Outstanding observations...

The outstanding observations I speak of? That would be An Efflux Of Labour Effluvia posted today on The Huntsman.

"As the Rats emerge blinking in the sunlight from the sewer that is the Labour Party, the spectacle of Comrade Harman ripping into Comrade Brown like two ferrets in a sack will cheer everyone who despises Labour and all its rotten works. Let us hope it gets significantly worse before it gets better."

I was led there from Ian Dale's Diary: Top 50 New Labour Sleaze stories - first posted 18 months ago the list is now at 90 plus...probably a few more with all the latest news - but looking at the reams of seemingly endless lists of New Labour Sleaze it made me wonder why people still try to compare New Labour's constant and rank corruption with the 'original' Tory Sleaze which, quite honestly, pales into insignificance and would indeed probably be a distant memory had it not played a major role (no pun intended!) in costing them the 1997 election. Referring to The Huntsman again in the post Banana Republic News - with other links to "Labour’s sleazebaggery - it is deeply extensive, far too large for this blog but you can savour the rank putrefaction of their corruption" - [what a way with words!] we are reminded of that sleaze, which became many of the final nails in the last Conservative government's coffin. (the list is part way down but it's worth reading the whole post)

"Most of us were utterly repelled by the sleaze exhibited by individual MPs as the last Conservative Government put on the rictus that precedes rigor mortis. Many Tories must have stayed resolutely at home as a result and have stayed at home resolutely ever since."

Outstanding observations...

The outstanding observations I speak of? That would be An Efflux Of Labour Effluvia posted today on The Huntsman.

"As the Rats emerge blinking in the sunlight from the sewer that is the Labour Party, the spectacle of Comrade Harman ripping into Comrade Brown like two ferrets in a sack will cheer everyone who despises Labour and all its rotten works. Let us hope it gets significantly worse before it gets better."

I was led there from Ian Dale's Diary: Top 50 New Labour Sleaze stories - first posted 18 months ago the list is now at 90 plus...probably a few more with all the latest news - but looking at the reams of seemingly endless lists of New Labour Sleaze it made me wonder why people still try to compare New Labour's constant and rank corruption with the 'original' Tory Sleaze which, quite honestly, pales into insignificance and would indeed probably be a distant memory had it not played a major role (no pun intended!) in costing them the 1997 election. Referring to The Huntsman again in the post Banana Republic News - with other links to "Labour’s sleazebaggery - it is deeply extensive, far too large for this blog but you can savour the rank putrefaction of their corruption" - [what a way with words!] we are reminded of that sleaze, which became many of the final nails in the last Conservative government's coffin. (the list is part way down but it's worth reading the whole post)

"Most of us were utterly repelled by the sleaze exhibited by individual MPs as the last Conservative Government put on the rictus that precedes rigor mortis. Many Tories must have stayed resolutely at home as a result and have stayed at home resolutely ever since."

Oh the IRONY! The World Cup qualifying draw has finished: England get a relatively 'easy looking' group except there's going to be a lot of miles - mainly a long, long way eastwards - to get through!...and with some old friends!

Group 6: Croatia, England, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Andorra...

Somebody tell Tony Henry he won't be singing this time :-)

Oh the IRONY! The World Cup qualifying draw has finished: England get a relatively 'easy looking' group except there's going to be a lot of miles - mainly a long, long way eastwards - to get through!...and with some old friends!

Group 6: Croatia, England, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Andorra...

Somebody tell Tony Henry he won't be singing this time :-)

Online ordeal...

Another Megan's Law? Not the legislation passed in California in 2004 that "provides the public with Internet access to detailed information on registered sex offenders" [Link] but possible new laws drafted from the online ordeal and subsequent suicide of 13 year old Megan Meier.

In The Observer, Caroline Davies reports today "Anguish for mother of suicide girl as 'cyber-tormentor' escapes the law": events of almost a year ago but that are now coming to a head and that could lead to a new development in law-making. Those accused of causing Megan's death cannot be tried under any current laws:

"...despite both police and FBI investigations, Megan's embittered parents have been told that [the woman they accuse] faces no charges. Cyberspace, it seems, has outpaced the law."

It is this situation that is causing a wave of 'virtual vigilantism' (equally bad IMHO) against 'the accused' - a neighbour - but also the start of a move to press for change.

"Last week Dardenne Prairie's board of aldermen unanimously passed a law making cyber-harassment a misdeamenour with a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and/or a $500 fine."

Online ordeal...

Another Megan's Law? Not the legislation passed in California in 2004 that "provides the public with Internet access to detailed information on registered sex offenders" [Link] but possible new laws drafted from the online ordeal and subsequent suicide of 13 year old Megan Meier.

In The Observer, Caroline Davies reports today "Anguish for mother of suicide girl as 'cyber-tormentor' escapes the law": events of almost a year ago but that are now coming to a head and that could lead to a new development in law-making. Those accused of causing Megan's death cannot be tried under any current laws:

"...despite both police and FBI investigations, Megan's embittered parents have been told that [the woman they accuse] faces no charges. Cyberspace, it seems, has outpaced the law."

It is this situation that is causing a wave of 'virtual vigilantism' (equally bad IMHO) against 'the accused' - a neighbour - but also the start of a move to press for change.

"Last week Dardenne Prairie's board of aldermen unanimously passed a law making cyber-harassment a misdeamenour with a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and/or a $500 fine."

Ogling oriental oomph...

Views of the 5th China (Guangzhou) International Automobile Exhibition; I think there are also some cars at the show. (Image link: picture credit Dayoo Photo)

Ogling oriental oomph...

Views of the 5th China (Guangzhou) International Automobile Exhibition; I think there are also some cars at the show. (Image link: picture credit Dayoo Photo)

Update: 10a.m., 20/11/07: The presidents of Iran and Venezuela, whilst signing energy, finance and industry agreements, foresee the downfall of the "U.S. Empire" due to the weak dollar. Chavez called it a strategic alliance: here in El Universal: "...pronto no hablaremos de dólares, el dólar se hunde y con él se hunde el imperio de Estados Unidos, gracias a Dios y a las luchas de los pueblos. Hay que pedirle a Dios que acelere el fin del perverso imperio de EEUU". A rough translation of which is:

"Soon we won't talk in dollars, the dollar is in downfall and with it the US Empire, thanks to God and the efforts of our people. We should ask God to speed up the end of the perverse US Empire"

The news in English from China View: Venezuela and Iran to work against US: "they will defeat U.S. imperialism together, noting that the fall of the dollar is a prelude to the end of Washington's global dominance."
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Only the third OPEC summit in 47 years - the 2nd one was in Caracas in 2000. This had more than a few issues to discuss: the weak dollar and high oil price; energy security and internal divisions etc. Chavez used his opening speech to take another swipe at the USA suggesting what could happen if they committed “una locura”: "If the United States was mad enough to attack Iran or aggress Venezuela again the price of a barrel of oil could reach $150 or even $200," He added that "The basis of all aggression is oil. It is the underlying reason," and I think we know what and who he had in mind. He also suggested that due to their beneficial position they should do more on the political stage:

"Today, Opec stands strong. It is stronger than it has ever been in the past. Opec should set itself up as an active geopolitical agent."

Ecuador, rejoining OPEC at this summit and now governed by ‘Chavite/Chavista’ Rafael Correa agreed. Another thorn in the side was Iran's disagreement on which points OPEC should be concentrating: Iranian officials wanted the final statement to express concern about the weakness of the dollar. We know why! Chavez and Almadinejad are buddies and I wonder how far the 'alliance' would go if one or the other was really attacked. During last year's ominous outlook Chavez said,

"We will stand beside Iran in every time and occasion and under every circumstance."

Hosting the summit, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia was a voice of reason and hopefully a brake on what Chavez is trying to do:

"Those who want Opec to take advantage of its position are forgetting that Opec has always acted moderately and wisely. "Oil shouldn't be a tool for conflict; it should be a tool for development."

Off on a tangent...regarding oil prices, they are quick to defend who gets what from the price of a barrel: this graph shows clearly what is the take in the G7 countries. "In the UK, for example, the government receives substantially more from taxation than what OPEC gets from the sale of its oil." In fact that graph/figure doesn't include VAT which is added...in the UK's case clearly a tax on tax!

To digress even more, but remaining on the twin topics of Chavez and the UK (but not getting waylaid onto the hilarious hoohah of last week - that won't go away - with the Spanish King, which is now, amongst other things, a ringtone hit! ) last week saw what Venezuela Analysis called "London Hosts Most Representative European Conference To Date On Venezuela" hosted by Ken Livingstone with the following UK representatives: Diane Abbott MP, Jeremy Corbyn MP, George Galloway MP. Hahahahahahahahah...a wonderful joke...if it were not serious. Red Ken hopes to help Chavez with Caracas' transport/traffic problems, a noble aim, however he says:

"As we meet Venezuela is debating a new series of constitutional reforms to strengthen democratic participation. I particularly welcome plans to transform the capital, Caracas."

I cannot believe Livingstone is that naive so there must be other reasons why he is ignoring what is really happening in Venezuela. The reforms are anything but "strengthening democratic participation! The following from Vdebate.org: "In fact, Mr. Chavez's rewrite would complete his transformation into an autocrat. It would lengthen his presidential term from six to seven years and remove the current limit of two terms, allowing him to serve indefinitely. He would have broad powers to seize property, to dispose of Venezuela's foreign exchange reserves, to impose central government rule on local jurisdictions and to declare indefinite states of emergency under which due process and freedom of information would be suspended."

Update: 10a.m., 20/11/07: The presidents of Iran and Venezuela, whilst signing energy, finance and industry agreements, foresee the downfall of the "U.S. Empire" due to the weak dollar. Chavez called it a strategic alliance: here in El Universal: "...pronto no hablaremos de dólares, el dólar se hunde y con él se hunde el imperio de Estados Unidos, gracias a Dios y a las luchas de los pueblos. Hay que pedirle a Dios que acelere el fin del perverso imperio de EEUU". A rough translation of which is:

"Soon we won't talk in dollars, the dollar is in downfall and with it the US Empire, thanks to God and the efforts of our people. We should ask God to speed up the end of the perverse US Empire"

The news in English from China View: Venezuela and Iran to work against US: "they will defeat U.S. imperialism together, noting that the fall of the dollar is a prelude to the end of Washington's global dominance."
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Only the third OPEC summit in 47 years - the 2nd one was in Caracas in 2000. This had more than a few issues to discuss: the weak dollar and high oil price; energy security and internal divisions etc. Chavez used his opening speech to take another swipe at the USA suggesting what could happen if they committed “una locura”: "If the United States was mad enough to attack Iran or aggress Venezuela again the price of a barrel of oil could reach $150 or even $200," He added that "The basis of all aggression is oil. It is the underlying reason," and I think we know what and who he had in mind. He also suggested that due to their beneficial position they should do more on the political stage:

"Today, Opec stands strong. It is stronger than it has ever been in the past. Opec should set itself up as an active geopolitical agent."

Ecuador, rejoining OPEC at this summit and now governed by ‘Chavite/Chavista’ Rafael Correa agreed. Another thorn in the side was Iran's disagreement on which points OPEC should be concentrating: Iranian officials wanted the final statement to express concern about the weakness of the dollar. We know why! Chavez and Almadinejad are buddies and I wonder how far the 'alliance' would go if one or the other was really attacked. During last year's ominous outlook Chavez said,

"We will stand beside Iran in every time and occasion and under every circumstance."

Hosting the summit, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia was a voice of reason and hopefully a brake on what Chavez is trying to do:

"Those who want Opec to take advantage of its position are forgetting that Opec has always acted moderately and wisely. "Oil shouldn't be a tool for conflict; it should be a tool for development."

Off on a tangent...regarding oil prices, they are quick to defend who gets what from the price of a barrel: this graph shows clearly what is the take in the G7 countries. "In the UK, for example, the government receives substantially more from taxation than what OPEC gets from the sale of its oil." In fact that graph/figure doesn't include VAT which is added...in the UK's case clearly a tax on tax!

To digress even more, but remaining on the twin topics of Chavez and the UK (but not getting waylaid onto the hilarious hoohah of last week - that won't go away - with the Spanish King, which is now, amongst other things, a ringtone hit! ) last week saw what Venezuela Analysis called "London Hosts Most Representative European Conference To Date On Venezuela" hosted by Ken Livingstone with the following UK representatives: Diane Abbott MP, Jeremy Corbyn MP, George Galloway MP. Hahahahahahahahah...a wonderful joke...if it were not serious. Red Ken hopes to help Chavez with Caracas' transport/traffic problems, a noble aim, however he says:

"As we meet Venezuela is debating a new series of constitutional reforms to strengthen democratic participation. I particularly welcome plans to transform the capital, Caracas."

I cannot believe Livingstone is that naive so there must be other reasons why he is ignoring what is really happening in Venezuela. The reforms are anything but "strengthening democratic participation! The following from Vdebate.org: "In fact, Mr. Chavez's rewrite would complete his transformation into an autocrat. It would lengthen his presidential term from six to seven years and remove the current limit of two terms, allowing him to serve indefinitely. He would have broad powers to seize property, to dispose of Venezuela's foreign exchange reserves, to impose central government rule on local jurisdictions and to declare indefinite states of emergency under which due process and freedom of information would be suspended."

Organic orchestral oompah...

Britain awaits the Vienna Vegetable Orchestra reports Laura Clout in the Daily Telegraph: "They give the phrase 'playing with your food' a whole new meaning"


...founded in 1998, the 11-strong group carve their produce before every show,They prefer organic produce and use highly sensitive microphones to pick up the subtlest crunch of onion skin or squeak of lettuce leaves." (picture link), and the best bit? They make soup afterwards :-)

Organic orchestral oompah...

Britain awaits the Vienna Vegetable Orchestra reports Laura Clout in the Daily Telegraph: "They give the phrase 'playing with your food' a whole new meaning"


...founded in 1998, the 11-strong group carve their produce before every show,They prefer organic produce and use highly sensitive microphones to pick up the subtlest crunch of onion skin or squeak of lettuce leaves." (picture link), and the best bit? They make soup afterwards :-)

Online outlet...

Many who read this won't have seen what I'm on about as it refers to BBC Online content for those connecting from a non-UK country. "What's changing on the BBC Website?"

You will have noticed that the BBC website features a limited amount of advertising when viewed from outside the UK.

That's the only alteration - the content of the site remains unchanged and continues to feature the same high quality journalism and entertainment that the BBC has always pioneered. We've introduced advertising to visitors outside of the UK because the new revenue created will allow us to further improve our journalism, our programmes and our website in the years ahead.

Impartiality is of the utmost importance to us at the BBC and for this reason advertising will be clearly separated from editorial content. Advertising will not have any bearing on the news, information or programme content or create the impression of endorsement by the BBC.

We guarantee that you will continue to receive the same high-quality independent content that has made the BBC website one of the most popular news and entertainment sites in the world.

Then there's a list of FAQ's and finally this general information:

BBC Worldwide Limited is the main commercial arm and a wholly owned subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). The company exists to maximise the value of the BBC's assets for the benefit of the licence payer and invest in public service programming in return for rights. The company has six core businesses: Global Channels, Global TV Sales, Magazines, Content & Production, Home Entertainment and Digital Media.

Now to be fair, in principle there is nothing wrong with this; most people that use the BBC from another country would not be contributing to it via 'taxes' (the Licence Fee) apart from expats etc, of course...but my concern is that if the BBC is receiving large amounts of money from commercial companies, at some stage there is sure to be a problem with impartial editing despite the assurance that "advertising will not have any bearing on the news, information or programme content or create the impression of endorsement by the BBC"...or their "guarantee that you will continue to receive the same high-quality independent content"...am I being unfair? Can we trust Auntie?

Online outlet...

Many who read this won't have seen what I'm on about as it refers to BBC Online content for those connecting from a non-UK country. "What's changing on the BBC Website?"

You will have noticed that the BBC website features a limited amount of advertising when viewed from outside the UK.

That's the only alteration - the content of the site remains unchanged and continues to feature the same high quality journalism and entertainment that the BBC has always pioneered. We've introduced advertising to visitors outside of the UK because the new revenue created will allow us to further improve our journalism, our programmes and our website in the years ahead.

Impartiality is of the utmost importance to us at the BBC and for this reason advertising will be clearly separated from editorial content. Advertising will not have any bearing on the news, information or programme content or create the impression of endorsement by the BBC.

We guarantee that you will continue to receive the same high-quality independent content that has made the BBC website one of the most popular news and entertainment sites in the world.

Then there's a list of FAQ's and finally this general information:

BBC Worldwide Limited is the main commercial arm and a wholly owned subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). The company exists to maximise the value of the BBC's assets for the benefit of the licence payer and invest in public service programming in return for rights. The company has six core businesses: Global Channels, Global TV Sales, Magazines, Content & Production, Home Entertainment and Digital Media.

Now to be fair, in principle there is nothing wrong with this; most people that use the BBC from another country would not be contributing to it via 'taxes' (the Licence Fee) apart from expats etc, of course...but my concern is that if the BBC is receiving large amounts of money from commercial companies, at some stage there is sure to be a problem with impartial editing despite the assurance that "advertising will not have any bearing on the news, information or programme content or create the impression of endorsement by the BBC"...or their "guarantee that you will continue to receive the same high-quality independent content"...am I being unfair? Can we trust Auntie?

Operation Orchard oblivion...

Has this been forgotten, or disregarded? Why is there almost no news; why are there no ripples in the world pond re the Israeli bombing of Syrian 'nuclear' material from North Korea and other infrastructure in September this year? Last month in the Spectator James Forsyth and Douglas Davis reported how it came "So close to war"... World War Three. This was alluded to 'by a very senior British ministerial source' whom told The Spectator 'If people had known how close we came to world war three that day there’d have been mass panic.'

"The scale of the potential threat — and the intelligence methods that were used to follow the transfer — explain the dense mist of official secrecy that shrouds the event. There have been no official briefings, no winks or nudges, from any of the scores of people who must have been involved in the preparation, analysis, decision making and execution of the operation. Even when Israelis now offer a firm ‘no comment’, it is strictly off the record."

"The secrecy is itself significant." I'll say so: the silence is deafening.

Operation Orchard oblivion...

Has this been forgotten, or disregarded? Why is there almost no news; why are there no ripples in the world pond re the Israeli bombing of Syrian 'nuclear' material from North Korea and other infrastructure in September this year? Last month in the Spectator James Forsyth and Douglas Davis reported how it came "So close to war"... World War Three. This was alluded to 'by a very senior British ministerial source' whom told The Spectator 'If people had known how close we came to world war three that day there’d have been mass panic.'

"The scale of the potential threat — and the intelligence methods that were used to follow the transfer — explain the dense mist of official secrecy that shrouds the event. There have been no official briefings, no winks or nudges, from any of the scores of people who must have been involved in the preparation, analysis, decision making and execution of the operation. Even when Israelis now offer a firm ‘no comment’, it is strictly off the record."

"The secrecy is itself significant." I'll say so: the silence is deafening.

Opiparous onions...

Wonderful, sumptious and health giving onions: something we all knew but that continues to get more confirmation. The BBC reports Institute of Food research that shows eating a meal rich in compounds called flavonoids (in this case quercetin - found in onions, apples tea and red wine and even higher levels in the less-frequently eaten capers or lovage) reduces some early signs of heart disease. Worth noting that seperate research shows the absorption of quercetin from onions is twice that from tea and more than three times that from apples.

The US National Onion Association reports that studies have shown that quercetin protects against cataracts, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.

"In addition, onions contain a variety of other naturally occurring chemicals known as organosulfur compounds that have been linked to lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels."

Also, as the British Onions site tells us, new scientific research "has discovered the humble onion could be just what the doctor ordered to give our brains a boost. The research findings could prove valuable in the fight against aging and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, while also providing protection from the effects of modern life." (The fantastic pictures in this post are taken from their image gallery)

Apart from all that we know that onions are low in calories but pack a punch in the flavour stakes and can be added to almost any savoury meal, someone once said that every meal began with peeling an onion. They are also sodium, fat, and cholesterol free, and provide dietary fibre, plus vitamins C and B6, potassium, and other key nutrients. Try raw onion on it's own with olive oil (and vinegar) and a pinch of salt as dressing - that plus a sliced apple plus maybe a chunk of strong, hard cheese and a glass or two of red wine and you can feel the benefit: a meal fit for a king!! If you're not keen on the strong flavour then try sweet onions: they still taste like an onion, but be much sweeter and milder. If however you're not keen on that either then you can just read about them: Ode to the Onion.

Opiparous onions...

Wonderful, sumptious and health giving onions: something we all knew but that continues to get more confirmation. The BBC reports Institute of Food research that shows eating a meal rich in compounds called flavonoids (in this case quercetin - found in onions, apples tea and red wine and even higher levels in the less-frequently eaten capers or lovage) reduces some early signs of heart disease. Worth noting that seperate research shows the absorption of quercetin from onions is twice that from tea and more than three times that from apples.

The US National Onion Association reports that studies have shown that quercetin protects against cataracts, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.

"In addition, onions contain a variety of other naturally occurring chemicals known as organosulfur compounds that have been linked to lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels."

Also, as the British Onions site tells us, new scientific research "has discovered the humble onion could be just what the doctor ordered to give our brains a boost. The research findings could prove valuable in the fight against aging and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, while also providing protection from the effects of modern life." (The fantastic pictures in this post are taken from their image gallery)

Apart from all that we know that onions are low in calories but pack a punch in the flavour stakes and can be added to almost any savoury meal, someone once said that every meal began with peeling an onion. They are also sodium, fat, and cholesterol free, and provide dietary fibre, plus vitamins C and B6, potassium, and other key nutrients. Try raw onion on it's own with olive oil (and vinegar) and a pinch of salt as dressing - that plus a sliced apple plus maybe a chunk of strong, hard cheese and a glass or two of red wine and you can feel the benefit: a meal fit for a king!! If you're not keen on the strong flavour then try sweet onions: they still taste like an onion, but be much sweeter and milder. If however you're not keen on that either then you can just read about them: Ode to the Onion.

Octactinal orthopaedic operation...

Update, a.m. 08/11/07: So far, so good..."She has withstood the operation, she is safe and doing well," said Dr Sharan Patil, the consultant orthopaedic surgeon who led the 36-stong team that operated on Lakshmi.
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Good luck tommorrow Lakshmi Tatma. She's a two-year-old girl - named after the Hindu goddess of wealth who has four arms - and will undergo a 40-hour operation tomorrow as doctors try to give her a chance at a normal life: she was born with four arms and four legs. [DT Link]

Octactinal orthopaedic operation...

Update, a.m. 08/11/07: So far, so good..."She has withstood the operation, she is safe and doing well," said Dr Sharan Patil, the consultant orthopaedic surgeon who led the 36-stong team that operated on Lakshmi.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Good luck tommorrow Lakshmi Tatma. She's a two-year-old girl - named after the Hindu goddess of wealth who has four arms - and will undergo a 40-hour operation tomorrow as doctors try to give her a chance at a normal life: she was born with four arms and four legs. [DT Link]

Out of order, overbearing oligarchy...

Chavez has become what he claims to oppose. Today I am strongly tempted to join what would be my first political demonstration in years...many, many years. This afternoon, in front of the Venezuelan Consulate in Barcelona those Venezuelans against the changes to their country's Constitution will gather to show their displeasure: I hope it is well attended although only a small internet campaign has been evident.

The numerous changes to the Constitution were approved yesterday; The Devils' Excrement reports:

"Thus, it was a very dark day today, in which one of the most sordid processes in the country’s democratic history was completed. The man that reached power by being critical of decisions being made by politicians in smoke filed rooms, has single handedly imposed his illegal will and staged the final needed coup on the country’s Constitution, so that he can impose his dictatorial and autocratic rule on all Venezuelans."

Nicely put. Venezuela's national assembly gave its final approval to a number of constitutional reforms that strengthens to almost limitless the powers of President Hugo Chavez. The changes were approved by 160 of the 167 members of the assembly….only 96%...somebody’s for the chop! These changes will become law if a December referendum approves them; this is what the protests were about this week when Venezuelan troops used tear gas and water cannon against protesters against the planned reforms and wanting more time to understand any changes before a referendum. This strong-armed response was possibly due to the successful march last week when pro-Chavez demonstrators failed to upset the students march.

The main change is abolishing presidential term limits, but far more ominous is the fact that President Chavez is also proposing to "bypass legal controls on the executive during a state of emergency"; also he will change the country's internal boundaries making regional terriotories with governors all appointed by the president, something that will no doubt be supported by the thousands of local "communal councils" that will be given more power over what happens in their districts and who in turn will no doubt be supported by party faithful, armed militias.

"...a 1 million-strong civilian militia for a "war of resistance" against the United States."

It seems almost natural then that he would also wish an increase in presidential control over the central bank, something also in the approved reforms.

Changing tack a little, Chavez's anti-US rhetoric extends to all walks of life: he wants his people to know more about their history and heros, a noble aim in fact, something taht can be done by etaching history; however he describes it as breaking "the dictatorship of Hollywood", using this new film factory to make movies that better reflect the values and beliefs he is promoting through his socialist revolution....or propaganda as it's called. "More money is going to one film then we've had for all our films for years," says veteran director Alfredo Anzola. He is supportive of some of the government's ideas, but he is sceptical about Cinema City's role.

"I feel sure they want to make good films. What I don't like is that they'll only be the films they want to make. We fought for years to make films that were decided by the film community."

One of the first films could be Beauty and the Beast...sorry about that, uncalled for personal insults won't help...Naomi Campbell was there to attend a rally promoting state programs for single mothers; being an active member of Nelson Mandela Children's Fund she also expressed the hope that Chavez and Mandela could meet. However on arrival she told press: "I'm not going to be political. Thank you very much." Next day she was in a different mood when she said:

"Estoy maravillada, en las 24 horas que llevó aquí presente, de ver todo el amor que se refleja en los programas sociales que se extienden especialmente hacia las mujeres y los niños en este país"

Translated: "I've been here for 24 hours and I'm amazed to see the love and encouragement for the social programs that you have here for women and children in Venezuela," These days you can't be invited to Venezuela and not be political dear.

Out of order, overbearing oligarchy...

Chavez has become what he claims to oppose. Today I am strongly tempted to join what would be my first political demonstration in years...many, many years. This afternoon, in front of the Venezuelan Consulate in Barcelona those Venezuelans against the changes to their country's Constitution will gather to show their displeasure: I hope it is well attended although only a small internet campaign has been evident.

The numerous changes to the Constitution were approved yesterday; The Devils' Excrement reports:

"Thus, it was a very dark day today, in which one of the most sordid processes in the country’s democratic history was completed. The man that reached power by being critical of decisions being made by politicians in smoke filed rooms, has single handedly imposed his illegal will and staged the final needed coup on the country’s Constitution, so that he can impose his dictatorial and autocratic rule on all Venezuelans."

Nicely put. Venezuela's national assembly gave its final approval to a number of constitutional reforms that strengthens to almost limitless the powers of President Hugo Chavez. The changes were approved by 160 of the 167 members of the assembly….only 96%...somebody’s for the chop! These changes will become law if a December referendum approves them; this is what the protests were about this week when Venezuelan troops used tear gas and water cannon against protesters against the planned reforms and wanting more time to understand any changes before a referendum. This strong-armed response was possibly due to the successful march last week when pro-Chavez demonstrators failed to upset the students march.

The main change is abolishing presidential term limits, but far more ominous is the fact that President Chavez is also proposing to "bypass legal controls on the executive during a state of emergency"; also he will change the country's internal boundaries making regional terriotories with governors all appointed by the president, something that will no doubt be supported by the thousands of local "communal councils" that will be given more power over what happens in their districts and who in turn will no doubt be supported by party faithful, armed militias.

"...a 1 million-strong civilian militia for a "war of resistance" against the United States."

It seems almost natural then that he would also wish an increase in presidential control over the central bank, something also in the approved reforms.

Changing tack a little, Chavez's anti-US rhetoric extends to all walks of life: he wants his people to know more about their history and heros, a noble aim in fact, something taht can be done by etaching history; however he describes it as breaking "the dictatorship of Hollywood", using this new film factory to make movies that better reflect the values and beliefs he is promoting through his socialist revolution....or propaganda as it's called. "More money is going to one film then we've had for all our films for years," says veteran director Alfredo Anzola. He is supportive of some of the government's ideas, but he is sceptical about Cinema City's role.

"I feel sure they want to make good films. What I don't like is that they'll only be the films they want to make. We fought for years to make films that were decided by the film community."

One of the first films could be Beauty and the Beast...sorry about that, uncalled for personal insults won't help...Naomi Campbell was there to attend a rally promoting state programs for single mothers; being an active member of Nelson Mandela Children's Fund she also expressed the hope that Chavez and Mandela could meet. However on arrival she told press: "I'm not going to be political. Thank you very much." Next day she was in a different mood when she said:

"Estoy maravillada, en las 24 horas que llevó aquí presente, de ver todo el amor que se refleja en los programas sociales que se extienden especialmente hacia las mujeres y los niños en este país"

Translated: "I've been here for 24 hours and I'm amazed to see the love and encouragement for the social programs that you have here for women and children in Venezuela," These days you can't be invited to Venezuela and not be political dear.