98th Entry Halton Apprentices

When the general election finally arrives don’t waste your vote. The following European Union Competence’s, which the UK Government supported along with all the main political parties, means that the next Government cannot legislate upon:

Competition, Trade, Asylum and Immigration, Foreign Affairs, Industrial Policy, Agriculture, Fisheries, Energy, Transport, Regional Government, Consumer Health, Social and Employment Policy, Justice and Home Affairs.

But the politicians can still vote on their own pay and allowances!

Following my post yesterday about the sights seen at the Burmese border here is a more uplifting story about a Hill Tribe from Burma that has settled successfully in Thailand. The Karen hill tribe, known as the Long Neck or Padong originated from Burma. They crossed the border into Thailand about 20 years ago to seek work as agricultural labourers. In 2005 they moved to Baan Tong Luang and an area of land given to them by the government. The Padong are now virtually self sufficient and enjoying the freedoms Thailand has offered.

Below a typical house used by the tribe. 

By the way those rings around their necks are very heavy indeed. I just could not believe the girls wear them with such poise.

The following is currently circulating the Net, particularly amongst UK nationals. This stretches my credibility too far; I cannot believe it is true. Is it a BNP try-on perhaps? Anybody shed any light on its veracity?

Bedfordshire Police’s rules regarding terrorists and dangerous criminals
If they’re non-Muslim
• Consider the most opportune time of day to be able to arrest suspects with minimum resistance
• Apply all necessary force to enter the premises and arrest suspects accordingly.

If they’re Muslim:
• Community leaders must be consulted before raids into Muslim houses.
• Officers must not search occupied bedrooms and bathrooms before dawn.
• Use of police dogs will be considered serious desecration of the premises.
• Cameras and camcorders should not be used in case capturing women in inappropriate dress.
• If people are praying at home officers should stand aside and not disrupt the prayer. They should be allowed the opportunity to finish.
• Officers should take their shoes off before raiding a Muslim house.
• The reasons for pre-dawn raids on Muslim houses needs to be clear and transparent.
• Officers must not touch holy books or religious artefacts without permission.
• Muslim prisoners should be allowed to take additional clothing to the station.

I have some very good friends who are Burmese by birth and so I wanted to go to the border of Burma while I was in Thailand. On principle, I would not enter Burma, but I was curious to see the border and hopefully see some people from the oft forgotten country under the grip of a harsh miltary junta.

The most northern town in Thailand is Mae Sai and so this is where we headed. It was not long before we saw some pitiful sights of malnourished and poor people from Burma. The photos tell their own story

The young girl below was begging through the railings at the border post:

The young boy below had found his own illegal route into Thailand avoiding the guards:

Heading back to Burma at the end of the day with some basic necessities for life:

It was only a snapshot of life at the border of Thailand and Burma but it gave me an indication of the suffering and hardship being endured by the people under oppression. 

“My parents have always been there for me, ever since I was about 7. ” David Beckham

“I would not be bothered if we lost every game as long as we won the league.” Mark Viduka

“Alex Ferguson is the best manager I’ve ever had at this level. Well, he’s the only manager I’ve actually had at this level. But he’s the best manager I’ve ever had.” David Beckham
“If you don’t believe you can win, there is no point in getting out of bed at the end of the day.” Neville Southall

“I’ve had 14 bookings this season - 8 of which were my fault, but 7 of which were disputable.” Paul Gascoigne

“I’ve never wanted to leave. I’m here for the rest of my life, and hopefully after that as well.” Alan Shearer

“I’d like to play for an Italian club, like Barcelona ” Mark Draper

“You’ve got to believe that you’re going to win, and I believe we’ll win the World Cup until the final whistle blows and we’re knocked out.” Peter Shilton

“I faxed a transfer request to the club at the beginning of the week, but let me state that I don’t want to leave Leicester ” Stan Collymore

“I was watching the Blackburn game on TV on Sunday when it flashed on the screen that George (Ndah) had scored in the first minute at Birmingham . My first reaction was to ring him up. Then I remembered he was out there playing.” Ade Akinbiyi

“Without being too harsh on David Beckham, he cost us the match.” Ian Wright
I’m as happy as I can be - but I have been happier.” Ugo Ehiogu

” Leeds is a great club and it’s been my home for years, even though I live in Middlesborough.” Jonathan Woodgate

“I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel.” Stuart Pearce

“I took a whack on my left ankle, but something told me it was my right.” Lee Hendrie

“I couldn’t settle in Italy - it was like living in a foreign country.” Ian Rush

“Germany are a very difficult team to play, they had 11 internationals out there today.”Steve Lomas

“I always used to put my right boot on first, and then obviously my right sock.” Barry Venison

“I definitely want Brooklyn to be christened, I don’t know into what religion yet.”David Beckham

“The Brazilians were South American, but the Ukrainians will be more European.” Phil Neville

“All that remains is for a few dots and commas to be crossed.” Mitchell Thomas

“One accusation you can’t throw at me is that I’ve always done my best.” Alan Shearer

“I’d rather play in front of a full house than an empty crowd.” Johnny Giles

“Sometimes in football you have to score goals.” Thierry Henry

1. No more boom and bust!

2. The right decisions for the right reasons.

3. I gave the troops all they needed.

4. I did not refuse to fund helicopters.

5. I loved Tony Bliar.

6. We are best placed to weather the recession.

7. I am here to help the middle class.

8. I saved the world.

9. I do not bully my staff.

10. I am the greatest Prime Minister ever.

Anybody fancy adding any more?

Sometimes…

when you cry….

no one sees your tears.

Sometimes…

when you are in pain.

no one sees your hurt.

Sometimes..

when you are worried..

no one sees your stress

Sometimes..

when you are happy..

no one sees your smile ..

Sometimes..

when you write ..

no one reads or notices..

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But FART!! just ONE time…

And everybody knows!!

A small selection of the photos I took in Thailand. I hope you like them.

Judy Wallman, a professional genealogy researcher in southern California  was doing some personal work on her own family tree. She discovered that Congressman Harry Reid’s great-great uncle, Remus Reid, was hanged for horse stealing and train robbery in Montana in 1889. Both Judy and Harry Reid share this common ancestor.Below is the only known photograph of Remus shows him standing on the gallows in Montana territory:

On the back of the picture Judy obtained during her research is this inscription: ‘Remus Reid, horse thief, sent to Montana Territorial Prison 1885, escaped 1887, robbed the Montana Flyer six times. Caught by Pinkerton detectives, convicted and hanged in 1889.’

So Judy recently e-mailed Congressman Harry Reid for information about their great-great uncle.

Believe it or not, Harry Reid’s staff sent back the following biographical sketch for her genealogy research:

“Remus Reid was a famous cowboy in the Montana Territory . His business empire grew to include acquisition of valuable equestrian assets and intimate dealings with the Montana railroad. Beginning in 1883, he devoted several years of his life to government service, finally taking leave to resume his dealings with the railroad. In 1887, he was a key player in a vital investigation run by the renowned Pinkerton Detective Agency. In 1889, Remus passed away during an important civic function held in his honor when the platform upon which he was standing collapsed.”

That’s political spin! Thanks again to Hugh Jupp for sending in the story.