The Coronary Burger!

Yum!

Abuse of Terrorism powers questioned

The Independent has a worthy front page spash this morning on the use of terrorism legislation by the Police to stop people taking innocent photographs.

It reminded me of a post I did about the Tory PPC for Woolwich, and leader of the Tories on Greenwich Council, being stopped and told by local police he was a suspected terrorisr after he took a photo of the local police station for a by-election leaflet.

Labour HQ recruits blog spinner?

Now here's an interesting job on the Labour Party website. It seems they're looking for an Online Communities Organiser who's responsibility will include the need to "build relationships with key online stakeholders and encourage the creation of user-generated content from our online communities".

Expect to see ever more uncritical lines straight from Labour HQ being pushed by "independent" left wing blogs in the coming months.

They're looking for a Spammer-in-Chief to manipulate Google and deluge people's Inboxes as well.

I pledge Allegience to Unelected Bureacrats?

You're never going to get the response you want unless you frame the question right, the following of which is a good example. John Hayes MP asked Chris Bryant the following:

Mr. Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has received any recent representations on proposals for an oath of loyalty to the European Commission.

Chris Bryant: No, none whatsoever.

Now I'm guessing it was inspired by this story in September. Perhaps instead of asking about oath's of loyalty to the European Commission he should ask about general oaths to the EU?

Or maybe he knows something we don't?

PETA campaigns against cross-species breeding?

Look, I'm not going to lie, I think that this latest advert by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is very appealing to the eye. I see nothing wrong with Joanna Krupa whatsoever.


However, in response to accusations that the use of religious iconography might be a little offensive, Krupa said,

"We're trying to spread the word that breeding isn't the way to go. In my heart I know that Jesus would never condone the suffering that results when dogs and cats are allowed to breed."

WTF? Is she saying there is an issue of cross-species breeding or is she saying that male and females of the same species should not breed because Jesus wouldn't like it? WTF?

$1million dollars or I flick the switch!

Mephedrone Madness

There is a rather amusing article over at the Register about the medias latest "legal high" panic over mephedrone, which resulted in the classic headline in the Sun, "Legal drug teen ripped his scrotum off", who were following the lead of the Sunderland press it seems.

Anyhow, putting the bollocks of bollock ripping aside, my I offer a word of advise on how to research the latest and greatest chemical fads of the recreational home pharmaceutical testers out there. There is only one source you need for serious work on the effects of psychoactives, it's called Erowid.
Of course nothing beats "THE KIDS ARE TAKING FERTISLISERS!" stories though.

Why should we trust what they say about their spending?

You know how there is a general truism that you shouldn't trust statistics, and especially not if they come from the Government? Well.. some may say that sort of view is terrible cynical and helps solidify the anti-politics attitude that is pervasive today. However, sometimes they really don't do themselves any favour.

Take for example this document on the Cabinet Office website which apparently overseas visits made by all Ministers costing in excess of £500. Why does it not contain the £4,584 first class trip to New York that Barbera Follett took during the same period whilst a minister at the Government Equalities office?

Probably an oversight because the department in question exists only to placate Harriet Harman when she didn't get the Deputy Prime Minister title so was likely forgotten about, but still, if you're going to say you're listing "all Ministers" travel and then forget about 4.5K of spending, what faith can we put in the list as whole?

Obama kick starts second term campaign

So I finally heard Obama's plans for troops in Afghanistan. A further 30,000 and apparently the murmurings of an exit strategy saying that withdrawal of troops would begin in 18 months time - so around August 2011. That will be just in time for the beginning of the second term election cycle, just a few months before the Iowa Caucus.

I bet a fiver part of Obama's second term campaign will contain an "I brought the troops home!" narrative.

Obama says he doesn't take the decision lightly, and he'd be right, he has an election to win! I believe the phrase "teeing it up" would be applicable.

Note: Apologies for typos in original title. Need coffee

Protecting the second home income?

Cam me cynical if you must, but, in the wake of the expenses scandals and second home allowances etcetra, I found it rather amusing and oddly coincidental that the most popular Early Day motion thus far this session with 102 signatures and wide-ranging cross party-support reads thusly,

That this House notes that the repeal of the furnished holiday lettings rules announced in the 2009 Budget will have negative and unintended consequences for providers of holiday lettings; believes that the negative impact of the repeal will lead to a reduction in the supply of self-catering accommodation in particular, resulting in a significant loss of jobs and damage to rural and seaside economies; further notes with concern the lack of any industry consultation on the repeal; and calls on the Government to conduct a full consultation and review of this policy change as soon as possible to ensure all affected parties have the opportunity to voice their concerns and to promote an understanding of and mitigate against any unintended consequences on tourism, especially in rural and seaside areas.

For those wondering, the rules referred to are available in more detail here. Basically it;s another of those things where the Government is grabbing some more tax.

Now, I wonder, given the apparent cross-party support against a tax rise (from socialists to capitalist), how many of those MPs signing have furnished holiday lets of their own?