To all you boating bods out there

Tip or more a word of warning to all you gents who need a pee in the night, do not (emphasise) do not do it over the side without remembering the *golden* rule one hand on the boat at all times. Many a missing boater is found with his flys open.

Starbucks Please read and make your own decision.

Please read and make your own decision.
The Guardian - Monday 12th November 2012 http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/nov/12/amazon-google-starbucks-diverting-uk-profits?intcmp=239
Starbucks paid zero UK corporation or income tax in the last 3 years.
The world's biggest coffee chain recorded UKsales of £3.1 billion over a period of 13 years during which it paid £8.6 million on total UK taxes. 
Think that's bad? How about this;
Recently, British Royal Marines in Afghanistan wrote to Starbucks because they wanted to let them know how much they liked their coffees, and to request that they send some of it to the troops there.
Starbucks replied, telling the Royal Marines thank you for their support of their business, but that Starbucks does not support the war, nor anyone in it, and that they would not send the troops their brand of coffee.

So as not to offend Starbucks, maybe we should support them by NOT buying any of their products!
I feel we should get this out in the open. I know this war might not be very popular with some folks, but that doesn't mean we don't support the boys on the ground, fighting street-to-street and, house-to-house.
If you feel the same as I do then please pass this along.

Thanks very much for your support. I know you'll all be there again to support us when we deploy once more.

Sgt Howard Wright,
1 Platoon, Recon Company, Royal Marines
PLEASE BE KIND ENOUGH AND DON'T DELETE THIS... PLEASE PASS TO EVERYONE ON YOUR E- MAIL LIST, IN MEMORY OF ALL THE TROOPS WHO HAVE BEEN WOUNDED, LOST LIMBS AND EVEN DIED, SO THAT WE MAY HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE !
Also, please don't forget that when the Twin Trade Towers were hit, the fire fighters and rescue workers went to Starbucks because it was close by, for water for the survivors and workers, and Starbucks CHARGED THEM!!!
AN ADDED NOTE TO THIS: STARBUCKS HAD STORES ON SEVERAL MILITARY BASES IN THE UNITED STATES. THEY ARE NOW BEING REMOVED BECAUSE OF THIS.
There are 227 Starbucks stores across the UK, and there's no doubt that our soldiers would get the same response from this company, so let us do our bit and boycott Starbucks to show them how despicable their actions are.When the Underground was bombed in London , the Marks and Spencer's store at Edgware Road gave all the stock away to those in need. Perhaps you might care to get your coffee in there instead!

Julia Gillard Australian PM

Australia says NO -- This will be the second Time Julia Gillard has done this!

She sure isn't backing down on her hard line stance and one has to appreciate her belief in the rights of her native countrymen.
A breath of fresh air to see someone lead.� Australian Prime Minister does it again!!

The whole world needs a leader like this!


Prime Minister Julia Gillard - Australia

Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out of Australia, as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks.

Separately, Gillard angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying she supported spy agencies
monitoring the nation's mosques. Quote:
'IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT... Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali , we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians.'

'This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom.'

'We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese,

Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society, learn the language!'

'Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.'

'We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.'

'This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I
highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom, 'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'.'

'If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted.'

NOTE: IF we circulate this amongst ourselves in Canada & USA , WE will find the courage to start speaking and voicing the same truths.

If you agree please SEND THIS ON and ON, to as many people as you know...

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THE PENSIONERS REVOLT or the revolting pensioners

READ, MARK, LEARN AND INWARDLY DIGEST. 
THEN, IN 2015 VOTE.

The only way things will change is when this kind of email translates into voting results at the polls -- as of NOW --   PENSIONERS outnumber ANY OTHER type of voter even by race - religion - or age ---  WHEN ARE PENSIONERS  gonna wake up and understand WE have the power to shape legislation.  All WE need is the willpower to do so-- PLEASE SEND THIS TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS -- MAYBE THEN THE "GREY REVOLUTION" will begin --- MAYBE !!  POLITICIANS PLEASE PAY ATTENTION ! FORWARD THIS TO EVERYBODY !!!     'Entitlement' my arse!   I paid good money for my State Pension and other benefits!!!!  Just because they borrowed that money, doesn't make my benefits some kind of charity or handout!! Gold plated MP pensions and Civil Service Government benefits, aka free healthcare, outrageous retirement packages, 67 paid holidays, 20 weeks paid vacation, unlimited paid sick days, now that's welfare, and they have the nerve to call me a 'greedy pensioner'  and my retirement, an 'entitlement' !!!!!!.....scroll  down................ What the HELL's wrong with us???   WAKE  UP BRITAIN !!!! Someone please tell me what the HELL's wrong with all the people that run this country!!!!!! We're "broke" & can't help our own Pensioners, Veterans, Orphans, Homeless  etc.,??????????? but spent 1.2 billions of £££'s for G-20 events!  In the last few months we have provided aid to India, Greece and Turkey. And now Afghanistan,  Pakistan ......  home of Bin Laden.  Literally, BILLIONS of POUNDS!!! Our  retirees living on a 'fixed income' receive no aid nor do they get any  breaks while our Government and religious organisations pour Hundreds of Billions of ££££££'s and tons of  food into foreign countries! They  call Old Age 'security' and Healthcare 'an entitlement' even though most of us have been paying for it all our working lives and now when it's time for us to collect, the government is running out of money. Why did the government borrow it in the first place? We have hundreds of adoptable children who are shoved aside  to make room for the adoption of foreign orphans. GREAT BRITAIN:  a country where we have homeless without shelter,  children going to bed hungry, hospitals being closed, average income families who can't afford dental care, elderly going without 'needed' med's and having to travel 100's of miles for medical care with no reimbursement of cost, vehicles we can't afford fuel for, lack of affordable housing,  and mentally ill without treatment - etc., etc. YET..... They have a 'benefit' for the people of foreign countries ...  ships and planes lining up with food, water, tents, clothes, bedding, doctors, and medical  supplies.  Imagine if the *GOVERNMENT* gave 'US' the same support they give to other countries. Sad  isn't it?

English open Taekwon-Do championships

When I first tweeted this I mistakenly said the British championships, a different event and venue altogether.

The event was held at the Guildford leisure centre, what a place massive with all sorts of events going on at the same time, nothing anywhere like this when I was young and free parking  which in this day and age seems to be the exception rather than the rule. The Taekwon-Do was in a hall on the lower ground floor level with room for seating and 6 matted areas.

 

First off the kids had to do patterns, a series of moves and stances to show their skill and discipline unfortunately I didn’t get there in time to see this and sadly neither of them won any medals which is unusual.

Next up is the sparing which is where it gets exciting, first Pic’s are of some 5 year olds really going at it.

The only tears seem to be those of frustration if they lose and those never seem to last long.

Harry’s first fight was a good one which he won 3 to 1 with the judge’s. Harry being the one in the red foot pads.

      

Sadly he lost his next bout, to the kid who went on to win the gold medal and who is also one of his pals. Harry getting an accidental nutmeg or as one guy commented (cor that rung his bells).   

                     

Daisy; well what to say about Daisy. Her bout lasted about 30 seconds before she was disqualified for what they call head shots. To explain, in this country up until the age of 14 they are not allowed to punch or kick to the head (Daisy won’t be 14 until July) but she is in intensive training to compete for Wales in the European championships where contact to the head is permitted and she was determined to lay down a marker to the over 14 that she was coming and to beware.

Innocent little angel aint she.

    The rule is a yellow card for every contact to the head 3 and you’re out pic is of Daisy getting her 3^rd card Daisy being the short

            

And so ended an eventful day  but a very enjoyable one. Anyone looking for an enjoyable day out (and it’s all free) the British championships will be at the same venue in July I for one will be there.



Poem by Brian Waller Procter

I never was on the dull tame shore

But I lov’d the great sea more and more

And backward flew to her billowy breast

Like a bird that seeketh its mothers nest

And a mother she was and is to me

For I was born on the open sea

A few more musings from 1974/76

1974

Don’t mock me in my sincerity

Your sickly green shows through

I believe in my nature

And not in your discourse

I am not a social outcast

I cast out your society first

1974

Nothing’s changed

I’ve tried

Even to build false pride

All feelings to hide laughed instead of cried

But nothing changed inside

I’m still overwhelmed by the tide

1976

I’m not Gay but I have some wonderful gay friends who I would rather be in the company off than some hypocrite I walk now on a strange but very gentle path

Winding its way through new and softer thoughts

Each step I take leads me farther from the cold road

That cuts like a black scar through my unsettled past

I seek to lose myself in the bright new foliage

My body no longer weary in its trudging travel

Vibrates with new excitement

My tread light in anticipation

My eyes wide in discovery

I am no longer shackled by the irons of society

My mind no longer lame by its ever demanding order

I walk freely into nature