Cheap cigarettes, discount tobacco and Cigars online is it legal?Written by Declan Keane
Many people online today still believe that buying tobacco products via Internet is an experience that is doomed to failure. Either, package will go astray, or HM Customs and Excise storm troopers will smash down door and abseil from roof to collect pennies that they are allegedly due for “tax evasion”. That may on face of it seem silly to some of you guys out there, but let us consider propaganda issued by UK Government before we find this amusing. I’m a smoker myself and prices that we are expected to pay in United Kingdom are outrageous to say least. As far as this Government are concerned we can just do as we are told and pay up!! I don’t think that’s right, it’s time for a change. I first started buying Cigarettes on-line some 5 years ago and it’s not been a smooth ride by any means. It was difficult to find a good supplier, HM Customs & Excise had something to say, and sent a bill for every sleeve I managed to get! Until, I realized that it wasn’t me that was doing something wrong. It was our duly elected Government that was acting outside law. Now I’m left very much alone to get on with it and make savings that I’m entitled to make as a citizen of European Union.
| | Look at South Africa - "Celebrate the Beloved Country"Written by Craig Lock
# Introduction: Just sharing a few thoughts and remembrances after a very recent visit to my former homeland, this incredible, vibrant and diverse country at tip of vast ("dark") continent of Africa, which may be of interest. This piece that I wrote is based upon an inspiring address by former Archbishop, Desmond Tutu. LOOK AT SOUTH AFRICA - CELEBRATE THE BELOVED COUNTRY (UPDATED) Authors Note: It is ten years since first democratic elections, so we can celebrate a decade of birth of a new country, where in spite of an endemic crime rate most people accept each other and work together as common citizens of "beloved country". Well, I'm always looking at some positive aspects and this is my reason for sharing this piece about my former (yet always in my heart) country! In light of current world events and global uncertainty, I say: "Look at South Africa"... Thousands of people died over years of South Africa's turbulent, history (and under "nightmare" called apartheid - forgotten already ???)...which has ended relatively peacefully. Out of a violent and bloody past, South Africa's extraordinary relatively peaceful transition to democracy was a minor miracle... and I believe, South Africans have accomplished something unprecented, unparalleled in last eight years. Perhaps there is a message in South Africa's violent and tortuous path to democracy somewhere to "trouble spots of world"... perhaps there was a reason for misery and tragedy of apartheid (as well as many centuries of colonialism around globe), after all... A possible role-model? In spite of corruption, crime and "cheapness of life there, South Africa may be "trail-blazer", beacon of magnanimity, hope and reconciliation to world. With strong leadership, a spirit of goodwill, tolerance, acceptance ...and most importantly, attempts to understand other peoples and cultures, who are different to us (yet we humans have far more in common than our differences)...and especially with SPIRIT of peace, your nightmare too will end. An end to evil of terrorism, man's inhumanity to man and "impossibility" of world peace CAN one day be achieved. Let world celebrate quite magnificent achievement South Africans of ALL races and creeds, "The Rainbow People of God" have accomplished in past decade. With your "torch of light" you may yet illuminate path to a world one day at peace with itself. CELEBRATE THE "BELOVED COUNTRY" - a land of such contrasts, a "happy, sad" land of great wealth and great poverty, yet beauty and richness of land ...and most importantly its most valuable resource, spirit of its 45 million diverse peoples always seems to shine through in conquering adversity. "South Africa's ability to overcome deep divisions, to negotiate a common future and to commit itself to reconciliation and reconstruction offers new hope - not only to South Africa, but across globe."God does work in amazing and miraculous ways...and every person and country has a unique purpose in "God's Divine Plan". Craig Lock * "How apartheid was finally buried, without requiem; but in joyous celebration, will remain forever in hearts and minds of a nation reborn. When tears came, and there was dampness in eyes of even most stern, it was for putting past in past and hoping for hope in future." "South Africa is blessed in resources beyond many. It dare not live just for itself. It must work and labour to bless Africa and world...but especially Africa. If only for Africa's sake we dare not fail; because as South Africa goes, so will rest of Africa." * Editor's note (http://www.bridgeniche.com): This prayer of Craig Lock was published in THE BRIDGE EZINE,...so thought we'd share. Prayer for South Africa 1994 (and these days especially for Southern Africa...and specifically - Zimbabwe) by Craig Lock We join in prayer to celebrate this new nation and surrender its destiny to you. We give thanks in our hearts to founding of this vibrant nation of diverse peoples, a beautiful yet tragic land built upon rivers of blood, that flowed from our forefathers; yet still flow today...a 'happy sad' land of such contrasts. We give thanks for and bless souls of those, who came before us and prepared this nation, to nurture and to save it; because so many gave their lives for it, some selflessly and many needlessly. We ask that God's Holy Spirit now fill hearts of all this great nation's citizens with thoughts of goodwill, righteousness, justice, acceptance and respect for others. In this may we be cleansed of all destructive thoughts. May judgement of others, bigotry, racism and intolerance be washed clean from our hearts, like blood of our forefathers. God, instill in us especially a generous spirit of forgiveness and hope for future. May we play our parts, all of us, in healing and furtherance of our diverse country; so that South Africa will one day fulfill its immense potential, a promise yet to be fulfilled. To do very best within our abilities in developing "the Beloved Country" socially, politically, economically and spiritually...in a spirit of acceptane, co-operation, reconciliation and peace - each and every one of us. Let each one of us build bridges rather than barriers, openness rather than walls. Let us look at distant horizons together in a spirit of acceptance, helpfulness, co-operation and peace. Let our leaders look at future with a vision - to see things not as they are, but what they could one day become. * Dear Almighty God, you are all-powerful and omnipresent. You hold each one of us in palms of your mighty hands. May our minds be filled with thoughts of You; Your unconditional love and Your acceptance of all Your people, Your children. May this nation be forgiven its transgressions against its fellow citizens of all races and creeds and any and all others… so that we as a nation can move forward in harmony and prosperity. May our lives be turned to instruments of resurrection and reconciliation, to reach out and bring all our peoples together, that sins of our fathers might be reversed through us, His children. Let us forgive, even if we can never forget. May rich promises of this beautiful country of such contrasts be fulfilled...at long last. The greatest resource in any nation is its citizens; so may beauty and greatness of this rich, diverse and vibrant land burst forth in hearts of all it's people. Out of mistakes and tragedy of past, may dreams of our forefathers be realised in us; so that we might live with thoughts of goodwill, honesty, integrity, excellence and peace with our neighbours in a bright new dawn..
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