Mmmm: squirrel.

' Paul Parker [Daily Mail 13/06/09] loves grey squirrels. Especially when they've been slow-cooked for eight hours with thyme, garlic and tomatoes.'

A very good use for the little brutes who are vermin; nowhere near as cute as they like to pretend; an alien species who have driven out native red squirrels; who have bred prolifically and who cause devastation raiding nests for the birds' eggs which the ubiquitous magpies have missed.

Persecution!

The Catholic Herald reports that: 'Catholic schools and care homes could be forced to remove crucifixes and holy pictures from their walls in case they offend atheist cleaners, bishops have warned MPs.

They said that under the terms of equality, Minister Harriet Harman's new Equality Bill they could be guilty of harassment if they depicted images "offensive" to non-Catholics.'

Harperson should hang her vindictive, obsessive, malicious head in the deepest of shame.

Tax Freedom Day 2009 falls on 14 May BUT ...

.....you'll have to work until June 25 to pay off Brown's borrowing binge.Tax Freedom Day, the day in the year when the average Briton has earned enough to pay his annual tax bill, will fall on 14 May this year. This means that for 135 days of the year, every penny earned by the average UK resident will have been taken to support government expenditures.This is the earliest Tax Freedom Day since 1973 – on the face of it, good news for taxpayers. But there is a downside: the traditional Tax Freedom Day measure only reflects the money actually raised by the government in taxes, not the full amount it spends. If the government deficit is factored in, Tax Freedom Day does not come until 25 June (the worst figure since 1984!

Many thanks to my link.

LINK: http://www.adamsmith.org/blog/tax-and-economy/tax-freedom-day-2009-falls-on-14-may-200905023417/

Perspectives.

The other day I was watching and enjoying the clever American comedy, Two and a Half Men, which embraces a humour which is often sexual and frequently 'near the knuckle'.

Yet on this Blog, I have on occasion attacked the much gentler Carry On films and Goodnight Sweetheart for their concealed immorality.

Inconsistent, perhaps?

I do not believe so. In effect, what happens with the more blatant American programme is almost an opposite.

The English comedy draws you in and makes you side with wrongdoing protagonists; the American demonstrates considerably worse behaviour yet you are detached and quite often bemused by the antics of a cast of rather sad characters who are all quick to justify their life choices. In a strange way, actually more moral.

Climate change - ha!

I look out of the window in 'flaming June' on yet another cold, dank day. This one actually comes with heavy downpours, lightning and thunderclaps. The weather has been appalling this summer with occasional breaks.

Let us think back just a month or so when the professional meteorologists predicted a 'barbecue summer'.

Even if there is an extended hot spell from this point, it will barely justify the earlier claims.

If these people cannot get the weather right a few short weeks ahead, what chance is there that they are right in their longterm, global warming assertions?

Oh dear, Caroline!

After the EU Elections, Caroline Lucas one of our two green MEPs, was interviewed on the BBC and she complained that the regional PR system had cost her party a number of seats.

Had it been worked out nationally, her party would have had more seats, true, but the BNP would have had quite a few more also. I am guessing that she would not have liked that too much.

One more proof to show that Greens and joined up thinking do not sit easily with each other!

Which is worse?

I was as upset as most people will have been by the election of two MEPs for the BNP.

I have already pointed the finger at one on this Blog and Nick Griffin has frequently been a target.

Yet, the egg-throwers and the foul-mouthed and the violent protesters - how do they fit into the picture?

They are attacking democratically elected politicians. In other words, they are rejecting the democratic process. We should be equally frightened of these people - nay - more so!

I once was invited to join in an Anti Nazi League march along the Wicker in Sheffield. I asked the person whether it was an anti communist march as well and if so, would indeed join it.

Funnily enough, it wasn't, so I didn't! Odd this when world deaths because of communism outstrip deaths from fascism by a ratio of more than two to one.

Le Figaro some years ago worked out that communism had directly caused 164 million deaths since 1917.

The liberal left has always tried to portray the hard right as worse than the hard left.

My view is a more balanced - "A plague on all your houses!"

Nice one Leicestershire!

"A council has refused to back down after a pensioner was given a parking ticket, for stopping on her own driveway.
Grandmother-of-two Christine Whaling, 64, left her Daewoo Lanos on her drive after nipping home for ten minutes.
But when she returned to the vehicle she was shocked to find a warden had slapped a £70 parking ticket on the windscreen.
The parking warden explained that because she was not entirely on her driveway and had parked partly on the tarmac that crosses the grass verge, she was liable for the penalty.
Mrs Whaling, who has lived in the house with her husband Tom, 67, for more than 40 years, said she had tried unsuccessfully to appeal against the ticket.
She said: 'It is completely unjust, we are pensioners and we are not well off, we can't afford extra expenses."

Regular readers will not be too surprised to learn that Leicestershire County Council has been awarded a much merited LoonyTunesWatch coconut!

LINK: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1191852/Pensioner-given-70-parking-ticket-stopping-drive.html

Whose apprentice?

I do not like bullies therefore I do not watch the odious Alan Sugar taking himself rather too seriously on TV.

All true but be patient the psalm ends well.

Psalm of Asaph.

Plea for Relief from Oppressors.

1] Truly God is good to the upright,

to those who are pure in heart.

2] But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled;

my steps had nearly slipped.

3] For I was envious of the arrogant;

I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

4] For they have no pain;

their bodies are sound and sleek.

5] They are not in trouble as others are;

they are not plagued like other people.

6] Therefore pride is their necklace;

violence covers them like a garment.

7] Their eyes swell out with fatness;

their hearts overflow with follies.

8] They scoff and speak with malice;

loftily they threaten oppression.

9] They set their mouths against heaven,

and their tongues range over the earth.

10] Therefore the people turn and praise them,

and find no fault in them.

11] And they say, ‘How can God know?

Is there knowledge in the Most High?’

12] Such are the wicked;

always at ease, they increase in riches.

13] All in vain I have kept my heart clean

and washed my hands in innocence.

14] For all day long I have been plagued,

and am punished every morning.....

BUT do read to the end from here. This is Psalm 73!

The good news.

UKIP took the second highest number of votes in the EU Elections and 13 seats.

Labour and Lib Dems had to settle for third and fourth place.

Well done!

Andrew Brons MEP - what we got plus Griffin!

Andrew Brons (born June 3, 1947) is a college lecturer and a veteran of far right, white nationalist politics in Britain. He was elected as a Member of the European Parliament for Yorkshire and the Humber at the 2009 elections.

Early activity .
He began his political career as an alleged member of the National Socialist Movement until he was seventeen, then joined John Bean's British National Party (not to be confused with the party of the same name formed in 1982) which merged with the League of Empire Loyalists to form the National Front (NF) in 1967. He contested Harrogate for the NF in both 1974 general elections, polling 1186 votes (2.3%) in February and 1030 (2.3%) in October. As NF candidate in the Birmingham Stechford by-election of 31 March 1977[3] he forced the Liberal candidate into fourth place, helping his stature to grow within the NF.

NF leadership
Following the poor showing by the NF in the 1979 General Election, Brons was chosen to lead the NF and in doing so broke with his former mentor John Tyndall. Brons would go on to lead the NF in name only from then on. Initially Martin Webster, who became National Activities Organiser, exerted the most influence before the Political Soldier wing of the party became more important. Brons tended to support the Flag Group although he lost influence to Ian Anderson and faded from his leading position. Nevertheless, Brons had links to the Political Soldier wing and he is credited with having introduced the concept of distributism, which formed a central part of the new ideology of the NF, into the party.

WIKIPEDIA.

Test your conscience?

Those who voted for the Christian Party in Yorks and N. Lincs can feel truly proud.

The Christian, UKIP, Number 2 candidate fell a mere 13,ooo votes short of gaining the sixth and final seat - around 1%.

The Christian Party however, earned a derisory 16,000 votes in total - but if they had all voted intelligently - UKIP would have triumphed!

[You could see this coming - see earlier posting!]

No direct link - certainly, but I do hope that all such voters will reflect on the fact that had those votes been cast sensibly as a protest, the BNP COULD NOT HAVE GAINED A SEAT!!

No credit to those voting for the other minute parties who also must accept a lesser but still significant part of the blame.

UPDATE!

If my arguments in Yorkshire are dismissed - they cannot be so on the other side of the Pennines.

The situation was even worse in the North West Region where again the BNP gained a seat, and where there was at least one Christian candidate in the UKIP list and the margin of failure for the UKIP 2nd seat was just 1,200 votes!

"The jobs our people won't do."

"The jobs our people won't do." - How this expression offends me!

In times of greater health, the last two goverments have tried to hide unemployment figures amongst those drawing sick benefits - the best estimate is that this constitutes a million out of about 2.65 million. The problem is then left to the future to extricate the genuine from the lead-swingers.

The longterm unemployed consists of four identifiable groups: those who want to work and can't find work; those who would like to work but cannot afford to leave benefits behind; those who have become institutionalised 'on the dole' and are frightened of the prospect as well as those who want to continue avoiding work for their own reasons.

The problem is compounded by well-meaning but idiotic employment legislation which means that employers are terrified to take on extra workers as taking away those jobs becomes almost impossible in times of economic stress.

Add to this the fact that being able to sack wrongdoers, the terminally bone idle and malevolent influences is filled with pitfalls - a situation exacerbated if the person targeted is from an ethnic minority or is disabled in any way. No employer in such circumstances can go to an employment tribunal with any hope of winning - irrespective of what the sackee may have done.

The problems faced by employers are legion and so they are loathe to offer extra jobs.

Labour's solution has been to paper over the cracks by permitting massive immigration levels which brings myriads of other social problems.

Incidentally, the word 'unemployable' has become fashionable. I wonder how many people of similar ilk had to pull themselves around from such a state in the 1930s? Why do we simply accept this?

We really must make members of society become net contributors.

A little humility is called for.

On the same day that the England cricket team stumbles to an unlikely defeat against the minnows of the Netherlands, Labour takes a hammering at the polls.

In both cases this is perhaps a time for humility and reflection.

Laughing stock.

When you believe in evolution - you literally can be trusted to believe ANYTHING!

After an 'ape-tickling exercise', scientists have made '16 millon years' worth' of unwarranted deductions about the 'development of laughter'.

Yes chaps. I am not laughing with you but AT you!

LINK: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1190887/Scientists-tickle-apes-trace-laughter-16million-years.html

Christian Party "Proclaiming Christ's Lordship"

Heaven protect us from the terminally well-meaning!
In the EU elections, we have had the Christian Party "Proclaiming Christ's Lordship" on the ballot paper.
Do I want Christians elected to Brussels? - Of course, I do! But this is an exercise in sheer nonsense and utter futility:

1] The numbers of evangelical Christians who might vote for them is just a handful of percentage points - and the majority of those will vote for a 'real' party, in any case.
2] They have no hope whatsoever of any electoral success - even under PR.
3] They will clearly gain no votes at all from non evangelicals.
4] They give an impression of being a bit 'loony' which is exactly the perception of Christianity that the Church can ill afford.
5] Their lack of direct, electoral support will be used against the Church and will even justify the further marginalisation of Christians as 'an insignificant minority' by the PC 'clowns'.
6] In Yorkshire the 2nd UKIP candidate has a small but genuine chance of election. As he is a practising Christian and occasional preacher, they would surely want him elected - you'd think!
[If the margins on Sunday night are really tight and these votes have cost a Christian election, then they should be truly ashamed of their actions. If there is a positive outcome - they will not have contributed to that in any way.]
7] Christians should be in proper parties trying to influence decision-making. All else is mere posturing.

God gave us brains. Christians are permitted to use them!

Today is the day!

The last poll before the EU Elections puts the UK Independence Party in second place on 18%.

Polls are seldom 100% accurate so let us pray that it errs on the low side.

For readers who have not yet decided - may I please humbly request you to lend your vote to UKIP today.

Rarely do moments come along in politics which could foment a sea change in British politics - a major UKIP successs could just possibly be that turning point!

Results come out on Sunday evening.

A remarkable lady.

Last evening I met a lady whose love for humanity simply shamed me. She and her husband foster 'difficult' children and as I listened to her describe these broken and almost shattered lives - I was staggered how her faith was seeing her through situations coolly and with a smile on her face which would just turn me into a whimpering, gibbering wreck.

Not only did she tell me of the histories of some of these tragic youngsters - Baby P equivalents who hadn't quite managed to die - but she explained about their consequent, appalling behaviour which has major knock on effects into the family and home.

She attempts to repair the damaged, the distraught and the destroyed. That is the love of Christ that I should be able to give out to the same degree and cannot. Yes. I am ashamed!

C.T. Studd, last century was a missionary in China, Africa, and India. He said:

"Some want to live within the sound of church or chapel bell; I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of hell."

To all you who 'run rescue shops' - may your lives be richly blessed!

Photo, right: CT Studd.

Lies, damned lies and .....

I am very fond of women. Indeed, one gave birth to me and quite radically - I married one!

At work, my boss is a woman - coincidentally, she is the same as the aforementioned spouse. Fine!

I support equal rights for women!

But as mentioned in the earlier posting, feminism may once have had simple goals of equality, I do not really know, but certainly in my lifetime it has had a weighty leftwing agenda.

Furthermore, it has been a useful recruitment tool for the extreme left amongst naive and impressionable teenagers.

Let us recall that there are certain things that we MUST believe in this society: there are X million children in poverty; disproportionate numbers of black people are jailed; evolution is a proven scientific fact; global warming has been caused by mankind not by solar activity and volcanos etc, etc.

To these we may add that 'women consistently earn 15% less than men for the same work.'

The way these stats are compiled is never revealed but I suspect that I do know how the feminist activists achieve the useful goal of remaining a 'victimised minority'.

If for example, you take teaching - an area I know well and one where salaries are exactly the same, such a distortion could be achieved by looking at the careers of two people - a man and a woman - at a similar age.

As often as not, the interrupted career pattern of the woman will have resulted in her not having achieved the same number of annual increments as her male colleague, ergo - she earns less but has not done the same years of service!

This is simply dishonest as you will not be comparing like with like.

Show me a supermarket as one example out of countless where hourly rates are less for women!

No. This is mischievous in the extreme and we should not be fooled.

Whatever happened to sanity and balance?

Farmer branded racist for telling the truth about travellers!

Please read the link below. I am simply bemused. Just what kind of nation have we become where even victims are threatened by the PC authorities?

LINK: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1190073/Farmer-opposed-traveller-site-branded-racist-council-threatened-prosecution.html

The failure of feminism.

WOMEN ARE MORE UNHAPPY AFTER 40 YEARS OF FEMINISM!

'The study by the US National Bureau of Economic Research found that while post-war era happiness surveys found women were noticeable happier than men, the difference had eroded to 'zero'.
Its authors, Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers of the University of Pennsylvania, found that in the U.S., women's happiness had fallen 'both absolutely and relatively to that of men'.

INEVITABLE! Feminism is not about women getting a fair deal - it has its own agenda.

LINK: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1189894/Women-happy-years-ago-.html