Putin’s Goons Fail To Break The 31 Movement And Crack Heads

AT the Strategy 31 meeting in Moscow, the locals demanding the right to assemble chanted “Russia will be Free!” and “Russia without Putin!” and “This is our city“.

Putin says demonstrators deserve to be beaten up if they took part in demonstrations not sanctioned by his Government. He tells Kommersant:

“They need to obtain permission from the local authorities… If they go out without permission, they’ll take a cudgel to the head. That’s all there is to it.”

Usually the dissenting voices mass on Triumfalnaya Square on the last day of each month that has 31 days in “defense of their right to freedom of assembly, as enshrined in Article 31 of the Russian Constitution.”

Anorak

Posted: 31st, August 2010 | In: Politicians | Comments (3)

William Hague Is Not Gay And Neither Is Seb Coe

SEB Coe and his wife have split. Sad news for them. He could do with a laugh. So in light of Guido’s news that Foreign Secretary William Hague “shared a hotel room with his then driver Christopher Myers, whom he has now appointed as his Special Adviser on the Civil Service payroll“, the Daily Mail ‘s Adam Helliker writes:

Olympic gold medallist Sebastian Coe, who received a life peerage for his services to William Hague, has parted from his wife Nicola after 13 years’ marriage.

Update:

A spokesman for William Hague said: “Any suggestion that the Foreign Secretary’s relationship with Chris Myers is anything other than a purely professional one is wholly inaccurate and unfounded.”

Ditto Seb Coe…

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Conservative Party leader William Hague (front) literally took the plunge in Cornwall today (Monday), on the water slide at Flambards theme park near Helston on the Lizard, accompanied by deputy chief of staff Seb Coe (middle) and newly appointed Cornwall party spokesman David Harris, at the start of his meet the people tour of Britain. See PA Story POLITICS Hague. Photo by David Brenchley.

Anorak

Posted: 31st, August 2010 | In: Politicians | Comments (5)

11% of Americans Think Obama Looks Black Because Their TV Is Faulty

BARACK Obama only looks black to some…

Barack Obama is a Muslim. At least that is what 18 percent of Americans think. Of those 18 percent, 16 per cent think he does not exist at all; 13% think he’s a robot sponsored by a Speak ‘n’ Spell machine; 11 percent don’t think at all; and 7 percent wanted the question repeated at least twice.

Obama duly goes on the TV – where 32 percent think he lives (11 percent believe his darkened appearance is due to bad colour contrast on their Japanese sets).

In the interview with Brian Williams he says:

“I can’t spend all of my time with my birth certificate plastered on my forehead.”

Well, no. When you go swimming it will fall off. Better to get a tattoo…

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Anorak

Posted: 30th, August 2010 | In: Key Posts, Politicians | Comment

In Photos: When The English Defence League Came To Bradford, Twinned With Palestine

WHICH group is more violent – the English Defence League or Unite Against Fascism? The groups met in Bradford earlier today. On the UAE side, someone waved a Palestinian flag? Why they did this is unclear – although the trouble and the wall were evocative of the Middle East front line.

Is the flag being used as a symbol of Islamism? The EDL have in the past unfurled the Star of David? Why? Israel is not at war with Islam. Not all Palestinians are Islamists. Is the trouble in Israel – with the involvement of Iran-backed Hizbollah and Hamas – two wholly racist Islamist organisations – seen as something that could happen in the UK?

Can anti-fascists be Islamists?

Anorak

Posted: 28th, August 2010 | In: Key Posts, Politicians | Comments (2)

Photos Of Prime Minister David Cameron’s New Baby Florence Rose Endellion Cameron

WANT to see photos of Prime Minister David Cameron’s new baby daughter, Florence Rose Endellion Cameron who was born on Tuesday August 24, during their summer holiday in Cornwall?

Here goes…

(Nick Clegg is available for baby sitting duties)

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Prime Minister David Cameron holds his baby daughter, Florence Rose Endellion Cameron who was born on Tuesday August 24, during their summer holiday in Cornwall.

Anorak

Posted: 28th, August 2010 | In: Politicians | Comments (4)

English Defence League Take On Unite Against Fascism In Bradford (In Photos)

THE ENGLISH Defence League (EDL) v Unite Against Fascism (UAF) in Bradford was billed as a battle. Police have erected an 8ft-high temporary barricade around the city’s Urban Gardens, where the EDL were due to meet. There were metal detectors and more security than at a Katie Price wedding. Indeed, the security outnumbers the teams who met for their habitual weekend get together.

Signs held aloft proclaim:

“I support women’s rights therefore I am an infidel”

“Every new mosque is a nail in Britain’s coffin”

“No Sharia law”

Anorak

Posted: 28th, August 2010 | In: Politicians | Comment

The Ground Zero Mosque Is Now A Taiwanese Cartoon

THE Ground Zero Mosque is big news in the US. One one side, you can do what you like. On another, why build the mosque there?

But what about his argument – the whole thing is entertaining. The US is a country that has lost its confidence to such an extent that a building is a huge palaver.

In Taiwan, they might laugh…

Bill Whittle

Anorak

Posted: 26th, August 2010 | In: Politicians | Comment

When ‘Mine Fuhrer’ Arthur Scargill Had Power – The Miners Strike In Photos

ARTHUR Scargill has been expelled from the National Union of Mineworkers, the force he once led.

Yeah, who knew the miners still had a union and that the UK still had miners? In 1984, Scargill was a big news and the miners were powerful.

Then the strike was broken and the union was weakened.

Anorak

Posted: 25th, August 2010 | In: Politicians | Comments (3)

Obama Still A Lightweight

Weighty issues at the White House laugh in…

Image taken from internet. No copyright attributed. If if it your image, please get in touch…

Anorak

Posted: 25th, August 2010 | In: Politicians | Comments (3)

The Death Of MI6 Spy Dr Gareth Williams In Russia’s Motherland (Photos)

DR GARETH Williams, the MI6 worker found dead in a flat in London’s Pimlico was stabbed. His body was stuffed into a sports bag and left in the bathroom. Reports suggest it was in the bath.

The body had been there for days. It was already decomposing when it was found.

As for Gareth Williams…? Well, he earned his doctorate in maths at Cambridge University.

He was staying in a top floor apartment in Alderney Street.

According to Land Registry documents, the building is owned by a company called New Rodina. The company is registered in the British Virgin Islands. Rodina means “motherland” in Russian and Bulgarian, which may be relevant.

Anorak

Posted: 25th, August 2010 | In: Politicians | Comment (1)

David Cameron New Baby Photos Leave No Time For Paternity Leave

WE saw Prime Minister David Cameron speaking to the media outside the maternity ward of the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro after the birth of his fourth child, a daughter.

There’s no need for paternity leave because Dave is on holiday. Of course, he should have been working. As Conservative Home told us on November 24, 2009:

“A new Conservative government may keep parliament sitting through next August in an attempt to show its determination to implement its manifesto commitments, a source has disclosed. The move would send a message of a symbolic break with the current parliament’s self-serving practices, the source said…

Working through the summer would also show the willingness of the Cameron government to make personal sacrifices as it asks Britain to take some very tough medicine, including public sector pay freezes and job losses.

Of course, that was before the election…

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Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha hold their baby daughter Florence Rose Endellion Cameron outside 10 Downing Street, central London, following their return to London after their summer holiday in Cornwall.

Anorak

Posted: 24th, August 2010 | In: Politicians | Comment (1)

Provo Priest Father Chesney, A Sports Car And Nine Dead

FATHER James Chesney is dead. When he was alive, Chesney played a part in the 1972 bombing of Claudy. What part he played remains unclear. Nobody was ever convicted of the crime.

The bombing left nine people dead and 30 injured. It was callous.

Three bombs in all were planted in the village of Claudy, 11 miles from Derry. Bomb No. 1 exploded by McElhinney’s shop and bar on Main Street.
Bomb No2 was found. Police helped people move to safety at the Beaufort Hotel. A bomb was in a van outside the hotel.

The Provos did not claim the bombs as their own. But fingers were pointed. And they were pointed at Father Chesney?

Anorak

Posted: 24th, August 2010 | In: Politicians | Comment

David Cameron And Samantha’s Cornwall Holiday Photos And Other Boden Catalogues

DAVID Cameron and his wife Samantha are in Cornwall on their family summer holidays. The Cameroons, along with Nancy and Arthur, from the Cameron Junior range, are residing near Daymer Bay in Cornwall.

In town, she wears a Maxi dress in tossed-egg yellow. He wears a dark top and denims frpm the Boden Politics range.
They stop for a drink at a cafe on the beach in the small village of Polzeath.

And the most refreshing thing about it all is that the local don’t appear to give a toss Well, not locals, not really – more extras in the new catalogue range…

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Prime Minister David Cameron accompanied by his wife Samantha, on the coastal path at Daymer Bay beach in Cornwall where the family are on holiday.

Anorak

Posted: 22nd, August 2010 | In: Politicians | Comment

Tony Blair’s Journey Has 324 Redacted Pages And A Prayer For Every Reader

TONY BLAIR uses his PR skills to flog his newly released memoirs – A Journey – by donating all monies raised from it – a £4.6million advance and proceeds from sales – to the Royal British Legion. He wants to “honour” the soldiers.

Buy the book and help an old soldier who might have had his leg blown off in an iffy war Tony led you into. Tony is all about giving until it hurts.

The book contains just 267 words and 324 redacted pages. It’s a great read and all absolutely true (to the best of my recollection).

Anorak

Posted: 17th, August 2010 | In: Politicians | Comments (2)

Barack Obama’s Top Priority Is A New Speechwriter

BARACK Obama’s Top Priority is…often and changing. He says “Top Priority” a lot. What else could he use instead?

ECONOMIC RECOVERY: “Our top priority is to recover and rebuild from a recession that has touched the lives of nearly every American.” (6-15-10) Address to the Nation

JOB CREATION: “Creating jobs in the United States and ensuring a return to sustainable economic growth is the top priority for my Administration.” (3-11-10)

FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS: “…that’s something that’s going to be a top priority.” (4/27/10)

ENERGY SECURITY: “And that’s why my energy security plan has been one of the top priorities of my Administration since the day I took office.” (4/28/10)

Anorak

Posted: 17th, August 2010 | In: Politicians | Comment

The Daily Express Clock Change Campaign Is Stuck In 2002

THE Daily Express‘ “CRUSADE  – TIME FOR CHANGE” – wants the UK to move the clocks forward permanently one hour. Hurrah! But hold on one moment. Is this a plot to give the Express some kind of meaning while also bashing the EU? You see, we’ve been here before:

In 2002, Alan Johnson MP, writing on behalf of the Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, to Bob Russell MP said:

The start and end dates of summer time are harmonised across EC member states through a European Directive. The Directive stipulates that, in each member state, clocks are put forward annually by one hour during the period between the last Sunday in March and the last Sunday in October.

Anorak

Posted: 16th, August 2010 | In: Politicians | Comment

Barack Obama Needs A Good War To Save Himself

BARACK Obama is less popular with Americans than he was. This was bound to happen, you think. Well, no.  This poll from Gallup (click to make bigger) explains what can go right and wrong for the US President. It might be that to save himself or be saved, Obama needs a war. Having forgotten his British allies and talked up the BP disaster, Obama now foolishly gets involved in the debate over the building of a mosque near Ground Zero, New York.  He’s at an Iftar dinner in celebration of Ramadan.

Says Obama:

“As a citizen, and as president, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as anyone else in this country.

“That includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances.”

Agreed. These are strong words. Obama champions the ideals that help make the US a great country. Obama has made a decisive statement.

Anorak

Posted: 16th, August 2010 | In: Politicians | Comments (2)

Law Goes Fishing For Lord Taylor Of Warwick

LORD Taylor of Warwick arrived at Westminster Magistrates’ court where he is appearing over alleged issued with his Parlimentary expenses.

The accused enjoyed a full breakfast.

More on the keen fisherman here.

Lord Taylor Of Warwick Feels Sick: Fishing Expeditions And Alleged Fiddles

Anorak

Posted: 13th, August 2010 | In: Politicians | Comment

George Bush Greets The Troops As Obama Lets Us Forget

ANYONE missing George W. Bush yet? One things Obama might have gotten wrong is to fail to remind everyone enough what went before.

Andrew Sullivan says:

Now, the Tories have only just gotten into office, while Obama has had a year and a half to be accountable. But they are doing what Obama should, in my view, have done from the start: relentlessly remind people of what the GOP did to this country.

Another thing Obama might have gotten wrong is forgetting who his allies are and looking like he’s in it for the money and fame as his wife swans about Marbella while the recession continues to bite.

Anorak

Posted: 12th, August 2010 | In: Politicians | Comment (1)

Tony Blair Bans Mobile Phones From His Book Signing (Photos)

ANYONE heading along to meet Tony Blair as he signs his candid autobiography at Waterstones will have any phones and recording devices confiscated and ordered to remove their bags.

You will also be required to wear a wristband which on the command “Herod!” will tighten around your wrist cutting of supply to the hands, then the arms, then the torso and finally the brain.

The meet and greet is Tony’s premiership in microcosm. You will be deprived of your freedoms. You will be forced to carry a badge identifying you as a straight up kinda guy. You will have to give Tony money if you want to get close to him (you need to buy the book). You will go back around a second and third time because you can’t believe that all that hype and hoopla was based on a slick marketing campaign.

But Tony is not unaware that meeting him is an important moment in your life and you would like a memento more spiritual than a police record and a nasty swelling above the eye. Anorak can reveal that all visitors, pilgrims, if you will, will be handed a small wet flannel to press over Tony’s face and take home with them. There will also be etchings of Tony to buy and brass rubbings.

Blair, that straight kinda guy, has been paid £4.6m advance for his memoirs called A Journey. It is billed a being “frank, open and revealing”. But if you mention to anyone what is in it you will shot in the face…

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Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair stands in a cell during a visit to Slough police station near London. Mr Blair and the Home Secretary David Blunkett arrived in the Berkshire town on the 2.18 from Paddington before being driven to the police base to be shown around by Superintendent Brian Langston, area commander for Slough. The Prime Minister endorsed a series of law changes aimed at rebalancing the judicial system in favour of law-abiding citizens and victims of crime rather than the offenders themselves.

Anorak

Posted: 11th, August 2010 | In: Politicians | Comment

Is Caroline Giuliani A Victim Of Rudy Giuliani’s Privacy?

RUDY Giuliani seems to have leant from past errors as he addresses the arrest of his daughter, Caroline Giuliani, 20, for shoplifting.

As we reported, Caroline is accused of stealing a small quantity of make-up from a Sephora store in New York.

She will appear before the Manhattan Criminal Court on Aug. 31.

So. What does daddy, the former Presidential candidate have to say? The New York Post reports:

The suspect’s famous father had no comment on Caroline’s arrest — or her treatment.

“It’s a private matter,” the ex-mayor said as he left his Upper East Side apartment, “and it’s going to stay that way.”

Well, a “no comment” is still a comment. He’s opened the door. But will he speak again on the matter? Maybe. Deceiver spots a time when Giuliani was not so private with his private life.

Anorak

Posted: 11th, August 2010 | In: Politicians | Comment (1)

Self-Hating Jew Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Denies 9/11

IRAN’S self-hating Jewish leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad continues to be funnier than funny.

Before he gets the nuclear bomb to, as he says, give electricity to Iran and secure a steady electricity supply when he’s bombed the rest of the region to dust and travel and imports are complicated by radiation, he warms up for another anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attack on New York.

Ahamdinehjad tells Iranians (all of them):

“They announced that 3,000 people were killed in this incident, but there were no reports that reveal their names. Maybe you saw that, but I did not.”

Anorak

Posted: 8th, August 2010 | In: Politicians | Comments (2)

Can Michelle Obama Single-Handedly Save Spain From Bankruptcy?

UNTIL now all we had on Michelle Obama were her arms and dodgy prom dress. Now we get to call her Marie Antoinette as her lauds it around Marbella with all the taste of a Peter Stringfellow’s warm G-string a la mode.

Granted, Michelle is doing her bit to single-handedly save the Spanish economy. Spain is shafted. There is no work and no cash. But maybe if Michelle Obama can rent enough rooms – she’s up to 60 – and employ enough police to rope off bits of beach for her and her Obamettes to swim in – things can improve.

Of course, Marbella is already full of flashy new money tosspots in big boats, shiny flanges on wheels and this year’s take on the Russian long back leather coat. Michelle Obama risks blending in.

Anorak

Posted: 7th, August 2010 | In: Key Posts, Politicians | Comments (3)

Michelle Obama Surrounds Marbella

MICHELLE Obama is in Marbella, from whence your writer has only recently returned – albeit after a few issues at passport control where the news nose, lips, eyes, forehead and hair conflicted with my old passport photo. (Note to self – next time wear burqa.) The One’s Wife No. 1 is dodging Spanish racists and relaxing in 60 hotel rooms. It’s tough redistributing all that wealth…

Anorak

Posted: 5th, August 2010 | In: Politicians | Comment (1)

Your European Union: The Lux Prize For Film Laugh In

THE LUX Prize for film is the European Parliament’s film awards scheme. The programme speaks for itself. Here is where your tax money goes:

Akadimia Platonos, Die Fremde and Illégal were the three films shortlisted on Tuesday for the European Parliament’s 2010 LUX film prize, during an event at the Venice International Film Festival. Like past LUX Prize contenders, these films speak to Europeans’ hearts and identities, forcing us to ask ourselves about our cultural and family relations, and the rules by which we live.

Read on, fellow European:

As with previous winners — Auf der anderen Seite (2007), Le silence de Lorna (2008) and Welcome (2009) — the 2010 LUX Prize winning film will receive European Parliament financial support for subtitling the film into all the 23 official languages of the European Union (EU), an adaptation of the original version for the visually- or hearing-impaired, and the production of a 35 mm print per EU member state.

You cannot miss it. Really, you cannot. And here is what you can look forward to:

Anorak

Posted: 5th, August 2010 | In: Politicians | Comments (2)