http://drsaki.blog.co.uk/en-EUMokoFeed10http://drsaki.blog.co.uk/http://data5.blog.de/design/preview/6c/fd15357d4a7f28e3b22423c4b99d0d_160x200.jpghttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/11/13/jfk-obama-and-history-7362352/tag:drsaki.blog.co.uk,2009-11-12:/2009/11/13/jfk-obama-and-history-7362352/Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:42:27 +0100 <p>If John F Kennedy's ghost is wandering around the White House, he must be smiling at the ongoing debate about a possible troop surge in Afghanistan.History has a weird way of repeating itself.</p> <p>In 1961, Kennedy was involved in a debate about South Vietnam. The United States was determined to prevent a Communist takeover of its client regime. The President,Ngo Dinh Diem was an American puppet who relied on Washington's support.His regime lacked popular ,especially in the countryside, and corruption was rife. He was also at war with the Viet Cong, which was a guerilla army formed in South Vietnam to overthrow him. </p> <p>Kennedy had a problem,as he recognised Diem's faults, but he also had to support him. More troops(advisers) were sent from the United States, which meant that the Americans' role increased in an undeclared war. The more troops you send, the more you look like a colonial power or an army of occupation. The more troops you send, the more chance that they will get shot at or worse.You then end up with more casualties.You invest so much politically and militarily, that you cannot abandon your client.You are trapped.</p> <p>Does any of this sound familiar?The statements made in the early 1960s could easily have been made today.If you replace Communism with the word terrorism, then all the speeches sound just the same as the ones we hear about Afghanistan.Just replace the Viet Cong with the word the Taleban/ Al Qaeda.Hamid Karzai is a dead ringer, historically, for Diem.</p> <p>Kennedy's Administration was divided over South Vietnam in the same way that Barack Obama's is. Do you send more troops or do you walk away?You have a national leader who is surrounded by corruption and who lacks popular support.The paralells are scary.</p> <p>By 1963, Kennedy gave the nod to the South Vietnamese generals to overthrow Diem.The rest as we say,is history.</p> <p>Let's hope that Afghanistan does not prove to be Obama's Vietnam.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/11/13/jfk-obama-and-history-7362352/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>politicshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/11/13/jfk-obama-and-history-7362352/#commentshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/11/09/is-barack-obama-up-to-the-job-7340663/tag:drsaki.blog.co.uk,2009-11-09:/2009/11/09/is-barack-obama-up-to-the-job-7340663/Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:25:07 +0100 <p>If you are over 35,you may recall that there was once a US President called Jimmy Carter. He was a former Governor from Georgia who defeated Gerald Ford in 1976. Jimmy Carter's appeal was that he was a Christian, he was a fresh face and he seemed too good to be true. Jimmy Carter was one of the most intelligent men ever to be elected to the Presidency.The only problem is, he was an awful President.</p> <p>I bring this up because I'm wondering if Barack Obama is going the same way.The world needs American leadership now more than ever. Yet so far, we are still waiting for action. We need to see movement with the Middle East. The Palestinians need to believe that their aspirations will be met, that one day they will have a state to call their own. In conjunction with that, Israel needs to be re assured that her security is guaranteed. Only the United States can kick start this peace process. If that means putting presssure on Israel to stop building settlements , then so be it.We need America to wade in, especially as George Bush was never bothered about peace in the Middle East.</p> <p>The West is still waiting for Obama to make a decision about further troops as requested by General Stanley McChrystal. The request was made ages ago, and yet we are still waiting. The Dutch, the Canadians and of course, the British are all kept in limbo. The worst thing for the NATO alliance is loss of faith in American leadership. This happened to Jimmy Carter in the 1978, when he dithered about the Neutron Bomb. West Germany's Chancellor Helmut Schmidt lost all belief in Carter.</p> <p>George Bush left Obama with such a mess, from Iraq to Guantanamo Bay. It's amazing that Obama can sleep at night. After all the euphoria has died down ffrom last year's election, we need to know that Barack Obama can fill the chair in the Oval Office.</p> <p>I am praying that he is the real deal, and not Carter Mark 2.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/11/09/is-barack-obama-up-to-the-job-7340663/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>newshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/11/09/is-barack-obama-up-to-the-job-7340663/#commentshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/10/29/tony-blair-for-eu-president-seriously-7269892/tag:drsaki.blog.co.uk,2009-10-29:/2009/10/29/tony-blair-for-eu-president-seriously-7269892/Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:29:09 +0100 <p>You have got to be kidding me!Tony Blair is seriously being touted as President of the European Council, with Gordon Brown supporting him.Has the world gone mad?</p> <p>Tony Blair was not a committed European. During the ten years that he spent in Downing Street, he was so pro American to the point of embarassment. He willingly supported Bill Clinton when he bombed Iraq in 1998,and joined in the war in Kososvo.After 9/11, Blair was the first European leader to fly to Washington to express his support to George W Bush.Blair willingly agreed to the invasion of Iraq, even though there was no link between Saddamm Hussein and Al Qaeda. We were told repeatedly that there was intelligence that indicated that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction, and that there was clear and present danger to our security. Blair stood in parliament and spouted all this bullshit, perhaps convincing himself that this was the truth.</p> <p>The French and the Germans were not convinced, and for their sins, they were subjected to attacks in the media, basically calling them cowards.How can Blair call himself a good European?</p> <p>We never got a referendum on the euro,party because he was too much of a pussy with Rupert Murdoch. The support of the Sun was seen as far more important than our long term economic future.That was Tony Blair's committment to the European project.</p> <p>I suspect that ego and vanity is a major factor in this. Some leaders become addicted to motorcades and entourages that they find it hard to let go.</p> <p>Tony Blair is just the wrong man for the job. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/10/29/tony-blair-for-eu-president-seriously-7269892/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>politicshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/10/29/tony-blair-for-eu-president-seriously-7269892/#commentshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/10/21/bbc-bnp-and-free-speech-7218183/tag:drsaki.blog.co.uk,2009-10-21:/2009/10/21/bbc-bnp-and-free-speech-7218183/Wed, 21 Oct 2009 20:43:10 +0200 <p>Let's be blunt: Nick Griffin is a racist m___________r, who leads a nasty vile party. He is a white supremacist who would probably love to see anyone who is not white sent to the far corners of the Earth.He's that charming!The BNP are a bunch of racists that hark back to another era. We know exactly where the BNP is coming from.</p> <p>Despite this,we cannot pretend that the BNP don't exist.Afterall,they now have elected members in the European Parliament.The recent leaked list of the BNP members reveals that its members include teachers, nurses, the Police and(ahem)the clergy.So the members are not knuckle dragging Neanderthals ,but they cut across all sections of society. Therefore, we should be given the opportunity to hear Nick Griffin live on Question Time. He cannot claim that his words were edited or taken out of context. We can hear the garbage that comes out of the sewer that he calls a mouth.</p> <p>I object to the Anti Nazi League or any left wing pressure group telling me what to think. I got into an argument with some guy who wanted me to sign a petition outside the LSE.I told him that Nick Griffin should be heard on the BBC because we can make up our minds.Shouting him down or banning him is what he wants.That feeds into his warped view that he speaks the Truth.Let us listen to this Holocaust denier spout his crap.He will condemn himself with his own words, and show us who he really is.</p> <p>By the way, it would be fun to give Griffin a DNA test. Wouldn't it be hilarious if he Asian or Black blood somewhere in his gene pool!</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/10/21/bbc-bnp-and-free-speech-7218183/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>politicshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/10/21/bbc-bnp-and-free-speech-7218183/#commentshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/10/13/british-foreignpolicy-what-is-it-7163892/tag:drsaki.blog.co.uk,2009-10-13:/2009/10/13/british-foreignpolicy-what-is-it-7163892/Tue, 13 Oct 2009 22:50:58 +0200 <p>In the United States, there is a debate within the Obama Administration about the strategy to fight the war in Afghanistan.Do we send more troops or do we use more planes and drones to fight the Taliban? It's almost certain that Barack Obama will send more troops based on General McCrystal's report,to fight the insurgents.</p> <p>My qustion is: where is the debate in this country?There is no discussion here about strategy or Britain's interests. I get the impression is that Gordon Brown is waiting for Obama to give the green light so that he can send more British troops. Is that what we are Little Miss Echo?Neither the Tories nor Labour have engaged in any strategic debate on Britain's long time interests. Do we have to send more troops to fight in a country for a regime that is corrupt and whose legitimacy is in serious doubt? Our interest should not, must not be to copy the United States. We should map out what is best for Britain.</p> <p>For so long,Britain's foreign policy seemed to rubber stamp Washington. From the Gulf War in 1991, Kosovo,the invasion of Iraq and the current in Afghanistan, we have opted to support both Bushes and the Clinton Administration. Tony Blair was so keen to cosy up to the USA that he joined George W Bush in a crazy war in Iraq based on faulty, some would say doctored intelligence. Britain's reputation has never recovered.</p> <p>One of the few British leaders to see Britain's interests may be different from Washington's was Ted Heath. He drove through Britain's entry into the then EEC in 1972.He was not that keen to suck up to Washington.Our long term interests lay in being part of this political-economic power bloc.He was right.</p> <p>If David Cameron does enter Downing Street,then he will need to conduct a review about Britain's interests abroad. </p> <p>I have a horrible feeling that he will be Tony Blair-lite.He may prove me wrong. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/10/13/british-foreignpolicy-what-is-it-7163892/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>politicshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/10/13/british-foreignpolicy-what-is-it-7163892/#commentshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/10/10/anton-du-beke-and-racism-7139440/tag:drsaki.blog.co.uk,2009-10-10:/2009/10/10/anton-du-beke-and-racism-7139440/Sat, 10 Oct 2009 20:00:16 +0200 <p>Can someone explain to me why Carol Thatcher gets sacked by the BBC for calling someone a golliwog and yet Anton Du Beke is still on Strictly Come Dancing despite using the P-word?There is a contradiction there.I find it hard to believe that he hasn't been suspended or sacked. Why?</p> <p>The P-word is just as offensive as the N-word. Yes,I know that rap stars use it, and some black people use it when speaking with each other BUT that still does not blunt the nasty racist history that the N-word has.This is the word used during slavery, after slavery was abolished and is used today by racists, all over the world. Ron Atkinson lost his job as a football pundit because he failed to recognise that using the word nigger is a no-no. I suspect that this was how Big Ron spoke in private.His reputation has never quite recovered.</p> <p>My feeling is that the BBC do not regard the P-word as having the same power as the N-word. In other words, one is regarded as very offensive, while one is seen as unpleasant. If Anton du Beke had done a Big Ron, I think he would have been thrown out the door so fast, his feet would not touch the ground.</p> <p>We need to start talking about race a lot more in this country. I cannot recall a single speech by Gordon Brown about race.He is keen to suck up to Barack Obama, but when has he ever spoken about racism?In the United States, they talk about race to the point of obsession, over here we hardly discuss it.I have yet to hear David Cameron give a speech about race.</p> <p>The world is changing,no one can used the Paki and claim that they are joking. Words have power and can cause offense. Someone should tell Anton du Beke. He clearly hasn't got a clue.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/10/10/anton-du-beke-and-racism-7139440/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>newshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/10/10/anton-du-beke-and-racism-7139440/#commentshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/09/17/jordan-beware-the-cries-of-the-attention-whore-6986797/tag:drsaki.blog.co.uk,2009-09-17:/2009/09/17/jordan-beware-the-cries-of-the-attention-whore-6986797/Thu, 17 Sep 2009 22:26:29 +0200 <p>If there's one of the office types that I really dislike,it's the attention whore.<br> You know, the person that craves attention, that they will do anything.This person will talk louder than everyone else, always have some drama in their lives and,worse of all, they will make stuff up just to get attention.Every work place has one.</p> <p>If there's one thing worse than an attention whore, its the Celebrity variety.The name Katie Price immediately springs to mind. Has there ever been a worse example? Probably. Victoria Beckham, Geri Halliwell and Lady Gaga are serious practitioners of attention seeking behaviour(AS<img src="/img/smilies/icon_cool.gif" alt="B)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>Jordan's latest cry of rape is the worse form of ASB.Rape is a serious crime and rape convictions are very low as there is still doubt the victim's plight. For Jordan to take this traumatic event and use the media announce it is despicable.If this is such a horrific episode, then why was it not reported to the police?Why play a twisted game about the identity knowing full well that it will create a media frenzy?Remember the fuss with Ulrika and John Leslie?</p> <p>To me, this is just a desperate celebrity using an event to gain public sympathy and also remain in the public eye. You can't help notice that this has happened just after her divorce.The timing is dodgy. You start to wonder if the rape actually happened.Why reveal this now??Some people will say annything to keep themselves in the public eye.</p> <p>I hope that feminists and campaigners for women's right attack this form of behaviour. It's not doing the issue of rape any good.</p> <p>This is just the latest tactic of a sad attention whore. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/09/17/jordan-beware-the-cries-of-the-attention-whore-6986797/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>newshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/09/17/jordan-beware-the-cries-of-the-attention-whore-6986797/#commentshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/09/12/afghanistan-what-the-hell-do-we-do-6949636/tag:drsaki.blog.co.uk,2009-09-12:/2009/09/12/afghanistan-what-the-hell-do-we-do-6949636/Sat, 12 Sep 2009 19:01:49 +0200 <p>Barack Obama must go to bed each night cursing George Bush.Not only did he leave him with a messed up economy, he has left him with two wars to fight in Afghanistan and Iraq. </p> <p>Two wars!Now the wars are Obama's. He has already sent additional 20,000 troops to Afghanistan in the hope that this do the job against the Taliban and Al-Qaeda.Will it work?Already support for the war is waning,especially as we get almost daily reports of British troops who have been killed by a sniper or an IED.We are questioning the reason why we are there. We are clearly a long way from 2001, when the United States invaded Afghanistan determined to kick Al-Qaeda a serious kicking.After 9/11, the United States wanted revenge and Tony Blair was keen to be deputy sheriff.But here we are in 2009, and we are still bogged down, fighting the insurgents with no end in sight.The Western powers cannot win this war,despite haveing the technological edge. </p> <p>If that weren't enough, the government in Kabul is corrupt, and its authority is in question.<br> The recent election has not been decided, as there is a strong feeling that there were serious incidents of fraud.</p> <p>When is this going to end?</p> <p>I think that Afghanistan should be partitioned. Those who want to live under the rule of the Taliban should live in one part of Afghanistan, and the others who want to live under a modern emerging democracy live in another.I know that the Taliban are barbarians who have zero interest in female equality or democracy.But we cannot kill them all.I can think of no other solution. We can remain there forever,and yet the longer we stay the more we will alienate the Afghan people.Just look at the recent air strike of the oil tanker or the rescue of Stephen Farrell.We cannot win if we continue to piss the Afghan people off.It's as simple as that.It's the golden rule of counter insurgency.</p> <p>We need to withdraw and let Afghanistan decide its own future.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/09/12/afghanistan-what-the-hell-do-we-do-6949636/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>newshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/09/12/afghanistan-what-the-hell-do-we-do-6949636/#commentshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/08/23/the-lockerbie-bomber-total-disgrace-6803416/tag:drsaki.blog.co.uk,2009-08-23:/2009/08/23/the-lockerbie-bomber-total-disgrace-6803416/Sun, 23 Aug 2009 20:31:55 +0200 <p>So that's it, then. You can blow an airliner out of the sky, kill over 270 people on British soil, and then get released after only 8 years into your life sentence.</p> <p>Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi is now a free man, as the Scottish Justice Secretary has decided to release him on compassionate grounds. We are told that Mr al-Megrahi is dying of cancer.My response to that is: so what?We make him as comfortable as possible, allow his family to see him, but we don't let him go for Christ's sake!!</p> <p>What about the feelings of the 270 families who lost loved ones??Have their views not been taken into consideration?This whole thing stinks!</p> <p>I have never believed that one man alone was involved.Now we will never know the truth. What is the point of sending troops to fight in Afghanistan, when closer to home we will cut short term deals to suit commercial interests? The British Government can conveniently blame the decision on the Scottish government, but the reality, I suspect, is that Gordon Brown probably supported the release in order to appease Colonel Gaddaffy. Let's not forget the oil that the West needs and the fact Libya has recently come in from the cold. You get suspicious when you hear that Peter Mandelson met with Gaddaffy's son in Corfu. You don't have to be a conspiraccy theorist to start drawing your own conclusions, but you do have to be a cynic.Was the al-Megrahi release a deal breaker that London passed on to Edinburgh?</p> <p>Gordon Brown can then tell Washington that Britain had no say in the release, when we know that that is not quite the truth.The next time we hear a British politician spouting off about the "war on terror",we should tell him to shut up and piss off!!!</p> <p>We say one thing..........</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/08/23/the-lockerbie-bomber-total-disgrace-6803416/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>newshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/08/23/the-lockerbie-bomber-total-disgrace-6803416/#commentshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/08/14/uk-vs-usa-customer-service-6726035/tag:drsaki.blog.co.uk,2009-08-14:/2009/08/14/uk-vs-usa-customer-service-6726035/Fri, 14 Aug 2009 21:23:10 +0200 <p>I have just got back from my holiday in the USA.What an amazing place!The Americans do things totally different than we do, and somethings they do really well like customer service.</p> <p>Time and again, I was impressed with their attitude.</p> <p>On entering a restaurant, you are made to feel welcome, and the effort is made to avoid waiting. Your waiter or waitress will tell you his/her name and then will be polite and helpful. You are never made to feel that they are doing you a favour by serving you. We may laugh that Have a nice day smile, and dismiss it as false,but to them it's meant to demonstrate that our custom is valued. They want you to come back!They want you to have a good time. They may also want a tip, but hey, if you have made my experience a good one, then it's only fair.</p> <p>Compare that will service over here, where you are served by a moody, couldn't- give- a -toss person who hates the job with a passion.How many times have you been served by someone who frowns when you give then a large note or fails to smile? I was in a branch of the booksellers Barnes and Noble in New York, and there was an elderly man, who manned the information desk.He greeted each customer by telling them his name and then asking what they needed.He clearly loved his job!He was never less than helpful.</p> <p>It is noted that a lot of college kids over there work in order to pay for tuition.College being the route by which they will be a better job.They need the custom and the money.</p> <p>Comparing our attitude to customer relations with theirs is like comparing night and day.I can only conclude that a lot of people here hate their jobs and that's reflected in their attitude.The idea of working in a shop or eating place is seen as beneath them.Maybe this has something to do with our attitude to class. Do you notice how many people apply to go on Big Brother or X Factor?Working in a shoe shop or a bookshop is something that other people do,not me,mate!</p> <p>When it comes to customer service, it's sad to say that the US beats us hands down.</p> <p>Have a nice day, y'hear? </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/08/14/uk-vs-usa-customer-service-6726035/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>lifehttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/08/14/uk-vs-usa-customer-service-6726035/#commentshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/07/02/whatever-happened-to-science-on-tv-6439233/tag:drsaki.blog.co.uk,2009-07-02:/2009/07/02/whatever-happened-to-science-on-tv-6439233/Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:51:55 +0200 <p>Do you remember Tomorrow's World?It was the BBC TV series that tried to update us on new inventions or scientific processes. It ran for decades.Maybe you can recall Equinox, which was a slightly more highbrow science programme on Channel Four. There was also Horizon.Now we no longer have these programmes on TV. </p> <p>We now have programmes about police chases, coookery by celebs or property porn. The people who commission programmes are no longer interested in science or technology. More accurately , they think that we are no longer interested in science. Fools! </p> <p>Open your news paper and what will you see?Stories about swine flu or global warming.You will hear of IVF treatment, or breast cancer. We are surrounded by and influenced by science and scientific advancement on a daily basis.The growth of the internet has changed the way we live forever.Our lives have changed by computers, cellphones and satellites.What was once science fiction is now fact.Who in 1960 would have predicted the cellphone??</p> <p>Yet the relentess dumbing down of our popular culture continues, as we are fed endless pap like Big Brother or Ladettes to Ladies on TV.We celebrate reality tv stars, footballers and Wags. Yet we ignore scientists, as they are not sexy enough, or they are seen as boring.</p> <p>Forty years ago this month, man walked on the moon. This was a supreme example of man using technology and science to increase his knowledge of the universe.It was the boffins(scientists) who invented the rocket that put astronauts in space.We should celebrate that. One day, we are going to run out of oil,and or cars will need a new kind of fuel.We will have to invent a new type of engine to replace the internal combustion engine.Who will we need to solve that crisis?</p> <p>Here's a clue: It won't be footballers or glamour models.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/07/02/whatever-happened-to-science-on-tv-6439233/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>sciencehttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/07/02/whatever-happened-to-science-on-tv-6439233/#commentshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/06/28/michael-jackson-rip-6414928/tag:drsaki.blog.co.uk,2009-06-28:/2009/06/28/michael-jackson-rip-6414928/Sun, 28 Jun 2009 19:05:21 +0200 <p>Where were you when you heard the sad news? Did you think it was a hoax?I got a phone call from my brother, and then checked web.Like 9/11 or Diana's death, you could not quite believe it. He has been with us for decades. Some of us can even recall watching the cartoon series on TV.</p> <p>Deapite all the rumours about his death, one thing is clear: Michael Jackson is now at peace. No longer needing to take painkillers,no longer having to mutilate his face with cosmetic surgery. No man who totally alters his appearance in the way that MJ did, can be happy. For all his fame and talent,Michaal Jackson seems to have been tormented by demons.The papers have shown us the various pictures of Michael at various stages of his life. The Michael from the late 1970s is totally different in appearance from the Michael who saw in the late 1990s. Was there no one around him to say stop!How many operations did he have on his face?Is that global superstardom does to you?</p> <p>I do not think we will ever know the truth surrounding his death.There are too many competing interests, that will prevent the truth comming out,not least of them being,money. You can expect everyone to start cashing in from the nanny, the lawyer and the bodyguards.The sad thing is that there are three children who have been left without a father. They are the ones that will need love and care.We should pray for them.</p> <p>Rest easy Michael. </p> <p>May you keep moonwalking forever.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/06/28/michael-jackson-rip-6414928/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>newshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/06/28/michael-jackson-rip-6414928/#commentshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/06/23/time-to-bury-political-correctness-6373637/tag:drsaki.blog.co.uk,2009-06-23:/2009/06/23/time-to-bury-political-correctness-6373637/Tue, 23 Jun 2009 21:21:46 +0200 <p>Do you remember a film called Blazing Saddles??It was a gloriously funny Western made in the 1970s. Some of the jokes were so outrageous that you had to laugh despite the un-PC nature.In the 1970s, you could get away with being blatantly sexist, racist and homophobic.</p> <p>Today, we all tread on egg shells, because we are scared. We can't say Merry Christmas for fear of offending non Christians, even though this is a Christian country!!If you express any kind of preference for immigration control, you are deemed a racist, even though we are an island with limited resources to accommodate all who want to come here. Is is unfair to expect that if someone comes here illegally, that they should be deported back to their home country?Should we let in everyone who wants to live here, just because they use the magic words Human Rights??Speaking as a child of immigrants, I know that there must be a limit in the numbers.Social cohesion depends on it.</p> <p>What about Europe??The EEC has now morphed into the EU at such a speed that it has become a giant.It has moved further East taking in more and more of the former Warsaw Pact. Who approved this?When did we have a say in this? If you express any type of dissent, then you are labelled anti European or Euro sceptic.The reality is that Britain ability to rule itself slowly being taken away without our say so.UKIP may come across as nutters and Little Englanders, but they do have a point.</p> <p>If I were to express my opinion that I object to gays being ordained to become priests or gay marriage, would that make me a homophobe? </p> <p>What political correctness has done is stifle debate. We are now so afraid, that we adopt a neutral non offensive stance to avoid hurting anyone.In a democracy where free speech is fundamental, we should be able to express ourseleves without fear. Unfortunately, that is slowly being eroded.</p> <p>Where is this going to lead?</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/06/23/time-to-bury-political-correctness-6373637/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>politicshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/06/23/time-to-bury-political-correctness-6373637/#commentshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/06/16/sons-of-anarchy-vs-heartbeat-6319611/tag:drsaki.blog.co.uk,2009-06-16:/2009/06/16/sons-of-anarchy-vs-heartbeat-6319611/Tue, 16 Jun 2009 22:10:41 +0200 <p>I've started watching a US drama called Sons of Anarchy about motorcycle gangs in California. As expected it's well written, fast paced and well acted. It's great drama. Like a lot of imported dramas like 24,Lost, Mad Men,Heroes and Prison Break,it's compulsive viewing.</p> <p>The question I have to ask is: Why can't we make dramas like this? We don't make great sitcoms anymore(My Family???)and we hardly make good drama. What we do make is reality TV that appeals to the masses like Big Brother, Britain's Got Talent and X-Factor. When the history of our popular culture in the 2000s is written, what will historians say?</p> <p>British TV became lazy and dumbed down. No longer willing to take risks or try anything daring.The suits that run television became obsessed with ratings and celebrity. Which is why Emmerdale is on almost every night, and Channel 4 is littered with reality TV shows like Wife Swap and Super Nanny.Where is the vision in this country to produce something like The Wire?What happened to the creative genius that used to make The Singing Detective or Cracker?Where are the writers with any ambition to think outside the box?Dramas like Life on Mars are very rare.</p> <p>It's no accident that so many British actors are working in Hollywood.Without a Trace,The Wire and Rome all have or had British actors in the cast.</p> <p>The fault is ours- we have not demanded better television.We have accepted the shit that has been offered to us.No one else is to blame.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/06/16/sons-of-anarchy-vs-heartbeat-6319611/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>entertainmenthttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/06/16/sons-of-anarchy-vs-heartbeat-6319611/#commentshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/06/07/the-dying-days-of-new-labour-6254916/tag:drsaki.blog.co.uk,2009-06-07:/2009/06/07/the-dying-days-of-new-labour-6254916/Sun, 07 Jun 2009 12:05:29 +0200 <p>The Labour Party has got itself in a real pickle.It has occurred that many within the party that Gordon Brown is a liability.Now what do they do?</p> <p>The Guardian practically told him to get lost last week. Effectively, they have seen the lack of any leadership from him.This is a man who lacks vision. He offers nothing for the country, as his strategy is to hold on to power until 2010.The reality is that the Gordon Brown has failed to inspire the nation, he lacks the communication skills that a modern leader needs.Watching him on YouTube made you cringe!</p> <p>The expenses scandal exposed the lack of leadership from Brown. He failed to get out in front of the story. He allowed David Cameron to outflank him. He even allowed Joanna Lumley to take centre stage on the Gurkha issue.</p> <p>The Labour Party should have had a proper contest in 2007 when Blair stepped down. That was a perfect opportunity to discuss ideas and renew the ideals of the Labour Party. What did the party stand for? Instead,they made Gordon Brown the leader without a debate. This was a man who craved to be Prime Minister above all else. All the problems the party faces now began in 2007.Gordon Brown made sure that there was no opposition, and therefore no debate.He does not like to share the stage, as he believes that he alone has the qualities/substance to lead.</p> <p>Today,the Labour Party is still afraid to get rid him even though the Tories look like winning the next general election.Someone has got to grow a set of cojones(balls)and stand against Gordon. Either that or Labour will be wiped out at the polls next year.</p> <p>Who is going to man up?? </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/06/07/the-dying-days-of-new-labour-6254916/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>politicshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/06/07/the-dying-days-of-new-labour-6254916/#commentshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/06/01/going-to-the-movies-my-pet-hates-6216219/tag:drsaki.blog.co.uk,2009-06-01:/2009/06/01/going-to-the-movies-my-pet-hates-6216219/Mon, 01 Jun 2009 21:44:26 +0200 <p>I have always loved movies.However,I know there will come a point when I will stop going to the cinema.Most films are not made for the 40+ male. </p> <p>Here are the things I truly hate about going to the cinema:</p> <p>1. People who keep talking during the film:You are not at home-SHUT UP!</p> <p>2. People who answer their mobile phones-Voicemail??</p> <p>3. People who arrive late and then wander around endlessly until they find the "right" seat.</p> <p>4. The over priced snacks that they sell.Three quid for a Coke!</p> <p>5. Crappy trailers, that usually show the best bits of Hollywood movies that are usually mediocre at best. The worst movie I've seen this year was Duplicity starring Clive Owen and Julia Roberts. The trailer was quite good.</p> <p>6. The price of the tickets, some of them are ludicrous,especially in Central London. </p> <p>Those are my gripes,I'm sure people have many more.I have left out things like the poor quality of the cinematic product ie Hollywood.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/06/01/going-to-the-movies-my-pet-hates-6216219/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>entertainmenthttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/06/01/going-to-the-movies-my-pet-hates-6216219/#commentshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/05/17/where-is-the-british-left-6131372/tag:drsaki.blog.co.uk,2009-05-17:/2009/05/17/where-is-the-british-left-6131372/Sun, 17 May 2009 20:28:50 +0200 <p>What a week! Our news has been dominated by one issue:MPs expenses. Right across the political spectrum, we have heard of our politicians abusing the expenses given to them by the taxpayer. From fully paid up mortgages to trouser presses,the stories have been mind boggling. We really have to thank The Daily Telegraph for exposing this abuse to the public.</p> <p>The question is what now?The Right, in the form of UKIP and the BNP are hoping to reap the rewards of this. They will say that the traditional parties have been involved in a cosy little scam to rip off the tax payer. They will hope that the voters, pissed off with these revelations, will turn on the mainstream parties. God forbid that the electorate will turn to a racist cligue like the BNP or a bunch of Little Englanders like UKIP.</p> <p>I have to ask, where is the Left??There must be a strong leftwing counterbalance to this. It's clear that capitalism and our system of democracy has been discredited. The banks have proved that they are greedy and incompetent. We are in this financial crisis because, the politicians failed to regulate the banks, and the banks became obssessed with bonuses and shares. Effectively, our whole economic system has been called into question.We need a democratic socialist alternative that outlines an alternative. We need widespread reform of both our political system and neither of the main parties are up to the job.</p> <p>Gordon Brown has proved to be a disaster as Prime Minister, constantly reacting to events. David Cameron seems to be interesed in outfoxing Brown with no clear strategic vision. This a perfect opportunity for Greens or AN Other party to provide a serious alternative.</p> <p>Now more than ever, we need new politics.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/05/17/where-is-the-british-left-6131372/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>politicshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/05/17/where-is-the-british-left-6131372/#commentshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/05/09/the-sad-decline-of-itv-6086368/tag:drsaki.blog.co.uk,2009-05-09:/2009/05/09/the-sad-decline-of-itv-6086368/Sat, 09 May 2009 13:39:52 +0200 <p>The news that the arts programme South Bank Show will be axed in 2010 comes as no surprise.I have watched a steady decline in the quality of ITV over the past ten years.The end of SBS which was a really good arts programme was one of the few programmes that was remotely challenging to ITV viewers. It never assumed that its audience are idiots or that culture was something to be ashamed of.</p> <p>You look at ITV and you see a channel that has become a clapped out whorehouse of a channel.Old episodes of Quincy,gamesshows,Hell's Kitchen, X Factor and Emmerdale Farm. There is not one single programme of any intellectual weight. No current affairs shows like Weekend World or World in Action. The people who run ITV must assume that its audience are morons interested in soaps, celebrities and reality TV. Michael Grade has not improved the quality of ITV's output at all.</p> <p>Those of us who watch television, have noted the amount of quality US drama on TV from The Wire to Damages. None of them on ITV! In addiction, when was the alst time that we saw a British drama that we all discussed at work the next day??Cracker? </p> <p>One of the greatest documentaries ever made ,The World at War ,was made on ITV in the 1970s. Today, no tv boss would approve that sort of television.I assume that they would conclude that today's viewers are not interested in history or culture.Let's feed them crap like Emmerdale or Loose Women.</p> <p>I can recall the days of The Sweeney,Upstairs Downstairs and Minder. Now there are no decent sitcoms produced, or even gameshows like Blockbusters.What have is a ratings obsessed, dumbed down channel that is risk averse with its eye on the bottom line.</p> <p>The most tragic thing is that we have allowed this to happen. We would rather watch X Factor than a drama that appeals to our intelligence (like The Wire). If we want to blame anyone the sad state of our television,we only need to look in the mirror.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/05/09/the-sad-decline-of-itv-6086368/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>entertainmenthttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/05/09/the-sad-decline-of-itv-6086368/#commentshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/05/04/whatever-happened-to-the-royal-family-6057037/tag:drsaki.blog.co.uk,2009-05-04:/2009/05/04/whatever-happened-to-the-royal-family-6057037/Mon, 04 May 2009 15:10:19 +0200 <p>One of the many changes to our nation since 2000 has been the decline of the House of Windsor.By decline I mean that the Royal Famly have almost disappeared from national life. We now pay more attention to Wags,soap stars and film stars than we do to Princess Anne or Prince Charles.<br> Our media only seem interested in the royals unless there is new girlfriend for Harry or Willaim or a bust up outside a nightclub.We now regard them as semi celebrities.The decline of the Royal Family has been steadily progressing since the 1980s, when coverage by the press depicted the Windsors as a soap opera. The endless splashes in the tabloid press from the Andrew Morton books to the Paul Burrell revelations have seen a marked decline in royal coverage. Even more corrosive has been the reduction in respect for the royals as they became foddet for gossip hungry media.</p> <p>Do you remember when the Queen used to visit a foreign country? It would receive widespread coverage. Now we hardly see or hear of the Queen and her family. Recently,she became a YouTube hit through her comments about Silivio Berlusconni( Italian PM)at the recent G20 summit.The fuss about US First Lady Michelle Obama touching the Queen created one of those fake media scandals that our celebrity driven media love to report.</p> <p>The Truth is that the Queen is important.She is a symbol of our nation,representative of its history and and its changes which are to come. She has met every Prime Minister since Winston Churchill. Barack Obama is the 11th US President that she has met!We are truly blessed to have as Head of State someone who has acquired a huge amount of wisdom and experience. Someone who reprsents change and also continuity at the same time.</p> <p>It is sad that we seem to have tipexed her out of our daily life. The deaths of Princess Diana and the Queen Mother showed that there is lots of affection for the Royal Family and that we have not quite succumbed to republicanism yet.</p> <p>When the Queen passes away, we will realise what a treasure she is, and how luck we have been.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/05/04/whatever-happened-to-the-royal-family-6057037/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>newshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/05/04/whatever-happened-to-the-royal-family-6057037/#commentshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/05/01/movies-in-2000s-mediocre-crap-6043019/tag:drsaki.blog.co.uk,2009-05-01:/2009/05/01/movies-in-2000s-mediocre-crap-6043019/Fri, 01 May 2009 21:38:19 +0200 <p>How many great films have we seen since 2000??There have been some really good films like Gladiator and the Bourne movies. There have been some good European films like Amelie, Hidden and the Lives of Others. </p> <p>By and large, I think the films have been piss poor this decade. Way too many remakes of classic films like The Omen, Poseideon Adventure, and the Pink Panther!!Way too many sequels like Transporter,Saw and Hostel. It seems as if creativity has been totally drained away from Hollywood.Let's face it, we watch most of our cinematic products from Tinsel Town.We refuse to accept that some films from the Continent may be superior, but then we hate reading subtitles.Too much hard work??</p> <p>If you look back over the past decade from 1990 to 1999, by this point we had seen Heat, Mission Impossible,Independence Day,Seven, Sense and Sensibility,The English Patient,Saving Private Ryan and Goodfellas.All are classics. Why? They have stood the test of time, we can watch them again and again.I know The Matrix inside out, and still enjoy it.The subsequent sequels added nothing to the original. L A Confidential is just pure class, with some kick ass performances from Russell Crowe and Kevin Spacey.Do you recall the first time you ever saw Pulp Fiction? You knew that Tarantino had created something special,have John Travolta and Samuel Jackson done anything as good as that?</p> <p>It's clear that as more film studios become part of entertainment conglomerates, the bottom line is the primary goal. Hollywood is more risk averse , keen to maximise profit from the global box office.The making of good art is the least of their concern.</p> <p>The product that we consume in our cinema is going to get worse. Be prepared for more remakes and big screen versions of TV shows. </p> <p>I wonder what will we watching in 2020?? </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/05/01/movies-in-2000s-mediocre-crap-6043019/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>entertainmenthttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/05/01/movies-in-2000s-mediocre-crap-6043019/#commentshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/04/25/the-continual-tragedy-of-iraq-6006129/tag:drsaki.blog.co.uk,2009-04-25:/2009/04/25/the-continual-tragedy-of-iraq-6006129/Sat, 25 Apr 2009 18:50:21 +0200 <p>We hardly hear about Iraq these days. The news media hardly covers the conflict, as we all know that the Americans and British will be out by 2011. Most British troops are off the street, and Basra is back in the hands of Iraqis.</p> <p>And yet, people are being killed.Two suicide bombers attacked a Shia shrine in Baghdad yesterday, killing over 60 people. Someone will have to explain to me the thinking behind the suicide bomber. What exactly does he or she set out to achieve? What greater good of mankind is created by this act of madness? Muslims killing each other for what?</p> <p>You do wonder what will happen to Iraq once all the coalition troops leave.</p> <p>One thing is certain, none of this would have happened if Blair and Bush not invaded Iraq. Sectarian killings,attacks on women and mass murder is the by product of the invasion and occupation.Saddam may have been an evil bastard, but was he a threat to world peace?Bush and Blair obviously thought so and the Iraqi people are continuing to suffer.</p> <p>So while they all write books,and earn huge fees for speeches, the torment will continue for the Iraqis.</p> <p>I hope that there is a special place in Hell for Bush, Blair, Powell,Rumsfeld,Straw,Campbell and Perle. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/04/25/the-continual-tragedy-of-iraq-6006129/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>newshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/04/25/the-continual-tragedy-of-iraq-6006129/#commentshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/03/30/the-ballad-of-gordon-brown-5861744/tag:drsaki.blog.co.uk,2009-03-30:/2009/03/30/the-ballad-of-gordon-brown-5861744/Mon, 30 Mar 2009 21:13:57 +0200 <p>It's going to be a cringefest this week. Gordon Brown is going to present himself as the saviour of the world at this week's G20 summit. On top of that, he is going to suck up US President Barack Obama with a shamelessness that will be breathtaking.</p> <p>Oh Dear!</p> <p>Gordon Brown is the perfect embodiment of that saying: be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.He wanted to be Prime Minister so badly that he practically forced Tony Blair out the door(mind you, Blair's time was up)to get into 10 Downing Street.</p> <p>Since he took over in 2007, Brown has seen the British economy hover on the precipice of a recession. By 2010, it is estimated that over 3 million people will have lost their jobs.And yet our Gordon seeks to lecture other European nations about economic management.The so called Anglo Saxon model of capitalism , which was fuelled by credit was seen as the model to be emulated.Now we know that Gordon's claims was pure bullshit. We were living in a false paradise in a fantasy.We, all of us where seduced by this. From the mad housing boom, the easy availibilty of credit, the crazy mortgages that people took out and the willingness of banks to take ever more risks. </p> <p>The banks were not regulated because Brown refused to reign them in. He was too busy getting cosy with them. The same Fred Goodwin of RBS who is now being labelled as Public Enemy Number One, was once his pal.Blair and Brown were dazzled by bankers and financiers.New Labour was a like a wannabe Wag meeting a footballer, the knickers come not drop fast enough! </p> <p>Now, as the world economy crumbles and we all feel the pinch, Brown will try to present himself as Superman.Next year we will prove that his claims of financial prudence were total spin and bullshit.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/03/30/the-ballad-of-gordon-brown-5861744/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>politicshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/03/30/the-ballad-of-gordon-brown-5861744/#commentshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/03/16/1979-what-a-year-5769115/tag:drsaki.blog.co.uk,2009-03-16:/2009/03/16/1979-what-a-year-5769115/Mon, 16 Mar 2009 22:16:34 +0100 <p>The media love anniversaries. For example, last year was the 40th anniversary of 1968.They love 1968, as it is year filled with dramatic events like the assassinations of Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King.Just you wait until November, it will mark the 20th anniversary of the Berlin War coming down in 1989. Effectively, that meant that the Cold War over.You can expect lots of interviews and documentaries to reflect on that event.</p> <p>So what about 1979?</p> <p>In my humble 1979, is one of the most significant years in post war history.The current world we live is largely shaped by events that took place in that year. </p> <p>In 1979, the Shah of Iran fled the country and a revolution took place in Iran.For the first time in history a modern state became an Islamic republic.With Ayatollah Khomeini as its spiritual leader, the world had to learn how to deal with an oil rich state that marched to its own drum and not to the West. To this day, the West has not worked out how to relate to Iran. Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan,George Bush(father and son) all failed.Barack Obama is trying, especially by offering incentives, especially to prevent Iran gaining nuclear weapons.Iran has also exerted herself abroad in places like Lebanon and Iraq.</p> <p>1979, is the 30th aniversary of the peace treaty between Israel and Egypt. Despite this, we are no nearer peace. The Palestinians do not have a state and Israel is still not at peace with her neighbours. In 2006, Israel invaded Lebanon and in 2008, she invaded Gaza.Neither actions have made her any more secure from terrorist attack.Until the Palestinians have a home and Israel ends her occupation of the Golan Heights, there will be no peace. The Arabs have state publicly that Isreal is here to stay and they should live with it.</p> <p>1979 saw the Soviet Union invasion of Afghanistan. Who could have predicted what would happen next? CIA sponsored resistance,bleeding the Red Army and the eventual Soviet withdrawal. The Taliban take over, giving refuge to Al Qaeda. From there they launch terror attacks on the West, including attacks on New York. You know the rest.Only Jack Higgins or Freddie Forsythe could have dreamt up such a story in 1979!Today, we have Nato bogged down in Afghanistan, unable to withdraw but unable to defeat the Taliban.</p> <p>Let's not forget that in 1979, the United States opened its embassy in Beijing giving full diplomatic recognition to the Peoples Republic.Effectively, the Americans were sayng that China was too big a country to ignore. Today, China is on its way to being a superpower with an economy and military to back it up. Where once we feared the power and influence of Japan, its now China we worry about.Last year's Olympic Games was China's announcement to the world that she was a world power-live with it.</p> <p>Last but not least,1979 was the year that a certain woman became Prime Minister in Great Britain.The Conservatives kicked the post was consensus to the curb. The market was all,with state susbisidised business allowed to fail. British Gas, BT, British Water were all sold off. Margaret Thatcher believed that capitalism without state control was what Britain needed.She was revolutionary in that she wanted to shatter the Tories acceptance of the consensus. Where she failed is that she gave the impression that she was heartless. From the miners to the printers she threw thousands out of work.No Briish Prime minister inspires so much hatred.The Tories have failed to shake off her long shadow. The handbag looms large even today.The Labour Party more or less accepted Thatcherism. You can argue that the current financial mess is a direct result of Tony Blair(and Gordon Brown's) acceptance economic theory.They hardly reigned in the banks, which saw an economic boom based on credit not industrial output. WHAT exactly do we make now???</p> <p>1979 what a year!</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/03/16/1979-what-a-year-5769115/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>politicshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/03/16/1979-what-a-year-5769115/#commentshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/02/28/ivan-cameron-the-media-coverage-5665925/tag:drsaki.blog.co.uk,2009-02-28:/2009/02/28/ivan-cameron-the-media-coverage-5665925/Sat, 28 Feb 2009 14:11:01 +0100 <p>It was sad to hear of the death of David Cameron's son,Ivan. You look at the pictures of the parents, David and Sammantha and you know that their whole world has been shattered.It is a personal tragedy for the Cameron family and friends.</p> <p>What I resent is the over the top coverage by our media of this child's death. On Wednesday Newsnight, the first fifteen minutes of the programme was devoted to this tragedy. The coverage in the newspapers was ludicrous!This was not a celebrity, this was not someone who chased fame,but a sick child. It is a mark of how personality/celebrity driven our media is that this item dominated the news. The BBC treated this like it was a national tragedy, which it was not,the sheer carpet bombing of coverage was screaming at us: YOU MUST BE UPSET ABOUT THIS!! THIS IS A SAD STORY!!</p> <p>Most of us don't need to be told how to feel, especially when Ivan Cameron was not a public figure.The death of Princess Diana in 1997 opened the door to this type of coverage.Hysterical,sentimental and lacking any sense of propoprtion. We've seen this with tragedy in Soham, and more recently with the Jade Goody saga. Private tragedies are now blown up into huge events due to a dumbed down media.With a 24 hour news culture, competition and celebrity culture, our media has thrown restraint to the wind, and adopted an overly sentimental personality obsessed style of coverage.</p> <p>You don't believe me? Just look at how many tabloid and "serious" journalists covered Jade Goody's wedding last week.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/02/28/ivan-cameron-the-media-coverage-5665925/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>newshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/02/28/ivan-cameron-the-media-coverage-5665925/#commentshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/02/16/jade-goody-is-not-diana-5589142/tag:drsaki.blog.co.uk,2009-02-16:/2009/02/16/jade-goody-is-not-diana-5589142/Mon, 16 Feb 2009 23:05:58 +0100 <p>I fear that Jade Goody is being Dianafied!</p> <p>Let me explain. The media ( or certain parts of it)seems to be pushing Jade's story onto us. The more coverage she receives, the more importance the story will appear to be. Last night, I caught the late night news bulletin on five. Guess what the lead story was??It wasn't the banking collapse,Gaza or Afghanistan.</p> <p>Jade's illness is a tragedy for her and her family. You would have to be devoid of humanity you felt no sadness for this young woman and her two young sons. Her main aim is to ensure that her children are provided for after she has gone. What was touching has been her comments that her sons get the proper education that she never had.</p> <p>What we should not do is make this into some media event that we should all share in.Let's remember who Jade is, she's a young woman who was created by reality TV and became rich and famous as a result. This fame is achieved without having any talent or education to speak of.<br> Jade is not Princess Diana or Mother Teresa. Hopefully the media will get the right sense of proportion regarding this story.Mind you, our media is so celebrity driven and so dumbed down , that nothing will surprise me.</p> <p>Remember the news coverage of Paris Hilton's release from jail?? </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/02/16/jade-goody-is-not-diana-5589142/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>newshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/02/16/jade-goody-is-not-diana-5589142/#commentshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/01/24/what-is-it-about-tom-cruise-5439965/tag:drsaki.blog.co.uk,2009-01-24:/2009/01/24/what-is-it-about-tom-cruise-5439965/Sat, 24 Jan 2009 20:59:29 +0100 <p>I'll admit it. I am a Tom Cruise fan. I think he's a good actor.He's not great in the way that Daniel Day-Lewis or Al Pacino is great, but he can act.In films like Rain Man, Collateral,Magnolia,Mission Impossible Jerry Maguire and Born on the Fourth of July, he delivers the goods.</p> <p>One of the things I've noticed is that his films are reviewed by people who really hate him. For example, his currently release Valkyrie, is being slammed by critics who dismiss him as an actor. This means that their views of the film are biased. What we are getting are snide comments by a group of people who clearly despise this man.Why??The film is not being judged on its merits, but is pulled apart by snobby critics.</p> <p>Is that because he is a Scientologist?I admit that I would run a mile from Scientology and anyone trying to sel it to me.I think you can separate the man from the actor. You judge him on his merits. John Wayne made some classic films and is regarded as one of the all time greats. Yet, his politics are so right wing, you could only describe him as reactionary. Vanessa Redgrave is a fine actress,AND she is a staunch socialist who is member of the Workers Revolutionary Party. Do we hold that against her?</p> <p>Why does Tom Cruise get the shit from the critics? Maybe its because he clearly likes being an A list movie star and all the trappings. In many ways he reminds me of Robert Redford who never got the credit for his acting, It was only when he became a director that the critics gave him his due.</p> <p>Maybe that if Cruise directs a film that garners critical acclaim , then the haters will shut up.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/01/24/what-is-it-about-tom-cruise-5439965/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>movieshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/01/24/what-is-it-about-tom-cruise-5439965/#commentshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/01/18/israel-has-become-the-incredible-hulk-5402828/tag:drsaki.blog.co.uk,2009-01-18:/2009/01/18/israel-has-become-the-incredible-hulk-5402828/Sun, 18 Jan 2009 23:21:55 +0100 <p>If you know your Marvel Comics, you'll know that Bruce Banner turns into the Incredible Hulk once he becomes angry. In the TV series, he would actually say<img src="/img/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" class="middle" border="0">on't make me angry, you wouldn't like me when I'm angry!</p> <p>Israel and more specifically her armed forces have done a spot on Hulk impersonation.In response to rocket attacks by Hamas ,Israel has unleashed the full might of her military on Gaza. The figures speaks for themeselves, well over 1,000 Palestinians killed and opposed the 13 Israelis killed by Hamas's rockets.Israel has effectively done a Dresden on Gaza if I can use a World War Two analogy.</p> <p>What has this war actually achieved?</p> <p>I saw the Israelis Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on TV telling the people of Gaza( I shit you not)that Israel was not their enemy.!!!</p> <p>Israel has created new enemies, it has ensured that Hamas has a vast pool of recruits willing to attack her in the future. Worst of all, it has added more fuel to the cycle of hate. More people will see violence and terror as the only way to end the occupation.Hamas has not been destroyed, it can't be as it's not just a military organisation.It's a political voice for the Palestinians. At some point, Hamas and Fatah will have to join forces and talk to Israel. Fighter jets and rockets will not solve this problem. No amount of military power will create a lasting peace while the Palestinians are still under occupation.</p> <p>Barack Obama may be about the inherit the in tray from Hell, but this issue has be to addded to his tasks. Only a fully engaged America can cut through the Gordian Knot that this problem can become. George Bush was so blatantly pro Israel , that any serious peace effort was not viable especially when he became absorbed into the War on Terror.</p> <p>The stakes are just too high.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/01/18/israel-has-become-the-incredible-hulk-5402828/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>newshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/01/18/israel-has-become-the-incredible-hulk-5402828/#commentshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/01/06/the-gaza-crisis-death-of-arab-unity-5334479/tag:drsaki.blog.co.uk,2009-01-06:/2009/01/06/the-gaza-crisis-death-of-arab-unity-5334479/Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:25:40 +0100 <p>Another year has ended,and we are still miles away from a peace settlement in the Middle East.The Israelis have invaded Gaza hoping to kill off/cripple Hamas. Despite her superior weapons and unqualified support from the Bush Administration, Israel is still no safer than it was a year ago.</p> <p>At some stage we have to accept that there has been no serious attempt to settle the Palestinian Question since 2000.For all his flaws, Bill Clinton did try at Camp David to broker an agreement between the late Yasir Arafat and then Prime Minister Ehud Barak</p> <p>George Bush was not prepared to invest time or energy to seek a settlement. On top of that, he was so blatantly pro Israel, that he could never be an honest broker.Now we have to wait and see what Barack Obama will do. He inherits the Problem from Hell on top of the economic mess,Iraq and Afghanistan.We should all wish him luck.</p> <p>The one thing that always puzzles me is that the Arabs have failed to exert any influence in the region. They allow the United States to invade and occupy Iraq, they sit by while Israel invades Lebanon(2006) and now they watch from the sidelines as Israel emabrks on another miltary adventure. If there is to be peace in the region, then there must be a leader with vision who can speak for the the Arabs. Impossible? Gamal Abdel Nasser once did it. Those were the days when Egypt was a serious Arab power. Now, she is a key American ally.Even Saudi Arabia with her oil wealth does not take the lead.</p> <p>Just as a Africa seems to lack leaders of vision, so does the Arab States. The ordinary citizens in the Arab world deserve better. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/01/06/the-gaza-crisis-death-of-arab-unity-5334479/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>newshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2009/01/06/the-gaza-crisis-death-of-arab-unity-5334479/#commentshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2008/12/13/zimbabwe-time-for-africa-to-man-up-5215121/tag:drsaki.blog.co.uk,2008-12-13:/2008/12/13/zimbabwe-time-for-africa-to-man-up-5215121/Sat, 13 Dec 2008 16:05:49 +0100 <p>If you look into the African Despots HandBook, you'll see that Robert Mugabe has follwed all the instructions. He's stolen elections, destroyed all opposition, tortured opponents and of course, stolen money from the state to fund a lavish lifestyle. Like all our favourites Like Idi Amin, Emperor Bokassa, Mobutu Sese Seko and Sani Abacha, your friendly African despot must destroy his country in the process.</p> <p>Watching the currents events in Zimbabwe, you wonder at what point will the Southern African leaders make the final demand to force Mugabe from power? There is effectively no health care system in his country, hence the cholera outbreak and still he denies it! Why is South Africa so afraid to confront him??This is a man who has also created a refugee problem with thousands fleeing to South Africa to escape the slowly dying country.</p> <p>The African nations have made noises about Mugabe stepping down, but until they put actions into words, they will just be mere posturing. South Africa have got to grow some balls, and quick before this tragedy gets any worse. A whole nation is being ruined by a megalomaniac and his cronies. </p> <p>It's time for them to leave and also for them to face trial for crimes against humanity.It's time for him to join Saddam Hussein and Slobadan Milossavic. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2008/12/13/zimbabwe-time-for-africa-to-man-up-5215121/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>newshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2008/12/13/zimbabwe-time-for-africa-to-man-up-5215121/#commentshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2008/12/04/whatever-happened-to-honour-in-britain-5159934/tag:drsaki.blog.co.uk,2008-12-03:/2008/12/04/whatever-happened-to-honour-in-britain-5159934/Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:02:48 +0100 <p>The recent terror attacks in Mumbai have highlighted the difference between India and Britain as far as the politcal attitudes to terror.It is amazing that government ministers resigned in India as a result of the horrific terror attacks.The resignations indicate that some members of the government still take responsibiilty for the failure of the government to prevent the attacks.</p> <p>You look at these events there, and then compare them with recent events in this country.</p> <p>Dr David Kelly, who was a government scientist, was hounded until he killed himself.<br> Who accepted responsibilty for this man's death?</p> <p>Britain joins an inavsion of Iraq in 2003 without the support of the United Nations Security Council . The basis of the invasion is that Saddam Hussein is in the process of acquiring weapons of mass destruction. Our then Prime minister and his cabinet vote for the invasion.An entire nation is subjected to inavsion, occupation and virtual civil war based on lies, and piss poor intelligence. No weapons were ever found. Neither Tony Blair,Jack Straw or Geoff Hoon chose to resign.</p> <p>The terror attacks in London in 2005, which was a many ways a failure of our inteeligence services like MI5 and Special Branch resulted in the deaths of 52 people. Were the suicide bombers on a watch list? We still have not had a clear account about what was done, and who was responsible for the monitoring the threats for jihadists. No one resigned.</p> <p>No one takes responsibility for any failings anyone. We the public are partly to blame. We are quick to get excited about who walks off reality TV shows or obscene phone calls made by highly paid media figures. The matters that really matter don't really excite us anymore.</p> <p>The events in India have put us to shame. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2008/12/04/whatever-happened-to-honour-in-britain-5159934/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>newshttp://drsaki.blog.co.uk/2008/12/04/whatever-happened-to-honour-in-britain-5159934/#comments