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Shiny Snogs Too Much -- The All - British Show!
9:00pm EDT / 6:00pm PDT
Join co-presenter cas and me as we discuss all things British in our outrageously absurd fake British accents! You can participate as well in the on-line chat (easy registration required) or by calling in LIVE to the show!
Hope to see you there!
This week -- the theme is "Shiny Snogs Too Much." What is snogging? It's the British term for... well, something or other. Not entirely sure, actually. All I know is that it's one of those things they say in the U.K. And this show will be an All British Show! That's right -- we'll be celebrating all things from across the pond with our outrageous fake British accents and our fish and chips in hand.
As always - you can call in to the show live -- if you do, however, you need to pretend to be British as well -- whether it's your own fake British accent or some other content that is related to the U.K. Whether it's Benny Hill, or Cricket, or
My special guest for the evening will be cas -- a true native of England! (Or at least one of the colonies once held by the British Monarchy several years back.) Whether you call in or just participate in the on-line chat, it should be a wonderful time -- shagtastic and crumpet-alicious!
Oh -- and if you want to listen to our last show -- it's here:
By Linda D. Kozaryn
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 11, 2007 - The United Kingdom is a close ally of the United States that has made major contributions to operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here today. "This is our fifth meeting this year, which is a sign of the close cooperation we have on security matters," Gates told American and British reporters during a brief news conference with British Secretary of State for Defense Desmond Browne following a meeting at Lancaster House, a prestigious meeting venue managed by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Gates said his talks with Browne primarily focused on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. "The United Kingdom has been and continues to be a stalwart ally and major contributor to every stage of the Iraq campaign," he said. "The reduction of British forces in Basra (Iraq) is based on the assessment of the readiness of the Iraqi security forces in the area."
He added that the decision was closely coordinated with Multinational Force Iraq Commander Army Gen. David H. Petraeus and other officials in the command. The secretary noted that Petraeus will do another report on the security situation in Iraq on March.
Gates said his talks with Browne on Afghanistan previewed many issues that will be discussed in two weeks at a NATO ministerial conference. "We reviewed the status of the (International Security Assistance Force) operation and focused on the situation in parts of the south.
"The United Kingdom is making a substantial contribution in Afghanistan -- some 6,000 troops, the second-largest contingent," Gates said. "British forces are working closely with the Afghan army, taking the fight directly to the enemy, making a difference to the people of Afghanistan and also playing an important role in civic development."
Responding to a question about a report that the U.S. Marine Corps commandant is proposing U.S. Marines pull out of Iraq to bolster the force in Afghanistan, Gates said he "had heard that they were beginning to think about that, and that's all I heard."
"I've seen no plan," Gates said. "No one has come to me with any proposals about it. My understanding is that, at this point, it's extremely preliminary thinking on the part of perhaps the staff people in the Marine Corps. But I don't think at this point it has any standing."
Asked about lingering resentment over Turkey's World War I-era mass murder of Armenians, Gates said he is "quite concerned." The issue has come to the forefront because the U.S. House of Representatives' Foreign Affairs Committee yesterday passed a nonbinding resolution that characterized the mass killings of Armenians, which began in 1915, as genocide. Turkey has threatened to cut off its support of coalition operations in Iraq over the resolution, and White House officials urged House members to kill the measure.
"This is a very sensitive subject for a close ally, an ally that is incredibly important to the United States in terms of our operations in Iraq." he noted.
Seventy percent of America's air cargo goes through Turkey, along with 30 percent of the fuel. Ninety-five percent of the mine-resistant, ambush-protected heavy vehicles being flown into Iraq go through Turkey, as well, he said.
The issue has enormous implications for American soldiers, sailors, airman and Marines in Iraq and must be taken seriously, Gates concluded.
Browne told the press that he welcomed his American counterpart, noting that they speak regularly on the phone, but it's always good to meet face to face.
"The United Kingdom and the United States have common defense goals," Browne said. "Iraq and Afghanistan are the obvious ones," he said, but the two nations also cooperate on technology, meeting modern challenges and setting priorities.
"We've made significant progress in southeast Iraq," Browne said.
This has led British Prime Minister Gordon Brown to approve a plan to drawdown the number of British troops there to 2,500 by the end of the year. The U.S. and the U.K. have the same aspiration for Iraq, and that ultimately is to see Iraqi forces take over responsibility for their own security. The progress of U.S. forces in Anbar province has set the example, Browne added.
Afghanistan is a long-term commitment for both the United States and the United Kingdom, Browne said. It's in both nations' interest to help create a stable and secure environment there. Keys to that success and long-term progress are defeating the Taliban and ensuring reconstruction has an impact.
"Ultimately, politics is the answer," Browne said. Afghanistan must develop the government to deal with culture and with their issues. Our job is to give them the space to do that."
Last Sunday in Sheffield at the Norwich Union Super Grand Prix, I came face to face with the Blade Runner - South Africa paralympic star and double amputee Oscar Pistorius. Chatting with him you get a feeling of his passion to live his life to the fullest. A very simple and extremely polite guy.
I just wondered why so many people especially the arrogant British press refused to give this brave guy a chance to achieve the best he could ever be. Why they are so self preserving and so worried that this guy, born without fibulae in both legs due to a congenital condition, would one day beat their underachieving able-bodied athletes.
Is it petty jealousy? or maybe overzealous xenophobia? I was at the mixed zone after his 400m race, when one disillusioned gentleman who works for UK Athletics gleefully announced the blade runner had been disqualified for running out of his lane in the 400m claiming "now he has nothing to prove" and The BBC also describes him as angry
Looking back at all the fuzz made before the race especially by the tabloid and the tabloidised BBC 606, one cannot but wonder why there was so much attack on the poor guy.
One commentator on BBC 606 known as funkymonkey79 confidently said "his prosthetics must surely give him a advantage other able bodied athletes" without any valid proof, research findings or otherwise.
The only sensible post i could see from the whole lot - all 148 of them- was by a guy known as vertigo_timbo who seems to realise what the original idea of sport was.
He wrote: "the best stories are always a triumph over disaster, the whole idea of the olympics is it's supposed to encourage our kids to take something up and all the multiple benefits this brings. This guy is a real role model for all people not the david beckhams of this world."
I am appalled at today's commercialisation of the sport to the extent people will now do anything to win. That's why people use drugs and cheat. The essence of sport should be to participate and give your best, what follows, triumph or defeat should be secondary.
I am sure the father's of the modern Olympics would also be appalled at what the sport has now become, that in 2007 we are here debating whether a disable athlete should or should not compete at the Olympics if he is brave enough to want to.
Former British Olympian, Steve Cram is not sure Oscar fully appreciates the efforts that have been made on his behalf by the IAAF for allowing him to race against able-bodied athletes while proper scientific research into his blades is carried out.
Cram says, "I also think there's a lot of goodwill for him from other athletes, some of whom were kept out of the races he competed in at the weekend".
Sorry, Mr Cram, Pistorius only occupied a lane - Lane 9 - which is not always available on all the tracks. In any case, there is no reason why the organisers cannot organise a B race for their home athletes like it is done in some other Grand Prix meets.
I also do not think the other athletes really mind because i also spoke with Australian John Steffensen and American Angelo Taylor.
Should Oscar Pistorius be allowed to compete with able-bodied athletes at the Olympics or not? lets have your view.
I just got back from seeing "Hot Fuzz". It was hilarious! It clocks in at 2 hours which is a little lengthy for a comedy. It didn't seem that long though. Nothing seemed forced or unnecessary. Not only is it funny, but it is also full of action.
"Shaun of the Dead" fans won't be disappointed at all. I love these guys and I hope they continue to do great work.
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