Thought Id start this one going because its rather dead on this board at the moment and I suppose all my usual muckers are either at the Stella tennis event watching Dim Tim (lose again) or at Henly Regatta eating cucumber sandwiches (they wish,...NOT).

Anyway please feel free to just talk to yourself blast away and let it go on any company or subject you wish. Just wish Id thought of this one before.

cheers GF.

Greek.

The troughs get bigger the higher up you go.

I doubt that the noses are much different whichever party smells the trough.

I doubt that a prosecution on any grounds would be successful and therefore would be a waste of public money.

The public can view the facts and make their own opinions.

Some of those defined as "guilty" will not be standing for re-election.

The bleating of MPs that, they made mistakes in not notifying Parliament of their various "perks" is nauseating, and for me, more dangerous to the opinion of the stature of the Government and that of all political parties.

I copy the below form MP and Expenses thread.

So it is again long winded, but in defence Tabby did ask for details.

(I must get back to my charts.)

======================


The thing which amazes me is the stupidity of those concerned in the latest shock horror episode, whether they are tory, Labour or Liberal MPs.

But in all honesty, I am not surprised and thought that the behaviour demonstrated that which common practice was.

I cant see that what they were trying to do was that wrong.

They have useful knowledge and are prepared to flog it to businesses or
other bodies.

They will not be in parliament at the time of their new business contracts and providing an introduction to a department, or minister, is hardly, in my mind, a felony.

If they are making payments in cash or kind to the officials or ministers, in order change policies in favour of one or other companies that is a different consideration.

I cant see the difference to a company, or a body, having a spin doctor to advise them on approach and presentation.

I think, undeclared unspoken of visits, or the reception of repeated hospitality by serving MPs is a different matter.

There is also an obvious danger, if a Minister does not declare all his business interests at time of office and should not be placed in an office, which may allow him to make decision benefiting those interests.

But I believe that when MPs are in Ministerial office they have to place the management of their personal business affairs, in the hands of a third party.
================

I can see little between the actions which have occurred and those of M. Thatcher advising a company on the spreading of Cancer and Ill health in Eastern European countries and the Third World.

Some may wish to congratulate her, for her business acumen.







http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Margaret_Thatcher

Margaret Thatcher and Philip Morris

In 1992 Margaret Thatcher signed on as an international consultant to the Philip Morris tobacco company at a pay rate of US $500,000 annually, with half to be paid directly to Mrs. Thatcher and half to be paid to the Margaret Thatcher Foundation

According to the 19 July 1992 U.S. Sunday Times article, Ms. Thatcher's "advice will be sought on controversial issues including the penetration of tobacco markets in Eastern Europe and the Third World. She will also be asked to help resist attempts to ban tobacco advertising in the European Community and to fight cigarette taxes and state-run tobacco monopolies." Thatcher was a non-smoker who spoke out against tobacco several times while Prime Minister.

The Independent (of London) reported that Philip Morris paid for a 70th birthday bash for Ms. Thatcher on 23 October 1995 in Washington, D.C. 800 guests attended and the estimated cost of the party was $1 million.

Did she pay tax on this!?!!!!

Fred,

I agree that the noses are not much different whichever party smells the trough.

I also doubt that a prosecution on any grounds would be successful (but it should as the evidence is there) and therefore would be a waste of public money.

But Note news from 3 days ago... The Bloody Sunday inquiry report has been delayed again, after more than 12 years and 200 million of taxpayers' money. And that inquiry will I have no doubt 'Go Nowhere', but of course that is different as although a government instigated enquiry, it is not investigating MP's only members of our armed forces

I also was amazed at the stupidity of those that the programme caught out. I put it down to them being so conceited, they feel that they can get away with anything. And who is to say they can't.

.

NM,

Morality is flexible and usually pragmatic..

Value judgements are often bought and vary from time to time.

I would not like to have lived in Britain in the earlier periods of the 20th century.

==========

Edited

Copied.

What I would like to know is, the amount of money which Israeli groups are giving to the various political parties, and what they are expecting to get in return?

Perhaps, a light slap on the wrists.

Unfortunately, Israeli lobbying is embraced by all three major parties.

What does Israel get from it?

What for, do they consider different allegiances when legislation?

I am referring to the Cons. Labour and Liberal. Friends of Israel.

.

FSA: Biggest-ever insider-trading raid
Deutsche Bank, the leading German bank, the French giant BNP Paribas and hedge fund Moore Capital are now known to have workers caught up in an FSA probe.
The operation, which began in 2007, is the FSA's biggest operation against insider dealing.
It is alleged the city professionals passed inside information to traders, either directly or via middlemen.
The traders then allegedly acted on this information and made significant profits as a result.

Mnamreh,

Re Guilt and Shame.... Agree 100%.

.

Clegg goes to the Westminster Chapel prays to God and asks: please God if I am Prime Minister how many years before the people of Britain will be happy again?
One hundred years, replies God. Clegg weeps and leaves.
Cameron goes to the Westminster Chapel prays to God and asks: please God if I am Prime Minister how many years before the people of Britain will be happy again?
Fifty years, replies God. Cameron weeps and leaves.
Brown goes to the Westminster Chapel prays to God and asks: please God if I continue to be Prime Minister how many years before the people of Britain will be happy again?
There is a spooky silenceGod weeps and leaves

NM.

Thanks and apologies, I had "is not" where I don't think it should have been.

I have edited the sentence to be more in line with what I was thinking,

(At the time, I was looking back over the "moral" changes over the last 50years.)

.

Tabasco,

Very funny, but on trying to second guess what was coming I thought your last line was going to be one of the following four.

1 Brown goes to Westminster Capel...Prays to God.....Please God if I continue to be Prime Minister how many years before the people of Britain believe I am God.

2 God goes to Westminster Chapel....Prays to Brown.

3 Brown goes to Westminster Chapel....Prays to self.

4 Both Brown, God and the Holy Spirit go to Westminster Chapel .....Pray To Peter Mandelson, the real Messiah.

Greek,

Many a true word is said in jest.

Be careful what you are saying, he may hear you!

Just thinking about "shame".

Does one beat it into somebody else.

How long should that experience/feeling last?

Who defines what is shameful?

I will know return to the charts, something else I don't understand.

Greeklol.all four possible
I cannot understand how the markets have held up so wellI still believe we are in recession? the number of Britons claiming unemployment benefits fell unexpectedly in FebruaryI would say the number of threatening adverts on TV for illegally claiming benefitsalong with the degree of difficulty has helped crucially the number of people in employment also fell to a four-year lowvery worrying!The latest labour market data don't help to clear up any of the uncertainty about the economic outlookCity bonuses asidewage rates are poorwhich might have helped with labour/employmentbut figures dont seem to back this theory upand also leave families with less money in their pockets to spendor debt manage?RBS and Lloys committed to lend an extra 25 billion and 14 billion respectively in return for state supporton the understanding that credit-starved businesses could surviveof course the Banks failed miserablyblaming falling demand for business loans due to recessionwho buys that one?I struggle to feel positive about the marketsbut obviously those holding the big bucks are confidentor are investors/small traders getting mugged into another big hitI like to think I am covered as Labour seeks to cut a budget deficit set to hit 12 percent

Fred,

Between God and my wife taking notice of me, I think I have better odds on the wife. So no chance there then.

Tabasco,

I have no faith in the markets whatsoever, due to the huge amount of debt to which I feel, the Government has buried it's head in the sand hoping it will just go away. Whoever gets in, I can't see things improving for several years, unless they bite the bullet now. I decided to take a chance about a month ago and sold out of the market, only retaining the few shares I have in Blue Sky or Bust type companies. You know those that can possibly go up or down by double digits because of news relating directly to them. Over 50% of my portfolio is now in cash.
May of course have called it wrong, but when confidence goes, it is hard to get it back. Sooner miss out on a small rally than stay in awaiting a massive drop, when everyone does wake up to the debt, bond crisis.

Greek a good disciplined call
The banks were given a life-linein return they were given a target and asked to lend money to those businesses in urgent needthey were also warned about bonusesthey failed on both countsif they cannot be trusted in those circumstances.I would never trust them againthey claim to be irreplaceableI saygive it a go!

No mention of :

Vat fraud and Tax fraud or dubious "avoidance" .

If some of that was in the kitty the funds may look a little better.

I wonder how the latter equate to "benefit fraud".

Similarly I have been taking some cash out as well, although I have picked up 1 or 2 more small oilies and a gold miner, Norseman (NGL). I must have it wrong because for the life of me I cannot see this market going higher, infact I'm surprised how resilient it has been, and with the consumer about to get hit with higher taxes etc. how can the housing, retail and motor industries continue to defy gravity?
2517

Georgethey cant!

Fredthat is designer avoidancefor the privileged fewI believe the chancellor has three times more tax revenue than he expectedfrom the one-off Bankers bonus tax