Chirac to Face Corruption Charges

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/oct/30/chirac-trial-ordered-corruption-paris

Former French President Jacques Chirac is to face corruption charges relating to his time as Paris Mayor.

Napoleon Sarkozy

The European "Union"

EDF Buy Out of British Energy: Yet More Free Market Folly

I have to say in these days of supposed concerns over the security of energy supply I find it incredible that no one should question the wisdom of selling a major essential service provider in effect to a foreign power i.e. the sale of British Energy to EDF - the nationalised French power organisation. Even as an avid Francophile I have to say it makes me a little uncomfortable to think of the leverage that this could give the French government when our two nations may have our occasional ideological differences. The thing I find most amazing about all of this is the British as a nation have so willingly been spoonfed and then swallowed the idea that free market market economics are the universal elixir that there should be no mention whatever voicing these concerns in the UK Press across their whole spectrum from the right to ultra right.

Let Them Eat Caviar

The staggering hypocrisy of the G8 leaders supposedly discussing global poverty and food shortages, while sitting down to eat 16 course meals of the most expensive and scarce foodstuffs. No wonder so many of us have lost all faith in our politicians. To emphasize the point I used four endangered species as the main courses (which upset my other half so much she couldn't look at it). I originally wanted to put 'let them eat McDonald's', to make the point that the globalisation agenda favoured by the more right wing nations at the table was indeed part of the problem, but unfortunately this was judged as too litigious. Personally I find it very worrying we can say almost anything we like (as cartoonists) about our elected political representatives who we have at least some power over, but we cannot make even the mildest of criticisms of the multinationals who we have absolutely no power over what so ever.

Nick and Gordie

barkerbites@hotmail.co.uk

Entente Formidable

The PM and French President are such good pals now Gordon Brown re-branded the Anglo-French relationship the 'Entente Formidable'. Let's just hope it isn't another fine mess they're gettin' us into.