The news that Russia thinks Syrian dictator Bashar al Assad may face defeat is surely the end. Assad has only been able to cling on so long with the support of Moscow and withdrawal of their personnel would be terminal. Assad is one of the last of the unreformed soviet dictators who tools of repression, state murder and torture have kept his grip on power while other middle eastern leaders were feeling the cold blast of popular democracy. But it's not just in Moscow where Assad found support - he always had his fans in the west too - those ...
[IMG: 109h] Well, the show needed something spectacular to make up for the big miss that was Ollie taking away all of Huntress' agency. And – I really don't think it pulled it off. I'm sure that some of this episode was exciting and shocking to some people, but I doubt this will be anyone who reads these recaps. And as I know some people only watch it for John Barrowman, I should say at the top that yes, after two skippable episodes, you can go back to watching this one. (If you're watching for Laurel, then no, this is ...
Well, well, well. One of the reasons behind the production of the educational booklet, the Role of Righteous Muslims was to counter the sheer chutzpah of a growing number of people who attempted to re-write history and suggest that the vast and overwhelming majority of 'Arabs' and 'Muslims' (note the vast sweeping statement), were behind the Nazis in the Second World War. The strategy here by these individuals was to associate these two groups, (even though there are also Arab Christians) with the Nazis and thereby demonize them. Another reason for the publication of the Righteous Muslims booklet was to ...
Could it be that the Liberal Democrats, through the influence of Vince Cable, are winning the economic arguments in Cabinet? Discussing George Osborne's appearance before the Treasury select committee today on the Spectator's Coffee House blog, Isabel Hardman suggests this may be so. After observing that "by this stage in the Coalition, everyone would have expected at least one major bust-up between George Osborne and Vince Cable," she goes on to say that Osborne's evidence to the committee suggested that the Chancellor isn't so much involved in a stand-off with the Business Secretary as he is taking on his point ...
David McAllister has been the Christian Democratic Union prime minister of Lower Saxony since July 2010. Not only that, a Gulf News article from earlier this week says: With the nation watching, McAllister, 41, played host to Merkel and the Christian Democratic Union as the party gathered at his northern Germany power base in Lower Saxony. It was a triumph for both politicians. Merkel was re-elected party leader, while McAllister was effectively anointed as her political son and likely successor.A Scotsman the likely next premier of Germany? Very nearly. An earlier Guardian profile explains: half Scot ... was born in ...
[IMG: Wedding rings] Your leader warning of how "the churches" will react to equal marriage (12 December) overlooks two key points. First, there are religions, with deep roots in Britain stretching back over centuries, who are in favour of equal marriage, including both Liberal Jews and Quakers. Second, even within other faiths whose official position is one of opposition to equal marriage, there are many devout believers who also support equal marriage. Equal marriage is not a matter of believer versus unbeliever. Those who think the law should ban all religions from conducting a marriage between two people of the ...
The State of Israel has a shameful record when it comes to violating International Law, not least the Geneva Conventions and other aspects of the Law of Belligerency, especially relating to its occupation and settlement of Arab lands conquered in 1967. It has got away with this because the United States refuses to take any action to stop ...
This week, The Independent has run an interview with International Development Minister Lynne Featherstone – and no surprise that equalities feature strongly in her approach to the job: Today we are talking about Zambia, from where she has just returned from a trip to meet victims of domestic violence, as well as the First Lady and the newly-appointed Minister of Gender, as part of her brief as Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Department for International Development (DFID). In Masabuka, Featherstone discussed ways to empower a population where 63 per cent of women believe domestic battery is justifiable. "It's a culture that ...
Great news to see the centre of Woolwich attracting in new stores and this photo puts Woolwich into the international retail market place with opening of the Deichmann shoe shop! Warsaw, Woolwich, Bucharest, Belgrade! Thanks to Mr. Chas for the photo. Of course the overwhelming Tesco is probably the biggest opening in the area – this ...
The other item of business at Thursday's Parish Council meeting was consideration of a planning application from Poundfield Products, who make concrete products at Grove Farm, at the southern end of the Parish. They want permission to retain two mobile gantry cranes which they put up in February 2009, without planning permission - something which Mr Jardine, the owner of the site has rather a lot of past form on. We were somewhat surprised on the Parish Council last year to receive notice of an application for a change of use for Orchard Lea, the tied cottage next to Grove ...
The decision by the UK Government to ban the Church of England in law from offering same-sex marriages is bizarre enough, the decision to include the Church in Wales is inexplicable. As the BBC reports other religious organisations will be able to "opt in" to holding ceremonies, but as the Government say that the Church of England and Church in Wales have "explicitly" stated strong opposition they will not be included. Why not let them decide that for themselves as with other churches? Apparently, that is the view of the Archbishop of Wales as well According to the Minister there ...
In his foreword to the second edition of The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien begins "This tale grew in the telling..." So it has been with the film of The Hobbit - originally conceived as two films, one of the The Hobbit and a second to bridge the gap to the Lord of the Rings - it morphed into two films telling the story in Tolkien's book but drawing on his additional material before being further divided to create a new trilogy. Throughout this process, and particularly from when Peter Jackson took the helm after the departure of Guillermo del ...
Every week, Liberal Democrat Secretary of State for Scotland Michael Moore writes a column for newspapers in his Borders constituency. Here's this week's version. Autumn statement The Chancellor gave his Autumn Statement last week which outlined the decisions the Government is taking to boost growth, cut taxes for those on low incomes and ensure the richest pay their fair share. I particularly welcomed his announcement that the tax-free part of a person's income would be increased from £8,105 to £9,440 next year. From next April, this move will bring the total number of Borderers lifted out of income tax altogether ...
Have you had your say on the proposed major changes to Lewisham Hospital's A&E and Maternity departments? The response form is here and the petition is here and here. Over many generations many of my family were born, died and were repaired at Lewisham and I have got nothing but good words to say about it personally. ...
After six weeks of being given half-answers or no answer at all, I've now received confirmation from Cornwall Council of the failure by waste, recycling and street cleaning contractor Cory to abide by their contract. What is even worse is that Cornwall Council seems totally unable to monitor the work they do. This will be particularly embarrassing for Council Chief Executive Kevin Lavery who wrote a book on out-sourcing services and, as recently as Tuesday, was asking councillors to agree a massive new out-sourcing agreement with another private sector company. The story is this - Cory took over the contract ...
PRES RELEASE ISSUED ON 13/12/12 The Leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition on Liverpool City Council, Cllr Richard Kemp CBE has condemned today's letter from Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson to the Prime Minister as cynical, scare-mongering and ignorant. Cllr Kemp ... Continue reading →
When I started reading the reading the track list for NOW! 59, I thought I would be hard pushed to see past track two: Maroon 5's She Will Be Loved. But then I saw Hoobastank with The Reason, and whilst the tune didn't come readily to mind, it was enough to trigger some deep memory and make it this week's today's selection: Andrew
Fracking is back today in the UK. It has been reported that earthquakes were caused by fracking which and so fracking was halted. New restrictions are in place to minimise the risk of seismic activity but it would be interesting to see the details of these restrictions as earthquakes are notoriously difficult to predict. It must be less difficult to attribute cause because that is what has been done with shale gas exploration. As for the restrictions, are they going to just create little explosions so that we don't get earthquakes? Are they going to gently 'inject' water, making it ...
Bullshit, say I! Look at this email I just got: Similar to John Stuart Mill: Stephen Tall Stephen Tall @stephentall Co-Editor @LibDemVoice, Research Associate @CentreForum, Development... Followed by Darren Bridgman and 70 others. Phil Reilly Phil Reilly @phil_reilly Deputy Head of Media for @libdems. Editor-in-chief @AdLibMag. Former... Followed by Dinti Batstone and 48 others. CentreForum CentreForum @CentreForum CentreForum is an independent, liberal think tank. Find us at... Followed by Tom Brake MP and 27 others. John Kampfner John Kampfner @johnkampfner Author, broadcaster, commentator; adviser on free expression and culture... Followed by Ali Goldsworthy and 21 others. Sarah Yong Sarah Yong @srhyong ...
Who should decide whether words, posters or ideas are insulting? It might surprise you to know that under Section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986, the police and the courts can decide if you or someone else might feel insulted. Question for NI? Of course, section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986 doesn't apply in ...
If there's one thing that really irks me about the Tory leadership's rightful defence of equal marriage, it is this constant, almost apologetic necessity to seek to justify the position by reminding everyone that 'religious freedoms' will in no way be encroached upon by this piece of legislation. In his albeit heartfelt endorsement of allowing gay people to enter into "a great institution", David Cameron was at pains to remind us that any religious groups who oppose the reform will not be forced to hold same-sex marriages. In a country where the church-going population barely exceeds 10%, it is a ...
Here's today's hand-picked selection that caught my interest... Cultures of worklessness – we need to focus on work, not welfare | Joseph Rowntree Foundation No inter-gen workless households found by @jrf_uk > 'Cultures of worklessness – we need to focus on work, not welfare' http://bit.ly/TcyKKy BBC News – Nick Clegg: Coalition mid-term review 'to surprise on the upside' "On the whole I hope it will actually surprise on the upside" Sir Jeremy's Civil Service just isn't working – Telegraph Sue Cameron looks behind the messy imbroglio of Cameron vetoing David Kennedy's appointment as Perm Sect at DECC http://bit.ly/TctMNP Balls's demise ...
Santa will be in his Grotto on the Beechwood Estate next week. On Tuesday 18th December he'll be available at White Oak Lodge. The Santa visit is part of an event giving people the chance to pop in and give opinions about the estate area as well as getting information and advice from different organisations. Hot drinks and mince pies will be on offer. We are told that Rudolph may make an appearance. The event runs from 3pm.
At the heart of the draft Communications Bill is a drive to make it easier for a range of officials to access information about people's communications. The Home Office maintains that officals need this push-button surveillance in order to help fight emotive crimes such as terrorism and paedophiles. Despite widespread criticisms of the bill put forward by the Home Office to achieve those ends, most politicians appear to be uncritically accepting their underlying premise – that officials need to be granted more powers to snoop on citizens. Just take for instace Clegg's statement on the bill: "They were very clear ...
Stephen Williams,Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson commented on the news that Starbucks has agreed to pay more corporation tax: "I am glad that Starbucks has finally given in to public outrage and agreed to pay a fairer share tax in the UK. Other companies should follow suit. Over 12,000 people have joined my campaign for fairer taxes which called on a boycott until Starbucks took responsibility for its tax affairs. "I look forward to seeing the detail of the proposal but welcome this first step. Reports of £10m are better than the zero pounds they paid for the last three years, ...
Dear resident, Welcome to the latest and final edition of my Notes from Westminster for 2012. I hope it helps keep you informed of some of the work I have been doing on your behalf both locally and here in Westminster in recent months. Can I also advise you that I now have a Twitter account which you can follow at www.twitter.com/markhuntermp if you wish. Please be patient though as I am still getting to grips with it! • The campaign to get the much-needed Relief Road has continued to progress. I recently met with Chancellor George Osborne to push ...
Lib Dem MP Greg Mulholland Commenting on the latest released unemployment figures, Co-Chair of the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Party Committee on Work and Pensions, Greg Mulholland said: "The largest recorded fall in unemployment for over a decade is very welcome news. It shows that the Coalition Government is on the right track to get more people into work so that we can leave these difficult times behind us. "The fall in unemployment was driven by the biggest drop in youth unemployment on record. Liberal Democrats have always been clear that getting young people into work is crucial to build a ...
The latest Key Stage 2 Primary School league tables are out today. Southwark overall is at 80% of its children meeting expected level at KS2 in both English and Maths. The England average is 79%. But our neighbours Lambeth reached 84% and Lewisham 85%. So still lots more to be done with Richmond reaching 90%. Our local schools around East Dulwich achieved:
In October, I was interviewed in Econsultancy about the BBC's new "responsive" website. I said: The BBC's mobile site is fairly responsive. If you view it on different sized phones and tablets it adapts quite well. But it is an entirely separate site from the main BBC news site. The BBC are doing device detection and redirecting mobile users. It's not a bad strategy per se - but it is not best practice Clicking on a link on the BBC's front page today, lead to this "responsive" experience. [IMG: image] A completely blank page. The full-fat site contains a clever ...
Aurora Snow Precisely a month and a day late I am writing about the success of Measure B voted for in Los Angeles County. Not heard of it? No, nor had I until two months ago and that was through an obscure channel and I'd forgotten about it until this morning - hence the delay. A while back I read this article by adult performer Aurora Snow and found it quite interesting. Basically the bill is a battle of freedoms and liberties. The Pro B wing argued that performers in the adult industry had the right over their own body ...
We are now just over a week on from the infamous flag vote at Belfast City Council and whilst it is now clear that the Alliance Party will emerge from this with its credibility and reputation greatly enhanced it has come at an enormous cost to its elected members, officers and activists who have been put under intolerable pressure. Now we know what mob rule looks like. If Northern Ireland was a normal society rival politicians would have by now put differences aside and be standing shoulder to shoulder with Alliance in a united front on the side of democracy ...
The winner of this month's Love Launceston loyalty card prize draw is Chris Oaten. Chris wins a year of free haircuts courtesy of our friends at Diamond Cutz in Exeter Street. Chris is pictured with Julie Downing from Diamond Cutz and Jeremy Loft from the Loyalty Card team. Don't forget, there isn't much time to enter the December draw. The prize is six month's free golf membership at Trethorne Golf Club. And, in case you are doubtful about golf in January, Trethorne have told us that you can start your membership period at any point. The draw closes on December ...
Lib Dem Voice polled our members-only forum recently to discover what Lib Dem members think of various political issues, the Coalition, and the performance of key party figures. Over 500 party members have responded, and we're publishing the full results. Lib Dem members back every single measure — but split over cuts to real-terms benefits LDV asked: Do you support or oppose the following measures in the Autumn Statement: Increasing the basic income tax threshold by a further £235 to £9,440 Strongly support 76% Support 21% 97% Total Support Oppose 2% Strongly oppose 0% 2% Total Oppose Don't know 0% ...
The Radio Times have discovered some shocking news about the Royal Family. In the Christmas issue during the interview with Miranda Hart, they casually drop this bombshell: [IMG: Text from Radio Times, including line 'where Clare Balding was head girl (and later, Kate Middleton)'] Yes, unbeknownst to all of us, Clare Balding's career was even more remarkable than we imagined. On top of all her other work, she also manages to be Kate Middleton. Who knew?
Wealth tax is becoming, or has become?, a core Lib Dem policy. Nick Clegg shakes his head alongside his Cabinet colleague the Chancellor of the Exchequer announcing that the coalition government will not introduce a mansion tax. Vince Cable is back on the World at One the next day defending it. There has been much discussion as to whether wealth and mansion taxes are fair. But fairness is a very subjective concept. Some think that wealth taxes appropriately ask the rich to shoulder relatively more of the financial burden imposed if we needlessly insist on the financial orthodoxy that the ...
This is a meeting of the procedure select committee looking at the issue of the reasons as to why the Education department doesn't answer questions properly.
Swedish football team sacks its entire first squad for homophobic abuse - PinkNews.co.uk (tags: ) Carry On X-Men poster LMAO at Magneto (tags: ) HijiNKS ENSUE - A Geek Comic - You've Got Me On My Knees This is possibly the geekiest comic I have ever seen. (tags: ) In defence of Leanna Broderick, the single mother whose life was caricatured by the Daily Mail. (tags: ) Unpaid Internships: A Rite of Passage? « The Vibe (tags: ) Today's easy question: Why won't minorities support right-wing parties? - Spectator Blogs (tags: ) Stumbling and Mumbling: "Strivers" vs "scroungers": a false ...
A new report on Greater Manchester's primary schools says that Gatley's Lum Head Primary is the school that makes the biggest difference to the grades of youngsters on free school meals or in care across the whole of Greater Manchester – a fantastic achievement and something I think the staff and pupils have every reason to be very proud of. You can read the article in the MEN here.
It was announced on Monday that unemployed people are going to be given free bus travel to enable them to look for jobs or finance journeys for interviews. This is an obvious move which has been part of my "measures to improved the mobility of labour" lessons for about 50 years. I wonder why it took so long. Many readers will have lost touch, through possession of a car or an elderly persons' bus pass, of how much bus fares are these days. I conduct a few tutorials at the Business School of a local university once a week. Unfortunately ...
4 hours and counting... Excited doesn't even come close to describing how I feel about seeing it later. Andrew
It has been a busy week thus far - here's a resume of some of my activities: * Monday - Council Committees - After the site visit to the Kelso Steps I advised of earlier, I held my Monday ward surgeries at Harris Academy and the Mitchell Street Centre. Thereafter, I participated in City Council meetings. At the Environment Committee, I welcomed the update about the cremated remains project at Western Cemetery that I have taken a close interest in. I also raised the need for some environmental improvements at Balgay Cemetery and cited the concerns of an elderly lady ...
Once in Royal David's City:
At last night's main Council meeting where a lot of the important Council decisions are taken, the Labour party introduced a local Council Tax support scheme which means that many of Ealing's poorest residents will be taxed. Lib Dem Councillor Jon Ball spoke about the matter and said some of the problems with the scheme are: Councillor Jon Ball It essentially takes away any real chance of residents to get claims for support backdated so the poor will get poorerThe consultation only had a response rate of less than half a percentThe Council has turned down about £600,000 of money ...
