Tha Blair go, tha Brown cummah

[opus10no2]

Discuss.

[wishful thinker]

Now, now, you've bin tolled abowt this bad grandma and punchayshon all ready 

Mr B. Liar's only claim to fame is that he hasn't ar**d things up as badly as the last Labour PM.  He was slippery and smarmy, but a bit of a likeable rogue.

Gordon Brown however, has no discernable positive attributes at all, as far as I can see.  I can't imagine anyone ever positively voting for him; as my old man would say "he's got about as much sex appeal as one of Princess Ann's old gumboots" 

[shortyshort]

Gordon Brown however, has no discernable positive attributes at all, as far as I can see.  I can't imagine anyone ever positively voting for him; as my old man would say "he's got about as much sex appeal as one of Princess Ann's old gumboots" 

And don't forget he's Scottish. 

It doesn't realy matter who is P.M. as all polititions are only in it for the power and free money. And all they do is shaft the public with higher taxes, worse education and healthcare.

I think Thal should be P.M.

[wishful thinker]

I'll second that.  He could give banjo recitals at EU meetings 

But that's two people who have voted for Thal - no one has voted for Brown 

Democracy....see why it was so important to export it to the middle east 

[ronde_des_sylphes]

Hmm. Blair - in my opinion, the most odious, slimy, and utterly dislikeable policitian it has been my displeasure to experience. A man who came to power on a sweeping majority, with the power to reform .. and did .. NOTHING; continued the economic policies of his predecessors, policies which he apparently so despised while in opposition. A man, not concerned with the long-term effects of his policies, only with how they would appear in the press the next day. A man who followed the "war on terror", claiming it would make Britain a safer place, while making it more dangerous.

And now we have Brown, the so-called "prudent" chancellor, who was so prudent he sold off half of our gold reserves at a considerable net loss. A man whose primary concern has been searching for increasingly perverse ways to extract tax from the "common man" that Labour claims to represent (whilst turning a blind eye to massive corporate tax evasion), so as to prop up his failing accountancy tricks.

I have nothing but contempt for this pair of charlatans. Presumably at one point they had some principles. Must have been a very long time ago.

[shortyshort]

Hmm. Blair - in my opinion, the most odious, slimy, and utterly dislikeable policitian it has been my displeasure to experience.

Yes, indeed.

Presumably at one point they had some principles. Must have been a very long time ago.

No, not compatable with being a politition. They must lie and cheat, or they don't get up the ladder.

[ronde_des_sylphes]

And don't forget he's Scottish. 

You can rest assured I didn't vote for him 

No, not compatable with being a politition. They must lie and cheat, or they don't get up the ladder.

Oddly enough, I think Robin Cook did have principles. But, yeah, I think very few prominent politicians nowadays truly have principles. The only other UK (as opposed to Scottish-parliament-only) ones I can think of offhand would be Tony Benn and Margaret Thatcher. I didn't enjoy her time in power (remember, I'm Scottish  , and though I've a lot of time for Tony Benn intellectually, I'm far from convinced he would have been a good leader.

[prometheus]

Brown will probably do better than Blair.

Brown has no charisma, which is a good attribute in a leader because it means he can't get away with things. At least hopefully. Let's hope that this isn't offset by cunningness.

[wishful thinker]

I hear that Brown has a "past" (or is it a present) 

[prometheus]

As for principles vs power. I think that the UK is a little different from the US. People generally still get into politics because they have principles. But while they climb up the ladder they have to learn to be able to abandon their principles.

The big problem is the system. Not the person. Blair will do a great job actually improving the world now that he has no power, or rather responsibility, anymore. Just like Clinton and Gore. There are tons of other examples.

Blair will try to safe his name for history by being the one to bring peace to the middle east, it seems. When Bush is no longer president he might start to do some good things too. Maybe poverty and aids in Africa.

But they are just trying to restore what they damaged when they actually had the power to really solve problems.

[pianogeek_cz]

Brown has no charisma, which is a good attribute in a leader because it means he can't get away with things.

Heh, I like that thought.

As for a politician who have (or had, in the period after 2000, and possibly will have) both power and principles... maybe, big maybe, Benjamin Netanyahu?

And there's Bush. He's acting SO "unreasonably" at times that it just HAS to be principles, I think. (Plus, the fact that he's basically an idiot doesn't necessarily make him always wrong.) And hands down to him for sticking to principles. Whether it's always the right thing to do is a different debate.

[pianistimo]

if he doesn't get killed - he will at least give them something to ponder when he discusses peace processes.  i always liked watching him in the british parliament.  he is a good debater.  if only wars were like debates and more of a harmless way to dispel disagreements and make people laugh (even when they don't agree).

https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/6244358.stm

i wish that the terrorists could just relax for a day and let him do his thing.  unfortunately, i this this is as mistimed as sending prince henry to battle.  blair is a brave man to commit to the peace process like this.  i pray for his security and that people will give him the time of day.  unfortunately, i think the palestinians would rather shoot him.  perhaps he needs a body double at this time.

if i were to counsel him - it would be to start with ireland.  more economic incentives.  that is what palestine wants.  job opportunities.  and, of course, land.  but you have to work things out in your own country before you can solve other people's problems.  there is a drawing out of land after each war.  the west bank is seen as some kind of valuable asset because it allows for military spying to take place (if i understnad correctly).  if both countries have portions of it - they just blow each other up.  that has happened for ages.  israel has put up a wall - much like the usa - to not allow people who might be terrorists into the country.  the problem is that innocent people who are just trying to exist are hurt. 

i suppose this gets right back to the world dna databank.  this is supposedly the 'cure-all' for terrorist threats.  to allow hiring of palestinians in israel that are NOt currently terror threats.  but, as with our country - we don't know what will stop them from becoming terrorist threats even if they seem harmless.  it's a win-win and lose-lose situation.  both sides would win if they were both peaceful.  tony blair's ideas would work if we were working with ONLY the working people with families that don't care about politics as much as just making a living and supporting and feeding their families. 

as i see it - collective farms with palestinians and israelis working side-by-side could show iraq and iran how it could be done.  but, who is going to allow peace to be maintained?  we are basically in a spiral.  it's unstoppable - even for those who desperately want peace.  i think it's a spiritually unstoppable thing that will lead to armaggedon.  i realize that people might think it's crazy - but, hey - it's in the bible. it's not going to get better.  may as well expect the world to go to hell in a handbasket.  iraq is already.  too many cooks in the kitchen.  i think after a war - there will be a division of land and a temporary peace.  but, it's going to be a much different kind of peace.  a big brother peace.  nobody will be truly free.  they will be watched.  by everyone. the entire world.  why?  because that is how the entire world will also see Jesus return to the Mt. of Olives.  it's just preparation for the best part of the peace process to start.

[pianistimo]

it's not just world politics that is changing.  the whole world climate is changing.  we are experiencing catastrophic events in the earth.  best not to be completely grounded in banking systems, or investments alone - but in God.  when things break down - there's not a lot of seeming options.  with God they are endless.

as i see it - it's a lot like chess.  if you know what you are attempting to do and systematically do it every day (pray) you are saving up an eternal inheritance.  the game is not always what's on the board.  it's what's in one's head.

Jesus studied the Word intensely before he was crucified.  the only Words he spoke when he was arrested were basically the psalms and words of the scripture that He had from the OT.  he had meditated so much that He memorized the verses that pertained to each issue that came up.  and it was as relevant to His day as hundreds years before with king david's own personal experiences.  God's word is like a sword - able to pierce the intents and thoughts of the heart.  that is where the peace process is.  the Holy Spirit IS the peace process.  it was what kept Jesus from striking back at his oppressors.  He knew that wasn't the end.  i find it interesting that even when peter used a sword and struck the servant of the people (and cut off his ear) who were taking Jesus away - Jesus healed his ear - and then was still hauled away. they witnessed a literal HEALing and still wanted war.  but, Jesus said at the 'day of the Lord' the wheat and chaff will be separated and noone will be able to put them back together again.  fire will literally be raging in certain parts of the world. what we will inherit is an earth destroyed by war.  people will WANT peace - but not understand how to find it.  that is when the gospel will be finally understood as something that Satan has kept from people to this day.  peace is supposedly something people bargain for.  like a commodity - but the bible says it is not bargained for but a capability inside each individual person.  to give instead of take.

[ronde_des_sylphes]

i wish that the terrorists could just relax for a day and let him do his thing. 

Yeah, he really enjoys doing "his thing" too. That would be playing at being a "world statesman" (sic) and indulging his own narcissistic ideas of self-importance.

Of course, if it was Gordon Brown, he'd say something like "Carry on bombing, lads" and surreptitiously put enormous taxes on Semtex, AK-47s, etc.

[pianistimo]

personally, i think he does care.  he is a compassionate person and probably, like carter, thinks the best of people.  but - the middle east mindset goes much further back to old arguments and irritations.  you have no idea from person to person - what their grudge is.  and, if they will suddenly behead you for it.  i wouldn't doubt they would try to ambush mr blair.  that is why i would suggest he not go there in the first place.  he is a statesman and not supposed to be in a body bag.  he has qualities that will allow britian to stay ahead of the game if he stays ahead of it himself.  i think bush and blair need to regroup.  together.    blair is attempting to separate himself.  but, it's too late at this stage.  if he wants to survive - he should stand up and declare himself an enemy to terror all the way through.  if the peace process doesn't survive - it won't be because israel wasn't made into two states.  israel has never been a terrorist state.  palestinians call it that because they want access to israel and to continue bombing israels streets with impunity.  they don't want peace at all.  even the leaders have vowed to do this and that to israel publicly.  they are terrorist minded at high levels.  do you think syria wants peace?  the people do. the leaders, no!  they are saying one thing and doing another. 

politics is funny because people say all sorts of things - but when it comes down to it - who do you want ruling you as a world entity?  i would think the lesser of the evils.  but, as it seems now - nobody CAN rule until someone is a complete dictator.  i do think this will happen.  nobody will be truly happy because they will constantly be spied on.  what country do you know today that doesn't have surveillance everywhere.  it's leading up to  a world system.  all it takes is one person to get control of the major items.  the banking, the military, the mindset, the political views.  i feel, in my heart, that most countries have already been discussed and divided as they will be after the plot goes down.  we are living on land that others consider their own rightful land somehow.  as if war fully determines people's right to a piece of property.  it used to be that simply living was enough.  to peacefully choose a piece of land and leave it as an inheritance.  now, land and water (two things that were free for millenia) are now commodities prized by war.

[ronde_des_sylphes]

personally, i think he does care.  he is a compassionate person

I suppose he has the sort of evangelical zeal about him which you doubtless find admirable.. (footnote: his Christianity is as flexible as his political beliefs)

he is a statesman and not supposed to be in a body bag. 

Countless Iraqis are people, and not supposed to be in body bags. I suppose they didn't actually get that far.

[pianistimo]

some do not fight because they feel that it would break the commandment of 'thou shall not kill.'  some say only murder is killing - but if that was so - why did not Jesus Christ kill Pontius Pilate on the spot.  He said he fought an invisible war.  one that was spiritual.  that spiritual beings actually influence the mind of killers who plan and plot their killing years in advance sometimes.  or let others do it - and simply follow orders.

if we wanted a peace process according to the bible:  'but, i say to you , do not resist him who is evil; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also, and if anyone wants to sue you, and take your shirt, let him have your coat also.  and whoever shall force you to go one mile, go with him two.  give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.  you have heard that it was said, 'love you neighbor, and hate your enemy.'  but, i say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you in order that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He causes his sun to rise on the evil and good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  for if you love those who love you, what reward have you?'

can you imagine if EVERYONE did this?  obviously we have sovereign nations here with military might that is not going to waste anytime soon.  but, where does it lead?  to a million deaths?  it's not a peace process.

as i read it - the peace process in right in your brain because it is prophecied that in these days that we live our very own families and friends may betray us.  some may actually want a world system.  they might think it will promote peace.  matthew 10:21 'and brother will deliver brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death.'  how could something like this happen.  a philosophy of 'cause.'  whose cause?  satans.  that's my impression.  it sounds peaceful until everyone is sort of realizing that it's a ploy.  and, that religion hs nothing to do with the peace process after all.  that people will be forced to 'worship' the god of this world.  something Jesus refused to do and died for.  as i see it - if you are going to die for something - make it a good cause.  world peace.  it will come when people realize that weapons aren't the end all.  they make people feel strong for a moment.

joel 3 is the opposite of the end result.  'beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears....' weapons!  in isaiah it says the opposite:  'they will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks - neither will nation lift up sword against nation - and there will be no more war.'  this symbol of a man beating his sword into a plowshare was in front of the un building wasn't it.  is it still there?  when farming replaces war - you'll know it's lasting peace.

[ronde_des_sylphes]

Assuming God exists..

His wisdom is infinite.

Tony Blair's assuredly is not. The concept of him involving himself in peace talks in a part of the world regarding which he has very little understanding (and has consistently ignored advice from those advisors who were in a position to help him, on the grounds that their advice was not what he was wanting to hear) would be laughable if it were not such a serious issue.

He would be better sticking to the lecture circuit tour; at least he will do less damage there and perhaps his wife can give him some useful lessons beforehand. Not that he deserves the money; if he has any conscience he should donate it to worthwhile Middle Eastern causes and stay out of it, politically speaking, in future.

[pianistimo]

nobody will listen anyways - because it is a matter of who trusts who.  as it is now - even arabs don't trust each other.  it's like revelations already - where armies don't even know who they are fighting and end up fighting each other.  a very crazy war.

[thalbergmad]

I am so glad this moron has departed, but have no great faith in Brown.

Let me list a few failures.

1. Taxation - Poll tax has doubled in most areas under Blair and he has introduced approx 160 stealth taxes.
2. Health - He has poured billions into the National Health service, but we still have huge operation waiting lists and filthy MRSA ridden wards. Too much money on managers and not enough on staff. Postcode lotteries means that you will not get life saving drugs unless you live in the right street, or unless you live in Scotland.
3. Welfare - System is riddled with fraud and many people are better off not working.
4. Pensions - Brown ripped off billions from pension funds
5. War - lied to take UK into a war, which has ensured that we will be a terrorist target for years to come. No programme in place for withdrawal of British soldiers who are being killed on a daily basis trying to help people who are doing an excellent job of killing each other and hardly need any assistance.
6. Terrorism - Vowed to be tough on terrorism but failed to get important measures through parliament. Flag burning morons are left un molested. The ones that are locked up are given 3 hot meals a day and a laptop to prepare their defence.
7. Crime - Spin has overtaken substance and claims that crime is down is not supported by any independent body. Children are being stabbed to death almost every day in London, whilst the police are engaged in looking for Jemimah Khan's cat.
8. Europe - Has gradually signed away power to unelected fraudsters without a mandate from the British People. Refused a referendum that he knows he would lose.
9. Human Rights Act - Everyone apart from him appeared to realise that this would mainly be used by pedos and terrorists. Strange how his wife has made millions from this Chancers Charter.
10 - Immigration - Definately his worse crime. Controlled immigration is a good thing, but he has allowed a wave of pond life that was streaming across Europe to infest our borders. Not kept up promised deportation rate.
11  - I will come back later with some more.

Thal

[ronde_des_sylphes]

I am so glad this moron has departed, but have no great faith in Brown.

Let me list a few failures.

2. Health - He has poured billions into the National Health service, but we still have huge operation waiting lists and filthy MRSA ridden wards. Too much money on managers and not enough on staff. Postcode lotteries means that you will not get life saving drugs unless you live in the right street, or unless you live in Scotland.

I am convinced that the way he has been treating the NHS has a subtext: He throws a lot of money at it, but makes sure that the money is primarily directed towards managers and crony-ridden bureaucratic quangos, with the net result that where it matters the NHS remains underfunded and he can then a) induce people into private medicine and b) make a more convincing case for privatisation of the NHS, both outcomes benefitting the interests of the people he's really there to serve.

3. Welfare - System is riddled with fraud and many people are better off not working.

Thie welfare system appears to have evolved (eg the tax credits system) to actively create an environment where people are better off not working, thereby creating a subclass of people who become dependent on this benefit structure. Recent surveys estimated that 30-40% of the British adult population would experience severe financial difficulty should their top-up tax credits be removed - and that is amongst people who are working. It also enables companies to pay lower wages, knowing that the government (in reality, read the taxpayer) will then top up the lower wages to a more reasonable living total. Fraud is another issue; to be honest I think it is overestimated as an issue - official figures suggest that far more money is lost to the Treasury by tax evasion than is lost through individual benefit fraud; in addition much money which is lost through fraud by individuals is ultimately reclaimed by the Treasury through resultant expenditure on alcohol and tobacco from which there is obviously a large indirect tax take (not that I am condoning benefit fraud per se). Organised benefit fraud is another matter altogether.

5. War - lied to take UK into a war, which has ensured that we will be a terrorist target for years to come.

I 100% agree.

10 - Immigration - Definately his worse crime. Controlled immigration is a good thing, but he has allowed a wave of pond life that was streaming across Europe to infest our borders. Not kept up promised deportation rate.

I don't think it is his worse crime, but then again, I live in Scotland, and you live in the South of England, so I think you have considerable right to feel that way. The uncontrolled influx of migrants is a godsend to unsavoury organisations like the BNP, etc (as, for that matter, is the pusillanimous way in which Muslim fundamentalists get treated).

[thalbergmad]

I think Thal should be P.M.

Thanks old boy.

My first act would be to abolish V A T on cream eggs and Banjo's.

Thal

[thalbergmad]

why did not Jesus Christ kill Pontius Pilate on the spot. 

Because his hands were tied behind his back and he was carrying a 300 pound cross.

Any chance you could keep your religious nonesense out of this thread. It has little if any relevance.

Thal

[pianistimo]

i would vote for you, thal.  that is because i know hard-to-find sheet music would be a top priority.

if God could heal the servants ear - he could untie Jesus hands and make him have superhero capabilities (like He did at the ressurrection three days later).  and 'no' is the answer.  you can talk about whatever you want.  i shall talk whatever i want.  in the end - everyone dies anyway.  it's the ressurrection that's our only hope.  and, i don't think you're going to hell.  you might be in limbo for a short time.  who knows, i might be in limbo for a short time also.  but, if limbo isn't in the bible - where will we be. 

a friend of mine had his wife die last march2007.  her ashes were put in an urn.  he said there was no biblical proscription making things more complicated.  but, imagine if we actually saw a ressurrection from ashes?  my grandfather was cremated as well.  i suppose all bones turn to dust sometime - unless they are mummified or cryogeniced.  i think there's a little 'chip' God takes out when we die.  a sort of piece of our dna.

anyways - back to blair.  i think somebody should give him a bullet-proof vest and tell him to sit tight in britian.  he's too valuable to get killed right now.  people may have issues at home - but on the world setting?  give him a break.  he didn't start the war.

[ahinton]

Thanks old boy.

My first act would be to abolish V A T on cream eggs and Banjo's.

Thal

And would you also remove the extraneous apostrophe from the latter at the same time or would you bequeath that responsiblity to your appointed Chancellor of the Stealth-tax Exchequer?

That said, the propsect of Gordon Brown abolishing VAT on anything would be sufficiently absurd to prompt the most ribald of laughter if only what he'll likely do instead was not so desperately unlaughable...

Best,

Alistair

[ahinton]

Because his hands were tied behind his back and he was carrying a 300 pound cross.

Any chance you could keep your religious nonesense out of this thread. It has little if any relevance.

Thal

Sadly, it might do for Gordon Brown, though I am inclined to agree that most of the rest of us would not immediately recognise a specific contextual relevance for it in this thread...

By the way, I'm still not ashamed to be a Scot; it's not my fault, after all, that the present unelected Prime Ministerial incumbent happens to be one also...

Best,

Alistair

[thalbergmad]

i would vote for you, thal. 

Damned decent of you I must say.

What do think about Blair wanting to become a bead juggler?

The Pope don't seem over impressed.

Thal

[ronde_des_sylphes]

Thanks old boy.

My first act would be to abolish V A T on cream eggs and Banjo's.

Thal

And would you also remove the extraneous apostrophe from the latter at the same time or would you bequeath that responsiblity to your appointed Chancellor of the Stealth-tax Exchequer?

That said, the propsect of Gordon Brown abolishing VAT on anything would be sufficiently absurd to prompt the most ribald of laughter if only what he'll likely do instead was not so desperately unlaughable...

Best,

Alistair

Oooh, an apostrophe tax. He's not thought of that one. Just as well, as it might affect the price of the remarkably ubiquitous (at least where I live) "sausage roll's".

[pianistimo]

i have one of those bead necklaces, too.  one guys that went over to iraq last year year gave them out to an entire congregation of mostly jewish congregants one saturday.  i thought - ok. prayer necklace.  it reminded me of the humanity of the people who believe another faith - and how they must use them especially in times of war.  i suppose that him almost getting left in the country severely changed his mind about people and places.  he had to run after the plane on the runway.  i don't know the circumstances. 

mr blair surely has 'human rights' in mind.  i'm not exactly sure what to say about the pope because i don't know his inner ideas for israel and whether he cares if israelis live or die.  frankly, he worries me.  you see, vatican city could effectively attempt to set itself up in jerusalem.  a sort of third religion in the area.  it's not unheard of - and probably unlikely in the next year - but in 3-5 years?  i'm curious.  a sort of governing body set up by the eu to promote stability and peace.  and who would be helped?  well, anybody who didn't care about israel's sovereignty as a nation.

[thalbergmad]

By the way, I'm still not ashamed to be a Scot

Good to hear.

As PM, i would grant Scotland full independance on the understanding that their politicians would have no vote on English affairs. I would also remove all duty from Whiskey.

I would nominate you for a knighthood and erect a bronze statue of you outside the BP garage in Thurso.

Thal

[ahinton]

Oooh, an apostrophe tax. He's not thought of that one. Just as well, as it might affect the price of the remarkably ubiquitous (at least where I live) "sausage roll's".

I bet he has thought of it, you know - he's just been so busy imposing all those others that he's not had chance to around to that one before going on to "higher things"; no doubt his appointed Chancellor will be ordered to get on with it, though...

Best,

Alistair

[thalbergmad]

Mr blair surely has 'human rights' in mind.  i'm not exactly sure what to say about the pope because i don't know his inner ideas for israel and whether he cares if israelis live or die.  frankly, he worries me.

Blair has only money in mind and how much of it his wife will make from the Human Rights Act.

Thal

[thalbergmad]

you see, vatican city could effectively attempt to set itself up in jerusalem.  a sort of third religion in the area.  it's not unheard of - and probably unlikely in the next year - but in 3-5 years?  i'm curious.  a sort of governing body set up by the eu to promote stability and peace.  and who would be helped?  well, anybody who didn't care about israel's sovereignty as a nation.

YAWN x 100

[ahinton]

As PM, i would grant Scotland full independance on the understanding that their politicians would have no vote on English affairs. I would also remove all duty from Whiskey.

Forgive me for mentioning this, but in English it's "independence" and, in any case, I'm not so sure that the Scots really want this any more (beyond the Catalan independence idea that manifests itself quietly but firmly in the notion that Catalans are already independent becuase that;s the way they are), especially given that Scotland is as much a part of the EU as the rest of Great Britain; forgive me also for telling you that "whiskey" with an "e" is the Irish stuff, whereas without the "e" it's the real stuff and I hope you'll try to overlook my churlishness in so saying when your determination to remove all duty from our national beverage is so close to your great heart...

I would nominate you for a knighthood and erect a bronze statue of you outside the BP garage in Thurso.

That's really very kind of you, but I would find myself unable to accept (because I would not merit) a knighthood anywhere in UK (whose knighthood arrangments are still - at least theoretically and admittedly hand-wavingly - determined by the Queen rather than the PM) and I'm not so sure about that statue either, since I did not live in Thurso for more than a few months and that was in any case rather a long time ago, so I'd be more inclined (if I were you) to concentrate your energies on removing some of the heinous taxes and duties on what that town's said BP garage sells...

Best,

Sir Thalistair Hinton

[ronde_des_sylphes]

Blair has only money in mind and how much of it his wife will make from the Human Rights Act.

Thal

A welcome (and probably very accurate) attack of cynicism.

[ronde_des_sylphes]

By the way, I'm still not ashamed to be a Scot

Good to hear.

As PM, i would grant Scotland full independance on the understanding that their politicians would have no vote on English affairs. I would also remove all duty from Whiskey.

I would nominate you for a knighthood and erect a bronze statue of you outside the BP garage in Thurso.

Thal

That's really very kind of you, but I would find myself unable to accept (because I would not merit) a knighthood anywhere in UK

Best,

Sir Thalistair Hinton

Don't tell me you really mean that the Sorabji Archive does not make enough to buy honours? (seeing as that seems to be the fashionable way to acquire them these days). I'm sure Thal would only be asking his customary couple of creme eggs 

[thalbergmad]

I don't think it is his worse crime

He probably does not even consider it one at all, but he has personally never felt the effects. I mean, it is unlikely that a group of gippos would set up camp in Downing Street and start theiving lawnmowers from the garden sheds.

In one school in London, there are over 70 different languages spoken. How is anybody there going to get an education. There are not enough Doctors, Dentists, Houses and just about anything else to cope with the influx.

One day, he might regret his actions or rather non actions on illegal immigration and help thousands to be deported to the rat infested latrine from whence they probably came.

Thal

[thalbergmad]

I'm not so sure that the Scots really want this any more

Of course they don't.

The amount of English taxpayers money flowing past Hadrians Wall is enough to keep them in Haggis for the next Century.

Thal

[ronde_des_sylphes]

He probably does not even consider it one at all, but he has personally never felt the effects.

Yes, that is one of the problems. When ministers etc do public tours, they are carefully shielded from such things. I wish I could remember who it was, but some minister (it may have in fact been an ex-minister from the Major administration) ended up being taken, completely unplanned, into one of the slummiest areas of Glasgow and being both horrified and at the same time quite unbelieving of what he was seeing (he was visibly shocked). The realisation that junkies shoot up in urine-drenched stairwells of decaying highrise flats clearly hadn't occurred to him before.

[thalbergmad]

Yes, that is one of the problems. When ministers etc do public tours, they are carefully shielded from such things.

That is a crime in itself. More politicians need to get out and see for themselves the problems caused by unchecked immigration.

I do not see this happening though.

Thal

[ahinton]

Don't tell me you really mean that the Sorabji Archive does not make enough to buy honours? (seeing as that seems to be the fashionable way to acquire them these days). I'm sure Thal would only be asking his customary couple of creme eggs 

I didn't tell you that, but then you didn't ask. As a matter of fact, I cannot tell you whether The Sorabji Archive makes enough to be able to afford such honours (although instinct prompts me strongly to doubt it), since I do not have to hand either the current official or black market price lists for such things.

I'm sure, however, that Thal can afford those creme eggs already if he wants them badly enough, without first having to sell honours or anything else to The Sorabji Archive or anyone else...

Best,

Alistair

[ahinton]

More politicians need to get out and see for themselves the problems caused by unchecked immigration.

I know. Terrible, isn't it? All these goddam' Scots crossing the border without a bye or leave, like Gordon Brown and myself...

Best,

Alistair

[ronde_des_sylphes]

That is a crime in itself. More politicians need to get out and see for themselves the problems caused by unchecked immigration.

I do not see this happening though.

Thal

Yes, and to see the problems caused by their policies in general. When John Prescott was recently taken ill, you can bet that he wasn't sitting in casualty for hours waiting to be seen to. Had a brain scan been required, however, there might have been some delays..

[ahinton]

When John Prescott was recently taken ill, you can bet that he wasn't sitting in casualty for hours waiting to be seen to.

Pity, that; I'm sure that there would have been plenty of people agog to witness that - er - two-shags gentleman being "seen to"...

Best,

Alistair

[ronde_des_sylphes]

And here he is. A classic video where he responds to subtle criticism in an equally dignified manner.

[wishful thinker]

Scots crossing the border without a bye or leave

Isn't the expression "by your leave" Sir Thalistair?  We must remember the Queen's English

[ahinton]

Isn't the expression "by your leave" Sir Thalistair?  We must remember the Queen's English

Indeed it is so, but do remember also not only the Queen's English but the Queen's Scots (same Queen, so far) and then ponder upon why I might have used "bye" and "leave" in the present context as a play on words...

Anyway, the sooner we can say "bye" to the Scot whose new office technically bars him from acting on his constitutents' behalf and we all see him "leave", the better; the electrical term "brownout" has assumed an altogether new and more urgent connotation in the past few hours...

And do please drop the "Sir Thalistair" references; I know I invented it myself but, at the time I did so, its planned obsolescence was already intended to occur with almost immediate effect...

Best,

Alistair