Thursday, January 26, 2012

Question Time LiveBlog 26th January 2012


Tonight Question Time comes from Plymouth.

David Dimbleby is joined by Conservative MP Liz Truss, Lib-Dem Foreign Office Minister Jeremy Browne, Labour's David Lammy, ex Socialist Workers Party member Mark Steel and Mail columnist Melanie Phillips.

A note to all contributors: humour is good, sarcasm is fine, biting wit is even better but direct threats of violence and disgusting language are not acceptable. We will not add such comments. Have fun - but be good now...

Your Moderators line-up consists of David Vance, David Mosque and TheEye.

It's a 10:30pm kick off and we'll be staying open for This Week too. See you here later!

Read more...

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Abortion Adverts On UK TV


Or alternatively "Unexpecting The Expected"...we see on SkyNews: Row Over TV Adverts For Abortion Clinics 

Firms offering terminations will be able to promote their services on air from the end of April as long as they are not seen as harmful, offensive or misleading.
Just imagine:

"Have you had an accident in the last 9 months that wasn't your fault?" 

Anyway, there are already adverts for abortion on UK television...they are called 'The Jeremy Kyle Show'.

Read more...

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Question Time LiveBlog 19th January 2012


Tonight Question Time comes from Shrewsbury.

David Dimbleby is joined by Conservative Party co-ChairmanBaroness Warsi, Shadow Education spokesweasel Stephen Twigg, enviro-loon Caroline Lucas, mad-as-a-box-of-frogs Germaine Greer and lone ray of hope for common sense Charles Moore

Your Moderators line-up consists of David Vance, David Mosque and TheEye.

It's a 10:30pm kick off and we'll be staying open for This Week too. See you here later!

Read more...

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

DownFall Does Scottish Independence II

...and so it all went wrong. In the blink of an eye a perfectly close-to-the-knuckle joke has cost Tom Harris MP a completely non-job as Labour (who they?) Twitter Tsar (what that?).

Microdave reacted quickly in the Comments here and by that point events were already...eventing...

So let us consider two things..secondly the Telegraph report on the affair but first - the pisstake of the pisstake.

Let's give it a large "meh, you idiot" to the glory that is...



...and then from the Telegraph to give some context:

Labour MP, Tom Harris, has been forced to resign as the party’s new media adviser after creating a spoof video comparing Adolf Hitler's final days with Alex Salmond’s machinations over the referendum on Scottish independence.

Tom Harris, who had a popular blog, uploaded to the internet a parody based on the 2004 movie Downfall, which shows Hitler ranting at generals and senior Nazis in his bunker during the collapse of the Third Reich.


Note that by "popular" the Telegraph means "he's a dick and is only watched to see how stupid he can get" rather than the usual definition of 'popular' which is defined as 'looked at by people who aren't rubberneckers at car crashes'.

The Glasgow South MP used the clip, which has previously been spoofed to mock a series of high-profile figures, to poke fun at Mr Salmond’s secrecy over the referendum.

He also mocked the First Minister for refusing to sack his parliamentary aide, Joan McAlpine, who last week suggested that any political parties that oppose the Scottish National Party are “anti-Scottish”.

The spoof was posted on Saturday and titled ‘Joan’s Downfall’, but Mr Harris was forced to quit his new media post last night following talks with Johann Lamont, Labour’s Scottish leader.
In a statement, he said: “The video I posted has been a well-worn joke used to parody a range of public figures.


It's probably worth reproducing the Telegraph article in full (read it here with some beautiful comments below)...it is a gem of a mainstream media post simply because it manages to avoid calling Tom Harris a bell-end to his face. This blog has no such scruples.

Anyway:

The video features the voice of Hitler, with Mr Salmond parodied in subtitles. It begins with Nazi officials planning the First Minister’s “coronation” after his referendum victory.

In a cheeky reference to Mr Salmond’s weight, it states that the Stone of Destiny, used to crown British monarchs, will need to be “widened and strengthened.”
His generals then tell him about Miss McAlpine’s comments “that if you don’t vote SNP, you hate Scotland”.

The Fuhrer asks all those who have written something similar on internet blogs and websites to vacate the room, leaving only six people remaining.
His temper then violently erupts as he complains he has spent millions of pounds trying to bury the SNP’s “reputation for tartan jingoism”.

In a reference to a recent £1 million donation to the SNP from a couple who won £161 million on Euromillions, he asks: “How many more lottery wins will we need to make people forget this mess? Never let them know what we’re thinking!”
David Cameron’s intervention last week finally forced Mr Salmond to name his preferred date for the referendum after months of silence.

In the video, Hitler rants: “First we’ve got Posh Boy driving his tanks onto my lawn and then I have to tell the whole country the top secret date for my secret referendum.”
In a reference to Angus Robertson, the SNP’s Westminster leader and referendum campaign director, a general says: “First Minister, you and Angus couldn’t have kept it secret for much longer anyway!”

But a furious Hitler responds: “It was nobody else’s business! It’s my referendum – mine! MINE!”
A secretary is then seen comforting a colleague, portrayed as Nicola Sturgeon, Mr Salmond’s deputy, saying that at least she does not have to defend Miss McAlpine on the BBC’s Question Time.

Hitler concludes by saying: “The irony is Joan is right. How can you be properly Scottish if you don’t support me?” He then tells his generals to order Miss Sturgeon to go on Question Time instead of him.

An SNP spokesman called the clip “silly and negative”.

Read more...

Sunday, January 15, 2012

DownFall Does Scottish Independence

Not bad, not bad...

Read more...

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Question Time LiveBlog 12th January 2012


Welcome back to the Biased-BBC Question Time Live-Chat! We resume after the Christmas break with a classic line-up of typical BBC fodder.

Tonight Question Time comes from London.

David Dimbleby is joined by Economic Secretary to the Treasury Justine Greening, Shadow Foreign Secretary Douglas Alexander, Deputy First Minister for Scotland Nicola Sturgeon, Minister for Pompous Smugness Paddy Ashdown and editor and broadcaster Kelvin MacKenzie.

This week sees your usual regular Moderators line-up of David Vance and David Mosque. TheEye is back permanently as of tonight and is looking forward to getting back into the fray.

It's a 10:30pm kick off. You know where to be. And how much alcohol to bring.

Read more...

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Merry Christmas from TheEye

Referendum Gate, Gibraltar ,2011


Gibraltar isn’t exactly the most festive place when it comes to Christmas. There are no chestnuts roasting on an open fire, no Jack Frost nipping on your nose. There were yuletide carols sung by the choir from the local Convent last week on Irish Steps but even at noon today the weather was mild enough to have lunch outside in shirt-sleeves.

Regular readers will know that TheEye hasn't had an easy second half to the year. My sincere thanks go to those who have emailed, contacted, offered support and help and done all of those things which make the world go around when things are a bit not so good. Especial thanks to fellow Eye contributors and friends St Crispin, Max and David Vance without whom the last few months would have been much more difficult. And others too - unmentioned here to spare blushes but you know who you are and I appreciate it.

The New Year will see new domestic arrangements for TheEye which will feature amongst other things teh interwebs at home for the first time in 4 months. Plus not living out of suitcases. So blogging will pick up again. Snatching wifi from coffee shops just isn't the same...

TheEye and all of our contributors here wish you all a fantastic Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year.

Read more...

Friday, December 16, 2011

Clegg: "This Is Simply Unacceptable"

Was it about this news story? Or perhaps he was talking about this photograph? We haven't forgotten it you yellow hypocrite.



What a disgusting two-faced duplicitous lying bastard politician. Telling the Press that you've whinged at the Frogs on the telephone changes nothing. We still despise you.

Read more...

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Chewbacca Sings "Silent Night"

There's no BBC Question Time tonight - it is back on the 12th January - so let's have a more festive post than usual for a Thursday evening...

Read more...

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Santa Venn Diagram


Still busy, will be back...

Read more...

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Question Time LiveBlog 8th December 2011


Question Time tonight comes from Stoke-On-Trent.

On the panel Conservative PPS to the Defence Secretary Claire Perry, Labour MP Tristram Hunt, black part-time judge Constance Briscoe, Chief Executive of Next Lord Simon Wolfson (who takes the Conservative whip) and nutty race-baiter Mehdi Hasan.

It's been a long time since the panel has been so spectacularly unspectacular. Honestly, you wouldn't recognise a single one of them if they stood next to you on the Tube.

Today is General Election day in Gibraltar so TheEye has been hobbling around on crutches wearing a rosette all day. I will try to join the chat Moderation panel from the count via the BatPhone but no promises as I'm moderating a similar chat on the Gib results at the same time. Busy busy busy. And not in a good way.

David Vance and David Mosque are Duty Moderating Heroes for yet another evening...

It's a 10:30pm kick off. You know where to be. And how much alcohol to bring.


Read more...

Monday, December 5, 2011

Can We Have Our EU Referendum Now?


The Terms and Conditions of course being that you don't get one.

(from here)

Read more...

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Question Time LiveBlog 1st December 2011


Question Time tonight comes from Dagenham.

On the panel Ken Clarke, Chuka Umunna, someone from Dragon's Den called Deborah Meaden, Canadian-American journalist David Frum and union boss Mary Bousted.

So David Frum is the token right-winger. Nobody would ever accuse Ken Clarke of filling that chair, could they?

It's a 10:30pm kick off. You know where to be. And how much alcohol to bring.

Read more...

Stick It Where The Sun Doesn't Shine

TheEye is busy with the General Election here in Gibraltar and much depends on the result here on the 8th December. TheEye's job, for a start.

On the campaign trail trying to keep things on an even keel...we shall see...but an interesting (for us locally) statement from the idiot europhile "Conservative" Minister that the Liberals allowed to represent us sell us out in the Foreign Office in the UK (bold stuff added for emphasis):

However one thing matters above all other issues. The UK government have betrayed us before with direct and underhand negotiations with Spain on the subject of soveriegnty. So it is with some relief but deep suspicion that we welcome...

Nine days after the Popular Party swept into power in Spain, the British Government has underscored its long-standing assurance that it will not talk about Gibraltar’s sovereignty against the wishes of its people.

The PP said in its electoral manifesto that it would seek a return to bilateral talks with the UK over Gibraltar, but the message from Britain this week was clear.

David Lidington, Minister of State for Europe and NATO at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, set out Britain’s position in a response to a question in the House of Commons.

Tory MP Andrew Rosindell had asked if Britain had recently discussed the sharing of Gibraltar’s sovereignty with Spain.

Mr Lidington said Britain’s Foreign Minister, William Hague, had not discussed Gibraltar’s sovereignty with Spain.

“Any communication that we have with the Spanish Government about Gibraltar reflects our clear position on sovereignty, which is that the UK will never enter into arrangements under which the people of Gibraltar would pass under the sovereignty of another state against their wishes and, furthermore, the UK will not enter into a process of sovereignty negotiations with which Gibraltar is not content,” he added.
Shove it. Sideways. We don't trust any of you now.

Read more...

Saturday, November 26, 2011

The Foreign Office Is Recruiting!

If you fancy popping over to meet TheEye in one of the sunnier bits of the old Empire then put your name down for this job with the Foreign Office...

Research Analyst for Gibraltar, The British Indian Ocean Territory, and the Caribbean Overseas Territories and Bermuda



"The role is business critical and has been exempted from the civil service recruitment freeze.

The salary range for this role is £32,784 - £55,782 per annum, depending on skills, and experience.This sum will be consolidated and pensionable."


Just remember, we're all in this together!

Read more...

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Question Time LiveBlog 24th November 2011


Question Time tonight comes from Bath in Somerset.

David Dimbleby is joined by the splendid Daniel Hannan MEP, Chris Huhne (who may or may not be driving there; the CPS can't decide), a person called Liz Kendall who is apparently Shadow Minister for Old People, the Sainsbury's CEO Justin King and notorious self-publicist and Wikipedia front-man Jimmy Wales.

It's a 10:30pm kick off. You know where to be. And how much alcohol to bring.

Read more...

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Gunners Prayer


No apologies for being terribly parochial!

Let us remember all Gunners, who cherishing our brotherhood, glorying in our good name, when the call came followed the the path of duty and self-sacrifice and laid down their lives for their Sovereign and country in many lands, faithful unto death in the service of the Guns.

Amen!

Read more...

Friday, November 11, 2011

Armistice Day 2011

"War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things; the decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks nothing worth a war, is worse. A man who has nothing which he cares more about than he does about his personal safety is a miserable creature who has no chance at being free, unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself."

John Stuart Mill

Across the United Kingdom right now there is a sharp division between two groups marching behind very different banners. Those of us, whether in uniform or not, who stand in defence of liberty versus those who seek to destroy it.

We should be thankful, especially on this anniversary, that our freedom is defended, first and foremost, by the current generation of our Armed Forces, and also by the clear majority of those at home who support them. On Armistice Day we remember and honour those whom, for generations, have sought to defend us.

At no time in history has the contrast between those who support freedom, and those who want to tear it down, been so striking.

Despite this contrast, we stand proud and free because our Army, the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and the RAF have stood bravely in harm's way - now and for generations past. These men and women have heeded the call to serve others before self, and have sacrificed accordingly. For their steadfast devotion to duty, honour and country, we offer our humble gratitude and heartfelt thanks.

Lest We Forget

Read more...

Thursday, November 10, 2011

11/11/11 Is....Corduroy Appreciation Day

To be filed under Things You May Not Have Known: there is a Corduroy Appreciation Club.

Founded by a man named Miles Rohan for the purpose of (obviously) appreciating corduroy, The Corduroy Appreciation Club finds itself approaching a very important date, as they write on their website,
"The Most Important Date In History: 111111" - also known as, "The date which most closely resembles Corduroy, EVER."
There are lots of events planned, including an Annual Grand 111111 Meeting to be held at the Desmond Tutu Center on 10th Avenue, New York, at which members in attendance will be required to wear three items of corduroy rather than the usual two. You won't be surprised to know that tickets are sold out.

For a while the Club was seeking a child born on November 11, 2000, who will turn 11 this year.
"That child is the messiah of corduroy," said Miles Rohan, founder of the 4,000-member club, which was started as a half-joke in 2005. "We liken it to finding the Dalai Lama."
Only a half-joke? Oh FFS

Read more...

Question Time LiveBlog 10th November 2011


Question Time tonight comes from Newcastle upon Tyne.

On the panel we have Nadine Dorries,  the Sec of State for Scotland and LibDem Michael Moore, the Shadow Chief Sec to the Treasury Rachel Reeves, neurobiologist Professor Colin Blakemore and Stephen Pollard, editor of the Jewish Chronicle.

Could be an interesting one this week.

TheEye is able to join the Two Davids...Vance and (hopefully) Mosque...in the Moderators balcony tonight, so we all look forward to seeing you at 10:30pm!

Read more...

Ronald Reagan

"There are no constraints on the human mind, no walls around the human spirit, no barriers to our progress except those we ourselves erect."

Lady Thatcher

"If you lead a country like Britain, a strong country, a country which has taken a lead in world affairs in good times and in bad, a country that is always reliable, then you have to have a touch of iron about you."

Voltaire

"Stand upright, speak thy thoughts, declare The truth thou hast, that all may share; Be bold, proclaim it everywhere: They only live who dare."

Back to TOP