Bells on Sunday

"So many voices in our troubled world are still unheard."

This simple dedication is inscribed on the Netherlands Carillon which was commissioned to express the gratitude of the Dutch people for the American aid received during and after World War II.

The carillon itself symbolises the friendship between the people of the Netherlandsand those of the United States.... a friendship allegedly characterised by a common allegiance to the principles of freedom of speech, justice, and democracy

"To achieve real harmony, justice should be done also to the small and tiny voices, which are not supported by the might of their weight. Mankind could learn from this. So many voices in our troubled world are still unheard. Let that be an incentive for all of us when we hear the bells ringing." (Queen Juliana of the Netherlands (1909-2004)

The Netherlands Carillon plays Westminster Chimes on the hour and plays American patriotic music twice daily. Special songs are played on May 5 (Dutch Liberation Day)

But what were the Dutch libreated from, Cranmer picks up the story.
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EU raids UK piggy bank

BRITAIN has had to hand Brussels an extra £800 MILLION this year, official figures reveal.

The massive increase is exposed in the small print of Alistair Darling’s Budget. It also reveals that over the next three years taxpayers will give the EU £16.3BILLION.

Gordon Brown had declared in last year’s Budget that our overall contribution to the EU this year would be £3.3billion.

But Chancellor Mr Darling has now admitted the actual figure turned out to be £4.1billion – £800million more than predicted. The Sun




That extra amount would be enough to pay for 30,000 nurses or 25,000 squaddies –

or give every taxpayer a £22 rebate.
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petit déjeuner

Yesterday, at a joint press conference with Gordon Brown, French president Sarkozy said

“It is not simply a matter of a one-night stand. I believe that we can go in to next-day breakfast as well,”



He said that every EU leader had reason to be grateful for Mr Brown’s “courage and loyalty” in ensuring that the treaty, which replaced the failed EU constitution, would be ratified in the UK. The Times
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Where was Gordon

Downing Street has insisted Gordon Brown was not to blame for getting lost last night before the Royal Banquet for French President Nicolas Sarkozy Telegraph



The Prime Minister caused confusion at the banquet when he failed to appear alongside the Queen and Mr. Sarkozy before the meal.
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entente amicale

French president Nicolas Sarkozy has called on Britain to enter into a "Franco-British brotherhood" in his speech to parliament.

Addressing a joint session of both the Commons and the Lords in the Palace of Westminster Mr Sarkozy said France and the UK should put aside "centuries of mistrust" and foster an "entente amicable" for the 21st century.



He enthusiastically described the similarities of France and Britain, in terms of nuclear power, permanent UN security council membership and comparable GDP, armed forces and population sizes.

How you can trust a man who wears platform heels is beyond me

observez votre dos
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U turn if you are catholic

The Prime Munster has u-turned and announced that individual MP's would be allowed to follow their conscience on crucial elements of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill.

Gordon Brown has bowed to pressure for a free vote on the embryology laws - but called on MPs to back the "vital" measures.



Downing Street insisted the decision had been taken after "consultation" with colleagues. But it is thought several key Labour figures who are Catholics - including Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly, Defence Secretary Des Browne and Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy - had indicated they may resign over the issue.

ADMIXED = Gordon speak for Frankenstein
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Light the passion share the dream

China to set world alight

In Greece, two Human Rights demonstrators ran onto the field at Ancient Olympia during the flame lighting ceremony, which was carried live on Chinese state television, but with a 30-second-plus delay. Cameras abruptly cut away when a man carrying a black banner with handcuffs used to symbolise the five Olympic rings ran behind Liu Qi, the president of Beijing's Olympics organising committee, as he was giving a speech.



So, where do you want to take part and make your protest.

Peking (Beijing), China, Almaty, Kazakhstan, Istanbul, Turkey, St.Petersburg, Russia, London, United Kingdom, Paris, France, San Francisco, USA, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Muscat, Oman, Islamabad, Pakistan, Bombay (Mumbai), India, Bangkok, Thailand, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Jakarta, Indonesia, Canberra, Australia, Nagano, Japan, Seoul, South Korea, Pyongyang, North Korea, Sigon (Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam, Hong Kong, (not quite) China, Macau, (nearly) China.

Why Does the West Not Give Tibet the Kosovo Treatment?

More European Union Anyone?
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Get your TIPS out for the Lads

Shopkeepers could be banned from displaying cigarettes under plans being considered by the Government. The Times has learnt that Cigarettes are to be forced beneath shop counters with supermarkets and cornershops banned from displaying tobacco products



This anti-smoking fascism is starting to seriously give me the hump.

"You are never alone when you make a stand"
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The Westmunsters

As many as 12 ministers could quit if ordered to back a Bill allowing the creation of part-human, part-animal embryos for medical research.



MPs will be whipped - meaning they could face disciplinary action if they refuse to support the human fertilisation and embryology Bill.

More European Union anyone?
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Bells on Sunday

The bell tower at the Buchenwald Monument stands on the southern slope of Ettersberg hill overlooking the city of Weimar. The sculpture in front of monument, is to honour Anti-Nazi resistance fighters.

A bronze bell in the tower rings every hour on the hour.



The city of Weimar, is where a German national assembly gathered to write and adopt a constitution for Germany, following the countries defeat in the first World War

The Weimar Republic was established in February 1919 and lasted until this day in March 1933, when the state's interior was replaced with Hitler's so-called "Third Reich"

So, today, when you hear a bell ring, remember, it was 75 years ago this day, that elected parliamentarians, by voting a law through an elected parliament, transferred it's sovereignty to a dictatorship.

More European Union anyone?
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The Westmunsters

GORDON Brown, is facing a front-bench rebellion over plans for embryonic research that were yesterday branded "monstrous" by the leader of the Catholic Church in Scotland.



The Prime Minister is coming under mounting pressure to allow a free vote on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill later this spring, following a strongly-worded attack from Cardinal Keith O'Brien
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Hail "seizure"

Least we forget

On Easter Day we should all solemnly note that the 23rd March 2008 is the 75th anniversary of the key milestone in the Nazi seizure of power.

With passage of the 1933 Enabling Act (Ermächtigungsgesetz), Hitler's Cabinet was "enabled" by parliament to issue decrees without the need for approval by lawmakers or the president, effectively making him Germany's dictator.



The Global Warming Scam is the European Unions equivalent to the Burning the Reichstag

Happy Birthday, Mohammed

In a new message, al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden warned Europe of a "reckoning" for publishing caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed. Intelligence officials said it wasn't clear when a possible attack might occur.

"The punishment will also be more severe," he said, addressing the "intelligent ones" in the European Union: "Don't listen to our words, watch our actions." Deutsche Welle




It was posted on al Qaeda's Web site on Wednesday, March 19, which is also the day observed in the Muslim world as Mohammed's birthday.
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Richard Corbett MEP

That great and good Labour MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber Richard Corbett MEP has opened up his blog for comments.

This is wonderful gesture by Corbett and he should be highly praised for entering into the spirit of interactive politics.



Izzy Whizzy, Let's Get Bizzy

Click on this link for Richard Corbett MEP with comments

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Bells on Sunday

The Tibetan Prayer Bell and Dorje are considered important objects for practicing Buddhists. To Buddhists, the bell symbolises the female attribute of wisdom whilst the dorje represents the male attribute of skill. When the bell and dorje are united during ceremonies this is said to symbolise enlightenment.



So, do you want some enlightenment.

Read how the European Union helps China to cripple the Dalai Lama's charity Here

Not so much Shangri-la but Chagrin-la-la
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45 MINUTES TO APOCALYPSE

Tony Blair has called for a "global environment revolution".

Mr Blair said: "We have reached the critical moment of decision on climate change. There are few if any, genuine doubters left.



We have 45 minutes to save the world
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The Government in Brussels

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Was he a twat with a guilty Conscience?

Manchester Chief Police officer sends message to public.........

"If you will not fight for right when you can easily win without blood shed; if you will not fight when your victory is sure and not too costly; you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all the odds against you and only a precarious chance of survival. There may even be a worse case. You may have to fight when there is no hope of victory, because it is better to perish than to live as slaves".

Did he anticipate tonight's vote in parliament?

Ok, its sick comment, but its a better excuse than any legitimate alternative.
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EU (amendment) Bill (3rd reading)

This evening, whilst watching the EU (amendment) Bill (3rd reading) on the BBC parliament channel, I observed that between 16:00 to 22:00 like every other day of the debate (which I have personally watched) there has only ever been 20 to 30 MPs in the chamber.

How these elected ARSEHOLES (the house as a whole) can vote against something that they all promised in their election manifesto's, without hearing the argument is beyond me.



When it gets to the House of Lords lets hope we will see some political irony, in that our children's rights, will be protected by the Salisbury Doctrine put into reverse.

11 Mar 2008 : Column 254
Bill read the Third time, and passed.

Mr. William Cash (Stone) (Con): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. [ Interruption. ]

Mr. Speaker: Order. Allow the hon. Gentleman to make his point of order, as he does not speak that often in the House.

Mr. Cash: I am grateful to you, Mr. Speaker. In view of the fact that the only official definition of the Mace is in the manual of procedure, to whom do I turn to establish the extent of the scrap value of the Mace this evening?

Mr. Speaker: We have a fine Mace, and it has no scrap value. It keeps its value.
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Lib-dims Smoothie's

INGREDIENTS
175 ml vodka
520 ml orange juice
220 g frozen strawberries
4 scoops orange sherbet
235 ml crushed ice

DIRECTIONS
In a blender, mix the vodka, orange juice, strawberries, orange sherbet, and ice. Blend until smooth.



Forget the blender, strawberries and sherbet lets just call it a SCREWDRIVER

Consumed liberally ensures an excellent night before hitting the town.
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Petition to Her Majesty the Queen

Regarding the Lisbon Treaty

May it please Your Majesty,

We, the British people, request that should your Government's bill to ratify the EU Constitution (otherwise known as the Lisbon Treaty) be passed to you for Royal assent, that this assent be withheld.

It has been made quite clear by the authors of this document that the Lisbon Treaty is merely the EU Constitution with a few cosmetic changes. All major UK parties promised a referendum on the Constitution, which has now been denied by the Government.

In the interests of democracy we request that you intervene to prevent your Prime Minister so blatantly ignoring the wishes of the people whom you have trusted him to govern, and to remind him that you will only permit him to continue to govern should he do so in a democratic manner.

Your obedient servants,

The Undersigned

Sign the Petition by clicking Here



Read the Queen’s speech 2005
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Clown in the Dark

John Prescott is perhaps not the first person you would choose to lead a delicate diplomatic mission. But the former deputy prime minister is to head a European human rights delegation to Armenia, to help defuse a growing political crisis triggered by allegations of electoral fraud.


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Revised Bristol Stool Chart

Your parliamentarian's have spoken

Even though we promised you fuckwits a referendum at the last general election, you cant have it

na na ne na na Looooooserrrrs
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Same meat different gravy

If it walked like a duck and quacked like a duck and it still tastes like a duck, then it is a DUCK



EU leaders admit the new treaty is just the same as the rejected EU Constitution

The UK Government is claiming that the referendum it promised in 2004 is no longer necessary because the new treaty is nothing like the old EU Constitution.

But other European leaders have admitted that it is almost exactly the same…

“The substance of the Constitution is preserved. That is a fact.” - Angela Merkel, German Chancellor

“A great part of the content of the European Constitution is captured in the new treaties.”– Jose Zapatero, Spanish Prime Minister

“The good thing is...that all the symbolic elements are gone, and that which really matters – the core – is left.” – Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Danish Prime Minister

“They haven’t changed the substance - 90 per cent of it is still there.” – Bertie Ahern, Irish Taoiseach

“It’s essentially the same proposal as the old Constitution.” – Margot Wallstrom, European Commissioner

“Only cosmetic changes have been made and the basic document remains the same.” – Vaclav Klaus, Czech President

“There’s nothing from the original institutional package that has been changed.” – Astrid Thors, Finnish Europe Minister

“This text is, in fact, a rerun of a great part of the substance of the Constitutional Treaty.” – Valery Giscard d’Estaing, Author of the European Constitution
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The straw man and the cowardly lion

Europe minister's constituents have spoken.

Results, which have been obtained by the Sunday Herald, show 84.88% of those who voted in Jim Murphy's East Renfrewshire constituency said yes to a referendum on the Lisbon treaty, with 15.12% opting for the "no" option.

On whether the treaty should be ratified, 89.54% said no while 10.46% said yes.


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EU climate-change targets

After having the snowiest December, January and February around the world in many years,The European Union's environment ministers are set to meet on Monday when they will hold their first talks on how to hit the EU commisions climate-change targets



On January 23 the commission laid out plans for how member states should hit the target of reducing emissions to 20 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020

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