Britblog roundup 159

My turn to host the Britblog roundup this week. It's been suggested that I try and say something nice about the nominees. Will do my best but honestly some of the political bloggers are so patronising trying to ram their opinions down readers throats it's often difficult to keep quiet. Running quickly down the list, good to see most of the nominated posts this week are on subjects other than politics so expect a roundup of variety. So here goes:

With Afghanistan topical in the news for the past few days, it's not possible to avoid the media fervour surrounding Prince Harry and his sudden return to the UK after his 10 weeks stint on the front lines fighting the Taliban. Blogosphere likewise voiced different opinions. On Drudge, Prince Harry in Afghanistan, Why it was right to bring Harry home & Harry's return - round spherical objects. Must be an age thing but as a patriotic Royalist I can't help feeling so very proud of him. As proud as when my own nephew Matthew returned from the same location last year. The call to do one's duty is very strong amongst many of the forces personnel.

Sort of feel sorry for Harry that being born into such a privileged life his every move has to be carefully mapped out to keep him safe and that of those around him. Can presume he will be disapponted in being recalled so quickly and will want to go back.

Still on the fighting front, a year after Obsolete's original post a former US soldier has picked it up and responded with such an explosive emotion as if he (sorry correction she) is still spoiling for a fight. A very strong reaction maybe but I feel that if the truth be known there are many people in the world who can't tolerate the political rhetoric and feel the same strong sentiment.

Some extracts from her post, very powerful angry words indeed.
The Iraq war was a suicidal act? Scuse me, sweetcakes, but Iraq is just one of the battlefields in the war on Islamofascism...........I'm a former Soldier, not a pusillanimous apologist for Islam. Our policy should be simple: you attack us, we annihilate you, your supporters, your country, everything.

Some of the url links about the chemical agents and warheads found in Iraq is a sharp reminder of what could have happened. - well worth a read.

Earlier in the week on my own blog I was excited by the Freedom Passes being introduced nationwide for the over 60's and the disabled. Such a marvelous benefit. Always has to be somebody putting a damper on things like this sarky, piss-taking post. Nevermind he'll be old one day.

Over to the The Daily (Maybe) - Like many others Green blogger Jim seems to have a sneaking respect for George Galloway. Have to agree George did ruffle a few feathers on Question Time this week. Following the programme read Jim's balanced consideration of Castro and Cuba's transition to a post-Fidel regime.

Under the tag General nonsense, Women prefer taller men & What Do Women Really Want?. Can't deny there is an element of truth in the statements somewhere.

Pretty picture for a blog but do people really take pleasure in collecting bits of glass from our sea shore. Then there's those folk who thought that during the week they had been visited by the spirits instead of experiencing tremors from an earthquake.

How to survive climate change, dont think so. Religious nutters are at it again, God's punishment my backside. Thought utterances like this were not politically correct anymore anyway.

Here's something to get men thinking. Male killers on the loose. One of these killers, a bacteria known as Wolbachia, may well be the world's most successful parasite. Perhaps men should be worrying more about GM crops.

More on nasty bugs, Lord Mancroft experience at the NHS Bath’s Royal United Hospital has provoked some cutting reactions. Yet another complaint about NHS cleanliness and care and This is a nasty little story from a nasty little man. Lord Mancroft was appalled at the dirty wards and poor nursing care but I suspect it's the fact that he has the money to go to a private hospital thats the irritant not his complaint about the state of the hospital itself. We all know there's probably an element of truth in what he said.

Now for something more thoughtful. A cup of tea jobby to read this post from Philobiblon Capitalism and Nature.

No idea why this post was nomiated. Wonder how many people really care. A day of action to try to cut our energy usage didn't go quite as planned.

For those following events unfolding in Russia. James Higham has a first-hand account of voting in the Russian elections.

Again on America 2008. Mr Eugenides has pick up on a Youtube post Jack Nicholson endorses Hillary Clinton. Oh my god! he actually called her sexy, he has got to be kidding.

The economics of Portugal, past and present, not so boring as it sounds. Free fruit being planted in public places, what a sensible idea.

Closer to home, Theo Blackwell give us a scandelous insight into the merky world of Camden's sex trade Trafficked women in Camden - 98% of massage parlours "brothels". The big question is how does he know so much. Is there something he's not telling us?

Really don't know what to say about this post. Sort of about football, but only just. We all know the Israeli's have a secret code for everything. Now they have started on football.

A group of Israeli academics looked at a sample of penalty kicks from top matches around the world, and found that keepers' chances of saving them would be much higher if they stood still, rather than diving.

Whatever will they come up with next?

Another blog punch up - Bartholomew on Brit Blog Wars: Police Contacted. The on going saga between Oliver Kamm & Neil Clarke. Do we really want to know. Such pathetic real saddos. Somebody should tell the pair of them to grow up. It's reminiscent of boys in short trousers and school playground tales.

Matt Wardman always talks a lot of sense, read his post ID and DNA: I’d rather keep my freedom and be mugged more often, thank-you very much.

Norfolk Blogger claims that Iain Dale's diary has been blocked by Norfolk County Council. He writes "It is interesting sometimes to see which websites Norfolk County Council seek to block so that schools cannot access them". What's so damaging about Iain Dale only God knows. Can't be because he's a high profile Tory blogger. After all it's a Conservative run council.

The most horrific posts of the week are about the 60 year Haut de la Garenne, Jersey scandal of child abuse which is harrowing to read. Turns my stomach just thinking about it. How could this have gone on for so long without anybody saying anything.

Even Jersey's own radical Senator Stuart Syvret Blog is not getting much local support. His post Millstones and Secret reports is very revealing. Is This Jersey? and Holiday in the Sun explain more. The real question on everybody's lips is why on such a small island. Why were there so many children in care.

My last post is giving Matt Wardman a second slice of the cherry to advertise his planned weekly report from ALL the Parliaments. Good news for political junkies, on Thursdays the Wardman Wire will be carrying a report from as many Parliaments as possible that affect us.

Well that's all for this week. Next week's roundup 9th March will be hosted by Cabalamat.

Nominations of posts from any British blog, any day of the week should be sent to the usual email: britblog[at]gmail[dot]com.

Instead of the usual toodle pip lets close by saying 'Segobe'