91热爆

FAITH JIM BUT NOT AS WE KNOW IT

Wishing (apparently) to emphasise connectedness in religion, Tony Blair's preliminary act was to define HIMSELF, within one faith, more narrowly (as a Catholic). Perhaps it is the word I emphasise that is the key. Ego is alive and well at the expense of all else. Alternatively, I observe that as the world declines, Blair rises, with ample measure of self-interest and many a whiff of Sulphur. Could there be a Faustian pact in play?

As I said on Friday's prospects, a report on the 5th investigation into allegations of corruption against Premier Olmert, now or in the near future, would seem timely, possibly referencing what is now practically a tradition of serious corruption being linked to Israeli leaders.
This might be particularly appropriate in the light of Mr. Olmert's involvement in issues such as today's decision to build 900 more Israeli homes on occupied land.

This Olmert business has been building up for a while now, I suspect we'll see a report on NN pretty soon. The Guardian profiled a likely replacement:

Re-3. Thanx for that reference, and I hope you're right .

Regarding the 'Faustian Pact' referred to below, I am unconvinced that Mephistopheles would stoop so low.

Is it too soon to ask the question - can the next leader of the Labour Party be Scottish? Working on the assumption that the Labour vote will "hold up" in Scotland against the SNP like it did in Crewe against the Tories..

In the US I hear, but have not read the Time Magazine article, that Clinton was after the veep job - and a $10m dollar refund of her campaign fund? Has their been a reaction from her black supporters in NY regarding her campaign tactics? Would she get the turnout today she did months ago. Are the Clintons and Brown getting together and smoking the same illegal substance?

I'm not even American and it makes me froth at the mouth - if its true about the the refund after she tries to damage Obama and the Democratic campaign.

Also on the US if McCain became ill and could not run what happens to the election ? Hes a strong guy but 74 ....

Vroom vroom MI5. Even they apparently are against the 42 day limit.

The US still has a crisis of conscience concerning Guantanamo and the "military trubunal".

NEWSNIGHT'S report of terror was a good start-

It would be important to report also on the case of the Canadian Omar Khadr-

the circumstances, involving Canadian intelligence services, are quite similar

An important difference was that the military judge insisted that the defense have certain data- he was summarily replaced as judge yesterday

Re- 6.
....plus is Clinton "hanging in", the US establishment's last stand against a black American becoming president?

PS. There is absolutely no connection between M15 and the Max Mosley photo-spread.

Uri Avnery offers more context for the Olmert situation:



(A thesis that many there share is that the character of the society changed after 1967).

The future of US foreign policy will determine how the World lives for a generation.

The old imperialism vs. idealistic detente and cooperation and

probably, the Americans themselves are too immersed in the imaginary world of the media to clearly see the present.

This would appear to be the bigger story of the moment.

thegangofone wrote:
Is it too soon to ask the question - can the next leader of the Labour Party be Scottish?

Funny. If you'd said black/gay/muslim/female
the mods would have pulled the comment. Scot-bashing seems the last acceptable racism on the 91热爆. Clearly the english consider themselves theselves masters of some sort of 'manifest destiny' because I've never heard an englishman complain about the 300 years of english PM's governing Scotland or Mrs T using us as the 'testing ground' for her most unpopular policies.

If you want an English PM join a political party and vote for one at the next leadership battle. Until then as and long as Scotland has 10% of the UK's population we have as much right to produce PM's as the english do.

WHY WASN'T I TOLD?

I didn't realise the Scottish are a race. Where's my prjudice finger? As Salmond has not replied to my request to be an honorary Scot. Down with the hated Scots I say. Damn them all.

The 91热爆 Trust today published its report into the talent costs of British television, whether the 91热爆 was paying more than the market price for leading talent compared with its commercial rivals, and whether the 91热爆 was causing price inflation in the market.

How much does Paxo earn? Is he worth it?

#11.
No offence to the Scots!

Actually I would be quite happy if the UK remained - but I don't think it will.

I think the point is that is the Scots are independent then Scots won't be eligible at Westminster. So losing will decimate the ranks of Labour - I don't vote Labour and it would make me quite happy if that happened. But its illogical.

If YOU want a Scot who negotiates with a Scot prior to the referendum its going to cause complications as he will have a conflict of interest. The West Lothian question but more involved.

If "Crewe" incentives are offered then the Welsh will not unreasonably want the same.

If you're English then running the country to suit Nationalists outside of your country won't be popular.

It will boost the "UK breakup forces". If you intend that to happen fine. If you don't see it coming.....

For my part I think Mrs T, and then New Labour look quite likely to be held responsible for the breakup of the UK so I agree with your comment about testing grounds.

I live in Scotland and I like the Scottish. If they want independence its fine by me - but might it not be an idea to be well prepared for it? Maybe the SNP will increase their majority and then lose the referendum. But maybe they won't.

EVER CLOSER INGESTION

Is it not academic to discuss devolution niceties, as we are inexorably swallowed by the EU monster? Was Jonah concerned with finer points of "how to win friends and influence people" as he hit the back of the whale's throat?

Its also not devolution Salmond seeks but independence! With all due respect to your amusing analysis - no its not academic.

We have "been together" for hundreds of years. You don't separate overnight with a plan on a fag packet.

The EU may also be another factor in the loosening of the ties within the UK. But it does mean that there should not be a great deal of strife if we all do separate.

If the Scots separate and there is chaos because they don't have the infrastructure they need such as IT systems they will blame the UK. How are you going to work out who is Scottish and who is not? How do you divvy up the armed forces and so on.

I'm not trying to make friends but I am trying to influence people.

Its a real referendum with real implications.

Nobody seems to be taking it seriously. Its Brown and his "Act decisively, think belatedly!" posture.