About as close as it gets to my opinion on this.

I've read Brian Reade's column in The Daily Mirror for a long, long time. I don't always agree with him on everything he says, but yesterday I think this brash Scouser got it almost spot on as to how I feel right now.

God Help America.

If I've offended anyone, I honestly don't give a rat's arse. Not because I'm a sore loser or because I don't care, but because I think 'trying not to offend anyone' can do more harm than good. After all, Bush offended 55.6million of his own people, and the other 59million congratulated him on it.

About as close as it gets to my opinion on this.

I've read Brian Reade's column in The Daily Mirror for a long, long time. I don't always agree with him on everything he says, but yesterday I think this brash Scouser got it almost spot on as to how I feel right now.

God Help America.

If I've offended anyone, I honestly don't give a rat's arse. Not because I'm a sore loser or because I don't care, but because I think 'trying not to offend anyone' can do more harm than good. After all, Bush offended 55.6million of his own people, and the other 59million congratulated him on it.

Meme in lieu of content

I tried to post this yesterday and it wouldn't let me. Let us try again.

I was going to post about politics and real life, but I just can't be bothered right now. Had a fab Election Night chat with angiej, smilie117 and wakinglifeuk  which was great and very funny. I appreciate the latter behaving himself in front of my pals. :D

Went to London yesterday with Emily. Bought pair of brown leather platform shoes from the 70s then we went to the National Portrait Gallery and then next door to the National Gallery. Paid to go to Raphael exhibit, which was fabulous, not least because I saw the Raphael programme on BBC1 on Sunday. Even if it did star the guy who played Dallas in Sex, Chips and Rock and Roll!

Congrats, by the way, to Eric Clapton, who got a CBE yesterday and whose wife Melia is expecting their third kid. Hope you're around long enough to see him/her grow up, Eric my dear.

( There's only so many ways you can introduce a meme. )

Meme in lieu of content

I tried to post this yesterday and it wouldn't let me. Let us try again.

I was going to post about politics and real life, but I just can't be bothered right now. Had a fab Election Night chat with angiej, smilie117 and wakinglifeuk  which was great and very funny. I appreciate the latter behaving himself in front of my pals. :D

Went to London yesterday with Emily. Bought pair of brown leather platform shoes from the 70s then we went to the National Portrait Gallery and then next door to the National Gallery. Paid to go to Raphael exhibit, which was fabulous, not least because I saw the Raphael programme on BBC1 on Sunday. Even if it did star the guy who played Dallas in Sex, Chips and Rock and Roll!

Congrats, by the way, to Eric Clapton, who got a CBE yesterday and whose wife Melia is expecting their third kid. Hope you're around long enough to see him/her grow up, Eric my dear.

( There's only so many ways you can introduce a meme. )

Buckle up, we're in for a bumpy ride

The long unawaited Clare Political Post. Strap yeselves in, possibly take some sort of anti-stress/anger medication and sit back.

You have no idea how fucked off I am with the entire world at the moment. I'm angry with Americans, I'm angry with Brits, I'm angry with just about everyone. That bloke that works in Clinton Cards on a Saturday? No, neither do I, but I'm probably angry at him too.

I'm so tired of the whole damn thing. I can't say I'm remotely surprised at who won the election, because he's proved that he can make people believe anything. But then, you can make anyone believe anything if they're hungry enough or scared enough. It worked for Hitler back in the 30s- Germany was starving and he promised them bread. He was voted in, remember that. Bush has made the people of his country so scared that they'll believe him when he says he's going to make things better. I don't think he will. I think he'll take the next four years to do anything he bloody well feels like, because he no longer has to run for anything. Some say it means he won't have to pander to the conservative right anymore- I think it means he doesn't have to bother with anyone else anymore.

I'm incensed at the idea that because Brits aren't in America we're not allowed to have or voice an opinion. I think the Guardian's Clark County idea was bound to cause problems, but aren't we allowed to say what we think? Like it or not, we are linked closely to you, and I think it's only fair we should be able to voice an opinion, democracy-style to you. You don't have to pay any attention, but don't attack us with references to bad teeth and revolution. We're just trying to be your pals, really. Pals tell each other the truth, and a lot of us think your president is a fucktard. You may cry foul about British columnists using American stereotypes about the South and that, but your countrymen do the exact same thing to us. Stereotypes are a way of the world and they have been for as long as anyone's bothered to think about it. Is it a good thing? No. Is it the end of the world if you think we're Austin Powers and we think you're Jerry Lee Lewis? Probably not. I know the stereotypes aren't entirely true- but they are based in some truth. Myths, legends and stereotypes always started somewhere. As it goes, I personally do have bad teeth, but only through my own fault.

I don't, incidentally, think Bush is entirely stupid. I think he's clever enough and cunning enough to get what he wants, but that does not make him clever. Cunning, calculated and blackhearted certainly, but not clever. He sees the world in black and white as far as I can tell. Now, that's lovely- I'd love to see the world that simply, but I'm not sure someone in charge of say, troops and people and vast sums of money should have the gift of seeing the world so easily. The world is a complex place and we need, desperately need world leaders who understand that and try to come up with solutions to our complex problems. No, 'BOMB THE SHIT OUT OF THEM' is not a solution.

Incidentally, are the good people of America aware of the Black Watch? I don't think you are. Your military has made such a colossal cock-up of things in Iraq that they begged the British Army to send their crack troops to the particularly dangerous area around Baghdad. Some of those young men have already died. They've been told they'll only be there a month, they'll be back by Christmas. Mind you, they've already had their operational area expanded, so don't believe a word of it. They are, incidentally, under the command of the US. So when your Great And Bountiful Leader says "WE WON THE WAR ON TERROR" please realise that a lot of it will be down to British troops that shouldn't be there, don't want to be there and are dying for your leader's mad scheme to RULE THE WORLD. We've been dragged into this war because our Blessed Leader loves your Great and Bountiful Leader so much he'll do anything, including go against his own country's wishes. But many of you know how that feels.

I'll bet that many of you hadn't heard of this particular scheme to use British soldiers as target practice for the insurgents instead of American ones. You know why? Because when the war does finally end one day, Georgie isn't going to want to admit that he needed help. And he does- this war is a badly planned fool's mission and even unmilitary sorts such as myself can see that. See it from my cosy position in front of a computer, but I can see it

All George needs is a shaved head and a white cat and he might as well be Ernst Stavro Blofeld. As it is, he reminds me a lot of the mad military-obsessed  bad guy in The Living Daylights.

I adore and respect every single person on my friendslist. I love America and I have done for most of my life. It was my dream to go to New York, and I did. I cried when those tower fell because I love that place, those people, as much as anyone. I love Hollywood for all its fake tinsel and self-absorbedness. I love that you're not as cynical or sarky as we are. I love the idea that there are still small towns where everyone knows everyone else. I love the idea of taking a week to drive across a country. I love the fact that the American landscape runs the spectrum of geography. I love Coca-Cola, I love Starbucks. I love California Pizza Kitchen and The OC. I love the fact that you're willing to talk about your religion- even those that aren't fundamentalists. I love the fact that you're a melting pot that has never been comfortable with big influxes of people. I love the fact that you're trying to work toward the ideal of the American Dream, even if you don't always agree on what that is. I love baseball, regardless of who's playing. I love watching American football movies even though I don't get the actual game. I love the Doors. I love Buddy Holly. I love Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra. I love Dean Martin. I love the fact that you gave the world jazz and swing. I love the fact that nobody does glitz and glamour like Hollywood. I even love Elvis in his rhinestones. I love that you're still trying to make your world a better place.

This doesn't mean I love all of America. It doesn't mean I won't say when I disagree with something. I suppose I'm not angry so much as I'm desperately sad that the America I love has been disappearing for some time and I can't do anything about it. Don't blame me when I voice my opinion, because it's all I can do. I had to sit by and watch as 59million of you chose to keep a man I despise. And I know it wasn't all of America that did it, it wasn't all of the South and none of the cityfolk. But for better or for worse, that man now stands as your head of state. He is the representative of all of you for the next four years and you must live with that. As long as that man is president, you will have to understand that he represents all of you. No, you're not all sister-marryin', gun-toting, non-passport holdin' fools and madmen, but as long as you have a bloke that seems to be, I'm afraid people outside your borders who don't care enough to find out otherwise might mistake you for being just like him.

Incidentally, is Abu Musab al-Zarqawi the new Emmanuel Goldstein? If Britain gets renamed Airstrip One, you know the Orwellian nightmare has gone too far.

At this moment in time, I apologise if I have offended anyone, but at the same time I'm too fucked off to really give a damn. Know that I adore you all just the same. Am off to Dublin tomorrow, back Monday.

Buckle up, we're in for a bumpy ride

The long unawaited Clare Political Post. Strap yeselves in, possibly take some sort of anti-stress/anger medication and sit back.

You have no idea how fucked off I am with the entire world at the moment. I'm angry with Americans, I'm angry with Brits, I'm angry with just about everyone. That bloke that works in Clinton Cards on a Saturday? No, neither do I, but I'm probably angry at him too.

I'm so tired of the whole damn thing. I can't say I'm remotely surprised at who won the election, because he's proved that he can make people believe anything. But then, you can make anyone believe anything if they're hungry enough or scared enough. It worked for Hitler back in the 30s- Germany was starving and he promised them bread. He was voted in, remember that. Bush has made the people of his country so scared that they'll believe him when he says he's going to make things better. I don't think he will. I think he'll take the next four years to do anything he bloody well feels like, because he no longer has to run for anything. Some say it means he won't have to pander to the conservative right anymore- I think it means he doesn't have to bother with anyone else anymore.

I'm incensed at the idea that because Brits aren't in America we're not allowed to have or voice an opinion. I think the Guardian's Clark County idea was bound to cause problems, but aren't we allowed to say what we think? Like it or not, we are linked closely to you, and I think it's only fair we should be able to voice an opinion, democracy-style to you. You don't have to pay any attention, but don't attack us with references to bad teeth and revolution. We're just trying to be your pals, really. Pals tell each other the truth, and a lot of us think your president is a fucktard. You may cry foul about British columnists using American stereotypes about the South and that, but your countrymen do the exact same thing to us. Stereotypes are a way of the world and they have been for as long as anyone's bothered to think about it. Is it a good thing? No. Is it the end of the world if you think we're Austin Powers and we think you're Jerry Lee Lewis? Probably not. I know the stereotypes aren't entirely true- but they are based in some truth. Myths, legends and stereotypes always started somewhere. As it goes, I personally do have bad teeth, but only through my own fault.

I don't, incidentally, think Bush is entirely stupid. I think he's clever enough and cunning enough to get what he wants, but that does not make him clever. Cunning, calculated and blackhearted certainly, but not clever. He sees the world in black and white as far as I can tell. Now, that's lovely- I'd love to see the world that simply, but I'm not sure someone in charge of say, troops and people and vast sums of money should have the gift of seeing the world so easily. The world is a complex place and we need, desperately need world leaders who understand that and try to come up with solutions to our complex problems. No, 'BOMB THE SHIT OUT OF THEM' is not a solution.

Incidentally, are the good people of America aware of the Black Watch? I don't think you are. Your military has made such a colossal cock-up of things in Iraq that they begged the British Army to send their crack troops to the particularly dangerous area around Baghdad. Some of those young men have already died. They've been told they'll only be there a month, they'll be back by Christmas. Mind you, they've already had their operational area expanded, so don't believe a word of it. They are, incidentally, under the command of the US. So when your Great And Bountiful Leader says "WE WON THE WAR ON TERROR" please realise that a lot of it will be down to British troops that shouldn't be there, don't want to be there and are dying for your leader's mad scheme to RULE THE WORLD. We've been dragged into this war because our Blessed Leader loves your Great and Bountiful Leader so much he'll do anything, including go against his own country's wishes. But many of you know how that feels.

I'll bet that many of you hadn't heard of this particular scheme to use British soldiers as target practice for the insurgents instead of American ones. You know why? Because when the war does finally end one day, Georgie isn't going to want to admit that he needed help. And he does- this war is a badly planned fool's mission and even unmilitary sorts such as myself can see that. See it from my cosy position in front of a computer, but I can see it

All George needs is a shaved head and a white cat and he might as well be Ernst Stavro Blofeld. As it is, he reminds me a lot of the mad military-obsessed  bad guy in The Living Daylights.

I adore and respect every single person on my friendslist. I love America and I have done for most of my life. It was my dream to go to New York, and I did. I cried when those tower fell because I love that place, those people, as much as anyone. I love Hollywood for all its fake tinsel and self-absorbedness. I love that you're not as cynical or sarky as we are. I love the idea that there are still small towns where everyone knows everyone else. I love the idea of taking a week to drive across a country. I love the fact that the American landscape runs the spectrum of geography. I love Coca-Cola, I love Starbucks. I love California Pizza Kitchen and The OC. I love the fact that you're willing to talk about your religion- even those that aren't fundamentalists. I love the fact that you're a melting pot that has never been comfortable with big influxes of people. I love the fact that you're trying to work toward the ideal of the American Dream, even if you don't always agree on what that is. I love baseball, regardless of who's playing. I love watching American football movies even though I don't get the actual game. I love the Doors. I love Buddy Holly. I love Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra. I love Dean Martin. I love the fact that you gave the world jazz and swing. I love the fact that nobody does glitz and glamour like Hollywood. I even love Elvis in his rhinestones. I love that you're still trying to make your world a better place.

This doesn't mean I love all of America. It doesn't mean I won't say when I disagree with something. I suppose I'm not angry so much as I'm desperately sad that the America I love has been disappearing for some time and I can't do anything about it. Don't blame me when I voice my opinion, because it's all I can do. I had to sit by and watch as 59million of you chose to keep a man I despise. And I know it wasn't all of America that did it, it wasn't all of the South and none of the cityfolk. But for better or for worse, that man now stands as your head of state. He is the representative of all of you for the next four years and you must live with that. As long as that man is president, you will have to understand that he represents all of you. No, you're not all sister-marryin', gun-toting, non-passport holdin' fools and madmen, but as long as you have a bloke that seems to be, I'm afraid people outside your borders who don't care enough to find out otherwise might mistake you for being just like him.

Incidentally, is Abu Musab al-Zarqawi the new Emmanuel Goldstein? If Britain gets renamed Airstrip One, you know the Orwellian nightmare has gone too far.

At this moment in time, I apologise if I have offended anyone, but at the same time I'm too fucked off to really give a damn. Know that I adore you all just the same. Am off to Dublin tomorrow, back Monday.