Britblog roundup 204: the not so chirpy edition

When it's your turn to host the roundup then it's your turn, there's no excuse. Woke up this morning with a painful earache and a thumping head. I'm not my usual chirpy self. It's still freezing outside. With the central heating on full blast, sitting here wearing my long Janes, I'm feeling quite sorry for myself. Well that's my moan over and done with so it's on with the roundup.

The international news of the week is the worsening situation in the Gaza Strip - With deep feelings so enflamed, it's difficult not to take sides but....

Read reports and photos from bloggers many of whom took part in Saturday's demos in London and Edinburgh
Over 50,000 protest in London against Israel's murderous cynicism, Cat, Fridge Magnet and Jimjay who also has another collection of blog links at the end of his post. More on Israel vs Hamas - A happy ending, I don't think so.

Are you one of those contributors to Wikipedia who feels so infuriated when somebody comes along and chops and changes all your long carefully thought out words, the end result might be better than you think claims one of the writers.

Book reviews this week - From Oil Dependency to Local Resilience: The Transition Handbook . Several bloggers are promoting online sales of Craig Murray's book The Catholic Orangemen of Togo. If like myself you are wondering what's so special about the book, you just have to buy it to find out.

A new concept to me, thoughts from a Buddhist who is also a political activist - definitely a unique lifestyle.

Next we have powerful words from two female bloggers which most of us women will wholeheartedly agree with.

Pennyred is hopping mad- Vatican releases official statement saying that women's wee is unholy. What a plonker, could suggest of a few choice words myself.

Sex clinics in schools equals good news. A realistic approach to modern day living. Contrary to belief in some quarters most girls don't tell their mothers everything.

Over to the ambulance emergency services who do a wonderful job trying to save lives. Ever gave a thought to this - Getting High On Someone Else's Supply

A worrying sign of the times - reports of people being stopped, searched and even arrested under the terror legislation for suspicious activity - taking photos in public. Is My MP a Terrorist?. Read the MP's reply to the blogger about EDM 155, concerning photography in public places. Seems we in the UK are not alone in suffering such indignities - Then in France they came for the hippies...

It can't be a roundup without the political bloggers having their say
Lib Dem's, Jonathan Fryer writes - Tony Blair is a disaster as Middle East envoy

Tory, Iain Dale informs the world that Derek Draper has launched a new Labour list blog. Labour, Bob Piper has added his pennyworth. A more aggressive approach from Rouse Media.
Guido Fawke's post has attracted the usual gloves off comments. Some of their language is a bit blue but reading comments on Guido's blog is good for a laugh at any time. Jon Worth has added his own contribution to the debate. Good fodder for the political pundits we'll undoubtedly see more in the coming weeks as the blog develops. With Derek Draper's first rapid rebuttal, there's already a promise from The Wardman Wire

Lib Dem's Jonathon Calder is speculating as to why the TV sports channels are reluctant to relay Kettering Town football matches. He's spot on - the teams t-shirts sponsor is an international charity distributing aid in the Palestinian territories. Lets face it, regardless of any explanation, anybody seeing the word Palestine boldly written on a teams t-shirt during a match would be taken aback with shock. It's bound to lead to claims of conspiracy and who wants that kind of hassle given the current political tension.

This week, English buildings has an interesting story with a photo about an old Saxon church in Deerhurst Gloucester.
Whilst all things Woolwich - Promoting DLR's new rail link to Woolwich and the extra special tourist guide. Very interesting, sound like a good day out.

With the news also this past week that the production of 100watt incandescent bulbs will cease from Sept this year, quite surprised there's only one lone post nomination - I really expected to see more blogger reactions.

As all the major supermarkets have now stopped selling incandescents in favour of the funny shaped, so called energy saving bulbs, most folk seem to have resigned themselves to the inevitable changeover. I've said it before and I'll say it again, a plus point in favour of the new bulbs is they last a long time but the real down side is they are dimmer than the old equivalent. Many people need bright lights to read they really do. Trying to thread a sewing needle under the new lights is a hit and miss operation at the moment. Somebody somewhere mentioned this week on the TV that the new generation of energy saving bulbs, currently only available on the internet will solve this problem when they eventually hit the shops. Well we live to see.

Over to another interesting read - The Atheist Bus is like Dunkin Donuts

Finally the latest headline news that's bound to continue making waves this coming week. Seems general army banter in a private video has landed Prince Harry is in trouble again for opening his big mouth. Already Trixy, Witney, and Cranmer, have started the ball rolling ... I'm more concerned how his personal video made in 2006 came into the possession of the News of the World news paper. Obviously another slimeball out to make a quick buck. As for Prince Harry he's obviously following his linage. How many times has his father Charles and his grandfather Philip's spouting off from the hip remarks landed them in hot water and caused a public outcry. Must be a family trait.
Well that's all for this week. The rest of the day for me will be a duvet day.

Next week the roundup will be hosted on More to life than shoes. If you’d like to nominate a post (and please do), email britblog AT gmail DOT com