Tuesday, 10 November 2009

Thanks but No Thanks

What kind of a government sets up an Advisory Council of eminent people to investigate and advise on the scientific evidence (on drug-taking) and then rejects its advice and sacks its chairman?
UNBELIEVABLE!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8335189.stm
http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/02/let-scientists-write-drug-laws-says-fired-british-expert/
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn18099-david-nutt-governments-should-get-real-on-drugs.html


Three more drug advisers quit

Three drug advisers have dealt the Government a further blow by resigning from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD). Chemist Simon Campbell, psychologist John Marsden and scientific consultant Ian Ragan stepped down following showdown talks with Home Secretary Alan Johnson on Tuesday. The meeting was held amid the fall-out from the sacking of the Government's chief drugs adviser Professor David Nutt over his controversial remarks about cannabis, Ecstasy and LSD. Two other advisers - Marion Walker and Les King - had already quit the committee

Three Unionist Leaders - time for three more "advisors" to step down?

 more
Which of these will yield Scottish and Welsh Independence?
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/blog/talking_politics/article/76799/
The best way to succeed is to secede.

Defeat the Police State Part 2

More hugs......

Monday, 9 November 2009

Freedom is a Word.....



.....but it is also a fundamental human right.

See this: http://swlibertarians.blogspot.com/

Sunday, 8 November 2009

Saving Face - Whatever the Cost


The main justification offered by the Government for keeping troops in Afghanistan is rejected by the majority of British people, a new opinion poll for The Independent shows today. Four out of five of those questioned do not believe that British involvement in the conflict, with its rising toll of casualties, is keeping the streets of Britain safe from terrorist attacks.
In direct contradiction of the Government's position, almost half, or 46 per cent, of those surveyed held that the presence of British forces in the US-led war actually increased the threat of attacks in the country by creating anger and resentment among the Muslim population.
********************************************************************************
Both the Labour government and the British Army are determined to continue the war against the Taliban in Afghanistan. In yesterday's news in an interview with a British army commander it was stated that the army is accustomed to winning, not losing, battles and will see it through whatever the cost in lives and equipment. Gordon Brown, despite his comments on Afghan government corruption, has given his full backing to the war. Meanwhile support for the war among the public is fading away. It is increasingly felt that this is an unwinnable war.

Afghanistan has long been a "trouble spot", since the British conquest of India. The fierce tribesmen of the North West Frontier have often been a challenge for British troops and the Russians made a similar discovery when the Mujaheddin swept down from the Panjir Valley and harassed them, eventually obliging them to withdraw from the country and return home. This will also be the outcome of the present conflict. However much the allied troops attempt to ingratiate themselves with the Afghan public their efforts will come to nought as more and more innocent citizens, men, women and children are caught up in the battles and killed by allied bombing and Taliban suicide reprisals.

This unwinnable war will not end until the present government is out of office. It is in the interests of the Labour ministers to prolong it, as to withdraw now would be to lose face and admit defeat, and it diverts the attention of the British public from the sins of the administration and promotes "patriotic" feelings to a level not seen since the Falklands war (DAVID MILIBAND: "We are in Afghanistan because this is every bit a necessary war.") The general public is proud of its brave soldiers and does not see that they risk their lives for a lost cause. Britain is not under threat from the Taliban so much as from fanatical British Pakistanis who have spent time in the training camps of Al Qaeda. But more are questioning the reasons why their troops are there and why they went there in the first place.

The actions of British and American troops provoke and exacerbate a worsening situation and are an obstacle to a solution as more Afghan citizens yearn for an end to the conflict whosoever their rulers may be. The result of this debacle is that the war has spilled over into Pakistan and threatens to topple the government of that country, a nuclear state which could well go the way of Iran.

alanindyfed

See this: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8349757.stm
and this: http://www.canadafreepress.com/2004/edesk020204.htm - "the spirit of Masoud...."

Addendum:
The recent shooting at Fort Hood in Texas highlights the serious problem of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). 20% of US soldiers returning from the war exhibit this in varying degrees and it is not readily noticeable, but can without warning flare up and result in previously normal and rational individuals perpetrating an incident such as the one at Fort Hood. Stress also results from conscripted soldiers being assigned to front-line duties in the Middle East against their wishes, particularly in cases of soldiers who are Muslims being required to fight against fellow-Muslims in circumstances such as the Afghan conflict. Soldiers are expected to obey orders and not to question motives or reasons for entering into conflict, but they are human beings, not automatons, and have complex emotional and psychological responses. The act of killing another human being and equally being a target for hostile fire can set up mental disorders which can psychologically maim and derail, resulting in trauma and possibly life-threatening actions.

alanindyfed

Friday, 6 November 2009

Britain and Europe

"Britain is not in the Euro, and has not taken part in Schengen. It has deliberately turned itself into a marginal, offshore island, irrelevant to the concerns and future of the European mainland........Britain is no longer an asset to the EU, if it ever was. It’s a pain in Europe’s fundament. Monnet had the right attitude to Europe’s British problem. Continental Europe, he thought, should go ahead with its integration without Britain; the British would then have to stew in their own juice; and sooner or later they would realise that they can’t get along on their own, and apply to join. That, of course, is exactly what happened. If the mainland Europeans had the guts to treat us like that again, that is what would happen again. The truth is that the extraordinary media hoo-ha about Blair’s supposed candidacy is merely one more sign that our political and media classes are living in a time-warp. They still think Britain matters. It doesn’t."

David Marquand: Our Kingdom

Comment: Britain is engrossed in a cloud of illusion, "living in a time-warp" and divorced from reality; believing that it is still a major power which does not need Europe, while accepting the benefits of membership and denying the rights of its own member nations within the UK. The realistic way forward is for the nations of Britain to become independently member nations within the European Union.

Vote SNP - Whatever the Weather!

The candidates who will contest the Glasgow North East by-election are:

Charlie Baillie, British National Party
Willie Bain, Scottish Labour Party
Eileen Baxendale, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Mev Brown, Independent
Colin Campbell, The Individuals Labour and Tory (TILT)
Ruth Davidson, Scottish Conservative and Unionist
David Doherty, Scottish Green Party
Mikey Hughes
David Kerr, Scottish National Party (SNP)
Louise McDaid, Socialist Labour Party
Kevin McVey, Scottish Socialist Party – Make Greed History
Tommy Sheridan, Solidarity – Scotland’s Socialist Movement
John David Smeaton, Jury Team

The SNP by-election campaign rooms will be open during the following hours - Mon to Fri 10.30am to 8pm, Sat 10.30 to 6pm, Sun 12 to 5pm. At all of these times there will be work available whether you want to canvass or leaflet. If you want to work INSIDE, give us a call on 07504 830227 to check there's enough indoor work for you first. To find us click here 10 Angus Street, Springburn, G21 1DN.

Concerning the coming General Election:
"a vote for any of the three major parties is a vote for the status quo." (Peter Hitchins).
Do you favour change..... or more of the same?

Ethnic European Nationalism

Independence Day in Wales

The Youth of Wales will bring about Independence for Wales. Cymru X and the colleges and universities will be the breeding ground where the spark is ignited and Wales will become Cymru Fydd, a Once and Future Nation where people live in harmony and equality and where everyone is accorded honour and respect as a citizen of a vibrant and united nation state in Europe.

Thursday, 5 November 2009

Plaid Making a Difference - An Increasing Momentum

Plaid leader wants public to vote on Scottish-style parliament on same day as future Assembly election
Jan 4 2007 Western Mail

How it was then.....has anything changed?

PLAID CYMRU will seek an early referendum on more devolution from potential coalition partners after the Assembly election in May. Party leader Ieuan Wyn Jones said the public should vote to give Wales a Scottish-style parliament on the same day as the 2011 Assembly election. In an interview with the Press Association, Mr Jones acknowledged a hung Assembly was almost inevitable in 2007. He said, "Most people expect there to be no party winning 31 seats and therefore some kind of an arrangement is going to be inevitable. All parties have to face that reality."

A referendum would form part of a policy "package" that Plaid would call for in coalition negotiations, he said. The Liberal Democrats will not do a deal unless their coalition partners back proportional representation for local elections - something Labour has ruled out. Mr Jones said his party had no such "red-line issues" and would "judge any arrangements after the election on a number of principles". He said he would not insist on a referendum now because it was "a matter for negotiation", along with policies on health, education, housing and transport. He further diminished the prospect of a so-called rainbow coalition with the Tories and Lib-Dems by labelling the Conservatives "extremely immature".

Relations between Plaid and the rest of the Opposition broke down in early December during the stand-off over the Assembly's Budget. The Assembly will get new lawmaking powers after the election in May as a result of the 2006 Government of Wales Act. It opens the door to a Scottish-style parliament after a referendum. That needs the support of two-thirds of AMs before it can be sought. Labour has insisted there is not the support for more devolution at present and a referendum would be lost if held now.

Mr Jones said, "One of the things that we would want is an assurance that the momentum for devolution would continue. "What that means is that our view is that we would want the next Assembly to be the last under the new arrangements and we would want to find that we would go into the following election in 2011 with either having had the referendum or committed to a referendum during that Assembly. "The current Act, as it stands, allows you to have a referendum as long as two thirds of the Assembly agrees. Well that means you can't do it on your own. "The earliest - and the time which we think would be the ideal time - would be to hold a referendum on the day of the 2011 Assembly election." He added, "It would be a package. You cannot just have one issue.

"So we are not putting that red line in the sand as the Lib-Dems are doing because, frankly, you know, as far as the public is concerned, if they think you are hung up on just constitutional matters or electoral matters then, frankly, how attractive is that?" The Assembly will be able to apply to Westminster for the right to pass laws from May. Mr Jones said, "I don't want, sort of, constitutional change for its own sake. "I want it because that means I can get things done without constantly having to ask, 'Well if I want to do something here, how is Peter Hain going to react?'"

In October the Opposition united to block the minority Government's £14bn spending plans and made a series of demands. But the Budget was approved two months later when Plaid parted company and Mr Jones did a last-minute deal with First Minister Rhodri Morgan to get more money for schools. The Tory and Lib-Dem camps accused him of having caved in for too little. Mr Jones insisted they had breached his trust by briefing against him and overstepping an agreed line on whether they should replace Labour with a caretaker government. He said, "Now the problem we found in addition to this breach of trust was that the Tories in particular were playing up this idea of a coalition before the election, which nobody in their right mind would be proposing before an election for the next four months.

"I mean that's just nonsense politics. "And therefore they had to be told that would not happen and they have shown themselves to be extremely immature in the way that they have reacted." He went on, "The problem I think for the Assembly was that (with) the Opposition parties, that trust broke down dramatically and therefore you couldn't continue with those negotiations and I think that's a lesson that certain individuals will now have to reflect on."

Governing with the Conservatives - who hold one seat less than Plaid's 12 in Cardiff Bay - "was always going to be a difficult issue, but it has been made more difficult by the events of [the Budget]". He said Labour's pre-election slogan that a vote for Plaid would result in a Tory First Minister was "absolutely dead in the water". Mr Jones maintained that his party was united behind him and that it was entering 2007 in better health than for years. It has suffered a succession of ballot-box setbacks - at council, devolved and Westminster elections - since a high point of 1999 when it got 17 AMs.

This year has seen it rebrand itself and embark on policy and PR campaigns. In the spring it handed overall political control of the party to Mr Jones. He said, "I think that my party has grown up as a result of the Budget process by accepting that you have to compromise and take hard choices, whereas if you remain out and out oppositionists you never have to face them." He added, "There are various options being looked at (for 2007) but our position is that we are not looking for second jobs. We are looking for the first job going into the election in May. "That's what the party is keeping its eye on."

He described himself as a "pragmatist" and said the only remaining fault line in Welsh politics was not between left and right, but between those who wanted more devolution and those who opposed it.

Comment: Independence Cymru has said it before.......
it is not a question of left v. right in Wales. It is between unionists and non-unionists, between those who seek to dismember the union and those who wish to keep it, between the "British nationalists" - unionists and the Celtic devolutionists who wish to see an independent Scotland and Wales. The Plaid leader still talks of further devolution but the true aim of Plaid Cymru, as ever, is full independence.
Meanwhile the Labour Triumvirate ( including Mr Hain) try to roll back events and stop the clock. The clock is ticking nevertheless and that day will surely come,
when the Red Dragon flag will fly from Ynys Mon to Amwythig, and from Ty Ddewi to Cas-Gwent.

Footnote: in our recent poll on Dismembering the Union, 82% voted in favour and 11% against with 5% don't knows. Even allowing for the fact that the majority of readers would naturally be pro-independence it is a resounding result. At least it proves that the right people read the right blog ;-)

Wednesday, 4 November 2009

Facing Reality, unlike Some Politicians

The Treaty of Lisbon is ratified so we must move on...no point in holding a referendum on what is a fact. Politicians should not hold to fixed positions but move with the changes and take into account present realities and circumstances. Too many are stuck and live in the past, thinking of what could be/what might have been - not "what is".

For a United Ireland

"This Ireland of mine has for long been half free,

Six counties are under John Bull's tyranny.

And still De Valera is greatly to blame

For shirking his part in the patriot game."

(Dominic Behan)

Adams Calls Irish Unification 'Realizable, Realistic Objective;' Sees Growing Sense of Irishness in North

Sign the petition: http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/Re-unify

The British and Irish governments are urging the local parties to agree a date for transferring policing and justice powers to Belfast from Westminster.

Sinn Fein is eager for the move, but the largest political party in Northern Ireland, the Democratic Unionist Party, is resisting the move saying insufficient confidence exists in the community from which it draws support.

Monday, 2 November 2009

Fighting Talk



Foot-note: The House of "Lords"
Pls enter this in the browser window and click....
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/blog/talking_politics/article/75405/

Backing the Wrong Horse - Lib Dems

From Welsh Ramblings:

Scottish Lib Dems bottle it

Posted by Welsh Ramblings on Monday, 2 November 2009
The Scottish branch of the Liberal Democrats have bottled their idea of supporting their alleged "democratic" principles by announcing that they will in fact not vote alongside the SNP to allow the Scottish people a referendum to determine their future.

The Scottish Lib Dems are apparently divided on the issue with a number of principled MSPs wanting to take the position of backing a referendum and then campaigning for the 'no' vote. Although this blog disagrees with such a position, it is an entirely valid and just one, and is in keeping with the ideals that Lib Dems talk about.

However, as is so often seen with Liberal Democrats, the leadership are more intent on doing the bidding of their London-based masters. They will now vote to deny the Scottish people the right of self-determination. This is a right enshrined in international law. If the case for the Union is so strong then the Scottish people should be allowed to make their choice and put the question to bed for now.

Obviously, the case is not as strong as they would like people to think.

Comment:
No wonder the Liberal Democrats are rapidly losing support across all three countries of Britain. They supported Labour in the Scottish parliament, they failed Wales in the Welsh Assembly elections and they are now in complete disarray with no coherent policy with regard to the future of the constitution. Come the election they will be hard put to maintain their present number of MPs and the indications are that they will lose heavily. They should make a U-turn, show some spirit and daring, and back the right horse!

"Is it time for the Scottish Lib Dems to back an independence referendum?" They didn't, and now they will tear themselves apart.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/alancochrane/6488033/Why-does-Tavish-Scott-lead-the-Scottish-Liberal-Democrats-if-they-refuse-to-be-led.html

Sunday, 1 November 2009

Poll on The Union

The poll we are conducting is giving overwhelming support to the dismemberment of the Union (the British one), apart from four disgruntled British Nationalists (11%). At least the opposition are reading the blog and hopefully learning something to their advantage. May they have a change of heart!

Evidence of British DNA in Western Europe

click map to enlarge

For researchers wishing to collect and compare samples please visit your local police station....
http://www.eupedia.com/europe/origins_haplogroups_europe.shtml

Thursday, 29 October 2009

Disgraceful Doings not Acceptable

Independence Cymru says:

1) All MPs "disgraced" by the expenses scandal should not be allowed to stand at the next election.
2) Any government minister found guilty of lying or of deceiving the public should be forced to apologise and resign immediately.
3) The highest standards of behaviour should be a requirement of any holder of public office.
4) The House of Lords should not consist of unelected members, or of those who have been ennobled as favours or political appointments (e.g. Mandelson).
5) All MPs should be given a fixed allowance for London accommodation and a rate for commuting based on distance, and their main home should be in their own constituency.
6) Public accountability and transparency an essential except in cases of exceptional state protection needs.
7) The holding of fixed term parliaments to avoid political manipulation.
8) Guaranteed freedom of speech and thought without fear of over-stepping "political correctness".
9) All DNA samples and fingerprints and tape interviews of innocent persons should be destroyed.
10) Biodata records should be limited to passports; no ID cards. This problem arose from government mishandling of immigration and penalising legitimate entrants such as non-European spouses.

Constitutional Revision in the UK: proposals
1) Full parliaments for the four countries of the British Isles including England.
2) Independent membership of the European Union of the four nations of the new commonwealth.
3) Talks to be held on arrangements for Irish unification.
4) Commonwealth status for the four nations of Britain; a State governor for each.
5) All nations to join the Schengen agreement with free access across borders.
6) Adoption of the euro for all four nations to facilitate business, tourism and trade.
7) MEPs voted in to the EU parliament to represent national, not party political, interests.
8) A fully democratic government of the people, for the people, not in the interests of party political pundits.
9) Respect for minority interests, whatever views are expressed, should be enshrined in law.
10) All ethnic immigrants to conform to the culture and ethics of their adopted home nation.

Reading: http://www.bsos.umd.edu/gvpt/lpbr/subpages/reviews/bogdanor605.htm
Our Kingdom
http://www.opendemocracy.net/blog/ourkingdom/andrew-blick/2009/10/17/government-decides-to-keep-its-royal-powers-after-all#comment-516977

On the Subject of Ireland.....




According to Lonely Planet travel guide, Ireland is now the friendliest nation on planet!
“Centuries of turmoil, conquest and famine – and subsequent immigration – have certainly taken their toll on the Irish; it’s left them with a delicious dark sense of humour and a welcoming attitude towards strangers” claims the guide.
That famous ability of the Irish to find the craic (fun times with convivial company ;-) ) in bum or bust times – means you’re always in for a treat.”
It isn’t just the lack of food or abundance of invaders, that according to the book, has made Irish so happy – the sorting out of that unfortunate business up north has boosted Irish moods to an all-time high.
“These days, after the end of “Troubles”, a cautious optimism reigns supreme, infecting the land once again with the sense that anything’s possible” it adds.
The tip-driven smiles of the Americans have landed the US in second place, though residents of few nations may not agree.
“Blamed for the coming of World War III, the Anti-Christ, Bon Jovi, Tom Cruise, Michael Jackson, rampant street crime, and noise pollution through overloud talking, Americans just take it all in their stride” says the guide, claiming Americans will do anything to make you feel welcome.
Poverty stricken Malawi was third on the list (they can’t afford not to be) while Scotland, Turkey, Samoa, Thailand, Fiji, Indonesia and Vietnam made up the rest.
Needless to say Ireland also made it into the top ten on the Best Brews Bluelist – cheers for that, Guinness!

Wednesday, 28 October 2009

Winning the Referendum for Wales

Devolution referendum will be ‘a close battle’
Oct 28 2009 by David Williamson, Western Mail

JUST 42% of the Welsh electorate would vote Yes in a referendum on law-making powers for the Assembly, a YouGov poll revealed yesterday. Supporters of the next stage of devolution can breath a sigh of relief that only 37% of people are planning to vote No, but the research suggests campaigns for and against new powers will be locked in close battle.

Labour and Plaid Cymru entered coalition Government together in 2007 with the goal of holding a referendum on or before the next election. The All-Wales Convention chaired by former UN ambassador Sir Emyr Jones Parry will publish its report on support for devolution on November 18. Its findings are likely to prove pivotal to whether the two parties move to stage a vote.

Support is strongest among those who plan to vote for Plaid Cymru at the next Westminster election (80%). Altogether, 32% of those planning to back the Conservatives, 44% of Labour supporters and 38% of Liberal Democrat voters said they would vote Yes. The pollsters uncovered conflicting attitudes to devolution. Despite the lukewarm support for an enhanced Assembly, 63% tended to agree or agreed strongly that the National Assembly should have the same levels of powers as the Scottish Parliament. Respondents were also keen that a referendum should be held, with 63% again backing the proposal.

When asked which institution has the most influence over how Wales is run, 55% named the Westminster Government, with only 22% opting for the Assembly Government. However, 55% said the Assembly should be the most influential institution.

Comments

cymrurhydd wrote:
48% in Wales support Welsh Independence or a Full Welsh Parliament with Tax raising powers within the UK.

27% Support the status quo

ONLY 17% SUPPORT SCRAPPING THE ASSEMBLY!

It's time for the minority Anti-Devolutionists posting here to SHUT UP!

IagoApSteffan wrote:
Well said cymrurhydd. The majority want a referendum and the majority want thesame powers as Scotland. Give us a referendum: Do you want the same powers as Scotland? Yes or no. I would deffinately be in the YES camp! Wales needs a proper democratic institution, not 40 Welsh MPs against 500 English MPs (most of them being Tories).
28/10/2009 2:38 PM GMT on walesonline.co.uk

Blogger's Comment
New Labour opened a Pandora's Box when it set devolution in motion. Now Peter Hain, the Welsh Secretary (for the next few months), is desperately applying the brakes. It is obvious that the road of devolution leads down the inevitable path to independence, and the idea of freedom and nationhood is firmly rooted in the minds of Scots and the minds of increasing numbers of Welsh electors. It has brought people such as Alex Salmond, Nicola Sturgeon and Ieuan Wyn Jones to the forefront of politics, and it has shown up Gordon Brown, Tony Blair and Peter Hain as proponents of the status quo and avowed supporters of the British establishment.

DATABASE STATE: THE EROSION OF BRITISH CIVIL LIBERTIES PT1 (spoken article) NO2ID

Required listening for all readers.....and you will find Part 2 at the end so click on the appropriate video icon