Halfapenguin.com
politicalmusings

I'm thinking about donating some of my hard earned cash to Obama's political campaign. I should say that while he is not perfect, i think he's going to be amazing for the USA and i look forward to a kinder, wiser and more noble administration than has been seen in a generation or 2. However the english in me feels rather sad and let down by the idea that despite this amazing and inspired leader, he might loose because of political slandering by a trumped up excuse of a human being who fails at standing up for anything he believes in just to get elected. The budget of a state senatorial campaign would probably dwarf the election costs of an entire british political party.... In the UK i know Obama would win, it might take the length of one of his speeches, but his intelligence, principles, charisma and wisdom would bring him straight to number ten with a landslide. Should i be pragmatic (The system is flawed, but i can help Obama winning with donations), or should i be principled (Obama should win on his own merits, not on how much advertising capital he can raise)? I have to say i'm leaning towards the pragmatic... but i'm curious as to what people think? P.S. If McCain wins, i'm planning to retreat back to the UK, provided you pay for a large bag in the hold you are welcome to come back with me (My parents have been requested to clear out the spare room for political refugees...)

more

I keep reading online polls on websites like this

My biggest issue is, i want two extra options, "I don't know who these people are" and "I really don't care" I'd be interested to see what the statistics would show if that was put into more polling.

more

Gordon Brown's school report for the 2007-2008 school year. http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/radio4/today/today_20080627-0820.mp3 All rights held by the today program of the BBC.

more

I know i'm a bit late on this, mainly because i only watched the countdown podcast this evening. I've tried to maintain an interest in US politics, but its difficult to do when you are on the other side of the ocean. After coming here i've tried to make up for lost time, but even then my first real exposure to John McCain was in the Iowa debate. I saw someone who made my skin crawl, he honestly struck me as someone "scary beyond all reason", and when he finally rose to the republican leadership i found my inital gut reaction confirmed time and again. But i didn't have the historical depth to know enough about his history, beyond his status as a Viet-Cong prisoner of war and his rather slimy entry into US politics. Comments like a hundred years in iraq, and lack of any knowledge about the world outside his bedroom, his attitudes to people who disagree with him, all helped confirmed my feeling that this is the president we were warned about. The one that would be so insane as to press the button. Then came the "its not important" comment, and after all the attempts to defend the indefensible, Keith Olbermann delivered this commentary. Part 2 Honestly, countdown can at best be called infotainment, it would not be considered news anywhere in Europe, but Keith Olbermann does sometimes channel the person he attempts to emulate. He may not be Edward R. Munrrow, and the republican party is far more calculating and intelligent than Joe McCarthy, but if enough people listen to him, they might start thinking again.

more

Just a list of people i think deserve to be honored, for doing something right (eventually)

• Diane Abbott
• Richard Burden
• Katy Clark
• Harry Cohen
• Frank Cook
• Jeremy Corbyn
• Jim Cousins
• Andrew Dismore
• Frank Dobson
• David Drew
• Paul Farrelly
• Mark Fisher
• Paul Flynn
• Neil Gerrard
• Dr Ian Gibson
• Roger Godsiff
• John Grogan
• Dai Havard
• Kate Hoey
• Kelvin Hopkins
• Glenda Jackson
• Dr Lynne Jones
• Peter Kilfoyle
• John McDonnell
• Andrew Mackinlay
• Bob Marshall-Andrews
• Michael Meacher
• Julie Morgan
• Chris Mullin
• Dr Doug Naysmith
• Gordon Prentice
• Linda Riordan
• Alan Simpson
• Emily Thornberry
• David Winnick
• Mike Wood

more

This credit crunch has got me thinking about mismanagement of the economy. I don't know enough about the American system, beyond the base principles that it is corrupt on a level that would disgust the Saudi Royal Family. I'm particularly interested in is the British economy, and i like to think that i'm a little bit better informed about it. Being a temporary ex-pat, i do intend on returning one home day and if I could avoid returning to a financial leper colony would be just wonderful. To me it is very clear that the banks are guilty of severe misconduct and incompetence, while they may have generated huge profits, the situation we are in now is a direct result of them making bad decisions. I know that I am not an economist, but my limited understanding of the economy caused me to realise that a credit crunch was inevitable given the situation. That said, destroying banks is generally bad for people's financial well-being, so i would hope the government does its supporting maneuvers to get these banks back on their feet. That said the boards of these banks should be held criminally and financially liable for their mismanagement. I think about 30 years in prison should be a suitable punishment. I am getting sick of every labour minion spouting how the economy is stronger than ever, despite it obviously having huge and dangerous flaws that are being exposed on a daily basis. House prices have been rising, nobody is saying otherwise, however i find it difficult to believe that nobody saw it coming. How did Gordon Brown fail to see that the housing prices would eventually collapse? It makes me wonder whether he knew it would collapse, but hoped that it would collapse after the fall of the Labour government. I know admitting a mistake from a politician is less likely than them doing the right thing, but if a labour minister admitted that Gordon has screwed up on his handling of the economy i might actually start to respect them.

more

Apparently Obama speaking some hard truths seems to be a bad thing to the people of Pennsylvania. I have to say i do like Hilary Clinton, i just prefer Obama. However the spin machine of fox and friends seems to have convinced the majority of democrats in the state that he'd be a bad choice for president. I'm just rolling my eyes really. 55% Clinton, 45% Obama, With 99% of the votes counted, Source AP

more

I wish i could be one of those standing in the path of the torch in London. Failing that, i'm hoping that either an impromptu drizzle puts out the flame, or some brave soul manages to use a fire extinguisher to put it out. We should not be offering support or help to China, if the flame is meant to make it through London, then let it do without the police protection.

more

I have to say, i find the idea of enforced political loyalty despicable since it goes against the idea of a representative democracy. I do believe that stem cell research should be allowed to continue unhindered, but i also think that people in general should be informed about it, rather than being given directives from on high. If the sitting government cannot convince their own party to vote their way, then as is proper in british politics a vote of no confidence should be called on the leadership and the country can decide. The current top down politics has been shown to be arrogant, corrupt, and guilty of many crimes including incompetence, crimes against humanity, violation of international principles, and also moving the United Kingdom towards a police state. The fact of the continual labour victories should be taken in context with the woefully weak opposition parties, while Mr Cameron may have some intelligent ministers, he honestly has no ability to win an election, and my feelings on the liberal leadership, are of mild despair, tinged with faint hope. I'm a believer in direct democracy, or as near as possible so i feel that no matter how much i feel aligned with the lib dems, i would like to see them, and both other parties broken up into far smaller parties, partially locale based, and partially belief based. It may not be the most efficient system at all times, but the Israeli parliament seems able to function with coalitions of myriad different parties working in cooperation.

more

I actually came across this on the Mail, but the BBC interpretation is a little bit more accurate and fair handed. It turns out, that a health think tank is suggesting that in order to smoke you would need a permit. Not only would this cost you in money, but you would have to fill out a deliberately complex form, obtain a suitable passport photo, and have to renew this permit yearly. An addition that seems to make this group positively orgiastic is the additional idea that you would have to go to your doctor in order to prove that you are still healthy enough in their opinion to smoke. Surprisingly for this open, egalitarian, social justice and personal empowerment preaching quango of a government, they seem rather keen on the idea, and you have to wonder whether they really are as clever as they should be with all those degrees and life experience. Smokers smoke, yes many would like to give it up, but this is something they need to come to terms with themselves, possibly via willpower and nicotine substitutes, or maybe checking into rehab. This will not stop people smoking, it will stress people out and make them miserable but they will either trundle through the form, or they will buy cigarettes from France instead. It all comes down to how you view your fellow human beings. Do you see them as dumb animals who need carrot and stick style policies to be controlled into doing the right thing? or do you see incredibly complex and capable individuals with stresses and influences you might not see or understand? This government treats us like dumb animals, and we assume they are complex individuals. All people in Britain deserve respect, even if they smoke, this government seems to fail to see this.

more

Apparently despite Obama coming out ahead of Hilary Clinton, the LGBT community seems to favor to a certain degree Hilary Clinton. I've been trying to think why this is. Barack Obama, the great uniter, who makes friends with those who given the chance would lynch or burn at the stake every lesbian, gay, bi and trans person from New York to San Francisco. I suppose it depends on how you feel about those who have been suckered into the conservative christian movement. I have friends who think those, particularly the ones who have been raised in conservative environments will never become enlightened. I don't feel this, i know its a huge effort, but i believe that anyone, no matter how damaging their upbringing can be enlightened. If Obama chooses to make friends with the moderate forces in the republican party, it will be a way to start bringing those individuals out of the closed box they are in. I would love to see Bush and company dragged off to prison and convicted for treason, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and a few other crimes to boot, but i'd far rather see a reformed and enlightened America. Therefore i'm still gonna be an Obama supporter :) Also as an aside, Romney has stepped aside, which leaves McCain on the route towards the republican ticket. I'll be interested to see whether the republican party prefers a foaming at the mouth preacher, or a pragmatic amoralist as their candidate...

more

While Iowa is only the first of many states in the decision making process, its interesting to see that while it was fairly likely that Barack and Mike would be the front runners in Iowa, i was surprised to see how far down Rudy was. Huckabee is who right wing christians have always wanted in the Whitehouse, take Bush's ignorance, remove the advisors and corporate ties and then quadruple the fanaticism and intolerance. As a result despite him not being quite as gun-toting and maniacal as Fred Thompson, he's most likely to be the Republican candidate despite both Rudy and Mitt being better candidates in my (albiet pinko intelligentsia liberal) opinion as presidential candidates. I'm happy to see Barack Obama ahead, and i hope this lasts, although i could be won over by Hilary being a very capable President. Suprisingly Hilary was behind John Edwards, although Iowa is a fairly conservative province and may be opposed to a female president (men and self hating women..grrr).

more

Ken Livingstone has crossed the line, he is now defending the Met police over their execution of Charles de Menzies. Beyond the circumstances showing gross incompetence on the Police's part. Beyond the circumstances of killing a suicide bomber (who is perfectly capable of carrying a deadman's switch). It goes to the character of our police force. Not only did they try to cover up their mistake, they then tried to imply he was wearing a bulky jacket in summer, when he was wearing a light denim jacket. Finally at court, they tried to destroy his character in court to cover their asses. Sir Ian Blair aided and helped arrange this coverup, he needs to resign for criminal incompetence.

more

Apparently, according the the Reg we are about to get a new section of nobility. Those people participating in the terribly corrupt disaster of 2012 (also known as the Olympic Tragedy, the waste of space, ken's downfall, and our greatest gift to france) will be the only people able to use their cars in the area. Special lanes for the non athletes who are considered important will exist. I despise the olympics, and all who take part in it, because contrary to the image it presents, its a quagmire of corporate sponsorship deals and corruption. Suffice it to say, i find it illegal to the nature of my country that these lanes will exist, so should they be on my route, i will be using them. How dare this government suggest we are yet more inconvenienced by their further stupidity. I don't want the games messing up london and the rest of the UK, so why should i have to put up with it? If fact the only good thing about the games coming to London, is the fact that it doesn't ruin Paris...

more

Nope, I haven't gone New Labour, I'm voicing my support for one of my heroes, Tony Benn, who is considering coming out of retirement to return to Parliament. Sourced from the BBC

more