Friday, June 11, 2004
Mr Blair. Didn't he do well?
Well, I did not put my x in any ballot box but we had our voting here yesterday, and have decidedly yawned everytime someone mentions it, yet could not resist a peek to see just how badly Tony Blair and his merry men did. LOL. is all I can say.
Blair urges party to hold nerve
Tony and Cherie Blair are in the US
Tony Blair has urged Labour MPs to hold their nerve after the party suffered its worst ever local election results.With nearly all results in Labour had lost 464 seats and eight councils, including Newcastle, Swansea and Leeds.The Tories had gained 263 seats and won Trafford and Tamworth. Charles Kennedy said Lib Dem gains proved the UK now had true three party politics.
Mr Blair said an anti-war protest vote had hurt Labour but said the party must carry through its "radical programme
Speaking in Washington after President Reagan's funeral, he said: "It's a question of holding our nerve and seeing it through."
Earlier Home Secretary David Blunkett told BBC Radio 4's Today he was "mortified" Labour had not done better, while Deputy PM John Prescott conceded the voters had given Labour a "kicking" because of Iraq.
Turnout across England and Wales was about 40%, up an average of 9% on last year - an increase not confined to the four regions piloting all-postal ballots.
In London Ken Livingstone provided a rare bright spot for Labour by being re-elected mayor.
In the London Assembly elections there were falls for all three main parties - with George Galloway's Respect party (5%) and the UK Independence party (10%) both gaining.
Projections
The elections are the biggest test of voter opinion before the next general election but the final picture will not be clear until the European
On the basis of voting in 500 key wards the BBC is projecting an equivalent national vote for the parties of Tories 38%, Lib Dems 29% and Labour 26%.
If correct it would be the first time a party in government has finished third in terms of national share of the vote in local elections.
It would give the Tories a result on a par with its local election results achieved under William Hague's leadership in 2000But the Tories point out that it looks like being their biggest lead over Labour since John Major won the 1992 election
BBC political editor Andrew Marr predicted Mr Blair's critics on Labour's back benches would use the results to reopen discussion about his leadership of the party.
The results offer the first electoral verdict on Michael Howard's leadership of the Conservatives "We had excellent results last night - we are now represented up and down the country in the cities where we want to play an important part," he saidTory co-chairman Liam Fox said they had won some "spectacular results"I don't for a minute say that the result today would guarantee the Conservatives winning a general election, that would be absurd ... but it's good solid progress for us," he told TodayThe Green Party will also be buoyed by keeping its seat in Manchester, as well as picking up four seats in Oxford, two in Norwich and one in Watford
The UK Independence Party won a council seat in Hull and another in Derby. The British National Party took three seats from Labour at Epping Forest, gained a foothold in Bradford with four seats, but failed to gain ground on Burnley Council, where it slipped into fourth place, losing one seat to the Conservatives but gaining one from Labour
The final days of campaigning were marred in some areas piloting all-postal votes by allegations of fraud and voter intimidation, which are being investigated by the police and the Electoral Commission.
An independent councillor in Hull has said he intends to mount a legal challenge against his election result.John Hemming, Lib Dems leader in Birmingham, said he wanted some 500 votes from a key ward put aside for further scrutiny because he was not satisfied with how they had arrived at the countTwo candidates in Slough were forced to roll a dice to decide the outcome of the election after two recounts failed to split them. The Tory beat the independent.
John Benfield
"Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines."
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Well I have been decidedly blagless this week! Tsk!But thought some of my Yankee Doodle friends may enjoy when B.O.B. and other genius and mutal friends of note who are normally blogging but for various reasons are unable, to read the the BOA Brain of America's .. or it could be Boa constrictor of America's blog:
John Kerry's BlogAnd here you get to see the guy in action! Tho cos he's botexed his body maybe in action but not his face! John Kerry Videos
Clarence Darrow
"When I was a boy I was told that anybody could become President. Now I'm beginning to believe it."
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Tuesday, June 08, 2004
True Love: 
I admit that "love" as in being "in love" is a complete and utter mystery to me. I think animals in that sense are much simpler creatures and have it more right. If they love each other, and then grow apart, they don't hate each other and are not filled with bitterness, anger and outright hositlity to each other. Any offspring from their being together do not get caught in the middle of world war three and become bargaining fodder.
I watch occassionally in a morning while trying to wake up, a TV programme here called Trisha and this show in particular is far removed from your Jerry Springer type thing, as she does genuinely try to help and counsel the people on it. And she's a former mental health patient herself, so knows what its like to hit rock bottom. But anyhow, some times its folks emotional issues being discussed, but more than anything it is relationships. And most of them are either full of distrust, but they are still together, they have parted and full of emnity and hatred to each other, or are sticking at it, but really don't like each other very much at all.
Last Friday was the first time, I ever recall seeing a couple on it, who were obviously in the classic term, "in love" They'd been together a while, but she, tho young, was facing serious life saving brain surgery, and if it all went wrong, she would need constant care the rest of her life. But the guy in her life, wanted to marry her before the surgery, knowing the risks, and knowing that the girl he married, may not be whom he spent the rest of his life with.
My test, (AHA!) for spotting couples who are actually in love and like each other too, when out and about, is if they are holding hands. As most couples do not. They could be strangers, or brother and sisters. But this test is pretty fool proof. (well it would have to be coming from moi!)
But personally, tend to think being in love is highly over rated. Unless you're one of those rare amongst my experience people who find a true soul mate, and one whose heart is united to yours whatever the storm.
And yet I am a romantic. Soppy films have me getting the tissues! But then so do sad animal films! But, love, as I witness more relationships united in marriage, and see the devestation it brings not only the couples but those in their path, makes me glad to be unloved. ;-) and out of love!
Animals could teach us much, in some ways. Not, maybe world changing ways, but how to care for each other and how not for love to turn to hatred.
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Space Traveller: 
Ain't outer space fasicinating? I'm not talking about cross eyed little green/grey men, who should "phone home" but the wonder of it?
Venus, which I think is called the planet of love or peace of something like that, (you never get the full facts on my blag!) was in transit today across the surface of the sun. There were webcasts of it, and on TV and think it was a global event. Unforutnately I told the world about it when I found out yesterday, and forgot about it today so forgot to watch! But no doubt there will be repeats etc. I just think the vastness of space is entrhalling. And all part of the wonders of creation.
The BBC site has some info about this transit. But it has only ever happened six times in recorded history. The last time 122 years ago. Queen Victoria was on the throne here. And it will happen again in 2012 and if we miss that one, we will never get to see it again, those of us alive now. Its such a rare occurence.
Only six transits have ever been recorded: in 1631, 1639, 1761, 1769, 1874 and 1882. The next will be in 2012, but the one after that will be in 2117.
And do put sound on, those of you who like music, as the musis refelcts the theme of this blag. Too bad Bethy ain't around to ROFL at my tastes in music. But will be sure to inform her on her return!
A webcast site, tho doubtless there are others, but I know this one worked earlier.
Well, you will either be interested in this info. Or firmly asleep by now. As I find usually with space things, folks are normally enthusiasts, or start yawning at the mere mention of it!
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