Travel - Jordan - Feeling Petra-fied

Amazing to see and highly recommended.....I hope to do so very soon.

UK Attorney General advice on Iraq

Why is not Iraq's hard factual evidence of non-cooperation and actual obstruction rather than hard physical evidence of arms sufficient to legally justify war?

After all, the ceasefire they signed in the first Iraqui war and many UN resolutions talk about complete cooperation being required. Not only did we not see cooperation but we saw actual obstruction from Iraq.

We had plenty of hard and clear evidence of Iraqui non-compliance!

Saddam in Good Spirits on Eve of Birthday

No wonder he is in high spirits. Another birthday which his sons will not benefit from, or the hundreds of thousands of Iraquis which died at his hands.

Related links:
Lawyer: Saddam in Good Spirits on Eve of Birthday

Last Syrian Troops Pull Out of Lebanon

The Syrians haven't taken everyone out of Lebanon, have they? I don't believe that...

Related links:
Last Syrian Troops Pull Out of Lebanon

World's Biggest Airliner Completes Maiden Flight

Have you seen the impressive pictures and videos released with the spacious interiors, the large bathrooms with showers, a bar area. It really wants to make you fly with this new airline.

The reality is that they will pack in as many micro seats as they can, with the same micro bathrooms and more revenue.

Welcome to the cattle trade!

Related links:
World's Biggest Airliner Completes Maiden Flight

Cadbury's boss shuns 'traffic light' labels

Mr. Stitzer thinks it is over the top to have "traffic light" descriptions on food labelling. He clearly thinks it is an inconvenience to his company to have to engage in these sorts of things.

"People have a responsibility to take care of themselves..." he says.

I agree, we do, but do we have responsibility to learn terms such as Emulsifiers, stabilizers, gelling agents and thickeners, preservatives, antioxidants, flavour enhancers......to name a few?

I would suggest his superiors have a word with him and send him to "customer needs" lessons. I could say worse, but I won't!

See FT Article (subscription required).

The DaVinci Code is coming to your screens

I am NOT looking forward to the forthcoming hollywood movie "The DaVinci Code".

The last time Tom Hanks starred in a mega hit in book sales was "The Bonfire of the Vanities"...........what a dud!

The UK Chancellor's 5 Euro tests

Why is it that the UK Chancelor put into place tests that evaluate whether the UK would be better off by being in the Euro?

Why not the lower standard of not being worse off?

Is this a measure of this support for entry, I wonder.

Higher electronics sales and the industry is not happy

There has been a boom in electronics sales, but the industry is not happy, as it has come accompanied with a fall in prices.

Um...is there not a coincidence here? Higher sales and falling prices, or vice versa. And with this higher volume, likely lower unit costs.

Maybe the industry should take the hint and lower prices some more!

Prodi does not know Europe

Just goes to show you that just being President of the European Commission doesn´t make you any more knowledgeable than the rest of us.

Prodi predicts the end of Europe unless the French vote YES in their forthcoming referendum on the EU Constitution.

What a load of codswallop!

I understand that European politicians may be getting nervous with all those French polls saying that they will vote NO, but lets not overreact guys!

Siemens argues against subsidies

Nice to see the Head of Siemens arguing against all those subsidies and propping up failing European companies. Does that mean that he won't be holding out his hand any more for subsidies?

Oh, and what about those tightly controlled government contracts which Siemens benefits from, will they go as well?

He also thinks that investments/subsidies in new tchnologies is good and should be reinforced. A coincidence with Siemens' business...just a coincidence of course.

Textile products from China

European taxpayers......hold onto your wallets! I would much rather buy cheaper textiles from China and give a part of what I save to help unemployed textile workers to retrain for other jobs, and even for them to stay at home.

It will be much cheaper that way and we will have much less illegal immigration from China. Pareto optimum.

Links relacionados:
Chirac seeks to salvage EU constitution

Open letter from the Pope to Spain's Zapatero

Dear Mr. President,

I write to express our concern and outrage at the disgraceful, immoral, inexplicable decision of your government to force through the Spanish Parliament yesterday. As you should know, marriage is a holy sacrament between a man and a woman blessed by God and for the sole purpose of bringing into the world new generations of christian believers.

If you don't stop this you will be sorry.

Best regards.

....well, this could have been the letter sent by the previous Pope. I wonder what this 'new' one will send.

Director Muti Considers Future in America

This is an important gain for Chicago and for the Chicago music scene!

Related links:
Director Muti Considers Future in America

McCartney Plans U.S. Tour

Sounds like I really need to be traveling outside the US during those dates!

Related links:
McCartney Plans U.S. Tour

German Doctrinal Overseer Ratzinger Elected Pope

More of the same!

The positive side? He is 78 years old so we should not expect another 26 years in power. Let's hope he follows his boss and doesn't go beyond his 86th year.

Big loser: Father Hans Kung. Biggest loser: world catholism!

Related links:
German Doctrinal Overseer Ratzinger Elected Pope
Hans Kung: Vatican Rehab or Challenge to Change?

Cardinals Seek Divine Inspiration for Conclave

Recently, there have been many elections, Ukraine, the Spanish referendum for the EU constitution, this weekend the Basque regional elections, the Vatican election for the new Pope, and coming shortly a few other referenda for the EU constitution...

The Holy Spirit has been and will continue to be very busy with all these elections giving inspiration to voters.

Or is it that his or her election services are reserved for very special case(s)?

Related links:
Cardinals Seek Divine Inspiration for Conclave

Should Bolton be confirmed as US Ambassador to the UN

Two issues, is he going to the UN to close it down or to 'improve' it?

It is clear that the UN needs improvement and, sometimes, a bull in the china shop is needed.

On the other hand, if he is NOT confirmed, where will he go next? To the National Security Council, setting policy and making things happen?

Sounds like he should be approved!

Swiss signal support for EU choice to head WTO

It looks like the French are about to do it again. They are about to get another major, high-profile international position for one of their nationals.

Of course, they have so much success in these matters because they do nominate quality candidates and Pascal Lamy as new head of the World Trade Organisation is clearly one of those.

Then they use their polished 'diplomacy' and there you have it!

Related links:
Swiss signal support for EU choice to head WTO
Lamy ahead after first round of WTO polling

Apple's iPod

I know everyone is raving about Apple's success with its iPod products and with the, related, iTunes music download business, but I will make a prediction.

In five years time, Apple's products and business (both the iPods and the iTunes) will not have more than 10% of either market!

Related links:
The New iPod

Students graduate with £13,500 debt

Is this really so much to set you up for a lifetime of career opportunitites?

Related links:
Students graduate with £13,500 debt

Background Note: Zimbabwe

They just had their election but they do not have any type of democracy!

US State Department Backgroud Note: Holy See

Appropriate at this time

Spears reveals that she's pregnant

The child may be being born to a mother with a lot of money......but poor kid!

Obituary: Andrea Dworkin

A passing which should not be left to go unnoticed. She made an important impact in the world of women's rights!

Chirac seeks to salvage EU constitution

Much has been written about the disaster for Europe if the French vote NO in their forthcoming referendum on the European Constitution.

I am not so sure. A no vote would probably lead to meetings to make some changes that would be appealing to the French, nothing new. Anyway, if the Constitution does not go ahead, we would be exactly where we are now and the politicians would find a way of putting this thing back on their track.

Nothing seems to have been written about the disaster that would occur if the French vote YES.

President Chirac would be ride a wave of success, he would stand for reelection as President and he would win.

Another five years of Chirac? Now there is a disaster!

Related links:
Chirac seeks to salvage EU constitution

Swing to Ratzinger boosts chance of becoming Pope

Mr Inquisition himself! At least he won't be around for too long.

Related links:
Swing to Ratzinger boosts chance of becoming Pope

Saudi Arabia.....still a US ally

There they go again. The US government is sending out the messages about having to support 'our ally' Saudi Arabia. They acknowledge that there are problems there (thanks for that) but they are to be supported.

It looks like my idea that Saudi Arabia should have been invaded instead or Iraq, and the oil then could have been distributed between the Saudi people and a regional fund.

The Saudi people would be better off (with democracy and a distribution of oil proceeds to them) and the region would be better off (with a regional fund to distribute oil proceeds to the people of the region).

The only losers would be the 5,000 princes and al Qaeda, who would not have any support left. No loss!

Internet Users More Accepting of Spam

Is it that they are more accepting or is it that they don't know what they can do about it?

Related links:
Yahoo! News - Internet Users More Accepting of Spam

Daimler boosted by victory over Kerkorian

The judge Judge Joseph Farnan Jr said Mr Kerkorian and his Tracinda investment vehicle were sophisticated investors and should not have been taken in by a "promotional phrase" such as a merger of equals.

Does this mean that lies are allowable, as long as you are not supposed to believe them?

Daimler clearly stated that it was a merger of equals, they saved themselves a merger premium (and, indeed, they achieved a deal, as Kirkorian always said Chrysler was not for sale) and they behaved as if they made a purchase from the moment the deal closed.

Sounds to me like Kirkorian had a case, as all those non-professional investors who were taken in and were not considered by the Judge.

Related links:
FT.com / Home UK - Daimler boosted by victory over Kerkorian

Havas, Group M Strike Media Buying Alliance

Sounds like the only way to get in amongst those French companies.

If you can't beat them....

Tuscan chill-out

Not just chill out.......beauty!

Mandelson accused of spin

I am shocked, shocked that Peter Mandelson, European Union Trade Commissioner has been accused of spin!

US State Department: Sudan (04/05)

Travel - Victoria - Australia - Feasts for the senses

Sounds very appealing and worth trying...

Who should be the next Pope

I am ready for the Nigerian candidate,Cardinal Francis Arinze. He is 70 years old, so hopefully will not be around for more than 10 years, good diversity, from Africa, a suffering continent, and has bridged the divide with the muslim world, a continuing issue for the world today.

The Honduran, Cardinal Oscar Andres Rodríguez Madariaga, is in his sixties and too young, otherwise we will have another one that will outstay his welcome. Anyway, he is young enough to come around next time. Where Latin America has its turn.

The Italian cardinals, who believe they have a diving right to the post, presumably because the Vatican is set in Rome and that Latin is the official religion, need to see it going elsewhere. After three non-italians in a row, they should begin to realise that it is not their prize to enjoy.

Related links:
Profile: Cardinal Francis Arinze

Europe negotiates hard with China on textile imports

I have a simple quiz, which do we prefer, importing Chinese textiles OR receiving Chinese immigrants (legal AND illegal)?

It has to be one of these choices!

The death of a reactionary

Finally, after many years, we see the back of this reactionary. It has been a long time coming.

I understand that he runs a club called the Catholic Church and can set his own rules. His club, his rules. But his rules have created much disinformation, pain, suffering, lies and death.

The world is better off without this eccentric.

One good thing about him. He was influential in supporting the Polish union movement and the resulting opening up in the East.

If it is true that his God exists, let us hope he gives this individual all he deserves.

Related links:
Obituary: Pope John Paul II
Pope has surgery to aid breathing
It's their club and the Vatican sets the rules

Obituary - Lord Roll of Ipsden

Another in the long line of trusted advisors, from way back, has left us.

The death knell for the trusted advisor has been marked for a while and is much lamented by those of us who believe that there is still a need for the trusted advisor and not just what we have now, the highly qualified and able dealmaker.

Unfortunately, Michel David-Weill the Chairman and from the old guard finally agreed to the ultimate deal-doer, Bruce Wasserstein and let his 'family' firm go the way of everyone else.

Hopefully, once this deal is done, some of the old guard will set up a new firm, or maybe that is what Rothschilds is around for.

Related links:
Lord Roll of Ipsden