Donald Rumsfled benefits from Tamiflu

CNN reported on Donald Rumsfeld's growing stake in Tamiflu back in 2005.

The prospect of a bird flu outbreak may be panicking people around the globe, but it's proving to be very good news for Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and other politically connected investors in Gilead Sciences, the California biotech company that owns the rights to Tamiflu, the influenza remedy that's now the most-sought after drug in the world.

Rumsfeld served as Gilead (Research)'s chairman from 1997 until he joined the Bush administration in 2001, and he still holds a Gilead stake valued at between $5 million and $25 million, according to federal financial disclosures filed by Rumsfeld.

Given Rumsfeld's position as US Defence Secretary is it far fetched to suspect that the Swine Flu and Bird Flu outbreaks were biological warfare weapons that got out as a result of a biosecurity failure?

Donald Rumsfeld was and is well positioned to financially benefit from just

such an outbreak so there is means and motive.

Two years ago the UK Foot and Mouth outbreak was caused by just such a "shocking security lapse" as reported in The Telegraph.

Now given Tony Blair's links with the Bush / Rumsfeld regime it is ironic that Cherie Blair has been infected with Swine Flu.

But no doubt she has her mouth wide open for a good dose of Rumsfeld's Tamiflu. Hope she recovers soon.

.......... Warren EDWARDES ............

Hyde Park Wines - Sticky Wines and Wine for Spice and GrapesTALK

bargain wine books

I have come across a pair of great bargain wine books on The Book People

The World Atlas of Wine

Hugh Johnson & Jancis Robinson

£9.99 RRP: £45.00

............

Michael Broadbent's Vintage Wine

Michael Broadbent

£5.00 RRP: £35.00

.......... Warren EDWARDES ............

Hyde Park Wines -

Sticky Wines

Wine for Spice

GrapesTALK

making tea: warming the pot makes no difference

Advice by Stephen Malley, of the Institute for Studies, quited by The Daily Mash said:

"And here's a tip, when they ask if you've warmed the pot first, just say 'yes'.

It doesn't make the slightest difference anyway."

.......... Warren EDWARDES ............

Hyde Park Wines - Sticky Wines and Wine for Spice and GrapesTALK

what's in a name?

I wish wineries in Castilla La Mancha would brand their red grape Cencibel as Tempranillo. Regional pride's great but life's too short to develop an unknown grape "brand".

The same with Ull de Llebre and perhaps Tinto de Toro, Tinto Aragonés, Tinta del País, Tinta Madrid, Jancivera ... DNA is identical.

In Australia the grape formerly known as "Albariño" is in fact now to be called Savagnin Blanc or Traminer.

I can’t believe it’s not Albariño!

If the grapes can or cannot be distinguished by winemakers or indeed by most people in the glass then that is all that matters.

.......... Warren EDWARDES ............

Hyde Park Wines - Sticky Wines and Wine for Spice and GrapesTALK

abbey road

One of the perils of driving along Abbey Road in St John's Wood, North London, is having to slam on the brakes at that famous pedestrian crossing just outside the Abbey Road studios.

There is always a group of tourists waiting to cross on single file in Beatles fashion and have their picture taken by a friend.

Above is a picture I took earlier at the Beatles crossing.

On the Abbey Road studios site you can see for yourself the most famous black and white stripes in London by viewing their webcam which is trained on the crossing 24 hours a day.

.......... Warren EDWARDES ............

Hyde Park Wines - Sticky Wines and Wine for Spice and GrapesTALK

Bristol Wine & Food Fair 10-12 July 2009

I will be at The Bristol Wine & Food Fair 10-12 July 2009 at Stand B2.

I will have the semi-sparkling Wine for Spice Range which are refreshing not only at curry-time but also in the summer-time.

In addition I will have a sample of my new sweet and fortified wines from my StickyWines.co.uk range.

.......... Warren EDWARDES ............

Hyde Park Wines - Sticky Wines and Wine for Spice and GrapesTALK

speed bumps

Crossing the Bayswater Road near Marble Arch can be quite dangerous.

Maybe Westminster Council should introduce a German solution?

.......... Warren EDWARDES ............

Hyde Park Wines - Sticky Wines & Wine for Spice & GrapesTALK