Comments on the news

[tinyjo]

• Sangat: I find it hard to believe that people who are prepared to hike through the chunnel will be put off by the removal of the camp. The reason Sangat was opened was because those people were already there and living on the street. It just seems like a classic case of treating the symptoms, not the problem
• I actually find myself heartily in agreement with Robin Cook who has made a speech saying that it would be better if MPs were more independant but that while the press greet any independant view with cries of 'Splits!' it's very difficult for them. He also said (and again I agree) that a bit more discussion of actual policy pros and cons and a bit less obsession with Westminster gossip wouldn't go amiss
• Even though I can see intellectually that it matters if Byers lied I find that I can't seem to care. Partly its just that they never shut up about it and partly because I know that the people baying for his blood are only doing it because they think they can make political capital out of it, not because they actually care.
• It's such a strange thought that there might be a nuclear war. An inappropriate but persistant thought: if India is nuked will Earl Grey supplies dry up?
• George Bush seems to me to be the most unpleasant, stupid and dangerous leader of any country. I find I trust him less than Saddam when it comes to weapons of mass destruction
• The destruction of Seamus Heaneys old house is condemned as an act of cultural vandalism. Things like this always seem odd to me - the destruction of his poetry would be cultural vandalism but the place where he composed it? It might be interesting to see but its hardly a cultural treasure in and of itself is it?

Comments

[andypop.livejournal.com]

Even though I can see intellectually that it matters if Byers lied I find that I can't seem to care

Me neither. Not exactly unexpected: "Politician Lied! Shock!" He gave Railtrack their marching orders; shouldn't he get a medal or something?

if India is nuked will Earl Grey supplies dry up

No, but every teabag will have a faint green glow.

George Bush seems to me to be the most unpleasant, stupid and dangerous leader of any country

Have a look at Michael Moore's excellent new book 'Stupid White Men' for some great comments on Bush, specifically the way he 'won' the election (Moore calls him "the thief-in-chief"). I'm glad to say it's been a best-seller on both sides of the Atlantic.

[tinyjo.livejournal.com]

He gave Railtrack their marching orders; shouldn't he get a medal or something

Exactly! Plus the whole lying thing has come down to a question of semantics again - enough already!

When I move to the new job, I'll be in spitting distance of the libraray too so I'll check the book out - thanks :)