Meedja on the Insanity Pills

10 reasons to take a long walk off a short pier...

The U.S. looks like it has plans to establish a diplomatic presence in Iran sometime within the next month. BBC. Official figures suggest that incidents of knife crime in the UK over the last year have topped 22,000. The Telegraph. Whitehall has announced that it is to be the first… read more…

Written by Oli Anderson on 17 Jul 2008 8:42 AM. Permalink

Meedja on the Insanity Pills

10 reasons to party like it's 1999...

David Cameron has called for U.S. style bankruptcy rules in a bid to protect the economy. The Times. US car firm General Motors has revealed that it is to cut jobs due to decreased sales. BBC. It looks like knife crime may not be just an English avocation but one… read more…

Written by Oli Anderson on 16 Jul 2008 8:44 AM. Permalink

Poll

Lunchtime Poll: Britain backing Obama?

Yesterday we asked you whether age-old hate-figure/iconoclast Margaret Thatcher should be receiving a grandiose state funeral. The results were a lot closer than Westmonster initially expected - 43% of you reckoning that the Iron Lady should get that most public of send-offs, while 57% of you stating that you… read more…

Written by C J Davies on 15 Jul 2008 12:00 PM. Permalink

Meedja on the Insanity Pills

10 reasons to quit...

Gordon Brown is to vacation in the English town of Southwold in Suffolk. Channel 4. Tony Blair is to visit Gaza for the first time in his new role as Middle East envoy. BBC. Jacqui Smith is wishing she had never said anything about knife offenders visiting people in A&E… read more…

Written by Oli Anderson on 15 Jul 2008 8:28 AM. Permalink

Ministry for Clinging On

Bush to emit less gas...

Everybody's favourite simian of conversation, George W. Bush, managed to crack a few wry smiles from audiences in Japan last night by making a joke about his country's super-sized contributions to world pollution levels. As a final sayonara to Japanese leaders the saucy Texan quipped, "Goodbye from the world’s greatest… read more…

Written by Oli Anderson on 10 Jul 2008 1:21 PM. Permalink

Meedja on the Insanity Pills

10 reasons to despair...

Gordon Brown has insisted that he has much in common with Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights. The Guardian. Today apparently marks the 50th anniversary of the beloved parking meter. The Times. Ministers are to bribe people out of their apathy when it comes to local elections by offering them the chance… read more…

Written by Oli Anderson on 10 Jul 2008 6:47 AM. Permalink

Meedja on the Insanity Pills

10 reasons to start worrying...

Boris Johnson has been forced to launch an investigation into the inappropriate dealings of his deputy mayor, Ray Lewis. The Guardian. A report by Ernst & Young suggests that the average UK household is 15% worse of than five years ago. BBC. The British economy could be falling into an… read more…

Written by Oli Anderson on 4 Jul 2008 8:13 AM. Permalink

Meedja on the Insanity Pills

10 reasons we might not be...

Nelson Mandela has been removed from the US list of terror suspects. The Telegraph. Strikes by truck drivers in India suggest that we're not alone in this crazy, messed-up world. BBC. The European Commission has announced plans for cross-border healthcare system that would allow UK residents to seek treatment overseas.… read more…

Written by Oli Anderson on 2 Jul 2008 10:43 AM. Permalink

Meedja on the Insanity Pills

10 reasons we're all fucked...

Barack Obama has said that he would continue to back Bush's scheme of involving religious groups in government initiatives. BBC. The Government's targets to build three million new homes by 2020 may not be enough to meet demand. ePolitix. Rising food prices have meant that one in five UK residents… read more…

Written by Oli Anderson on 2 Jul 2008 10:12 AM. Permalink

Meedja on the Insanity Pills

Tesco goes political...

Tesco has stated that it is to stop sourcing products from Zimbabwe, due to the political crisis. BBC. Gordon Brown's 'once-in-a-generation' reform plans will make the NHS one of the best health systems in the world. ePolitix. Four Iraqi men are planning to sue U.S. military contractors after being tortured… read more…

Written by Oli Anderson on 1 Jul 2008 8:35 AM. Permalink

Meedja on the Insanity Pills

No surprises as Tories take Henley...

The Tories won the Henley by-election, with Labour in fifth place. BBC. The Guardian. Nelson Mandela's birthday concert is taking place today in Hyde park. BBC. The State is to start taking action against five-year-olds that with criminal tendencies (thank you Jacqui Smith). The Times. Jack Straw has controversially admitted… read more…

Written by Oli Anderson on 27 Jun 2008 7:53 AM. Permalink

Meedja on the Insanity Pills

Balls inspected...

Ed Balls has spent the past four months under investigation for his expenses. The Times. Yorkshire Post. North Korea is set to hand over a declaration of its nuclear activities. BBC. Reuters. The Government has been warned to take biosecurity more seriously. Yorkshire Post. Britain's top Asian policeman has accused… read more…

Written by Oli Anderson on 26 Jun 2008 10:50 AM. Permalink

Meedja on the Insanity Pills

Shot in the arm...

A UN official has claimed that the Taleban made $100m (£50m) from the sale of opium in 2007. BBC. Energy bosses are preparing to justify their upcoming price increases to MPs. BBC. The ambulance service has admitted to losing a computer disk containing the personal information of a million 999… read more…

Written by Oli Anderson on 24 Jun 2008 7:57 AM. Permalink

Meedja on the Insanity Pills

No money, no problems...

Chancellor Alistair Darling has urged UK citizens to accept pay rises only if they are in line with the Government's 2% inflation target. The Guardian. As predicted, Gordon Brown's emergency oil talks in Jeddah achieved about as much as a stale fart in an elevator. BBC. The Times. Eighteen police… read more…

Written by Oli Anderson on 23 Jun 2008 8:00 AM. Permalink

Meedja on the Insanity Pills

Where's the beef?

South Korea and America are getting ever closer to making a 'beef deal'. BBC. Gordon Brown has been told to give UK cities more elected mayors. Channel 4. Ministers are to revisit the GM debate in order to discuss whether genetically modified crops will be able to combat the global… read more…

Written by Oli Anderson on 20 Jun 2008 6:09 AM. Permalink

Ministry for Devolution

Yes we can (unless you're Muslim)...

Two Muslim women were barred from sitting behind a podium that Barrack Obama was making a speech on in Detroit on Monday. Dressed in their traditional headscarves, volunteers working for the Democratic campaign were concerned that having them appear behind Obama in photographs or on television would have a negative… read more…

Written by Oli Anderson on 19 Jun 2008 10:22 AM. Permalink

Meedja on the Insanity Pills

The future's not orange...

The orange abomination that is fake tan has been banned from Royal Ascot. BBC. It was discovered that an average of eight new laws come into effect each day in the UK. The Times. David Cameron has questioned Gordon Brown about the command structure in Afghanistan after the deaths of… read more…

Written by Oli Anderson on 19 Jun 2008 8:34 AM. Permalink

Ministry for Division

McCain and the modern insult...

The John McCain team has allowed its wrinkled lips to utter what must surely be one of the greatest insults of the modern age by referring to rival Barack Obama as "a perfect manifestation of a September 10th mind-set". The criticism came yesterday whilst McCain's Republican campaign criticised Obama for… read more…

Written by Oli Anderson on 18 Jun 2008 1:55 PM. Permalink

Meedja on the Insanity Pills

Brown's imperial treasury eyed by Osborne...

George Osborne, the Conservative shadow chancellor, has announced plans to shrink Gordon Brown's imperial treasury. The Telegraph. UN officials have been given rare access to North Korea's countryside so that they can assess the severity of the country's food shortage. BBC. Refugee Week kicked off yesterday, though most people seem… read more…

Written by Oli Anderson on 17 Jun 2008 8:09 AM. Permalink

Meedja on the Insanity Pills

Conservative lead increases...

The Conservative Party has increased its lead over Labour, a new poll reveals. ePolitix. A survey has revealed that Scots are twice as likely to commit either homicide or suicide than people from anywhere else in the UK. The Guardian. Truck drivers will today meet with Shell after 647 petrol… read more…

Written by Oli Anderson on 16 Jun 2008 7:52 AM. Permalink

Ministry for Cash-ins

American campaign cola shows cultural differences...

An American manufacturer of soft drinks has decided to contribute to the tumult surrounding the presidential nominations by allowing customers to sate their thirsts via candidate inspired packaging. Though some would call the ploy nothing more than a cyncial cash-in on the world of current events (though not current enough… read more…

Written by Oli Anderson on 12 Jun 2008 2:49 PM. Permalink

Meedja on the Insanity Pills

Cameron seeks open discourse on Afghanistan...

David Cameron has called for a 'frank and candid assessment' of the UK's role in Afghanistan. ePolitix. A new report has insisted that British workers are just a bunch of morons when compared to east European migrants. The Guardian. The Times. Research has shown that one in ten Britons has… read more…

Written by Oli Anderson on 12 Jun 2008 7:47 AM. Permalink

Meedja on the Insanity Pills

The kids aren't all right...

A new report has claimed that UK children are being demonised by the other members of society. BBC. Gordon Brown is set to lose on the 42-day detention plans. The Times. House prices are expected to fall by up to 50% over the next four years. The Guardian. There is… read more…

Written by Oli Anderson on 9 Jun 2008 7:53 AM. Permalink

Meedja on the Insanity Pills

Bad teeth on the rise...

Due to a government shake-up of the system, fewer people are visiting NHS dentists than they were a few years ago. The Times. A senior adviser of Barack Obama has stated that Britain must lead the world on prevention of bioterrorism. The Guardian. Shadow leader of the House, Theresa May,… read more…

Written by Oli Anderson on 6 Jun 2008 7:51 AM. Permalink

Ministry for Nasal Sensationalism

Labour attempts to make best friend of Obama...

Despite their harbouring of secret wishes that their good friend Hillary could have been the one to cinch the US Democratic nomination, it appears that most high-profile Labour politicians, including Gordon Brown, have decided to take the plunge and prepare their noses for the long and arduous journey into the… read more…

Written by Oli Anderson on 5 Jun 2008 11:29 AM. Permalink

Meedja on the Insanity Pills

Brown cracks down on knife crime...

Gordon Brown has announced tough new laws on knife crime (probably in the hope that he won't be stabbed in the back as often). The Guardian. MPs and their generous expense accounts are still annoying the proletariat. The Times. A new law will allow cyclists to go the wrong way… read more…

Written by Oli Anderson on 5 Jun 2008 7:47 AM. Permalink

Roundup

Media roundup: Clinton for Vice President?

So Hillary Clinton has essentially conceded defeat to opponent Barack Obama, but this may not spell the end for a politically active incarnation of Mrs. C - oooohh no, not with rumours circulating that Obama may decide to choose her as his Presidential running mate. Let's take a look… read more…

Written by C J Davies on 4 Jun 2008 12:13 AM. Permalink

Meedja on the Insanity Pills

Brown goes down...

It's another lugubrious day for the Prime Minister as new YouGov polls show that Labour's popularity is at its lowest since 1943. BBC. Further compounding Mr Brown's gloom is the news that consumer confidence has also sunk like the Titanic. The Guardian. It was revealed that UK life expectancy is… read more…

Written by Oli Anderson on 30 May 2008 7:54 AM. Permalink

Ministry for Anglophilia

Obama to recalibrate special relationship...

Barack Obama has upped his Anglophile credentials by announcing that the 'special relationship' between the UK and the U.S. needs to be 'recalibrated'. His vision for the future would see our two great nations walking arm-in-arm aside bowling greens and past movie complexes, feasting on roast beef with Yorkshire pudding… read more…

Written by Oli Anderson on 27 May 2008 2:29 PM. Permalink

Our American Cousins

Good old days over for Old Man McCain?

Old Man John McCain has joined the 'Pastors in the Closet' school of American politics by having a religious zealot get him into a spot of bother. Sharing resonance with the bump in the road that rival Barack Obama's campaign found itself having to get over after similar religious campaign… read more…

Written by Oli Anderson on 23 May 2008 12:31 PM. There are 1 comments so far. Permalink

Meedja on the Insanity Pills

No surprises for Cameron and his crew...

The news that the Tories have beaten Labour in the Crewe by-election with a 7,860 majority is about as surprising as a shit after a curry. BBC. The Guardian. The Times. It has been stated that Gordon Brown could face more leadership challenges. ePolitix. David Cameron has plans to strengthen… read more…

Written by Oli Anderson on 23 May 2008 7:52 AM. Permalink

Our American Cousins

US Election Running Mates: the search begins

Ah, those wonderful differences between British and American terminology. Here on this drizzly isle, a 'running mate' would presumably mean that schoolfriend who used to sneak cigarettes and cider into P.E lessons so you could both occupy yourselves during an afternoon of cross-country jogging. In the States, however, the… read more…

Written by C J Davies on 22 May 2008 9:22 PM. Permalink

Meedja on the Insanity Pills

Boris Johnson to fix Olympic costs...

Boris Johnson has sworn to do something about the spiralling costs of London's Olympic plans. The Guardian. America's House of Representatives has passed a bill to sue OPEC members should they fix oil prices. Reuters. Plans for a sixth terminal at Heathrow have been criticised as being based on 'flawed'… read more…

Written by Oli Anderson on 21 May 2008 7:43 AM. Permalink

Meedja on the Insanity Pills

Warning: theft of manhole covers on the rise...

As metal prices increase, the theft of manhole covers is seen to be on the rise. Newsweek. Ofsted has revealed that about 20% of UK kids leave primary school being unable to read properly. The Guardian. UK house sales could drop by up to 40% this year. This is Money.… read more…

Written by Oli Anderson on 20 May 2008 7:43 AM. Permalink

Ministry for Crowd Control

Obama draws 80,000 strong crowd...

After charming a crowd totalling 80,000 yesterday, Barack Obama has officially had what the NY Times has described as his 'wow moment'. According to news reports, the scene which unfolded on an appropriately sunny day in Portland, Oregon took part on the banks of the Willamette River. Obama was dwarfed… read more…

Written by Oli Anderson on 19 May 2008 12:18 PM. Permalink

Meedja on the Insanity Pills

Prince Charles likes trees...

Prince Charles has concluded that putting an end to rainforest logging is the only way to solve climate change problems. BBC. Gordon Brown has been advised by MPs to give up his idea for 42-day detention without trial. The Guardian. The UK economy could be about to go through a… read more…

Written by Oli Anderson on 15 May 2008 7:44 AM. Permalink

Meedja on the Insanity Pills

Still hope for Labour...

It has been said that Labour 'can still win the next election'. The Guardian. The NHS has claimed that the public are in favour of the government's proposed 'polyclinic' scheme. The Guardian. New rules regarding the number of skilled migrants allowed to work in the UK are to be announced… read more…

Written by Oli Anderson on 6 May 2008 7:47 AM. Permalink

Ministry for Shameless Admissions

Barack Obama likes Sex and the City...

Barack Obama used the magical medium of television to reach out to the common people yesterday. In a slot on the David Letterman show he appeared in a recorded video message in which excited viewers could watch the presidential hopeful reel off ten 'Surprising Facts' about himself. After watching the… read more…

Written by Oli Anderson on 2 May 2008 1:48 PM. Permalink

Meedja on the Insanity Pills

Bill Clinton unsurprisingly dislikes Obama

'Stand by your man,' Tammy Wynette once sang, not realising that many of her listeners may have to do exactly that. And - following Hillary's forgiveness towards those cheeky little cigar-meets-intern antics a decade back - Bill Clinton clearly owes his wife a favour or two. Consider it returned.… read more…

Written by C J Davies on 29 Apr 2008 11:02 PM. Permalink

Ministry for Cheapshots

Hillary to solve world's nut cracking problems..

Ladies and Gentlemen, Westmonster is proud to introduce you to the solution to all of your nut cracking needs: the Hillary Clinton Nutcracker. Standing as the most obtuse of the Anti-Hillary merchandise available for sale in America, the Hillary Nutcracker acts as a fine example of post-feminist understanding and ideological… read more…

Written by Oli Anderson on 28 Apr 2008 12:17 PM. There are 1

Westmonster: “Barack Obama”