State multiculturalism has failed, says David Cameron

What's the Boy Scout Party up to now? Seems like every day the boy David and his patrol are dreaming up new and wacky policies - Does he give merit badges to all his cabinet members at the end of the week!

Andy Coulson could have helped Hosni Mubarak

Egypt – what a mess. Limbo-land and nobody quite knows what the outcome will be. It is very bad news that the present situation and climate of uncertainty is continuing with violence and bloodshed. I feel this really could have been avoided.

We were in Egypt in December during the elections - they were farcical, and considered a joke by most of the population.

http://tinyurl.com/democracy-egypt-style

But electoral corruption can be sorted out and it is a great pity that the situation has been allowed to develop to this state. Unlike the princely thieves (or thieving princes) of the Gulf states who are absolute dictators any talk of democracy will get you in jail, Egypt has a modicum of democracy - no, it is certainly not perfect - but at least it is on the road to democracy as we know it.

The problem with Hosni Mubarak is that he is surrounded by yes men and takes no advice from anyone. He suffers from Emperors New Clothes syndrome and is not in touch with the people. The eagerly awaited TV statement was akin to Richard Keys's 'resignation' speech on Talksport radio - an utter disaster.

Andy Coulson, David Cameron's ex Director of Communications, and the man who was allegedly able to translate the mood of the common people, to the posh boy David, I think could have done a much better job for Hosni Mubarak. Just think Andy Coulson saving lives – a far cry from making up lurid 'stories' at NOTW and later at No. 10.

Think of this scenario, Ahmed Elcoulson ElPresidente's new press supremo, jets in and tells Hosni to tear up the prepared speech. "I'm sorry Mr President I think we need to work on an exit strategy that will work". He gets the biro out and starts scribbling some notes. Later Hosni Mubarak takes to the TV.

To the background music of 'Fields of Barley' by Sting

“Good people of Egypt, I am talking to you tonight as I fully understand your concerns for the future of our Nation. I love our country and its people. I have listened to what you the people have said.

What many of you might not know, is that despite my eternally dark brown hair, I am a man of 82 years. I am not young - I am much nearer the end of my life than the beginning. I am also well past the state retirement age - I stayed on only to serve the needs of our country.

But everything has to end. I have had discussions with my family, and I believe it is now time for me to retire from government and politics, so that I can spend more time with my family. I plan to spend time fishing, and relaxing in the vast fields of cotton that have made this nation so great.

I am resigning as President with immediate effect from tonight. The Government will be dissolved and fresh elections will be held within 90 days. International observers under the auspices of the United nations will monitor these to ensure that the elections are free and fair.

Good citizens I sincerely thank you for your support over these many years.

God bless you all.”

I think it would have been meerkat simples.

Tommy Sheridan and the lost emails

The fragrant Gail with her husband Tommy

I followed the Tommy Sheridan perjury trial; Tommy the former leader of the Scottish Socialist Party/Solidarity. The story has been widely reported – Tommy sued the News of the World (NOTW) for libel to do with a story alleging that Tommy was a 'swinger'; he won his case, but NOTW appealed as new evidence came to light (a video purporting to be Sheridan confessing to his former friend and Best man that he had been to a swingers club). The upshot of all this was that our Tommy, champion of the people, got done for perjury. He has now just started his sentence - 3 years in prison.

You would have thought that was that but no!

I have been also following the News International [NOTW] phone hacking scandal - it seems like the people who had their phone's hacked is a very long list.  Indeed rumour has it that many celebs feel a tad disappointed that they have not made the list! Tommy's number was in the private investigator Glenn Mulcaire's notebook – he went to jail as well but for phone hacking. But NOTW did not find any evidence to suggest that Tommy's number was hacked. Maybe he just liked collecting peoples phone numbers. Hmmm.

As I have mentioned the Supreme Being, Rupert Murdoch is in town to try to knock some heads together as the phone hacking scandal is threatening the proposed buy out of BSKYB - News Corp owns 39.1% and Murdoch wants it all.  Well, it seems the clean up act has discovered a lot more information. People have got sacked and suspended and it is now a huge story. They have admitted that they have found 'missing' emails and these have been passed to the Met for them to reopen the investigation.

Whats this to do with Tommy Sheridan?

Tommy Sheridan may be in for a bit of good fortune. For those that followed the trial they might remember that Bob Bird guy from the NOTW; he was the person who stripped to his boxers to see the incriminating 'confession' video of Tommy Sheridan shot by his former best man. Bird was the editor of the Scottish edition of the NOTW.  Sheridan's best man was paid the not inconsiderable sum of £200k for the tape by the NOTW.  Andy Coulson personally authorised the payment.

For those that can mind back to the trial Bird was asked under oath about emails and other information surrounding the Sheridan expose - but he admitted to the court that the emails were 'lost' during an alleged cock-up when they were allegedly archived out to Mumbai - the data was lost somewhere in cyberspace. Hmmm.

It turns out that Mr Bird may be back in the dock himself as it has been admitted this week that what he said was simply not true. In fact, a complete lot of tosh - nothing was ever lost, and no data was ever archived offshore - all the information remained in-house. As Bird was a senior executive he would, or should have known, about the whereabouts of the incriminating data - and dreaming up the rubbish he said in front of the esteemed judge and jury really takes the biscuit.

Its a welcome 'freebie' for Tommy's appeal when it can be shown that a key witness (the man who bought the tape) was not telling the truth in court.

Funny old world - committing perjury to help someone get done for perjury.

Andy Gray & Richard Keys 'Affair' (no I'm not being 'sexist')

What a stinker of a story

I think the whole ‘affair’ is quite honestly totally ridiculous.  If you get to the core of the matter people should remember that the taping of the 'off-air' remarks were not broadcast but 'leaked' to the media.

Why?

The Supreme Being of News Corp Rupert Murdoch was in town regarding the NOTW phone hacking scandal which threatens to derail News Corp’s buy out of the money printing machine known as BSKYB.  A few token heads have rolled - but unfortunately not that many of the management at the NOTW.  Andy Gray who worked for BSKYB (News Corp own 39.1%) just happened to have ongoing legal action against the NOTW over allegations that his live microphone was taped on previous occasions.  Now just who do you think would do such a thing?  He now joins a long list of people who will sue NOTW.  Andy Coulson walked later from No 10 as he must have got advance warning of the missing emails that have now apparently have been found again.  Surprise, surprise.

But what a total fit-up for Gray in particular.  The good news for Andy is that he has had 19 years with BSKYB at upwards of at least £1.5m pa.  He and now his pal Richard Keys are better out of it.  'Poor' Richard Keys I am afraid was collateral damage relating to the sacking of Gray.

Was it Sexism?

I consider what they said to be daft, stupid and silly; not appropriate for public consumption and/or in the workplace. But was it a hanging offence?  I really don’t think so.  Do most people who are friends now have to carefully consider what they say to one another in private?  Perhaps yes, if it is being recorded overtly (being broadcast) or covertly (taped and leaked) as in this case.

I am not making an excuse for sexism.  Like racism and religious bigotry we have had in the past it is I feel 'institutionalised'.  I believe it is the same with sexism.  More often than not it is deep rooted in the culture of the organisation/workplace; and also from people's upbringing and schooling.  These factors determine the background level, or 'acceptability', of the problem within the organisation.

Think back to 10/20/30 years, as to what were the generally acceptable norms were as to racism, bigotry, sexism, and so on; I think most people will agree we are thankfully headed in the right direction to reduce the level of institutionalised racism/sexism/bigotry.

Many folk in the street jumped right on the Murdoch bandwagon to call both Gray and Keys sexists.  Women seemed to be even more unforgiving than the men folk –you would expect that though wouldn’t you? The problem I have is that many people who were quick with the tar brush did not even know what was said.

Apologies in advance for repeating the heinous words that they dared to speak.  I really don't want to cause any offence so read no further if you are easily offended.

Keys: "Somebody better explain the offside rule to her (the line official)."
Gray: "Women don't know the offside rule."

Keys: "The game's gone mad. See charming Karren Brady complaining about sexism? Do me a favour, love."

Gray speaking to Sky Sports presenter Andy Burton, 22 January

Burton: "A female lino today, bit of a looker ... according to Steve the cameraman.  I don't know if I should trust his judgment."

Gray: "I wouldn't... I can see her from here. (Expletive] - what do women know about the offside rule?"

In mitigation, this 'sexist' tirade was off-air so few people heard it.  It was a private discussion between Gray and Keys & Gray and Burton.  But somebody taped it and shocked the world media with its dastardly content.

Hypocrites

I'm sure they'll not be much sexism at the News of the World or the Sun!  And I do find it a bit sickening when BSKYB and News International now take the moral high ground and gloat over Andy Gray and Richard Keys ‘resignation’.  'We won't stand for sexism in the workplace' and other such tosh.  Some were labelling them as perverts, or even worse.  Hypocrites the lot of them - the trashy News of the World & The Sun thrive on a diet of cheap sexploitation and lurid stories which are often just made up.  Is page 3 of the Sun sexist - I believe it is!

As an interesting aside I read that the red tops apparently had teams of journalists looking for any contacts - especially old boyfriends - of Sian Massey the assistant referee.  They were allegedly offering hefty cash incentives in return for 'raunchy shots' of the 25 year old.  But I'm sure if the get any it will be handled in the best possible taste with absolutely no element of 'sexism'.

Pot calling the kettle black.

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