saving brain operations to help ease the pressure from squashing his stem in the brain and to save his life. Robert had to have half of his skull removed and was in a coma for nearly 4 weeks. We are now waiting for Robert to have his 4Th operation to place the left side of his skull put back into place to support his brain and we have been told that approximately 3 weeks later we maybe able to arrange for Robert to be airlifted back to a hospital in England to undergo further hospital treatment and care.
As a family we feel very lost and alone as we are still here in Greece nearly 10 weeks later and Robert still has a very long way to go and he has lost a lot of his memory and is very child like which is destroying us as a family to see the damage that has been done by these 5 cowardly British thugs who attacked my son in an unprovoked attack..
I nearly lost my son twice as we were told on 2 occasions that there was no hope for Robert and it was up to him to pull through. After the second operation Robert woke up in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) paralysed down the left side of his body and also was blind in one eye due to them fracturing my sons eye socket by breaking the eye bone and affecting the nerve near his eye.
As a mother and a family we have been through hell and back being in a foreign country not knowing the language and having to take in that my son that is a footballer, a football coach for children and a fitness instructor may never be able to do this ever again. All because 5 thugs wanted to play a game of football with my sons head and destroy him until he had nothing left.to live for.
Recently Hazel it has been brought to our family's attention that these thugs are on face book and there is evidence that we are being told that they have placed pictures of themselves taking the mickey out of my son and bragging about what damage that they have caused to my son and left a caption to say in code Is he not dead yet?.
I have not seen this yet myself but i am awaiting a copy to be sent to me via fax today which makes me feel disgusted that these people are actually human and have no remorse for what they have done.
The reason why i am writing to you as i have met you on many occasions through Usdaw my union and have listened to you on many occasions about the fear of violence and now as a mother and a family i am reaching out to you to help me promote my sons campaign and for you as a great MP to highlight our situation in the struggle that we are having to get through all the red tape that is making a barrier for not only my family but my son Robert.
We tried for weeks to get the British police involved it was due to perseverance and determination and the help of Interpol to make them sit up and notice that we badly need their help. Also Hazel i have contacted my local MP who is Tom Brake and i have spoken to a member of staff in his office who returned my friends call as i did not have any response after my attempt to contact failed due to them not phoning me back.
I am disgusted not only because of this but when i did speak to a colleague from Tom's office all he said to me was in a very firm voice "What is it that you think that Tom could do for you Mrs Hughes?.. I would of thought Hazel that he would of said 'This is what we could do for you Mrs Hughes as your local MP to support you and your family to help you with this terrible situation regarding your son Robert Hughes and this vicious attack on him?.
Hazel, I really need your help and advice on how to move my sons case forward in Greece and to bring these 5 English thugs to Justice over here to face punishment on where they committed the crime.
Hazel i have two very important things on my mind one is to bring my son Robert home with me and the second one is to sit on the other side of a court room opposite these cowards that have destroyed my sons life in Greece awaiting their sentence's.
Thank you for reading my email and i really look forward to receiving your support and other MP support very soon.
Yours Sincerely
Maggie Hughes
(Mobile No: 07961 700 815)
P.S. To read more on the story and to see some pictures of Robert please visit GOOGLE and type in Rob Hughes in Crete in search icon. Also look on London tonight on the 7th August 2008 it will show a video footage of Robert and also on GMTV. Thanks
PLEASE SUPPORT ROBERT HUGHES CAMPAIGN
(PLEASE ENJOY DON'T DESTROY)
MALIA 2008
Since sending this letter i have been told yet again by the British police that they cannot help my son nor my family in this matter i now believe that its because the senior officers in the mps department cant be bothered due to financial reasons
What happened to my sons human rights and a duty of care to us as British subjects and the fact the the Greek police would look at my son case in a different way if the saw our English police getting involved.
I now have lost all faith in British justice and believe its about a budget not human rights that counts now days.
Please could you also support us to get the British police to look in to this and to do the job and investigate this crime
Thanks.
.
Mrs Maggie Hughes .The Mother of Robert Hughes.
Please pass this email on thank you.
Club Not Gang
JOIN A CLUB NOT A GANG
I, like many people, enjoyed the Olympic Games it was interesting to watch many different Sports. Although some were not as interesting as others and I am sad to say my own Sport of Judo was one of them, as someone who has been involved in Judo for 53 years and as an Olympic Reserve for the 1980 Olympics, I had a job understanding what was happening so I dread to think what the public thought of it? As for Tae Kwon Do a Martial Art which involved all aspects of striking reduced to just Kicking very disappointing. It was also disappointing that the BBC did not give some coverage to other sports which are not so popular in the UK such as Free Style Wrestling and Greco Roman Wrestling the latter being in the ancient Olympics’.
The great thing was seeing so many Olympic medals for Great Britain this was due to millions of pounds being injected into Elite Sports people most which came from the Lottery. John Major the last Conservative Prime Minister has been congratulated by everyone for starting up the Lottery and listening to him on radio he said that Sport has a harmonising effect on the Country, he also said that Lottery money was as important to Grass roots Sports as well as Elite Sport but the most poignant quote was when he said “Sport encourages youngsters to join a Club not a Gang” I hope that will become a slogan for years to come. The Olympics has been a massive success for Team GB but the real success will be when we increase the number of people who participate in Sport for according to the British Olympic Association sports participation in GB has decreased by 20%. Remember Sport is not just for the young and elite but for everyone.
With the Olympics now open to professionals it does have a different dimension in success with medals up to 10 years or so ago to compete in the Olympics you had to be a total amateur, as reserve for Judo in the 1980 Moscow Olympics I can remember receiving money from a small group of club members who had organised a sponsored walk on behalf, I was told by governing body if I accepted the money I would jeopardise my amateur status and would not be considered for Olympic selection. My club held the money and would buy me equipment when needed. Most Olympic hopefuls would have to work, support a family and train about 5 hours a day, so for British Sportsman winning an Olympic medal was a win against all the odds and adversities.
Yet it the USA and Soviet Union would be professional in all but name the USA would have their athletes at College and the USSR athletes would be in the Military so the times had to change if we were to have an equal playing field but I wish it had come earlier as if I could have stopped on for another 4 years I may have come back an Olympic medallist. While on the subject of a fair playing field an article appeared in one of the National newspapers stating that when the Olympics were amateur it was fairer now with £Billions being poured into sport athletes from poor countries will be left out in the cold.
Martin Clarke Sittingbourne
I, like many people, enjoyed the Olympic Games it was interesting to watch many different Sports. Although some were not as interesting as others and I am sad to say my own Sport of Judo was one of them, as someone who has been involved in Judo for 53 years and as an Olympic Reserve for the 1980 Olympics, I had a job understanding what was happening so I dread to think what the public thought of it? As for Tae Kwon Do a Martial Art which involved all aspects of striking reduced to just Kicking very disappointing. It was also disappointing that the BBC did not give some coverage to other sports which are not so popular in the UK such as Free Style Wrestling and Greco Roman Wrestling the latter being in the ancient Olympics’.
The great thing was seeing so many Olympic medals for Great Britain this was due to millions of pounds being injected into Elite Sports people most which came from the Lottery. John Major the last Conservative Prime Minister has been congratulated by everyone for starting up the Lottery and listening to him on radio he said that Sport has a harmonising effect on the Country, he also said that Lottery money was as important to Grass roots Sports as well as Elite Sport but the most poignant quote was when he said “Sport encourages youngsters to join a Club not a Gang” I hope that will become a slogan for years to come. The Olympics has been a massive success for Team GB but the real success will be when we increase the number of people who participate in Sport for according to the British Olympic Association sports participation in GB has decreased by 20%. Remember Sport is not just for the young and elite but for everyone.
With the Olympics now open to professionals it does have a different dimension in success with medals up to 10 years or so ago to compete in the Olympics you had to be a total amateur, as reserve for Judo in the 1980 Moscow Olympics I can remember receiving money from a small group of club members who had organised a sponsored walk on behalf, I was told by governing body if I accepted the money I would jeopardise my amateur status and would not be considered for Olympic selection. My club held the money and would buy me equipment when needed. Most Olympic hopefuls would have to work, support a family and train about 5 hours a day, so for British Sportsman winning an Olympic medal was a win against all the odds and adversities.
Yet it the USA and Soviet Union would be professional in all but name the USA would have their athletes at College and the USSR athletes would be in the Military so the times had to change if we were to have an equal playing field but I wish it had come earlier as if I could have stopped on for another 4 years I may have come back an Olympic medallist. While on the subject of a fair playing field an article appeared in one of the National newspapers stating that when the Olympics were amateur it was fairer now with £Billions being poured into sport athletes from poor countries will be left out in the cold.
Martin Clarke Sittingbourne
STIFF UPPER LIP
ENGLISH RESERVE
Can some one tell where that English Reserve has disappeared to? Programmes like X Factor and Has Britain Got Talent has encouraged demonstratively over the top theatrerical behaviour, with contestants coming out screaming, crying, jumping up and down after just being selected to go to round 2. Then we have the interview where they try and convince the audience that they only entered because their Dad died or Mum has cancer or they were bullied at school or they sexually abused or they are homosexual or they so on and so on, their stories may be true, the English way used to be keep your composure but the true reason they are doing it is for themselves.
After watching the Olympics I notice this is creeping into Sport, have you noticed the histrionics after they win a match, race etc maybe a punch in the air that can be relief the game is over as well as a victory signal but that should be it. The most ridiculous was the our silver medallist High Jumper who every time he jumped cupped his hand behind his ear and rotated his arm so he could get the audience baying something akin to Hulk Hogan in Pro Wrestling, why? Or the Judo Player who done a backward somersault after winning Gold why? Their performance proved they were top class athletes.
I was always told to be Magnanimous and courteous in Victory, realising the disappointment of those defeated.
My opinion is a lot of this OTT behaviour is to attract the attention of the media so they stand out, the more publicity the better. How else could you explain the entry of Paula Radcliffe in the Olympics? Before the race she told the World she was not up to it and remember her entry stopped another British Girl competing “Shame on her” and who paid for her travel, accommodation etc Yes the British Tax Payer for some one who the press claim is a millionaire from her sport (something that take some believing) After all I have said the Olympians have achieved something and maybe they deserve media attention rather then the tacky celebrities which are featured. Those who really behave with dignity, Honour and stiff upper lip were the Rowers, Canoeist and cycling team, let hope our younger generation try to emulate these hero’s rather then the Druggy, alcoholic, self obsessed celebrities from the entertainment world
Martin Clarke Sittingbourne
Can some one tell where that English Reserve has disappeared to? Programmes like X Factor and Has Britain Got Talent has encouraged demonstratively over the top theatrerical behaviour, with contestants coming out screaming, crying, jumping up and down after just being selected to go to round 2. Then we have the interview where they try and convince the audience that they only entered because their Dad died or Mum has cancer or they were bullied at school or they sexually abused or they are homosexual or they so on and so on, their stories may be true, the English way used to be keep your composure but the true reason they are doing it is for themselves.
After watching the Olympics I notice this is creeping into Sport, have you noticed the histrionics after they win a match, race etc maybe a punch in the air that can be relief the game is over as well as a victory signal but that should be it. The most ridiculous was the our silver medallist High Jumper who every time he jumped cupped his hand behind his ear and rotated his arm so he could get the audience baying something akin to Hulk Hogan in Pro Wrestling, why? Or the Judo Player who done a backward somersault after winning Gold why? Their performance proved they were top class athletes.
I was always told to be Magnanimous and courteous in Victory, realising the disappointment of those defeated.
My opinion is a lot of this OTT behaviour is to attract the attention of the media so they stand out, the more publicity the better. How else could you explain the entry of Paula Radcliffe in the Olympics? Before the race she told the World she was not up to it and remember her entry stopped another British Girl competing “Shame on her” and who paid for her travel, accommodation etc Yes the British Tax Payer for some one who the press claim is a millionaire from her sport (something that take some believing) After all I have said the Olympians have achieved something and maybe they deserve media attention rather then the tacky celebrities which are featured. Those who really behave with dignity, Honour and stiff upper lip were the Rowers, Canoeist and cycling team, let hope our younger generation try to emulate these hero’s rather then the Druggy, alcoholic, self obsessed celebrities from the entertainment world
Martin Clarke Sittingbourne
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
WYATT & RACISM
I was recently reading Derek Wyatt’s MP web site in particular an article which accuses Gordon Henderson the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate of being racist, as some one who knows Gordon I checked out what he said. It seems Gordon wants to buy a house in Goa India but laws there restrict him from doing so it seems that Indian law denies foreigners the right to buy property unless they are Indian or of Indian extraction, he went on to comment if this happened in this country there would be uproar. Now according to Mr. Wyatt this is Racism RUBBISH, what is racism is when the under Mr. Wyatt term in office the interest of legal and illegal immigrants have been put before the welfare of the indigenous population i.e. the British people and I include our friends from the commonwealth.
Mr. Wyatt spends most of his time trying to ridicule the Conservative and LibDems, while he should be trying to deal with issues like the Pension Crisis, Housing Crisis, Unemployment Crisis, Violent Crime Crisis, Price of Fuel Crisis, and Cost of food Crisis I could go on. Trying to score cheap political points is not worthy of any MP from any party. Mr. Wyatt and the Labour Government remind me of Nero watching the flames as Rome burnt, let hope the election comes soon before the UK becomes a third world country.
Mr. Wyatt spends most of his time trying to ridicule the Conservative and LibDems, while he should be trying to deal with issues like the Pension Crisis, Housing Crisis, Unemployment Crisis, Violent Crime Crisis, Price of Fuel Crisis, and Cost of food Crisis I could go on. Trying to score cheap political points is not worthy of any MP from any party. Mr. Wyatt and the Labour Government remind me of Nero watching the flames as Rome burnt, let hope the election comes soon before the UK becomes a third world country.
Sunday, August 03, 2008
Immigrants, Not Brits, Must adapt
Story in a National Newspaper
Will we still be the Country of choice and still be Gt Britain if we continue to make the changes forced on us by the people from other countries that came to live in Britain because it is the Country of Choice?????? Think about it . . All I have to say is, when will they do something about MY RIGHTS? I celebrate Christmas, but because it isn't celebrated by everyone, we can no longer say Merry Christmas. Now it has to be Season's Greetings. It's not Christmas holiday, it's Winter Break. Isn't it amazing how this winter break ALWAYS occurs over the Christmas holiday? We've gone so far the other way, bent over backwards to not offend anyone, that I am now being offended. But it seems that no one has a problem with that. This says it all!
This is an editorial written by a British citizen, published in a National newspaper He did quite a job, didn't he? Read on, please!IMMIGRANTS, NOT BRITS, MUST ADAPT.I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on the 07/07 we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Brits. However, the disgust about the attacks had barely settled when the 'politically correct! ' crowd began complaining about the possibility that our patriotism was offending others. I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who is seeking a better life by coming to Britain, Our population is almost entirely made up of descendants of immigrants. (The Danes, Romans etc.) However, there are a few things that those who have recently come to our country, and apparently some born here, need to understand. This idea of the Brits being a multicultural communityhas served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. As Britain's we have our own culture, our own society, our own language and our own lifestyle. This culture has been developed over centuries of struggles, trials, and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom. We speak ENGLISH, not Indian, Urdu, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society, learn the language!'Land of Hope & Glory' is our motto. This is not some Christian, right wing, political slogan We adopted this motto because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.If the 'Union Jack' flag offends you, or you don't like our QUEEN, then you should seriously consider a move to another part of this planet. We are happy with our culture and have no desire to change, and we really don't care how you did things where you came from. This isOUR COUNTRY, our land, and our lifestyle. Our Laws give every citizen the right to express his opinion and we will allow you every opportunity to do so!But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about our flag, our lifestyle our government, or our way of life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great BRITISH freedom, THE RIGHT TO LEAVE.It is Time for Gt. Britain to Speak up If you agree -- pass this along;if you don't agree -- delete it! anon..AMENI think if we all keep passing this to our friends (and enemies) it will also, sooner or laterget back to the complainers, lets all try,please
Will we still be the Country of choice and still be Gt Britain if we continue to make the changes forced on us by the people from other countries that came to live in Britain because it is the Country of Choice?????? Think about it . . All I have to say is, when will they do something about MY RIGHTS? I celebrate Christmas, but because it isn't celebrated by everyone, we can no longer say Merry Christmas. Now it has to be Season's Greetings. It's not Christmas holiday, it's Winter Break. Isn't it amazing how this winter break ALWAYS occurs over the Christmas holiday? We've gone so far the other way, bent over backwards to not offend anyone, that I am now being offended. But it seems that no one has a problem with that. This says it all!
This is an editorial written by a British citizen, published in a National newspaper He did quite a job, didn't he? Read on, please!IMMIGRANTS, NOT BRITS, MUST ADAPT.I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on the 07/07 we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Brits. However, the disgust about the attacks had barely settled when the 'politically correct! ' crowd began complaining about the possibility that our patriotism was offending others. I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who is seeking a better life by coming to Britain, Our population is almost entirely made up of descendants of immigrants. (The Danes, Romans etc.) However, there are a few things that those who have recently come to our country, and apparently some born here, need to understand. This idea of the Brits being a multicultural communityhas served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. As Britain's we have our own culture, our own society, our own language and our own lifestyle. This culture has been developed over centuries of struggles, trials, and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom. We speak ENGLISH, not Indian, Urdu, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society, learn the language!'Land of Hope & Glory' is our motto. This is not some Christian, right wing, political slogan We adopted this motto because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.If the 'Union Jack' flag offends you, or you don't like our QUEEN, then you should seriously consider a move to another part of this planet. We are happy with our culture and have no desire to change, and we really don't care how you did things where you came from. This isOUR COUNTRY, our land, and our lifestyle. Our Laws give every citizen the right to express his opinion and we will allow you every opportunity to do so!But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about our flag, our lifestyle our government, or our way of life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great BRITISH freedom, THE RIGHT TO LEAVE.It is Time for Gt. Britain to Speak up If you agree -- pass this along;if you don't agree -- delete it! anon..AMENI think if we all keep passing this to our friends (and enemies) it will also, sooner or laterget back to the complainers, lets all try,please
Saturday, August 02, 2008
IRISH MUST VOTE AGAIN
Open Europe
Europe
Jean Quatremer: Open Europe poll won't change minds of EU governments - they want the Irish to vote again
Under the headline "24 to 1" Liberation Brussels correspondent Jean Quatremer argues on his blog that "the recent poll showing that 71% of Irish people are opposed to a second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty has not had much impact in European capitals, since the wording of the question indicated that the vote would be on the same text. There is no question of that: either the Irish will be asked to adopt the Lisbon Treaty with ad hoc declarations responding to their concerns (like in 2002 for Nice), or they will be asked if they want to continue to be part of a Union that is governed by the Lisbon Treaty... This second possibility would clarify things: either you stay or you go, but you do not block Europe as a whole."
Italy has now ratified the Treaty, welcomed with a standing ovation in the Chamber of Deputies in Rome. Meanwhile, three countries have yet to decide on the treaty: the Czech Republic, which is waiting on a judgement by its constitutional court; Sweden, whose parliament will vote in November; and Poland, whose president has said he intends to wait until the Treaty's fate is certain before giving his assent.
David Quinn argues in the Irish Independent: "Here is why the Lisbon Treaty referendum was lost -- and if the Government does not address this, the next one will likely be lost as well: people are worried about the loss of sovereignty and national identity... the European Court of Justice, an institution of the EU, will gain immeasurably more power over Irish law if the Lisbon treaty and the accompanying Charter of Fundamental Rights is ever passed... We have to wake up to the fact that the more power we cede to judges, lawyers and other experts, whether they are based in Ireland or overseas, the less democratic we become. The heart of democracy in any country has to be the national legislature with its elected representatives, not the courts and the law library."
Coulisses de Bruxelles AFP European Voice BBC NZZ Irish Independent Quinn Irish Times Open Europe blog
UK faces looming electricity supply gap - families face £4,000 bill for renewables
A new report commissioned by the WWF and Greenpeace attacks plans to build new coal plants in response to Britain's looming electricity supply gap, predicted to reach 20GW by 2020. The report argues that if the UK meets its EU targets of sourcing 15% of energy from renewables (translating to 35-40% of electricity), together with a 20% improvement in energy efficiency, new coal plants will not be needed.
However, the FT notes that keeping the lights on without increased use of fossil fuels may not be possible if the UK fails to meet the EU targets - which all sides agree will be a struggle. Paul Golby noted in the Guardian yesterday that the necessary investment in renewables would cost the equivalent of £4,000 for every household in the country.
In the Guardian Simon Lewis, a Royal Society research fellow at the Earth & Biosphere Institute, University of Leeds, argues that E.on's use of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme "won't deliver real cuts, as its own business case shows".
FT BBC Guardian Golby Guardian Lewis
Commentators analyze the failure of the Doha round
Following the failure of the Doha round of world trade talks, fingers have been pointed as to who is to blame for the breakdown. Open Europe's Mats Persson had an op-ed in Swedish daily Sydsvenska Dagbladet, arguing that the global food crisis illustrates the need for freeing up trade in agricultural products and that the EU must bear part of the blame for the break down of the Doha talks.
Philip Stephens argues in the FT that "the French president's language betrays temerity. In spite of all its manifest strengths - economic, technological, cultural, political - France, it seems, cannot stand on its own feet. Europe's leaders must protect the continent from the ravages of globalisation...The collapse of Doha, however, speaks to the failure of both sides to own up to the world as it is. On the side of the rich countries, particularly the US but no less many European nations, there is a refusal to acknowledge that globalisation no longer belongs to the west."
Economist FT Stephens Independent Hari Sydsvenskan
City fears "reactionary legislation" from the EU will exacerbate the downturn
The FT reports on the hostile reaction from the City of London, and the banking sector in general, to the European Commission's proposed increase in regulation. "Proposed changes could greatly increase the cost of capital across Europe with detrimental effects far beyond the financial services industry", said Stuart Fraser, chairman of policy and resources at the City of London, which will today publish its forecasts. These forecasts are expected to predict the sector's contribution to the EU economy by 2009 will have fallen by 8.3 per cent from the 225bn euros ($350bn, £177bn) of last year. Fraser goes on to say: "The message we're trying to get across is that it's a very difficult environment for financial services. What we don't need is regulation that will exacerbate the downturn".
Fraser also has a comment piece in the FT where he compares Internal Market Commissioner Charlie McCreevy's approach to the current problems in financial markets as using the "proverbial sledgehammer to crack a walnut".
FT FT Fraser
Russia plans to form a Gazprom-style state trading company for grain exports, raising fears that Moscow will use food as a diplomatic weapon, according to the front page of the FT.
FT
Scottish sheep farmers fear that Commission plans to review existing transport legislation could pose a threat to their livelihood. The changes would cut driving times, restricting access to the Isle of Skye and adversely affect their sheep trade.
The Scotsman
Independent assesses the Conservatives in Europe
As part of the Independent's series, 'Preparing for Power', the paper has assesses the role Europe will play in a future Conservative government. The article notes that Europe is no longer the divisive issue it once was for the party. However, it argues that in opposition the party has not had to make the tough policy choices over Europe that it will have to face in government and implies that it will be difficult to live up to the expectations of the party's eurosceptics while in power.
The article argues that major problems for David Cameron over Europe include the opposition he will face from other EU member states in attempting to renegotiate the Lisbon Treaty and the UK's membership of the EU's Social Chapter.
Independent
EUobserver reports that almost 900 immigrants have arrived in Italy just days after the government declared a state of emergency over what it called an "exceptional and persistent influx" of clandestine immigrants.
EUobserver
John Torode: Turkey plans to annex North Cyprus
John Torode writes in The Spectator that new Greco-Turkish tensions in Cyprus are a real possibility. In light of the upcoming peace talks between the Turkish and Greek Cypriot leaders, many now believe that Turkey has lost interest in a bi-zonal settlement, and is "bent on annexing the North". Former President Papadopoulos is said to have added fuel to the fire, by saying that the Turkish Cypriot leader Talet, is "Ankara's man." Furthermore, Torode argues that this outcome is likely to be accepted by the west, which wants to elevate Turkey as much as possible before its accession into the EU.
Spectator
The Irish Independent reports that the EU mission in Chad may be extended for up to three months.
No link
Ultra nationalist Bulgarian MEP Dimitar Stoyanov was one of the five Ataka sympathisers arrested on Wednesday. The arrests caused clashes between police and other Ataka supporters in Sofia.
Sofia Echo
Rosemary Righter has a comment piece in the Times where she suggests French President Nicolas Sarkozy's return to his reformist election promises is not only supported by the French public but may change the face of France forever.
Times Righter
Tisdall: EU needs common defence
In the Guardian, Simon Tisdall looks at the recent report on EU defence from the European Council on Foreign Relations. He argues, "with a less well-disposed Russia once again prowling around the neighbourhood, the need for a coherent, organised, collective European defence that is neither reliant on nor subordinate to Washington could become painfully obvious."
Guardian
UK
A new poll by YouGov in the Telegraph shows a 22-point lead for the Conservatives. The poll also shows that Labour would not perform much better under any other leader including potential leadership challenger David Miliband. A Labour Party led by Tony Blair however would only be 9 points behind.
Daily Telegraph
Europe
Jean Quatremer: Open Europe poll won't change minds of EU governments - they want the Irish to vote again
Under the headline "24 to 1" Liberation Brussels correspondent Jean Quatremer argues on his blog that "the recent poll showing that 71% of Irish people are opposed to a second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty has not had much impact in European capitals, since the wording of the question indicated that the vote would be on the same text. There is no question of that: either the Irish will be asked to adopt the Lisbon Treaty with ad hoc declarations responding to their concerns (like in 2002 for Nice), or they will be asked if they want to continue to be part of a Union that is governed by the Lisbon Treaty... This second possibility would clarify things: either you stay or you go, but you do not block Europe as a whole."
Italy has now ratified the Treaty, welcomed with a standing ovation in the Chamber of Deputies in Rome. Meanwhile, three countries have yet to decide on the treaty: the Czech Republic, which is waiting on a judgement by its constitutional court; Sweden, whose parliament will vote in November; and Poland, whose president has said he intends to wait until the Treaty's fate is certain before giving his assent.
David Quinn argues in the Irish Independent: "Here is why the Lisbon Treaty referendum was lost -- and if the Government does not address this, the next one will likely be lost as well: people are worried about the loss of sovereignty and national identity... the European Court of Justice, an institution of the EU, will gain immeasurably more power over Irish law if the Lisbon treaty and the accompanying Charter of Fundamental Rights is ever passed... We have to wake up to the fact that the more power we cede to judges, lawyers and other experts, whether they are based in Ireland or overseas, the less democratic we become. The heart of democracy in any country has to be the national legislature with its elected representatives, not the courts and the law library."
Coulisses de Bruxelles AFP European Voice BBC NZZ Irish Independent Quinn Irish Times Open Europe blog
UK faces looming electricity supply gap - families face £4,000 bill for renewables
A new report commissioned by the WWF and Greenpeace attacks plans to build new coal plants in response to Britain's looming electricity supply gap, predicted to reach 20GW by 2020. The report argues that if the UK meets its EU targets of sourcing 15% of energy from renewables (translating to 35-40% of electricity), together with a 20% improvement in energy efficiency, new coal plants will not be needed.
However, the FT notes that keeping the lights on without increased use of fossil fuels may not be possible if the UK fails to meet the EU targets - which all sides agree will be a struggle. Paul Golby noted in the Guardian yesterday that the necessary investment in renewables would cost the equivalent of £4,000 for every household in the country.
In the Guardian Simon Lewis, a Royal Society research fellow at the Earth & Biosphere Institute, University of Leeds, argues that E.on's use of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme "won't deliver real cuts, as its own business case shows".
FT BBC Guardian Golby Guardian Lewis
Commentators analyze the failure of the Doha round
Following the failure of the Doha round of world trade talks, fingers have been pointed as to who is to blame for the breakdown. Open Europe's Mats Persson had an op-ed in Swedish daily Sydsvenska Dagbladet, arguing that the global food crisis illustrates the need for freeing up trade in agricultural products and that the EU must bear part of the blame for the break down of the Doha talks.
Philip Stephens argues in the FT that "the French president's language betrays temerity. In spite of all its manifest strengths - economic, technological, cultural, political - France, it seems, cannot stand on its own feet. Europe's leaders must protect the continent from the ravages of globalisation...The collapse of Doha, however, speaks to the failure of both sides to own up to the world as it is. On the side of the rich countries, particularly the US but no less many European nations, there is a refusal to acknowledge that globalisation no longer belongs to the west."
Economist FT Stephens Independent Hari Sydsvenskan
City fears "reactionary legislation" from the EU will exacerbate the downturn
The FT reports on the hostile reaction from the City of London, and the banking sector in general, to the European Commission's proposed increase in regulation. "Proposed changes could greatly increase the cost of capital across Europe with detrimental effects far beyond the financial services industry", said Stuart Fraser, chairman of policy and resources at the City of London, which will today publish its forecasts. These forecasts are expected to predict the sector's contribution to the EU economy by 2009 will have fallen by 8.3 per cent from the 225bn euros ($350bn, £177bn) of last year. Fraser goes on to say: "The message we're trying to get across is that it's a very difficult environment for financial services. What we don't need is regulation that will exacerbate the downturn".
Fraser also has a comment piece in the FT where he compares Internal Market Commissioner Charlie McCreevy's approach to the current problems in financial markets as using the "proverbial sledgehammer to crack a walnut".
FT FT Fraser
Russia plans to form a Gazprom-style state trading company for grain exports, raising fears that Moscow will use food as a diplomatic weapon, according to the front page of the FT.
FT
Scottish sheep farmers fear that Commission plans to review existing transport legislation could pose a threat to their livelihood. The changes would cut driving times, restricting access to the Isle of Skye and adversely affect their sheep trade.
The Scotsman
Independent assesses the Conservatives in Europe
As part of the Independent's series, 'Preparing for Power', the paper has assesses the role Europe will play in a future Conservative government. The article notes that Europe is no longer the divisive issue it once was for the party. However, it argues that in opposition the party has not had to make the tough policy choices over Europe that it will have to face in government and implies that it will be difficult to live up to the expectations of the party's eurosceptics while in power.
The article argues that major problems for David Cameron over Europe include the opposition he will face from other EU member states in attempting to renegotiate the Lisbon Treaty and the UK's membership of the EU's Social Chapter.
Independent
EUobserver reports that almost 900 immigrants have arrived in Italy just days after the government declared a state of emergency over what it called an "exceptional and persistent influx" of clandestine immigrants.
EUobserver
John Torode: Turkey plans to annex North Cyprus
John Torode writes in The Spectator that new Greco-Turkish tensions in Cyprus are a real possibility. In light of the upcoming peace talks between the Turkish and Greek Cypriot leaders, many now believe that Turkey has lost interest in a bi-zonal settlement, and is "bent on annexing the North". Former President Papadopoulos is said to have added fuel to the fire, by saying that the Turkish Cypriot leader Talet, is "Ankara's man." Furthermore, Torode argues that this outcome is likely to be accepted by the west, which wants to elevate Turkey as much as possible before its accession into the EU.
Spectator
The Irish Independent reports that the EU mission in Chad may be extended for up to three months.
No link
Ultra nationalist Bulgarian MEP Dimitar Stoyanov was one of the five Ataka sympathisers arrested on Wednesday. The arrests caused clashes between police and other Ataka supporters in Sofia.
Sofia Echo
Rosemary Righter has a comment piece in the Times where she suggests French President Nicolas Sarkozy's return to his reformist election promises is not only supported by the French public but may change the face of France forever.
Times Righter
Tisdall: EU needs common defence
In the Guardian, Simon Tisdall looks at the recent report on EU defence from the European Council on Foreign Relations. He argues, "with a less well-disposed Russia once again prowling around the neighbourhood, the need for a coherent, organised, collective European defence that is neither reliant on nor subordinate to Washington could become painfully obvious."
Guardian
UK
A new poll by YouGov in the Telegraph shows a 22-point lead for the Conservatives. The poll also shows that Labour would not perform much better under any other leader including potential leadership challenger David Miliband. A Labour Party led by Tony Blair however would only be 9 points behind.
Daily Telegraph
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Global Warning an excuse to Tax
I recently read an article on Global Warning in a back issue of The European Journal and found it fascinating, like many other people I see Global Warming as a means of governments getting higher taxes out of us. What I find worse is the hypocracy where governments canjet around the world having ellaborate meetings, where the EU move the whole of their Parliament once a year from Brussell to Strasbourg and then tell us ordanary mortals we should watch our ECO footprint click the following for a read: http://www.ibfclubs.co.uk/home_page.htm
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Swale Photo's
If you want see some excellent photo's of Swale go to Andy McGowans http://www.kentpictures.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/index.html
Thursday, July 17, 2008
WYATT MP HOLD YOUR HEAD IN SHAME
Rad Wyatts Letter and my reply
WYATT MP HOLD YOUR HEAD IN SHAME
Gordon Henderson attacked me for not voting against the Government’s plans for the PostOffice. Since June, 20071 have been the Parliamentary Private Secretary in the Department ofCulture, Media and Sport for the Rt Hon Margaret Hodge, Minister for the Arts I have alsoacted unofficially for Gerry Sutcliffe, Minister for Sport.Mr. Henderson should know by now, as he has already been a failed Parliamentary candidatethat a PPS is a member of the Government.As a PPS I am a team player. Just as in my rugby days! am free to speak my mind about teampolicies and express my own ideas but when the team captain and management makea decision, I have to respect it. However. I am not surprised Mr Henderson does not understandthis principle. I have never once heard him express or support his parties policy on anynationa1 issue. especially since David Cameron became leader So just for the record, theTories, before the last election. wanted to privatized the Post Office which would have led towholesale closures including most of our post offices on the Isle of Sheppey. I lobbied last yearand helped keep all our Island post offices open. I was the first MP to suggest we should beable to bid for rural and semi-rural post offices as Tory controlled Essex CC is doing (but notTory controlled KCC). Likewise, I was the flrst to suggest combining the rural library servicewith a rural post office service, a simple solution that would help those that are elderly livingin our smaller village&
Derek Wyatt, MP,Sittingbourne and Sheppey
This letter signifies everything that is wrong with the Political Elite in this country and Mr Wyatt should be ashamed of himself. He has put party interest before the people he complains to represent, to make the excuse that he is a team player and he uses a Rugby analogy to legitimise himself, well Mr Wyatt politics is not a sport it about people lives. Lose a game of rugby the world will not change make a mistake in Government and it can. To follow the party line when you know it is wrong is immoral especially when it life changing, to campaign to save Post Offices then vote to have them closed is dishonest and deceitful. Henchman of the Nazis, Communists excuse when brought to justice was I was only obeying orders. I am no fan of Nu Labour politician come to that my faith in all politicians is somewhat stretched but you Mr Wyatt take the biscuit.
Martin Clarke
Dear Sir
Our MP accuses me of not supporting any national Conservative Party policy. That is not true; I support most of David Cameron’s policies. For instance: I support David’s opposition to the scandalous abolition of the 10P tax band that will see so many hard pressed Islanders worse off.I support his call for a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty (EU Constitution) and I support his opposition to the Government’s decision to build more coal fire power stations (such as at Kingsnorth).I support David’s pledge that the Family will be at the heart of every policy introduced by a future Conservative Government. I support his view that there should be a cap on immigration and I support his plans to let only English MPs vote on issues solely relating to England.I support David’s call for more openness in the funding of political parties. I support his call for MPs expenses to be published and I support his pledge to abolish the unelected regional assemblies. I could go on, but I won’t because I think I have made my point!However, it is true that I do not agree with all David Cameron’s policies and where I do not agree I am happy to let my opposition be known. I am not ashamed of being able to think for myself without the help of those who lead my Party.In fact, for that very reason I would like to thank our MP for making clear that at the next General Election Islanders will have a clear choice. They will be able to vote either for somebody who puts his political party, and his desire to climb up the greasy political pole, before those who elected him, or, they can vote for somebody who will always put the interests of his constituents first, even if that brings me into conflict with my “team captain”!Yours sincerelyGordon Henderson
WYATT MP HOLD YOUR HEAD IN SHAME
Gordon Henderson attacked me for not voting against the Government’s plans for the PostOffice. Since June, 20071 have been the Parliamentary Private Secretary in the Department ofCulture, Media and Sport for the Rt Hon Margaret Hodge, Minister for the Arts I have alsoacted unofficially for Gerry Sutcliffe, Minister for Sport.Mr. Henderson should know by now, as he has already been a failed Parliamentary candidatethat a PPS is a member of the Government.As a PPS I am a team player. Just as in my rugby days! am free to speak my mind about teampolicies and express my own ideas but when the team captain and management makea decision, I have to respect it. However. I am not surprised Mr Henderson does not understandthis principle. I have never once heard him express or support his parties policy on anynationa1 issue. especially since David Cameron became leader So just for the record, theTories, before the last election. wanted to privatized the Post Office which would have led towholesale closures including most of our post offices on the Isle of Sheppey. I lobbied last yearand helped keep all our Island post offices open. I was the first MP to suggest we should beable to bid for rural and semi-rural post offices as Tory controlled Essex CC is doing (but notTory controlled KCC). Likewise, I was the flrst to suggest combining the rural library servicewith a rural post office service, a simple solution that would help those that are elderly livingin our smaller village&
Derek Wyatt, MP,Sittingbourne and Sheppey
This letter signifies everything that is wrong with the Political Elite in this country and Mr Wyatt should be ashamed of himself. He has put party interest before the people he complains to represent, to make the excuse that he is a team player and he uses a Rugby analogy to legitimise himself, well Mr Wyatt politics is not a sport it about people lives. Lose a game of rugby the world will not change make a mistake in Government and it can. To follow the party line when you know it is wrong is immoral especially when it life changing, to campaign to save Post Offices then vote to have them closed is dishonest and deceitful. Henchman of the Nazis, Communists excuse when brought to justice was I was only obeying orders. I am no fan of Nu Labour politician come to that my faith in all politicians is somewhat stretched but you Mr Wyatt take the biscuit.
Martin Clarke
Dear Sir
Our MP accuses me of not supporting any national Conservative Party policy. That is not true; I support most of David Cameron’s policies. For instance: I support David’s opposition to the scandalous abolition of the 10P tax band that will see so many hard pressed Islanders worse off.I support his call for a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty (EU Constitution) and I support his opposition to the Government’s decision to build more coal fire power stations (such as at Kingsnorth).I support David’s pledge that the Family will be at the heart of every policy introduced by a future Conservative Government. I support his view that there should be a cap on immigration and I support his plans to let only English MPs vote on issues solely relating to England.I support David’s call for more openness in the funding of political parties. I support his call for MPs expenses to be published and I support his pledge to abolish the unelected regional assemblies. I could go on, but I won’t because I think I have made my point!However, it is true that I do not agree with all David Cameron’s policies and where I do not agree I am happy to let my opposition be known. I am not ashamed of being able to think for myself without the help of those who lead my Party.In fact, for that very reason I would like to thank our MP for making clear that at the next General Election Islanders will have a clear choice. They will be able to vote either for somebody who puts his political party, and his desire to climb up the greasy political pole, before those who elected him, or, they can vote for somebody who will always put the interests of his constituents first, even if that brings me into conflict with my “team captain”!Yours sincerelyGordon Henderson
Political Correctness
'Political Correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition...that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.'E.Mail Circular
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