₦airaland Forum

ujchief: Rubbish! House of reps members have immunity on the floor of the house of assembly. Anything they say or do inside the confines of the legislative house is protected by immunity and they can't be prosecuted.

They only have immunity for what they say on the floor of the house against civil claims. They do NOT have immunity against criminal acts.

Watch the latest video here.
http://ireporterstv.co/ir_fullvideo/3-million-bribe-video-exposed/

GEJ is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. He can therefore properly instruct soldiers to guide his wife's house. As a state governor, Amaechi has no legal or constitutional connection with the army. It is therefore wrong for soldiers to be protected him without the approval of the CiC.

Obviously, most Nigerians do not know how they receive Presidents in saner climes.
Watch this video of Chinese President arriving the US

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SF7o0s48Eyo

This is why some of us were happy that he was not coming to Nigeria. All that Obama is interested in now is gay issues.

"US President Barack Obama has called on African governments to give gay people equal rights by decriminalising homosexual acts.
Mr Obama made the comments in Senegal after meeting President Macky Sall on the first leg of his African tour.
Mr Sall said Senegal was a "very tolerant" country but it was "not ready to decriminalise homosexuality".
Homosexual acts are still a crime in 38 African countries, where most people hold conservative religious views."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-23078655

mollytinrox: Its not true.

Kids beg to lick plates and eat left overs at Gusau, Zamfara states capital.

Kids are malnourished in Taraba state, and they die because all they get is corn gruel...

They have not ERADICATED it.
They haven't even alleviated it.

Don't commend nations whose least priority is its hungry masses.

If it worsens in Zamfara, Taraba and a few other states but improves in majority of states, doesn't your sense of statistics tell you that the overall outcome will improve?

[quote author=conc_acid]ERADICATE HUNGER FROM NIGERIA N EVEN NIGER?? UNBELIEVABLE![/quote]Did you read the news at all? They said the countries, including Nigeria met the target of HALVING the level of hunger. They did not say it has been eradicated.

Good news!!!
...by the way, why do Nigerians enjoy celebrating bad news while disputing or ignoring good news?

This is the World Bank's own summary

"Abuja, May 13, 2013 – Nigeria’s short term macroeconomic outlook looks generally strong, with the likelihood of higher growth, lower inflation, and reserve accumulation. This will present the Government with an opportunity to make progress in key reforms and public investments associated with the Transformation Agenda for job creation, diversification, and more effective governance, says the World Bank in its new Nigeria Economic Report (NER) launched today in Abuja.

Sounding a cautionary note, however, the NER says that Nigeria’s economic growth has not automatically translated into better economic and social welfare for Nigerians. As the NER notes, “poverty reduction and job creation have not kept pace with population growth, implying social distress for an increasing number of Nigerians.

As part of its forecast for Nigeria, the NER also suggests that Nigeria will need to build up its fiscal reserve to protect the country from oil price volatility. It will also need to increase internally generated revenue to compensate for what will likely be declining oil revenues relative to the size of the economy.

Given that Nigerian GDP is growing much faster than oil output, and is experiencing significant inflation at a stable exchange rate, the size of Government oil revenues relative to GDP should decline even in the event that oil prices increase. This was already the case in 2012, as Government oil revenues fell from an estimated 23.6% to 19.7% of GDP. This decline may increase budgetary pressures and justifies a prudent fiscal stance.

Better coordination is needed in Federal and State policies

The Nigeria Economic Report argues that the Nigerian Federalist System has the potential to support Nigeria’s takeoff into rapid diversified growth and job creation, but the Federal and State Governments need to improve cooperation and policy coordination in a few key areas. These key areas are (a) macroeconomic management (countercyclical fiscal policy), (b) coordinated policies to enhance market connectivity and improve public services, and (c) the realization of national standards in public financial management and disclosure.

The NER suggests that the significant degree of autonomy and financial independence of Nigerian States can be potentially advantageous for rapid development in the country. But this process is now hindered by too little market connectivity, weak coordination in fiscal policy, and problems in governance. For example, the NER notes that because of problems in infrastructure, particularly transportation, as well as institutional barriers, Nigeria’s markets are quite fragmented.

Investors with the potential to set up large scale operations and create many jobs will be reluctant to do so if they cannot service a larger market. Under these conditions, a number of Nigerian States have limited opportunities to attract significant investors.

It is argued that enhanced cooperation among the Federal and State Governments can successfully address all of these issues, thereby unlocking enormous potential for growth, job creation, and improvements in the welfare of Nigerian citizens.

“For effective macroeconomic management, the key task is to establish an institutional framework that can effectively separate and buffer Government expenditures from oil prices,” said John Litwack, Lead Economist, World Bank and the lead author of the report. “International experience demonstrates that countercyclical fiscal policy is essential to conquer the “oil curse” of boom-bust cycles and slow economic development.”

Conditional or matching grants are widely used in many countries for the coordination of fiscal policies and implementation of national standards.

“The expansion of federal programs involving co-financing or conditional/matching grants for States around priority infrastructure and the implementation of national standards could help solidify needed trust and cooperation between different levels of Government and bring the best of Nigeria,” said Marie Francoise Marie-Nelly, World Bank Country Director to Nigeria.

“To be successful, these programs should build on state autonomy to promote constructive competition among them. International experience suggests that the conditionality of these grants should focus on outcomes rather than processes, i.e. the resources should be managed entirely by subnational Governments under the condition that certain objectives be reached.”

The first Nigeria Economic Report, released on May 13, 2013, contains a macroeconomic overview, an analysis of Government oil revenues and their potential allocations under various oil price assumptions through 2015, and a chapter on fiscal federalist relations and Nigeria’s economic development. Primary conclusions of the NER are summarized below.

Subsequent editions of the report will present an overview of the macroeconomic situation in the country and focus additional attention on issues deemed to have high policy relevance. The NER may also be used to disseminate the results of recent World Bank studies that have potential relevance for Nigeria."

MY VIEW: As the Bank notes, poverty is actually being reduced and jobs are being created BUT the pace is slower than the rate of population growth and economic growth. However, it notes that Nigeria’s short term macroeconomic outlook looks generally strong, with the likelihood of higher growth, lower inflation, and reserve accumulation. This, according to the Bank presents the Government with an opportunity to make progress in key reforms and public investments associated with the Transformation Agenda for job creation, diversification, and more effective governance. In other words, the government has done well in laying the foundation by creating a sound macroeconomic outlook which can be built on to reduce poverty and create jobs. I therefore think it is unfair to claim that the Bank indicted the government or to throw a blanket condemnation of the government. Many other governments in Africa and even Europe(eg Portugal, Greece, Spain etc) currently have negative macroeconomic outlook which means that they are unable to create jobs and in fact do not have the fiscal policy space to take measures to create jobs.

http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2013/06/10/climate-resilience-and-low-carbon-growth-critical-for-nigeria-s-economic-future

Better to read the entire report before commenting rather than rely of headlines!
http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2013/05/14/000333037_20130514101211/Rendered/PDF/776840WP0Niger0Box0342041B00PUBLIC0.pdf

saxywale: The Vatican city does not belong to the pope. Because GEJ is the president of Nigeria doesn't mean he owns it. And the currency spent is the EURO. Pls be kind enough to post a link to support your claim about priests supporting gay marriage. Thanks.

Of course the Vatican does not belong to the Pope just as Nigeria does not belong to GEJ. However, the private jet registered to Emmanuel Aviation Inc, the Redeemer's University and all the tithes and offerings that members of the RCCG give belongs to Pastor Adeboye. Get the drift!

As per a link that Catholic church priests and bishops support gay marriage. Don't me you really require a link to confirm that.
Anyway for the sake of ease of reference see:
http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/french-catholic-bishops-endorsing-homosexual-unions-undermining-pro-fa/

a

yoged: As far as my money isn't there. Aint my business. Its for God to judge not human.

Most sensible and well thought out comment so far.

I wonder why Nigerians like to drink other people's Panadol and cry more than the bereaved.

FEMIMACRO: @Ibro Yaya. U are a Big Fool. And must be A learner that refused wisdom.
Calling Shepherd 1 and 2 the private jet of d Pope just because u want to spite the catholic Leader.

The same that people call the jet owned by Emmanuel Aviation Inc as the private jet of pastor adeboye simply because they want to spite the RCCG leader.

victorD3: Let's Judge these guys before they kill us. The actual people spreading Christianity worldwide are even the poor Christians and missionaries serving in the most difficult terrains in this world. Our businessmen private jet chilling pastors just open expensive universities,businesses and preach about Double portion and finding a husband.

I pay my tithe to those that rightfully deserves it, the poor/needy and if you pay yours to your pastor then you are a learner

I find it interesting that many NLers who complain about pastors say they pay their tithes to the poor, yet they also complain that the number of poor people in Nigeria is rising. Meanwhile, the fact that they don't pay tithe to pastors but give it to the poor should mean that pastors now have less money. Yet more pastors are buying jets. Just wondering.

Venchy: Are you insinuating that people should continue to fall MUGU for this MOG, can't you see hunger in the eyes of their church members?

My brother, as soon as i touch down MM, all i can see is hungry faces, from the Immigration down to police at the car park and yet MOG are [size=15pt]LIVING LARGE.[/size]

And as soon as you arrive Heathrow on JFK all you see is well fed people who have too much money to spare because they don't buy jets for their pastors.
Something must therefore be wrong with groups like UK UNCUT who are protest that the government's cuts is pushing more and more people into poverty.( see link below for latest protest)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22136533

solomon111: poverty infested mentality?
Is that your rebutall to what i have said?
My God,it's even more worse than it looks.
Some people have been brainwashed and deceived beyond remedy.
You sir,are a lost case.

Yeah, the 'brainwashed and deceived' people are making so much money that they can afford to buy jets upon jets for their pastors and build 'expensive' schools. Meanwhile, the 'smart' ones like yourself are busy venting their jealousy and frustration on Nairaland.

solomon111: what humility are you talking about?
How does someone who owns three private jets in the midst of poverty,be called humble?
How does someone whose university is one of the most expensive in the country,be called humble?
Is that how your bible defines humility?
*someone get a bucket,i want to puke*

I can see your definition and conceptualization of 'humility' is being affected by your poverty mentality. No wonder you erroneously believe and are angry that 'someone' owns three jets and an expensive university. If we take your poverty-infested definition of humility to be true, then the pope must be the proudest religious leader since he owns a country, a bank, prints his own money and has very expensive universities worldwide

matrixme: Though I am not a Catholic, I won't stand by and watch you propagate your hear-say on the internet about the Catholic church. The pope does not have a private jet, and I don't think he drinks from golden chalet. Infact, the present pope is such a moderacy-loving pope that he "has been known for his humility, his concern for the poor, and ...has displayed a simpler and less formal approach to the office, including a decision to reside in the Vatican guesthouse rather than the papal residence used by his predecessors since 1903." According to Wikipedia. Please bring up your facts with proof next time.

Firstly, the pope 'owns' a private jet the same way Pastor Adeboye 'owns' a private jet. No jet is registered in their name. However, they both have jets that is available for their use whenever they want it.

In any event, we don't have to copy the pope. People do mortgage in the UK and US but in Nigeria, we buy houses outright. That is our style. So if any Nigerian pastor believe their own 'overseeing' is better achieved by the use of a private jet, whether registered in their name or not, the yardstick should not be what the pope does. If we must copy the pope, then we should support all Nigerian pastors to be treated like heads of states, own their own bank and print their money!

By the way, I don't get it about the rant about the humility of the new pope. Pastor Adeboye is also well known for his humility, even the report under reference acknowledge that as follows: "Though considered unique in his simple appearance and un-flamboyant lifestyle..."

Kamsy10: Stop the rants ma dear, pdp has bought the pastors with jets using taxpayers money, thats the problem

Who is attacking the Catholic church? I only stated facts, and particular noted that while the catholic church's doctrines are well conceived, several of its members and bishops take the liberty to go against it with levity. How is that an attack?
By the way, Nigerians like to talk about 'Taxpayers money' as if they pay tax. Abeg make I hear

ZUBY77: Nkapi. Is it the private jet that will end division in the Churches' belief system?

I am not surprised that you don't get it. So let me break it down.
A private jet enables you to travel with relative ease to 'oversee' your churches effectively. I'm afraid I cannot break it down for your any further if you still don't get it. You may want to read some basic text books about effective management

Ogbeche77: But sir, the pope is the leader of over 1 billion catholics worldwide, yet he boards a commercial jet liner. If my memory has not failed me,Pope Benedict visited Benin republic two years ago on Air Italia

The fact that the FALSE statement made by Ogbeche77 has so far received 17 'likes' says a lot about the level of intelligence and knowledge of the people who are always looking for what to criticize about pastors.

First of all, the Pope does not only have two PRIVATE JETS (called Shepherd One and Shepherd two), he also owns a COUNTRY, a BANK, a CURRENCY and many other things which no Nigeria General Overseer owns. Even with these jets, the Popes have so far been ineffective in their tasks of overseeing the I billion Catholics you talk about(perhaps because he does not leave the Vatican too often). Apart from the issues of the sex scandals, the Catholic Church also happens to be the most divided church on theology and doctrine. For example, the Church doctrine is against gay marriage. However, majority of Catholics including Priests and Bishops openly go against the Church and support it. Is that the product of effective overseeing? My simple view is this: If the private jet enables these pastors to effectively carry out their tasks, then let them have it! After all, not one is forcing you to contribute to the purchase of the jets.

Ogbeche77: But sir, the pope is the leader of over 1 billion catholics worldwide, yet he boards a commercial jet liner. If my memory has not failed me,Pope Benedict visited Benin republic two years ago on Air Italia

My simple view is this: If the private jet enables these pastors to effectively carry out their tasks, then let them have it! After all, not one is forcing you to contribute to the purchase of the jets.

African People’s Congress (APC), has celebrated the public unveiling of the political party, and the official opening of the National headquarters of the party in Abuja.

Officials, members and supporters of the party, gathered at plot 983 Garki, opposite the main gate of Apo legislative quarters, where the national head offices of the party is located.

The party official red colored flags and emblem could be seen on the building as party members also wore red face caps and red mufflers.

In a prepared speech, the acting chairman of the party, Onyinye Michael Ikeagwuonu described the merger of major opposition political parties, ACN, CPC, ANPP and others as “simply an amalgam of people that must rule.”
He added that “they are largely part of the same over-recycled crop of power mongers that have plagued Nigeria with their abysmal misrule and maladministration.”

“The corruption in these parties often rubs off on their legislators in the National Assembly, with clear reflection on the quality of legislation churned out from our hallowed chambers,” he added.

Later in an interview with journalists, the legal adviser of the party, Kingsley Nnadi, said the fulfilment of the African People’s Congress in submitting its intention to register the party after passing other requirement of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), put to rest any controversy over the acronym (APC), of the Party.

According to him, “I believe the unveiling of the party has finally put to rest the contention of over the acronym APC. We are waiting for their response within thirty days, because we have fulfilled every stipulated requirement in the electoral act.”

He refused to answer question on the fake office address submitted to INEC in their application to register the party, responding that, “are we not here now at the head office of the party?”

He claimed that the party has offices in 26 states of the federation, and more offices were being opened and also said they were not in any way affiliated to the ruling PDP

Questions are rife on the minds of many over the sudden appearance of this party, complete with a constitution and manifesto as to whether this is an orchestrated attempt to cripple the success of the proposed merger and who are the real powers behind this new party. But with 2015 still ahead, this is seen to be just the beginning of interesting events to unfold
http://www.channelstv.com/home/2013/03/14/merger-partys-fate-on-brink-as-african-peoples-congress-unveils-manifesto-constitution/

African People’s Congress (APC), has celebrated the public unveiling of the political party, and the official opening of the National headquarters of the party in Abuja.

Officials, members and supporters of the party, gathered at plot 983 Garki, opposite the main gate of Apo legislative quarters, where the national head offices of the party is located.

The party official red colored flags and emblem could be seen on the building as party members also wore red face caps and red mufflers.

In a prepared speech, the acting chairman of the party, Onyinye Michael Ikeagwuonu described the merger of major opposition political parties, ACN, CPC, ANPP and others as “simply an amalgam of people that must rule.”
He added that “they are largely part of the same over-recycled crop of power mongers that have plagued Nigeria with their abysmal misrule and maladministration.”

“The corruption in these parties often rubs off on their legislators in the National Assembly, with clear reflection on the quality of legislation churned out from our hallowed chambers,” he added.

Later in an interview with journalists, the legal adviser of the party, Kingsley Nnadi, said the fulfilment of the African People’s Congress in submitting its intention to register the party after passing other requirement of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), put to rest any controversy over the acronym (APC), of the Party.

According to him, “I believe the unveiling of the party has finally put to rest the contention of over the acronym APC. We are waiting for their response within thirty days, because we have fulfilled every stipulated requirement in the electoral act.”

He refused to answer question on the fake office address submitted to INEC in their application to register the party, responding that, “are we not here now at the head office of the party?”

He claimed that the party has offices in 26 states of the federation, and more offices were being opened and also said they were not in any way affiliated to the ruling PDP

Questions are rife on the minds of many over the sudden appearance of this party, complete with a constitution and manifesto as to whether this is an orchestrated attempt to cripple the success of the proposed merger and who are the real powers behind this new party. But with 2015 still ahead, this is seen to be just the beginning of interesting events to unfold
http://www.channelstv.com/home/2013/03/14/merger-partys-fate-on-brink-as-african-peoples-congress-unveils-manifesto-constitution/

Something seems fishy here. This article was first written in May 2012. Now the writer is publishing it again in March 2013 as if its contents are new. In any event, if the writer really was in the UK, he should know that even in the UK and most Western countries, jobs are difficult to get. If it was easy, he would not have returned. Point is: at the moment nowhere is easy, not the UK, not Nigeria.
http://saharareporters.com/article/relocating-nigeria-jon-chikadibie-okafo

A woman who told police she had been subjected to a racist attack in which three men set her alight and scrawled KKK on her car was lying, according to US investigators.

"The wounds were self-inflicted," said Kyle Hanrahan, a spokesman for the FBI's Louisiana bureau.

Sharmeka Moffitt, 20, was seriously burned in the fire and remains in a critical condition.

She called police from a park in the town of Winnsboro on Sunday night and told them three men in white hoodies had doused her with a flammable liquid and ignited it.

The letters KKK, for the white supremacist organisation Ku Klux Klan, and a racial slur were scrawled on her car in what appeared to be toothpaste.

According to local media, investigators decided the burns were self-inflicted after finding Ms Moffitt's fingerprints on a cigarette lighter and lighter fluid.

Louisiana's KATC News reported her family had issued a statement saying: "Our family is devastated to learn the circumstances surrounding our daughter's injuries.

"While this was not the resolution we had expected, it is a resolution, and we appreciate the thorough investigation by the local and state police as well as federal agencies.

"We are sincerely sorry for any problems this may have caused and wish to express our appreciation for the outpouring of love, prayers and support we have received from friends, acquaintances, church organisations and government officials."

The FBI was called in to assist local authorities because the apparent attack was initially considered a possible hate crime.
http://news.sky.com/story/1001795/woman-set-herself-on-fire-in-staged-kkk-attack

A woman who told police she had been subjected to a racist attack in which three men set her alight and scrawled KKK on her car was lying, according to US investigators.

"The wounds were self-inflicted," said Kyle Hanrahan, a spokesman for the FBI's Louisiana bureau.

Sharmeka Moffitt, 20, was seriously burned in the fire and remains in a critical condition.

She called police from a park in the town of Winnsboro on Sunday night and told them three men in white hoodies had doused her with a flammable liquid and ignited it.

The letters KKK, for the white supremacist organisation Ku Klux Klan, and a racial slur were scrawled on her car in what appeared to be toothpaste.

According to local media, investigators decided the burns were self-inflicted after finding Ms Moffitt's fingerprints on a cigarette lighter and lighter fluid.

Louisiana's KATC News reported her family had issued a statement saying: "Our family is devastated to learn the circumstances surrounding our daughter's injuries.

"While this was not the resolution we had expected, it is a resolution, and we appreciate the thorough investigation by the local and state police as well as federal agencies.

"We are sincerely sorry for any problems this may have caused and wish to express our appreciation for the outpouring of love, prayers and support we have received from friends, acquaintances, church organisations and government officials."

The FBI was called in to assist local authorities because the apparent attack was initially considered a possible hate crime.
http://news.sky.com/story/1001795/woman-set-herself-on-fire-in-staged-kkk-attack

London Metropolitan University's visa licence is revoked

A London university has been banned from teaching overseas students, leaving more than 2,000 undergraduates potentially facing deportation.

London Metropolitan University has had its ability to sponsor students from outside the EU revoked, and will no longer be allowed to authorise visas.

The UK Border Agency said it had "failed to address serious and systemic failings" identified six months ago.

A task force has been set up to help students affected by the decision.

As well as stopping the university, which has 30,000 students in total, from accepting new applications, losing the licence could also affect thousands of existing overseas students at the university.

The National Union of Students (NUS) said it could mean more than 2,000 students being deported within 60 days unless they find another sponsor.

The university's Highly Trusted Status (HTS) was suspended last month while the UKBA examined alleged failing, preventing it from being allowed to recruit overseas students.

The UKBA's decision comes a day after Keith Vaz, chairman of the home affairs select committee, called on the Home Office to clarify the situation.

A statement posted on the university's website on Wednesday read: "The implications of the revocation are hugely significant and far-reaching, and the university has already started to deal with these.

"It will be working very closely with the UKBA, Higher Education Funding Council for England, the NUS and its own students' union.

"Our absolute priority is to our students, both current and prospective, and the University will meet all its obligations to them."

Although there have been other suspensions, no other UK university has been fully stripped of its ability to recruit overseas students.

Universities Minister David Willetts has announced a task force to help overseas students affected by the decision.

He said: "It is important that genuine students who are affected through no fault of their own are offered prompt advice and help, including, if necessary, with finding other institutions at which to finish their studies.

"We are tonight asking HEFCE [Higher Education Funding Council for England] and Universities UK to lead a task force, which will include UKBA and the NUS, to work with London Metropolitan University to support affected students and enable them to continue their studies in the UK. The task force will start work immediately."

A UKBA spokesman said: "London Metropolitan University's licence to sponsor non-EU students has been revoked after it failed to address serious and systemic failings that were identified by the UK Border Agency six months ago.

"We have been working with them since then, but the latest audit revealed problems with 61% of files randomly sampled. Allowing London Metropolitan University to continue to sponsor and teach international students was not an option.

"These are problems with one university, not the whole sector. British universities are among the best in the world - and Britain remains a top class destination for top class international students.

"We are doing everything possible, working with Universities UK, to assist genuine students that have been affected."

Researchers studying our most successful Games team in more than a century found immigration was a factor in least 24 of the 65 medals won by Team GB.
The analysis of podium places, by British Future, a think tank, found at least 11 gold medals, three silvers and 10 bronzes were won by athletes whose immediate family came to Britain from overseas.

Mohamed “Mo” Farah, 29, who won the historic 5,000m and 10,000m double, was born in war-torn Somalia and moved from Djibouti to Hounslow, west London when he was eight.Heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis, 26, has Jamaican roots from her father Vinnie while 32 year-old Bradley Wiggins, the cycling time trial winner, was born in Belgium while his father, Gary, was Australian.Laura Robson, 18, who won the silver medal with mixed doubles partner Andy Murray, was born in Melbourne to Australian parents. Peter Charles, 52, has spent most of the last two decades jumping for the Irish national team after taking up nationality in 1992 just prior to the Barcelona Olympics.Laura Bechtolsheimer, 27, who won gold and a bronze in the dressage competition, was born in Germany while high-jump bronze medallist Robert Grabarz, 24, is proud of his heritage after his late grandfather, Ernst Karl Grabarz, 67, was born in Poland.

At least 16 medal-winners have family links to Nigeria, including 400m silver medal-winner Christine Ohoruogu, 28, whose parents moved to Britain in 1980 while 23 year-old boxing bronze medal-winner Anthony Ogogo’s father is Nigerian.
"The record-breaking achievements of Team GB athletes have reflected an inclusive and authentic pride in the shared, multi-ethnic society that we are today,” said Sunder Katwala, a director of British Future.
"It's a different British Olympic team from the last London Games of 1948.
“Then, the popular sprinter McDonald Bailey from Trinidad stood out of the team photo as the only black athlete in a sea of white faces.”
The former general secretary of the Fabian Society told the Independent: “In 2012, Team GB has changed because Britain has changed.
"Our athletes, selected by fierce meritocratic competition, offer an everyday snapshot of the Britain that we have become, just as the volunteers and the crowds did."

VoodooDoll: Why should we commend? Do you clap for a 52 year old man just because he has learnt to differentiate his buttocks from his elbow?

Let's wait and see, I'm sure some clowns somewhere will still find an event they will want to visit in London!

If you criticized the 52 year man because he could not differentiate his buttocks from his elbows then you have a duty to commend him he learns to do it. Otherwise, the motive behind your earlier criticisms (and indeed future criticisms) becomes suspect. In fact, it would be in order to begin to suspect that you had a hand in his initial lack of knowledge!

The government sends a 'large' delegation to Brazil, we condemn. The government sends no delegation to Olympics yet we do not commend.