Casual Ravings

Obama: Master of Spin (or is that bullshit?)

Do you remember the US Pres before this one? You know. Short guy, liked a joke and a laugh, had difficulty finishing his sentences, was controlled by the Evil Emperor himself? You know who I mean.

What’s The Beef With Iran?

For years the USA has had a serious problem with Iran. Well, for the last fifty. Since enormous sums of oil were nationalised from BP and put in the hands of the people who lived there.

And then it really started. Mossadegh, who did the nationalising, was out because of a CIA coup. Then 30 years of a corrupt dictator pissed off the Iranians and had him thrown out. Unfortunately an excitable man replaced him.

The Difference 20 Seats Can Make

There is something strange happening in the UK. Politicians are using words like “cooperation” and “compromise” and exotic phrases like “we want to work together”.

Compare this with the usual mud-slinging that goes on in the House of Commons, where barely-veiled insults are order of the day, where not giving a hoot about what the other politicians want is absolutely modus operandi.

David Cameron – The Man Who Would Be King

Poor David Cameron. Saying he would be prepared to form an “big, open and comprehensive” coalition with the Liberal Democrats. I’m sure the entire speech stuck in his throat.

The UK Election Debates

And What is Wrong With the UK.

Well, quite a bit actually. And this was borne out of the debates that have just finished for the UK elections.

There are two ways to look at this debate. The first is to listen to what they are all saying and then carefully analyse it all, and see who you think will make the best UK Prime Minister.

C’mon Clegg – Hung Parliaments are Great

Hung Parliaments work great in Switzerland. And, in fact, the constitutuion demands the Swiss Parliament is perpetually hung.

Recently in the media following the UK election there has been much talk about how the Liberal Democrats might spoil the party for the Tories and Labour. Within the commentary is the suggestion that the Lib Dems are going to threaten the very foundation of Westminster Democracy by forcing a government to govern with less than 50 per cent of the seats within Parliament. How dare they?

Europe is Arguing – Good for Democracy

When the Presidents of EU argue, democracy is working just fine.

The EU has a floating, rotating presidency. Which tends to drive the USA Foreign Secretary nuts and many political journalists crazy, usually condemning EU as not working and having far too many bun fights. But I would challenge such people to come and live in Switzerland for at least six months. Then they will see that this is merely a sign that democracy is working just fine and, in fact, evolving to a higher plain.