tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-200106562024-03-07T09:17:51.950+00:00the world goes roundIf everybody minded their own business, the world would go round a deal faster than it does" Lewis Carroll (1832-1898)Matthew of Sunny Swindonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285434262414257327noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20010656.post-2552509019457877932010-07-13T20:53:00.001+01:002010-07-13T21:07:18.418+01:00For my cousin Tracy... Red Nose Day movie<p> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Cobject" height="481" width="640"><param value="http://www.bbc.co.uk/emp/external/player.swf" name="movie"></param><param value="true" name="allowFullScreen"></param><param value="always" name="allowScriptAccess"></param><param value="config_settings_skin=silver&playlist=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ebbc%2Eco%2Euk%2Frednoseday%2Fplaylists%2Ftvtrail06%2Exml&config_settings_showFooter=true&" name="FlashVars"></param><embed height="481" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="640" src="http://www.bbc.co.uk/emp/external/player.swf" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" flashvars="config_settings_skin=silver&playlist=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ebbc%2Eco%2Euk%2Frednoseday%2Fplaylists%2Ftvtrail06%2Exml&config_settings_showFooter=true&"></embed>"RED Nose Day" </a>movie from the BBCMatthew of Sunny Swindonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285434262414257327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20010656.post-11844135334934826302010-05-25T07:56:00.010+01:002010-05-25T08:11:34.404+01:00Good riddance ‘third-sector’<p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Candara', 'sans-serif';font-size:12;"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p>...hello Civil Society</o:p> <p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Candara', 'sans-serif';font-size:12;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Candara', 'sans-serif';font-size:12;">So a new government, a new way of politics? It’s too early to tell if real change will empower community and voluntary groups to serve local places from this new Con/Lib Dem government. <o:p></o:p><p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Candara', 'sans-serif';font-size:12;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Candara', 'sans-serif';font-size:12;">One welcome change that has come about almost immediately is the dropping of the ridiculous habit of branding our organisations the Third Sector. I have not heard the police or borough council call themselves Second Sector, and for that matter have you ever heard a business refer to themselves as First Sector? <p><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Candara', 'sans-serif';font-size:12;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="mso-bidi-: minor-bidi;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:11;" ><span style="font-family:Calibri;">The problem with the phrase third sector?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It meant very little to the majority of the nation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Those of us employeed in the so called third sector had to explain the mantle we gave little regard to.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></p><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="mso-bidi-: minor-bidi;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:11;" ><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></span></i></b></p><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-: minor-bidi;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:11;" ><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><p><br />At a recent Safer and Stronger partnership meeting where an entusiastic participant suggested a need to strengthen the THIRD sector, I piped in and stated if the expectation from the SECOND sector could be realised with investment from the local FIRST sector, we would all be content that the FOURTH estate would give us more publicity to promote our stronger selves.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-: minor-bidi;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:11;" ><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Candara', 'sans-serif';font-size:12;"><p><br />The Conservative manifesto included plans to invest in the civil society:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt 19.2pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbolfont-family:Symbol;font-size:12;color:black;" ><span style="mso-list: Ignore">·<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%;font-family:'Candara', 'sans-serif';font-size:12;color:black;" >Using funds from dormant bank accounts to create a Big Society Bank to provide new finance for charities and social enterprises.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt 19.2pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbolfont-family:Symbol;font-size:12;color:black;" ><span style="mso-list: Ignore">·<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%;font-family:'Candara', 'sans-serif';font-size:12;color:black;" >Train a new generation of community organisers and support the creation of neighbourhood groups.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt 19.2pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbolfont-family:Symbol;font-size:12;color:black;" ><span style="mso-list: Ignore">·<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%;font-family:'Candara', 'sans-serif';font-size:12;color:black;" >Hold an annual Big Society Day to encourage volunteering.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Candara', 'sans-serif';font-size:12;"><p><br />The challenge from <a href="http://www.vas-swindon.org.uk/">Voluntary Action Swindon</a> is that the new prime minister, and our two new Conservative MPs will keep to their word and invest in this thing they call ‘Civil Society’. We will be watching, we will be lobbying, we will be working collaboratively to make it happen – I hope you will join us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Matthew of Sunny Swindonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285434262414257327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20010656.post-31503664126271697252010-05-25T07:52:00.003+01:002010-05-25T07:55:55.713+01:00gosh have not been on here for a long time!It's funny how when you have little to say - some people still say a lot.<br />Well I have not had much to say... and so have not posted much of late.<br /><br />I have a post on my mind... lets see what happens!<br />I trust readers won't think I am saying a lot, when in reality I don't have much to sayMatthew of Sunny Swindonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285434262414257327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20010656.post-27987541192457498742008-05-11T10:59:00.003+01:002008-05-11T11:09:30.695+01:00Paddick bows out from politics...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_PWGd56XT8wgA4OAp5tlp07ZO2eJZAD9LEAWbZEQyquL-E8T2Vgv2XuzWaeB7dG5hdKs7KVsObnJIvfSHe2yM7CRto5AQ2U6bME2WtyA2R_daspTebcBSHhsZdD3dT3XCBrMvAg/s1600-h/paddickMOS1005_228x408.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199058740938934690" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_PWGd56XT8wgA4OAp5tlp07ZO2eJZAD9LEAWbZEQyquL-E8T2Vgv2XuzWaeB7dG5hdKs7KVsObnJIvfSHe2yM7CRto5AQ2U6bME2WtyA2R_daspTebcBSHhsZdD3dT3XCBrMvAg/s200/paddickMOS1005_228x408.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Disappointed</strong> to read in today’s </span><a href="http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/pages/live/femail/article.html?in_article_id=565425&in_page_id=1879"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Mail on Sunday</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> that Brian Paddick has hung up his political rosette and with it his ambitions to pursue politics. We really need more flamboyant characters in the party.</span></div><br /><div><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Had hoped that Paddick would be parachuted into a winnable seat for the May 2010 General Election, but alas it does not look likely. </span></div><br /><div><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Just a few quotes from the self deprecating diary article penned by Brian: </span></div><br /><div><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Some people have asked if I'll run for Parliament now. It's as likely as me running another marathon. Not for anyone.”</span></div><br /><div><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Would you like to get to know me better? Paddick to Will Self. “Only sexually” is the stark reply.</span></div><br /><div><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Feb 14th: Launch our transport policies at Vauxhall Bus Station – no one comes </span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Feb 28th: At the Eco Build exhibition in Earl's Court. Had no proper briefing so did it myself on Google.</span></div><br /><div><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">April 2nd: We're in the middle of the "Cleggover" storm, after Nick Clegg said he'd had up to 30 lovers. Am asked how many I've slept with. "A lot fewer women than Nick," I say.</span></div>Matthew of Sunny Swindonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285434262414257327noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20010656.post-50408122656213190332007-09-24T11:44:00.000+01:002007-09-24T11:44:52.182+01:00Target Practice<a href="http://livingwithrats.blogspot.com/2007/09/target-practice.html">http://livingwithrats.blogspot.com/2007/09/target-practice.html</a>Matthew of Sunny Swindonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285434262414257327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20010656.post-20169463271693146522007-09-24T09:56:00.000+01:002007-09-24T11:40:49.423+01:00waiting for Hazel<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_fzA5E2dctH9q9hW26uWmqdAucGdXU5oF_oZL0L5tzFDxcFEDVLSdjkqApnVjfYPGT71lcgGKlAZadUqfFknzMfgNgNoiEmdA53dyND-CT5Pe1OLT3qqhnPp5pINLmMA017XiiQ/s1600-h/hazel+on+a+bike.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113718789140729058" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_fzA5E2dctH9q9hW26uWmqdAucGdXU5oF_oZL0L5tzFDxcFEDVLSdjkqApnVjfYPGT71lcgGKlAZadUqfFknzMfgNgNoiEmdA53dyND-CT5Pe1OLT3qqhnPp5pINLmMA017XiiQ/s200/hazel+on+a+bike.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>It's a big day for local government this morning.<br /><br />Hazel Blears is due to address the Labour conference with her ambitions within her government portfolio of Communities & Local Governance.<br /><br />New Local Area Agreements are being re-re-launched again. It's the third time that we have had a launch, so I am counting on Gordon keeping Hazel in place long enough to deliver.<br /><br />The Best Value Performance Indicator measurements are being dumped and replaced with 200 broad targets supplied by Whitehall for all local authorities to measure, with up to 35 of these targets selected to stretch our ambitions.<br /><br />Along with these 35 will be 17 statutory targets for Childrens Services (incl Education, NEET, etc). Then add the mandatory targets that were imposed on us in the 2007 LAA refresh, plus any local indicators which are specific to our own localities. I think the list could be closer to 70.<br /><br />It's <a href="http://www.swindonlaa.org.uk/">my job at the Borough Council </a>to ensure all partners in the police, health authority, voluntary and community sector negotiate these top 35 targets in Swindon. I also have to ensure these targets all line up to what the Swindon community want, which is another exercise I have been party to. Indeed, if you are a Swindon resident, or just interested in Swindon - why not take the survey yourself at the <a href="http://www.swindonsp.org.uk/ssp-communitystrategy.htm">Local Strategic Partnership website</a>.<br /><br />So today is an important day... over to you to shine some light on the subject, Hazel.</div>Matthew of Sunny Swindonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285434262414257327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20010656.post-3624039355827270422007-09-21T12:38:00.000+01:002007-09-21T12:46:11.351+01:00So when will PM call the GE?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLD6wr4r3JQmnyhGHY3i7Buh3wzLTwzFuRgRFWce7WtScx7EsgWZIQU2gbem0iLFd2uYgGj6k6t70cGBdes9tLV1gzZdIuXHJlkIfmhIIjfhLqUoOhozgoU0bz7SYLIbINYMOJ7g/s1600-h/calender203b.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5112621485126143186" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLD6wr4r3JQmnyhGHY3i7Buh3wzLTwzFuRgRFWce7WtScx7EsgWZIQU2gbem0iLFd2uYgGj6k6t70cGBdes9tLV1gzZdIuXHJlkIfmhIIjfhLqUoOhozgoU0bz7SYLIbINYMOJ7g/s200/calender203b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/newsnight/2007/09/guess_gordons_election_date.html">BBC Newsnight </a>are holding a contest on when the PM will call the next general election.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Reprinted below, for your entertainment is my entry:</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><blockquote></blockquote>My guess would be May 2009.<br /><br />But we should not have to guess, is not about time we had set parliaments of five year terms. Local government conforms to a set date each year, or every four years.<br /><br />I have no problem with voting on a weekend, although my heart goes out to political activists / foot soldiers that have to march through every housing estate begging people to vote early!<br /><br />Those who do not vote should be fined £250 with the fine bypassing the treasury, and going into a good causes pot co-managed by the Camelot.<br /><br />After all, whether the Lotto Election delivers merciless Ming, hug a hoodie Dave, or Brown the frown…to number 10, <em>“if you are not in it, they can’t win it.”</em></div>Matthew of Sunny Swindonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285434262414257327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20010656.post-63077574661484505442007-09-15T16:29:00.000+01:002007-09-15T17:05:04.274+01:00Labour's leaflet of lies on crimeLabour activists have leafleted the housing estate where I live today. I’ve uploaded the offending paper of simplistic statements, as humour should be shared not kept to oneself. Any credit that Labour had locally, which was already very limited, is now reduced to a big fat ZERO.<br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110458178886380642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30pIX_UoC3jPD-UQeU9BGE52D2tFc-4yuPD4I8WYFL-gjWo7H4utUd8Ivm9A85y2RazHxEjyhLfxK6mdqoRMxrAHu3gKYYrulxuoPXnKlmaZlaW4yKQv7D4Lx216-w8Hhjsh04Q/s320/Labour+smear+01.jpg" border="0" /><br />Of course Labour's list of failures on reducing crime is clear for all to see.<br /><br />* Violent crime is rising, anti-social behaviour is still a serious problem, and our prisons are overflowing. Labour have talked tough but have failed to deliver despite 10 years in power.<br /><br />* Overcrowded prisons are putting the public at risk. Some serious offenders are being kept out of jail because there are not enough spaces. Meanwhile, we have one of the highest rates of repeat crime in Europe.<br /><br />* Violent crime has doubled in the last eight years.<br /><br />* First time violent offenders are more likely to get a caution than be taken to court.<br /><br />* The Labour government proposed giving out fines for assault, theft and even mugging - meaning the perpetrators wouldn't get a criminal record.<br /><br />* Firearms offences have more than doubled, yet Labour have failed to introduce the handgun register promised after the Dunblane tragedy.<br /><br />* Labour opposed tougher jail sentences for knife crime.<br /><br />* On average, there is a violent incident in prison in England and Wales every 13 minutes.<br /><br />You can read more on Labour’s crimes against our society, but more importantly see what Lib Dems would do about it at <a href="http://www.wecancutcrime.com/">http://www.wecancutcrime.com/</a><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110458659922717810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJ5VeH6b1FeUSMtRcmIsL7xWJB31QbWhZaBtkTqNMD71kTLkpIDQ1ppmkiZdFCcrabnsWNCrL2PI1oaM6QOVj8HV1gnsq963uPaFzkAgDcFqNmw7LCWcYJ4L8P6oUR4ihpCAUMQ/s400/Labour+smear+02.jpg" border="0" /><br /><a href="http://www.wecancutcrime.com/5steps.php#1#1"></a><a href="http://www.wecancutcrime.com/5steps.php#1"></a><strong>forget Labour lies, LIB DEMS would:</strong><br />1) Put more police on patrol Don't waste billions on ID cards <a href="http://www.wecancutcrime.com/5steps.php#1">Read more »</a><br /><br />2) Initiate compulsory work and training in prison to cut reoffending <a href="http://www.wecancutcrime.com/5steps.php#2">Read more »</a><br /><br />3) Introduce better compensation for victims paid for by prison work <a href="http://www.wecancutcrime.com/5steps.php#3">Read more »</a><br /><br />4) Take back our town centres Let communities close pubs and clubs that cause trouble <a href="http://www.wecancutcrime.com/5steps.php#4">Read more »</a><br /><br />5) Make sentences mean what they say Life should mean life <a href="http://www.wecancutcrime.com/5steps.php#5">Read more »</a><br /><br />Once you have sifted through the myth and untruths about making communities weak and less safe, there is some verbal diarrhoea on Lib Dems penalising the poorest because we would abolish the non-means tested £250 Child Trust Fund. Surely it is better to invest more money in Education now, than a gimic of giving each parent (rich or poor) a bit of cash to invest for that childs 18th birthday party?</p><p><strong>The biggest lie of all </strong>is a fascinating graph showing Labour political support neck and neck with the Lib Dems. I suppose we should be flattered, as the borough council is Con:42, Lab:12, LibDem:3. In the ward where I live the results were Con:551 votes, Lab:526 votes and LibDem:879 votes. Even the general election in 2005 gave Con:37.2%, Lab:40.3% and LibDem:16.8%. So where is Labour neck and neck with the Lib Dems in Swindon?</p><p>The Labour paper of confusion that came through my letterbox is promoted by Labour’s London based general secretary, Peter Watt… so it has nothing to do with the local party really… but it had to be the local party who delivered it – have they no shame?<br /><br />This leaflet by Labour is criminal... but then Labour have always lied to get the electorates support... they just can't help themselves. When Labour have lied all through this parliament, a few more lies on a political leaflet won't make much difference. </p>Matthew of Sunny Swindonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285434262414257327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20010656.post-63650420021055133022007-09-05T08:31:00.000+01:002007-09-05T08:47:01.391+01:00Ming you're useless, you've got to go.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBXlWDktuM_jxLveCHeEM8WLIZMgPeVaho4n11yDijXxhSts-5W8z1m_JH-6Z7DreaidXcy450jNp98Y0EvnugnQIADjnNoy3suWiZkDx8cNck-qNs7_Ep8YBpER1O3zwV6fceZQ/s1600-h/Ming+Guardian.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5106622747419139698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBXlWDktuM_jxLveCHeEM8WLIZMgPeVaho4n11yDijXxhSts-5W8z1m_JH-6Z7DreaidXcy450jNp98Y0EvnugnQIADjnNoy3suWiZkDx8cNck-qNs7_Ep8YBpER1O3zwV6fceZQ/s320/Ming+Guardian.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Oh dear, <a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/daniel_finkelstein/article2388172.ece">yet another journalist calls for our infamous Leader to go</a>.</div><br /><div><br />Although the journalist in this article hates everything the Lib Dems stands for, his comments hurt.<br /><br /><a href="http://conservativehome.blogs.com/goldlist/2006/03/goldlist_candid.html">Danny Finkelstein </a>(of The Times) was probably one of those children who never got involved in playground fights, but he would be one of those kids forming the front line of circle round two fighting boys screaming with delight: “fight, fight, FIGHT!”<br /><br />He glories in the acceptance of others by repeating stories he has heard before… original thought is a stranger to him. </div><div><br />But that is a problem for those of us who do want to see the Lib Dems do well. The bells that toll the tone of warning have been sounding their clang for a long time now. The truth that dare not speak his name is evidently being paraded in front of us every time Ming manages to get a TV or radio interview.</div>Matthew of Sunny Swindonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285434262414257327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20010656.post-82414464510977901222007-05-04T08:17:00.000+01:002007-05-05T08:34:07.528+01:00What an (electronic) voting disaster<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4dyEeQd8XqHdxaxfWtyNfit09kQ8WaHhhaKnUURf56cUCVGJTLfyeL7K0nnOzra2GVURg4UX3xHK-U5xOUDuGUjZ8AFa0bEXdF8D7jzPb8nElqv3rrMwrrB3rxd2DA2c3uUieg/s1600-h/scannerpacredit.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5060608944141309826" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4dyEeQd8XqHdxaxfWtyNfit09kQ8WaHhhaKnUURf56cUCVGJTLfyeL7K0nnOzra2GVURg4UX3xHK-U5xOUDuGUjZ8AFa0bEXdF8D7jzPb8nElqv3rrMwrrB3rxd2DA2c3uUieg/s200/scannerpacredit.jpg" border="0" /></a>I waxed lyrical a couple of months ago about <a href="http://twgr.blogspot.com/2007/02/voting-on-internet-wheeeeeeeee.html">e-voting</a>.<br /><div></div><br /><div>Swindon elections were to be conducted using touch-screen systems in polling stations, or voters could opt to score their ballot paper (sic) by logging onto a computer at home.</div><br /><div></div><div>Well it <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/wiltshire/6600477.stm">all went disastrously wrong</a>. The systems crashed, the machines would not work, it all went rather embarrassingly wrong.</div><br /><div></div><div>And to add pain to the complete mess up... Swindon Borough Council was <a href="http://beacons.idea.gov.uk/idk/core/page.do?pageId=6070035#swindon">awarded beacon status </a>for it's electoral services this year. Should we give the award back?</div><br /><div></div><div>Still, at least it was not quite as bad as Scotland where two types of voting - first past the post for local elections and single transferable votes for the Parliament meant close to 100,000 ballot papers were spoilt... potentially many of these because the voter was confused when confronted with two ballot papers and either marked local elections paper with 1,2,3 when it should have been an X. Or marked the Scottish Parliament ballot paper with an X when it should have been 1,2,3.</div><div></div><br /><div>What a mess. And what a shambles for democracy. </div><br /><div></div><div>I asked the question back in February... <em>is it the end of pencil and paper voting?</em> The clear answer is NO!</div>Matthew of Sunny Swindonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285434262414257327noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20010656.post-13105961885414785732007-04-02T20:40:00.000+01:002007-04-02T20:47:28.080+01:00Tories don't like Cameron, do they?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBkGFnW7KARqzgGNNR6jVPczO-OnbT-px6KwJ1PAyLtfXUVDWzlfCpULW5VrbLf9SVEoH06DH5tlte7_lTui7eGH_UFf5Qh-eYxK6VB_m01IgZSqmG3aczTgNjf8W_ITpJNhZ4Q/s1600-h/priceless+Cameron.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048919289737605042" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBkGFnW7KARqzgGNNR6jVPczO-OnbT-px6KwJ1PAyLtfXUVDWzlfCpULW5VrbLf9SVEoH06DH5tlte7_lTui7eGH_UFf5Qh-eYxK6VB_m01IgZSqmG3aczTgNjf8W_ITpJNhZ4Q/s200/priceless+Cameron.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Robin Harris hates his former employee. Back in March 2006 Mr Harris, of Conservative Research Dept wrote in </span><a href="http://www.prospect-magazine.co.uk/article_details.php?id=7330"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Prospect Magazine</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Cameron</span> was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">spoiling</span> the party. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Today in the FT he suggests Cameron is an out and out opportunist as re-printed here:<br /></div></span><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;color:#003300;">David Cameron's former boss last night accused the Tory leader of being an "out and out opportunist".<br />Robin Harris, director of the Conservative Research Department when Mr Cameron started work there in 1988, classed his former employee as one of a group who worked for their party "as a way of advancing their careers. They weren't necessarily highly motivated."<br />The Old <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Etonian</span> Conservative leader used his impeccable connections to advance his career, Mr Harris suggested. Reflecting on Mr Cameron's rapid rise to the top of the party, Mr Harris described him as "an out and out opportunist . . I don't believe that David Cameron believes anything."<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Oh dear… if that is the case, and Harris employed Cameron – should we all fear that truth passes the Tory Leaders lips as regularly as Gordon Brown dips into his pocket and helps out the poor?</span></div>Matthew of Sunny Swindonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285434262414257327noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20010656.post-55887820010526980992007-04-01T19:13:00.000+01:002007-04-01T19:21:17.754+01:00Is the Libby Bird about to fly away?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjSOYoEsnaIukjaWPBUY9UvF_RrHuRvP7NvXfsM1p4k__GGGLvnk6WfydWN_l2-X32QotTKt54am8Lsel12t4qFys51K1WnxR6Oy3JW9mtAbZeOP0oB0GE5ZrVwLJfbOtdccalxw/s1600-h/upsidedown+bird.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048525733294337954" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjSOYoEsnaIukjaWPBUY9UvF_RrHuRvP7NvXfsM1p4k__GGGLvnk6WfydWN_l2-X32QotTKt54am8Lsel12t4qFys51K1WnxR6Oy3JW9mtAbZeOP0oB0GE5ZrVwLJfbOtdccalxw/s200/upsidedown+bird.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">There is a fun story on Suz Blog which I regularly visit. </span><a href="http://susannelamido.blogspot.com/2007/03/is-libby-bird-to-fly-away.html#links"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Suz Blog: Is the Libby Bird about to fly away</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />I have submitted a comment, which just in case it does not make it to her site, is re-printed again here.<br /><br /><br /></span><blockquote></blockquote><br /><blockquote><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I regularly shop with a Liby-bird canvas bag acquired at a Conference in<br />Blackpool a couple of years ago... and in the past two years, three people have<br />come up to me and said "I recognise that logo on your bag - are you a Liberal<br />Democrat?"<br /></span></blockquote><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><blockquote><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I confess the truth of course.<br /></span></blockquote><br />Anyway, it's appropriate to keep the bird, as after the 2009 general election when we enter a coalition with the Conservatives, our birdy can perch in a branch of the tory green tree.</span></div>Matthew of Sunny Swindonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285434262414257327noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20010656.post-628968967107034182007-02-02T17:36:00.000+00:002007-02-02T17:53:20.815+00:00Voting on the internet - wheeeeeeeee!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeW00w-2MNQNBk1d4QAjb6i-2rPA9u8wBqK241AeEWak1pjgDpDRP5_9weMQm6zns1XqWenvOPAsFq35qM9n3BB-YFkJjzRvs91FqCcm7VZOb4-tysdG8YGcB4KbmCp04GkQLnFQ/s1600-h/e-vote.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026995329753991778" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeW00w-2MNQNBk1d4QAjb6i-2rPA9u8wBqK241AeEWak1pjgDpDRP5_9weMQm6zns1XqWenvOPAsFq35qM9n3BB-YFkJjzRvs91FqCcm7VZOb4-tysdG8YGcB4KbmCp04GkQLnFQ/s200/e-vote.bmp" border="0" /></a>Swindon hits the headlines again as it trials e-voting for elections this May 2007.<br /><br />So this year Swindon residents will be able to vote for a whole week on-line, from April 26th right through to 9pm on May 3rd. In another pioneering step, alongside the ability to vote by phone people will also be able to vote in any poling booth throughout the whole borough. So a resident in North Swindon will be able to pop out of their town-centre based workplace on May 3rd and vote from a polling station in the town-centre using a touch screen monitor.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXcup7NVrPa2MJfc_tIyc4GDo9KI3eAwbopvp3cmsa9tiTcuaIkQQkasDiuSjGQRpOixWUXuOzLUpOclcj4M4JXyZcn38vbVnzz6TXTuRECg_1rL-DlLoTyBtkQiYcr1StH2NyhA/s1600-h/count2004.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026994792883079746" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXcup7NVrPa2MJfc_tIyc4GDo9KI3eAwbopvp3cmsa9tiTcuaIkQQkasDiuSjGQRpOixWUXuOzLUpOclcj4M4JXyZcn38vbVnzz6TXTuRECg_1rL-DlLoTyBtkQiYcr1StH2NyhA/s200/count2004.JPG" border="0" /></a>Is the day of pencil and paper voting in a booth about to die?<br /><br />It takes me back to the time when I was a political assistant for the Lib Dems in this town from year 2000 through to 2005. <div><br /><br /><ul><br /><li>in 2000 pilot all-postal election in four wards; </li><br /><br /><li>in 2002 - e-voting pilot as part of the May local elections. This involved remote voting by Internet and telephone together with traditional voting by post and at polling stations. The pilot was widely considered to be successful. Over 15% of votes were cast electronically and the overall turnout increased by 3.5%; and </li><br /><br /><li>in 2003 the council carried out a more extensive e-voting pilot involving four electronic channels (internet, telephone, interactive digital television and kiosk voting) together with traditional postal voting and voting at polling stations. Although the turnout did not increase further, the uptake of the e-voting channels did increase and 24.5% of votes were cast electronically.</li><br /><br /><li>In 2004 two by-elections used a paper-less vote with touch-screen voting in the polling stations. This was overseen by the <a href="http://www.swindon.gov.uk/swindon_final_report.pdf">Electoral Commission who published findings in a report</a></li></ul><p>The 2002 pilot which Swindon Lib Dems supported was roundly criticised by the Association of Liberal Democrat Councillors at the time – but we ignored their ranting. They were anxious about fraudulent voting by persons not listed on the ballot paper. This of course was widely realised with the horrific abuses of the all-postal elections in <a href="http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1141777">a variety of places in the UK</a>, but there was no evidence of this happening in Swindon... maybe because multiple electronic voting abuse is difficult to trace? A pre-registered pin number and a request for your date of birth were all requested at the point of e-voting. <br /><br />Lord Rennard, Chief Executive of the Liberal Democrats said in February 2006: “The independent Electoral Commission has said that individual voter registration is necessary to prevent fraudulent abuse with postal voting... the Government should act to ensure that such a scheme is in place as soon as possible.” There is a very good audio report from <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/the_westminster_hour/5069754.stm">Chris on the BBC</a> from June 2006.<br /><br />I think it’s a great boost for making voting easier and should allow more people to have a say on who runs the council. As Swindon votes in thirds, these elections will once again be a referendum on the ruling Tories… their majority is higher than the 20 seats being contested – so they cannot loose.</p><br /><br /><p>The down side is the eve-of-poll election leaflet will have to be delivered seven days early, and the so called “last minute election messages” will be difficult to spin.<br /><br />And probably the bottom line is a key way to get more people out voting is for people to actually have something to vote for… over to you councillors, activists and party leaders.</p></div>Matthew of Sunny Swindonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285434262414257327noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20010656.post-36024204282291756482007-01-31T23:02:00.000+00:002007-01-31T23:13:53.349+00:00So what were you doing at 5pm?<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">BBC radio 4's PM news show is </span><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/news/pm/galleries/915/"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">running a photo journal </span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">of listeners activities at 5pm. </span><div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7mi_CffSg7nwo0dOPVY0VkjXbS2kVVeM9dlqSdaRZ1s5aYSL4SwCKVOnSEw9mivFQOYymxg_puHfW9Bk8aBlHE_7Rz37bm9DqPmKhERKEdZEZZ4tNLnBg_ARL3Z3cBuMrxhv2Q/s1600-h/caserole.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026336274625427618" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7mi_CffSg7nwo0dOPVY0VkjXbS2kVVeM9dlqSdaRZ1s5aYSL4SwCKVOnSEw9mivFQOYymxg_puHfW9Bk8aBlHE_7Rz37bm9DqPmKhERKEdZEZZ4tNLnBg_ARL3Z3cBuMrxhv2Q/s200/caserole.JPG" border="0" /></a>I am always at work at 5 O'clock, but by ten past five I have walked home from the office and have started cooking dinner.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So today, I decided to take a photo of myself preparing food in the kitchen. It was beef casserole today, which is only on the menu as my partners catering suppliers at the hotel sent a brisket joint of beef in error and did not want it back. </span></div><div></div><br /><div>I was a bit miffed as I had ran out of oxo cubes, so instead chucked in a glug of Worcester Sauce - maybe not surprisingly it tasted so much better... </div></div>Matthew of Sunny Swindonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285434262414257327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20010656.post-25309415002127960762007-01-24T08:17:00.000+00:002007-01-24T08:33:21.131+00:00UKIP will win seats at the next General Election<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaUQ9ZECGg_yytV4KddJUN5BIAVKpHOM6bkt3GobdrHmyonrUvPh38C0FsIWWoHN60uSTQs6v5iUikq4fzsqyqFmBgb6VdMXaSNaMdQUJg0CzHxQ_uYHECz3ZJFcbWo56UcA0NdQ/s1600-h/Heffer.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5023510692950800514" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaUQ9ZECGg_yytV4KddJUN5BIAVKpHOM6bkt3GobdrHmyonrUvPh38C0FsIWWoHN60uSTQs6v5iUikq4fzsqyqFmBgb6VdMXaSNaMdQUJg0CzHxQ_uYHECz3ZJFcbWo56UcA0NdQ/s200/Heffer.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Delightful story of pending election success for UKIP in the </span><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2007/01/24/do2401.xml"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Daily Telegraph </span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">today. The author is that darling of the rightous Right - Humpty Dumpty Heffer.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Simon Heffer huffs and puffs, as is his want. And no doubt he will use his column inches in the Daily Telepgraph newspaper to espouse repeated nonsense of the electability of </span><a href="http://www.ukip.org/"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">UKIP</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> over the next couple of years.<br /><br />Mr Heffer never ceases to provide much thought provoking entertainment at the breakfast table, but his explosions of observed truth and critique are long forgotten by lunchtime.<br /><br />UKIP will remain an attractive home for the ranting cause. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">UKIP’s possibility of success to a United Kingdom parliament will never be realised with the voting system we have in this country. Their success at the last Euro elections was all down to proportional voting to an institution that most readers of the Daily Telegraph ignore.<br /><br />For truth be told, as every conservative leaning individual knows, to defeat Labour at the next election will only be secured by tactically voting Lib Dem on Conservative in 2009.</span></div>Matthew of Sunny Swindonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285434262414257327noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20010656.post-9940822702800607852007-01-05T18:17:00.000+00:002007-01-05T18:49:06.647+00:00EasyJet grounded... cos it's raining<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4r1yWST_f-1hmRXME7bOnbwY8pFlbw_3c0nC-FzFSMotiREi4MiMq3bOjRfreHrcYaT_78ahBIGdQpfaGXGg3dw_ANoSoqT5Kw2YsxCOnXIoNDeBqCtui-dSV3em_ZIsPev6aVQ/s1600-h/easyjet+01.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5016619468337977842" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4r1yWST_f-1hmRXME7bOnbwY8pFlbw_3c0nC-FzFSMotiREi4MiMq3bOjRfreHrcYaT_78ahBIGdQpfaGXGg3dw_ANoSoqT5Kw2YsxCOnXIoNDeBqCtui-dSV3em_ZIsPev6aVQ/s200/easyjet+01.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">I've heard it all now. EasyJet have grounded their aircraft because rain on the runway at Bristol Airport is causing the craft to skid as it brakes.<br /><br />Do you remember the old joke about train services delayed when leaves fell on the line?<br />Well now budget airlines won't fly out of provincial airlines if there is rain on the runway now-a-days. Not sure about the unacceptable face of capitalism... I blame the unacceptable face of British weather. </span><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/nickrobinson/2007/01/lowcost_for_muc.html"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">This quote was published on Nick Robinson's BBC blog</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><br /><br />What is most frustrating is my sister-in-law was delivered by me to Bristol Airport at 6:30am this morning for an 8am flight to Faro... I kissed her goodbye as she was booked in, and made her way through Passport Control.<br /><br />Four hours later I <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/6233487.stm">read on the BBC</a> that all flights had been cancelled out of Bristol. But try as I may, there was no way to get hold of Bristol Airport: I called twice and each time the phone was answered by a machine, and I had to endure cheesy music for ten minutes... followed by my call being disconnected. </span><br /><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8i-p-zxOJ123TSGIXtLmW9wzBoyMLqZLFnu0EVkX9uv3VwyrpujerMjGDTZ0nPrIO5eLjjsa9rzAzf3xs2c8WgBYw4gObDBe7agm7-gILhWtjAx3jjFTSKFJ2wVNTAxHLMtvhhA/s1600-h/easyjet+02.jpg"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5016618467610597842" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8i-p-zxOJ123TSGIXtLmW9wzBoyMLqZLFnu0EVkX9uv3VwyrpujerMjGDTZ0nPrIO5eLjjsa9rzAzf3xs2c8WgBYw4gObDBe7agm7-gILhWtjAx3jjFTSKFJ2wVNTAxHLMtvhhA/s200/easyjet+02.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">The same happened with SleezyJet - except with their communications system I had to pay 50p a minute for the pleasure of listening to a recorded message inform me of their successes in prompt arrival and departure times.<br /><br />Of course there are some who think people who travel too often and too cheaply should be punished through taxation. I think I am angry enough, without the thought that my flights and those of my friends would fund another Labour token gesture to save the environment! </span></div></div></div></div>Matthew of Sunny Swindonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285434262414257327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20010656.post-66512081360909322862006-11-10T19:33:00.000+00:002006-11-10T19:42:21.823+00:00Guess what November 15th is?<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5792/2442/1600/8497-001-08-1082.gif"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5792/2442/200/8497-001-08-1082.png" border="0" /></a><br /><div>As over-consumerism sweeps the Western world, it is no better evidenced than in America where they actually have a day – November 15 – to rid the household of their excessive lifestyles.<br /><br />Nov 15 is <a href="http://www68.123greetings.com/card/11/10/11/30/CX41110113027692.html">clean out your refrigerator day</a>.<br /><br />I just can’t get round my brain the need to remind the house-husbands of America that in the run up to Christmas, they have to clean out the cold storage facility? I say house-husbands, as I cannot imagine any woman in the world would need to be reminded of this. </div><div> </div><div></div><div>This post comes courtesy of 123 greetings.com</div>Matthew of Sunny Swindonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285434262414257327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20010656.post-36103804270263043762006-11-07T08:35:00.000+00:002006-11-07T08:59:38.921+00:00Preacher admits.. "Yes I'm queer"<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5792/2442/1600/180px-Ted_Haggard.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5792/2442/200/180px-Ted_Haggard.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>After bending over backwards all week claiming he was straight, a family man and that gay relationships were sinful, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Haggard">Ted Haggard </a>the leader of the Evangelical Church in America has indeed been bending forward and <strong>touching his toes for the boyz</strong> for most of his life.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Whereas confession is normally accepted as being good for the soul, Ted Haggard has found out the hard way that truth can destroy your career if you spend your whole life lying.</div><br /><ul><br /><li><span style="font-size:85%;color:#009900;">“I am guilty of sexual immorality,” said Ted Haggard, a confession with potential political ramifications far beyond his church in the conservative bastion of Colorado Springs (comments the UK Times).<br />“I am a deceiver and a liar. There is a part of my life that is so repulsive and dark that I’ve been warring against it all of my adult life.”</span></li></ul><br /><p>Just imagine for one moment that this man, who shapes Christian thinking to millions of conservative leaning Americans, had been honest about his sexuality. A lot of pain and suffering in the church would not have occured. <p></span>If only Ted could embrace his sexuality, and dedicate the rest of his ministry to saving the church from the filth it preaches of hatred and pity to gay people... more souls could be saved.</p>Matthew of Sunny Swindonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285434262414257327noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20010656.post-59619917642481155922006-11-04T09:58:00.000+00:002006-11-04T10:11:19.697+00:00Keep your pecker up Pastor Ted<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5792/2442/1600/06112135327_haggard.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5792/2442/200/06112135327_haggard.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Our prayers are with Pastor Haggard. </div><br /><div><br />We want to urge on the coming of the Lord, not the indulgencies of Ted with a gay prostitute.<br /></div><br /><ul><br /><li><span style="font-size:85%;color:#009900;">Extract from <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,1939238,00.html">the Guardian</a>: Mr Jones [a male prostitue from Colorado] told reporters he went public because of his anger at Mr Haggard for preaching against homosexuality and gay marriage while pursuing a clandestine relationship with him for three years.<br /><br />He said that the pastor paid to have sex nearly once a month, and that he snorted methamphetamines to heighten the experience.</span></li></ul><div></div><div>If Ted confesses his sin and stops persecuting gay people for their life-choices, then I see no reason why he should not return to the Republican sponsored Evangelical Church of America.<br /></div><br /><div>God moves in mysterious ways. This is HIS way of healing the Church in these troubled times of rampant hatred being carried out in the name of the Lord.</div>Matthew of Sunny Swindonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285434262414257327noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20010656.post-82751284763719634312006-10-22T18:53:00.000+01:002006-10-22T19:09:53.446+01:00The filth in American Politics - yea the candidates<div><div>Lib Dem Welsh MP <a href="http://peterblack.blogspot.com/">Peter Black</a> has a great little TV ad video from across the pond on his website.</div><br /><div></div><div>Politics in America is mired in filth. When desperate men want to win the vote, they will resort to almost anything. </div><br /><div></div><div><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5792/2442/1600/Doolittle%20Desk.jpg"></a><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5792/2442/1600/Doolittle%20Desk.0.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 185px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 131px" height="151" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5792/2442/200/Doolittle%20Desk.0.jpg" width="201" border="0" /></a>Republican Congressman John Doolittle is fighting for his life to hold his seat on Congress - principally due to his support of the War on Terror. He has done little else in office, so the Democrats are <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">whipping</span> his arse!</div><div></div><br /><div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">Doolitle</span> states Democrat candidate Charlie Brown supports the <strong>N</strong>orth <strong>A</strong>merican <strong>M</strong>an <strong>B</strong>oy <strong>L</strong>ove <strong>A</strong>ssociation through his membership of the American Civil Liberties Union, and since the ACLU has in the past defended <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">Nambla's</span> free-speech rights, he is tainted by association. </div><br /><div></div><div><a href="http://www.johndoolittle.com/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=18415">"It is astounding," </a>Mr Doolittle said in a recent press release, "that anyone could defend a group dedicated to aiding and abetting paedophiles." </div><br /><div></div><div>So I guess the crap thrown back at Doolittle by the Brown campaign in the video on Peter's blog is therefore quite lame in comparison!</div></div>Matthew of Sunny Swindonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285434262414257327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20010656.post-1718628282645509452006-10-22T11:13:00.000+01:002006-10-22T11:19:27.650+01:00With Tory taxation you can have your cake and eat it<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5792/2442/1600/money.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5792/2442/200/money.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><p>I am confused by the Conservatives when they talk about tax.<br /><br />One influential wing of the Tories, in the Economic Competitiveness Review, call for <a href="http://www.adamsmith.org/economy/index.php">flat taxes</a>.<br /></p><br /><ul><br /><li>FLAT TAX = taxes are set at the same low rate for everyone, making them easy to understand and difficult to avoid, and eliminating the need for complex exemptions.<br /></li></ul><br /><p>The other in the guise of the Tax Reform Commission says flat taxes are <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2006/10/22/do2205.xml&DCMP=EMC-new_22102006">a bad thing</a> as they may initially boost economic growth, but don’t pay for themselves. This ultimately leads to public spending reductions or increased government debt.<br /><br />That’s the problem for policy-lite Dave Cameron and his henchman Mr Osbourne: When they have the bravado to publish policy, it’s contradicted by knowledgeable colleagues.<br /><br />And we, the long-suffering voting public, are left more confused as we are stretched in both directions in this policy tug of war.</p>Matthew of Sunny Swindonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285434262414257327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20010656.post-1161126916795878602006-10-18T00:07:00.000+01:002006-10-19T15:00:14.527+01:00Oh no, Mark Oaten is at it again... confessing that is<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5312/1992/1600/oatens.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5312/1992/200/oatens.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Just when the shame was almost gone, <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/womanshour/01/2006_42_tue.shtml">Mark Oaten is at it again</a>.<br /><br />The confessions of an MP who does a rent-boy has now reached Women’s Hour as the honourable member for Winchester and his wife confess all (again) to the media.<br /><br />This time the story takes on love, marriage and forgiveness in their first joint interview. But whilst a BBC journalist wonders how to pick up a marriage and carry on after such a bombshell, I am left pondering how does a political party pick itself up after such a carry-on?<br /><br />There is something very Catholic about seeking forgiveness, but I’m getting rather bored with hearing this story of lust that does not speak its name.<br /><br />Still at least the media has stopped blaming Oaten’s hair-loss, Charles Kennedy’s drink problem or indeed that Mark may, just may, have been interested in having (or was it watching?) sex with men?<br /><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/womanshour/01/2006_42_tue.shtml">http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/womanshour/01/2006_42_tue.shtml</a>Matthew of Sunny Swindonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285434262414257327noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20010656.post-1157665537937511542006-09-07T22:40:00.000+01:002006-10-18T18:43:50.165+01:00Star Wars comes to Swindon<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5312/1992/1600/starwars01.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5312/1992/320/starwars01.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Just home from seeing Canadian actor Charles Ross single-handledly play all the characters, sing the tunes, fly the ships, fight the battles (on both sides) and save the universe in the <a href="http://www.onemanstarwars.com/bio.html">One Mans’ Star Wars Trilogy</a>.<br /><br />The sixty-minute show was fun-packed from start to end, and lets face who wouldn't want to save the universe fighting with a lightsaber and sounding the hooommmmzzzzshhhh schzzzchhh schzzchh cry as you swosh your lightsaber in a galactic battle far, far away?<br /><br />I would recommend this show to anyone who is mildly amused by Star Wars, or the avid fan obsessed with the original movies…<br />· Charles Ross is Darth Vader<br />· Charles Ross is Luke Skywalker<br />· Charles Ross is Princess Leia !!!<br />If this show does not ignite your inner Jedi – nothing willMatthew of Sunny Swindonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285434262414257327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20010656.post-1157583811154103092006-09-06T23:08:00.000+01:002006-10-18T18:43:50.100+01:00Is Greenpeace losing the plot?<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5312/1992/1600/chargereport.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5312/1992/320/chargereport.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Apart from buying property abroad and driving my Mercedes-Benz all over the place, I still keep a keen eye on the news over the internet.<br /><br />Okay so I have not blogged for most of the summer, but that's cos I woz watchin' Big Brother. And from what I have read on-line, not many others were blogging anything of real interest.<br /><br />Talking of Big Brother - there is an increasingly growing campaign against the car-driving individual with loud calls for government to punish motorists not just through their pockets, but to restrict their movement as well. It seems owners of off-roaders, Chelsea Tractors, Death Machines - whatever your name for them - they are all getting a bad press. The Alliance Against Urban 4x4s have an <a href="http://www.stopurban4x4s.org.uk/">interesting website </a>with quotes from Mayor Ken Livingstone <span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#009900;">"When you see someone trying to maneuver it round the school gates, you have to think, you are a complete idiot."</span> </span><br />...and Jeremy Clarkson (the king of drivers doing it badly) <span style="font-size:85%;color:#009900;">"I do have to say that the drivers of these things in cities must be clinically insane."</span> Maybe it is time to think again?<br /><br />I support the polluter pays - and those who drive a lot, do pay through the excessive tax on petrol and diesel. In the Netherlands campaigners are demanding City & Town Councils deny vehicles over a certain weight and size permission to park in public car parks or along shopping streets.<br /><br />Greenpeace is one of my favourites organisations. I used to be a subscribing member, and was very proud of their campaigns to halt the explosion of Nuclear (that wasn't meant to be a pun). But Greenpeace have stepped up their campaign against the motorist. I often feel a tinge of guilt when they moan about big-badge cars (although my Merc is only a baby A Class). Me thinks they have gone too too far over the top this time.<br /><br />Is <a href="http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/gasguzzler/index.html">Greenpeace </a>losing the plot?<br /><br />They have a new video promo which has not received very much positive publicity. It's an attempt to encourage people not to drive 4x4s. I think there are many ways to push this argument... and the excessively polluting the environment argument through wasted fuel consumption is the best route.<br /><br />In reality this video campaign is an offensive load of tosh. And if anything, could encourage school-playground bulling of kids who's Mums drop them off at school in a 4x4. Most adults would I hope not revert to this sort of nonsense bullying. There has to be a more effective way of pursuading people to change their lifestyles.<br /><br />Detention then for the media girls and boys at Greenpeace?<br /><br />Now, has anybody seen my cup of tea?Matthew of Sunny Swindonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285434262414257327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20010656.post-1157579600610949492006-09-06T22:35:00.000+01:002006-10-18T18:43:50.031+01:00My Lib Dem councillor has got himself a blogging!<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5312/1992/1600/focus.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5312/1992/200/focus.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />After a couple of months berating my local councillor that I wanted to hear more of his news and read more of his views than his quarterly FOCUS leaflet that hits my door mat, my councillor has got himself a <a href="http://eastcott.blogspot.com/">blog</a>.<br /><br />And about time to!!<br /><br />There is so much going on in Swindon at this time, and the town centre (where I live) is going through a most fantastic regeneration, that I could fill a political blog easily with news, views and stories.<br /><br />Sadly my time of being party-political is over. Did I hear you cheer? <blockquote>How very dare you</blockquote>As a Policy and Partnership Officer at the challenging Swindon Borough Council, I dare not speak of party politics. Especially as those in charge are of a Blue persuasion. But hand on my heart, I think they are doing a decent job. And the Leader of the Council is head and shoulders better than any we have had for a good few years now... Very visionary.<br /><br />But hey, I said I would not be party political - so shut my mouth.<br /><br />As for Cllr Dave Wood and the Eastcott Focus Team - keep up the good work with the blog... I will be watching closely. <a href="http://eastcott.blogspot.com/">http://eastcott.blogspot.com/</a>Matthew of Sunny Swindonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285434262414257327noreply@blogger.com0