Alan Johnston's release

It is an enormous relief for Alan Johnston and his family and friends that he has been released from the hands of Islamist thugs. Hamas has clearly seen this as an opportunity to gain greater legitimacy in the eyes of the West, and no two ways about it - it is positive. However, it doesn't absolve Hamas of its responsibility to stop waging war against Israel and using terrorism to achieve its political goals. Until THAT happens, it wont and shouldn't be treated as anything less than a pariah.

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Hamas still has as its objective:

- The destruction of Israel as a political entity;

- The abolition of the secular Palestinian Authority;

- Replacement of both Israel and the Palestinian Authority with an Islamic Republic of Palestine.

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It teaches children the glory of suicide bombing, bombs buses full of civilians. It must renounce political violence and the overthrow of Israel and the secular Palestinian administration to gain international respect.

Garuda banned from the EU

Given that (according to the BBC) European Commission has banned Garuda Indonesian Airways from flying to any European Union country, and has advised EU citizens to not fly on ANY Indonesian airlines because of safety concerns, it might not be bad advice for New Zealanders either (note that Garuda doesn't fly to Auckland anymore, but does fly to Australia).

America's Cup loss

Yes it is a shame, but as Not PC said "Whatever the successes on the water this time - and make no mistake, what Dalton and Co have achieved is fantastic - that's my money these boat builders are calling an "investment"".

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and so I am glad in one respect. As one commenter (Hitman) on Not PC's blog said:

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"It's kinder for all if they lose now rather than win the cup and bring it home to be projected as a symbol of the successes of glorious national socialism. The cup does not belong in a collectivist outfit such as NZ. You people do not deserve it. No way."

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That is a fair point. If Team New Zealand had won, you can be sure that the government would have milked it for all the glory and talked about how it (you, without any choice) supported the great and glorious campaign for this sporting trophy.

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While one shouldn't celebrate the waste of government money (it's not theirs after all, it's yours - money you'll never get back), there is a sense of justice in this.

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The Swiss syndicate of Alinghi, privately funded and sponsored won. Nobody was forced to pay for Alinghi. Team New Zealand was partly compulsory funded by New Zealand taxpayers rich and poor, including many who have no interest in racing. Indeed, the state funding helped prop up a very high profile sponsorship campaign by Emirates - an airline owned fully by the UAE Government.

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How many Labour supporters truly believe this is morally defensible? (and remember arguments that it is "an investment in tourism" could be sustained for the government sponsoring just about any major international sports event - and this "investment" just burnt money in a black hole of the syndicate).

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As you can see, the Labour government and quite probably its lickspittles (NZ First, United Future and Anderton) are keen for you to continue to be forced to pay for competing in the most prestigious yachting race in the world. However, it can't afford a tax cut, and no you'll still have to wait for that hip replacement, varicose vein operation or other surgery you need to make your life more comfortable. Why would Telecom, Steinlager or the Lotteries Commission bother to sponsor (they already bailed out) when the Great Leader makes you help pay?

Travel today and the friend of Ken Livingstone

Someone left a package unattended on a train I caught today, but it was sorted out - but everyone was reminded about what not to do. It would be fair to say most London residents have become a bit complacent about it all, because thwarted plots are largely ignored. Let's not forget:

- The first plot failed because ambulance staff were vigilant;

- The second plot failed because the bomb failed to go off, possibly because the car pound where it had been taken to was outside mobile phone coverage;

- The third plot failed because the courage of Glaswegians superseded that of the bombers.

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On the bright side, the Diana concert went off unaffected (setting aside that the only bright point is that there was no terrorism, as I haven't the slightest interest in supporting such a vapid figure of histort). The Gay Pride festival did too, another potential target.

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The station had armed police pointing their semi-automatic weapons towards the floor, and plenty of other police in bullet proof outfits.

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It's the 2nd of July, and frankly I can't wait for the next six days to be over. 7/7 is coming up.

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Oh and as a side note, Ken Livingstone's friend is visiting Iran. According to the Islamic Republic of Iran News Agency He said "The world arrogance is getting weaker thanks to the anti-imperialism movement worldwide, particularly in American countries." He visited Belarus and pledged solidarity with Lukashenko. Swissinfo reports Livingstone's friend said "There are few peoples in the world who endure such strong pressure from the empire as Belarus. In this struggle we are brothers," "The empire which calls us dictators is itself trying to impose its dictatorship on the world.

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When will bloggers sympathetic to this thug wake up and smell the blood?

Religious madness, and another reason for the secular state

"we are now reaping what we have sown. If we live in a profligate way then there are going to be consequences".

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No, not some mad hate filled Islamic cleric, it is the Bishop of Liverpool uttering such hate filled rhetoric.

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On the front page of the Sunday Telegraph, it is reported that senior bishops have argued that... wait for it, the summer floods here in the UK are "God's judgment on the immorality and greed of modern society".

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The Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt Rev James Jones has said "

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I wonder if he'll go to Sheffield and tell families who have lost their possessions this? No he wont of course. "We are reaping" what nonsense. What did he reap? Does "god" deliberately target flood prone areas, or was it "too hard" to hit Kensington, Chelsea and Notting Hill (where people liver "profligate")? Sanctimonious prick.

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The Bishop of Carlisle was worse. The Rt Rev Graham Dow said "This is a strong and definite judgment because the world has been arrogant in going its own way... We are reaping the consequences of our moral degradation, as well as environmental damage". He apparently also said that "pro gay legislation" had provoked god to cause the storms.

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Yes, the Anglican Church is surely on the side of the angels. If "god's wrath" is being reaped by Britons, presumably including good church goers among others, it's pretty cruel.

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In fact, both Bishops are irrational and immoral. How fucking DARE they blame the victims of the flooding for what they have experienced? Homophobic, neo Marxist, guilt filled nonsense. It is another good reason for the Anglican church to be purged from the British state, including the Queen's role in relation to it. Let's face it, it is a bastardised version of the Roman Catholic Church created for the sake of Henry VIII's convenience.

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Regardless, this sort of nonsense is what I expect from evangelical nutcases. So Christianity is about vengeance and hate, and sacrificing the many for the sins of others.... and they wonder why congregations shrink.