Overcoming one's opposition...

One day has passed since Hugo Chávez closed RCTV in Venezuela. Now, only ONE DAY later, they're at it again...[BBC Mundo] predictible maybe, but not this fast! Basically RCTV was the most popular TV channel in Venezuela and it was also the ONLY independent station with national coverage, it also opposed most of what Chavez is doing. That's now gone, an opposition voice silenced to be replaced with a pawn:

The president says the new channel will better reflect his socialist revolution but RCTV and rights groups say Mr Chavez is limiting freedom of expression.

Now they have started proceedings to charge Globovision with inciting the assassination of the President, reports the daily newspaper El Carabobeño [Link] - "fue acusado este lunes de incitar al magnicidio" - Globovision was the only TV station to air footage of a large demonstration against the government's growing control over the media. Also, William Lara, the Minister of Communications has accused CNN of trying to establish an association between Al Qaeda and Hugo Chávez, saying that Chávez equates to violence and murder..." (translated from Telam (Argentina):"

"Con las imágenes CNN intenta establecer una asociación de imágenes entre Al Qaeda y Hugo Chávez, diciendo que Chávez es igual a violencia y muerte..."

I repeat a sentence from the BBC article that I have already written above:

Globovision was the only TV station to air footage of a large demonstration against the government's growing control over the media.

Another "threat to the country", which is how Chavez referred to RCTV? Or simply broadcasting the news! The future's bright...that will be because of the fireworks!!

Overcoming one's opposition...

One day has passed since Hugo Chávez closed RCTV in Venezuela. Now, only ONE DAY later, they're at it again...[BBC Mundo] predictible maybe, but not this fast! Basically RCTV was the most popular TV channel in Venezuela and it was also the ONLY independent station with national coverage, it also opposed most of what Chavez is doing. That's now gone, an opposition voice silenced to be replaced with a pawn:

The president says the new channel will better reflect his socialist revolution but RCTV and rights groups say Mr Chavez is limiting freedom of expression.

Now they have started proceedings to charge Globovision with inciting the assassination of the President, reports the daily newspaper El Carabobeño [Link] - "fue acusado este lunes de incitar al magnicidio" - Globovision was the only TV station to air footage of a large demonstration against the government's growing control over the media. Also, William Lara, the Minister of Communications has accused CNN of trying to establish an association between Al Qaeda and Hugo Chávez, saying that Chávez equates to violence and murder..." (translated from Telam (Argentina):"

"Con las imágenes CNN intenta establecer una asociación de imágenes entre Al Qaeda y Hugo Chávez, diciendo que Chávez es igual a violencia y muerte..."

I repeat a sentence from the BBC article that I have already written above:

Globovision was the only TV station to air footage of a large demonstration against the government's growing control over the media.

Another "threat to the country", which is how Chavez referred to RCTV? Or simply broadcasting the news! The future's bright...that will be because of the fireworks!!

Online obsession...

I know this has been discussed before but online obsession is clearly not going to go away. I was just reading about a guy in the US who says that he is only 'self-medicating' and used the internet to control his psychological problems related to post-traumatic stress disorder.

He says that his psychological problems have left him addicted to sex, especially adult internet chat rooms.

There seems to be plenty of sites out there to help...seems odd, bit like going to the pub to cure your alcoholism. one site HERE. However, worth a self test to see; and one such test HERE.

Some people also spend too much time reading, watching television, and working, and ignore family, friendships, and social activities. But do we have TV addiction disorder, book addiction, and work addiction being suggested as legitimate mental disorders in the same category as schizophrenia and depression?

That quote from John M. Grohol, Psy.D. "Internet Addiction Guide" on Psych Central. An interesting article first published 8 years ago with subsequent updates. Answers to such questions as 'Do You Spend Too Much Time Online?' and 'What Makes the Internet So Addictive?' Well worth a read...

I do not think there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature.
John D. Rockefeller

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Update 2220 p.m. I answered the questions in the linked test and got a score of 59: "You are experiencing occasional or frequent problems because of the Internet. You should consider their full impact on your life." ...but I have considered it, I have!

Online obsession...

I know this has been discussed before but online obsession is clearly not going to go away. I was just reading about a guy in the US who says that he is only 'self-medicating' and used the internet to control his psychological problems related to post-traumatic stress disorder.

He says that his psychological problems have left him addicted to sex, especially adult internet chat rooms.

There seems to be plenty of sites out there to help...seems odd, bit like going to the pub to cure your alcoholism. one site HERE. However, worth a self test to see; and one such test HERE.

Some people also spend too much time reading, watching television, and working, and ignore family, friendships, and social activities. But do we have TV addiction disorder, book addiction, and work addiction being suggested as legitimate mental disorders in the same category as schizophrenia and depression?

That quote from John M. Grohol, Psy.D. "Internet Addiction Guide" on Psych Central. An interesting article first published 8 years ago with subsequent updates. Answers to such questions as 'Do You Spend Too Much Time Online?' and 'What Makes the Internet So Addictive?' Well worth a read...

I do not think there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature.
John D. Rockefeller

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Update 2220 p.m. I answered the questions in the linked test and got a score of 59: "You are experiencing occasional or frequent problems because of the Internet. You should consider their full impact on your life." ...but I have considered it, I have!

Objurgatory opinion...

objurgate v. - rebuke; scold. objurgation, n. objurgatory, adj.
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The truth will out...a damning confirmation of Tony Blair's real legacy is that Blairism is nothing (my conclusion):

"According to the survey, 80 per cent of UK respondents said that hospitals were either no better or worse than in 1997, with 72 per cent seeing no improvement in schools."

This is a Harris poll by the FT, to be published tomorrow (...today, Monday 21/05/07) which also states that "Opinions on Mr Blair’s domestic achievements, at least on the economy, are more positive overseas, above all among the French, who seem even more enthusiastic about his record on growth and jobs than America." The FT Harris poll not only takes opinion from the 1000+ UK residents - numbers similar to most other national polls - but also 1000+ contributers from France, Spain, Germany, Italy and the USA. "Predictably, Mr Blair scores particularly badly on foreign policy, with only 15 per cent of UK respondents concluding that he has had a positive effect."

Such a poor rating – attributable to Iraq – reinforces the argument that foreign policy has been Mr Blair’s undoing.

There are various polls with similar conclusions: basically that "50 per cent of respondents think taking part in the invasion of Iraq was the prime minister’s worst mistake" and "39 per cent of respondents mention [as a good thing] the lasting peace settlement for Northern Ireland."...this from last week's You Gov poll, (courtesy Angus Reid Global Monitor) almost identical in questions and results to a BBC poll ten days ago (Bad: Iraq 48%, Good: Ireland 38%) as discussed HERE on Baldinio's "My page" Blog.

Objurgatory opinion...

objurgate v. - rebuke; scold. objurgation, n. objurgatory, adj.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The truth will out...a damning confirmation of Tony Blair's real legacy is that Blairism is nothing (my conclusion):

"According to the survey, 80 per cent of UK respondents said that hospitals were either no better or worse than in 1997, with 72 per cent seeing no improvement in schools."

This is a Harris poll by the FT, to be published tomorrow (...today, Monday 21/05/07) which also states that "Opinions on Mr Blair’s domestic achievements, at least on the economy, are more positive overseas, above all among the French, who seem even more enthusiastic about his record on growth and jobs than America." The FT Harris poll not only takes opinion from the 1000+ UK residents - numbers similar to most other national polls - but also 1000+ contributers from France, Spain, Germany, Italy and the USA. "Predictably, Mr Blair scores particularly badly on foreign policy, with only 15 per cent of UK respondents concluding that he has had a positive effect."

Such a poor rating – attributable to Iraq – reinforces the argument that foreign policy has been Mr Blair’s undoing.

There are various polls with similar conclusions: basically that "50 per cent of respondents think taking part in the invasion of Iraq was the prime minister’s worst mistake" and "39 per cent of respondents mention [as a good thing] the lasting peace settlement for Northern Ireland."...this from last week's You Gov poll, (courtesy Angus Reid Global Monitor) almost identical in questions and results to a BBC poll ten days ago (Bad: Iraq 48%, Good: Ireland 38%) as discussed HERE on Baldinio's "My page" Blog.

Outrageous overheads...

Heads you lose; Tails you lose. Nice to see this sporting behaviour in one of the Philippine local Elections...commenting on this 'refreshing example', "I hope others would see the beauty of this kind of peaceful resolution," Denis Dimalnat (Provincial Elections Supervisor) told AP.

Over 120 people have been killed since January during the election campaign. Democracy at a price.

Outrageous overheads...

Heads you lose; Tails you lose. Nice to see this sporting behaviour in one of the Philippine local Elections...commenting on this 'refreshing example', "I hope others would see the beauty of this kind of peaceful resolution," Denis Dimalnat (Provincial Elections Supervisor) told AP.

Over 120 people have been killed since January during the election campaign. Democracy at a price.

Overhyped, overblown, overweight...

...or maybe not. I had planned to say "he" was the Sicko but I've changed my mind completely...except for the overweight bit. Michael Moore's new film "Sicko" has received a lot of attention at this years Cannes Film Festival - overhyped and overblown, I thought - even though he won the Palme d'Or (Cannes in 2004 for Fahrenheit 9/11) and an Oscar in 2002 (Bowling for Columbine) I'm not exactly a Moore fan and so was ready to slag off him and the new film; anyway who would want to see a film about a health service, the NHS for instance? but it "has become one of the most talked-about productions at the Cannes Film Festival." [BBC LINK]

All the reviews so far seem very positive. "Employing his trademark personal narration and David vs. Goliath approach, Moore enlivens what is, in essence, a depressing subject by wrapping it in irony and injecting levity wherever possible: a graph shows America's position in global health care as No. 38 — just above Slovenia — and is followed by film footage of primitive operating conditions; and he offers a long list of health conditions that can deny a person insurance coverage, with the list scrolling into deep space accompanied by the "Stars Wars" theme."...OK that's from 'his own website'! ;-)

Fox News reports Moore's maturity in leaving the confrontations behind and letting the facts 'do the talking'; CNN tells of the 'healthy praise' for "Sicko"...Applause for exposing the 'dark side' of the US health system and its powerful insurance lobby (ABC Oz). A quaint subpoint, the Daily Telegraph, apart from mentioning that MM praises the NHS and that the idea of the film was to compare various health systems, had this to say:

"In the film, he also sends a 12,000 US dollar (£6,079) cheque anonymously to one of the authors of an anti-Michael Moore website, after the website closes down because the man cannot afford to run it while paying for his wife's medical bills. Moore said he was going to phone the man, who put his site back online after getting the money, to tell him he sent the cheque, today."

Love it! As far as I can see, the only part of the film that will cause controversy (unless you're a US Health Insurance employee) is that they went to Cuba (embargoed & no permits for US citizens) ...apparently the point was not to go their to ruffle feathers but to get treatment at Guantanamo Bay, taking ill 9/11 rescue workers to receive the same healthcare that the US alledgedly give to al-Qaeda detainees; the U.S. government had boasted of the excellent medical care it provides terror suspects detained at Guantanamo..."So Moore decided that the 9/11 workers and a few other patients, all of whom had serious trouble paying for care at home, should have the same chance. Moore hopes his latest film will make people stop and think about what he sees as the tragic ills of the health care industry. [Guardian] By Jocelyn Noveck (AP)

"We are the richest country in the world,'' the director said. "We spend more on health care than any other country. Yet we have the worst health care in the Western world. Come on. We can do better than this.''

Something to unite rather than divide the critics? ...could be; the first MM film I actually want to see. I hope I'm not boring you!

Overhyped, overblown, overweight...

...or maybe not. I had planned to say "he" was the Sicko but I've changed my mind completely...except for the overweight bit. Michael Moore's new film "Sicko" has received a lot of attention at this years Cannes Film Festival - overhyped and overblown, I thought - even though he won the Palme d'Or (Cannes in 2004 for Fahrenheit 9/11) and an Oscar in 2002 (Bowling for Columbine) I'm not exactly a Moore fan and so was ready to slag off him and the new film; anyway who would want to see a film about a health service, the NHS for instance? but it "has become one of the most talked-about productions at the Cannes Film Festival." [BBC LINK]

All the reviews so far seem very positive. "Employing his trademark personal narration and David vs. Goliath approach, Moore enlivens what is, in essence, a depressing subject by wrapping it in irony and injecting levity wherever possible: a graph shows America's position in global health care as No. 38 — just above Slovenia — and is followed by film footage of primitive operating conditions; and he offers a long list of health conditions that can deny a person insurance coverage, with the list scrolling into deep space accompanied by the "Stars Wars" theme."...OK that's from 'his own website'! ;-)

Fox News reports Moore's maturity in leaving the confrontations behind and letting the facts 'do the talking'; CNN tells of the 'healthy praise' for "Sicko"...Applause for exposing the 'dark side' of the US health system and its powerful insurance lobby (ABC Oz). A quaint subpoint, the Daily Telegraph, apart from mentioning that MM praises the NHS and that the idea of the film was to compare various health systems, had this to say:

"In the film, he also sends a 12,000 US dollar (£6,079) cheque anonymously to one of the authors of an anti-Michael Moore website, after the website closes down because the man cannot afford to run it while paying for his wife's medical bills. Moore said he was going to phone the man, who put his site back online after getting the money, to tell him he sent the cheque, today."

Love it! As far as I can see, the only part of the film that will cause controversy (unless you're a US Health Insurance employee) is that they went to Cuba (embargoed & no permits for US citizens) ...apparently the point was not to go their to ruffle feathers but to get treatment at Guantanamo Bay, taking ill 9/11 rescue workers to receive the same healthcare that the US alledgedly give to al-Qaeda detainees; the U.S. government had boasted of the excellent medical care it provides terror suspects detained at Guantanamo..."So Moore decided that the 9/11 workers and a few other patients, all of whom had serious trouble paying for care at home, should have the same chance. Moore hopes his latest film will make people stop and think about what he sees as the tragic ills of the health care industry. [Guardian] By Jocelyn Noveck (AP)

"We are the richest country in the world,'' the director said. "We spend more on health care than any other country. Yet we have the worst health care in the Western world. Come on. We can do better than this.''

Something to unite rather than divide the critics? ...could be; the first MM film I actually want to see. I hope I'm not boring you!

Oval Office offer...

"Blair Makes Farewell Stop at White House". Prime Minister Tony Blair is making the final White House visit of his tenure to mark a friendship with President Bush that many believe tarnished the legacy of the once popular British leader, writes DESMOND BUTLER, Associated Press (Washington) reported HERE in The Examiner. "Blair's tenure has been otherwise highly regarded because he has overseen a period of prosperity at home and success in the Northern Ireland peace talks...No comment.

The offer I mention is a bit strange; the BBC report [Link] that Bush, when asked whether he was "partly to blame" for Mr Blair's departure, said "could be." Maybe he feels guilty because GWB then said of Blair and the last five weeks of Blair's time in office as PM:

"My attitude is this. This man here is the Prime Minister and we've got a lot of work to do until he finishes..."He's gonna sprint to the wire you know, he's gonna finish the job people want him to do, and I'm gonna work with him to do it."

Blimey, what does he mean by that!!? More War or merely helping Blair set up a lucrative 'retirement'. Bush also accused the press of trying to "tap dance on the prime minister's grave"....really? I thought he was getting far more credit than he deserved.

Hear them sing Endless Love (Youtube) ...hehehe

Oval Office offer...

"Blair Makes Farewell Stop at White House". Prime Minister Tony Blair is making the final White House visit of his tenure to mark a friendship with President Bush that many believe tarnished the legacy of the once popular British leader, writes DESMOND BUTLER, Associated Press (Washington) reported HERE in The Examiner. "Blair's tenure has been otherwise highly regarded because he has overseen a period of prosperity at home and success in the Northern Ireland peace talks...No comment.

The offer I mention is a bit strange; the BBC report [Link] that Bush, when asked whether he was "partly to blame" for Mr Blair's departure, said "could be." Maybe he feels guilty because GWB then said of Blair and the last five weeks of Blair's time in office as PM:

"My attitude is this. This man here is the Prime Minister and we've got a lot of work to do until he finishes..."He's gonna sprint to the wire you know, he's gonna finish the job people want him to do, and I'm gonna work with him to do it."

Blimey, what does he mean by that!!? More War or merely helping Blair set up a lucrative 'retirement'. Bush also accused the press of trying to "tap dance on the prime minister's grave"....really? I thought he was getting far more credit than he deserved.

Hear them sing Endless Love (Youtube) ...hehehe

Oddball ogling...

Later this year is the World Cup and England defends it's title of RUGBY WORLD CHAMPIONS. Yes, and to celebrate I post this lovely photo of a fit woman playing with probably the most famous type of odd shaped ball - gratuitous perviness you think, and of course you'd be exactly right: all I wanted to say was to ask if anyone seen the new England Rugby shirt yet? You have now (below)! Seems a bit 'poncy' to me, I always liked the plain white strip, but hey, I'll love it to bits if it helps us retain the World Cup this year (...OK, that's pushing it; I'll love it to bits if it helps us not be completely obliterated/ embarrassed...) I guess the reason for all the red is to disguise the blood: we're in the same group as South Africa, Samoa, Tonga and the USA so even if we manage to survive it will be a very bruised and battered England that go through; if we do qualify we will probably go through to meet Australia...ah well.

Yes, girls, he actually plays - and very well up to now! - for England.

Ooh, she looks happy, nice try! :-)

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Update 17/05/07 11:30a.m. It appears we could be in for a thrashing long before the autumn! Two things make me say that. We have 2 tests in South Africa in the next two weeks but we're going with a (very) weakened squad:

England, who will play two Tests, are missing around 35 players because of club commitments and injuries.

The South Africans will be on a high because this Saturday two South African teams will contest the Super14's final: Pretoria Bulls will face the Natal Sharks...hopefully they'll be knackered!!

Oddball ogling...

Later this year is the World Cup and England defends it's title of RUGBY WORLD CHAMPIONS. Yes, and to celebrate I post this lovely photo of a fit woman playing with probably the most famous type of odd shaped ball - gratuitous perviness you think, and of course you'd be exactly right: all I wanted to say was to ask if anyone seen the new England Rugby shirt yet? You have now (below)! Seems a bit 'poncy' to me, I always liked the plain white strip, but hey, I'll love it to bits if it helps us retain the World Cup this year (...OK, that's pushing it; I'll love it to bits if it helps us not be completely obliterated/ embarrassed...) I guess the reason for all the red is to disguise the blood: we're in the same group as South Africa, Samoa, Tonga and the USA so even if we manage to survive it will be a very bruised and battered England that go through; if we do qualify we will probably go through to meet Australia...ah well.

Yes, girls, he actually plays - and very well up to now! - for England.

Ooh, she looks happy, nice try! :-)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Update 17/05/07 11:30a.m. It appears we could be in for a thrashing long before the autumn! Two things make me say that. We have 2 tests in South Africa in the next two weeks but we're going with a (very) weakened squad:

England, who will play two Tests, are missing around 35 players because of club commitments and injuries.

The South Africans will be on a high because this Saturday two South African teams will contest the Super14's final: Pretoria Bulls will face the Natal Sharks...hopefully they'll be knackered!!

Only one opponent...

...and anyone outside of his constituency or not a Labour supporter would have trouble telling you a single thing about the challenger. What does this say about New, New Labour? They are falling over themselves to be deputy leader, which strikes me as odd as we don't even know who the leader is yet!...do we? Harriet Harman, Peter Hain and Hazel Blears have all published lists of the minimum 45 backers needed to challenge. Alan Johnson is another thought to have enough support and additionally Jon Cruddas and Hilary Benn say they are "confident" of getting to 45; however, none want to challenge for the leadership, leaving the 'lip-service payment' to an almost unknown:

"Left-winger John McDonnell is confident he can summon enough support from Labour MPs to get his name on the ballot paper later this week"

..."on the ballot paper", he's only confident he can get his name on the ballot paper; I bet Gordon is trembling in his big brown shoes; shaking so much in fact that he may even help out:

There had even been suggestion he might "lend" some of his supporters to Mr McDonnell to ensure he gets onto the ballot paper and allow the contest to go ahead.

Can this get any more ridiculous? Yes, there have been a few reports lately of Gordon Brown's 'green' ideas, eco-housing etc. I see similarities to the early Blair - all things to all people.

Rachel Sylvester writes in todays Daily Telegraph, [Link] "The Chancellor, as one minister put it, has to develop the 'human touch'". It's a good article saying that "...(so far) there have been no great surprises in what Mr Brown has said. He has not produced a 'Bank of England' moment: instead, he has been attempting to neutralise the negatives of the Blair years." Adding that his speeches have been 'compilations of his greatest hits'...but, now we know he will be Prime Minister (ahem...we don't know, do we?) ..."it is impossible not to look at what he says in a different way."

Mr Brown is undoubtedly a conviction politician. Last week, he talked again of the "moral compass" that he inherited from his father. If Mr Blair is a neo-Conservative on foreign policy, who wants to use military might to reorder the world, then Mr Brown is a domestic neo-Con, who is intent on using the welfare state to reorder the country he aspires to run. He does want to narrow the gap between rich and poor, and he is determined to revive a sense of national identity.

Interesting eh?
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Update 15/05/07, 7:40pm: Just read this on the DT blog, Daniel Hannan (MEP) says "Where the blithering flip have people got the idea that Gordon Brown is a Euro-sceptic? Name one thing – one thing – that he has done to strengthen British sovereignty." I couldn't agree more: I have always thought the big Blair/ Brown 'rifts' over the EU was a complete sham.

Only one opponent...

...and anyone outside of his constituency or not a Labour supporter would have trouble telling you a single thing about the challenger. What does this say about New, New Labour? They are falling over themselves to be deputy leader, which strikes me as odd as we don't even know who the leader is yet!...do we? Harriet Harman, Peter Hain and Hazel Blears have all published lists of the minimum 45 backers needed to challenge. Alan Johnson is another thought to have enough support and additionally Jon Cruddas and Hilary Benn say they are "confident" of getting to 45; however, none want to challenge for the leadership, leaving the 'lip-service payment' to an almost unknown:

"Left-winger John McDonnell is confident he can summon enough support from Labour MPs to get his name on the ballot paper later this week"

..."on the ballot paper", he's only confident he can get his name on the ballot paper; I bet Gordon is trembling in his big brown shoes; shaking so much in fact that he may even help out:

There had even been suggestion he might "lend" some of his supporters to Mr McDonnell to ensure he gets onto the ballot paper and allow the contest to go ahead.

Can this get any more ridiculous? Yes, there have been a few reports lately of Gordon Brown's 'green' ideas, eco-housing etc. I see similarities to the early Blair - all things to all people.

Rachel Sylvester writes in todays Daily Telegraph, [Link] "The Chancellor, as one minister put it, has to develop the 'human touch'". It's a good article saying that "...(so far) there have been no great surprises in what Mr Brown has said. He has not produced a 'Bank of England' moment: instead, he has been attempting to neutralise the negatives of the Blair years." Adding that his speeches have been 'compilations of his greatest hits'...but, now we know he will be Prime Minister (ahem...we don't know, do we?) ..."it is impossible not to look at what he says in a different way."

Mr Brown is undoubtedly a conviction politician. Last week, he talked again of the "moral compass" that he inherited from his father. If Mr Blair is a neo-Conservative on foreign policy, who wants to use military might to reorder the world, then Mr Brown is a domestic neo-Con, who is intent on using the welfare state to reorder the country he aspires to run. He does want to narrow the gap between rich and poor, and he is determined to revive a sense of national identity.

Interesting eh?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Update 15/05/07, 7:40pm: Just read this on the DT blog, Daniel Hannan (MEP) says "Where the blithering flip have people got the idea that Gordon Brown is a Euro-sceptic? Name one thing – one thing – that he has done to strengthen British sovereignty." I couldn't agree more: I have always thought the big Blair/ Brown 'rifts' over the EU was a complete sham.

Oppugning opprobium...

Edited 12/05/07...by oxythymous Ows. [oxythymous (archaic) adj. - quick-tempered; easily riled]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Did you wait for Howard? BBC bias and, to be quite frank, in my opinion inappropriate reporting. Peter Barron is editor of Newsnight and also writes on the Editors' Blog of the BBC News website, which often has some good articles/posts. However, this evening I've just been stunned by what Mr. Barron has written; I know it's their blog but presumed the, what seems to me, anti - Conservative bias wouldn't be so blatant. He was referring to Michael Howard's performance, mainly 'against' Alastair lying-bastard-bully Campbell, "The former Conservative leader already holds the accolade for the greatest-ever Newsnight moment"...Not a very eventful programme then, one presumes. Barron goes on to add:

"Howard and Campbell were live in Newsnight's studio discussing Blair's legacy, and as midnight hovered into view something of the night seemed to overtake Mr Howard"

...clearly reference to you know what; there are even links to watch it and the decade old 'other' incident

"In case you'd already gone to bed, click here for another chance to enjoy."

Those are his words and I've removed the link. His post is very short but managed, from the title to the last word, to portray glee at what I can only assume he thought was another 'great' Howard-bashing moment in Newsnight's obviously poor archives. Read it HERE. I know his comments aren't really that bad but they really riled me; I was thrilled to read the comments from posters where all but 2 disagreed completely - please read the comments, it wasn't just a load of Conservative voters commenting. I hope Barron reads them and realises he's mistaken.

Other links to BBC Bias:
The BBC's commitment to bias is no laughing matter - Tom Leonard [DT LINK]
BBC Bias and complaints (chronological 1999 to present) - [Labour Watch]
The Internet Forum: BBC Bias - 5 pages [LINK]
Biased BBC (Blog Link)
S.O.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
oppugn v. - call in question; deny; resist; conflict with.
opprobrium n. - the state of being scornfully criticized.

Oppugning opprobium...

Edited 12/05/07...by oxythymous Ows. [oxythymous (archaic) adj. - quick-tempered; easily riled]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Did you wait for Howard? BBC bias and, to be quite frank, in my opinion inappropriate reporting. Peter Barron is editor of Newsnight and also writes on the Editors' Blog of the BBC News website, which often has some good articles/posts. However, this evening I've just been stunned by what Mr. Barron has written; I know it's their blog but presumed the, what seems to me, anti - Conservative bias wouldn't be so blatant. He was referring to Michael Howard's performance, mainly 'against' Alastair lying-bastard-bully Campbell, "The former Conservative leader already holds the accolade for the greatest-ever Newsnight moment"...Not a very eventful programme then, one presumes. Barron goes on to add:

"Howard and Campbell were live in Newsnight's studio discussing Blair's legacy, and as midnight hovered into view something of the night seemed to overtake Mr Howard"

...clearly reference to you know what; there are even links to watch it and the decade old 'other' incident

"In case you'd already gone to bed, click here for another chance to enjoy."

Those are his words and I've removed the link. His post is very short but managed, from the title to the last word, to portray glee at what I can only assume he thought was another 'great' Howard-bashing moment in Newsnight's obviously poor archives. Read it HERE. I know his comments aren't really that bad but they really riled me; I was thrilled to read the comments from posters where all but 2 disagreed completely - please read the comments, it wasn't just a load of Conservative voters commenting. I hope Barron reads them and realises he's mistaken.

Other links to BBC Bias:
The BBC's commitment to bias is no laughing matter - Tom Leonard [DT LINK]
BBC Bias and complaints (chronological 1999 to present) - [Labour Watch]
The Internet Forum: BBC Bias - 5 pages [LINK]
Biased BBC (Blog Link)
S.O.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
oppugn v. - call in question; deny; resist; conflict with.
opprobrium n. - the state of being scornfully criticized.

Opulent owner's overinvestment...

I quite like this picture; it's a watercolour by Cezanne 'Nature Morte au Melon Vert' (Still Life of a Green Melon) and has just been sold for USD25.5 million; that's 5 times more than it sold for 18 years ago: "In 1989 it fetched £2.5m (+/- $5 million at today's exchange rate without adjusting for the different 'value' of the money) at auction when it was sold by the British Rail Pension Fund." (picture link to news)

It never ceases to amaze me how much people are willing to pay for something that more often than not they keep hidden away; however, if I had that sort of dosh to play with - sorry to disappoint those of you that thought I did - I could quite imagine myself acquiring a piece or two of this sort of 'classic' art; what I wouldn't do, as happened last year, is pay $140 million for some complete bollocks, oops I mean Pollock's. Each to his own I guess; there's no accounting for taste.

Opulent owner's overinvestment...

I quite like this picture; it's a watercolour by Cezanne 'Nature Morte au Melon Vert' (Still Life of a Green Melon) and has just been sold for USD25.5 million; that's 5 times more than it sold for 18 years ago: "In 1989 it fetched £2.5m (+/- $5 million at today's exchange rate without adjusting for the different 'value' of the money) at auction when it was sold by the British Rail Pension Fund." (picture link to news)

It never ceases to amaze me how much people are willing to pay for something that more often than not they keep hidden away; however, if I had that sort of dosh to play with - sorry to disappoint those of you that thought I did - I could quite imagine myself acquiring a piece or two of this sort of 'classic' art; what I wouldn't do, as happened last year, is pay $140 million for some complete bollocks, oops I mean Pollock's. Each to his own I guess; there's no accounting for taste.

Out, out, out...

Update 09/05/07: a bit late but I've just seen another article from the weekend linked to NL dodgy practices: snouts in the trough as ever [Link] ...or THIS from the DT, why not just keep it simple - let the people keep their money and raise the bottom rate so lower earners don't pay: Low tax, small government, sound familiar :-)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

First THIS and now THIS...all running away, jumping ship. Blair said of Reid's descision to stand down as "You have been an immense figure in the Government over this past decade, fulfilling a number of crucial positions at vital moments, with distinction,"...oh, when and what was that then?

"We have to make sure the Labour Government is in touch with the people of this country, that’s the most important thing."

This was said by Hazel Blears...I have to say I spat out my coffee (decaf, it's past eleven at night!), I mean does she not see the irony? It's a bit fucking late Hazel dear. The corrupt - I use that word intentionally - bunch of arse-wipes who couldn't organise a piss-up in a brewery have been filling their pockets and milking the profits for years...in touch with the people? Doh!

Out, out, out...

Update 09/05/07: a bit late but I've just seen another article from the weekend linked to NL dodgy practices: snouts in the trough as ever [Link] ...or THIS from the DT, why not just keep it simple - let the people keep their money and raise the bottom rate so lower earners don't pay: Low tax, small government, sound familiar :-)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

First THIS and now THIS...all running away, jumping ship. Blair said of Reid's descision to stand down as "You have been an immense figure in the Government over this past decade, fulfilling a number of crucial positions at vital moments, with distinction,"...oh, when and what was that then?

"We have to make sure the Labour Government is in touch with the people of this country, that’s the most important thing."

This was said by Hazel Blears...I have to say I spat out my coffee (decaf, it's past eleven at night!), I mean does she not see the irony? It's a bit fucking late Hazel dear. The corrupt - I use that word intentionally - bunch of arse-wipes who couldn't organise a piss-up in a brewery have been filling their pockets and milking the profits for years...in touch with the people? Doh!

Oleaginous option...

Our yellow and pleasant land...I had a strange thought when I flew back to the UK last Friday; it was one of the changing landscape, still a beautiful patchwork of small, hedged fields...but the patches weren't the various shades of green but more and more patches of yellow; Oilseed Rape (the odd name is derived through Old English from a term for turnip, rapum....makes you wonder why the turnip is called a turnip then?) Back to the yellow; remember I arrived in the Westcountry (Bristol), where dairy WAS the main farming activity, not the windswept flat plains of Eastern England. Today, on my return to Spain I read that the hectarage of oilseed rape is increasing Europewide (PDF link). Germany and France are the main producers, next poland followed by the UK close 4th. Not a lot of searching led me to the Guardian's Environment story where the author Joanna Blythman began almost as I have; except that she was in France: "Seeds of discontent"

"Britain is losing its green fields, as the grass that once fattened cattle is replaced by oilseed rape. The bright yellow tide has upset lovers of traditional country views."

In terms of acreage, oilseed rape now accounts for 11% of the crops cultivated in the UK. Oilseed rape has hit the big time as a biofuel. Currently, most of the UK's production is snapped up by Germany for bio-diesel.

Despite the discolouration of the scenery - and various other snags, reported in the Guardian article - extra virgin rapeseed oil is a perfectly acceptable alternative to Olive Oil - a northern version of the Med classic perhaps? Despite almost all production going for biofuel, rapeseed oil has a healthy nutritional/ fatty acid profile, containing more vitamin E and fewer saturated fats than extra virgin olive oil. One UK producer tells us that "Rapeseed oil is now recognised as one of the healthiest culinary oils available but it is not just for health reasons that many people are becoming ‘rapeseed converts", (OLEIFERA).

First cultivated by the Romans for its healthy properties, oil seed rape has been cold pressed and used throughout Europe since the 16th century and is widely known as canola oil in other parts of the world. At last this versatile oil is now receiving the attention that it has long deserved in the UK!

Cold-press rapeseed oil; "is simply gently squeezed from the seed at temperatures below 40°C to retain all the natural goodness", it contains both omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in an almost ideal ratio (2:1) and only flax oil has more omega 3. It is one of the most heart-healthy oils and has been reported to reduce cholesterol levels - amongst other health benefits. At Farrington Oils (link through image) they produce it to LEAF Marque Standards (LEAF: Linking Environment And Farming) "supports viable agriculture which is environmentally and socially acceptable and ensures the continuity of supply of wholesome, affordable food while conserving and enhancing the fabric and wildlife of the British countryside for future generations."

Sorry for the subtle ads :-)

S.O.

Oleaginous option...

Our yellow and pleasant land...I had a strange thought when I flew back to the UK last Friday; it was one of the changing landscape, still a beautiful patchwork of small, hedged fields...but the patches weren't the various shades of green but more and more patches of yellow; Oilseed Rape (the odd name is derived through Old English from a term for turnip, rapum....makes you wonder why the turnip is called a turnip then?) Back to the yellow; remember I arrived in the Westcountry (Bristol), where dairy WAS the main farming activity, not the windswept flat plains of Eastern England. Today, on my return to Spain I read that the hectarage of oilseed rape is increasing Europewide (PDF link). Germany and France are the main producers, next poland followed by the UK close 4th. Not a lot of searching led me to the Guardian's Environment story where the author Joanna Blythman began almost as I have; except that she was in France: "Seeds of discontent"

"Britain is losing its green fields, as the grass that once fattened cattle is replaced by oilseed rape. The bright yellow tide has upset lovers of traditional country views."

In terms of acreage, oilseed rape now accounts for 11% of the crops cultivated in the UK. Oilseed rape has hit the big time as a biofuel. Currently, most of the UK's production is snapped up by Germany for bio-diesel.

Despite the discolouration of the scenery - and various other snags, reported in the Guardian article - extra virgin rapeseed oil is a perfectly acceptable alternative to Olive Oil - a northern version of the Med classic perhaps? Despite almost all production going for biofuel, rapeseed oil has a healthy nutritional/ fatty acid profile, containing more vitamin E and fewer saturated fats than extra virgin olive oil. One UK producer tells us that "Rapeseed oil is now recognised as one of the healthiest culinary oils available but it is not just for health reasons that many people are becoming ‘rapeseed converts", (OLEIFERA).

First cultivated by the Romans for its healthy properties, oil seed rape has been cold pressed and used throughout Europe since the 16th century and is widely known as canola oil in other parts of the world. At last this versatile oil is now receiving the attention that it has long deserved in the UK!

Cold-press rapeseed oil; "is simply gently squeezed from the seed at temperatures below 40°C to retain all the natural goodness", it contains both omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in an almost ideal ratio (2:1) and only flax oil has more omega 3. It is one of the most heart-healthy oils and has been reported to reduce cholesterol levels - amongst other health benefits. At Farrington Oils (link through image) they produce it to LEAF Marque Standards (LEAF: Linking Environment And Farming) "supports viable agriculture which is environmentally and socially acceptable and ensures the continuity of supply of wholesome, affordable food while conserving and enhancing the fabric and wildlife of the British countryside for future generations."

Sorry for the subtle ads :-)

S.O.

Off on our own...

An option or not? May 1st was of course the 300th anniversary of the Act of Union, making the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Scotland into a single state: the Kingdom of Great Britain. It was also the anniversary of the end of The Wars of Scottish Independence, with the Treaty of Edinburgh & Northampton, in 1328, when England recognised Scotland as an independent nation...but I digress.

Recently, and especially during the recent election campaigns, we have heard much of Scottish Independence, the Barnet Formula and what it could be worth, the West Lothian Question etc. during all of which there has been more and more -welcome - self examination from the English. Part of this self examination is described in "England: an identity in question", an article on Open Democarcy by Roger Scruton. It's very easy to let someone else do the writing and then say you agree...so easy in fact that that's exactly what I've done!

"The trend toward Britain’s fragmentation leaves its majority nation in search of itself..."

"England after Britain. Three questions confront the English people today: first, can a viable English identity be forged, that will provide the social cohesion and pre-political loyalty required by a modern nation-state? Secondly, can the break-up of the kingdom be managed without losing the good relations and common interests that have created such a successful partnership in the past? Thirdly, will the resulting loose alliance of nation-states be able to defend the interests of each of them, against the adverse pressures emanating from the wider world, or will their separation result in a loss of influence and security for them all?" Identity, Commonality and Influence are the headings for those three questions, Roger gives us his opinion.

"Maybe England will emerge from the final fragment of its former empire with a new sense of why it matters to survive. If that were the result of separation, what English patriot could be opposed to it?"

Another point touched on is the opinion that the EU would in fact be opposed to the break-up of the Union because despite probably aiding the idea of "Europe of the Regions" it would disrupt what are two low tax, liberal economies; that to me isn't the main problem, I can foresee a major dilemma for a future English Parliament: who would we invade first? The Scots or the French?

;-)

Off on our own...

An option or not? May 1st was of course the 300th anniversary of the Act of Union, making the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Scotland into a single state: the Kingdom of Great Britain. It was also the anniversary of the end of The Wars of Scottish Independence, with the Treaty of Edinburgh & Northampton, in 1328, when England recognised Scotland as an independent nation...but I digress.

Recently, and especially during the recent election campaigns, we have heard much of Scottish Independence, the Barnet Formula and what it could be worth, the West Lothian Question etc. during all of which there has been more and more -welcome - self examination from the English. Part of this self examination is described in "England: an identity in question", an article on Open Democarcy by Roger Scruton. It's very easy to let someone else do the writing and then say you agree...so easy in fact that that's exactly what I've done!

"The trend toward Britain’s fragmentation leaves its majority nation in search of itself..."

"England after Britain. Three questions confront the English people today: first, can a viable English identity be forged, that will provide the social cohesion and pre-political loyalty required by a modern nation-state? Secondly, can the break-up of the kingdom be managed without losing the good relations and common interests that have created such a successful partnership in the past? Thirdly, will the resulting loose alliance of nation-states be able to defend the interests of each of them, against the adverse pressures emanating from the wider world, or will their separation result in a loss of influence and security for them all?" Identity, Commonality and Influence are the headings for those three questions, Roger gives us his opinion.

"Maybe England will emerge from the final fragment of its former empire with a new sense of why it matters to survive. If that were the result of separation, what English patriot could be opposed to it?"

Another point touched on is the opinion that the EU would in fact be opposed to the break-up of the Union because despite probably aiding the idea of "Europe of the Regions" it would disrupt what are two low tax, liberal economies; that to me isn't the main problem, I can foresee a major dilemma for a future English Parliament: who would we invade first? The Scots or the French?

;-)

Oddball obituary or oven?...

Sadly a man's wife has died, I know it happens every day but in this case she (Rose) choked whilst eating and passed away; the difference is that I'm not convinced that the husband won't eat her. It seems incredible that only a year ago the story of their wedding caught the public imagination and became one of the best read internet stories despite the fact that theirs was, in some respects, a shotgun style wedding "If a man is caught sleeping with a girl, he is ordered to marry her immediately in order to save her honour and that of her family", and that's the way it started. It seems shocking really, she was the one that bought him fame - or infamy really. It's a sad end but at least there were no kids to worry about. Full story here.

Oddball obituary or oven?...

Sadly a man's wife has died, I know it happens every day but in this case she (Rose) choked whilst eating and passed away; the difference is that I'm not convinced that the husband won't eat her. It seems incredible that only a year ago the story of their wedding caught the public imagination and became one of the best read internet stories despite the fact that theirs was, in some respects, a shotgun style wedding "If a man is caught sleeping with a girl, he is ordered to marry her immediately in order to save her honour and that of her family", and that's the way it started. It seems shocking really, she was the one that bought him fame - or infamy really. It's a sad end but at least there were no kids to worry about. Full story here.

Ominous overtones...

Update: 04/05/07 - Now it's the banks and steel manufacturers [BBC Link] "...steel firm Ternium-Sidor should supply the local market with cheap products"... "Private banks have to give priority to financing the industrial sectors of Venezuela at low cost," Mr Chavez said.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I hoped to post this yesterday but spent more time on the phone than expected. I've been talking with my friends and business contacts in Venezuela; there is consensus; I have been talking with my 'in-law' family, many of whom were 'Chavistas', only a couple remain so. Since December more and more people are leaving, everyone I spoke to is either renewing/applying for/have already got their passports sorted...just in case. "While upper-class Venezuelans have been trickling out for years, the exodus appears to have stepped up after Chávez's resounding electoral victory in December" (photo) The president has since ramped up his divisive rhetoric and began purging the government, his political party and even the military of anyone who is not aboard his project for "21st Century socialism.'' [Link]

"At all levels, it is required . . . to raise the flag that says 'fatherland, socialism or death,' '' the president told a military audience last month, adapting a phrase from one of his mentors, Fidel Castro. "If anyone doesn't feel comfortable with this, it's better they retire from the [military] service.''

This is worrying, I mentioned the other day about the tame militia that has sprung up everywhere but he has also 'indoctrinated' the armed forces: Phil Gunson of Open Democacy writes..."Venezuela's revolution is leaving democracy behind":

"He has unchallenged personal authority over the armed forces, which now bear the name of his own movement ('Bolivarian', after independence hero Simón Bolívar)and whose generals now routinely proclaim 'motherland*, socialism or death!' (in violation of a constitutional ban on their involvement in politics)."

"21st century socialism"....again, from the beginning of this year [FT link] ...he announced that the main telecoms company, CANTV in which US-based Verizon Communications and Spain’s Telefónica hold stakes, will be nationalised. Also Caracas' power company may also be nationalised. Last year multinationals pumping oil in Venezuela submitted to state-controlled joint ventures, [Owsblog link] clearly they did not want to abandon the profitable operations; yesterday, Chavez's government took over the last of Venezuela's privately run oil fields Tuesday, intensifying a power struggle with international companies over the world's largest known single petroleum deposit, reports Natalie Obika Pearson (AP) [Link] However many oil analysts have questioned whether the state firm (Petroleos de Venezuela, PDVSA) is ready or able to oversee the development of projects/ exploration/ new oil wells etc.

"Newly bought Russian-made fighter jets streaked through the sky as Chavez shouted "Down with the U.S. empire!" to thousands of red-clad oil workers, calling the state takeover a historic victory for Venezuela after years of U.S.-backed corporate exploitation."

"Down with the U.S. empire!"...note the common element whenever Chávez speaks...about anything! Amusingly even his own hypocrisy is blamed on the USA: first we had the ranting against biofuels and ethanol, Castro recently called the US ethanol project a "genocidal" plan that would spawn world hunger" and amigo Chávez concurs, [Reuters]

"Substituting the consumption of gasoline with ethanol, produced from corn - it's true madness,"

...but now, almost immediately imports are arranged [Link] no doubt just to spite the US; Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro said, "They've tried to use (biofuels) for intrigue, to divide our countries, our leadership"!!! ...Doh!

More strife: you've probably read already that he has set in motion Venezuela's withdrawl from the IMF and World Bank, although these represent the international economic community it seems the main concern is that they are part of, or in bed with, 'the Evil Empire'. (btw Venezuela has paid in full any outstanding debt, one of the first good things Hugo did...back in 1999) [Reuters]

He wants to build a socialist state based on policies rejected by the institutions in Washington

"Chavez also said Venezuela may withdraw from the Organization of American States [OAS] if the group approved a resolution condemning his plans to shut a television station"... RCTV. So, if they dare to criricise him he spits his dummy!

Yesterday being May Day/ Workers Day you would have thought the workers would benefit, but no: The Devil's Excrement tells us: "For the first time since Venezuela’s last Dictator was overthrown in 1958, the May Day march by the Confederation of Workers was not given a permit to march. Symbolic no?"... But that is Venezuela nowadays, there are two classes of people, those with Chavez and those not with him or against him and the pro-Chavez group certainly receives preferential treatment. Those not with him or against him are discriminated against, ignored, persecuted and treated differently as this case shows.

Anyway, I could go on but all this "Fatherland*, Socialism or Death"...he's going the whole way (see photo below) isn't he?...Marx, Trotsky, Lenin...Castro...all apply.

S.O.

* In case you wondered, both Fatherland and Motherland apply to La Patria.

Ominous overtones...

Update: 04/05/07 - Now it's the banks and steel manufacturers [BBC Link] "...steel firm Ternium-Sidor should supply the local market with cheap products"... "Private banks have to give priority to financing the industrial sectors of Venezuela at low cost," Mr Chavez said.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I hoped to post this yesterday but spent more time on the phone than expected. I've been talking with my friends and business contacts in Venezuela; there is consensus; I have been talking with my 'in-law' family, many of whom were 'Chavistas', only a couple remain so. Since December more and more people are leaving, everyone I spoke to is either renewing/applying for/have already got their passports sorted...just in case. "While upper-class Venezuelans have been trickling out for years, the exodus appears to have stepped up after Chávez's resounding electoral victory in December" (photo) The president has since ramped up his divisive rhetoric and began purging the government, his political party and even the military of anyone who is not aboard his project for "21st Century socialism.'' [Link]

"At all levels, it is required . . . to raise the flag that says 'fatherland, socialism or death,' '' the president told a military audience last month, adapting a phrase from one of his mentors, Fidel Castro. "If anyone doesn't feel comfortable with this, it's better they retire from the [military] service.''

This is worrying, I mentioned the other day about the tame militia that has sprung up everywhere but he has also 'indoctrinated' the armed forces: Phil Gunson of Open Democacy writes..."Venezuela's revolution is leaving democracy behind":

"He has unchallenged personal authority over the armed forces, which now bear the name of his own movement ('Bolivarian', after independence hero Simón Bolívar)and whose generals now routinely proclaim 'motherland*, socialism or death!' (in violation of a constitutional ban on their involvement in politics)."

"21st century socialism"....again, from the beginning of this year [FT link] ...he announced that the main telecoms company, CANTV in which US-based Verizon Communications and Spain’s Telefónica hold stakes, will be nationalised. Also Caracas' power company may also be nationalised. Last year multinationals pumping oil in Venezuela submitted to state-controlled joint ventures, [Owsblog link] clearly they did not want to abandon the profitable operations; yesterday, Chavez's government took over the last of Venezuela's privately run oil fields Tuesday, intensifying a power struggle with international companies over the world's largest known single petroleum deposit, reports Natalie Obika Pearson (AP) [Link] However many oil analysts have questioned whether the state firm (Petroleos de Venezuela, PDVSA) is ready or able to oversee the development of projects/ exploration/ new oil wells etc.

"Newly bought Russian-made fighter jets streaked through the sky as Chavez shouted "Down with the U.S. empire!" to thousands of red-clad oil workers, calling the state takeover a historic victory for Venezuela after years of U.S.-backed corporate exploitation."

"Down with the U.S. empire!"...note the common element whenever Chávez speaks...about anything! Amusingly even his own hypocrisy is blamed on the USA: first we had the ranting against biofuels and ethanol, Castro recently called the US ethanol project a "genocidal" plan that would spawn world hunger" and amigo Chávez concurs, [Reuters]

"Substituting the consumption of gasoline with ethanol, produced from corn - it's true madness,"

...but now, almost immediately imports are arranged [Link] no doubt just to spite the US; Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro said, "They've tried to use (biofuels) for intrigue, to divide our countries, our leadership"!!! ...Doh!

More strife: you've probably read already that he has set in motion Venezuela's withdrawl from the IMF and World Bank, although these represent the international economic community it seems the main concern is that they are part of, or in bed with, 'the Evil Empire'. (btw Venezuela has paid in full any outstanding debt, one of the first good things Hugo did...back in 1999) [Reuters]

He wants to build a socialist state based on policies rejected by the institutions in Washington

"Chavez also said Venezuela may withdraw from the Organization of American States [OAS] if the group approved a resolution condemning his plans to shut a television station"... RCTV. So, if they dare to criricise him he spits his dummy!

Yesterday being May Day/ Workers Day you would have thought the workers would benefit, but no: The Devil's Excrement tells us: "For the first time since Venezuela’s last Dictator was overthrown in 1958, the May Day march by the Confederation of Workers was not given a permit to march. Symbolic no?"... But that is Venezuela nowadays, there are two classes of people, those with Chavez and those not with him or against him and the pro-Chavez group certainly receives preferential treatment. Those not with him or against him are discriminated against, ignored, persecuted and treated differently as this case shows.

Anyway, I could go on but all this "Fatherland*, Socialism or Death"...he's going the whole way (see photo below) isn't he?...Marx, Trotsky, Lenin...Castro...all apply.

S.O.

* In case you wondered, both Fatherland and Motherland apply to La Patria.