F1 Disgraced Again

Ah... it has been so long. At least I have an excuse - soooooooo busy!

Anyway, as the title suggests it is time for another moan about Formula 1, in particular, the disgraceful decision made by the stewards following the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa. After a week, I still can't understand how they came to believe that McClaren had flouted the rules and unfortunately the shocking decision that robbed him of his well deserved race win was made all the more bitter by the fact that the race itself was so marvellously exciting at the end. This kind of thrilling performance should be applauded, not punished.

Still, at least qualifying today at Monza brought similar spectacle. If you haven't already seen it, make sure you catch a reply of qualifying tomorrow morning on ITV4, or watch the highlights online!

Iron Man

I really didn't fancy Iron Man the first time I saw a trailer and I think that most of the trailers really suck but there's this one trailer that just gets me everytime... I think it's ace and it really makes me want to see this movie. Maybe you've seen it? That one that says something like 'Is it the car? Is it the women? Everyone knows it's the suit that makes the man'. It's to the point, it's clever and as a result it's appealing. Somehow, all the explosive action of the main trailers just doesn't cut it!

I'm now really looking forward to seeing this movie, so I guess that just shows the power of advertising. Of course, it might also have something to do with the bombardment that is taking placing ahead of the premiere - every ad break has at least one trailer for this movie. I wonder how many people are being put off by this? ;-)

Election!

My postal ballot arrived yesterday so let's talk about the local elections on the 1st of May.

First and foremost, no matter what the circumstances I intend to vote. I have voted in every election (bar one, when I was out of the country) since I was 18 and don't plan to break the habit. 'Why?' I hear you ask. It's my right! All over the world there are people who can't vote or people, like those in Zimbabwe, whose vote is made meaningless by their corrupt leaders. It may often seem like a vote in this country is meaningless but to those who honestly believe that I suggest you try living in dictatorship for a while and see how you feel about British politics then! Also, remember that just as there are many people whose vote means nothing, there are as many who can't vote. In the past many women have fought and died in this country for my right to vote and I am not about to insult their memory by squandering my vote. Thus, I would rather spoil my ballot than not actually vote and I encourage EVERYONE to think alike. It's your right, your voice and your power. If you choose not to wield it, you choose not be heard and not to act therefore you can't complain when everything's going tits-up!

Anyway, returning to my point, who should I put my trust in as my chosen representative in this local election? Well, in my ward I can vote Labour, vote Conservative or vote Lib-dem. What a choice! I am salivating at the endless possibilities!

Lets face it, by voting for the Labour representative I am effectively giving a seal of approval to the existing Labour dominated council. Here in Salford, our council tax is one of the highest in the area and we have just had the highest percentage increase of an council in Greater Manchester. For that increase we have roads that are riddled with pot holes, a substandard recycling programme and not much else. True, the Labour council are redeveloping my area - knocking down derelict buildings in favour of new 'low cost' housing - but they are also in favour of introducing congestion charging in Manchester and, the so-called low cost housing is, in reality anything but, the new housing is years from being built and the council is also looking to close schools in favour of larger super schools. All in all, not a great picture. I feel it could be time for a change.

So, what of the other candidates? Well, I have no idea what the Conservative candidate will stand for since we have had nothing from them. In general, however, the Tories are against anything that Labour want to do so you would think that makes them an ideal replacement. But I have a problem voting for a candidate that hasn't made any effort to convince me to elect them. It's almost as if the Tory candidate has decided that I won't vote for Labour therefore I will vote for them. They are not worthy of my vote.

That leaves the Lib-Dems as the only other choice. However there is always the concern that the Lib-Dems, as the 'third' party in this country, are unelectable. Even if they did get power, I'm not convinced they would know how to use it. At least THEY have made an effort to try and convince me!

So, what to do?

Sunday!

It's Sunday - the day of rest and Formula 1 Grand Prix!

Thus, after fiddling with my blog layout and profile and stuff, and deleting some, quite frankly, rubbish posts, I have to think of something to write about. So, let's write about the blog.

Newly introduced at the bottom are some nice banner ads. I used to hate them (and still hate the ones that are irritatingly distracting with loads of animation and noises and stuff) but these are Google AdSense, which are static, low key banners. Plus they will earn me pennies. I've also added some weekly picks - each weekend, I will update the photo with a favourite from my own collection or an image from the previous week's news. I've also added my pick of TV and movies for the coming week and will change this each weekend, too. Finally, I've added a news feed. I haven't quite got the keywords right as yet so I might be changing this over the course of time.

So there you go... a few key changes to my bloggy wog!

And so, I am off to watch the Bahrain Grand Prix. I am, of course, supporting the 'local boy', Lewis Hamilton (come on, Ham Sandwich!) but no matter what, the hot, dusty track of the Bahrain circuit once again promises a fun-filled afternoon with lots of exciting racing (and maybe even crashing!) and for a while we will try and forget the indiscretions of, Formula1 governing body president, Max Mosley. However, before we do brush this nasty business aside, let's dwell on it for a brief moment.

It is reported that Max Mosley, regularly hires teams of prostitutes to meet his sexual needs. Those needs, it appears, include 'kinky' role-play sex and, on at least one occasion, may have involved a Nazi type scenario. Personally, I don't take issue with his sexual desires - if role-play gets him off, so be it - but I believe that by engaging the services of 'sex-professionals' he has broken the law. He has also embarrased the sport on the international stage, lost the respect of many of the sport's participants and offended some of the sport's host nations. For those reasons, and those reasons alone, I believe that he should resign. We will watch and wait to see what happens next but for the time being, lets just enjoy the race!

Against All Enemies...

...Foreign and domestic.

This book, written by Dick Clarke, an expert in counter terrorism, is a must read for anyone that is seeking an insight into America's War on Terror. Although the entire book is made up of Clarke's personal recollections and, as such, errors have crept in, that does not dilute the essence or importance of Clarke's writing.

Having now read this book it is clear that the George W Bush administration is little more than a boys' club. Bush has surrounded himself with people who believe and think like him. In essence the Bush administration, particularly his key staff, are yes-men. As such, the war in Iraq was a personal vendetta on a global scale. While I am certain that there were many considerations and justifications for America's war in Iraq, it seems clear that one of Bush's main goals was to get Saddam for the attempted assassination of President Bush Sr. For evidence of this, one must only consider the revolving door of experts employed by the Bush Jr White House that have disagreed with the President - all resigned due to the immense frustration caused by the closed attitudes of the Administration.

If nothing else, 'Against All Enemies' is a fascinating cross-examination of the successes and failures of four consecutive Presidents. After reading, you will wonder just how safe you are with Bush as America's Commander in Chief.

Inauguration

We observe today not a victory of party, but a celebration of freedom symbolizing an end, as well as a beginning; signifying renewal, aswell as change. For I have sworn before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath our forebears prescribed nearly a century and three quarters ago.

The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life. And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe, the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state, but from the hand of God.

We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution. Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this Nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.

Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty.

This much we pledge and more.

To those old allies whose cultural and spiritual origins we share, we pledge the loyalty of faithful friends. United, there is little we cannot do in a host of cooperative ventures. Divided, there is little we can do for we dare not meet a powerful challenge at odds and split asunder.

To those new States whom we welcome to the ranks of the free, we pledge our word that one form of colonial control shall not have passed away merely to be replaced by a far more iron tyranny. We shall not always expect to find them supporting our view. But we shall always hope to find them strongly supporting their own freedom and to remember that, in the past, those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside.

To those peoples in the huts and villages across the globe struggling to break the bonds of mass misery, we pledge our best efforts to help them help themselves, for whatever period is required not because the Communists maybe doing it, not because we seek their votes, but because it is right. If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.

To our sister republics south of our border, we offer a special pledge to convert our good words into good deeds in a new alliance for progress to assist free men and free governments in casting off the chains of poverty. But this peaceful revolution of hope cannot become the prey of hostile powers. Let all our neighbors know that we shall join with them to oppose aggression or subversion anywhere in the Americas. And let every other power know that this Hemisphere intends to remain the master of its own house.

To that world assembly of sovereign states, the United Nations, our last best hope in an age where the instruments of war have far outpaced the instruments of peace, we renew our pledge of support to prevent it from becoming merely a forum for invective to strengthen its shield of the new and the weak and to enlarge the area in which its writ may run.

Finally, to those nations who would make themselves our adversary, we offer not a pledge but a request: that both sides begin a new the quest for peace, before the dark powers of destruction unleashed by science engulf all humanity in planned or accidental self-destruction.

We dare not tempt them with weakness. For only when our arms are sufficient beyond doubt can we be certain beyond doubt that they will never be employed.

But neither can two great and powerful groups of nations take comfort from our present course both sides overburdened by the cost of modern weapons, both rightly alarmed by the steady spread of the deadly atom, yet both racing to alter that uncertain balance of terror that stays the hand of mankind's final war.

So let us begin anew, remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.

Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us.

Let both sides, for the first time, formulate serious and precise proposals for the inspection and control of arms and bring the absolute power to destroy other nations under the absolute control of all nations.

Let both sides seek to invoke the wonders of science instead of its terrors. Together let us explore the stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate disease, tap the ocean depths, and encourage the arts and commerce.

Let both sides unite to heed in all corners of the earth the command of Isaiah to "undo the heavy burdens ... and to let the oppressed go free."

And if a beach head of cooperation may push back the jungle of suspicion, let both sides join in creating a new endeavor, not a new balance of power, but a new world of law, where the strong are just and the weak secure and the peace preserved.

All this will not be finished in the first 100 days. Nor will it be finished in the first 1,000 days, nor in the life of this Administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.

In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than in mine, will rest the final success or failure of our course. Since this country was founded, each generation of Americans has been summoned to give testimony to its national loyalty. The graves of young Americans who answered the call to service surround the globe.

Now the trumpet summons us again not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need; not as a call to battle, though embattled we are but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle, year in and year out, "rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation" a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself.

Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, North and South, East and West, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that historic effort?

In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.

And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you ask what you can do for your country.

My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.

Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own.

So goes the inaugural address of President John F Kennedy, arguably one of the greatest US presidents the world has ever seen. He took us to the stars and prevented the Cuban Missile Crisis from escalating into World War III. How much (or how little) has changed since this speech, which was made in 1961, almost twenty years before I was born? Will the world be the same place in another twenty years, or even a century from when Kennedy made this speech? We there still be the same air of fear? Will it be a fear of nuclear attack, biological or viral distaster or will it be a fear of nature and the natural world? Time will tell.

Welcome to the inaugural post of The Soup Spoon. Here's to many more ramblings and musings from the oddity that is my brain. ~K