A Mosque? Not in my back yard!

With the race to unseat Obama in the upcoming Presidential elections in the States, it's really good to know that all the candidates support the right to freedom of religion set down in the constitution.

Republican hopeful, Herman Cain, for example has been criticised - quite rightly - for supporting the views of a bunch of local residents in Murfreesboro near Nashville, Tennessee who don't want a new Islamic Centre built in their back yards.

There have been a number of protest by Christians who say they do not want Muslims worshiping nearby. Former Godfathers' (sic) Pizza boss Cain supports them, insisting that his views do not amount to religious discrimination because the Muslims are trying to inject Shariah law into the USA.

He goes on "They are using the Church part of the first amendment to infuse their Mosque in that community and the people do not like it." Well, that's what the first amendment is for, isn't it?

Well, I'm an Englishman so I do not profess to be an expert on the US constitution. I also know that in the States there are areas where there are strong Christian communities that you cross at your peril, but it does seem to me that in the land that holds itself out to be the beacon of liberty, this man would not really make a great President?

A Mosque? Not in my back yard!

With the race to unseat Obama in the upcoming Presidential elections in the States, it's really good to know that all the candidates support the right to freedom of religion set down in the constitution.

Republican hopeful, Herman Cain, for example has been criticised - quite rightly - for supporting the views of a bunch of local residents in Murfreesboro near Nashville, Tennessee who don't want a new Islamic Centre built in their back yards.

There have been a number of protest by Christians who say they do not want Muslims worshiping nearby. Former Godfathers' (sic) Pizza boss Cain supports them, insisting that his views do not amount to religious discrimination because the Muslims are trying to inject Shariah law into the USA.

He goes on "They are using the Church part of the first amendment to infuse their Mosque in that community and the people do not like it." Well, that's what the first amendment is for, isn't it?

Well, I'm an Englishman so I do not profess to be an expert on the US constitution. I also know that in the States there are areas where there are strong Christian communities that you cross at your peril, but it does seem to me that in the land that holds itself out to be the beacon of liberty, this man would not really make a great President?

Happy Birthday, America

"Another year older, and deeper in debt..."

Amazingly as it may seem, due to the extended campaigning system in the USA, Obama's campaign for re-election is getting under way. Seems no sooner are you in office in the States than you are planning your next campaign. Whenever do they find time to actually run the country?...

BO isn't getting it all his way. Afghanistan is a major issue for him with Republican candidates taking an anti-war stance and his liberal supporters openly voicing doubts as to when he is going to honour is pledge to bring the troops home. In an attempt to appease his critics, he has announced the withdrawal of 33,000 US troops in 2012, but many will be waiting for the get out clause...

And to make matters worse, several members of Congress are openly critical of Obama's decision to take action in Libya - albeit as far as I can see, somewhat limitted action.

And in the light of all this, economic gloom lumbers on...

Confidence in the housing market is low. Just 45% of US homeowners now believe their home is worth more than the mortgage. And 70% believe it would be bad for the nation if a failure to increase the debt ceiling leads to a default on the federal debt. However, 56% believe the failure to significantly cut federal spending would be even worse - so damned if you do, damned of you don't

So maybe at the end of the day, it will all come down to whether a candidate emerges to challenge Obama who can make people believe that anyone else could  any better.

Frankly, I doubt it...

Happy Birthday, America

"Another year older, and deeper in debt..."

Amazingly as it may seem, due to the extended campaigning system in the USA, Obama's campaign for re-election is getting under way. Seems no sooner are you in office in the States than you are planning your next campaign. Whenever do they find time to actually run the country?...

BO isn't getting it all his way. Afghanistan is a major issue for him with Republican candidates taking an anti-war stance and his liberal supporters openly voicing doubts as to when he is going to honour is pledge to bring the troops home. In an attempt to appease his critics, he has announced the withdrawal of 33,000 US troops in 2012, but many will be waiting for the get out clause...

And to make matters worse, several members of Congress are openly critical of Obama's decision to take action in Libya - albeit as far as I can see, somewhat limitted action.

And in the light of all this, economic gloom lumbers on...

Confidence in the housing market is low. Just 45% of US homeowners now believe their home is worth more than the mortgage. And 70% believe it would be bad for the nation if a failure to increase the debt ceiling leads to a default on the federal debt. However, 56% believe the failure to significantly cut federal spending would be even worse - so damned if you do, damned of you don't

So maybe at the end of the day, it will all come down to whether a candidate emerges to challenge Obama who can make people believe that anyone else could  any better.

Frankly, I doubt it...

Osama Bin Liner

It's strange how momentous news always seems to break when I am not in a position to comment on it - in fact the original 911 attacks took place while I was sat on my arse in Santorini, and now the supposed death of Bin Laden takes place while I am back in Greece doing likewise.

It occurs to me that I should circulate my holiday dates to the world's press so they can be on special alert whenever I am away.

Anyway, the yanks claim to have finally dealt with Bin Laden who was hiding in plain sight next door to the Pakistani equivalent of Sandhurst. You have to hand it to the guy for sheer, unadulterated, barefaced cheek!

Rather appallingly, I have heard that there has been an outcry about his disposal - not least from a certain gormless out-of-touch archdruid called Rowan. This twit apparently questions whether his shooting was legal and, even more amazingly, whether he should have been given a proper religious send off.

Firstly, let me say straight out that I remain to be convinced they really got him, but that aside I would like to give a medal to the man who pulled the trigger. Even better, let's give him the Nobel Peace Prize. Oh, hang on though! That would make the poor bugger and his family the subjects of the biggest fatwa in history, so let's just send him a great big heart felt "Well done" instead.

Secondly, was Bin Laden trying to surrender? Well my reply to that is "Who cares?" - apart from the archdruid of course. Gun the bastard down like the mad dog he was. Give him the same chance he gave the people in those planes and in the World Trade Centre that day.

As for the disposal of the body, they should just stick it in a bin liner and dump it.

Oh! They did. Well, nice to see the yanks get something right...

Osama Bin Liner

It's strange how momentous news always seems to break when I am not in a position to comment on it - in fact the original 911 attacks took place while I was sat on my arse in Santorini, and now the supposed death of Bin Laden takes place while I am back in Greece doing likewise.

It occurs to me that I should circulate my holiday dates to the world's press so they can be on special alert whenever I am away.

Anyway, the yanks claim to have finally dealt with Bin Laden who was hiding in plain sight next door to the Pakistani equivalent of Sandhurst. You have to hand it to the guy for sheer, unadulterated, barefaced cheek!

Rather appallingly, I have heard that there has been an outcry about his disposal - not least from a certain gormless out-of-touch archdruid called Rowan. This twit apparently questions whether his shooting was legal and, even more amazingly, whether he should have been given a proper religious send off.

Firstly, let me say straight out that I remain to be convinced they really got him, but that aside I would like to give a medal to the man who pulled the trigger. Even better, let's give him the Nobel Peace Prize. Oh, hang on though! That would make the poor bugger and his family the subjects of the biggest fatwa in history, so let's just send him a great big heart felt "Well done" instead.

Secondly, was Bin Laden trying to surrender? Well my reply to that is "Who cares?" - apart from the archdruid of course. Gun the bastard down like the mad dog he was. Give him the same chance he gave the people in those planes and in the World Trade Centre that day.

As for the disposal of the body, they should just stick it in a bin liner and dump it.

Oh! They did. Well, nice to see the yanks get something right...

The Land of the Free

The United States of America has the highest prison population in the world. Over 2.3 million Americans are living behind bars - over 1% of the population.

In the Land of the Free, there are higher proportions of prisoners than in China, South Africa or Russia.

Whites make up 56% of all federal prisoners; 40% are black, 2% are Native American and 2% are Asian.

10% are 17 years old. There are more 17 year olds in jail than there are in college.

And it gets more worrying when you think about what these people do while they are incarcerated.

The United States has one of the largest standing arming forces in the world, and these forces could not operate without the prison population. All helmets used by the military are made by prisoners. They also make an awful lot of other military equipment - webbing, clothing, even ammunition.

As well as the well known licence plates, they also manufacture appliances and office furniture. There is a proposal on the table for them to used to operate calls centres. Imagine the service you could expect from that!

In the US it is illegal to import any product manufactured using slave labour, but there is an argument that says by using prisoners in this way, they are effectively providing slave labour of their own. Economically, the argument is that it enables the US to compete with cheap Mexican labour.

And now Ken Clarke is proposing to make prisoners in this country work a 40 hour week while they are locked up - so if you are facing redundancy because it costs too much to employ you, then you might like to bear all this in mind...

The Land of the Free

The United States of America has the highest prison population in the world. Over 2.3 million Americans are living behind bars - over 1% of the population.

In the Land of the Free, there are higher proportions of prisoners than in China, South Africa or Russia.

Whites make up 56% of all federal prisoners; 40% are black, 2% are Native American and 2% are Asian.

10% are 17 years old. There are more 17 year olds in jail than there are in college.

And it gets more worrying when you think about what these people do while they are incarcerated.

The United States has one of the largest standing arming forces in the world, and these forces could not operate without the prison population. All helmets used by the military are made by prisoners. They also make an awful lot of other military equipment - webbing, clothing, even ammunition.

As well as the well known licence plates, they also manufacture appliances and office furniture. There is a proposal on the table for them to used to operate calls centres. Imagine the service you could expect from that!

In the US it is illegal to import any product manufactured using slave labour, but there is an argument that says by using prisoners in this way, they are effectively providing slave labour of their own. Economically, the argument is that it enables the US to compete with cheap Mexican labour.

And now Ken Clarke is proposing to make prisoners in this country work a 40 hour week while they are locked up - so if you are facing redundancy because it costs too much to employ you, then you might like to bear all this in mind...

Washington protests continue

Anti-government protests are continuing in Washington today as thousands gather for yet another day in front of the Capitol building and round the Washington and Lincoln memorials.

Protesters are demanding that President Barrack Obama step down from office and that the right wing regime move towards full and proper democracy. So far there has been little reaction from Obama although the state controlled media are reporting the demonstrations as 'dangerous and undemocratic'.

The army and the National Guard has been surrounding the demonstrators but so far show no stomach for taking direct action. Some skirmishes have taken place between pro-Presidential supporters and the protesters and last night, the fourth night of this protest, several people were injured. The government has denied that the CIA was responsible for orchestrating the violence in order to influence public opinion against the demonstrators.

Chants of "Revolution! Revolution!" and "Democracy now!" have resounded around the Capitol where the administration is in emergency session to decide what to do next.

A spokesman for the Arab League said "We have demonstrated that people power in Tunisia and Egypt can bring down these authoritarian and corrupt regimes and replace them with a truly democratic process by the people for the people. We urge the American President to demonstrate his commitment to bring this about in the United States. Change needs to happen now, and it needs to be meaningful."

Sources close to President Obama commented "He is going nowhere. He has a degree in obstinacy." 

Washington protests continue

Anti-government protests are continuing in Washington today as thousands gather for yet another day in front of the Capitol building and round the Washington and Lincoln memorials.

Protesters are demanding that President Barrack Obama step down from office and that the right wing regime move towards full and proper democracy. So far there has been little reaction from Obama although the state controlled media are reporting the demonstrations as 'dangerous and undemocratic'.

The army and the National Guard has been surrounding the demonstrators but so far show no stomach for taking direct action. Some skirmishes have taken place between pro-Presidential supporters and the protesters and last night, the fourth night of this protest, several people were injured. The government has denied that the CIA was responsible for orchestrating the violence in order to influence public opinion against the demonstrators.

Chants of "Revolution! Revolution!" and "Democracy now!" have resounded around the Capitol where the administration is in emergency session to decide what to do next.

A spokesman for the Arab League said "We have demonstrated that people power in Tunisia and Egypt can bring down these authoritarian and corrupt regimes and replace them with a truly democratic process by the people for the people. We urge the American President to demonstrate his commitment to bring this about in the United States. Change needs to happen now, and it needs to be meaningful."

Sources close to President Obama commented "He is going nowhere. He has a degree in obstinacy." 

Superbug pandemic confirmed

Back in April last year, I revealed that the world was in danger of being overrun by the latest superbug Americanus 4nPolyC.

Well, I am sad to have to announce that in recent weeks the disease has reached pandemic status.

The bug has already been responsible for thousands of deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan, and there are unconfirmed rumours of an outbreak in Iran.

The recent events in Tunisia indicate that there may be the start of an outbreak there, and over the past week there have been many cases reported in Cairo. The authorities in Egypt have confirmed that there have been a number of deaths reported.

A spokesman for the international health organisation 'Mediciens sans Scrupulo' says that nothing much can be done under the prevailing circumstances and believes that regimes must change in order to bring this bug under control.

So far, the only country that seems to be uneffected is the United States. A White House representative told us : "4nPolyC has so far not worried us in the US. We believe that we have the finest system in the world for dealing with things and if everyone else did it our way, then the world would be a better and safer place."

Doctors warn that there may be a danger of the disease mutating into something far more worrying. Already another strain 4nCIA may already be in situ in other countries...

Superbug pandemic confirmed

Back in April last year, I revealed that the world was in danger of being overrun by the latest superbug Americanus 4nPolyC.

Well, I am sad to have to announce that in recent weeks the disease has reached pandemic status.

The bug has already been responsible for thousands of deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan, and there are unconfirmed rumours of an outbreak in Iran.

The recent events in Tunisia indicate that there may be the start of an outbreak there, and over the past week there have been many cases reported in Cairo. The authorities in Egypt have confirmed that there have been a number of deaths reported.

A spokesman for the international health organisation 'Mediciens sans Scrupulo' says that nothing much can be done under the prevailing circumstances and believes that regimes must change in order to bring this bug under control.

So far, the only country that seems to be uneffected is the United States. A White House representative told us : "4nPolyC has so far not worried us in the US. We believe that we have the finest system in the world for dealing with things and if everyone else did it our way, then the world would be a better and safer place."

Doctors warn that there may be a danger of the disease mutating into something far more worrying. Already another strain 4nCIA may already be in situ in other countries...

New superbug set to sweep the world

News today from the Department of Health that a new superbug has been discovered.

The bug, "Americanus 4nPolyC", seen pictured on the left is easily identified under the microscope by its distinctive red, white and blue stripes. It contains the deadly enzyme US4Fr which is resistant to all attempts to control it.

A spokesman for the DoH, Dr. Quango Gravietrane, said "We have tried everything to stop the progress of this bug, but nothing we do seems to make any difference. If left unchecked, it could dominate the world!" A frightening thought indeed.

The bug is believed to have originated in the Pakistan region possibly crossing the border from neighbouring Afghanistan and brought home by American troops.

There is, however, one glimmer of hope; In Scotland, a man given only three months to live has survived for a year. US officials have called for his medical records to be examined but the Scottish administration so far has resisted this call saying "We have the situation firmly under our control."

New superbug set to sweep the world

News today from the Department of Health that a new superbug has been discovered.

The bug, "Americanus 4nPolyC", seen pictured on the left is easily identified under the microscope by its distinctive red, white and blue stripes. It contains the deadly enzyme US4Fr which is resistant to all attempts to control it.

A spokesman for the DoH, Dr. Quango Gravietrane, said "We have tried everything to stop the progress of this bug, but nothing we do seems to make any difference. If left unchecked, it could dominate the world!" A frightening thought indeed.

The bug is believed to have originated in the Pakistan region possibly crossing the border from neighbouring Afghanistan and brought home by American troops.

There is, however, one glimmer of hope; In Scotland, a man given only three months to live has survived for a year. US officials have called for his medical records to be examined but the Scottish administration so far has resisted this call saying "We have the situation firmly under our control."

Happy birthday America!

As today is the official birthday of the mighty USofA, I thought it would be appropriate to reflect on the origins of this great nation...

"America," as a wise man once put it, "is a nation of mongrels swept from the gutters of Europe." So how did it become the nation it is today?

Well, after we had cleared out the gutters and sent them all off to fight indians, we still had some ne'er do wells left. So now we needed to ship the rest over and then get rid of the place. After all, it was a long way away, cost us a fortune to maintain and we had never received a penny in taxes. They wanted to break away and this suited us just fine.

But how to do this? We couldn't just give it away. So we hatched a master plan. We would draft all the rest of the cannon fodder into the army and send them off to America to fight the yanks. Then we drew a line across the map, kept the good bit, and called it "Canada".

And if you think this is all guff, ask yourself why the American War of Independence is the only war Britain has ever lost...

Happy birthday America!

As today is the official birthday of the mighty USofA, I thought it would be appropriate to reflect on the origins of this great nation...

"America," as a wise man once put it, "is a nation of mongrels swept from the gutters of Europe." So how did it become the nation it is today?

Well, after we had cleared out the gutters and sent them all off to fight indians, we still had some ne'er do wells left. So now we needed to ship the rest over and then get rid of the place. After all, it was a long way away, cost us a fortune to maintain and we had never received a penny in taxes. They wanted to break away and this suited us just fine.

But how to do this? We couldn't just give it away. So we hatched a master plan. We would draft all the rest of the cannon fodder into the army and send them off to America to fight the yanks. Then we drew a line across the map, kept the good bit, and called it "Canada".

And if you think this is all guff, ask yourself why the American War of Independence is the only war Britain has ever lost...