Oh to be Danish....

...because in Denmark unionised workers only strike over the most important of issues; access to beer!

21st century Fascism

It turns out that the recently deceased extreme right wing Austrian hate-monger Jörg Haider, may have had a bit of a thing going on with the man who is his successor at the helm of the Bündnis Zukunft Österreich.

Stefan Petzner told Austrian radio that Mr Haider, whom he met five years ago, was "the man of my life".

The BZÖ claims the relationship between the two men was strictly platonic.

Hr. Haider was married with two kids.

Is it all over but the collecting?

Irish bookmaker Paddy Power is already paying out to punters who bet on an Obama victory. The total bill is expected to be in excess of €1,000,000.

1,000 reasons John McCain shouldn't be President

Number 87: the pain of Spain falls mainly on McCain. What a complete and utter dolt. In his defense, however, we should remember that Spanish Prime Minister (Presidente)Jose Luis Zapatero is a socialist which rhymes with communist....

Today in (not) knife news

The Swiss Army has decided to give the contract to produce knives for the Army to the company who has always made them, Victorinox. No word if there are any new gadgets planned.

And I leave you with...

...the misleading headline of the day: "Dutch Dykes in Need of Massive Overhaul" from Radion Netherlands. The story doesn't even discuss lesbians!

What do the Dutch know...

...and how long have they known it? The largest of the Low Countries has recalled its spy from Iran in the belief that the US is about to illegally attack Iran. Well, October is coming....

How do you say....

..."new world order? I'll show you some new world order!" in Russian? Feeling their oats the Russians have now issued a thinly veiled threat to Poland over it's deal to sigh up to the American son-of-the-son-of-the-son-of-Star-Wars. The threat was so thinly veiled that nuclear weapons were mentioned.

Somehow I don't think that they've actually thought this through!

The World Congress for Families has decided to hold it's next annual in shindig in Amsterdam. Now I think that the Netherlands is an incredibly family friendly country; what with significant legally mandated maternity and paternity leave, flex hour requirements for workers with children, state run child care and universal health care. But somehow I don't think that those are the sorts of things that this American dominated right wing organisation is looking for. So add to the fact that they will be meeting in one of the most socialist states in Europe, even when they are run by what the Dutch consider to be right wing party, the cannabis cafes (you just can't smoke tobacco in them), the brothels and a decidedly un-Christian (in an American but not in a Christian sense) culture I think this might not turn out as planned. At least they won't be getting arrested for their shameful behaviour.

Free markets kill

A new study from a researcher at Cambridge University makes a link between IMF mandated cuts in universal healthcare in Eastern European with increases in the rate of tuberculosis there. The study fails to discuss whether these people are using their best judgement by infecting themselves after a careful cost/benefit analysis.

This Stella's for you!!

I wonder if the takeover of Anheuser Busch by Belgian brewers InBev will mean America's favourite beer will eventually become drinkable. In any case I think Americans should be prepared for the purchase of more of the country's crown jewels by Europeans and others as the value of the dollar slips away into oblivion. I wouldn't worry about any of the car manufacturers being gobbled up though. After all who would want them.

America goes socialist....

...and the socialists approve. I wonder how the American taxpayer feels as the owner of two new banks!

As if their skunk wasn't strong enough already

The recent Dutch smoking ban means that ones now has to smoke one's cannabis full strength rather than cut it with tobacco. I don't suppose this is going to make it any easier to get out of the coffee shop.

Europe the Evil!

As if we need more evidence that the effete, America hating atheist socialists at the heart of the European Union want the evil doers to win we learn that the EU is dropping sanctions against Cuba, charter member of the Axis of Evil!

I reckon that means I should head down the pub for a large Cuban rum, thereby violating America's most ridiculous law!

"Don't even think about it! Gordo"

The European leg of Captain Codpiece's Legacy '08 Tour ends in London tomorrow and he's come will all guns blazing as he warns our beleaguered Prime Minister againstwithdrawing troops from Iraq. He also paints himself as a Simón Bolívar for the 21st century as he claims that he has liberated "50 million people from the clutches of barbaric regimes", possibly single-handed. He also threatens to write a book.

He is clearly a man capable of extraordinary self-delusion.

The future's bright! The future's orange!

At least in European football it is. The Dutch would appear to be the team to beat in Euro 2008 having beaten both the Italians and, last night, the French in style. I would make the Portu-geezers the second favourites although the announcement that their coach, Luiz Scolari, is headed to Chelsea FC after the tournament might put them off their stride.

The precautionary principle at work

New European Union regulations, coming into effect soon, will require manufacturers to demonstrate that a chemical is safe before it enters the market and American companies are worried about its impact. After all the European Union is a huge and affluent marketplace that they can ill afford to lose, especially if the American economy remains in decline.

1,000 reasons John McCain shouldn't be President

Number 45: he's just about as good on current affairs and geography as the current Oval Office resident. He seems to think that Vladimir Putin used to be the President of Germany.



A word of warning Senator: I wouldn't try and give him an impromptu neck rub if I were you. He knows karate!

I reckon someone is not going to like this

The European Union is preparing to end the EU's sanctions on Cuba. Why do they hate freedom?

Goodbye and good riddance

Captain Codpiece's extended Legacy '08 Tour visits Europe this week and there doesn't seem to be anyone who is sad to see him go. Bless.