Arise Sir Richard Armitage ...

Had you heard about the hush-hush job quite recently carried out - in a completely covert kind of way - by the Queen?

In a quintessentially, quiet and rather reserved best-of-British, stiff-upper fashion of course.

If you hadn't, then This Old Brit and Richard are about to blow your mind. Albeit in the nicest, politest and most proper possible way. Naturally.

Well, that goes without saying really doesn't it. After all, would we ever intentionally invite any individual's ire?

Regular readers no doubt can resist all reflexive response temptations realted to that question, since we're certain any of our periodic rhetorical queries are so readily recognizable.

Anyhow, how would you like to bump into a knight like the big, bad ass bald brute pictured above, on a dark night? On any night for that matter. Or even any damned day.

The pictured character in question is of course one of the neo-cabal's nastiest nasties, Richard Armitage. Or to give him his recently acquired full & proper title, Sir Richard Armitage. Yep, that's right. Really. We said 'Sir'. As in knight of the realm. As in our current British Queen Elizabeth's realm.

Rather remarkable, eh? What?

Many may have missed it -- many millions even -- when earlier in the week the Guardian gave out this little gem of info, amongst much more of the same.

Honoured with a KCMG was Richard Armitage, deputy secretary of state under Colin Powell between 2001 and 2005 and a leading player in rallying diplomatic support for the Iraq invasion.

Mr Armitage's role in the Iran-contra arms smuggling scandal was controversial enough to prevent him becoming army secretary in 1989.

He worked alongside Oliver North to trade arms to Iran illegally and siphon profits to the Nicaraguan contra rebels.

Can you credit it? He's now a Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George. That's the full official title for KCMG by the way. It's the second highest possible honour awarded via knighthoods bestowed by a British monarch. On behalf of the government of the day, we hasten to add. Nonetheless, we ask again - 'Can you credit it bloody well believe it?'

You'd better bloomin' believe this though. Armitage is far from alone when it comes to foreign Knights In The Court Of Queen Elizabeth. As previous US President George Herbert Walker Bush's long standing 'illustrious' inclusion proves.

Likewise the inclusion of the late demented Ronald Reagan.

And, that of Caspar Weinberger. And Alan Greenspan. And past Mayor of New York City, Rudy Giuliani.

Also, of all the following: Wesley Clark, Tommy Franks, Colin Powell, Norman Schwazkopf, Brent Sowcroft -- and more.

Go here where 'names are named' and listed, to find out the full extent of this sort of sickening, super-duper, supremacist back-scratching & back-slapping shit for yourself.

( Incidentally, we're grateful to regular This Old Brit reader Griffon for first flagging this by commenting that Chris Floyd at Empire Burlesque had picked up on the Guardian piece. )

Young Brit Prince Harry: Put Me In The Firing Line Or I'll Eff Right Off ...

My, oh my. Doesn't time fly?

Can you believe there are 20 years separating these two photos of Prince Harry?

Personally, I can remember as though it were only yesterday, the time his later mother was a youngster like he is now.

And apparently Harry is as naive now as Diana was then.

In case you hadn't heard, young Harry's hankering after some action -- in Iraq. And what's more, he's amazing many as he simultaneously makes it clear that he's set to quit his - recently acquired [at considerable expense], Sandhurst bestowed - British Army officer's commission, should he not be sent to the front line.

Yep -- you read that right. He wants to wake up one fine day soon and find himself slap bang in the firing line.

As to whether or not he'll also stomp his well shod feet and succumb to some public show of sulking in addition to resigning, is not known at the time of writing.

But we two old codgers say it's a safe bet that the silly, spoiled-rotten little sod will. Talk about immaturity. Talk about self centeredness. Talk about me, me, me. Talk about couldn't care a cuss for the fate of close comrades. Talk about the typical out-of-touchness of some Royals. And remember that this [several times proven] thick headed prig is actually third in line to the British throne.

Oy, vey!

It seems this poor little rich kid's not considered for a fleeting moment, the kind of extra special strife that's sure to be showered over every single other soldier serving anywhere near him.

What a front line target, eh? What a terrific trophy. What a barmy Brit equivalent to Bush's 'Bring it on' balls-up. What a corker of a chance to churn up mad King George's 'crusade' cock-up all over again. What an awesome PR opportunity for every bad ass, extremist based anywhere at all in the middle east to figure out in no time flat. Or at the very least, far faster than the wannabe Windsorial hero, Harry. And what a chance for the 'baddies' to then go flat out - to take the right royal prat, right out. Along with God knows how many others he'd have metaphorically made, bloody big bullseyes of too.

Of course, we two wiley old wrinklies will willingly take bets - strictly of the cash money kind, of course - that this particular piece of princely wishfull thinking will never happen. Since some more sensible, Saville Row pin-striped suits and uber military uniforms - should soon be straightening said soldier-boy out. Good-style and in double quick time.

Cor blimey, Charlie! Can't you control your crazy kid?

Ever thought of taking him to one side and having a heart to heart? Or better still, a bloody good brain to brain?

What precisely does the young prince want to do on the frontline? Secure himself a scalp or two? Murder some Muslims, maybe?

And while you're at it Chaz , you could ask him if he's forgotten that when his doting late mother died [ though some still insist, she was assassinated ], she was quite possibly, actually in the arms of the Muslim man she loved -- and who in return loved her.

Oops ... !!!! Perhaps the prince has not forgotten.

Erm. Maybe at this point, we'd better button our lips for a bit -- while you read the piece from which this clip comes, via today's 'Mirror'.

24 April 2006

WINDSOR WAR

MoD: We won't put Prince Harry in the firing line

Prince: If I can't join my men in war zone I'll resign

By Rosa Prince,
Political Correspondent

PRINCE Harry was yesterday heading for a furious clash with Army chiefs after they snubbed his pleas to go to the frontline in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Top brass fear the young royal officer, 21, would become target No1 for al-Qaeda, endangering the lives of soldiers around him.

Troops from Harry's Household Cavalry regiment will head to the two war zones in the next few months.

But the fiery prince, who graduated from Sandhurst this month, has warned senior officers: "If I am not allowed to join my unit in a war zone, I will hand in my uniform."

Queen Elizabeth Celebrates Her 80th Birthday Today ...

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

Well, whether one loves the lady or loathes her, one has to hand it to her today. She's now all of 80 years old -- and still going strong.

One might even say murmur -- but better still, whisper -- that she's still 'working' for a living, albeit involving a much lighter workload of late. So here's wishing Her Most Britannic Royal Majesty, Queen Elizabeth 11


A Very HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Ma'am.


And many more of 'em.



And for those of our subjects followers readers friends who want to know more of the Windsors, here's a lovely little link to lots & lots more interesting info.

Then there's this one providing plenty of pictures.

Russia / China Alliance Warmly Welcomes Iran ...

Boom! Boom! Boom!
Well, well, well!
Whadaya know?
Who'da thunk it?

It it appears that thanks to his incessant insistence that Iran's in line for more even war waged from Washington, el Pretzeldente may just have hit that infamous 'trifecta' again.

But not one he ever expected. Since in spite of many intelligent & insightful individuals predictions -- the creep-in-chief chose not to take any of them into account. And modesty definitely doesn't forbid This Old Brit from shouting out loud, that he was always found to be at the fore of all such sensible 'soothsayers'.

Have you heard about this from the Asian Times?

Greater China

Apr 18, 2006

China, Russia welcome Iran into the foldBy M K Bhadrakumar The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), which maintained it had no plans for expansion, is now changing course.

Mongolia, Iran, India and Pakistan, which previously had observer status, will become full members. SCO's decision to welcome Iran into its fold constitutes a political statement.

Conceivably, SCO would now proceed to adopt a common position on the Iran nuclear issue at its summit meeting June 15.

Didn't any of the dickheads like Donald, Dickie and George realise that alliances are always arranged whenever such blatant bullying as Bushco's been dishing out for the last few years, ferments strong foreign feelings in favour of forming mutual interest, alliances ? In their own national interests? For their own future protection?

Of course they didn't -- because the blinkered bunch of bloody dimwits have been blighted by one track minds, from day one. One track minds, just as as all too often, other aspiring empire-architects similarly suffer from.

And This Old Brit chose the word suffer, with care.

Get a good gander at this snip.

Visiting Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mohammadi told Itar-TASS in Moscow that the membership expansion "could make the world more fair".

And he spoke of building an Iran-Russia "gas-and-oil arc" by coordinating their activities as energy producing countries.

Mohammadi also touched on Iran's intention to raise the issue of his country's nuclear program and its expectations of securing SCO support.

And how does this sound for an excellent example of superbly, subtle understatement.

The timing of the SCO decision appears to be significant.

( Significant, eh? Ha. No shit, Sherlock? )

( Then there's this too. )

Meanwhile, Washington's relations with Tashkent (Uzbekistan) remain in a state of deep chill. The US attempt to "isolate" President Islam Karimov is not working.

(Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is visiting Tashkent on April 25.) Again, Tajikistan relies heavily on Russia's support. In Kyrgyzstan, despite covert US attempts to create dissensions within the regime, President Burmanbek Bakiyev's alliance with Prime Minister Felix Kulov (which enjoys Russia's backing) is holding.

The Central Asians have also displayed a lack of interest in the idea of "Greater Central Asia". This became apparent during the conference sponsored by Washington recently in Kabul focusing on the theme.

The SCO's enlargement move, in this regional context, would frustrate the entire US strategy.

Now, quickly crossing the continents, what about coupling all the above up with what follows? Which is the recently reported (in the UK press) -- almost revolutionary-like -- revelation regarding an at least semi-siesmic shift in Bush's buddy Blair's previously oft stated, solidarity stance?

Blair refuses to back Iran strike,

BRIAN BRADY WESTMINSTER EDITOR

TONY Blair has told George Bush that Britain cannot offer military support to any strike on Iran, regardless of whether the move wins the backing of the international community, government sources claimed yesterday.

Amid increasing tension over Tehran's attempts to develop a military nuclear capacity, the Prime Minister has laid bare the limits of his support for President Bush, who is believed to be considering an assault on Iran, Foreign Office sources revealed.

I wonder how that grabs George the great-leader?

Or this?.

While the sense of crisis over Iran has been escalated by the fiery rhetoric between Tehran and the West - particularly Washington - many within the British government are now convinced that the impasse can be resolved by repeating the same sort of painstaking diplomatic activity that returned Libya to the international fold.

The approach contrasts sharply with the strategy employed during the run-up to the war in Iraq, when ministers repeatedly issued grim warnings to Saddam Hussein over the consequences of not falling in line with their demands.

"The only long-term solution to Iran's problems is democracy," said Alex Bigham, co-author of the FPC report. "But it cannot be dictated, Iraq-style, or it will backfire.

Iran may seem superficially like Iraq but we need to treat Iran more like Libya. Diplomatic engagement must be allowed to run its course. There need to be bigger carrots as well as bigger sticks."

However, the conciliatory language was not reflected in the approach from Washington, where senior figures in the Bush administration remain keen to stress the danger of Tehran's intentions.

The plot thickens, eh?

Could the combined common sense of the best of brains of several ( substantial ) countries now be contemplating what could quite reasonably be classed as a kind of counter-coup, against the creepy US neo-con crew, currently completely cocking up everything they touch?

So, read the pair of pieces which This Old Brit's just pointed out. Then make your own mind up.

Could the way the wind's now begun blowing be any plainer? And I do mean, ANY plainer.

Iran, Russia, China alliance.

Blair's buggering off of Bush.

In Powerful Pictorial Language, An Easter Message Reminder For All Counterfeit Christians ~ Like Blair And Bush ...

A PICTORIAL EASTER MESSAGE


Sent Via The World Wide Web

by

This Old Brit and Richard

On Behalf Of

Our Friend,

Mark From Ireland,

Professional Peacekeeper.

Et respondens rex dicet illis amen dico vobis quamdiu fecistis uni de his fratribus meis minimis mihi fecistis.



No Further Words Follow.
========================

An American Presidential Passing - Too Sad To Describe ...

Did you remember a certain American anniversary today ? Well, did you? Did those you know?

Or, did you and/or they, ever even know ?

No matter. After all, it was 141 years ago. Which is way before even This Old Brit was born.

So here's something that should shed some light on the subject.

That subject being U.S. President Abraham Lincoln's fatal, Ford Theatre shooting -- for those still in the dark -- or for any in need of memory jogs.

Here's a header showing how said sad assassination story was summed up in Britain's Guardian, on 14th April -- way back when, in 1865.

Lincoln's death too sad to describe

Friday April 14, 1865

The Guardian

President Lincoln and wife, with other friends, this evening visited Ford's theatre, for the purpose of witnessing the "American Cousin".

The theatre was densely crowded, and everybody seemed delighted with the scene before them.

During the third set, and while there was a temporary pause for one of the actors to enter, a sharp report of a pistol was heard, which merely attracted attention, but suggesting nothing serious, until a man rushed to the front of the President's box, waving a long dagger in his right hand, and exclaiming, "Sic semper tyrannis" [thus perish all tyrants] ...

( substantial snip )

The President was in a state of syncope, totally insensible and breathing slowly; the blood oozed from the wound at the back of the head.

The surgeons exhausted every possible effort of medical skill, but all hope was gone.

The parting of his family with the dying President is too sad for description.

Read the full relevant report right here.

About BlairWatch, This Old Brit, Sophie and so on ...

Here's how come This Old Brit's been a bit too busy to bang anything out on the old blog any sooner than now.

Look at our picture for an example of evidence intended as a submission in defence of dereliction of duties. Let's label it 'Exhibit A' -- or should we simply stop the silly stuff, and say right out -- it's Super-Sophie ?

So who's this Sophie sweety we're seeing shown above? -- we're sure some of you are certain say. Or should we say 'ask' ?

No matter: it makes no difference, since you know we're not only bursting to tell you but that we're about to absolutely insist said info isn't ignored.

But first, before we forget -- there's the recent Old Brit & BlairWatch, issue.

Dan is a main-man who 'matters' over there, so an email from him must mean something wouldn't you say? Well, we do. And since we're the bosses at this blog, when we say something here it's because we believe in what we're saying. But unlike a lot of much 'littler' people -- in spirit, not stature -- if and when we ever entertain any shadow of a doubt about anything -- you can be sure we certainly won't shrink from saying so.

But to get back to Dan from BlairWatch.

We believe it's best if you see for yourself what Dan said in reply to our previous blog post in which we aired our irks, doubts, suggestions, suspicions and some other things. Therefore, rather than repeat/repost Dan's detailed response, we recommend readers see for themselves first hand, by clicking on the comments section of our previous post.

The bones of it all turn out to be as below.

This Old Brit wasn't intentionaly banned from posting there. Apparently, their anti-spam sofware suffered some sort of 'seizure' and refused recognition. Also, as Dan declares, we now accept that Dan did reply to the email sent from here to his place. It appears our own built-in AOL spam- seeker-outer software suffered a similar sort of security-seizure -- and dished out the same stupid auto-binning of his message, as his did to ours. Maybe it could quite correctly be called a unilateral cyber declaration, of spam war. After all, as an infamous Bushamerican recently remarked - 'Stuff happnes'.

Bonkers? Barmy? Regretable? You bet it is. Unbelievable? We believe not. Believable? We believe so. A crazy, almost comical kind of coincidence coupled with a couple of complete, computer caused cock-ups? Quite so, it seems.

By flitting off from here to read Dan's words in full in our previous blog post's comments section, you'll see his personal, absolute assurance that 'communism' is something he himself can't stomach either. Moreover, he makes some other things quite a bit clearer -- BlairWatch, agenda-wise. Painting a pretty interesting pen-picture of his personal politics as he does so, too.

Therefore This Old Brit & Richard trust everyone can understand the absolute sincerity of all parties involved and get back to the business of beating up on the real rougues -- Blair, Bush and the rest of their baddy-buddies. So, can we all assume we've shaken cyber-hands on it -- virtualy speaking? Well, we certainly hope so --and we mean that most sincerely.

====================================================

As for our opening paragraph and little princess picture, our purpose was two-fold.

Due to the fact that our UK schools start the Easter holidays ever earlier, [grr, t'weren't like that when we were kids, and all that grumpy-old-men kinda stuff ] more working mums & dads than ever, are faced with painful prospects of offspring on the loose alone, for a fortnight or so. And since we were just jesting when mentioning grumpy old men, we wanted to tell everyone what a wonderful task we've willingly undertaken -- yet again.

For a few days during each of the next two weeks This Old Brit and his [long suffering] missus have the pleasure of the company of our dearest darling, lovely looking, gorgeous little granddaughter, Sophie. Did we mention how much we love her?

Anyhow, having for a long time heard her granddad go on & on & on -- about a character called This Old Brit, and then learning how lots of folk from lots of far off places regularly read his rants & ramblings, she said she'd like to wish them all a very happy Easter holiday.

And now she has.

By the way, would you believe this beautiful gift of a girl was a bloomin' birthday present? The best one ever? Well, you'd better -- because she was. Ten years ago she was actualy born on This Old Brit's birthday. Can anyone here beat that for a brag ? Eh? Can they? 'Co if so, we'd like to know. Really.

Another reason for publishing our photo was to show that Old Brit Richard ain't such an 'orrible, old ogre as some may suggest or imagine. In addition, it's always possible [we hope] that fellow blogger Dan and/or anyone else who may one day 'bump into us' [as we're often ambling around the area, especially when it's sunny], may choose to stop for chin-wag. Since stranger things have happened at sea, or so the old saying assures us.

P.S. Forget what you've heard about 'the camera never lies' -- 'cos it can. We definitely do not have a bloody big beer belly, indeed we don't even drink. Nor are we bent & bowed. Though it does appear we're patently pretty poor at posing for photos.

This Old Brit's Been Banned By BlairWatch ...

We would respectfully albeit strongly, suggest that readers DO NOT visit the British site, 'BlairWatch', not even out of curiosity after reading this post. It would merely serve to make their 'hit-counter' records somewhat healthier, and to further some of their [now, so obvious] hidden agenda[s].

For a while, This Old Brit & Richard have posted the odd comment there. For a longer while, 'Blair Watch' was even included in our blogroll. Furthermore, we had once posted a piece right here, praising the prats.

But as from today, things have changed.

They have said that we at This Old Brit, are spamming them.

That is, at best, an inexplicable error on their part. At worst it is a downright, deliberate lie. We have not spammed anybody, anywhere. Never. Not ever.

Our email correspondence querying said stupidity, has been completely ignored.

However, since searching for some sort of sign as to why such suspicious, shenanigans should have been instigated initially, we have received information which leads us to believe that this site very likely has strong links and/or ties and/or sympathies with the Communist Party.

Maybe we should have sussed them out sooner -- silly old us.

But better late than never. Eh ?

Needless to say, the bums have now been booted off our blogroll.

Condoleeza Rice, Jack Straw, George W. Bush, Tony Blair, Iraq, Elsewhere, Freedom, Democracy And My Mate Mark From Ireland ...

What a wonderful pair of warm hearted human beings Mizz Condoleeza Rice and The Right Honorable Mister Jack Straw are, eh?

Bravely battling to bring freedom and democracy aplenty to the all the poor people -- in places like Iraq -- whether the people asked for [ or even ever wondered about, let alone wanted], Geo W's particular perverted brands, or not.

Why, these two [contemptible crappy] Counterfeit-Christians are almost as devotedly devout and uncompromisingly committed to carrying out God's good works as their mad King George is.

Well, wouldn't you say so too? Since, as is always the case with such cowardly crooks as themselves, what they 'say' is definitely not what anyone 'gets': never - not ever.

Actually, as shown so spectacularly simply, by the shocking centre photo above, what we 'see' there is what we 'get' -- or rather, what the allegedly 'liberated' get. Moreover, the monsters who've made their lives [and deaths] so manifestly miserable, make matters much worse by rubbing salt in their victims' open wounds. They tell them they should show some appreciation. They dare to demand gratitude, even. They are so, so sick.

Almost makes one want to puff up one's chest and jut out one's chin with pride, doesn't it ?

Okay, maybe making mirth out of misery might make many, more than a mite offended, so the sarcasm stops here. But please believe that any & all of This Old Brit's & Richard's desert-dry and sometimes snide asides, are without exception genuinely & sincerely well intended -- and each of us hope with all our heart that over the last year this has become perfectly plain to people who regularly read and post here.
( For which, incidentally, we are so genuinely grateful and immensely indebted.)

But onward, ever onward.

One such regular, runs two remarkable blogs of his own. And you'd better believe he knows exactly what he's talking out, on all matters middle East, from first hand experience -- as both a military man and a professional peacekeeper. Also note that we don't just mean about Iraq either. Not by a long chalk.

So we [so-called] seniors will shut up for a while now, so you can see for yourself -- but before we do bugger off, may we strongly suggest that when you're done reading these highly recommended blogs, you stash both said site links safely away -- say, in the form of 'favourites' and/or 'bookmarks'.

Right, then. Now to the nitty-gritty bits.

Here's his first blog link -- which, while we wouldn't want in any way to offend him, we'll liken this one to the author/editor's 'tabloid-type' title.

And here's his second: Mark from Ireland, which, because it's quite simply his long time online monicker, we're certain you'll recognise right away. This one, by the way, is much more of a 'broadsheet' - blog wise.

Please look carefully through them both at your leisure -- and learn.

Finally, as per usual we'd ask that any appreciation for our friend's fantastic fortitude is made known to him at his site[s] -- for he's certainly suffered more than his fair share of personal problems & misfortunes, of late -- yet still, he tirelessly sticks to his self appointed task[s].

As truthtellers go, Mark's a mountain of a man: a tower of strength.

There -- now we old pair have said it -- will you?

Are British War Drums Now Beating Up On Iran ?

Here's the headline that hit us right between our still semi blurry, Sunday morning eyes earlier today. Delivered direct to our desk-top -- and now to yours-- straight from the ultra-Conservative, ultra-Establishment, ultra-British Intelligence services infiltrated, London Daily Telegraph.

Government in secret talks about strike against Iran

By Sean Rayment, Defence Correspondent -- (Filed: 02/04/2006)

Then the Telegraph's tale went on this aways.

The Government is to hold secret talks with defence chiefs tomorrow to discuss possible military strikes against Iran.

A high-level meeting will take place in the Ministry of Defence at which senior defence chiefs and government officials will consider the consequences of an attack on Iran.

It is believed that an American-led attack, designed to destroy Iran's ability to develop a nuclear bomb, is "inevitable" if Teheran's leaders fail to comply with United Nations demands to freeze their uranium enrichment programme.

Well, at first we both blinked and rubbed our eyes lest some of that sleep stuff had somehow stayed stuck there, and we were dreaming. However, it had not and we were not.

Tomorrow's meeting will be attended by Gen Sir Michael Walker, (pictured above) the chief of the defence staff, Lt Gen Andrew Ridgway, the chief of defence intelligence and Maj Gen Bill Rollo,the assistant chief of the general staff, together with officials from the Foreign Office and Downing Street.

If we had seen something like this coming from a US source, or maybe even a UK one had it been a day earlier, on 1stApril, we probably wouldn't have been nearly half as taken aback. Especially since Sean Rayment's report went on to tell us, in great detail :

Tactical Tomahawk cruise missiles fired from US navy ships and submarines in the Gulf would, it is believed, target Iran's air defence systems at the nuclear installations.

That would enable attacks by B2 stealth bombers equipped with eight 4,500lb enhanced BLU-28 satellite-guided bunker-busting bombs, flying from Diego Garcia, the isolated US Navy base in the Indian Ocean, RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and Whiteman USAF base in Missouri.

Some scenario, eh? And the same Telegraph defence specialist also said this:.

At the centre of the crisis is Washington's fear that an Iranian nuclear weapon could be used against Israel or US forces in the region, such as the American air base at Incirlik in Turkey.

The UN also believes that the production of a bomb could also lead to further destabilisation in the Middle East, which would result in Egypt, Syria and Saudi Arabia all developing nuclear weapons programmes.

Phew. That certainly sounds to us two oldies, like one hell of a lot of different place names they're playing around with. And all in all, this sort of stuff suddenly starts to sound suspiciously familiar, to say the very least.

This is not something that will happen imminently, maybe this year, maybe next year. Jack Straw is making exactly the same noises that theGovernment did in March 2003 when it spoke about the likelihood of a war in Iraq. "Then the Government said the war was neither inevitable or imminent and then attacked."

Yeah, right. Too bloody true he did, and too bloody true they did. Will we ever effing forget it ? Well, we ask you. Will any of us ? Ever ?

Grrrrrrr. We think here's where we should start to cool it. Perhaps right now might be a perfectly appropriate time for This Old Brit and Richard to adjourn, and to take yet another of their seemingly incessant and almost addictive -- traditional tea breaks.

Possible mainstream-media-madness induced, massive cerebral accidents and/or myocardial infarctions permitting, that is.

Read the rest of this latest scary-war-story stuff.

Then take a look at the Telegraph's terrible editorial 'leader' for the day. Are these people helping whip up another war or are these people helping whip up another war ?

And all from the safety and comfort of their screens and keyboards, of course.

Yuk. Will somebody please pass us the puke bucket.

Condoleeza Rice Protests - At Liverpool - In Words And Pictures - Via Blair Watch ...

Okay, here it is straight from the horse's mouth, so to speak.

Thanks to the absolutely excellent 'Blair Watch' site, one can see just what kind of a wonderfully 'warm welcome' Condoleeza-Cruella-Rice and Jack-the-jerk Straw really received from thousands [not hundreds] of civilized 'scousers'. ( Incidentally, for the enlightenment of any of our 'uninitiated' overseas readers, that's we Liverpudlians' term-of-endearment-type nickname).
DSCN6452 Originally uploaded by bliarwatch.

Seeing as it's a certainty the official spin machine will spring into super-drive soon -- as if it's not started to already -- be sure to save some all of this stuff for yourself, so you can savour it over & over. And be certain to send the whole shooting match to all those you suspect should appreciate seeing same.

As soon as you arrive at the Blair Watch site you'll suss out why we pair aren't even going to try to compete with their proven competence-cum-class, when compiling several Condi-Straw columns over the past few days. As the old saying goes, 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it'.

Several other super-fine Brit web-folk have also filed some fantastic, protest related reports, updates, pics, etc. So be sure to search out as many related links as you come across within Blair Watch's bloomin' brilliant blog.

And, taking the time & trouble to thank these tireless, true Brit patriots certainly will not go amiss: of that we're sure. So please use their comment facilities to show some sincere appreciation. This Old Brit and Richard believe you'll soon realise you should -- after witnessing their wonderful work -- and that you'll be glad you did, once you have.

So without further ado or delay, go ahead and make your day. And make our day too. But most of all, make the brilliant Blair Watch bunch's day.

Also, letting them know who led you there would be nice. Well, we two old Brit blogger-buggers aren't shy enough to stop ourselves from saying that we think it would be.

Right then brethren. Had enough lyrical waxing and/or waffling from us for one day ?

So .... sit yourself down, peel open a pack or two of popcorn -- then pop straight off to Blair Watch. -- and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! After all, thanks to their album at Flicr they're inviting you to share - for free - their dozens and dozens and dozens of great, Condi protest pics -- from This Old Brit's and Richard's very own, old hometown.

So switch off the TV and scour this swathe of full colour, scouse 'stills' beauties.

Oh, and y'all have a simply super Saturday.