I haven't had enough time to blog recently, but I am moved to put something on my website as I am rather appalled at the current silliness being perpetrated by the Obama government. I think I feel so strongly about it as I was such a supporter of Obama (and, indeed, I remain so).

No-one likes what is happening off the coast of Louisiana, and I believe that those responsible for it should clear up and compensate people. I also hope that the spillage will be cleared up as soon as possible, and that they will find a fix urgently. I would point out, however, that BP hasn't been a British company for years! It's a multinational capitalist concern like so many others - and it really devalues the Obama government's case against the multinational to behave in such a narrow and ill-judged jingoistic manner. I also think it is actually damaging Obama across the world doing this. Today, for example, the Chief Executive of BP was attacked for taking a short break to see his teenage son. Why on earth shouldn't he? Don't we all do a better job on return from a holiday? Give the man a break! It is certainly the case that BP is one of a number of companies that has made errors, but hounding and bullying the British guy who is the Chief Exec in a manner not dissimilar to the Salem witch trials is wrong. Please can someone see sense in the Oval Office?

In over 100 years the London bus service has never been cancelled. Now we have Boris as our Mayor the buses can't even cope with snow. I don't completely blame Boris (although frankly I could easily), but I remember in 1991 when we had the last bad snow I got a wonderful old 36 Routemaster bus back from where I worked in Camberwell to New Cross Gate. Those were the days. A Routemaster could easily navigate the roads, and was much more robust compared to these flimsy new vehicles - particularly the dreadful "free" bendy-buses.

The Routemaster has made an appearance in the last few weeks though - one of ten designs on a lovely set of stamps from the Post Office. Sadly you never get to see them on mail now, but if you do visit a post office (and are in the UK) try to ask for the stamps. They also have the Underground Map, the Mini, Penguin Books, Concorde, the phone box etc. Wonderful! I shall be using them on mail at least.

It is rather lovely to have this amount of snow - the earlier estimate was 20cm, but I think it's rather more now - certainly in south east London. A bit of a nightmare getting in to work ... no buses (as outlined above) and a tube service that was pretty limited. The DLR was wonderful as ever, and at times like this the British actually speak to each other on their journey in. A joy. I'm very grateful to my DLR driver this morning, who drove us to Canary Wharf, was forced to go to Westferry, came back, then took us back towards Bank on another tube (he at least realised that as he had made it in he might as well do a double shift to make up for his colleagues who hadn't made it).

Enjoy the pictures of the snow. I may be forced to go out and take more later as there's still a steady fall. I recalled being much younger earlier when I saw the kids sledging down the hills in Greenwich Park this morning. Even they had been defeated about an hour ago (or the visibility was so bad I couldn't see them).

More blog soon ...

As one of the Brits who has studied American politics, I'm actually rather pleased that the media here in the UK are making quite an effort covering the US primaries. Let's face it, they are much more interesting than our current political climate here. It's fascinating to see the self-righteous British public complain to Radio 4 about giving too much coverage on the Today programme, but yet they have to acknowledge that for the first time in years the people are interested in politics (well more interested than normal).

The fact that it's a dead heat so far is also interesting. I had thought (hoped?) Obama would deal the final blow, but I shouldn't have been surprised really. Hillary is quite an operator - and the Clintons should never been underestimated. She has significant power and charisma - she is the only candidate that is identifiable by her first name only. That says a lot. I wish I knew what might happen - it's fascinating. From the perspective of wanting a Democratic administration then I am not sure that dragging the contest out until the Convention is wise, but that looks on the cards. They are both good candidates - and, when I studied US politics two decades ago I would never have thought that we were looking at one of the major parties electing either a Black man or a woman as their presidential candidate. So, whatever the result it is certainly progress - and much more significant than Geraldine Ferraro. My heart wants Obama, though, and I think my head does too. Why? Well I think he'll have most chance of winning - from the other side of the pond it's clear that some sections of the US will do anything to "Stop Hillary". Why is she SO hated? I can't quite get my head around that.

Anyway .. fascinating. Puts our dull debate about the EU and its reform treaty in perspective. Strange how our politicians are keen to bore us to tears on this subject!

Enough politics. I'll try to avoid for a few blogs!

Tags: Politics