World waits in vain for the “but”…

The White House has given its tacit backing to Israel’s military operation against Hamas and the Gaza Strip, a flare-up that is threatening to seriously complicate any peace efforts envisaged by the incoming administration of President-elect Barack Obama.

“The United States understands that Israel needs to take actions to defend itself,” said White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe.

- BBC News

The personal is political, the private is now public…

Business Editor Robert Peston makes his predictions for our national fortunes in 2009 on his BBC blog.

“As a nation, our fortunes in 2009 will be conspicuously tied to the fortunes of our banks as never before.

First, an economic recovery rests on the ability of banks to support viable businesses during what increasingly looks like a severe recession.

Second, and as important, the balance sheet of the British public sector can be seen as the aggregated balance sheet of some substantial banks – because the state now controls three banks, Northern Rock, Bradford & Bingley and Royal Bank of Scotland, and will have a huge stake in a soon-to-be created fourth, LloydsTSB/HBOS.

It means that if the perceived credit-worthiness of our banks – with their trillions of pounds of assets and liabilities – were to deteriorate further, that would have an impact on the perceived credit-worthiness of the state.

As never before, it matters to all of us that the banks run themselves in a prudent way. In an extreme and highly unlikely case, if the markets viewed our banks as recklessly managed basket-cases, that would have an impact on the value of sterling and on the ability of the government itself to borrow.

So our prospects and welfare depend to a huge extent on an institution that was created a few weeks ago by the Treasury to manage its investments in the banks, UK Financial Investments (UKFI).

It’s probably no exaggeration to say that – for the coming year or two at least – UKFI will be as important to all of us as the Treasury, or the Bank of England or the City watchdog, the Financial Services Authority.”

And did I mention, “You’ve never had it so good”…?

The recession is a test of character the British people must pass, Gordon Brown is set to say.

In next week’s New Year message, the prime minister is expected to urge the public to “display the same spirit” as their predecessors did in World War II…

“So that we will eventually look back on the winter of 2008 as another great challenge that was thrown Britain’s way, and that Britain met.

“Because we had the right values, the right policies, the right character to meet it.”

- BBC News

You’ve really not been paying attention, have you?

Supposedly, the world is in an uproar that Channel 4 chose the Iranian President, Ahmed-in-a-Dinner-Jacket, to give its “Alternative Christmas Message” this year. The complaints are unanimously based on his attitudes towards Israel and homosexuality – the seven minute message itself is as inclusive and respectful as a Church of England tea party.

“Now as human society faces a myriad of problems and a succession of complex crises, the root causes can be found in humanity’s rejection of that message, in particular the indifference of some governments and powers towards the teachings of the divine Prophets, especially those of Jesus Christ.”

This is seems to be the universal manifesto of the beardie-weirdie brigade – people like, oh I don’t know … the Archbishop of Canterbury?

Most critics have failed to note the delicious irony of such an openly anti-gay icon appearing in an institution that debuted in 1993 with an address by the late Quentin Crisp, self-described as “one of the stately Homos of England”.

You can view the seven minute message online here.

UPDATE: Dave Bath has an excellent Xmas message ‘compare and contrast’ post here.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Good Night…

Queen’s Christmas Speech Released

The Queen’s Christmas Day speech will voice her concern over the economic downturn and the turmoil it may bring…

The speech is a chance for the Queen to express her own thoughts on issues, rather than those of her ministers.

She will say: “Christmas is a time for celebration but this year it is a more sombre occasion for many.

- BBC News

Naked Rambler Rumbled

‘Naked Rambler’ Stephen Gough is having trouble getting past Glasgow this trip. Acquitted for Breach of the Peace after he left Barlinnie Prison naked (apparently the polis picked him up too quickly) he then insisted on leaving Glasgow’s Sherrif Court sans apparel and was re-arrested six steps later.

Despite genuine concern that someone who insists on walking naked through Glasgow in December ought to be sectioned, his formal sentence has been a further twelve months for Breach of the Peace in a regular prison – there being no official offence of ‘aggravated taking-the-piss’.

During his appearance, Gough told the court that if members of the public were offended by his nakedness then the problem was with them and not with him.

He has spent most of the past two-and-a-half years in prison at an estimated cost to the taxpayer of more than £200,000.

- BBC News

British Bail-out Bingo

Europe’s OTHER big jackpot, was drawn this week.

Up to 1,950 people have won a share in the world’s richest lottery – Spain’s El Gordo, or “Fat One”.

The lottery has a total prize fund of $3.2bn (£2.14bn; 2.3bn euros), some 100m euros more than last year.

The winning tickets bear the numbers 32365.

- BBC News

Singing the Financial Crisis Blues

Bill Oddie is baffled (and he’s not the only one)

Lorraine Orridge, the school’s registrar, believes Pete’s coloured fur looks like a school uniform.

She said: “The squirrel has become a bit of a legend among staff and pupils at the school.

“He makes an appearance most days and we always look forward to seeing him.

“We don’t think he is a mutant squirrel but he may have had a mishap around the school.

“The old building where we have seen him nipping in and out is a bit of a graveyard for computer printers. He may have found some printer toners in there.

“We haven’t seen any purple baby squirrels yet.”

More about Pete the Purple Squirrel in the Telegraph and BBC News.