Telegraph Sums Up UK as Election ApproachesTelegraph | Opinion | What am I thinking? VE Day is going to be spoilt by VT Day
When Mr Blair first came into office he did so on a funny, floaty feeling that we could all be kinder and gentler. He talked of "the giving age" and (in defiance of the demographic facts) of a "young country".

Today, the country feels older, crabbier, dirtier, unkinder, ruder, more violent, less British and less free. In particular, the structure of welfare, "human rights", tax, savings and education makes you feel that if you try hard to do right you are punished, and if you don't bother - or actively do wrong - you're fine.

Blair was on the right side of history in supporting the US effort to put an end to Saddamism in Iraq. Too bad he can't get the rest right.

Telegraph On Target
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2005/04/16/dl1601.xml&sSheet=/portal/2005/04/16/ixportal.html

Telegraph | Opinion | China row shows how little EU cares for democracy

"...EU favours stability over democracy."

The revolutionary past of the US is the difference. The experience of Britons in standing up to monarchs since 1215 helps them understand. The rest of Europe is afraid of change and confrontation. It seems to end badly, in the Jacobins, or Nazis, or Napoleon, for example.
The Dutch made money because they kowtowed, the British did not. The Dutch are still kowtowing, as part of the EU. The British would be wise to resist the Constitution. They don't belong with the rest fo the EU. Bail out! Now!

Dean: Dems will use Schiavo

Why not? Everyone else has.
Dean Says Democrats Will Make Schiavo Case an Election Issue

Money quote:"...we're going to have an ad with a picture of Tom DeLay saying, 'Do you want this guy to decide whether you die or not? Or is that going to be up to your loved ones?' "

To which "loved ones" is he referring? Terri's Mom and Dad and siblings who wanted her to live? or terri's conflicted husband anxious to get on with life with his common law wife? he, of course, had the final say.
The dems don't get this: the Republican pols might have been seen as grandstanding, but they were erring, if at all, on the side of life, not determined to continue the quickening pace to the grave our society seems to demand.
Of course, the issues that will determine things in 2008 have yet to be revealed.

The Apple Doesn't Fall far From the Tree Dept.

What is it about the MSM which makes it so hard for editors to distinguish between fact and fiction?
Entertainment: Industry Article | Reuters.com