A Beautiful Game

I had hoped to catch a game in either Bremen or Hamburg during my trip there but unfortunately no games are being held. I'll even miss the Germany v England game in Berlin. It would have been interesting to watch the match in a German pub!

I was pleased to hear that last weekend (away at Bochum) Werder Bremen fans turned on so-called fellow supporters who unfurled a neo-Nazi banner on the eve of Kristallnacht. The Fascists were arrested and now face bans.

In light of the recent council election victory for the BNP in Boston - admittedly small beer - it highlights the fact that the extreme right is very much alive in Europe and the economic problems give them ammunition.

It reminded me of a game I attended about 10 years ago - coincidentally I was looking at the programme yesterday - Wrexham v Tranmere. With a history of local rivalry and trouble, the police were out in force and treated all those attending with a uniform mistrust. We were herded like cattle through the streets which showed that the police had not learned anything from the 1980s.

During the game there was a section of skin-headed morons with a Union Jack in our end of the ground. They were not Tranmere supporters; nobody recognised them. Some had swastika tattoos; they used chants like 'No surrender to the IRA'. They had non-Merseyside accents.

Several regular Tranmere fans joined me in complaining to stewards and then the police. Nothing was done.

Thankfully, the kind of racist chants and gestures that greeted black players in the 80s has gone from English grounds. Other parts of Europe such as Spain still appear to have this disease. Whilst the Spanish response has been less than spectacular, it is good to see that Germany is taking this problem seriously.

"And Still They Come"

Had no t'internet connection yesterday as the future was not as bright as my ISP thought. Anyway, after a couple of hours hoping, praying and wearing out the on/off switch, I realised it might actually be a network problem. Lo, and behold it was and the nice lady at Orange told me it would be sorted soon.

My only gripe is that it would help if the ISP could consider joined up thinking and text customers so that they know. I can understand not putting the info on the main site as not everyone has access to another connection and it's not a great selling point for new customers, but.........

In the meantime, flight confirmation has arrived for my trip to Germany and I've sorted out a pile of old football programmes from the attic. Some absolute crackers: Tranmere's numerous trips to Wembley in the 90s, cup matches won versus Chelsea, Everton and Bolton. Games lost against Tottenham, Liverpool and the travesty of the penalty shoot-out loss at Villa Park in the League cup Semi-Final (even Bob Piper agrees we woz robbed) But for me, the 1987 game v Exeter that kept us in the old 4th Division is my treasured possession.

So, a few mementos will be retained but the rest will be going to a better home.

When I am bored, I sometimes check out the site statistics to see what bizarre searches have resulted in poor souls being swept up on my shores. Aside from the usual flotsam looking for nubiles (due to a reference to the Stranglers song) there are some gems.

This week has seen someone from Knob Lick, Kentucky show up and he/she wasn't even searching for anything remotely connected with hometown matters (just as well) and this did remind me of a Geography lesson many years ago which degenerated into juvenile laughter at the mention of Knob Lake (which may be in Canada) and incredulity at geologists had been studyimg cwm deposits in Wales.

Ah well, at least Tranny scraped through the Accrington game last night to march on to Peterborough in the Second Round.

Is Nothing Sacred?

For many years, Beatles music was sacrosanct and was not used to flog anything from Big Macs to Apple Macs. Obviously, things have changed as the new John Lewis Xmas advert totally bastardises a piece of my life and turns this early rocker into an elevator tune. Thank you Michael Jackson for selling to Sony.

The travesty is here.

Better to listen to the lads themselves:

Damned if you do......

(apologies for draft nature)

As Bart Simpson rightly concluded, you cannot win sometimes. Social workers have one of the most difficult jobs going. Let me put the fish on the hook here. I've dealt with social services on many occasions on a professional basis. I've seen it from the side of the parent eager to keep their child, and I've seen it from the side of the agencies looking to safeguard the interests of children.

I feel that this will be a longer post when I consider it further. Basically, Social Services cannot win, as shown by the Cleveland, Orkney and Climbie cases.

Today's news has rightly been dominated by the tragedy of the death of Child P.

Some papers are more than willing to apportion the blame at the door of social services departments failing to take action. The Inquiry to be held may yield some answers; whether its conclusions will prevent another tragedy is a moot point.

Some initial observations.........

The Daily Mail Jan 31st 2008

How Social Services Are Paid Bonuses To Snatch Babies For Adoption

The story itself says nothing of the sort.

• National disgrace: The number of babies taken from their mothers and put up for adoption is rising sharply

• Imagine a baby growing in your body for nine months, imagine going through the emotion of bringing it into the world, only to have social workers seize the newborn, sometimes within minutes of its first cry and often on the flimsiest of excuses.

• Some of these may have been willingly given up for adoption, but critics of the Government's policy are convinced that the vast majority are taken by force.

• Meanwhile, millions of pounds of taxpayers' money has been given to councils to encourage them to meet high Government targets on child adoptions.

• One mother's son was adopted on the grounds that there was a chance she might shout at him when he was older.

Before people say that there are cases of injustice, I'll interject and agree. I've seen injustice and I've seen it happen to parents and children of all socio-economic groups. What is disturbing about the Mail's stance is that it only really matters if it happens to 'people like us'. Remember their concern over Madeleine McCann compared to Shannon Matthews. As the mother of shannon now stands trial for allegedly concocting a kidnap story for the promise of a newspaper reward, we need to ask a few questions here. When newspapers dangle rewards like an offer of free Big Macs or Bingo, is it any wonder that some may be tempted to take them up?

Has any newspaper reward ever been paid out? What is the net effect on paper sales and advertising revenue? Rewards?

SELL YOUR PRIVATE HEARTACHE HERE

• Paul Lamb and his partner Michelle Thomas contacted us to tell the chilling story of how their children were wrongly taken away by Social Services.

  The couple wanted the public to hear of their horrific experience in case there had been other similar miscarriages of justice.

  The story appeared in the Daily Mail newspaper for which we secured the pair a very good fee so they could enjoy a well-deserved family holiday.

Do you have a miscarriage of justice that you want to tell the world about? Whatever story you have we will get you the best deal and the best coverage.

?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Tranny on the Telly

For the first time in ages, Tranmere Rovers are on Live TV this Thursday on Setanta as we replay the 1st Round of the F.A. Cup against Accrington Stanley.

May be available here.

It's only fitting that the famous advert for milk should be brought from the vaults.

I Read The News Today, Oh Boy

Possibly one of the most difficult things I've done.

Owasso Reporter 10th November 2008

Previous Stuff:

Only in America

Separated by a Common Language

Here Comes The Sun...

UPDATE 23rd November 2008

The top link no longer works as the archives require registration and payment of a nominal sum.

The article text was as follows:

• Water cooler moments

  Thank you for giving me the opportunity to give you an insight into what the recent election has meant to people in Great Britain. Given that your state provided the highest percentage of votes for Senator McCain, I start from a position of weakness but I hope you'll bear with me.

  Your editor has already alluded to this theme and it was my first thought when drafting these words. As in your country we have water cooler moments where Britons remember where they were when events in foreign parts affected the world:

  · Armstrong on the moon, Dallas 1963, Lennon 1980, fall of the Berlin Wall, Diana in Paris, Mandela's walk to freedom, and September 11th.

  On Wednesday, as red eyes gathered by the water cooler, another moment was added to the list. From the office cleaner to the Managing Director, people who profess no interest in politics - even domestic issues - have taken an interest in this historic event. And make no bones about it, this is indeed historic. Whatever one's personal viewpoint, right or left, Obama seems to have crossed traditional boundaries in my country and seems to have given us fresh hope.

  There is an old saying here that you should not talk about religion, politics or football in the pub as strong beer and strong opinions, unlike good fences, do not make for good neighbours. But the election has become a catalyst for people to renew interest. On Friday night, for example, talk was not about the likely outcomes of soccer matches on Saturday or tips for the weekend's horse races, it was still about one man.

  Here, Conservatives have queued up to offer support for an unlikely ally. Indeed, a prospective Conservative Party candidate in this locality proudly displays a photo taken with Obama.

  It's difficult to pinpoint the reasons for this. Sure, the issue of colour is important, but Obama seems to have something more - oratory skills lacking in Bush and a sincerity not apparent in Clinton.

  As a friend in Germany told me, 'What I especially like about Obama is that he is a US-American politician who regards other countries as his friends/allies and not as his enemies. According to his speech in Berlin, he wants to work together with other countries and acknowledges their support. However, he also demands this support. Obama gives us Europeans the feeling that we are actually important.

  A German woman said in an interview on TV that Obama represents the person of the future because races mix up more and more. She also said that Obama is not only the voice of the US-Americans but he is the voice of the world.'

  As this small island notes this was historic but real legacies, like great songs can only be judged properly several years later. Kennedy, at the time of his assassination was unpopular, but became an icon of hope; Reagan was considered a nuclear liability yet became associated with peaceful unification and self-determination in Eastern Europe; Mandela was imprisoned for terrorism but turned into a universally admired statesman. Obama has a huge weight on those impressive shoulders. I for one, to paraphrase Tony Blair, am proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with him.

  In 1997 we had similar hopes with the election of Tony Blair. The campaign song was 'Things Can Only Get Better' by a group named D:ream. The hard part for Barack Obama is going to be living up to the dream envisaged in Memphis decades ago.

  Here across the Atlantic, Anti-US feeling has been running high since the hanging chads of Florida catapulted George W. into the White House. This is not a distaste for the US-American people themselves but for the Government. As we approach 11/11, this country knows the great debt it owes to the USA war effort although we have to point out that you were a little tardy and the sacrifices of Stalingrad also rank highly.

  What rankles though is that the so-called 'special relationship' seems so one-sided. It is physically impossible to stand shoulder to shoulder when so far behind. European leaders will again seek to jostle for position once the new president is inaugurated. Obama will inherit a position of strength but not a moral high ground. The trick is to balance the two.

  Here in Liverpool, slavery helped build the city. We now commemorate those wrongs in our museums and in 2008 we are European Capital of Culture.

  But whilst slavery ended here well before finally being abolished in the US, we are still some years away from electing a non-white Prime Minister. So, America now leads the way. It has always believed that it did anyway but this has been false.

  Debate is now taking place as to whether Britain is ready to embrace the same seismic decision.

  Whilst Liverpool has historically been built on immigration and emigration, there are still areas where racism is the norm. This may not amount to direct attacks but there is a covert discrimination happening.

  On local radio here many have made comments that Obama's colour should not matter. In terms of what they are referring to it doesn't. However, this misses the point - Obama has given hope to people and emphasised that for all that the American Dream that anyone can be President is a bit of a fallacy, the glass ceiling has developed a crack.

  A potential hurdle is an underlying suspicion of racism and religious differences, which bubble at the surface of society. As the economic troubles continue, there is a risk of extreme right-wing parties benefitting as has happened in other parts of Europe.

  As the US suffers from a similar downtrend it is vital that Obama does not pander to such elements and tackle the perception that immigration is detrimental to the life of the average Joe (plumber or not). As you may recall, the story about the doll brought your town to my attention and vice versa. Matters can get out of hand and lead to an inferno of intolerance not envisaged when the fire is first lit.

  I'm reminded of Oklahoma-born Woody Guthrie in his song, God's Promise

  I promise you power, this minute this hour,

  The power you need when you fall down to bleed,

  I give you my peace, and my strength to pull home

  My love for all races all creeds and all kinds.

  (c) WG Publications Inc

  One major worry is what favours will be called in. Bush owed the oilmen and Wall Street; Obama must tread that thin tightrope line that progressives often find themselves on, and not give in to the temptation of appeasing opponents by being tougher than expected, like a new gang recruit convincing his mates he ain't soft (I'm thinking Danny Zucko and T Birds in Grease here).

  As far as the Republicans are concerned, they need to take stock. McCain tried to distance himself from the disastrous Bush administration, but chose an equally disastrous running mate, whose lack of intellectual depth was a reminder of Bush in not-so-free-flow.

  McCain's concession speech was noble and gracious. It is a pity that he left this part of his character behind during much of the campaign. The continual attempt to link Obama with socialism and terrorism at a time when Bush was bailing out financial institutions and presiding over a policy of regime change in Iraq ranked as hypocrisy of the highest order. A unifying role in the forthcoming administration is not out of the question.

  Of course, the real test of change will be when the Republicans are able to field a candidate in the same terms. Then, the whispers that Obama merely garnered a natural Democrat support to turn out in record numbers, will go away. Condoleezza in 2012?

  One oft-quoted fact/myth is that only 27% of Americans own a passport. This, coupled with perceived attitudes to the rest of the world - a with us or against us stance, enhanced by stories about Sarah Palin's knowledge of geography lend ammunition to Anglo-American suspicions.

  I conducted a straw poll of people in my local area and asked them to pinpoint Oklahoma on an unmarked map of the United States. The results were not encouraging. Whilst some were able to select the general area, none could do so with any degree of accuracy. They did know that the USA was a country rather than a continent though!

  On a more positive note, another non-scientific pointer came at the recent MTV awards in Liverpool. After 9/11 the Star Spangled Banner was played outside Buckingham Palace. And on Thursday night at the European Music Awards people stood for the anthem again. In between these 2 events have been years of suspicion and a feeling of being hoodwinked as our troops came home in body bags fighting in a country where bin Laden was not.

  The 3 main US policy issues affecting us in the UK are the financial crisis, US foreign policy, and environmental issues. All three have a bearing on the rest of the world. The USA must be inclusive not unilateralist; in order to unite you must first invite.

  Obama may be a turning point so long as he learns the lessons of history and rebuilds rather than pillages. He needs to involve others - the U.N. and European Union - and show leadership by example and create equal partnerships. Should he succeed in this,no longer will Bush's catchphrase sound so hollow,spoken as it was as a single, Germanic word freedomanddemocracy.

  Yes, I remember where I was when Obama became President-elect. Unlike many of the other events mentioned, this was not a complete shock but a welcome gift to the free world. Unlike the presents shortly to be seen at the foot of the Christmas tree, this comes with no warranties and a disclaimer: thank you for choosing your President.Handle with care.

9/11

Two pictures that convey the importance of today's date.

BBC

People across the north west of England have taken part in Remembrance Sunday tributes to honour those who died in past and current armed conflicts.

This year's events fall just two days before the 90th anniversary of the armistice - the end of World War I.

In Liverpool, a service was held at St George's Hall at 1100 GMT ahead of a fly-past from a Dakota aircraft and a Tiger Moth biplane.

The Dakota which flew over St George's Hall took part in the D-Day landings and the assault on Arnhem.

In Manchester, the city's Lord Mayor, Councillor David Sandiford, led a procession from the Town Hall to the Cenotaph in St Peter's Square.

He and the Lady Mayoress, Christine Sandiford, were joined by senior representatives from the Navy, Army, Air Force, Royal British Legion, Duke of Lancaster's Regiment and Reserve Forces.

Representatives from the Muslim, Sikh, Hindu and Jewish communities also joined clergy from the Free Church, Church of England and Catholic Church in the parade.

Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor David Sandiford, said: "Remembrance Sunday is a time for the city to unite and remember all those who have served our country and those who continue to do so.

"It is also an occasion to reflect on current global conflicts and strengthen our resolve to work for peace.

Memorial to Russian dead at Buchenwald Concentration Camp, E. Germany. Tonight is the 70th Anniversary of Kristallnacht when the Nazi persecution and annihilation of Jews began in earnest. In addition to beatings, killings and systematic smashing of Jewish property, thousands were deported to camps such as this one.

Lest we forget.

I attended my local commemoration. During my teens I was a member of a youth organisation and I was on occasions used to place the wreath. I then, like Ian Aitch, writing in The Guardian, went through a period of objectionable conscientiousness. As I pointed out previously, I felt it to be out of kilter with my pro-CND views.

I remember being confronted at a local British Legion and admonished for not wearing one next to my Cole Not Dole badge. I meekly claimed that it must have dropped off rather than saying that this was a protest at the fact that they had flags of the Allies apart from the hammer and sickle. Like others, I think it is a matter of choice as to whether to wear it in the same way as Red Nose Day should be. To make it compulsory as the BBC seems to do makes a mockery of what was being fought for in at least one conflict............

And this leads us to the inevitable attack on the hypocrisy of the BNP.

Deputy Darby, at a parade in the West Midlands, attempts to portray the party as respectable and respectful:

• One can only speculate as to what the reaction of those killed in two world wars in defence of this country would be to the fact that this gaggle (other politicians) now strolling down the road have contrived to reward the vociferous Islamic population of this historic English town with a giant mosque and "Pakistani" village. I don't think in the circumstances it would be too presumptuous to assume that the actions of Mr Austin and the rest of Dudley's political elite would not go down very well at all.

Whenever I see this filthy racist make comments about stopping the building of mosques I think of Kristallnacht and the burning of synagogues, and often wonder what the BNP policy on the Royal Pavillion, Brighton is.

If ever you wonder about the mindset of these hatemongers, then even a throwaway remark about a bottle of wine can give a clear indication of what grinds their gears (to quote Peter Griffin):

• Emanating from California, which when I last looked was not yet part of Mexico, I can recommend it wholeheartedly.

On a more cheerful note, it is now 10th November in Japan, so happy birthday, Emi in Nagasaki!

Eric in Million Dollar Deal

Exclusive news reaches us from the USA where Eric the Fish is to write a column for the Owasso Reporter in Oklahoma. In a parallel universe, Richard Littlejohn, resident in now-Democrat Florida will write for a newspaper in this country. No, a newspaper: the Daily Mail doesn't count.

In other news, KLM will now be providing flights from Liverpool to Amsterdam Schipol, enabling connecting flights to the world to be booked directly. A spokesman for KLM refused to confirm that this was in preparation for the number of visitors expected from Tulsa in response to Eric's diatribe.

Good to see Macca praising America for electing Obama. Maybe he should avoid certain Republican states on his next tour.

Finally, if anyone thinks that Obamania has taken everyone in, have a look at the considered, rational and not-at-all childish position of Simon ' Two Wardrobes' Darby of the not-at-all racist BNP:

• I wonder if Mr Obama will have the decency and integrity to start phasing out all of the European American technology, medicine, science and legislation that so blights the nation and bring in its African counterparts. After all that by default is what the media are crying out for as night after night they celebrate the demise of white society in an orgy of afrophilia and ethnomasochism.

So no bitterness there, Simon. Well done. To think that this piece of work is remunerated by the taxpayer for poncing around London with his camera is more worrying than the prospect of President Palin in 4 years.

New America: Now Don't Let Us Down

I Have A Dream, I Hope It's Not A D:ream

McCain's team had a wake in Phoenix, Arizona (where Jo Jo left his home) and played Eight Days A Week as the multitude waited. So, let's continue the Beatles theme seeing as I have more connection to the lads who shook the world than Obama and John Macca.

More updates if the German beer and shiraz kicks in.

D:ream

The Real BNP: Volume 4328

All blogmeisters have a certain responsibility as to the comments left. The same goes for newspapers. It is not enough to cry free speech. This blog allows comments without pre-moderation and will continue to do so until the idiots designate otherwise. Obviously there is a limit to free speech, and even comments left can be indicative of the type of person you lie down with. In such cases, it puts pressure on the 'buckstopper' to distance themselves from comments, however supportive, that do the cause no good.

So as pleased as I am to see Merseyside's third best team scramble a draw tonight, I challenge Simon Darby, Deputy Leader of the BNP to distance himself from this comment from long-time Australian supporter, alanorei:

• The Nazis practised, even if it was never legalised, paedophilia and pedastry, male children being the victims. See The Pink Swastika by Lively and Abrams. The BNP opposes these crimes but progressive enactments show that the 'old gang' parties favour these abominations. Anti-BNPrs never oppose 'gay' i.e. child molester rights. Draw your own conclusions about why this is so.

I know I'm wasting my time and Darby does not allow comments on his blog unless you think his party is the best thing since Joerg Haider's 'find the lady' soiree. Similarly with Mayor Barnbrook.

Since posting, there have been 5 posts allowed and darby has put up a video. I rest my case. Not that there's much left as we await the verdict that the BNP do not want.

If Clarkson is Obnoxious..........

I'm watching Liverpool v Atletico and in training for staying up late for what will hopefully be an historic victory for Obama.

Came across the rational site of Donal Blaney (ex of the 18 Doughty Street parish of Iain Dale) who seems to support Liverpool (bloody Irish comin' over here....) and has some witty, biting and incisive comments on the Clarkson matter.

• While driving a truck, Clarkson made a comment that truckers' union bosses (leftists) have decried as implying that truck drivers murder prostitutes. Two did - Suffolk Strangler Steven Wright and Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe. It is not known if they were members of the United Road Transport Union.

• What kind of country are we living in when a spokesman for whores is even asked for her views by a family newspaper? Where does she think we live? Holland?

Oh such biting satire. Oh such a limelight-seeking shit. I used to know someone like this at uni. You know the type, he'd have a blue poppy, blue red-nose day nose, and think being deliberately obnoxious would make him stand out. He was usually ignored. and so it should be. Unfortunately, this grinning blurt is in the top 100 blogs ever (according to Iain Dale).

Anyway, onwards and upwards.

The Owasso Reporter in Oklahoma now has a brand new website (possibly due to the 200 billion people who linked to it after the Islamic Doll/Traffic Lights story.

As the original article's writer, Amanda Morgan-Scott (aka Mandybabe) points out - in response to my fraternal greetings from the 51st State (literally),

• I am so glad to know that you are an Obama supporter. I very proudly cast my ballot for John McCain. Knowing that we think differently about who should run the United States helps me feel even better about my choice. But still, it's nice to have you back giving us your opinion from the UK.
  
  By the way, your interest in our newspaper helped us reach 500,000 page views for the month of October - a great accomplishment for our paper. Even though you read our news only to make fun of us and criticize, at least you're reading.
  
  Oh, and, for what it's worth, I don't think any Americans really care what people in other countries think of us, so we're really not that worried about it.
  
  Amanda Scott, a.k.a. "MandyBabe" "

I think the last paragraph tells us why we need a certain result in a few hours time. The american people have a chance to show this country that, despite existing racial divisions and the fallacy of the American Dream, they are ahead of this country in choosing the best candidate regardless of race.

It may be a false dawn, but the sun must rise if we are to carpe diem.*


*Not a time for soundbites or more Latin but could not resist!

Now That's What I Call Top Gear

Returned from another devastating Quiz defeat to find an interesting visit from an IP address of Associated Newspapers. They were actually googling for 'Jeremy Clarkson prostitute youtube', which is very interesting. So from Materazzi to the Maserati. The story about Clarkson making one of his trademark facetious comments about truckers (change gear, change gear, murder a prostitute, change gear) has, as I referred to yesterday, split the Mail readers. (see below)

Given that the BBC has a play it again feature where you can watch last week's TV programmes, one wonders what they were after. Obviously, they wouldn't be condoning any copyright breaches by non-BBC uploads of the programme.

Perhaps they would be better looking for Richard Littlejohn's comments on the murder of prostitutes in Ipswich in 2006:

• It might not be fashionable, or even acceptable in some quarters, to say so, but in their chosen field of "work'=", death by strangulation is an occupational hazard.

• That doesn't make it justifiable homicide, but in the scheme of things the deaths of these five women is no great loss.

  They weren't going to discover a cure for cancer or embark on missionary work in Darfur. The only kind of missionary position they undertook was in the back seat of a car.

I make no apologies for referring to this hateful diatribe for the nth time. As the Guardian once claimed, Littlejohn is the 'stupid person's Jeremy Clarkson'.

The Mail Readers Civil War

• Once again it shows that the BBC is run by incompetent idiots.
  How
  could they allow these sort of comments to be broadcasted.
  Clarkson should be sacked.

  - Charles, Torquay, 3/11/2008 15:50

Perhaps this is the Major from Fawlty Towers.

• Getting Russell Brand booted off the BBC is one thing, but you are making a massive error if you think you can repeat the process with Top Gear and Clarkson.

  - Dave, UK expat, Eindhoven, 3/11/2008 16:02

You may think there's a disagreement here. And. In that sense. There is.

• But he's right isn't he? I think the Yorkshire ripper was also a truck driver.

  - Simon Nicholls, Fordingbridge UK, 3/11/2008 16:06

Crippin was a doctor. Ergo.....

• Completely different. Clarkson is GOD.

  - Mr Black, London, England, 3/11/2008 16:37

• Hilarious! Clarkson is God!

  - Rollo Tomasi, Bangkok, Thailand., 3/11/2008 16:37

Great minds?

• So full of himself,nothing more than a yob with a big mouth.

  - Thai, Manchester, 3/11/2008 16:37

And so on.........mostly now supporting Clarkson but some dissenting.

A classic fiiiiiiiiiiight!

• "Another overpaid presenter who is out of touch with the public!"
  - Leah, Herts, 3/11/2008 17:38
  
  Sorry Leah, next time you want to speak on behalf of the public can you check with us first, we don't all share your opinion.
  
  I personally found the lorry segment of last night's Top Gear very educational, I gained an appreciation of how hard it is to drive a lorry and next time I'm out on the road I'll be (even) more considerate to the lorry drivers out there.
  
  It's a shame that the RHA decided to focus on a small negative in what I feel was an overwhelmingly positive piece about truck driving.

  - Steve, St Albans, Herts, UK, 3/11/2008 20:22

Fortunately, one beacon of satire hits the spot:

• This distasteful matter is s a far cry from Richard Littlejohn's hilarious comments. Shame on the BBC.

  - Val Winters, Middle England, 3/11/2008 20:28

Another Great Fail

Off out to the Quiz match so haven't got time to finish a piece on Jeremy Clarkson's prostitute 'joke' and truck crash but it seems to have shades of another reprehensible gobshite, Mr Littlejohn. Causing a bit of quandary over at Mail Land. Hundreds of comments but only 5 on the Congo story. A bit of a civil war happening among Mailites too. Ah well, later....

First though: More from the kind of standards expected of the paper:

• FORMER Everton star Marco Materazzi today accepted substantial undisclosed damages over newspaper articles which said that he has used vile racist abuse to insult French captain Zinedine Zidane.

  Materazzi, who currently plays for Inter Milan, was not at London’s High Court for the settlement of his libel case against Associated Newspapers.

  The Italian defender's counsel, Jane Phillips, told Mr Justice Eady that, in July 2006, in its coverage of the World Cup Final, the Daily Mail published a series of items accompanied by photos, including one of Materazzi being head-butted by Zidane, captioned: “Revealed: the insult that made Zidane see red.”

  She added that the articles stated quite wrongly that Materazzi, who scored one of the crucial penalties which secured an Italian victory, had used vile racist abuse during the match and called Zidane “the son of a terrorist whore”.

  From July to December that year, it also published articles on its website which included similar defamatory material.

  Ms Phillips said that the newspaper accepted that all of the allegations were wholly untrue and that there was no question of Materazzi having said anything of a racist nature to Zidane such as to goad him.

  Jonathan Price, for Associated Newspapers, said that it offered its apologies for the distress and embarrassment caused, and had agreed to pay Materazzi substantial damages and his costs.

Liverpool Echo

So. It won't happen again?

Amo, Amas, Amat..............

................or oderint dum metuant* UPDATE IN RED

As I'm lazy and wanted to watch the Formula 1, I didn't bother chasing up a story in the Mail which had all the hallmarks of ruminant produce. Fear not, for 5CC sniffed the same odour and demolishes the story: that Latin is being banished by local councils 'in case they offend immigrants'. The story seems to be lifted from The Telegraph story here.

Now, I've got an interest here, proud as I am of my Latin O Level. The joys of Roman poetry and the sadness at not being able to converse with Centurions in Chester.

• Salisbury Council has asked staff to avoid the phrases ad hoc, ergo and QED (quod erat demonstrandum),

The fact (not de facto) that they have to explain what QED stands for, rather proves the need for
the this simplification.

• In instructions to staff, the (Bournemouth) council said: "Not everyone knows Latin. Many readers do not have English as their first language so using Latin can be particularly difficult."

The Plain English Campaign has welcomed the move. It is similar to what has been happening in Courts for quite a few years now with words like plaintiff, affidavit etc (but not et cetera) being replaced. I like Latin and am probably one of those 'self-important' people referred to:

• However, the Plain English Campaign has congratulated the councils for introducing the bans.

  Marie Clair, its spokesman, said: "If you look at the diversity of all our communities you have got people for whom English is a second language. They might mistake eg for egg and little things like that can confuse people.

  "At the same time it is important to remember that the national literacy level is about 12 years old and the vast majority of people hardly ever use these terms.

  "It is far better to use words people understand. Often people in power are using the words because they want to feel self important. It is not right that voters should suffer because of some official's ego."

Marks off for using the Latin 'ego'.

Some of the poetry by Catullus is pretty racy stuff:

Caeli, Lesbia nostra, Lesbia illa.
illa Lesbia, quam Catullus unam
plus quam se atque suos amavit omnes,
nunc in quadriviis et angiportis
glubit magnanimi Remi nepotes.

Caelius, our Lesbia, that Lesbia,
that same Lesbia, whom Catullus loved
more than himself and more than all his own,
now loiters at the cross-roads and in the backstreets
ready to toss-off the grandsons of the brave Remus.

Pedicabo ego vos et irrumabo,
I'll bugger you and stuff your gobs,


*Let them hate as long as they fear.


UPDATE: MONDAY 3RD NOVEMBER

The sub-editor has launched into action and the headline has changed to add a bit about elitism:

The councils who ban Latin words because they are 'elitist and discriminatory' and confuse immigrants

This is a trick the Mail plays from time to time so that when a link is posted, it looks like the indignant critic is wrong. Anyhow, no further comments have been received but the damage was already done by the original headline.

• Like most readers of the Daily Mail, I depair at ever getting our country to function for the benefit of the indigenous population who actually pay taxes for this rubbish.

  - ken, london england, 02/11/2008 12:44

• For anyone living permanently in Britain their first language should be english.
  A language spoken and widely understood worldwide.

  - john b, leeds UK, 2/11/2008 12:17

• Wouldn't it simply be easier and cheaper if all English, Welsh, Scottish and Northem Irish people were told to get out of the UK?

  - L. G., Berkshire, 2/11/2008 11:09

In Denial

After Brossgate comes another scandal linked to the gates that are marked 'Arbeit Macht Frei'.
Holocaust denier David Irving was, according to The Guardian, sought out as a possible contender for Celebrity Big Brother. No sign yet of the Mail urging 30,000 people to inundate the telephone lines of Channel 4.

I wondered if it was a wind-up and encountered this from 2007. You couldn't make it up.

Guardian article

Auschwitz Photos

More Spider Pics

Slideshow of daytime shots here.

Paisley in Liverpool: Je ne regrette rien

The conversation with Rev. Ian Paisley was part of the Free Thinking 2008 event and was held in the ornate Small Concert Room at St. George's Hall, Liverpool. The piece will be broadcast on 13th November and will be available on the BBCi site for 7 days.

Link

Nosferatu and Super Creeps

As part of Liverpool's Free Thinking Festival, I am due to go to hear the Rev. Ian Paisley tomorrow night. I noticed on the ticket that the BBC make you agree to being recorded or photographed for their own purposes, but that you cannot use any photographic equipment yourself. Might have something to say about that.

Last night we were treated to Nosferatu on the big screen albeit in bitter weather conditions.

I wanted tickets to see Tony Benn, Will Self and Trevor Phillips but they were all taken. Given the numbers left for Paisley, it shows his time of ire has long past. However, as many others have said, the Brossgate saga continues as indignant shouters of all credos have their say.

Anyhow, some photos. Must get a better camera capable of night-time shots.

I think my arachnophobia is getting better. I rescued an eight-legged monster from the urinals in the White Star.

Enjoyed Nosferatu, but not half as scary as the influence Max Clifford has over the media.

Slides:

No Mas!

I'm as guilty as anyone, but for Fuck's sake, this Brand/Ross story has more legs than a millipede on a bierhaus table. The Guardian is becoming a major culprit, having no fewer than 15 stories relating to the matter on its online front page.

As I wrote in July, I took the Shilling and signed up to the Green-Ink Mercenary Group by complaining to the BBC about a perceived offensive piece by Jeremy Clarkson. This produced a reply from the Beeb:

• Please accept our apologies for any offence caused. Throughout the testing Jeremy was in awe of this car and he attributed much of that to its Italian design. As usual he made a few references which seem like typical stereotypes. As you're aware this is typical of Jeremy but he certainly doesn't mean to upset anyone and he wasn't taking a view or making a statement as much as he was a random reference. He certainly didn't mean to use the term (wop) as a derogatory slur as some in the past have.
  

Now, this was not on the scale of the Sachs Satanic Slut Slur, but maybe you need the full force of the vested interests of the media to get things done.

Unfortunately, this topic - having been inflamed by the media - is becoming hard to escape. At the water cooler, in the pub, at the Enema Clinic (well, you have to make your own fun as the nights draw in), Brossgate/Manuelgate (Wait until Graeme Garden becomes embroiled in a similar scandal) is everywhere.

The only person that comes out of this with any credibility is Andrew Sachs himself. Once the names of Max Clifford, Kelvin McKenzie and Schillings Solicitors are in the mash, we know that there's more than trouble brewing.

When Diana died, there was a bikers' pub in Birkenhead that had a Diana-free on the day of the funeral. Anyone mentioning the D word was fined or barred. Sounds good.

So, stop it. Move on. We need to protect the BBC and not allow the Daily Mail's wreckless driving of the issue to continue. But, let's call it a day on the two people involved. And that includes YOU, Eric.