Or The Very British Dude will punish you

More photos from the weekend of sober reflection and inner contemplation that was the Southwold Beach tag rugby tournament can be found here...

With thanks to Samizdata for this brilliant analogy....

The CAP and American farm Subsidies are responsible for the collapse of the Doha round of the world trade talks. Basically the west was unwilling to give up subsidising farmers. The resultant dumping and consequent low-world prices for agricultural products are responsible for this:



Free trade works for everyone, but if poor countries are expected to open their developing industrial and service sectors, then they must be able to benefit from the West's agricultural markets in return. In short, they must be allowed to do what they do best and cheapest, just as we in the affluent West are. That way trade is fair and poor countries' citizens benefit from cheaper goods and access to markets for their primary goods, allowing organic investment in infrastructure, eventually consigning famine to history. Unfortunately in their charge that the west abuses free trade to the detriment of the world's poor, the green-haired rock-chuckers are bang-on.

The Europeans are insecure, socialist wankers who don't beleive in free trade and cannot be expected to grasp this. At least the EU position is consistent. The Americans do know better and therefore are killing Africans for mere domestic electoral gain - pork barrel politics paid for by millions of Africans' lives. Something which will go down in history as the worst piece of cynical hypocricy since the Ribbentrop-Molotov pact.

As the famous sketch in "Yes Minister" almost said, each of the UK papers has their own peculiar genius. The Grauniad, for example has brilliant sports and arts coverage. The Daily Mail manages to get Diana, Princess of Wales into every day's copy. (The Times is resting on its laurels - I can't think of anything its particularly good at any more). The Telegraph has a particular genius for obituaries. I love reading the exploits of some bonkers old aristo who armed only with a magnificent double-barreled name, charged a machine-gun at anzio to win his MC and went on to devlop a profound knowlege of passerine evolution, becoming a world authority on songbirds after the war.

This one caught my eye. Who would think that the owner of Britian's last Boxing booth demanded a mention in a paper of record? But he does, as his sad passing call to mind the end of so much in life that's fun and dangerous, to be replaced by a world of the Health and Safety executive, who would seek to deny the right of local toughs to measure themselves against the champ. Perhaps he represents the passing of a world where local youths feel a good kicking was "all in good sport". I know what it feels like - my boxing record is three fights, three losses, two by knockout - but I would still get in the ring and have a go, and take my black eye in the spirit in which it is intended. No doubt the insurance is too high these days. Pehaps what used to be called the working class, softened by welfare dependency would rather beat up an old-lady rather than actually test their manhood in the ring.

Perhaps, like all Telegraph readers, I have a hankering for bygone times. I don't know.

For those of you who think that your donation goes to those nice people in uniform who rescue animals from abuse, think again.

The RSPCA spent £50,000 chasing through the courts a policman who, seeing a badly injured cat, did the decent thing and put the unfortunate creature out of its misery. The RSPCA, instead of appologising for wasting court time, and begging the officer's forgiveness, went all the way to the high court, where they were told to FUCK OFF.

They pointed to the "change in procedures" at the force in question rather than say sorry. Fuckers. Useless animal-rights twats. Why can't they deal with cruelty and neglect rather than harassing those who try to do the right thing and involving themselves in political campaigns? Bastards.

I am buying a flat. As far as I can gather, the lawyers have written 5 letters. Otherwise they singularly fail to raise a finger to help get the process moving along, or show any motivation to do so. I would feel sick if I charged people a lot of money for so lacklustre service. Clearly the first thing they teach at law school is "this is a cartel - charge what you like, it's not as if they can go anywhere else"

Let's Kill all the Lawyers

From William Shakespeare's Henry VI

Or Where is the market going?
As a global trading nation, our main market is unusually international. It contains Kazakstani and Indian Copper miners, African beer conglomerates and american online gaming comapnies for example. Thus when Ben Bernanke speaks loosely to a pretty jounalist, it affects the UK.

Ever since the market hit 6,000, I have been a bear (not this sort), and when interest rate fears kicked off an unusually vicious bout of selling after Bernanke's Gaffe, there was a lot of talk about the end of the bull market which has been in place since March 2003. Only I'm not convinced that the market has peaked. The uptrend in the could easily resume in September, with a new stable interest rate paradigm, or we could have wider Middle-Eastern war, sending oil to $100 per barrell. Not being in posession of a crystal ball or telepathic links to Mr. Bernanke - we can have a look at what the charts tell us.

Unfortunately they say "The market could go up, down, or stay the same. Of that we can be sure".

Bull Points

• The market is above the rising 200 day moving average
• and above the long-term trendline
• Interest rate fears are receding
• Corporate earnigns are strong
• The Trailing PE is 15 times on the FTSE 100: not bad, following 3 years of shareprice growth.
• Most commentators seem to think the market is pointing down (indicating a reversal)
  

• Most commentators seem to think the market is pointing down (they could be right)
• New lows were made following the market's first rally in early June.
• Oil is at £74 per barrell
  
• The 90-day moving average has turned down
• This is the first time in since 2003 that the long-tem support line has been breached.
  
• The market has fallen by less than equivalent corrections in the 80's and 90's, indicating that there is more profit to be taken before buying begins again in earnest.
• In this envoronment, few will risk much in the low-volume crazy days of summer.

• Market is trading between rising 200-day and falling 90-day moving averages, and seems unwilling to break out of this range for the time being.
  

Well done Tiger Woods - a masterful display of presicion Golf. But what really struck me as I dozed contentedly in front of the Telly on Sunday was the sheer horror of Sergio Garcia's ill-advised outfit, which plumbed new depths in a sport notable for horrid wardrobes. Were are trinny and Suzannah when you need them?

If there is a political issue where left and right divide, it is the Levant. Leftwingers identify themselves with the palestinians and their Arab supporters, and rightwingers support the Israelis. Exceptions are to be found on the Antisemitic far right, and there is an undeniable but bizzare alliance between radical Islam and the western Far-Left. This is an interesting psychological self-identification issue between weak and strong, and the rights and wrongs are dealt with accordingly by commentators in one of three ways:

1. The Palesitians are terrorists and deserve what Israel gives them. It's all their leaders fault. (right wing).
   
2. The Israelis are Zionist murderers and have no right to Israel. (Left wing) or must retreat to the '68 borders. (Soft left)
   
3. Moral Equivalence: they are both as bad as each other, it's none of our busienss (trying to be reasonable from either wing of politics).

Yesterday, I went to see Bob Marshall Andrews and Ken Clarke debate civil liberties with the Bow Group. Debate is perhaps the wrong word - they struggled to disagree sufficiently for that. Both agree that the Lords has been instrumental in defending civil liberties in an increasingly populist atmosphere. Both Agree that Nu Labour drafts laws carelessly. Both agree on the difficulties of creating a written constitution.

I asked Mr Marshall Andrews "Most labour people would regard themselves as "liberal". How can the most illiberal government in history spring from this tradition?"

He replied that populism - the desire for positive tabloid headlines - combined with a fear for their seats, led politicians to support draconian legislation to combat the fear of the week. That is what checks and balances are for, and led to his changing his mind on the usefulness of the Lords.

We must always be vigilant about the threat to civil liberties from Government.

The cause is not lost. The Regulatory and reform bill is being ammended to limit it to the task (deregulation) for which it was intended, and much inadequately drafted legislation is not making it through parliament.

Bob Marshall Andrews indicated his admiration for members of the Tory front bench, notably David Davis for their staunch support of basic freedoms.

Lamentably they had to go and vote, before I could ask the one about the Natwest 3, Mr Caruthers of BetOnSports.com and others and how American Extraterritorial jurisitction affected our civil liberties - still a very enjoyable evening in the palace of Westminster. (Sorry about the photo - Phone cams are not the best!)

There is so much to get worked up about in the world, and in doing so, it is tempting to lose sight of whatever disaster this government does to this country, and other governments do to the world, there are islands of gentility and civilisation.

One of these yesterday was Lords. Mohammad Yousuf was finally dismissed by Harmison for 202, a magnificent innings lasting two days. As he lead the players off the pitch, to a standing ovation from a huge crowd, every English player went and congratulated him. In cricket, this is unremarkable.

I Haven't been waatching this years big brother - mostly due to homelessness, but I've just seen this evening's eviction. Even by the standards of this show, This is low. I've just watched a very immature girl undergo a triple dignity bypass operation.

In my previous post on transport, I gave the impression of being a tub-thumper for the car. I'm not, I merely regard the car as a practical nessesity where I live.

The Bycicle is the most efficient machine ever developed. The benefits to society which would accrue by its widspread use as a means of transport in our congested cities are incalculable. The benefits to human health and happiness are likewise huge.

• Jouney times accross London and other cities would fall. The city would be quieter and more pleasant.
  
• People would be healthier.
• Excitement and excersise generate endorphins, making people happier.
• Happy people work better, boosting the economy.
• and cut the Health service bill (broken wrists are cheaper than type II diabetes).
• By not buying cars, paying Ken's tax, and Gordon's petrol tax, and not needing extortionate insurance, people would have more money to spend, further boosting the economy.
• Supermarkets would become less attractive, regenerating the local shop - further reducing the nessesity for using a car.

Dave has delivered! Oh Guido you nay-sayer... At the beginning of the next Euro Parliament, The Tories will sit in a New Grouping, not with extremist nut-cases. I wish it could happen sooner, but there you go.

Read this. Or if you have time, buy the book.

Over the summer, I have been without permenant abode. This is fine, whilst the weather is good and even when it isn't I quite like the pitter-patter of rain on a poncho. Obviously I haven't been spending every night in the woods, and have taken the freedom from rent to splash out a bit on seeing friends around the country.

Fucking hell. British Roads are SHIT

For the most savagely taxed and harrassed motorist in the world, we get a sorry return. "Public Transport" scream the lefties. Well great, but lets look at whether this is actually going to work. Lets compare 2 journeys I have recently completed: Hitchin to Hampstead for an evening appointment: one by Car and one by Public Transport.

Car

• Costs:
  
• Depreciation: £2 (whole day)
  
• Insurance: 99p
• Fuel £7.30
• Parking £1.20 (£10 for a whole day)
  
• Total: £11.49 or £20.29
  
• Time: 40 minutes

• Costs: Day RailCard to London £12.50 (includes tube, £20 if you want to be there during the day)
• Time
• Walk to station: 10 mins
• Train: 35 minutes
• Delay: 5 minutes
• Tube 1: 10 minutes
• Tube 2: 7 minutes
• Walk to destination: 3 minutes
• Total: 1 Hour 10 minutes

The Daily Telegraph has an open letter to the Home Secretary concerning the one-sided extradition arrangements with the U.S.A.

You can sign it here

Anyway as we went into the main gate at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club yesterday, I was handed a Flyer by an elderly Gentleman.

It Read:

"Did you know that I invented the electronic computer in 1942? I was born on 1940, the second son of the 10th Duke of Northumberland with a uniquely prodigious intellectual ability, which my particular circumstances enabled to be rapidly developed. It is difficult to believe that, at an age when very few people can even read the title of Thomas the Tank Engine, I was into, amongst other things, advanced mathematics, because there is no precident for this performance, but I had the Idea to use binary algebra with the so called Boolean algebra to enable the prcess of digital computation by electronic means. The means had been available since 1904, but the brightest and best iun Europe and America were unable to make the conceptual breakthrough I was able to do. The immediate result was the world's first electronic computer, colossus, used at Bletchly to crack the Germans Enigma electro-mechanical coding system. Contrary to prevailing publicity, Bletchly was devised as a means of Hiding Colossus. It was the Revolutionary computing speed, of which the Germans had no suspicion, that made feasable the solution of the Atomic equations which engendered the Manhatten Porject. This basic secrecy has continued since the war for similar reasons - to conceal the existence of copyright and thus enable those people to manipulate that enormous advantage t their greater benefit. The royalties have provided for the privatisation of the Utilities as has occurred and at teh same time funded the Dome, The Royal Opera House, Cardiff Arms Park and numerous other projects under carious disguises, such as the National Heritage Lottery Fund. Together with the income from my myriad music copyrights )also concealed by false attribution), continually invested since the Early 1940's the revenues are well in excess of £10bn a year and Growing, yet there is nowhere mention of this huge reservoir of available private finance, especially in the political arena.

This is a public infomation leaflet issued on my own behalf.

5 July 2006

Henry Percy

One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind"

Henry percy, 11th Duke of Northumberland died in 1995, which is a shame, because I'd have liked there to be a bit more behind this wonderfully English eccentric "public information leaflet". It was certainly more intersting than the flyers for Credit cards that were being handed out.

Has anyone else seen this nutter?

I may not know much about football. (There's no Southgate on the Team, I Meant Neville). I do know that International football is usually a draw. 1-1 or ocasionally 0-0 (gripping). You'll never lose money if you bet that England will go out, on penalties in the Quarter finals.

And That Christian Ronaldo is still not a very likeable individual, no matter how good his technique....