SUBROSA

A Message to Gordon Brown

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:40:00 +0000

You must be delighted at the amount of MSM coverage you and your henchmen received this weekend. You will be thinking, "That's told them. They're disloyal to our troops and now they'll come on the side of us politicians."

Your reasons for our armed forces to be present today in Afghanistan are lies. Anyone with a computer can discover the real truth within minutes. No longer can politicians talk propaganda or suggest the public does not support the British military - these days are gone thank goodness. I would say the support for our armed forces and their achievements are well beyond doubt.

The public are not listening because we are in Afghanistan for purely political reasons which have little to do with terrorism. But still, you continue to insist this is to do with keeping our streets free of terrorists. That is a lie. You are there because you, as the Saviour of the World, have an overwhelming desire to be pals with the US and Europe. It must have cheered you when Nato decided to support the decision to invade Afghanistan because that decision proved to you, or your ego, that Britain is great and you are all-powerful. You just cannot decide who you support can you? Much of Europe is against some US policies yet you never listen.

Your Defence Secretary, Bob Ainsworth, said today that "the UK's presence there could not be determined by public opinion." Change of tune from a few weeks ago there for Mr Ainsworth.

You stated on the Politics Show: "The government had a 'duty' to set out the reasons behind the Afghanistan operation whenever questions are raised. It's right that we explain there is a chain of terror that links Pakistan and the Afghanistan-Pakistan border to the streets of our cities in Britain."

No matter how much you try to spread fear throughout these islands Mr Brown, the public are not falling for it. You have not set out any acceptable reasons why our forces are still present in this foreign land because you do not have any. So you pursue the old political habit of telling us we are not supporting our military in the hope that we will submit to your untruths.

While you sit in the comfort of No 10 awaiting Barack Obama's telephone call, let me tell you the public do support our military but they do not support the reasons you give for this war. Many know the work they do is invaluable to others. In Basra for instance, our soldiers built many utilities only to have them blown up, sometimes multiple times, by the 'terrorists' who had entered the country after the US and British invasion. How soul destroying it must be for soldiers to see their achievements destroyed time after time.

You underestimate the morals of the people of these islands. We have a deal with our military. It is that they agree to protect us and in return we shall support them at all times. Whether we believe in the reasons for our participation in any conflict has nothing to do with our respect for our forces.

No politician can break that agreement no matter how hard they try to tell us we don't support those who protect us.

Your invective only enforces our belief in our military and their capabilities. It does absolutely nothing to persuade us that most politicians have the security of these islands as a priority. The majority voted for us to join the US in this invasion and each and every one of them ought to hang their heads in shame because few, I suspect, even checked out the history of the region. Why should they admit they erred and lose the camaraderie of the cosy Westminster club?

Matthew Parris offers you a solution. Will you accept it? I think not. Your obsession with your (not our) 'relationship' with the US is completely clouding any authority you have left.

And still you refuse to say 221 were not killed in the Afghan war. Such a cowardly attempt to cover your own inadequacies.

One Scientist's Opinion

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:15:00 +0000

Courtesy of Dr Grumble

Remembrance Day

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 10:00:00 +0000

We Will Remember Them

Another soldier was killed in Helmand province yesterday. He was part of the 2nd Battalion, The Rifles serving with 4th Battalion, The Rifles. His death bring the toll to 231.

In an hour's time the majority of the UK will acknowledge the sacrifice, willingly given, by so many in WW1, WW2 and various conflicts and wars since.

Let us also remember those families who were never the same again, having lost someone most dear to them and tolerated the loss quietly. Often I wish many families had spoken up about their suffering because then perhaps the people would realise just how much our armed forces contribute to this nation. They are there when firemen strike, when the police have problems, when health care workers decide to withdraw their labour and for thousands of other 'small' but not unimportant tasks which help keep these islands safe and sound.

This year I trust many of us will also spare a few moments to think about the injured from these wars. Their lives and and the lives of those close to them, have changed forever. Do we hear them complain?

A Soldier's Question.

We know at home we are quite truly known,

As those who can and do obey, for that is what we do.

Also at home are they who send us here and they who know we must obey.

For we are their protectors and their way must so be ours.

For we obey.

So in the searing heat of all around,

The sound of guns and moans of pain,

The further endless cries "This is the way"

By ugly sirens asking of us all,

Nought but that we must obey.

I ask you politician,Sir, is in your soul,

A thought as ugly as this war?

For when we do just as you say, and fight because we must obey,

You do not seem to have the pain,

Nor lose the friend that we must, in vain,

Attempt to save from your mistakes and egos train.

This dark place of home grown fate is not our dwelling place.

That lies far beyond this land of ancient ways and awful strife.

We do our best in sand and searing heat,

For all the things our masters say,

So, as our limbs and lives are blown away,

All that is left is that we must obey.

One question left for us to ask, from all this clever, fatal grey,

Of spin and secrets no one may yet gainsay,

To whom do you, flawed leaders, answer to?

To whom is it you ought or should obey?

We doubt your debt is n'ere as bloody as the one that we must pay.

The poem is courtesy of OldRightie

Rail Decision Must Be Stopped in its Tracks

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 08:34:00 +0000

There are two arterial routes to Scotland by rail.

If you travel to Scotland from London or the south east of England, the train brings you up the east coast to Edinburgh and for those who wish to travel west, it continues to a final stop at Glasgow.

Should you wish to travel from Cornwall, Devon or Somerset to Scotland the route is up the west coast to Glasgow.

Now the Westminster government and the rail industry have decided that the London/Edinburgh/Glasgow east coast main line service is to be axed. From 2010 all trains will stop at Edinburgh. Those wishing to travel to Glasgow will be required to change trains, thus taking the clock back years. The East Coast Main Line Glasgow/London was fought hard for by many rail travellers and it must be distressing to see it return to the old days when the east and west were firmly divided.

The problem arises in the lack of a service from Glasgow to the north of England and such destinations as Newcastle, York and Doncaster could be affected. Unconfirmed reports suggest that Arriva Cross Country could take up the 'slack' under the new timetable by extending its service it operated from Glasgow along part of the East Coat Main Line as far as York.

That would leave only destinations in the south-east of England without a direct connection to Glasgow.

The news comes three days after the Department for Transport said a government-owned company, trading as East Coast, would take over operation of train services next Friday from National Express who stated in the summer they wanted to relinquish the contract.

John Mason, the SNP MP for Glasgow East:

'... the changes revealed Labour’s “hypocrisy” on rail following criticism this week of the SNP’s decision to scrap the Glasgow Airport Rail Link. He added: “These plans, which have been made without any consultation, are a serious mistake and must be stopped in their tracks.”

What strange timing by the Westminster to announce cutting such a vital rail link between Scotland and London. Have they forgotten there is a by-election in Glasgow NE next week or are they so confident they will win, that Glasgow isn't important to the UK? Possibly both.

Source

Saturday Smile - The Four Stages of Life

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:52:00 +0000

Aye, that's about it!

Prioritising Obama Style

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:52:00 +0000

I don't know the circumstances of President Obama's situation here but it would appear he's addressing some conference just after he's heard the news of the shooting in Texas.

As Counting Cats in Zanzibar says "Nice set of priorities there." I wonder if anyone in the audience had a loved one stationed at Fort Hood.

Alcohol Laws - Nice Little Earner for the Treasury

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:13:00 +0000

I haven't, as yet, written about the proposed changes in how Scotland intends to curb its alcohol culture but if this story is anything to go by then we need to ensure the words 'common sense' are somewhere in the policy.

Sue Savage from Cranbrook, Kent, was shopping in the town's co-op, accompanied by her 6 foot, 15 year old daughter Tara. Ms Savage was purchasing alcohol for a drinks party along with other items. Because her daughter is much taller than her, she asked her to reach to the top shelf and fetch 4 bottles of vodka mixers (whatever they are).

A supervisor approached Ms Savage and told her the shop thought she was supplying alcohol to a minor and when Ms Savage protested she was told, "I'm sorry I don't believe you."

"They took the four items out of my basket my daughter had reached for and allowed me to buy the rest of the alcohol and the rest of the shopping."

Ms Savage and her daughter left the shop but she changed her mind and returned, leaving her daughter in the car. The shop refused to sell the mixers to Ms Savage and said "We strongly suspect you are buying them for your daughter," and the duty manager said she was breaking the law.

Ms Savage said she handed the duty manager the right money for the drinks and took them away but was reported to the police, who appeared at her home sometime later and issued her with a fixed penalty notice.

The staff obviously know Ms Savage and her family because they knew Tara was under 18 but as Ms Savage says ,"Assuming that someone is going to supply alcohol to children just because they have a child with them is ridiculous."

You can watch Ms Savage on the BBC's video here.

Lovely little earner for the treasury when police go around issuing fixed penalty notices because a minor helps reach items on the top shelves of supermarkets. Being what is now commonly referred to these days as vertically challenged myself, I've alway had to ask someone tall to reach for top shelf items, be it a jar of jam or a bottle of wine. Now I'm going to have to ensure the person I ask looks at least 50 - just to be on the safe side.

Hopefully she will decide to go to court to fight her case.

Don't forget, she was able to purchase other alcohol for her party without any problem.

Source

Subrosa's Super Seven Blogs

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:29:00 +0000

A Very British Dude - Sex Education

Events Dear Boy, Events - Speechmaking the Brown Way

Newsnet Scotland - Glasgow North East - Surge in Postal Ballots

Police Inspector Blog - When is Crime a Good Thing?

The Last of the Few - Nothing More Need be Said

Think Defence - The UK's Place in the World

The Anger of a Quiet Man - And so it begins

A Drink of your Choice to:

Advanced Media Watch - One man's special Guy Fawkes Night

Constantly Furious - An Outbreak of Common Sense

Winston Smith - Mind your language and a few more thoughts on sterilisation

Late addition: Ideas of Civilisation - Leaving childish ways behind

Newsnicht - David Doherty

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:51:00 +0000

David Doherty is the Green candidate for the Glasgow NE by-election. He was interviewed on Thursday night by Gordon Brewer.

The interview was rather a rushed affair, but for a young man of 24, I think Mr Doherty did rather well. It was obvious he had done his revision and was nervous, but he didn't allow Gordon Brewer interruptions to put him off message.

The one criticism I would give is that he said he was campaigning on housing and public transport. Aren't they both devolved issues? The Green Party's policy on Warm Homes is a UK policy though so I can't take marks from him really can I?

I'm all for the Greens Warm Homes policy even although I've just spend quite a bit insulating a room (internal insulation as no other solution possible), but the cost to government would be prohibitive. Public transport in a country like Scotland is a difficult issue. Fine for the cities but outside the central belt we rely upon our own personal transport and that's not going to change for generations. Providing a good public transport service in rural areas isn't a sensible use of money.

Such a shame Mr Doherty's chance in the 'hot seat' was so brief, but I was impressed by his demeanor and the fact he didn't talk propaganda every minute, so I give him 8 out of 10.

G20 Summit St Andrews

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:04:00 +0000

Fairmont Hotel, St Andrews

Today finance ministers from the world's 20 richest nations will arrive in Fife to tackle the biggest issue facing the planet according to today's Courier. Together they represent around 90% of the world's wealth, 80% of world trade and two-thirds of the world's population.

Decisions made will have a direct impact on the lives of billions of people across the globe the Chancellor said yesterday. He also said what is at stake is nothing less than the future prosperity of the world's nations and millions of jobs.

The two big issues on the agenda are making progress on tackling - wait for it - climate change and reaching an agreement on how to generate growth in the future.

But to ordinary people why does it matter these powerful men and women are locked away for two days in a beautiful town on the coast of Fife. (Well actually they're not in a beautiful town but staying at the Fairmont Hotel which is two miles outside town. More about the hotel later).

Alistair Darling's reply was: "It's jobs." He also says the evidence of that concerted emergency action is there for all to see with Germany, France, Japan and America all coming out of recession. The UK, he predicts, will follow shortly, towards the end of the year.

It is towards the end of the year is it not? Maybe Mr Darling's 'end of the year' is Hogmanay. After the report yesterday which stated the UK was still in recession he can't be in a very happy mood.

Back to the Fairmont. Don't be thinking these people are living a life of luxury. The Fairmont is an average, new build (well nearly new) hotel. It is to my mind 4 star luxury with an over-priced tag. The cost of meals is more than ridiculous and if you do book for just yourselves, be prepared to be told you have to eat in the most expensive restaurant in the hotel because 'others' have booked the other eating areas. Dinner will give little change from £100 per person which includes a half bottle of middle-of-the-road wine.

How dare she criticise the Fairmont some of you may ask. The answer is I booked to stay there for three nights last year but left after two. The room was fine, much as I'd expect from a 4 star hotel, but it was positioned overlooking the air-conditioning vents and the noise continued day and night. Because the air-conditioning in the room was stuck on high there was the necessity of needing to have the window open all night. Six complaints about the air-conditioning produced no results.

Dinner was way over-priced, nouvelle cuisine style, most acceptable but not special so we ate in St Andrews the following evening. I decided to leave a day early because I was exhausted through lack of sleep and it was only because I began to loudly rant at the receptionist that I wasn't charged for the third night I had booked. She muttered something about me breaking my contract. Luckily enough I had my booking confirmation email to hand and was able to say they had broken the contract first because my "self controlling air-conditioning" didn't exist.

I expect these global finance ministers will have better fortune and of course they won't complain about the price of the food either. After all, they won't be paying the bill.

To be fair, the clubhouse and golf course were top notch and breakfast choice was excellent.

My advice for a treat would be to spend a little less, have a relaxing time, good food and calming surroundings in the peace and quiet of Stobo Castle. It has the most fantastic pool and steam rooms plus the bonny town of Peebles a few minutes drive away.

Source

Do You Believe Gordon Brown?

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:58:00 +0000

I've listened to Gordon Brown's speech earlier in which he tries to convince us, the great unwashed, that our armed forces need to be in Afghanistan in order to keep our streets safe.

"Fighting there, so that we are safer at home..." In what way are we safer here with most of our military away from home fighting an unnecessary war in a foreign land?

"Joined by countries from all over the world..." Yes indeed other countries are contributed their troops through the Nato alliance. We have 9,000 of our troops out there, Germany has 4,200, less than half that amount and they are constitutionally restricted to non-combative roles. France has 3,000 troops in Afghanistan and refuses to send more.

"Britain could not afford to walk away..." That's fear-mongering and disingenuous. No reason given as to what it is we can't afford because there is none.

Brown threatened Karzai with the withdrawal of international support if he doesn't tackle corruption. I've been listening to this same sentence from Brown for many months now. The Afghan government will continue to operate as it does. Yes it will do a little window dressing to ensure the $billions of aid continue to flow in and to show the outside world change, but the core will stay as it has for generations.

"In the end we will succeed or fail together..." Emotive words again, desperately trying to convey that Britain would be cowardly to remove themselves from this conflict. It has become very evident over the past months that Obama calls the tune in this war and the other countries play the supporting acts. Those like Canada have this sussed and already have a planned withdrawal organised but the UK government refuse to even utter the words.

As I've said many times, our presence in this war will reverberate throughout these islands for generations. Our borders are wide open to those who wish to do us harm and therefore we already have many living here who wish us harm. Our forces would be far better utilised policing our borders to ensure that no more gain entry. Surely as an island we are in a better position than many other countries of ensuring our coastlines and official entry points are stringently supervised.

The most revealing detail in this, and the Iraq war, is that all three main political parties continue to support it. With the exception of a few brave dissenters, none of the opposition leaders has questioned why we continue to be committed to this war, when there is a flood of evidence which proves Gordon Brown's reasons are wrong. No political leader has the courage to look far enough into the future to see the damage this will do to what was once a free country. The blame lies not only at the feet of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown but with David Cameron and Nick Clegg. They're all responsible for the misery which will be caused here in the coming years.

I don't believe Brown, not for one minute.

It has just come to my notice JesstheDog has also posted on this subject. Have a read here.

Update: A quote from Gordon Brown in the Record:

"A 'Fortress Britain' policy of just protecting your own borders is not going to be sufficient."

What evidence does he have to make that assertion? No effort has been made for years to protect our borders efficiently. Quite the contrary.

Source

73% Want Troops Out of Afghanistan

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:51:00 +0000

Firstly I would like to record my condolences to the family of the soldier from the 3rd Battalion The Rifles, who was killed in an explosion near Sangin in central Helmand province yesterday morning. His death brings the number of British military personnel who have died in Afghanistan since the mission began in October 2001 to 230.

Mike Smithson at PoliticalBetting.com has analysed the latest YouGov poll which had a sample of 1,021.

The big news from Channel 4's point of view, (they commissioned the poll), is the response to the Afghanistan question. A total of 35% said all troops should be brought homed immediately, 38% wanted withdrawal in "the next year or so", and just 20% said they should continue as long as the Afghan government wants them there.

Amongst the 55+ age group 77% wanted withdrawal either now or within the next year or so. There wasn't that much of a split between party supporters on the question.

It seems normally YouGov polls have a sample of about 2,000 and this latest survey is very much akin to the tracker polls carried out during the party conferences.

As many of you know I'm not a great believer in political polls, but is this a sign that the public are wakening up to the useless, hopeless and constant drip drip of lives being lost or soldiers being seriously maimed for no good reason?

I should like to think it is.

Hootsmon Headlines

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:35:00 +0000

From the lovely Conan

The Reason Why There So Few Elected Tories in Scotland

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:45:00 +0000

It's confirmed! If you think you're sexy then the Conservative party isn't for you. Now I know the real reason why there are so few tory politicians voted into office in Scotland.

The reason: A tory councillor Geoff Courtenay, 64, has been told he will not be re-selected for next year's elections after posting a "How Sexy Am I' quiz on Facebook. Councillor (shortly to be Mr) Courtenay, who represents the Brunel ward in Exbridge, was informed that his postings constituted 'inappropriate material'.

Posting on Facebook, councillor Courtenay filled out a 'How Sexy Am I' quiz, which told him he was '93 per cent sexy'. Posting below it Courtenay wrote: "Why are they saying 93%? I demand a recount, I want 100%."

Councillor Courtenay is known among his counterparts for his sense of humour, but the top brass in the cabinet didn't find it amusing.

There's the proof that tory candidates why so few Scots vote tory. In order to be selected by their party, they must be sexless and have had a humour bypass. Obviously Scots don't feel such attributes have any appeal.

Source

FMQs 5 November 2009

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:51:00 +0000

More or less a financial FMQs today with Iain Gray berating the First Minister for not attending a meeting of the Financial Services Advisory Board since February. Mr Salmond insisted he was in regular touch with the Board and appeared to shrug off the criticism.

Surely it would have been better (for the labour candidate in the forthcoming Glasgow NE by-election) if Iain Gray had questioned the FM on the lack of respite care available for carers. I have it on good authority from Kez Dugdale, that Willie Bain, the labour candidate, lives part-time with his parents in order to give his father some respite as his mother is housebound. Of course maybe Mr Gray didn't want to draw attention to Glasgow council's social work department which should organise respite care.

The report published today by Audit Scotland was Annabel Goldie's choice of question. Good one it was too. Mr Salmond was unable to provide details of future cuts but of course mentioned the £500m the Westminster government have cut from the Scottish grant. It wouldn't be an FMQs without Alex Salmond including that detail somewhere in his responses.

Tavish Scott really should have kept sitting today. He tried to pick a phrase from a statement the FM had made in the past, only to be humiliated by the First Minister having his whole statement to hand and he had much delight in sharing it with the Chamber. Poor Tavish, he does take humiliation well though.

Christine Grahame asked if the Scottish government had objected to Westminster about their continuing policy of placing children of illegal immigrants in Dungavel detention centre. The Scottish government had voiced its concerns the FM replied and will continue to do so.

Bill Aitken was worried about the police service being affected by the forthcoming cuts but was assured, by the FM, that with more than 1000 new police on Scotland's streets, front line services would not be affected.

That's it for this week. I'm sure the half hour will be available on DemocracyLive or the BBB iPlayer. For those readers outside the UK Holyrood TV should shortly have it available.

Glasgow North East

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:14:00 +0000

Courtesy of Wardog

Newsnicht - Willie Bain

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:59:00 +0000

Willie Bain is on the left

Willie Bain was in the hot seat on Newnight Scotland last night. He is the labour candidate for the Glasgow North East by-election.

The interviewer was Gordon Brewer and I feel he was very 'soft' and far less time was given than was allocated to David Kerr on Monday. Is that a good or bad thing?

Mr Bain appeared confident but Gordon Brewer wasn't intent on an in depth interview.

In my opinion Mr Bain received an very easy ride but I give him 7 out of 10 for confidence.

That doesn't mean I'm not still slightly concerned that a man of 36, who works part-time in London (perhaps because he can't find a job in Scotland), still lives at home with his parents. I have a 'thing' about grown men living with their parents especially when they have an income through their own efforts.

Australians to Build New Scottish Hospital

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:04:00 +0000

Glasgow Southern General

A £550 million contract to build Scotland' largest hospital has been awarded to the firm behind the new Wembley Stadium, health officials are set to announce.

Australian construction giant Brookfield, now known as Multiplex, beat two other bids to win the right to work on the South Glasgow Hospital, which will replace the city's Southern General within the next five years.

The official announcement will be made this morning but the Herald has been told the deal is already agreed.

Funded entirely from the public purse, the new hospital will be part of a massive "health village" with 1100 beds, all in single-room accommodation and 20 'state of the art' operating theatres.

The Sydney based firm sparked controversy when it won the Wembley contract and finished the project late and over-budget. Multiplex had serious problems with their Wembley build which was finished two years late and £300m over budget.

We can only cross our fingers that the people of Glasgow don't suffer these kind of problems with their new, shiny. high-tech hospital which is badly needed.

Why there wasn't a Scottish firm which could build this at a competitive price worries me. We have the construction industry constantly shouting about lack of business, yet they've been outbid by the Australians.

The Scottish government must ensure every nook and cranny is covered with regard to the contract. Anything less will possibly come back to bite them.

Source

Jenny Hjul and a Fun Poll

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:55:00 +0000

Pre-makeover

Post-makeover

Many Scottish readers will recognise the woman in the above picture but for those of you who don't, it is Jenny Hjul, a journalist who writes in the Scotland section of the Sunday Times.

Ms Hjul (who is married to that staunch unionist, Dundonian journalist Alan Cochrane) really has hatred and vitriol for the SNP and her emotions drip from her words every Sunday.

One of my readers has suggested I do a fun poll to see who Ms Hjul will pillory this coming Sunday, so here it is. I must confess I stopped reading Ms Hjul's articles when I realised she had such an extreme phobia about Scotland and independence. Sadly not even the best makeup artist can rid her of that permanent sneer look.

Ryan McLaughlin - The One Man 'Halt MS' Campaigner

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:29:00 +0000

Ryan and his Mum

Fourteen year old Ryan McLaughlin from Drumchapel, Glasgow, was interviewed by Victoria Derbyshire on Radio5Live yesterday morning. It was his Scots voice which first attracted my attention and then the subject. His aims are to ensure pregnant women and children are given vitamin D (the 'sunshine' vitamin) to prevent the disease, to raise awareness of the benefits of taking vitamin D and to have the RDA altered to a suitable dose.

Ryan's Mum suffers from multiple sclerosis and he admitted he'd missed quite a bit of school because he had to take his fair share, along with his Dad, of caring for her. "There's nothing that can be done for Mum now but something can be done to prevent anyone else getting MS. I'm back at school now because Mum's not too bad if she sticks to her routine," he told Ms Derbyshire.

This young lad's latest achievement is that he's been granted a Government summit to discuss his pleas. Nicola Sturgeon also agreed to the summit to raise awareness of the impact of vitamin D on MS. Many scientists believe this could prevent up to 80% of cases of MS, which currently has no cure and affects 12,500 Scots, more per head than anywhere in the world.

When asked on radio if he had considered how the vitamin would be administered, quick as a flash he said, "In milk for school children or in bread."

I'm sure all of us would like to see this debilitating disease conquered in Scotland. It does say quite a bit about the effectiveness of the MS lobby on governments though, when it takes a 14 old to break the deadlock between pro-campaigners and the Scientific Committee on Nutrition.

Well done Ryan and may I wish your campaign every success. You'll never be short of work when you leave school - the lobbying firms will be queueing at your door.

Simon Mann is Pardoned

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:03:00 +0000

Two years ago I was intrigued by a documentary in which Simon Mann gave evidence against some of his 'management team' when he led the botched coup in Equatorial Guinea back in 2004. Mann stood to gain £9m if the coup had succeeded.

The old Etonian and ex-SAS officer was sentenced to 34 years imprisonment but has been released by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema this week on 'humanitarian grounds.'

The father of seven was met yesterday by his wife, Amanda and sister, Sarah, after two months of secret negotiations. But when he touches down today on board a private jet, he will face a barrage of questions.

During his testimony, Mann implicated Mar Thatcher as one of five 'managers' of the plot along with Eli Calil, a Lebanese oil trader based in London. Mr Thatcher was convicted in South Africa in 2005 of unwittingly helping to finance the plot when he paid £140,000 for a helicopter.

The Independent asks a few questions:

* Will Simon Mann stand by his testimony to a court in Equatorial Guinea that Mark Thatcher was part of the "management team" for the coup?

* Will the mercenary also continue to insist that Ely Calil, the reclusive Lebanese oil billionaire, was "the Cardinal" – the powerful businessman who originated the coup plot?

* Did the CIA blow the whistle on the coup attempt to protect the interests of American oil companies?

* Did the Spanish authorities give tacit approval to the plan to replace President Obiang with Severo Moto, an opposition leader in exile in Madrid?

* What knowledge did Britain have of the plans for the coup and did London seek to warn the Obiang regime of what was happening?

It has all the makings of a good espionage novel doesn't it? I wonder if we'll ever be told the ending. There is the possibility that Mr Mann may put pen to paper when he's back in the comfort of his £5m English country residence in Hampshire.

Five British Soldiers Killed

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:09:00 +0000

Just minutes after I published the last post I hear the news that five British soldiers have been shot dead in Helmand Province in an attack the UK military blamed on a "rogue" Afghan policeman.

The soldiers, three from the Grenadier Guards and two from the Royal Military Police had been mentoring and living with the Afghan police in a checkpoint compound.

The officer, who may have been helped by another, opened fire, injuring several other troops before fleeing.

Gordon Brown issued his usual platitudes but his time would be better spent having a war cabinet and planning a speedy withdrawal. In a country which has existed for centuries on corruption, situations like this are bound to arise.

The death toll has now risen to 229. People were shocked when it reached 200. Are the public becoming shockproof?

Five families today won't be shockproof. They will be in deep despair at the loss of their loved ones.

Update: According to Gordon Brown at PMQs, five other soldiers were seriously injured in this incident. More deep distress for another five families while the PM continues to spew his spin about how 'helping train the Afghan army and police' is protecting our islands.

Source: BBC

A Very Different Winter

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:41:00 +0000

Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan are preparing for a 'very different winter' amid signs that suggest Taliban militants plan to ramp up their attacks in the coming months rather than reduce them because of the logistical challenge of travel, particularly in the country's foreboding mountain passes.

The Canadian battle group commander of Task Force Kandahar said: "We know for a fact that the insurgents aren't leaving this winter."

"They recognise key decisions are being made by Obama, the British, the Germans, the Danes, the Canadians and my others as to force levels and future commitments.

"There is no doubt about it, we can expect throughout the winter that we will continue to be dealing with the same types of incidents, same numbers, same brazen attacks," Lt Col Jerome Walsh said.

The Taliban took the credit for the decision on Monday to cancel the planned presidential run-off election. The Taliban's recent posturing, both on the ground and in the media, is further evidence the group is refining its tactics to increase its political clout in the West.

"The biggest achievement the Taliban has made this year is in promoting the debate about the merits of the war at home," said Richard Barrett, the head of the UN's Taliban and al-Qaida monitoring unit and a former British intelligence officer.

Also reported is that British medics in Afghanistan see more traumas than all UK hospitals put together on an average day.

Col Peter Gilbert, Officer Commanding of Hospital Squadron at Camp Bastion in Helmand province said, "We are seeing injuries here on an almost daily basis that nobody in the health service will ever see."

Gilbert, 51, who is the commanding officer of the Territorial Army's 256 City of London Field Hospital, heads a squadron of about 170 men and women, from the clerk at the front desk of the hospital to the specialist surgeons.

A few days ago surgeons operated on a Danish soldier after an explosion blew off both his legs, a whole arm and the hand from his other arm.

Gilbert said the reason such extreme casualties can survive is down to three things, rapid treatment on the ground, getting them to hospital as soon as possible and specialist treatment when they arrive. Doctors normally speak of the 'golden hour' fro treating patients immediately after they sustain an injury. In Helmand the phrase has been modified into 'the platinum 10 minutes'.

As well as Nato troops who have been injured the medics treat Afghans from the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police. Insurgents are also treated (under guard) and receive exactly the same treatment as an injured British soldier.

This is only a brief glimpse of the front line and it would seem there is to be no respite for the troops this winter. Many are exhausted as they have had no leisure time for weeks or months. Their days and nights consist of work, food and sleep.

Our politicians don't appear to care because they have left these soldiers in limbo while they decide on a plan. Douglas Alexander was on television yesterday uttering the usual platitudes which we know are all lies.

I can quite easily suggest a plan. It's called a withdrawal plan. The sooner politicians agree to bring the troops home, the sooner they may begin to claw back some respect from the public. I note Kim Howells, a former Foreign Office minister, has broken ranks and called for the phased withdrawal of our armed forces. He told the Guardian, "It would be better to bring home the great majority of our fighting men and women and concentrate, instead, on using the money saved to secure our own borders."

Finally one politician is brave enough to speak out against the government's propaganda.

Source

OECD Graph

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:54:00 +0000

click to enlarge

Source

Thanks to Mr Eugedines

England's Solution to the Lisbon Treaty

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:22:00 +0000

The Czech President signed the Lisbon Treaty this afternoon. Britain is now governed from Europe and our political representatives are now purely figureheads with the power of parish councillors. (Haven't I heard that said of the Scottish Parliament?)

EU Referendum has also recorded the event. Me? I'm so sad to see the consolidation of a European Superstate when so many generations have fought and died for Britain to make its own laws, have its own powerful governments and care for its people.

There is a solution for the conservatives though. David Cameron, should he become Prime Minister, could immediately grant Scotland a referendum and ensure the tories campaigned in the YES camp. Scotland would gain independence and that would leave England requiring to reapply for membership of the EU and therefore in a position to negotiate terms.

Perhaps Scotland would do the same. Just a thought - I can but dream.

Graphic courtesy of Muffled Vociferation