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It is interesting to read in the press today how MP's are proposing to cover their tracks on expenses by a flat fee of £23,000.

I see nothing wrong with the current system of producing a receipt for legitimate expenses on the basis no receipt, no expenses.

As to expenses for their 2nd. homes in London I cannot see why accommodation cannot be provided for all MP's as Colleges and Universities do for their students in halls of residence.

This would satisfy an excellent "On the Ropes" interview with Prescott this morning who appeared to have a problem with inequality and the privileged. All MP's would be treated the same.

FROM DWIGHT TO DUBYA

‘For we do not accept the use of force as a wise or proper instrument for the settlement of international disputes.’

October 31, 1956 Dwight Eisenhower


‘You're either with us or against us in the fight against terror.’

November 6 2001 George W Bush

'Can I be the man who holds your coat Capting?' November 2001 Bluebottle Blair.

Post the Crewe result, Gordon was visiting the hospitals.

I'm sorry, but...walking around with your sleeves rolled up is absolutely pathetic.

Who are we paying to come up with these idiotic subliminal ideas ?

They don't work.

Yes Gordon...blah blah blah .....why don't you roll your sleeves up when you're walking around... blah blah blah...........this will make you look as though you're really involved ...blah blah...... with the serious business of running the country....blah blah blah.....and yes, of course the cameras will be there....


Pathetic.


Could we please have something, soon, on how our money is being wasted on special advisors...in fact, just general waste and general government incompetence, before we even tackle why we need 650 odd fully expensed MP's to run the country?

On the PTSD I am always surprised that soldiers are thrown from a high stress situation straight into society. Maybe they should be allowed to decompress for a while first. But that would slow down rotation and then the politicians wouldn't want to pay. Surely that is a problem that can be solved if there is a will.

On the fuel costs a thought is: does the likely long run increased cost of fuel balance with "globalisation"? If it no longer makes sense to transport parts from around the world, and travel costs increase, then won't we revert back to more traditional economic models? Flying flowers from Kenya to supermarkets makes sense now but for how much longer? Also food - we are about to start plans to change farmland to environmentally friendly habitats etc but may we not need the land for farming soon? Is economic stability threatened?

As ever I will beat the drum that so far as I can see there is no meaningful preparation for the likely exit of Scotland from the UK in terms of policy and practical issues like tax collection; IT systems; armed forces and security. Can separation be harmonious if our great leaders are flying by the seats of their pants and making decisions on the spot? I know that there would be a period after 2010 before Scotland was independent but I don't believe you could do too much planning. Also will Wales be likely to follow?

SUGGESTION FOR 27 MAY:

A Christian Science Monitor staff writer from Washington suggests, on May 27, that the US and Iran may be heading for talks.

Sanity may be returning to Washington.

A look at the map will show what an important strategic ally Iran could be for the USA.

With half of its population under the age of 25, one suspects that Iran would be much more receptive to the overtures of American culture than to the restrictions of the mullahs.

Cultural imperialism and trade, anyone?

(We need not all parrot the Israeli line)

Oil Prices

I cant help speculating that the Corporate Nazi stock market parasites are using the recent blank " central bank " cheque given to the " banks " to speculate on the price of oil and food. If they had any power at all, perhaps the world's governments should threaten to call in their loans if essential commodity prices continue to spiral.

High fuel prices that can't be passed on to or by small businesses are all part of a possible corporate plan to force all small companies out of business. The only future employment opportunities open to the general public will be to work for a parasitic employment agency at or close to the minimum wage. The prototype is the agency terms and conditions offered to East Europeans by many large stock market listed companies already.

There is a possible "market " solution the general population can take, suspend private pension contributions and see what happens.

#1 Billbradbury - I agree with all of your sentiments.

But for once even I would think of security and be against the idea of a hall of residence for MPs. Too much of a terrorist target and it would increase the Westminster Ivory Tower syndrome (let them eat cake etc).

Viva MI5?

Makes a great excuse if you are now a policemen have driven through a speed camera and concoct a story to get out of it!

SOWING THE WIND IN SOLDIER MINDS

From what I have seen of military training, it seeks to instil the idea of total expendability of "the enemy". In the rest of life (look at the embryo debate and the euthanasia rumpus) the ethos is one of 'none shall die.'
It's a truly cuckoo mix is it not? We seem to have come to the end of wisdom and philosophical thought. All the fuss about mankind dying out due to climate change, yet we still see war as a viable way to argue. Tony didn't called a summit to stop war - he put his Christian weight behind starting one! But he never ceased to bang on about Kyoto. Have I ever suggested party politics gives us the wrong leaders?
Mind you, with the amount of ‘defence weaponry’ we flog round the world, I guess all attack will soon be futile. War is over – hooray!