Constitution is a good idea
Looks like the good folks of America are beginning to see the light as regards George Bush. A criminal inquiry is taking place about the alleged leaking of a CIA woman's name. Dubya is looking unsure of himself- the bluster is gone, and he is seen repeatedly blowing air in the manner of a child blowing out the candles on a birthday cake - a sure sign of stress. His opinion poll ratings are plumetting.
This inquiry is taking place because the business of government is controlled by a written constitution - backed by a proper legal framework.
Britain does not have a written constitution or bill of rights. There is supposed to a system of parliamentary democracy, where parliament controls the executive.
What they have is an elective dictatorship. Thatcher showed utter contempt for Parliament. Blair is even worse. He has built up Downing Street into a quasi-presidential fortress, without any meaningful controls. He communicates by leak and spin, parliament has no role in his scheme of things - presidential goverment in the South American model. This has arisen because Britain is basically a feudal state with control residing in a ludicrous system called monarchy. A Prime Minister has amazing powers of patronage - very few British people (even socialists) would not crawl to get a Knighthood (Sir Mick Jagger), or a peerage, (Lord Attenborough), and he can invoke the royal assent - a mere formality - to put through many laws. Dear old Queen Liz has no effective say in the matter.
That's why he doesn't give a toss what people think about the war and his granting of carte blanche to the Washington neo-con "crazies" (as per G. Bush snr). He is secure and nothing will unseat him now.
When will the British people get some cop-on and ditch this archaic state of affairs.
Don't hold your breath!

Norman Mailer
2 years ago, I was lucky enough to meet the great American author, Norman Mailer (OK, I'm a name dropper). I had been attending a literary award ceremony as a friend of one of the shortlisted authors. I was overwhelmed to meet the veteran writer who proved to be most friendly and amusing. His is one of the great intellects of our age.

Norman Mailer has said recently that America has now become a pre-fascist state.
This statement is referred to in John Pilger's latest television programme "Breaking the Silence". One of the interviewees in the piece, a former CIA bigwigs commented that this may be good news, as many people in the US and beyond now feel that the "pre-" can be left out.
The US does not count and is not concerned about how many innocent Iraquis have been killed in the invasion. Independent studies put this figure at 3,000-10,000. They are not Americans, so they don't count. Likewise ask your average American student how many people were killed in Vietnam and he/she will say 58,000.
There have been 71 military interventions by the US since WW2. Innocent non-Americans have been killed by US forces in these actions. Many have been carried out by proxy warlords of the US. By any definition, these warlords and guerilla groups are terrorists.

Holiday exhaustion
Returned from Greece yesterday. Back at work today. Feeling tired. Weather changed in London today - downpour in the afternoon. Sunburn turning to tan. I tried to use a high protection sunblock this year. Had to have suspect mole removed a few years ago after falling asleep under Paros sun. Reading Underworld by Don De Lillo. What a great writer! A friend has a play coming up on BBC Radio 4 soon. Hope I haven't missed it. There was a bye-election in my constituency, while I was away. Seems as though many people think the way I do - that Blair let us down in so many ways - that they overturned his party's huge majority and elected a Liberal Democrat. As the great bard (Bob Dylan) said "You don't need a weatherman to tell you how the wind blows".
Must sign off now to watch another controversial film by John Pliger.

Greetings from Rhodes
Greetings to all my friends from the beautiful Dodecanese Greek island of Rhodes. Spent 2 night in the Old Town of Rhodes. A wondrous place in the medievel style, tastefully restored. Prices have increased of course, but so has the standard of living of the average Greek. The involvement with the EU and the EURO has improved life all round. More beaches have the EU blue flag and health and safety standards have improved.
There has been a falling off in tourism from everywhere but the UK and this reflects the difficult economic times in some of the Nordic countries, Germany and France. We are now based in Pevkos [Pine Trees] in the south East of the island. Lots of swimming, sunbathing, beer drinking (Mythos - the local brew is excellent), Took a trip in a glass-bottomed boat to the historic town of Lindos, swam in Navarone bay (yes, where they made the movie) from the boat - crystal clear water. Food is good and have had no mossie stings - yet.
The guitarist, David Gilmore of Pink Floyd has houses in Pevkos and Lindos. He's the guy who donated his GBP3M to Shelter, the homeless charity. Nice one, sir - even if it can't have done your new album sales any harm!
Passed through the town of Falaraki, which has received a lot of adverse publicity in the British media recently following the death of a young man in a fight, and rumours of outrageous hedonistic activities of the part of all the young holiday-makers.
All the locals I spoke to on the island, believe this has been hugely exagerrated by the said media to sell their programmes/newspapers. Somehow, I am inclined to believe the Greeks.
That's it for now. Back Saturday 20th.
Peace and love to all
- except the dreadful US neo-conservatives and their war-mongering!