The Moon of Liberty

I have not written a good partisan political piece for a while, so here goes. 

First things first, as a libertarian, mainly tory leading blog read by few, I want to put on record my congratualations to Derek Draper for setting up labourlist.org. Leaving aside the sites charmless description of far superior blogs as the 'Z-List,' a deeply delusional set of writers who don't seem to understand anything much going on at all, it is at least nice to see the Labour Party getting online and joining the 21st century world of debate. So well done Derek.

I had a look at Labourlist and did to it's credit find some humour however, Gordon won't be amused. How much of the humour is intentional is of course a mute point, but at least it's there. First up is this hilaroius avatar of Peter Mandleson which I have linked from the Sun Website. The image of virtual Peter, like one wasn't enough, comes from the site Second life, a site I assume for people who consider themselves failures in the first lives. Far be it for us to speculate on

Secondly, it bravely links to this fantastic article, which is so good I'm linking to it here. A definitive definition of what Cyber Peter and company tells us about Labour. If you want a good laugh give Labourlist and Gordon's virtual Britian a go, it may take your mind off losing your home, mortgage or job.

Talking of Gordon, or should that be Superman, he has opened his mouth again. This time to The Sun. Not content withsaving the world. now he has felt the Martin Luther King force. Apparently he 'has a dream.' But that was not the best quote. Get this one, apparently he also claims that the election of Barak Obama “gives us a historic chance to move the clock forward”. er, right, funny that because I'm watching my watch now, and the clock is moving forward as it has been for centuries. Seems I'm making history, didn't realise it was quite that easy.

 

Australia

Starring - Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, David Wenham, Brian Brown, Jack Thompson, Brandon Walters

Directed by Baz Luhrmann

A soft romance with a hard edge as it's set in the midst of World War 2, takes us Down Under as we follow English Aristocrat Lady Sarah Ashley travelling to Australia. After thinking she would not be there for long, she finds herself teaming up with the local herd drover (Hugh Jackman) and an affection for half-caste boy Nullah (Bradon Walters) the leads her to stick around and fight for 'Faraway Downs' to stop corparate baron Mr Carney from sweeping up a monopoly on all profitable land across Australia.

The story relating to Nullah also adds in dose of race to the issue. As white domanance attempts to sweep all Aborigional children into the 'Christian mission' to segreagate non-whites in the region and destroy local aborigional culture. In addition Nullah's greandfather known as 'King George' is falsely accused of the death of Sarah Ashley's husband, but who can prove it, and can the wise old aborigional man with an instinct for survival be caught anyway.

The film covers a multitude of plotlines covering romance, war, race, a battle for the future of society, along with underlying links to the story of the Wizard of Oz after Lady Ashley sings Nullah some of the songs of the story, which adds a fairyale element in a similar way to a film like 'The Orphange.' The chesmitry between Jackman, Kidman and Walters brings you right into their story as they battle with all the issues the period in Australian History would bring.

This is a love it or hate it film with little middle ground. For me it was beautifully Written, acted with wonderful backdrops and directed in a way that brought a serious of plotlines together in a way much more engagingly than something like 'No Country for old Men.' It could have unravelled tryign to do to many things at once, but it didn't. It also did not hide from the harsh realities of World War 2, yet managed to keep the balance of the emotional elements of the story firmly to the forefront.

MOON OF LIBERTY VERDICT - RATING 'A' - A beautiful film with so many aspects pulled together so well. The acting, and msot importantly the directing, was the key, a triumph for Baz Luhrmann above all.

The FA Cup is one of the oldest and greatest competitions in the world. It's random nature means anyone could face anyone, at any time in the draw. The problem with this is often the draw comes out fairly dull in nature, particularly at a stage like round 4. Not this year however.

First up is Manchester United at home to Tottenham. By the time they play this may already be a rehearsal for the Carling Cup Final provided no shocks take place in their respective Semi-Finals of that competition. Add to that the Harry Redknapp factor, last year his Portsmouth side went to Old Trafford, rode lots of luck, but then played a fantastic last half hour to land a huge 1-0 upset. This year Harry leads Tottenham into Old Trafford, can he do the same again with the old Harry magic? He was also manager of Bournemouth back in 1984 when they shocked Manchester United in the 3rd round. Harry and Man United have lots of history giving what would be a great tie anyway a huge extra edge.

Then there is the little matter of a Merseyside Derby at Anfield. For the first time in years Liverpool look to have a squad to at least launch a serious title challenge, if they come up short however, the FA Cup is a great bet for a trophey this season. You would think they would have too much for Everton, but the form book goes out of the window here and Everton have been playing well. The city of Liverpool, every home, shop, factory, store, office and anywehre else you care to name will doubtless be talking of little else for the next three weeks. With Liverpool currently top of the league once more, but playing better away from home than at home, there will be plenty of spice to this one.

It's been 14 years since Kidderminster got to the 5th round of the FA Cup as a non-league side. No other non league side has done it since, indeed only 5 non-league sides have reached that stage since the war. This year 2 non league sides go into round 4 with exciting home draws, and the chance to emulate Kidderminster and the rest. They are one upset away from round 5. Kettering Town face Fulham, a facinating draw with Kettering at home against a side who, while in the top league and will of course be favourites, have plenty of frailties Kettering might just fancy exploiting. Meanwhile in the South-West, Torquay face Coventry. There is form here of course, Coventry as reiging cup holders headed to Sutton United in the 3rd round 1988 and went out 2-1. Can Torquay repeat some history, and make some of their own at the same time?

And then there is a little local difficulty, if a Merseyside derby were not enough, of Nottingham Forest heading to Derby County. The recent league game on the same ground was a hugely contreversial 1-1 draw that included Derby havng a last minute penalty saved, then what looked a fair goal ruled out by the referee from the resulting corner. That game will be fresh in everyones minds, add to that former Derby manager Billy Davis now being the manager of Forest, I'm sure he will get a warm reception. There could be one other twist too, Derby are currently managerless and in talks to bring in son of the legenadary manager Brian Clough. Nigel Clough also as it happens used to play for Forest. Add all that into the pot, and we have quite a game in store.

These games will be played the weekend of the 23/24/25 of January. Enjoy, it is not often round 4 produces a draw quite like this.

Additional note - While I was writing this, it has been confirmed Nigel Clough is offically the new manager of Derby County.

If the United Kingdom had a New Years Resolution to drink less in 2009 (some hope), it seems it didn't last very long. The beautiful images taken from around the UK on the Sun Website show 2009 clearly got off to a sober bang in the good old UK.

Politicians claim they want to take on alcohol in society, good luck ladies and gentlement, you will clearly need it, and maybe a stiff drink too.

Had some problems posting so had to split this into 2.

Political howler of the year - Gordon Brown - For claiming he 'Saved the world', What a fool.

Politician of the year - Barak Obama - Defeating both the Clinton and Republican machines in the same year, hugely impressive.

Political comback of the Year - Peter Mandleson - Back in the cabinet, has masterminded a shock Labour bye election win, and now a Lord, love him or hate him, he has had a great year.

TV Comedy of the year - Outnumbered - A comedy where children are the stars, a great series.

TV Young star of the year - Ramona Marquez - Plays Karen in Outnumbered, she is 6 years old, and delivers brilliant lines with the timing of an old pro.

Silliest TV Moment -  Strictly Come Dancing - The Semi-Final farce, what a shambles.

Worst TV Show of the Year -  Little Britain USA

Sadest TV moment -  Carol Vorderman leaving Countdown - After almost 25 years, Carol left the words and numbers show in December.

TV Loser of the year -  Jonathan Ross

Radio show of the year -  Fighting Talk

Award for Foreign film - The Orphanage  - A gem of a Spannish film.

Surprise moment in film -  Angelina Jolie - A brilliant serious acting performance in Changeling.

Biggest disappointment in film -  Four Christmasses - With Vince Vaughan and Risse Witherspoon, I was hoping for a comedy treat at Christmas, is was more of a Turkey sadly.

Worst film of 2008 - The Strangers

I'm getting some problems so just testing if this blog is still working.

There are no set categories for this, it's time for a random set of year end awards, covering anything I like really.

Non UK Sporting hero of the year - Usain Bolt (simply amazing sprinting in the olympics major events)

UK Spoting hero of the year - Rebecca Adlington (Two gold medals in the pool with nowhere near the support some of the other sports the UK did well in had)

Pleasant sporting suprise of the year - Chris Hoy winning the Sports Personality award  - I really though Lewis Hamilton had won it, he will win it, but right it went to an olympian in olympic year)

Unsung sporting hero of the year - Victoria Pendleton - always seems to get overlooked due to the exploits of other cyclists, but consistantly the worlds best cycling female sprinter

The BBC red button award - Olympic sailing - The interactive red button system meant many sports you never usually see could be watched during the olympics, The coverage of the sailing was a pleasure to watch, espcially with the explois of Ben Ainslie, Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb, Pippa Wilson and Zac Purchase bringing home golds to boot.

Best olympic medal won that wasn't gold - Bryony Shaw - An unexpected bronze in the windsufing, and a reaction that showed it meant everything, look out for her in 2012.

Most exciting sporting moment - The last lap of the Brazilian GP - An incredible last lap when Lewis Hamilton won it, lost it, then won it again.

Sporting howler of the year - John Terry - Slipping over and missing in the Penalty Shoot out in the European Cup Final, handing Man United the win.

Biggest Sporting dissappointment - Shanaeze Reed - Red hot favourite for the olympic BMX gold, crashed on the final corner.

Just a note to wish everyone a Happy New Year, lets hope I will keep this more up to date this year, lol, we shall see.