Red Snapper: Sound bites and unsound nibbles (2005)

The Red Snapper column from the March 2005 issue of the Socialist Standard

Sound bites and unsound nibbles

"We're not flying over frigging Iran."  

- U.S. military official on the practice of sending U.S. military aircraft into Iranian air space to test its defences and spot potential targets. Guardian, Jan 29th.

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"As a general rule the more extreme the circumstances and the fear felt, the more force you can lawfully use in self defence." 

- From the new Government’s new guidelines about the self-defence and the defence of property. Daily Telegraph, Feb. 2nd.

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"I think Japanese nationals would welcome a female monarch in the present era." 

- Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on the proposal to allow female succcession to the Japanese throne. BBC News Online, Jan 25th

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"We have had people sent here who I would not trust at all. I have discovered that the Americans have made no checks on these men. Do you wonder why police stations and army barracks get blown up?"  

-An Iraqi police colonel on the recruitment of defence forces in Iraq. The Independent, Feb 14th.

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"Disaster is too polite a word".

- David Isenberg, an analyst at the British and American Security Council, on the US's efforts to train Iraqi forces. The Independent, Feb 14th.

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"You raise your voice. I raise mine. Some of you throw a bit of crockery."

- Tony [Blair] on his marital spats with the electorate, all media, Sunday February 13

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"When you're Secretary of State for Transport you don't tend to get inundated with gifts.”

Alistair Darling, S of S for T, in response to audience question on ministers having to declare any gift over £250 in Register of Members' Interests. Any Questions, BBC Radio 4, Sat, February 5.