[turkey] let them in, shut them out

Sarko is undoubtedly doing well in France but his intransigence on Turkey may be based on something known and maybe on national prejudice [good for votes back home]. This is good:

Turkey will hold a general election on July 22, and opinion polls show that Erdogan's pro-business, centre-right AK party will win the most votes.

Turkish financial markets have soared in the past week, partly on the assumption that the AK will stay in power, but lack the 367 seats needed to change the constitution.

The party has presided over strong economic growth, falling inflation and the historic launch of European Union accession talks since being voted into power in November 2002.

Our government's perspective here and mine too, for what it's worth, is that we and many others around the area are heavily dependent on a stable, secular Turkey. The brand of Islam we have in this country is immensely tolerant and naturally we'd like to see something similar continue in Turkey.

The great fear is that the real power is fundamentalist and biding its time until Turkey joins the EU, then the current secularization will be encroached on and encroached on until it's a fundamentalist nation within the EU citadel. Perhaps this is what Sarko fears.

On the other hand, one source here said the other day that if Turkey is not allowed in to trade, the fundamentalists will sweep to power in a putsch and we will have another Iran on our doorstep.

And no one wants that.

[founding fathers] constitution rap

Yo, click on the pic, Jack and see the big pic!

You know, Trixy got me thinking, she did, the sternenmaedchen. The biggest problem, the daddy of them all in Broony's constitution plans is he ain't got no humor, no sir. Why can't Broony do it like they do in the States? People might buy it then:

The Constitution of the United States of America

We the People of the You-nited States

We ain't the problems, we stand 'n wait

It's the suckers deprivin' the truth from all our children

These are the f---ers doin the g-damned killin'

In Order to form a more perfect Union

You can't hide, Jack, 'cause it's a fact

Establish Justice, the common defence

Violence in the streets, any fool recognise that

But you just try to lie and lie

And we want domestic Tranquility

You say America's some motherf---in' apple pie

And we've secured the Blessings of Liberty

Yo, you gotta be high to believe that

The general Welfare for our Posterity

'Cos once you take away my right to speak

Yo, everyone in the world's up s--t creek

Freedom of Speech, let 'em take it from me, yo

Next they'll take it from you, then what you gonna do?

What we gotta do is yo - ordain

And establish this Constif---intution, man

You know when the Big Man he goes 'n hates

We're safe, brother, cause this is the United F---in' States!

Now why can't we have a constitution like that? Sorry I couldn't upload the full beat but just grab any hip-hop from your f---in' collection, yo and feel the groove.

[mexican jumping beans] just the facts, ma'am

The truth about the Mexican Jumping Bean is now finally out.

[iain dale] is theo right?

[caption competition] a noble order indeed

[well, well] trying to hold back the rage

Check this out - he appears to have gone downunder.

Meanwhile, my favourite little guy is here.