Born Abroad
Immigration is one of those political topics that always seem to generate more heat than light. So it was interesting to see some data rather than bigotry for a change. This Wednesday, the BBC...
View ArticleLand of the free?
It's funny how fashions in economic dogma change.Not long ago, we were taught to look up to the German economic system as a model. Now, to read some commentators, you'd think that this very same system...
View ArticleEurope uncovered
Given the tendency of British parliamentary media coverage to focus on Westminster and neglect other places, you may be unaware of a significant achievement this week by a British Liberal Democrat...
View ArticleHurricanes: a scientist writes...
Q. Was Hurricane Katrina cause by global warming?A. Probably not.Global warming presents probably the greatest threat to the future welfare of mankind. People in the developed world must be persuaded...
View ArticleBiting the hand...
Some conservative bloggers and media in the USA (such as this ignoramus) have been criticising foreigners for not offering to help after Hurricane Katrina, and for failing to return past favours.Well,...
View ArticleA dysfunctional state
Everyone in the USA from the President downwards seems to agree that the response to the Katrina disaster was, at best, inadequate. Disagreement is about the "why" and the "who", and that debate seems...
View ArticleBullying Manner
A forgotten figure of post-war British politics is Sir Reginald Manningham-Buller, Tory Attorney-General from 1954 to 1962, then (as Lord Dilhorne) Lord Chancellor from 1962 to 1964. He was a...
View ArticleAnd if you don't like sport...
Hands up anyone who remembers Les Kellet.Last year, Jonathan Calder reminded us that the popularity of sports can go down as well as up. He cited speedway and show jumping as examples of sports that...
View ArticleThose people don't count
Yesterday I suggested you read Actually Existing's analysis of the Katrina disaster.Now Phil Edwards has written a follow-up. I cannot recommend it highly enough - the quote from Alasdair Gray's novel...
View ArticleMonochrome in Channel, continent isolated
Everybody's talking about the new Berliner format of the Guardian, so I may as well join in.I bought my first edition yesterday in Brussels. Although the 'international edition' of the Guardian is...
View ArticleBlackpool Unplugged
So much to say, so little bandwidth.Internet connections at the Liberal Democrat conference have been at best inadequate, at worst non-existent. I shall report at more length shortly.In the meantime,...
View ArticleBritain's premier holiday resort
I am happy to report that I am now back in the world of broadband, having given up on the 'facilities' at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool. Some were blaming the contractors hired to install the...
View ArticleAnd it's goodnight from them...
Just how important is the Tory leadership contest? Whoever wins is most unlikely to become prime minister. And if recent form is anything to go by, the winner is likely to be overthrown in just two...
View ArticleBe afraid. Very afraid
It is even worse than I thought. George Bush is reported to believe he is on a mission from God. White House denials don't wash. The only consolation I can find is that, unlike a disturbingly large...
View ArticleSpam, Spam, Spam, Spam, Weblogs and Spam
After a two-week absence from the blogosphere to attend to professional matters, I return to spend an entertaining evening deleting a large quantity of spam from this blog.If you blog with Blogger.com,...
View ArticleInteresting fact
In July 2005 alone, Israel seized more land in the West Bank than it surrendered in Gaza: it withdrew from about 19 square miles of territory while sealing off 23 square miles of the West Bank.Israel's...
View ArticleA wise choice
Liberator 306 - out now! If you are a wise person and subscribe to Liberator magazine, then the latest issue will be popping through your letterbox any day now.Highlights in this issue include:Nick...
View ArticleLend us a quid till the end of the week
The controversy surrounding millionaire Michael Brown's donation of £2.4 million to the Liberal Democrats won't go away.The first signs of trouble appeared in May when the donor's name first became...
View ArticleYou too can have a policy like mine
Don't let Labour home secretaries kick sand in your face!Treat yourself to a do-it-yourself ASBO.Only £1.99 each.
View Article"Hello! I'm at the cemetery"
This report from the Inquirer is a sign of the times:Undertakers in Ireland are noticing that more people are requesting to be buried with their mobile phone.The country has had a tradition of people...
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