The hottest celebrity news is that the marriage of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes is over. Five years of married life is to end, as Katie has asked for a divorce. Tom in particular has not been shy showing his immense love for Katie. The birth of their daughter Suri was the icing on the cake, so what went wrong? 
There are reports that Katie was unhappy about the prospect of Suri being pulled into the Scientology cult. As usual in such high profile splits the speculation may be far from the truth The age difference between the couple may have proved another negative factor. Tom in recent years has seemed a little odd when appearing as himself, not one of the cool characters he so often plays. Still it takes all sorts and marriages often fail. Five years of marriage may be relatively long in the world of showbiz but it is a mere drop in the ocean of lie. 

Then of course there is the age difference. Not huge by Hollywood standards but enough to add a strain on a relationship. Hollywood fame is a poisoned chalice in that it brings huge financial and status rewards but usually at a price. Courting publicity is a necessary evil which means that celebrity couples are often seen as fair game for the paparazzi.

The prenuptial agreement signed in 2006 means that Katie will walk away from the marriage a very wealthy woman. What could prove to be a sticking point is the custody of daughter Suri. Both right now may say that her best interests are at heart but both may want to be the main parent.

It has not gone unnoticed that Tom's previous two wives were divorced from Cruise aged 33. By the time the divorces were settled each were aged 34. Katie is now aged 33 and will be 34 probably by the time the divorce is absolute. Spooky, eh? That said it is Katie asking for the divorce and not Tom so he is hardly making a habit of divorcing women who reach the age of 33. Tom is said to be devastated but his marriage break-up. 

In recent years Tom has enthusiastically expressed publicly his love for Katie. Many viewers have grimaced as he has done so. His public display of love has made uncomfortable viewing at times. Tom appears to be far from the cool character he often portrays in his acting roles. That's love for you. Tom's over zealous appearances on chat shows since his marriage have raised concerns. He has appeared everything from geek to high on love. Perhaps in the end it was just another acting role? 

Tags: Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes divorce, Suri custody, Tom prenuptial, Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, celebrity divorce

THE BLUES                                                                     

As The Blues emerged towards the end of the 19th Century its home, and roots, was in the African American community, many of whom were still enslaved. However with slavery diminishing the blues reflected the African American's new found freedom. No longer was the chant one from toil but a leisure time activity.

The first ever recording of the blues was in 1895. This was George W. Johnson's "Laughing Song". Initially the music was Folk Blues but by the 1920's the Blues as we know this music was being sung. The Country Blues had a brief spell of success but the Blues lost popularity with the great depression. This soulful music was no doubt to near the mark and way too depressing.

A Blues revival followed in the 1960's after white musicians from the U.S.A and the U.K discovered the old recordings of the early blues men and women. It is now recognized that the blues influenced many other genres of music, such as rock and roll, rhythm and blues, and rap. The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and The Beatles all recorded or played some of the early blues tracks.

John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Lightnin' Hopkins, Sonny Terry and Brownie Magee were still recording and performing when this blogger was young. White modern Blues artists, such as John Mayall and his Bluesbreakers and The John Dummer Blues band, began recording as the Blues became more popular. Although the Blues is not as popular today, it still has a wide fan base.

Brought up from an early age to appreciate The Blues and a wide range of music here are some personal favourites:

 POST-WAR BLUES CHICAGO VOLUME 1

Our copy is an original, on vinyl from 1965. In a plain white cover, that is more grey now, this uninspiring sleeve gives no clue to the gem within. There is no track listing just a list of performers. The track listing however can be found online, and it is:

Chicago the post-war blues volume 1

Johnny Shines
- Brutal Hearted Woman
- Evening Sun
Willie Nix & His Combo
- Just Can't Stay
- All By Yourself
"Little" Willie Foster
- Falling Rain Blues
- Four Day Jump
J B. Hutto & His Hawks
- Pet Cream Man
- Lovin' You

Othum Brown
- Ora-Nelle Blues
Little Walter
- I Just Keep Loving Her
Johnny William(s)
- Worried Man Blues
Johnny Young
- Money Taking Woman
John Lee
- Knocking On Lula Mae's Door
- Rythm Rockin' Boogie [sic]
Junior Wells & His Eagle Rockers
- Hodo Man [sic]
- Junior's Wail

BILLIE HOLIDAY

Born 1915 Billie died in 1959. The essential Billie Holiday (The voice of a Lady), double CD, includes many classic tracks by this long gone blues singer whose voice is as haunting and earthy as ever. Her all too brief life was never easy but Billie left behind many soulful, blues recordings. Particular favourite tracks are :-

What a little moonlight can do to you.
These foolish things.
I can't give you anything but love.
My man
Am I blue.
God bless the child.
There are quite a few Essential Billie Holiday CDs online.

BESSIE SMITH

With 23 tracks this CD is not quite the Ultimate Collection that it claims to be but it is not far off. Bessie is thought to have been born in 1894 and began her professional career in 1912. Bessie's mother died when Bessie was only eight-years-old and so the family were very poor. No wonder she became such a powerful and strong willed, young woman. Bessie was proud to be black and despised blacks who attempted to become like whites. Bessie's sound was not as soft as Billie Holiday's but was equally distinctive.Bessie was killed in an automobile accident in September, 1937, just as a comeback in her career was imminent. Favourite tracks are:-

Nobody know's you when you're down and out.
'Tain't Nobody's Bizness If I Do
 St Louis Blues has original recordings from 1924-1925

JOHN LEE HOOKER

John Lee Hooker's Boogie Chillum. This double play CD has 28 classic Hooker tracks with his distinctive guitar playing and traditional earthy blues voice, which at times is more talking than singing. John Lee Hooker was born on August 22nd 1917 and died June 21st 2001.  Favourite tracks:-

Boogie Chillum
Dimples
Boom Boom

 MEMPHIS SLIM

Memphis Slim (Peter Chatman) was born in 1915 and died in 1988. Memphis has boogie woogie piano and smooth blues vocals. The title track Every day I have the Blues became Memphis's most famous track and has been recorded by jazz, soul and blues artistes down the years. Favourite tracks:-

Empty Room Blues
Angel Child

 HOWLIN' WOLF

Howlin' Wolf was born Chester Arthur Burnett in 1910 and died in 1976. He is also someone that this blogger was lucky enough to see perform live when she was young. Wolf inspired the Rhythm and Blues artistes of the 60s. His gravelly, rough edged voice fits perfectly with his guitar and harmonica playing. Spoonful and Smokestack Lightnin' were popularised by Wolf. Favourite tracks on Howlin' Wolf - Come Back Home are :-

How Many More Years
Come Back Home.
 20 tracks from "The most powerful vocalist"

 ELMORE JAMES

Born 1918 died 1963. The first track Dust My Broom was recorded by such greats as the early Fleetwood Mac. With a rough and tumble rocking sort of Blues, Elmore became very popular with another generation in the 60's Favourite tracks are:-

Dust my Broom
Shake your moneymaker
Rollin' and Tumblin'
Standing at the crossroads
I can't stop lovin' you
 The immortal Elmore James-King of the Bottleneck guitar.

 MUDDY WATERS

20 Classic tracks by another inspirational Blues Man. Muddy Waters. Born 1913 and died 1983. The CD has 20 tracks. Favourite track:-

They call me Muddy Waters.

BO DIDDLEY

Hey Bo Diddley has 21 tracks and a running time of 55 minutes. Another man who was an influence to the bands of the 60's. With his powerful guitar playing andslightly wacky dancing he was just fabulous. You will find many recordings free to download online or loads to buy. There are so many classics and favourite tracks, on my CD, but here are a few:-

Hey Bo Diddley
I'm A Man
Pretty Thing
Roadrunner
Mona

So there you have nine of this blogger's favourite blues albums. Of course there are hundreds more just waiting to come out of the closet, quite literally. With old vinyl LPs such as Sonny Terry and Brownee Magee lurking in a dusty corner of our home it could be time to go on a music hunt.

The US election will boil down to a straight contest between President Obama and Mitt Romney. If this blogger was a US voter she would opt for Barack Obama, but she is not. However reports such as this one make her wonder whether that faith in Obama is misplaced. Of course we have no way of knowing if Mitt Romney would be a better option as far as this story goes.

Paul Joseph Watson
Infowars.com
Tuesday, June 26, 2012

A political website that contained stinging criticism of the Obama administration and its handling of the Fast and Furious scandal was ordered to be shut down by the Obama campaign’s ‘Truth Team’, according to private investigator Douglas Hagmann, who was told by ISP GoDaddy his site contained information that was “maliciously harmful to individuals in the government.”

Hagmann, CEO of Hagmann Investigative Services, Inc., a private investigative agency serving a roster of Fortune 500 clients, was given 48 hours by GoDaddy to find a new home for his website before it was deleted.

Hagmann was told the reason for the shut down was because the website featured “morally objectionable” material. After GoDaddy refused to identify the complainant, only saying that it was not “any official government agency,” further investigation by Hagmann revealed that the order came from a group tied to Obama campaign headquarters.

Speaking with the chief investigator in the GoDaddy Abuse division, Hagmann discovered, “Ultimately it was found that the complaint originated ostensibly with a group associated with the campaign to re-elect Barack Hussein Obama.”

Turning to his contacts within government, Hagmann then spoke with another source who confirmed that the ‘Obama Truth Team’ was responsible for the shut down order.

“I’m laying this right on the doorstep of the Obama Truth Team,” said Hagmann.

You can read the full article here

We know that clever editing and selected reporting can tell a report many different ways. Opinion adds a further spin on any story. However any politician worth their salt should be able to handle criticism. It is par for the course in politics after all. Election campaigns thrive on spin and propaganda.

If malicious untruths are written presumably legal recourse could be taken. The reports at least could be challenged. Demanding that sites are closed has that restrictive ring of a non elected regime.

Related reading: http://www.tekjournalismuk.com/1/post/2012/06/manipulation-of-the-people.html

Tags: Obama truth team, US election 2012, President Obama, malicious reporting, Go Daddy to close site, Mitt Romney

Playing those mind games, Ethel Smith June 26, 2012

Is it just me or do readers often feel that they are living in a work of fiction? Currently something between the impending doom of The Titanic or an increasingly far fetched science fiction tale seem to lead the field?

What with economic doom and gloom becoming daily words it is a pessimistic period in many people'e lives. All that they may or may not have valued, under threat. Homes, possessions, the family unit, money, World Peace and the environment. None of these are safe any more.

One thing under threat, that until lately most of us in the West took for granted, is freedom. That loose word which encompasses so much. Freedom online, free speech, freedom of movement, the freedom to spend what you want where you want, and more. Little by little most of us are having our freedoms restricted. Some of the changes are blatant but many are underhand. Tiny so that, in the words of Joni Mitchell, you may not realise what you have lost until it has gone.

In the last two days former US President Jimmy Carter has voiced his concerns regarding the US record on human rights, or rather the lack of them.

You can of course argue that we have never been truly free. For most people modern day living has some restrictions such as work, school, how you behave and where you can go. You may feel that the world has in effect become smaller and that you can travel where you want when you want. Lose that magic document, your passport, though and see just how far you get.

The authorities however right now want to edge that bit further into an Orwellian Novel. Big Brother will be watching you. In the UK a heavy presence of CCTV means that most people's moves are monitored frequently. You can blame this on the mindless hooligans who trawl UK streets but excessive CCTV is a good tool for the authorities also.

Our current coalition government is hoping to extend snooping online in the UK under the premise of fighting crime, terrorism and pornography. Such law breakers will simply find another way. The changes will remain in force though and it will be the law abiding citizens of the UK whose freedoms will have been restricted.

As we face the threat of global war, global economic crisis and hell on earth we are being pushed this way and that.

The propaganda machine of each country and each political party is nothing new. It is however becoming increasingly difficult to sort the "wheat from the chaff". Just what is actually happening can be hard to determine. There are so many news sources these days and many are far from independent. Mainstream news also favours one way or another.

Take the 2012 US Election.

Articles online for instance manipulate the voter and certain situations. The way that President Obama and Mitt Romney are portrayed will be crucial in the election. Both have backers pulling strings. Both put forward an electable persona. Will it end up, as in the UK, where US voters simply opt for who they believe is the lesser of the evils? Many people vote this way now having little definite faith in either side.

Netanyahu has decided to attack Iran before the US November 2012 elections, by Micheal Carmichael
The absurdity of NATO

Both of the above articles make for worrying reading. Both tell a tale but how much is the truth and nothing but the truth? The first details how Mitt Romney backer Sheldon Adelson also backs Netanyahu of Israel. He claims that an early attack on Iran by Israel will help Romney in the polls and also help defeat Obama. People often do not see the wider picture but simply the narrow one portrayed by mainstream media sources and vote accordingly.

The second article asks if we are looking at an imminent Third World war. Sadly many of us believe that we are. The conditions such as civil unrest, a collapsing banking system, nationalism, multiple small skirmishes, over population and more could be seen as war predictors.

So much in this world is about perceptions. We observe in different ways and then decide our viewpoint whilst outside sources attempt to manipulate what we believe. US voters have a tough task ahead, unless they are hard line Democrats or Republicans. A lot is happening right now and this is set to escalate before November 2012.

What will impact on the result of the US election though is up to the voters.

Tags: Mind Games, Orwellian, US 2012 election, Netanyahu, Israel strike on Iran, Third World War, Sheldon Adelson, Mitt Romney, President Obama, perceptions

In January 2012 we reported on the US attempt to extradite UK citizen Richard O'Dwyer to the USA. Richard was one of many British citizens wanted by the US authorities yet in most people's eyes he and others were not criminals. Any justice that they needed to face should have been possible in the UK. The extradition of UK citizens such as Richard and pensioner Christopher Tappin end up looking purely vindictive.

Richards's alleged "crime" was creating and operating a website. TV Shack offered links to sites where users could download movies and the like. He did not force visitors to the site, to follow the link nor recommend that they do so. He offered a go between service.

At the time of his arrest his actions were not illegal in the UK. That loophole has since been closed. However that is another reason his extradition to face US justice is nonsense. In our earlier report we wrote, "" under the so-called dual criminality rule, since he has not been charged for an offence in the UK, the US has no right to extradite him". The UK should respect this rule instead of simply handing Richard to the US,over like a lamb to the slaughter."  Six months later that still stands.

Yesterday it was made public that Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales had begun an online petition in the hope that Richard's extradition will be stopped. It is coped here with the necessary link which we hope you will follow and sign:

Stop the extradition of Richard O'Dwyer to the USA

Hi,

I am writing to you to stop the extradition of British citizen, Richard O'Dwyer to the USA.

I’m concerned about this case because O'Dwyer is not a US citizen, his site (TVShack.net) was not hosted there, and most of his users were not from the US. I don’t understand why America is trying to prosecute a UK citizen for an alleged crime which took place on UK soil. If there was a crime it should be investigated and tried here in the UK, not in the US.

When operating his site, Richard O'Dwyer was careful to always try and play by the rules: on the few occasions he received takedown notices, he complied. His site hosted links, like a search-engine does, not copyrighted content, and these were submitted by users. Both of these are protected in the USA.

Copyright is an important institution, serving a beneficial moral and economic purpose. But that does not mean that copyright can or should be unlimited. It does not mean that we should abandon time honored moral and legal principles to allow endless encroachments on our civil liberties in the interests of the moguls of Hollywood.

I’m aware that both parties in the coalition government criticised the unfair extradition treaty when in opposition, and more recently David Cameron and Theresa May have spoken of the need to review it.

But for Richard there’s no time for a lengthy review. The USA is pushing hard to extradite him now. So please, for Richard and his family stop this extradition.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

You can sign the petition here.

In the time it took to put this report together the petition increased from 40,000 signatures to 50,000. Good luck to Richard.

Tags: Extradition treaty with US, Richard O'Dwyer extradition, extradition from UK to US, Jimmy Wales petition, Wikipedia founder,TV shack creator, Stop Richard O'Dwyer extradition

The Middle Eastern country of Syria has been torn apart during the last year. The Arab Spring of 2012 which heralded change in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya spread from one country to another. Syria has experienced a virtual civil war during the last year but President Bashir Assad has clung on to power. Whilst his restrictive dictatorship will not suit all Syrians it is claimed that he still has support from the majority.

So much remains a puzzle in this strange conflict. Who are the rebels? What sort of government could they form? Are outside forces at work behind the scenes? How many people have actually been killed by the Assad regime and how many by the rebels?

,Around 11,500 people have died during this uprising. Syria is proving to be a difficult problem to solve. The West claim that Russia is supplying the regime with weapons and more. A shipment of helicopters heading for the Syrian regime was intercepted in Scotland last week. Who is supplying the rebels with arms though?

In the last week a Turkish plane which it is thought strayed into Syrian airspace was downed and reports of defections by senior military personnel have continued. Whether these defections are real is hard to assess. In such troubling times propaganda is used by all sides.

Today an email received by TEK;s Peter B Meter makes for interesting reading.:

"Syria: US in hypocrisy of the highest order, and in a crime against humanity."

"The New York Times claims that, "the C.I.A. officers have been in southern Turkey for several weeks, in part to help keep weapons out of the hands of fighters allied with Al Qaeda or other terrorist groups, one senior American official said," an unsubstantiated claim that was similarly made in Libya before Al Qaeda flags were run up poles in Benghazi by rebels flush with NATO cash and arms used to collapse the government of Muammar Qaddafi. In fact, it is confirmed that Libyan LIFG rebels, led by Al Qaeda commander Abdul Hakim Belhaj, have now made their way by the hundreds to Syria (and here). 

Despite months of the US claiming the "international community" sought to end the violence and protect the population of Syria, the New York Times now admits that the US is engaged in supporting a "military campaign" against the Syrian government aimed at increasing "pressure" on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Efforts to impose an arms embargo on Syria is now revealed to be one-sided, aimed at giving rebels an advantage in the prolonged bloodbath with the intent on tipping the balance in favor of Western proxy-forces - not end the violence as soon as possible as claimed by the UN, and in particular, Kofi Annan.

The Times also reported that Turkey has been directly delivering weapons to terrorists operating in Syria - Turkey being a NATO member and implicating NATO as now being directly involved in perpetuating bloodshed in the Middle Eastern nation. For months, Turkey has been allowing terrorists to use its border region as a refuge from which to stage attacks against Syria.

Despite this, however, the so-called "Free Syrian Army," according to the New York Times, consists of only 100 or so small formations made up of  "a handful of fighters to a couple of hundred combatants," betraying the narrative that the Syrian government faces a large popular uprising, and revealing that the "Free Syrian Army" is in fact a small collection of mercenaries, foreign fighters, and sectarian extremists, armed, funded, and directed by foreign interests solely to wreak havoc within Syria. It should be noted that these terrorist proxies were organized as early as 2007 by the US, Israel, and Saudi Arabia, specifically to enact regime change and transform Syria into a Western client regime.  

As the West's propaganda campaign imploded after a torrent of unsubstantiated claims of "massacres" and "atrocities," all unverified, some in fact being revealed as the work of the West's sectarian proxies themselves,  it appears that sidelining Syria in headlines while pursuing a clandestine proxy war is now the tactic of choice for the time being. 

For the United States to claim Syria has "failed" to protect it population while simultaneously fueling the very armed conflict it claims it is seeking to end is not only hypocrisy of the highest order, but a crime against world peace - punishable under the Nuremberg precedent."

Whilst it is true that some of the reports linked here are not current, as in today's news, they are relevant to Syria. Some may be unverified or more propaganda but they all pose interesting questions. More than one points the finger at the US and appears to be a verified report.

Syria is a conflict which could easily take the World into its third global war. Is that what we really want?

Related reading:
http://www.nytimes.com/pages/world/middleeast/index.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/9334707/US-holds-high-level-talks-with-Syrian-rebels-seeking-weapons-in-Washington.html

 Former prime minister of the Ukraine,  Yulia Tymoshenko, is under arrest facing charges of tax evasion. Prior to EURO 2012 there were reports that she had been beaten. The Ukraine has a bad record of human rights and animal welfare. It would appear to be a harsh society. 

Many EU leaders were outraged when Yulia was beaten and accordingly countries such as Germany and the UK insisted that they would boycott EURO 2012 as a protest. This became a protest as long as the national teams were not playing in the country of joint host nation Poland.   


English Ministers no doubt felt safe expressing they would follow such a ban, by assuming that England would be on their way home from the competition pretty quickly. As it was England survived to the quarter finals. Yesterday they lost on penalties to a superior football team, Italy and it was problem solved for English Ministers.

Last Friday an extremely pleased German leader, Angela Merkel, was seen cheering her national side on from the football ground where they were playing. It was in Poland. They beat Greece 4-2 stamping their authority on the game. The German squad are expected to go all the way in this competition  which could leave Merkel in a quandary. Sooner or later she will have to decide if the German boycott of EURO 2012 in the Ukraine will stand.

The Ukraine has put a smiling happy face on for football fans. Worries about fighting local fans and extremism appear to have been resolved. Of course they must simply have been swept under the carpet. These problems were far too big to be resolved easily.

Here at TEK and our sister site Where But The UK we have boycotted reporting on EURO 2012 football matches. Our stand has been made in protest of the mass killings of street dogs and cats. Many have been cruelly killed, some being burnt whilst still alive. Charitable intervention was trying to run a capture, neuter, free campaign in the Ukraine but this has been halted. This means that the killings have begun once more.

Look at the attached video regarding street children in the Ukraine and you can see that country has a lot of problems to solve.

Today June 25, 2012, the Ukraine has attempted to hide more of its dirty laundry. The trial of Yulia Tymeshenko has been postponed until mid July. The Ukrainian authorities are hoping this will limit the bad publicity they have been receiving. The trial will recommence conveniently on July 10, 2012. Yulia is to undergo a medical assessment to see if she is fit enough to stand trial.

OPINION: EU leaders were wrong to say that they would boycott EURO 2012 as a protest and then to water this down to just games played in Poland. Will EU ministers make a stand against the final matches played in the Ukraine? 

If they do not it should tell the world what there are priorities and how dishonourable they are too.

You can find related reading on the trial here

Tags: Yulia Tymeshenko trial adjourned, Orange revolution, Yulia Tymeshenko, EURO 2012 boycott, ministers boycott EURO 2012, Urainke killing dogs and cats, UNICEF, Poland matches, football

Childhood is a special time. Whilst many children have to face unavoidable trauma in some form or another none should have to face torture, cruelty, extreme poverty and the like. In India many children face being abducted forcibly from their families to work in unbearable conditions.

We in the West love a bargain but all too often we do not consider the implication of a bargain that is too good to be true. The rule of thumb is that if something is too good to be true then it is not what it appears to be. In some case though it is because a child or adult is living the life of a virtual slave to make cheap goods.

Human Rights groups have made some in roads into improving the plight of these children and reuniting them with their loved ones but not enough is being done.  Whilst many children are literally kipnapped some parents in effect sell their children into work on the promise of cash sums. Before we judge it is worth remembering that most of us will never experience the true and deep poverty that some Indians in remote villages do. Many will not know just how bad life will become for their kids once sold into this slavery.

Promised cash to parents or children is rarely forthcoming but instead it is a lifetime of separation and abuse. At the head of the production are wealthy business people making a good living on the back of these kids.

India does not have the Health and Safety laws that most western countries enjoy and so daily these small slaves have their lives put at risk. Most of the work is in the clothing or building industry. If the kids do not produce what is expected of them they can look forward to a beating.

The Indian authorities are well aware of what is happening and many officials see it on a daily basis. Token raids may close down some establishments but it is a drop in the Ocean. Millions of children are thought to be eeking out this terrible way of life. With a caste system which should be dead and buried by now the more weathy people of India find it acceptable that a poor child should be working as a slave. This of course perpetuates the class division as poor children are uneducated, unloved and deemed worthless except as a labourer.

The people of the world had high hopes for the 21st Century but it seems in many parts of the world it is18th Century living as normal.

Child slaves who are lucky enough to be rescued take a long time to adjust to life again and to trust people. Centres called Ashrams try to rehabilitate the rescued kids. SkyNews reported, "Sakib, who is just eight, was rescued from a cosmetics factory.  He was forced to work in dingy conditions and was often hit by the factory manager. Unsurprisingly, he has nightmares about his experiences.  "These people have destroyed me. They beat me, make me work throughout and tell me lies that I will get paid."  Sakib will hopefully soon be reunited with his family. Many other children in India are not so lucky."

What you can do is make sure that you are careful which goods you buy. Remember though many big names outsource to countries around the wolrd who abuse child labour. We who are lucky enough to have some legal protection regarding labour should never surrender these rights.

Around the World millions of children suffer a similar fate. Help UNICEF support and free this children if you can.

Only two days ago the talk was of President Bashir Assad being given a safe passage out of Syria in a brokered deal. It seems that the G20 summit involved little tete a tetes between various leaders and this plan was created by President Obama, David Cameron and President Putin of Russia.  A day as they say though is a long time in politics.

Yesterday a Turkish jet was downed close to the Syrian border. Dropping into the seas around the two countries both Navies are now looking for the pilots. Surprisingly the previously volatile Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdoga, reacted calmly to the news.

Initially he refused to blame Syria until he had firm evidence. Today, Saturday, June 23, there are reports that he now accepts Syrian forces were responsible but his reaction remains muted.

This could be for any number of reasons such as:

• The Turkish plane was in truth infringing Syrian air space.
• The Turkish plane was not what it is being cracked up to be but rather was on a underhand mission.
• The Turkish Prime Minster is being directed by outside agencies or leaders.

Perhaps now that Russia has decided that Assad is not pivotal in how they see the future of Syria, Erdoga is prepared to wait and see.

The escape plan for Assad brokered by the three leaders would involve a further no doubt costly summit this time to be held in Geneva. Once again the leaders will ignore the environmental threat of too may jaunts to foreign lands which they try to impose on the people.

Cameron for the UK and Obama for the US are hoping for a Yemen option for Assad which would solve their immediate concerns over Syria. The Geneva summit would include China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and France. Russia also want to include Iran which will make it interesting. With western leaders adamant that they will not do business with Iran will this prevent the summit or will they back pedal once more?

Only recently Cameron was insistent that Assad and his wife, who is a British citizen, will not be welcome in the UK, period. How long will this stance last, we wonder?

The irony of David Cameron's statement was not lost on us when he said, “There’s little time left to resolve this. Syria is descending into a bloody civil war with potentially irreparable consequences for its people. “It is welcome President Putin has been explicit in saying that he’s not locked in to Assad remaining in charge in Syria."What we need next is an agreement on a transitional leadership that can move Syria to a democratic future.”

Of course it is the last sentence that amazes us.

The West has gleefully helped the people of Egypt and Libya destroy their old regimes and destroy much of their respective countries. Egypt currently has a power vacuum. In the last week the old military leaders who were hand in glove with ousted President Mubarek have seized power. There has been a military coup in all but name. The people are on the streets again with democracy and fair election just a hope on a distant horizon.

Then there is Mr Putin. Yes he knows all about free and fair democratic elections doesn't he?

More than 11,500 civilians have died in Syria since the uprising began in 2011.

It still remains unclear just who the rebels are, who is backing them and what the majority of Syrians want. Of course reporting restrictions point to an oppressive regime in power. A free and fair election would hopefully put in power the leaders that the majority of Syrian people want.

Would it be crass to remark here that in the UK the majority of people are not represented by our hastily cobbled together Coalition government?

Syria needs peace. It needs it badly, as does the whole middle eastern region. What forces are at work destabilisng the area is not known. Another costly summit could perhaps lead to a conclusion. However surely it is becoming the time when positive action is long overdue rather than more debating the issues. No person wants another war but we have to decide whether to turn away, as we do with so many countries, or intervene, plunging Syria into who knows what.

On Wednesday our sister site of UK news wrote about the UKs wavering stance on boycotting EURO 2012. Now that England have progressed to the quarter final stage of the competition it appears less certain that ministers will not attend.

In line with other EU countries the UK had said that no Ministers would attend as a protest against human rights in the Ukraine. This was with particular reference to "The plight of glamorous Ukrainian opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko. Jailed last year after what has been called a "show" trial she has allegedly been beaten more than once. She was sentenced to seven years, in 2011, on charges of alleged corruption." Even Prince William and Prince Harry had said they would boycott EURO 2012.

We at TEKJournalismUK and WhereButTheUK have been making our own stand by boycotting reporting of any of the matches due to the Ukraine's mass killing of street animals ready for EURO 2012. That killing continues. We have stuck to our guns but it seems politicians, ministers and leaders have been unable to do the same.

The UK have now decided that ministers will attend the next UK match as it is being held in Poland the joint host country. That is surely not in the spirit of such a boycott of conscience? However the UK are not alone.

Tonight Germany and Greece played in their quarter final and watching in the stands was Chancellor Angela Merkel. How did she manage to get a ticket we wonder?.  This match was held in Poland but again that is not the point.

As Germany scored their first goal a little before half time Merkel was seen triumphant and smiling. What a thorn in the sides of the Greek team. Poor Greece are plagued by Merkel these days.

The quandary for all of these leaders will be if their national squad makes it to the final or semi final and it is played in the Ukraine. Will they stand by their boycott or not?

Perhaps we all know the answer to that one.