Twisted Priorities?

Much has been written and reported on the subject of MP's expenses and the possibility, if the leaked reports are correct, that their 'income' will be severely restricted by the Kelly report.

It is a sign of the times that MPs consider their income 'restriction' far more important than matters of state. No better example can be quoted than that of the comments of Conservative MP, Mark Pritchard, who is reported as saying "As I said to my wife, if an MP doesn't stand up for his wife, how can he be expected to stand up for the sovereignty of this country?" If only MPs had stood up for the sovereignty of this country! And does Mark Pritchard really need reminding that MPs are elected to stand up for their country, not their wives?

To MPs one has to pose the questions: Where was the 'outcry' about the proposed increase in the UK's contribution to the EU budget of £5million A DAY, especially when the country is supposed to be 'broke'? Where was the 'outcry' about the reported plans for taxes to be paid direct to the EU? Where was the 'outcry' that it is reported that 1 in 10 Britons now have a profile on a police database? How is it that I missed the sight of MPs clamouring to protect our country from unnecessary expense and loss of liberty?

Posting earlier about Gordon Brown's gaffe at today's PMQs, when he said "This morning, in Brussels, we got permission................", it is worth noting that this provoked not one atom of reaction in  the House of Commons, least of all from David Cameron, neither does the media appear to have picked it up. Were Cameron the Eurosceptic he claims to be, surely he should have landed on Gordon Brown like the proverbial 'ton of bricks'? The reason he did not is due, one suspects, to the possibility that Cameron is no more a Euroseptic than is Michael Heseltine or Ken Clarke.

Perhaps MPs need to really prioritise their priorities?

 

Yet another thought............

The True State Of Affairs

Just a few minutes ago Gordon Brown, in answer to a question from David Cameron, said:

"This morning, in Brussels, we got permission................"

Thus spake the Prime Minister of our Government - and we have not ceded sovereignty?

Ye Gods!


Update: View it here, approx 6minutes 10 seconds in.

David Shepherd - Cricket Umpire

The death of David Shepherd has been announced.

A sad loss and someone who will be much missed by cricket-lovers everywhere.

Condolences to his family.

Politicians - Treacherous, Treasonous?

The Mail carries a leader and an article by Quentin Letts, both accusing David Miliband of treachery following his speech at the International Institute of Strategic Studies and his tour of the television studios promoting the candidacy of Tony Blair for the position of President of the EU.

When the question of EU membership and ratification of the Lisbon Treaty are concerned why single out David Miliband? Are not all those 'pro-EU' Privy Councillors guilty of a failure to stand up for this country, in view of their Oath of Allegiance? Are not ordinary 'pro-EU' MPs also guilty of treachery in view of their Oath of Allegiance? Have they not all agreed to subordinate themselves to a higher 'authority'? Have they not, in effect, made themselves redundant?

Just a thought..........

The Czech Constitutional Court

For those interested in the above, this will provide a resume of the proceedings yesterday and this will provide a summary of the objections made by those who brought the case to court.

H/T: Your Freedom and Ours who posted on the above.

Sixth Form Diplomas - Two-Tier Qualification

The Daily Telegraph reports that "The Government’s flagship sixth form diplomas risk becoming a two tier qualification dominated by brighter pupils, college lecturers have warned." The print edition of the paper is slightly different and contains this "A survey of 133 colleges found many teachers were concerned that the requirements for literacy and numeracy were too high, restricting diplomas to high achievers." And there was I thinking that diplomas were something special, only earned by someone with a superior intellect - well they were when I was at school in the 50s, which is why I never got one!

Then we read that the further five courses, to be introduced in September, will feature business, environmental studies, hair and beauty, and manufacturing. So at least the government has accomplished one thing - that those having their hair cut in years to come can rest assured that they will be served by 'green loving' 'barnet-cutters', who supposedly will know what they are doing, will have the ability to not only give the right change but also know how to make a cup of tea or coffee properly rather than press the appropriate button on a machine!

And when one looks at the Association of Colleges website, the 'quango' & 'fake charity' alarm bells start to ring! Not only a London office but nine regional offices - wow! And a Charitable Trust - wowee!

The more one looks at quangos/advisory bodies/NGOs and their like it would seem that the proposed bonfire is not enough - we need to 'nuke the bastards'* and in so doing achieve ours.

* Bill Pullman in Independence Day

Kicking The Bouquet

A story in the print edition of the Daily Telegraph today recounts that managers at the Gorstage cemetery in Weaverham, Cheshire have banned Stanley Brown, 77, leaving more than one bouquet of flowers on his wife's final resting place as they are 'obstructions', preventing gardeners from cutting the grass and could cause them to 'trip over'.

Setting to one side the possibility of a gardener tripping and, as a result of the injury caused, taking legal action with a view to gaining compensation from the owners of the cemetery - in the worst scenario, even 'kicking the bouquet' early (with apologies to Hyacinth) - it would seem that we have a grave point of principle here.

Besides being yet another instance where the Health & Safety culture has 'lost its marbles', is it beyond the wit of those doing the grass cutting to move any bouquets and then replace them? Is it also beyond the reasoning power of those above the grass - said reasoning power which would appear to be less than those under the grass - to work out that any 'trip hazard' is likely to meet the blades of the mower well before the feet of those behind it?

It will be remembered that, previously, headstones had also been cited as 'hazards'; however it is now obvious that it is 'headcases' that are the hazards!

And The Reason We Have MPs Is.........

If ever there was a case for getting in the 'men in white coats' to deal with those members of our society who exhibit every indication that they have lost the ability of rational thought, then this must surely be as good a reason as any.

We all know that EDMs are pretty useless vehicles and most are created by MPs purely to 'get their name in the news' and to show their constituents that 'they are doing something'.

Were this particular EDM to become the subject of a full debate, what would its purpose be and what 'weight' would it carry? Answer to both is zilch! The decision of who becomes the figurehead of the EU, like just about anything affecting the UK, cannot be influenced by the people of this country, least of all our MPs.

Why do a group of people who gave up their right to govern their country still believe they do?

Monday 26th October 2009

No posting today due remaining interviews with Housing Association bidders and attendance at a talk this evening by Nigel Farage which is being hosted by the Oxford Libertarian Society.

Posting will resume tomorrow, Tuesday.

Klaus' Last Stand - With Apologies to General Custer

The Times is reporting that Vaclav Klaus is supposedly making one last attempt to derail the Lisbon Treaty.

"Twenty years after the restoration of our democracy and sovereignty, we are once again dealing with the question whether we should — this time voluntarily, based on our free will — give up the position of a sovereign state and hand over decision-making on our own matters to European institutions that are outside of the democratic control of our citizens."

Listen Vac - of Hoover fame? - much as I admire your attempts on our behalf, could we just have less of the 'twenty years' bit and remember that we, in this country, have bloody centuries of democracy and sovereignty and fat lot of good it has done us!

A Thought

Apologies for 'harping on' about sheltered accommodation and older people, but................

I am in the process of reading a report on sheltered housing, its history, the aspect of the Supporting People programme, an important aspect in the provision of sheltered housing, and other matters.

Remember that the majority of people who live in sheltered accommodation are those who fought, or were involved, in two World Wars and thus were part of the effort to sustain the 'British way of life' and the country's independence. 

One comment, from a respondent who is an inhabitant of a sheltered housing scheme and who was interviewed during the compilation of this report, is this:

"We are a burden - we are nothing now. We live too long. All they think about is giving money to people who have not given anything, unlike us."

Question: Before we give money to 'others' - the under-developed world; the 'immigrant groups', to help them integrate; other 'countries' like the EU, to help in the creation of something the majority in this country do not want - should we not take care of those who helped to maintain the 'independence' of our country?

Just a thought...............

Conservative Political Logic?

When considering one's vote at the next General election it is hoped that any thinking elector will consider the abilty and intelligence of possible ministers in the party for which they are voting.

On this point, one has to have justified reasons for doubting whether the Conservatives stand a chance of forming the next government.

Mark Francois, Conservative Shadow Minister, is quoted as saying: "The British people do not like the Lisbon Treaty and if it was used to impose Tony Blair as European President without the British people having a say, it would only underline the Treaty’s complete lack of democratic legitimacy."

Ye Gods, is this an example of the low level from which the British electorate has to choose?

 If the British people do not like the Lisbon Treaty, your obvious course of action is........? 

 If the Lisbon Treaty has a complete lack of democratic legitmacy, your course of action is.......? 

 If your 'revered leader' - question: how do you spot a potential Conservative minister; answer: they all have stains on their tongues - is campaigning on remaining a member of the EU, your course of action is.........?

One wonders whether the brightest of the bunch have worked out the answers yet!

Diversity & Equality 'Gone Mad'

If ever there was a case for condemnation of the insane policies of this government, this must be a prime exhibit!

"Those whom the gods wish to destroy, they first make mad" 

Ok God, so you have made them mad - now just destroy the bastards!

Liam Byrne - No Brain!

According to Liam Byrne: "Mr Byrne said that there were no "miracle cures" for the recession......"

Oh there are, Dear Boy - one of them is 'Vote You Bastards Out'!

 Simples!

Passing Thought On The Education System

Much has been written on this subject and comment passed on how children are taught; how 'history' has been truncated; how political indoctrination is taught in schools with benefits of membership of the EU being included.

One wonders if the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families - aka the biggest load of balls ever foisted on an electorate by a government - knows of this quotation from Disraeli:

"Whenever is found what is called a paternal government, there is found state education. It has been discovered that the best way to insure implicit obedience is to commence tyranny in the nursery."

H/T: Samizdata

Another Lickspittle

David Miliband seems to have joined John Rentoul of the Independent from what David Miliband is reported to have said on the Andrew Marr Show.

Under the circumstances I must pose the same question to Miliband as that posed to Rentoul. 

It is pleasing that, if true, he denies that he is in the running for the post of Foreign Representative of the EU. After all, who would take notice of a banana - unless of course it was another monkey?

Sunday Or Not.........What The.............!

Pauline Howe wrote to Norwich City Council complaining about a gay pride march in the city centre during July and then gets interviewed by the police for holding 'inappropriate' views??

The response of Stonewall and the police is indicative of the state society has sunk in this country when a persons views can be considered a crime. I find homosexual's practices somewhat offensive and whilst I do not demonstrate against them - each to their own, as they say - perhaps both Stonewall and the police had better take note that if I wish to publicly criticise homosexuals, or anyone else, I will do so.

Perhaps Norwich City Council and Norfolk Constabulary need to 'get a life' and perhaps a tad of common sense injected into their politically correct 'mission statements'. And to think that those living in Norfolk have part of their council tax diverted to keep brain-dead idiots like these two bodies in existence? No doubt JuliaM at Ambush Predator will take this reported story and tear it apart - me, I am too annoyed to do so at the moment.

Postscript To 'Housing Association Interviews'

Further to the post, entitled as above, I reproduce an ode from shelteredhousinguk. Corny it might be, however verses 5 ande 6 say it all!

"Lives filled with trials and tribulations,
as well as times of bliss.
We soldiered on through love and war,
its time to reminisce.

Our duty done our families raised,
grandchildren at our feet.
What'er we've done is history now,
our lives are near complete.

Time to think how best we can
be safe as life's undone.
We need a plan to see us through
the frailty to come.

Sheltered housing points the way,
it should remove the worry.
They do all the donkey work,
so we do not have to hurry.

What forethought generations past
built these places for the old,
What vision and what solicitude,
for our care they were so bold.

But newer younger people,
that life's experience lack,
For them truth's not grey through white.
Its only white or black.

You do not need a Warden,
this generation call.
We have been to university,
and thus we know it all.

What poppycock affects the old,
that they should even dare.
To think that their very ageing
entitles them to care.

For Wardens we will pay no more.
who heard of such nonsence.
This world we have recreated,
is run on Pounds and Pence.

So lonely as you were before,
then lonely you shall be.
There is no place for coffee mornings
and biscuits and afternoon tea.

Please just get out quietly ,
and do not make a fuss.
Its really quite distressing
that you should bother us.

So hark ye elderly citizen,
long past the days of yore.
Gone is Sheltered Housing
it does not exist 'no more'!"

Hear Hear!

If any reader wishes to know how I feel, why I am so angry, why I hate this government, why I don't see any better future with the Conservatives, why my belief in a monarchy is being stretched to the limit, why I am so 'p'd off' - go read this!

All credit to Captain Ranty.

How I wish that I was blessed, as is he, 

With the ability to put words together, as does he!

On Rule For Them And One Rule For ...........

Christopher Booker writes an article on the disparity on the level of 'punishment' levied on Ukip when compared to the Liberal Democrats for breaking the law on 'donations'.

I have posted previously on the inability - or cowardice - of the three main parties to debate with what they refer to as 'minor parties', regardless of the subject matter. With BNP - the political party, not the bank - many comments have been written in both the media and the blogosphere - that they should be banned. WTF, they are a legal political party, with duly elected representatives, as are Ukip.

In respect of Ukip, instead of hiding behind the skirts of an unelected and unaccountable body in the hope that that body will 'kill' the opposition, debate with them! Setting to one side anyone's political views, it is hoped that any reasonable, fair-minded person would agree that the difference in the punishment levied by the Electoral Commission is out of all proportion.

Once again, as I have posted previously, David Cameron has been invited three times to debate with the Witney branch of the UK Independence Party the question of Britain's membership of the European Union and on each occasion he has declined. What is he afraid of? If he is so sure of his case for that membership then why is he so afraid? It must be as case of 'Put up or shut up'!

The example of David Cameron is not, I hasten to add, criticising one political leader or the party he represents - it is applicable to both Labour and the Liberal Democrats.

Come on chaps, or do you all fit the description of 'Big Girl's Blouse'?