Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Syria, USofA.

Iraq 'on the brink of civil war' , United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan has said publicly.
Mr Annan said concerted action to dampen the vicious sectarian violence gripping Iraq was urgently needed.
The continuing and escalating violence in Iraq has prompted a flurry of diplomatic activity this week.
Iraqi President Jalal Talabani is due to meet Iran's supreme leader, while US President George W Bush goes to Jordan a day later to meet the Iraqi PM.

The number of civilians reported to have been killed during the Iraq war and subsequent military presence is being recorded by the campaign group Iraq Body Count.
On 15 October 2006 it put the total number of reported civilian dead at 41,744 to 46,668 and the number of police dead at 2,578.
The issue of counting the number of Iraqis killed since the US-led invasion is highly controversial and the figure is disputed.
The US and UK military authorities do not record the number of civilians killed by their forces. The security situation and administrative chaos also make counting extremely difficult.
Figures shown include the period up to 15 October 2006. Figures are an average of the IBC minimum and maximum deaths.

UK Defence Secretary Des Browne says he expects to be able to withdraw thousands of British troops from Iraq in 2007.
This is not "cut and run". But it is a brisk jog for the door marked exit... ministers hoping the building doesn't come crashing down around their ears before they can get out.

This says something about the "war" in Iraq. Just as the fighting gets worse, pull out. Maybe the UK government operations team are responding like the Americans in history. Start a major conflict then get out and leave the innocents to suffer?

A better and safer way.......?

Instructions on how to clean your toilet:
1. Put the lid of the toilet up and add 1/8 cup of pet shampoo to the water in the bowl.
2. Pick up the cat and soothe him while you carry him towards the bathroom.
3. In one smooth movement, put the cat in the toilet and close the lid. You may need to stand on the lid.
4. The cat will self agitate and make ample suds. Never mind the noises that come from the toilet, the cat is actually enjoying this.
5. Flush the toilet three or four times. This provides a "power-wash" and rinse."
6. Have someone open the front door of your house. Be sure that there are no people between the bathroom and the front door.
7. Stand behind the toilet as far as you can, and quickly lift the lid.
8. The cat will rocket out of the toilet, streak through the bathroom, and run outside where he will dry himself off.
9. Both the toilet and the cat will be sparkling clean.

Perfect!

BA creating a rod for its own back?

The Check In lady who worked for BA has just lost her appeal to wear a Cross around her neck. Why? Sikh's employed by the same company can wear turbans and Muslim Women are allowed to wear Hijabs. This is reverse discrimination! This woman lives and works in a largely Christian Country, surely this lack of tolerance cannot be acceptable? The wearing of Religious Icons should be open across the board, or banned across the board, not one rule for one and another for another.
It has just been on the news that the teaching assistant that won £1000 for not taking her veil off in a classroom environment has been sacked. This is excellent news. The education of the children must come first. The people from her community, including her own MP (well spoken and eloquent) have said that she is wrong in wanting to continue wearing the veil in that environment. Outside or in a family arena is fine. Maybe she could use some of her monetary reward to move somewhere where the Hijab will be accepted in a teaching environment, or will that be a step too far for her?

DSS/Goverment racism?

It seems after asking questions that people from other countries can enter the UK without being able to speak ENGLISH. These people are then sent to the relevant job centres where they are put on Job Seekers Allowance even though it is clear they can't seek jobs due to their lack of English.

I have paid into the UK social security system for 20 years of my life, I have held jobs all this time apart from a 3 month period when my mum paid for me to get my PSV license. I have been put on job seekers allowance. Nice you may think, then why can't I get any money??? It's because I have been paid severence pay. It seems because I have been careful and saved money I am not allowed to receive any benefit money. I have been quoted mid January as the earliest I will be considered to receive money!

I am not, and never will (maybe), be racist, but why can someone walk into the UK after having never paid into our social security system be allowed money when it is evident they CANNOT look for work but a BRITISH citizen cannot claim a penny? This is what makes the UK look such an easy number. I deserve the cash as I have paid in all my working life, if I went to another country I would get NOTHING! This system sucks!

This country will have riots soon unless something is done to ensure that the social security system is fair. My dad (retired) has to pay FULL council tax due to the fact I live with him, someone who cannot speak english has it paid for them! ITS BLOODY WRONG!

Organic or Free Range?

I am a great believer in not allowing animal cruelty, (excepting children under the age of 16, real age, not mental). I have recently been watching the River cottages newest program's and decided to try for myself.
We decided to go for free range as we thought that the price difference would be too great for the organic option. I have normally argued that the extra cash is not worth it as the taste will be the same. Watching the recent programmed made me think, what the hell, once isn't going to break the bank. Now free range has 2 meanings, as I see, true free range and one where the animals get a "choice" to go outside. We went for the "true" free range experience.
Luck was then even more on our side, an organic chicken was available at £5.50. We bought said bird, complete with all the trimmings, these I used for a tasty, fresh gravy. The taste was much better than I ever expected it to be. It really was worth the extra money.
Next time we will try "free range", the proper version to test this taste but I believe that it is/can be possible to pay that little bit more and still make extra food. The cost difference if you buy in larger quantities at first will allow you to make a whole weeks meals for not much more than it would using basic ingredients.
Lasagne, bolognese and shepherds/cottage pie all use the same basic base for the sauce then adapt each one as you use them.

Sala VIP Guacimeta - Aeropuerto de Lanzarote

I´m now in the VIP lounge of Lanzarote Airport, well worth the cash for 2 or 3 hours of peace and quiet. Free food/drink and internet access. The break in Lanzarote has been well worth it and I am much closer to my goal of becoming a Lanzaroteño!

We got a taxi this morning, the driver again was upbeat as to the chance of job opportunities, so it really looks like the move is 99% certain. I believe the only factor that will affect the decision will be primarily family. Family will always come first.

We're here until 1225 flight time.

Only 4 months until we return.......

This is as good as it gets.

I´m currently sitting in an internet cafe in Lanzarote. I had a chat with one of my local friends, it seems that coach/bus driving is reasonably well paid over here.This has enabled us to contact our estate agents and let them know we can raise our sights on the type of place we will be able to rent. We will be able to afford a much better place than originally thought. €900 will secure us a really decent 2 bed apartment/Villa/Finca (some with own pool) in a good area too.

I have also been told by a restaurant owner to go and see him if I have any problems with getting set up with employment. The dream gets closer!