When it comes to articles by Seumas Milne , the Guardian’s star, far-Left columnist, my usual line would be: “I read it so you didn’t have to”. But actually, that’s a cop out. Reading his columns opens a window into the neo-totalitarian mind. Know your enemy indeed. I bring this offering of half-truths and outright distortions to readers’ attention because it concerns a subject that is going to be much covered in the next few months. An anniversary is upon us. It is 30 years since Margaret Thatcher came to power in the most remarkable, peace-time premiership of 20th century Britain.
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Welcome to my new site, Robin Shepherd Online. This will act as a sort of archive for my articles as well as my personal thoughts on politics and news around the world.

The BBC is reporting the hanging of a young Iranian woman even though she had been granted a stay of execution by the head of Iran’s judiciary. The heartwrenching story of Delara Darabi — who was 17 when she was alleged to have committed murder — came to its conclusion on Friday. The 23 year old artist, whose trial was described as a farce by rights groups, was said in the report to have made a frantic phone call to her mother early in the morning saying she could see the hangman’s noose from her cell. The awful drama of the situation was captured by the BBC in the following words:
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This week saw the British army formally bring an end to its mission in Iraq. The occasion has been marked by the predictable round of denunciations about the “lies” and “misinformation” of the British and American governments, particularly as regards the initial reasons for invading. This piece from the British press stands out as typical of a genre which has now become the received wisdom. It is from Robert Fisk, the Independent’s Middle East “expert”.
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The Washington Post’s Charles Krauthammer is usually good value. And in his most recent column he takes on the vexed issue of waterboarding and other “enhanced interrogation” techniques practiced by the US security services.

“Torture is an impermissible evil. Except under two circumstances,” he says. ”The first is the ticking time bomb. An innocent’s life is at stake. The bad guy you have captured possesses information that could save this life. He refuses to divulge. In such a case, the choice is easy.”
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