Trying for the third time. Italics not closing and couldn't figure what I missed. (Sue)pretty much what TPS was endorsing! What's TPS? Will put the rest in another post.

(Moon) Students just take it here. Think you missed something. ;-) http://crooksandliars.com/john-amato/students-protest-tuition-hikes-californ University of California students protest 32 percent tuition increase http://articles.cnn.com/2009-11-19/us/california.tuition.protests_1_tuition-increase-angry-students-ucla-building?_s=PM:US

Oh and left out my other comment that that it's a shame the protests were so out of hand. I, too, was surprised at the apparent lack of security for Charles and Camilla.

(Dorine) What's TPS? Colin's production: The People Speak As a member of the Kent State generation, I can sympathize with the student's desire and need to protest these large, sudden tuition hikes, but I abhor the violence and vandalism. (Over here we are used to paying tuitions and some are exhorbitant, but to have a 200% increase is terrible) Attacking Charles and Camilla is stupid. They have no connection to the political decision. When hoodlums are wreaking havoc, it is much more difficult for the police to maintain control and innocents are more likely to be caught in the melee:-(( (Moon) In Milan, student protesters attacked patrons at the opening night of La Scala two days ago. They were protesting changes in the education system. Maybe the Brits got the idea from them? This is the first I've heard of this. They attacked patrons??

Is there to be a DVD version of TPS? I must see this.

Dorine, might be worth making inquiries with Karen whom I sent a disc of TPS too. This is as I understand it. The upper limit Uni's are now allowed to charge has leaped from around the �3000 mark to �9000. However, the Government have arranged a loan where the students do not have to pay back until they earn an annual salary of �21,00. This threshold will rise annually in line with inflation. If they don't find employment then they don't need to pay back the loan. The loan is wiped after 30 years if it hasn't been paid back. As Janet has said, what has angered the students is the Lib Dem's turnaround since the election. At the time Clegg campaigned that the threshold would not be raised. His excuse now is that if his party had got into power things would be different, but his hands are pretty much tied as Lib Dems are the weaker part of a Coalition (or words to that effect). I can understand the Students feel like they have been sold a pony and been sold out, but Clegg does make a good point. His party didn't win and thus are in a weaker position. There are no excuses for the violent protests. The People Speak was like watching a piece of political propaganda rather than a 'lesson in history'. The view was very left wing. Viewers were encouraged to make their voice heard by authority by whatever means, legal or otherwise. Participants such as McKellen and Knightly actually suggested breaking the law. Throughout the programme news coverage of numerous UK violent protests (G20 in Central London being used in the opening sequence and again later in the programme) were used as examples of how 'freedom of speech' has been demonstrated n the past. In a nutshell, the way I see it, Firth and his croonies were advocating violent protest. My problem with the programme, apart from I don't agree with violent protest, is would Firth and his 'Lovies' actually protest on the streest,amongst the masses and practising what they preech? My view of Firth has sunk dramatically since TPS.

and to add, what really pisses me off. This morning on the news, yet again, the head of one of the student groups whom organised their riot, erm protest, were condemning the police violence, saying they provoked the students. From the live footage I watched yesterday this is bullsh*t.The cameras filmed at least one group of protesters breaking up slabs of reinforced concrete which they found at nearly building works, The concrete had steel spikes sticking out and some protesters were hurling this at the Police,not to mention snooker and golf balls, fire crackers and fireworks, paint balls so the Police couldn't see through their helmets. Agh! I really must watch my BP, it's a boiling point.

I mentioned that my son was at a function in Westminster, which ended about 10.30pm. He got talking to a group of students while waiting for the tube to go home, nice well-behaved "middle-class" students. They were very upset about the behaviour of a small minority who disrupted the peaceful nature of the protest. They said that this group were not bona fide students, just yobbos who hated the police. They were upset about the attack on Prince Charles's car because they realised that they would be tarred with the same brush - as irresponsible hooligans. They were actually wondering whether it was worthwhile organising demonstrations as they always backfired and were hijacked by undesirable elements. The police also used "kettling" to keep them confined in a small space, and took their photos as they were "released". They were very worried about this.

The police also used "kettling" to keep them confined in a small space, and took their photos as they were "released". They were very worried about this. I am getting sick and tired of the 'nice well-behaved' Students bleating and playing the innocent game. C'mon, there's been enough coverage of recent riots to give a clue as to how things might go. Don't go if you can't stand the heat or the repercussions, simple.

Come on Sue, surely, in a democracy, the students (or anyone for that matter) have a right to peaceful protest. -It's not their fault a lunatic minority take over and turn it into a riot. I don't doubt a few students became involved, but they're not all hooligans fgs. The police should be monitoring these groups to prevent such occurrences in future. It's well documented that they will infiltrate and cause trouble wherever, whenever.

(Janet) Come on Sue, surely, in a democracy, the students (or anyone for that matter) have a right to peaceful protest. Peaceful protest, yes, but they are naive, in light of recent protests, if they thought yesterday would come off peacefully. My point is, if they were worried about being kettled and having their photo taken then why go. BTW, I can think of more deserving and vulnerable causes whom will be feeling the effects of the cutbacks. The students are not the only ones.

I'm sorry, but oui're going to have to agree to disagree on this one. Although the increases don't apply in Scotland(where Scottish, as opposed to foreign students, don't pay any fees, but that may change soon), I can imagine how my boys would feel if they were asked to repay around �9000 per year for, in their case, a 5 year course. There are of course widespread cutbacks, but this is the cause closest to their hearts (and pockets!) I have to say that if I was a student affected in this way, I'd be out there with them.

Fair enough, Janet. I don't necessarily not have sympathy with the plight or should I say, fight of the Students. But, my sympathies are elsewhere with the more vulnerable in society whom, it's rumoured, will be facing equally, if not more so, devasting cutbacks. I do however totally abhor the violent scenes I watch unfold on the TV yesterday. Perhaps I am more emotional caught up in it than I would otherwise have been, that is having had a loved one (whom had no option but to turn up for work) too close for comfort near to the violence of the G20 protests. It brings it home when I know his building had literally 5 minutes to evacuate because of fears they would be under attack!

It must have been awful for those in the vicinity. My only experience of mob trouble was, coincidentally in London, when my eldest son was a baby. We were on the tube when a group of football hooligans jumped on our train to escape rival fans who were in pursuit. -Very scary, esp given our location:-((

(Janet)My only experience of mob trouble was, coincidentally in London, when my eldest son was a baby. We were on the tube when a group of football hooligans jumped on our train to escape rival fans who were in pursuit. -Very scary, esp given our location:-(( Oh my, that does sound very scary. No escape on a moving train. (Janet)It must have been awful for those in the vicinity. Yeah, it wasn't good. Their building had already been targeted earlier in the day when a military tank was able to drive right outside by protesters. They were lucky, the tank could have been used to ram the glass front doors to the building and heaven knows what may have happened if it had been followed by a mob of angry protesters because the police presence was at the more central location. So, my then seeing on TV the trashing of the Threadneedle Street office, smoke pouring from the windows. You can imagine it wasn't pleasant when Ant called to warn me they had received a security warning for his building to prepare to evacuate immediately because insider info came through it was thought there was a splinter group of protesters whom they believed were heading their way in order to infiltrate their office. As I say, his move to another company in a different (less vulnerable) location early (we hope) in the New Year, can't come soon enough. In the meantime we shall just have to hold our breath and keep ingers crossed the Protester's attention will be diverted elsewhere than the banks and corporate. My fear now is, from the Policing fiasco of yesterday it will give more power to the anarchists to reap more and worse havoc on various locations of Central London simultaneously. Worrying times.

(Dorine)I, too, was surprised at the apparent lack of security for Charles and Camilla. Seems like the royals did have professional protection with guns. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1337478/ROYAL-CAR-ATTACK-Protection-officers-drew-weapons-Camilla-hit-ribs-rioter.html

Seems like the royals did have professional protection with guns. They always do. In this case, the problem was that the mob managed to surround the car. Whoever was in charge of security will be out of a job I think.

The pics of Charles and Camilla take me back to 2000, when they were at the same theater as we were, but they didn't arrive together. People in the lobby knew they were coming though as the paparazzi were waiting. Interesting discussion. Protest is fine. Violent protest is a whole different animal. It takes real organization to ensure a protest doesn't turn violent or allow outsiders to cause trouble. Of course, C& C have nothing directly to do with any govt decisions, but they're viewed as a symbol not only of the government but as people who aren't affected in any significant way by program cutbacks and other austerity measures.

Apparently one of the protesters shouted at Charles, "it's your government". Correction, it's his Mother's government ;-) I agree, I believe there is a place for peaceful protest. It can be useful and can get results. The sit ins at Cambridge and a few other colleges are a good idea, IMO and lessen the chance for opportunist anarchists to take over a protest rally. IMO, the anarchists and thugs have latched on to the student protests as they can blend in more than say a rally for Pensioners protesting over their cutbacks.... The students just need to come up with a plan of action reducing the chance of it being hijacked so they can get their message across without the risk of alienating the support they have.

(Sue)The students just need to come up with a plan of action reducing the chance of it being hijacked so they can get their message across without the risk of alienating the support they have. I agree. Campus based protests would seem to be the way forward. Taking to the streets in the current climate is turning the country against them, however valid their case is.

(Sue), This is as I understand it. The upper limit Uni's are now allowed to charge has leaped from around the �3000 mark to �9000. However, the Government have arranged a loan where the students do not have to pay back until they earn an annual salary of �21,00. This threshold will rise annually in line with inflation. If they don't find employment then they don't need to pay back the loan. The loan is wiped after 30 years if it hasn't been paid back. That is so civilized! In the US, the student is to start paying off the loan 6 months after graduation, regardless of job or not. I would trade places with your system in a heartbeat. Can you imagine $50K a year tuition for 7 years? And that's only for one student. This system is so screwed up! Dorine, CA and UCLA (my alma mater), are always ahead. So a peaceful protest there does not surprise, it's expected. Fact is, that in order for it to be effective it has to be organized on a National level. That has not happened. Peggy look here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/dec/07/italy-arts-protests-riots-scala

(Sue) However, the Government have arranged a loan where the students do not have to pay back until they earn an annual salary of �21,00. This threshold will rise annually in line with inflation. If they don't find employment then they don't need to pay back the loan. The loan is wiped after 30 years if it hasn't been paid back. When I was in school, it was common for students to declare bankruptcy to wipe out their obligations, but that loophole was closed a long time ago. My older sister didn't have to repay her student loans because she taught in an inner city school and that took care of her debt. I paid for school myself, with scholarships, loans and by working. I went to a school I could afford. I paid back my loans to the penny.

Precisely Moon and Karen. The fee's threshold used to be just over a �3,000 cap with the loan paid back when the Graduate earns over �15,00o. The Protesters group argue the Government are not revealing the full facts, but they (protesters) don't stipulate the apparently missing information. Though they vaguely mentioned interest kicks in from the word go.

(Karen) I paid back my loans to the penny. My DH did the same with his loans to covering living expenses. We took the full 10 years to repay (interest rate was so low) and he still has the receipt showing that it was paid in full. My goal was to be able to put our kids through university without having them saddled with debt upon graduation. We were able to to that, but my son-in-law had to borrow. He's in law school now and borrowing to pay for that AND the payments due on his undergraduate loans. the Government have arranged a loan where the students do not have to pay back until they earn an annual salary of �21,000 I am not aware of US school loans where the payback is tied to one earning a certain income. There are still 'forgivness' programs for inner city teaching, though. Janet- How terrifying to be trapped on a train with the hooligans. My son was just in a play, "Among the Thugs", about the English football gangs and their culture. It was a fascinating but disturbing (scary) reinactment of the pack mentality and ensuing actions of those football fans. Even after seeing this, I don't really understand the phenomenon, but yesterday's riots reminded me of the football thugs. Sue- I am glad that Ant is OK and will be changing his work soon.

I know if my youngest son, who starts Uni next year, thought he would have a debt of �40000+, it would put him off going. By any standards, the increase in fees is incredible. The fear is that the unis will become elitist, with Mummy and Daddy paying the rich kids fees. Of course, Cameron, Clegg and most of the Coalition Government are millionaires-they don't give a toss:-(

(Peggy) I am not aware of US school loans where the payback is tied to one earning a certain income Comfortable ability has never been prerequisite. ;-) Wage garnishment has always been their first weapon of repayment.

Really? Is no one on the people's side? Provision of nation's health-care overhaul ruled unconstitutional: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/13/AR2010121302420.html?wpisrc=nl_natlalert

"Really? Is no one on the people's side?" Provision of nation's health-care overhaul ruled unconstitutional: "Overall, 52 percent of those polled oppose the overhaul to the health-care system; 43 percent are supportive of it. " http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/13/AR2010121302420.html?wpisrc=nl_natlalert

Most members of the public have no idea what health care reform is really about, so polls are meaningless. Once the provisions start kicking in--and people benefit from things like no pre-existing condition exclusions, ability to cover their children up to age 26, 100% coverage for preventive care--all coming in January 2011--the numbers will change. And the ruling today will have no impact. The administraton expected it. This will be tied up in court for years. Meanwhile, the provisions will go into effect, on schedule. And the lawyers will get even richer.

Will this healthcare reform cost the taxpayer more than private healthcare? Or is it aimed at those who cannot afford cover? I know our Health Service is criticised often, but thank goodness ability to pay doesn't impact on treatment offered.

Will this healthcare reform cost the taxpayer more than private healthcare? It's free!, Janet. China's paying for it;-)

So, the Firth has turned! in a manner of speaking ;-) http://www.chiswickw4.com/default.asp?section=info&page=conceleb242.htm

Not at all surprised-in fact I'm surprised that he is not more forthright in his statement. However, I think the couples may be friends, so that has probably tempered his comments. Simple fact is if NC hadn't supported the increase, he would no longer be Depute Prime Minister. So much for principles:-(

(Janet) So much for principles:-( It is a sad fact of political life I'm afraid. I believe many individuals enter the political forum with the highest principles and the best intentions only to find that compromises are required. With the party system we have in Canada, and in Britain as well I think, an MP must follow the party line or be ejected from the caucus. When the MP's own beliefs or the wishes of his constituents conflict with the party line, he/she is in an impossible position. One compromise leads to another until there is little integrity left and getting re-elected is the foundation of all decision making.

I understand that would be the case normally, but he is Depute Prime Minister in a Coalition Government, of which his party is very much the minority member. The Lib Dems will never be a majority party in the UK, unless there is a major shift by voters (which is very unlikely) so this is his only chance for real political power. However, he's paid a high price, and lost a great deal of support from Lib Dem voters in constituencies.

Just getting here, what a day I've had! My friends in Rome are so upset. My DH says is like Italy in the '70's: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1338461/Riot-Rome-Silvio-Berlusconi-survives-Italian-premier-just-THREE-votes.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Oh Moon, how awful. National upheaval? Or is it just Rome. Pure anarchy. I can't bear to see the churches on the Populo Piazza desecrated. Been meaning to ask you who is this Umberto Bossi. There was a full page write-up in yesterday's WSJ. He's v. tough on immigration; big problem in Italy I gather.

First of all, Evelyn, you will be happy to know that Berlusconi's government survived the crisis by a vote in Parliament. Even the leftist La Repubblica, took a poll and Berlusconi won. Second, Umberto Bossi is the head of La Lega Nord, which is the Northern League, center right and for small business, he's gaining votes everyday and of course is aligned with Berlusconi. Third, the protest happened in every major city. Truly horrible. Vandals everywhere. http://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2010/12/14/guerriglia-urbana-nel-centro-di-roma/81925/ If they go to vote again in March, I believe Berlusconi and Bossi will take most of the votes. The Italian people are sick of the vandals.

Thank you. I've been following my sweetie ;-)Silvio's results and know he won...albeit narrowly. But hey, a win's a win! ( Much to YKW and his side kick's chagrin who were probably rooting for the lefties)

I though SB was unpopular not just with the Left, with because of the sleaze etc etc etc. +Rumours he bought some of his backers in the votes:-(

Been reading up on Berlusconi-can't believe how many lives this guy has. The Statute of Limitations certainly has worked for him on numerous occasions, together with very good lawyers:-( His comments about women defy belief too. -Don't think he'd ever get my vote-what a piece of work!

But what a smile....who could resist him;-)))

Me!!! ;-)) I think he looks like a sleazeball.

Have to agree with you Janet

Hey, lighten up;-)))) Even sleazballs have their charm.

You reckon? ;-)

If I were one of the many females he's insulted, I know how I'd wipe that smile off his face-it would involve my Size 5 boots;-)))

LOL, Janet. (Your not- so- secret- weapon.) Listen, I'm not going to throw stones at any other country's sleazeball, we've got Bill. And *everyone* loves Bill! ('cept maybe for Hil;-)

I'm not happy with the way "Viagra" Berlusconi has been comporting himself. But the fact is that his coalition Government is the best one for Italy now. The judges have let all the vandals be released from jail today. Need I say that the judges all belong to the left?

Here's hoping that the U.S. Senate does the right thing today.

Looks like it was a triple win for the nation, DADT, START, and 9/11 Responders.

Indeed, who'da thunk it?

Gee what a surprise? Who didn't see that coming? Oh, wait, I know GW Bush. This is not good news: Anti-American Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr made a surprise return to Iraq on Wednesday, ending nearly four years of self-imposed exile in Iran. Sadr's return comes just two weeks after Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, also a Shiite, cobbled together a unity government to begin a second term. Support from a bloc of Sadr loyalists in Iraq's parliament pushed Maliki past the threshold needed to form his cabinet. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/05/AR2011010500724.html?wpisrc=nl_natlalert

Al-Maliki will do anything, including make deals with the devil to stay in power (with US help). You think Bush Admin didnt' see it coming? Question is (perhaps rhetorically) ...did they care?

I think that GW Bush did not see it coming. He's a war criminal, IMO. During the war in Kuwait, his father was smart enough to realize that it was better to leave Saddam Hussein in Iraq instead of going after him. He knew that Saddam, a Suni, had a tight control on the more radical Shiites. It would have been Civil War to do so. HELLO!!!!! In his cabinet, Saddam also had Coptic advisers, one of them, Tareq Assiz was often a guest on Nightline. Have you seen what happened in Egypt to the Coptic Christians recently? Slaughtered by the Shiites as they were leaving church services? No one can convince me that Islam is a religion of peace. Just read the suras in the Koran. :-(

It is starting: Back in Iraq, Cleric Muqtada al-Sadr Declares 'We Reject America' NAJAF, Iraq - An anti-American cleric whose militia was once the nemesis of U.S. troops in Iraq said Saturday that his followers were still resisting the U.S. enemy with all means. But Muqtada al-Sadr, now a formidable force in Iraqi politics and not just a militia leader, tempered his fiery words by saying the new Iraqi government should be given a chance to get American forces out of the country in a "suitable" way. In his first speech since returning from almost four years of self-imposed exile in Iran, the 37-year-old cleric whose Shiite militias once battled U.S. troops and terrorized Iraqi Sunnis stopped short of explicitly urging violence against Americans. But he left open the possibility that some 50,000 U.S. troops in Iraq could be targeted before they are set to leave at the end of this year. "Let the whole world hear that we reject America. No, no to the occupier," al-Sadr said during his 35-minute speech in Najaf, a holy Shiite city about 100 miles south of Baghdad. "We don't kill Iraqis - our hands do not kill Iraqis. But we target only the occupier with all the means of resistance," he added. "We are still resisters and we are still resisting the occupier militarily and culturally and by all the means of resistance." Al-Sadr has long branded the U.S. military as occupiers in Iraq, and Washington considers him a security threat. Yet after winning 40 seats in March parliamentary elections - and taking eight top leadership posts in the new government - al-Sadr's political muscle makes him a force that cannot be ignored. Addressing an adoring and frenzied crowd of thousands, al-Sadr called the U.S., Israel and Britain "our common enemies." "Maybe during the past few days and months, we forgot the resistance and the expel of the occupier as we were busy with politics," al-Sadr said. "Our aim is to expel the occupier with any means. The resistance does not mean that everyone can carry a weapon. The weapon is only for the people of the weapons" - fighters. U.S. Embassy spokesman David J. Ranz brushed off al-Sadr's remarks. "We listened to the speech, but heard nothing new," Ranz said. A security agreement between Washington and Baghdad requires all U.S. forces to be out of Iraq by the end of the year. Although both al-Maliki and the Obama administration have maintained the roughly 50,000 U.S. troops will leave by then, officials in both nations have acknowledged that Iraq is not yet ready to protect its borders from possible invasion. That's led to widespread speculation that al-Maliki ultimately will ask a small number of American forces to remain. Al-Sadr rose to power after the March 2003 invasion and has since been revered by poor Iraqi Shiites. His Mahdi Army gunmen were a formidable foe of American troops and Iraqi government forces between 2004 and 2008, but al-Sadr fled to Iran in 2007 under threat of arrest for allegedly killing another cleric. Although absent from Iraq for four years, he has maintained strict control over the political and military wings of his movement from his base in Iran. It's not clear whether al-Sadr will remain in Iraq or return to Iran. Followers and detractors hung on his words, delivered outside his ancestral home, for signs of where he plans to take his political movement. "We are like crazy people who lost their father for a while," said shop owner Samir Atwan, who closed his store in the Baghdad slum of Sadr City to join the black-clad thousands who thronged outside the cleric's ancestral home in Najaf, 100 miles (160 kilometers) south of the capital. Atwan said he slept on the street in Najaf for three days in hopes of seeing al-Sadr. "All these people left their jobs and their shops," he said. Nearby, a blind man led a crowd of young men who waited hours in the cool January morning amid cries of "Yes, yes, to our leader." It was only with al-Sadr's support - and with the blessing of Iran - that Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki was able to muster enough support from former opponents to win a second term in office after his political party fell short in the March elections. The alliance was surprising to Iraq's political observers, and especially to Sadrists who were crushed by al-Maliki's security forces in Baghdad and the southern port city of Basra. But Iranian leaders pushed for the detente that gave al-Sadr new sway over al-Maliki and led Iraq's Sunni minority to fear they would remain without a voice in the new government. In the Sunni-dominated Baghdad suburb of Azamiyah, Majid al-Adhami watched with apprehension the speech he described as "directed to his followers rather than to the Iraqi people." "He came from abroad with a message from his masters that he will continue what he and his followers used to do," said al-Adhami, 57, a retiree and father of five. "He's saying now that I used to control the street and now I'm controlling both the street and politics." Associated Press Writers Lara Jakes, Sinan Salaheddin and Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad contributed to this report.

Shocking footage of the floods in Queensland and now heading towards Brisbane. I hope all Oz Droolers and their families are safe?

Drool has (or had) a Brisbane Drooler, CatheyP, who made her way to London for 3DOR. I haven't heard from her for awhile.

Please call your local representatives today and implore them to: Save our health care - Vote NO on H.R. 2 Send emails too. Tomorrow, House Republicans led by John Boehner will vote on the repeal of health reform -- moving to end the law that keeps insurance companies in check. From denying coverage to children with pre-existing conditions, to pursuing profits with no accountability, to raising rates arbitrarily on families and businesses and canceling coverage when people get sick -- insurers could return to promoting their own financial health at the expense of those seeking care. And with repeal estimated to add $230 billion to the deficit over the next 10 years, the Republicans' first agenda item delays our economic recovery and does nothing to create jobs. Repealing the Affordable Care Act is bad for our health, our economy, and our country -- and Speaker Boehner needs to know where we stand. Call him now at 202-225-6205. Tell him to stop playing political games and end the wasteful, hurtful repeal of health reform.

I'll continue: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/8272438/The-Caligulan-court-of-Silvio-Berlusconi-laid-bare.html My take, after his divorce, Silvio has gone viagra-gaga. I'm not happy about it, I hate it. But if you read that article, you will see how even parents are throwing their daughters in front of him for money. It's all about money. Those women disgust me too. What is worse, IMO, is the judges wire taping conversations and spying on him without any authorization! That is pure espionage and totally illegal. And, in the surveys taken, Berlusconi, the people seem to be on his side. LOL, it will take a lot more to topple him.

How can such a character be defended? - Where are his advisors? He's the PM FGS!! Sorry, but have no sympathy for the randy old goat:-((

I am repulsed by that man. He is absolutely disgusting, without an ounce of charm. I find it hard to imagine what any woman would find attractive about him. Calling him a pig is an insult to pigs.

He may be hated internationally but in Italy: Silvio Berlusconi's party gaining support despite scandals http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jan/23/silvio-berlusconi-poll-party-support I told you, he will prevail.

Go Silvio , Go. Il Popolo della Libert�,...

No great surprise:-( He's still a sleazebag, and the Italian public obviously aren't great judges of character, more's the pity.

I think I can speak much better for the Italian people, since I am a citizen, Janet, when I say that his Government is preferable to the leftist one. The fact that the Catholics in Italy support him after his abominable behavior is telling. The Italians are also disgusted by the actions of the courts, as I have explained in a previous post.

If he's the best of a bad bunch-unlucky for Italy:-(

Last night Charlie Rose was the guest on The Colbert Show. Nothing remotely political. Take a look, as Charlie would say. ;-) http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/372018/january-24-2011/charlie-rose

I think this qualifies as Mad world stuff..... "Some people balked when it was announced that for $200, folks get tickets to attend the Super Bowl � from outside Cowboys Stadium. But that was the face value. Plaza Party tickets for Sunday's game as of late last week were going for around $330 on the secondary market." Meanwhile Forida is gloating.....

The plaza tickets were covered in Thursday's Sports Report (or spore rapport): http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/373358/february-03-2011/sport-report---super-bowl-edition and the Bill O'Reilly part of this is priceless: http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/373357/february-03-2011/crisis-in-egypt---anderson-cooper---bill-o-reilly

I had to laugh when I saw this article. This is exactly here now. People did it here anyway without the snow. We were joking about it at work this week. The picture of this neighborhood is exactly what mine looks like, minus the woman in the chair (if it's the same pic I saw when I opened the article). http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110205/ap_on_re_us/us_winter_weather_parking_spats

Thought I'd posted a link to another article about dibs a day or so ago, with hundreds of hysterical comments. (maybe it was on O&E) Slashing tires isn't all people will do if you take a shoveled out spot. Many talked about keying cars. Actually, the city has an ordinance covering dibs, and it's illegal. Heard on the news last night that the city said it won't be enforcing the statute. "Chair Free Chicago," The Chicago paper's article started with this bozo. Handing out flyers??? Talked to a guy who was digging out a spot last night while walking the dog. I noticed that he had a chair sitting on the snow. I mentioned that all the houses on the block had garages in the alley (which was unpassable) and he pointed to his and said his didn't and that others had more than one car. Really, who needs more than one car where I live?

Here's the other article. Different guy: http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_localto/20110203/ts_yblog_localto/should-chicagoans-be-allowed-to-use-furniture-to-save-their-shoveled-out-parking-spots-in-the-winter-opposing

I don't do dibs, but then again, I fear moving my car to go somewhere that isn't mass commutable (or very easily so).......so I don't. Fortunately it isn't often I need to take my car, but I do feel a bit restricted in a way.

A (figurative) noose is tightening? Prosecutors: Berlusconi to stand trial AP By COLLEEN BARRY, Associated Press Colleen Barry, Associated Press � 29 mins ago MILAN � Italian prosecutors on Wednesday requested that Premier Silvio Berlusconi stand trial over accusations he paid for sex with a 17-year-old girl, then used his influence to try to cover it up. The prosecutors filed their request in Milan. A judge must now decide whether to accept the prosecutors' request and indict the 74-year-old leader, or dismiss it. In Italy, it's illegal to pay for sex with a woman under the age of 18. Berlusconi has denied wrongdoing. Dozens of his supporters rallied against the prosecution's decision, some waving Italian flags in a demonstration across the street from the Milan courthouse entrance. In a surreal backdrop to the soap opera-like story, Berlusconi himself was giving a news conference in Rome on his plans to relaunch the Italian economy with great public works when word of the indictment request came down. The prosecutors are seeking an immediate trial because they believe there is overwhelming evidence against the premier. The procedure allows prosecutors to skip the preliminary-hearing phase and go straight to court. They allege that Berlusconi paid for sex with a Moroccan girl nicknamed Ruby, who has since turned 18, then used his influence to get her out of police custody when she was detained for the suspected theft of euro3,000 ($4,103), allegedly fearing her relationship to him would be revealed. Ruby ultimately was released into the custody of a Berlusconi aide who also is under investigation. The premier's supporters say he made the call to avoid a diplomatic incident because Berlusconi believed at the time that the girl was the niece of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. His defense maintains the case should be handled not by the Milan prosecutors but by a special tribunal set up to deal with alleged offenses committed by public officials. The prosecution said in a statement that they didn't believe the alleged crime was committed in the exercise of Berlusconi's institutional duties.

Not sure if this is the correct place to post, but this lady definitely qualifies as a Supergran:-)) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2LqPcpUzO0

The premier's supporters say he made the call to avoid a diplomatic incident because Berlusconi believed at the time that the girl was the niece of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.2 As we would say in Scotland, "Aye, right;-)))"

More detail explanations, from The Guardian copied on AOL: http://www.aolnews.com/discuss/2011/02/09/prosecutors-seek-quick-start-to-silvio-berlusconi-trial-on-sex-c#gcpDiscussPageUrlAnchor A recent poll conducted for Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera showed that public support for his People of Freedom party increased from 27.6 percent to 30.2 percent in December. Support for center-left parties, meanwhile, fell by around 2 percentage points. That surprising result could be due to the fact that voters realize Berlusconi is the only viable leader capable of lifting the country out of its economic malaise. The parties of the center-left are hopelessly fragmented, and any left-leaning coalition would likely implode soon after taking office. Read the comments below. People are still for him. They know there is no real alternative. I am totally disgusted with Berlusconi. I want a woman Prime Minister and he has quite a few very qualified ones in his party. Enough of the boys club.

All the business journals say that w/o him Italy is destined to go the way of Ireland and Portugal economically and will have to be bailed -out by the EU. A country needs a leader who understands business . Government agencies can't do it alone;-D

Well, to follow on Moon's point, are there no women who are business capable?

As we've learned from Hillary Clinton, being qualified and capable are not enough. Hillary was so much more than Obama and look what happened. I like Letizia Moratti who is the mayor of Milan and from Berlusconi's party. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letizia_Moratti

-4� here. Last night went down to-11�. Up in northern part of the state went to-24� North Pole Alaska was a balmy 16;-)

This just in Berlusconi To Stand Trial In Prostitution Case www.npr.org Italy's prime minister faces charges that he paid for sex with a minor and then tried to cover it up in a sex scandal that has outraged women across Italy. Berlusconi's trial is set to begin April 6 and will be heard by a panel of three judges — all of them women... http://www.npr.org/2011/02/15/133769009/Italian-Women-Protest-Over-Berlusconi-Scandal?sc=fb&cc=fp

Karen, if would post pic that I sent you via e-mail, it would be so à propros. ;-)

This says it all: Bunga has 2 months to find dirt on the three female judges, let's see how it plays out.

ROTFL!

Just about sums him up!:-)

Woman Held as Brooklyn Sex Slave Think twice before you move in with a stranger on Craigslist: A 27-year-old woman from Wisconsin reportedly moved to share an apartment in East Williamsburg, Brooklyn that was advertised on Craigslist, and wound up being held captive as a sex slave. The perpetrator, 45-year-old John Hopkins, has been arrested and faces charges of rape, assault, and unlawful imprisonment with a bail set at $350,000. The Brooklyn district attorney said Hopkins offered the woman free home and board if she cooked and cleaned for him. He allegedly paid for her plane ticket to New York and picked her up at the airport, but when she arrived at his home on February 4, he forced her to call him "master." The victim told police she was handcuffed to a radiator, beaten, bound, gagged, and raped repeatedly. She reported that she was allowed to leave the apartment at least once, but was immediately handcuffed when she returned. She eventually called her mother in Wisconsin who then called the NYPD, who reportedly found the victim in the fetal position on a bed with a whip and ball-gag nearby. Read it at CBS-NY She actually left the apt and came back? How desperate is she? And what an idiot! I don't get it.

First Egypt, now Wisconsin!!

LOL!

Glad you got your mayor, Karen. Let's hope he doesn't come down on the "dibs" people;-)

(Evelyn) Let's hope he doesn't come down on the "dibs" people ;-) Since the snow has all melted away, it's not like anybody is going to care until the next huge snowfall. Beside, he's got much more important things to worry about. Rahm's answer to all the whiners about "dibs" would be just take the FU attitude. ;-) On another note, I am baffled how I got an email in my junk folder with this subject line: Karen and Oliver, Your 2011 Transunion, Equifax and Experian Credit-Scores On Us I can only think of three entities that have my dog's name and am ruling out the vet as a seller of info. *shaking my fist at Petco and PetSmart*

Dreadful situation in Japan. Very worrying that the cooler of a nuclear reactor has failed. Shades of Chernobyl-I remember that time very well. I was in early stage of pregnancy when the fallout came down over Scotland. We weren't told till much later the danger of being outside during heavy rainfall at that time (which I was).

(Janet) Very worrying that the cooler of a nuclear reactor has failed. Radiation levels 1000 times normal! Yikes!

Never mind the increase in childhood cancers in the UK and rest of Europe,since Chernobyl, our lambs are still restricted because of the Caesium-137 levels on grazing land. I believe they keep much of the info from us, for fear of panic. I do hope this can be contained.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-03-11/hillary-clinton-on-middle-east-womens-revolution/?cid=bs:archive2 An important step.

Crikey! yes, the Japanese nuclear explosion is a concern. I had forgotten about Chernobyl. I hadn't realised there were still restrictions, Janet. Blimey. Just as well I don't eat lamb.

It may not be the right place, but I just had to post this:-) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rynvewVe21Y

Very cute. The cat looks just like the one who lives downstairs.