Monday, July 10, 2006

By election

In local news, there is to be a by election in the Brentwood Rural Division for Essex County Council. More details here. In case you live in the relevant division, I'd urge you to vote on Thursday.

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Pots and kettles

Chelsea are complaining about an illegal approach to Arjen Robben by Real Madrid.

Perhaps when they've removed the planks from their eyes they'd care to send them to me so I can make a new shed.

7/7 one year on....

We're now approaching the first anniversary of the 7/7 bombings, and my mind goes back to this time last year. It was the Thursday of my first week back after the wedding, and as I reached Stratford I heard an announcement that the tubes at Liverpool Street were delayed "due to an explosion in the tunnel". On arrival at work twenty minutes later, I was told that Stratford Station had also been closed. Since then I've moved jobs, and very occassionally (when it's pouring rain) take the train from Liverpool Street to Aldgate along the very part of the track where the bomb went off. Am I concerned? Yes. Do I still make the trip? Only if it's raining - otherwise in general, it's not worth the £1.50 it costs to take the train.

The Brentwood Gazette today has a front page story about the father of one of the victims expressing his concern that it will happen again. Interestingly, he doesn't blame the government nor does it change his view on supporting the Iraq War. This must be a very tough time for him and his family and I hope that on Friday he can remember all the happy times he had with his daughter. He will certainly be in my thoughts and prayers.

Sunday, July 02, 2006

More on ID cards

It's always nice to get comments on your blog (shows someone out there is actually reading it who isn't my wife).

The comment is on my last posting about ID cards suggesting that the Australians are also pushing ID cards.

Am I the only one who finds it ironic that the US alone within the alliance in Iraq appears to also be the only country not pushing ID cards. That's right - George W Bush is the leader who isn't pushing for ID cards.