Boris Johnson wants to ban Playstation and Nintendo

Boris Johnson is a man of many gifts. Funny, witty, charming, good natured and kind.

But he's also a moron.

Did you know he wants to ban the Playstation, the Nintendo Wii, the XBox and more?

That's just the way to get the youth vote.

Fuck Boris.

What exactly did New Idea print about Prince Harry?

EDIT: Please credit and/or link to Left Luggage if you use this material.

In a panic, New Idea have pulled their previous Prince Harry coverage online and replaced it with his biography.

Thankfully Google's cache has full details. For now.

Prince Harry Goes to War in Afghanistan

Jan 07 04:33pm

Prince Harry has joined his regiment on a covert mission to Afghanistan and his unit has already seen front line action.

Not seen in public since the middle of December, New Idea can exclusively reveal that despite opposition from senior members of the British government and the royal family itself, Harry now joins his uncle Prince Andrew as a royal who has been to war.

'At first there was a lot of resistance' said a friend 'but Harry threatened to resign his commission and serve as a private if he was kept from the battlefield - and that proved to be the final straw'.

Full details on this breaking story in this week's New Idea.

Do you think that Prince Harry should be allowed to go to war?

7 Comments

1. ccking@xtra.co.nz - Jan 07 01:50pm

I think so no way

2. rosebaydoublebaymanly - Jan 07 02:41pm

yes, i think it is good. look the queen's own father who was second in line to throne served in the first world war, and Prince Andrew served in the Falklands war.

3. kaztashgenni - Jan 07 02:44pm

Yes. Why should he not defend the country he loves. His Mum would be very worried but also very proud!

4. kaztashgenni - Jan 07 02:45pm

Yes. Why should he not defend the country he loves. His Mum would be very worried but also very proud!

5. elle_cee32000 - Jan 07 02:50pm

he shouldnt be in the army if he is just playing soldiers!

6. bunnyrosenator - Jan 07 03:18pm

Regardless of whether Prince Harry has gone, it is afterall his decision, don't you think you as the media are being extremely irresponsible publishing that they are on a covert mission and indicating where, putting everyone's lives at risk - whatever happened to "loose lips sink ships".

7. linnmarilyn - Jan 07 03:19pm

If the Prince's presence puts the other men's lives in any danger by him being there, then NO, he should not go. Is it just to say that he went? What a man! I think it is all chest beating and quasi herotics.

8. gbh123 - Jan 07 05:03pm

Prince Harry is trying to prove himself in the eyes of the citizens of the UK. He was trained at their expense and wants to do the job he was trained for...not just be another useless waste of their money.

9. hwe24715 - Jan 07 05:11pm

Nothing like a story to put his life at increased risk - and that of those around him. Goodness knows we would go if it was a war like WW1 or WW2.
You need to be a tad more discrete in your reporting

10. gkajwhite - Jan 07 06:03pm

I support every man or woman who is prepared to support and protect their country. If you are a soldier you know the risks involved and we should support them. Loss of life is heart breaking to a family, but know matter how we lose someone it is heartbreaking if they have not had their score years.

The second page of comments read:

11. annamargaret1948 - Jan 07 06:48pm

No, I don't think he should go to war if this represents a danger, either to himselg or to the members of his regiment. What is the point of 24 hour protection of the Royals, to then send them to war zones?

12. macgilla - Jan 07 10:09pm

Nothing like broadcasting his decision to go but I feel he is just wanting to big note himself. Maybe this will make him more responsible but threatening to resign his commission, who cares, as it's just another sign of a big ego

13. hugabye57 - Jan 08 11:16am

Even though Harry is a prince, he is still a human being just like anyone else who had to go to war. I think it a good idea as it would give them a sense of doing something important in life

14. sjh27au - Jan 08 11:29am

The young man has been through a lot in his few years even with so many privileges, that sometimes drag him down. I congratulate him on his determination to be with his company and to prove he is worth no more and no less than the men in his company. Good luck young man to you and your company.

15. maxwell.mouse - Jan 08 06:23pm

He choose to train as a soldier - he has the right to decide to go with his men - where he has been deployed to & when should not have been reported at this stage

16. jkearns_1 - Jan 10 12:57pm

It seems that a 'hot' news story is more important than the secrecy needed to protect lives. Shame on you!

17. jen_ny_67 - Jan 10 04:03pm

yes he needs a life

On January 15th, the title was changed to:

Prince Harry: War Lord

Jan 15 12:07pm

For your next trick, get a copy of that early January copy of 'New Idea'...

Battle Of The Banners

Apparently a bunch of anti-Heathrow Terminal 5 protestors have climbed onto the roof of the Houses Of Parliament to unfurl banners.

Nice one.

But did it have to be today?

I only say, because there's a mass lobby in a couple of hours to persuade MPs to back a Euro Referendum.

And what with the Iraq tents still in residence...

Well, it's going to be a little on the crowded side isn't it? Lost of mixed messages.

"Okay, we'll abandon plans to extend the Euro Referendum, we'll build a new terminal in Iraq and we'll bring our soldiers back from Heathrow..."

MI6 Slackers

So, per the Diana trial, MI6 is not in the business of going around the world bumping off people.

In that case, what are we paying them for exactly?

I think there needs to be a audit over millions of pounds per dead johnny foreigner. And if it doesn't add up, then heads will roll. Preferably when detached from the body in a tunnel in Paris.

Spending Time

Thanks to RichAndMark.com for a very Private Eye-ish commentary on the current financial expense scandal doing the rounds of all political parties.

It's like the Sopranos, it really is.

I wonder who will be spending time at Her Majesty's Pleasure?

The greatest left wing blogger we never had

Guido would make a great left-wing activist. Resilient, unflappable, hide like a rhino and a charge to match, he'd be perfect for the infighting we lefties seem to generate by our very nature. He's also witty, rude and unpredictable. He's great. And he runs RichAndMark cartoons.

Shame then, on claiming Peter Hain's scalp, he seems to have sent his victory cheer through the email system of the Conservative Party.

Can you picture Paul Staines, sitting in Tory HQ at a desktop, with everyone around him walking past oblivious to his presence? No, neither can I.

All those anti-Cameron posts must just be cover then.

I wonder if he'll ever stand for London mayor?

Clearing Your Name

So. Peter Hain. Resigned in order to clear your name?

Is it me, or was the last politician who did something like that Jonathan Aitken?

Bush Starts Making Cuts

Today, Guido painted a stark picture of George Bush getting down to the essentials of the US economy, while Gordon Brown, in a frippish mood, went on Blue Peter to say nice things to a TV presenter.

Thankfully The Daily Show was on hand to show George Bush,just after he made his big announcements, demonstrating for the cameras how to use a standing lawnmower.

Snap?

Rock The Vote

The headlines scream murder. Billions upon billions being used by the British Government to prop up a failing bank, costing the taxpayers thousands each.

Except.

First, when one bank falls, it takes others with it. Confidence falls, the economy tumbles and in the current fragile state, it could bring down the country. Spending the money now is like building flood defences. Costs a bomb but less than the cost of not.

Second, it's not wasted money. The government are buying the bank. They can sell the bank. Some money may be lost in the interim, but it's a small percentage of that being spent, the benefits outweigh any such difference. Hell, the government may even make a profit, you never know.

Third. The accusation that this is nationalism by the back door. Why, yes it is. Just like the Labour heartland actually want. Bringing the government to make left-leaning policy even if not out of left-leaning ideology. Might actually get votes from the apathetic base just in time for a General Election.

Fourth. It might just work.

Hain The Pain

"Hain The Pain."

That's how he's known in South Africa. To be fair, that's how he's known by the marginalised white population, from the days when Peter Hain was a real fly in the ointment of the government's successful oppression of the majority of the population. He did things like organise actions within and without of the country, kick up a lot of press interest and generally cause a lot of bother, for one so white. And while all good-thinking white South African has rejected the bad old days (at least externally), the nickname has stuck. Hain The Pain. Probably one he should cherish, given the context.

But, with the current accusations of corruption and/or incompetence, maybe it's a nickname that Gordon Brown could be using right now.

Loughton Makes A Stand

On Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack, 20 year old annoying politico John Loughton got legless, and asked the in house dancer, Latoya, out on a date.

Said he'd take her to the cinema to see a funny film, go for pizza and have some chocolate soup and cocktails.

Smooth. Looks like he's following in Alan Clark's footsteps there.

The Early Day Motion Of The Beast

Early Day Motions are a good way for an MP to placate a constituency pressure group, get something off their chest, or (allegedly) receive a bung for speaking in Parliament on a topic - basically be seen doing something to change the law, without any danger of it actually becoming law.

It's the equivalent of one of those online petition things - various MPs can sign it, most don't, it usually gets ignored. Occasionally one may get elevated to a level where it actually matters - at which point pigs start doing the loop the loop over the Thames.

Anyway.

John Austin, Labour MP for Erith and Thamesmead has an Early Day Motion calling for the Disestablishment Of The Church Of England.

It's EDM Number 666.

Someone has a sense of humour.

Great Orator = A Complete And Utter Shit

It's what they say about Enoch Powell, when anyone brings up his dodgy race politics, as if that somehow defends what he says. I keep hearing it about George Galloway as well. Is it a modern day euphemism for someone who has really dodgy politics but is popular and you don't want to join the easy and simple bandwagon who condemn them out of hand?

Going back to Enoch, I've heard countless times that his "rivers of blood" speech was literary exaggeration, using a classical quote to make a point and that, in fact, Enoch was just speaking about the fears of the modern man and pointing out issues that would prove more and more relevant after his time.

No he wasn't. I've read his original speech. His biggest affront is on behalf of a little old white landlady living in fear of a law which says she cannot refuse a tenant over the colour of his skin.

And Galloway has managed to ally himself with the kind of people who support the most hideous bigotry, and given them access to mainstream politics.

Save us from great orators, please.

John Loughton - Celebrity Big Brother Hijack Twunt

Big Brother Celebrity: Hijack features young "talented" people being bossed around by celebrities. By actually not forcing said celebrities to live with each other for weeks, they've actually got a decent list for the first time since the original (which only lasted a week and was for charity and no one's dignity had been destroyed then).

One of the so-called talented young chaps is this fellow. John Loughton, Chariman of the Scottish Youth Parliament. Yes, that is actually a job, and he got it when he was a teenager. The Channel 4 website says that "although he is only 20, he manages a team of staff, most of whom are in their 30s and 40s."

Oh they must love him.

And he's fat, ginger and Scottish. Clearly the nation will love his precocious, I-want-to-rule-you-all ways. Another career politician, but this time we get to see him at his sprawling bawling wailing sixth-form-politics stage. I don't even care what his leaning is, he's heading for a fall.

Apparently he won a competition to name a street in Edinburgh. He called it 'Old Distillery Close.' Yes, that's the way to dispel any stereotypes about the Scottish. Or should I say 'Scotch'.

In Defence Of Ken

Ken Livingstone. the Londoner's favourite whipping boy. Charged with raising taxes, spending without limits, increasing bureaucracy, associating with dodgy individuals and causes and now linked with corruption.

Yesterday I bought my annual travelcard on my Oyster. And reflected that it was Ken who changed the travelcard rules so that any bus trip in the London area was covered by any travelcard. So, stuck out in Zone 4 as I am, away from any train or tube, I would have previously paid over £1300.

But since I only use the train and tube in Zones 1 and 2 in my daily commute, I paid £930 instead. Ken Livingstone has saved me £400 a year. So he gets my vote. How terribly Conservative of me.