[Archived] News comment

[Audax]

On the subject of news, my deepest sympathies for those affected in South Korea by that ferry sinking. In fact, that might be worse by death toll than that airliner that vanished.

[Baz]

Reading into it I suspect after their first couple of meetings the rest will be done by Skype. The amounts that the Democrats spend on their campaigns are astronomical. I think it's a waste of time (and money)... Do either of these guys understand the British electorate?

When people vote the two strongest factors are:

• Who did your parents vote for? (the strongest factor and always referred to as the "core" support of a party who will likely never vote for any other)
• Which person did you like most on the telly debates?

They are the same two reasons why we will always get what we deserve. Politicians who prioritise their career over their work. Politics is a ladder for popularity rather than doing a job (running the country). Same ____ different people. And, sad to say, is one of Blair's legacies.

Politics is the practice of policy. How much does the electorate know about the manifesto of each party before they vote? In most cases I suspect none.

I'm no exception. Next year I plan to take serious time out to do some research before I vote. That's how it should be but I suspect none of us have the time or energy to do so, which is sad.

Actually I think you are slightly incorrect here. The British electorate are changing. As ever, the parties are after the middle ground, but thats far more right-wing than in living memory. Look at the rise of UKIP, and the scarcity of any real socialist parties these days. UKIP are a strange one in that they seem to be a protest party, nothing surrounding anything other than the EU seemingly mentioned in terms of policies. The Lib-Dems had a lot of votes from students, and families with kids at / about to go to Uni in the last election, Id expect decimation of their northern set of voters in the next election. If you also consider that Scotland may not be involved after the next election, their vote is generally left-wing, consider the repercussions on future general election campaigns.

The problem for most voters is that in 80-90% of the country the swing needed to remove the current party in power is so massive, your vote is not being fought for, everything is being concentrated for votes in the marginal seats.

[Audax]

Are you? Why? Live by the gun.... die by the gun. One less evil thug consuming our oxygen.

This article shows the use of death penalties per different countries: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Use_of_capital_punishment_by_country

[Mike E]

This article shows the use of death penalties per different countries: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Use_of_capital_punishment_by_country

.......Jim?

[Adam C]

This article shows the use of death penalties per different countries: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Use_of_capital_punishment_by_country

Audax your sense of compassion is laudable and I agree to an extent but this man did not serve his time. By most accounts he got a deal for turning informer and that is why he has fallen out with his former comrades and met a nasty end. Looking at this man's recent past there are no signs that he is deserving of a decent person's sympathy. Nodrog has it right this time - he chose his path and showed no sign of sorrow or regret. He would have done the same to someone that crossed him in my opinion.

[Adam C]

6 years prison for an armed attack on a police station. That seems a bit lenient. 8, 12 years maybe.

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/apr/18/belfast-tommy-crossan-former-continuity-ira-shot-dead

If you read the Guardian article again you see the like of the people that the CIRA are shooting dead. Declan Smith tortured to death a former comrade (allegedly just an armed robber and housebreaker using the "status" of republican groups for protection) over guns and money. Crossan tried to kill police officers. Not soldiers, not "agents of the British state", just police officers. Recently the CIRA and other dissident groups have been responsible for the assassination of a prison officer (a family man), some soldiers in Antrim (and the attempted murder of a Dominos delivery man who was bringing them pizza) and a catholic policeman (another family man but in their eyes a "traitor"). These aren't the days of the hunger strikes, internment and bloody Sunday and there is no need for people consumed by hatred to try to ruin life for everyone that doesn't agree with them. None of these people are "freedom fighters" - neither Crossan and Smith nor the dogs that shot them. While there is a democratic process in Ireland, North and South, there is no need for idiots running about shooting innocent people. The only good thing is that this time they are wiping each other out and not innocent people for a change.

[cn174]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-27193638 Horrible

[Amo]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-27193638 Horrible

"Downing Street said the prime minister's thoughts were with the victim's family."

I'm sure that was a great consolation to her loved ones.

[adopted scouser]

"Downing Street said the prime minister's thoughts were with the victim's family."

I'm sure that was a great consolation to her loved ones.

Vapid Political point scoring following the murder of a 61 year old woman, what's wrong with you ?

[Guest Norbert]

' Former Labour minister' alleged to have got away with touching kids in the 1980's after investigation was halted.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/tony-blair-minister-former-pms-3468050

It would not surprise me if the police and social services conspired to bury this sort of thing. An ex-mayor of Scarborough was said to have been in cahoots with Jimmy Savile and a guy who owned the local amusement arcades for years.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Funny how it's taken up till now for what was common knowledge in Rochdale 35 years to emerge regarding Cyril Smith. My take is this was a massive cover up on behalf of the Political Establishment involving plenty of high ranking men of similiar persuasions..

[otto man]

Funny how it's taken up till now for what was common knowledge in Rochdale 35 years to emerge regarding Cyril Smith. My take is this was a massive cover up on behalf of the Political Establishment involving plenty of high ranking men of similiar persuasions..

And yet the ordinary man for whom this was "common knowledge" chose to stay silent. Why didn't one of these individuals approach the press or the authorities?

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

People did. The " Rochdale Alternative Press " a sort of local " Private Eye " published the stories at the time. " Private Eye " themselves then picked the story up and ran with it at the time.

[Guest Norbert]

Funny how it's taken up till now for what was common knowledge in Rochdale 35 years to emerge regarding Cyril Smith. My take is this was a massive cover up on behalf of the Political Establishment involving plenty of high ranking men of similiar persuasions..

Same thing with Savile and the mayor in Scarborough. Jimmy used to chat up girls in my dad's school when he was a teenager. The powerful and famous had an aura and friends in the right places to make sure it never got beyond 'gossip'.

If any of the police chiefs etc. are still alive, they should be prosecuted however old they are.

[Guest Norbert]

Gerry Adams has been arrested for murder of a woman in the 1970's. Just came on radio 5.

[ABBEY]

Such a nice chap . Shocked !

[Audax]

Top Gear presenter in trouble and that is unacceptable what he said.

[Amo]

Vapid Political point scoring following the murder of a 61 year old woman, what's wrong with you ?

As someone who defends the McCanns, I wouldn't point fingers.

[adopted scouser]

As someone who defends the McCanns, I wouldn't point fingers.

Your point ?

[ABBEY]

Top Gear presenter in trouble and that is unacceptable what he said.

He said nipper ?

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Todays latest fiasco. The investment bank that advised the government not to increase the price of Royal Mail, shares, despite widespread fears they were hugely undervalued, made a profit of more than £ 8 million by immediately selling the company's stock in the wake of it's controversial privatisation, a report finds today.

William Rucker, chief executive of Lazard & co denied any wrong doing. He denied that there was anything improper in Lazard acting as advisor and investor.

I think they spelt his name correctly.

.

Top Gear presenter in trouble and that is unacceptable what he said.

I think Clarkson is un acceptable. The man is a complete keaner.

[Guest Norbert]

The Royal Mail shares were just co-incidental of course.....................Are any of the execs Tory donors or Lords?

And did Jeremy really say that, or was it hard to make out?

[Audax]

The Royal Mail shares were just co-incidental of course.....................Are any of the execs Tory donors or Lords?

And did Jeremy really say that, or was it hard to make out?

You may be right Norbert.

For the record, I just read a general news story on it, I forget the source.

Maybe it is an exaggeration.

[Tom]

He said nipper ?

I don't think he did but even so I don't think he was being racist per se, it's a rhyme many if you oldies grew up with, good job he didn't name the pub near Yarnfield eh?

For me it's not great but no witchunt needed

[adopted scouser]

More people desperate to be offended