Revolution

The power of the internet is becoming awesome. It now seems that even the Chinese, having viewed what is happening in the Middle East over the internet, are demonstrating against their own regime, albeit in only small numbers. As to be expected the authorities quickly snuffed out the demonstrations but from little acorns etc., etc.. On this occasion at least the Chinese authorities have not reacted with the savagery they have adopted on previous occasions. This is in marked contrast to the brutality of the Gaddafi regime in Lybia which has demonstrated to those who thought otherwise that there is nothing cuddly about the somewhat eccentric ruler and that his spots have not changed and nor has he mellowed with age. He is still the ruthless despot he has always been. This makes it even more bizarre that the Blair/Brown administration should have thought that releasing al-Megrahi was a good thing. It wasn't but it would be nice to think both Blair and Brown now feel bad about their foul act. They don't of course as Blair will no doubt say the release was a Christian act and he and Brown will say it was a piece of realpolitic for the benefit of the Country. We know that patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel but what is the equivalent where something is said to be for the benefit of the country? That stating that something has been done for the benefit of the country is the last refuge of a charlatan?