Cities: Historic City of Chichester
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THE RISE AND FALL OF THE EURO As someone who welcomed the EURO, I view with alarm the stories and the prediction of its end. Since the recession, most countries have had their difficulties, but the eurozone seem to be the group which remains forever in the spotlight. Will the euro survive? I hope so. I definitely enjoy using one currency as I move around Europe. And I will certainly not welcome the idea going back to the days when each country had their own individual currency. I hope whatever the economic problems are at present, somehow the zone would be able to come up with the correct financial strategy to resolve their difficulties. Let us hope that my optimism is not misplaced. And as we move into 2012, we shall hear less bickering among member countries. Considering the rapid expansion of the EU, nobody expected a rose garden. But long term, and unselfish committment, is definitely needed at the moment.
The Continuing Story of the Wikileaks Saga .... Courtesy The Guardian http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/nov/29/wikileaks-embassy-cables-key-points http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/dec/06/wikileaks-cables-poland-russia-shield?intcmp=239 http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/dec/07/wikileaks-nato-russia-bewilderment http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/nov/30/wikileaks-cables-day-2-key-points
LOS ANGELES 22 APRIL 2010 'I should be getting ready to fly to Los Angeles on Thursday. But I am not. That does not mean I am not going. It will depend on how much ash is spewing from that volcano in Iceland. The eruption of Eyjafjallajökull has thought us all a lesson, and we will take a long time to recover from it.' Let the truth be known. I did fly. I was on the first American Airline flight to leave Heathrow airport, and heading to Los Angeles. I was extremely lucky, as AA chose to exercise its regular schedules starting April 22nd. The backlog was put on hold temporarily. Not only was the journey across successful, but the fallout of the ash was quite noticeable on my arrival at LA airport. Most of the international carriers were missing. The usual overlong queues were conspicuouly absent. Even the immigration experience, for once, was notably brief. I was able to clear immigration in five minutes, unheard of in years gone by. A walk through customs, and bravo I was on ...
THE POWER OF A VOLCANO I should be getting ready to fly to Los Angeles on Thursday. But I am not. That does not mean I am not going. It will depend on how much ash is spewing from that volcano in Iceland. The eruption of Eyjafjallajökull has thought us all a lesson, and we will take a long time to recover from it. Although the restrictions begun more than a week ago, I was certain by this time it would all be over. I was wrong. One of the most baffling part of the week was getting information. The American Airlines website urged me to call customer services. But the airlines were certainly out of your reach, no matter how many calls you made. I made the mistake of heading to the airport's Terminal 3, and was absolutely amazed to find the entire building closed off, and with serious custodians blocking your paths. Their answers were all the same ... use the phone ... contact your friendly airline, as if you could. About the volcano itself, I depended on the newspapers. And even they...
WATERLOO STATION Since the main photo for the blog was taken at this station, I thought it would be the right time to say something about it. I use it about a few times a week usually on my way to Richmond, and simply as a shortcut to visiting Kew Gardens. There was a time when I used it on my way to Paris, but that was years ago when the Eurostar operated from here to the Gare du Nord. The Eurostar has since left, and now operates from St. Pancras International. Today, Waterloo station is owned and operated by Network Rail. The first trains started here around 1848, and it got its name around 1886. It is the largest and busiest station in the UK, covering approximately twenty-five acres. And in Europe it is second only to the Gare du Nord with passenger traffic. Its trains generally serves The South West UK including all the surburbans areas. It also connects with the Underground via the Jubilee, Bakerloo and Northern Line; and Waterloo East station..
Election Time! LONDON, UK. A small leaflet came through my door recently, stating very dramatically that this year we will be having three votes at election time. It definitely sounded unusual, and therefore it was something to celebrate. But I did not feel that way, and I saw no reason to be particularly excited by the prospect. This is the UK, and national elections are held approcimately every four years. I say approximately, because the nature of the system allows the government in power to move the goal posts a bit as to when the elections are held. We are assuming that the election will be held in May, 2010. Whatever your feelings, elections have reached the stage, even in so-called democracies like ours, of being rather dull affairs. The parties go through their motions, finally we are left to make our choice. It does not help when details of the event, and the candidates are left to being disclosed at the last moment. The three votes, discussed, which offer an option to select ...
HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT LONDON UK Our Politicians Are Guilty The recent revelations by newspapers about the embellished claims made by our politicians to cover their expenses remind us how little accountability takes place in our parliamentary system. The public revulsion, and the total dismay by the electorate, only serves to remind us how little we understand about the democracy we often boast about. Claiming expenses have always being an easy option to fiddle in any form of business. But the length to which some politicians used the system to benefits themselves, was a great shock to the easy pleasing British general public. There are now shouts from everyone for change, and of course, a totally new and transparent system. We will see how quickly any new system will be put in place. In the last few days, several people have called for the resignation of the Speaker, as they accused him of dragging his feet instead of dealing effectively with the situation. Should he resign? Of course h...
The War Rumbles On It is four years since The US and the so-called coalition forces entered Iraq, on the their Operation Freedom campaign. The drama is still being played out, orchestrated by the US president and his team. Tony Blair has departed, leaving the newcomer, Mr. Brown, to resolve the dire predicament in which the British army now finds itself in Basra. Meanwhile in Baghdad there is a new surge. Well I say a new surge, because that is the way it is being described in the US. An additional number of troops which will somehow, rather miraculously turn things around. And it must be working, if you listen to the voices of the Republicans. And yet we know, nothing can be further from the truth. For the Iraqis who remain, life in the country has become a treadmill. The killings , the intimidation, the circular motions of ethnic strife, not mention ethnic cleansing; the truth is there is no end to their suffering. Yet their voices are never heard above the din and carnage which has ...
Mr. Brown Goes to Washington After a month of the being the new Prime Minister of the UK, Mr Brown is off to Washington to hold talks with President Bush. The meeting is not unexpected. After having such a cosy relationship with Tony Blair, it will come as no surprise that both political leaders will make a great effort to at least pretend all is well. Therefore, a lot is expected from Mr. Brown on his first official visit as Prime Minister of the UK. So far on this side of the Atlantic, the media have offered conflicting opinions of the kind of stance that Gordon Brown will take when he meets George Bush. Some are quite confident the that he will reaffirm and cement the UK special relationship with America. Others are not so sure. Many believe that the time has come for some plain talking with Mr. Bush, and emphasised that Gordon is in a good position to offer it. British troops are still in Basra, and the public is hoping they will be brought home soon. But the big question is will t...
Tony Blair is Leaving After months, or even years, of hearing about the departure of Tony Blair as Prime Minister of the UK, the event is finally going to take place. Mr. Blair has now named his date, and by the end of the month we will have a new Prime Minister. this manoeuvre may be difficult for outsiders to understand. But it has to be noted that in this country, the selection of the new prime minister will be done by the Labour members, elected to the Houses of Parliament. The role of the masses is to sit back and enjoy the process, whether they approve or not. Why is he leaving? It is simply to fulfil the agreeement he made with Gordon Brown years ago the share the leadership role, bizarre as it may sound. Rumour has it, at the launching of the new style Labour Party, they made that pledge. Of course, some others will offer a very different explanation. This is the view that he has run out of ideas, and has become so unpopular in the country, and in his party; the time has come f...