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Dont do as we do, do as we say by G.W. - Wednesday 14/2/07

There are apparently 5m Brits working, living or retired abroad. That's around 1 in 8 of the working population. Emigration is on the rise and the number of Brits either living abroad or buying a property abroad is rocketing.

But how many of those Brits make any effort to integrate into their new society?

The answer is - just a handfull.

We Brits are passionate about maintaining our identify when we are abroad, and some parts of Spain and Portugal (unfortunately) now resemble Blackpool with some sunshine. In the middle east Brits live in walled/gated complexes, dont try and learn the language and do not adopt local customs or practices. And yet when muslims come to Britain they are encouraged to integrate to ease tensions, their (white) counter-parts in the middle east not trying to integrate at all, but trying instead to westernise (or "civilise") the peoples of the countries they are living in.

So don't do as we do, do as we say!

Threat to Welsh "plants" by G.W. - Wednesday 14/2/07

Rhodri Morgan is quoted as saying, when dicussing global warming recently: "A crude cap on CO2 emissions for Wales could mean plants leaving Wales for less regulated environments..."

Well, plants need CO2 to survive, that and sunshine and water (2 out of 3 aint bad). We should all write to him and tell him that plants dont have legs, they release spores that are carried in the wind. But I am sure, given what the plants must think of our First Minister, that if they did have legs they would get up and walk out of Wales.

The one true god by G.W. - Wednesday 14/2/07

A small row is (apparently) brewing between a mosque and a church in a Cardiff street. The banner outside the Mosque apparently translates to "Allah is the one true god!" - a common slogan for muslims. The nearby church, however, got told off when their banner was changed to say "Christ is the one true saviour". Apparently the church was being racist and provocative towards muslims.

I guess the local Advertising Standards Authority will have to determine just who is the one true god - and then make a ruling!

GW - reply by J.W. - Sunday 18/2/07

Don't do as we do, do as we say!

A very good point which applies throughout international politics. For instance, the nation at the moment trying to dictate who can and who can't have nuclear weapons is the one nation that bears the shame of ever having used them, namely the USA.

Global warming - benefits for Barry Island by G.W. - Wednesday 14/2/07

Our First Minister, Rhodri Morgan, has recently suggested that global warming is not all bad and may indeed bring some benefits to Wales - warmer weather.

He forgot to point out that the scientists say warmer "wetter" weather. Much wetter.

Still, being able to take the water-bus from the Barrage to Taffs Well may be another benefit, when we are all 6 foot under water.

Discrimination in practice by G.W. - Friday 16/2/07

The Discrimination section has 2 questions next to each other;

Is compensation justified for Asians arrested and then released without charge?

Should the Birmingham Muslims released without charge after 7 days, be compensated?
23% voted YES : 77% voted NO

Do you think that if "you" were arrested and then released after 7 days, you should be compensated?
72% voted YES : 28% voted NO

So, the colour of your skin does matter when it comes to injustice...

Wind farms - not in my back yard! by J.W. - Sunday 18/2/07

With all of the talk of consultation about the siting of wind farms, and local communities having their say (ie. opposing them), it is worth asking yourself the question, would I rather have one of Mr Blairs proposed new generation nuclear plants in my back yard?

We all consume electricity which has to be generated somewhere. Think of the alternatives before you and your local community block the construction of a wind farm.

Here's your wind farm, boyo by G.W. - Wednesday 14/2/07

The Assembly does sometimes remind people of the novel Animal Farm; all animals are equal, but some are more equal than others!

The Westminter government recommended that local people (those about to have their skyline dominated by wind turbines) be "consulted" first. The Assembly, however, has decided not to consult with the local population - instead has offered bribes through the energy companies themselves, who will build the odd new community hall as compensation. But, if the windfarms are welcomed and beneficial, why the bribes?

Strange to see that local WELSH folk are protesting about something that the WELSH Assembly is thrusting upon them, when the English would consult about it.

Good job the Assembly is there to look out for the interests of local Welsh communities. Otherwise they might be put upon by those 'orrible English types!

Keeping us in the dark by G.W. - Saturday 17/2/07

It is now being suggested that motorway and street lights be switched off from midnight in the fight against global warming. That should reduce carbon emmissions by about 1% of a chinese power station (being built at a rate of 1 per week); so thats all the benefit to the planet that such a move would bring - being wiped out in around 1 hour.

There will be an increase in traffic accidents, and little old ladies wont feel safe walking along dark streets...but hey, saving the planet is more important!