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The so called "war against terror" has been used as an excuse to pass new laws which erode our civil liberties. And it is the thin end of the wedge. Once those laws are on the statute book they can be used for whatever purpose they can be made to fit. And what is this "war against terror" - our parents and grandparents came through two world wars for goodness sake.

I don't think we have freedom of speech in the UK any more. Do you remember this? http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4293502.stm Like most people who saw footage of this happening on the nightly news my jaw just hit the ground in horror. And what about this? http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article730016.ece

I do really urge the good people of East Dulwich to make an effort to see this - it is shocking. If you can't get to Clapham tonight then get hold of it on DVD. http://www.noliberties.com/index.htm "TAKING LIBERTIES is a shocking but hilarious polemic documentary that charts the destruction of all your Basic Liberties under 10 Years of New Labour. Released to coincide with Tony Blair's departure, the film and the book follow the stories of normal people who's lives have been turned upside down by injustice - from being arrested for holding a placard outside parliament to being tortured in Guantanamo Bay." THIS IS WHAT YOU DON'T READ IN THE PAPERS! THIS IS WHAT YOU DON'T SEE ON TV! AND IT'S HAPPENING TO YOU!

I have seen this film on DVD. If you haven't already seen it then please make the effort. It is VERY shocking when you see all the information laid out before you. I've been a staunch supporter of Amnesty International for years; I have always felt very strongly about people unfortunate enough to be living in countries where they aren't able to voice an opinion contrary to the government of the day. I NEVER dreamt that I would one day be living in such a country - welcome to England. Thanks Tony. I think that one of the most shocking bits of the film (for me) was a moment when Joanna Lumley was almost arrested for protesting (quietly and peacefully) outside the Houses of Parliament (against the war in Iraq I think). From memory (and I may be wrong) this was on the DVD ?extras? rather than the film itself. I suppose you might say that with all the terrible things happening that it?s a bit lame to be shocked by the potential arrest of Joanna Lovely ? but that?s the whole point ? it is unthinkable that the right to protest has been taken away from ordinary people.

I ventured in to OB yesterday and was struck by two things. 1. Over-pricing gone mad 2. Miserable staff For those prices you would think you might be entitled to service with a smile.

Full lineup just been announced https://www.teenagecancertrust.org/royal-albert-hall/ Tickets onsale tomorrow (Friday) Good luck to all

Go to the website http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/ (excellent site) and learn how to save money on all your bills

Stereophonics at the Roundhouse 9th March. This should be really good gig if anyone is interested. Buy direct from the venue and save on the outrageous booking fees. Lovely venue too. http://www.roundhouse.org.uk/whats-on/all-events?page=2

I have attended the Brits on several occasions and they are DULL DULL DULL. That's why so many people get pissed at the Brits - to relieve the tedium of the night. I didn't go yesterday and I didn't watch it on TV either (I don't own a TV). I went to bed early with my book last night. Sounds like I made the right choice. Lucky me. I do think Dave Grohl is really hot though.

I would highly recommend membership of the Donmar Warehouse as it only costs from ?30 a year and it gives priority booking. Given that almost all Donmar productions sell out quickly it really is money well spent. I booked my Othello tickets one month before they went on public sale and got the best stalls seats in the house, for the night I wanted them, thus avoiding the frenzy that was the Othello public ticket sale. The Donmar is incredibly loyal to its "friends". As soon as Othello was announced they closed the books to new members, thus stopping people joining just to get Othello tickets. I was told by the Donmar box office that the bulk of the tickets for Othello went to existing members in the priority booking period and that only a few were left for the public sale. The Donmar could have made a lot of money from selling new memberships if it hadn't closed its books, but it chose instead to look after the existing members. Call the Donmar Development office on 020 7845 5815 and ask about Backstage Crew membership - ?30 is really good value.

Muse will be playing at the Royal Albert Hall in April as part of the annual Teenage Cancer Trust fundraising concerts. This year's line-up will be announced on 21st February and tickets go on sale at 10.00am on the 22nd February. More information here (eventually): https://www.teenagecancertrust.org/royal-albert-hall/

Yes I stumbled across the new Hope and Greenwood in Covent Garden last Thursday. My office is nearby so I sent lots of my colleagues there to shop for Valentines presents last week. I do hope it does well. Steady on though; does that mean H&G is a "chain"? Do we still want one in ED?

Yes, ostensibly it is an Edgar Allen Poe story but the "story" is not where the focus is. I don't really know how to explain how it works except to say that no two people come away with the same impressions. Suffice it to say, I spent Saturday night creeping around BAC in the very-near dark, wearing full evening dress, high heels and a mask. It was very strange. It got quite scary too. Especially as you are specifically encouraged to ditch your partner/friends and go round on your own. Here, read a review or two: http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/theatre/2007/10/the_masque_of_the_red_death_le.html http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre/reviews/the-masque-of-the-red-death-bac-londonbrpresent-laughter-nt-lyttelton-londonbrrough-crossings-lyric-hammersmith-london-394427.html

Hello Nero - I am going to Othello this on Thursday - I really can't wait - have been looking forward to it a long time. Why not call the nice folk in the box office at the Donmar and ask them what time the queue forms. They will have this information and will pass it on. If you haven't already booked up for the Donmar West End series (2007 - 2008) then do so NOW - that is selling out fast.

Last Saturday night I went to see the Masque of the Red Death at BAC - very very very strange (and then some). If you can get tickets for it (returns only) then GO. This Thursday I am going to see Othello at the Donmar and I am really looking forward to that. I can't wait to see Chiwetel Ejifor in the title role. It's sold out on the basis of Ewan McGregor as Iago but I really can't see him playing a bad guy - he's always the good guy. Anyway, can't wait.

... God is an American ... (not really but I'm sure they would argue it). Two weeks ago I washed this DVD - War on Democracy http://warondemocracy.net/ It's about North American policy in South/Central America and it is very scary stuff. So yes, I am afraid of Americans. However, last weekend I watched this on DVD http://www.noliberties.com/ it is also pretty scary stuff

Dear Benjaminty - it gets a mixed review on Tripadvisor (and I swear by Tripadvisor). Read it here http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g60763-d292140-Reviews-Sohotel-New_York_City_New_York.html There does seem to be a noise problem so if I were you I would make sure you request a quiet room. Read the Tripadvisor reviews so you will know what to ask for. Location looks great.

Yeah - I've booked myself a garden suite at the Chelsea Lodge for a week in July. I heart NY so can't wait.

This is a real treat for R.E.M. fans - a Royal Albert Hall gig next month with the band showcasing their new album and playing all the old hits. Tickets are on sale on Friday BUT there will be a pre-sale on Wednesday 13th February at www.livenation.co.uk. If you are planning to buy tickets on the Livenation pre-sale I recommend you register with the site before tomorrow so that you are good to go once the sale starts.

Friday 29th is my best friend's birthday. She only has one every 4 years so we make a big fuss of her. Might stop by on the way out though.

The first thing you must do is respond to the ebay dispute. If you do not do this then the seller will be able to neg you and there is nothing you can do about it (i.e. you will not be able to neg back). Then you will be deemed to be a "non paying bidder" and your ebay status will be affected and you will most likely get negative feedback. So do it. If your seller has not responded it may be that your email has been sent to his/her spam folder. This happens all the time and it is annoying. Frankly it is up to the individual to check their spam folder regularly but that doesn't always happen. You should contact the seller again, this time via ebay. Go into one of that seller's current auctions and click on "ask seller a question". The seller will receive that e-mail. I guarantee it. Explain that your other e-mails have gone unanswered. If the seller does not have any current auctions then you can still send a message through ebay but the route to the link is not as clear cut. Explain that you would like to pay through Paypal. You can pay by bank transfer if you call your bank to set it up but it will cost you about ?20 - ?30 depending on the amount of the transacton. You will have to go down this road if the seller won't accept Paypal so ask for Paypal first. If you do make payment using Paypal then please - this is very important so listen up - ensure that you empty your Paypal account of any cash that might be in it and that the payment is made by credit card (albeit through Paypal). Making payment by credit card gives you extra protection in case the good do not turn up. BTW - many ebay sellers talk all sorts of crap about "not being responsible in case of loss in the post". Not true. The seller is totally responsible. This is why you should pay by credit card through Paypal - if the goods do not arrive or they are not as described (e.g. they are fake) then you can open a dispute with Paypal and/or your credit card company and claw back the money. Good luck. Contact your seller again

missd Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > try this place -really good vallue and great > location > http://www.chelsealodge.com/ Thank you for posting this link. A few years ago I tried to book in here (trip to NYC to see Cream at Madison Square Garden) but I couldn't get in. I thought it looked lovely and the reviews were great. Anyway, I lost the link and couldn't remember the name. Thanks for posting it - I'm going to try and book a long weekend in the summer.

I must admit I've never been inside. In the days before the smoking ban The Drum always looked particularly smokey - that's very off-putting in a small place.

I can thoroughly recommend the Mercer Hotel in Soho (not too far from Lower East side). Gets booked up fast though - very popular place. http://www.mercerhotel.com/main.html Don't know what your budget is. It's a bit pricey but it's nice. Nice restaurant is Pastis - http://www.pastisny.com - also gets very booked up. I have also stayed at Hotel Gershwin (see above post) - nice place too. The problem with all NYC hotel rooms is they are tiny - which is really annoying considering how much they cost. Good luck - and milk that $ exchange rate for all it's worth.

Bruce Springsteen (vocals) Chuck Berry / Keith Richards / John Mayer (guitars) Jack Bruce (bass) Dennis Chambers (Santana's drummer - best I've ever heard) Tori Amos (keyboards and vocals) Ray Cooper (Percussion) Backing vocals - everyone from George Michael's tour last year