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Originally posted by Fletch2:
I always saw him as more of a catcher than a pitcher...

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Originally posted by citizen:

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Originally posted by Fletch2:
I always saw him as more of a catcher than a pitcher...

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Okay that's a mental image I didn't need.

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Originally posted by Fletch2:
Of course this could be considered PsiOps but I have no problem with people imagining PN in a stall, bent over with his pants around his ankles.

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Originally posted by piratenews:
See? British Gangsta Govt is just like US Gangsta Govt. Criminal aliens are terrorists, so for gods sake, DON'T deport them!

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Clarke is fired in Cabinet purge

BBC News
May 5th, 2006

Charles Clarke has been sacked as home secretary in the biggest cabinet reshuffle of Tony Blair’s career.

The prime minister is trying to regain momentum after one of the worst local election results in Labour’s history.

Mr Clarke will be replaced by Defence Secretary John Reid. Margaret Beckett is the new foreign secretary, with Jack Straw becoming Commons leader.

John Prescott will stay as deputy prime minister but lose his department. Trade Secretary Alan Johnson gets education.

Labour came third in the overall share of the vote in local elections in England, losing control of 18 local authorities. The Tories were the biggest winners, gaining 274 extra councillors and 40% of the vote.

The results prompted Mr Blair to push ahead with a reshuffle originally planned for Monday.

He said he was "sorry" to lose Mr Clarke, who has been under intense pressure over the deportation of foreign prisoners - one of a series of scandals to have rocked the government in recent weeks.

But he added: "I felt that it was very difficult, given the level of genuine public concern, for Charles to continue in this post."

Mr Clarke, who had wanted to stay in his job to sort the deportation debacle out, refused the offer of other Cabinet posts, opting instead to return to the backbenches.

He said he did not agree with the prime minister’s judgement in sacking him but insisted he would remain loyal to the government.

Prescott’s role reduced

Mr Prescott has also been accused of damaging his party after revelations about an affair with his diary secretary.

He will remain as deputy prime minister but will be stripped of many responsibilities. He will also continue as deputy leader of the Labour Party.

‘Deckchairs on Titanic’

Some Labour backbenchers believe Mr Blair must go further than just overhauling his top team.

Former Health Secretary Frank Dobson said a reshuffle would be like "rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic".

"Quite frankly we need the party under new management," said Mr Dobson.

If Thursday’s polls had been held nationwide, the Tories would have gained 40% of the vote, Lib Dems 27% and Labour 26%. Turnout is estimated at 36% - down three points from 2004.

Among the smaller parties, the Greens won 17 seats and The British National Party doubled its councillors, including winning 11 seats from Labour in Barking.

George Galloway’s Respect gained 11 councillors in Tower Hamlets - enough to topple the Labour administration, which goes to no overall control.

www.rinf.com/columnists/news/clarke-is-fired-in-cabinet-purge




Blair given deadline

Times of London
May 7th, 2006

LABOUR MPs are to give Tony Blair a deadline of less than three months to finalise plans for his departure from Downing Street.

They are ready to publish a letter - seen by The Sunday Times - signed by at least 50 backbenchers and former ministers. They urge Labour’s ruling body to step in if the prime minister refuses to reveal a timetable by the end of July for when he will step aside.

Officials at No 10 are increasingly anxious about the pressure from within the party for Blair to end speculation about his plans.

www.rinf.com/columnists/news/blair-given-deadline

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