Record donor could face five-year prison sentence for fraud

Times Online have published this weekend, some controversial articles about Michael Brown, who donated a record £2.4 million to the Party during the General Election campaign.

It's claimed he's wanted in the United States where he could face up to five years in jail for fraud.
Businessman who gave £2.4 million is 'shocked' to hear of warrant out for his arrest

Another article Funnier money is so disheartening. The revelation that the Party's ex- treasurer, Reg Clark, was encouraging Mr Brown to invest in his own struggling businesses will make the most unedifying reading for most Liberal Democrat members.
The article says "Charles Kennedy and the Electoral Commission must both act". It can't be true surely? - the whole matter is very disappointing.

No doubt the saga will continue - we'll see what happens.

Can you pass a Citizens test?

Following Stephen Glenn's posting today decided to have a go and test myself on the BBC's sample Citizenship test.

Some very strange questions - managed to pass 13 out of 14.

Hadn't a clue about question 7

According to the book, where does the myth of Father Christmas come from?

Question 8 is just bizarre.

Life in the UK explains what to do if you spill someone's pint in the pub. What, according to the book, usually happens next?

Would be interested to know what others scored.

A News Telegraph report has identified some of the other questions 'Britishness' test questions revealed.

1. Where are the Geordie, Cockney, and Scouse dialects spoken?
2. What are MPs?
3. What is the Church of England and who is its head?
4. What is the Queen's official role and what ceremonial duties does she have?
5. Do many children live in single parent families or step-families?

It's occured to me that if the media keep publishing the questions, somebody is going to have to rewrite them before the next batch of applicants take the test.

Weather Gizmo

Just checking Tim Worstall's Britblog Roundup # 37 - some interesting blogs. He comments on the article corner shop on
Super Woman's Super Blog. Noticed her blog has another gizmo - Weather Pixie. Thought I'd give it a try to see what happens. It's supposed to change regularly.

To get the HTML code - Click on My pixie - Set your preference and copy to your blog.

The night the Party stars shine

Wednesday night was the Lib Dem ball - the Party's social event of the year. My prayers were answered - it was the only night of the week it didn't rain. Didn't have a problem with what to wear - never do but my hair and shoes were my big concern. You can hardly turn up at the Dorchester Hotel, Park Lane in London with a bag full of gear and wet hair.

Dressed up to the nines looking all glamorous, walking down the road from Hyde Park tube on high heels, a young lady Jemma, caught me up and astounded me by saying "hi you're the blog lady". She was on her way and wasn't sure of the time. Seems her father reads my blog and was checking out to see if I'd mentioned it in my previous posting Lib Dem ball - Somebody feels I'm worth a £200 ticket. If he's reading this posting, just to say hi.

The event was in a nicer venue this year and the who's who of the party were predictably there. Quite surprised how many people travelled so far for the occasion. Least it's nice to go somewhere and people actually come up to you and chat. Several welcome kisses on the cheek - I like the old fashioned chivalry. Very pleased to see the London Region chair, Sean Hooker attend this year. Easy to catch up on some issues without all the emailing back and to.

My table allocation was 10 - it was good to see most of the people on the table I know or had met before. It made conversation so easy as no introductions were needed.

The food this year was good, all formally laid out as expected. Plenty to drink with just as many glasses. It's at events like this that I appreciate my parents and the formal social etiquette that was drummed in to me as a child.

The auction this year was fun - so many different things to bid for. Dinner with our gorgeous young MPs Joe Swinton & Jenny Willmot went for thousands. Took some time to raise the price for Mark Oaten & Lempit Opik - well it would wouldn't it? Everything went with bids well out of my league. Good for party fund-raising that so many of the high-rollers have so much money to spare.

They set up a fun casino with free £50 chips for a prize at the end of it. Not really my cup of tea but had a go. The problem was I couldn't get rid of my chips because I kept winning - would have been good if it had been real money - ended up handing over the lot to another lady. Didn't know her and took her completely by surprise. The casino unfortunately distracted people from the dancing though I had some good partners who like myself, didn't enjoy the casino.

It was nearly 1am and I'd completely forgotten to arrange how I was getting home - the tube was closed and I'd spent up. Bit embarrassing to have to ask for a lift home when everybody is trying to be so prim & proper. Didn't want to stay until the end. Seems my luck was in for the night, Baroness Lindsay Northover was about to leave and she lives in Haringay in my direction so the problem was solved.

Well! until next year and only if I get another invitation.

David Davis has started blogging

There are some very interesting blogs on this weeks Tim Worstall's Britlog Roundup # 36

Had to smile to see David Davis now has a campaign blog. It's not that interesting but at least he's having a go. Curiosity got the better of me - started to nose around some of the Conservative links on his blog and Conservative Bloggers Weekly 2

One blog mentioned which I occasionally read - it's written by somebody in my area - Blog of Funk This weeks entry The Oldest Noodle about a 30 years old pot of Robertson's mincemeat in her mother's cupboard is funny.

Please to see my posting about my brother listed. Hope somebody out there will be able to find him. I like Tim's summation of what I what I wrote "Suz Blog isn't sure whether it's just coincidence or mental telepathy when she's thinking about one blogger who at that time is writing about her own brother, a screen writer".

It's all about the Conservatives this week. Militant Moderate is the only other Lib Dem blog (half of the duo) mentioned - Ken Owen's thoughts about what the media cycle can learn from cricket.

Conservatives strange rules

An Independent news report this morning caught my eye.
Many Conservatives will not get ballot papers

...But the party's 'labyrin-thine' (shame a reporter can't spell labyrinth correctly) rules mean some members will not be able to vote. For example, couples on reduced joint subscriptions will get one ballot paper between them.
Members who pay less than £15 a year in subscription and have joined since 1998 will also not be allowed to vote.

If this report is correct it means most of the younger members will be ineligible to vote as many of them would have joined after 1998. That's 7 years, surely that can't be right. I also thought the idea of reduced rate subscriptions was about engaging the electorate and encouraging the less well off to join a party.

This rule means that a price is being put on membership worth and the vote goes to the highest bidder making it more akin to a dubious system we hear about from less savoury constitutions in the world. If I were to read about this with any mention of 'Conservative' omitted and told to guess which country this was happening in, a western European democracy wouldn't be high on my list of guesses.

If the reports factual, I wouldn't blame anybody for taking take legal action to challenge the rules. The only problem I can envisage if that happens, is that it will keep the issue of the Tory leadership on the back-burner for some time and it will become a long drawn out public affair.

Least being a member of the Lib Dems under any category means everybody is equal. When it comes to issues like this anybody legally entitled to vote has the same rights when it come to internal party matters.

When links die & flattery becomes embarrassing

Just disconnected the comments option on this blog. Seem to be getting some mischievous, knocking-heads remarks which I don't want to answer or feel it's appropriate to leave in the public domain. I also don't feel comfortable with all the continuous flattery or blog comparisons from anonymous people. I'm not that egocentric. Maybe I set it up wrong but decided to give it a rest for some time. The emails are easier for me and less public.

Have also taken off the Lib Dem Watch because there's been no posting since August. I never found out who was running it - I'm still curious though but..... good to see there's now no watch on the party or at least none that I'm aware of. Must ditch several other links which are now out of date. Stop the nuisance calls is one link the party has suggest be removed until they make a decision on the issue.

Checking out some blogs, quite surprised how many others have links that are no longer working, irrelevant or are out of date.

Sent in my personal nominations for a couple of blogs this week to Tim Worstall to be considered for his weekly Britlog Roundup. He seems to refer to the same blogs over and over again, or maybe the one's who get referred to him are the same people promoting friends. (Cronyism is a good word when used in the right context). I read a comment on sombody else's blog, suggesting that's what's happening which I didn't feel was justified but that's only my personal opinion.

I've got into the habit of checking Tim's list of recommendations at the weekends and reading some of them. It's supposed to be about all British blogs so would like to see a broader scope of none political blogs mentioned. If anybody else sees any other interesting ones, send them to him. Have to admire the guy trawling through numerous blogs as I've certainly not got the time or patience for such a task.

Had to smile this week reading a comment from Peter Black's posting on Thursday - "Please come back near the end of next week. I am enjoying myself too much to abandon blogging now"

He's hit the nail on the head - isn't that what it's all about?

One of those miracles of life

This little widget describes my head today.

The heavy rain is so depressing and to make matters worse, it's like banging my head against a brick wall trying to make some people think positive.

My son Sule called a few minutes ago to say Naim my grandson has just started walking. One of those miracles of life. What makes a baby just get up one day and decide to walk. A week is a long time in a childs life. Last weekend he was on his bum and this weekend he is walking.

Round 3 - Six weeks to wait

David Cameron 90, David Davis 57 what a surprise. Now it's 6 weeks to wait.
I'm just wondering if there wasn't some tactical voting behind the result. The party membership will want their say and I'm sure Cameron recognised the fact. The ultimate decision has to come from the 300,000 members if he is going to be seen to be a credible leader. Davis is certainly a better choice from Cameron's perspective, rather than having to go up against Liam Fox in the final run-off.

Good to see that David Davis has not decided to bow out. Not sure how he's going to restore his momentum. He's going to have a hard slog to convince the 300,000 members.

David Cameron is definitely more charismatic - he comes across as a modernist - somebody who will take the party forward, advocating democatic inclusion - he's certainly going to appeal to the younger voters. David Davis, it's claimed is more experienced but he comes across as very boring, bringing ideological baggage from 30 or 40 years ago.

Cameron vs Fox

My bet is on David Cameron vs Liam Fox coming through in tomorrow's second-round Tory leadership ballot. Rightly or wrongly it's image and personal charisma that's going to be the deciding factor.

David Cameron will probably overtake David Davis because he has the X - factor. The party will want to have somebody who can modernise the Tory image and woo the younger voters.

A news comment today -"If Mr Davis loses by a wide margin to Mr Cameron tomorrow, but still finishes above Liam Fox, pressure will grow on the shadow home secretary to pull out, which would result in a new Conservative leader by Friday".

Very sensible - would save a bundle of money. However on reflection, it would be preferable to let the party membership make the final choice. Many of the burning questions could be ironed out at hustings around the country. It would also give the grassroots membership a chance to meet their potential leader

Mental telepathy or what?

How very bizarre - I was thinking about my brother Jimmy and Alan Window sort of at the same time - the Australian connection. Clicked on Alan's blog An Aussie's Nightmare to read his latest posting

"........watched The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen not a bad yarn and very enjoyable".

He could have knocked me down with a feather, I was so surprised. The screenwriter is my brother Jimmy who I haven't seen since he was young.

Didn't have much contact with him growing up and since my mother and siblings returned from Australia (we have a massive family living down-under from my mother's side), I've only seen him a couple of times. He went to America and cut himself off from everybody after she died. Her death must have affected him badly because he promptly changed his moniker from Jimmy to the formal James, included his middle name Dale and started writing some of the most weird and scary comic stories (seems to have a fan-base in the world of comics).

Mother gave him that name after the actor Dale Robertson who stared in the popular TV Western Tales of Wells Fargo which ran until 1962 - found the very photo on the web she kept as a pin-up. She used to talk about him all the time. Something must have rubbed off on Jimmy somewhere.

I have often wondered what kind of person Jimmy's become, why he writes as he does, what's in his head. My sis jokingly blames me for keeping him in constant supply of comic and art material as a child (I attended an art & drama college). We also considered he picked up some thoughts from school in Australia. He was always sympathetic to the Aborigines.

Found him on wikipedia recently and have been following his progess via the web for years but we can't locate him or even find a photo of him on the web as he is now.

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery

David Cameron's campaigning website is quite impressive but somebody should tell him he's nicked our words Freedom, Fairness & Trust

I was curious to see who was supporting him after all the hoo-ha about his life at uni played out in the media over the past couple of weeks .

An article in today's Independent - Tory leadership: The candidates' remaining hurdles

The news this evening is referring to the leadership contest as the Tories own 'Big Brother' - one person in the house being evicted tomorrow.

The bookies odds on Cameron 4/7.

Islington is really getting better

It's great to be able to mention some of the good things happening in the borough. The Safer Neighbourhood Scheme that residents have been pressing for, is expected will cover the whole borough by 2006. Those already set up are achieving positive results.

A report in this weeks Islington Gazette refers to the one currently operating in Finsbury Park - No-go zone for sex and drugs

An exclusion zone will be set up around two crime-plagued estates in a bid to drive out prostitutes and drug dealers. The zone will cover the Andover Estate and Six Acres Estate which straddle the border between Holloway and Finsbury Park, giving police the powers to turf out trouble-makers from the area.

Another welcome development for residents with hearing difficulties
New interpreters cut deaf charity's burden

Three additional part-time interpreters joined the Sign Language Interpreting Service this week - making the scheme one of the largest of its kind in the country. The service, funded by the council and Islington Primary Care Trust, will provide interpreters for the borough's estimated 200 deaf people when they visit the doctor, an NHS optician or dentist or any council department. The council used to employ only one full-timer and relied on freelancers or interpreters from the charity RNID.

Islington Council web-site link to the current service - Sign Language Interpreter

Residents in this area have today received a letter informing them that from next week all the recyling items will be collected on the same day (Friday). Makes logical sense. Just wish they would include some other items. The boxes are collected but not the polysterene, the internal packing used to protect most electrical items.

Ryanair's a national disgrace

Scope, the cerebral palsy charity, have announced that they want as many people (both disabled and non-disabled) to boycott the airline Ryanair.

This follows Ryanair's disgraceful treatment of a group of 6 blind and 3 partially-sighted people from the Norfolk area - they were escorted off a plane because the flight already had 4 disabled passengers. This was reported on the BBC's Watchdog programme on Friday night.

A group of six blind and three partially sighted passengers were made to leave a Ryanair flight because the airline claimed there were too many disabled passengers on board.

Ryanair doesn't have a great track record in dealing with disabilities. Last year cerebral palsy sufferer Bob Ross was awarded over £1300 by Ryanair and the British Airports Authority. He was charged £18 to use a wheelchair, a service which should be free.

Chunks of history

Thursday night was just one of those nights, all about the Conservatives.

Margaret Thatcher celebrated her 80th birthday. Watching news clippings of her birthday party was like watching a replay of chunks of history.

The question being asked!

Thatcher at 80: What does she mean to you?

Politically we are miles apart but my respect for her was her firm no nonsense approach to everything. Love her or hate her she was the iron lady, no doubt about that. She'll probably go down in history as the Prime Minister who changed the face of British politics forever.

Couldn't resist this caricature from Gaffa's Blog. Some of his political artworks are classics.

Thursday night also featured Question Time on BBC 1. David Cameron, the young Conservative leadership candidate stole the show. Why? he was just funny and smiled even at his own inadequacies. Women like that kind of person. If he secures the leadership, his personality will definitely attract voters. Our Lib Dem Mark Oaten was another guest. Felt like shouting out, "Mark just smile for God's sake". He's like that naturally, doesn't smile much and is always formal.

As to who will win the Tory battle, my money's on David Cameron. Unfortunately he's now embroiled in a possible drugs skeleton in the cupboard story. I don't know who this was started by but I saw Andrew Marr who's taken over from Frost on Sunday morning TV repeatedly talking about a drugs past when he interviewed Cameron last week. This kind of sanctimonious journalism gets my goat as ultimately all people want are politicians who can get a job done not Quakers or Puritans. I'm not a Tory apologist but regardless of party allegiances, I want to know if a man can do a job now not what his inevitable youthful indescretions might have been. After all rather a leader who as a student or whatever took a few puffs of cannabis than one who shamelessly costs the lives of many by deceitfully going into an illegal war.

My street's becoming famous!

The closure of the Northern line has made my street even more famous.

Last weekend the BBC cameras were in window view from my flat, by the road sign which a has unfortunately been daubed with graffiti and not cleaned (Islington side) whilst across the road the same sign has (Camden side). This was for last Sunday's morning Politics Show where they discussed the crime rate comparison between Camden and Islington following the report that Islington has the highest crime rate in the country. (Labour vs Lib Dem run councils)

BBC news has just shown the tube station on the corner which is closed and interviews of some of the travellers. As expected the closure has caused havoc to commuters because for many the tube is the only real alternative.

The 390 bus stop early this morning was packed with people all standing in the rain travelling towards Kings Cross and Euston.

Most of the day has been the same and tonight the opposite side of the road this evening has been a nonstop load of people getting off each bus.

Saw the camera today but as I looked like a drowned rat in the rain, I kept out of sight. Don't know why but when somethings going on I usually get picked out. Must have one of those face. Wasn't going to risk it today especially near where I live. Suppose some of our party bods would feel it's a lost photo op but I'm not that brave when I'm all wet and looking like something the cat's dragged in. I'm presuming the station attendants were pre-warned because they were all dressed unusually smart for a Thursday morning.

Just had to plan a trip for a meeting on Sunday. If the buses arrive on time should take me about an hour to get there. The tube would only take 10 minutes. Just means getting up earlier. We'll just have to grin and bare it.

An unusual move for me but I just voted by phone 09001 74 74 23 - Yes, to the question "Do your feel that private ownership for the reponsibilty of tube safety should be taken away from private companies?" We'll see the result of the BBC poll on tomorrow's news. The cost of 25p seems a small price to pay for a poll that's so important.

Northern line again!

The closure of the Northern line has really put the kibosh on my travel plans for later today. It's so frustrating. A BBC news report says, "Services on the Northern Line, which carries 660,400 people every weekday, have been suspended and may remain closed on Thursday".

An Evening Standard report says, "Key sections of the Tube's busiest line could be shut for up to two months at a time and replacement buses will be offered". Oh boy! High Barnet - Camden section affects where I live. What a headache!

During the day is manageable via buses but for meetings late at night, it's safer and quicker to get home on the tube.

I never realized the Northern line carries so many people. Under normal circumstances during the rush hour, it's like sardines being packed in a tin. I always dread when they stop in a tunnel. It's not the tunnel which actually worries me but the thought of having to get out in an emergency and walk along the tracks in the dark with all the rats running around. Late at night or when a station is quiet you can often see them running up and down the tracks.

Should have expected something was going to happen when the Lib Dem GLA group issued a report yesterday about the state of Northern line. They're usually 'on the ball' when it comes to monitoring transport issues in London.

We will see what happens. Watch this space...

Former Ugandan leader Obote dies

Former Ugandan President Milton Obote dies at the age of 80 in hospital in South Africa.

He took Uganda to independence from Britain in 1962, but was overthrown nine years later by the infamous dictator Idi Amin.

In another African news report Voters in the West African state of Liberia are queueing to cast their ballots in historic elections to choose a president and parliament.

After over 20 years of an on-off war - with 22 presidential candidates all wanting to win let us hope the losers don't cause trouble and start it all up again.

Riding camels across the sand

Noticed this disturbing BBC news report Child camel jockeys left disabled These races take place in the United Arab Emirates. They are a main attraction for foreign visitors to the country and considered high profile events, with huge financial incentives. The races have the 'Lawrence of Arabia appeal'

The report says, "The risk of serious injury, disability and death is shockingly high among child jockeys in camel races in Gulf countries". I'm hardly surprised. I 've witnessed these races whilst on business trips to the UAE (another lifetime away). It made me wince seeing the jockey children but my remarks to my sponsors were only met with a laugh about being 'soft' like all women. You can't argue with the nationals (male) and there were only a few other women around, all foreigners like myself.

Since reading the report it brought back memories - found another web article which explains the problem in depth. Camel Kids

My personal experience with camels is quite awesome. There was a camel market near where I used to live. Some of the mature males were huge animals (shoulder-height about 7ft). They were safely tied up but you had to be careful - one kick from a large hoof could mean a broken leg. They have a funny look in their eyes when they look at you and their hissing sound can be unnerving

I've ridden one twice - always been a bit of a daredevil. My second experience was really quite invigorating. A son of one of the Sheiks (family friend) put me on one of the larger camels. Or rather gave me a foot-stool to climb on (the animals sit on their bended legs). When they stand up you sort of have to balance yourself (I felt like a floppy doll) until they settle themselves.

We set off in the sand at a fast walking pace - kept having to taut the reigns in case he raced off. Camels can run a fast as a car. About an hour was enough for me but have to admit it was fun.

Getting off was the problem. I was warned beforehand what to expect. They go down front-feet first so for a few minutes you are suspended at an awkward angle. They then drop their back legs and sit down with a thump. My bottom was all numb and my legs couldn't reach the stool. To make it worse the animal kept turning his head hissing at me as if to say get off silly woman. The keepers were nervous of helping me so eventually one of the 'elders' of the family discreetly lifted me off. The children around just kept laughing and with me safely on firm ground they took the camels away as calmly as if they were taking a pet dog out for a walk.

Lib Dems Disability Association

For those interested in issues affecting people with disabilities, LDDA have now got their website up and running. As this is an important issue taken on-board by the party, it would be appreciated if other Lib Dem Bloggers could support the work of the organisation by adding the link to their blogs and websites.

Liberal Democrats Disability Association

To readers of this blog who are not Lib Dems, it's a site worth visiting.

Lib Dems in clear over donation

Good to see internal party chit-chat officially confirmed by the media.

The Lib Dems are cleared of any wrong-doing over a £2.4m general election donation.

I never considered the possibility of the party not being cleared because they are sticklers for complying with the Electoral rules. Pleased that the statement below was issued by Chris Rennard from Cowley Street yesterday. This firmly shuts the door on the issue.

Party Chief Executive Lord Rennard said:

The Electoral Commission has now been in touch with us concerning the donations to our General Election campaign from Fifth Avenue Partners.

They have informed us of their conclusion that "on the basis of the information now available it is reasonable for the party to regard the donations as having been permissible."

The law requires all parties to take steps to ensure that all donations are legally permissible. We believe that all donations that we have accepted are from permissible sources and that we have acted properly in relation to the requirements of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendum Act.

We are grateful to the Electoral Commission for their statement in relation to the donations from Fifth Avenue partners.

New Party web sites

The Liberal Democrats have unveiled a new campaigning website, to help paint a true picture of the National Health Service by hearing feedback and concerns from thousands of patients and medical professionals. It's promoted by Steve Webb MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary.

There's also the Meeting the Challenge consultation exercise website.

In Charles Kennedy's welcome message on the site he says,

I am determined that, despite our success at the General Election, we avoid complacency and maintain the Liberal Democrats as a dynamic, forward looking and progressive force in politics. Our distinct path must be based on our liberal values and principles.

Lib Dem ball - Somebody feels I'm worth a £200 ticket

Most unusual but the post arrived today before 9 am. There was only one letter in a fancy envelope lying on the ground as I was about to go out. I almost put it aside for later but the envelope was like a magnet and curiosity got the better of me.

It was an invitation to the Lib Dem ball. Wow! Somebody feels I'm worth a £200 ticket. Every year the price of the ticket goes up and it's just out of the league of many members. It's also rather formal and a bit stuffy - not to everybody's taste.

The Annual Lib Dem ball is a high profile fundraising event. I was invited last year by somebody else as an interesting glamorous table filler - least that's what I was told but who cares why, it was just nice to be invited.

The occasion is one of those events where everybody has a named table place and they try to alternate males & females around the tables. Social etiquette is expected - all the cutlery and glasses lined up can be intimidating for those not used to formal table settings. The floral displays on the tables are wonderful and must cost a bomb.

It's a real chance to dress up - some of the women pull out all the stops and look stunning. Many of Scottish MP's wear their kilts and Charles Kennedy is known for his tartan trousers. It's the one event where the Lib Dem TV and Film stars attend.

The auction last year was compered by Nicholas Parsons. His way of speaking made it so entertaining. It's amazing the amount of money (thousands of Pounds) the high-rollers especially the friends of Lib dems guests bid for items.

At the end of the evening it was announced that anybody who wanted to could take home the flowers (they get thrown away). Everybody looked at everybody else as though it's beneath them. I didn't care and ended up taking home 6 bunches, half of which I gave to my neighbour's in the flat below. They can't afford such luxuries and over the years I've been in the habit of giving them 'posh things' as they call it, from events which gives the mother so much pleasure.

I wonder who they will place me next to this year. As long as he can dance I don't care.

Well we'll see if this years ball is worth a posting - 26th Oct, the dates in my diary. Watch this space......

It's so simple

I received four e-mails following my posting request for help - how to calculate bytes. It's so simple I feel a fool not knowing how to do it in the first place - or rather not using my own grey matter to work it out.

Not sure if anybody is really interested but I'm saying it anyway.

Type words into a Text document (not a Word doc). Save and Close.
Go the the doc icon, right click on the mouse and open properties. See the bytes used. It's as simple as that.

All I can say is sincere thanks to those who took the trouble to email me.

I've been thinking about adding the comments link to my postings. Having checked some of the comments written in response to other blog postings, my reluctance is that some people are so rude and sarcastic. I'm not that interested unless it's a valid contribution and I can't see anyway to delete them.

Brilliant animation

The European Movement has a brilliant animated site to teach kids about the European Union. I am not sure the swear-word is really appropriate or necessary. Call me old fashioned - I'm probably just set in my ways but I hate swearing - it's so vulgar.

The site is however fun and well worth a look at
What has Europe ever done for us? It's based on the 'What have the Romans ever done for us' scene from the classic Monty Python's Life of Brian film.

The forum link is educational if you want to find out more or have your say. It's quite informative and easy to understand.
What has Europe ever done for us? - forum

Calculating bytes - Help needed

I have to prepare a small email text for publication but calculated in bytes (1024). I know what bytes are but short of actually physically counting every letter and space, can anybody explain how to do it?
My email address is under under my photo.

I've been a bit lapse in checking the email box attached to this blog but have found some very funny, nice and useful comments. One from Richard which is sincerely appreciated - who wrote:

You might want to edit the Blog header, it shows up as &nbspSuz Blog on my browser.
You need a semi-colon after each to make it invisible thus:-== ==

I can see he knows his HTML stuff - the &nbsp does't show up in his example in this posting (there's no &nbsp between the dashes). When I put up the banner it overshadowed my name so I added &nbsp several times to indent it and omitted the last semi-colon. Blogger didn't reveal any mistakes. Just shows how webpages viewed via different browsers appear in different formats. I've corrected it now so for anybody who is using a browser other than Explorer, I hope my heading now looks OK.

If anybody else views anything else strange appearing on my blog via their browser, please let me know.