Did Saxons Destroy King Arthur's Kingdom When he Died?

I believe the legend of King Arthur comes from fact - he once existed, but I'm not sure if it was during the Dark Ages because Roman culture Britons would have been literate after four hundred years of speaking Latin. It does not seem feasible that Angle, Saxon, and Jutish kings were known of from the supposedly pagan English times, yet the learned Celtic Britons have no substantial record of the real King Arthur, the Arthur knights, the Arthur sword, Merlin the wizard, and of course the round table. I   am no long sure of King Arthur of Cornwall and his queen, Guinevere living during the Dark Ages. After all, these were the ones who could put pen to paper at this time.

I have recently become sceptical of this mass migration of Anglo-Saxon tribes suddenly arriving in Britain when the Romans abandoned the Isle. I have seen documentaries where Saxon sites have been dug up and DNA samples of bones suggest Britons predominantly living in Saxon sites. This throws so many things into confusion and even the evolving of English language, from Frisian or what Dutch people speak.

Some historians of language think it was adopted with heavy British (ancient Welsh) influence. How this was explained was a little beyond me, but there seems to be a general agreement that pagan English tribes were already in the south east of Britain or speaking such a dialect when Rome still ruled. Were these people Christian because by this time Romans and Britons were? Names of Teutonic Gods would suggest that there was a pagan belief, but not the old British Druid system of religion. Therefore this Teutonic religion must have been imported. There are so many unanswered questions especially skeletons of Saxon settlements being mainly Briton in DNA testing.

However, as said previously, much of the DNA is still Celtic British. I wonder if Arthur and his legend were old even during these times - a folk tale back then and perhaps Saxons, Angles and Jutes replaced Romans as the enemy of Arthur's kingdom. I honestly think this mythical king of Celtic Britons was around before, English language or pagan English tribes were in Britain.

Perhaps Angles, Saxons, and Jutes speaking a strange tongue and believing in an un-Christian religion would have found themselves ostracised by Romanised Britons who were literate in Latin. Why write off these people yet not Arthur? I think he would be much more chronicled if he lived in the Dark Ages.

This is the reason I did not mention such a British Celtic King by name in the novel Saxon Quest. I think two cultures clashed in Dark Age Britain, but I can't commit to there being a King Arthur of this time. I believe he goes much further back.

Pastiche Novel of War of the Worlds' H.M.S. Thunder Child vs The Martian Tripods

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CEIOBGU

In H.G. Wells famous novel; The War of the Worlds, we see Victorian Britain, during the height of Empire, reduced to an apocalyptic wasteland. An alien invasion from the planet Mars brings alien fighting machines in the form of gigantic tripods striding about the land spewing black poison gas and devastating heat rays against any force that might challenge them. Within these monstrous vehicles are Martian creatures controlling the horrific fighting machines.

As refugees try to flee the onslaught, there is a brief description in the novel of a Royal Navy Ironclad that charges three martian tripods in the River Blackwater off of Maldon in Essex, UK. Also in Jeff Waynes' musical adaptation of War of the Worlds, we have a song about the valiant H.M.S. Thunder Child performing her brave deed in the arena of the river with refugees as the compelled audience watching the brave deed as though they had bought tickets for the show. 

In the pastiche story above, we go aboard H.M.S. Thunder Child (The ironclad of War of the Worlds) The extrapolation tale goes back several days before the encounter and we see the build up through the eyes of the crew of Thunder Child.

If you enjoy retro sci/fi from bygone days; you may like to read:

The Last Days of Thunder Child by C.A. Powell

On sale in USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

British Challenger 2 Tank tested in Action

British Challenger 2 Tank

British Army tanks have evolved since British WWII tanks. Modern British tanks are of course much more complex with dynamic instrumentation to make them more effective. To drive a tank in this day and age is probably more agreeable then during WWII.

Challenger 2 saw its first combat in March 2003 during the invasion of Iraq. One hundred and twenty Challenger 2 tanks went into action around Basra and saw action during the siege of Basra where the covered with fire support for British forces.

During part of this conflict within an urban area a Challenger 2 came under attack from irregular forces. Machine guns and rocket propelled grenades were used were used upon this one particular Challenger 2. The driver's sight was damaged and while attempting to back away, the other sights were damaged and the tank threw its tracks entering a ditch. It was immobilised by the group of resisters who surrounded the stricken vehicle.

The Iragi irregulars fired the weaponray at the Challenger 2 from various directions. It was hit directly by fourteen rocket propelled grenades at close range, plus a MILAN anti-tank missile.

Inside the Challenger 2, the British crew survived until the tank was recovered for repairs by relieving British forces who drove the Iraqi irregulars off. The worst damage was to the tank's sighting system. 

The same Challenger 2 was back in operation, six hours later after repairs. 

Another Challenger 2 operating near Basra was hit by 70 RPGs during a different incident and survived with crew intact. The Challenger 2 was proving good in tight situations. 

In August 2006 at a place called al-Amarah in Iraq, a Challenger 2 was penetrated by an old Soviet RPG-29. The frontal hull of of the tank was ruptured through ERA in the area of the driver's cabin.

The driver lost part of his foot and two more of the crew were injured. However, the driver was able to reverse 1.5 miles to an aid post. 

I can't help thinking that if two technologically advanced nations came head to head. How long could such nations keep up fighting with such expensive tanks? How often could they be replaced There are many fine examples of good tanks but how would they fare against more resourceful opposition?

By this, I imply that any force with the durability to endeavour and keep fighting and with ability to destroy such vehicles; how long before a nation begins to run out of financial resources to replace or repair such technically advanced vehicles. Imagine better RPGs that can cause such damage - easier to produce on the mass market then such tanks that must cost so much.

I think some of the tanks of today are truly awesome machines, but I can't help thinking that smaller intricate and less expensive technology might cause such warfare to be too costly for tank providers in a more prolonged war and against a more determined enemy.

UK Can't Stay in Politically Integrated EU

The more I listen to this the more I think the UK is in a position to distance themselves from this mess. I feel sorry for the Greeks, but to expect Germany or other EU nations to bail them out is very wrong. If the Germans want to; fair enough, but the UK must distance themselves from this club. It's not working. A Common Market policy was good, but this closer political union is something we can walk away from. We in the UK would be better to do so.

Economic Voice News About Failing EU

The EU is not important enough for these people

The spread below is written by a reporter for the Economic Voice. It is reported and authored by Jeff Taylor. As I read this, I could not help thinking that Jeff Taylor had a very striking point indeed about the voices that scream for the benefits of the EU - these educated people that try to tell us we would be in a very bad way if we left the EU. Try telling the people who live in these run down areas with no hope at all. What is the pro-EU voice for these people? "More no hope or things might be bad for the fat cats who will never employ you anyway?" 

If the rulers don't care, why do they expect these people to care about the country being in the EU. They (pro EU) are calling from a platform that has no meaning to this electorate and all they can see are people who don't concern themselves with estates forced to live on benefit. Not all of these voters are wasters, but a great many have had their dreams taken from them long ago and someone else's dream of an EU means nothing to them.

These people have votes and UKIP will take them from Labour supporters too, because Labour are no different from the Tories. The Economic Voice report is as follows:

Why study rich people's desire for EU. Staying in makes no difference.

Big multinational businesses have signed an open letter on the need to ‘promote the cause of EU membership’ claiming that we wouldn’t have it so good outside the Union.

But while they push for a continuation of more of the same they should spare a thought for the millions of people who live in this country’s forgotten welfare ghettos and have no hope of sharing in the economic plunder that the heads of big business enjoy. Those people (and whole families) have been consigned to the scrapheap while the powers that be pretend that the EU benefits us all. Well it has not benefitted these people has it? And what’s more I see nothing in the pipeline that will improve their plight.

A report out today from the Centre for Social Justice (Signed Off, Written Off) should be read by every politician and give them all nightmares tonight.

Whilst the rich and powerful politicians and business people have been strutting the world stage over the last couple of decades busying themselves making a world fit only for them, they have ignored and failed so many ordinary people at every level on a breathtaking scale.

And, as the report points out, this is not something that has happened overnight. This has been evolving over decades to the extent where families of three generations in some areas have never worked. How can it have come to pass that so many people have given up aspiring for something better? They cannot all be wasters.

All those politicians that profess to have gone into their chosen Westminster career to make the UK a better place should look at this report and ask themselves bluntly “what have I really done to try and prevent this?” Then they should say loudly that they are going to do something about it.

Just like so many people across the EU in countries like Spain, Greece and Cyprus who have been failed by their domestic politicians and sacrificed at the altar of an ever more intrusive EU, so have our own people been let down.

Instead of worrying about what the EU thinks or says, or what the needs of other countries are, our own politicians should be concentrating on the needs of the people that live within the UK.

The report itself does not link the benefit ghettoes with the failings of the EU, that is just my interpretation of events. All I see is that instead of spreading wealth the EU has concentrated it amongst a few to the detriment of so many and will continue to do so.

Here is the CSJ press release:

Benefit ghettos of Britain exposed by CSJ in major new inquiry into welfare state

Total spending on social security in the five years of this Parliament will top £1 trillion

CSJ says these areas represent the tragedy of wasted human potential

Some British towns and cities contain welfare ghettos where more than half the working age residents depend on out-of-work benefits, according to a major new investigation into the anatomy of the welfare state.

Parts of Denbighshire in Wales, Birmingham, Blackburn with Darwen, Wirral, Tendring and North East Lincolnshire are the worst affected, the report reveals.

In Liverpool, there are nearly 70 neighbourhoods where the number of people claiming out-of-work benefits is 30 per cent or higher. This is followed by Birmingham (49 neighbourhoods), Hull (45 neighbourhoods), Manchester (40 neighbourhoods), Leeds (37 Neighbourhoods) and Knowsley (31 neighbourhoods).

The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) report features a “league table” of the 20 neighbourhoods (Lower Layer Super Output areas, which have an average population of 1,614) in the UK where out-of-work dependency is highest.

The report, Signed On, Written Off, will be published in the week beginning Monday May 20, 2013.

Ranked on the percentage of people claiming out-of-work benefits, the top six neighbourhoods in England and Wales are:

Click to Enlarge

But if the rankings are calculated on average welfare spending per head, the top six local authorities are:

1. Sefton £6,278.75

2. Barking & Dagenham £5,916.98

3. Blackburn & Darwen £5,400.57

4. Luton £5,292.80

5. Newham £5,256.88

6. Bradford £5,252.89

Across the country, 6.8 million people are living in a home where no one has a job. Nearly one fifth of UK children (1.8 million) are growing up in a workless household (the second highest rate in the European Union), and the vast majority of charities helping the unemployed surveyed in the report say that they know of families where two or three generations have no one in work.

One of the charities, Chance UK, said that some children do not understand what work is. Asked what they wanted to be when they grew up, the children said “I want to be famous” or that they wanted to be the “boss” of a gang.

Knowsley in Merseyside and Glasgow both had over 25 per cent of working age people dependent on out of work benefits during the economic boom in 2003 (25.3 per cent and 26.1 per cent respectively), compared with a national average at the time of 12.4 per cent. In Boston, Lincolnshire, dependency on benefits actually rose during the boom years.

The new CSJ report follows two previous studies, published in 2007 and 2009, that shaped the “make work pay” reforms introduced by the Coalition Government under Iain Duncan Smith’s leadership as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. A further report, due next year, will draw up detailed recommendations for a second phase in the welfare revolution.

This report exposes the soaring cost of welfare. It has risen 18-fold since the inception of the welfare state in 1948, up from £11 billion to more than £200 billion today and accounts for 13 per cent of GDP, compared with 4 per cent in 1948. Despite the Government’s welfare reforms, the bill is projected to go on rising to £218 billion by 2015/16.

Over the five years of this Parliament, the Government will spend over £1 trillion on social security, not far short of the total value of all goods and services produced in the UK in a year.

In a foreword to the report, CSJ Managing Director Christian Guy warns that a much sought-after resumption of economic growth is not guaranteed to curb the seemingly unstoppable rise in worklessness and welfare bills.

He points out that during the recent economic boom, welfare spending on people of working age rose by around 40 per cent in real terms, mainly because of the Tax Credits paid to people with a job. The Tax Credit bill surged from under £3.3 billion in 1997/98 to more than £20 billion in 2010/11.

By 2009, nine out of ten families with children were entitled to some kind of state support.

But Mr Guy says it is the waste of human potential rather than money that should keep politicians awake at night.

He said: “The welfare ghettos trapping as many as 6.8 million people are a national disgrace.

“They represent years of tragic failure and indifference from the political class. People in these neighbourhoods have been consistently written off as incapable and their poverty plight inevitable.

“Their lives have been limited by a fatalistic assumption that they have little prospect of anything better.

“While some campaigners accuse this Government of being callous for its benefit cap, the truth is there has been a much more damaging welfare cap in these communities for years – an unjust cap on personal potential.”

The report also reveals just how deeply entrenched worklessness has become. Despite 63 successive quarters of growth from the early 90s onwards, the numbers claiming out of work benefits stayed above 4 million.

Liverpool has 50 jobseekers claiming for 10 years or more; Tower Hamlets in London 40 such jobseekers; and Middleborough has ten.

The report backs the Government’s efforts to make work pay and to move people off long-term dependency on state benefits into a job.

But it says that the present package of changes is only a start.

“Reform is now essential and can wait no longer. Some cite the spiralling costs of the welfare state as the key reason to act. These arguments are important as the Government now spends more than one in every three pounds on welfare.

“Yet the most powerful arguments for reforming welfare are not financial, but social. By focusing on income transfers rather than employment, our welfare system has made people dependent on benefits, trapping them in poverty and preventing them from achieving economic independence.”

Read more: http://www.economicvoice.com/big-business-calls-for-eu-case-to-be-made-while-benefit-ghettos-are-ignored/50037069#ixzz2TuFfQFKJ

And You Too Brutus ha ha - Dead Sheep Bleats from the Past

His finest moment came with his parting shot at Maggie when he set the ball rolling for her political assassination. But then Lord Howe always likes to stand at a distance and encourage someone else to wield the knife. There is nothing wrong in being clever like this, but I think he is striking from a distance and upon a platform that the majority of people do not support. I would go so far as to say he is unwittingly scoring points for anti-EU voters.

Being criticised by senior Tory Lord Geoffrey Howe was once memorably described by Labour’s Denis Healey as like being “savaged by a dead sheep”.

But the Tory peer whose resignation triggered the downfall of Lady Thatcher in 1990, today sank his teeth into David Cameron’s Conservative party – and the “dead sheep” could yet draw blood.

The former foreign secretary and chancellor accused the prime minister of losing control of his party amid its continuing "long, nervous breakdown" over Europe.

And he lamented the "new, almost farcical" level of debate over Europe within his party.

But health secretary Jeremy Hunt dismissed the intervention by Lord Howe, insisting the Conservative party was united amid reports of splits.

The prime minister was showing leadership on Britain's relationship with the EU, according to Mr Hunt in an interview on the BBC's Andrew Marr programme.

Lord Howe, writing in The Observer, said: "Sadly, by making it clear in January that he opposes the current terms of UK membership of the EU, the prime minister has opened a Pandora's box politically and seems to be losing control of his party in the process.

"The ratchet-effect of euroscepticism has now gone so far that the Conservative leadership is in effect running scared of its own backbenchers, let alone Ukip, having allowed deep anti-Europeanism to infect the very soul of the party.”

And he warned the Conservative party would move to oppose Britain remaining part of the EU, with or without a referendum, if it lost the next general election – which was possible.

“This week has shown that the Conservative party's long, nervous breakdown over Europe continues, and what is essentially a Tory problem is now, once again, becoming a national problem, too” said Lord Howe.

But he said clear thinking, strong leadership and a focus on the national interest rather than party political interest could save the situation.

Labour and the Liberal Democrats had a “heavy responsibility” if the Conservative party was “losing its head”, according to Lord Howe.

He claimed walking away from the EU would be a "very dangerous choice”.

Oh Dear Me! (Beam me up Scottie)

Blokes worst nightmare, snatching defeat from the gaping jaws of victory.
How? 
No!
Never... 
Erm, I'm afraid so. He does not want to be here, he wants to be somewhere else. 
This man is gaaaaaaaawn...

The Bubble World we Feel Secure Within?

Meteor Crashes in Russia while travellers in a vehicle film from the motorway. It is awesome, scary and worrying, because what if a bigger one comes along and does the dinosaur number on mankind. It makes one stop and think about all the silly little human squabbles we have with one another. They all pale to triviality when one thinks of things like this. Things outside of our little bubble world that can gate crash with nothing we can do about it. 

Will Mass Uncontrolled Migration Cause the UK to Exit EU?

Even if David Cameron loses the next election he will leave the idea of yearning desire for EU withdrawal. This issue will not go away - the die is cast. He can't win concessions from the EU because they simply can't make one rule for the UK and different ones for the other members. This would be unfair. 

Big business pro-European newspapers say The UK is on a downward road to EU withdrawal - tremble, tremble. I think it could also be argued that we were on a downward road to European political union, which most Brits never wanted in the first place - yawn, yawn. 

It's not that Brits dislike Europe - they want to get along with fellow Europeans, but do not want to be governed by them. The reasons for this are much more simplistic then Banking regulation and human rights law, which the average British voter does not care about. The ruling classes are more angered by such laws, but they do not account for the majority of the voters. 

There have been good working laws from Europe too and although Brits were not too keen on the EU, they never really wanted to get up on a soapbox over financial issues concerning bank regulation and all. They often saw good laws brought in by well-meaning yet un-elected people. There was not much interest in big boy politics for Brit political classes and other Euro political classes. Let them squabble and get on with it, while we might sigh with detached amusement over wrong shaped banana stories. 

Then the problem concerning European law of free movement of people throughout the EU became apparent when Eastern European countries joined the EU. It has resulted in mass and very irresponsible migration, leaving our country accountable for vast numbers of migrants. One might argue that Spain has vast numbers of Brits living out there, but the reality is, that most of these Brits take wealth out there too. The migrants coming to the UK don't. Like it or not, it is a simple truth and voting people are prejudice - like that or not. They become quite and resentful with no words to argue against trendy liberals who talk them down or smile patronisingly while pretending to listen. 

Then one day the EU passes financial laws that stamp on the Brit big boy's toes and all of a sudden, the EU is forcing us into a political union - they have enforced a single currency on nations that can't cope the way one overall powerful nation economy is. 

Er... tell the electorate something they don't know, or tell them something they care about. We're a bit more fickle than that, but the two heavyweights (UK political class v EU political class) don't get the picture. 

Our Brit ruling classes seem to have said: "Oh dear, never mind let's threaten the EU and tell them to make new laws for us or we'll get the electorate, who are simmering nicely and offer a referendum."

The EU are too financially hamstrung with the currency crisis and the Mediterranean nations that no one realised was cooking the books - hmmm! Also, they can't and will not entertain the grumbling financial institutions of the UK without new legislation. They can't afford too and irresponsible mass migration will blow over. Perhaps it will one day, but not in time for the UK in the EU.

Then the Brit rank and file voter see UKIP has suddenly given the voter a real voice. "Hello, big boys out there - our little issue on mass migration is still very important to us and no one is listening. Your squabble does not matter, we want out anyway."

The EU does not realise they don't have anything we want. They do have this freedom of mass migrations, which we are sure that we don't want and that is all the rank and file voter can see. It's like they are trying to sell us excrement with sugar and our Brit ruling classes are saying; "We will not let you sell them excrement with sugar unless you give us banking and other financial withdrawal rights." Don't bother big boys, we can tell them ourselves and you can run your financial institutions under your laws, but hey, you can't have the benefits of the EU because we don't give a dead rat's backside about it. Oh dear, that wasn't in the script, was it?

The notion of UK leaving the EU is now very real and desirable. I don't think people in Britain are scared of this - many look forward to it, and the key issue is this uncontrollable migration from eastern Europe. This is not what bothers Tories or the political classes. They are more interested in EU regulation upon the city of London and Tory desires for EU withdrawal are based upon this matter of controlling huge corporate finance industries inside the UK. As the political ruling classes go; they can tap into this immigration rank and file frustration for their own ends - large resentful masses of people to use for their own desires, but the notion that we are real people with issues of our own does not seem to have entered the script. Playing politics with people must involve the real important issues at hand and if we are reading from different scripts it is very easy to get wrong. Perhaps the resentful masses are grateful too because now the EU is treading on our big boy's toes, they have found an unwitting and unwilling champion who accidentally opened Pandora's box for us. 

David Cameron thought calling the EU's bluff on a referendum would quash UKIP and the notion of the UK leaving the EU. He would force the EU to the negotiating table and then get a better EU deal that he believes the rank and file voters want. It has not and all we see is more excrement with sugar. It just stokes the fire more. It is mostly immigration that the majority of voters are concerned with and they don't care about the other things. The British political classes don't seem to realise this and neither does the EU. They are too busy fighting other battles while this uncontrolled immigration issue is locked away. UKIP will not go away because they keep arguing on this matter at home, where it counts. In the EU Parliament, Nigel Farage can switch into EU issues for his own ends, concerning the failing currency and the un-elected elite. He does not make too much of mass migration in the Euro Parliament because there is a slight danger that someone might have the notion of doing something about it - clever boy Nigel. 

The EU is checkmated on Brit desires to withdraw from the EU. (The real rank and file I mean) The Brit political elite feels they may have shot themselves in the foot too because they wrongly believed they might blackmail the EU to make concessions or hoodwink the voters to pretend they are getting them. It has not worked because of UKIP who are screaming "Beware of being hoodwinked." 

The political classes are being too closely scrutinised now and we (the real rank and file voters) are aware that the Tories might pretend to get meaningful concessions that they will try to sell the UK voters before the referendum. It'll just be more excrement with sugar. More of what we don't give a hoot about.

Unfortunately for the UK political class and the EU; (both contestants who do not want the UK leaving the Union), The matter has slipped from both grasps. Neither are going to get what they want because they are arguing on issues that do not concern the main electorate.

No matter how the leading political parties dance around this issue or try to play it down; the average voter feels his country is being taken away. All other laws concerning city finance and regulation from the EU don't create too much interest to most voters. Go North, West, East and South across the Isles and the average people are very concerned about mass migration. London is where all the fat cats live and most rank and file voters have little interest in EU regulation, but more in EU law allowing mass population movement across the EU. Every time leading politicians try to play this down it drives people to UKIP. Call people fascist, racist or whatever you may like - they are fed up with being put down on these issues and they can vote and someone has captured the imagination for better or worse.

UKIP

This political party might not have proper leadership policies on the internal welfare of our country, but the play host to such ideas and address the key issues. The mass migration topic is the big hot potato that they are not scared to tackle and other things can go hang for now (even though this might be fickle and wrong in the long run.) People are not racist for this, though we are prejudice, which can't be helped. Also, it is possible that UKIP might also have concrete plans other than such things as uncontrolled migration - who knows? Conservatives or Labour will not win the argument on this, even if they are right because David Cameron has put the cat among the pigeons with the referendum promise.

The opposition Labour party will not voice an opinion either way. If they want to champion EU solidarity, they must start to champion the complete in vote. That would mean nothing on uncontrolled migration and no party is going to be seen doing such a thing. This, of course, seems suicidal at such a moment in time. 

On the other hand, what would happen if Europe allowed individual states across Europe to control migration in-house? By this I mean the EU must revise the free movement of people within the Union for now. Make that law across the EU. This is, after all, what is going to cause UK voters to leave the EU. It is why I will vote for UKIP. It will also cause problems in other nations too. Can Germany and France take all these peoples?

The only press that seems to grasp this is the Irish media that looks into the UK from outside. They seem to know what is going on more than our own big newspapers. Britain's political classes seem to be dancing around the hot potato of uncontrolled and very irresponsible mass migration. It has to be tackled. We don't dislike eastern Europeans and many are very friendly people who do work hard, but there are too many coming here and we are fed up with it being played down when we complain.

Even if the Tories lose the next election, which seems very likely, the referendum will not go away. I believe UKIP might get enough votes to prop up a government that would allow one. Unless Cameron stays in office till the election and makes the sacrifice of not joining such an alliance allowing an uncommitted Labour party in power without a promise of an EU referendum. It is possible that our political classes might kick the can further down the road again.

  

Moyra Melons Ear Rings on the EU Political Front

When Moyra Melons went to Spain for her holiday she met many Europeans that were dissatisfied with the way the EU was being run. 

"My ear rings are attracting all sorts of sociable attention," said Moyra to her relaxing husband who was sitting by the pool admiring her assets.

He nodded in agreement. "I woke up one morning and the Common Market had become the EEC and then on another day it become the EU political and un-elected body ruling us."

"Yes all this un-requested political union has been done under the table.

"Er yes darling," replied her husband. "I woke up and found I had this man who was our European President. I never even knew who he was until I got told this in newspapers."

"Yes," confirmed Moyra. "I'm in favour of withdrawal, but many of our politicians think this is self-indulgent."

"Indeed," replied her husband. "But it's a bit rich when our political classes have been keeping a sheaf on the EU issue for so long now. People are beginning to see what type of sticky substance this sheaf contains."

"Oh yes said Moyra, and I don't think we Brits want what we see inside. We begin to see how messy this all is now." 

"Do you prefer the withdrawal as opposed to the sheaf Moyra?" asked her husband coming over in a hot flush with one eye slightly twitching.

"I think I'm up for withdrawal," she replied.

"Good," her husband smiled and took her hand, helped her out of the pool and escorted her into the villa.

Moyra got a different approach to the benefits of withdrawal, but reasoned it had something to do with UK withdrawal of the EU in some abstract way.  

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-22506407


http://uk.news.yahoo.com/cameron-could-face-fresh-tory-eu-vote-rebellion-075256221.html#9d9pVqy

EU - UK Withdrawal Method not Self-Indulgent when Political Classes try to keep a sheaf on it.

Tories press on with EU poll plans

There has to be a referendum for the UK on the EU. Mr Cable is reported by a local newspaper below in support of the EU. He says that the UK's desire for EU withdrawal is wrong. He uses words like reckless and self-indulgent. The political classes of this nation have been reckless and self-indulgent by forcing political and un-democratic accountability upon people by un-elected bodies passing rules upon our nation. Withdrawal is not self-indulgent when the political classes have been keeping a sheaf over it for decades.

Liberal Democrat Business Secretary Vince Cable will today brand advocates of EU withdrawal "self-indulgent and reckless", as he warns that a British pull-out would mean an "exodus" of international firms from the UK and the loss of thousands of jobs.

No "serious friend of British business" would call for a break-up of Britain's relations with the EU, Mr Cable will tell a business conference in Birmingham in a scathing response to growing clamour for withdrawal.

Amid Conservative calls for legislation on an in/out referendum on UK membership, Mr Cable will warn the Liberal Democrats' coalition partners not to over-react to the successes of the UK Independence Party in this month's council elections.

"The Liberal Democrat manifesto in 2010 promised we would put Britain at the heart of Europe in pursuit of national opportunity, security and prosperity - and we will continue to push for this in Government," he will tell the British-American Business Council. "It is simply self-indulgent and reckless for parties or individuals to risk so much in order to address one concern raised in a council election by just 7% of the electorate."

Lib Dem Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg told MPs on Wednesday that it was a matter of "when not if" the UK holds a referendum on EU membership, and Mr Cable will himself on Thursday acknowledge that developments in the eurozone will "necessitate in due course a referendum on any substantial change in constitutional arrangements".

But he will urge proponents of withdrawal, such as Conservative former chancellor Lord Lawson, not to exaggerate the costs to the UK of EU membership or underplay the potential damage departure could inflict on British business.

The UK is currently the "favourite destination" for non-EU firms setting up European HQs, hosting more than Germany, France, Switzerland and the Netherlands combined, Mr Cable will say. If Britain quit the EU, he will warn, "we could reasonably expect an exodus of the non-EU firms headquartered in this country, precisely because they regard the UK as the gateway to Europe... These companies in Japan, China, the USA and elsewhere whom we are currently trying to attract to the UK will - quite reasonably - think again if they believe we are planning to leave the EU."

Many of the thousands of foreign-owned financial sector companies in the City "would question the value of a UK location were it to cut itself adrift", he will add. Despite the growth of emerging economies like China, India and Brazil, the EU is likely to remain Britain's most important market "for another couple of decades", offering many growth opportunities even during the current problems in the eurozone, Mr Cable will say.

Eurosceptics who argue that Britain should be focusing on trade with the BRIC nations rather than Europe need a "reality check", as expanding exports to these markets is "in no way inhibited by membership of the EU". And while half of British exports go to the EU, supporting one in 10 UK jobs, China accounts for less than 2.5% of exports, India and Russia below 2% each and Brazil under 1%.

It is "far from obvious" that on its own, the UK could strike the kind of free-trade agreements currently under discussion between the EU and the US, Canada, India, Japan, Singapore and countries in South-East Asia and South America, he will warn.

Is the UK Referendum Getting Closer?

When the referendum does come about, will voters be tricked by David Cameron and be presented with mini concessions that amount to nothing within the EU? We need UKIP to pile on the pressure and scrutinise any over inflated mince morsels that the EU pretends to offer. Such deceit, if it does come, will not do.

The EU can go on about cherry picking as much as it likes. Brussels cannot rule here anymore. Not without democratic consent. People of all persuasions have got to see the writing is on the wall for the UK's present position in the EU. It has to be all in or all out without the under the table dealings. Trying to say that the UK could be sleepwalking out of the EU is hypocritical when we have been sleepwalked into this Union without democratic consent. The game is up and it is time to be honest.

David Cameron's authority suffered a huge blow when more than 100 Conservative MPs defied him by voting for a referendum on the European Union. Below is a UK newspaper report of back bench rebellion within government by it ruling MPs. This is not going away. We must have a vote on the EU - in or out.

Britain moved closer to an in/out referendum as Nick Clegg told MPs: "It is a question of when, not if, because the rules [of the EU] are bound to change." He believes one is inevitable because a new EU treaty will be needed to entrench eurozone reforms in the next few years, and the Coalition has already passed a law guaranteeing a referendum if there is a significant transfer of powers to Brussels.

Some 114 Tories rejected pressure from their whips by opposing the Coalition's legislative programme because it does not offer the public a vote on EU membership. They backed an amendment to the Queen's Speech regretting the absence of a Referendum Bill. Although the amendment was defeated by 277 votes to 130, it was the biggest backbench revolt on Europe since the 2010 election.

A ballot is being held this morning for Private Member's Bills, which party command will now seek to use as a vehicle legally to commit to a poll on Britain's relationship with Brussels.

The Eurosceptics were delighted by their show of strength. But Tory officials played down the revolt, insisting it was a free vote because the amendment was in line with party policy. But it was clear that Mr Cameron's decision to rush out a draft Referendum Bill on Tuesday had failed to quell the rebellion.

Douglas Alexander, the shadow Foreign Secretary, said: "This vote is a further devastating blow to the Prime Minister's authority. It demonstrates that David Cameron has managed to turn a Europe issue into a leadership issue. This is a Prime Minister who has lost control of the agenda and tonight lost control of his party."

John Baron, the Eurosceptic who tabled the rebel amendment, warned he was "not going to walk away" from the fight for a referendum, insisting MPs needed to pass legislation to "bridge trust" with the public. He said he had "deep reservations" about Mr Cameron's plan to support a backbench Bill guaranteeing a referendum by 2017, because such a measure could be blocked by "a determined minority".

Mr Clegg's decision to harden the Liberal Democrats' 2010 pledge for an in/out referendum when there is significant change in the UK-EU relationship, put pressure on Labour to follow suit. Ed Balls, the shadow Chancellor, gave Labour's strongest hint that it might support a public vote when he told the Commons: "If there was a treaty change which changed the balance of powers, we would support a referendum. I think it is really important that we understand and listen to people's concerns about Europe and show that we can reform."

Labour and the Liberal Democrats believe Mr Cameron is wrong to fix the 2017 timetable now. Both parties intend to campaign in favour of Britain's continued EU membership. But the statements show they are worried about Conservative claims that they want to deny the public a say on Europe.

Mr Clegg's remarks could remove an obstacle to a second Lib-Con coalition if the 2015 election results in another hung parliament.

Today Vince Cable, the Liberal Democrat Business Secretary, will warn the Conservatives that dancing to the UK Independence Party's tune after this month's local elections could cost investment and jobs.

He will say in a speech: "No serious friend of British business would be advocating the break-up of Britain's relations with the EU. We can't have hearts ruling heads. It is simply self-indulgent and reckless for parties or individuals to risk so much in order to address one concern raised in a council election by just 7 per cent of the electorate."

The Tories insist they are the only main party guaranteeing a referendum. Speaking in New York, Mr Cameron accused Ed Miliband and Mr Clegg of "sticking their heads in the sand" and "pretending nothing has changed" in the arguments over Britain's place within the EU.

He said: "Britain needs to be a part of forging that change, just as the eurozone countries come together and do more things together, so those countries outside the eurozone need to work out how they're going to make their relationship work with Europe."

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2324853/Britain-loses-EU-budget-battle-pay-Brussels-EXTRA-770million-year.html

http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/400005/Tories-press-on-with-EU-poll-plans

http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/national/news/10423066.Cable_warns_on__reckless__EU_exit/

Is UKIP the Answer on EU?

In this blog I have often tried to argue against Nigel Farage and thought the long term benefits of the EU would win the day. Despite the fact that the EU is an un-elected body, I clung to the opinion that in the long run it would be fine and that Britain would have the Euro currency too. (One Day) And the EU would become more accountable to its 500 million people.

However, this Euro crises and the continuous denial about irresponsible immigration by all main stream UK parties is beginning to grate on me. I am sick to the teeth of being told that these issues are not as bad as UKIP reports, when even the most diabolically stupid individual can see the effects of mass immigration.

Also the vile and disturbing raid on bank accounts in Cyprus is the last straw for me. How long before they look to the UK and see millions of home owners sitting upon assets to bail out other areas of the EU. If it can be done in Cyprus, why not here. Our government would not be able to stop Brussels. Our national Health system is being denied us too because it is bogged down with increasing demands by people who have not paid for it. How much more?

I will now be voting UKIP. I don't believe there is a real alternative.

H.M.S. Amethyst run the Gauntlet of the Yangtse River Incident

Commander Eric Tufnell RN (1888-1979). Watercolour signed and annotated “HMS AMETHYST 30th July 1949”.

During the months of May, June and July of 1949 diplomatic attempts to obtain AMETHYST’s release after running aground while escaping attack from Chinese communist forces, came to nothing. The long civil war in China was drawing to a conclusion. The officer in command, of HMS AMETHYST - Lt Cdr B M Skinner, had been killed during the first part of the incident before running aground. Commander Eric Tufnell was given the command and he had been waiting for the three months. In the end, he decided to run the gauntlet along the Yangtse river and try to escape. His escape became legendary.

2019 marks the 70th anniversary of the epic of the incident on China’s River Yangtze that thrust HMS AMETHYST and other ships of the Far East Fleet, most notably HMS LONDON, HMS CONSORT, HMS BLACK SWAN and HMS CONCORD, into the world’s headlines.

'AMETHYST' HOME IN TRIUMPH

Boudicca Warrior Queen of Iceni Encounters Cartimandua of Brigantes - A novel coming to you.

Queen Boudicca is defeated. Her Iceni and other British allies are dead or fleeing from the vengeance of unmerciful Rome. The British rebellion is over. The beaten Iceni Warrior queen has gone into hiding and awaits her poison elixir which will aid her departure from life while the waiting druids wish to bury her in a secret place.

However, before Boudicca can complete her final and drastic act; a messenger arrives with news of a potential alliance. The Brigantes Queen Cartimandua may be able to offer a new pact against Rome. This is confusing because Cartimandua is loyal to Rome and has betrayed other Britons who fought Rome in the past.

Cartimandua is equally perplexed. She has no desire to aid Boudicca and fears the Iceni queen. Could both sovereigns be pawns in another participants’ ploy? To find the culprits of the conspiracy, Cartimandua chooses to indulge the inappropriate consultation of two very different British queens.

I was Shocked and Sad to Learn that Margaret Thatcher Passed Away Today

I was stunned by the news that Margaret Thatcher had died this morning on 8th April 2013. She was 87 years of age, but I still find it hard to believe. I thought she would live forever - then again, perhaps she will. There are people in the UK that passionately disagreed with her and those who are devoted to the icon that she often seems to be.

All I would like to say is this: Margaret Thatcher was a tough leader who had to make some hard decisions. She didn't get things wrong all the time despite what many might think. I often found fault with her as a youngster in my twenties. Perhaps I was a trendy lefty at times, but as I've got older and now own my own house (courtesy of Thatcherism) I find myself reflecting on more realistic issues. Real issues that she had the strength to confront on more then one occasion.

Well Prime Minister Thatcher - I'll always respect you and admit - you were right on many things that I thought were wrong at the time. Especially with trade unions, but today I humbly admit you may have been right on certain issues concerning ballots and holding the nation to ransom. In the long run you got it right on that issue. You were a very determined and fine Prime Minister and a very great Briton. 

I will not say Rest in Peace, because I can't think of such a determined person resting. I will say 'Echo in Eternity' for good and positive things that Margerat Thatcher is and will always be. For champions of trying and believing; she will live forever.

Moyra Melons' 'My God' Ear Rings.

When Moyra Melons met her husband on a summer night. She wondered about her rather large earrings. She thought they went well with her rather exquisite white crop top, but had a nagging feeling that they might have been a little too big and showing against the delicately cut white crop top. When her husband showed up he was pleasantly surprised too.

"My word," he said smiling. "When you said they were big and dangly; you were not kidding about darling."

"No," she replied coyly. "I feel a little self-conscious with them bouncing about. People might think I'm showing off." Moya's retro British modesty always come to the fore when she spoke of her earrings.

"Oh, mere trifles," replied her delighted husband. "Let them know you have big earrings and are not ashamed of them."

"I feel as though everyone is looking at me," she added needing reassurance.

"That's because they are darling. I saw you coming around the corner twenty seconds beforehand."

She looked perplexed. "How?"

"Well let's go home and I'll explain why" he replied with a nervous twitch in his eye. He was coming over in a hot flush again.

"Oh dear," replied Moyra. "Let us get you home where you can calm down and explain."

She managed to get her excitable husband home, but he did not calm down and she did get a vague inkling of what he meant by seeing her twenty seconds before she came around the corner. Moyra could not work out what it had to do with large bouncy earrings.

  

Meeting Boudicca

The Last Days of Thunder Child