So, The Coalition Of The Willing Is Still Shrinking ...

Yeah ... maybe baby ... once upon a time.

But today ...

South Korean troops are to "terminate their mission" in Iraq by the end of next year, the defence minister and the ruling Uri party have said.

Noh Woong-Rae, a spokesman for Uri, said: "The government reported to the Uri party that it will draw up a plan by the end of June to terminate the mission and wrap up the mission by the end of 2007."

Read the full report.

Amazing isn't it?

That this comes at exactly the same time Bush spouts once again that he'll stick it out to the bitter end and the job is done -- whatever the hell that means in the pathetic plonker of this particular US president's pin-head.

Also, that it comes at the same time we learn how the so called Anglo American 'special relationship' seems to be terminally sick.

Incidentally, in case you weren't aware here's who's already kicked into touch the whole crazy US-UK & Co, Iraq caper.

South Korea: 3,300 invasion--2,600 WITHDRAWAL PLANNED (12/07)
Poland: 2,400 troops--WITHDRAWAL PLANNED (12/06)
Italy: 1,800 troops--WITHDRAWN (9/06)
Ukraine: 1,650 troops--WITHDRAWN (12/05)
Netherlands : 1,345 troops--WITHDRAWN (3/05)
Spain : 1,300 troops--WITHDRAWN (4/04)
Japan: 600 troops--WITHDRAWN (7/06)
Bulgaria : 462 troops--WITHDRAWN (4/06)
Thailand: 423 troops--WITHDRAWN (9/04)
Honduras: 368 troops--WITHDRAWN (5/04)
Dominican Republic: 302 troops--WITHDRAWN (5/04)
Hungary: 300 troops--WITHDRAWN (12/04)
Nicaragua: 230 troops--WITHDRAWN (2/04)
Singapore: 192 troops--WITHDRAWN (1/04)
Norway: 150 troops--WITHDRAWN (8/06)
Portugal: 128 troops--WITHDRAWN (2/05)
New Zealand: 61 troops--WITHDRAWN (9/04)
Philippines: 51 troops--WITHDRAWN (7/04)
Tonga: 45 troops--WITHDRAWN (12/04)
Iceland: 2 troops--WITHDRAWN

And as if that's not enough 'enough is enough' evidence, have you seen some of the 'joke' numbers of some of the 'joke' forces remaining?

Then try this surprise for size.

*

Iran President's Letter To The American People, And To Their Politicians ...

The President of Iran in an open letter to both America's ordinary people and to their politicians has - according to today's edition of the recently launched Al-Jazeera-English, News Channel:

... urged the American people to demand the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq and reject what he called the US government's "blind support" for Israel.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad also called on the Bush administration and the Congress to heed the results of the US midterm elections and mend its ways.

And ...

He appealed to the American people to work to reverse the policies. In a message to the US Democrats, he said: "You will also be held to account by the people and by history."

He went on ...

"Undoubtedly, the American people are not satisfied with this behaviour and they showed their discontent in the recent elections," Ahmadinejad wrote.

"I hope that in the wake of the mid-term elections, the administration of President Bush will have heard and will heed the message of the American people."

"If the US government meets the current domestic and external challenges with an approach based on truth and justice, it can remedy some of the past afflictions and alleviate some of the global resentment and hatred of American.

And as you've no doubt already guessed, there's much more where that came from.

Read the rest of this remarkably revealing report right here.

*

Could Pope Benedict Be Going A Bit Bonkers Too?

*

First, we'd like to make a few things clear.

We are agnostic.

But we weren't always.

In fact, we still see the 'gospels' as great - though we definitely do not 'do' dogma..

We are not anti any religion.

However, we are anti ALL fundamentalists, extremists and/or zealots - whatever their religion, sect, cult, race, gender, sexual orientation, colour, political beliefs, their nationality and/or whatever.

Including, incidentally, any intolerant, immoderates immersed amongst mainstream atheists

Also, it's our personal opinion that infallibility is an impossibility.

Further, we strongly believe in both the absolute right of free speech, as well as the right to possess a healthy and harmless sense of humour.

And by the way and for what it's worth, our own mother's family were Irish Catholics while our father's family were Scottish Protestants.

As their offspring, we sincerely believe ourselves to be totally fair, balanced, truthful and tolerant.

Okay?

Clear where we're coming from?

Right, then.

Now that we've gotten all that out of the way, we want to say this.

After what he recently said regarding Islam, then insisting that this trip of his to (98% Sunni Muslim), Turkey still takes place -- we believe the man shown above must be (at least, a little bit), mad.

Hopefully, the malady's merely temporary.

We sincerely hope so.

Honest to 'you know you'.

*

Is Cherie Blair Bonkers?

Shown above in her official, judicial regalia is Cherie. Or to put that more plainly, here's our Cherie seen in her working clothes.

And Cherie, in case you didn't recognise her, is the so-called socialist, so-called learned, Queen's Counsel, Judge, and wife of Britain's so-called socialist Prime Minister, Tony Blair.

Today we're told - and it's far from the first time we've heard this sort of story (from several assorted journalists), that Cherie's big mouth really is a big mouth -- in more ways than one.

And now, as if to prove all previous related reports, she's managed to fit her foot in her genuinely, gargantuan gob -- again.

Journalists have no morality, PM's wife tells students

By Jo Lo Dico and Francis Elliott

Published: 26 November 2006

Cherie Blair has launched an extraordinary attack on the media claiming there
is "no professional morality in journalism".

Cor blimey Charlie, Cherie, have you gone completely crackers?

In other words, are you mad, missus?

Didn't you think that most journalists would virtually be jumping for joy -- at the thought being able to report on you saying something as stupid as that?

Didn't you realise you were actually giving them even more ammunition to add to their already more than adequate arsenal?

Particularly, in view of the fact that those you chose to rant to ... were student journalists?

So once again, Mrs Blair, are you bloody barking?

Bonkers? Barmy? Puddled? Befuddled? Confused? Crazy? Or what?

See what's being said now?

... the students say the PM's wife delivered a "rant" and they weren't given an opportunity to defend their putative trade.

As well as this.

One student, Lya Pfaffli, said: "I think we were all quite taken aback at her complete lack of tact and diplomacy ...

And see what This Old Brit is saying right here on his blog.

How the hell can anyone showing such obviously, shockingly poor judgement actually be a judge?

Cherie, cher, as our French friends would say, Firmez votre bouche!

Peruse the complete piece at The Independent.

*

Blair's New Labour; Still More Scandalous Sleaze Surfaces ...

Tony Blair's ruling New Labour party is in debt to the tune of £22 million due to a drought in donations, which in turn is mainly due to the ongoing and ever escalating, already massive police investigation into his government's Peerages for sale scandal.

So, how best to handle such a serious, cash shortfall situation, eh?

Try this for size -- from today's Daily Mail.

Sleazy Labour's £2m raid on council tax funds

By Tim Shipman

Police have launched a neinvestigation into Labour sleaze after a whistleblower revealed the party is creaming off at least £2m a year of taxpayers' money directly into party coffers.

Tony Blair has ordered thousands of his local councillors to hand over hundreds of pounds each from their publicly-funded allowances to Labour slush funds for electioneering and party propaganda.

More here...
Councillors' payments and how Labour is benefiting

The scam - also under investigation by sleaze watchdogs has been branded a "national disgrace", an "outrageous abuse of taxpayers' money" and an "affront to democracy".

News that their money is being used to line Labour's pockets will enrage council tax payers who have seen their bills soar as town halls have been starved of cash.

Council tax has more than doubled since Labour came to power. In Sunderland it rose last year by 4.9 per cent, double the rate of inflation.

Labour members quietly passed a resolution at their party conference in September calling on all councillors to hand over a percentage of their allowances direct from the council payroll to fill the financial black hole.

The party is saddled with debts totalling £22 million as a result of the cash for peerages scandal, which has led to a drought in donations. The allowances, introduced by Labour in 1998, were originally intended to be used to help councillors carry out their duties for voters, rather than for party political purposes.

But those who refuse to pay the levy have now been threatened with disciplinary action by Labour whips.

The multi-million pound funding scandal came to light after the former leader of Sunderland council resigned from the party in disgust earlier this week after refusing to pay £215 - a three per cent levy on his £7,106 councillor's allowance - to Labour bosses in Sunderland.

Bryn Sidaway has now reported the matter to Northumbria police. He told the Daily Mail: 'It is a national disgrace. 'We are talking about millions of pounds a year going into the Labour Party war chest via the taxpayer - but without them even knowing.

This is their money. They elect local councillors in the hope that it will improve their lives - not to fund Labour's bid to be re-elected.'

The scandal goes nationwide.

Documents obtained by the Daily Mail show that, in October, Labour bosses sent a memo to every council group in England ordering them to "establish a levy on councillors for group funds, preferably collected through the council's payroll deduction scheme". All councillors were then ordered to sign an authorisation slip to deduct the money from their allowances at source.

Shocked?

You shouldn't be.

Since when has Blair and/or his crew of cabinet cronies cared about cutting corners when it comes to keeping within the law?

Certainly not when aiding and abetting his counterfeit-cowboy compadre from Crawford to flout even international law, by illegally invading Iraq.

So surely seeing such a much closer to home, straightforward & so simple cash 'scam' now being exposed shouldn't come as much of a surprise. At least not to those of us fortunate enough to be blessed with even a single ounce of common sense, intelligence and/or insight.

Meanwhile, some poor pensioners are still being imprisoned for not forking out to help finance such scandalous council-tax shenanigans.

Blair would do well to remember that it's not so long since the great British public took to the streets - literally rioting - to bring about the beginning of the political end of Mrs Mad-Maggie Thatcher. And that that successful 'citizen-coup' was completely, council tax related.

Read the rest of the Mail's relevant report.

Palestinians Don't Do Thanksgiving Day ...

*
Today, as Israeli tanks continued to trundle through Gaza, and as all across America already adequately fed folk tucked into tasty turkey, we watched a very short video.

We'd like you to, too.

Especially since it will only take up (exactly), five minutes of your life.

Palestinians Don't Do Thanksgiving Day.

We thank you for your time.

And we hope you have a happy day.

*

Sicko US Soldiers Torment Thirsty Iraqi Children ...

*

Bringing freedom to the poor, oppressed people of Iraq, eh?

Purleeze, ... don't make the pair of us puke.

We wonder if the brave, armed to the teeth, all American, uniform wearing water-wanker in this video has any kids of his own. Or if any of his sisters, brothers, friends and/or relatives & relations have.

And if so, we wonder what he'll tell any of them (or his own parents and/or grandparents for that matter), should they ever ask about his heroic deeds in occupied Iraq.

Well, to be honest we don't really wonder at all. Since we're certain the louse will lie. As he probably is - to himself - right now, regarding his pathetic perception of personal power and entirely erroneous sense of self satisfaction.

In or out of a(ny) uniform, a prick is a prick - period. And both this immature idiot of a water-wanker and his candid-cameraman cohort are just about as perfect pair of pricks as it's possible to be.

Moreover, after just a single, solitary viewing of this 'war-footage' we hold that truth to be self evident. As will all those around the world who eventually watch it. At least, as far as all those who have an ounce of common decency and/or common sense are concerned. Of that there can be doubt.

If anyone asks us, here's positive proof of just one more battle wherein the mighty US military have lost out to ordinary, everyday, regular Iraqis. Moreover, this time, beaten by a rag-tag bunch of thirsty and barefooted little Iraqi kids.

But you know what? We bet that this couple of contemptable, cretinous creeps - like others of their ignorant ilk - think they're ever so hard macho-men.

They think they're winners. Think they're victors. Think they're heroes.

When all they really are, as it's perfectly plain to see, is a paltry pair of water-wanker-pricks.

As well as a couple of champion, future Iraqi resistance recruiters of course.

If this sort of stupid soldiers''sport' wasn't so sodding sicko, it could even be called quite comical.

Watch, cringe and squirm with shame as these poor - already abominably used & abused crowd of little kids - are teased and tormented by their so-called librator, benefactors.

Who, incidentally, in the main consider themselves to be these childrens' elders & betters.





A huge hat-tip for this YouTube video find, to Rox Populi -- via sirkowski posting at The Liberal Avenger -- in turn via Pandagon.

*

If They Hadn't Killed Bobby Kennedy, He'd Be 81 Today ...

Speaking of Kennedy killings ... which we were, in our previous post.

Today's 'Guardian' gives us this.

Today would have been Robert Kennedy's 81st birthday.

The world is crying out for a compassionate leader like him.

If dark forces were behind his elimination, it needs to be investigated.

Amen to that. We could not agree more.

Now read on.

Did the CIA kill Bobby Kennedy?

In 1968, Robert Kennedy seemed likely to follow his brother, John, into the White House.

Then, on June 6, he was assassinated - apparently by a lone gunman. But Shane O'Sullivan says he has evidence implicating three CIA agents in the murder

Monday November 20, 2006 -- The Guardian

Excuse our quick snip-cut-paste, and please continue reading.

As Kennedy lies dying on the pantry floor, Sirhan is arrested as the lone assassin. He carries the motive in his shirt-pocket (a clipping about Kennedy's plans to sell bombers to Israel) and notebooks at his house seem to incriminate him.

But the autopsy report suggests Sirhan could not have fired the shots that killed Kennedy.

Witnesses place Sirhan's gun several feet in front of Kennedy, but the fatal bullet is fired from one inch behind.

And more bullet-holes are found in the pantry than Sirhan's gun can hold, suggesting a second gunman is involved.

Interesting isn't it?

But there's much more.

As I researched the case, I uncovered new video and photographic evidence suggesting that three senior CIA operatives were behind the killing. I did not buy the official ending that Sirhan acted alone, and started dipping into the nether-world of "assassination research", crossing paths with David Sanchez Morales, a fearsome Yaqui Indian.

Morales was a legendary figure in CIA covert operations.

According to close associate Tom Clines, if you saw Morales walking down the street in a Latin American capital, you knew a coup was about to happen.

When the subject of the Kennedys came up in a late-night session with friends in 1973, Morales launched into a tirade that finished: "I was in Dallas when we got the son of a bitch and I was in Los Angeles when we got the little bastard."

(snip)

Alright, after the next enticing excerpt you're all on your own.

With no secret service protection for presidential candidates in those days, Kennedy was guarded by unarmed Olympic decathlete champion Rafer Johnson and football tackler Rosey Grier - no match for an expert assassination team.

Trawling through microfilm of the police investigation, I found further photographs of Campbell with a third figure, standing centre-stage in the Ambassador hotel hours before the shooting.

He looked Greek, and I suspected he might be George Joannides, chief of psychological warfare operations at JM-Wave.

Joannides was called out of retirement in 1978 to act as the CIA liaison to the House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA) investigating the death of John F Kennedy.

Coincidences? Conspiracies? Kennedy curses?

Certain insightful, intelligent individuals still insist on speaking of a kull.

Read the rest of this amazing, investigative Guardian piece, right here.

** UPDATE: 21/11/06. Another 'must watch' ( Bobby Kennedy killing related), video from commenter ... 'an ancient Brit'.

*

JFK - LBJ : Amazing Assassination Accusation Interview ...

This coming Wednesday 22nd November is the 43rd anniversary of the assassination of US President John F. Kennedy.

And, This Old Brit is old enough to remember that terrible time almost as if it were only yesterday.

In the many years that have passed since that diabolical day in Dallas, much has been written regarding what did and did not actually happen. And, 'This Old Brit' has read much of it though by no means most of it, since to have done so would probably have consumed almost 43 years of his own life.

However, while freely admitting that he never for one minute bought the 'Lone Gun-man/Magic Bullet' version of the JFK killing, neither did he ever buy into any single so-called conspiracy theory.

But having recently been presented with what could well be claimed to be the most compelling (perhaps even the most convincing), related film/sound footage he has ever seen or heard -- he feels compelled to pass it on.

Therefore, without any personal comment, he does. Right here and now.

But first, please read this.

Madeleine Brown

( From Demopedia )

Categories: John F. Kennedy assassination

Madeleine Brown was a businesswoman who worked for Glenn Advertising. Later she claimed she had an affair with Lyndon B. Johnson. In 1988 she told Jack Anderson that: "In the fall of 1963 I was in the Carousel Club with other advertising people and Jack Ruby was saying that Lee Harvey Oswald had been in the club and he had been bragging that he had been bragging that he had taken a shot at Major General Edwin Walker".

On 24th February, 1992, Brown gave an interview on the television show, A Current Affair. Brown claimed that on the 21st November, 1963, she was at the home of Clint Murchison. Others at the meeting included J. Edgar Hoover, Clyde Tolson, John J. McCloy, Richard Nixon, Harvey Bright and Haroldson L. Hunt.

At the end of the evening Lyndon B. Johnson arrived: "Tension filled the room upon his arrival. The group immediately went behind closed doors. A short time later Lyndon, anxious and red-faced, re-appeared. I knew how secretly Lyndon operated.

Therefore I said nothing... not even that I was happy to see him. Squeezing my hand so hard, it felt crushed from the pressure, he spoke with a grating whisper, a quiet growl, into my ear, not a love message, but one I'll always remember: "After tomorrow those goddamn Kennedys will never embarrass me again - that's no threat - that's a promise."

Brown claimed that Lyndon B. Johnson was the father of her son, Steven Mark Brown. Barr McClellan later confirmed that Madeleine Brown received regular payments from Johnson via his Brazos-Tenth, his money-laundering corporation. In 1987 Steven Mark Brown filed a lawsuit against the estate of his father. This was unsuccessful and in 1990 he died of cancer.

Brown published her autobiography, Texas in the Morning: The Love Story of Madeleine Brown and President Lyndon Baines Johnson in 1997. In the book she claimed that Johnson was involved in the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Madeleine Brown died on June 22, 2002.

[edit] See also ...

Now, watch and listen to what follows and prepare to be amazed -- at the very least, amazed.

Remember; you decide; your own verdict is yours.

The Madeleine Brown LBJ-JFK assassination accusation interview.

Talk about shock and awe, eh?

N.B. This video was placed on YouTube -- but has since been 'disappeared'.

*

Al-Jazeera-English; Blair/Frost Iraq 'Disaster' Interview; The Full Transcript

*

British Prime Minister Tony Blair's instinctive reaction to Sir David Frost's Iraq 'disaster' description was to immediately agree.

However, in no time flat the Downing Street spin machine had been switched on -- super-speed style..

And already, almighty arguments are raging almost everywhere as to whether Mr Blair meant what he said, or did not.

Well, we know what we two think. What about you?

To help you decide for yourself, we found the official Al-Jazeera-English, entire transcript of today's much talked about Tony Blair/Sir David Frost interview.

But first, here's our traditional opening teaser/taster.

NEWS PROGRAMMES

FROST OVER THE WORLD

Interview with Tony Blair

Blair covered a wide range of issues

* David Frost: [Starting with the new European Peace Initiative] ... they hope that we would back it and join it, will we join it?

Tony Blair: I am in favour of anything that moves the process forward, between Israel and Palestine. I think it's the single most important objective for us in terms of changing the whole atmosphere and climate in the, in the Middle East and obviously I've been working very hard with our American Allies but also with other Europeans to try and make sure we keep it at the top of the agenda.I think there are possibilities of progress but we've got to make sure that we do everything that is within our possibility to change the situation there.

* But will we join this bid or carry on separately?

I mean I haven't looked at the details of it but I think that, that the key elements are those that we've been working on and others have been working on all the way through and so of course it's good to have everyone on the same page.

But it's really about making sure that we make progress towards the two-state solution, that we get in place the right elements that allow us, for example, to get Corporal Shalit released then get Palestinian prisoners released, that we get a National Unity Government in Palestine, that we manage to get into a situation
where we're negotiating about the details of peace rather than looking at the appalling consequences of conflict.

* But whatever the EU can do with the Palestinians and so on, and they obviously can do something, is it in fact progress and this target you have for Middle East peace, while you're in office if possible it all depends on the United States putting wholehearted pressure on Israel?

Well you're absolutely right in saying the role of the US is crucial but you see I ....

Now, if you're hooked (as we honestly hope you are), and hungry for more - hit here for transport to entire transcript.

*

About Bush, Booze And Viet Nam ...

We see that George W. Bush eventually made it to Viet Nam.

We wonder what took him so long.

But better late than never, we suppose.

Eh?

We saw something else about Bush. And about booze.

I was asked on BBC radio a couple of days ago whether Democratic victories would temper Bush's recklessness. I replied that I could answer that only if I could peer into the strange mind of a 60-year-old recovering alcoholic named George W Bush.

Rumours persist here (and I have heard them repeated at a very senior level in the UK, too) that Bush has actually resumed drinking; I throw this into the mix not to sensationalise, but because I have now heard the rumour repeated at a sufficiently high level that I believe we must face the possibility that it might be true.

Bush was huddled inside the White House eating beef and ice cream on election night with Rove, my friend Josh Bolten, and four other trusted aides who will stick with him to the end.

He was not drinking on this occasion, I'm assured - but, more than ever, my depiction of an unstable man living out his final days in office inside his bunker seem no longer to be fanciful. Hemmed in by Democratic foes wherever he looks, determined to be remembered in history as an unwaveringly strong leader, and increasingly detached from reality: now that suddenly becomes a very frightening vision indeed.

We extracted the above excerpt from a recent New Statesman piece, penned by Andrew Stephen.

Read all of Andrew's article.

*

Al-Jazeera-English Goes Global ...

We would imagine that most intelligent individuals are already well aware, that even in this 21st century we'll always have ostriches, ludites and the like as well as knee-jerk-jerks, ever eager to advocate murdering messengers bringing them news they don't like.

And we wonder whether links to the (very), lately launched (15th Nov 2006), Al-Jazeera-English television channel & news website will start appearing on so called 'liberal' blogrolls and similar western websites.

Of course, as always, only time will tell.

In the meantime, for those whose news sources of choice (however currently limited and/or biased), -- being the big hearted old Brits that we are, we're offering a helping hand.

In the attempted furtherance of our own 'fair & balanced for all' philosophy we'd suggest that at the very least, Al-Jazeera-English be bookmarked.

Here's a bit about the new kid on the global news block, from the BBC -- now a direct a competitor.

Two years ago, al-Jazeera was named in the global InterBrand survey as the world's most influential media brand and the fifth most influential in any field, after Apple, Google, Ikea and Starbucks.

We bet not many reading this knew that.

Or this.

Al-Jazeera never set out to be this controversial, though it always knew it would ruffle feathers.

The station was launched 10 years ago, funded by the Emir of Qatar who had a vision of an unbiased Arabic TV channel, independent of governments, striving to present all points of view.

Many of its early staff came from the BBC World Service, and they retained their notions of objectivity and balance.

Or this.

Sir David Frost has his own show, as has Rageh Omaar, who reported for the BBC from Baghdad - both chosen, one suspects, to emphasise the difference between this channel and the image which many viewers have of al-Jazeera.

Anyway, here's your chance-of-a-lifetime to become both judge and jury.

1./ Al-Jazeera-English.

2./ BBC; Slick al-Jazeera aims to surprise.

*

Big Daddy Bush Blasts Bloggers ...

*

Aha! We see.

So, it's we bloody bloggers who are to blame, eh?

Which pathetic premise, by logical extension, must mean that by reading what we bloggers write -- you're every bit as big a bunch of 'baddies' as we are.

Shame on us.

Shame on you, too.

We should all just shut the eff up.

Ha. And we don't think.

Take a look at this.

Now Daddy Bush Slams Bloggers

Blames Internet for "ugly climate," echoes vitriolic rhetoric of web haters

Paul Joseph Watson
Prison Planet
Wednesday, November 15, 2006

During an appearance with his wife Barbara on Fox News last night, George Bush senior slammed Internet bloggers for creating an adversarial and ugly climate, echoing the rhetoric of fellow Neo-Cons and the White House itself in trashing the reputation of the world wide web.

HOST: "Why do you think it's gotten so adversarial? Tonight is literacy. Everybody comes in from all different sides and wants to help. It seems like oftentimes in Washington, you know, on something we all want to work towards it's not necessarily so civilized. It's not so pleasant."

H.W. BUSH: "It's true but that's not new really. I mean, you go back in history and you'll find that there was always adversarial politics. There was always gut fighting. And it's probably a little worse now given the electronic media and the bloggers and all these kinds of things."
==========

Establishment kingpins and their cheerleaders have increased their level of vitriolic rhetoric against the Internet in recent months, as legislation in both the U.S. and Europe to regulate, stifle and license the Internet, moves forward...

Oooh! On Faux (oops), Fox News, eh?

Well, it would be wouldn't it?

Hit this link to read the rest.

*

G.W. BUSH; WORST PRESIDENT ...

*

It's been a terribly tedious and totally tiring type of day, today.

And we ain't getting any younger.

What's more (and what's worse), is that it's also been bloody typical, British November weather, ie: positively pissing persistent-serial-precipitation.

But as every proper pro knows, the show must go on; short show or not -- since something is better than nothing.

Especially, if it's for free.

So, before we both bugger off for a bath before bedtime ... here y'go.

Enjoy!

Have at it.

Pass it on.




Visit : worstpresident.org

*

Saddam's Accomplices Absent At Trial: John Pilger Poses Perfectly Proper Questions ...

This Old Brit and Richard are possibly probably the only pair of bloggers who can't be bothered blathering on about Blair and Bush's latest load of bluster about how best to try to un-bollix the almighty mess they made of Iraq.

Since you can safely bet a GBPound to a piece of pigeon pooh, that the blogosphere will be bombarding you with such stuff for (at the very least), several days to come.

Therefore, we'd prefer to point people in the direction of John Pilger, one giant gem of a journalist, from Australia.

Take a look at these teasers we've taken from his latest piece for 'The New Statesman' - wherein, the press professional-par-excellence asks some of the most perfectly pertinent questions it's probably possible to pose.

The following, we've pinched from aforementioned article's first paragraph.

John Pilger wonders why Saddam should be alone in the dock. Surely, those who aided and abetted his crimes, and were accomplices in other great crimes committed against the Iraqi people, should be prosecuted, too.

And to continue to clip & paste ...

Let's start with George Bush senior, Saddam's sponsor, and let's not forget those journalists who echoed Bush junior's and Blair's lies that justified the invasion of Iraq.

Why isn't George Bush Snr being charged? In 1992, a congressional inquiry found that Bush as president had ordered a cover-up to conceal his secret support for Saddam and the illegal arms shipments being sent to Iraq via third countries.

(snip)

Why isn't Douglas Hurd being charged? In 1981, as Britain's Foreign Office minister, Hurd travelled to Baghdad to sell Saddam a British Aerospace missile system and to celebrate the anniversary of Saddam's blood-soaked ascent to power.

Why isn't his former cabinet colleague, Tony Newton, being charged? As Thatcher's trade secretary, Newton, within a month of Saddam gassing 5,000 Kurds at Halabja (news of which the Foreign Office tried to suppress), offered the mass murderer £340m in export credits.

(snip)

Why isn't Donald Rumsfeld being charged? In December 1983, Rumsfeld was in Baghdad to signal America's approval of Iraq's aggression against Iran. Rumsfeld was back in Baghdad on 24 March 1984, the day that the United Nations reported that Iraq had used mustard gas laced with a nerve ...

(snip)

Why isn't Madeleine Albright being charged? As President Clinton's secretary of state, Albright enforced an unrelenting embargo on Iraq which caused half a million excess deaths of children under the age of five.

(snip)

Why isn't Peter Hain being charged? In 2001, as Foreign Office minister, Hain described as gratuitous the suggestion that he, along with other British politicians outspoken in their support of the deadly siege of Iraq, might find themselves summoned before the International Criminal Court.

(snip)

Above all, why aren't Blair and Bush Jnr being charged with the paramount war crime, to quote the judges at Nuremberg and, recently, the chief American prosecutor, that is, unprovoked aggression against a defenceless country?

(snip)

And why aren't those who spread and amplified propaganda that led to such epic suffering being charged? The New York Times ...

(snip)

Over here, the BBC all but celebrated the invasion with its man in Downing Street congratulating Blair on being conclusively right ...

And there's plenty more powerfully-penned, no-punches-pulled, vintage Pilger from whence came that little lot.

See for yourself at this link.

*

Pondering; On Remebrance Day ...

+

LEST WE FORGET.

REMEMBRANCE DAY.

Where have all the flowers gone?

Long time passing

Where have all the flowers gone?

Long time ago

Where have all the flowers gone?

Girls have picked them every one

When will they ever learn?

When will they ever learn?

Where have all the young girls gone?

Long time passing

Where have all the young girls gone?

Long time ago

Where have all the young girls gone?

Taken husbands every one

When will they ever learn?

When will they ever learn?

Where have all the young men gone?

Long time passing

Where have all the young men gone?

Long time ago

Where have all the young men gone?

Gone for soldiers every one

When will they ever learn?

When will they ever learn?

Where have all the soldiers gone?

Long time passing

Where have all the soldiers gone?

Long time ago

Where have all the soldiers gone?

Gone to graveyards every one

When will they ever learn?

When will they ever learn?

Where have all the graveyards gone?

Long time passing

Where have all the graveyards gone?

Long time ago

Where have all the graveyards gone?

Covered with flowers every one

When will we ever learn?

When will we ever learn?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

** Where have all the flowers gone? **
Words and music by Pete Seeger

Perhaps even more to the point, why don't we ever learn?

November Surprises; Robert Gates And Nancy Pelosi ...

*

What fast paced, past few days in the States the world's witnessed, eh?

So many surprises, eh?

This was one 'em -- well, it was to us two at any rate.

It's regarding Rummy's replacement Robert Gates.




Here's a tiny teaser.

That put Gates inside a web of conspirators in the illegal arms sales and money transfers who included Oliver North, National Security Adviser John Poindexter, former National Security Adviser Robert McFarlane ...

Now, take off to Tom Rushing's 'Current Era' for more.

So ... moving swiftly along ...

What's the second surprise ... sez you.

Here's a taster first ...sez we.

“The greatest threat to Israel’s right to exist, with the prospect of devastating violence, now comes from Iran.

For too long, leaders of both political parties in the United States have not done nearly enough to confront the Russians and the Chinese, who have supplied Iran as it has plowed ahead with its nuclear and missile technology.”

Read the the rest of this rather revealing Pelosi piece.

P.S. We don't know about you, but she sounds to us like she's already waging war, or at the very least -- more than ready, willing and rearing to go.

*

Donald Rumsfeld; Questions And Answers Quiz ...

*

Donald Rumsfeld

In his own words?

The outgoing US defence secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, is known not only as the longest-serving member of George Bush's cabinet but as also a man whose grasp of the English language is, at best, partial.

Test your knowledge of Mr Rumsfeld and his words with our quiz - which of these are real Rumsfeldisms?


'The message is that there are known knowns - there are things that we know that we know. There are known unknowns - that is to say, there are things that we now know we don't know. But there are also unknown unknowns - there are things we do not know we don't know. And each year we discover a few more of those unknown unknowns.'

True or False?


'We know where they [Iraq's alleged WMD] are. They're in the area around Tikrit and Baghdad and east, west, south and north somewhat.'

True or False?


'Stuff happens. It's untidy, and freedom's untidy, and free people are free to make mistakes and commit crimes and do bad things.'

True or False?


'He [Osama Bin Laden] is either alive and well or alive and not too well or not alive.'

True or False?


'Near my office is a flag done in ... origami. That's one of those words I haven't mastered yet.'

True or False?


'This is fantastic - I've got a laser pointer! ... Holy mackerel ... ah man, that's terrific!'

True or False?


'I shouldn't get into ... this is diplomacy, and I don't do diplomacy.'

True or False?


'We do have a saying in America: if you're in a hole, stop digging ..... erm, I'm not sure I should have said that.'

True or False?


'I believe what I said yesterday ... I don't know what I said, er, but I know what I think, and ... well, I assume it's what I said.'

True or False?


'Well, um, you know, some things are neither good nor bad but thinking makes it so, I suppose, as Shakespeare said.'

True or False?


'It's like, you know, stirring for troubled waters.'

True or False?


'What we are seeing is not the war in Iraq. What we're seeing is slices of the war in Iraq.'

True or False?

Got the general gist of the game yet?

If you think you really know your Rummy, get on over to the Guardian, and go for it.

It's fascinating, it's fun and it's for free.

Furthermore, we're sure that for more than a few folk , it may even be educational.

Incidentally, if you've got it, why not flaunt it?

When you finish, why not saunter on back to say how you scored?

*

Meanwhile, Back In Blair's (Bent?) Big-Brother-Britain ...

As interested as almost all the world appears to be about what's been unfolding across the Atlantic in America, here in Blair's Big-Brother-Britain, a busy bunch of British bobbies have been much more bothered by some fairly stinky, fishy-business goings on, quite considerably closer to home.

Perhaps, in a hi-tech, 21st century society, such as our 'great new world - war is peace,' Orwellian United Kingdom has become, it is now perfectly possible to produce smoke without the need for a fire first. Though we'll all have to wait till it clears, to see.

Five ministers in honours probe

Police investigating cash-for-honours allegations have asked up to five Cabinet ministers for interviews.

Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt has confirmed that she is among them.

Ex-Cabinet minister Alan Milburn has already been interviewed.

According to one minister, police said they wanted "to learn about the way the honours system normally works".

Police are investigating whether donors received honours in return for cash. All involved deny wrong-doing.

It now appears that many, if not all, of the members of the Cabinet at around the time of the 2005 general election, apart from Tony Blair, have received letters from or been contacted in some other way by detectives.

Look at more of the low-down, via this link.

And for those who haven't been following - or are finding out for the first time, from us - here's a huge helping hand from the boys at the 'beeb'.

Honours Probe:
An at-a-glance guide to the purchase-a-peerage affair.

*

An Election Letter To America ...

*

Dear decent American friends,

Before you touch a touch-screen tomorrow, please take some time to think.

Before you place your vote, please pause a moment to ponder.

Before you cast your ballot, please cast your mind back and remember.


Geroge W. Bush brought you this.







But the flower of America's youth deserves better than this.

And innocent Iraqi infants deserve better than this.

Everyone deserves better than this.

America deserves better than Bush.

The world deserves better than Bush.

Please cast your vote according to your conscience.

Hear what you heart says.

Unto thine own self be true.

The world thanks you in advance.

Good night.

And good luck.

*

Guilty: Saddam Hussein Sentenced To Swing ...

So, we see old Iraqi bogeyman Saddam Hussein's been found guilty of crimes against humanity. As everyone always knew he would be.

In spite of him having so many old friends in such powerful positions, and well placed to plead on his his behalf. It just goes to show you, eh? A friend in need -- can all too often turn out to be a real pain in the arse, eh?

And while we'll certainly shed no tears at seeing such a shit sorted out, we can't help but wonder why so many others of his ilk were never arrested, incarcerated and tried in a court in a likewise manner.

The others we wonder about are far too numerous to list but, many of them live much, much closer to home than Iraq.

Another thing we can't help but wonder about is the timing of the final findings. Just one more big coincidence, eh? An awful lot of 'em about lately ain't there?

After postponement aplenty, the day eventually decided upon turned out to be two days before the US mid term elections.

The elections set to be decided upon by Diebold (and other), electronic vote counting machines.

And, the elections about to take place without any exit polls being allowed.

It seems that fact really does turn out to be much stranger than fiction. Time after time, after time, after time ...

Well, doesn't it? Don't you think?

Here's a BBC news piece, though we're sure there'll be more than plenty more to follow. All of which will help ensure the US MSM will have an excellent excuse to relegate mere mid term elections - right on down to the bottom of the bill.

We think this BBC bit is worth a read too.

International resonance of Iraq verdict

Analysis By Paul Reynolds World affairs correspondent, BBC News website

The trial of Saddam Hussein was supposed to mark an important moment in a process of turning Iraq from dictatorship to the rule of law.

However, it might turn out to be just another event in the catalogue of chaos that has engulfed the country.

Its long-term importance might lie more in its effect on a growing body of international law trying to deal with government repressions.

Effect in Iraq uncertain ...

Uncertain? It's effect in Iraq?

Yeah, sure. We don't doubt it.

What about everywhere else?

*

British Brand Bush A Danger ...

One thousand thanks to one of our best blogging buddies, Mark from Ireland (and from Gorilla's Guides), for his heads-up on this great Guardian poll-piece.

Cheers, Mark, mate. We might have missed this, if not for you.

British believe Bush is more dangerous than Kim Jong-il

· US allies think Washington threat to world peace

· Only Bin Laden feared more in United Kingdom

Julian Glover
Friday November 3, 2006
The Guardian

Well?

What have we been telling you?

Time after time, after time, after time ...

All the same, in spite of all we've always said, so many self-styled smart arses - usually sniping from states-side - continually kidded themselves (and contrived constantly to convince others), that we were no more credible than a couple of crazy, clap-trapping old Brits.

So eat your hearts out, assholes, as you hear from the horses' mouths.

America is now seen as a threat to world peace by its closest neighbours and allies, according to an international survey of public opinion published today that reveals just how far the country's reputation has fallen among former supporters since the invasion of Iraq.

Carried out as US voters prepare to go to the polls next week in an election dominated by the war, the research also shows that British voters see George Bush as a greater danger to world peace than either the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-il, or the Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Both countries were once cited by the US president as part of an "axis of evil", but it is Mr Bush who now alarms voters in countries with traditionally strong links to the US.

Go to the Guardian to ogle all of the article.

Remember this though - we two told you so - ages ago; something like several zillion times - or so it sodding seemed to us.

*

See Keith Olbermann 'Crucify' Bush ...

*
Never in our wildest dreams did we ever dare imagine we would ever witness anything like it.

And the fact that it was actually aired on American television simply serves to make it all the more amazing.

We're speaking of course of Keith Olbermann, talking directly to about at George W. Bush .

Keith calls his country's president on just about absolutely everything. As well as just plain calling him, absolutely everything.

At long last, a brave enough American to say out loud & clear across the airwaves, to absolutely everyone and anyone who was watching and listening -- all the things so many of us have known -- and been saying, for an awful long time.

But this particular patriotic media hero, said it so much better than any one of us ever did -- or indeed, could ever have hoped to.

If you have not seen & heard this truly historic broadcast yet -- then YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST.

Right now, in fact. Right this very second.

Better still - see it even sooner.

And by the way, before we forget; Mr Keith Olbermann, sir, we salute you.

America and it's people (as well as millions more elsewhere), now owe you. Owe you a helluva lot.

Let us hope this debt is honoured. And, honoured adequately.

So we say once again sir, we salute you.

And we want to thank you.

From all over the globe, we want to thank you.

And we wish you well.

Please stay safe, sir.




*

Is US Setting Up Syria Next? See What President Assad Says ...

It certainly seems to some of us that Syria's being set up for something; something special -- courtesy BushCo. USA.

And, as always, aided and ever so adeptly abetted by the same old, same old usual set of suspects -- such as Britain's own boy blunder, Tony (the bloody liar), Blair.

Since whenever master George shouts shit, poor poodle Tony fast tries his best to; toilet roll at the ready -- be his trousers still on or not.

So here's some of the stuff some in the so called 'West' are saying.

US issues Lebanon 'plot' warning

The United States has said there is "mounting evidence" that Syria, Iran and Hezbollah are planning to topple the Lebanese government.

The White House said Syria hoped to stop the formation of an international tribunal to try suspects in the killing of former Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri.

Spokesman Tony Snow said any attempt to destabilise the Lebanese government would violate UN resolutions.

Sounding ever so faintly familiar? It certainly should do.

The Syrian ambassador to America responds, shortly & sweetly, as follows.

Syria's ambassador to the US rejected the allegations as "ridiculous".

Read the rest of the story here.

Then to see and hear for yourself what Syria's President Assad recently said to respected veteran BBC war/foreign correspondent John Simpson, watch & listen to his awesome Assad interview.

We believe you'll find it well worth your while, as we're sure you'll enlighten yourself -- more than just a little.

Heck, who the hell can tell?

You could honestly be truly surprised; possibly, even pleasantly.

Here's Assad's interview link. Click it to see it.

And remember; Richard reports. You decide.

*