Boring Welsh politics

Rhodri Morgan once said that the politics of Welsh was Boring, Boring Boring, and that the Assembly of which he is First Minister is also boring.

David Cameron for the Tories said on his visit to Barry that Welsh politics was boring.

Welsh Liberal Democrat MP Lembit Öpik is so bored with his job representing his constituents that he tries to spice up his life with even more celebrity appearances.

Is there a party that isn't bored with Welsh politics?

Possibly

But as the voice over on the Weakest Link often asks will the votes reflect the reality?

Probably not! And Plaid members and supporters should be asking themselves why this should be so?

There was a time when Plaid could command the headlines by shouting for Wales, despite its poor election results. Think of Penyberth, Tyweryn, Gwynfor's death threat. Plaid punched a thousand times above its weight and demanded attention in those days.

With every other Party being bored by Wales why isn't Plaid shouting above it weight NOW? Is the leadership of Plaid also bored with Welsh Politics?

Tell me it aint so Jo Ieu! Tell me it aint so!

True Wales Big Lies

As the kids are on holiday and have commendeered my computer I haven't had much time to follow whats going on in the world of Welsh political blogging this week. Thanks to an e-mail I have been informed that my name has been dragged through the mud in the comments section of Betsan Powys' blog.

38. At 05:34am on 13 Feb 2009, Bostoniwr wrote:
There are some interesting point of view concerning True Wales on Alwyn ap Huw's blogspot blog, "Miserable Old Fart". He begins with this sentence:

"There is a sweet irony in the fact that a movement calling itself True Wales should launch its campaign by making a string of untruthful claims!"

plus ca change! Sounds familiar to anybody who's been exposed to their members posts on this blog.

The post that bostoniwr refers to can be found Here

39. At 06:09am on 13 Feb 2009, TheStonemason wrote:
Bostoniwr,

"Alwyn ap Huw" is unlikely to write anything other than he has in your quote, he with others have established counter argument to the "No" position, he has been vociferous in his support for additional powers. Some even created a very similar web site to confuse, a very typical Nationalist technique when argument is weak.

Yet he has recently fallen out of love with Plaid Cymru.

You could be he, in different clothes.

I am disappointed with the Stonemason's contribution. Although we have differences of opinion about our views on the best constitutional settlement for Wales I hope that I have always opposed his opinions with courtesy and respect and with my own name displayed in big bold letters. I never make anonymous comments. I don't see the point of expressing an opinion without making it clear that it is my opinion.

Incidentally I haven't particularly fallen out with Plaid Cymru. I stopped being a member of Plaid Cymru some 10 years or so ago (not recently). That was more to do with falling out with the idea of membership of any party and the need to toe the party line that membership involves. I disagree with Plaid's socialism and its commitment to the EU; I don't think that the party shows its Nationalist credentials as much as it should do. Not being a member allows me to say so. But as far as any allegiance goes I will vote for Plaid and support Plaid in every election, as the best of a bunch of parties who's lines I will not toe!

41. At 08:42am on 13 Feb 2009, mapexx wrote:
Message 38....

What is significant is, not that True Wales is as charged, but that Alwyn ap Huw, does not expand on his charge that True Wales has published lies.

Maybe Bostonian,otherwise known as BOSSY BOOTS, could do it for him, and lay out on this blog, just what lies True Wales has supposedly told.

I would think that if any lies have been told it is by....

a: Alwyn ap Huw.
b: Plaid Cymru.
c: The Cardiff Bay mob, and
d: quite a few who frequent these blogs with their nationalist agenda's.

This is another one of True Wales' Big Lies. The post in question expands in detail on five specific lies that True Wales told in their initial outing.

However to give a more up to date example of True wales lying I refer Mapexx to True Wales own blogsite, where it states that one of its aims is that any application to draw down Legislative Competence Orders from the United Kingdom Government should reflect the wishes of the majority of the Welsh people where as True Wales actually opposes any drawing down of policies as a matter of principal.

The £444,000,000 rip off

If you click on this link, you will find a copy of a typical England and Wales Court Summons. In this case it is a Witness Summons for the Court of Protection relating to people detained under the Mental Health Act. The form is a simple template where one needs to fill in the boxes.

Its fair to say that there are many hundreds of different versions of summons forms, for different levels of court and different statuses of those who are summonsed to attend. But they are all basically similar, they are all simple templates. Three quarters of the details on all of the different templates ask for similar basic information NAME ............. Address............ Date, Place and Time of hearing etc.

Using the Court of Protection form and just fiddling with the very basic programmes that I have on my computer I was able to create a template, a Welsh translation of the template and the ability to automatically fill both forms at once in less than half an hour.

I am not a computer expert, I have no training, I have taught myself to do what I want to do on a computer by trial and error. But if I am able to create a form filling application in two languages in less than half an hour (albeit for just one form) why on earth is the Libra system being delivered in an incomplete state 7 years late and at a cost of £444 Million?

The system is incomplete because it can't offer Welsh & English bilingual summonses. Rectifying this problem is going to cost another £4 million.

Facebook was translated into Welsh by a group of about a dozen volunteers over a period of six months or so. Facebook, one would imagine, is a more complex system than a simple form filling exercise. If those volunteers offered to translate Libra their work would be valued at about £300,000 each! If those volunteers were to produce a virtual invoice for the cost of translating Facebook I doubt if they would come close to even 2% of what Libra claims the translation costs will be.

The whole Libra project raises rip-off questions. But the £4 million translation cost raises even more worries. £4 million for a single Welsh Translation service is manna from heaven to the anti-Welsh language lobby, it is a gift to those who want excuses for not supporting the language. As an avid supporter of the language I can think of much better language support uses for such a huge amount of money than issuing summonses - how many language tutors and learners could be supported by such a sum?

I'm not sure how or by whom Welsh Language projects should be investigated - but this is a project in need of a very serious investigation!

Tell Bethan you Love Her!

As St Valentine's day approaches Bethan Jenkins AM is feeling unloved and unwanted:

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, and while I never usually celebrate it, I thought perhaps I should use it as an opportunity to recindle my love of blogging, as we seem to have become very distant of late. I think perhaps I am afraid of commitment- either that or the honeymoon period is over! …Sorry about the analogy- corny I know, but I’m trying to explain why I have failed to blog for so long. Betsan Powys suggested that I should consider not apologising for failing to blog, but I guess that people stop visiting blogs if they don’t update them, and if I continue, I want to ensure that I get at least a core readership!

Aw! Shame - from second most shaggable blogger to on the shelf in less than six months!

Pop over to Beth's blog and leave a little message on her comments page so that she knows that you do really love her - poor dab!

Ta! Ta! Syr Emyr?

Adam Price MP suggests that Sir Emyr Jones Parry may not be able to continue with his role as boss of the Committee for Delaying Welsh Democracy for much longer.

Adam also suggests that Sir Em should be replaced!

I would prefer that the committee be abolished. I can't see the point of its existence.

The whole point of the committee is just pointless. Its job is to advise the Assembly about whether or when a referendum should be held on further powers for the Assembly - a political decision!

Don't we elect and pay politicians to make political decisions?

If the Assembly can't be arsed to make such a simple decision for itself, without outside help, what's the point of the Assembly's existence?

Adam suggests that as Lord Ivor Richards was an UN Permanent Representative and a European Commissioner, before he presented his report; and Sir Emyr is a diplomat of vast experience - we need another experienced diplomat to continue the job!

Adam suggests Hywel Ceri Jones, a former Director-General at the European Commission!

This might be a shock to Adam, but Wales isn't Gaza, Wales isn't Afganhistan, Wales isn't Sri Lanka, Rwanda or Tibet!

There are rare disagreements about devolution in Wales, which can get heated - but not so heated that a good barmaid can't cool them. We don't need a High Profile International Diplomat to sort them out for F**k sake!

What we need are politicians who believe in devolution and who are willing to take the bull by the horns and start campaigning for a yes vote NOW!

Why Just a Welsh Language LCO?

A number of posts last week across the Welsh blogosphere relating to the Welsh Language LCO attracted comments from Brian Barker from the UK Esperanto Lobby.

I have never quite understood the idea of Esperanto, and have never favoured the idea of "one universal language". However Mr Barker's comments in favour of a legal status for Esperanto do raise an interesting point regarding Language issues and the Assembly. Specifically, why should the Assembly request competence for just the Welsh Language?

Wales is a multi cultural, multi linguistic community. The idea that the National Assembly should have authority to legislate and make policies in regard to just ONE of those many languages doesn't seem right to me.

Many of those who object to any protection for the Welsh language worry that such protection is, in some way, going to force them to learn Welsh or disadvantage them because they don't speak Welsh.

Most Welsh speakers despair when we hear such arguments. We know what linguistic disadvantage is and we know that giving our language a legal status is not going to endanger the future of English in Wales! However, we have to accept that the worries of the non Welsh speaking community, despite being unfounded, are genuine worries.

Competence for Language, rather than just the Welsh Language could enable the Assembly to give the English speaking majority assurances that would enable them to support the protection of Welsh without fear.

Wales doesn't have just two indigenous languages - it has three. Since its inception the Assembly has accepted that BSL (sign language) is the third most commonly used indigenous language in Wales. The Assembly is the only government body that accepts BSL as an official native language. A language LCO that gave the Assembly authority over BSL as well as Welsh might make ITV Wales think again about ditching BSL on it's news programmes.

In some wards in Wales both English and Welsh are minority languages, the Assembly should have the language competency to cope with these communities, and to react to their linguistic needs sensitively. An exclusive Welsh language LCO doesn't give our government the tools needed for that job!

I don't think that the current Welsh Language LCO can be adapted into a general Language LCO, given its passage. But whilst the current competence order is going through its paces, it would be good if the Assembly started to think about other broader linguistic responsibilities it could aquire as the next step!

Knighted Troubadours

A number of people have received knighthoods for their contribution in giving this realm a good sing song - Sir Cliff Richard, Sir Elton John our own Sir Tom Jones and, apparently, Scotland's Sir Alex Salmond:



HT Calum Cashley

Silly Question

The National Assembly has to ask for Competence over specific areas of legislation. It has to explain what it wishes to achieve through gaining that competence.

The UK government can say No, you can't be trusted in that area - competence will not be given!

Fair enough!

However, having said No! Shouldn't the Union government prove that it can provide an alternative to the competence refused?

Shouldn't Westminster have better policies that address the issues raised before refusing competence to Wales?

That Chippy in Chepstow

The ability to pass legislation regarding the Welsh language already exists!

The willingness to pass such legislation also exists - Westminster has passed decenial Welsh Language Laws since the 1930's.

The Welsh Language LCO has sod all to do with whether the Chippy in Chepstow should be subject to Welsh Language Legislation - it is all to do with who should decide whether or not said chippy should be subject to said legislation!

The Welsh Language LCO has nothing to do with the rights or the wrongs of Welsh language provision, it's to do with which institution is best placed to decide linguistic issues: Westminster or the Bay?

Those of us who want competence for the language to be decided in the Assembly, rather than at Westminster, are actually taking a gamble. Any Assembly language measures are going to be scrutinised a damn site more closely than Westminster measures are.

In Westminster the Welsh Language is always a side issue. Something that an enthusiastic Minister or Civil Servant can get away with.

The Education Act of 1993 insists that all pupils in Wales (including the Chippy in Chepstow's kids) are educated up to key stage three in Welsh! I doubt if such legislation could ever have passed through a Welsh Assembly given the competence to debate it!

There is one thing that worries me about the language LCO, which relates to the whole LCO process, and may be relevant to other LCO's.

If partial legislative responsibility is given to the Assembly, and partial legislative responsibility is left with Westminster then substantial responsibility can be left in limbo with neither body taking responsibility for it - the worst of both worlds.

Even if you couldn't give a fig about the Language, imagine the distress that limiting an LCO could cause in child protection legislation, leaving the differences between the Bay and Westminster in limbo!

The housing LCO compromise leaves neither Cardiff nor Westminster fully responsible for social housing - social housing will slip between both stools now - and probably die!

The worst thing that could happen to the language is Westminster giving 25% of language protection responsibility to the Assembly, and using that 25% as an excuse to do nothing with the 75% retained responsibility.

My personal attitude is either Wales gets 100% responsibility over Welsh Language issues, which common sense says that Wales should have, or we tell Westminster to stick the LCO where the sun don't shine!

Wales in Eurovision

The Eurovision song contest is a competition held between members of the European Broadcasting Union, the EBU.

S4C is a fully incorporated and independent member of the EBU, so Wales "can" compete in the Eurovision Song Contest as an independent state if S4C wants Wales to!

Mark Evans has proved that he is "almost" good enough to rep the UK in the Eurovision, so that means that he must be good enough to represent Wales.

So come on S4C ask Mark to compete in Wales' name!

Doctors and Nurses!

I have received an e-mail from BMAC asking me to link to their blog.

I am very happy to link to the Basingstoke Model Aero Club. However I suspect that the BMAC in question is the British Medical Association in Wales, the Medical Doctor's trade Union.

Because I am just a nurse I am used to being ordered about by doctors in a hospital setting, but I'll be buggered if I will be told what to do by doctors in the blogosphere!

So NO I will NOT provide a full link to the BMA Cymru blog, unless nurse's blogs are treated as equal by them!

I am grateful to the BMA for enabling me to raise an old gripe:

Why are people with bachelor degrees in medicine considered to be proper doctors, whilst nurses with PhD's, LlD's, DLit's etc are asked not to use their honest right to the title Doctor, in order to avoid confusion?

Burns, Dwynwen and Something Else

I have mentioned that today is Burns Day and St Dwynwen's Day - it is also my Wedding Anniversary. So here is a romantic song, dedicated to Mrs MOF in honour of the occasion, courtesy of Prof Tom Lehrer:



Prof Lehrer is one of the earliest examples of that viral phenomenon that proves that if something is banned it suddenly becomes very, very popular.

Most of Tom Lehrer's work was produced for the US version of TW3 (That Was The Week That Was), the 1960's political satire show that made Sir David Frost a household name on both sides of the pond. Prof Lehrer's popularity in Britain was enhanced when his, now, best known song -Poisoning Pigeons in the Park was banned by the BBC.

The Gaza saga shows, that even after 40+ years, that Aunty still hasn't learned that the best way to give publicity to something she disaproves of is to impose a ban!

Poems & Politics: A Man's a Man For a' that - Burns

As today is not only St Dwynwen's Day but also Burns Day, indeed the 250'th aniversery of the bàird's birth, I think that Burns deserves a Poems and Politics post.

His most political poem is probably A Man's a Man For a' that

Famous for its expression of egalitarian ideas of society, which may be seen as anticipating the ideas of liberalism that arose in the 18th century, and those of socialism which arose in the 19th century.

The song was sung at the opening of the Scottish Parliament, and also at the funeral of Donald Dewar, the original First Minister of Scotland.

The words 'pride o' worth' appear on the crest of the Scottish Qualifications Authority.

A Man's A Man For A' That

Is there for honest Poverty
That hings his head, an' a' that;
The coward slave-we pass him by,
We dare be poor for a' that!
For a' that, an' a' that.
Our toils obscure an' a' that,
The rank is but the guinea's stamp,
The Man's the gowd for a' that.

What though on hamely fare we dine,
Wear hoddin grey, an' a that;
Gie fools their silks, and knaves their wine;
A Man's a Man for a' that:
For a' that, and a' that,
Their tinsel show, an' a' that;
The honest man, tho' e'er sae poor,
Is king o' men for a' that.

Ye see yon birkie, ca'd a lord,
Wha struts, an' stares, an' a' that;
Tho' hundreds worship at his word,
He's but a coof for a' that:
For a' that, an' a' that,
His ribband, star, an' a' that:
The man o' independent mind
He looks an' laughs at a' that.

A prince can mak a belted knight,
A marquis, duke, an' a' that;
But an honest man's abon his might,
Gude faith, he maunna fa' that!
For a' that, an' a' that,
Their dignities an' a' that;
The pith o' sense, an' pride o' worth,
Are higher rank than a' that.

Then let us pray that come it may,
(As come it will for a' that,)
That Sense and Worth, o'er a' the earth,
Shall bear the gree, an' a' that.
For a' that, an' a' that,
It's coming yet for a' that,
That Man to Man, the world o'er,
Shall brothers be for a' that.

Gaza - Public Service Blogpost

Not having the same scruples as the BBC, I am happy to make a Public Service Blogpost in aid of the Disasters Emergency Committee

Leading UK aid agencies are appealing to the public for urgently needed funds to help ease the desperate plight of people affected by the conflict in Gaza.
Launching the Disasters Emergency Committee Gaza Crisis Appeal, chief executive Brendan Gormley said that the devastation wrought in the Gazan territory was so huge that British aid agencies were compelled to act.

Over 1,300 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict, and many thousands have been injured, overwhelming local hospitals. The destruction has left people without homes and many children without schooling; power, food and water supplies are insufficient to cover the population’s needs.

Mr Gormley said: “DEC agencies have a humanitarian mandate. We are not proposing to attempt to rebuild Gaza – that is not our role. But with the public’s support we can help relieve short-term needs. Agencies are already providing food, drugs and blankets as well as delivering clean water.

“But we will soon reach the limit of what we can do, without more money. For Gazans struggling to survive, receiving urgent humanitarian aid will help them take the first step to recovery.”

Mr Gormley stressed that DEC aid agencies were non-political. “We work on the basis of humanitarian need and there is an urgent need in Gaza today. Political solutions are for others to resolve, but what is of major concern to us all is that many innocent people have been affected by the situation – and it is them that we seek to help.”

To make a donation
Visit
the Disasters Emergency Committee website to make an online
donation;

or

Make cheques payable to:
DEC Gaza Crisis

and

Post to:
DEC Gaza Crisis,
PO Box 999,
London EC3A 3AA

or go to
any Post Office quoting Freepay number: 1210.



Thanks to Bill for the contact details

Dwynwen - Wales' Secret Weapon

Rugby fans have a big dilemma. The biggest match of all, Wales v England, is to be played on St Valentine's Day. Do you woo your loved one, take her out for a romantic meal and then enjoy an evening of loving passion together - or do you watch the match and go out for a rugby p fest with your mates?

Hard choice and a dilemma indeed!

However Wales has a secret weapon that enables Welsh supporters to overcome this dilemma - St Dwynwen.

Tomorrow is St Dywnwen's Day! St Dwynwen is the patron saint of Welsh Lovers, a saint who is the equal to, if not better, than Saint Valentine.

So woo your lover tomorrow, buy her chocolates and flowers - take her out for a romantic meal, show her passion and love - persuade her that Valentine is not for us, that good Welsh people do it for St Dwynwen! And then you will be free and guiltless on Saint Valentine's day and be able to direct all your passion towards encouraging Wales to beat England!

But on Feb 14th the English fans and players, poor dabs, will still be worried about the rolling pin and the bollocking for putting Rugby before love!

If all Welsh fans celebrate St Dwynwen tomorrow, so that we don't have to worry about St Valentine in three weeks time, it could give us a five point lead before the starting whistle is blown!

So, tomorrow, make love for St Dwynwen - Wales' Secret Weapon!

Rhodri is, probably, right.

Still on the subject of President Obama.

It's not often that I disagree with Damon Lord. It's not often that I agree with Rhodri Morgan either, but I think that Damon's condemnation of Mr Morgan as an ignorant, racist twat is unwarranted.

Rhodri has many failings, but being an ignorant, racist twat isn't one of them. I have known Rhodri for many years. I knew him before he ever became an elected politician and I know that his first hand experience of segregation in the USA, when he was a student there in the 1960's, has had a profound and influencing affect on him and his world view. Rhodri is not a racist and has never, ever, supported any racist view. To claim otherwise is very disingenuous!

As far as Rhodri's comments are concerned I tend to agree with him.

The first point to make is that Barack Obama is the Head of State of the USA, the equal to Her Majesty the Queen in the UK. If the monarchy survives, I can't see an heir apparent marrying a black person or a person of mixed race for at least another four generations. If the UK survives me, I will never see a black head of state. If the UK and its monarchy survive my great grandchildren the likelihood of them seeing a person of colour as head of state is minimal.

Electing a black Prime Minister is a lot more complex than electing a black president.

Four years ago Barack Obama was a newly elected junior senator. Regardless of age, gender, sexual preference or race, no newly elected British MP can become PM in 4 years, rarely is a PM selected before he or she has had 16 years of service as an MP under the belt (I know there have been odd exception). I don't see, at the moment, a "probable" Black or Asian PM amongst those in the Commons now, so it's down to the next tranch of MP's.

If he made a claim, Gordon Brown would be entitled to Disability Living Allowance, and could be noted as our first registered Disabled PM. Having a registered disabled person as Prime Minister would be such a boon and encouragement to the many young people who live with a disability and feel hindered. But Mr Brown chooses to hide his affliction rather than registering it - why? Because he is embarrassed by his disability and he doesn't think that Britain is ready to accept a disabled PM! - Prat!

I honestly don't think that a Black or Asian MP has any chance of being Prime Minister before 2025. If we have our first Labour female PM or the first openly Gay PM before then the black lad's chance will be indefinitely postponed! I can't see it happening in any legislature in these islands in the next 50 years.

I hope that I am wrong - but I doubt it!

Obama (Oh! Vaughan) and Glenys

Vaughan Rodderick is supposed to be the man with his finger on the pulse of Welsh politics. It is a shame that it was only yesterday that he realised that Obama o Fôn (pronounced Vaughan same as our intrepid reporter's first name) was from Anglesey / Ynys Môn - This knowledge has been available since way back last July!

Lenin Cymru, who knows all about the Welsh roots of the 44th president, is mistaken though. He thinks that Barrack Obama is related to Ieuan Wyn Jones the AM for Anglesey. This can't be so. Ieuan is not an Anglesey lad he is a carpetbagger from Denbighshire.

As the Western Mail pointed out Obama is descended from Henry and Margaret Parry from Holyhead. The real Welsh Political icon who is also a Parry from Holyhead isn't Ieuan Wyn but Ms G. E. Parry, also known as Lady Glenys Kinnock MEP!

I know that the inauguration is the nearest thing that Americans have to a coronation, but wasn't Ereathra Franklin singing God Save the King (even with the wrong words) a bit OTT?

Good to see lots of Welsh Dragon Flags in the crowd scenes (but very few Saltires- Ha! Ha! Thieving Salmond)

On a more serious note, the most moving part of the day was when somebody said (I don't know who) Rosa Parkes sat - so that Luther King could walk - so that Obama could run - and now our children can soar!

Thieving Salmond and Obama o Fôn

I use to like Alex Salmond and the SNP, but I am beginning to have doubts - the honeymoon is over.

Everybody knows that Barack Obama (or Obama o Fôn - as he is known locally), with his mother's family deeply rooted in Anglesey soil, is the 41st President of the US of Welsh Descent (he would be the 44th but we have disinherited Nixon and disinheramatated the Bushs).

But that sly, thieving, kniving Salmond bloke is trying to pinch him off Wales and claim him for Scotland! Can you believe it? Disgraceful!

Am I to blame for the middle east crisis?

I haven't posted anything about the Gaza war, because, having read the blogs of those who support Hamas and those who support Israel I have witnessed the bitterness the hatred and the vitriol in the comments sections of those who allow free comment.

Criticise Israel and you are accused of being on the side of terrorism, supporting the subjugation of women, favouring the Taliban, a Nazi and an anti-Semite.

Criticise Hamas and you are a Bush lapdog, a racist, a Western imperialist, a Zionist and an enemy of Islam.

The easiest thing to do is to keep your head down, not take sides and pretend that it isn't happening. BUT isn't this the main reason for the continuing problem in Israel and the Middle east?

Most sensible people can see that there is fault on both sides, that there are elements on both sides who are engaged in evil, that extremists on both sides are cynically abusing the discord for the advancement of their extreme views.

But are they the problem?

Perhaps the biggest problem is those of us who see what is wrong on both sides, but fear to say anything lest we be caught in the crossfire.

I think it is time for the sensible majority of individuals and nations to stick their heads above the parapet and to say that enough is enough, that we will no longer be blackmailed by extremist nutters from either side and that if both sides can't come to a sensible agreement themselves that the world will impose a fair and equitable settlement in Palestine / Israel and that both sides will subscribe to it or face the wrath of the rest of the world.

As the United Nations has proved useless in this respect because of entrenched positions, can the European Union or the Commonwealth step into the breach as international honest brokers of common sense?

Have you ever been to Seakittenguard?

The idea of vegetarianism has never appealed to me, I'm too fond of my Sunday roast to give up meat.

In fact I've never understood the arguments in favour of vegetarianism: that not eating meat is somehow kinder to other inhabitants of this planet. Eating a vegetable deprives another animal of a meal from that vegetable and may lead to its death through starvation. If I eat the lettuce in the garden then the slugs starve. If the slugs get to it first then I starve (unless I have a ham sandwich rather than a lettuce sandwich for tea.)

But there we are if people don't want to eat meat that is their choice and I am perfectly happy to respect their right to make that choice. It is a shame that all vegetarians can't respect the freedom of choice of those who don't share their views.

One of the silliest campaigns I have ever come across is the latest from the militant vegan organisation PETA.

Being militant vegans they believe that fishing is cruel and that eating fish should not be permitted. According to a report on The Rev Allan Bevere's blog PETA believes that people are willing to go fishing for fun and to eat fish because the word fish has negative connotations. If we think of the word "fish" we think of something slimy, smelly and unlovable. So the group is campaigning to have the word fish abolished and replacing it with the term Sea Kittens.

Kittens are lovely, cuddly, fluffy animals. Nobody would want to put a hook through a kitten's head and nobody would want to eat one. So by calling fish sea kittens we will feel more for them and be less likely to want to eat them.

As part of the campaign the group has also been campaigning to
change names that include the word fish. So Fishguard would turn into Seakittenguard!

Writing this post on food has made me feel a bit peckish, I might go down to the local chippy for some kitten, chips and mushy peas. Yum!


Cymraeg