THE FAMILY VLOG!

Here we go, several days late, but I wanted to share this VLOG with you all...!

Hugh Gaitskell on EEC membership

Speech by Hugh Gaitskell to the Labour Party conference, 3 October 1962, concerning Britain joining the EEC

I present to Conference the document Labour and the Common Market, and ask you to give it your whole-hearted support. I ask this not only because I believe that this document will commend itself to the large majority of delegates, but because its compelling logic makes it a fine statement of the Party’s point of view on this immense problem.

We can all agree on the tremendous significance of this debate. We can also agree that it is already warm in this hall, and likely to become much hotter as the day goes on. Do not therefore, let us get over-heated. I plead at the start for tolerance, tolerance in particular between those who hold the more extreme views in this controversy – those who, on the one hand would like to see Britain enter Europe whatever the conditions, and those who, on the other hand, are opposed to Britain entering Europe on any conditions. I suggest that they would do well to tolerate one another, because they both have some strange bedfellows. If one attacks the other because of its allies, retaliation is extraordinarily easy!

Click to read more ...

BEHIND THE SONG.....LEON PAYNE

If I mention the name Leon Payne, I wonder how many people could tell me who he was?

He is probably best remembered as the guy who wrote the lovely ballad "I love you because.." recorded by Gentleman Jim Reeves and subsequently turned into a huge international hit. He also wrote some sensational tunes that Hank Williams made famous, including "Lost Highway" and "They'll never take her love from me."

But that's not what I want to talk about. Oh No. You see Leon has the distinction of having written what must rank as Country and Western's BLACKEST song ever. It goes by the title of "Psycho"... and here's the bizarre background that inspired Leon to write a song unlike any other he ever penned.

Charles Whitman was a former Eagle Scout, ex-Marine and model student at the University of Texas in Austin who one night in 1966 killed his mother by strangulation and stabbed his wife to death. The next morning, he packed up his Marine footlocker with guns and ammo and food and survival tools and equipment and marched off to school. At UT, he hauled his gear up to the top of the 28-story UT library tower -- then the tallest spot in Austin -- locked the observation deck doors and went to work.

Alas he was a superb sniper and started picking off people as they walked or bicycled to class. No one initially knew what was happening as death rained down from the sky. Before cops finally broke through to the roof and shot him down, he had killed 16 people, wounded 30 more and forever traumatized a university campus and a city.

Leon Payne, like many others, was clearly affected by these shocking events in Austin, so he sat himself down and out came this song. Let's go through it verse by verse...

"Can Mary fry some fish, mama
I'm as hungry as can be
Oh lord, how I wish, mama
You could stop the baby cryin'
'Cause my head is killing me

Mmmm...so far so good, just a little upset at the mewling infant, right? 'Fraid not.

I saw my ex again last night mama
She was at the dance at Miller's store
She was with that Jackie White mama
I killed them both
And they're buried under Jacob's sycamore

WHAT? Did I hear the right?

You think I'm psycho don't you mama?
I didn't mean to break your cup
You think I'm psycho don't you mama?
You better let 'em lock me up

OK - I think I'm getting the picture..go on...

Oh, don't hand me Johnny's pup mama
As I might squeeze him too tight
I'm havin' crazy dreams again mama
So let me tell you 'bout last night
I woke up in Johnny's room mama
Standing right there by his bed
With my hands around his throat mama
Wishing both of us were dead

You think I'm psycho don't you mama?
I just killed Johnny's pup
You think I'm psycho don't you mama?
You'd better let 'em lock me up

Something tells me that Johnny's pup is not the only one in bother....

Oh you recall that little girl mama?
I believe her name was Betty Clark
Oh don't tell me that she's dead mama
'Cause I just saw her in the park
We were sitting on a bench mama
Thinking of a game to play
Seems I was holding a wrench mama
Then my mind just walked away

Chilling....and then comes the pay-off line.....

You think I'm psycho don't you mama?
I didn't mean to break your cup
You think I'm psycho don't you mama?
Mama why don't YOU get up?

I've heard several versions of this but the BEST version in terms of capturing the inherent derangement of the lyric was recorded by Elvis Costello and the Attractions back in at The Palomino Club, North Hollywood, California on February 16, 1979; If you click here and scroll down to Disc 2 Track Five, you can hear a clip of it. What is best about this live version is that the backing music is almost sweet as the murderous lyric unfolds. It's powerful stuff that lifts the hairs on the back of the neck. This is NOT what country music is perceived to be!

Leon Payne died on September 11th 1969. His musical legacy endures, and I believe he carries the crown for having written the blackest song in the history of Country music.

"and a merry christmas from the people's republic!"

Emma MaerskSaw pictures of this giant container ship named the 'Emma Maersk', docked in Teesside Harbour, along with such cringingly awful headlines as 'Santa's presents are all from China', and '50,000 tons of Christmas gifts arrive from Shanghai' and was reminded of a post which I made on a previous blog of mine! Had a look at that old file, and decided that it was still a timely piece of writing, so here we are, brought slightly up-to-date!

I watched a documentary on Channel Five some months back, the title of the series was ‘SuperShips’, and it described in amazing detail the construction and running techniques of this giant container ship, ‘Shanghai Express’, which runs at a speed of 23.5 knots, equivalent to twenty-seven miles an hour. Now most of us, looking at this speed will say, ‘that’s not very fast’ but think again, that is very fast in terms of something which is carrying one hundred thousand and six metric tonnes, and travels at the same speed all twenty four hours of the day! The engineering spaces are akin to something out of ‘Star Trek’, the views of this monster pushing through an flat ocean with a ‘bone in her teeth’ (generating a huge bow wave, for the uninitiated) gave an impact of a superb ship doing the job it was created to do.

Shanghai ExpressBut let’s go a little further into the woodpile, and examine what exactly this ship is doing. She is carrying, as part of a fleet of four, one hundred thousand tonnes of goods every three weeks. Do the maths, and that works out to 6.92 million tonnes of manufactured goods imported from the Peoples Republic of China into the European Union every year. Now that is a lot of plastic toys, DVD players, rubbish bins, textiles and electronic bits and bobs! Some of it is crap, because the quality control methods in China are not the greatest, but a lot of it isn’t crap, it’s well-made, and equally well-designed, and worthy of your purchase; or is it?

Consider where this huge amount of cargo was made before the great industrial charge now present in China came on stream! This cargo, carried in the ‘Shanghai Express’ and her sister ships, managed by Hapag Lloyd, a German multi-national, is mirrored in the vessels of many other container ship companies running into the major container ports of Western Europe and America, so you now begin to get the picture of the huge inroads the Chinese have made in our marketplace. Now the marketplace for this huge amount of ‘everything’ existed before, because the Chinese haven’t invented new ‘everything’, no way! The old ‘everything’ used to be made by Thailand, and Japan, Korea and Brazil, and we made quite a bit of ‘everything’ in Europe, and more specifically in Britain. But over a period of about five to ten years ago, the Chinese got real clever, and allowed their workforce to initiate new ideas, expand their factories and modernise existing lines, build new cities and motorways to help carry and move the workforce and products which they are so good at selling to the West! All good and proper, opening up a country to modern manufacturing methods will surely enhance the Chinese, and make everyone richer? So the factories and offices in downtown Sao Paulo, or Bangkok, or Seoul, or Bolton were were forced to close because their markets had been grabbed by a cheaper, better organised manufacturing country! Well, not really, because this is still the same China which operates slave labour in the factories owned and operated by the PLA, (which, again for the uninitiated is short for The Peoples Liberation Army.) So now you begin to understand where the profits from your purchase of that really cheap refrigerator, or that shiny new DVD player from Curry’s or Dixon’s actually goes to! You are helping to fund a dictatorship, a Totalitarian Government ruling by decree, the same Government who sent the tanks and armoured carriers rolling into Tianmen Square in 1989, and killing over five thousand, while injuring seven to ten thousand more!

In retrospect, Jimmy Carter, 39^th President of the United States, was a disaster on wheels for America, his foreign policy strategies, among which was the removal of support for the Shah of Iran, thus helping place Khomeini and the mullahs in charge, and the signing away of the Panama Canal to a bunch of low-level criminals and drug-runners. But the one shining item in his portfolio was his acclaim of ‘Human Rights’, not the wishy-washy union- and liberal-friendly crap which is so loved by the European Union, but the real package, the freedom to worship, even if it’s a mish-mash of ideas like Falun Gong; the freedom to congregate, even in a place like Tianmen Square and talk about honest reform of government; the freedom to say "get stuffed" to a uniformed bully; the freedoms laid down by the United Nations in 1948, but have long since been either forgotten or misplaced.

He said in 1997, during a Foreign Policy speech, "The great democracies are not free because we are strong and prosperous. I believe we are strong and influential and prosperous because we are free. Throughout the world today, in free nations and in totalitarian countries as well, there is a preoccupation with the subject of human freedom, human rights. And I believe it is incumbent on us in this country to keep that discussion, that debate, that contention alive. No other country is as well-qualified as we to set an example. We have our own shortcomings and faults, and we should strive constantly and with courage to make sure that we are legitimately proud of what we have."

Think hard on who you want to give your hard earned money to in the months and years ahead, when your neighbour’s son comes home with the news that his clothing factory is closing because the management are relocating to Chengdu or Wuhu, Think even harder when you buy a pair of gloves, for example, costing say, £16.50, and the alternate offering is from a company based in Aberdeen which are priced at £30.00; when you see an item on the television news that a factory is closing it’s production line because it cannot compete with the Chinese opposition, don’t remember the cheap coat which you bought without examining the label which said, proudly:-

 ‘Made in China’ "

France: Era of Self Doubt

The recent events in France and the events we saw unfold this time last year need to be put more in context. Ive often argued that overall what is happening in les banlieues should be seen within the context of what is happening in France as a whole. Its too simplistic to chalk this all up to Islam though it is relevant in a post 9-11 world. When pressed, the trouble makers will more often refer to what is a very palpable lack of opportunity, a sense of rejection, no equality of opportunity... before they start to mention religion. (France is secular after all)

The riots in France are really reminiscent of those that occurred in London or in Toxteth in the early 80s, there are parallels to the L.A riots. Race, densely populated urban areas, immigration, racism, rejection and tension plus a run in with the law. There are parallels between the accidental death of a woman at the hands of the police in Brixton that kicked off the riots in 1982  and the accidental death of 2 young men in France last year. We see young male French North Africans using various missiles in the riots, torching cars mostly...and balk. But then again the Brixton riots saw molotov cocktails being used on the mainland (for the first time ever outside Northern Ireland) and weeks of ensuing destruction. In London the riots ended with the brutal evil murder of a police officer (PC Blakelock – hacked to death with machetes) and in Marseilles a young woman - herself an immigrant, possibly even muslim – is seriously injured in an attack on a bus (aimed at the bus driver, perceived as racist for refusing to stop).

These parallels indicate the overwhelming social tensions of the time. Namely, immigration forced on to a society expected to somehow ‘cope’.

France, socially and economically, is going through its 1970s/early 80s. In the UK the 1970s was a decade of decline, social unrest, strikes, crippling union powers. Similarly France rides the same storm (student demos and riots earlier this year), unsure of its footing, with a lame duck President at the helm. ‘Dirigisme’ and ‘protectionism’, which have served France well, are now proving costly political strategies in a global economy.

The French have also resolutely rejected immigrants and done very little to integrate their north African immigrant population. Added to which there is extremely high youth unemployment in France. Thanks to the aforementioned strategies (used by both left and right) –the chances for a young French North African gaining employment after university, are significantly reduced.

There is a good piece that touches on all this, by Sophie Peddler, in the Economist

“Just as Britain battled through its winter of discontent in 1978-79, when rubbish went uncollected, school gates unopened and ambulances undriven, France has fought its way through a series of social upheavals in the past 18 months”

(Of which these riots are a part)

“SOMETHING seems very wrong with this country. Once the very model of a modern major power—stable, rich and smug—it appears beset now by political and economic instability and by civil unrest and disorder. One observer has even taken to calling it 'the sick man of Europe'. Hardly a month passes without the appearance of a new book or learned article on the decline and imminent demise of a once proud country..… written in 1979 by Isaac Kramnick, an American political scientist, and refers to Britain.

The 1970s were Britain's decade of self-doubt, not so unlike the first decade of the 21st century is turning out to be for France”

She goes on to argue the problems are not insurmountable, requiring political will. I agree. I dont even view France now as any way near as run down and turbulent as the Britain of the 1970s. My views on anglo-saxon friendly Sarkozy’s chances (and reflecting on the French situation in the same way) remain unchanged from when i posted earlier this year here (also here )

They certainly have options and opportunities in terms of a new presidency in 2007. Royal or Sarkozy will have to tackle this upheaval...and move to tackle integration. Having studied the British formula on the latter, they have rejected it - to their credit.

My guess is nothing much will be done before 2007 but still, im envious of the opportunity they now have to shape their social structure, integration and future and think that when (not if) they are able to break with the past they will do it maintaining some admirable lifestyle elements. As I said previously, the French have gone all out to protect a way of life that is still largely to be envied. They have staved off cultural decline by fighting tooth and nail for it. This will morph to facilitate the necessary change needed to compete economically and tackle social upheaval. It won’t be easy though. As Peddler concludes

“politicians have consistently failed to explain to the citizens why the country cannot afford to go on as before”.

CONFESSIONS OF A TANGLED WEBBER...

I thought it might prove interesting for readers if I take this opportunity, as we launch the NEW Tangled Web site, to review why ATW came into being, how it has changed  over the years (and me with it) and where I hope it will go to!

Let me start by sharing a little background on myself. Some readers may know that I spent a number of years in "front-line" politics in the cauldron of seething discontent that is Northern Ireland! Now being in the "front-line" in Northern Ireland politics has a very distinct meaning - as the graveyards around the Province pay grim testimony. And the thing is, it all happened by accident. It either takes a very brave or a very stupid person to enter this arena, so I'll leave you  to draw your own conclusions about me! 

I was a relatively normal person in a mad world who was avowedly non-political. Yes, I was a unionist in a vague sense, yes I had known friends and family suffer because of the IRA terror campaign, but in all honesty I was too busy building up my career and helping bring up my young family to worry too much about the State of the Union. Shocking, isn't it? I was also someone brought up in a Christian household and whose faith has strengthened over the years, rather than diminish. 

Yet I can remember deciding to go to a public meeting one night in the Ulster Hall - it was hosted by a group Professional & Business people for the Union. I suppose I trace my active interest in politics to that night. I became a member of that organisation, and eventually rose to the stellar height of Chairman of the bored.  Our group met with all the main Unionist parties, we met with the likes of the CBI,  the Church Leaders....it was a fascinating time.  I was able to base my emerging opinions of the political class on having met with them and hearing what they had to say. I recall meeting a newly elected David Trimble, a feisty Ian Paisley, a combative Bob McCartney, a demure Sir George Quigley....and so the beat went on.

From this beginning, I actually ended up in the UK Unionist Party, led by Bob McCartney! That was the beginning of a turbulent five year period during which the Party achieved some modest success, only to be foiled by serial in-fighting and ego-battles, none of which pleased me a jot. I ended up as Deputy Leader, but eventually became totally disillusioned by the petty jealousies that prevailed. You'd be surprised how much time this took up - and by this time I was writing pretty extensively in both local and national press. But as is the way, the topics that  I wrote about were tempered by Party policy, and I've always struggled with the notion that ANY given Party can be all knowing on every subject.  So the day on which I publicly resigned from the Party  was a day of great release for me. Walking away from party politics was a wonderful feeling! Plus, I have many great tales from my political days which could make interesting reading - someday! 

During  my political time, I became involved with the media, and made the odd appearance (Some would say very odd!!) on TV and Radio shows. I became more media literate, writing a multitude of press releases, contributing sections to election manifestos, writing speeches etc. And as I came to understand the MSM better - the more I disliked it.

And so it was that around 2000, I decided to publish A Tangled Web.  It was around that time that I had walked away from party politics, so I suppose you could argue that ATW was a soapbox of convenience from which I could pontificate.

At the beginning, I covered Northern Ireland political affairs, pretty extensively. I then realised that there were distinct connections with some of the issues we faced in Northern Ireland, and those encountered elsewhere around the world. And so the scope of the site increased into mainstream UK topics and then more broadly into international topics.

9/11 made a huge impact on me - as I saw the world now forced to awaken to the menace, the sheer evil of terrorism.  By this time A Tangled Web.co.uk  had changed platform and gone onto blogger and subsequently onto Typepad platforms.

During these years I had been joined by Andrew McCann, as a fellow writer. I would like to pay tribute to Andrew at this point for his commitment, his loyalty, and his courage in helping tackle some of the toughest and most controversial issues over the past several years.  I am a prolific writer, and ATW has always produced a much more frequent daily output than the average blog.  Andrew's contributions have eased the strain of me trying to write for ATW, and still find the time to write other things.  I know that Andrew writes in a no-compromise manner and as far as I am concerned, his plain-speaking so typical of a man from Yorkshire combined with his erudition, makes him absolutely central to the success of the site over the years.

Site traffic has continually grown, and our comment threads are amongst some of the most vigorous on the UK political web. I try to edit as little as possible, and only ban those posters who provoke extreme offence.  With a thousand comments each week being the norm on ATW , I rely on you, the reader, to adopt an appropriate moderated tone.  I do not have time to follow every thread, so please do not take offence if you think I am ignoring you. That is very rarely the case!

Most recently, the ranks on ATW have swelled with the addition of FIVE new writers. (See "About our Writers" for biog details) This is a big step forward insofar as it means that you, dear reader, can experience a greater diverity of opinion on a wider number of topics. I salute Mike, Alison, Tom, Richard and Mr Smith for taking this leap of faith and they all have already made an impact with several quality posts.

Going forward, I want you to know that my commitment to this site is absolute. Regardless of where we appear in faux lists of UK blogs, the clear vision is to be "head of the list, cream of the crop,  top of the heap" (With apologies to Mr. Sinatra!) based on the quality of the writing. I hope we will continue to engage you, infuriate you, maybe amuse you, and always prove ourselves worthy of your time visiting us.  Thanks for all your support so far, and I hope ATW will continue to be a place you will find visit daily. If you visit other good sites and notice that they do not link here, tell 'em I sent you and that they should really make the ATW link. We may be right-of-liberal, but we are also open to argument, if you have one.

Welcome to a new Tangled Web - enjoy the ride...!