Hillary says that she won't be "bullied out" of the race for the White House, saying that the "big boys" - such as Senators Chris Dodd and Pat Leahy and Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico, who are all key Obama allies - are trying to push her out of the Democratic race because she is a woman. But when asked whether Barak Obama could beat John McCain in the presidential election, she said:

So... she thinks that women would - or should - vote for her because she is a woman too? Rather patronising, really. Women, just like men, vote for someone because they like their policies. They're not going to vote for anyone just because they have a pair of tits and lack a penis, like they do.

Just think if a man was to say that, replacing the word "women" with "men". Or even if Obama was to say the same phrase just using the word "black" instead. There would immediately be an outcry against it. And the same should apply to Hillary Clinton over this.

I admire the way that Barack Obama has not playing the "I'm black, so vote for me" line. He has made it quite clear that he is about representing everyone who shares his views, not just his race or gender - but everyone.

With this phrase - and her continuous "mis-speaking" - Hillary Clinton has shown herself not fit to be a Presidential candidate.

Exactly what it says on the tin.

LOLbama.

If you don't get it, you're way behind the times.

... Pokemon style.

It's Super Tuesday in America. The day when 22 states are voting in their primaries to select their candidates for the Presidency. It really is a crazy system they have.

It is down to Barack Obama v Hillary Clinton for the Democrats and John McCain v Mitt Romney for the Republicans. McCain is expected to emerge triumphant from the Republican race today, but no outright winner is expected to emerge for the Democrats.

If I had a vote, it would got to Obama. He is the future of America.

UPDATE: What if the whole world have a vote? [Hat-tip to Norfolk Blogger]

I think he's slightly getting ahead of himself here. Even if he wins New Hampshire with the same - or even a higher - level of support than in Iowa, he still isn't even a shoe-in for the Democrat nomination, yet alone to win the Presidential election! There are, after all, 50 US states, and winning two of them hardly makes Obama's victory inevitable.

What an Obama victory in New Hampshire certainly could do, however, is all but end Hillary Clinton's presidential ambitions - but I wouldn't completely rule her out quite yet, whatever happens.

Even if [or as many seen to think, when] Obama gets the Democrat nomination, he will still have to fight an election against whoever the Republicans select. No matter what, that isn't going to be a battle with an inevitable result. If Obama really truly believes that victory in New Hampshire will definitely get him the Presidency, he may well be getting caught up in his own spin. A week is a long time in politics, and November 4 is still the best part of a year away yet.

Source: The Telegraph

No, not the poll tax or even a tax on poles [or even Poles] - but rather a tax on pole dancers.

This tax is opposed by strip clubs and the pole dancers themselves, who fear that it will mean that fewer men will visit them, and also "resent the implied link between their industry and sex crimes" which is fair enough, since it is more than likely that the ability to watch girls gyrate will prevent rather than cause rape.

Their legal defence, that the tax "violates their constitutional rights to freedom of expression", is less than convincing in itself, however, since it isn't preventing them from doing it, just taxing those who watch them. This tax is ridiculous, but not because it infringes on the First Amendment of the US Constitution.

Source: The Telegraph

This woman thinks it is. She also isn't sure whether France is a country...

Of course, not knowing that Budapest is the capital of Hungary isn't so bad in itself, thinking that a continent is a country is, and not being sure at all whether France is a country [and that Budapest is it's capital] is really quite ridiculous. There is at least some internal logic to it, though.

via Daniel Hannan

Despite the rather amusing nature of this story, it hides a deeper and extremely unpleasant Orwellianism.

"A Florida inmate convicted this week of masturbating while alone in his jail cell is reportedly only one of eight targets—along with state taxpayers—of what a Miami Herald columnist describes as "a spectacular case of selective prosecution."
Given the likely prevalence of such commonplace behavior in state prisons (not to mention boarding schools, seminaries and military barracks), criminally charging any Broward County inmate with masturbation represents a major waste of prosecution dollars." (ABA Journal)

Yes, it is a waste of money to prosecute for it. But the issue goes deeper. First of all, the female deputy who complained was watching him on a monitor - he was alone in his cell - and has done the same for seven others. It sounds almost like she was channel-surfing for Onanists - and must pay quite a deal of attention to them wanking, since in court she "managed to describe [the] offence in startling detail, eight times, once with... approximating the action with arm motions."This deputy definitely seems to be on some sort of crusade against bishop-bashing, money-spanking, etc.

That it is - or could be - illegal to masturbate whilst alone is quite disgusting. Had the deputy been visible to the prisoner, then that would be a different story, but since he was alone in his cell, then why should he be prevented from pleasuring himself? It is natural, after all.

This story does give me a great opportunity to post this hilarious video though...
[Warning: Mature content]

via Iain Dale, Tim Worstall, and Caroline Hunt

From our American correspondent:

WASHINGTON, DC -- California decriminalized the sale of Caesar salad this week -- and it's not a moment too soon, the Libertarian Party said today.

"When you outlaw Caesar salad, only outlaws will eat Caesar salad," noted the party's Director of Communications, Bill Winter. "That's why, on the issue of Caesar salad, we Libertarians have always been pro-legalization."

Selling Caesar salad became a crime last year when California legislators passed a new health law banning the sale of food that used raw eggs as an ingredient. Unexpectedly, the law included Caesar salad, which uses uncooked eggs in its unique dressing.

Restaurant owners and fans of the popular salad were outraged. The outcry convinced state legislators to file a new bill to cancel the criminal status of Caesar salad -- and, presumably, end what might have become a flourishing black market in contraband romaine lettuce, raw eggs, and Parmesan cheese.

The bill, signed into law by Governor Pete Wilson on Monday, has Libertarians cheering -- but a little surprised.

"We have to compliment California legislators for their rare display of good sense," acknowledged Winter. "Although we're a bit surprised that they were courageous enough to toss the Caesar salad law entirely."

Libertarians had expected politicians to take a more timid, gradual approach, said Winter, perhaps...

* Implementing a five-day waiting period for Caesar salad, so the government could do a medical background check for raw-egg allergies.

* Legalizing only "medical Caesar salad" -- whereby people with a vitamin deficiency could get a doctor's permission to buy a small amount of Caesar salad for their own personal use.

* Launching an anti-Caesar salad TV advertising blitz, perhaps with a commercial showing a frying pan, and then showing a frying pan with a raw egg in it. The voice-over could be: "This is your brain. This is your brain on Caesar salad."

* Allowing only adults, 21 and over, the right to buy Caesar salad, on the grounds that it may be an adolescent's gateway-salad to stronger stuff, like macaroni salad or three-bean salad.

But Libertarians say they are delighted with the bold, unexpected victory over the "Just Say No to Caesar Salad" lobby -- and argue that it's a win for libertarianism and the American way of life.

"We support the Constitutional right of every American to keep and bear a Caesar salad -- or, rather, to eat and buy a Caesar salad," said Winter. "All joking aside, it's a setback for those political eggheads who think they have the right to micromanage every aspect of our lives -- down to the type of salad we buy in a restaurant. Hopefully, politicians will learn ... TO JUST LETTUCE ALONE."

Yes, this is a joke article. But it did really happen!

Little Britain is to go to America. Matt Lucas and David Walliams are going to remake the sketch show set in contemporary America, with some of the existing characters making their way accross the pond, and some new ones being created.

Little Britain is hilarious [most of time - the apparent vomiting fascination they have is annoying and unfunny], but I'm not sure whether the Americans will really "get" the whole premise of the show and the jokes that they make - aimed, as they are, at tendencies we all have, although taken to extremes, and stereotypes.

I guess we'll just have to wait and see what the outcome is!

Source: The Telegraph

"To the citizens of the United States of America, in the light of your failure to elect a competent President of the USA and thus to govern yourselves, we hereby give notice of the revocation of your independence, effective today.

Her Sovereign Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will resume monarchical duties over all states, commonwealths and other territories.

Except Utah, which she does not fancy.

Your new Prime Minister (The Right Honourable Gordon Brown MP, for the 97.85% of you who have until now been unaware that there is a world outside your borders) will appoint a Minister for America without the need for further elections.

The House of Representatives and the Senate will be disbanded.

A questionnaire will be circulated next year to determine whether any of you noticed. To aid in the transition to a British Crown Dependency, the following rules are introduced with immediate effect:

1. You should look up "revocation" in the Oxford English Dictionary. Then look up "aluminium." Check the pronunciation guide. You will be amazed at just how wrongly you have been pronouncing it.

The letter 'U' will be reinstated in words such as 'favour' and 'neighbour'; skipping the letter 'U' is nothing more than laziness on your part. Likewise, you will learn to spell 'doughnut' without skipping half the letters.

You will end your love affair with the letter 'Z' (pronounced 'zed' not 'zee') and the suffix "ize" will be replaced by the suffix "ise."

You will learn that the suffix 'burgh' is pronounced 'burra' e.g. Edinburgh. You are welcome to re-spell Pittsburgh as 'Pittsberg' if you can't cope with correct pronunciation.

Generally, you should raise your vocabulary to acceptable levels. Look up “vocabulary." Using the same thirty seven words interspersed with filler noises such as "uhh", "like", and "you know" is an unacceptable and inefficient form of communication.

Look up "interspersed."

There will be no more 'bleeps' in the Jerry Springer show. If you're not old enough to cope with bad language then you shouldn't have chat shows. When you learn to develop your vocabulary, then you won't have to use bad language as often.

2. There is no such thing as "US English." We will let Microsoft know on your behalf. The Microsoft spell-checker will be adjusted to take account of the reinstated letter 'u' and the elimination of "-ize."

3. You should learn to distinguish the English and Australian accents. It really isn't that hard. English accents are not limited to cockney, upper-class twit or Mancunian (Daphne in Frasier).

You will also have to learn how to understand regional accents --- Scottish dramas such as "Taggart" will no longer be broadcast with subtitles.

While we're talking about regions, you must learn that there is no such place as Devonshire in England. The name of the county is "Devon." If you persist in calling it Devonshire, all American States will become "shires" e.g. Texasshire, Floridashire, Louisianashire.

4. Hollywood will be required occasionally to cast English actors as the good guys. Hollywood will be required to cast English actors to play English characters.

British sit-coms such as "Men Behaving Badly" or "Red Dwarf" will not be re-cast and watered down for a wishy-washy American audience who can't cope with the humour of occasional political incorrectness. Popular British films such as the Italian Job and the Wicker Man should never be remade.

5. You should relearn your original national anthem, "God Save The Queen", but only after fully carrying out task 1. We would not want you to get confused and give up half way through.

6. You should stop playing American "football." There are other types of football such as Rugby, Aussie Rules & Gaelic football. However proper football - which will no longer be known as soccer, is the best known, most loved and most popular. What you refer to as American "football" is not a very good game.

The 2.15% of you who are aware that there is a world outside your borders may have noticed that no one else plays "American" football. You will no longer be allowed to play it, and should instead play proper football.

Initially, it would be best if you played with the girls. It is a difficult game. Those of you brave enough will, in time, be allowed to play rugby (which is similar to American "football", but does not involve stopping for a rest every twenty seconds or wearing full kevlar body armour like nancies).

We are hoping to get together at least a US Rugby sevens side by 2008.

You should stop playing baseball. It is not reasonable to host an event called the 'World Series' for a game which is not played outside of North America. Since only 2.15% of you are aware that there is a world beyond your borders, your error is understandable. Instead of baseball, you will be allowed to play a girls' game called "rounders," which is baseball without fancy team strip, oversized gloves, collector cards or hotdogs.

7. You will no longer be allowed to own or carry guns. You will no longer be allowed to own or carry anything more dangerous in public than a vegetable peeler. Because we don't believe you are sensible enough to handle potentially dangerous items, you will require a permit if you wish to carry a vegetable peeler in public.

8. The 4th of July is no longer a public holiday. The 2nd of November will be a new national holiday, but only in Britain. It will be called "Indecisive Day."

9. All American cars are hereby banned. They are crap, and it is for your own good. When we show you German cars, you will understand what we mean.

All road intersections will be replaced with roundabouts. You will start driving on the left with immediate effect. At the same time, you will go metric with immediate effect and without the benefit of conversion tables. Roundabouts and metrication will help you understand the British sense of humour.

10. You will learn to make real chips. Those things you call 'French fries' are not real chips. Fries aren't even French, they are Belgian though 97.85% of you (including the guy who discovered fries while in Europe) are not aware of a country called Belgium. Those things you insist on calling potato chips are properly called "crisps." Real chips are thick cut and fried in animal fat. The traditional accompaniment to chips is beer which should be served warm and flat.

Waitresses will be trained to be more aggressive with customers.

11. As a sign of penance 5 grams of sea salt per cup will be added to all tea made within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, this quantity to be doubled for tea made within the city of Boston itself.

12. The cold tasteless stuff you insist on calling "beer" is not actually beer at all, it is lager . From November 1st only proper British Bitter will be referred to as "beer," and European brews of known and accepted provenance will be referred to as "Lager." The substances formerly known as "American Beer" will henceforth be referred to as "Near-Frozen Gnat's Urine," with the exception of the product of the American Budweiser company whose product will be referred to as "Weak Near-Frozen Gnat's Urine." This will allow true Budweiser (as manufactured for the last 1000 years in the Czech Republic) to be sold without risk of confusion.

13. From the 10th of November the UK will harmonise petrol (or "gasoline," as you will be permitted to keep calling it until the 1st of April) prices with the former USA. The UK will harmonise its prices to those of the former USA and the Former USA will, in return, adopt UK petrol prices (roughly $6/US gallon -- get used to it).

14. You will learn to resolve personal issues without using guns, lawyers or therapists. The fact that you need so many lawyers and therapists shows that you're not adult enough to be independent. Guns should only be handled by adults. If you're not adult enough to sort things out without suing someone or speaking to a therapist, then you're not grown up enough to handle a gun.

15. Please tell us who killed JFK. It's been driving us crazy.

16. Tax collectors from Her Majesty's Government will be with you shortly to ensure the acquisition of all revenues due (backdated to 1776).

Thank you for your co-operation."

Please note: this is a joke.

America likes to have the biggest everything. This time, they really have gone for the prize - for the largest number of Presidential candidates ever. With eighteen candidates already declared - eight Democrats and ten Republicans - and several others expected to throw hats into the ring, it's more like a mob and a mad dash than a race!

What has caused such a large number of candidates to put themselves forward? Part of it is simply down to the fact that, for the first time in eighty years, there is no sitting president or vice-president running for their party's nomination, the last time this happened being the 1928 Presidential election. Another part can be oput down to the fact that their is no clear winner in either party. Neither Hilary Clinton, Barack Obama, John McCain, or Rudi Giuliani are head and shoulders above and ahead of the other candidates, which has thus enabled more candidates to enter the race.

The current candidates are [alphabetically by sirname], for the Democrats:

• Joe Biden
• Hillary Clinton
• Christopher Dodd
• John Edwards
• Mike Gravel
• Dennis Kucinich
• Barack Obama
• Bill Richardson

And for the Republicans:

• Sam Brownback
• Jim Gilmore
• Rudi Giuliani
• Mike Huckabee
• Duncan Hunter
• John McCain
• Ron Paul
• Mitt Romney
• Tom Tancredo
• Tommy G Thompson

Now how many of them have you heard of? Before this race, I had only heard of Clinton and Giuliana. Even since it has started, only McCain and Obama have made any extra impressions on me at all. It seems that most of these people are just putting their names frowards because they can, rather than because they actually believe they actually have any chance of winning their party's nomination, let alone the presidency.

Even considering how large the field already is, there are even more people who appear to wish to enter the race: former Vice-President Al Gore (Democrats), Fred Thompson (Republican), Newt Gingrich (Republican) [what a name!], and Michael Bloomberg (as an independent).

If all of them actually did enter the race, that would take the number of candidates to a whopping 22! And I thought the Labour Deputy Leadership election was full, with [just] six!

Source: The Telegraph