Tired but happy

[purpletigron]

Mater's consultation this morning was always going to be difficult, but she persevered, and the new expert turns out to be useful. So, we're going to pull out the stops to make it back there next Tuesday for a second consultation. Along with the physio, this could really get to the heart of what's been going wrong.

In other news... George Galloway has gone to the USA with no expectation of justice. Will they just deport him, or is he walking into the lions' den?

And ... The revised details of the Labour ID card and National Identity Register scheme have been announced. Shami Chakrabarti, director of Liberty, has called on MPs of all parties to oppose the scheme "whether in defence of freedom or social justice". No2ID were scheduled to stage a protest this morning, but I have not yet seen it reported.

Comments

[vgnwtch.livejournal.com]

Re: Mater: This is a very good development. I hope that all continues to go well.

Re: Galloway: Cannot abide the man, and he's done stupid things, but the way he's been treated makes me feel dirty for reading about them.

Re: ID cards: I so hope there's a major revolt. The problem seems to be that so many people don't get the difference between paper ID cards carried during WWII and the modern version - I'm only really aware of the problems because I have a tecchie spouse and informed friends. I'm deeply bothered by the whole attitude of New Labour towards privacy and security and punishment.

[purpletigron.livejournal.com]

Perhaps you could send a little missive to your parents MP? I'm afraid this one is likely to pass unless there's quick, concerted action.

[vgnwtch.livejournal.com]

"Red" Nick Winterton thinks they're a bad idea, so I shall drop him a line.

[vgnwtch.livejournal.com]

Job jobbed.

[purpletigron.livejournal.com]

I wish everyone was you!

[vgnwtch.livejournal.com]

Now that is a truly horrifying idea! But so sweetly done :)

[profundo-rosso.livejournal.com]

I'm actually fairly amazed he was allowed into the country, given how paranoid Homeland (In)Security is at the moment.

[vgnwtch.livejournal.com]

I imagine they thought he wouldn't present a threat so much as an opportunity to trash a loony leftist. I don't know if they realised how unabashed by public speaking the man is.

[purpletigron.livejournal.com]

!

[purpletigron.livejournal.com]

Quite.

I'm completely unsure about Galloway. But I have to admit, I do like to think of Galloway saying this to a USA Senate committee:

'Mr Galloway said he had met Saddam Hussein on two occasions - the same number of times as US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.

"The difference is Donald Rumsfeld met him to sell him guns and maps - the better to target those guns. I met him to try to bring about an end to sanctions, suffering and war," he said. '

[vgnwtch.livejournal.com]

I confess that it makes me grin.

[purplecthulhu.livejournal.com]

Another good line, quoted by the BBC was:

'He told committee chairman Senator Norm Coleman: "I know that standards have slipped over the last few years in Washington but for a lawyer you are remarkably cavalier with any idea of justice."'

Galloway is not a nice man (but then he is a politician) but he is definitely saying things that need to be said.

Hmmm - I'm in the US at the moment - think I'll go and see if Fox News is reporting this story...

[vgnwtch.livejournal.com]

Post here? I live in the US, but we no longer have TV hooked up for reception.

[purplecthulhu.livejournal.com]

If I see anything I will... Sadly the TV here is tuned to something else at the moment.

Hmmm - maybe I should try Google news and see if there's any coverage...

[vgnwtch.livejournal.com]

Google is no substitute for Fox! :)

[profundo-rosso.livejournal.com]

Saw a clip earlier of Galloway's presentation. I suspect they didn't know what they were letting themselves in for.

[purplecthulhu.livejournal.com]

The 'I am not now nor have I ever been...' quote should remind at least some Senators of the McCarthy witch hunts. Its a reminder that is needed!

[vgnwtch.livejournal.com]

Radio 4 a little while ago had an interview with an American political analyst who pointed out that America doesn't have the really combatative Parliamentary style that Britons are used to, and so, no, they probably didn't. He also said that it might be construed as insulting behaviour because it's so outside the norm.

I never thought I'd listen to Galloway and think, "Magic!" Isn't life weird?

[purplecthulhu.livejournal.com]

If you want to see some more of the testimony, there's a 4 minute segment here:

http://informationclearinghouse.info/article8866.htm

in which George lambasts the US and the committee chair. Its quite an incredible performance.

[vgnwtch.livejournal.com]

Cool! I was listening to R4 and the World Service, and reading the news reports, but it's not quite the same thing as hearing/seeing the whole thing. I'm really fascinated by what the US press and public make of it, so I shall be keeping my beady eyes out for info on that.