MERKEL WHISPERS SWEET NOTHINGS TO CAMERON !

In a German radio interview Angela Merkel said she was open to renegotiations with Britain aimed at returning some powers from Brussels to EU countries.

However different reports say she does not want any basic treaties changed and that any negotiations cannot start before the next German General Election on September 22, 2013.

If Merkel is elected but her coalition does not re-appoint her as Chancellor, David Cameron will lose the best ally he has in the EU at present.

Another important consideration concerns the economic problems in Portugal, Spain and Greece.  Will these countries again need more financing ?  Will Italy for example also need help ?

Finally, will Germany and the EUROZONE maintain the same financing principles that are applied at present ?

David Cameron may find a different "EUROPE" in the next few months !

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LE TARDIF BILAN DES ANNEES SARKOZY

Le 6 mars 2012, alors que les intentions de vote pour Nicolas Sarkozy stagnaient, nous suggérions, dans ce blog, que Nicolas Sarkozy dresse un vrai bilan d'une part de ce qu'il avait promis en 2007 et d'autre part de ce qui avait été réalisé, ou pas, 5 ans plus tard.

Dix huit mois plus tard, l'idée de dresser le bilan du quinquennat de Nicolas Sarkozy fait surface.

Jean-François Copé, Président de l'UMP, vient de se déclarer favorable à "un débat raisonnable" sur le quinquennat de Nicolas Sarkozy.

Toutefois ce projet de bilan des années Sarkozy ne fait pas encore l'unanimité.

Certains s'interrogent sur l'intérêt d'un tel inventaire: n'arrive-t-il pas trop tard ? Ne risque-t-il pas de tourner au procès non seulement de l'ancien Président mais de la Droite en général ?

DML
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POLITICAL DIVERSIONS AIMED AT GIBRALTAR AND THE FALKLANDS

In the recent past Christina Kirchner in Argentina sought support by claiming that the Falkland Islands were part of the Argentine Republic.  This regularly happens when there are elections in Argentina just to divert voters from more important problems like inflation.  Britons remember with pride the reaction of Mrs Thatcher in 1982 when the islands, 8 000 miles away from London, were invaded on the orders of President Galtieri !

Now the Spanish are "suddenly" making life difficult for Britons living in Gibraltar !  The real question is why? Is it not because Mariano Rajoy is menaced by a scandal of corruption and the Socialist opposition also has its own  scandals to cover up ?  

Diverting the attention of Spaniards from these woes is therefore a classic sport !  Rajoy even consulted Argentina !   To create six-hour traffic jams because they suddenly suspect visitors to Gibraltar are smuggling cigarettes or using "the Rock" as a tax haven or as a "Financial Paradise", is a superb idea, but evidently just a political ploy to hide the internal problems in Spain.

The real problems in Spain also stem from high unemployment (27%), a declining property market and a  banking sector which has received EUROZONE loans.  

If now British tourists can only expect traffic jams in Spain they will avoid them by simply going elsewhere !  A crumbling tourist industry would solve nothing for Spain !

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POLITICAL DONATIONS IN THE UK NEED TO BE DEFINED !

Politicians greed for what are "undefined" donations to the coffers of Political Parties in the United Kingdom has caused much mirth this week in Westminster.

The Conservatives and the Lib.Dems hastily pocketed a badly worded legacy which could be construed very differently.  Was the intention of Joan Edwards to benefit a political party or the Nation ? 

She was 79 years old when she gave verbal instructions for her will and she was a frail woman of 91 when she died.  Her legal advisors did not serve her how she should have been at her age.  The Law Society must certainly draw the attention of its members that as legal experts they are expected to protect all clients from unclear phraseology.  Is this not a basic Professional duty ?

Before the Socialists and other parties smirk too quickly about "Political Donations" there is another fundamental observation which needs to be addressed.  Trade Unions, on the left or even on the right, financially fund political parties with hefty donations.  Do these "expected" gifts have no strings attached ?  Are politicians subsequently elected by voters completely "free" of any outside constraints  to serve their constituents ?

There was a perfect example in 1979 when the Callaghan Government was completely strangled by endless strikes and the Trade Unions were in fact "Running the country" !

This whole problem is very murky !  Democracy must be defended !  Laws should be clear !

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SELF-SATISFIED BANKERS KILL THE HOPES OF BRITISH PENSIONERS !

The British Press have highlighted the problems faced by retired British people with small pensions when they seek to augment their meagre income.

Gordon Brown put an end to the Private Pension Schemes of companies with a ruthless "Tax Grab" when he was Chancellor in October 2006.  At the time the cost to companies was estimated at 100 Billion pounds Sterling and most Schemes were obliged to close down.

More recently the EUROZONE with the aim to protect Banks and stabilize the cost of inter bank borrowing, the interest rate for investments has been reduced to less than 1%.  Banks are very reluctant to offer loans for medium or long term periods or to pay interest for small loans received.

While EUROZONE countries are bailed out to prevent a dirty and disasterous devaluation, but above all to save the EURO, Bankers everywhere are congratulating themselves for their achievements with high salaries and bonuses. Some of these "bail-outs" will never be repaid or will be written off. 

British pensioners are the forgotten sector of the economy and cannot even invest their "old age nest egg savings" to stave off selling their homes or possessions.  Their standard of living at the end of their lives declines, they linger and no one really cares.  

The so called  "Labour Shadow Cabinet" also has no real ideas how to propose anything on this subject.  Miliband basically is against everything the current British Conservative Government led by David Cameron  proposes, while Blair and Brown, as their "Heritage", have really left their "New" Labour Party in a complete mess !

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SPORT IN GENERAL HAS NO WISH TO BANISH DRUGS OR CHEATS !

No Sport, of any importance, wants to accept any outside interference which would infringe in its already acquired management rights.

No Sport, either on a National Level or on an International Level relishes the thought that effective drug controls could, with a lifetime ban, punish a "star" performer, albeit that the performer has cheated to win, to become rich and in the process has destroyed the ambitions of non-cheating competitors !

Regularly, since  Lance Armstrong was stripped of his wins in the Tour de France, other revelations in other sports, Athletics for example, have come to light, have been reported, years after suspected drug abuses had been discovered !  

No one who was involved, cheats, trainers, doctors, agents, sponsors, sports administrators, wanted their reputations sullied before their retirements !  They all wanted to keep their ill-gotten gains !

That is why no sport really wants to banish "drugs" and to lead the way !

Another even bigger reason is that the problem of controlling drugs in sport needs the help of a World Organization which is accepted and supported with standardised legislation by all countries.   Non adherent countries should simply be excluded from all international competitions ! 

Such an international body does not at present exist.  Lord Coe is a well respected former athlete and could with the help of prominent World Personalities find a way out of the present impasse.

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WHAT REAL SPORT FOLLOWERS REALLY WANT ?

This article wants to draw attention to what Sport Followers seek when serious problems arise in any given Sport.  They want,  

-  No Controversy

-  Just + Clear Decisions and Explanations.

-  Use of the best Advanced Technology.

-  Clear Rules on Drug Usage but also DRUG ABUSE ! 


To define these aims and wishes another way, no Sport   really wants hesitation by Amateur Administrators, who often seek to protect personal "glory" !

The last observation implies that Administrators should be "democratically" elected, and then re-elected, not just continued "in office" ! Their total possible terms in office should always be limited in time.

The biggest problem is the definition of Drug Use and Drug Abuse in each and every sport.  When can the same Drug be legally used to cure yet not be used simply to enhance performances ?  A medical definition must be sought. 

Each and every Sport could have varying reasons and reactions as to how the word "usage" should be defined.  

Another on-going problem concerns the scandals which have surfaced these last few days in the USA, Turkey, and other countries like the old East German State.  It seems clear that drugs were used and Olympic Medals were "won". Is it really too late to inflict any punishment ?

The real basic problem is still with us to-day.  If a "World Sports Body" is not created with the power to severely punish "Cheats" at "all levels" nothing will ever change.

A "National" punishment of "Cheats" is "eyewash" - too often too political to be independent and acceptable !  

A World Organisation, a supra National Organisation adhered to by all countries which enter Sportspeople habitually in all the leading sports compétitions,  needs to be created.  Such an Organisation would need a specialised Court of judgement with powers to punish not only athletes but also trainers, organisers, etc, etc.  Agents and anyone connected with Sport must become aware of the fact  that aiding and abetting Cheats is a crime and that there are Sanctions which can be applied !

However, where can one go to get the ball rolling to set up such a Supra National Organisation ?  Can you help ?