Helmut Hertz Has Words Of Caution For Harry Baals

HARRY Baals is huge in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The new game in town is to say Harry Baals as often as possible. When Harry Baals was mayor it was easy to say Harry Baals. But now you need to build a Government centre to get Harry Baals back into your daily chat.

The city already has Harry Baals Drive. And the people want a Harry Baals centre. Democracy counts. Although the perky newsreader says that just because Baals gets the most votes it means nothing. This is why Saddam Hussein got into power. It was either him or the German-born academic Helmut Hertz. Democracy died a little that day…

Anorak

Posted: 11th, February 2011 | In: Politicians | Comment

Barack Obama Is Freedom For Lunch: Open Sesame, Egypt

BARACK Obama is free for lunch:

TUESDAY
Hummus, falafel, tabouli, yogurt ayran

On Tuesday we say “open sesame” to the delicious healthy cuisine of our peace-loving friends in the Middle East. That exciting region has been in the news a lot recently, especially Egypt. This week we learned that ancient land is much more than just pyramids and mummies – it’s also a place where people get disappointed when they lose their internet connection. While you are enjoying lunch, talk with your friends about Egyptian current events. Who are the ‘good guys’? Who are the ‘bad guys’? What should I do? When you have an answer, write an essay and send it to me. You might win an all- expense-paid diplomacy trip with my State Department team!

Iowahawk has more…

Anorak

Posted: 11th, February 2011 | In: Politicians | Comment

Egypt: Wael Ghonim, The Muslim Brotherhood And A Beyond Parody Galloway

WAEL Ghonim is not only famous for being named after a Lulu Shout – he’s also the popular face of the protest in Egypt. The protests in Egypt have been leading the news agenda for days. Nothing is certain other than that the protests are a big news event.

On the TV, Western commentators arrive on camera to talk about Egypt and the will of the people.

Fox News knows:

A senior Egyptian official confirms to Fox News that President Hosni Mubarak will step down shortly and transfer authority to the Egyptian Higher Council of the Armed Forces as Egypt’s state TV says Mubarak will address the nation Thursday evening.

Anorak

Posted: 11th, February 2011 | In: Key Posts, Politicians | Comment

EU Vice President Calls For EU To Be Scrapped

EU Assembly’s vice president says that the EU should be scrapped because it costs too much.

Well, thats what the headline in the Daily Telegraph says…

Anorak

Posted: 11th, February 2011 | In: Politicians | Comment

President Hosni Mubarak Stays: Egypt Holidaymakers Don’t Care

TO Egyptian, where President Hosni Mubarak is till President President Hosni Mubarak. He won’t run for re-re-re (etc.) election in September but he will stay on until then.

Vice President Omar Suleiman – aka Ama Sillyman  – is backing the Pres.

The Guardian’s Matt Wells reports:

There is a feeling that people want to get on the move now. I can hear this chant: “We’ll go to the palace and tear him out.”

Anorak

Posted: 10th, February 2011 | In: Politicians | Comments (21)

Eric Illsley Flips His Jail Cell

LABOUR MP Eric Illsley has been jailed for a year. Rumours that he has already submitted a receipt for loss of earnings due to time spent away from home, use of soap of a rope and taking a taxi to prison are protected by Parliamentary privilege.

Anorak

Posted: 10th, February 2011 | In: Politicians | Comment (1)

Jim Devine Goes Down: One More Pig Off To The Abattoir

FORMER Labour MP Jim Devine has been found guilty of fiddling his expenses and stealing from every British taxpayer.

At Southwark Crown Court in London, Devine was found guilty of claiming over £8,000 for printing and cleaning work that was never carried out. He has been convicted of two charges of false accounting.

Anorak

Posted: 10th, February 2011 | In: Politicians | Comment

Prisoners Vote Campaigner John Hirst Says He Will Break The Law If Law Not Upheld

THE more John Hirst talks the more the view hardens against prisoners having the right to vote.

He’s been on the Daily Politic getting annihilated by Brillo.

Anorak

Posted: 10th, February 2011 | In: Politicians | Comments (6)

Tory Council Sends Afghan Refugees To Dog Club

ANY Afghan refugees looking for sanctuary in the London borough of Hammersmith and Fulham and advised to contact the Southern Afghan Club.

You may have attended their last big meeting at the Wood Green Animal Shelters, where Judges Mark Cocozza (Dogs) and Dawn Kirwan (Bitches) checked the teeth and hair of all new arrivals?

You might want the Afghan Council. Yep, the Southern Afghan Club is for Afghan Hounds.

Anorak

Posted: 10th, February 2011 | In: Politicians | Comments (2)

Cameron Meets Hasselhoff: The Toff And the Hoff

WHEN David Cameron met David Hasselhoff a 1980s revival was begun. Hoff got his kit off. Super Cam got the pot out. And Jim’ll Fix It got another satisfied customer…

Anorak

Posted: 9th, February 2011 | In: Politicians | Comment (1)

Sydney Outlaws Bar Refaeli And Creates New Country In Africa

SYDNEY’S Marrickville Council has outlawed Israel and its people:

What does the desert theocracy of Saudi Arabia have in common with Marrickville Council in Sydney’s Inner West?

Ever since a Marrickville Council meeting late last year, both are sworn enemies of Israel. In a 10-2 vote, the council decided it would “boycott all goods made in Israel and any sporting, academic institutions, government or institutional cultural exchanges”.

Anorak

Posted: 8th, February 2011 | In: Politicians | Comment (1)

President Bush’s Plea Bargain Leads To Blair And Ahmadinejad’s Arrest

FORMER President Bush has cancelled a trip to Switzerland. Why? Is it to cut down his carbon footprint? No. It’s to avoid arrest.

Katherine Gallagher, a lawyer with the New York-based Centre for Constitutional Rights, tells the Guaridan:

“The reach of the convention against torture is wide. This case is prepared and will be waiting for him wherever he travels next. Torturers, even if they are former presidents of the United States, must be held to account and prosecuted.”

Great. One rule of law for all mankind, regardless of status. But why only go for bush? why not nick Ahamdinejad, Blair, Mubarak, Barack Obama… There is no room to be partisan. Nick them all. Let the world see the wrongdoers in jail and know their behaviour has consequences.

Anorak

Posted: 8th, February 2011 | In: Politicians | Comment (1)

How And Why Tony Blair Freed Abdelbaset al Megrahi: Money And Power

SIR Gus O’Donnell knows why Lockerbie mass murderer Abdelbaset al Megrahi is now free.

The downing of Flight 103 is the biggest single act of mass murder in British history

Anorak

Posted: 7th, February 2011 | In: Key Posts, Politicians | Comments (15)

The Death Of Awal Gul: Guantanamo Detainee Dies In Jail

AWAL Gul has died. Glenn Greenwald looks at the death of a man charged who though charged with no crime who spent nine years in jail:

A 48-year-old Afghan citizen and Guantanamo detainee, Awal Gul, died on Tuesday of an apparent heart attack.  Gul, a father of 18 children, had been kept in a cage by the U.S. for more than 9 years — since late 2001 when he was abducted in Afghanistan — without ever having been charged with a crime.  While the U.S. claims he was a Taliban commander, Gul has long insisted that he quit the Taliban a year before the 9/11 attack because, as his lawyer put it, “he was disgusted by the Taliban’s growing penchant for corruption and abuse.”  His death means those conflicting claims will never be resolved; said his lawyer: “it is shame that the government will finally fly him home not in handcuffs and a hood, but in a casket.”  This episode illustrates that the U.S. Government’s detention policy — still — amounts to imposing life sentences on people without bothering to prove they did anything wrong.

Anorak

Posted: 7th, February 2011 | In: Politicians | Comment

Birmingham MPs Wife Denies Being Cat Burglar

ON June 21, 2011, Christine Hemming will be in Birmingham Crown Court to answer the charge that she burgled the home of one Emily Cox home and stole a tabby kitten. She denies being a cat burglar.

It’s an allegation that becomes newsworthy when you realise her husband is Birmingham Yardley MP John Hemming. Yep, he is the same John Hemming who had an affair with Cox (he says he’s had 25 others), who later gave birth to his child.

Anorak

Posted: 7th, February 2011 | In: Politicians | Comment

David Blunkett Says His Phone Was Hacked: Good If It Was

ONLY the Independent leads with news that David Blunkett believes his mobile phone’s voicemails were hacked by journalists while he was Home Secretary.

The Indy reminds readers that the Home Office “is one of the most sensitive government departments”.

To further hammer in the point home that Blunkett was privy to top secrets that he, er, may have mentioned on his mobile phone’s voicemail, the Indy goes on:

The suggestion that a serving cabinet minister – whose responsibilities included the oversight of MI5 and sensitive operations against Islamic terror groups – was having his voicemails intercepted is one of the most alarming yet in the scandal over the tactics of some sections of the British press.

Anorak

Posted: 7th, February 2011 | In: Politicians | Comments (5)

EDL In Luton: Cameron’s ‘Race War’ And The Muslim Fascist

THE EDL massed in Luton and there was very little violence. The mainstream media was excited at the prospect of mayhem:

“Fears Of Violence At Extreme Right Protest,” yelled the Sky News headline.

“The EDL marches in Luton today. Hold your breath,” ordered the Guardian

But there were no “significant incidents“. this may in part have something to do with the police moving “to seal the EDL in to St George’s Square” with metal barriers.

Anorak

Posted: 5th, February 2011 | In: Politicians | Comment

EDL March Anti-Islam March In Luton: In Photos

TO Luton, where members of the English Defence League are protesting against Islam in St George’s Square. In the media the talk is for violence. Or is it hope – violence sells newspapers? There are around between 2,500 and 7,000  members of the EDL on the streets. There are around 1,000 members of Unite Against Fascism (UAF) there to oppose them:

“Fears Of Violence At Extreme Right Protest” – Sky
“The EDL marches in Luton today. Hold your breath” – Guardian

Anorak

Posted: 5th, February 2011 | In: Key Posts, Politicians | Comments (7)

David Cameron: Anti-Islam Propaganda, The EDL And Muslim Terrorists

DAVID Cameron is to talk about terrorism, Islamism and multi-culturalism at a security conference in Munich, Germany. He will say:

“Frankly, we need a lot less of the passive tolerance of recent years and much more active, muscular liberalism. Let’s properly judge these organisations: Do they believe in universal human rights – including for women and people of other faiths? Do they believe in equality of all before the law? Do they believe in democracy and the right of people to elect their own government? Do they encourage integration or separatism?”

“These are the sorts of questions we need to ask. Fail these tests and the presumption should be not to engage with organisations. We have even tolerated these segregated communities behaving in ways that run counter to our values”

The Reactions and News Coverage:

British Muslims

The Ramadhan Foundation said that, by singling out Muslims, Mr Cameron had fed “hysteria and paranoia”.

Chief executive Mohammed Shafiq said: “British Muslims abhor terrorism and extremism and we have worked hard to eradicate this evil from our country. But to suggest that we do not sign up to the values of tolerance, respect and freedom is deeply offensive and incorrect.” – BBC

Anorak

Posted: 5th, February 2011 | In: Key Posts, Politicians | Comments (14)

Egypt Loses Mubarak’s Billions But Cairo Will Always Have Its Fashion Industry

EGYPT In Chaos: ABC News reports that when President Mubarak leaves, the Egyptian economy will be far worse off: he’s worth anything from $40-$70 billion dollars. Of course, most of the booty is kept outside Egypt.

If it’s in British banks, what should Britain do?

Anorak

Posted: 4th, February 2011 | In: Politicians | Comment (1)

Sally Bercow To Star In Mike Leigh Sex Comedy

SALLY Bercow is John Bercow’s, wife. She is Mrs Speaker, who adds to her tales of passing out from booze on the Tube and indiscriminate sex by posing in a sheet for an article in the London Evening Standard. Stood in the family’s grace and favour flat, she tells one and all:

“I never realised how sexy I would find living under Big Ben with the bells chiming.”

Anorak

Posted: 4th, February 2011 | In: Politicians | Comments (2)

Zahra Bahrami Is A Cautionary Tale For Egyptian Revolutionaries

ZAHRA Bahrami. Does that name mean anything to you? Has it been on the TV news much? Or are the events in Egypt filling the news space?

On December 27, 2009, Bahrami a 46-year-old Iranian-born naturalised Dutch citizen was arrested in Iran. It was during the Ashura protests against an allegedly rigged Presidential vote.

The Dutch learnt of the arrest and wanted to speak with their citizen. The Iranians refused. It does not recognise dual nationality.

Anorak

Posted: 3rd, February 2011 | In: Politicians | Comment (1)

Glenn Beck’s Stupidity Outwits Slow Obama As Tunisia Leapfrogs Libya

OVER in America, the locals are being tutored in ways of European and North African politics by Glenn Beck. He has chalk, people. He has magnets of camp fires and smiley faces (aciiiiiid).  He has a way of saying Toon-ees-ya that makes him sound like a hick. But Beck knows. He knows that Tunisia has “leapfrogged” Libya. He knows that Britain is burning.  He knows that – and do get this – “the entire Mediterranean is on fire“.

Egypt: The Best Protest Signs (Mubarak: The Hitler Jew Rabbit)

Beck wants to talk up the Muslim Brotherood and Islamists. Only he forgets one small thing: the majority of Egyptians do not want the Islamists and will not vote for them.

Anorak

Posted: 2nd, February 2011 | In: Key Posts, Politicians | Comments (5)

Tony Blair Was Complicit In Release Of Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi

BRITISH ministers secretly briefed Libya’s Government on how to secure the early release of the Lockerbie bomber – Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi.

The man convicted of the UK’s worst mass murder was released after Tony Blair’s Government had advised Tripoli the man convicted of downing the Pan Am flight 103 the Maid of the Seas was held in Scotland and subject to Scottish law but Blair’s government had control of Foreign policy. Two hundred and seventy were killed when the plane was destroyed.

Wikileaks has released leaked US diplomatic cables which show the US Government was complicit since it knew of the talks and had been briefed.

Anorak

Posted: 1st, February 2011 | In: Politicians | Comments (4)

Egypt: Muslim Brotherhood Shouted Down By Unity Protesters

EGYPT in Chaos: Will the Islamists take power and seize control, replacing one authoritarian regime with another?

The BBC says Mohamed ElBaradei and the Muslim Brotherhood may already be divided:

However, there have been some signs of disagreement within the opposition, with the largest group, the Muslim Brotherhood, appearing to go back on its endorsement of leading figure Mohamed ElBaradei as a negotiator with Mr Mubarak.

A spokesman for the Muslim Brotherhood, Mohamed Morsy, told the BBC: “The Muslim Brotherhood is much stronger than Mohamed ElBaradei.”

Anorak

Posted: 1st, February 2011 | In: Politicians | Comments (6)