Originally posted by mongu
. By contrast, Yeltsin was about the worst leader the Russians could have elected!

Oppps no. I think there were worser leaders in that time. Remeber the pathetic Yirinovski……Fortunately, stability in Russia, with corruption or not, brings the decay of this “interesting” leaders, right now completely phased out. I wouldn´t enjoy the comunist back again. So despite the problems, they are not doing it in a bad way. They have suffered a really long a tyranical regime for too long.

Terrible thing earthquakes, I neve had the “pleasure” of experience one (only at London Geological Museum), a a 3,00 degree at my local town, which wasn´t really nice. It was soft, but seems that a big dragon was advancing under the surface. The main problem is not being to prevent them, and the lack of safety regulations in terms of construction which the Third World countries should follow. At the end, poor societies suffer the most devastating effects. This same earthquake wouldn´t cause anything in Japan or the US. In Spain, as a neighbouring country to Algeria, effects were perceived in Majorca, Ibiza and Menorca due to a small sunami (freak wave) which destroyed many small boats in the harbours.

Originally posted by ageorge
I have to agree the only decent page in the Scum features the lovely ladies on page four . I did’n t mean to pick out Spain for any particular reason and I apologise if the term Eurohole offended anybody.

Don´t worry, ageorge. I didn´t feel offended at all. Having lived in the UK I have heard quite a lot of “interesting” and many times not balanced oppinions about my country”. I am sure you didn´t want to offend anyone. 🙂

Originally posted by ageorge
, why would we want to subsidise some Euroholes ?? , Spain is fine for a holiday , but we certainly don’t want them as a family member.

I have to admit that I have heard the “term” eurohole for my country. Any particular reason why YOU don´t want Spain as a family member?. I don´t hope it´s not because we are small, dark and greay individuals….does it?. You would be surprised how strenth the Spanish economy is right now. If there´s a country whose economy is healthy in Europe appart from the UK is Spain. As far as the SUN is concerned. Well anybody with a minimun degree of inteligence takes seriously what they publish. Not even its readers. It´s simply “The Sun” a folckloric tabloid, just fine to look at page 4, It´s that this page where the anatomy lesson is?. 😀

Originally posted by dhfan
Correct me if I’m wrong, but in a “democracy” aren’t the politicians elected to serve the electorate, and their wishes, NOT just do what they personally want?

.

Are there, dear friend, any politician who makes what their electorate wants?. Not at all, I am affraid. You are right. British politicians should pull the UK out because the people want it to…or not?: so why they don´t summon a reference to quit the Union?.

Despite Spain is like my mother, the UK is like my brother, and want to see the country in. But that´s my personal desire. But in general terms, ageorge, Europe is not forcing the UK to stay in. In fact, the other european countries do not care if the UK is out or in. So your upset should go to your politicians. And you didn´t answer my question. If the politicians represent the people desires, and the UK politicians are so respectfull with the people´s needs and desires….why they don´t talk about taking the UK out?::D

Taking from the BBC.
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Norway shocked by ‘al-Qaeda’ threat

By Lars Bevanger
BBC, Oslo

The Norwegian authorities are struggling to come up with a clear reason why Norway should have been included in a threat attributed to the al-Qaeda network broadcast on Al-Jazeera television on Wednesday.

The hope of the authorities was that al-Qaeda simply got their geography wrong and did not mean to threaten Norway at all

The threat from what is said to be the al-Qaeda network has baffled authorities and people here alike.

Analysts are struggling to come up with any reasons why Norwegian embassies and interests abroad should be singled out for attacks from Muslim fundamentalists.

Norway has traditionally been seen as a peacemaker in the Middle East and the country protested against the war in Iraq.

The government has also been critical of aspects of Washington’s declared war on terror.

Awaiting instructions

One possible reason which has been put forward is the presence of Norwegian special forces in Afghanistan, but this is a small force and other countries have a much more pronounced presence there.

Norway’s diplomatic efforts in the Middle East is considered a welcome activity by most of the Arab world and not a root cause for Muslim anger.

The threat is being taken seriously, however, and Norwegian interests abroad are awaiting instructions from Oslo about any possible extra security measures to be taken.

The hope of the authorities, as expressed by one diplomat, was that al-Qaeda simply got their geography wrong and did not mean to threaten Norway at all.