Tuesday 30 October 2012

Why Is The Future of Britain’s Nuclear Deterrent Being Debated at the Moment?

Taken from (British) Social Media Party:
Why the Nuclear Deterrent Has Had Its Day!!


One year after the expected date of the next election - sometime in 2016 - the UK will be making the decision of to commit about £20 billion to replace the four Vanguard submarines (which will be approaching the termination of their service), each of which carries a Trident D5 missile.

A Trident missile armed Vanguard class ballist...
A Trident missile armed Vanguard class ballistic missile submarine leaving its base in the Firth of Clyde. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Since 1994, these four submarines and their nuclear weapons system have provided the UK's main deterrent. The question is, is Trident really a deterrent - or merely a political insurance policy?

If a country like Iran or North Korea should launch a nuclear attack on Britain, then four Triden D5's wouldn't stop the barrage of weapons that would expectedly be thrown at us. So why do we have them?

The answer is a simple one. To strike back and cause damage to any aggressor that might think to wipe us out. Vanguard has the ability to take Trident close enough to hart any aggressor.

They doesn't really protect, they might deter slightly, but that are good for retaliation. "Wipe us out," they threaten, "and you'll regret it!" That's as bad a a dog that barks at a burger after he's robbed your house.

The truth about the nuclear deterrent is: it isn't one at all. No sane person wants to go down in history for pressing the button; and wiping out thousands of innocent individuals. Nuclear isn't like a missile that can take out a specific military target - it burns indiscriminately, men women and children alike. A Trident D5 is powerful enough to destroy a major capital city (like New York). There are no winners in a nuclear strike - not even the aggressor.

During the 1980's, Labour were commitment to unilateral disarmament. However, the 1983 elections put pay to their plans; and from the moment Tony Blair took on leadership of the party, Labour's stance on defence toughened.

English: United States Trident II (D-5) missil...
English: United States Trident II (D-5) missile underwater launch. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The Conservatives stance is to back full Trident replacement. The Liberal Democrats want something else, a policy that is distinct and radical; a less elaborate deterrent might suffice. (Whatever that less-elaborate-deterrent might be is still unclear.) Ed Miliband has not said where he wants to take Labour - concerning the nuclear deterrent.

£20bn in capital expenditure is a cost that Britain can ill afford.

We have a rare opportunity to make a radical change.

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Saturday 27 October 2012

Tory MP quits to open door for return of Boris

The MP for Croydon South says he'll resign at next elections. It is believed that this is one of the seats that Mr Johnson needs to return to the commons at the 2015 elections...  Read More @ The Independent »

Tuesday 23 October 2012

Labour says Cameron's 'need to make prison work' is empty rhetoric

Private firms, voluntary groups and charities will be paid to help offenders turn their lives around, the government have decided. This is a new drive to beat crime, put forward by the Conservatives.


David Cameron, Leader of the Conservative Party, United Kingdom
David Cameron, Leader of the Conservative
Party, United Kingdom. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)


David Cameron has spoken out in a fight against crime - his most intense since taking office. All but the most high-risk prisoners will be given help by 2015.

Cameron has warned though there isn't a "blank cheque" for this initiative; he expects "more for less".

Cameron invited that serious crime would hold long prison sentences. He is adamant that he's no going "soft" or being "liberal" in crime. Stating that "...we need to make prison work."

Labour's Shadow Justice Secretary, Sadiq Khan, accused the Tories of " empty rhetoric" yesterday. Adding: "After 29 months, this Tory-led government's justice policy is in tatters. Today's announcement.... is ... a weak Prime Minister who is pandering to the backbenchers..."

This comes after a week where Andrew Mitchell was forced to reign (after swearing at the police) and George Osborne was caught in First-Class rail with a none-First-Class ticket (and refused to pay the upgrade fee).

I hicks that if Mr Cameron wants to shoe he's tough on crime, then he need to start with his own MP's.
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Friday 19 October 2012

i-thorts' i-Views: Would Charles Be A Democratic Monarch?


Is the Prince of Wales fit to be the next king?

In a democratic society, it is imperative that government (not unelected royalty) have control.

English: Charles, Prince of Wales Charles, Prince of Wales (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The veils, thrown over Prince Charles's letters to ministers, from 2004 - 2005 continues to show how undemocratic our next monarch has become.

Monday 15 October 2012

Should Andrew Mitchell Resign?

If it was a sack-able offence to be a jerk, then half the cabinet would lose their jobs. So, should Andrew Mitchell really resign?

The allegation is that he called police “f****** plebs” and “morons”; however, Mitchell denies using those “words attributed” to him.

English: Andrew Mitchell, British politician a...
English: Andrew Mitchell. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Thursday 11 October 2012

PuSsY RiOt Will Not Be Silenced - Even in Prison

The Moscow arm of CNN say that within hours of being freed from prison (on Wednesday), PuSsY RiOt member Yekaterina Samutsevich vowed to resume the political protesting, that led to her incarceration earlier this year (for a so-called act of “hooliganism”) with fellow band members Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina.


Samutsevich was freed after a judge accepted that she was ejected from the cathedral ‘before the punk prayer’ even took place. (He suspended her sentence on this technicality.)
Tolokonnikova and Alyokhina, the two collective members, who were arrested along with Yekaterina, lost their appeals; their two year sentences were upheld.
However, Pussy Riot is a five piece punk band: The two remaining band members fled Russia last month, out of fear of reprisals. They intend to recruit ‘foreign feminists’ in the fight against President Vladimir Putin.
English: Official portrait of Vladimir Putin S...
Vladimir Putin (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Samutsevich talked to CNN about the rumours of splits in the band, and the future:
“We are not finished, nor are we going to end our political protest. The situation in the country [Russia] has deteriorated since our performance and the trial itself is a testimony to that.”
Pussy Riot do have some support in Russia though, mainly from the feminine masses. Even Russia’s Prime Minister, Dmitry Medvedev, thinks the that a suspended sentence would be ‘entirely sufficient’ for all band members.
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Wednesday 10 October 2012

i-thorts' i-Views: Isn't 'Compassionate Conservatism' An Oxymoron These Days?

From a party that wants to cut Welfare by £10billion, isn't it a little two-faced for the Tories to claim they're policies are the best way to help thee poor, the weak and the vulnerable?

Monday 8 October 2012

A Bit of PM Name-Calling

David Cameron has little time for the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, dubbing him a "blonde haired mop" with a mouth.

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, 2009. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This was ahead of the conservative party conference, where it is believed Jonson will be up to his usual show-stealing antics.

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Saturday 6 October 2012

Conference season is boring!

They say a week in politics is a long time; but with this Labour Party conference it's seemed longer.
Ed Milliband MP speaking at the Labour Party c...
Ed Milliband MP speaking at the Labour Party conference. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
To me, conference season is a time for leaders to show off their metal in the face of their true believers.
But so far it's been boring. Where are the rising stars, nipping at the proverbial ankles? Where are the party goofballs and political suicides?

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