CoffeeHousers' Wall, 30 August - 5 September

Anne Wotana Kaye 1

Just wanted to say, "Have a great Bank Holiday"!

Anne Wotana Kaye 1

10th August?????? In your c

Myquangodotcom

Isn't it nice to have that quaint rabbi come on out and out into words what the spectator thinks but dares not say.

Verity

AWK - It's déja vu.

Straight Talking

Can someone please discuss the European Arreast Warrant and European Investigation Order and the terrible injustices and infringements on the liberties of British citizens that it is leading to ?

Why has there been no real public debate on this vitally important subject ?

Where are the Conservative / Labour / Lib Dem politicians defending our historic rights ?

David Ossitt

On Radio 4 this morning, an advocate for man made global warming, said that those of us who hold a contrary view should be given very little credence.

He stated, as a fact, that at least 97% of scientists and nearly all right minded people were believers, and therefore the BBC should, not when the subject is being debated allow both sides of the argument.

The non believers or as he would prefer “deniers” should be limited to 3% of the air time.

I am a non believer and his argument has only firmed up my opinion.

David Ossitt

Anne Wotana Kaye 1
10th August?????? In your c

Anne what is this all about?

Occasional Ostrich

Alex Salmond to make independence keystone of re-election campaign. (D. Telegraph)

The last cast of a dying man?

Beer Moth

al Megrahi lives. Justice is dead.

Verity

Beer Moth - Under a normal president, the US would have gone in and bombed the shit out of Libya and annexed the oilfields by now. That plane was mainly full of innocent American citizens.

Cameron isn't going to do a bloody thing because he fears to offend the muslims (all of whom, we realise, habitually vote Conservative). God, this man is vile.

Anne Wotana Kaye 1

David Ossitt:
Hello again, David
The original Wall went up dated from 10th August. It has since been corrected.

charles hercock

Lansley does it again

Closes NHS Direct

Protecting front line services

Anne Wotana Kaye 1

Myquangodotcom
August 30th, 2010 2:29pm

Report this comment

Isn't it nice to have that quaint rabbi come on out and out into words what the spectator thinks but dares not say.
---------------------------------
As a Jew I cannot condone Rabbi Ovadia Yosef. He is a nutcase, equal to the Islamic Fundamentalists who spew out their ignorant venom on all who do not agree with them. As a Jewish woman living in the UK, I think it is a pity that the average Anglo-Jewish person is such a milksop. Too polite, too anglosised (in an old fashioned way) and afraid to make waves. I think a few more Ovadia Yosefs would earn us respect and keep the Fundamentalists and Loony Left Liberal Antisemites off our case.

phil

Myquangodotcom
August 30th, 2010 2:29pm-NO SIR -it is not -he speaks for racist lunatics,certainly not for the Jewish people or the Spectator and I do not think this is a subject for jokes .His remarks have been immediately rejected by Netanyahu and the government of Israel .

TrevorsDen

NHS Direct is not a front line service. It has not been closed down it has been replaced modernised and reformed (I suggest you read the speeches of Tony Blair c1997).

The IPCC has been given a severe kick where it hurts most.
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2010/08/30/iac-slams-ipcc-process-suggests-removal-of-top-officials/#comment-470199

I believe (be I ever so humble ...) I put it into its proper context here
http://trevorsden.wordpress.com/2010/08/30/revelation/

phil

Anne Wotana Kaye 1
August 30th, 2010 6:30pm I have refrained for quite some time from commenting on your remarks here ,but this-----" I think a few more Ovadia Yosefs would earn us respect and keep the Fundamentalists and Loony Left Liberal Anti-Semites off our case."-- is such a shameful thing to say ,I cannot remain silent.I hope anyone reading what you have said realises you speak entirely for yourself and bears no relation to the thinking of the vast majority of Jewish people .Not only is it callous and foul, it partly echoes the unfortunate German Jews belief in the thirties, that as they were German ,no harm could come to them .
---------
You will get respect by giving it, not by going along with bullies .I hope it was an aberration and that you will think again and not try to justify your words .Personally I do not give a toss what the loony left think,nor the Looney right ,and I am sure they will not love you for echoing their disgusting sentiments Just stand tall with the morality that your heritage has given you .and do not waste your time currying favour with those that will despise you no matter what you say .I have noticed you have made some compassionate comments recently ,I hope you will continue along that path and reject the opinion you gave above .

Noa Zrk

Regarding the Labour party fuhrership contest,surely this is as relevant to politics as the Archers is to agriculture.

Anne Wotana Kaye 1

Noa Zrk
August 30th, 2010 8:44pm

Report this comment

Regarding the Labour party fuhrership contest,surely this is as relevant to politics as the Archers is to agriculture.
-------------------------------------------
....and "Casualty" to the NHS

charles hercock

TrevorsDen

Next time you get chest pain and do not know what to do,rue your comments on NHS direct not being front line

We want no apologists for Lansleys Lies on this wall

Beer Moth

charles hercock

The closure of NHS Direct, is a good start.

Now we need to go for the NHS, a huge number of the staff of which, do not a provide 'front-line service' because they are not anywhere near the front line.

Frank Sutton

Herbert Thornton - your post on the death of David Kelly, posted in the last moments of the previous wall, raises an interesting idea - may I quote a short passage: "Is the idea that the BBC do have a subversive network of informers, and consequently found it necessary to eliminate Dr Kelly, plausible? "
It's as interesting a theory as any.
Whatever the cause of Dr Kelly's death may be, the fact that they didn't have a proper inquest is puzzling in itself. They decided that an inquiry into the BBC could also have the function of an inquest - so they must have decided in advance that the BBC had something to do with it.

charles hercock

Beer Moth

How can the front line function without support

Do you see the Generals walking the deserts of Helmand

Frank Sutton

Charles Hercock: We want no apologists for Lansleys Lies on this wall

Who is "we"?

Noa Zrk

'Front line' staff.

A typical Labour mind warping language perversion which we suffered for 13 years.

Front line is meant to convey that the task is essential and honourable and that society would collapse without these selfless heroes and heroines; the nurses, the doctors, policemen, firemen, sorry fireFIGHTERS, to convey the whole 7.62mm absorbent necessity of them all.

It's was great propaganda in the Goebbels vein, abolishing criticism and thought, the opposition is heartless, treacherous indeed treasonous.

But now the war is lost, we can't afford to man that trench so the front line is going to collapse. Or is it?
Britain traditionally tries to hold a salient, we need to shorten and straighten the line and reduce the waste in supporting it.

And for God's sake let's never again use and abuse the term 'Front line'.
we are being

John Richardson

AWK 1

Personally, since I started to visit here, I have always enjoyed reading your posts and will doubtless continue to do so.

John Richardson

Anne Wotana Kaye 1
August 30th, 2010 8:51pm

Report this comment

Noa Zrk
August 30th, 2010 8:44pm

Report this comment

Regarding the Labour party fuhrership contest,surely this is as relevant to politics as the Archers is to agriculture.
-------------------------------------------
....and "Casualty" to the NHS
--------------------------------------------

..and Prince's 1989 smash hit 'Purple Rain'

to royal pronouncements regarding environmental damage.

JohnAnt

"Next time you get chest pain and do not know what to do" go straight into A&E, don't phone a nurse with a prompt card, who won't have the slightest what you should do, and who will just hold you up and possibly - if (s)he has a target to reduce hospital visits - may even kill you.
Thinking for yourself is always better than phoning a 'non-urgent' service.

Verity

I agree with Noa Zark. The obscenity of little local council computer clickers, pr NHS "communications" employees, uppity quango apparchiks being termed "front line" ought to be removed from public job descriptions. It should be replaced with the term "First contact" ... meaning, the receptionist.

Frankly, in David Cameron's case, he isn't even front line ... he's front man>/i> ... for ... the employers ... who are? ...

If the man weren't such an inept moron, we wouldn't even be asking this question ...

Funny that Dave and Obama are coming unravelled at the same time ... where is Britain's Sarah Palin? (Could be a man. Just a strong-minded, clear-sighted, patriotic individual.)

Verity

John Richardson, speaking of Prince, I think the PoW has to FF twice. Harry is our man.

Archie

Anyone else having a problem with al-Beeb's "Listen again" programmes? They don't work.

charles hercock

OK

So what about the Kinnock Mandelson PoD show

Even Ed Balls thinks its the best soap opera in town

My vote is for Andy B who at least understood the Health service

Thucydides

Frank Sutton/Herbert Thornton,

"Is the idea that the BBC do have a subversive network of informers, and consequently found it necessary to eliminate Dr Kelly, plausible?"

No.

Osred

The final stretch....one final push.....light at the end of the tunnel.....kids back at school next week....

Stephen Green

Nice to see that veriy thinks that the wheels are coming off Obama. What a dissapointment the man is. I read his books before he was elected and rejoiced in his election. Oh dear I never seem to learn-what a missed opportunity for Western Democracy but then he is a man of the left and as such is incapable of a genuine understanding of what democracy and personal freedom really mean. After NuLabour it's just like Groundhog Day all over again.

Beer Moth

charles hercock

You deliberately and somewhat predictably, fail to address the crux of the matter. Of course there have to be support positions; problems arise when that support is inflated to levels which those on the 'front-line' are unable to sustain.

The Generals may not often be seen out in the field, granted. But neither are they able officially - whilst still serving - to offer to use HM's equipment and premises to make money from any private practice.

As has happened in so many other public service organisations, the cosseted urge in the NHS, toward self aggrandisement has led, and will always lead, to a bloated and unhealthy body. Further treatment should be witheld.

Tarka the Rotter

@Straight talking

The European Arrest Warrant et al worries me too. Seems to be getting more and more authoritarian with each day that passes. Was also stunned to read of the restrictions placed on people living within the designated 2012 'Olympic' zones - e.g. priority road lanes, no right to protest against the Olympics (and massive waste of money), the right given to security men to enter a person's home and the possibility of a £20k fine... this doesn't seem democratic, free or fair to me. Time for people to wake up...

Anne Wotana Kaye 1

Good morning
I'm off on a new track, something else which seems petty, but blights my life. These new compulsory light bulbs are a pain in the eyes (and the nether regions)! I love to read, especially in bed, and these dim ghoulish bulbs make the experience unpleasant. First they remain duim for a longish time, and then slowly brighten to the level of a miserly lumination. They are killing my eyes, and I don't see that the electric bill has gone down. The reverse - I need several lamps on at the same time now. Is this an evil plan of the NHS to destroy our eyesight, and force us to visit Boots, Spec Savers, or some other huge company which the NHS outsources its optical procurements, and where management can obtain under the counter graft? I am serious!

John Richardson

@ Straight talking.

I blogged here a while ago that the EU arrest warrant had struck a chord of fear into the non-political class.
Especially the (old/ex) working class for whom the prospect of being taken at night without charge to a foreign country where no-one speaks English and put into prison....is terrifying.

The whole country is aware that elected Office is controlled by traitors , perverts and thieves. I blame all those who voted for them; it's your fault.
The FAKE AUTHORITY of our National Institutions (Courts & Police, Universities, the C.of E, Press, GMC/NHS, BBC etc etc et-bloody-cetera) will not withstand even the slightest pressure.

'Someone need only kick the door in and the whole rotten structure will fall down', to quote a phrase.

Practical suggestion.
Campaign individually all that you can to transform the up coming FAKE referendum into a real demonstration of the People's Will by writing 'Referendum on Europe' on your papers.
At least they would have to count and announce the papers as 'Spoilt'.
We could out 'vote' the other two options.

What do you think and what are your suggestions ?
It's later than we think.

Anne Wotana Kaye 1

John Richardson
August 31st, 2010 11:07am:
Yes, John
I agree with you. But you are preaching to a converted audience. I cannot seriously see the average person, grown apathetic by benefits, complete abdication of personal actions, and absolute government control, rising up and taking any positive action. Alas, we are not a nation of "Spectator" readers, or even "Guardian" ones. Apart from a few in the chattering classes who subscibe to "The Daily Mail" the majority of citizens are not readers and neither know or care to be involved in the future of themselves or their children. Perhaps I am cynical and harsh. For the sake of us all, I hope I am and that there are millions of British people determined to ensure the return of our freedom and independence.

Verity

Stephen Green ... Obama a disappointment? Then, with respect, you ae very naive. The man has charlatan writ large all over his face and his manner.

When he hove into view, it took me all of one day ... and the phrase "the Manchurian candidate" leapt into my mind. He was slotted in to destroy America, if he could, and the West. Fortunately, the Americans, except for the communists, are more politically alert than the British and they now have his number. He won't get in for a second term. This is evidenced by the fact that Sarah Palin's popularity is growing by the day.

It's nice that enjoyed both his books. You should try some of William Ayers other books ...

Obama, cut from the same cloth as Tony Blair, but even more consciously evil, was slotted in in a final push to destroy America and the West ... witness the absurd and destructive reaction to the oil spill and his insistence on referring to BP as British Petroleum although he will have been advised ... Witness his attitude to Iran and Israel. This guy's on a mission, and it is fuelled by hatred of whitey and the Christian civilisation of the West.

It was whitey who gave him all his privileges and opportunities - without asking too many questions - of course.

He was chosen because he was the perfect figure for the left. Niced looking, except for the jug ears, able to learn a script, carried himself well, looked good in his clothes, could read an autocue fluently and ... hates the West and democracy.

Well, he's going to find out about democracy in the mid-terms, and get an even bigger lesson in 2012.

I wonder what he'll do next ... Ambassador to Indonesia, perhaps ... as he's so fond of the muezzin's call to prayer.

charles hercock

AWK1

There are always ways around the nanny state

Go to any "cheap" or "pound" shop and you get a pack of our friendly pearls

Alternatively invite Peter M in to lighten your darkness

Anne Wotana Kaye 1

charles hercock
August 31st, 2010 2:35pm

Pearls of wisdom?

David Ossitt

Phil

“Anne Wotana Kaye 1
August 30th, 2010 6:30pm I have refrained for quite some time from commenting on your remarks here”

phil, by this crass stupid comment, you imply that Anne Wotona Kaye is in the habit of making comments and remarks that are not right and proper and are of little merit; you infer that Anne’s thoughts and opinions are not up to your own high standard.

Your comment “I cannot remain silent” is a good example of how your post is full of your misplaced moral certitude, when in fact it is nothing more than a nasty pompous diatribe.

Thucydides

Verity,

That post of yours at 2.17 pm really is utter balls. One example: do you honestly expect people to believe that Obama’s calling BP British Petroleum is evidence that the shadowy people who put him in the presidency want to destroy America and the west? You’re only a step or two behind that nutter An American, who once earnestly asked: could Obama actually be the anti-christ? Still, at least you don’t appear to do god, thank the Lord.

Mind you, it’s oddly reassuring, having been away for a few weeks, to find that this site is as divorced from reality as ever.

David Ossitt

Anne Wotana Kaye 1
“Good morning
I'm off on a new track, something else which seems petty, but blights my life. These new compulsory light bulbs are a pain in the eyes (and the nether regions)!”

Anne I was in the act of hanging a new recently purchased chandelier on our stair landing whilst listening to Radio 4, when to my horror I heard the breaking news that Peter Mandelson our then European commissioner was to phase out the sale and the use of the traditional light bulbs.

I was horrified; I was also determined that no one of his ilk would dictate to me how I was to light my home.

I found a supplier did an estimation of our annual usage and calculated how many we would need to see out our life span and purchased sufficient of all kinds to last, I bought these from.

www.lamsavers.co.uk

Even though the traditional round bulb is not now available these people are still selling the 60w candle bulb in both pearl and clear at 45p each, and these give the same light as the round 60w did.

I found them to be honest and most proficient.
.

Raffles

Verity - where is Britain's Sarah Palin? Good God, i dont always agree with your opinions but you usually show intelligence even though you seem to be drifting off into the realms of green ink Conspiracy Nutjobs with your obsession with Cameron, but to yearn for a British Palin beggars belief. Cameron is not a true Conservative to many of us - agreed, but he has to govern under realpolitik's limits. Palin wants lower taxes, good for her, unfortunately she is also demonstrably an ignorant loon.

phil

John Richardson
August 30th, 2010 11:37pm Report this comment

""AWK 1

Personally, since I started to visit here, I have always enjoyed reading your posts and will doubtless continue to do so.""
--------------------
Did you also enjoy AWK on the 30/8,which degraded her own kind ,whilst seeking the approval of others at her co -religionists expense -Not one of you have condemned her remarks or even the foul utterings of the demented Rabbi -it seems to me that the little club here stick together regardless of the legitimacy of the words of this cabal .
----------------
The lady writes on as if nothing has happened ,I wonder what her acquaintances think of how she has demeaned them and so many other "Anglicised Jews ",she no doubt will find out soon enough.-,I do not suppose she had the courage to put her remarks in the Jewish Chronicle either - I hope at least one person feels shame for what she said .I realise that the usual suspects will be sniggering ,but surely there is at least one responsible person on this wall.---I am not holding my breath ,just hoping the moderator will allow someone to speak up on behalf of the rest of the Jewish people who will be very offended by her remarks .

Noa

T'dides
" it’s oddly reassuring, having been away for a few weeks, to find that this site is as divorced from reality as ever".

Then why are you here? To impart wisdom to the eunelghtened, or just 'the blood and the beer'?

phil

David Ossitt
August 31st, 2010 4:03pm-------Well at least you noticed it !!,You did not condemn her words demeaning her fellow Jews ,nor did you disapprove of the ridiculous words of the Rabbi ,but as usual used the opportunity to try to insult me ,that David is impossible ,as I can only be insulted by those for whom I have respect although I bear you no ill wilI -I have yet to see anything of worth from your "pen" and you have not disappointed me with your latest offering .I suppose I should at least be grateful that someone noticed what I said ,because otherwise it has been received with deafening silence :)
-------
I think you should stick to giving advice on light bulbs ,rather than entering the world of comedy ,and do be careful when swinging from your chandelier ,this wall would be the lesser without you .

Anne Wotana Kaye 1

David Ossitt
August 31st, 2010 4:45pm

Hello David,
Nice to hear that you have a good supply of bulbs. I must admit that my husband purchased a lot, and they should see us through a decade or so. This hoarding is reminiscent of a wartime situation, not very nice. it is daring of you to admit here in print what you have done. Unless Cameron repeals the evil regulations NuLabour instigated, we are in trouble. Possibly both of our households may be visited by police and we will all be hauled off to spend time in cells, dimly lit with the required light bulbs.

Frank Sutton

Charles Hercock - Go to any "cheap" or "pound" shop and you get a pack of our friendly pearls
Can you still get 100-watters? They're the ones you can't make or import but can buy and sell, I think.
I got several years worth in Robert Dyas some months ago. If you see them, it's worth buying in bulk!

daifromwales

I saw the other day that the BBC gave more air time to the great(sic) Richard Dawkins.
Unfortunately the laws of libel do not permit me to say what I think of his intellect. But his remarks were most telling. He trotted out a glib leftist piece about the duty of a civilised society to reject Darwnism's principles of survival of the fittest, since we have a moral duty to support the weak etc. etc.
What is so strange about this comment is that it might be understandable if it came from a Christian priest - but it is baffling when it comes from an atheist with some scientific knowledge.
Surely he must understand that Darwin cannot be denied? The more we fight against Darwin in one nation, the weaker that nation becomes. Ultimately Dawkins' dictum is suicidal - and (to judge from the current performance of our economy) suicide might not be far away.
The great moral dilema in our society is to reconcile charity with survival.

Paddy

Charles Hercock:

'Andy Burnham understands the NHS'.

Just ask him about Stafford Hospital!

John Richardson

Sorry Phil.
I have not read the post you addressed to me above. Honest. This is because it appeared to concern AWK1 ie your estimation of....
Pointless, you see.

Why not try posting something regarding politics or wider society or football or soming ?

Frank Sutton

Dai from Wales "Surely he must understand that Darwin cannot be denied?"
This seems a little unfair on Darwin... He wasn't laying down a moral code which must be obeyed, so much as observing how things worked out in real life.
As for Dawkins - fine on biology (to my scientifically uneducated mind) - doesn't he argue somewhere that there can be a survival benefit in 'altruistic' deeds?
But when it comes to atheist zeal, he seems as nutty as any religious fundamentalist.

Verity

Daif from Wales writes: "Unfortunately the laws of libel do not permit me to say what I think of his intellect."

Of course they do! You can have an opinion about anything without being subject to a law suit, as long as you state it as an opinion.

charles hercock

Paddy

Andy had the effective mechanism which brought Stafford to light and effectively nailed the lax regime

Make no mistake he was a constructor.Lansley is a wrecker

Archie

Thucydides and others: Verity is spot-on in her opinion of Obama. His every action since becoming president has been to scorn America's allies and to attempt to befriend those who - putting it kindly - do not perhaps have America's best interests at heart. One wonders how far he is prepared to abase himself and his country in pursuit of "change"? And what exactly is wrong with Sarah Palin? Ah yes, she's patriotic, speaks her mind and will have no truck with those whom she perceives as enemies of her country, traits that vanished over here long ago!

Beer Moth

charles hercock

speak to me.

phil

August 31st, 2010 7:56pm ---------John Richardson-come on John tell the truth , you read it and you are embarrassed;) ,nobody in their right mind could agree with the put down of ones own people to curry favour with others ",MILK SOPS INDEED"!! and why -because they live quietly and have integrated as best they can ,serve the community where possible,and are in the main are "not known to the police ",and surely you will agree I was right about the so called Rabbi.I doubt the lady in question will be appearing on the main street of Golders Green ,whilst repeating the jibes on the main Jewish population .You will notice I am trying hard not to attack the person ,merely her words ,and I am sure you know the expression "evil happens when good men remain silent " -well even if I am the only one on this wall to speak up ,and I would emphasise I do not think the lady is evil-in fact, just too quick with her mouth--You have "heard " me now and those of the studied silence will know I can feel them cringing .
-----------------
I do notice she has employed the usual ruse of immediately posting about the most fascinating subject of light bulbs and pretending nothing has happened -it did and I very much doubt if she has heard the last of it .There are still many with horrific memories of KRISTALNACHT both survivors and descendants ,people who thought they were just ordinary citizens ,you know like the ones who were demeaned by that nasty self serving post.,the MILK SOPS themselves ,some were my family .
--------------------
Our friend Ossitt discusses morals ,a fine subject for this wall, but hopefully by those who understand them .I suspect she knows she was wrong and probably regrets her excess,she would do well to withdraw her remarks ,all of the above just my opinion of course as verity puts it, but maybe I can expect to see pigs fly first .I hope not .

daniel maris

Not true Frank Sutton (see the "as we may hope" phrase in the passage below). Darwin spoke approvingly of the extermination of lesser races and suggested that his theory gave a scientific underpinning to that theory.

Don't believe me? Try this from Chapter 7 of The Origin of Man:

"At some future period, not very distant as measured by centuries, the civilized races of man will almost certainly exterminate, and replace, the savage races throughout the world. At the same time the anthropomorphous apes, as Professor Schaaffhausen has remarked, will no doubt be exterminated. The break between man and his nearest allies will then be wider, for it will intervene between man in a more civilized state, as we may hope, even than the Caucasian, and some ape as low as a baboon, instead of as now between the Negro or Australian and the gorilla."

daniel maris

Palin couldn't even answer what newspapers she read daily when asked the question during the election campaign. Why? Reasonable assumption: she doesn't read newspapers.

She is vaccuous, vindictive, dumb and dim.
The thought of her finger on the nuclear button is truly terrifying,.

Herbert Thornton

Conrad Black's latest essay (published in Canada's National Post on August 28th) has caused some Canadians to decide that it is a lesson too for Canada.

My own feeling is that it is a lesson too for Britain - though the parlous future towards which Britain is heading also requires mention of the grave problem of the growing presence of Islam.

http://www.nationalpost.com/AMERICA+DARK+DAYS/3453700/story.html

What do you think?

Thucydides

Noa,

I don’t get the reference to “blood and the beer” (and “eunelghtened” is an unusual word!). But I visit this site because the contributions are, with one or two obvious exceptions, literate and interesting – despite the fact that/because (not sure which) I disagree with 90% of the opinions expressed. Sure, the threads sometimes degenerate into unpleasant bigotry or crazy conspiracy theories but that just proves to me how wrong you (not you personally) are.

Archie,

Perhaps Palin has the attributes you list. But that is not what is wrong with her; the problem is that she’s stupid.

charles hercock

Beer Moth

The vast majority of the NHS support workers are poorly paid,ill served by managers and abused by the public

Now the coalition are sticking the knives in

You will get the third world health service you deserve unless you begin to support them

Bring back Burnham

charles hercock

Today is the day of journeys

Let us journey back to the time when the government had a purpose other that to shut down the fabric of our Society

What kind of Great Society ruins schools,libraries and hospitals

We need a concerted campaign to maintain our civilised existence

Or are we back to Thatchers there is no such thing as society

Anne Wotana Kaye 1

Tony it will not do! Are we to believe that flabby, horrid ol' Gordon drove you to the bottle? I'm not even the prime minister, and am a poor old gal without power, yet I am capable of sending men to the depths of gibbering madness. And all this without passing the gin bottle!

Stuart Seacole Smith

Indeed AWK1! However, on the timing of release, anything that so deeply annoys Polly Toynbee can't be all bad. So all credit to Tony the tosser on that point at least.

Vulture

Further to last week's list of current hot topics un-posted on CH.

Why no word abt Billy Hague's employment of a young unqualified male driver as a SPAD on foreign affairs and his apparent sharing a hotel room with said young man? IT all reminds me of a similar incident in the dying days of John Major's inglorious administration.

As with David Laws, while few object to anyone's sexual preferences, they should not be paid for out of the public purse.

Augustus

David Ossitt - Did you mean:

www.Lampsvers.co.uk

Osred

I wonder of Cameron's Deputy PM has advised the Pakistanis, like he has us, to give up their nuclear deterrent? In these straitened times I'm sure there are better ways to spend their money instead of telling the 'international community' (whatever TF that is) to stump up more.

David Ossitt

Augustus
“David Ossitt - Did you mean:
www.Lampsvers.co.uk”

Augustus I am sorry for my misspelling the address should read as.

www.lampsavers.co.uk

Rhoda Klapp

This is an oasis of sanity, compared to the main Coffee House at the moment.

Anybody know where I can go to find a decent blogsite?

Verity

Thucydides - Sarah Palin ... yes, she's so stupid she parlalyed a win as a beauty queen into the eventual governorshop of the largest state in the Union.

You may not know this. You may think a governor is the same as a local mayor or something, but a governor is the chief executive of a state. The president of the United States cannot send troops into a state without the permission of the governor (which is why there was such a delay in President Bush deploying troops to the site of Hurricane Katrina. Governor Blanco was busy divvying up reconstruction deals with her pals in the construction industry.) The governor is a very powerful person indeed and there is very tough competition even to get into the primaries. To win the governorship of a state, one must have a great deal of political nous, clarity of thought and the ability to get things done. Like the successful multi-billion dollar negotiations for an internationsl oil pipeline deal with Alberta, for example. And they usually have a powerful personality. Governor Palin has all these attributes.

Verity

Well, well. I should have intuited that all was not as it seemed when Hague appeared at the horrific Notting Hill carnival in a baseball cap. I thought he had been badly advised.

Now, he is not only regularly sporting baseball caps, which Peter Hitchens calls IQ Reducers, but sharing hotel rooms with nice young men.

I think part of the problem with Westminster is, there are far too many MPs. They should be reduced by half, and there should be much tighter focus on individuals.

Noa

AWK1

"Are we to believe that flabby, horrid ol' Gordon drove you to the bottle?"

Why not Anne? He had that effect on me!

Anne Wotana Kaye 1

Verity: I loathe baseball hats, and especially thosr peaked caps where strands of lank hair peep out. Hague at least is bald, so we were spared that. What I cannot understand is why a shared room was booked. MPs get huge expense accounts, so was Hague counting the pennies? Also, what the big deal? Now if they wrote that a politican was hetrosexual, that WOULD be news.
Noa and Stuart Seacole Smith: Strange that Cherie couldn't wear Tony down, yet lumbering Gordon could. Polly Toynbee is a female version of a wanker!

Sam Armstrong

Verity @ 2.17

Excellent post. But I am a little worried about America. I am in the US at the moment (Denver) and have been to Chicago in the last few days too. Democracy will surely this time eliminate Baraq Hussein Obama, but for how long?

As America's white population is only about 50% of the overall population now, how long does that country SERIOUSLY have left? I don't want to be racialist here, but just point out that I believe that in general only the white Christian Americans really care about the US that we know and love.

By contrast, Britain, France, Spain, Germany, although experiencing decline in birth rates, and subjected to mass Islamic immigration, still occupy over 80% of their population makeup. These countries are now bound in communist red tape and their citizens unable to think and act, but they still have the numbers on their side.

I am no longer so sure that the USA is in a better position to win this fight than Europe.

I also get the sense that many Americans are now starting to feel ashamed of themselves, and have this colonial guilt thing going on that paralyses the countries of Europe.

America is my favourite foreign country, but when I tell this to some of them nowadays, they act surprised, when not so long ago, they would have said "It's the best country in the world".

Finally, at immigration at O'Hare the other day, a promotional video was being shown on a large screen whilst we were waiting to show our passports, showing all the different 'sides' to America. A kind of welcome video whilst we waited to be fingerprinted and have our eyes scanned by some surly type. Naturally the video made quite a big thing about Islam. In fact, the glossy, colourful depictions of some Mosque, with burqa clad girls smiling at the camera, seemed to confirm one thing to me: that the USA has lost its nerve.

The right wingers are doing a good job. Much better than our so-called right wingers, but can even they fight population decline?

Beer Moth

daniel maris.

Your criterion to qualify as 'intelligent', is itself dumb and dim. Just read a daily paper and recall its title during interviews. Pure genius.

daniel maris

Beer Mouth -

If you think yuo can be a serious politician without reading all the major papers in your country then you are deluded.

Of course, in theory Palin might be an intuitive genius at statecraft who doesn't need to read newspapers...only problem is she has displayed absolutely no evidence of that.

yank

I was not in favor of the execrable John McCain, so there was no reason for me to consider Palin, but still I've been amused by the Left's response to her.

At the nomination convention, she got up on stage and spoke of the comparison of her former job as the elected mayor of Wasilla, Alaska vs. Obama's (complete lack of) experience: "I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a community organizer, except that you have actual responsibilities."

Oh how the Left and their paleolithic media allies howled over this... this terribly unfair crack on their messiah... he who made them faint with rapture... and who halted his sermons to call forth refreshment and care for those intoxicated by his beatitudes. I shite you not. I saw it with my own 2 eyes. This guy stopped to heal the shaking, enraptured masses, as they broke into delirium. For he knew, as surely should we all have, including that rube Palin, that he was The One.

Well, after that crack, the Angry Left immediately launched into full attack mode... and it's been Palin Derangement Syndrome ever since. I do get a chuckle out of this.

Not that McCain would have been any better, but Obama has been a disaster, as Palin well knew he was destined to be, given that he had no experience.

Today? She serves a quite useful purpose. The establishment everywhere fears her, and with good reason. She facilitates their beheadings daily, as we continue to see. And those of us who truly wish for hope and change welcome those beheadings.

Beer Moth

Depressingly, nothing happens when I try to visit shovetheolympicsupyerarse.co.uk

Can anything be done about this?

Ronnie

I was just going to contribute to the discussion on Sarah Palin, then I found something interesting to do instead.

Noa Zrk

Beer Moth @ 9pm

Have you tried Freecycle?

That may provide a nearly new jar of vaseline and a receptor Labour ex-sports minister.

Anne Wotana Kaye 1

Just heard that The 'Bloodgate' scandal doctor Wendy Chapman (who cut wing Tom Williams' lip in order to conceal a faked blood injury) has been allowed to practice. Not only continue, but the GMC has wished her well. Then again, why shouldn't they? Doctors are supposed to take the Oath, to do no harm, but the GMC makes the Mafia look like a teddy bear's party. They are a vile, corrupt cabal who defend evil. They never struck Shipman off, despite knowing he was a junkie, and they believe Chapman's excuse that she was "depressed" condones her. I was in correspondence with the GMC a few weeks ago concerning the 'doctor' who failed in six years to diagnose a young woman with cervical cancer. This charlatan escaped being struck off too.

David Ossitt

News Night on BBC 2 last night was nothing more than an extension to the ongoing BBC advertising campaign for the great-ones new book.

The left leaning Gavin Estler had assembled a trio of New-Labour has-beens, these included that chap who has the look of a schoolboy who nobody has heard of until now, who’s biography is currently being serialised by BBC4, John Prescott and the ever present Alastair Campbell, they were there to give their thoughts and opinions with regard to the said book.

Nothing of interest was said but Prescott on at least three occasions said words to the effect of:-

“We must not forget the great things we achieved in the past thirteen years”

For the life of me I can hardly think of any, with the exception of the Freedom of Information Act, labours time in office was a complete utter disaster.

Why did Estler not challenge this nonsense?

The only other thing from last nights program worthy of any comment, though non on the program did so, was when the camera was outside the home of Blair so that Gavin (as is now obligatory) could question an on site journalist, over the shoulder of this chap we could clearly see two heavily armed police officers who were standing on Blair’s front door steps, whilst we watched a third armed police man joined them.

It set me wondering, three at the front plus, let’s say a couple at the back, if they work an eight hour shift that will be fifteen in twenty four hours. As the program had told us already that Blair is away, who are these plods protecting?

And why?

Rhoda Klapp

The Blair posts:

On purpose, to wind us up?

Because there is no real news?

Because they really think we give a toss, or we ought to give a toss?

The relentless march of the trivial?

So, what do you think, one or more of the above, or something else?

charles hercock

AWK1

Your vitriol against the GMC is ill placed

The fact that most doctors hate and are terrified of them indicates their effective guardianship of public good in respect of this hard pressed group of professionals

Frank P

For those who haven't already checked, Steyn is back from his pause:

http://www.steynonline.com/

Summer must be drawing to a close.

Anne Wotana Kaye 1

charles hercock

I haven't known any doctors who do not approve of the GMC, but I am willing to listen to you. Have you actual literature written by British medical personnel who actually despise this organisation? Is there any doctor brave enough to speak out?

Andy Carpark

PPE - a social disease.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-11136511

Chairman Mao advised his sons not to study the Chinese equivalent, on the grounds that it was not knowledge.

And say what you like about Mao but he had the right idea about bloody students. He hurded them out into the rice fields to do some honest toil.

London Calling

Today we are informed that RBS to cut a further 3,500 jobs, because…

"Having to cut jobs is the most difficult part of our work to rebuild RBS and repay taxpayers for their support," the bank said.

because…

"We continue to make efficiencies across our business and adjust our plans in line with the divestments we have been required to make by the European Union."
because…

“The bank has been told by the European Commission to reduce its number of branches in order to safeguard competition concerns after it was bailed out by the UK government during the financial crisis”.

The government still holds an 84% stake in the bank…and the European Union I presume? Whilst The British Unite trade union described the jobs losses as a "horror story".

Why exactly are we giving the European Union £65 Million a day? and why is our Government allowing the EU to dictate on job losses on British soil ?

Personally I would like a full enquiry into the biggest Quango that the European Union exists upon, our money…however I doubt the Coalition have much to say on the subject and silence will prevail…

Link…RBS to cut a further 3,500 jobs
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11164565

Beer Moth

Andy Carpark

How very wrong you and Mr Mao are about this. I would not be here to waste time today were it not for my personal protection equipment and the requisite training (light refreshments included) to ensure its correct use.

Frank Sutton

Phil (or whoever you really are) - I found this curious remark amidst your lengthy and largely impenetrable post: I much prefer those like beer moth who say what they need to without finding it necessary to tell us who they are
Are you saying you don't like people to use their real names?
A strange reversal of the usual accusation that bloggers hide behind pseudonyms!
Anyway, how do you know they're real names?

Anyway, keep up the entertaining work of policing the Coffee House!

Beer Moth

London Calling

Good post. The branches that RBS are ordered to close in the interests of competition, will very likely be up and running again soon; same business but new name: Santander.

Tulkinghorn

Anne WK1

As a lawyer I have many good medical friends one of whom was recently hauled up over a vexatious complainant.The GMC do not mete out justice.

charles hercock

OK so let us round on Staines and his blogging sleazeballs trying to bring down a good man

Tell all your tittle tattling MP friends to not give him the time of day

Anne Wotana Kaye 1

Tulkinghorn: Perhaps the answer is rather than a self-regulating organisation, which doesn't seem very fair, a more democratic one made up of medical personnel, lawyers, criminologists, and a good sprinkling of laymen/women from various communities.

yank

Some good folk here, but there's far too much censoring going on at this site, so I think I'll return to greener pastures.

Be well, friends.

John Richardson

Er....

I know it's a bit cheeky, but er....

Could the actually interesting and intelligent (you know who you are ladies)individuals who are above me possible do me a favour ?
I've been out of the UK, not read above posts, but awkwardly explained I hadn't read certain direct ref.s to me.
I hadn't.
Don't intend to, but would like to catch up...
So ?
Er...
Have I missed anything up there ?

John Richardson

....wait.
Now I read that 'yank' is off.
Wait.
'yank', wait, you're intelligent.
Stop.
I've been censored loads...what's the issue ?
Seriously.
If I felt that you justified, then I would not want to come here personally.
So.
Please, any details ?

daifromwales

Wierd posting about baseball caps - at least we've largely been spared most (but not all) of the innuendo about Hague. A correspondent declares an educated persopn should read all the papers - I refuse to pick up a newspaper if I disapporve of the headlines (i.e. the way they make money), so I shall be parer-less for a while I fear.
The view that the baseball cap is particulary hideous is entirely personal - if you are bald you must wear a hat, and if you dislike the glare of the sun you need a peak. I favour the Panama myself (a nice folding one) - but it's not appropriate (or practical) for all situations. I wear a baseball cap for convenience (I can stuff it in a pocket, and if it rains it keeps the drops off my glasses...). I have no desire to wear a Stetson in London.
As for sharing a room - so what? It saves money, and hotels do their best to fill their rooms so there isn't always much choice. Are these journalists all so depraved that they have carnal relations with each other whenever they are not chaperoned? Can nobody share a room without a 'nudge-nudge-wink-wink'? I wonder what all those climbers in two man tents on Mount Everest get up to? (Actually I don't wonder because I don't care...)
What people who share a room do in that room is not only none of my business - but it is entirely unknowable (unless spy cameras or personal injury are involved).
Darwin appeared to believe we would all become more civilised. He was obviously wrong...

Verity

Which greener pastures, Yank (assuming this post gets through ...)?

Verity

I think Mexican men look dashing in their sombreros. Especially the tall thin ones with high cheekbones.

Unforftunately, some of the more non-aesthetically inclined, wsar what Peter Hitchens calls IQ Reducers - baseball caps. Whether they really reduce the IQ, or just make the wearer look as though he'd beeb robbed of 10 or 12 points, who csres? They're ghasly

Also, I think adopting another country's rig is pathetic. What next? American football shoulder pads for mooching around the car boot sale?

Verity

The penultimate thing I read about the Chilean miners was, they had been told there was a possibility of the rescue process being speeded up to two months instead of four.

Then the Minister of mines said speeding it up would be too dangerous, and they were sticking with the three to four month goal.

Those poor men! And their poor families imagining the hardships they're enduring. Plus, has anyone else read this - the country that was running the mine has gone bankrupt and can't pay the miners for their time confined in hellish conditions under the earth ...

Obviously, countries and people will contribute to make certain these blameless men get paid (Tony Blair could write another book ... "Cherie was like an animal ... as she scouted round that department store down in Oz for her "free gift" which she parlayed into a couple of trolleyloads..."

Anyway, NASA's sent psychological help for people in confined spaces for long period of time with nothing to do, as in the astronauts.

And the Aussies have sent up some experts with new technology ... but the mining company has walked away from them.

And I read it is going to take around four hours to haul one man, in a tiny, cramped cage, up to the top. So 120 hours from the first to the last man ... and that's when they're ready to begin the actual evacuation.

Wilhelm

My long comment about Gordon Broon wanting Africa to be connected to the internet didnt get published, its just plain wrong on so many different levels. Here's the short version.

Kelvin McKenzie said '' Is Gordon going to start up a business and go door to door in the Soweto township and wire them all up by himself, when they dont even have drinking water, gas or electricity.'' It was very amusing.

Wilhelm

Liebour gave £500 Million of OUR tax payers money in aid to Pakistan, a nation that can waste it on nuclear weapons, from 2007 to 2010.

I thought charity began at home, obviously not, what a bunch of spivs and crooks.

Richard of Moscow

I see the US police have shot one of those ranting, 'man-made-global-warming' extremists.
Fair play to them, a job well done. I'm tempted to say, "it's good start..."

MikeF

Today - 3 September - is the anniversary of the United Kingdom, in effect the British Empire, declaring war on Nazi Germany in defence of Poland and the concept in international law. This was and remains the ultmate 'anti-Nazi' act in the history of this country. But this was, of course, the act of a conservative Britain with a Conservative Government. Will we hear a peep about it from any of today's left who think that represent the paradigm of 'anti-fascist' activism? I somehow think not.

Andy Carpark

Verity - You seem to have a King Charles's head about baseball caps at the moment. I think context is all. On the pates of ageing lefties from Islington (see Arts Blog) they are a worthy object of ridicule. Worn by William Hague to the Notting Hill Carnival, at roughly the same time he boasted about drinking fourteen pints a day in his youth, they represent a laudable attempt to broaden the Tory church and the adoption of a Churchillian bulldog posture as 'the people's pisshead'. All right, maybe it backfired a bit, but at least he had a go.

John Richardson

You know something has occurred to me,
call me cynical but...

With all these micro articles concerning the least interesting and least important party leadership 'election' ever.
The pretense that the boring and mediocre individuals concerned could represent some ill defined 'wider political philosophy'.
Playground gossip elevated to the status of news.
Censoring 'yank'.
Ladies cricket.
'Red Alerts' regarding phantom 'threats to the coalition' that would not frighten a five year old.
Pictures of politicians kissing babies.

Is someone trying to 'throw' The Spectator ?

Has someone been paid off ?

Has £150,000 or so passed between a 'left wing' financier and 'right wing' journalists in some seedy hotel room ?

"Remember,
nothing on the death of British democracy or the EU arrest-without-charge-warrants. You stick to personalities, babies and those two brothers.
Then you bowl Edd No Balls if you need to. Just don't make it too obvious...."

Huuum.

EC

I think I'm going to have to replace my Barbour hat with a baseball cap. Hell, I might even, finally, buy an AC/DC album ... or to be 'right on' should it now be Muse or Joy Division?

stephen maybery

If I were to say here that I am pissed off and constipated with envy, that would be understaing the situation. Blair writes a load of self serving tripe and gets hours of free plugs from the Blair&Bullshit Corporation, yet When I wrote a satire on the man, the Benedict Arnold of British politics, did the beeb give me free air time? did they hell, but then why should they, it's not as if I am a bleeding socialist.

Anne Wotana Kaye 1

Once upon a time the arrival of the Sunday newspapers were an exciting event. I remember my grandfather's London house when I came up to stay from my evacuation billet in the country. Grandfather was a gambling and sporting man, and he took the "News of The World." My father, who was away in the army had forbidden me to even look at this paper, so naturally I was thrilled at the exploits of scout masters and vicars, even if I couldn't see what it was that they had done. Later, when the war was over, I lived with my parents and was sent to collect the 'papers'. There was "The Observer", "The Sunday Express" and for me "Reynolds News" ( as a pre-teen 'revolutionary' I found it full of ideas that I thought were shocking to my family). Late teens, the literary pages of "The Observer" and the delightful Kathleen Whitehorn, were read over my breakfast egg. Married at twenty, I shared a wider choice of papers, serious and mundane, but all good reading. Naturally NO "News of The World", but others filled with fashion, films, music and life styles. These papers kept me going until at least Tuesdays and were a source of entertainment and education, as well as starting the fire in the old-fashioned kitchen. I don't know when things went all pear-shaped, but for the last few years we have stopped buying any Sunday papers. This coming Sunday, I imagine certain politicians will be feeling sick at the thought of the garbage which will fill the headlines, and careers will be crushed and new players step into the public arena. I'm happy we don't have the Sundays anymore, but it was nice when they offered a decent read.

David Ossitt

Has anyone else noticed, that the BBC is trying hard to promote as a political pundit, that tall gangling slapper who just happens to be married to the one time conservative MP, who is now the Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow.

She first appeared on Question Time where she was totally out of her depth; she followed this by sitting on a sofa for This Week where she pointed out that being the wife of the Speaker might open doors for her but that she will only be called back if she shows that she has got talent.

Somebody must think she has, because she was on Radio 4 this morning commenting on whether William Hague should have made the personal statement that he had.

This woman’s only claim to fame is that she stood as a labour candidate in the St James Ward of the Westminster City Council elections and lost having had only 868 votes in her favour.

EC

David Ossitt,

Come on now David. Sally Bercow's democratic credentials are exemplary and she is a political colossus standing astride er... Westminster... as compared with "Baroness" Ashton High Priestess of External Relations, or whatever, for the European Union.

daniel maris

Did I hallucinate it - or does Rod Liddle, in the current edition, admit to killing a cat with his bare hands with pre-meditation...?

Kennybhoy

Frank P wrote:

"For those who haven't already checked, Steyn is back from his pause."

And on form too.

http://www.steynonline.com/content/view/3477/

The left-liberal feminist war against masculinity, even to the point of abusing innocent boy children, is something of a berserk button issue for me. Another article in yesterday's Daily Mail, aye ah know, gives a British teacher's perspective on the issue. While one must always acknowledge honesty and repentance, a more civilized society than ours would consider her article a confession to criminal abuse deserving of a long prison sentence.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1308246/Why-women-teachers-like-treat-boy-illness.html

Kennybhoy

Almost forgot! Can we please have a link to steynonline.com in the Coffee House Blog Roll?

Verity

Andy Carpark writes: "On the pates of ageing lefties from Islington (see Arts Blog) ..."

See the Arts Blog? Are you mad?

Rhoda Klapp

Kenny bhoy, you are a joker, aren't you?

Beer Moth

It seems that the Inland Revenue have made their first tentative foray into the national lottery market.

Pay your taxes and then see if you are one of the lucky ones who get £418 back! There is of course the downside that you might not be so lucky and have to cough up an extra £1500, but well, every lottery has its losers.

Seriously though, this we are told, is the result of the introduction of a new IT system. That's alright then.

Derek

How do we help Christchurch?

In particular, does anyone know how to help Christchurch from the Chinese city of Xi'An?

Verity

Kennybhoy - "Can we please have a link to steynonline.com in the Coffee House Blog Roll?"

You must be one of the newer bhoys.

Thucydides

David Ossitt,

Why do you call Mrs Bercow a slapper? Is it because you are frightened of tall women, or just because she is a woman?

Beer Moth

Just gave the old Proms another chance but they blew it again. Hell fire, with all the decent tunes what have been writted over the years and always they seem to go out of their way to give us stuff which I'm damned if I can whistle along to.

That Simon Rattle, I mean, is he alright? I bet his family worry on the quiet.

Thought struck me as I'm watching all the players, that this orchestra game hasn't yet been got at, vis-a-vis ethnic diversionality and whatnot. Hideously white with the merest oriental frisson.

Derek

Kennybhoy More to the point, can we have articles again from Mark Steyn in the Spectator? No good reason have I seen why he was suddenly made persona non grata in its pages. I wouldn't imagine that it was by his own choice.

And while I'm at it, where's the article promised by Mr. Fraser Nelson on Neathergate? It must be coming up to the first anniversary - party anyone?

However, I am glad to see that since no one talks of immigration, and Muslim immigration in particular, in the Coffeehouse anymore, that there is no longer a problem in England in that area.

May I also request a piece in the Spectator that has more chance of appearing than Nelson's long-promised article on Neathergate but which I think would also be richly interesting? That would be, in the style of Standpoint, a transcript of a discussion between Paul Johhnson and Martin Gayford on the significance of Picasso's paintings and why each thinks the other's views deeply mistaken?

Beer Moth

I'm worried about the Spectator.

They are advertising an upcoming conference at which an assortment of speakers will purport to address issues of great importance to the nation (£486 a head so rest assured, no oiks)
(Oh and in the list of issues to be covered, the exponential growth of Islam fails to appear, so yes Derek, it can't pose anything like the problem that many fear, because these people are in the know.)

In the description of the event, it is promised that those who attend, will be treated to "all the intelligence and wit that readers expect from a Spectator title." That boast there is the worry.

Perhaps such assurance was in the past justified. But I wonder if those in control have really given these pages a close inspection lately? We have the arts given over to a clique whose interest in, and knowledge of the arts, plough a very predictable north London furrow. It is so poorly written as to have as its only attraction, the promise of amusement - most notably the sycophantic comments which go in place of engagement and the exchange of ideas.

Increasingly also, the CH postings include pieces written by 'a friend of a friend'. This would be almost acceptable if those friends of friends had the ability to put their ideas onto the written page with even the slightest degree of skill. Put bluntly: there is no intelligence and the wit is thin.

This may in the past have been a respectable 'retail space' for ideas, it now more resembles the pound shop which took over on a discounted rent.

Rhoda Klapp

BM, it appears that we who do not pay £486, or anything, are not to expect all the wit and wisdom. What we get here is pretty much limited to what we as a group bring.

It is a human characteristic to believe the old days were better than today, but when I hark back to the halcyon days of 2008 and 2009, and the wonderful insight and debate to be found then in these pages.....oh sod it, finish the rest of the joke yourself.

EC

Thucydides,

'tis a small wonder that John dunt get a Michael Crick in the neck!

Frank P

Beer Moth (9.36am)

A swingeing condemnation of our hosts! I've just spend twenty minutes going through it to find something to disagree with; to balance the critique. Sadly, I failed. Your post is very unkind, but unquestionably both true and witty - with an admirable dash of sarkie seasoning, to boot.

Wish you hadn't though, I woke up today promising myself I would try to accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative in the lives of those around me. Obviously I should have given this blog a miss and mowed the grass instead.

Joe Green's Rigoletto was a fine treat on the telly yesterevening. Domingo was on form and Julia Novikova was magnificent. Looking forward to parts two and three being broadcast today; we will record the second and third parts and replay them consecutively on one of the weekdays when there is nothing else on (pick any one of six by the look of the TV Times). A rare treat - despite the plot, as ever with opera!

Verity

Islam (the religion of peace), Neathergate/Nelson. Islam (the religion of peace), Neathergate/Nelson. Sssshh! Don't frighten the voters!

Etc etc etc etc.

1. Islam does not mean PEACE. Islam means "submission".

2. Islam does not mean peace. Islam means SUBMISSION.

This is what this word means in Arabic. SUBMISSION.

3. The sobriquet "religion of peace", used to distract the West, actually refers to the peace that is going to attend the world when the entire universe has bent the knee to islam. Look it up. This is what it means. There will be peace when there is no more Dar el-Harb - "House of War" aka "the advanced Christian West".

So, the British government, under Blair for his own advancement and fortune, and Cameron because he is not the brightest light in the harbour, has tried to defuse islamic ambitions by SUBMITTING!

Good strategy!

They submit to demonstrations insulting our brave soldiers. Submit to polygamy (as long as the marriages were legal in the country in which they were performed ... like, oh, I dunno, the advanced nation of Somalia), allowing halal (kosher ought also to be banned, by the way), submitted to marriages contracted to primitives to get them into Briton etc etc etc etc.

And dissension by the owners country is regarded with dainty shock and disapproval.

Given the islamic tendency to conversion by the sword and the explosive device, there are a couple of robust blogs around on which "the religion of peace" is written "the religion of pieces".

Anne Wotana Kaye 1

Apart from the very real fears for the physical safety of the Chilean miners, their families have the added worry of the mine going bankrupt and the miners receiving no wages. Does anybody know if there is a fund that British citizens can contribute to, whatever they can manage, so that the families, and of course the miners don't have financial worries on top of life and death situation to face?

Noa Zrk

Some of the unrelentingly liberal socialist clap trap that infests the Spectator website is relieved by the blogs of Melanie Phillips and Rod Liddle; the former by her investigative journalism and constant stand against the worldwide Islamic onslaught on the West and democracy, the latter for his unerring ability to recognise and ridicule the appalling intellectual and cultural decimation imposed on the UK by the socialist party and the BBC, its collaborator in society's destruction.

Berr Motth, Fran

Verity

AWK - There will be appeals aplenty once the miners get out. I'll be keeping my eye out myself. I won't be participating in any of the parasitic, politically correct lefty Western organisations' appeals.

If there's a mineworkers union in Chile, and there will be, there will be, I'll send my money there.

I note, meanwhile, that the Uraguyan workers who were on a plane that crashed into the tops of the Andes some years ago, and weren't rescued for over two months (and didn't know whether rescuers even had any idea where they were trapped), are going to Chile to talk over the rigged up phone to the miners and explain some of the survival techniques they used to stay sane and hopeful. So high up, in the snow, there was no food, and one thing they finally forced themselves to do, to survive, was eat their companions who had died in the crash.

So the Chilean miners will be speaking to others who have known despair and desperation.

Anne Wotana Kaye 1

Verity: I wish the "Spectator" would start a fund. If any Moderator is reading this, please take note. Another possibility of help reaching the miners and their families will be (only once the situation is resolved) if a film company make a movie of this ordeal. This, I imagine, is credible.

Verity

AWK - I doubt that a movie will be made, because today, it would have little in the way of revelation as we are all following this on TV and the net, and we've seen the miners in their nightmareish prison, and we've heard them speak.

The only possible movie might be, the mining company that let its employees down in such a spectacular way (and then went out of business) and/or the negotiations with NASA and Australian mining companies which have expetise in these conditions and offered assistance.

Maybe a movie about the negotiations between the President of Chile and the former mining company execs, plus with NASA and Oz.

I dunno. I really don't think there's a movie in this, given that we've all followed it live ...

TV companies round the world might pay for the rights to film the miners emerging. Or maybe the rights could be reserved for Chile TV, which could then syndicate it to other TV companies worldwide. That might be an idea. And the miners could get a whack of that payment.