Actions may speak louder than words but such is the animus between Tony Blair and Gordon Brown that the prime minister can't bring himself to say anything publicly about the sad news that Mr Brown's young son, Fraser, has the life threatening illness cystic fibrosis.
Tory leader David Cameron, whose own son, Ivan, has a rare condition that combines epilepsy and cerebral palsy, said: "Sam and I are thinking of Gordon and Sarah and their family at this time and we send them our best wishes for the future."
Mr Brown's shadow, George Osborne, has offered his support: "My thoughts and best wishes go to Gordon and Sarah and their family at this difficult time."
But of Mr Brown's supposed friend, there is not a word. Downing Street said that anything Tony Blair said to Mr Brown would be private.
For the party that sticks together when things get tough - Vote Labour!
Thursday, 30 November 2006
Wednesday, 29 November 2006
How much?
This will, no doubt, be the first of many postings on the London 2012 Olympics.
Londoners face an increase in their council tax to pay for the Olympics. How much? Well, London mayor Ken Livingstone says the equivalent of a Walnut Whip a week - 38p.
Tessa Jowell, culture secretary, this week said that it cost billions more than originally assumed.
How much more? No one seems to know. Apparently, VAT was left off the first estimate to keep the costs down and make them seem more attractive.
Would you really trust this government with anything to do with public money?
The CSA has been a disaster under them. As with any government organisation, those who agree to abide by the system get taken to the cleaners and the feckless ones get away with not paying anything at all.
Wembley Stadium? When will it be finished? How much did you say it will cost?
The Millennium Dome cost millions and is still costing us money and it's been empty for the last six years.
The Scottish Parliament, we were confidently told, would cost £5million. Final cost? £50million.
The London Assembly - the white elephant of parliaments. Before it came into being, the Government estimated that a Band D council tax payer would pay an extra 3p a week. That's roughly £1.50 a year. My last precept for the London Assembly was north of £200 a year.
In 1851 we hosted the Great Exhibition. It took nine days for Prince Albert's idea to be accepted; seven weeks later the concrete foundations were laid and four months after that the building was open and ready. It was a tremendous success and turned a profit, the money going to open the Victoria and Albert, the Science and Natural History Museums.
Anyone want to gamble on such worthy causes resulting from 2012 - if it gets built on time, of course...
Londoners face an increase in their council tax to pay for the Olympics. How much? Well, London mayor Ken Livingstone says the equivalent of a Walnut Whip a week - 38p.
Tessa Jowell, culture secretary, this week said that it cost billions more than originally assumed.
How much more? No one seems to know. Apparently, VAT was left off the first estimate to keep the costs down and make them seem more attractive.
Would you really trust this government with anything to do with public money?
The CSA has been a disaster under them. As with any government organisation, those who agree to abide by the system get taken to the cleaners and the feckless ones get away with not paying anything at all.
Wembley Stadium? When will it be finished? How much did you say it will cost?
The Millennium Dome cost millions and is still costing us money and it's been empty for the last six years.
The Scottish Parliament, we were confidently told, would cost £5million. Final cost? £50million.
The London Assembly - the white elephant of parliaments. Before it came into being, the Government estimated that a Band D council tax payer would pay an extra 3p a week. That's roughly £1.50 a year. My last precept for the London Assembly was north of £200 a year.
In 1851 we hosted the Great Exhibition. It took nine days for Prince Albert's idea to be accepted; seven weeks later the concrete foundations were laid and four months after that the building was open and ready. It was a tremendous success and turned a profit, the money going to open the Victoria and Albert, the Science and Natural History Museums.
Anyone want to gamble on such worthy causes resulting from 2012 - if it gets built on time, of course...
Law and disorder
On 27 November 2006 thug Robert Bate was sent to prison for a year for driving at 80mph. Rather severe you may think since many people have driven at that speed. But Bate doesn't have any legs - he attached metal poles with gaffer tape to the brake and accelerator.
Bate who had a mobility car taken away from him in 2002 because of motoring offences was high on heroin and cocaine when he went on his crazy journey that ended with him crashing through a fence and rolling the car three times.
The judge also disqualfied him from driving for two years.
Wind back two months and the case of Omed Aziz who received a 12-week suspended sentence after being caught driving on the wrong side of the road.
Aziz, who is blind, deaf, missing several fingers and suffers from leg tremors, had driven a white Peugeot 405 for up to half a mile through the streets of Oldbury at speeds of up to 35mph, while a friend who was disqualified from driving shouted instructions from the back seat. Aziz had already pleaded guilty at a previous hearing to driving with no MOT, no licence and no insurance.
The judge also banned him from driving for three years, and ordered him to take an extended driving test. He was also ordered to pay prosecution costs of £364.
He can't see. He's deaf. He's missing fingers. He suffers from leg tremors. And he has been ordered to take an extended driving test!
Both Bate and Aziz should never be allowed behind the wheel of a car again and if they are - they should both be banged up for a long time.
Bate who had a mobility car taken away from him in 2002 because of motoring offences was high on heroin and cocaine when he went on his crazy journey that ended with him crashing through a fence and rolling the car three times.
The judge also disqualfied him from driving for two years.
Wind back two months and the case of Omed Aziz who received a 12-week suspended sentence after being caught driving on the wrong side of the road.
Aziz, who is blind, deaf, missing several fingers and suffers from leg tremors, had driven a white Peugeot 405 for up to half a mile through the streets of Oldbury at speeds of up to 35mph, while a friend who was disqualified from driving shouted instructions from the back seat. Aziz had already pleaded guilty at a previous hearing to driving with no MOT, no licence and no insurance.
The judge also banned him from driving for three years, and ordered him to take an extended driving test. He was also ordered to pay prosecution costs of £364.
He can't see. He's deaf. He's missing fingers. He suffers from leg tremors. And he has been ordered to take an extended driving test!
Both Bate and Aziz should never be allowed behind the wheel of a car again and if they are - they should both be banged up for a long time.
Something's wrong here
Another email scam:
Donation for the work of God
From: Mrs Rhoda Kallon
PLEASE ENDEAVOUR TO USE IT FOR THE CHILDREN OF GOD.I am the above name person from Sierra-Leone. I am married to Dr Johnson Kallon who worked with Sierra Leonian Embassy in South Africa for nine years before he died in the year 2003. We were married for eleven years without a child. He died after a brief illness that lasted for only four days. Before his death we were both born again Christians and we lived happilly. Since his death, I decided not to re-marry or get a child outside my matrimonial home which the Bible is really against.
When my late husband was alive he secured $15Million (Fifteen Million US. Dollars) with financial institution here in Cote D'Ivoire. Presently, this money is still with the financial institution. Recently, my Doctor told me that from all the test conducted on my health, I am not going t o las t long, expecially, due to my cancer and stroke. But what disturbs me most now is stroke.
Having known my condition, I decided to donate this fund to churches or Christian individual that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct. I want a church or individual that will use this money to fund churches, Orphanages and Widows. Also, the propagation of the work of God, building and maintaining the house of God through this money, is very important.
The Bible made us to understand that Blessed is the hand that giveth. I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit this money and my husband relatives are not Christians. I don't want my husband's hard earned money to be misused by unbelievers, for their own selfish interest and in an ungodly manner. I am not afraid of death hence I know where I am going. I know that I am going to be in the bossom of the Lord. Exodus 14 VS 14 says that the lord will fight my case and I shall hold my peace.
I don't need any telephone communication in this regard because of my health, and because of the presence of my husband's relatives around me sometimes. I don't want them to know about this development, but I know that With God all things are possible.
As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the Financial institution in Cote d'ivoire( Ivory Coast). I will also give you all information regarding the deposit of this money. I will also issue you a letter of authority that will empower you as the original- beneficiary of this fund. I want you and your church to always pray for me because God work in misterious ways. My happiness is that I lived a life of a worthy Christian. Who ever that wants to serve the Lord must serve him in spirit and truth. Please always be prayerful all through your life.
Any delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing for a church or christian in dividual for this same purpose. Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I stated herein. Hoping to hear from you soon.
Remain blessed in the name of the Lord.
Yours in Christ,
Mrs Rhoda Kallon
So, let me get this straight... she lives by Biblical principles and doesn't want her husband's non-Christian relatives on the money that he stole!
Donation for the work of God
From: Mrs Rhoda Kallon
PLEASE ENDEAVOUR TO USE IT FOR THE CHILDREN OF GOD.I am the above name person from Sierra-Leone. I am married to Dr Johnson Kallon who worked with Sierra Leonian Embassy in South Africa for nine years before he died in the year 2003. We were married for eleven years without a child. He died after a brief illness that lasted for only four days. Before his death we were both born again Christians and we lived happilly. Since his death, I decided not to re-marry or get a child outside my matrimonial home which the Bible is really against.
When my late husband was alive he secured $15Million (Fifteen Million US. Dollars) with financial institution here in Cote D'Ivoire. Presently, this money is still with the financial institution. Recently, my Doctor told me that from all the test conducted on my health, I am not going t o las t long, expecially, due to my cancer and stroke. But what disturbs me most now is stroke.
Having known my condition, I decided to donate this fund to churches or Christian individual that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct. I want a church or individual that will use this money to fund churches, Orphanages and Widows. Also, the propagation of the work of God, building and maintaining the house of God through this money, is very important.
The Bible made us to understand that Blessed is the hand that giveth. I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit this money and my husband relatives are not Christians. I don't want my husband's hard earned money to be misused by unbelievers, for their own selfish interest and in an ungodly manner. I am not afraid of death hence I know where I am going. I know that I am going to be in the bossom of the Lord. Exodus 14 VS 14 says that the lord will fight my case and I shall hold my peace.
I don't need any telephone communication in this regard because of my health, and because of the presence of my husband's relatives around me sometimes. I don't want them to know about this development, but I know that With God all things are possible.
As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the Financial institution in Cote d'ivoire( Ivory Coast). I will also give you all information regarding the deposit of this money. I will also issue you a letter of authority that will empower you as the original- beneficiary of this fund. I want you and your church to always pray for me because God work in misterious ways. My happiness is that I lived a life of a worthy Christian. Who ever that wants to serve the Lord must serve him in spirit and truth. Please always be prayerful all through your life.
Any delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing for a church or christian in dividual for this same purpose. Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I stated herein. Hoping to hear from you soon.
Remain blessed in the name of the Lord.
Yours in Christ,
Mrs Rhoda Kallon
So, let me get this straight... she lives by Biblical principles and doesn't want her husband's non-Christian relatives on the money that he stole!
"Coca-Cola"
This dropped into a work email account:
COCA-COLA ONLINE PROMOTIONS!!!
THE COCA COLA COMPANY Hong Kong office is Giving Away 1 cars For "FREE"!! And cash bonus of $800,000.00
The Company is trying e-mail to e-mail advertising to introduce its products.
The reward you received for advertising for them is a Mercedes-Benz, ML class jeep convertible free of cost! Including cash prize of $800,000,00
To receive your free car all you need to do is send us your
1. Full name:2. Address / contact number:3. Country of origin:4. Occupation:5. Email:
Within 1 month you will receive a free car.
A draw has just been concluded in Hong Kong last weekend (we contacted you via your email address).You must send your contact information to, cocacolahongkong@fatearn.com OR harris-don@excite.com
Kind Regards,
Sandy Robert
Sales /Marketing Manager
coca cola AsiaHong Kong
Hmm, no scam here. And Coca-Cola is such an unknown company that they need all the advertising they can get!!
COCA-COLA ONLINE PROMOTIONS!!!
THE COCA COLA COMPANY Hong Kong office is Giving Away 1 cars For "FREE"!! And cash bonus of $800,000.00
The Company is trying e-mail to e-mail advertising to introduce its products.
The reward you received for advertising for them is a Mercedes-Benz, ML class jeep convertible free of cost! Including cash prize of $800,000,00
To receive your free car all you need to do is send us your
1. Full name:2. Address / contact number:3. Country of origin:4. Occupation:5. Email:
Within 1 month you will receive a free car.
A draw has just been concluded in Hong Kong last weekend (we contacted you via your email address).You must send your contact information to, cocacolahongkong@fatearn.com OR harris-don@excite.com
Kind Regards,
Sandy Robert
Sales /Marketing Manager
coca cola AsiaHong Kong
Hmm, no scam here. And Coca-Cola is such an unknown company that they need all the advertising they can get!!
Monday, 27 November 2006
Travel in London - Words don't come easy
If you don't live in London or have the need to use "public transport", you can skip this blog. Or, perhaps better still, read it and be warned about the Tube.
London Transport insists on referring to its passengers as "customers". We are not customers; we are passengers. I choose to shop in Tesco. I choose to shop in Waitrose. I am customer of Tesco. I am customer of Waitrose. I do not choose to use the Tube. I have no choice. If I could drive into London, I would. I and the rest of the people who use the Tube (and buses, for that matter) are passengers, not customers.
London Transport also has something of a problem with its announcements. After the 7/7 bombings last week, an announcement is still made: "In these days of heightened security..." These are not days of "heightened security". These are days of "heightened insecurity" - do you feel safer travelling in London?
The latest one refers to the Oystercard, the pre-pay card millions of Londoners are virtually forced to use. It says rather aggressively: "From 19 November unless you touch in and touch out with your Oystercard, you will be charged the maximum cash fare for your journey."
Actually, if you don't touch in and touch out you won't be charged anything at all...
London Transport insists on referring to its passengers as "customers". We are not customers; we are passengers. I choose to shop in Tesco. I choose to shop in Waitrose. I am customer of Tesco. I am customer of Waitrose. I do not choose to use the Tube. I have no choice. If I could drive into London, I would. I and the rest of the people who use the Tube (and buses, for that matter) are passengers, not customers.
London Transport also has something of a problem with its announcements. After the 7/7 bombings last week, an announcement is still made: "In these days of heightened security..." These are not days of "heightened security". These are days of "heightened insecurity" - do you feel safer travelling in London?
The latest one refers to the Oystercard, the pre-pay card millions of Londoners are virtually forced to use. It says rather aggressively: "From 19 November unless you touch in and touch out with your Oystercard, you will be charged the maximum cash fare for your journey."
Actually, if you don't touch in and touch out you won't be charged anything at all...
Are they serious?
Yesterday on the BBC Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain accused Russian president Vladimir Putin of "huge attacks on individual liberty and democracy".
Is he serious?
This from a man who is a member of a government that wants to introduce ID cards and presides over more CCTV than any country in the world. A government that wants to limit even more the individual's freedom; a government that says to be free, we have to lose some liberties.
Yes, of course we do.
Vote Labour!
Is he serious?
This from a man who is a member of a government that wants to introduce ID cards and presides over more CCTV than any country in the world. A government that wants to limit even more the individual's freedom; a government that says to be free, we have to lose some liberties.
Yes, of course we do.
Vote Labour!
Sunday, 26 November 2006
Euphemistically speaking
A while ago I bought a copy of Nigel Rees's excellent book Man About A Dog. It's a guide to euphemisms - you know, those words that we use to be "polite" rather than saying what we really mean.
Have you noticed that the War on Terror has caused us to use so many more euphemisms? Examples that I have noticed: “The troops were killed by an improvised explosive device”. Ah yes, that improvised explosive device – or what the rest of the world calls a bomb.
“The insurgents mounted an attack on the Allied forces.” Yep, those pesky terrorists are at it again.
And the oddest: “Politicians fear that young Muslim men may have been radicalised by 7/7.” Let’s put to one side for now why anyone would want to become a suicide bomber because four fanatics blew up 52 innocent people on three tubes and bus. Hmm, radicalised... what can that be a euphemism for? Oh yes, I know brainwashed.
Come on, let's say what we mean... It doesn't fool anyone.
Have you noticed that the War on Terror has caused us to use so many more euphemisms? Examples that I have noticed: “The troops were killed by an improvised explosive device”. Ah yes, that improvised explosive device – or what the rest of the world calls a bomb.
“The insurgents mounted an attack on the Allied forces.” Yep, those pesky terrorists are at it again.
And the oddest: “Politicians fear that young Muslim men may have been radicalised by 7/7.” Let’s put to one side for now why anyone would want to become a suicide bomber because four fanatics blew up 52 innocent people on three tubes and bus. Hmm, radicalised... what can that be a euphemism for? Oh yes, I know brainwashed.
Come on, let's say what we mean... It doesn't fool anyone.
Thursday, 23 November 2006
Off to the Emirates
Tuesday night was my first visit to the Emirates Stadium, home of my beloved Arsenal. The game was the European Champions League tie against Hamburg.
The stadium is most impressive although the big "telly" in the corner could do with being bigger (my eyesight ain't what it was) - so fans can read the team lists and watch the replays properly.
The game got off to a poor start when Rafael van der Vaart's spectacular shot gave Hamburg a shock early lead. For the first half an hour Arsenal didn't seem to get going and Thierry Henry was all but invisible.
I had visions of my first visit to Highbury being repeated. It was 1973 and we were at home to Ipswich Town. 1-0 down to a team in blue shirts. Would history repeat itself? Thankfully, the answer was no as Robin van Persie levelled the score before Eboue and Baptista the Beast put the game beyond Hamburg's reach.
The Emirates is a great stadium although the golden badge and legend Arsenal around the ground looks a bit naff. Perhaps it looks better in daylight.
But the result was all that mattered and together with 59,961 other people I went home happy (well, perhaps not all of them were happy).
Now, all we need to do is not lose to Porto and knockout stages here we come...
The stadium is most impressive although the big "telly" in the corner could do with being bigger (my eyesight ain't what it was) - so fans can read the team lists and watch the replays properly.
The game got off to a poor start when Rafael van der Vaart's spectacular shot gave Hamburg a shock early lead. For the first half an hour Arsenal didn't seem to get going and Thierry Henry was all but invisible.
I had visions of my first visit to Highbury being repeated. It was 1973 and we were at home to Ipswich Town. 1-0 down to a team in blue shirts. Would history repeat itself? Thankfully, the answer was no as Robin van Persie levelled the score before Eboue and Baptista the Beast put the game beyond Hamburg's reach.
The Emirates is a great stadium although the golden badge and legend Arsenal around the ground looks a bit naff. Perhaps it looks better in daylight.
But the result was all that mattered and together with 59,961 other people I went home happy (well, perhaps not all of them were happy).
Now, all we need to do is not lose to Porto and knockout stages here we come...
Thinking too much
Last night I went to the launch of two new books written by Mitch Symons, a friend of mine.
How to Avoid a Wombat's Bum
http://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Avoid-Wombats-Mitchell-Symons/dp/0385610726/sr=11-1/qid=1164272646/ref=sr_11_1/026-3137853-4383629
and
Where Do Nudists Keep Their Hankies?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Where-Nudists-Keep-Their-Hankies/dp/0593056442/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b/026-3137853-4383629
The launch was held in a pub just off Oxford Street and Mitch wrote a fab quiz to make the evening go with a bang (along with the free booze and food). I was part of my usual Wednesday night quiz team the Crazy Cats (the name wasn't my idea). We all have particular strengths. Our downfall is that we think too much - five times we had the right answer and five times we had second thoughts. After the first round and two (wrong) second guesses, we vowed to go with our first thought - did we? Did we heck as like! Result: an honourable third place but those five lost points...
Moral of the story: stop thinking!
How to Avoid a Wombat's Bum
http://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Avoid-Wombats-Mitchell-Symons/dp/0385610726/sr=11-1/qid=1164272646/ref=sr_11_1/026-3137853-4383629
and
Where Do Nudists Keep Their Hankies?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Where-Nudists-Keep-Their-Hankies/dp/0593056442/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b/026-3137853-4383629
The launch was held in a pub just off Oxford Street and Mitch wrote a fab quiz to make the evening go with a bang (along with the free booze and food). I was part of my usual Wednesday night quiz team the Crazy Cats (the name wasn't my idea). We all have particular strengths. Our downfall is that we think too much - five times we had the right answer and five times we had second thoughts. After the first round and two (wrong) second guesses, we vowed to go with our first thought - did we? Did we heck as like! Result: an honourable third place but those five lost points...
Moral of the story: stop thinking!
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