All-in-all, I think it was a good day in the FA Cup for Birmingham. City fortuitously reached the quarter-finals for the first time in 22 years after a jammy win over the old enemy Stoke, including two world-class saves from goalkeeper Maik Taylor to deny the Potteries side. Meanwhile across the city Villa almost pulled off a jammy win of there own, scoring against the run of play against Manchester City only to be denied by a last-minute goal from Richards, who is apparently a Brummie but sounded suspiciously like a Manc to me.
Especially after he swore in the post-match interview.
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Friday, February 17, 2006
Leak in the Jacuzzi
The Floozy in the Jacuzzi, one of Birmingham's most famous landmarks has apparently sprung a leak. Up to 15 cubic metres of water are being lost a day despite repairs, costing the City taxpayers thousands of pounds.
Must be a crack somewhere.
Must be a crack somewhere.
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Footie Rumours in Funny Camp
Footie rumours are incredibly strange but very fun. Take for example Matthew Upson's *alleged* relationship with Pop-idol winner Will Young. In the same week the Sun reported that Barcelona were after him. This week it appears Barcelona are after Curtis Davies and Anton Ferdinand - any connection?
Sol Campbell has recently been in the news a lot due to his personal problems. Rumours have been circulating in the football community for years that he bats for the other side (no that doesn't mean he plays cricket). One theory going around my office at the moment is that his current problems stem from Sven Goran Eriksson's Fake Sheik sting, where the England boss spilled the beans on some of his players by claiming Michael Owen was unhappy at Newcastle (really?), Rio Ferdinand is lazy (never) and he has a good relationship with England captain David Beckham (I though he hated the guy).
Perhaps he also let something slip about Sol that they didn't publish with the rest of these *revelations*. Their headline after team-mate Robert Pires supported him - "We're right behind you".
Sol Campbell has recently been in the news a lot due to his personal problems. Rumours have been circulating in the football community for years that he bats for the other side (no that doesn't mean he plays cricket). One theory going around my office at the moment is that his current problems stem from Sven Goran Eriksson's Fake Sheik sting, where the England boss spilled the beans on some of his players by claiming Michael Owen was unhappy at Newcastle (really?), Rio Ferdinand is lazy (never) and he has a good relationship with England captain David Beckham (I though he hated the guy).
Perhaps he also let something slip about Sol that they didn't publish with the rest of these *revelations*. Their headline after team-mate Robert Pires supported him - "We're right behind you".
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Armstrong Whipped into Shape
Poor old Hillary Armstrong. The Labour Chief Whip sent the Prime Minister home on Tuesday night believing they had a vote on the religious hatred bill in the bag, only to see them lose it by one vote. Most commentators agree this is a sackable offence for a Chief Whip.
Even George Galloway turned up to vote for the Government on this one. A bit ironic really, given that Ms Armstrong had spent so much time recently setting up a clinic for the voters of Bethnal Green and Bow while publicizing the fact that the Respect MP wasn't representing his constituents while in the Big Brother House.
Perhaps she should concentrate on doing her own job properly...
Even George Galloway turned up to vote for the Government on this one. A bit ironic really, given that Ms Armstrong had spent so much time recently setting up a clinic for the voters of Bethnal Green and Bow while publicizing the fact that the Respect MP wasn't representing his constituents while in the Big Brother House.
Perhaps she should concentrate on doing her own job properly...
Thursday, February 02, 2006
The Prime Minister of Birmingham
The People's Republic have always known that Birmingham is more important than Britain, but we were surprised to see that this idea was shared by Birmingham City Council. Apparently the new Chief Executive will get a package totaling (including benefits) £230,000 per annum, compared to the Prime Minister's paltry salary of £183,000.
We haven't got independence yet boys...
On Monday councilors from Birmingham were in their London office (!) to lobby the Government over funding for New Street Station. Apparently the Minister for Transport has decided that something finally needs to be done about Birmingham New Street station come what may and thcouncilorsrs have a plan for a underground rail link that will cost nearly a billion pounds according to some estimates. Meanwhile, a more realistic individual has proposed a Grand Central Station near Moor Street station where the railway lines cross, which is a cheaper alternative because there is plenty of space in this area. This proposal would leave New Street, Snow Hill and Moor Street stations still serving the city.
The People's Republic says the cheaper the better - we need to end the congestion now and we don't need any capital-style white elephants.
We haven't got independence yet boys...
On Monday councilors from Birmingham were in their London office (!) to lobby the Government over funding for New Street Station. Apparently the Minister for Transport has decided that something finally needs to be done about Birmingham New Street station come what may and thcouncilorsrs have a plan for a underground rail link that will cost nearly a billion pounds according to some estimates. Meanwhile, a more realistic individual has proposed a Grand Central Station near Moor Street station where the railway lines cross, which is a cheaper alternative because there is plenty of space in this area. This proposal would leave New Street, Snow Hill and Moor Street stations still serving the city.
The People's Republic says the cheaper the better - we need to end the congestion now and we don't need any capital-style white elephants.
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
PRoB on the (American) Political Spectrum
| You are a Social Liberal (66% permissive) and an... Economic Liberal (31% permissive) You are best described as a:
Link: The Politics Test on Ok Cupid Also: The OkCupid Dating Persona Test |
It's official - you would have to pay to see your own grandson because we hate life and ourselves and we can't govern!
Apparently, we would support the Demmycrats if the People's Republic were part of the electoral college.
As long as the votes weren't stolen...
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Not Quite Hemming's Way
The Lib Dem leadership contest nominations closed today without John Hemming, MP for Yardley and leader of the Lib Dem group, throwing his hat in. Rumours abounded on the political blogs that he was gaging support for a potential leadership bid eventually dropping the idea for lack of support. Some local enemies supported his bid, hoping that it would get him out of Brum (a bit like Big Brother rid Labour of a certain Mr Galloway), but the threat of Sarah Teather was clearly too big.
It is a pity, as I think I am correct in saying he would have been the first Brummie Prime Minister since Neville Chamberlain - if he had successfully won the leadership of a party that was electable.
It is a pity, as I think I am correct in saying he would have been the first Brummie Prime Minister since Neville Chamberlain - if he had successfully won the leadership of a party that was electable.
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Footbal Fun 'n' Games
Birmingham's thumping 5-0 victory over the Portsmouth Pirates yesterday has brought back my love of football. There is just a chance we might stay up although it may unfortunately be at the expense of our neighbours West Brom, who gifted division whipping boys Sunderland a win increasing the Mackems points tally by a third - now they are halfway to breaking their record low points tally of 18.
Meanwhile in t'North of t'city Aston Villa have been having all kinds of fun and games. A consortium of Irish businessmen are in negotiations with Deadly Doug in a takeover bid (he must be going soft in his old age) but the funniest news came from the News of the World last week when fake sheik Mazhar Mahmood convinced England boss Sven Goran-Eriksson he was planning a takeover of the Second City sleeping giants, encouraging him to join him in a bid and getting him to admit he has the relationship with Mr Beckham to bring the England captain to the Midlands.
Meanwhile current manager O'Leary is fuming, claiming he has always given full support to the quiet Swede and that the England manager should not be commenting on joining clubs where there is already a manager. Perhaps if he'd been doing a better job as Villa manager, there wouldn't be so much speculation about his job?
Gotta love the Villains.
Meanwhile in t'North of t'city Aston Villa have been having all kinds of fun and games. A consortium of Irish businessmen are in negotiations with Deadly Doug in a takeover bid (he must be going soft in his old age) but the funniest news came from the News of the World last week when fake sheik Mazhar Mahmood convinced England boss Sven Goran-Eriksson he was planning a takeover of the Second City sleeping giants, encouraging him to join him in a bid and getting him to admit he has the relationship with Mr Beckham to bring the England captain to the Midlands.
Meanwhile current manager O'Leary is fuming, claiming he has always given full support to the quiet Swede and that the England manager should not be commenting on joining clubs where there is already a manager. Perhaps if he'd been doing a better job as Villa manager, there wouldn't be so much speculation about his job?
Gotta love the Villains.
PRoB Blogs Faster
The People's Republic has entered the Broadband age.
Expect quicker revolutionary blogging.
Expect quicker revolutionary blogging.
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Liverpool 5 London 0
Despite their amazing feat of winning the Champions League, the People's Republic were as surprised as everyone else that Liverpool FC failed to receive a single gong in the New Year's Honours List. Later the Government said that they will get some on one of the Queen's Birthdays (probably the official one), but they had too many sporting honours to give in the New Year with the Ashes win and the successful London Olympic bid.
Now the People's Republic would be the first to defend the honours given to our heroic cricketers; but why did the successful London Olympic bidders get preference over those who one of the greatest comebacks in football history? Liverpool have a history of not being honoured despite being successful - neither the great Bob or Bill were knighted. Manchester United got plenty of honours after their 1999 win. I suspect if a London club had won (and let's remember that a London club has never won Europe's premier football prize), OBE's, MBE's and Knighthoods would have abounded.
The honours system has been a joke for years and this sums it up. It's not who you are, it's how close you are to the London establishment.
The People's Republic salutes the Reds. After all, if you are overlooked by the honours system in this country you have probably done something worthwhile.
Now the People's Republic would be the first to defend the honours given to our heroic cricketers; but why did the successful London Olympic bidders get preference over those who one of the greatest comebacks in football history? Liverpool have a history of not being honoured despite being successful - neither the great Bob or Bill were knighted. Manchester United got plenty of honours after their 1999 win. I suspect if a London club had won (and let's remember that a London club has never won Europe's premier football prize), OBE's, MBE's and Knighthoods would have abounded.
The honours system has been a joke for years and this sums it up. It's not who you are, it's how close you are to the London establishment.
The People's Republic salutes the Reds. After all, if you are overlooked by the honours system in this country you have probably done something worthwhile.
Sunday, January 15, 2006
London: "Lucky" Again?
Doesn't time fly! One minute you are lounging around during the Christmas holidays and before you know it you're halfway through January and well into the New Year. This is the first post of 2006 and although it probably won't be the last, although I am unsure how often I am going to blog in the New Year.
Over the Christmas period we heard allegations that London only won the 2012 Olympic bid by mistake after a delegate failed to vote for Greece in the crucial third round. This would explain why an inferior bid won, and also is true to form for London as it often has a worse bid and ends up winning (e.g. the Millennium celebrations, and the National Stadium). This time however it appears to be down to sheer dumb luck rather than fiddling the vote, which the city is used to doing.
Speaking of the national stadium, there are fears it won't be ready for the Cup final and reports of the Australian developers losing large amounts of money. Again, not surprising given an inferior bid won.
Over the Christmas period we heard allegations that London only won the 2012 Olympic bid by mistake after a delegate failed to vote for Greece in the crucial third round. This would explain why an inferior bid won, and also is true to form for London as it often has a worse bid and ends up winning (e.g. the Millennium celebrations, and the National Stadium). This time however it appears to be down to sheer dumb luck rather than fiddling the vote, which the city is used to doing.
Speaking of the national stadium, there are fears it won't be ready for the Cup final and reports of the Australian developers losing large amounts of money. Again, not surprising given an inferior bid won.
Friday, December 30, 2005
Happy Winterval!
We find ourselves in the middle of the Christmas season and the People's Republic wishes all our (one) reader(s) greetings of the season. There are no speeches on Christmas Day by the head of state in the People's Republic - and if there was, it would be more likely to take place on the 28th of December.
For those of you that don't know, the 28th has been declared the festival of Winterval in the People's Republic ever since 1998, when the City Council decided to replace the Christmas festivities with the Winterval festival so as not to offend our any of our ethnic (or should I say religious) minorities. In 1998, Christmas was on a Friday meaning that the Bank Holiday for Boxing Day was taken on the Monday the 28th and the rest is history. Updated 30/12/2008: Just in case you are considering quoting this to prove a point of political correctness gone mad, Birmingham City Council did not abolish Christmas in favour of a made-up festival called Winterval. Please see this post for further details.
In recent years Christmas in Birmingham has taken on some traditions. The Wheel of Birmingham is now here all year round, but we see the return at this time of year of the kids train sponsered by Centro (but luckily not run by Central Trains, so it actually runs on time) and the outdoor skating rink in Centenary Square. We also see the return of the Frankfurt German Market, our twin city, where we can drink mulled wine and German beer, eat Pretzels and German sausage and buy assorted trinkets and craftwork. This year the market research really paid off as a Bluenose stall was available. Super stuff.
I wonder if there is a Brummie Market in Frankfurt?
For those of you that don't know, the 28th has been declared the festival of Winterval in the People's Republic ever since 1998, when the City Council decided to replace the Christmas festivities with the Winterval festival so as not to offend our any of our ethnic (or should I say religious) minorities. In 1998, Christmas was on a Friday meaning that the Bank Holiday for Boxing Day was taken on the Monday the 28th and the rest is history. Updated 30/12/2008: Just in case you are considering quoting this to prove a point of political correctness gone mad, Birmingham City Council did not abolish Christmas in favour of a made-up festival called Winterval. Please see this post for further details.
In recent years Christmas in Birmingham has taken on some traditions. The Wheel of Birmingham is now here all year round, but we see the return at this time of year of the kids train sponsered by Centro (but luckily not run by Central Trains, so it actually runs on time) and the outdoor skating rink in Centenary Square. We also see the return of the Frankfurt German Market, our twin city, where we can drink mulled wine and German beer, eat Pretzels and German sausage and buy assorted trinkets and craftwork. This year the market research really paid off as a Bluenose stall was available. Super stuff.
I wonder if there is a Brummie Market in Frankfurt?
Sunday, December 18, 2005
Dick by Name...
Dick Cheney has made an unannounced visit to Iraq today to check the security situation among other things.
If he really wanted to check out the security situation surely he should have announced his visit?
If he really wanted to check out the security situation surely he should have announced his visit?
Central Trains are Rubbish
Central Trains, not to be outdone by Travel WM's fare-rises last week, make their attempt to win worst public transport operator in the West Midlands today by canceling every single train because there were not enough drivers. Apparently, drivers volunteer to work on Sunday's and not enough of them did.
Yes, this is what happened. Read it again and see how ridiculous it sounds. For providing such a bad service, perhaps payment of fares should be voluntary? Thank God they have lost their franchise.
Yes, this is what happened. Read it again and see how ridiculous it sounds. For providing such a bad service, perhaps payment of fares should be voluntary? Thank God they have lost their franchise.
Sunday, December 11, 2005
Travel WM Talking Rubbish
In the week that it was revealed Sandwell's binmen turned down an offer of a £900 bonus to work the three days over Christmas (they were holding out for £1300) Travel Wind-Up Merchants revealed price rises of 8% on their bus fares. A standard peak-time single ticket goes up from £1.10 to £1.20, but more surprisingly a 4 week faresaver for the Birmingham & Black Country goes up from £38.75 to £42.25 - a rise of £3.50. Travel WM claim it is due to the "uncertainty in global energy prices".
What about the uncertainty in the arrival times of their buses?
What about the uncertainty in the arrival times of their buses?
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Strikes Averted at Brum International
Strikes at Birmingham Airport over the Christmas period have thankfully been called off. The strikes were over the dismissal of two staff that the unions took offence to. The People's Republic is glad - such disruption over the Christmas period would have been disastrous for the passengers and the city. You wouldn't see this kind of thing going on in London and Manchester.
Unless British Airways are involved.
Unless British Airways are involved.
Sunday, December 04, 2005
Gun Crime Convictions
More scum were taken off our streets on Friday as the six killers of Ishfaq Ahmed were sentenced to life imprisonment. His father used to run a carpet shop on my road and appeared on the news to give an interview. He leaves behind his partner Penny Morris and a young child.
The new claimed that the killers were part of the Johnson crew, the intended targets in the shooting of Charlene Ellis and Letisha Shakespeare that hit the national headlines last year. It shows the extent of gun crime in the city, and the scale of the job that is needed to tackle it.
With more convictions like this, we'll get closer to our goal.
The new claimed that the killers were part of the Johnson crew, the intended targets in the shooting of Charlene Ellis and Letisha Shakespeare that hit the national headlines last year. It shows the extent of gun crime in the city, and the scale of the job that is needed to tackle it.
With more convictions like this, we'll get closer to our goal.
Saturday, December 03, 2005
Mixed-Race Couples Still Face Racism
During the week the murderers of young black Christian Anthony Walker were sentenced to around 20 years each. His girlfriend, Louise Thompson understandably finds it difficult to forgive her killers and blames herself for his death.
Racism tends to be less common nowadays but one thing guaranteed to bring it out is a mixed-race couple simply walking together in the wrong area in front of the wrong people. Forget what the police and the "community leaders" say - I am sure in parts of Liverpool, as in parts of Birmingham there are racist individuals and this I doubt this is an exceptional individual. I myself have been beaten up in Birmingham City Centre for no other reason than I was walking with a white girl (who wasn't even my girlfriend) when I was just 19, yet many people would claim this City is racially tolerant (not least the politicians who can make much political capital out of diversity). I was set upon by two Asian youths but before that was given a dirty look by a white male. It is not the only time I have received dirty looks in a similar situation either.
The worst thing about this is that it is like a cancer, changing the way you think. You start getting worried whenever you are in that situation. As Louise Thompson said, ironically nothing would have happened if she had walked home alone but by walking home with her to make sure she got home ok Anthony actually made the situation more dangerous.
Even worse than that, you start looking at other mixed race couples together and start getting jealous. Why aren't they being attacked? Only my intellect keeps me tolerant, but most people act on their feelings and become intolerant.
I've realised over the years that jealousy is the reason for these attacks. These people are thinking along the lines "I don't have a girlfriend so why does he - at least I'm the same colour".
I don't always understand why God allows these things to happen, but in the case of Anthony Walker two good things came out -the parents of Anthony forgiving the killers and apparently one of the killers is going to write a letter of apology to Anthony's mother.
I think there may be some lessons for us in there somewhere.
Racism tends to be less common nowadays but one thing guaranteed to bring it out is a mixed-race couple simply walking together in the wrong area in front of the wrong people. Forget what the police and the "community leaders" say - I am sure in parts of Liverpool, as in parts of Birmingham there are racist individuals and this I doubt this is an exceptional individual. I myself have been beaten up in Birmingham City Centre for no other reason than I was walking with a white girl (who wasn't even my girlfriend) when I was just 19, yet many people would claim this City is racially tolerant (not least the politicians who can make much political capital out of diversity). I was set upon by two Asian youths but before that was given a dirty look by a white male. It is not the only time I have received dirty looks in a similar situation either.
The worst thing about this is that it is like a cancer, changing the way you think. You start getting worried whenever you are in that situation. As Louise Thompson said, ironically nothing would have happened if she had walked home alone but by walking home with her to make sure she got home ok Anthony actually made the situation more dangerous.
Even worse than that, you start looking at other mixed race couples together and start getting jealous. Why aren't they being attacked? Only my intellect keeps me tolerant, but most people act on their feelings and become intolerant.
I've realised over the years that jealousy is the reason for these attacks. These people are thinking along the lines "I don't have a girlfriend so why does he - at least I'm the same colour".
I don't always understand why God allows these things to happen, but in the case of Anthony Walker two good things came out -the parents of Anthony forgiving the killers and apparently one of the killers is going to write a letter of apology to Anthony's mother.
I think there may be some lessons for us in there somewhere.
Friday, December 02, 2005
BBC Weather Acknowledges Brum
The new BBC weather maps have caused a lot of controversy, not least with the People's Republic. Originally they were not showing the second city while showing Manchester and London although this soon changed. Now they have started showing it on the summary map, which includes such urban centres as Plymouth, Norwich and Aberdeen. Is there a Brummie resistance movement who has been complaining (the People's Republic denies all knowledge).
Meanwhile BBCi Weather are years ahead of there terrestrial tele rivals, showing the three biggest cities in Britain, London, Brum and Leeds. Or at least the biggest two; after all my garden shed is bigger than the city of London.
And I don't even have one.
Meanwhile BBCi Weather are years ahead of there terrestrial tele rivals, showing the three biggest cities in Britain, London, Brum and Leeds. Or at least the biggest two; after all my garden shed is bigger than the city of London.
And I don't even have one.
Thursday, December 01, 2005
Police Murder Suspect Arrested in Birmingham
They struck the first blow after July 21st and they have done it again. Earlier this week the West Midlands police arrested one of the three suspects believed to be involved in the shooting of PC Sharon Beshenivsky. This time however it was down to dumb-luck; a routine enquiry over an unrelated sexual assault uncovered the address Yusuf Jama was staying at.
Birmingham is an obvious place for many criminals on-the-run to come to due to its central location and good(!?) transport links to the rest of the country. Independence would allow us to control our borders, preventing such unwanted guests entering Birmingham in the first place.
It would also allow us to bar the other main criminals attracted to the area; known as politicians, they often come here to garner our support in this politically significant region, and then do very little for the city in return.
Birmingham is an obvious place for many criminals on-the-run to come to due to its central location and good(!?) transport links to the rest of the country. Independence would allow us to control our borders, preventing such unwanted guests entering Birmingham in the first place.
It would also allow us to bar the other main criminals attracted to the area; known as politicians, they often come here to garner our support in this politically significant region, and then do very little for the city in return.
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