clipped from observer.guardian.co.uk Top British terror suspect escapes One of Britain's most wanted men slipped his handcuffs and fled after appearing at a court in Islamabad, Pakistan, where his lawyers were protesting against requests for his extradition. Last night two policemen were being questioned about the incident.

Almost missed this with everything else that is happening in Pakistan. Thank Allah they do not have a nuclear weapon?????

How some counter inflationary fuel bills?

clipped from www.telegraph.co.uk Heating bills to soar for millions of Britons One million households face soaring heating bills as a result of the surging price of oil on the global markets. Many families will have to pay an extra £400 to heat their homes and fuel their cookers because of sharp hikes in the price of central heating oil. Oil has traded consistently above $90 a barrel during December, with many analysts speculating that it is only a matter of time before the $100 barrier is breached.

Not only oil prices have spiraled, but all domestic fuel costs.
One disabled former regular has seen his fuel bills almost double in the past twelve months, even though some fuels, gas in particular, has fallen dramatically. The only action of MP's, is to guard against inflation for themselves and go for a ten percent pay hike and the additional increases to their unwarranted pensions when former soldiers are living in poverty.
And people vote for them?

Syrian planning belated Xmas Party?

British Intelligence has been ordered not to profile suspected terrorists. Instead they are to seek out ancient Anglo-Saxons wearing bowler hats and wearing numerous campaign medals, carrying modem lap-tops which should be stolen by any friendly Al or Qaida on the British security payroll.

clipped from www.telegraph.co.uk Man accused of planning a terrorist attack A man appeared in court on Christmas Eve accused of planning a terrorist attack. Hassan Muhammed Sabri al-Tabbakh, 38, is accused of stock-piling chemicals and compiling bomb-making instructions. Al-Tabbakh, of Syrian origin, was arrested near his home in Birmingham on Dec 18. He was questioned for four days before being charged under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006 with "conduct for the preparation of an intention to commit an act of terrorism." His lawyer said he spoke good English but had post-traumatic stress disorder and was "agitated" in police custody prior to the hearing.

The Tooth Fairy Cometh.

clipped from www.nytimes.com In Kentucky’s Teeth, Toll of Poverty and Neglect BARBOURVILLE, Ky. — In the 18 years he has been visiting nursing homes, seeing patients in his private practice and, more recently, driving his mobile dental clinic through Appalachian hills and hollows, Dr. Edwin E. Smith has seen the extremes of neglect. Dr. Smith has a rare window on a state with the highest proportion of adults under 65 without teeth, where about half the population does not have dental insurance. He struggles to counter the effects of the drastic shortage of dentists in rural areas and oral hygiene habits that have been slow to change.

Not only in Britain but in the wealthiest nation on earth, ordinary people are finding it extraordinarily difficult in basic hygiene, or getting access to basic needs. In the USA where many just do not care for their fellow man and that is beyond Christmas, the philosophy of me me me is proving as corrupt as the opposite culture of state socialism. In UK, where medical facilities can barely cope with the numbers of ill people, there are still advocates of a policy that says we can afford help to everyone who needs it. A LIBERAL PIPE DREAM and economic lunacy.

Read in the Scotsman

clipped from news.scotsman.com THOUSANDS of convicted foreign drug dealers, thieves and fraudsters are being allowed to stay in Britain because the Government has "no interest" in deporting them, it was claimed today. It states that "as a rule" the immigration officials will not eject foreigners sentenced to under 12 months – unless the courts have recommended them for deportation. "The result will be that foreign thieves, fraudsters, burglars and drugs dealers will be released back into the community," he said.

Say no more!!

Merry Christmas you foreign criminals - from the Labour Party.

clipped from news.bbc.co.uk Memo sparks foreign prisoner row The UK's head of immigration Lin Homer said staff were committed to sending home all overseas offenders, whether they are dangerous or not. More than 11,000 of the 81,000 prison population are foreign nationals. "It produced a huge headline saying that he was going to remove all of these foreign criminals and that is the impression that the government has repeatedly sought to give.

Labour just gets back to normal.
For all those who have told me...'their parents would turn in their graves if they voted against Labour."
To these people I say, "thank heavens my parents allowed me to think for myself.".

If you like incompetence, illegality, complete disregard for the electorate, carry on acting stupid and vote again for this immoral government.

ITS CHRISTMAS, DAY ALL IS SECURE

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS HE LIVED ALL ALONE
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF PLASTER AND STONE
I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE
AND TO SEE JUST WHO IN THIS HOME DID LIVE

I LOOKED ALL ABOUT, A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS, NOT EVEN A TREE
NO STOCKING BY THE MANTLE, JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES OF FAR DISTANT LANDS
WITH MEDALS AND BADGES AWARDS OF ALL KINDS
A SOBER THOUGHT CAME THROUGH MY MIND

FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT, IT WAS DARK AND DREARY
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY
THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING SILENT ALONE
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME

THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER
NOT HOW I PICTURED A LONE BRITISH SOLDIER
WAS THIS THE HERO OF WHOM I'D JUST READ
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO, THE FLOOR FOR A BED

I REALISED THE FAMILIES THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT
SOON ROUND THE WORLD THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY

THEY ALL ENJOY FREEDOM EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE
I COULDN'T HELP WONDER, HOW MANY ALONE
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME

THE VERY THOUGHT BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES AND STARTED TO CRY
THE SOLDIER AWAKENED AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE
'SANTA DON'T CRY, THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE
I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM, I DON'T ASK FOR MORE
MY LIFE IS MY GOD, MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS'

THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT I CONTINUED TO WEEP

I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS SO SILENT AND STILL
AND WE BOTH SAT AND SHIVERED FROM THE COLD NIGHTS CHILL
I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE ON THAT COLD DARK NIGHT
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOUR SO WILLING TO FIGHT

THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE
WHISPERED 'CARRY ON SANTA ITS CHRISTMAS DAY ALL IS SECURE'
ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT
'MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT'

THIS POEM WAS WRITTEN BY A PEACE KEEPING SOLDIER STATIONED OVERSEAS

Watergate Mk II?

clipped from www.nytimes.com Bush Lawyers Discussed Fate of C.I.A.Tapes WASHINGTON — At least four top White House lawyers took part in discussions with the Central Intelligence Agency between 2003 and 2005 about whether to destroy videotapes showing the secret interrogations of two operatives from Al Qaeda, according to current and former administration and intelligence officials. Some other officials assert that no one at the White House advocated destroying the tapes. Those officials acknowledged, however, that no White House lawyer gave a direct order to preserve the tapes or advised that destroying them would be illegal. The destruction of the tapes is being investigated by the Justice Department, and the officials would not agree to be quoted by name while that inquiry is under way.

Well done the New York Times on a comprehensive article on this matter

Getting at the TRUTH

clipped from cnews.canoe.ca Israeli delegation heads to U.S. to argue Iran still seeking nuclear arms JERUSALEM - Israel has dispatched an unscheduled delegation of intelligence officials to the U.S. to try to convince it that Iran is still trying to develop nuclear weapons - contrary to the findings of a recent U.S. intelligence report, security officials said. The U.S. assessment, released earlier this month, concludes Iran halted its weapons development program in 2003 and that the program remained frozen through at least through the middle of this year. The findings reversed a key conclusion from a 2005 intelligence report that Iran was developing a bomb. Israeli officials fear the report will weaken international resolve to contain Iran's nuclear ambitions.

I understand the fears that Israel has for it's future, my Uncle Arthur was one of the British soldiers who first entered Belsen concentration camp. But I also understand the concerns of th Arab Nations with the theft of Palestine from under their noses. It is difficult because the Scots have taken over Blackpool with an insidious infiltration over the past two thousand years, but the Poles seem to have done better in a few short months?
We all know from the 'dodgy dossier' that whatever the "INTELLIGENCE" experts tell us, it is probably miles from the fact.

Is this where Labour's priorities lie?

clipped from www.telegraph.co.uk Row over payments to failed asylum seekers Thousands of failed asylum seekers have been flown out of Britain and set up in business back home in a £36 million taxpayer-funded scheme, it can be revealed. More than 23,000 migrants have taken advantage of the scheme. Their UK-funded businesses range from market stalls to hotels and clothes factories, in countries as far-flung as South Africa, China and Colombia.

Shame on the Government. Stop LYING to the British people.

A Government who cannot pay for those who protect the realm, can find loose change for illegal activists. Having watched the Foreign Secretary smarm his way through an interrogation of a Parliamentary Committee and avoid/evade at every syllable, I am now convinced that British Politics have hit the incredible low of the Italians.
I am not convinced that the Conservatives are a viable alternative. Imagine Boris Johnson in a Cabinet with 17 of his Eton school-chums. Not bloody likely- to coin a phrase.

Servicemen's pay

clipped from www.timesonline.co.uk Soldiers are cheated in pay blunder THOUSANDS of servicemen and women, including many fighting on the front line, are being underpaid because of failures in a new computerised pay system. This weekend the Ministry of Defence admitted that more than 16,000 members of the forces were underpaid in August, the latest month for which official data is available. Problems are so widespread that members of the Special Boat Service recently complained about the pay delays to Lord Boyce, the former chief of defence staff, when he visited them on the front line in Afghanistan.

If this story is true it goes to show the massive difference between those who serve, and those who purport to govern.
There will be no outrage because Mr Joe Public is too busy spending his fat Christmas Bonus's to car about the plight of the Forces.

Underpaid soldier dies in action

clipped from news.bbc.co.uk UK soldier killed in Afghanistan The Ministry of Defence confirmed the death of the soldier from the 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, but did not give further details.

The MoD announced that a soldier serving with one of the new regiments has been killed in action. It has said nothing about the dismal failure to ensure this hero was getting his pay, which, according to British newspapers, is not the case.
Questions please to your MP.

Police Pay and Service

clipped from news.bbc.co.uk Anger grows over police pay deal Jan Berry, chairman of the Police Federation in England and Wales, said each police officer would lose about £200 as a result of the failure to backdate the rise to September, but there was a greater principle involved.

I watch spokespeople for the Police go on about service, danger, and their poor renumeration. yet they can, unlike members of HM Armed Forces, refuse to do tasks because they are dangerous, i.e. there is nothing in law that says a policeperson has to put their neck on the line. In fact, if they think it is dangerous for them, they can sit and watch. The fact that the mass majority of police persons would not and do risk their lives is incidental. Compare that with a troopie crawling towards a Taliban stronghold - the order goes out "fix bayonets". The soldier has no option, he does exactly as ordered.
He - the soldier - has monies promised but not paid and the world is silent. Fact.
The constable from day one is on a better salary than the soldier.
Their families are treated like third class citizens. Illegal immigrants appear to have more rights than squaddies. MP's are ambivalent as far as families are concerned, and Charities claim benefits for which they did not earn. RBL does not give random monies to soldiers and their families - they first approach the Service Funds and most other avenues before dipping into the coffers donated by the public.Shame!
So go on strike. I haven't seen the fuzz protecting my district for almost a generation. ROB ON SCALLY!!!

The World Today

Labour helped Abrahams set up secret cash transfers:

for a party that promulgate law, they have little conception of illegality. What is worse, they put politicians like Keith Vaz up to defend their illegal actions. Irony, from an MP who refused to comply with instructions and wishes of a Parliamentary inquiry?

Smith seeks 42-day detention limit:

To the uninitiated and those who do not care for this once Great Nation, the 42 day detention could be used against any citizen if the Government decides. Then it will be overturned in the European Courts and everyone is worse off. Did not Enoch Powell warn of these evens 40 years ago?

Awards uproar as Ross makes Madeleine joke and Fern Britton calls giant bear 'Mohammed':

The bear truth is that people can call children Mohammed, but not their toys. I wonder what would happen if a boxer decided to call himself Mohammed? He would need an Ali!

The World Today

Reginald Perrin walks into London police station:
we've seen the programme, now watch the film.
Immigration surges to 25-year high:
not just here,but in Canada, a massive country, mainly empty because it is uninhabitable.
US spies debunk Iran nuclear fears
it is interesting to get a foreign perspective, and how foreign are my cousins in Kangarooland?
'I got a bit more than bargained for'
so said Scouse teacher to reporters. Take it from someone who has lived in Africa and fought in Africa, if you were not expecting this to happen, stay at home and get back into your glass bowl.
Iraqi kidnappers release British hostage video:
months on and there some who have not forgotten British hostages. It appears that the Government has?
MoD 'ignored' safety warnings over Nimrod:
Did you watch the part time Minister for Defence's defence of the indefencible? No. So you too do not give a sh*t about the brave people who protect your liberties?

Colonel David Watson, Royal Marines rtd.

David's funeral is on December 7th at 1400 St. Nicholas church Ringwold, Kent.

Colonel David Watson, Royal Marines rtd. RIP

Dear Members,
It is with much regret that I inform of the death of our President Col. David Watson. He died on Saturday in Malaysia and should be home in a day or two, as soon as I get any details I'll let you know.

Sincerely

DUSTY

notyetavet says:
Received 10 minutes ago from the Secretary of the Green Beret Association. A sad message to all true Commandos. It was with regret that ill-health prevented my attendance at this years meeting. Saddest and sincerest condolences to family.

LABOUR'S SALE OF THE MILLENIUM

FANTASTIC DOUBLE CD RELEASED BY HM GOV

ALL THE ID FRAUDSTERS FAVOURITES ARE HERE

25 MILLION NAMES AND ADDRESSES

BANK ACCOUNT DETAILS EVEN MY OWN

NATIONAL INSURANCE NUMBERS AND MUCH MORE

PERFECT GIFT FOR A SHADY FAMILY MEMBER OR FRIEND, JUST IN TIME FOR BUMPER CHRISTMAS SHOPPING SPREE AT NO COST TO THE RECIPIENT!

BETTER THAN WINNING THE LOTTERY

A NICE LITTLE EARNER AND NO MISTAKE

packaged in a brown envelope

payment by cash on in a mutually agreed back street, used notes only

and no Northern Rock cheques either.

NOTE TO SCOTLAND YARD, MI5, MI6, FBI, CIA, INTERPOL, BRITISH RAIL POLICE, TRAFFIC WARDENS, CURTAIN TWITCHERS

AND ANYONE ELSE INCLUDING OUTRAGED OF MILTON KEYNES

A legacy of ignorance

A picture tells a thousand stories. The day after ignorance will try and condemn a great man to the history of lies and falsehood, just look at the inheritance that collective stupidity has forced on a once wonderful country.

Ian Smith. A Great Man Gone. How Right you have been proved.

clipped from ap.google.com Ian Smith, Ex-PM of Rhodesia, Dies at 88 By ANGUS SHAW – 1 hour ago Smith unilaterally declared independence from Britain on Nov. 11, 1965. He then served as the prime minister of Rhodesia from 1965 to 1979 during white minority rule. The country failed to gain international recognition, and the United Nations imposed economic sanctions. Smith had imprisoned Mugabe in 1964 for 10 years, calling him a "terrorist" intent on turning the country into a one-party dictatorship. Zimbabwe's state television and radio briefly reported Smith's death on late night news shows Tuesday.

From a country now run by corrupt mediocrity, it is a pleasure to say that I fought alongside this great man, and thank him for giving me back my self respect and dignity.
I have heard that the Blacks in Rhodesia said that it was the worst type of racism, living under the Smith regime. I never heard that from Black Rhodesians. In fact, my house servant said to me, on the eve of the 1979 elections, when it was obvious that British monitors had turned a blind eye to the flagrant voting irregularities that eventual selected Mugabe, "I am a Malawian, Iche. I don't like Black Africa..."
In my Regiment, to a man, Ian Smith was a hero, a straight man, a good man. I served with the Rhodesian African Rifles and was one of a tiny handful of Whites who can honestly say so. My Black comrades would corroborate this, if they had not been massacred by the 5th Brigade in the early 80's. There was more respect between the racial groups, the military and civil authority in Rhodesia than can ever be replicated in this artificial and false environment. And 90% of the Rhodesian Army, small as it was, poorly equipped as it was, under enormous pressure as it was, was BLACK.
When the story of this hero is finally told, I wonder if many will tell of his exploits in the Royal Air Force during the Battle of Britain. My dad told me he was a Smith's ground crew member at Biggin Hill. That will do for me.
It was not political pressure that destroyed Rhodesia. It was when South Africa stopped supplying essential weapons and ammunition. FACT.
Smith own farm was established on marginal land, nestled among TTL's, and thrived because of his hard work and desire to thrive.
This is his humble ranch house.


Sorry! This is Robert Mugabe's swimming pool.
How RIGHT YOU WERE, PRIME MINISTER.

MoD mismanagement again?

clipped from www.telegraph.co.uk Troops lose out in wages glitch Members of the Special Boat Service who fight the Taliban daily are being short-changed by more than £400 a month and some face defaulting on mortgage payments. Some SBS troops, who are recruited almost exclusively from the Royal Marines, are having to rely on help from a welfare fund set up by friends of the unit. An MoD spokesman admitted "issues" with JPA. "We would like to apologise to any individuals who may have been inconvenienced."

Possibly, with the exception of Ann Winterton. I have read or seen nothing that convinces me that Government has the welfare of its troop to heart.
Whilst MP's elect themselves enormous pension increases, massive unaccountable expenses and a £10K bung for "communication" when the average PC and broadband cost about £200 with free service, this illuminates the poverty of Labour's argument that they are fit for office.

Is there a politician listening?

clipped from www.telegraph.co.uk Troop shortage warning amid decline in morale The Armed Forces will face a substantial manpower shortage next year because of a major struggle to recruit and retain personnel across all three services, according to a Ministry of Defence report. The MoD's latest statistics on personnel numbers show that the Army will be 11 per cent short of trained recruits for the front line by April. The Royal Navy will be 10 per cent short and the RAF 14 per cent short of new officers, according to the MoD quarterly review.

The situation goes from bad to worse.
I watched the Panorama programme on Afghanistan with a comrade of nearly forty years and was astounded at what we witnessed. It is the arrogance of perceived victory. Not wanting to give the enemy succour, it reminded me of a recent visit to a specialist training establishment, where a weapons instructor was giving a demo on hand guns. Like everyone brainwashed into believing that British procurement is best, his narrow narrative exhibited many flaws. The comment, "then only good them pea shooters is for is for shooting yerself" was complete misread by the expert instructor. "How long have you been an instructor?" was another question. "Ten years plus,"he replied. "That puts my forty years teaching ballistics to shame," retorts the greyish gentleman, who withdrew in disbelief from the demonstration.
If people are wrong, they are wrong.
The magnificent effort of young Nato troops is undermined by an arrogance of infallibility. There are too many with no clue to what soldiering is all about, tell those who do how they should be doing it.

Will there be an Army left when Labour has finished?

clipped from www.thesun.co.uk Para quits over troop treatment Lt Col Stuart Tootal, 42, commanding officer of 3 Para, penned a bombshell resignation letter spelling out his reasons for quitting his £70,000-a-year post. Soldiers’ POOR PAY, A lack of training EQUIPMENT; Appalling Army HOUSING; Shoddy TREATMENT by the health service.

This blog has been saying all these things since conception. Having listened to many of the remarks of fellow members of the Sgt's Mess, I am in no doubt why they -the Government and politically appointed Officer Cadre - have got away with untruths for decades.
This blog has been saying all these things since conception. Having listened to many of the remarks of fellow members of the sgt's mess, I am in no doubt why they -the Government and politically appointed Officer Cadre - have got away with untruths for decades.
Once upon a time the country could rely on young men who had a spirit unknown in Civvie Street. They could endure hardship, neglect and poor pay because they got the adventure they sought in life. If they were injured there were magnificent medical facilities and even more magnificent medics. Netley was a 'Nuthouse' to be proud of, but where is it now?
This reminds me of a soldier injured on exercises in Turkey in the early seventies. A letter from MoD advised him that his serious injuries were not of MoD fault and that he ought to find the Turkish civilian driver and take out a private prosecution to sue for damages.
So much for the Covenant!

Is the message getting home?

clipped from www.telegraph.co.uk Our forces can't carry on like this, says General Sir Richard Dannatt General Sir Richard Dannatt, the Chief of the General Staff, reveals in a top-level report that the present level of operations is "unsustainable", the Army is "under-manned" and increasing numbers of troops are "disillusioned" with service life. The head of the Army has warned that years of Government under-funding and overstretch have left troops feeling "devalued, angry and suffering from Iraq fatigue", The Sunday Telegraph can reveal.

Soldiers have been, for many years, first class servants but second class citizens.
The insults inflicted on the soldier are coming home to roost. Finally, the Top Brass is taking note, and about time too.
The majority of former soldiers do not belong to Associations, a fact that Associations ignore. Charities who claim to have Soldiers, the RAF and the Navy personnel and their families interest to heart, let them do with down with monotonous regularity.
Next week an undertaking is to begin that will identify the shortcomings of a large service charity. This Royal Charter body gives the impression of wanting a public facade untarnished with the CHARITY of conscience, whose most serious indictment is that it does not allow their volunteer helpers to assist in some of the most tragic cases of neglect imaginable. Correspondence will be published that proves that PC had taken precedence over the need to CARE for vulnerable former soldiers and their families.