December 31st, 2007 by ThunderDragon
Gordon Brown has delivered a “sobering” New Year message.
I’m just gonna go and get pissed!
Archive for December, 2007
Violent Criminal? Go To An Open Prison!
December 31st, 2007 by ThunderDragon
Our government is putting us in danger by placing violent criminals in open prisons - against its own guidelines. By placing these dangerous people in open prisons, they are leaving us open to the risk of risk of them escaping and re-offending.
They have also started doing this from the start of December by sleight of hand, without actually announcing it at all - just doing it. However, at least it is better than releasing them early. But not by much.
Unfortunately this just isn’t as surprising as it should be that the government has broken it’s own guidelines and put us in potential danger.
Source: The Times
Is Pakistan Even Ready For Real Democracy?
December 31st, 2007 by ThunderDragon
This may seem controversial, but it doesn’t really seem very much so to me at the moment. That the assassination of Benazir Bhutto has left a void in Pakistani politics shows that the political leadership in Pakistan is still weak and massively personality focused.
What also makes me doubt Pakistan’s devotion to democracy is the choice of replacement for Benazir Bhutto as leader of the Pakistan People’s Party - her 19 year old son, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. I mean, a nineteen year old who is still at university?! Have they really got no-one else? Why do they need a Bhutto at the head of the party so much that he even has to change his name? To me, that doesn’t demonstrate a readiness for real democracy.
After all, if any of the party leaders in the UK was assassinated, there would always be several people who could step into the role. It certainly wouldn’t lead a “void”. And neither would there be any call the son - or any other relation - of the now-deceased leader to take over.
Pakistan may well be ready for democracy, as in electing who they want to lead them, but it certainly doesn’t appear to me like they are truly ready for or capable of what I would regard as real democracy with all that that entails within the political system.
What does need to happen, however, is that this election goes ahead - maybe not on the original date, but with only a short delay at most.
Another Illegal Labour Donation?
December 30th, 2007 by ThunderDragon
If what the Conservatives are claiming is true, then yes:
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is to study a Tory dossier that claims the unions are “ripping off” members by asking for inflated fees that are creamed off into Labour coffers…
If this is indeed what is happening - that trade unions are not advertising the fact that members can opt out of paying the political levy - then there can be no doubt that it is illegal and that the trade unions [and indirectly the Labour party] are in breach of the law.
Although union members can opt out of paying a political levy, research by the Tories has found that few organisations advertise the fact.
For example, the Transport and General Workers’ Union, Unity and the general union GMB - all affiliated to Labour - fail to mention on application forms that members can opt out of the political levy and that this would cut their fees.
The Tories claim that this is akin to a shop duping a customer into buying an unwanted warranty and amounts to a breach of consumer protection legislation. (The Times)
The paying of a political levy should really be an opt in rather than opt out system anyway, since it costs them extra money and is going to finance a political party which may or may not represent the beliefs of the individual involved. Since the trade unions have a vested interest in getting their members to pay the levy in order to give them power over the Labour party, they are unlikely to make any opt out system as clear or easy as it should be - as is evidenced by this Tory claim - but the opposite would be true with an opt in system.
What is interesting is that the Times also has an article on the completely legal donations made to the Conservatives by a “Vegas casino billionaire” who both resides in London and made his £70,000 worth of donations over three years - a minuscule amount compared to the millions of pounds a year that the trade unions bankroll Labour - through his UK limited companies.
Pole Tax
December 30th, 2007 by ThunderDragon
No, not the poll tax or even a tax on poles [or even Poles] - but rather a tax on pole dancers.
Customers at strip clubs in Texas are facing a controversial $5-a-head “pole tax” which is intended to pay for sex crime prevention programmes and rape crisis centres.
This tax is opposed by strip clubs and the pole dancers themselves, who fear that it will mean that fewer men will visit them, and also “resent the implied link between their industry and sex crimes” which is fair enough, since it is more than likely that the ability to watch girls gyrate will prevent rather than cause rape.
The surcharge, backed by women’s rights campaigners, comes into effect on Tuesday and is expected to raise an estimated $40 million (£20 million) each year from those paying for lapdancers and pole dancers. (The Telegraph)
Their legal defence, that the tax “violates their constitutional rights to freedom of expression”, is less than convincing in itself, however, since it isn’t preventing them from doing it, just taxing those who watch them. This tax is ridiculous, but not because it infringes on the First Amendment of the US Constitution.
Source: The Telegraph
A Nation Of Monarchists
December 29th, 2007 by ThunderDragon
Britain is a nation of monarchists, with 80% wanting Britain to retain it’s monarchy. I am not in the slightest bit surprised by this, as the monarchy is on the whole well-regarded by the people of Britain.
Also, the monarchy is a good thing for this country, as it keeps a constant and recognisable national figurehead. It also keeps us away from the need for a President, which would either (a) require a complete and unnecessary reorganisation of our entire political system to fit the idea of a Head of State with powers in, or (b) be a completely and utterly pointless position. Neither of these would, in my opinion, be a good idea.
For at least the foreseeable future, if not far far beyond that, there will be a monarchy in Britain. They are far too embedded into the very fabric of this nation to be removed.
Source: BBC
Dead Keyboard
December 29th, 2007 by ThunderDragon
This morning I killed my keyboard by spilling a cup of tea over it whilst reading through my RSS reader. Very annoying it was too. And the third one I have killed in a similar manner - though the previous two were killed by beer rather than tea!
The most annoying thing about it all is that the new keyboard feels weird and I am constantly making typos!
More [and hopefully more interesting] blogging coming soon!
The 2008 Political Lexicon
December 28th, 2007 by ThunderDragon
The Centre for Policy Studies has produced a lexicon of contemporary “Newspeak”, telling us what politicians really mean. Some of the best are below:
Anti-social behaviour: anything of which the Government does not approve…
Also included are a few which are immensely reminiscent of yes, Minister:
Britishness: any combination of values which a politician wants to promote…
Celebrate (as in to celebrate achievements): to use taxpayers’ money to promote the Government…
Dialogue (meaningful): the pretence of genuine two-way communication…
Empowerment: ensuring that citizens do what the Government wants…
Guidance: government interference…
Legacy (leave a lasting): the next Government will pick up the bill…
Let’s be absolutely clear: I have no evidence to support the following contention but will not be contradicted.
Off message: independent, telling the truth…
Truth: that which cannot be disproved with the available evidence…
Vision: useful to have when short of policies…
Open Government: letting people see the bits of government of which the Government is not ashamed
Required reading, I think! Download it here.
Under consideration (the matter is under consideration): we have lost the file.
A Speech No Prime Minister Would Ever Make
December 26th, 2007 by ThunderDragon
This speech, made by Hugh Grant in the film Love Actually [which was on TV last night, hence this post], is one which the British people would love to hear - but that would never be made by any Prime Minister of any party. Nevertheless, it is a fantastic speech.
Of course I’m not anti-American - but this speech isn’t anti-American, but rather pro an equal relationship. It is about Britain not being America’s poodle.
