FREEDOM OF THE PRESS, OR LACK OF IT.

A Greek magazine editor/journalist, Kostas Vaxevanis, is facing trial for naming over 2000 wealthy countrymen for tax evasion, and could face a prison sentence for breaching privacy laws. Evidently, he passed the list to the Greek Parliament, who appear to have had no intention of acting upon this information, which for some was too close to home. Therefore, Mr. Vaxevanis decided to make public the list. So what is wrong with this act? Well, what we need to consider is, when is a Democracy not a Democracy? His country is suffering a financial crisis, admittedly much to do with their own haphazard approach to their general tax regime, and, of course, the stupidity of them being allowed to join the 'Eurozone'.

Greece is not alone regarding the imposition of privacy laws, which invariably shelters the 'great and bad'. France protects such characters; recently we have seen the downfall of Strauss Kahn. Had France not had these protective laws, his activities would have surfaced a long time ago. The laws mainly protect the wrong- doer.

Here in the UK, following the enquiry into phone hacking by Lord Justice Leveson, we could be following suit; creating our version of protection from the prying press. Evidently, the Labour Party would love this kind of cover, having requested that whatever the Judge's findings, they should be implemented.

THIS WOULD BE A SHOT BETWEEN THE EYES FOR DEMOCRACY.

IS CAMERON 'FLYING A KITE' BY PROXY?

Prime Minister Cameron appears to be allowing his close aides to make noises on what Britain will do regarding our relationship with the European Union. Education Secretary, Michael Gove has let off the first major salvo by any government minister, suggesting that ultimately we could depart from the ever cloying effect of the meddlesome, unelected imbeciles that run the European Commission.

This is obviously early days, and Cameron will allow himself 'wriggle room'. Nevertheless, he has now exposed himself, via Gove, who I feel sure is the genuine article, to anything other than a referendum on our continued participation in the EU, which is now a total farce. The Backbenchers will now recognise that they have pressured the Cabinet into such a move.

Brussels has responded in the way that all socialist regimes react, they are threatening swingeing costs for such a move.

This has come about, due to the ground being made up by MEP Nigel Farage and his UKIP Party; currently the most talented politician anywhere on earth. He never misses a trick, and ought really to be plying his trade at Westminster. Not often do we witness such a breath of fresh air. Anybody needing proof, go to YouTube.

KEEP UP THE PRESSURE.

PEACE IN OUR TIME II.

With both Athens and Madrid being brought to a standstill, and much blood letting by crowds of the Greek and Spanish electorate, the Nobel Committee in Norway have chosen the very instigators of this mayhem, the European Union, to be recipients of their prestigious 'peace prize'. We can see Maoist, Jose` Manuel  Barroso, leader of the EU Commission, strutting his stuff, not unlike Hitler during the nineteen thirties.

Whatever triggered the Nobel committee to present this honour to the unelected shower in Brussels is beyond comprehension. Surely it can't possibly be for the stated reasons of peace and stability, after all that was due to NATO. In fact, what is happening currently, is edging Europe to more conflict, with the iron fist of the Brussels' dictatorship forever trying to 'buck the market'. It would be worthwhile pointing out here, that Norway is one of the few European countries not controlled by the seat of European hypocrisy.

There is always a lighter side to this kind of pantomime activity, however, as it is grist to the wheel of the EU critic Nigel Farage; usually available on YouTube.


AND DON'T MENTION SCALLOP WARS.

HOW TO LANCE AN ARMSTRONG.

Much credit must go to the American body, United States Anti-Doping Authority (USADA), that pursued Lance Armstrong to the bitter end, regarding his illegal doping routine. To destroy a national hero, multi-winner of the Tour-de-France, has to go down as an exemplary example of decency over national pride. Unfortunately, it doesn't say a lot for the drug tests during this gruelling cycle race. There are probably many more aspects of this practise by other competitors, and teams, as this prestigious prize has mega financial rewards.

This column is in no way singling out the particular sport of cycling. Hopefully, all major international sports are vigilantly checked. On the other hand, Britain's most popular sport, football/soccer, can be devious in secreting cases of professionals players, when sidelined, for the very reason of having been found to have drugs in their system. Their absence is normally covered up by the suggestion of a long healing injury as an excuse. Such is the timid control overseen by the body responsible for these particular checks. The very antithesis of the controls in the USA.


WELL DONE TO ALL CONCERNED.

NO POLITICAL INTERFERENCE.

Golf's Ryder Cup, a team competition played between the cream of the USA and Europe. One would have to be very anti-sport not to appreciate the final day, starting with the Europeans trailing by 4 points, culminating in one of those unlikely reversals of fortune. The author is not using this item to gloat, but to point out how well an organisation can work without political involvement; all the European countries accepting that the captain selects who he thinks are the best golfers for the task. The captain, on this occasion, was Spaniard, Jose Maria Olazabal, and on that final day, the team turned it on, not only for Jose, but his mentor, the late 'Seve' Ballesteros.

The simple point here, that the politicians in Brussels should heed, is that this is a fine example of international co-operation, all pulling in one direction. Should this be the attitude pursued for the future of Europe's good? It most certainly presented itself as a showcase to such a conclusion.

It would be remiss of me not to acknowledge the good sportsmanship exercised by many of the Americans, particularly, Phil Mickelson, who was appluading some of his opponent's shots, including Justin Rose's putt on the seventeenth green; a shot that signalled the end for Mickelson.


CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL.