Unelected foreign everything parachutee Catherine Ashton has bluff called

Hard on the heels of pissing off the Russians, by interfering in their internal affairs over the upcoming Presidential election, Catherine Ashton is now responsible for the upto 15% Russian gas supply cut to several eastern facing EU states, including Italy.

Now she has done it again with Iran…

Does she really believe that the object of their selling us their natural resources revolves around their need to make money, that her interference in the middle of winter, during the biggest freeze across Europe for 10 years, would have no consequences because money, and therefore uninterrupted supplies, was more important than their ability to strike back politically.

That’s what happens when you have unelected parachutees who never have to take responsibility for their actions.

“So far the ambassadors of several European countries such as France, Greece, Germany and Italy have desperately rushed to the Iranian parliament to call for restraint against passing a bill on stopping [the Iranian] oil exports to Europe,” Vice-Chairman of the parliament’s Energy Commission Nasser Soudani said on Saturday.

Soudani further highlighted that the double-urgency bill is still on the table and that the Iranian lawmakers have expressed readiness to approve it.

After months of debates, the EU member states eventually reached an agreement in their meeting on January 23 to sanction oil imports from Iran and freeze the assets of Iran’s Central Bank within the EU.

Following the decision, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton claimed that the sanctions are aimed at pressuring Iran to return to talks over its nuclear program.

Despite Ashton’s claims, Iran has always underlined its preparedness to resume talks with the West but has meantime stressed that it will never accept any precondition for such talks.

After the EU oil ban against Iran, members of the Iranian parliament finalized a draft bill on cutting the country’s oil exports to the European states in retaliation for the EU move.

“The bill has 4 articles, including one which states that the Islamic Republic of Iran will cut all oil exports to the European states until they end their oil sanctions against the country,” Vice-Chairman of the parliament’s Energy Commission Nasser Soudani told FNA last Saturday.

Elaborating on the other parts of the draft bill, he said another article requires the government to stop imports of goods from those countries which are a party to these sanctions against Iran.

In relevant remarks on Saturday, Iranian Oil Minister Rostam Qassemi also underlined Tehran’s determination to retaliate against the western states’ oil ban against the country, and said Iran will certainly cut its oil exports to certain European countries.

“Export of oil to certain European countries will certainly be cut,” Qassemi said in a press conference on Saturday.

“We will decide on stopping oil exports to other European countries later,” he added.

http://parker-joseph.com/pjcjournal/2012/02/05/unelected-foreign-everything-parachutee-catherine-ashton-has-bluff-called/

Most definitely not Britain thenHaiti where Port-au-Prince is one of the most densely populated cities on Earth, a pretty wretched place for the tens of thousands still living under temporary shelter and tents; where vast pyres of burning rubbish can be seen on most corners, where rivers and canals have become open sewers and cholera is rife.*

http://witteringwitney.blogspot.com/2012/02/most-definitely-not-britain-then.html

Turbine Power Has Gone With the Wind

As of 3.30pm this afternoon, with the temperature around the country varying between 2 degrees and 6 degrees celsius and most people at home using power to stay warm, those wind turbines were delivering less than 11% of of their … of the folly of the government’s plans to spend billions of pounds adding more wind capacity, when it cannot come close to replacing the amount of energy generated by coal-fired and nuclear power plant that will be decommissioned? …

See the original post:
Turbine power has gone with the wind « Autonomous Mind

so when it comes to voting time folks, and you are sitting shivering in your homes, lets just remember what Camerhuhne allowed this stupidity to continue.

http://parker-joseph.com/pjcjournal/2012/02/05/turbine-power-has-gone-with-the-wind-autonomous-mind/

A small point (2)For those not on twitter, please be aware that the original post has been updated with screenshots of how Carswell’s and Heaton-Harris’ blogs appear in Spain.


Carswell’s carries advertisements for live chat with Chinese girls and dating same. Now, I know that MPs are allowed outside business interests, but surely…………


Words fail me – really.

http://witteringwitney.blogspot.com/2012/02/small-point-2.html

Rotten to the core – enshrined in LawsAs if we the people did not have enough laws constricting our freedom the political elite are softening us up to accept the return of another – David Laws. This is the man who, it will be recalled, deliberately used the art of deceit to hide his sexuality from the public domain even though it is said that fact was well known among the remainder of his fellow politicians and also to the press.

So, once again, we have the situation where a politician who has admitted behaviour that is not accepted in the public domain – and I am not talking about his sexuality – is to be re-appointed to a position in which he will be able to decide matters which will affect us all – and how we may be permitted to act and behave.

In instances where anyone elected has committed a crime, it should not be left to his colleagues to decide whether he may be given a second chance, it should be the decision of the people, the electorate, to decide – and not just those of the constituency of the politician concerned.

This matter brings to mind the phrase “Thick as thieves”………..

http://witteringwitney.blogspot.com/2012/02/rotten-to-core-enshrined-in-laws.html

Yet another ‘journalistic’ masterpiece (not)…..…..comes from the latest offering by Matthew d’Ancona in his usual Sunday Telegraph op-ed piece, this time on matters Huhne and the credibility of politics. It may have escaped the notice of even so ‘self-renowned’ a journalist as d’Ancona that the credibility of politics and politicians has long been in the ‘public dock’, if not in the ‘MSM dock’. d’Ancona ends his ‘offering’ thus:

“At worst, whether he is acquitted or not, the court of public opinion will look upon Huhne, the political class, its antics, and its hypocrisies – and deliver a furious verdict.“

The public will not deliver a furious verdict because by then they will probably have forgotten about Huhne – and the political class will no doubt ensure that another ‘crisis du jour’ is presented in order to make sure the public forget. No doubt that point never entered d’Ancona’s thought process – and if it had, he would not dare write about it.


Just saying…………….. 

http://witteringwitney.blogspot.com/2012/02/yet-another-journalistic-masterpiece.html

A small point………..that has come to light is MPs whose websites now carry advertisements, examples being Douglas Carswell and Christopher Heaton-Harris.


As it is fairly certain neither would respond to me, my not being a constituent, perhaps one of their constituents would care to question what fees these advertisers pay; if one is being accepted; if accepted to whom does that fee go?


I have to question the ethics of a Member of Parliament’s website, funded by the state or privately, carrying any form of advertising, whether paid or unpaid and whether surreptitiously or not ‘pushing’ a government policy. If it were not for their positions in our society they would probably not have the readership that they do and probably may not have secured any subsequent revenue stream.


Just saying…………………..




Update: An email correspondent has forwarded two screenshots which show how Carswell’s and Heaton-Harris’ blog appears when viewed in Spain.

http://witteringwitney.blogspot.com/2012/02/small-point.html

An EU Referendum…………..would no doubt be ‘rigged‘ in exactly the same manner as is the proposed one in Scotland on the subject of independence.

Once again, beware of that for which you wish!

Just saying……………..

http://witteringwitney.blogspot.com/2012/02/eu-referendum.html

More ‘faux’ journalism from another ‘faux’ journalistPatrick Hennessey, erstwhile ‘Political Editor’ of the Daily and Sunday Telegraph, reports that David Cameron has been hit by a major protest by Conservative MPs over the Government’s backing for wind farms.

That current planning laws are ‘rigged’ in favour of the state is not addressed by Hennessey; that Huhne, rather than face a charge of treason, has settled to face the lesser charge of perverting the course of justice is not addressed – but I digress; that the building of wind turbines is the result of compliance with EU requirements is not addressed; that these 101 MPs will have as much effect as those calling for the repatriation of powers is not addressed; that Chris Heaton-Harris is no more a eurosceptic than Cameron is a Conservative is not addressed; that the Conservatives who are ministers and parliamentary private secretaries are unable to sign because they are part of the government “payroll” and as a result are unable to represent their constituents concerns (another deficit of our democratic system of representative democracy) is not addressed; that Tracy Crouch can punt a football further than she will be able to punt opposition to this is not addressed.

And this article is journalism? And Hennessey is a journalist?

Sheesh! Is it any wonder the public are ‘ignorant’ of matters important when they are reliant upon ‘informers’ such as Hennessey?

Just asking………..

Update: The text of the letter to which the article refers can be read here. Heaton-Harris’ amendments aren’t worth the proverbial crock of!

http://witteringwitney.blogspot.com/2012/02/more-faux-journalism-from-another-faux.html

The fightback continues…..…..with West Oxfordshire District Council over my withholding a small amount of Council Tax, a subject on which I posted previously.


On Friday the following exchange took place:

“3 February 2012 15:07, Kelly Parry wrote:
Dear Mr Phipps,
Thank you for your e-mail dated 23 January 2012 in reference to the overdue balance letter you have received.
I refer to past e-mails sent by Mandy Fathers where it was explained that as a Local Authority, West Oxfordshire District Council have a duty to ensure all local taxation is collected in full and whilst we appreciate your concerns regarding the local services provided we do not find it acceptable that you make deductions from the amount of Council Tax to be paid. I would remind you that an amount of £10.00 is outstanding on your account and if this is not paid further recovery action is likely to occur.
Kind regards,

 3 February 2012 15:13
Dear Ms. Parry,
Thank you for your email of today.
West Oxfordshire District Council may well have a duty to ensure all local taxation is collected – they also have a duty to ensure that all local services, for which they are responsible, are delivered.
While your concerns are appreciated, I do not find it acceptable that I should be forced to pay for a service that has not been delivered.
Kind regards“

It will be with regret (not) that I shall be emailing this lady again to advise that the food bin, which should have been collected on Thursday and which, following a telephone call late Thursday, was promised for collection by 17:30 Friday, was not. As any Council Tax is now not due to be paid until April, the sum of £5.00 will be deducted from that first payment; whilst politely pointing out that I am doing my best to make it worthwhile for them to take me to court. 


Updates as and when………..


Afterthought: Anyway it would appear that rubbish collection is free, according to a former minister for climate change, biodiversity and waste.

http://witteringwitney.blogspot.com/2012/02/fightback-continues.html

Ignorance is truth

“Whenever the legislators endeavor to take away and destroy the property of the people, or to reduce them to slavery under arbitrary power, they put themselves into a state of war with the people, who are thereupon absolved from any further obedience.“
John Locke (1632-1704)

 ”I believe its better to tell the truth than to lie, better to be free than to be a slave and its better to know than to be ignorant.“
H.L. Mencken

Perhaps the greatest of all properties that the people own is their own freedom, yet politicians through the ages have usurped that freedom and done so by dictatorial means. Consider, why is this country still a member of the European Union when that body is far removed from that on which the people were last given a choice? Why have draconian laws been introduced – and are still being introduced – which bear no relation to that which political parties promised in their manifestos? Immediate examples of the latter question that spring to mind are the smoking ban, the recall of MPs and the devolution of power to the people, including a right to request referendums.


When the Coalition was created the public were led to believe that political differences had been put to one side for the good of the country and the Foreward to their programme for government intimated that. The people were also assured that the two parties realised that by forming a coalition their visions would not be compromised by working together; that they would be strengthened and enhanced. Strange then that those differences which were supposed to have been put to one side, have resurfaced; that the visions would not be compromised but would be strengthened and enhanced, have not been strengthened, nor enhanced. We are treated to articles in the press detailing what amounts to internecine warfare between the two Coalition parties, here and here (free registration available for access). How can such a situation arise if the two parties are supposed to be working harmoniously together for the good of the country? How is the good of the country served by two parties, supposedly working together, yet spend what seems to be an inordinate amount of time ‘point scoring’ off each other?


The answer lies in every political party’s inherent lust for power – and absolute power – because, under our system of representative democracy, why else would people enter the field of politics? It most certainly is not to act in the best interests of those they are supposed to represent – and if it is, then it is indeed odd that they form what is called a government, a word derived from ‘govern’, ie, to ‘rule’. It also begs repetition of Ronald Reagan’s question from his first Inaugural Speech “But if no one among us is capable of governing himself, then who among us has the capacity to govern someone else?”; so by what ‘right’ do politicians continue their usurpation of power via the practice of politics?


No country can be served when those elected to work for that country’s benefit are at virtual loggerheads. No country can be served when those elected have, in effect, unfettered power whilst holding office unless the people have the means to halt those policies which they are against. No country can be served when those elected to office assume the belief that they and only they have the right to dictate to their fellow man. No country can be served when those elected to office are untruthful with their fellow men, through omission of all the facts, or in some instances resorting to downright lies.


Through the lack of transparency and truth, one of the deficits within our democracy and one practiced by our politicians, the people remain ignorant. As an example, let us consider that of membership of the European Union, in which the political mantra is maintained by all parties, that the benefits are obvious. Is it any wonder that this subject does not appear very high amongst concerns expressed to MPs by their constituents when it is rarely raised by those MPs – and on the rare occasions it is, is ignored by the MSM? It is logical to assume that were that not the case the subject may well rapidly rise up the list of consituent’s concerns.


Daniel Hannan has just posted, ‘railing against HS2” (pun intended), and quoting the old line that it matters not for whom you vote as nothing changes. He points out that while Councillors, MPs and even MEPs are against the new line, it has mattered not and questions is it any wonder people have give, up at the ballot box. Towards the end of his article he laments the passing of Sir John Hempden who, he asserts, lived and died for the democratic cause: for the ideal that the executive should not be allowed to disregard the people’s representatives — unfortunately he omits to state that neither should the people’s representatives be allowed to disregard their constituents – a fact that is probably the root cause  for why the electorate has ‘given up a the ballot box’.


The sorry state of our democracy is further illustrated by a another quotation from H.L. Mencken, one most pertinent to our politicians:

“If a politician found he had cannibals among his constituents, he would promise them missionaries for dinner.“

and then, in accordance with present political principles, rescind that promise once elected.


Afterthought: In answer to a parliamentary question, details of all consultants used by HS2 Ltd and the Department for Transport have been published, details which includes their names, remits and costs to date. (H/T: Sue at Muffled Vociferation and @EU_Dictatorship on twitter)

http://witteringwitney.blogspot.com/2012/02/ignorance-is-truth.html

When people realise they’re just an EU colony

On January 16th, middle class Sicilians began a popular uprising appropriately called the ‘Pitchfork Movement’…’Movimento Dei Forconi’.

and there seems to have been a total MSM blackout on this story.

There are shades of the Occupy movement within it, but the core is not dissatisfied unemployed youth with no property or businesses to lose. They are middle aged and older. They know that what they have left has been targeted by their own elites to bear the economic pain.

i-italy.org reported on the 20th Jan:

The last five days have not been pretty for those Sicilians whose gas tanks were empty.

The strike organized by the so called “Movimento dei Forconi” (the “Pitchfork Movement”, a protest movement gathering Sicilian farmers), the haulers of the “Forza d’Urto” group, and AIAS (Associazione Imprese Autotrasportatori Sicilia – Sicily haulage companies association), with roadblocks and blockades in the island’s refineries and ports, has led to a lack of petrol at gas stations all over the island. Local bloggers today signaled that on the Messina-Catania highway the price of gas has jumped to €3 a liter, a 40% increase. 

Empty shelves in a grocery store

The Movement’s flag

A roadblock in Sicily

Groceries are also becoming a scarce resource. Reportedly, in the Lentini area, bread and poultry stock are close to exhaustion, even though trucks bringing food, milk, livestock and medications shouldn’t be blocked by the demonstrants.

The Pitchfork Movement and Forza d’Urto are demonstrating to sensibilize the government on the unbearability of the economic crisis for the striking categories: haulers can’t afford gas, farmers can’t sell their products and they can’t grapple with increasing taxes.

The strike was meant to end tonight at midnight, as for haulers’ demonstrations the maximum duration allowed in Italy is five days, but AIAS has just announced an extension of five more days granted by the police. The movement has also joined forces with COSPA, Abruzzo stock-breeders’ association, to extend the strike to the Pescara area. Sardinian craftsmen and stock-breeders are also joining the protest, and announced a total roadblock on the island, starting next Tuesday.

The Pitchforks Movement has over 47,000 subscribers on Facebook. Among the supporters of the movement are a significant number of students, some of which actually joined the demonstrants today in various locations on the island.

President of Sicily Raffaele Lombardo supports the movement and its reasons, and announced to SkyTg24 that he will meet Prime Minister Monti next Wednesday to bring the demands of the Pitchforks and haulers to Rome, where they should be answered, but Ivan Lo Bianco, president of the local Confindustria (Industrials’ union), warns that behind the blockages and the strikes might be the long arm of mafia, as Cosa Nostra affiliates were spotted among the demonstrants, and there is a concrete risk that the organizations could gain a role in fuelling the popular unrest.

Well lets face it, the EU Mafia, with is appointed unelected Italian government are doing such a great job eh?

That the majority of the media right across the EU have failed to report this is shameful.

http://parker-joseph.com/pjcjournal/2012/02/04/when-people-realise-theyre-just-an-eu-colony/

True……From an email and am unable to authenticate – but it resonates somewhat……..


From a British soldier:

“I work, they pay me. I pay my taxes and the government distributes my taxes as it sees fit. In order to earn that pay , I train for war and eventually deploy. I am required to pass a random urine test… for drugs, with which I have no problem. … What I do have a problem with is the distribution of my taxes to people who don’t have to pass a urine test. Shouldn’t one have to pass a urine test to get a benefits cheque because I have to pass one to EARN IT for them? Please understand that I have no problem with helping people get back on their feet. I do on the other hand have a problem with helping someone sit on their arse drinking beer and smoking dope. Could you imagine how much money the government would save if people had to pass a urine test to get a benefit cheque?“

Fair question, methinks…………? 

http://witteringwitney.blogspot.com/2012/02/true.html

Did you know smoking can cause blindness?More a subject for Chris Snowden (Velvet Glove Iron Fist) or Dick Puddlecote (Dick Puddlecote) – but anyway……..


While waiting for a neighbour for whom I had provided a lift to our local doctor’s surgery, I pondered all the notices and leaflets exhorting us not to do this that or the other for health reasons. One that caught my eye was headlined as this post and dealt with ‘Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). The leaflet advises that studies have shown that smoking more than doubles the risk of developing AMD and that smokers are more likely to suffer from all types of AMD. It then goes on to state that an estimated 53,900 UK residents over 69 may have AMD attributable to smoking. (my emphasis).


From the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) we are informed that: “At the moment, the exact cause for AMD is not known”. Medical News Today advises: “In summary, while controlling for other factors, smoking appears to be related to the incidence and progression of AMD in our population”. (again, my emphasis).


Cmon chaps, either smoking does cause AMD, or it appears to cause AMD, or the exact cause for AMD is not known. Just make up your damn mind – please?


Just asking………………




Afterthought: Scared to Death, a book by Richard North and Christopher Booker, had a chapter on smoking and is well worth a read – not just on this subject, either.

http://witteringwitney.blogspot.com/2012/02/did-you-know-smoking-can-cause.html

MEPs slam Commission over humanitarian-aid management

Author: New Europe

MEPs have criticised the management of EU humanitarian aid and funds channelled through the United Nations.

http://www.neurope.eu/article/meps-slam-commission-over-humanitarian-aid-management

Huhne pays the ‘Pryce’So Huhne and Pryce have been charged by the CPS, something which has set the twittersphere ablaze with comment and condemnation. It has to be made clear at the outset that both must be considered innocent until proven guilty as it also has to be made clear that the CPS must be fairly sure of their ground when considering the amount of time that has been spent on the case.


Leaving the question of guilt or innocence to one side, the Huhne/Price matter magnifies what is a most serious problem within the system of democracy we presently have – and it is one illustrated in a tweet from Paul Waugh who states that the letter from Clegg to Huhne “hopes he can ‘rapidly’ clear his name and ‘return to play a key role in govt as soon as possible”. 


Whether Huhne is found guilty or innocent, the initial charge will ‘stick’ and were Huhne to escape conviction on a technicality the initial charge will ‘stick’ even more. Too many examples exist of politicians who have committed ‘crimes’ – whether proven or not, think expenses – and yet remain as MPs, subsequently being re-instated in ministerial positions or positions of importance within government or their party. 


These individuals are those who impose their laws – very often laws that dictate how we must act and the punishments should we break those laws – yet are then welcomed back by their own at a later date (witness David Laws?). It is not illogical to demand that those who profess to be able to govern must perforce be as ‘white as the driven snow’ – their probity must be beyond question,


Peter Hitchens, in his latest blogpost, writes about the disgraceful state of our political parties and politicians, ending: “How are we to obtain reform of the parties, and to get parties that actually care about what the people care about?”. The answer must surely be that a change from representative democracy is urgently needed because, as I have repeatedly maintained, it is but a system of democratised dictatorship. The change required is one to a form of direct democracy including a dose of ‘referism and on Sunday next two articles will appear on talkconstitution.net on the limitation of government and how a system of direct democracy could be enacted. It is also hoped that at the same time, or shortly thereafter, a new draft constitution will also appear.


How much longer will the public’s patience hold while example after example appears demonstrating their lack of honour and principle, disregard for the public purse, disregard for the law (alleged) and disdain shown to those who pay their wages and expenses? The time has surely come whereby this corrupt system of democracy and government must be axed and a fair, transparent system put into place.




Afterthought: While pure speculation, a thought occurs and that is what is Huhne’s position if he maintains his innocence and Price opts to plead guilty? Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned – and all that?


Afterthought (2): Presumably Huhne and Pryce will appear in the dock together? One has to wonder how that thought appeals to each of them?

http://witteringwitney.blogspot.com/2012/02/huhne-pays-pryce.html

Growth and Stability EU style

The Hungarian national airline Malev has folded after the European Commission ordered Malev to repay various forms of state aid received from 2007 to 2010.

"Despite its best interests the owner can no longer provide financial resources for the operation of the airline in the wake of the condemning decision of the European Commission," an airline statement said.

The sums involved amounted to 38 billion forints (130m euros; $171m; £108m), a sum equal to its entire 2010 revenue. The carrier employs 2,600 people and is responsible for close to half of all air traffic at Budapest Liszt Ferenc airport.

Part of the Oneworld airline alliance, which also includes American Airlines and British Airways, Malev has a leased fleet of 22 passenger aircraft.

Story News of the World

Can we leave now?

http://parker-joseph.com/pjcjournal/2012/02/03/growth-and-stability-eu-style/

I do love a good fairy tale

and that is just what this piece in the Spectator by Daniel Korski is.

Once upon a time when David Cameron wielded his veto that was not a veto against a treaty that wasn’t a treaty, many gullible people thought this was the beginning of a process of repatriation of powers from the EU.

They even thought that this would be the highlight, the high water mark of this government’s Euro-scepticism unfortunately, just like the water mark on the Costa Concordia it still lays well below water.

Someone had a word in David’s shell-like and now he thinks he may have to wait because they, the EU, are too busy, despite the fact that he keeps putting his hand up and calling teacher, teacher isn’t listening and he isn’t reading the bits of paper he keeps sending.

Another boy in the class Bill Cash is going to try to upset David and cause as much noise as possible especially when David has to read his essay about the Coatia Accession Bill, but David is going to be a bastard and not listen, having learned a lot from the teachers.

That might cause Bill and his mates to get David in the corner of the playground and make him promise that he will make the teacher listen, or they will make life tough for him, take his dinner money and then go and ask the grown-ups what they think in a referendum. They think David will be really frightened and might wet himself because there are so many of them and will have to do what they say, or else.

Meanwhile on Tracy Island the supramarionation puppets continue with the next thrilling episode….

Listen people, Cameron knows, the Tory party knows and most of the voters know that once powers are ceded to the EU they never, ever come back. The EU has never, ever returned anything to any country, and they certainly won’t be returning anything to Cameron or anyone else in the UK.

It really is a fairy tale to think otherwise. A totally vacuous storyline to get re-elected.

So stop voting for them and their stupid fairy tales. All of them.

http://parker-joseph.com/pjcjournal/2012/02/03/i-do-love-a-good-fairy-tale/

Germany rejects Greek calls for official sector to take part in restructuring plan; China mulls contributions to eurozone bailout fundsGreek Prime Minister Lucas Papademos will hold a meeting with the leaders of the three largest Greek political parties today or tomorrow, in an attempt to garner support for a new programme of austerity measures laid out by EU/IMF under the planned second Greek bailout.http://www.openeurope.org.uk/media-centre/summary.aspx?id=3622

Daily Press SummaryGermany rejects Greek calls for official sector to take part in restructuring plan; China mulls contributions to eurozone bailout fundshttp://www.openeurope.org.uk/Article/Page/en/LIVE?id=8434

Where are the dads?In the Daily Telegraph today, Henry Wallop, in the section Television and radio writes that this is the year of the small-screen baby and that it’s about time fathers got a look in.


This article appears to me to be part of the ‘consensus’ that believes fathers should be present at the birth of their child. While admittedly I have never fathered a child (well at least not to my knowledge) and that had I, I may well have a different opinion, I am well aware that the process is painful to women, that it is a tad ‘bloody’ – and I would not wish to be there (and if forced to be, I would most definitely be at the ‘head end’) as regardless of which end I was positioned I would more than likely ‘hit the floor’ in very short order.


Generalising, I believe it logical to assume that most women for reasons related to their genes have a desire to conceive, a wish they may not be able to logically explain – and knowing the pain element involved – still wish to undergo the process of childbirth. But why does that mean the husband has to be present? Why is it necessary that he should be ‘forced by present thinking’ to witness what amounts to the physical humiliation of the woman he loves? Why should she be forced to have her husband/partner witness that ‘humiliation’? If a man is required to undergo circumcision in later life, is his wife/partner forced to witness the act? If a man has testicular cancer, is his wife duty bound to witness the operation? Should a husband be forced to watch his wife deal with her periodic problem? Every member of the human race has certain acts they have to perform – and childbirth is one of them. Should not each person be accorded the privacy of that act from their ‘other half if they so wish’?


It is appreciated that some readers may find my view/thoughts outdated/unacceptable/chauvanistic – to which I can only apologise, while saying that is me, that is how I feel – coupled with the fact that it is easy for me to hold such views as I am at an age where my chances of being part of the reproduction of another human being equate with my chances of winning the lottery.


Just who are these people who wish to have all men/women confirm to their way of thinking? Is childbirth not one of the last individual decisions that should be left to the two people concerned – the one who ‘began’ the process and the one who has to ‘end’ it?


When will ‘those who know better’ just butt out of people’s lives and leave them to make their own decisions?


Just saying……….

http://witteringwitney.blogspot.com/2012/02/where-are-dads.html

Another sporting ‘red herring’ resurfacesThe BBC trumpets that: “Euro MEPs back call for sports shirts to feature EU flag” with MEPs also endorsing a plan for the EU flag to be flown at major international sporting events in Europe, but neither of the measures would be compulsory.


Bearing in mind that the Lisbon Treaty gave the European Union competence in sport the statement from their spokesperson, in this article, that: “But the commission has no authority to impose such a decision and nor would it wish to.” ring a tad hollow.


Of course one would have thought by now that the BBC, with all their resources, would have done their research – but one again we see yet another failure from them. Only last July Richard North, EU Referendum, succinctly summarised the position in this post. It is worth repeating his closing sentences:

“So what was approved by Thatcher in 1985 comes back to haunt the heir to Heath in 2011, 26 years later – in a treaty he could have stopped, by chose not to. Like as not, the EU won’t get its badges this time, but the idea won’t go away. It will keep pushing and probing until it gets what it wants, waiting another 26 years if need be, unless we (or events) destroy it first.“

They say that what goes round, comes round – we can but hope that the next time a story comes round, the BBC will have eventually got their news service staffed with those who understand the word ‘research’.

http://witteringwitney.blogspot.com/2012/02/another-sporting-red-herring-resurfaces_02.html

Another sporting ‘red herring’ resurfacesThe BBC trumpets that: “Euro MEPs back call for sports shirts to feature EU flag” with MEPs also endorsing a plan for the EU flag to be flown at major international sporting events in Europe, but neither of the measures would be compulsory.


Bearing in mind that the Lisbon Treaty gave the European Union competence in sport the statement from their spokesperson, in this article, that: “But the commission has no authority to impose such a decision and nor would it wish to.” ring a tad hollow.


Of course one would have thought by now that the BBC, with all their resources, would have done their research – but one again we see yet another failure from them. Only last July Richard North, EU Referendum, succinctly summarised the position in this post. It is worth repeating his closing sentences:

“So what was approved by Thatcher in 1985 comes back to haunt the heir to Heath in 2011, 26 years later – in a treaty he could have stopped, by chose not to. Like as not, the EU won’t get its badges this time, but the idea won’t go away. It will keep pushing and probing until it gets what it wants, waiting another 26 years if need be, unless we (or events) destroy it first.“

They say that what goes round, comes round – we can but hope that the next time a story comes round, the BBC will have eventually got their news service staffed with those who understand the word ‘research’.

http://witteringwitney.blogspot.com/2012/02/another-sporting-red-herring-resurfaces.html

Well, we all know that politicians tend to ‘fanny’ about…….……but do we really have to pay for this?


Just asking……………….

http://witteringwitney.blogspot.com/2012/02/well-we-all-know-that-politicians-tend.html

The juvenile antics of politiciansWe learn today that Kate Green, Labour MP for Stretford and Urmston since May 2010, has used the House of Commons to complain about a guest beer that is available in The Stranger’s Bar – despite her reportedly never having set foot there. The actual exchange between Kate Green and Sir George Young is recorded as:

“Kate Green (Stretford and Urmston) (Lab): Will the Leader of the House arrange a debate on dignity at work in Parliament? Last night I was disturbed to learn that the guest beer in the Strangers Bar is called Top Totty, and that there is a picture of a nearly naked woman on the tap. As well as arranging a debate, will the Leader of the House join me in asking for that beer to be withdrawn from the bar immediately?

Sir George Young: I was not aware of that particular picture in the bar. I will raise the matter with the appropriate Officer of the House through the House of Commons Commission, and I am sure that appropriate action will be taken. I should very much regret it if any offensive pictures were on display in any part of the House.“

Beside querying the manner in which the question was raised (publicly), would not a quiet word with the Leader of the House not have been more acceptable? One can only assume that Kate Green exhibits that trait of all politicians, namely that of ‘attention-seeking’. Perhaps her next public utterance will be to call for the famous scantily-clad Flying Lady on Virgin planes to be removed – or does one have to be a virgin to so complain? The reply from Sir George Young also begs one or two questions; namely, are we to infer that he has never, ever been in The Stranger’s Bar – and if that is incorrect, has he had his eyesight tested lately? That his first response is to regret if any offensive pictures were on display speaks volumes.


Kate Green is not alone though in exhibiting juvenile behaviour when one considers the spectacle of Prime Minister’s questions yesterday. Both Conservative and Labour backbenchers indulged in chanting the responses to their leader’s rhetorical questions and in so doing indulged in antics that one would expect from children in primary school – although acknowledging the poor standard of our education system, perhaps primary school should be amended to read secondary modern.


Depending on who you believe – Keith Vaz or Jack Straw – MPs are either so busy they have little time for important matters of state, or they are bored out of their tiny little minds. Where Kate Green is concerned we must therefore assume it is a case of the latter and that she does, indeed, have a tiny little mind.


It is regrettable that such behaviour is presented for public consumption by those to whom we mere mortals are supposed to ‘look-up-to’ and revere. And MPs wonder why the public is ‘switched-off’ by politics?

http://witteringwitney.blogspot.com/2012/02/juvenile-antics-of-politicians.html

Euro-Zone News and AnalysisWhat keeps central bankers in Frankfurt awake at night ??? and why should Britain care?http://www.openeurope.org.uk/Article/Page/en/LIVE?id=8424

Europe needs political, economic and financial unity to combat crisis

Author: Gianni Pittella

http://www.neurope.eu/blog/europe-needs-political-economic-and-financial-unity-combat-crisis

EU urged to take responsibility for Saharawi human rights

Author: Rachel Kiser

The EU must take responsibility for failing to protect human rights and international law in territory illegally occupied by Morocco, Norbert Neuser, president of the Intergroup Western Sahara in the European Parliament, has said. In any new EU-Morocco Fisheries arrangement, Parliament will insist that the rights of Saharawi people must be respected.

http://www.neurope.eu/article/neuser-urges-eu-take-responsibility-saharawi-human-rights

FOI to be trashed in Scotland

This from the Scottish Law Reporter today:
Agnew gets FOI role, Holyrood msps discuss secret plan ‘to bulldoze FOI decisions database’ in move to wipe past findings by Information Commissioner
Rosemary Agnew ditches lawyer complaints to become Information Commissioner. THE DAY AFTER msps at the Scottish Parliament unanimously approved the appointment of a lawyer complaints boss Rosemary Agnew as the new Scottish Information Commissioner, Holyrood insiders have spilled the beans on a SECRET PLAN discussed by msps who are suspicious of Freedom of Information laws TO WIPE the current itspublicknowledge website of the Scottish Information Commissioner including all of the outgoing Commissioner Kevin Dunion’s previous decisions and replace it with a new website in what is described by one Scottish Parliament employee as “a bid to bring relief for some at Holyrood and give Rosemary a clean slate”.

A whistle-blowing member of staff at the Scottish Parliament who has been involved in the secret discussions for the website redesign told Scottish Law Reporter this morning the secret plan to wipe all decisions was being discussed between only a few msps amid concerns of protests from the public & media over the content of Mr Dunion’s current website and all previous decisions being lost or being made deliberately difficult for members of the public to access in any replacement website.

The insider confirmed : “The plan being discussed is for the entire FOI website to be taken offline while officials & msps argue over the redesign which  ‘may’ archive only short summaries of selected cases or more probably remove all content of Mr Dunion’s previous investigations & decisions to give the new Scottish Information Commissioner a fresh start.”

The source continued : “So you can expect to see decisions such as the one revealing the SPCB’s attempt to cover up MSP David McLetchie’s theft of expenses for taxi journeys to be deleted from public view. I’m sure he and the Scottish Conservatives will be very happy at this prospect, as will a few other msps caught out by Mr Dunion’s decisions on poorly handled foi requests.”

Before & After Dunion ? MSPs plan to delete all previous decisions on Info Commissioner’s website. Many of Mr Dunion’s decisions on cases brought to his attention during his two terms of office serving as Scotland’s Information Commissioner since 2002, have revealed scandals involving politicians expenses, hospital deaths, failings of Police Forces around the country, failures of the justice system including Scotland’s Prosecutors & justice bodies such as the Crown Office, and Rosemary Agnew’s current employment base, the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission which has been investigated on at least TWENTY OCCASIONS by the Scottish Information Commissioner and his team, with most decisions going against the SLCC during Agnew’s term as Head of Investigations and then its Chief Executive.

Further decisions of Mr Dunion and his investigations team have led to exposures of scandals involving local authorities & the Scottish Government, with some cases bitterly fought in the courts by lawyers acting for the Scottish Government in attempts to block publication of material sought by members of the public & media.

An insider said today “It will be a disaster for openness & transparency if msps went ahead and bulldozed Mr Dunion’s entire work over the past decade.”

A law reform campaigner speaking to Scottish Law Reporter earlier today said : “Msps and the Scottish Government must be preparing to hide something big to appoint someone with a record of being anti-foi. What are the big political issues around just now ? independence referendum and a crap justice system with more criminals in it than outside it .. couldn’t be a coincidence of course.”

Internal notes on discussions about discussions on the planned changes to the Information Commissioner’s website shown to a journalist staggeringly reveal one msp wants the new website to be handled by the same team who handled the ‘redesign’ of the Scottish Parliament’s E-Petitions website, which has been purposely kept offline for nearly a year out of fears football fans may use it to lodge e-petitions to challenge the Scottish Government’s controversial anti bigotry law, the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Bill. Scottish Law Reporter covered the year long loss of the E-Petitions website due to sectarian fears, HERE

Meanwhile, msps were at pains to portray their choice of Information Commissioner, Ms Agnew as a step in the right direction.

…. and a dictatorship in Scotland is born..

http://parker-joseph.com/pjcjournal/2012/02/02/foi-to-be-trashed-in-scotland/

Unlike the Lockheed ‘Connie’……..

From EurActiv we learn that Connie Hedegaard, EU Commissioner for Climate Change, is having second thoughts about biofuels. After a draft Commission impact assessment indicated that the greenhouse gas emissions from biofuels may exceed those of fossil fuels, she is quoted as saying: “It’s great to see the potential in new technologies, but we should take very much care in Europe that we are now not establishing a new big industry that we then – after some time – say, wow, that was not so good”. In a separate report Bloomberg reports that a study by Malcolm Fergusson, the former head of climate change policy at the UK’s environment agency, shows that EU policy on biofuels will cost EU consumers €126 billion.

http://witteringwitney.blogspot.com/2012/02/unlike-lockheed-connie.html

Blog SummaryAnother exposure which could sink Greek bankshttp://openeuropeblog.blogspot.com/2012/02/another-exposure-which-could-sink-greek.html

Proof that there is most definitely a ‘them’ and ‘us’A lady by the name of Dot, who pens a Commons’ Diary on Politics Home, reports on an exchange twixt two MPs, one of whom was George Young, Leader of the House, who when giving evidence yesterday to the ongoing procedure committee inquiry into sitting hours revealed he was a fan of the short-lived period when the Commons sat from 11.30am to 7pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

“The idea of changing back seemed not to appeal to committee member Sir Roger Gale. “Members of Parliament travel to London on a Monday and then are stuck here and I think we need to maximise the use of that time,” he complained. “What on earth are these members going to do in their garretts on Monday night, Tuesday night?” Sir George Young, as always a model of avuncularity, replied: “As a former London Member of Parliament I have to advertise the wide-ranging attractions of the capital city. I preferred to work the old hours. Some of the work you might have done earlier you do later. I just preferred a more civilised working day than working at 10 o’clock on a Monday and Tuesday.“

So one MP considers he is ‘stuck’ in his London garret and the other believes that having to start work at 10am is far from civilised. The former derides what the Concise Oxford Dictionary defines as a top-floor or attic room, especially a dismal one, which begs the question why the public are funding such inferior accommodation? Likewise the latter might wish to get himself a proper job, one that unlike his present employment actually produces something worthwhile?


Just how further ‘out of touch’ is it possible to be? Just asking…………………….

http://witteringwitney.blogspot.com/2012/02/proof-that-there-is-most-definitely.html

The unknowledgeable in pursuit of the unbelievableTim Montgomerie, Conservative Home, writes that dark clouds are gathering over Number 10 because they do not predict a Conservative majority at the next general election; consequently Montgomerie lists what he believes to be ten reasons why the life of the Coalition may need to last beyond 2015.


Montgomerie begins his article by listing those journalists to whom he looks for what the Conservative Party should be doing; and those to whom he looks for what the Conservative Party is doing. In both categories he lists, among others, Iain Martin, Bruce Anderson, James Forsyth and Matthew d’Ancona – hence the title of this post. He also seems to miss the point that the brand name does not do that which the tin says it will. Montgomerie ends his article by stating that he presents his article as an analysis of the Number 10 mood and that it is not what he thinks is desirable or possible. If only the verb used in the latter part of his statement was possible!


There is of course an eleventh reason why the Coalition existence may remain likely – and that is the man who created the Coalition.

http://witteringwitney.blogspot.com/2012/02/unknowledgeable-in-pursuit-of.html

Journalists & politicians are either stupid, or liars – or both!It is not surprising that journalism is now ranked somewhere below estate agents and politicians on the scale of questionable behaviour and practices, when considering the article by David Millward, Transport Editor, in the Daily Telegraph yesterday.

http://witteringwitney.blogspot.com/2012/02/journalists-politicians-are-either.html

Stand-off between IMF, Germany and Greek parties over second Greek bailout; IMF pushes for losses in Greek restructuringEuropean officials suggested last night that a deal on the voluntary Greek restructuring was only ‘hours’ away, however no final agreement was reached due to remaining differences between Germany and the IMF as well as amongst the Greek parliamentary parties.http://www.openeurope.org.uk/media-centre/summary.aspx?id=3621

Daily Press SummaryStand-off between IMF, Germany and Greek parties over second Greek bailout; IMF pushes for losses in Greek restructuringhttp://www.openeurope.org.uk/Article/Page/en/LIVE?id=8415

Euro-Zone News and AnalysisAnother exposure which could sink Greek banks?http://www.openeurope.org.uk/Article/Page/en/LIVE?id=8418

Blog Summary17 Labour MPs including former Cabinet Ministers back Open Europe reporthttp://www.openeurope.org.uk/Article/Page/en/LIVE?id=8420

Euro-Zone News and AnalysisStand-off between IMF, Germany and Greek parties over second Greek bailout; Bundesbank President: Fiscal treaty ???not a huge success???http://www.openeurope.org.uk/Article/Page/en/LIVE?id=8427

Council of Europe to combat fake drugs

Author: Rachel Kiser

To protect public health, the Council of Europe and its European Directorate for the Quality of Medicine and Health Care have launched eTACT.

http://www.neurope.eu/article/council-europe-combat-fake-drugs

Foreign police on Britain’s streets

Well we have warned often enough that having given our sovereignty away to the EU mafia, sooner or later either foreign troops or foreign police would be patrolling the streets of the UK or placed in decision making roles in the UK.

Courtesy of the Albion Alliance comes news of:

2012 European Police Exchange Programme opens for registrations

CEPOL, the European Police College has launched the 2012 European Police Exchange Programme.

In 2012, the Exchange Programme, a flagship CEPOL activity, will offer one-to-one exchanges to police officers and scientific and research experts; teaching staff and educational programme developers; and commanders. There will also be group study visits to the European Union agencies that deal with justice and home affairs, including Europol and Frontex.

Exchanges are organised according to 16 topics, which have been identified as important to the safety and security of European citizens. In 2012, four new topics will be included: illegal immigration, container shipments, mobile organised crime groups and the network for fugitive active search teams. A group exchange will be organised on the topic of trafficking in human beings.

Exchanges are open to participants who have a minimum of three years’ work experience in the field of interest and must speak at least one foreign language. Further, participants must commit to cascading their newly gained knowledge to colleagues at a national and European level.

The Exchange Programme, now in its seventh year has been steadily growing in popularity and in 2011, almost 300 people, from 26 EU countries took part in the exchange programme – the highest number of participants ever in a single year and a significant increase from 2010.

According to CEPOL:

The European Police Exchange Programme is a CEPOL flagship activity, offering law enforcement officers, experts and trainers the opportunity to spend up to two weeks with a counterpart in a police force in another country.

No longer the Peelian principles, no longer the civilian in uniform who serves and protects. This is corporate EU Policing and its coming to a force near you.

I can’t wait to see the Military exchange programme that sees German officers in charge of British troops, long held as a dream ambition of Rommel.

http://parker-joseph.com/pjcjournal/2012/02/01/foreign-police-on-britains-streets/