Europe, Cancer And The Coalition

Unlike some other Lib Dem Bloggers, I have only a few qualms about what's happened with Europe this week.

But what does disturb me is the recent proposal regarding making all cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy to have to undergo medical assessments in order to receive benefits.

I think George Potter has explained the situation very well here:.

Macmillan aren't happy about this and, aside from all the ethical and moral reasons for us Lib Dems to want this group of cancer patients to receive unconditional support (which is my primary concern), it could potentially turn into a damaging PR disaster for the government and us as a party by association.

Given a choice betwen trusting MacMillan Cancer Care and trusting the government, I think most people will go for the former.... I certainly will....

I really hope that Lib Dems in government get this idea dropped. Quickly.

Bertrand Russell's Liberal Decalogue

I recently found this, from Bertrand Russell in 1951:

Perhaps the essence of the Liberal outlook could be summed up in a new decalogue, not intended to replace the old one but only to supplement it.
The Ten Commandments that, as a teacher, I should wish to promulgate, might be set forth as follows:

1. Do not feel absolutely certain of anything.
2. Do not think it worth while to proceed by concealing evidence, for the evidence is sure to come to light.
3. Never try to discourage thinking for you are sure to succeed.
4. When you meet with opposition, even if it should be from your husband or your children, endeavour to overcome it by argument and not by authority, for a victory dependent upon authority is unreal and illusory.
5. Have no respect for the authority of others, for there are always contrary authorities to be found.
6. Do not use power to suppress opinions you think pernicious, for if you do the opinions will suppress you.
7. Do not fear to be eccentric in opinion, for every opinion now accepted was once eccentric.
8. Find more pleasure in intelligent dissent that in passive agreement, for, if you value intelligence as you should, the former implies a deeper agreement than the latter.
9. Be scrupulously truthful, even if the truth is inconvenient, for it is more inconvenient when you try to conceal it.
10. Do not feel envious of the happiness of those who live in a fool's paradise, for only a fool will think that it is happiness.

Russell seems to be setting out 10 commandments for thinking , not for day-to-day life. So I would assume that no. 5 refers to the authority of other scholars - not policemen.

Hat-Tip - Ann Althouse - who doesn't seem fond of liberals.

A 19-Year-Old Speaks Up For His 2 Moms

Zach Walls testifies before the Iowa House of Representatives.

Hat-Tip: Andrew Sullivan

When Things Fall Apart

The recent comments of Lib Dem Euro MEP Sharon Bowles are pretty startling:

Bowles had travelled to the event directly from Brussels to inform the industry about the current state of the European Mortgage Directive.

But after her main speech was concluded she was asked a number of questions from the audience about the future of Europe.

The event’s host, Kevin Duffy, managing director of UK brokerage Mortgage Force, asked her whether, with the continued instability in Europe, in six months time we would see a two speed Europe.

Bowles responded: “I don’t know whether we will have an EU.” When Duffy attempted to clarify whether she meant the EU or euro, she responded “I don’t think we’ll have either”.

She went on to say while the parliament and commission were currently holding the line well when it came to protecting the single market, she said she was pessimistic about the future of the euro, and in her opinion it was “game over”.

We really are moving into uncertain times. The only comparison I can think of is with the break-up of the USSR. A time I remember well - I was in northern Russia when the Commonwealth of Independent States was proclaimed. (and inadvertantly happened to witness the first ever public striptease in Murmansk, though that's another story.)

For those salivating at the thought of the break-up of the EU , be careful what you wish for. The demise of the USSR brought about a great deal more personal freedom, but led to years of poverty, a massive gap between rich and poor and at least two wars.

I don't think the break-up of the EU would do much for personal freedom, but on the other hand I don't think we would get any wars. As for years of poverty, I'm worried...

The Face Of Putin

I'm watching the Russian elections live ... on Russian TV. From what I can see on the screen, Putin's party is down to 49%.

Medvedev and Putin are talking to the media. Putin has the tired, unhappy expression that people normally have when they have lost an election.

Another thought. Why on earth does Russia, of all places, have elections in December?

Damn Interesting

I'm delighted to see that the Damn Interesting website has come back to life , after a two year gap. I'm delighted because it has some stuff that is, well, damn interesting.

Do either of these snippets intrigue you?

A tale of intelligence, cunning and love of money:

The scoreboard on Larson’s podium read “$90,351,” an amount unheard of in the history of Press Your Luck. In fact, this total was far greater than any person had ever earned in one sitting on any television game show. With each spin on the randomized “Big Board” Larson took a one-in-six chance of hitting a “Whammy” space that would strip him of all his spoils, yet for 36 consecutive spins he had somehow missed the whammies, stretched the show beyond it’s 30-minute format, and accumulated extraordinary winnings. Such a streak was astronomically unlikely, but Larson was not yet ready to stop. He was convinced that he knew exactly what he was doing.

and the experiences of a pilot in the wrong place at the wrong time:

At times the air was so saturated with suspended water that an intake of breath caused him to sputter and choke. He began to worry about the very strange—but very real–possibility of drowning in the sky.

"Crimes" By Caryl Churchill

Well gosh , it's months since I posted something. Not exactly writers block, but ... life has been kinda busy.

So to get back into posting , here's a video clip of something I just about remember watching back in the 80s.

The BBC had a short season of plays then entitled "Play for Tomorrow", all set in the near future. This is how one of them opens. The actress, Sylvestra Le Touzel, was given some great dialogue, and she certainly makes chilling use of it......

Mr Moore Is Salaried....

Another snippet from Whats My Line...What kind of work does Bobby Moore from London , England do?

What On Earth Does He Do For A Living?

After seeing a fascinating little TV clip of "I've Got A Secret" on Liberal England, I stumbled across this segment of the US series of "What's My Line", circa 1956.....

Colonel Sanders lives in Kentucky. He has a neat white beard, a string tie and a white suit. What on earth does he do for a living?

What Happens If The USA Defaults

The following document from Buckingham Palace, signed by Her Majesty herself, has recently come into my possession. I understand that Wikileaks are absolutely livid that I got to it first.

I can't guarantee that it is genuine, but I believe it will come into effect if the USA defaults. Anyway, here it is:



Whereas Our Royal Ancestor King George III was pleased to sign the Treaty of Paris of the Year of our Lord 1783 that granted sovereignty to thirteen of Our colonies in North America . Nonetheless it is noted that Article 4 of that Treaty stated :

“It is agreed that creditors on either side shall meet with no lawful impediment to the recovery of the full value in sterling money of all bona fide debts heretofore contracted.”

It is now acknowledged that the government of those American Colonies is now unable to pay those debts.

And it is acknowledged that 25 % of Americans do not even know their country was granted independence by Our Royal Ancestor.

Therefore that treaty is now nullified, and it is Our Royal Duty to reassert Britannic Sovereignty over these impoverished and misgoverned lands.

Therefore We Solemnly Pronounce as follows:

I  A NEW COLONY. All the lands of the so-called “United States of America” will become a colony of our United Kingdom, except where stated below.

II ARMED FORCES Whereas it might be normally expected that the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coastguard of the United States would resist, we are not expecting war, as their government can longer pay them.  They will be invited to join our own distinguished armed forces, and keep Red , White and Blue ("These colours don't run") , and if Marines become Royal Marines, and if Navy became Royal Navy and drink rum, and if Air Force become Royal Air Force and grow mustaches , and if soldiers, wear kilts and play bagpipes and if Coastguard join the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

However enrollment in our Armed Forces will be denied to any person who cannot pronounce "lieutenant" correctly.

III NEW CAPITAL The colonial capital will be located at Charleston, where our beloved eldest son Charles will reside as Viceroy. 

IV . FORMER CAPITAL The former capital of these colonies will be renamed “New Washington” to avoid any confusion with the town in the north-east of England. The White House will be given to the National Trust.

V . CORRECT USE OF LANGUAGE. All those annoying misuses of Our English language will be decreed unlawful. Anyone writing “Color” instead of “Colour” or “Gasoline ” instead of “Petrol” will be fined. In a similar way, all unnecessary geographical terms will be replaced by their proper English equivalents. For example, the television series “Dawson’s Creek” will be renamed “Dawson’s Stream”. “

VII  BROADCASTING In order to improve the state of culture in America , all TV and radio stations will be taken over by the BBC. As a first step, Rush Limbaugh's programmes will be replaced by The Archers and Desert Island Discs.

VIII NEWSPAPERS . Our initial decision was that all American newspapers would be replaced by the Sun and the News of The World, However, after careful reconsideration We are pleased to maintain the status quo on this one.

VIII CURRENCY . The dollar will be replaced by the pound. As Our Americans are used to having a low denomination banknote , “The One Dollar Note”, as a gesture of goodwill We will reintroduce a “One Pound Note”, with an image of Ourself on one side and Jesse Owens on the other.

IX FINANCE MINISTER Our Colonial Finance Minister will be former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown Esqr. as, despite the hash he made of things here, he couldn't do as badly as the US Congress. Also, as our current Prime Minister is fond of saying, people deserve a second chance.

X REDUCING THE DEFICIT . We will reduce the deficit from the fines paid on incorrect use of English (see above). Also our advisers will increase duty on Petrol from its current low level. Also to raise the rest of the cash we will sell Alaska  back to the Russians. (at quite a profit)

XI HEALTH Whereas we understand that raising the tax on petrol will bring hardship to some of our poorer colonial subjects, we will save them money by introducing a National Health Service. We will appoint our beloved subject Hugh Laurie Esqr. as Colonial Minister for Health.

XII . DISPOSAL OF DISTANT TERRITORIES Some of the lands of the former United States are too far from Charleston to be governed effectively. We will therefore be pleased to dispose of some territories as follows:

i ) Small islands in the Pacific such as Guam will be given to Our loyal government in New Zealand.

ii) The states of Hawaii, Washington, plus Northern Idaho will be given to Our loyal government in Canada as We believe they are fond of pineapples, apples and potatoes .They will be renamed the Sandwich Islands, Arnold , and South British Columbia respectively.

iii ) The state of Alaska will be sold back to Russia. However We have promised to keep Mistress Sarah Palin.

iv) The island of Puerto Rico will be given to our Royal Relative Juan Carlos of Spain in exchange for Majorca and the other Balearic Islands, as they are mostly occupied by British Subjects anyway.

XIII  SPORTING ACTIVITIES We are disappointed to note that the as part of their general decline , the Americans are no longer so good at sports and games. We will therefore appoint our loyal subject Colin Montgomerie as Minister for Sport to teach them better golf. We will also send a party of Welshmen to Dallas, as we think the Texans would be rather good at Rugby. However in the opposite direction we will be pleased to bestow honours on the Williams sisters and make them Dame Venus Williams and Dame Serena Williams and place them in charge of Our Lawn Tennis Association.

XIV We believe it is necessary to grant some political representation to our colonial subjects and we will therefore appoint the following persons to the House of Lords:

Neil Armstrong, Duke of Tranquillity
William Gates, Lord Digits
Michelle Obama, Countess of Chicago
Thomas Petty, Lord Heartbreaker
Bruce Springsteen, Juke of Asbury.
Tracey Ullman , Duchess of Springfield

XV RELIGION Religious freedoms will remain. However as Utah is near the edge of our new realm and has it's own ways we will make Utah into a separate British Morman Colony under the governorship of Donny Osmond. We also note  that some of Our Muslim Subjects find living under our realm troubling and therefore offer them  the chance to live in a new Colony of Nevada. However they will be required to allow the gaming and  libertine dancing to continue, with the hope that it might broaden their outlook a trifle.

XVI HOLIDAYS . We will of couse discontinue July 4th as an American holiday. However we will introduce July 21st as a holiday to commemorate Neil Armstrong walking on the Moon, an event Our colonials should always be proud of. We will also introduce Darwin Day on February 12th, to stop America falling any further behind on science. Also....


The document I have ends at this point - clearly it continues further. I wonder what the rest of it says.

In the meantime I've heard something interesting about Greece, and the Ottoman Empire.....

What happens When You Mix Oxygen And Magnesium?

From Memebase:

Maybe Vince Saw Stuff Like This

According to the Guardian:

Vince Cable has launched an extraordinary attack on "rightwing nutters" in America who are trying to block the raising of the US government's debt ceiling and who are, he said, a bigger threat to the world economy than problems in the eurozone.

Maybe he read something like this blog post with the snappy title "Default -The Two Swwetest Words In the English Language"

Thinking Of Norway

A candle in Oslo cathedral today.....

Too many faces of heartbroken parents.

Problem Number 2 : A Shattered Pledge

Jennie says everything I wanted to say about the tuition fees issue, except ten times better.

You really should read her full post here but here's the key paragraph:

Let me spell this out in very small words: the problem is, as I said before it even happened, that, with twenty-one honourable exceptions*, our MPs broke their word. We ran our whole damn general election campaign on no more broken promises, we're not like all the others, vote for us and things will change because we're honest... And then we broke our word.

There are some excellent comments as well.

Winning Elections Is Easy

Winning elections is easy.

At least if you are Ruth Ellen Brosseau.

Never been to the constituency? Doesn't matter! Have problems with the local lanaguage? No problem!

Ruthe Ellen was a candidate for the New Democratic Party in last week's elections in Canada. As Wikipedia explains:

She is also an animal welfare activist who has worked to find homes for stray animals and help injured animals recover.

As of May, 2011, Brosseau is a single mother who resides in Gatineau, Quebec. Brosseau held the position of assistant manager for Oliver's Pub, a bar on the campus of Carleton University in Ottawa.


Brosseau ran for a seat to the Canadian House of Commons in the 2011 federal election. She stood as the New Democratic Party candidate in the electoral district of Berthier—Maskinongé in central Quebec. She was the second nomination choice of the party as the original candidate, Julie Demers, decided to run in Bourassa instead (where she lost).

Initially, Brosseau was considered a paper candidate who had been selected by the party due to the lack of a viable local nominee. She never put a serious campaign together and never went to the riding, which straddles the regions of Lanaudière and Mauricie, during the writ period. However, on election night, Brosseau defeated incumbent Bloc Québécois Member of Parliament Guy André and four other candidates winning with a plurality of 5,735 votes and taking just under 40% of all the votes cast. André finished a distant second, with only 29.4 percent of the vote.] Her victory was part of a wave of NDP support in Quebec--a province in which the party was virtually nonexistent prior to this election. By the end of election night, the party had seen a provincial seat increase from a single one in Montreal to a surprising total of 58.

The Toronto Globe And Mail has more here.

You'd have to have a heart of stone not to see the funny side of this. I sincerely wish her well. She's going to have an interesting time....