A Tangled Web

>> 1 Nov 2004

A TANGLED WEB IS MOVING.

No posts today folks - 'cos we're packing up our bags and moving.

After 1o months of ATW on blogger, we've gone and got ourselves a new home.

Blogger has been generally fun but also problematic. The server is frequently down which is really frustrating when we're looking to post stories and the capabilities limited. So it's bye bye to ATW on Blogger - and HELLO to ATW on our new typepad platform. Just click HERE and you will be taken to our new site.

It's still a work in progress - so stick with it as lots of new features are added!

Finally, and I know this is repetitive, but October saw us record new levels of visitors to the site - so thanks once more to one and all.

ATW weblog went live on January 1st 2004 (having previously been atw.co.uk) It's amazing how time has flown in since then, and how many subjects we've covered. Each day the sun comes up - there are fresh topics to engage with, to challenge, maybe even to provoke...a little. So come on over to our new place - we're keen to welcome you!!!

>> 31 Oct 2004

Important Notice

I'm about to set off for a conference in London and won't be back until tomorrow. Don't forget that from tomorrow, A Tangled Web moves to our new site:

http://atangledweb.typepad.com

Happy blogging!

Premature Multiplication

When Bobby Darin sang his 1962 song, 'Multiplication' - a tuneful ditty about progeny, I'm sure he didn't imagine children, who were until recently still convinced about the existence of Santa Claus, participating in sexual acts. Today, 42 years on, we live in a society where the amount of unwanted teenage pregnancies coupled with ever-more premature sexual experimentations is nothing other than abhorrent.

On Friday, I read the story about two Blackpool sisters - one 14 and one 15 - who were literally in a race to conceive a child. When the younger of the two became the first 'success story', it generated fits of depression in her elder sibling. As usual, the parents were Fred and Wilma Flintstone look-alikes with adipose midriffs, copious amounts of jewellery, the inability to string two words together and probably possessing IQ's of the same numerics as Toulouse-Lautrec's inside leg measurements. When interviewed for a news article, the mother looked balefully at the camera, saying: 'Well, what can ya do?' A response which caused me to yell at the television: 'What about a bloody good hiding, for starters?'

Human beings have had the same urges at the same ages since the dawn of time. That's only natural. What is different about modern times is the persistently irksome stance taken by the liberal elite that somehow underaged teen sexual habits are something to be contained or encouraged safely, rather than opposed with far tougher penalties. Consequently, we have to read about acts of stupidity such as this, with guaranteed outcomes of more misery for the sexually obsessed numbskulls involved. I appreciate the stance of the Scottish Catholic Church on this matter. I suspect it would be too much to ask for similar condemnation from Anglican liberals.

There May Be Trouble Ahead

According the to Provisional IRA's favourite Sunday read, Fianna Fail (Sinn Fein/IRA without the weapons) is set to allow membership for people resident in Northern Ireland. It could set the scene for the foray of Southern nationalism into British politics - either through a Faustian pact with the SDLP, or as a supplanting party structure.

If precedent is anything to go by, I shouldn't be all that concerned. Look at how the secondment regulations for Southern participation in the PSNI were hailed as an advancement towards the jaundiced Utopia of all-Ireland interlocking institutional structures. To-date, 24 citizens from the Republic serve in a force of 7,000 strong. Hardly ground-breaking is it?

Northern nationalists have decided to choose murderers and fascists for their political representatives. I honestly cannot see how the encroachment of Bertie's disciples will seriously affect the situation. A party operating within the boundaries of the United Kingdom will gradually becomes accustomed to British-oriented politics unless, of course, Fianna Fail chooses to leech the Queen's shilling whilst boycotting Westminster. In that case, the Mother of Parliaments would be spared the putrescence of both strands of Irish nationalism. Ah bliss!!!

However, there was one sentence in the article which triggered severe annoyance on my part. It was a suggestion from some Fianna Fail nobody about the temporary existence of Northern Ireland!! '"If Northern Ireland is a transitional arrangement, then the SDLP must be a transitional party," said one party member this weekend." ' What is it with idiots like this? Did the Irish so enjoy their last civil war that they wish to engender the conditions for a fresh one!? If 'The Republican Party' is going to stick its hooter in Ulster's politics with views like the above, it's preparing its membership for possibly more trouble than they can handle.

A BILLION REASONS WHY ARAFAT IS CORRUPT.

The Times has a good article here on just how corrupt Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat, is. Apparently he has a cool One Billion dollars salted away for his modest retirement. It is the fate of this loot which prompted his wife to swiftly return from Paris to visit her ailing husband. It's just like Love Story isn't it - and weren't the BBC journalists covering the tale touched by it all?

VIDEO BECOMES WAR BY OTHER MEANS.

The Taliban scumbags that kidnapped Annetta Flanigan, along with two other UN workers in Kabul last week, have released a video on Al Jazeera TV (the terrorists broadcaster of choice) demanding the usual Jihadi nonsense (release all terrorists, empty Guantanamo Bay, etc). This should be treated with contempt.

All around the world the Jihadi i have all cottoned on to the propaganda value of these video's. They saw the UK media become hysterical over the Bigley videos', and they reckon that the release of a well scripted hostage video has now become war by other means. That is why I believe this video's should NOT be given the sort of wall to wall coverage that is afforded them - until that happens more unfortunate people (EVEN those with Irish passports) will be seen as high value hostage material. Margaret Hassan and Annetta Flanigan are paying the price for the liberal media's crusade against Bush.

IT'S ARMAGEDDON TIME.

Victor Davis Hanson sums it all up here...this is a key passge;

"When the Islamists behead a tearful Englishman or American, it is more likely that his surviving dad or sibling back home will be on television all over the Middle East within minutes damning Tony Blair or George Bush, without a word of censure for the Dark-Age head-loppers. After all, we are not Nepalese who storm the local mosque and put the fear of God into Islamists when they butcher our own. We are more likely to be frightened, turn on ourselves, and condemn some American somewhere who cannot stop "this."

But cannot our self-induced forbearance vanish as soon as we decide enough is enough? Should the American government ignore the EU hysteria, tell Kofi Annan to worry about his son's crooked shenanigans and not Americans' killing terrorists, and simply take Fallujah — as part of a larger effort to correct the laxity of the past and finish the war — then we would surely win. The fallout would be as salutary as our present restraint is disastrous. Like the murderous Pakistani madrassa zealots who flocked to Tora Bora only to be incinerated, Fallujah would not stand as a mecca for the jihadists, but an Armageddon better to watch on television than die in. "

WHY AMERICANS SHOULD CARE LESS ABOUT EURO-OPINION.

I liked Denis Boyle's take on the old "Why Europeans don't like Bush" argument.

He suggests that "there is a shiny obverse, which is "Why Americans care less and less."

The commonplace observation is that the end of the Cold War means that the Europeans no longer have to rely on the U.S. for protection, so they can be as self-serving and duplicitous as they wish. But what Americans seem to finally be understanding is that what the end of the Cold War really means is that the U.S. no longer has to give a damn about a European "alliance" at all — especially one dominated by French and Germans. The solution to rampant, hysterical, angry anti-Americanism is cold, practical, systematic anti-Europeanism.

Let the European taxpayers pay for the obese bureaucracy of the EU and a military establishment to go with it. Let's charge them double for DVDs and make them wear native costumes. We can go take pictures of them in their quaint poorhouses. Demographically, economically, intellectually, scientifically, and politically, the EU is a dead-end, a goner before two more cicada cycles in Pennsylvania. The persistent cynicism, corruption, and economic stagnation of the eurozone is only the tip of that particular iceberg. The real crunch will come in a decade or two when pension systems begin to collapse and European nations have to save themselves by importing millions of Islamic immigrants. That process cannot be stopped, unless every European is seized with a sudden and urgent need to reproduce like bunnies."

Amen to that Denis - I fully endorse it. Let them choke on their Euros.

NO DRAFTS IN THIS HOUSE!

Donald Rumsfeld spells this out for even liberals....

" We have undertaken a range of initiatives to increase the pool of deployable

troops within the Armed Forces and the quality of life for service members and

their families. The result will be that individual troops will be deployed less

often, for shorter periods of time and with more predictability.

With a professional, all-volunteer force, the U.S. military won the Cold War, liberated Afghanistan and Iraq, and has kept the peace in Asia and Europe. And the all-volunteer force will win the global war on terror."

THE DOCTRINE OF REASONABLE FORCE

By Courthawk.

HERE is an excellent article on burglary and the law by Max Hastings in the Guardian. Court Hawk applauds Max Hastings and his balanced approach to the problem of aggravated burglary and the doctrine of "reasonable force". There will be no need for a free-for-all if the police and the courts do their job. Above all, there is no need for more legislation, just more law and order!

THE SWISS (BANKER) FAMILY ROBINSON.

I was entertained by the media storm that has grown around DUP MP's Peter and Iris Robinson Westminster expenses. Naturally, Peter is outraged by the very idea that one should dare to question the generous expenses that he and his wife have claimed. Perhaps should he ever become First Minister he will ban such impertinent press intrusions? Mmmmm...

Here's what I think. The media, gutless as it is, has EVERY right to examine EVERY aspect of any MP's expenses. After all, Peter and Iris must accept that since the tax-payer funds them the tax-payer can expect to have every penny satisfactorily explained away. It would be arrogance incarnate if Mr. Robinson thought otherwise - and that would surely not be the case here - would it?

In my limited experience (limited to what I could bear!) the political class are, ny and large, money-grabbing whores who, be they to the left or right (though that classification is almost irrelevant in Northern reland) love money. When you think about it - what other reason have most of them for being in it?

>> 30 Oct 2004

Paddy versus Sam

Every year around the time of St Patrick's Day I avoid the news as much as possible. I simply can't stand the mass vacation of Irish politicos to America for a wild Saturnalian Mardi gras at the White House. Pseudo-Irish shmucks the length of Uncle Sam consume copious quantities of green-coloured beer, sing 'The Wild Rover' out of tune and march down public thoroughfares brandishing the Tricolour. How revolting!!!

To put 'Irish America' into context, there were approximately 36 million who identified Irish ancestry at the last US Census (not the 40 - 44 million figure so beloved of Irish hacks). When broken down into Protestant or Catholic ancestry, the former is clearly the larger 'community' - around 21 million in total. That means that only 15 million Americans claim Irish Catholic decent (a measly 5.2% of the total population. Thus, all the nonsense about the exceptionally close ties between Ireland and America is just that - nonsense.

Where Europe is concerned, the USA has one relationship first and foremost (albeit one whose primary consideration lies in geopolitical cooperation as opposed to sentimental attachment): that with the United Kingdom. I wonder how many Americans would throw themselves into a fit of wild abandon every March if they were aware of just how much anti-American opinion there was in deal old 'Oireland'. Richard Delevan and Gemma O'Doherty both have excellent pieces on the state of Irish disdain for the United States.

In Delevan's article, he makes a comparison between the essential Left-wing ethos of the broad Irish media, and how their irrational dislike of Bush has manifested itself in the psyche of the Irish population. For my part, I think some of the dislike could even come down to Bush's black and white stance on terror. After all, few countries have a greater experience of harbouring and subliminally supporting terrorism than the Paddies (as we in the United Kingdom well know!!). Delevan concludes his piece by considering leaving the Emerald Isle permanently.

O'Doherty's article revolves around the personal experiences of two US citizens resident in the Irish Republic for the last few years. One, a prominent member of the Republicans Abroad, has suffered particularly unpleasant experiences. "We were getting weird calls, some of them threatening, so we had no choice," says Young, an economist from Arkansas whose wife is Irish.

"Out of 20 American business people living here who are members of our group, 12 are leaving Ireland. The most common reason they cite for going is that they are tired of the bashing. They just don't feel comfortable living here and they're not willing to put up with it any more.

"It seems in Ireland you can say whatever you like about Americans these days and get away with it. If you slotted in the words 'black person' instead of 'American', it would be a different story," Young continues.

To our American friends I say- please remember the words of James Young and Stan Korzeniewski before you venture out on ludicrous sessions so closely associated with St Patrick's Day. The Irish are a broader version of Sinn Fein/IRA when it comes to perceiving Uncle Sam. The country serves its purpose in promoting Irish political agendas, but the rest of that time it is broadly despised. American brethren, please wake up and smell the coffee!! Your celebrations pay homage to a nation which collectively dislikes you and your role in the world. Furthermore, it is a nation where terrorism is very much de rigeueur as evidence by the political growth of IRA proxies.

ITALIAN SURRENDER (AGAIN)

Italy's controversial European Commission nominee, Rocco Buttiglione, has said he is standing down as commissioner-designate. "I am ready to stand aside to smooth the way for (the) commission," he said. Nice to see that Italy managed to show resistance for at least a few days - nothing new there!

There is something very rotten in Euroland when a man who espouses Christian values has to "stand down" in order for the EU to go forward.

SO WHAT IS THE ANSWER?

Excellent analysis here on that Bin Laden video speech.

In the end, it's simple. He wants a truce. He wants left alone. Do we grant him his wish or do we blow him and his acolytes to hell? I know what I want - Tuesday will tell us what America wants. I put my confidence in the American people.

NATALIE SOLENT FOR BUSH!

I liked this quote from fellow-British blogger Natalie Solent;

"Consider me a September 12 gal. On September

12 2001 there was no downside for those planning the next terrorist spectacular. You too can humble the Great Satan and win undying glory! Now there is a downside.

And I thank God - literally thank God - that the guy in the White House who started work on making that downside on September 12 2001 was a sunny-tempered frat boy who is President, at least in part, because his Daddy was. Peter Briffa's column said that professional politicians irritate. That's only half the problem. The other half is that they

are all a particular type of person. Bush is close enough to that type to

function but doesn't really belong. I am aware that he can be a ruthless

political operator. (He can pick 'em, too, a useful skill.) But in important respects his values are more normal than is normal in his milieu.

I will go further. I thank God that Bush is a believing Christian who takes seriously the obligation to love his enemies. He didn't limit himself to making a downside for terrorism, necessary though that

was. (Not that most of his opponents would have done it.) Instead he did what idealists claim to want: he set out to tackle the injustice and oppression that are the root causes of terrorism."

Of course, I agree with her!!

BIN LADEN COMES OUT FOR KERRY!

Vote Kerry! That appears to be the subtext to Uncle Ossie's latest broadcast to the United States. Bin Laden, back from the grave apparently, makes it clear that US Foreign policy has to change. Only one candidate standing for the office of President provides that change - John Kerry. So, go ahead and make Bin Laden's day - vote for the Talibanic-endorsed French candidate - you know it makes sense.

THIS IS WHERE THE HOME TRUTH ENDS.

I've been listening to the Radio 4 tribute to John Peel in his "Home Truths" morning slot today. I was touched to discover that one of Peel's favourite songs is also one of mine - "It's Over" by Roy Orbison. I know the lyrics are a tad melodramatic but THAT voice - bittersweet! As the final bars faded, with the last "It's Over" sung, I said a little prayer for Peely. No more to be said.

The Cheek of Ahern

Foreign political interloper, Bertie Ahern, has resorted to the more traditional Irish method of threatening Unionists because, at this moment in time, they refuse to countenance the abomination of the Provisional IRA back in the corridors of Stormont. A concerted effort has been made by the Irish Government in recent time to try to con us into thinking they had actually changed. Alas, at the end of the day, all they seem to seek is the gradual and progression erosion of the Unionist position. Two weeks ago, Ahern made a speech to the republican ill-bred at Bodenstown - assuring them the destruction of the Union was at the heart of all Irish policy towards Ulster. Now, he issues threats about the termination of Stormont, citing the DUP rather than the fascism of republican terror as the principal stumbling block.

'THE Irish and British governments will pull the plug on efforts to create a power-sharing executive in the North unless the DUP agrees to it within the next month, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern warned last night. '

My contacts in the various Unionist parties have assured me that Irish representation is absent during discussions on internal Northern Ireland matters. I know it's unfortunate we have to tolerate the presence of foreign Dubliners in strands two and three, but there is no such Hibernian adulteration of issues surrounding the resurrection of Stormont. How disingenuous of Ahern to pretend otherwise. Mind you, show me an Irish nationalist with honesty and sincerity and I'll show you a miracle. Now comes Ahern's barely-disguised threat:

"If we can't complete this phase, then we'll go for another phase, but it will be on the basis of partnership, there won't be any divergence," he said.

Bertie, do yourself a favour. Don't use fulminating terms your benighted country hasn't the political clout, the military wherewithal or the financial muscle to make a reality. 'Partnership' implies an equality of input - joint authority. It ain't gonna happen. You know it, I know it!! Don't instil false hopes into the addled brains of northern separatists by pretending it's just around the corner. If you want to threaten the end of devolution, go ahead. Most Unionists wouldn't shed any tears over its demise. However, don't predict what you are incapable of delivering.

Daylight Saving

This is a reminder to all ATW fans in the UK and the Irish Republic that Summer Time ends tomorrow morning at 2am. Remember to put your clocks BACK one hour.

Saturday's Marx Quote - 30.10.04

'Ever since they found out that Lassie was a boy, the public has believed the worst about Hollywood. '

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