It's repulsive.
"It is possibly time for us in a new way to actually stand up, confront terrorism," Mr Jones told reporters.
This is hypocrisy; how is the burning of the Koran, a sacred text for Muslims, not an act of religious terrorism?
Granted, it is not perhaps on the 9/11 scale but it's still an offensive act which will encourage terrorism not prevent it. Obama described the plans of Mr Jones as a "recruitment bonanza" for Al-Qaeda.
Obama also pointed out that if the burning did go ahead in Gainesville, Florida it would endanger US troops in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Whilst, William Hague, British foreign secretary, when asked how the burnings would affect British troops in Afghanistan replied "It certainly won't help."
It has also been suggested that it will not only be our troops who will be put at risk by the pastor's actions; Interpol has issued a global alert claiming the burning could instigate "violent attacks on innocent people". As a result of this warning, the US government has warned American tourists abroad to be careful and avoid areas where protests may take place.
Terry Jones, pastor of a small church in the sleepy town of Gainesville leads a congregation of around 50 people. He planned to hold a mass burning of Korans to commemorate 9/11.
What was planned to be a small, local ceremony has now become a major issue on the world stage, as a result of media and political intervention.
The US government finds itself in a tricky situation; officials cannot prevent Mr Jones as intervention would be against the US constitution's promise of freedom of speech. Yet, if the burning should go ahead, not only is it damaging to America's reputation but also poses huge security risks.
Comments made against the Koran burnings:
Downing Street; "Primarily this is an issue for the US, but clearly the government's view is that we would not condone the burning of any book. We would strongly oppose any attempt to offend any member of any religious or ethnic group. We are committed to religious tolerance."
OIC Secretary General (Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu); "The culture of peaceful co-existence and inter communal and inter-religious tolerance that the international community is trying to achieve is under threat from marginal and extremist fanatics."
William Hague; The burning of the Koran would be offensive not just to Muslims but to all supporters of religious freedom and tolerance worldwide. Eid is a time of celebration, charitable giving and family gathering. To seek to mar it in this calculated way would be selfish and provocative in the extreme."
Tony Blair; "I deplore the act of burning the Koran. It is disrespectful, wrong and will be widely condemned by people of all faiths and none. In no way does this represent the view of any sensible person in the West or any other part of the world. You do not have to be a Muslim to share a sense of deep concern at such a disrespectful way to treat the Holy Book of Islam. Rather than burn the Koran, I would encourage people to read it."
There has not been news yet as to whether Mr Jones plans to continue the Koran burnings; despite worldwide pressure for him to cancel his plans. Meanwhile the rest of us struggle to comprehend, as shown above, why we are having to persuade such a man, not to commit a KKK reminiscent offence in the supposedly tolerant society of today.
Thursday, 9 September 2010
Wednesday, 8 September 2010
The Hague Plague Spreads...
The 'Hague Plague' is catching on across media nationwide...
Is he? Isn't he?
But is it really any of our business as to what the sexual orientation of our foreign secretary is?
Over the years, in politics, and indeed across society, it would seem attitudes regarding sexuality have become much more relaxed, almost to the extent that having gay MPs is practically mandatory within a party.
Being homosexual or even bisexual should not be an issue at all, except perhaps for Hague's wife Ffion. Neither should it matter to the general public as to whether Hague has been disloyal to his wife or not; politicians should be judged on how well they do their jobs, not how 'nice' they are in their private lives.
In an ideal world, parliament would be full of committed, sensible and intelligent people with the right political values who radiate loveliness to those surrounding them. But as always, the ideal world isn't achievable and the human race certainly isn't perfect. And of the many above qualities that make a politician; "loveliness" is certainly the lowest of my priorities.
If Wayne Rooney can cheat on his pregnant wife Coleen with a call girl, yet still be an impressive football player and loyal team member...
Then, William Hague can supposedly cheat on his wife with Christopher Myers, yet still successfully serve his country as foreign secretary...
I am trying to say that yes, we should judge a politician's character but only in those areas that apply to their work. The rest is private business; A line needs to be drawn.
The only reason it possibly should interest the public, is whether, if Mr Hague did have feelings for the young aide, this caused him to appoint him as a special adviser. But the media explosion following reports that Hague and Myers shared a room during the election campaign seems to have engulfed the real question; should Myers have been appointed as a spad?
It emerged that the aide was never included within an official list of spads published in June by Downing Street, therefore suggesting Christopher Myers was never officially appointed and so raising questions as to whether "the list", which was supposed to demonstrate how the coalition was cutting back on political appointments, was completed.
Cameron promised fewer spads would be used in the coalition to cut costs, limiting it to two spads per minister, however Hague's appointment of Mr Myers meant he had a total of three advisers.
There was also controversy as to whether 25 year old Myers had enough experience for the job and so perhaps Hague's 'soft spot' for Myers led to the appointment.
But the real issue of debate was overrun by the media's greed for a good sex story; leading to Hague having to make a very personal statement to the public and a man, who, for all we know, could have been a very successful advisor to the foreign secretary having to resign as a result of media pressure.
I wish William and Ffion well, I hope the media will now leave them alone and Christopher Myers will just become some distant memory...
I'd also like to express my condolences towards David Cameron. Political differences aside; I think we can all agree that we can appreciate how hard it is to lose someone so close.
Is he? Isn't he?
But is it really any of our business as to what the sexual orientation of our foreign secretary is?
Over the years, in politics, and indeed across society, it would seem attitudes regarding sexuality have become much more relaxed, almost to the extent that having gay MPs is practically mandatory within a party.
Being homosexual or even bisexual should not be an issue at all, except perhaps for Hague's wife Ffion. Neither should it matter to the general public as to whether Hague has been disloyal to his wife or not; politicians should be judged on how well they do their jobs, not how 'nice' they are in their private lives.
In an ideal world, parliament would be full of committed, sensible and intelligent people with the right political values who radiate loveliness to those surrounding them. But as always, the ideal world isn't achievable and the human race certainly isn't perfect. And of the many above qualities that make a politician; "loveliness" is certainly the lowest of my priorities.
If Wayne Rooney can cheat on his pregnant wife Coleen with a call girl, yet still be an impressive football player and loyal team member...
Then, William Hague can supposedly cheat on his wife with Christopher Myers, yet still successfully serve his country as foreign secretary...
I am trying to say that yes, we should judge a politician's character but only in those areas that apply to their work. The rest is private business; A line needs to be drawn.
The only reason it possibly should interest the public, is whether, if Mr Hague did have feelings for the young aide, this caused him to appoint him as a special adviser. But the media explosion following reports that Hague and Myers shared a room during the election campaign seems to have engulfed the real question; should Myers have been appointed as a spad?
It emerged that the aide was never included within an official list of spads published in June by Downing Street, therefore suggesting Christopher Myers was never officially appointed and so raising questions as to whether "the list", which was supposed to demonstrate how the coalition was cutting back on political appointments, was completed.
Cameron promised fewer spads would be used in the coalition to cut costs, limiting it to two spads per minister, however Hague's appointment of Mr Myers meant he had a total of three advisers.
There was also controversy as to whether 25 year old Myers had enough experience for the job and so perhaps Hague's 'soft spot' for Myers led to the appointment.
But the real issue of debate was overrun by the media's greed for a good sex story; leading to Hague having to make a very personal statement to the public and a man, who, for all we know, could have been a very successful advisor to the foreign secretary having to resign as a result of media pressure.
I wish William and Ffion well, I hope the media will now leave them alone and Christopher Myers will just become some distant memory...
I'd also like to express my condolences towards David Cameron. Political differences aside; I think we can all agree that we can appreciate how hard it is to lose someone so close.
Thursday, 19 August 2010
100 Days of Coalition...
So whilst on the whole, it appears the Canary-Yellow Bird is reasonably happy sitting within the clutches branches of the Green-Blue Tree, it would appear the real problems are occurring amongst the Tory party itself...
"A Blazing, Shouting, Grade-A Row" hit Whitehall as George Osbourne told Iain Duncan Smith he would have to find around £5 of savings for every £1 he spends on his welfare reform plans.
Iain Duncan Smith, Welfare Secretary and Former Tory Leader, aims to simplify the benefits system and create incentives to work. Although his reforms are expected to save money in the long term, he requires a £3bn initial start up cost to fund his radical plans.
£3bn which Osbourne originally refused to give.
Since the exposure of the row, George Osbourne has refused to admit that he and the former Tory leader have been involved in the rumoured tense disputes; describing the welfare reform as the "fundamentally progressive and fair thing to do" but described it as a "complex operation".
But allegedly, David Cameron himself had to step in on the behalf of Iain Duncan Smith at a meeting at Chequers.
As otherwise, there were fears that IDS might resign or use his influential role as former party leader to rally backbenchers against the Chancellor - potentially a huge blow for the stability of the Coalition. So the Treasury have agreed IDS can have the money, providing he could produce savings from elsewhere.
Presently, it would seem the "blaze" has been extinguished but perhaps over the next five years we will see this old rift rekindled...
"A Blazing, Shouting, Grade-A Row" hit Whitehall as George Osbourne told Iain Duncan Smith he would have to find around £5 of savings for every £1 he spends on his welfare reform plans.
Iain Duncan Smith, Welfare Secretary and Former Tory Leader, aims to simplify the benefits system and create incentives to work. Although his reforms are expected to save money in the long term, he requires a £3bn initial start up cost to fund his radical plans.
£3bn which Osbourne originally refused to give.
Since the exposure of the row, George Osbourne has refused to admit that he and the former Tory leader have been involved in the rumoured tense disputes; describing the welfare reform as the "fundamentally progressive and fair thing to do" but described it as a "complex operation".
But allegedly, David Cameron himself had to step in on the behalf of Iain Duncan Smith at a meeting at Chequers.
As otherwise, there were fears that IDS might resign or use his influential role as former party leader to rally backbenchers against the Chancellor - potentially a huge blow for the stability of the Coalition. So the Treasury have agreed IDS can have the money, providing he could produce savings from elsewhere.
Presently, it would seem the "blaze" has been extinguished but perhaps over the next five years we will see this old rift rekindled...
Tuesday, 10 August 2010
The New Lib Dem Party Anthem?: We're on a Highway to Hell...
"This is the first time a Liberal leader has stood at this dispatch box since Lloyd George in 1922."
As Clegg announces this from the unfamiliar territory of the dispatch box, the Chancellor, George Osbourne wears that all too familiar smug Tory-look which seems even more exuberant than usual...
'And after this five years of Tory hell it will be at least another 92 years until you stand there again...'
- Perhaps that's why.
Support for the Liberal Democrats has slumped to an all time low of a mere 16% since the beginning of the general election as voters feel the Lib Dems have lost their voice within the coalition government.
Whilst, it is feared almost a third (17/57) of the Lib Dem seats in Parliament could be at risk in the 2015 election as Labour support begins to recover.
Furthermore, the seats under threat include those of the Deputy Leader (Simon Hughes) and the Energy and Climate Change Secretary (Chris Huhne).
However, I think many Lib Dem supporters were simply expecting too much from the Lib Dems.
A coaliton was always going to involve comprimise and the Lib Dems were always going to have to give up more being the smaller party.
But Liberal progress in government has been made;
There will be a referendum on fairer votes (May 5th), Labour's ID card scheme will be scrapped, a Freedom Bill will be introduced, the Income Tax threshold will be raised by £1000 and a Bank Levy will be introduced; these are just a few of the major changes the Lib Dems have helped bring about within the Coalition.
In the words of Clegg, I still hope and believe "that this country will be more fair, more free and more liberal in 2015 as a result of us being part of government", and deserters must remember that ANYTHING is better than an all Tory government.
Just for the record, I can't stand ACDC but it does seem as though the coalition government could be the Lib Dems downfall if support continues to fall and therefore "I'm on a Highway to Hell..." springs to mind...
As Clegg announces this from the unfamiliar territory of the dispatch box, the Chancellor, George Osbourne wears that all too familiar smug Tory-look which seems even more exuberant than usual...
'And after this five years of Tory hell it will be at least another 92 years until you stand there again...'
- Perhaps that's why.
Support for the Liberal Democrats has slumped to an all time low of a mere 16% since the beginning of the general election as voters feel the Lib Dems have lost their voice within the coalition government.
Whilst, it is feared almost a third (17/57) of the Lib Dem seats in Parliament could be at risk in the 2015 election as Labour support begins to recover.
Furthermore, the seats under threat include those of the Deputy Leader (Simon Hughes) and the Energy and Climate Change Secretary (Chris Huhne).
However, I think many Lib Dem supporters were simply expecting too much from the Lib Dems.
A coaliton was always going to involve comprimise and the Lib Dems were always going to have to give up more being the smaller party.
But Liberal progress in government has been made;
There will be a referendum on fairer votes (May 5th), Labour's ID card scheme will be scrapped, a Freedom Bill will be introduced, the Income Tax threshold will be raised by £1000 and a Bank Levy will be introduced; these are just a few of the major changes the Lib Dems have helped bring about within the Coalition.
In the words of Clegg, I still hope and believe "that this country will be more fair, more free and more liberal in 2015 as a result of us being part of government", and deserters must remember that ANYTHING is better than an all Tory government.
Just for the record, I can't stand ACDC but it does seem as though the coalition government could be the Lib Dems downfall if support continues to fall and therefore "I'm on a Highway to Hell..." springs to mind...
Friday, 9 July 2010
PSYCHIC PAUL FAVOURS SPAIN
It's the moment you've been waiting for...
As the box is lowered into the tank the tension becomes unbearable...
Just who will Psychic Paul choose?
As the slithering tentacles hover over the two boxes; thousands gripped the edge of their seats as they watched the event broadcasted live across German TV...
After seconds which seemed like hours, Paul quite deliberately picked the mussel contained within the Spanish box, devastating Holland fans across the world.
Come on. Seriously?
I know the news is pretty grim at the moment with a gunman having been on the loose, a 15 year old being sentenced for life and a blast from the past regarding the 'spy swap' between Russia and America but I'm beginning to worry the BBC are taking the octopus thing a bit too seriously...
At this rate, I won't be suprised if the BBC hire Paul to be the 6pm weatherman...
Has anyone even thought, that Octopuses are colourblind? So Paul could easily mistake the Bolivian Flag for the German flag or the French for the Italian e.t.c...
Not that I'm saying he could recognise the flags anyhow!
Okay, so technically, this post isn't politically based as usual but thought I'd just point the issue out. Just five hours until we find out whether the 'tentacled tipster' is correct...
As the box is lowered into the tank the tension becomes unbearable...
Just who will Psychic Paul choose?
As the slithering tentacles hover over the two boxes; thousands gripped the edge of their seats as they watched the event broadcasted live across German TV...
After seconds which seemed like hours, Paul quite deliberately picked the mussel contained within the Spanish box, devastating Holland fans across the world.
Come on. Seriously?
I know the news is pretty grim at the moment with a gunman having been on the loose, a 15 year old being sentenced for life and a blast from the past regarding the 'spy swap' between Russia and America but I'm beginning to worry the BBC are taking the octopus thing a bit too seriously...
At this rate, I won't be suprised if the BBC hire Paul to be the 6pm weatherman...
Has anyone even thought, that Octopuses are colourblind? So Paul could easily mistake the Bolivian Flag for the German flag or the French for the Italian e.t.c...
Not that I'm saying he could recognise the flags anyhow!
Okay, so technically, this post isn't politically based as usual but thought I'd just point the issue out. Just five hours until we find out whether the 'tentacled tipster' is correct...
The Cotton Wool Culture...
Children are being made to wear goggles before handling Blu Tack, to prevent them rubbing the common adhesive into their eyes in one school.
In another school, teachers are given a five-page briefing on the dangers of Pritt Stick which must be read before use of the glue within the classroom.
Do you remember making the rockets, castles and boats with the empty egg boxes when you were younger? Well, now many schools have banned these for fear of salmonella poisoning.
There have also been reported bans on footballs, snowball fights and conker games in playgrounds across the country.
Here we have another clear example of hypocrisy on the behalf of the government and authorities...
On one hand, the government encourage families to adopt an active lifestyle with the "Change 4 Life" scheme, yet they are restricting children being able to do this through ludicrous health and safety laws within schools...
However, whilst the government enforces such ridiculous acts; it seems to me that Michael Gove is the real health and safety problem for our children...
After mistakenly promising 25 schools that their new building projects would go ahead, Michael Gove now risks further unpopularity through cancelling the Labour government's £55bn Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme and suspending projects in 715 schools.
Leaving some pupils sat in schools which are quite literally falling down around them...
Suddenly being hit by a snowball seems kind of trivial...
In another school, teachers are given a five-page briefing on the dangers of Pritt Stick which must be read before use of the glue within the classroom.
Do you remember making the rockets, castles and boats with the empty egg boxes when you were younger? Well, now many schools have banned these for fear of salmonella poisoning.
There have also been reported bans on footballs, snowball fights and conker games in playgrounds across the country.
Here we have another clear example of hypocrisy on the behalf of the government and authorities...
On one hand, the government encourage families to adopt an active lifestyle with the "Change 4 Life" scheme, yet they are restricting children being able to do this through ludicrous health and safety laws within schools...
However, whilst the government enforces such ridiculous acts; it seems to me that Michael Gove is the real health and safety problem for our children...
After mistakenly promising 25 schools that their new building projects would go ahead, Michael Gove now risks further unpopularity through cancelling the Labour government's £55bn Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme and suspending projects in 715 schools.
Leaving some pupils sat in schools which are quite literally falling down around them...
Suddenly being hit by a snowball seems kind of trivial...
Friday, 2 July 2010
Classic Hypocrisy...
"VAT will NOT be increased to 20%, instead other less damaging, tax cuts will be made."
- Stated by David Cameron on the subject of the then forthcoming emergency budget in his first interview as Prime Minister with Andrew Marr.
He also stated within the same interview how Labour had made some "outrageous" spending decisions.
Well, is it not just as "outrageous" to lie to the public? Or have we simply neglected the 'restore trust in politics' attitude so frequently displayed during his election campaign?
'Dave' also claimed to be "burying old Conservatism" within the interview but how does the decision to rise VAT from 17.5% to 20% reflect this?
This will devastate the poor and leave families over £500 a year worse off.
Forget the Robin Hood Tax - this budget does the complete opposite.
It seems like the same old Tories to me...
Whilst the smug and smarmy Sheriff sits in his castle, poor Vince Cable struggles to explain the non-exsistent good of the budget to the bewildered peasants in the realms of Question Time...
If I'm struggling to continue encouraging the coalition, it makes me wonder how much longer the Lib Dem MPs will pledge their support to corruption...
Hypocrisy; the act of persistently pretending to hold beliefs, opinions, virtues, feelings, qualities, or standards that one does not actually hold (see also, David Cameron P97)
- Perhaps I should submit this as the new definition for hypocrisy in the next edition of the Oxford English Dictionary?
- Stated by David Cameron on the subject of the then forthcoming emergency budget in his first interview as Prime Minister with Andrew Marr.
He also stated within the same interview how Labour had made some "outrageous" spending decisions.
Well, is it not just as "outrageous" to lie to the public? Or have we simply neglected the 'restore trust in politics' attitude so frequently displayed during his election campaign?
'Dave' also claimed to be "burying old Conservatism" within the interview but how does the decision to rise VAT from 17.5% to 20% reflect this?
This will devastate the poor and leave families over £500 a year worse off.
Forget the Robin Hood Tax - this budget does the complete opposite.
It seems like the same old Tories to me...
Whilst the smug and smarmy Sheriff sits in his castle, poor Vince Cable struggles to explain the non-exsistent good of the budget to the bewildered peasants in the realms of Question Time...
If I'm struggling to continue encouraging the coalition, it makes me wonder how much longer the Lib Dem MPs will pledge their support to corruption...
Hypocrisy; the act of persistently pretending to hold beliefs, opinions, virtues, feelings, qualities, or standards that one does not actually hold (see also, David Cameron P97)
- Perhaps I should submit this as the new definition for hypocrisy in the next edition of the Oxford English Dictionary?
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