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the lefty froth over city bonus is amusing. Footballers are paid more as are TV presenters.

Maybe they should open a demo account and find why 80% of people lose money in the market and then ask if someone can consistently make money in the markets would they not be like gold dust? And then employ them to run their workers pension fund?

so rather than campaign for something that would really help 'the workers' like a two way grid they embark on a glorious flat cap crusade against the evils of money and those 'who will be first against the wall when the revolution comes' [see 'hitchhiker guide to the galaxy']

D PHIL (where D = dumb)

We are appalled by 'their' bombs, though we make, use and sell them ourselves.

We are aghast when, in the street, young men defend their beliefs by killing, and say they would be better off in the army, defending political beliefs - by killing.

What kind of mentality promotes such an ethos?

I suggest it is the same mentality that presides over monetary madness and the psychological decline of Britain while claiming 'high postion' in the world.

It's the philosophy stupid.

Only Labour could take us through something on a par with the Wall St Crash and then announce they are going to introduce regulations and make themselves sound like heroes.

Brown has the full confidence of the cabinet and party and Honest John Major. So he will last a couple of weeks at least then.

If Bush only has a few weeks left whatever happened to his Congressional medal for Blair? Did he ever collect it or would it be seen to re-open old wounds on Iraq.

On the US the $700 billion covers the mortgages. If I have gleaned the right information that does not cover derivatives nor the CDS (Credit Default Swaps). Is it safe? Is it safe?

On Pakistan it sounds as though the terrorists have very good information so in my world it will get worse and more unstable in Pakistan before it gets better. But to win in Afghanistan you have to win in Pakistan in my view.

Cannot wait to see Jeremy at the Labour Party Conference - should be a good laugh!

"In his keynote speech, Mr Darling is also committing to taking whatever steps are necessary to tackle turmoil in the markets, but will also warn that solutions to the problems of globalisation will not be found by one government alone".

Why does what I think of as risk analysis require other governments?

Either we are responsible for our companies derivatives trading etc. or we are not. If we are not then we don't need the 10p architects at all and where is the basis for Browns self created reputation.

WHEN SPIN TAKES A NOSE DIVE

The modern fad for vacuous print behind platform speakers is alive and well in Labour. Not only have they deployed: "Winning the fight for Britain's future" raising the question: "against whom - the past?" Shades of the war on Terror!

But the best example, Behind Miliband D, as he explained how "good" Labour are at warfare, aka foreign policy, some wunderkind had put the big, bold word: 'PROGRESS' running vertically DOWNWARD - whether to Hell or 'the pan' I could not see.

Now we have heard the Chancellor’s speech, we have some idea of what to expect. Gordon Brown may say more, but for the moment it sounds as if he is following his usual route. It’s all about directing attention elsewhere. It’s the global markets, and their greedy bankers, to blame. Much of this is, of course true, but the solution is to also be sub-contracted to those same global markets. ‘Not me gov!’ is the strategy on all fronts.

As far as I heard, Darling said almost nothing about what he, or Gordon, would do. It is worrying when a socialist government believes in laissez-faire even as its own policy.

And, as to the US government bail-out of those markets, Bush once more seems determined to impose his own agenda. Nationalizing losses should not be allowed to affect privatised profits, it seems!

We may be getting the worst of both worlds!

Yes Jeremy is such a laugh these days !

midnightPantsman - I meant the Labour party are a laugh :p
Should be good to see Jeremy slaughter them.

VIGNETTE

It is reported that 3% of pound coins are counterfeit. What an ugly word. Lets call them sub-prime.

Alistair Campbell is certainly conspicious by his absence these days - if even he cannot do anything to help labour and Brown, there is no hope.

PLUS CA CHANGE.. BUT THERE'S ALWAYS RE-BRANDING/PACKAGING

LarsonsMum (#11) "Alistair Campbell is certainly conspicious by his absence these days".

Newsnight does appear to have found a though.

A very similar M.O.

When it got tough, have a 'nervous breakdown', jettison the unattractive characteristics (for appearances sake), present instead as born again, enlightened, redeemed, fresh, new and improved......in Newsnight's vernacular ... 'sparkling'.

Except, the word is, people don't really change.

THE MIXTURE AS (RARELY) BEFORE (#12)

A political activist, psychiatrist, with an 'OK' marriage? Does not compute. He would appear to be drawn to positions of power over people and to the spotlight. Did he want to be Mick Jagger when at school? Shudder.

I shall keep an eye on the sparkling Mr Hencke JJ.

10p OR NOT 10p THAT IS THE QUESTION

In all the debate about Gordon - his character and his ability - one thing, surely, defines both: the 10p fiasco. In politics it always seems to come back to 'fool or knave'; and here we are again.

If Gordon believed, for a year or more, that the removal of the 10p band was a master stroke, then all that hype about him being a 'great Chancellor' is rubbish - he is a fool.

If Gordon knew the 10p removal would hurt a lot of the low paid, but thought no one would notice - he is both fool and knave.

If Gordon was so enamoured of it, as a Budget stunt (as the truly evil grin on his face indicated at the time) then he is, indeed, a knave.

With Andrew Marr, Gordon made a mealy-mouthed acknowledgement of the 10p debacle and tomorrow, it is said, he will apologise. But let him EXPLAIN HIS THINKING and his actions, and if it makes no sense, let him follow Blair into shame and ignominy, reserved for leaders who would deceive us.

DEREGULATION AND WITCHCRAFT

Barrie (#13) "A political activist, psychiatrist, with an 'OK' marriage?"

He's not a psychiatrist (as I have said before, he's a 'psychotherapist' - read faith-healer capitalising on the placebo effect like Rev Blair, not even a professioal psychologist for what it's worth). Any would risk being struck off, or at least sanctioned for such behaviour. Psychotherapists on the other hand are still immune from such censure (although one could/should try calling them to account under the reformed Witchcraft Act, i.e If they pass this modern ducking-test, all well and good.

(Talk about the bad driving out the good...)

Will anyone join me in my attempt to have a (strung-up) my mistake HUNG parliament?

I don't trust David Cameron, and his arrogant sidekick Mr Osbourne and I will not sleepwalk into voting for a man with no policies.

And i Wont' vote for Gordon brown; because he's uninspiring. in a name (john Major).

Am I the only one wishing we still had Tony Blair for all his faults.

BRING BACK BLAIR (#16)

Then hand him over to the WI and tell them to finish the job.

Finally: maroon him on some bleak island with only Lord Jeffrey Archer for company.
(Make sure Tony has his War Medal with him, he can show it to Jeffrey - a lot.)


PLACEBO WITCHES (#15)

Ho JJ! Are you quite sure about the precise use of -iatrist and -otherapist (or just making it up as you go along - again)?
Anyway, I won't hear a word against placebotherapy. I sprinkle Double Fortified Omnipotence Powder on my cornflakes ever morning, and look what it's done for me!