tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post4626015567794049420..comments2024-03-04T17:54:32.559+00:00Comments on Iain Dale's Diary: Houdini Gordon Delights the ToriesIain Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comBlogger107125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1182049489429448832009-06-10T10:12:16.502+01:002009-06-10T10:12:16.502+01:00@Anna
I am quite aware of Usenet, and in fact use...@Anna<br /><br />I am quite aware of Usenet, and in fact used to engage there quite a lot in the early 1990s. There was a certain complexity to using Usenet that limited the number of trolls.<br /><br />But it was ruined when AOL users poured in, and ever since wingnuts, etc., have swarmed over comment sites.<br /><br />The best debate now, as far as I am concerned goes on between blogs.Paul Halsallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01602075031268155220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-33734361299348581292009-06-10T09:07:16.519+01:002009-06-10T09:07:16.519+01:00@ Alcuin Bramerton
A tour de force in paranoia, p...@ Alcuin Bramerton<br /><br />A tour de force in paranoia, piffle and prattle. I have read many insane conspiracy theories but you are definetly in contention for the most bizarre, enjoy the 'post-religious world'... that you apparently inhabit with Flutterby...Lasteddiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12313864290958514583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-65812814837826786922009-06-10T06:56:18.200+01:002009-06-10T06:56:18.200+01:00It could be that there is a much bigger reason to ...It could be that there is a much bigger reason to keep Gordon Brown in power than any parochial considerations of British or European politics.<br /><br />In the larger, global picture, the worldwide release of a massive gold-backed programme of national, corporate and personal debt forgiveness is being unlawfully prevented by the Obama White House. The programme's coordination has therefore recently been moved from Washington to London. The Queen, Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling are centrally involved in administering this very complex nexus of financial procedures.<br /><br />Indeed, on Wednesday 1st April 2009, at Buckingham Palace, in the personal presence of the Queen, US President Barack Obama was formally served with a Writ for Contempt of the World Court in connection with his administration's ongoing blocking of the global financial settlements.<br /><br />In more recent, but related, action in the US, a top-level civil war has broken out inside the US administration. Between Sunday 31st May 2009 and Friday 5th June 2009, a number of senior US Army and Air Force personnel were arrested on the orders of US President Barack Obama. These officers had been opposing Obama's continued illegal blocking of the international financial settlement deliveries. <br /><br />Acting for international law enforcement agencies including the World Court and Interpol, the US Military retrieved the delivery packs from the US Treasury vaults where Obama had been holding them. US Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates, who now appears to be working lawfully with and on behalf of the international financial authorities, ordered the packs back out immediately for delivery by the Military. Gates demanded the release of the senior US Military personnel and warned Obama that if he interfered in the delivery process again, the US President would be arrested by the US Provost Marshal.<br /><br />Several of Barack Obama's personal slush fund accounts, some dating back to Chicago days, and one containing many $ billions of Bush/Clinton-linked bribes, have now been zeroed out by the international financial authorities. Similar accounts in the name of President George Bush Snr have also been emptied in Germany.<br /><br />The senior US Military personnel were set free on or around Sunday 7th - Tuesday 9th June 2009 and are now back in post and active.<br /><br />Most of this is probably unknown to Labour's Privy Counsellors, but several of the Rothschild-connected Tory PCs will be well aware of it.<br /><br />Gordon Brown's focus is elsewhere at the moment, and rightly so.Alcuin Bramertonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14917474523744351041noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-47079055789785952592009-06-10T03:03:39.558+01:002009-06-10T03:03:39.558+01:00@ Winter Storm
You do seem to get my point.
A fe...@ Winter Storm<br /><br />You do seem to get my point.<br /><br />A few others did, too.<br /><br />Then I get to Paul Halsall... omg, who apparently thinks that Andrew Sullivan, CIF, et al, constitute real debate. Presumably has never seen a newsgroup. Probably not his fault, too wet behind the ears to know about them.<br /><br />Anyway, this is my final post here. If anyone wants to pursue the issue of real discussion, maybe swap appropriate forums, I can be reached at asudem@hotmail.co.uk This is, of course, a throwaway address... those who know will understand... I do look occasionally :)Annanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-33184594922378133242009-06-09T19:52:09.934+01:002009-06-09T19:52:09.934+01:00Believe me when I tell you that the shameful frigh...Believe me when I tell you that the shameful frightened Labourites that voted for Brown will all return in a future life telling that they were bullied and threatened - all will be forgiven!<br /><br />I've seen this before with East European Communists who, after the velvet revolution, came out of the woodwork to tell the world that they were never real communists but towed the line because of their families, careers etc. They were quickly repatriated and most hold prominent government positions today. <br /><br />Leopards can change their spots!Vienna Woodshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11514552884944533524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-27986274026099496112009-06-09T17:19:44.029+01:002009-06-09T17:19:44.029+01:00Why do you have to pin a name, which all politicia...Why do you have to pin a name, which all politicians love, <br /><br />Iron Chancellor. Teflon Tony now Houdini Brown.<br /><br />He doesn't deserve it. He is a bully and therefore a coward. I am convinced that McBride is still working for him, albeit not in Downing Street!<br /><br />Read what Ruth Lee wrote yesterday on Conservative Home on this bully and over promoted junior manager.<br /><br />Brown is not a leader, he is not a man manager, he is just a bully who gets his way by threats.<br /><br />For goodness sake do not give him any credence whatsoever. He is where he is because Mandleson wants him there. Mandleson is the winner and now can make or break Brown.strapworldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18228784526399929300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-64105192507915824882009-06-09T15:47:55.484+01:002009-06-09T15:47:55.484+01:00If there are to be no outside jobs,will this apply...If there are to be no outside jobs,will this apply to House of Lords? Will Sir Alan Sugar still be allowed to work for the BBC?anne riddlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18075401269123216121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-85116027480592986872009-06-09T15:26:53.388+01:002009-06-09T15:26:53.388+01:00@Anna
I still, especially for Medieval and Byzant...@Anna<br /><br />I still, especially for Medieval and Byzantine history - still on old ex-BITNET maillists, do maintain real online conversations.<br /><br />There needs to be both diversity and some degree of intelligent respect for real discussion to take place. <br /><br />These days I often find that on various facebook threads, although I have to admit many of the people are the same people I have been arguing with since 1994.<br /><br />A big problem in the UK blogosphere is that most bloggers comment on news sources. If you read US bloggers such as Andrew Sullivan, Glenn Greenwald, Drum (on the right), you will find interesting debate taking place between bloggers.<br /><br />You can also find real debate on CIF/Guardian, and on the Telegraph and The Time's blog comments (given my interests I always read Mary Beard, Damian Thompson and Ruth Gledhill for example).<br /><br />Overall, you have to seek out those areas where people disagree but don't foam at the mouth.<br /><br />I find reading Iain's blog rewarding because I can imagine having a conversation with him, reaching different conclusions, and still being friendly.Paul Halsallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01602075031268155220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-89021118340536805292009-06-09T15:22:53.447+01:002009-06-09T15:22:53.447+01:00There's a lot of assumption flying about that ...There's a lot of assumption flying about that there will be a General Election in the next 12 months.<br />Once the Irish have come up with the 'right' answer and the EU Constitreaty kicks in on Jan 1st 2010, Westminster will become redundant.<br />Don't you people understand what the New World Order actually means for democracy as we knew it?<br />The one-eyed Scottish idiot will stay in place as there are still things left undone, which his Bilderberg masters need in place for their project to be complete.<br />Their place-man, Mandelson, will ensure their wishes are implemented. He's already had his 30 pieces of EU silver to do their bidding.<br />Watch out for the adoption of the €uro (read rEUble) without the promised referendum - no surprise, there, then - they have form in that department... and watch out for a manipulated terror attack so that the Civil Contingencies Act can be invoked, which will allow for curfews to be imposed, troops (possibly foreign) on our streets and elections cancelled.<br />We are all being set up to be their slaves on their global plantation or to be their cannon-fodder to fight their wars.<br />Now if only I could find the scalpel so I can dig that microchip out of my neck and do a runner?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-77380421802452110192009-06-09T15:21:41.240+01:002009-06-09T15:21:41.240+01:00Anna - You're completely right. I gave up on G...Anna - You're completely right. I gave up on Guido's site because it seemed to consist mostly of middle-aged men writing their masturbatory fantasies down.WinterStormnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-47717596344642755112009-06-09T14:56:23.465+01:002009-06-09T14:56:23.465+01:00Iain, I don't wish to be critical of you perso...Iain, I don't wish to be critical of you personally, I enjoy reading your blog, and others, for the points that are made. But the comments, on yours and others, are seriously useless. There's no discussion, no debate, just people stating their opinions. Occasionally someone posts a response to some other person's post, but there's no thread, no continuity, no discussion that you can join in. I'm going back to the newsgroups... never left them, in fact, just divided my time. But they're a lot more worthwhile for anyone who actually wants to discuss anything. I've made good friends on newsgroups, relationships developed over years, had good debates and impassioned arguments that sometimes changed the way I thought about things. I have even occasionally persuaded someone to my own point of view. Blogs just don't do that, as a forum for discussion they're fundamentally lacking. But I will continue to enjoy your posts :)Annanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-87988205630948594532009-06-09T14:56:10.777+01:002009-06-09T14:56:10.777+01:00I think Cameron is holding his cards close to his ...I think Cameron is holding his cards close to his chest and not allowing Brown to have any idea of what he is up to. It was a good result for the Tories the EU elections especially after the expense scaldels. I think though the one to watch is Mandelson ask yourself why does he want Brown to stay in power what has he got up his sleeve for the country and is he telling Brown what he wants and Brown is daft enough to do his bidding. Has anyone thought that Mandelson might want the Presidentcy of the EUAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-56282148995837142312009-06-09T13:51:53.787+01:002009-06-09T13:51:53.787+01:00More Rasputin than Houdini I think!More Rasputin than Houdini I think!Simon Cookenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-14178126109481492972009-06-09T12:38:08.980+01:002009-06-09T12:38:08.980+01:00Maybe this is just wishful thinking, but I don'...Maybe this is just wishful thinking, but I don't think he's entirely off the hook just yet.<br /><br />There's still one last chance.<br /><br />After a summer spent in their constituencies, Labour MPs will head to the party conference knowing they must, absolutely must, get rid of him.<br /><br />Bloodbath in Brighton, Johnson takes the reins, calls a general election early next year, maybe Feb.<br /><br />Cameron's worst nightmare, forces him to detail some of his policies, he's unsure how to deal with Johnson... possible Hung Parliament?Shamik Dashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10935999254568311462noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-57176286756135938912009-06-09T12:14:44.533+01:002009-06-09T12:14:44.533+01:00One of the many "Anonymous"es said:
&qu...One of the many "Anonymous"es said:<br /><br /><i>"Conservatism is about the following.<br /><br />Practical libertarianism.<br />Freedom of the individual.<br />Not fixing or attempting to fix that which is not broken.<br />Changing or repairing ASAP, that which clearly is broken.<br />Using Common Sense at all times, instead of a set ideological dogma.<br />Doing what is popular with the vast majority.<br />Protecting and respecting national traditions.<br />Generally keeping the government out of places it has no right or justification being.<br />Telling the truth, at all times.<br />Protecting the rights of all people, regardless of country, state, colour, political affiliation, sex or religion."</i><br /><br />I agree 100%. Your words should be stapled to the bedroom ceiling of every Tory MP and PPC so it is their bedtime reading and the first thing the see each morning.<br /><br />I'd have it tattooed on the inside of their eyelids if I imagined they could read it....Hawkeyenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-9731002731761755852009-06-09T12:11:11.783+01:002009-06-09T12:11:11.783+01:00I saw TOM on Newsnight and thought it was a somewh...I saw TOM on Newsnight and thought it was a somewhat resigned performance. He seemed to have accepted the die is cast. Why is it that Labour cannot see the abyss; it is there. They cannot even resign properly:<br /><br />Caroline Flint played her hand so badly, not backing Purnell then backing Brown on the off chance she would get a Cabinet post and then belatedly putting the knife in to Brown. She has probably excluded herself from any future government (but there won't be one) given her faltering performance but a 10% swing sees her out anyway (based on same turnout in her constituency and no change in Lib Dem vote). <br /><br />Given that most of those in government know they are going to lose and are playing for the least worst result to prevent them being excluded for a generation, one can only presume that either they have concluded; <br /><br />A:Brown is best left in place to take the fall which will be less catastrophic than a full blown civil war. <br /><br />B:No one is capable of wielding the dagger. <br /><br />C:No one cares (most are out in 12 months anyway) and simply want to take the money on offer and exit at the last possible moment.<br /><br />None are an entirely positive outcome for the country but that would be too much to hope for from such a rabble. The cabinet has probably proved so supine that they are mostly irrelevant unless they find the courage to exercise their new found power which is unlikely on past track record. My guess is Labour is out for a generation and we will all witness a fight for the 'soul' of the Labour party. Although whether it exists at all is a good question given the squalid tactics deployed by the Labour hierarchy. <br /><br />Purnell will do well out of this, better than Miliband who is proving to be the Portillo of the Labour party. It was bizarre watching 'A Week in politics' just after the news had broken about Purnell and seeing Michael Portillo implore Milliband 'don't answer the phone' and 'it doesn't take much' to come out against. But like Portillo Milliband showed no backbone and that in an instant was the end of his credibility and possibly career. However, Milliband will survive an election slaughter (his opposition in his constituency is evenly split between Lib Dem & Con)but Purnell will be ousted in a slaughter (12% swing approx). So we can see the Milliband has done the maths. Darling is out at the next election (MAJORITY-7,242) and so are;<br /><br />Bradshaw, B.P.J.* Byrne, L.D.* Darling, A.* Denham, J.Y.* Jowell, T.J. Ms.* Murphy, J.* Purnell, J.M.D.* Straw, J.W.*<br /><br />The remains of the day are a motley bunch;<br /><br />Ainsworth, R.W.* Alexander, D.G.* Balls, E.M. Benn, H.J.* Burnham, A.M.* Cooper, Y. Ms.* Hain, P.G.* Harman, H. Ms.* Johnson, A.A.* Miliband, D.W.* Miliband, E.S. Woodward, S.A.* Brown, G.*<br /><br />So I guess the real point about the PM's position is who cares? He is irrelevant. I see no one who has demonstrated the independence of mind in the names above but then Geoffrey Howe eventually delivered the speech ( http://tinyurl.com/l9cuxq ) that cynics suggested had taken his wife 15 years to write. And now perhaps a man with a limited shelf life, following a career in the shadow of Brown will unseat his master in the dying days. Or will he? Has Alistair Darling's wife penned a similar speech? Alea iacta est.... But who is Julius and who will cross the Rubicon.Lasteddiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12313864290958514583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-79225280001333909132009-06-09T11:57:41.069+01:002009-06-09T11:57:41.069+01:00I'm a Tory party member, but for me the EU que...I'm a Tory party member, but for me the EU question is far bigger than the GE. The EU is for life, not just for Christmas.<br /><br />All hell will break out, sooner or later, if we find our sovereignty donated to the EU against the public's will.<br /><br />We allow ourselves to be governed with our consent. What happens if we don't consent will be very messy!<br /><br />I was at a wedding in Eire two weekends ago and there was a big blue plaque telling me that my money had been used to renovate the castle so that I could be invited to spend more of my money there. This way lies madness...Stuarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12794405188538942746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-3904291986058116032009-06-09T11:54:54.657+01:002009-06-09T11:54:54.657+01:00The only poll on this subject shows taht any other...The only poll on this subject shows taht any other leader would only improve the labour position by 2%. So why the focus on Gordon - I think you fear him more tahn you let on.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-35131022820085721982009-06-09T11:34:44.563+01:002009-06-09T11:34:44.563+01:00You can lose your money on Betfair should you choo...You can lose your money on Betfair should you choose.<br /><br />All the permutations are thereTreble exes all roundnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-35833457950476175632009-06-09T11:32:33.159+01:002009-06-09T11:32:33.159+01:00That would be a cowardly and nameless MP thenThat would be a cowardly and nameless MP thenTreble exes all roundnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-28859645621683725782009-06-09T11:30:45.006+01:002009-06-09T11:30:45.006+01:00Is anyone running a book as to how long McBroon ca...Is anyone running a book as to how long McBroon can hang on for?<br /><br />I'm tempted to invest some money.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-9487614261307566632009-06-09T11:29:57.197+01:002009-06-09T11:29:57.197+01:00Just in case a pedant happens this way.
Technical...Just in case a pedant happens this way.<br /><br />Technically of course the PM is elected by the Monarch, but the reality is that he or she is elected by parliament.Treble exes all roundnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-5686824737134424282009-06-09T11:25:00.185+01:002009-06-09T11:25:00.185+01:00I saw this in the DT's letters today. (hope it...I saw this in the DT's letters today. (hope it's not old hat and that I missed it somehow!)<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uO7HAjB8-RM&feature=player_embeddedVienna Woodshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11514552884944533524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-16434470878350044862009-06-09T11:24:20.118+01:002009-06-09T11:24:20.118+01:00'Gordon Brown is a coward and a bully, surroun...'Gordon Brown is a coward and a bully, surrounded by liars and toadies' says a nameless Labour MP, according to Adam Boulton. A fair summary I would say.Browned offnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-44967635612111208882009-06-09T11:21:33.187+01:002009-06-09T11:21:33.187+01:00To Gongdonkey:
I'll Leave aside for the momen...To Gongdonkey:<br /><br />I'll Leave aside for the moment the genesis of the Falklands war. I think you'll have difficulty with it, since you don't even have a basic grasp of the British Constitution.<br /><br />To put it simply: Prime minsters are elected by parliament not by the public, so Brown is no less elected than Thatcher or indeed Blair or any of the rest of them. So no difference there.<br /><br />You are probably one of those who gets their political understanding from American telly, but I can assure you our system is rather different however much it may now seem the same.<br /><br />Anyway, my main point was about how Thatcher overcame her presentational problems. If she can do it, anyone can do it!<br /><br />Not only was she a poor communicator, she was very very bossy, annoying and hectoring. She pissed off nearly everyone in her first two years as PM. She also pissed people off when she was in opposition 75/79 but no one took her seriously then so it didn't matter so much.Treble exes all roundnoreply@blogger.com