Scotsman.com News – International – Black Watch drive to win over Iraqis Nice to see British troops continue to try to win hearts and minds– and teach the Americans a thing or two about how to keep the peace in Iraq. They put the lives of every soldier on the line in a brave show of trust. I just wonder how much longer they can risk taking tea with the locals before they learn the hard way that there is a very good reason why US troops take fewer chances.

Lie Girls… call 212-875-7000 I’m sure this is old news to most, but it’s new news to me. Call now for some sexy GOP action!

CBS News | Britain Proposes Tough Smoking Ban | November 16, 2004 13:04:43

I never thought I would see the day when smoking would be banned in 80 per cent of pubs in Britain. A pint and a cigarette are as much a part of British life as a full English and football.

My first experience of a non-smoking city was a little over two years ago, in San Francisco. As a smoker, I hated it. I chalked it up to the excesses of a clique of over-eager, silicon-stuffed Californian health freaks. Then I moved to New York and quit smoking, and thanked Bloomberg every day that I could go our for food or a drink and not have to suffer the pangs of that delicious smoke wafting past my nose.

And that’s the crux really. John Reid can say what he likes about protecting the rights of non-smokers, diners and staff. But the real power behind a smoking ban is not that non-smokers can enjoy a smoke-free environment. It’s that smokers can quit.

It’s been one year and twenty-one days since my last cigarette. I still love to inhale deeply as I walk past a smoker in the street. But the cigarettes which controlled my life for 14 years are a long way behind me. And I couldn’t have done it without the help of the ban.

Scotsman.com News – Latest News – European Leaders Must Back Iraq Coalition – Robertson

Lord Robertson has become the latest voice to swing around behind President Bush in support of more active world involvement in Iraq. About time too.

In his WSJ article today he proposed that NATO was the glue which could bring the US and its intransigent European partners together.

I doubt it. But the sentiment is indeed a good one.

I am one of the people who thought the war in Iraq was wrong. I marched through New York in February 2003 to oppose it. And I marched again this summer to show my opposition to Bush. But the war, like the election, is history.

All that matters now is that Iraq is stabilized and rebuilt. And you can’t do that from the sidelines. If Germany, France and any other country really cared about the Iraqi people, they would be doing a whole lot more to help.

People in New York City are still exceedingly bitter and embarassed about the election results. They honestly thought that all they had to do was raise enough money and get out the vote in crucial swing states. But they were rejected. In an effort to provide some relief from the pain, here’s ten positive reasons for Bush winning the election:

1. Because rebels in Iraq would have been emboldened by a Bush loss.

2. Because US troops will concentrate more on getting the job done than on when they are coming home.

3. Nations who opposed the Iraq War, particularly Germany and France, will be forced to admit that Bush is not an illegitimate President, and that if they want to help the people of Iraq they must work with him. Now.

4. Even more people will be galvanized into upholding and exercising their civil liberties because of the perceived threat from corporations and the Christian Right.

5. A stronger Bush may have more sway in the Middle East peace process than starting again with a new President (one who both sides probably thought they could manipulate).

6. Democrats will be forced to come up with a better candidate for 2008. Let’s face it, no one though Kerry was that good — they just hated Bush.

7. They weren’t keen on Teresa either.

8. It could pave the way for the first female President of the United States. (Is this a good thing?-ed.)

9. I’m running out of reasons.

10. Nope.

NB. Suggestions for more positive reasons for Bush winning the election would be appreciated.

NB to the NB. No negative reasons allowed under Dept of Homeland Security ‘With Us Or Against Us’ Rule No.465/01A subsection 28: “Dissent is strictly forbidden and punishable by death and/or relocation to France.”