Merry Christmas

Its time to turn the PC off and leave the blogosphere alone for a couple of days.

Time to forget "Call me Dave" and his smarmy grin.
Time to forget that Vince Cable is really starting to get on my tits.
Time to forget that Liam Fox is almost as useless as Bob Ainsworth.
Time to forget as disclosed by the Telegraph that (and its true) George Osbourne is totally devoid of any idea about how people live.
Time to forget the Red Ed Milliband is a puppet placed there by the Unions..........and is totally useless in opposition (and has a really weird voice).
Time to Forget that Nick Clegg's political career is over once the coalition goes.


So Merry Christmas to the boys



Merry Christmas to the girls (and any boys who feel this is their thing).....note this blog has no prejudice.


Have a good one and enjoy

Tlotf

Tommy Sheridan...........Verdict ?

I would categorise the polarities of the reactions – media and individual -to the verdict in the Tommy Sheridan perjury trial as follows -


1. Justice has been served – he brought it upon himself. Sheridan was undoubtedly guilty. Perjury is a serious offence, and has the capacity to seriously damage the criminal justice system – it must be feel the full force of the law and be punished severely. It was not a political trial – it was public money well spent.


2. It was a political trial – a show trial – designed to satisfy News International, Rupert Murdoch, those who detest socialists of whatever ilk, and it was also a valuable smokescreen to cover the much more serious questions hanging over Andy Coulson, former editor of the NotW, now a senior advisor in the ConLib Government, over the phone tapping scandal by the News of the World. Tommy Sheridan is innocent of all the charges brought against him. There was a wide-ranging conspiracy to bring him down, one that included most of his former Scottish Socialist Party colleagues, News International, the Scottish Police and the Scottish justice system.


The truth, as always, probably lies somewhere in between, and that is the area I find myself in, much as I would like to be absolutely clear-cut in my view.



Let’s try to nail a few things down …


Did Tommy Sheridan bring it upon himself?

Leaving aside for the moment the question of his guilt or innocence (the Law has spoken but in a free country we may express our doubts over its verdict), Tommy Sheridan faced two crucial decision points – one when the News of the World’s made allegations about his private life, and the second when the Crown Office launched a prosecution for perjury against him and his wife, Gail Sheridan.

The original choice was to either ignore or contest the NotW allegations. To ignore them would undoubtedly have cost him his leadership of the SSP, and perhaps ultimately his parliamentary seat, but he could have survived that, diminished but not destroyed. His enemies would have claimed that his failure to contest the allegations was tantamount to an admission of guilt. His wife, the staunchly loyal - and in my book, wholly admirable - Gail Sheridan, would have stood by her husband. He could have rebuilt his career, perhaps with a new, Jack-the-Lad dimension to it, and could even have enhanced a media profile.


THE ORIGINAL CHOICE

If Tommy knew the allegations were true, he was extremely unwise to pit himself against the Murdoch empire, and in choosing to do so, he was following the paths of Aitken and Archer, both of whom destroyed their political careers and were imprisoned as a result of their choice. Only cynical self-interest, the instincts of a gambler and vanity could have led him to contest allegations that he knew were true.

If Tommy was innocent of the charges, then given his personality and the core of his political convictions, he was inevitable going to engage in the fight, even though the risks were appalling.

My advice to him, regardless of his guilt or innocence of the charges would have been – don’t do it, Tommy.

Nobody expected him to win, and there is some evidence that he did not expect to win against such a powerful adversary. Although he trumpeted his win in typical barnstorming, populist style, he must have know the inevitability of what would follow. The die had been cast, and a 21st century tragedy was about to unfold.


THE SECOND CHOICE

The second choice was whether or not to defend himself against the perjury charges laid by the Crown. Here, in my view, he had no real choice, whatever his private knowledge of guilt or innocence – he had to defend himself. To suggest as some have done, that he should not have defended himself to save the public purse the expense of a trial is utter nonsense. It is the legal system and the nature of the police investigations that create these enormous cost, estimated at £1m for the police investigation and £4m for the trial.

Sheridan was facing the inevitability of prison and crippling costs that would lead to bankruptcy. In my view, he had to fight, guilty or innocent. Most importantly, it would have been a betrayal of his wife’s unflinching loyalty and commitment to give up. There was no way back.


SHOULD THE PROSECUTION HAVE BEEN INITIATED AND HAS JUSTICE BEEN SERVED?

I say no to both questions. It should have been left the News International to decide what their remedies were after losing the initial civil action for damages.

Perjury, an offence that is committed countless times in every court daily throughout the land, is almost never prosecuted, and the egregious exceptions to this have been political – notably the Jonathan Aitken and Jeffrey Archer (Baron Archer of Weston-super-Mare) perjury prosecutions.

In both these case, the prosecutions were justified by the rationale that these were powerful politicians and public figures – both Tories – who could not be seen to flout the law. Jonathan Aitken was seen as a future Prime Minister: Archer was a life peer and had been Chairman of the Conservative Party.

The same arguments and justification have been applied to the Sheridan prosecution. Why therefore was it wrong to prosecute him?

My answer is that in the Aitken and Archer cases, only they had been accused of perjury – in the first Sheridan trial, the Crown believed that many witnesses must have perjured themselves, but they only chose to prosecute Tommy and Gail Sheridan? Why not the others? Why not the ones who had testified against Sheridan? Why was a police investigation launched that appeared to focus solely on the Sheridans?


WAS THIS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST

Where did the public interest lie under these circumstances, and where did the other, shadowy interests lie? In a time of economic stringency, was it wise or prudent to divert substantial police resource to investigating allegations of three-in-a-bed sex? To incur a cost of millions to the public purse for a long-drawn out show trial?




© Copyright Peter Curran 2010 in part with Thanks

Does Santa Exist ????

Consider the following:

1. No known species of reindeer can fly. BUT there are 300,000 species of living organisms yet to be classified, and while most of these are insects and germs, this does not COMPLETELY rule out flying reindeer which only Santa has ever seen.

2. There are 2 billion children (persons under 18) in the world. BUT since Santa doesn't appear to handle the Muslim, Hindu, Jewish and Buddhist children, that reduces the workload to 15% of the total - 378 million according to Population Reference Bureau. At an average (census) rate of 3.5 children per household, that's 91.8 million homes. One presumes there's at least one good child in each.

3. Santa has 31 hours of Christmas to work with, thanks to the different time zones and the rotation of the earth, assuming he travels east to west (which seems logical). This works out to 822.6 visits per second. This is to say that for each Christian household with good children, Santa has 1/1000th of a second to park, hop out of the sleigh, jump down the chimney, fill the stockings, distribute the remaining presents under the tree, eat whatever snacks have been left, get back up the chimney, get back into the sleigh and move on to the next house. Assuming that each of these 91.8 million stops are evenly distributed around the earth (which, of course, we know to be false but for the purposes of our calculations we will accept), we are now talking about .78 miles per household, a total trip of 75-1/2 million miles, not counting stops to do what most of us must do at least once every 31 hours, plus feeding and etc. This means that Santa's sleigh is moving at 650 miles per second, 3,000 times the speed of sound. For purposes of comparison, the fastest man- made vehicle on earth, the Ulysses space probe, moves at a poky 27.4 miles per second - a conventional reindeer can run, tops, 15 miles per hour.

4. The payload on the sleigh adds another interesting element. Assuming that each child gets nothing more than a medium-sized Lego set (2 pounds), the sleigh is carrying 321,300 tons, not counting Santa, who is invariably described as overweight.
On land, conventional reindeer can pull no more than 200kg. Even granting that 'flying reindeer' (see point #1) could pull TEN TIMES the normal amount, we cannot do the job with eight, or even nine. We need 214,200 reindeer. This increases the payload - not even counting the weight of the sleigh - to 353,430 tons. Again, for comparison - this is four times the weight of the Queen Elizabeth.

5. 353,000 tons travelling at 650 miles per second creates enormous air resistance - this will heat the reindeer up in the same fashion as spacecraft re-entering the earth's atmosphere. The lead pair of reindeer will absorb 14.3 QUINTILLION joules of energy, rer second, each.
In short, they will burst into flame almost instantaneously, exposing the reindeer behind them, and create deafening sonic booms in their wake. The entire reindeer team will be vaporized within 4.26 thousandths of a second.
Santa, meanwhile, will be subjected to centrifugal forces 17,500.06 times greater than gravity. A 250kg Santa (which seems ludicrously slim) would be pinned to the back of his sleigh by 4,315,015kg of force.

In conclusion - If Santa ever DID deliver presents on Christmas Eve, he's dead now.

Merry Christmas Everybody

347. How Many More?

Direct Copy from Rosie without an apology !!!

Nothing more I can say

While many of us were involved in last minute preparations for Christmas, another soldier was killed in Afghanistan on Tuesday. He belonged to the Colchester based 216 Parachute Signal Squadron, Royal Corps of Signals and was blown up when his vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb.

There have been 347 British personnel killed in the Afghanistan war since 2001 and thousands more injured.

While we complain about poor public transport, untreated roads and pavements and temperatures below -10 degrees during daytime, please spare a thought for the families of those who have died and been wounded this year. There will be many tables with an empty space on Christmas Day.

SNP Cyber Nats

I have been leaving the more ranty posts alone for a few weeks.
An email from a reader asked if I was still blogging or if I had joined the recent group of blog resignations came as a surprise............for e.g. the retirement of the G.O.T has indeed been a bit of a blow to the blog community.
I do hope he returns.


One of the things which has boiled my blood however, is the SNP cyber nats.
Indeed for an SNP supporter I find them pathetic.
The group of little people who play at it because its fashionable. The group who despite the offers you give them don't have the balls to write a blog, but who via a facebook page think they are gods gift to writing.
Indeed my musing are borderline lousy but I make an attempt. However this group once challenged become very childlike in there reply and well act in a very odd manner.
Its easy to survive in life without being challenged, and to maintain a certain air of authority when you immerse yourself into the opinions of fellow thinkers only.

What they cant do and it shows is survive when your opinions get challenged in public. So if you have a blog or an FB page and spout forth your views then prepare to take a challenge, take a knock , but at least be reasonable and not resort to the tactics you just used.

It shows you have not researched your subject matter, your argument is weak, not thought through, and above all you have no credibility as a blogger or opinion giver so to speak.

I suppose that's the problem with social networking..............any moron can do it.

I have supported the SNP for xxxxx number of years ( yes being honest there would give my age away) however the Gen Election results for Scotland have made me question my vote and how it is placed.
My party is not perfect.............indeed none is..........however I have my principles and I pick my fights carefully.
I have my thoughts, my beliefs and I will not be rounded upon by someone who's argument has more holes than a colander..............especially when we vote for the same party and when they are proven to be wrong on so many levels they resort to doing what they did.

The reason for this rant is a certain cyber nat or part time SNP cyber nat has not thought through before shooting off at the mouth (or Keyboard) so to speak.

Well done young lady.................Merry Christmas to you...!!!

Christmas ruined as Sarah Palin shoots Rudolph

Children were left devastated today at the news that failed Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin had shot and killed Santa’s chief reindeer, Rudolph. Dancer and Vixen were also injured in the incident yesterday evening as Santa and his team flew over Alaska on their return from a pre-Christmas practice run.

The Palins were apparently enjoying a ramble through the Alaskan wilderness in search of oil and natural gas reserves when they were frightened by a sudden noise overhead. ‘We heard bells jingling and a clatter of hooves, and whatever it was left a twinkly vapour trail behind it,’ said Sarah Palin today. ‘We assumed it was a UFO as they’re pretty common round these parts, so naturally me and the kids unloaded our shotguns into the sky. I couldn’t believe it when three reindeer fell to the ground. My previous biggest kill was a moose.’

There are now real concerns that Santa’s depleted team will not be able to make their deliveries and children everywhere will awake on Christmas Day to empty stockings. Santa was unavailable for comment today and was last seen circling anticlockwise over Anchorage following the loss of his lead right reindeer.

Palin refused to accept any criticism for the death of the famous red-nosed reindeer, explaining that hunting was a way of life for many Americans in remote states like Alaska. ‘Actually the red nose gave us something to aim at. Of course I recognise that this year’s festive season might be a little different now – we have got one hell of a lot of venison for this year’s Christmas dinner.’



Source

A little bit of what you fancy really does do you good !!

This woman is 51.

She is a TV “health guru” advocating a holistic approach to nutrition and ill health, promoting exercise, a pescetarian diet high in organic fruits and vegetables. She recommends detox diets colonic irrigation and supplements, also making statements that yeast is harmful, that the colour of food is nutritionally significant, and about the utility of lingual and faecal examination.




This woman is 50.

She is a TV cook, who eats nothing but meat, butter and deserts. She drinks like a fish, and has a fridge full to bursting!

Just to show you all the proof's in the pudding!

Student Protests

So the students took to the streets again eh!

Well some did.................with a legitimate and lawful protest.
Others however had a different agenda.

Its a pity that a proper protest has been marred by the actions of anarchists and well and ounce of sympathy for students, depending upon which morning rag is your preferred choice, will soon be melting away.



However when photos like this appear onto the interweb..............regardless of motive............actions like this only ensure your cause, your plight, your fight will be forever rejected and you will be treated with the contempt you deserve.

I dont care if you are a legitimate student or some half brained anarchist.....JUST REMEMBER THIS YOU LITTLE BASTARD............People died to give you the right to protest!!!!!

Photo from Rosies place

Loss in Afghanistan

Subrosa did a wee post here yesterday on the loss of a Paratrooper in Afghanistan.

She goes on to mention the Wikileaks saga and the effect it is having.

Anyway back on grid............it is further more upsetting to know that the soldier who lost his life that Rosie mentions was in fact potentially subject of a "blue on blue" or whats know otherwise as a friendly fire incident.

Private John "Jack" Howard, died while on patrol in the Nad-e Ali District of Helmand Province.

The 23-year-old, serving in the 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, could have been shot by cannon fire from a low-flying US plane, the Ministry of Defence said.

This is indeed very sad and a full investigation is being carried out. This needs done as a matter of urgency.

As part of the Fire Support Group a JTAC officer should be present to control airpower. The airpower should report he agrees or disagrees with the coordinates or ground assessment before munitions are released, if troops are in the vicinity of a target.

Clearly and issue has occurred and indeed to learn of a friendly fire one at that further reinforces the delicate position our troops find themselves in.

However...............bearing in mind recent Wikileaks and the comments of the USA Military and Government, and even that of the dirty crook and puppet of the US that is the Afghan President........do we think that anyone but us outside of the UK actually gives 2 shits.

Source

Oh the Sheer Hypocrisy

This is just incredible.

Polly Toynbee the Guardian columnist and multi millionaire, champagne swilling socialist, I hasten to add, is snapped here on a protest march at the weekend to "Topshop" aim at the evil Sir Philip Greens empire and something about tax evasion.

Whats wrong with that....................well maybe as Old Pol is a Guardian type person and the whole Guardian Media group has a bit of a thing going on with HMRC.

And I quote..........According to the their own annual report Guardian Media Group made £306.4 million before tax. Using astute tax planning and legal manipulation of the tax laws; such as the use of an equity owning trust and a Caymans Islands offshore corporation to avoid stamp duty, they managed to only pay£800,000 in tax last year.
That is less than they paid the Guardian Media Group’s chief executive, Carolyn McCall, she got a package of £827,000.


Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm stupid hypocritical old trout.

So a suggestion Polly..........if you want to protest about dodgy tax dealing companies...........suggest you look a little closer to home !!!

Message for Hamid Karzai

Go see the Penguins Place

He hits the nail on the head.

You are an ex-employee of the Haliburton group.
As such you were placed into the puppet role of President at the behest of the American government to allow Haliburton to be part of the Caspian sea oil pipe link.

You are a known crook.
Your brother is a drug dealing money laundering crook as well.
You are known to take bribes and are basically as straight as a cork screw.

You lie, you cheat you steal.............all in the plastic name of democracy that you attempt to say you a bringing to Afghanistan.

You sit back allowing British troops to die in the name of peace knowing full well your makeshift position, your lies and mistruths are part of the problem.

Then........then you make comments which are recorded such as this.

See Here

Well Hamid ............ I for 1 am more than happy we leave your shitty little country to you and the USA.

Keep it...............no worries!!


"Call Me Dave" needs to step up to the plate here...........but I don't see it happening. I will leave him sucking up to the EU whilst lying to the rest of us about his effort.

I am raging at this.

Royal Highland Show Ingliston

My wife and I went to the Royal Highland Show in Ingliston earlier this year. One of the first exhibits we stopped at was the breeding bulls. We went up to the first pen and there was a sign attached that said 'THIS BULL MATED 50 TIMES LAST YEAR'.

My wife playfully nudged me in the ribs, smiled and said "He mated 50 times last year. That's almost once a week."

We walked to the second pen which had a sign attached that said 'THIS BULL MATED 150 TIMES LAST YEAR'.

My wife gave me a healthy jab and said, "WOW! That's nearly three times a week! You could learn a lot from him."

We walked to the third pen and it had a sign attached that said in capital letters 'THIS BULL MATED 365 TIMES LAST YEAR'.

My wife was so excited that her elbow nearly broke my ribs, and said "That's once a day! You could REALLY learn something from this one!!"

I looked at her and said "Go over and ask him if it was with the same cow."

Snow on the Road

There is always an excuse.

1. Was not expected
2. Wrong type
3. Grit does not work
4. Too cold
5. Too wet

All total crap

It is a a cost cutting exercise ...........no more no less

It is amazing that a lump of semi solid cold water can bring this country to its knees better than any Islamic terrorist cell ever could.

Then I get the benefit of hours of BBC/ITV/Sky fucking experts stating the "motherfuckin" obvious.

We can get a bomb in a printer cartridge.........we can spend millions on MP's expense and that scandal is not going away I can tell you.

The councils do not plan for this, do not act on it.
And we a the cash paying council tax folks just carry on panic buying bread and milk like its WW2 all over again and blindly paying out cash without so much as a wimper........pathetic.

So notice to the council.............................I've paid my car tax, I've paid my council tax. So I suggest that you lardy arsed, desk jockey jerk offs get the fuck on with what I've fucking well paid you to do!

After my journey in this am..............trust me my council highways dept are in no doubt to how I feel.



Hat tip to the G.O.T.