Tuition fees from hell!

There is a lot in the press about the proposed increase in university tuition fees. Well, there was a cap on tuition fees but now they have decided that that cap should be lifted and as a result universities can pretty much charge whatever they want for their courses. Now, many students will come out of university with more than £30k in debt. Government says that they won't have to pay until they start earning £21k.

Well naturally, I have an opinion on this. I think it's a bad idea. Some universities, e.g. top schools like Oxford and Cambridge, may end up charging an arm and a leg in tuition fees and they will know that they will get away with it because there will always be a demand to study there. So if one student cannot afford it, then another will be able to. Could this mean students with a wealthy background will go to these universities? Could some of the brightest students miss out on an opportunity to study there? Could the rise in tuition fee discourage many students from going to university altogether?

I personally think it's a shame and I feel sorry for the future students who will come out of university with huge debts. Debts should be the least of their worries. They should be focusing on finishing their degrees and finding the jobs. In this market, I wouldn't be surprised if the potential debt discourages many from attending universities. The debt will incur interest too you know?!

I remember I once had a chat with a young electrician. He saw me reading one of my law books (fun stuff!) and wanted to know about the course and the conversation ended up with him admitting that he really wanted to go to university after finishing school but the fear of getting into debt stopped him. He was making money now and after our conversation he said he would think about going to university part time. I never saw him again but I really do hope that he will follow his dreams and hope many others will too.

What do you think? does this new change in university fee mean Britain could lose out in the long term because some of the brightest may go elsewhere?

Miliband Vs Miliband

So the Miliband brothers are the front page story of this week's Private Eye. Since David Miliband quit front bench politics, the press coverage has died down. I suppose, D.Miliband did the right thing by stepping away otherwise there would have been non-stop coverage. We might have ended up with a channel dedicated to their drama!! Who knows? In this day and age, anything is possible!!

I still find it a little bit strange and funny when Ed Miliband says anything about how

"family comes first" 

riiiiiiight!

I kind of miss the psycho-drama. It was going to get a little out of hand though. I also kind of feel sorry for D. Miliband.

Hamid Karzai: Delusional, off his meds and high on weed!!

off his meds?

This is how Mr Karzai has been described by Karl Eikenberry, the US Ambassador to Afghanistan. Mr Eikenberry has decribed the Afghan president to US Vice President Joe Biden by saying:

"He's on his meds, he's off his meds"

These quotes appear in a new book called 'Obama's Wars'. You can see some info on it here.  There are further accusations by Peter Galbraith, the former United Nationsl envoy, that:

"Karzai is on drugs and mentally unstable!"

Galbraith also added:

"I don't have the background to make a clinical diagnosis but it was clear from his behaviour there was something wrong. He's someone with big ups and downs who can be both charming and very prone to tirades... we had reports from palace insiders that he smoked hashish"

Maybe you remember but this year after a dressing down from President Obama, Mr Karzai threatened to join the Taliban! 


Do you think guy is a crazy drug addict ? Do you think we should be more sensitive towards people with mental issues? Churchill suffered from depression but he made amazing decisions for the country. So maybe Galbraith has a point when he said that:

"There are people who have mental issues who function fine but this guy doesn't function fine...He's ineffective, illegitimate and weird"

Oh dear!

Will he? Won't he?

Waiting for David Miliband's statement on his future. Speculation is rife that he will quit front line politics but this is all just speculation! He could end up staying.

Personally though, I do not see him staying. I think it will be just too difficult for him to work under his younger brother. His wounds are probably too fresh for that.

He has been playing the proud brother in public but his mask slipped ever so slightly when the camera caught his expression yesterday as Ed Miliband declared the Iraq war wrong. D Miliband is apparently crossed with Ed for using the Iraq war to score points. Ed wasn't even an MP when the vote on Iraq War was taken. Had he been an MP, could he have voted in favour of the war? Well, we will never know, although Ed maintains that he let his feelings about the war known to Gordon Brown then (he was an advisor to GB).

If he stays, I think it will give just too much ammunition to the press and opposition alike. Every disagreement will be scrutinised. It will be Blair Vs Brown all over again but this time the two guys involved ARE in fact brothers!

Will the Conservatives/ Coalition Government be happy to see David retire to the back benches? Well there are two possibilities:

1) D Miliband is known to be very intelligent and having him in the shadow cabinet could mean tough scrutiny for the coalition government plans to cut the deficit. In this case, I think they will be very happy to see him not be part of the Shadow Cabinet or

2) If he stays in the Shadow Cabinet, the coalition government could exploit the differences between the two brothers, in this case I think they would rather have him stay!

What do you think will happen? Do you care?

I heard a D Miliband supporter say that they do not trust E Miliband. The supporter said "If he can stab his own brother in the back then who knows what he will do to us?"

Will Ed Miliband prove his critics wrong? Is he really a breath of fresh air or will his inexperience be his downfall? Only time will tell!

Update 1:  David Miliband is at his door step. Not saying anything right now but I have one question, WHO GAVE HIM THAT SHIRT? 

See it's things like these that make it difficult to take him seriously!


Update 2: David Miliband has confirmed that he will be standing down from frontbench politics but he will remain a backbencher. 


No surprise there...

David Milliband asked Harriet Harman a tough question...

...when he saw her clapping rather enthusiastically after Ed Milliband declared the Iraq War "wrong:. D. Miliband asked:

 “Why are you clapping? You voted for it.”

A stoney faced David Milliband caught on camera!

Miss Harman appeared to reply:

“I am clapping because as you know, I am supporting him.” 

Uh oh!  Is this the sign of a rift between the two brothers? Is this the beginning of part two of Blair/Brown divide? Will David forgive Ed for stealing his crown? Wow so many unanswered questions!

If you ask me, David does not look like the forgiving type but I could be wrong! I just don't see them eating a Sunday roast together anytime soon.


Read more on this story here!

Why did David Milliband lose the leadership election?

Could it be because:

1. He comes across a little bit arrogant and aloof?
2. Supported by Tony Blair and people do want to the same old?
3. Is a bottler? Remember he had 3 opportunities to topple Brown but each time he backed off at the last minute. That makes him look like someone who cannot be ruthless and grab his chances. Who wants a timid leader?
4. The impression was that the Labour Leadership was his and perhaps many voters did not like being told that their vote wouldn't make much difference and as a result they voted for Ed as a protest?
5. Trade Unions!
6. He was just unlucky?

wow the reasons could be endless!!

Hillay's headache

An interesting article. I really wouldn't want Hillary to miss out on this Presidential race. The best solution would be to have Hillary run for President and Obama as her running mate. This way, Obama can get a bit experience and then he can run after Hillary has ended her tenure...

OK the link:

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/wn_report/2007/04/05/2007-04-05_bam_boom_hillarys_gloom.html

Hillary Clinton Vs Barack Obama

I believe this is going to be an interesting race to watch. I know there are the other candidates but personally I think the race is going to be narrowed down to these 2. Hillary has a lot going for her except for one thing that is that she supported the war in Iraq. A lot of die hard Democrats are against the war in Iraq so she has a lot of explaining to do. To be honest with you, I am also interested in hearing her reasons. Barack, on the other hand, is fairly new. He didn't vote for or against the war in Iraq because at that time he wasn't even in the Senate! He is very popular and likable. But I believe, Hillary has the money, and like it or not, it comes down to who can raise the funds.

Personally I think it should be Hillary who should get the Democratic endorsement. Why? Because at this time USA's profile and image is in tatters thanks to W. I believe, they need someone strong, experienced and charming. Hillary is all 3. Barack is an unknown figure on the international stage. He needs more experience. His time will come! Anyway, this is my opinion. Lets see what happens.

Hillary Clinton joins 2008 race

So it's confirmed. It was one of the worst kept secrets. I can't say what type of president she will be but I can say for sure that she is going to be better than W. Anyway, I really admire Hillary. I think she is a legend. If I could vote in American elections, I would vote for her. I find her strong, independent, smart and over all very likable. I would love to meet her one day.

The other contender Barack Obama may give her the run for her money. He seems rather charming and very popular. Young as well. I don't know him (as if I know Hilary!) but he gives a very good impression,so crowds are definitely gonna like him.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/5006788.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3334839.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/6282389.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/6283165.stm