Bomb or not?

Here is a great spoof training site for the US Department for Homeland Security.  Think 'Am I Hot or Not' with explosives.

On a similar theme, here is a very funny story about a bloke who cheated high level airline security in the US with a buzzing vibrator stuffed down the front of his trousers.

Still feel safe flying?

Hat tip: Boing-Boing  
2.9.06 17:31


Blair's Farewell Plans

The Daily Mirror has got hold of what appears to be a leaked memo from Number Ten, outlining plans for Tony Blair’s ‘retirement’. Written by his advisers, it talks about promoting the “triumph of Blairism”, a farewell tour to include a spot on Songs of Praise, and the PM’s departure leaving “the crowds wanting more”.

We have two options here. The first is that it’s a spoof. I sincerely hope so.

The second is that it’s serious. Oh dear. The Labour government has done much that it can be proud of, and Tony has been central to its success (and some of its failings). But this kind of old school Soviet glorification of a leader – especially one that is increasingly disliked by the electorate – displays a chronic lack of awareness about what people think in the ‘real world’. A quiet departure would be so much more dignified.

There is a general belief that Tony is holding out for the tenth anniversary of Labour coming to power next year before he finally goes.

Anniversaries are like birthdays – significant and exciting if they’re your own; a little tedious and rather unimportant to everyone else. As a party member, I’m no more excited about ten years than I was about eight or nine. What matters to me is that the handover of power leaves a radical Labour government in power, with the best chance of winning the next general election. If that means Tony going after 9.73 years, so be it.

 

This comment also appears on LabourHome  
5.9.06 08:51


Where is she now?

I stumbled across this blog today.  No entries, just a rather startling profile.  Almost a work of art in its emptiness.

I wonder where she is now.  Hope she got away.
5.9.06 21:26


My blog hits The Guardian

Fame at last.  My comments on Blair's farewell have made The Guardian. 

5.9.06 21:49


Dennis Skinner coming to town

A plug for our local Labour Club, which is celebrating its centenary this month.

On Saturday, Dennis Skinner will be coming along to help us celebrate, as well as the Nottingham Clarion Socialist Choir.

This is old school Labour, and no mistake.

Glossop Labour Club , Saturday September 9 at 8pm.
6.9.06 17:32


Britain needs a Kinky

I was introduced to the Jewish Texan Country singer and novelist, Kinky Friedman, by a friend about 15 years ago.  The Kinkster’s music is so-so.  His novels are hilarious and strictly non-PC - like Mickey Spillane on acid.  He’s now running for Texas Governor.  And he stands a (slim) chance of winning.

 

The absence of real characters in British politics – whatever their leanings – is now almost absolute.  Could you pick the Defence Secretary out in a line-up?  Kinky is the just the sort of person we need.  After all, not many of our politicians are selling their own talking action figures.

6.9.06 17:57


Keeping the Faith

I replay here the curious incident of Keeping the Faith because it deserves an airing.

LabourHome sports a plug for keepingthefaith.org.uk, a site dedicated to rallying support for the PM through an online petition. Within hours, access to the site had been restricted as the weight of rude and funny ‘signatures’ had rendered it a laughing stock. A copy of the pre-shutdown site can be found here.

Bloggerheads investigated the source of the site. His findings are as creepy as they are amusing, and I cannot give them justice here. See for yourself.

Two points arise from this debacle. The first is that politicians are still some way behind the curve in their use of the internet for propaganda purposes. The farce of David Miliband’s wiki on the environmental contract is another case in point.

Second, the battle for leadership of the Labour Party is going to get worse before things (can only) get better.
9.9.06 14:40


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