Israel uses human shields (if)

Now if that was the headline you can be sure the BBC would go with it. However it takes the Australians to report on what's going on showing photos of Hezbollah operating in residential areas.

It is noticeable that reporters catching the anger in Lebanon never ask if Hezbollah operatives have fired rockets from near by Israeli strikes. (I don't blame them perhaps as they need to think of their personal safety.) Perhaps the more general question should be asked:

Do you approve of Hezbollah using civilian human shields ?

Before anyone asks me I don't approve. The death of any people, especially civilians is tragic. The death of children is especially saddening. But if we make human shields the ultimate weapon in asymmetric war by our attitudes then we can expect them to be used* again and again. ( Just like when you start paying ransoms or giving in to black mail. )

Israel may have done something terrible in Qana, there is a doubt about events timingand some evidence of stage managing the event ((previously I had said something harsher here about Israel - but I'm starting to wonder if I've been taken in by a propoganda coup )). But the trap was set by Hezbollah who are weeping crocodile tears.
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*Note by used I mean also manufactured - civilians will be forced into potential target areas to create the impact that the terrorists so crave.

Update: Some doubt is now emerging on Qana - see this post from Michelle Malkin. Have we all been taken in ?

Doubts about Israeli strategy are emerging in Israel

Robert Fox has a good article in the First Post today .... but perhaps better to also read the article he's quoting in Haaretz ( an Israeli paper).

Real concern is growing about the effectiveness of Hezbollah and the failure of the IDF to deal with them.

This is likely to have far reaching implications if no change in strategy results. Israel is going to feel very vulnerable to asymmetric warfare from failed states ( ie South Lebanon and the Gaza strip ). It makes pull out from the West Bank very unlikely.

And as everyone keeps reminding everyone else the Arab/Israeli conflict is at the root of a lot of the trouble in the middle east.

Does this make the hoped for cease fire more likely or less ? I'm not sure. But the situation is fluid and very dangerous.

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PS I copy an small extract from Ze'ev Schiff's article on Israeli and Hezbollah approaches to Lebanese civilians. Neither looks humane to me.

"First, villagers were instructed to leave when the IDF wanted to destroy bunkers or missiles or carry out other operations in a particular village. This policy was morally correct, because it was aimed at reducing casualties among Lebanese civilians, even if they cooperated with Hezbollah.

Then, this policy expanded. The military difficulty involved in preventing the launching of short-range missiles gave rise to the idea of encouraging large numbers of civilians to flee northward, toward Beirut, to serve as a source of pressure. The problem was that in many places, the roads were impassable, because the Israel Air Force had bombed a large number of bridges to keep Hezbollah from transporting missiles and reinforcements.

Hezbollah, for its part, is trying to prevent a massive flight to the north, using roadblocks and other measures."

Why care about Lebanon, but not Darfur or Iraq ?

The full worked up rage against attacks on 'muslim' Lebanon is now in full swing in the UK. Each of the self appointed muslim pressure groups is now getting on TV/radio to in effect suggest unless something changes then more young muslim men will become radicalised. ( We know what they mean by that ! ).

But hold on a minute - where are all the protests about Darfur ? Surely its not because the victims are black (and muslim) ? Or is because the perpetrators are muslims supported by a fundamentalist Islamic State ?

Perhaps I'm being unfair and the media just hasn't reported the marches in Trafalgar square etc. (Post a comment if you know better than me, please).

But what I suspect this shows is more wounded pride - in a non-Muslim state defeating arab countries in battle over the last 50 years so often- being the cause of the unrest over the multi religious country of Lebanon.

As I've said before what's happening in Lebanon is shocking and I wish it would stop. Hezbollah could stop it today - why won't they ? Of course so could Israel and the same question needs to be asked of them.

But I find the attitude of the muslim pressure groups in the UK lacks compassion in proportion to the suffering of their own co-religionists. ( Anyone for a protest about the grotesque slaughter of Iraqis in the name of sectarian supremacy ? No I didn't think so.)

Update:

UN condemns Sudanese army attack in Darfur - like that will make any difference. Perhaps if the world's or Britain's muslims protested it might make a difference with the Sudanese government. It would at least make them consistent.

'Key workers' need variable pay deals across the country

Today the BBC reports on a survey by the Halifax building society which apparently shows how hard it is for 'key workers' ( who isn't key ? People who do the job, or the people who raise the taxes to pay for them ? ) to get houses.

There have been a lot of half baked schemes (copyright Ken Liviningston, Major of London) to help these people to get property.

What they need is - more pay. Is very obvious so why doesn't NuLabour just say it ? Well I suspect the answer is that its not just more pay, but local pay that's necessary. Someone living in Cornwall where house prices have risen so much should be paid more for the same job than someone in Hull. Its the only answer that makes real sense and treats people with dignity ( tied houses etc are almost a form of slavery ).

Why doesn't it happen - answer: The public sector unions and this weak and failing NuLabour government.

So what is inflation - really ?

Reports of the British Gas price rise are in the headlines, and its an eye watering rise. I've had similar rises from EDF and Scottish power over the last few months - and I blogged on it then. Yet inflation seems to stay low - at least that reported by the government.

My mother retired a few years ago and has noticed that the amount of money she has to spare per month has vastly reduced - perhaps she doesn't buy enough Chinese cheap white goods ?

Soon the general public may lose faith in the government figure - then wage rounds etc will be a free for all with little real guidance. Next winter could be a bit of a crunch.

I bet inflation hits poor families far harder than better off ( fuel and food are major parts I assume of their expenditure ). Strange, but not really if you know them, that NuLabour is so quiet. In Winter they will no doubt try and blame the companies - but you can see it coming now... So don't believe them.

---------

On the supply of gas leading to the need for expensive imports etc - this is very much the governments fault. It has been known for years - see 2002 10 year gas supply statement here..
I've seen earlier versions which the same points could be made from. As usual our NuLabour government has been too busy getting reelected to run the country it is in charge of. (2005 10 year statement is here. ) Who thinks the lights will still be on in 10 years time ?

What to think about Lebanon ?

Since I last posted on the Israel / Hezbollah / Lebanon conflict (aka War) I've been wondering if there is anything else worth saying yet. Thinking about it there a few points:

1. Israel is really up against it. Only slowly is our media allowing reports of how the world seems from Israel's point of view. Potentially Israel is surrounded by enemies and very little land to lose. ( You have to assume in any wider war that was going badly there would be a early use of Nuclear weapons by Israel ).
2. Lebanon is being ruined ( by Israel / Hezbollah / Syria and Iran ). It was one of the most enlightened Arab countries with Christians, Druze, Sunni and Shia living near each other. Its TV is watched across the Arab world and many of the wealthy Arabs would holiday there. These people are being radicalised - and many of them are/were our friends.
3. Hezbollah has no stopping point except to wage war on Israel. Why do you need all those savage rockets ? As a deterrent - hasn't worked has it. To kill and stir up yet more hatred and evil in the hope it will overcome Israel in a wider war - that seems most likely to me. This is why the Israelis aren't too keen on a ceasefire with such people right now, IMHO.
4. The 'International Community' has failed yet again. Hezbollah have been a disaster waiting to happen - yet no one did anything.

The only certainty for the future looks like more suffering of innocent people and worst of all the children.

We should all feel some shame in this, some of those in governments more so.

Update:

See this article by Iain Duncan Smith - it summarises the stategic position for Israel nicely. ( Which is not the same as to say every part of their tatics are correct or moral. ) He's right on the BBC as far as I can see.

Guido has stopped watching the BBC on this and started ordering pizzas for the IDF.

See also this article in Arab News by Ashraf Ismail- it has some good points to make on why Israel may be the loser in the current conflict with Hezbollah.

By 2014 departure immigration checks ! Why so long ?

John Reid is busy giving the Home Office a new coat of paint. New uniforms etc.

Well he has to. By why wait to 2014 for departure checks and controls ?

Maybe its to avoid the full scale of the immigration disaster being realised by the public before Dr Reid draws his fat public sector pension ?

The words bloody disgrace seem apt.

David Davis is reported by the BBC saying the following:

Mr Davis said he had sat opposite three home secretaries and each one "has talked tougher than the one before".

He accused Mr Reid of announcing "yet another restructuring of the IND".

"This is nothing new - we have been here before," he said.

"I've listened time after time to talk of crackdowns, consultations, initiatives, action plans on areas from bogus language schools to sham marriages and still we're faced with the current shambles.

"The government cannot cope with its own past. The serious problems faced by the IND aren't going to be solved by yet another re-shuffling of the deck."

Quite...

Norman Baker and the Edge of Darkness

The Daily Mail is running a piece about the death of Dr Kelly, and about Norman Baker MP's\ investigations.

If Dr Kelly didn't die in the way we have been told then their is something very sinister and frightening going on - and most likely it would be in our government or at least they have known about it.

Signed copies of the Hutton report anyone ? By the way I've recently received a copy of The Edge of Darkness for my birthday - its sets me in the same frame of mind. (Amazon are offering a price reduction right now at GBP 9.97).

Mig 29 OVT

I wonder what this means for the Eurofighter Typhoon. Is it out of date already ? See this video of the Mig 29 OVT in flight. Sounds like it stole the show at Farnborough this year...

The "orderly transition" of power ploy

John Prescott has been repeating the Orderly Transition of power sound bite.

This is just pure deception - what a low opinion they must have of the British people that they put this stuff out. Governments in the UK change over night. Gordon Brown has had enough time to work out how he would run government and certainly won't improve with a US style transition period.

Why are we being fobbed of with this statement ? Or is it the Labour party that's being kept in the dark ?

Blair hangs on - but for what ?

The business of John Prescott just goes to show how the government of the country is now run for the interests of one man alone - Tony Blair. I used to say that he couldn't separate the interests of party and country - thinking them one and the same ( as many NuLabour followers seemed to do after 1997 - come on - its us the good guys ).

However I suspect Conservative Central Office have group payer times for the continuation of John Prescott in 'office'. He provides the sort of message that money ( if the party had any ) can't buy.

Why is he still there - only as his going would hurt Tony Blair. But why does Blair hold on ?

My theory is that he personally has little choice. He has the tiger by the tail and daren't let go. If Loans for peerages doesn't get him, party funding irregularities might. By my personal favourite is that I think we could all yet see Blair in the Hague on war crime charges. There's something hidden that we don't know about that explains why Blair is defying the logic of his position and clinging to office. Some day, soon, we may learn what. Perhaps John Prescott knows ....

Update:

I have always been spocked by the look on Tony Blairs face on his middle east trip ofter the announcement of the death of Dr Kelly.

Labour spin to muddy the waters

Looks like Donald Malcolm is trying a bit of Spin in the First Post today. He thinks he's going to make everyone think that other cases are as bad as Lord Levy. We'll, Donald , lets see if who your spinning against gets arrested eh ? (The First Post loses some of my esteem for publishing this sort of spin.)

Update: Guido reports Lord Levy heading for Jerusalem - perhaps this is part of a wider strategy ?

The Thought Police

See Iain Dale's post yesterday and the BBC catch up today for the background. Essentially the Gay Police Association (GPA) has put out an advert accusing the Bible of being linked to attacks on gay people ( a pool of blood next to a bible - want to try that with the Quran eh ? ).

I posted a response to Iain's post here which ended saying the secular world doesn't understand the religious world. ( incidentally a lot of mostly good and thoughtful comments from bloggers there, and Iain adds to his reputation is his handling of this issue. )

The poster the GPA have created is deeply offensive, but not surprising given the slow build up of anti-Christian pressure via government and NGO organisations. Imagine the impact if another religion was chosen as the victim of such a hate campaign ? ( Personally I think the advert is likely to provoke hatred. ) They perhaps realise they have gone to far as there is at time of posting no reference to the advert on the GPA web site that I can find.

I know of a good family who volunteered as foster parents but were persecuted due to their Christian beliefs. ( Which disagreed with the state's approved beliefs. )

Its seems only those with No Faith are acceptable to the modernising NuLabour establishment. ( I say that as the government provides funds to the GPA, but not the CPA as an example. )

See also today's Daily Mail for an article where a entirely voluntary Christian criminal rehabilitation scheme has been vetoed by the establishment - despite its support from another religion.

Our modernised state religion now appears to be to say no to any religion, whose block vote isn't needed by NuLabour in elections, that disagrees with those who run the state.

Tags InnerChange GPA Christian Hate NuLabour

Religious freedom in Muslim majority countries

I've wondered for some time about why the West doesn't make more of a fuss about the way some Muslim majority countries treat their religious minorities.

Afghanistan was in the news a few months ago and today the BBC has an article on Malaysia.

In Somalia the Islamic militants there claim to have killed the last Christian and in parts of Kenya converts from Islam have to fear for their lives. In Turkey, which hopes to be in the EU, Christians are persecuted and killed.

And don't even start me on Saudi Arabia .....

Perhaps our (UK) own Muslim population could help to spread the tolerance and understanding they campaign for back to some of these countries. Personally I suspect they have no intention of doing so as this isn't their agenda....

Just asking for 'redistribution' is like turning a blind eye to theft.

Watched the end of Newsnight last night, with the interview with Sir Ming Campbell. No worries there from Ming he's doing a great job, for us ;-) . But a number of the audience started asking questions about the Lib Dems abolishing of the 50p higher tax rate - they kept asking for redistribution. I think this is on the border of being morally unacceptable.

Why aren't people at least a little embarrassed about asking the state to organise theft ? ( Don't get me wrong - those who need help should get it and as a last resort - if charities can't cope then the state should be a safety net - and a large amount of tax will be needed to pay for it ). But there seems to be some sort of assumption that the money people receive should not be related to how hard they work.

I had an enjoyable evening with a few university friends last night, and one of them confirmed your worst fears about how tax money is spent by government. Most of it gets redistributed to middle class Guardian and Independent readers, through government ineptitude.

Strangely the people asking for the redistribution last night seemed to be public sector...

I wonder how many people asking for tax to increase give large amounts of their income to charity ? Would anyone give extra money of their own to the government ? ( Of course their is the stupidity tax - but then by defintion people don't know they're doing that. )

I look forward to the day when people are ashamed to just go on about redistribution, as an abstract concept.

Commuting from different countries

Man in a Shed commutes down the garden every day 100 ft - ( return via slightly different route so as not to wear the grass out) - on a rough day he has to walk the kids to school ( or drive if they get their whinging right ).

People who commute for the weekend are something else ! See this BBC article.

I bet few have children.

By the way the shed has air conditioning - to cope with the global warming being created by my fellow commuters.

More everyday horror in Iraq

See the BBC article here on today's latest attack in Iraq. At least 42 people have been killed and 60 injured in an attack on a market in the town of Mahmoudiya south of Baghdad, police have said ....

Its worth reflect that this is happening all the time and that much of the hatred comes from sectarian religious divides.

I could spend time listing the last weeks bad news on Iraqi killing Iraqi - but that news just washes through our minds.

This is some of the context that the wider middle east finds itself in - and we so quickly forget ( or at least I find myself doing so ).

Hezbollah kills Israeli citizens

Why the post that title ? We'll its true, and the BBC has chosen Israel kills Lebanese Civilians. yesterday. (Yesterday all the left links were anti-Israeli - today a bit more Hezbollah criticism, is that a BBC tactic to make them appear impartial - after everyone has read the partial version ? )

It seems to be that Hezbollah are killing less Israeli citizens than Israel kills Lebanese citizens solely down to capability, rather than restraint. The Israelies are making some attempt to avoid civilian damage - though clearly not enough to prevent innocent men, women and children being killed.

In my opinion, unless Israel is moving to finish Hezbollah ( which is probably impossible ), then they should stop. Whatever the rights and wrongs - they are now bleeding support yet further the loner this goes on. However, The Green Ribbon posts that perhaps this is exactly what's planned.

It is all deeply saddening.

Update:

The BBC now have Deadly Hezbollah attack on Haifa - but in the second paragraph go on about Israeli attacks with war planes. The web report doesn't have casualties, but the radio suggests 8 dead. ( More BBC editorial impact ? ) Update 13:04BST - BBC second paragraph now contains "It is the worst attack on Israel since the clashes with Lebanon began." and acknowledges the dead. But again the trick was in the early post - the latter one cover them.(The lesson here tis to take screen shots when I see them ! - I'll remeber next time ! )

You also begin to get the feeling that something much bigger is going on. Hezbollah seem to have a very large and complex arsenal for an organisation that has removed the invading army that was its main purpose before.

Britain stumbles into Afghan trap

Just read an article by Robert Fox in The First Post. It looks good, concise and is just what we all must be fearing. And of course hearing from Helmand province, you begin to worry more.

Most of the NuLabour project in now unraveling - as it was a muddle to start with - but this part is going to get lots of people killed ( along with MRSA in NHS hospitals and the rate the NHS damages its patients etc ). And possibly open us up to further wars of opportunity from our potential enemies else where.

By the way still trying to make up my mind about The First Post. Seems to have a lot of famous people writing - but what's their business plan ?

Tag Afghanistan.

Is Norman Baker the real Fox Mulder ? (ans = nope, but he might be right anyway)

The Scotsman reports that Norman Baker claims his computer may have been wiped remotely. He says it contained medical evidence on why Dr David Kelly's death could not have been suicide.

The MP told the BBC: "What my investigations to date have demonstrated is that there are significant medical doubts from professional medical people about the alleged cause of death. "

Now Norman - I'm ready to be convinced on the medical front. I find the end of David Kelly as explained by suicide unconvincing. But blaming the remote wiping of files of your computer is a bit much. If you really had something that important on your computer you should have backed it up - lots of times ( don't you watch 24 ? ). Much more likely you just had a computer virus. Anyway there are plenty of professional data recovery firms you could turn to. The only way to really get rid of data of a hard disk is to grind it into dust. (Lord Levy take note. )

But I believe this will return to haunt the members of the Blair NuLabour administration. Just try to remember how Blair looked when he first heard the news ....

The Economist article on the Falklands

As you can now guess I'm a long time Economist subscriber ( for about 20 years ). And its good to see some of the danger in the South Atlantic being raised with my fellow countrymen.

The Economist article (free) is on how Néstor Kirchner is driving a new war of words on the Falklands. This is worrying as:

1) It will drive the inhabitants of the Falklands into a seige mentality - there is no hope of compromise over sovereignty under these circumstances. The previous Carlos Menem approach of engagement has some long term hope of change.
2) He's just paid for a large upgrade to the Argentine air force. ( Think how badly off Argentina is right now - but they have money to spend on missiles ).
3) Incursions into Falklands(UK) airspace have increased with the Argentine military apparently probing RAF defences.
4) Defence of the Falklands depends to a large part on one relatively small location on the Islands.

Blair and Des Brown are distracted by the current police investigation, Iraq, Afghanistan, Stopping Gordon Brown from becoming PM and their continual electioneering. Who is paying attention ? The defence budget is down 25% despite running 2 small wars policing actions and a load more at the moment.

We should send a clear signal now - eg recommission Sea Harriers ( whilst its still possible ) as a clear sign of intention. This is vastly cheaper than fighting and probably losing a war sometime latter. ( Think of the battle for Crete and what the loss of the military air field would mean. )

Why can't a stitch in time save nine ? Its possibel to be sure of peace by giving clear unambiguous signals now. ( Alternatively if the policy is to be weaker then we need to negotiate now - not later ).

The Economist agrees on extradition this week !

The Economist gets to the same point I was making - ie that "Reciprocity is not the issue; safeguarding the right to a fair trial is" .... (link here- but requires subscription :-( ). The article says further:
"It is a principle of British law that the prosecution has to establish a case or see it chucked out. By agreeing to extradite without proper evidence to America or to Azerbaijan Britain has surrendered a safeguard on which its citizens have every right to rely."

So the Economist has seen fit to weigh in an I couldn't agree more. ( The ever increasing list of previous posts - in reverse order - are here, here, here and here.)

So sending the hapless Baroness Scotland on a trip to Washington to get the US to ratify their version ( which is unequal anyway ) isn't going to deal with the underlying issue is it ? Its just more cynical politics from NuLabour. (And lets not forget her disgraceful performance on Radio 4 last week ).

And none of this will solve the even darker mess this government has signed up to for extradition in Europe ! ( Some more on that soon - but for the moment think midnight express.)

By the way I'm surprised that more Islamic groups in the UK haven't been up in arms - as they claim to represent the section of the population who are most likely to get the bad end of this. (See here for a case that the old system ( aka Justice) managed to avoid ) Credit here to BBC Newsnight which is where I first heard this point.

Tags Extradition, NatWest3, Justice.

Cross your fingers and hope for the best.

Whatever is going on with Israel, Gaza and Lebanon right now, one thing is clear. Its very dangerous.

One group who are clearly threatened are British forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. If the Shiite forces ranged against Israel right now manage to gain leadership of the Sunni hot heads or a wider war breaks out then British forces are under very direct threat.

I hope something is being done in the Ministry of Defence and that the politicians give the military what they ask for - not talking about not wanting to send out the wrong messages or whatever ( the excuses used not to prepare our forces properly for Gulf War II ).

Given who is the defence secretary and who is prime minister this has to be a real worry.

Advice fo Blair and Prescott under pressure

Now you didn't think it was going to be helpful advice did you ?

BBC report Lord Levy arrested !!!

Lord Levy arrested! See breaking news can come from the MSM after all !

What will Guido say ? :-) Ah of course he's here first .... looks like the BBC got there first with the event - but not the prediction.

So who's next eh ? ( I daren't even say who I'm hoping for .... )

Update: The BBC artcile quotes Nick Robinson as follows (highlighting mine )

BBC Political Editor Nick Robinson said the arrest was "deeply damaging for Tony Blair" because Lord Levy is a particular friend of the prime minister.

He said the fate of Lord Levy and Mr Blair was "intertwined". "It doesn't get much more serious than this," he said.

Maybe this is why Nick was doing his Cameron mick taking on his blog (I point you to Ted's comment just in case he wasn't ), to store up enough 'balance' to sock it to Blair when the real ammunition becomes avialable. - its just a thought, well more of a hope really-.

Update: Nick is pointing this issue as being about getting Blair in his blog- as opposed to justice. Not the line I would take even though its the outcome I would hope for.

Further Update: Great quote from Alex Salmond - "if Lord Levy had been wanted by the American police he's have been extradited by now" - Newsnight 22:51 12Jul06.

Yet more Update:
Guido outlines his case for the slower members of the MSM and dead tree press here...

We offer asylum from foreign governments but extradite our own people without any British justice

Well done to Nick Clegg and the Lib Dems getting an emergency debate in the commons today on Extradition Act 2003. Iain Dale is right call it a good day for the commons. I think NuLabour is slowly being found out here. My views on this are here, here and here

But one thing occurs to me its a strange position to be in that we offer asylum to protect people from their own governments ( and some of those who don't get it can't be returned because of what those governments might do ). Yet we don't insist on a case being made before our own citizens are sent abroad. IE British Justice is only for citizens of other countries ! How mad is that ?

(OK I know there are differences between the governments that can remove people at will from the UK ( mostly EU and US I think - the economist did an article on this quite some time ago if you want to go and look ), but it doesn't sit right does it ?)

Personally I'm opposed to any extradition from this country without a case being presented and challenged in court.

Update:

Check out Jesse Norman's article in the Guardian's Comment is free -- spot on except as I've mentioned I'm against automatic extradition on principle, regardless of the recipocracy of the arrangement.

Also unhappy development in the NatWest3 case ...here

More bombs from people who hope for even greater carnage

Just seen the news on the bombs going of in Mumbai. The rail system is so crowded there its hard to see how this can have been anything else than horrific. There are reports of at least one of the bombs going off in a railway carriage.

Its worth reflecting on the aims of the people who do this - in India they are hoping to provoke even greater violence, suffering and death. It must be almost certain that they are religiously motivated, yet they defile God's creation with such evil acts. It always strikes me as odd that these people never see that they are being used, and perhaps by whom they are being used.

Just over two years ago I was in Mumbai on business and walked up to the gate of India and back. It was a mistake as you are virtually mobbed by beggars. However, I was very stuck by one little determined girl who could hold a full conversation in English - yet still needed to beg. A week latter a bomb went of at that site and who knows the fate of that young girl. The thugs who planted that bomb in the taxi didn't care.

Lets see which group is responsible for this.

The first afterburner of Summer

A military jet just shot over the shed, with what sounded like his afterburner joining on and of. Looked like one of the Russian aircraft (MIG 29M ?)- but I didn't get a good look at it as it dodged in and out of the cloud cover. However he was off target for Farnborough - lets hope he landed before burning up all of his fuel. He's at least a week early !

It'll be another 2 years before Boy in a Shed gets to go - as he often doesn't like loud noises !

Update:

Further proof of Summer - as if you needed it -here - the raspberries are out and Man in a Shed is in a battle with Daughter who must be obeyed to eat them as they ripen. ( Man in a Shed could also do with some advice on dealing with the local squirrels who are eating all his walnuts before they can mature.)

Further update/confirmation:

Looks like I got the ID right ( not bad as it was on the horizon just going into cloud when I saw it ). Flight report the Mig29 as a early arrival at Farnborough.

CNN's report here ...

Labour to hand control of English river to Scottish Parliament

As an administrative tidying up exercise you understand (Scotsman 4th Jul 06) .... Maybe we can expect the status of Berwick-upon-Tweed to come up for discussion soon. Its a geographically important point that gives England coverage of a lot of the North Sea. See this letter to the Scotsman if you don't believe me...

Labour seem to favour their Celtic strong hold over English interests. Even Alan Beith ( the Lib Dem MP for Berwick-upon-Tweed, a Scotsman - but rightly looking after the interests of his English constituents - is protesting. )

Mr Beith has said: "It makes good sense to have one system of management for the Tweed and its tributaries, with Scottish Ministers taking the lead responsibility.
"But I find it constitutionally objectionable to leave Scotland's parliament in sole control of laws which apply in England."
"Prior to the enactment of the Tweed Order, changes in subordinate legislation were subject to annulment by MPs at Westminster."
"In the future, a fisherman on the River Tweed or the River Till in England could be prosecuted for an offence under a statutory instrument made by a parliament in which he has no representation."

He's got a good point ...

Do the Scots save the English or is it the other way round ?

I came across Tom Griffin's post on the Green Ribbon - commenting on changes in the politics of England and Scotland. Its brief and interesting. He links to Jonathan Freedland of the Guardian 5 July who is worried that the departure of Scotland will leave England in Tory hands - something that the left seem at last to be waking up to. He positions this against Jenny Hjul's article in the Sunday Times 25 June talking about the case for just reversing Scottish devolution. ( He also goes on the reference about another article on rule in India. )

I must say I'd love to see some references for Jenny Hjul's article - especially the GBP 30 Billion cost of devolution ( per what ? a one off cost or every year ), and the Scottish parliament only sitting for 2 days a week !! Sounds like a very large waste of money ( mostly from the English tax payer ).

This part chimes with how some of my inlaws and old Scottish friends feel:

"For those of us who live here, however, the prospect of Scotland severed from the UK and left to its own devices is terrifying. We fear that the leaders we have now are the leaders we would be stuck with. We lie awake at night worrying that the former trade unionists and councillors who lead us now would lead us, unrestrained, in the future."

Where I'd take issue with her is when she says:
"this backlash does not seem to have spread beyond the southeast of England and the political classes, "

I do get a little fed up when I hear people try to dismiss concern about the West Lothian Question as just people in the South East of England. And anyway the South East of England is where most people in the UK live, and where nearly all the money that isn't just pumped out from beneath the sea bed is made. We deserve to be listened to and treated with much more respect and just civil courtesy - rather than being dismissed as irrelevant or too savagely right wing to be listened to.

She also talks about the idea of an English Parliament as being silly - I think she'll find its a bit more serious than that.

If the Scots and Welsh want to go for an equal arrangement between the home nations which has symmetry then I'll live with it - whether its an English Parliament or just everyone in Westminster. Perhaps if we reinstated the home nations football tournament then we could all get our passions out of our systems without having to pay for very expensive political arrangements.

However I'm still, on balance, in favour of an English Parliament and a resurgent English identity - if Mr Freedland thinks that's to dangerous he should ask himself why the left supported Scottish and Welsh devolution.

You've got to hand it to The Economist...

They really know how to do a topical magazine cover. Doubt they'll be getting a Christmas card from the Dear Leader though...

Read Prescott's 1996 party conference speech

Warning - if reading this over breakfast empty mouth of cornflakes - hot liquids etc before following link .

Here -

He's condemed in his own words as far as I can see.

More 4 news interviews Iain Dale on Prescott and Blogs

This time he gets in with the point that we(the bloggers) pay the libel bills (haven't seen anyone pay yet ..) - where as the MSM expenses the fines.

A bit more time on the subject - a bit better than Newsnight.

Iain talking about breaking the conspiracy of silence amongst the lobby journalists. The MSM guy (turns out to be John Lloyd of the financial times) there admits as much, but makes a slightly confused point on privacy. Iain correctly points out the issue is about hypocrisy - Prescott attacked the Tories for sleaze in the early NuLabour days.

This is more focusing on the private life side - Iain tries to point out Guido helpful pushing of the cash for peerages issue up the news agenda ;-).

In short Iain does very well for us bloggers, he's more relaxed than on Newsnight and had quick answers to the obvious questions.

I still however have this feeling that before too long the dark forces in NuLabour
are going to want to really hang a blogger out to dry. Remember what the tried to do to patients complaining about the NHS !

(PDA thumb typing again - spelling to be sorted later ;-)

Update: On the complaints from NuLabour and the friends of Prescott see this extract written by Alice Thonson in the Daily Telegraph 13/09/05.(highlighting is mine ) This is how normal people and public servants get treated by NuLabour. (Of course they aren't any more gentle on their official political opponents either. )

Remember Rose Addis, the elderly hospital patient who dared to say that her treatment on the NHS was unacceptable? She was called a racist. The victims of the Paddington rail crash were derided. Black Rod was dismissed as a closet Tory for confirming that Downing Street had tried to muscle in on the Queen Mother's funeral. Dame Elizabeth Filkin, the former parliamentary standards commissioner, was vilified for expecting ministers to stick to the Commons' rules. Ruth Lea, now director of the Centre for Policy Studies, was sacked from the Institute of Directors after being too critical. "It was terrifying: Number 10 went out of its way to exterminate me," she says. "I can't have been very significant but they did everything they could to paint me as a mad Mrs Rochester."

At times it has seemed as though this Government is more interested in pursuing personal vendettas than running the country. The public first realised the extent to which the Government would go after September 11, when Jo Moore's memo suggesting it was a good day to bury bad news was leaked. But it wasn't until the Iraq war that they began to take notice. The way that advisers went after the scientist Dr David Kelly was ruthless, even though his concerns about weapons of mass destruction later turned out to be well-founded. When he committed suicide in an Oxfordshire wood, it was clear they had gone too far. But they can't seem to stop themselves. During the general election, when Mr Campbell came back from semi-retirement, they sent out undercover spies to bring down as many Tories as they could by catching them off message.

Also see an old-but not that old Prescott Speech here - extract below: ( if you read it all you see his side swipe about sounding like a Steve Norris chat up line )

Then after 17 years of this Tory government, they have the audacity to talk about morality.

Did you hear John Major on the Today programme? - calling for ethics to come back into the political debate?

I'm told some Tory MPs think ethics is a county near Middlesex. It's a bit hard to take: John Major - ethics man.

The Tories have redefined unemployment they have redefined poverty. Now they want to redefine morality.

For too many Tories, morality means not getting caught.

What if Euan Blair was extradited to the US without evidence ?

The Labour government is failing in it most basic duty to protect British subjects from the unjustified actions of foreign governments. If they can't do this then they should resign and let leaders who will protect British people take office.

How would Blair feel if Euan Blair was extradited - without a case having to be made in a British court ?

Boris Johnson ( the MP of one of the NatWest3 ) has an excellent article, again, here.

I've posted before on this here and here - remember its not just the US that can do this - it also applies under different arrangements in much of Europe.

Are you happy to have family, friends or even yourself extradited by foreign governments without that extradition being justified ? If not then vote this failed, weak, incompetent government out of office when you get the chance.

Why does the government just contradict common sense ?

Just read an article on the BBC's news site about anti-Terror documents that went missing with the phone numbers of senior defence officials and a list of ongoing operations. The quote Ministry of Defence response is :

"National security was not at risk," a Ministry of Defence spokesman said.

"In light of this incident we have reviewed our procedures accordingly."

How can anyone be expected to believe that ? Do they think we are all idiots ? We take it for granted now that our government will deny things, then lie to us and subsequently try and redefine the problem to take the heat off. Anything in fact rather than answer the direct question.

In my opinion this is NuLabour's doing. Its Spin and its a great disservice to our nation.

Prescott and Newsnight - Paxman and Dale

Looks like BBC Newsnight has got hold of documents to show he took a keen interest in a casino at the dome site.

He's just decided to declare his stay with the American Billionaire - after investigations have started. The usual NuLabour spin on nothing wrong here.

Newsnight are now making the case for the interest Prescott's department took in the casino at the dome.

Interesting to see what the papers make of this tomorrow. Martha is on now ( keeping Nick Robinson away from Iain Dale today perhaps . )

Have to look over all this tomorrow myself - looks like Prescott is Toast to me. Martha Kearney is making the case that Prescott is being supported by NuLabour to prevent a deputy leadership contest now.

Here comes the Blog bit - Iain Dale interview on now. Jeremy Paxman is going for the how do you know ... Paxman returning to the who knows line. Iain's countering with journalists knew - just didn't decide to tell anyone. Iain's holding his own, but Paxman is now accusing him of doing the dirty work of Conservative central office. Bloggers aren't flavour of the month at the BBC just now. Iain's done okay but looks a little uncomfortable - especially given the dark image Paxman paints when he frames questions and introduces people he doesn't approve of. (aka as Conservatives.)

I think the Blog - freedom of speech - libel thing is going to get hot soon. NuLabour don't see Bloggers as their friends, which means somebody will get the Gilligan Sexed up Dossier treatment soon.

(No spell check yet, on my PDA will tidy up tomorrow- my apologies.)

Update:

Check out this post from Ministry of Truth. His analysis looks impressive and insightful. Wonder if Newsnight will read it ?

Also another post from Ministry of Truth on the BBC's Mason having another go to paint bloggers in the public mind on this.

Swift boat veterans for Prescott !

Nick Robinson has taken a little sideways swipe at the Blogsphere here. He's presenting a basic analysis of the Prescott situation, but goes on to talk about blogs and unsubstantiated accusations - can't think of who he's referring to :-).

He's almost tetchy on the subject of bloggers as journalists -

"Incidentally, this is another example of some blogs trying to make the political weather. First, they demand to know why the mainstream media - and, in particular, the BBC - are not covering an alleged "scandal". Then they report unsubstantiated allegations which have been denied by those involved, which some newspapers then report as second hand news.

Let's be clear. This isn't because they are better journalists, free from censorship. They often have a political agenda. This is a political phenomenon copied from the United States where the Swift Boat Veterans were used to damage John Kerry."

Well Duh - of course we have a political agenda - that's often why we do it. The problem comes when people like the BBC try to claim they don't have an agenda.

I'm a great fan of Iain Dale's blog ( mentioned by Nick as an example of a Blog trying to make the political weather) also - and since I have a fair idea of his political position its easier to analyse what he says.

However, in un-bloglike fairness, I have a fair amount of respect for the BBC political journalists. They often report the mechanism and process of politics and the politics about politics well. ( Nick is good - Andy Marr was brilliant, but gave up. ) The problem most of us have is with the editors and issue journalism which has, to many of us, institutional left wing bias.

In short I'm reassured I don't have to get all my news through the mainstream media. I'm believe I'm freer as a result and the wide spread mind control of spin through the mainstream professional media has its counter balance. And I'll keep reading Nick's stuff.

Update:

Perhaps this comment in the Indie may explain the tetchy side of things ..... credit to Wordblog for pointing this out.

CND Glory - BBC publicity kicks in .....

This links to a slightly more neutral article - but you can't help thinking that the BBC people - many of whom are probably ex-CND members from their youth - are trying to whip up interest again.

Maybe I'm to cynical, but that's what life experience does to you.

Christina Lamb in Helmand- what is going on in Afghanistan?

I heard Christina Lamb on the Today prog on Monday I think. Her account of being ambushed was very dramatic - but her written piece in the Sunday Times is even better. You should listen and read these articles before you get to see your next government minister on TV telling us how the British Army might not even need to fire a shot.

What on earth is achievable in southern Afghanistan ? Either ministers have directly lied to us or they have been very badly informed and have failed to use common sense to cross check their facts.

See this article in the Sunday Times on what is going on in Helmand.

This is really bad ... Iain Dale is asking where is Des Brown - I'd ask what is he doing (and is he another Labour figure head appointment who is just not up to the job ?) Christina makes a few similar comments in her blog.

By the way lets not forget the excellent and brave performance of our men on the ground - in this case the paras of C company. Men to be proud of - with cheap kit - poor pay - and the direction of whoever this Labour government thinks needs to be parked as Minister of Defence. I'm certain they deserve better.

Update: From comment by Alice Thonson (page 2 of 6)in Weds 5thJul Daily Telegraph

"-Des Browne, the Defence Secretary, couldn't be bothered to come to the Commons for an emergency statement on Afghanistan. His aides said he was too busy in Scotland at his constituency surgery and that they wouldn't have time to brief him. But he shouldn't need a crib sheet. He should be up to date with his troops' involvement around the world.-"

Also see commons questions from Anne Milton in Feb 2006 here...catch the line that John Reid was selling at the time...

I also highly recommend reading Simon Jenkins quote in the blog MXC here ... he's ahead of most of us in thinking though what is going on and asking about why ministers (John Reid) committed us in the first place.

English votes on English matters is unstable

Looks like the Conservatives are going to back English votes on English matters - as the next attempted answer to the West Lothian question.

Whilst it might improve the inherent unfairness of the current settlement - it must be seen as unstable. England, unlike Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland ( I won't fall for the favourite Scots Labour MP ploy of adding London to that list ) will most likely often have an executive and legislature of differing political parties. That's no stable and will increase the centrifugal forces at work in the Untied Kingdom right now.

Workable solutions are:
1) Scrap Welsh and Scottish devolution.
2) Introduce English votes on English matters and an English Executive. ( An English parliament would do this ! )

We can expect to have a lot of smoke blown in our eyes shortly by the Labour party as they desperately try to fudge this issue. The last thing they want is for the Conservative party to resolve this matter in government. I gave a few guesses as to what Brown might try recently - I still think he may move constituencies - see the post . The timing must be after Welsh and Scottish devolved elections - as what ever is decided will go down like a lead balloon in the Celtic heartlands.

By the way self righteous Scots MPs from the Labour and Lib Dem party ( yes you we're involved in this massive balls up to Ming ) should stop whinging about 2 classes of MP's. You created this situation with devolved government - if there was something wrong with the idea they shouldn't have introduced it.