Yank in London
"We have it in our power to begin the world over again"
Tom Paine - Common Sense
"A republic, sir, if you can keep it."
Benjamin Franklin
"War! What is it good for? Absolutely nothing!"
Norman Whitfield / Barrett Strong
occasional musings on politics, culture and life in general from an american in exile
"We have it in our power to begin the world over again"
"A republic, sir, if you can keep it."
"War! What is it good for? Absolutely nothing!"
28 February 2007
One in Two EU Citizens Find Religion Unimportant
I would have written this headline differently but then I am an atheist.
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The rule of law
If agents of the American government break the laws in a foreign country, especially one with a long standing democratic tradition and open court system, should they be held liable for their actions? Should the US have faith in the court systems of these countries and allow them to have a free and fair trial? Or should the US presume to be the ultimate authority and shield these agents from the laws of democratic, allied states?
It would seem that the US government has no faith in the democratic institutions of its allies and will not permit the accused to be extradited to stand trial.
Why? Why? Why? Are these the actions of a free state with respect for law and its fellow free and democratic nations?
I say it is not and it is a disgrace. (And completely predictable.)
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It would seem that the US government has no faith in the democratic institutions of its allies and will not permit the accused to be extradited to stand trial.
Why? Why? Why? Are these the actions of a free state with respect for law and its fellow free and democratic nations?
I say it is not and it is a disgrace. (And completely predictable.)
They aim to please...
...it's just that their aim is appalling. The US government has been forced to scale back its estimate of economic growth in the fourth quarter quite significantly. The had originally estimated a healthy 3.5% but say that the figure is actually 2.2%!
I'm fairly good at maths and the way I figure it that means that they reduced their original number by over 35%. That is really not very good at all. I think the appropriate grade would be a 'D' along with a note to the effect that the student "must try harder". ¶ 17:23:00 0 comments links to this post
I'm fairly good at maths and the way I figure it that means that they reduced their original number by over 35%. That is really not very good at all. I think the appropriate grade would be a 'D' along with a note to the effect that the student "must try harder". ¶ 17:23:00 0 comments links to this post
I need a car. Wanna swap?
Is it just my imagination or does this sort of thing seem to happen a lot more frequently in red (Republican) as opposed to blue (Democratic) states? You know those states that ostensibly full of people who believe that "every life is sacred".
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In some ways his argument makes sense
Jerry Falwell is now telling us that global warming is "Satan's attempt to redirect the church's primary focus". I mean Satan comes from Hell. Hell is hot. Ergo...
Oh, for fuck's sake, what was I thinking? This doesn't make any bloody sense even if we consider the source.
¶ 17:12:00 0 comments
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Oh, for fuck's sake, what was I thinking? This doesn't make any bloody sense even if we consider the source.
Fading fast
First I found out that all those years of revolting breath, which may or may not have an unfavourable effect on my sex life, may have been in vain with the news that garlic doesn't lower cholesterol and I am disturbed to find out that my vitamin supplements may be subtracting rather than adding years to my life.
At my age I think it just best that I sit down a while.
¶ 17:07:00 0 comments
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At my age I think it just best that I sit down a while.
Hands across the water
American law enforcement officers are poised to fly half way around the world to help the Philippine government solve the current wave of political killings that is currently sweeping the country. Let's hope that the FBI doesn't have to send anyone who is working on their own forty year old backlog of unsolved political killings.
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Big brother horns in
It seems to me that sometime ago Iran and Syria agreed to meet with Iraq to discuss issues of security in the reason. At the time I recall US officials muttering under their breath suggesting that the Iraqis shouldn't be talking to its neighbours. Now Big Brother Sam wants to come to the party. Don't the Americans listen to their own Vice President and understand that this will only embolden the enemy?
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Chuckie disses Mickey D's
I guess McDonalds Corporation is going to have to take down any royal warrants they might have for supplying the Windsors with transfats or tasteless burgers now that the heir to the throne, none other than the Prince of Wales, has come and said that Bic Macs should be banned.
I knew that there had to be an upside to having a royal family.
¶ 16:37:00 0 comments
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I knew that there had to be an upside to having a royal family.
27 February 2007
Srebrenica - a poem
Written, by me, shortly after the event as the true horror of the crime was becoming evident.
when Srebrenica fell I fell with her¶ 19:33:00 0 comments links to this post
when the men and children fell I fell with them
the hands I hold before me are stained with blood
is it mine or theirs?
What's wrong with this headline?
From the AP story about the bomb at the base in Afghanistan visited by the undead US Vice President "I'm a Big" Dick Cheney:
Might it not been appropriate to alter the syntax a wee bit so that the headline would read
23 Killed in Afghan Blast; Cheney OK
Just a thought.
¶ 17:46:00 0 comments
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Truly horrible news from Iraq
A car bomb has blown up in Ramadi today. The car was parked next to football pitch and at least 18 kids between the ages of 10 and 15 were killed.
¶ 17:29:00 0 comments
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Take a walk on the wild side - just not in Largo!
A commissioner for the city of Largo FL, one Mary Black, has introduced a resolution calling for the sacking of the city's manager, Steve Stanton. The commission is to consider the resolution at a special session this evening.
What's all the rush all about you ask. Well last week Mr. Stanton announced that he was planning to have a sex change. Mr. Stanton, who is a married father, has said he wishes to retain his position and has received support from the mayor among others.
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What's all the rush all about you ask. Well last week Mr. Stanton announced that he was planning to have a sex change. Mr. Stanton, who is a married father, has said he wishes to retain his position and has received support from the mayor among others.
Disney goes NIMBY*
That noted haven of enlightenment, the Disney Corporation, has taken steps to sue the city of Anaheim for daring to have the temerity to push forward with a plan that would put low cost housing into what it terms "the resort zone". According to Rob Doughty, a spokesman for Disneyland Resort:
"Our concern is, this could quickly unravel the Anaheim Resort area and the golden egg that it is for Anaheim."
And you wouldn't want to let poor people near a "golden egg" because gold is valuable and poor people either ruin or steal valuable stuff. Right Rob?
*Not in My Backyard
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*Not in My Backyard
And they thought no one was looking
The Bush administration has, via the Food and Drug Administration, quietly cut the financing of the Women's Health Office within the FDA by about 30%. Last year's budget had asked for 4 million USD, which was granted. However the FDA has decided to withhold 1.2 million USD of that which effectively means that the department will more or less shut down for the rest of the year. Could this be payback for the office's position, counter to that of the administration as a whole, in the Plan B contraceptive controversy? One wonders.
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Santorum wrong!
(He's also unemployed - snigger, snigger.) The US Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal by a Utah polygamist (any relation to Milt Romney?) on the basis of the court's 2003 gay rights ruling in Lawrence v. Texas. In his dissent in that case Justice Adolph Scalia argued that the majority opinion in Lawrence v. Texas would lead to successful challenges against laws forbidding polygamy, bestiality et al.
Too bad Antonio (Justice Scalia's real name - the Adolph thing was just my way of poking fun at him)! I'm sure you were looking forward to getting another wife, or a dog, or whatever.
¶ 16:11:00 0 comments
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Too bad Antonio (Justice Scalia's real name - the Adolph thing was just my way of poking fun at him)! I'm sure you were looking forward to getting another wife, or a dog, or whatever.
Things always get worse before they get better
Ergo, in line with White House thinking, things are getting better in Afghanistan, or at least they will soon. The Afghans are suffering from a growing lack of security, a dysfunctional justice system and a provision of basic services such as electricity and water is at best remaining flat and probably declining. It is clear that the people themselves perceive their situation as growing worse and, after all, perception is reality.
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Land of the free, home of the poor
If you believe the politicians, especially those associated with the Republican Party, the US economy is just a steamroller that is driving poverty to the dim outer reaches and making more and more Americans wealthy. The problem with this is that, on the fact of it, it just doesn't seem to be true. I have long described America, for friends and colleagues here in Europe (just the UK is part of Europe - just don't tell UKIP) that America has become a first world nation and a third world nation sharing the same real estate.
Now a study of US census data by McClatchy Newspapers shows that nearly 16 million Americans, over 5% of the population, are living in "deep or severe poverty". I guess those tax cuts didn't really help now did they?
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Now a study of US census data by McClatchy Newspapers shows that nearly 16 million Americans, over 5% of the population, are living in "deep or severe poverty". I guess those tax cuts didn't really help now did they?
Make it up as you go along
Five years ago the United States Government closed down the nation's largest Muslim charity, Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development, because, it alleged, that the group was funding terrorism. Now evidence has come to light, from the government's own documents, that some of the evidence against the foundation may have been fabricated.
Surely not! Not Bush&Co! They would never lie to us (unless it was for our own good of course).
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Surely not! Not Bush&Co! They would never lie to us (unless it was for our own good of course).
Think of the children
Just to show that there often is a meaningful difference between Britain and the United States and it is a difference for the better as far as UK residents are concerned I want all of you Americans to sit back and imagine that the US Secretary of Education comes out, in public, and makes a statement to the effect that marriage is not a requirement for the raising of children.
You're right. It can't happen there but it can happen here. In the words of Education Secretary Alan Johnson:
You're right. It can't happen there but it can happen here. In the words of Education Secretary Alan Johnson:
¶ 15:19:00 0 comments links to this post"It's the child that is at the centre of this, it's the parenting that matters, it's not the form of the relationship".
(Over)eating out
According to the US Center for Science in the Public Interest chain restaurants in the states are acting irresponsibly in making portions ever larger and filled with calories and fat. The Center is calling for legislation requiring all chain restaurants to display nutritional information, including calorie count, on their menus. They even found one burger, at an unnamed chain but you know who you are, called a "Colossal Burger" which contained 1,940 calories (only slightly less then the entire recommended daily amount for a woman) and 141 grams of fat.
I know that when I go out to eat when I am in the states and I am forced to eat at one of these places I generally have only a starter for my entire meal. Even that is often too large a portion for a sensible meal.
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I know that when I go out to eat when I am in the states and I am forced to eat at one of these places I generally have only a starter for my entire meal. Even that is often too large a portion for a sensible meal.
Gun nut turn on one of their own
There seems to be little tolerance among the pro-gun community for anyone who challenges the accepted orthodoxy in any way. This lack of acceptance extends to those who have spent most of their lives amongst the gun and hunting communities. So when renowned outdoor writer Jim Zumbo happened to say on his blog at Outdoor Life Magazine that he did not believe that assault rifles, such as AK-47s, had any place has weapons of choice for hunters the rabid dogs were unleashed. The revered National Rifle Association even went so far as to issue a news release announcing that its publications arm had "suspended its professional ties with Mr. Zumbo". Mr. Zumbo has also had to resign his position at Outdoor Life.
These zealots, who have done Zumbo such a disservice, are acting as though gun ownership were a religion. In a way I reckon they're right.
¶ 14:54:00 0 comments
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These zealots, who have done Zumbo such a disservice, are acting as though gun ownership were a religion. In a way I reckon they're right.
Is he or isn't he?
Some experts testify that the treatment that José Padilla has received at the hands of the American government, treatment that would certainly seem to border on the inhumane if not illegal, has made him unfit to stand trial. One expert testified that the former gang member has "strong indication of cognitive impairment" and there is a 98% certainty that he has received injuries to the brain.
Other sources, however, couldn't disagree more.
The decision will probably hinge on the testimony, if allowed, of his jailers as to the actual treatment received.
¶ 13:40:00 0 comments
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Other sources, however, couldn't disagree more.
The decision will probably hinge on the testimony, if allowed, of his jailers as to the actual treatment received.
Do over!
Taking advantage of the curious mistrial that they were given in their first attempt to try Lt. Ehren Watada Army prosecutors have decided to refile charges in the case and try Lt. Watada again. I wish him well.
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Serbia - a new sort of innocent
The International Court of Justice, attempting to be Solomon, found that the massacre of Muslims at Srebrenica in 1995 was indeed an act of genocide but that Serbia was not guilty of the crime but could have prevented it.
Please explain.
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Please explain.
Support the extremely wealthy!
If you are worried that the costs that defending himself against a multitude of charges of fraud and financial malfeasance could force Baron Black of Crossharbour (aka Lord Black aka Conrad Black) to give up his extravagant lifestyle I urge you to go immediately to www.supportlordblack.com and surrender some of your hard earned money.
Do not pass Go. Do not collect 200 quid.
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Do not pass Go. Do not collect 200 quid.
"We do not use the word 'win'"
"We can't kill our way out of this problem." So saith a senior British official in describing the tactical changes planned by British forces in Afghanistan. In order to undermine recent gains by forces of the former Afghan government the British plan to engage with average Afghanis, who they believe do not support the Taliban, in an effort to encourage them to quit fighting, rejoin their tribes and take advantage of human rights laws and increasing government presence.
The British are also concerned that plans to by the Americans to attempt to eradicate the opium crop will drive impoverished farmers without alternate sources of income back into Taliban hands.
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The British are also concerned that plans to by the Americans to attempt to eradicate the opium crop will drive impoverished farmers without alternate sources of income back into Taliban hands.
Lest we forget...
...where most of the 11 September hijackers came from and where a great deal, if not the majority, of funding for al Qaeda and related groups comes from four French nationals were killed in a terrorist shooting in the desert Kingdom yesterday.
It is too bad Prince Bandar isn't still the Saudi ambassador to the United States or he could pop round to the White House this evening and discuss the matter with the Decider (TM) whilst they have a private smoke on the balcony. Perhaps they could work out the schedule for the invasion at the same time.
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It is too bad Prince Bandar isn't still the Saudi ambassador to the United States or he could pop round to the White House this evening and discuss the matter with the Decider (TM) whilst they have a private smoke on the balcony. Perhaps they could work out the schedule for the invasion at the same time.
Homophobia or just plain greed?
The family of Thomas J. Watson Jr. the founder of International Business Machines, is trying to have the adoption of the lesbian former lover of one of Mr. Watson's children dissolved in order to prevent her from gaining access to a trust fund set up for Watson's grandchildren.
I'm not sure it matters what their motivation is. It is clear that these are just unpleasant people. I wonder if they are Christians in good standing or not.
¶ 12:52:00 0 comments
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I'm not sure it matters what their motivation is. It is clear that these are just unpleasant people. I wonder if they are Christians in good standing or not.
Meanwhile back on the home front
Murders in Philadelphia are already well ahead of last year's pace, a pace which was considered a crisis. Most of the sixty murders so far this year did indeed involve guns but it is important to remember that it wasn't the guns that shot bullets into these people killing them it was the people that were attached to the guns that shot bullets into these people killing them.
Got it?
¶ 12:47:00 0 comments
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Got it?
Meanwhile back on the home front
Murders in Philadelphia are already well ahead of last year's pace, a pace which was considered a crisis. Most of the sixty murders so far this year did indeed involve guns but it is important to remember that it wasn't the guns that shot bullets into these people killing them it was the people that were attached to the guns that shot bullets into these people killing them.
Got it?
¶ 12:47:00 0 comments
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Got it?
How many great-grandmothers is too many to be President?
Maybe there is a clinic somewhere where Republican Presidential hopeful Milt Romney can get cured of the polygamous habits of his not too distant ancestors. If not it could prove somewhat of a problem for the former Massachusetts Governor who seems to have more that legally permitted number of great-grandmas as one of his great-grandfathers had at least five wives simultaneously.
It must make Xmas shopping that extra bit more difficult.
¶ 12:39:00 0 comments
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It must make Xmas shopping that extra bit more difficult.
It's midnight. You're on holiday. Do you really know where your car is?
Have you ever wondered about some of those off site airport parking services? You know the ones I mean. They meet you when you arrive at the airport and drive your car off to some secure remote site where it remains until they bring you car back to meet you upon your return.
Or not as the case may be. The company in question, Pink Meet and Greet, "blamed problems on individual members of staff" and said that "it was no longer trading".
¶ 12:25:00 0 comments
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Or not as the case may be. The company in question, Pink Meet and Greet, "blamed problems on individual members of staff" and said that "it was no longer trading".
Trust me. It's safe.
Have you ever been driving down the road having just lit a fag, happily puffing away only to see a petrol station ahead and realise that you are almost out of fuel? Don't you hate to waste that brand new cigarette by extinguishing it before filling up? Well according to the boffins at the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms you really don't have to. According to them, after extensive research they found that it is virtually impossible to light petrol with a cigarette despite what we see in Hollywood films. (Warning: actually lighting a fag at the pump might not be such a good idea however.)
And, in case you missed it, you needn't worry about your mobile phone either. Rumours that mobiles would ignite the fuel were also a myth just like global warming.
¶ 12:07:00 0 comments
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And, in case you missed it, you needn't worry about your mobile phone either. Rumours that mobiles would ignite the fuel were also a myth just like global warming.
Beware of Greeks bearing sorority pledges
The national organisation of the sorority Delta Zeta was concerned about the chapter at De Pauw University. They didn't seem to meet the high standards they set for themselves. What did they do about it? They sacked all of the fat women, all of the plain women and all the ethnic women leaving behind a perfectly homogeneous collection of attractive, slim white women.
Well done ladies! Perhaps you should change your name to Phi Beta Barbie.
¶ 12:01:00 0 comments
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Well done ladies! Perhaps you should change your name to Phi Beta Barbie.
Farewell to a brave young woman
16 year old Josie Grove, whose request to have no more cancer treatment caused some controversy, has died at home surrounded by her family. Josie had fought leukaemia for over two years. May she rest in peace.
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Welcome to the Big Smokeless (2025 edition)
As if it isn't already difficult enough to get a black cab in London the city's mayor (not to be confused with the Lord Mayor of the City of London) "Red" Ken Livingstone has promised to reduce London's CO2 emissions by 60% by 2025.
His full report (PDF) is to be found here.
¶ 11:56:00 0 comments
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His full report (PDF) is to be found here.
Hot on Falwell's heels
One of the reasons I am quite happy not to live in America is that I generally only have to expose myself to the better bits of American television. (Not having satellite or cable I don't have to expose myself to Faux News.) Therefore I only get exposed to annoying little cretins like John Stossel. He you can listen to him, on the Glenn Beck show, letting us know that even if there is global warming it probably is a good thing.
He must watch Jerry Falwell religiously.
¶ 11:24:00 0 comments
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He must watch Jerry Falwell religiously.
The unrisen
I don't know why so many Christian Evangelists seem to be upset about the new documentary by James Cameron that purports to unearth the tomb of Jesus and his family. Some two decades ago I made a couple of business trips to Israel and made a trip to some of the so called holy sites. Everywhere you go there is a church which claims to contain the actual site of the crucifixion (the supposed actual place is marked with a round, silver ring) or that claim to house the place of Jesus's birth. Why can't they just build a church on top of the tomb and draw in the simple-minded? It could be a nice little earner.
I suppose that what they are really upset about is that Cameron asserts that Jesus's body is in the tomb which would mean that the alleged son of God did not literally rise from the dead. Do you think that they have ever heard of metaphor?
¶ 11:01:00 0 comments
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I suppose that what they are really upset about is that Cameron asserts that Jesus's body is in the tomb which would mean that the alleged son of God did not literally rise from the dead. Do you think that they have ever heard of metaphor?
26 February 2007
Where are Halliburton's hospitals when you need them?
It must say something about the state of a country if, when the head of state is taken ill, he is flown for treatment in another country. I guess he can count himself lucky he didn't end up at Walter Reed.
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Who knew?
Did you know that Mr. Sulu, or at least George Takei the actor who played him, was gay? I didn't. And it turns out it has a thing or two to say about Tim Hardaway.
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Trickling down
The American economic model is the great success story of the modern world, right? So how come one in six American families must rely on programmes designed to aid the poor to get by? I'm just asking.
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MII (Missing in Iraq)
The Bush extended family is a large one and there are lots of young men and women of an age at which they could be serving the American people in the Army, Navy, Air Force or Marines. The putative head of the extend family, the Decider (TM) himself, is always going on about what a fine career choice the military is.
So why, I ask myself, is it that there are no Bush extended family members who have made this excellent career choice and are proudly defending their country? Anyone?
¶ 15:02:00 0 comments
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So why, I ask myself, is it that there are no Bush extended family members who have made this excellent career choice and are proudly defending their country? Anyone?
Going toe to toe with Jerry Falwell
Dear Reverend Falwell,
I see that you have decided that you are a scientific expert and have been kind enough to inform us that global warming is a myth, that it isn't happening and that it is not based on facts. To use your words "global warming, at least as we think we know it, does not exist".
In that case I have decided to anoint myself as a Biblical expert and I am willing to trade you myth for myth. (Hey - I have at least read the book though admittedly in translation.) I say that the world was not created in seven days around six thousand years ago. That the biblical creation story is just a myth.
Go ahead Reverend. Your turn!
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Yank in London
¶ 14:30:00 0 comments
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I see that you have decided that you are a scientific expert and have been kind enough to inform us that global warming is a myth, that it isn't happening and that it is not based on facts. To use your words "global warming, at least as we think we know it, does not exist".
In that case I have decided to anoint myself as a Biblical expert and I am willing to trade you myth for myth. (Hey - I have at least read the book though admittedly in translation.) I say that the world was not created in seven days around six thousand years ago. That the biblical creation story is just a myth.
Go ahead Reverend. Your turn!
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Yank in London
What do they do with kids like this in America?
The Tyneside mother of an eight year old boy who weighs 14 stone (89 kilos / 196 pounds) has been required to appear before a child protection conference tomorrow and it is possible that he could be taken into care. He has already lost a stone and half since Xmas.
I would certainly hope that it doesn't come to the last resort of removing the child from the family but clearly something has to be done for this kid or he isn't going to live very long. If all other measures fail then I guess there is no alternative but surely there must be something that can be done. The mother indicates that he won't eat anything but processed foods ("Connor had a mouthful of apple once and he didn't like it") and I'm sure we all know kids whose diets are troublesome but even if he only eats rubbish he surely is getting way too much of it.
There are certain to be those who will say that the mother's rights are being infringed but surely the interests of the lad must come first mustn't they?
¶ 14:19:00 0 comments
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I would certainly hope that it doesn't come to the last resort of removing the child from the family but clearly something has to be done for this kid or he isn't going to live very long. If all other measures fail then I guess there is no alternative but surely there must be something that can be done. The mother indicates that he won't eat anything but processed foods ("Connor had a mouthful of apple once and he didn't like it") and I'm sure we all know kids whose diets are troublesome but even if he only eats rubbish he surely is getting way too much of it.
There are certain to be those who will say that the mother's rights are being infringed but surely the interests of the lad must come first mustn't they?
Supporting the troops
TThe American military mental health system is in extremely grave condition according to a study released by the American Psychological Association. At a time when one in ten of all soldiers would be defined as having a mental disorder the service is short nearly half of the psychologists it requires and there are many other shortcomings as well.
Of course if I pour through the detail of the Pentagon's record budget request I am sure that I will find that these shortcomings have already been addressed and that the spending isn't all on toys.
¶ 13:57:00 0 comments
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Of course if I pour through the detail of the Pentagon's record budget request I am sure that I will find that these shortcomings have already been addressed and that the spending isn't all on toys.
So long. It's been good to know you (sort of)
The ever controversial head of the Nation of Islam, Louis Farrakhan, gave his last major speech in Detroit yesterday bidding farewell to the faithful and saying that followers of the worlds major religions are "far removed from the prophets we all claim", which is hard to argue with, and saying that the Decider (TM) should be impeached for his "wicked policies", which is also hard to argue with.
Happy trails Louis.
¶ 13:51:00 0 comments
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Happy trails Louis.
Bloody Saturday
The English Rugby Union side played at Croke Park in Dublin, site of the Bloody Sunday massacre of Gaelic football fans by the British Army, for the first time at the weekend. The Irish fans greeted "God Save the Queen" with respect (there was a protest outside the ground) and then the Irish team kicked some English arse!
Well done lads.
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Well done lads.
Bush gets tough
President Bush is going to "send a message" to Pakistan's President Pervez "The General" Musharraf and threaten to cut US aid unless he gets tough on terror.
No mention of cutting US aid because he's a fucking military dictator he overthrew a legitimately elected civilian government. What ever happened to the "Freedom Agenda" anyway?
¶ 13:37:00 0 comments
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No mention of cutting US aid because he's a fucking military dictator he overthrew a legitimately elected civilian government. What ever happened to the "Freedom Agenda" anyway?
In hometown news
Back in Philadelphia I see that this past weekend four people were killed and six injured by something but not by guns. Why do I know this? Because guns don't kill people!
Oh, they are having some weather too! ¶ 13:17:00 0 comments links to this post
Oh, they are having some weather too! ¶ 13:17:00 0 comments links to this post
Glorious spring!
This is my favourite time of year. Today is mild but the wind is blustery. The daffodils are blooming, trees are beginning to flower and difference in the amount of daylight is noticeable almost day by day. By Friday there will be fifteen more minutes of daylight, if not sunshine, than there will be today.
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To deport or not to deport that is the question
The UK has been brokering deals with several countries that have significant issues with the adherence to human rights standards in order that the British government may deport failed asylum seekers after getting assurances from these governments that the returned individuals will not be tortured or otherwise mistreated. Great idea right? Except perhaps if the selfsame governments had their fingers crossed when they made their promises. These two Algerians agreed to drop their appeal against their deportation from the UK after receiving assurances from the Algerian government that they would not be tried upon their return. They were deported from the UK to Algeria and guess what. They are going to be tried.
Meanwhile across the great water a Canadian court has ruled that the process by which Mohamed Harkat, an Ottawa resident, was found to be a member of al Qaeda was "fundamentally unjust". This finding will undoubtedly put on hold his scheduled deportation to Algeria, a country from which he fled as a political refugee in 1990. He blames an informer-for-profit or possibly the Algerian government for the evidence given to the Canadian security authorities.
What impact, if any, will the situation of the UK deportees to Algeria have on the news this morning that the UK can deport radical Islamic cleric Abu Qatada to Jordan under a regime whereby Jordan vows that he will not be mistreated. I have no doubts that Qatada is a bad, and possibly evil, human being. However the quality of his humanity does not diminish it and he, like all of the rest of us, should have the right not to be tortured. To disregard his rights, as much as some of us may wish to, lessens us all.
¶ 13:12:00 0 comments
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Meanwhile across the great water a Canadian court has ruled that the process by which Mohamed Harkat, an Ottawa resident, was found to be a member of al Qaeda was "fundamentally unjust". This finding will undoubtedly put on hold his scheduled deportation to Algeria, a country from which he fled as a political refugee in 1990. He blames an informer-for-profit or possibly the Algerian government for the evidence given to the Canadian security authorities.
What impact, if any, will the situation of the UK deportees to Algeria have on the news this morning that the UK can deport radical Islamic cleric Abu Qatada to Jordan under a regime whereby Jordan vows that he will not be mistreated. I have no doubts that Qatada is a bad, and possibly evil, human being. However the quality of his humanity does not diminish it and he, like all of the rest of us, should have the right not to be tortured. To disregard his rights, as much as some of us may wish to, lessens us all.
Karmic Kleaning?
The branch of Bromley Express Dry Cleaners at Plaistow Lane lists on its front the various non-cleaning related services it offers. These include things you would expect such as "alterations", "tailoring", "zips replaced" et al. However I am not at all sure what they are hinting at by offering the service "Selves Altered". Is this more private competition in the mental health sector for the NHS to worry about?
¶ 12:03:00 6 comments
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Seymour Hersh on Iran
Where would we be without Seymour Hersh, eh? Is anyone else as devoted to the hard graft of real journalism as he is? His must read piece in the current edition of New Yorker about American plans re Iran is sobering. Is the US using Saudi funds, and perhaps other funds diverted from the accounting mess that is Iraq, to finance black operations in Iran and Lebanon? Are "American interests" being diverted to a larger war in the Islamic world between Sunni and Sh'ia?
Read it and find out.
¶ 11:44:00 0 comments
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Read it and find out.
All hail Inis Mor
For the next twelve months Inis Mor has earned the right to call itself Craggy Island, the spiritual home of Father Ted, after winning the innaguaral Craggy Cup yesterday by a score of 2-0.
All I have to say to that is "Feck! Drink! Girls!"
¶ 11:29:00 0 comments
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All I have to say to that is "Feck! Drink! Girls!"
25 February 2007
Strom's legacy
It's a shame that Strom Thurmond is dead because based on these recent revelations he probably would want Al Sharpton to call him "Massa".
¶ 12:33:00 1 comments
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I hope I die before I get old
Meet Chan Chi a 107 year old citizen of Hong Kong. He still enjoys the occasional fag but he attributes his long life, in part, to the fact that he has been celibate for the past 70 or so years. Not worth the price in my estimation.
¶ 12:30:00 0 comments
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Democracy's last line of defence
George Bush continues to pursue an ever more imperial Presidency and I think I speak for most people when I say that there is increasing concern over his intentions re Iran. There must be concern that even if Congress explicitly bars him from taking military action such is his hubris that he will attempt to proceed in any case. Should that come to pass then the only thing that stands between the American people and dictatorship may be the honour of those senior members of the military who would refuse his orders and resign. Should it come to that one thinks that anyone who follows in their footsteps would not dare to proceed with the Boy King's madness.
At least that is what one hopes.
¶ 12:22:00 0 comments
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At least that is what one hopes.
A thousand times no!
Speaking in Australia, whilst standing on his head to avoid that upside down feeling, US Vice President "I'm a Big" Dick Cheney has said that the US is open to military action against Iran.
I am but one of 300 million voices, a registered voter, an American and, despite what you believe in your darkest of hearts, a patriot. My voice says: :"No. We, the American people, are not open to more violence, more bloodshed and more tragedy for millions of people in the name of your neo-colonialist mission. 300 million times no!"
¶ 12:01:00 0 comments
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I am but one of 300 million voices, a registered voter, an American and, despite what you believe in your darkest of hearts, a patriot. My voice says: :"No. We, the American people, are not open to more violence, more bloodshed and more tragedy for millions of people in the name of your neo-colonialist mission. 300 million times no!"
Who would Jesus foul?
Welcome to the Clericus Cup, a football tournament put together by the Holy See and featuring teams of seminarians ands priests. Instead of yellow or red cards for fouls the players are given blue cards and then have to spend five minutes on the bench and presumably have to say twenty Ave Maria's.
In other football news we expect results from the Craggy Cup to be coming in shortly!
¶ 11:48:00 0 comments
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In other football news we expect results from the Craggy Cup to be coming in shortly!
Lost in the desert - no Moses in sight
A group of right wing Christian leaders are feeling lost and abandoned as they search through the 2008 Presidential field looking for someone to support. They feel marginalised and are afraid that they will be left without a viable candidate.
Well guess what. I am not sympathetic. I have been a left wing American all of my life and I have never, I repeat never, had the opportunity to support a viable candidate. Welcome to politics on the margins my friends. I hope you don't mind keeping me company for a while.
¶ 11:42:00 0 comments
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Well guess what. I am not sympathetic. I have been a left wing American all of my life and I have never, I repeat never, had the opportunity to support a viable candidate. Welcome to politics on the margins my friends. I hope you don't mind keeping me company for a while.
New Labour's family values
The right wing of the New Labour party, proudly led by Prime Minister Tony "Big Tone" Blair, want to take a leaf out of Bush 41's failed play book and make a big push to promote family values and financially aid married couples with children at the expense of unmarried ones. Other members of the party, led by Education Secretary Alan Johnson, disagree. Is a quicky divorce in the offing?
¶ 11:38:00 0 comments
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24 February 2007
White House takes a stand!
Once again we are treated to the real hard news. This from ABC: "White House Warns Against Iraq Pullout". Because we all know what happens when you pull out. You just can't make a baby that way.
¶ 16:48:00 6 comments
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He must have been a boy scout
The Freeway Blogger is ready for the next war.
I especially like the "now we'll have to shop even harder" one. In fact, I'm still chuckling away.
¶ 16:41:00 0 comments
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I especially like the "now we'll have to shop even harder" one. In fact, I'm still chuckling away.
Encouraging the evil doers
US Homeland Security Secretary Michael "The Scream" Chertoff has taken steps that will endanger the Homeland by ruling that children will not require passports in order to travel to Canada.
Why doesn't he just tell Barack Obama, ooops, sorry, Osama bin Laden, to dress his storm troopers up as innocent American kids? Why do members of the Republic Party hate America so?
¶ 16:17:00 0 comments
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Why doesn't he just tell Barack Obama, ooops, sorry, Osama bin Laden, to dress his storm troopers up as innocent American kids? Why do members of the Republic Party hate America so?
We're having an inquiry!
Here in Old Blighty we have been promised an inquiry into the illegal invasion of Iraq by the leader of the Commons Jack Straw. When will we have this inquiry you may ask. "In due course" says the Rt. Hon. Mr. Straw which I presume to mean "after Tony's out of the line of fire".
¶ 16:03:00 0 comments
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Just because you are paranoid...
Back in the Fifties conservatives saw Commies under every bad today they see "liberal bias" in every nook and corner of the known universe (note: the known universe is only 6000 years old).
In order to combat the lefties that are somehow behind the controls of Wikipedia some complete moron has decided that there was an overpowering need for a, get ready for it, Conservapedia. But won't this have a right wing bias which some enterprising soul will need to balance out by founding the Farleftapedia (TM)?
¶ 15:55:00 0 comments
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In order to combat the lefties that are somehow behind the controls of Wikipedia some complete moron has decided that there was an overpowering need for a, get ready for it, Conservapedia. But won't this have a right wing bias which some enterprising soul will need to balance out by founding the Farleftapedia (TM)?
Virtually terrified
Maybe in his battle to defeat the "terraists" George W. Bush will be sucked into the alternate reality that is Second Life never to be heard from again. Of course, he has to take Dick Cheney with him.
Hey look. A man can dream can't he.
¶ 15:42:00 0 comments
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Hey look. A man can dream can't he.
Trouble brewing
As if British top flight football sides didn't have enough cause for concern with the near collapse of on line gambling, driven by US arrests and prosectutions, which is responsible for a significant amount of football revenue including kit sponsorships of several club now the Royal College of Physicians has called for an outright ban on advertising of alcohol including sponsorship deals.
At least it isn't the Carling Premiership anymore.
¶ 14:34:00 0 comments
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At least it isn't the Carling Premiership anymore.
Who's in charge?
If Iraq is a sovereign country why would Israel be looking to the US to gain approval to overfly Iraq during a possible future attack on Iran?
¶ 14:29:00 0 comments
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Compare and contrast
This headline from a California TV station's web site, "Death toll rising in Baghdad car bomb attack" with this one from unbiased news source NewsMax "Baghdad Crackdown Sees Dramatic Drop in Death Toll". Both are dated 19 February.
The Associated Press have a story on a related topic: "Americans Underestimate Iraqi Death Toll". The AP have polled Americans and found that, while they can tell you with reasonable precision* how many US soldiers have lost their lives in Iraq, they woefully underestimate the price paid by the Iraqi population at large. The median estimate came in slightly below 10,000 whilst reliable figures have put the loss of life to be at least 50,000 with several estimates that are significantly higher.
*Addendum: most Americans estimate the US death toll at around 3,000 with the actual figure currently at a bit over 3,100 but both of these numbers fail to take into account the 800 civilian employees that have lost their lives performing tasks that in other wars would have been done by the Army. Speaking for myself, and I consider that I am reasonably au courant, would have put the contractor number much lower at perhaps 200 to 300. I think that is a number that will surprise most folks.
¶ 14:16:00 0 comments
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The Associated Press have a story on a related topic: "Americans Underestimate Iraqi Death Toll". The AP have polled Americans and found that, while they can tell you with reasonable precision* how many US soldiers have lost their lives in Iraq, they woefully underestimate the price paid by the Iraqi population at large. The median estimate came in slightly below 10,000 whilst reliable figures have put the loss of life to be at least 50,000 with several estimates that are significantly higher.
*Addendum: most Americans estimate the US death toll at around 3,000 with the actual figure currently at a bit over 3,100 but both of these numbers fail to take into account the 800 civilian employees that have lost their lives performing tasks that in other wars would have been done by the Army. Speaking for myself, and I consider that I am reasonably au courant, would have put the contractor number much lower at perhaps 200 to 300. I think that is a number that will surprise most folks.
I can't wait to see him in a burqa
According to sources in the Middle East Wacko Jacko has converted to Islam. This could prove interesting. How long before he ends up on the no fly list I wonder.
¶ 12:58:00 0 comments
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Heads keep on rolling
An eighth US Attorney with an seemingly excellent record has been sacked by the Bush administration. Margaret Chiara, a Republican, has announced that she has "resigned" as a US Attorney in Michigan.
¶ 12:47:00 0 comments
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The Brothers Baldwin - bad and busy
C- minus movie "star" and former enfant terrible Stephen Baldwin also describes himself as an "radical spiritual activist". Is there no end to his talents? He has just finished a new movie called Midnight Clear which has been produced by the author of the fabulous Left Behind series and is going to launch an extreme sports Christian ministry this year. Bless.
Do you think he talks to brother Alec much these days? Or to brother Daniel for that matter. Who knows extreme sports might of help to the wayward Baldwin.
¶ 12:28:00 1 comments
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Do you think he talks to brother Alec much these days? Or to brother Daniel for that matter. Who knows extreme sports might of help to the wayward Baldwin.
A place in hell for the Decider (TM)?
A complaint against a New Zealand billboard campaign for Hell Pizza which described The Decider (TM) as an "evil bastard" has been partially upheld by the county's advertising standards board. The offending ad had a picture of Bush-43 and the caption "Hell. Too Good For Some Evil Bastards". The board held that the use the term bastards was offensive. Other complaints that cited the denigration of the Great Leader and blasphemy were not upheld.
¶ 12:20:00 0 comments
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Striking out
The New York Times reports that the United States launched attacks against alleged Islamic militants in Somalia, raids which the US now admits killed no so-called "high value targets", from Ethiopian airbases. The raids came at a time that the US was giving tacit approval to the Ethiopian invasion of Somalia. Ethiopian government officials are denying the story.
¶ 11:32:00 0 comments
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McCain speaks more rubbish
No matter how fast American Presidential contender John McCain changes his positions he never seems to stop, however briefly, on a position with which I could agree. He has now opined that British PM "Big" Tony Blair has "literally sacrificed his political career because of Iraq". If this is the case Senator McCain would you kindly explain to me how it is the case that he is STILL THE FUCKING PRIME MINISTER. Thanks.
¶ 11:18:00 0 comments
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The sins of the teacher
The Spanish constitution has a curious exception laid out for the Catholic Church's role in education. The religious curriculum of Spanish schools is set not by the state but by the church. The church is also responsible for the appointment of religious teachers and that includes the right, now upheld by the courts, to sack teachers whose lifestyles don't measure up to the church's exacting standards. Offences to the Church's dignity include adultery, drinking and cohabitation. None of the sacked teachers seem to have engaged in sexual abuse of the children in their care; perhaps this is reserved for the priests alone.
I foresee an exodus of American right wing Christian nutcases who trundle off to Iberia to seek advice as to how to adjust the American Constitution in this direction.
¶ 11:09:00 0 comments
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I foresee an exodus of American right wing Christian nutcases who trundle off to Iberia to seek advice as to how to adjust the American Constitution in this direction.
Auntie non grata
The press credentials of three journalists in Cuba have been withdrawn including the Beeb's representative. Also barred are journalists from the Chicago Tribune and the Mexican paper El Universal.
We must not forget to condemn the actions of any state who represses freedom of expression.
¶ 10:39:00 0 comments
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We must not forget to condemn the actions of any state who represses freedom of expression.
"Can I play?"
Why does Tony Blair remind me of the littlest kid in the school class, hopelessly uncool, who never gets picked to be on the team or the annoying little brother who always wants to tag along whatever big brother gets up to? It now appears that Big Tone is engaged in "secret" negotiations with the Septics in the hopes that they will build a Tony Blair Memorial Rocket Zapping Launch Pad somewhere in Britain.
I ask again. Is he leaving anytime soon? Please.
¶ 10:33:00 0 comments
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I ask again. Is he leaving anytime soon? Please.
Kids are slipping
There are things that show up in the papers which I think should qualify as news. Today's Guardian has a front page story in which they feature the results of an "exclusive poll" which indicates that parents don't know what their kids get up to. According to the article two thirds of parents don't know that their kids have tried drugs. For fuck's sake to me this is an indication that parents are more involved in their kid's lives. When I was sixteen we were much more resourceful and secretive. I don't think any of our parents knew we had "tried" drugs even less that that we used them with considerable regularity.
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23 February 2007
Janus will be envious
US Vice President "I'm a Big" Dick Cheney, speaking in Australia has said that the coalition "simply cannot indulge" in considering early withdrawal from Iraq or a new wave of terror will sweep the globe.
Mr. Vice President, please don't shoot me for asking this but how does this square with your administration's stated position that the British withdrawal is a sign of success?
¶ 16:31:00 0 comments
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Mr. Vice President, please don't shoot me for asking this but how does this square with your administration's stated position that the British withdrawal is a sign of success?
What is he up to?
Why has US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales launched a new anti-religious discrimination campaign, called the First Freedom Project and why did he choose to announce it at a Southern Baptist Convention? He also plans to establish a Religious Freedom Task Force, charged to "review policies and religious discrimination cases". Is religious discrimination such a significant problem in the (undoubtedly small) mind of Mr. Gonzales that he has elected to set off on this initiative even though he has admitted that "he doesn't know how much the program will cost". It is reassuring to know that there are bags of excess money lying about in the District of Columbia, isn't it?
¶ 16:20:00 0 comments
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Eliminating useless government intervention
The United States Department of Agriculture has announced that it is to close the only laboratory in the Pacific North West capable of testing for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease). What we don't know can't hurt us, right?
¶ 15:59:00 0 comments
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Selling war or war for selling
Lord. Even Sweden is at it now. The leaders of the Swedish military want to see locally produced fighter jets used in combat in an effort to boost sales as it would "create invaluable PR ahead of future export deals".
¶ 15:56:00 0 comments
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God told me to do it
People are more likely to approve of or engage in violent behaviour if told that it is encouraged or approved by God. New research conducted at Brigham Young University in Utah and the Vrije Universiteit of Amsterdam showed that people reacted differently to a violent passage, one that describes torture and rape, from the Old Testament if they were told that passage came from the Bible than if they were told it came from an ancient scroll discovered by archaeologists.
And there I was thinking that it was just the Qur'an that promoted violence.
¶ 15:48:00 0 comments
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And there I was thinking that it was just the Qur'an that promoted violence.
Victory, at least for now, in Pierre
A new attempt to ban abortion in South Dakota, rejected by voters in the most recent election, has failed in the state's Senate but hard core supporters insist that they will continue to try and force down the throats of the electorate.
¶ 15:39:00 0 comments
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But does this just encourage the evil doers?
Lying through their gritted teeth the Bush administration is hailing news of the impending British retreat from Iraq as a sign of success!
¶ 15:36:00 0 comments
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Hunger in India
What part of trickle down didn't they understand.?
¶ 15:21:00 0 comments
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The Times reports that, despite a seemingly booming free market capitalist economy, malnutrion in India is worse than that in Ethiopia.
What part of trickle down didn't they understand.?
This propoganda is only for other people
The usa.gov website has been stripped of any and all content generated by the Voice of America after that was found to be in violation of a law, the 1948 Smith-Mundt Act, which "bars domestic dissemination of official American information aimed at foreign audiences" (aka propaganda).
Let's face it the American people should not be aware of the lies that their government is telling the rest of the world. After all it is hard enough to keep up with the lies the American government tells the American people!
¶ 15:02:00 0 comments
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Let's face it the American people should not be aware of the lies that their government is telling the rest of the world. After all it is hard enough to keep up with the lies the American government tells the American people!
Heart of Blackness
Baron Black of Crossharbour aka Lord Black aka Conrad Black aka the disgraced former publisher and proprietor of the Daily Torygraph is due to go on trial next month in the United States for various forms of financial malfeasance. Even though he has obviously been busy preparing his defence to he has managed to find the time to file an 11 million USD libel suit against Tom Bowers the author of an unauthorised biography of Lord Black and his wife entitled Conrad and Lady Black: Dancing on the Edge
. Lord Black has described the author of the tome as "vindictive, high-handed, contemptuous, sadistic" and "pathologically mendacious". That sounds like a more than adequate description of the good baron himself.
¶ 14:50:00 0 comments
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. Lord Black has described the author of the tome as "vindictive, high-handed, contemptuous, sadistic" and "pathologically mendacious". That sounds like a more than adequate description of the good baron himself.
Lies, damn lies and statistics
"I could prove God statistically." - George Horace Gallup
¶ 14:38:00 0 comments
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The company you keep
A conference in Oslo (for the Americans it is to be found in Norway which is to be found in Scandinavia which is to be found in Europe which is a continent in its own right) has seen the passage of a resolution calling for the banning of the production, sale and use of cluster weapons by 2008. The resolution passed by a vote of 46-3 with only Poland, Japan and Romania voted against. The China, Israel, Russia and the United States found that they had other things to do and didn't bother to attend.
At least they are consistent. China, Israel, Russia and the US have all refused to sign up to the land mine treaty as well.
¶ 14:25:00 0 comments
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At least they are consistent. China, Israel, Russia and the US have all refused to sign up to the land mine treaty as well.
Think of the children!
According to Steven Milloy in his ever entertaining "Junk Science" column on the Faux News website we need global warming or we won't be able to feed the children! At least I think that is what he is saying. It is not always all that easy to tell.
¶ 14:13:00 0 comments
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Birthday wishes for an autocrat
Wilf Mbanga, a former friend of Robert Mugabe and the former editor of The Zimbabwean, now in exile in the UK, sends birthday wishes to the Zimbabwean potentate and tells him there is still time to do the honourable thing.
Like Mr. Mbanga I can remember when Mugabe was on the side of the righteous but that now seems a very, very long time ago.
¶ 12:37:00 0 comments
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Like Mr. Mbanga I can remember when Mugabe was on the side of the righteous but that now seems a very, very long time ago.
UKIP to lose its independence?
Is it time we should bid adieu to the United Nations Independence Party? Yesterday the Electoral Commission ruled that the party had to surrender over £350,000 of contributions that were illegally obtained. The loss of these funds could make the anti-European party insolvent. Once the reality of the situation had an opportunity to mingle with the party's paranoia a spokesman said "it feels to us like there's an attempt here by the establishment to close us down".
¶ 12:29:00 0 comments
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America's favourite terrorist
Luis Posada Carriles, has failed in his bid to win release via a writ of habeas corpus. The bad news is that he is only in jail on charges of perjury and not for terrorism. He is wanted in both Cuba and Venezuela on charges of blowing up an airliner, killing more than seventy, as well as for the bombing of a Havana hotel.
Since he only killed atheistic communists it doesn't really count as terrorism I guess.
¶ 12:22:00 0 comments
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Since he only killed atheistic communists it doesn't really count as terrorism I guess.
Career choices v. names
I have brazenly stolen this little titbit from "The Diary" column in the Guardian. A leading member of the Urology Team practice in Austin TX is one Richard "Dick" Chopp. For Christ's sake didn't he even give it a thought before he decided on a speciality? I suppose if he were Jewish he would have become a mohel.
¶ 12:10:00 0 comments
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Unlike some I AM fair and balanced
Aficionados of Faux News and rabid Dubyaphobes may want to turn away now. I am about to be fair and balanced and say something nice about George W. Bush.
Christ this is hard!
The Guardian reports today that the Decider (TM) make actually do something good and support Zambia as it tries to defend itself against so called vulture funds which are seeking, quite legally but reprehensibly, to claw back payments for debt incurred by the country. The fund in question, Donegal International, is owned by an American and bought the debt valued at 30 million USD from Romania for 3 million USD. He has already won a judgement against Zambian assets in the UK in the British courts.
The amount in question is equal to or greater than the amount of debt relief that the poor Africa country has received from the West. The President is said to be concerned about this and has the power to block attempts at collection in the US. Should he do so he can expect to hear from me:
Christ this is hard!
The Guardian reports today that the Decider (TM) make actually do something good and support Zambia as it tries to defend itself against so called vulture funds which are seeking, quite legally but reprehensibly, to claw back payments for debt incurred by the country. The fund in question, Donegal International, is owned by an American and bought the debt valued at 30 million USD from Romania for 3 million USD. He has already won a judgement against Zambian assets in the UK in the British courts.
The amount in question is equal to or greater than the amount of debt relief that the poor Africa country has received from the West. The President is said to be concerned about this and has the power to block attempts at collection in the US. Should he do so he can expect to hear from me:
"Well done Mr. President. I'm with you all the way on this one. (Just don't get fucking used to it, OK?)
I think it necessary that I now go and medicated myself in some fashion.
¶ 11:56:00 0 comments
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Corruption pays
Shares in BAE Systems Europe's largest arms dealer (aka merchant of death) have soared to a seven year high with a slight assist from Tony Blair and the Attorney General Lord Goldsmith who killed the SFO inquiry into alleged bribery and now appear to be determined to kill the SFO itself (see earlier post).
¶ 11:49:00 0 comments
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Indonesian cojones
A novel technique is to be attempted to deal with the mud volcano that has been erupting on Java for the past nine months. It is believed that gas exploration by PT Lapindo Brantas.
Scientists are going to attempt to plug up the volcano with balls. Really big concrete balls. If it doesn't work I wouldn't want to be around when the 250 kilo concrete lumps come down.
¶ 11:48:00 0 comments
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Scientists are going to attempt to plug up the volcano with balls. Really big concrete balls. If it doesn't work I wouldn't want to be around when the 250 kilo concrete lumps come down.
Freeing the tubes
The US State Department proudly proclaims to the world that free speech on the internet is "a basic human right". This in itself surprised me as I had more or less assumed that the Bush administration had given up on the concept of basic human rights (i.e. ones that apply to ALL human beings including those that the US deems "evil doers") in entirety.
I haven't read the fine print of the release but I am sure that somewhere in there you will find a qualifier that suggests that in order to proceed with this concept that obscure and isolated sections of the internets will need to be designated as "free speech zones".
¶ 11:36:00 0 comments
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I haven't read the fine print of the release but I am sure that somewhere in there you will find a qualifier that suggests that in order to proceed with this concept that obscure and isolated sections of the internets will need to be designated as "free speech zones".
Variations on a theme
The US intelligence on Iran does not stand up to scrutiny according to diplomatic sources out of Vienna. The UN's IAEA has issued a report that indicates that the Islamic Republic is in violation of a Security Council resolution that requires it to freeze its nuclear programme. However the US intelligence related to a nuclear weapons programme has repeatedly resulted in dead ends when turned over to and investigated by the IAEA.
Anything sound at all familiar to anyone?
In the meantime Increasingly Irrelevant US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice makes noises with her sabre.
¶ 11:26:00 0 comments
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Anything sound at all familiar to anyone?
In the meantime Increasingly Irrelevant US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice makes noises with her sabre.
Will the real Craggy Island please fall over?
The effort to determine which small Irish island can lay claim to being the "real" home of Father Ted and to call itself Craggy Island for the next twelve months will reach its fevered conclusion this weekend with a three day extravaganza to celebrate the playing of the inaugural Craggy Cup match. Irish football legends John Aldridge and Tony Cascarino are to coach the competing sides. Bookmakers Paddy Power are sponsoring the event and I am certain that entertaining betting opportunities are available on their website (but not if you're American).
¶ 11:12:00 0 comments
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Justice denied
Lotfi Raissi is a British resident of Algerian origin who was arrested by British authorities in 2001 and held without charge after an American request for extradition. The British courts subsequently found that there was "no evidence at all" of involvement in terrorism and released Mr. Raissi in early 2002 after he had spent five months in Belmarsh prison*. Since his release he has been seeking compensation and an apology.
Yesterday his compensation claim was rejected by the High Court on the grounds that he had been held based on a request for extradition to the US and that he was not wronged "in the domestic criminal process". Essentially they have told him to go see the Yanks about the money. I assume that this will not prove to be fruitful.
I don't believe that he has had as much as a whisper of apology either.
*Note: Mr. Raissi in that the request for extradition was handled under the old agreement with the United States which required the Americans to present a prima facie case. Under the new and controversial agreement such evidence is no longer required for extraditions from the UK to the US but is still required for extraditions in the opposite direction.
¶ 11:01:00 0 comments
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Yesterday his compensation claim was rejected by the High Court on the grounds that he had been held based on a request for extradition to the US and that he was not wronged "in the domestic criminal process". Essentially they have told him to go see the Yanks about the money. I assume that this will not prove to be fruitful.
I don't believe that he has had as much as a whisper of apology either.
*Note: Mr. Raissi in that the request for extradition was handled under the old agreement with the United States which required the Americans to present a prima facie case. Under the new and controversial agreement such evidence is no longer required for extraditions from the UK to the US but is still required for extraditions in the opposite direction.
Tough on investigations into corporate fraud - tough on the causes of investigations into corporate fraud
The purpose of the Serious Fraud Office is essentially what its name says. In has been much in the news of late since its investigation into allegations of corrupt practices by weapons merchant BAE Systems in its successful efforts to secure a multi-billion pound deal with Saudi Arabia was quashed by the government whilst they chanted "national security, national security". Now we learn that the Blair government has decided that enough is enough and is making moves to close down the department and perhaps merge its functions into other branches of the government.
I am certain that these moves are solely in the interests of streamlining government processes and are not at all politically motivated.
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I am certain that these moves are solely in the interests of streamlining government processes and are not at all politically motivated.
And then there were nun
The Catholic population of the United Kingdom is growing in leaps and bounds on the strength on Eastern European immigrants, largely from Poland. However the church is suffering from a staff shortage to serve them. This is especially true of the number of nuns who now number less than 1,110 and are aging rapidly. Perhaps market forces which are competing in the marketplace for young, female virgins to serve as houris for the legions of Islamic martyrs are causing the church to come up short.
Any volunteers?
¶ 10:46:00 0 comments
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Any volunteers?
22 February 2007
Oops she did it again
Should anyone outside of the immediate family care Britney Spears is once again in rehab. Third time this week I reckon and it's only Thursday!
¶ 18:38:00 0 comments
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Tit-for-tat (by tits)
North Korean supremo Kim Jong-Il has accused the US of "fabricating lies". In a sharply worded rebuttal a highly placed but anonymous source within the Bush administration called the allegations "absolutely false and untrue" and went on to say that "we were only fabricating the truth".
¶ 18:16:00 0 comments
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Extraordinarily rendered tours
If I had to make a guess I would say that Szarpie Travel of Poland is in all probability not an in house travel agency for the CIA.
¶ 18:07:00 6 comments
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There's nothing like a good Quaker education
That's why someone at Swarthmore College can bring us this compendium of bizarre American sex laws.
Note: to al-Qaeda members - you sure better hope that heaven isn't in the state of Washington!
¶ 18:01:00 0 comments
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Note: to al-Qaeda members - you sure better hope that heaven isn't in the state of Washington!
Could polygamists destroy gay marriage?
Don't laugh. It could happen.
¶ 17:47:00 0 comments
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Dodgy cantaloupes
I am not sure I want to know what it is that can be done to a melon so that it carries salmonella. If you know please don't tell me.
¶ 17:42:00 0 comments
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Further down the slippery slope
What causes internal ethnic or politic strife of whatever intensity to turn into a full fledged, bloody and ultimately self-destructive civil war? Often it takes just one triggering event; an event that in the grand scheme of things may seem relatively minor. I am not suggesting that the rape of 20 year old Iraqi woman is a minor event but I am thinking that it could prove to be just such a trigger.
I hope that I am wrong.
¶ 17:17:00 0 comments
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I hope that I am wrong.
How low must I stoop?
Must I rely on the New York Daily News as a news source?
I am afraid that in certain circumstances I must and this short and succinct delineation of the "Scooter" Libby / Valerie Plame food chain is one of those circumstances.
Note to the Decider (TM): if Scott McClellan really spoke for you back in 2003 you've got quite a few folks to sack. If you hurry you can get it done tomorrow morning and release the news on Friday afternoon. You have to admit that you love to bury bad news by releasing it on Friday afternoons. Why should this be any different?
¶ 17:08:00 0 comments
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I am afraid that in certain circumstances I must and this short and succinct delineation of the "Scooter" Libby / Valerie Plame food chain is one of those circumstances.
Note to the Decider (TM): if Scott McClellan really spoke for you back in 2003 you've got quite a few folks to sack. If you hurry you can get it done tomorrow morning and release the news on Friday afternoon. You have to admit that you love to bury bad news by releasing it on Friday afternoons. Why should this be any different?
The way of all flesh
Will the Southern Baptists go the way of the Catholic Church and have to expose itself to damaging and painful criminal cases and civil suits over sexual abuse within the church or is this just Jesus hating atheists stirring up trouble for the righteous?
¶ 17:05:00 0 comments
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A delicately laid trap
A representative group of Israeli Arabs is putting forward a manifesto that calls for the Arab minority to be given collective rights and to ensure that they are represented in the government. The move has set off alarm bells amongst Jews in the country.
The document is called "The Future Vision of the Palestinian Arabs in Israel" has been produced in conjunction with the Committee of Arab Mayors in Israel and "has been endorsed by an unprecedented range of Arab community leaders".
I have always felt that the a reason, perhaps the primary reason, that Israel does not have a written constitution is that to put down in black and white a definition of the state of Israel as a state for and of Jews, and Jews alone, exposes that policy as a racist one which would lose it much international support and which would be an anathema to many of Israel's citizens.
It is hard to say how the Israeli state, or the United States for that matter, will react to this once it is put into a position that it has to deal with it directly. Does it expose itself as a racist state? Does it consider the possibility of a one, secular state of greater Palestine as the ultimate solution to the seemingly intractable problems it faces today but at the price of the loss of a Jewish state?
Interesting.
¶ 16:50:00 0 comments
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The document is called "The Future Vision of the Palestinian Arabs in Israel" has been produced in conjunction with the Committee of Arab Mayors in Israel and "has been endorsed by an unprecedented range of Arab community leaders".
I have always felt that the a reason, perhaps the primary reason, that Israel does not have a written constitution is that to put down in black and white a definition of the state of Israel as a state for and of Jews, and Jews alone, exposes that policy as a racist one which would lose it much international support and which would be an anathema to many of Israel's citizens.
It is hard to say how the Israeli state, or the United States for that matter, will react to this once it is put into a position that it has to deal with it directly. Does it expose itself as a racist state? Does it consider the possibility of a one, secular state of greater Palestine as the ultimate solution to the seemingly intractable problems it faces today but at the price of the loss of a Jewish state?
Interesting.
The invisible hand of the market
One would think that it would not be necessary to have a specific law that would prevent hospitals from dumping patients on the street but one would, it seems, be wrong.
You know that sometimes, just every now and then, I get to thinking that the death penalty isn't such a bad thing after all.
¶ 16:46:00 0 comments
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You know that sometimes, just every now and then, I get to thinking that the death penalty isn't such a bad thing after all.
Baghdad turnarounds
The US Department of Defense is having to redeploy National Guard units that have already served in Iraq and to shorten the length of time between deployments in order to satisfy the Decider's seemingly insatiable need for fresh cannon fodder. Hey. Maybe they will get lucky and be privileged to serve alongside of royalty!
¶ 16:37:00 0 comments
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Right to life plea
Two Scandinavian religious organisations, DanChurchAid and Norwegian Church Aid have made a call for all governments to adopt an immediate freeze on the production, sale and use of cluster munitions. Their news release says in part:
"As church related agencies, we are driven by our faith that life is sacred, because we believe that all people are created and loved by God. Cluster munitions maim and kill indiscriminately."
I am certain that it is a matter of mere hours before their call is taken up by the numerous and various "right to life" organisations in the US. I mean "all life is sacred", right?
¶ 16:32:00 0 comments
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Things ratchet up
The Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, none too subtly warned the United States not to embark on military endeavours outside the borders of Iraq and explicitly noted Iran. According to Mr. Lavrov:
"The escalation of the conflict and its possible spread beyond the Iraqi borders will inevitably result in catastrophic consequences and not for the Middle East alone...I believe Washington understands this."
Undoubtedly there will be more to follow.
¶ 15:58:00 0 comments
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Maybe Spielberg could do a film
This company's lifts are to be found in office buildings and hotel across Europe and I almost always have a chuckle when I see their name on the little safety notice.
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"When I said 'No Visitor' I meant 'No Visitors'"
A Swiss Senator, Dick Marty, who is investigating the treatment of detainees at the hands of their American gaolers for the Council of Europe, has had his request to visit the Guantánamo detention facility denied by US authorities. Mr. Marty had planned to travel to Cuba with the United Nations special rapporteur for torture in order to talk with prisoners.
Is anyone surprised?
¶ 15:23:00 0 comments
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Is anyone surprised?
Breaking new. Israel to do what it wants!
The Israeli government says it will ignore Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas if he and his Fatah party join with Hamas in a unity government. It is clear that the US, at least tacitly, supports this. Remember that Hamas was put into office by a democratic process which all parties agree was free and fair. But democracy be damned if they won't do what we want.
If you can keep a secret, at least from Bush&Co, I will inform you that Tony Blair is hinting that he might actually deal with the elected government of Palestine in defiance of the Decider (TM).
¶ 14:58:00 0 comments
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If you can keep a secret, at least from Bush&Co, I will inform you that Tony Blair is hinting that he might actually deal with the elected government of Palestine in defiance of the Decider (TM).
Calling the IAEA
Will you please go the United States immediately, do not pass go, do not collect two hundred quid, and embark on an emergency inspection tour of American nuclear weapons facilities.
Please.
Of course, on second thought, it is in Texas.
¶ 14:49:00 0 comments
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Please.
Of course, on second thought, it is in Texas.
A suggestion for climate change skeptics
Pack up your things, get your family together and move to a home (preferably beach front) in Bangladesh.
If that doesn't tickle your fancy just shut up and go away!
¶ 14:47:00 0 comments
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If that doesn't tickle your fancy just shut up and go away!
Quote for the day (an irregular event)
"A cult is a religion with no political power" - Tom Wolfe
¶ 14:34:00 0 comments
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Fighting Hungary
In a move that will make neither the US government nor the genetically modified food industry happy the European Union has upheld the right of Hungary to ban GM seed. According to a spokesman for EuropaBio, a GM industry group "the Council continues to seriously damage the credibility of the EU's regulatory system which they helped to put in place and on which much of Europe's innovative and industrial capacity relies...today's decision simply denies the freedom of choice to Hungarian farmers who want to grow insect protected maize crops". So in this case, choice is good?
¶ 14:26:00 0 comments
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Sticking to what they do best
It is good to see that after a long period of corrupt but reasonably stable government until Silvio Berlusconi that the Italians have returned to old favourites as the sixty-first government of the country in the past sixty-two years has collapsed and Prime Minister Romano Prodi has resigned.
¶ 12:49:00 0 comments
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Two strikes and you're out
It should not surprise anyone too greatly that American troops have conducted an armed raid against the Iraq Syndicate of Journalists. I mean union members AND journalists. Guilty as charged!
The raid occurred on Monday and the US forces arrested ten security guards and "confiscated their licensed weapons". (Are you listening at the NRA?)
We should also no bet surprised that I can find no coverage of this outside of the Middle Eastern press and the Guardian. The International Federation of Journalists has also issued a press release condemning the raid.
¶ 12:41:00 0 comments
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The raid occurred on Monday and the US forces arrested ten security guards and "confiscated their licensed weapons". (Are you listening at the NRA?)
We should also no bet surprised that I can find no coverage of this outside of the Middle Eastern press and the Guardian. The International Federation of Journalists has also issued a press release condemning the raid.
The coalition of the leaving
The United Kingdom has announced plans to pull its troops out of Iraq although Tony Blair has reserved the right to check and raise. Now Denmark is also pulling out and Lithuania is likely to be hard on their heels.
Is anyone keeping score? Who's left other than Australia? Fiji? Liechtenstein? The Holy See?
¶ 12:35:00 0 comments
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Is anyone keeping score? Who's left other than Australia? Fiji? Liechtenstein? The Holy See?
Did you know....
....that Ted Kennedy and George Washington share a birthday? I didn't. This must really wind up the Bushites as the Decider (TM) has to share his birthday with lesser lights 50 Cent, Sylvester Stallone and Merv Griffin. He also shares it with Nancy Reagan but I don't think they're talking because of the stem cell thing.
¶ 12:28:00 0 comments
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Colourblindness
In its six years and a bit in office the Bush administration has failed to nominate a single Afro-American for a judicial position in nine of eleven Southern states, including Bush's home state of Texas. Representatives of Senator Trent Lott want to include the recent nomination of Halil Ozerden as he is of Turkish descent and an example of diversity in nominations as he is "non-Caucasian", a position with which Atatürk would have strongly disagreed.
I think we should give them the benefit of the doubt here. I mean it is hard for Republicans. They just don't know any black people who don't clean their houses, cook their food or drive their cars.
¶ 12:16:00 0 comments
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Cuba libre
In an effort to prove that the one thing that the Bush administration does will is consistency and commitment to failed policies Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutiérrez yesterday reminded everyone, despite the opinions of the business community and the American public, that the US government will never change course. On anything. Especially Cuba.
In an act of civil disobedience against this complete idiocy I propose to spend the afternoon in a English pub getting pissed on fine Cuban rum and smoking noxious Cuban cigars in defiance of the US Treasury.
¶ 11:59:00 0 comments
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In an act of civil disobedience against this complete idiocy I propose to spend the afternoon in a English pub getting pissed on fine Cuban rum and smoking noxious Cuban cigars in defiance of the US Treasury.
Go ahead call me a sexist bastard*
I know some of you will because I disagree with the decision by the All England Lawn Tennis Club to award equal prize money to the winners of the men's and women's tournaments. I did a bit of research last year when the issue was so controversial and female competitors earned considerably more per set and per hour than their male counterparts. So is this truly equal pay for equal work or not?
If they are concerned about ensuring that all competitors are treated fairly why are the prizes in the doubles competitions increased to twice that of those for the singles?
OK. I'm ready. Abuse me.
*In my defence I am most definitely not a sexist!
¶ 11:51:00 0 comments
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If they are concerned about ensuring that all competitors are treated fairly why are the prizes in the doubles competitions increased to twice that of those for the singles?
OK. I'm ready. Abuse me.
*In my defence I am most definitely not a sexist!
Is Jesus involved with this?
Do you think that when George Bush and Tony Blair retire they will move on to do anything useful for society as a whole? If they are considering in they probably won't want to choose former American President Jimmy Carter as a role model because he's just a little too far left for their tastes. They might however consider having Yahya Jammeh, the President of the Gambia, as their mentor though. After all he can cure AIDS with just a herbal paste, bananas and a laying on of hands.
The Western press has been at best sceptical, and at worse downright critical, of these claims but the undoubtedly independent Gambian press quickly cuts them down to size. Not only that but they expect a huge influx of the diseased, deluded and deranged to soon descend upon their country.
¶ 11:33:00 0 comments
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The Western press has been at best sceptical, and at worse downright critical, of these claims but the undoubtedly independent Gambian press quickly cuts them down to size. Not only that but they expect a huge influx of the diseased, deluded and deranged to soon descend upon their country.
James Brown's body lies amoulderin' in the grave (alomost)
The bickering amongst the family of the sadly departed singer James Brown continues but they at least seem to have finally settled on funeral arrangements some two months after he passed away.
His body is to lie in an undisclosed location where it can be visited by US Vice President "I'm a Big" Dick Cheney whilst he is in hiding so that he may have his blood refreshed by transfusions from fifteen year old virgins.
¶ 11:28:00 0 comments
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His body is to lie in an undisclosed location where it can be visited by US Vice President "I'm a Big" Dick Cheney whilst he is in hiding so that he may have his blood refreshed by transfusions from fifteen year old virgins.
In the footsteps of the master
Following in the tradition of the Decider (TM) Tony Blair, British Prime Minister (almost) Emeritus and George Bush's succubus, says that he listens to the generals on the ground and then ignores their sage advice. British military commanders wanted a bigger and swifter withdrawal of troops from Iraq than that promised by Big Tone yesterday. Their position is that the duties that they are currently performing in and around Basra in the south of the country are effectively little more than policing and would be better done by the, well, police.
Today St. Anthony went further. In speaking on the Radio 4's the Today Programme he denied that he was in any way responsible for the "very grim situation" in Iraq and left open the possibility that British troops might return or, one suspects, not leave at all should condition further degenerate.
Does he have a departure date yet? If not - why not?
¶ 11:20:00 0 comments
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Today St. Anthony went further. In speaking on the Radio 4's the Today Programme he denied that he was in any way responsible for the "very grim situation" in Iraq and left open the possibility that British troops might return or, one suspects, not leave at all should condition further degenerate.
Does he have a departure date yet? If not - why not?
The evil of socialism
The British Office of Fair Trading thinks that the NHS is paying too much for the wrong drugs and has put out a position paper as to how to tackle the problem. They suggest the current system of price and profit controls with a value based system. I am unsure if I agree entirely with their thinking, and admit I have yet to get all the way through the 120 page document (PDF) but it is not surprising that big pharma is less than pleased with their ideas with a spokesman for the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry saying that the organisation "strongly refuted suggestions that the NHS is paying too much for its drugs".
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Ban the bulb!
Following the footsteps of newly converted eco-warrior John Howard the Decider (TM) can take nearly painless measures to enhance his already inestimable legacy by proving that he does indeed care about the planet by banning tungsten light bulbs.
It's easey peasey George.
¶ 10:46:00 0 comments
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It's easey peasey George.
21 February 2007
Icelandic mystery solved
Fifty large trees that went missing in Reykjavík last week have been found save and sound in Hafnarfjördur yesterday. Their means of travel from one spot to the other was, as yet, unclear.
I've been to Iceland and there aren't a lot of trees around to begin with so it isn't like they were hiding in the nearest forest as there isn't one.
¶ 17:38:00 0 comments
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I've been to Iceland and there aren't a lot of trees around to begin with so it isn't like they were hiding in the nearest forest as there isn't one.
What ever you do just don't panic
Before anyone gets overly concerned about it I bring you the welcome news that Swedish authorities are to allow the IAEA to inspect the country's nuclear power plants. Whew. That was a close one.
When is the American inspection scheduled?
¶ 17:33:00 0 comments
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When is the American inspection scheduled?
Dick Cheney - a profile in courage
Speaking to American troops on an aircraft carrier just off of Japan Vice President "I'm a Big" Dick Cheney said of the occupation of Iraq:
"We want to complete the mission, we want to get it done right, and then we want to come home, with honor."
Vice President Cheney, who will be home Monday, must have been using the royal "we".
¶ 17:23:00 0 comments
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Speaking of blowing in the wind
Aussie PM John Howard is trying to match McCain revolution for revolution.
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Paraphrasing Tim Dickinson
You would have to be a weathervane to know which way McCain blows.
¶ 17:16:00 0 comments
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The department that cried wolf
I, for one, am shocked, appalled and not a little surprised to find out that the American government might be lying about terrorism-related investigations and prosecutions they pursue. It is so unexpected from this lot. This is not according to some radical left wing news source, if there are any, but from the Department of Justice's own Inspector General. Of the twenty six categories of statistics that he reviewed he found that twenty four of them were inaccurate.
¶ 17:07:00 0 comments
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Go Rudy go!
There are lots of bad reasons to think that Rudy Giuliani should be the Republican presidential candidate in 2008. I can, however, think of one good reason; the Christian hardcore hates him and therefore probably will not turn out to vote for him in overwhelming numbers.
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Fugitives from justice living in North Carolina
Two of the pilots wanted by Germany in the "extraordinary renditions" case have been tracked down and are currently living in North Carolina. Whether the US will cooperate with the German authorities and assist in identifying the men and arranging for them to be brought to justice remains to be seen. Not!
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Harare hell
The situation in Zimbabwe continues to spiral downwards as poverty, hunger, human rights violations and general political suppression worsen. American invasion plans, said to be part of the "Freedom Agenda", are said to be contingent on the discovery oil in the beleaguered country. "Why else would we bother" said an unnamed by highly placed administration source.
¶ 16:41:00 0 comments
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Get out now...er...I meant soon
British Prime Minister has taken strides to "embolden the evil-doers" by announcing a time table for the exit of British troops from Iraq. The draw down will take longer than expected and hoped; 1600 fewer in a few months and all personnel out by the end of 2008. The dragged out schedule is probably due to US pressures but that, of course, will be denied.
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20 February 2007
I confess
I bought a packet of Iranian dates today. Do I have to inform the CIA or can I just turn myself in at Grosvernor Square.
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A citizenship quiz
An article over at TomPaine.com asks Which Babies Are Real Americans?". So the right wingers don't get all in a lather over this I have a few simple tests that should, I hope, make everything clear.
¶ 17:23:00 0 comments links to this postAre the parents married (to each other)? If yes continue
Are the parents different sexes? If yes continue
Does either parent speak a language other than American? (Note: English may be acceptable.) If no continue
Are both parents Christians or similar religions like Catholic or Mormon? If yes continue
Is either parent an Indian? (Asian or American) If no continue
Does either parent read more than three books a year? If no continue
Is at least one parent clinically obese? If yes continue
Does at least one parent own a gun? If yes - we've got a winner!
Our Leader speaks out on intelligence. We listen.
The Decider (TM) used the occasion of a speech at an Air Force base to call for greater diversity in recruitment in the intelligence community. He was specifically referring to language skills but perhaps there was a broader yet hidden message. He may have also meant that there should be more tall people or left handers or chess players or homosexuals. (Heh. I snuck that last one in there to see if you were paying attention.)
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From a Jewish perspective
Why anti-Zionism is not to be equated with anti-Semitism.
¶ 16:29:00 0 comments links to this postIn the fall of 2004 I edited Bad Subjects #70, an issue that featured essays on a wide variety of topics including a piece by Rebeca Siegel about the correlation between anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism. At the time, there was (and still is) a great deal of controversy taking place in academia because various scholars/teachers had been pushing their respective universities to divest funds from Israel because of their treatment of Palestinians, and their continual defiance of U.N. law. In addition, a growing number of scholars were beginning to raise general concerns about Israel’s occupation of the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights. While anti-Zionist perspectives had been most clearly articulated by, and thus associated with, faculty and students in Middle East Studies and Ethnic Studies programs, there were more professors outside of these fields that were becoming visibly upset about the policies of the Israeli government and the general project of Zionism. Among those dissenters were Judith Butler, a well known and respected Jewish academic who teaches at U.C. Berkeley. In an essay entitled “The Charge of Anti-Semitism: Jews, Israel, and the Risks of Public Critique” Butler spoke out against the manner in which anti-Zionism had been publicly conflated with anti-Semitism by a wide variety of public figures including Lawrence Summers, the president of Harvard.
Is Aussie PM John Howard a pinko?
He obviously lacks true faith in the holy power of the market!
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A level playing field
That's all Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad seems to be asking for when he says that he will stop nuclear fuel processing for negotiations if the Western parties to the talks will do the same. Likely to happen? Not.
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Is the Decider (TM) a latent homosexual?
If one is to believe his eloquently expressed desires re Osama bin Laden one would have to think so.
Perhaps Ted Haggard can help him down the 100% straight and narrow. (Ted's website is "in transition" very much like the great man himself.) ¶ 15:59:00 0 comments links to this post
Perhaps Ted Haggard can help him down the 100% straight and narrow. (Ted's website is "in transition" very much like the great man himself.) ¶ 15:59:00 0 comments links to this post
The end of world as we know it
I keep getting a sinking feeling about Iran. Somehow I get the sense that the Decider (TM) and his surrounding sycophants and evil doers have already made up their minds and are just seeking a rationalisation. Now the Beeb has got hold of American contingency plans for an attack and they are much more comprehensive than one would have thought. Targets include almost all of Iranian defence infrastructure and go far beyond just attacking nuclear installations. It is believed that there are two possible triggers for such an attack: confirmation of Iranian work on nuclear weapons or a high casualty attack in Iraq traced back to Iran. Do any recent noises out of the White House ring a bell for anyone re option 2?
Are we in a situation where we may have to rely on a serving high ranking military officer refusing orders from the Decider (TM)? I, for one, certainly hope not but what else will stop him should he make up his limited mind?
¶ 15:35:00 0 comments
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Are we in a situation where we may have to rely on a serving high ranking military officer refusing orders from the Decider (TM)? I, for one, certainly hope not but what else will stop him should he make up his limited mind?
Why Open Source Software is a communist plot
Because it steals hard(ly) earned corporate profits and gives them to, well, no one and because Cuba is all for it!
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And the hits keep on coming
Laith al-Ani is a ordinary Iraqi who spent nearly two and half years in American custody after the illegal invasion. He was interred as a "security threat" but the reason was never explained, although an Iraqi uniform was found in his house during a weapons search, and he was released in January of this year it was because someone, somewhere had determined that he was no longer a threat. Again this was never explained. When the Americans were preparing him for release he was given a piece of paper with two options on it and asked to tick one which described his treatment. The options were:
I didn’t go through any abuse during detention.
I have gone through abuse during detention.
Mr. al-Ani ticked the first option, as suggested by the translator, as he feared what would occur if he ticked the second, which he felt was the appropriate answer. One wonders why the American forces felt such a statement was required and whether they believe that they are receiving any honest responses.
The number of Iraqis in American, rather than Iraqi, detention now exceeds 15,000. The current level is higher than it has been since the war started.
¶ 15:05:00 0 comments
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The number of Iraqis in American, rather than Iraqi, detention now exceeds 15,000. The current level is higher than it has been since the war started.
Condi's Middle Eastern sojourn
Increasingly irrelevant* US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has gone to the Middle East and, quelle surprise, will return to gloomy Washington empty handed. The Bush administration continues to walk in lock step with the Israeli government and refuses to recognise the free and fairly elected government of the Palestinian Territories, at least until they adopt a suitably subservient position.
*To anyone who disagrees with my assessment I challenge them to name one accomplishment that she has managed to achieve in her time at the State Department. (The North Korean negotiations do not count as she was detached from the process.) We are all aware of the swathe of destruction that she left behind as a result of her tenure as National Security Advisor.
¶ 14:35:00 0 comments
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*To anyone who disagrees with my assessment I challenge them to name one accomplishment that she has managed to achieve in her time at the State Department. (The North Korean negotiations do not count as she was detached from the process.) We are all aware of the swathe of destruction that she left behind as a result of her tenure as National Security Advisor.
On the side of the angels
Under the Bush administration the special relationship that America has is with Saudi Arabia. No foreign official, including Britain's PM and Bush succubus Tony Blair, has enjoyed the kind of oval office access that was afforded to the ex-Saudi ambassador Prince Bandar. We have long known that the Middle Eastern kingdom was not a haven of democracy or human rights but now Human Rights Watch has been given admittedly restricted access to the country in order to investigate allegations of abuses and the news isn't good. Of course those on the right will explain it away as just the predictable indictment from an allegedly left wing organisation. The sensible rest of the would do well to pay heed of who our "friends" are.
The HRW investigators where kept under 24 hour surveillance but still managed to uncover "unfair trials, detention of children and oppression of women and foreign laborers". Imagine what they may have uncovering had they been given unfettered access.
HRW news release
¶ 14:22:00 0 comments
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The HRW investigators where kept under 24 hour surveillance but still managed to uncover "unfair trials, detention of children and oppression of women and foreign laborers". Imagine what they may have uncovering had they been given unfettered access.
HRW news release
Pacificism and human rights are not leftist ideologies
The Institute on Religion and Democracy, a certainly right of centre group, seems to be upset that some American religious leaders are going to visit Iran on a visit of peace. The delegation, organised by the Mennonite Central Committee and American Friends Service Committee, is described in the IRD news release as a "coalition of liberal religious leaders" (emphasis mine). I grew up in Pennsylvania and one would have to stretch the truth at least twice as far as the Bush administration average to call the Mennonites liberal. It is laughable. Even many members of the Religious Society of Friends, who were prevalent in Chester County, were really "small c" conservative in many ways. Both groups are, however, strictly pacifist (Richard Nixon being a notable exception) and strongly concerned with human rights and dignity. I guess these are to be considered traits of the "loony left" these days. I guess Jesus is on my side now!
¶ 12:44:00 1 comments
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Only the loyal
Today the Guardian continues its publication of extracts from Rajiv Chandrasekaran's new book Imperial Life in the Emerald City: Inside Iraq's Green Zone. Today we get to meet the 24 year old, loyally Republican estate agent (realtor in American) with no financial experience who was assigned to reopen the stock market and the 60 year old, loyally Republican head of a "faith based" anti-abortion adoption agency who was tasked with rebuilding the health care sector.
The score card on these two? Successes - nil; failures - two.
¶ 12:35:00 0 comments
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Imperial Life in the Emerald City: Inside Iraq's Green Zone. Today we get to meet the 24 year old, loyally Republican estate agent (realtor in American) with no financial experience who was assigned to reopen the stock market and the 60 year old, loyally Republican head of a "faith based" anti-abortion adoption agency who was tasked with rebuilding the health care sector. The score card on these two? Successes - nil; failures - two.
"Does anybody even care?"
Do you think that it is possible that even John McCain can no longer work out what John McCain's position is anymore? I don't know about you but I'm getting dizzy.
¶ 12:24:00 0 comments
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Please. Just tell me when it's over.
Alright. This has got to stop. It is clear that the Decider (TM) and the rest of the known universe (Ann Coulter and Rush Limbaugh are inhabitants of an alternate and particularly unpleasant universe) do not think of the same things when they think of Bush 43.
Yesterday he essentially compared himself to George Washington or, to use his own words, "first George W". Who's next? Gandhi? Jesus?
¶ 12:20:00 0 comments
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Yesterday he essentially compared himself to George Washington or, to use his own words, "first George W". Who's next? Gandhi? Jesus?
Treatment in a hurry
Tony Blair continues to govern the country with an iron fist and an eye on his legacy. Yesterday he repeated previous pledges to cut NHS treatment waiting times and described them as the "real transformation" of health care in this country.
Rumours that his megalomania has caused him to consider hiring a psychic (perhaps Cherie knows a good one) to actually predict when people are going to fall ill and allow their treatment in advance cannot be confirmed at this time.
¶ 12:07:00 0 comments
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Rumours that his megalomania has caused him to consider hiring a psychic (perhaps Cherie knows a good one) to actually predict when people are going to fall ill and allow their treatment in advance cannot be confirmed at this time.
Dodging pastoral duties
The bankruptcy law passed by the previous Republican majority Congress and signed into law has made it more difficult for ordinary families who are trapped by debt thrust onto them by the banks and credit card companies to escape from the clutches of the selfsame banks and credit card companies and restart their lives.
It may not however, prevent the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego from using bankruptcy to escape obligations to their flock as the first civil trials related to sexual abuse by priests within the diocese are due to open.
Shame, shame, shame.
¶ 12:00:00 0 comments
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It may not however, prevent the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego from using bankruptcy to escape obligations to their flock as the first civil trials related to sexual abuse by priests within the diocese are due to open.
Shame, shame, shame.
Hope in the oddest places
The following letter was published in the Montgomery (AL) Advertiser. I quote it in full.
President Bush is no Truman
We continue to hear that America is a Christian nation. President Bush is now telling us he is comparable to former President Harry Truman.
I suppose if you consider Americans to be fools, you can tell them anything and expect them to believe it.
If citizens of another nation look at America, what do they see? They see political figures such as President Bush, Vice President Cheney, and religious figures such as Rev. Jerry Falwell and Don Wildmon who loudly claim to be Christians but seem to do religion for money, sex, or political power.
There is little evidence of biblical Christianity. In the face of the evidence, it is a desecration of the term "Christian" to claim America is a Christian nation. Likewise, it is a desecration of the memory of former President Harry Truman to compare him to Bush. Truman had faults, but he also had a moral compass and basic integrity.
Carl L. Hess
Ozark
Well put Mr. Hess. I just hope it's not too lonely for you in Ozark.
¶ 11:55:00 0 comments
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Nice day for a WHITE wedding
Do not confuse Belgium with its more tolerant neighbour the Netherlands. As an example we hear that three couples in the town of Sint-Niklaas have refused to be married by the town clerk, Wouter van Bellingen, because he is black. Showing his magnanimity Hr. van Bellingen has refused to take the matter court and is instead organising a mass wedding ceremony on 21 March, the International Day Against Racism, on the Grote Markt Square in Sint-Niklaas. He is also, thanks to the publicity surrounding his bigoted potential customers, fully booked until the middle of next year.
¶ 11:43:00 0 comments
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It's the politics stupid
The people of the world are not as naïve as their political leaders would have you believe nor as stupid as the politicians would hope for. It would seem that they, in general, they see through the "clash of civilisations" rhetoric surrounding the "war on terra" and understand that the root cause is really about political power. The worldwide poll, conducted for the BBC, found that those in the UK, France, Mexico, Canada and Italy were most likely to believe that there is common ground to be found between the West and Islam. Even in the US 64% believed this but 31% felt that conflict is inevitable. These are probably the same people who think that the world is going to end this year!
The full poll results are to be found here (PDF).
¶ 11:17:00 0 comments
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The full poll results are to be found here (PDF).
Straightening up the church
Taking a leaf out of Tony Blair's book the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams has patched together, at least for now, the rift within the Anglican communion by seemingly promising to betough on treating gays like human beings and tough on the causes of treating gays like human beings. If this doesn't do it the days of "the sun never sets on the Church of England" would seem to be numbered.
¶ 11:05:00 0 comments
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Poisoned chalice
How will Tony Blair be remembered? What will his legacy truly be?
- As the leading light of a rejuvenated United Kingdom boldly and proudly striding into the 21st century with a world class health service, an extraordinary education system and the respect of the world?
- As George Bush's succubus?
- As the agent of unemployment for New Labour ministers?
If a new poll conducted for the Guardian by ICM is to be believed option 3) will certainly be a part of it. The results show that Gordon Brown, hamstrung by his loyalty to Big Tone, is trailing the youthful and exciting David "Stoner" Cameron by 13 percentage points. That quite a lot of ground to make up and the longer Blair refuses to leave office the harder the task ahead of Mr. Brown will become.
¶ 10:59:00 0 comments
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19 February 2007
Absurdum extremis
As the winner of this year Newberry Prize for children’s literature, Susan Patron’s new book, The Higher Power of Lucky, ought to be found in virtually in virtually every library across the United States. Instead the book is being banned in school libraries across the country.
Why, you may ask. Because it contains that incredibly offensive word scrotum. It’s not a dirty word is it?
When is America just going to grow the hell (can I say that) up?
¶ 15:04:00 0 comments
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, ought to be found in virtually in virtually every library across the United States. Instead the book is being banned in school libraries across the country.Why, you may ask. Because it contains that incredibly offensive word scrotum. It’s not a dirty word is it?
When is America just going to grow the hell (can I say that) up?
Iraqi turnaround
No. It's not what you think. Iraq, blessed with the rivers Tigris and Euphrates, is one of the more agriculturally blessed states in the Middle East and, until recently at least, was a net food exporter. Now that is not the case and many Iraqis have to rely on handouts of food in order to survive. This is leading to a burgeoning food crisis in a country where everything else is falling apart. The Iraqis are now reliant on imported food provided by firms from Australia and other "coalition of the willing" countries. This food is generally not what the Iraqis are accustomed to eating and is also often of substandard quality. Staples are in short supply and costs are skyrocketing despite the unilateral removal of tariffs brought in by American viceroy Paul Bremer.
Little electricity, little water, little sewage or rubbish disposal, little petrol and now little food. They must love democracy a great deal to be willing to suffer so much.
¶ 14:49:00 0 comments
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Little electricity, little water, little sewage or rubbish disposal, little petrol and now little food. They must love democracy a great deal to be willing to suffer so much.
Immigration v assimilation
There is a great deal of chatter in this country about the need for immigrants, code for Muslims of African and Asian descent, to "assimilate" into the British culture. At least one of the arguments makes sense; learning enough English to communicate in the public square. The rest of the reasoning smacks of hypocrisy, racism and fear. When for instance was the last time anyone went walking through Chinatown or Golders Green thinking "I just wish these people would integrate". I mean if they did where would we go for Kung Pao chicken or salt beef bagels? Why can't these immigrants retain their culture, their religion, their language and their dress whilst continuing to live within the larger British community?
If they don't move to the West with the intent of becoming just like us we feel that they shouldn't come. Yet if a Westerner moves somewhere in the emerging world and learns the language, adopts local dress, eats the local food and lives in the same way as the residents of that country do he or she is said to "go native" rather than saying that they have assimilated.
There wouldn't be any inherent racism buried not to deep here would there?
¶ 13:40:00 0 comments
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If they don't move to the West with the intent of becoming just like us we feel that they shouldn't come. Yet if a Westerner moves somewhere in the emerging world and learns the language, adopts local dress, eats the local food and lives in the same way as the residents of that country do he or she is said to "go native" rather than saying that they have assimilated.
There wouldn't be any inherent racism buried not to deep here would there?
What's for lunch?
Two years ago the US federal government tested a number of plastic lunch boxes for, amongst other things, lead content and reported that they found no problems. However they refused to release their test results. Unfortunately for the government it would seem that they were telling a porky and someone with access to the data leaked it to the Associated Press. The actual results weren't nearly as good as they had said. They had found significant problems with 20% of the samples. Oops.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission, who ostensibly is there to protect consumers, still stands by their results which gives them the appearance at least of wanting to protect corporate interests more than the public.
¶ 13:27:00 0 comments
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The Consumer Product Safety Commission, who ostensibly is there to protect consumers, still stands by their results which gives them the appearance at least of wanting to protect corporate interests more than the public.
Stealth cows
Cattle are big. Cattle are smelly. Cattle are ponderous. None of this seems to have stopped hundreds of the bovine beasts slipping past "government safeguards" and getting into the US from Canada without the proper documentation. According to the Chicago Tribune (reg. req'd.) cattlemen from Washington state have got their hands on correspondence between meat companies and government officials which seem to indicate that the tracking systems are breaking down.
And they won't let me give blood in the US because I've lived in the UK for too long. Ha!
¶ 13:08:00 0 comments
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And they won't let me give blood in the US because I've lived in the UK for too long. Ha!
Looking out for number one
Six of the seven US attorneys who were recently sacked by the Bush administration and are to be replaced without Congressional oversight under an obscure provision of the Patriot Act had had positive performance appraisals but had also had political conflicts with the administration over "issues ranging from immigration to the death penalty". Perhaps most importantly "most of the prosecutors were overseeing significant public-corruption investigations" at least four of which have Republicans or Republican supports as their targets. I am certain however that there could be no political motivation for these sackings and anything which makes it appear that way is just an unfortunate coincidence.
¶ 12:36:00 0 comments
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The life of Reilly - Baghdad style
This week the Guardian is publishing extracts from Rajiv Chandrasekaran's new book Imperial Life in the Emerald City: Inside Iraq's Green Zone. Based on today’s extract I suspect that I am going to want to rush out and buy it even though I know it will only make me more depressed. A few snippets from today:
Imperial Life in the Emerald City: Inside Iraq's Green Zone. Based on today’s extract I suspect that I am going to want to rush out and buy it even though I know it will only make me more depressed. A few snippets from today:- All foodstuffs, including the water in which they boil the hotdogs* and all fresh meat and vegetables, comes from contractors outside of Iraq. Breakfast cereal, in a nod to keeping America's greenhouse gas emissions at the top of the chart, is flown in from the States.
- The water in the swimming pool is a beautiful, clear blue.
- Halliburton's customer-service liaison is a spotty 22 year old man whose previous experience was as a junior aide to a Republican congressman. Halliburton hired him and then asked to see his CV.
- Paul Bremer's armed guards earned a cool quarter of a million USD per annum.
- Most staff leave the Green Zone only rarely if at all.
- Despite all of this luxury the coddled individuals living in this la-la land still feel the need to have a "combat stress clinic".
When asked about a recent suicide bomb attack by three separate bombers not far outside the walls of the enclave one of the staffers replied, apparently without irony:
* Note: do you think that the American embassy in Israel serves pork? I don't. ¶ 12:08:00 0 comments links to this post"Yeah, I saw something about it on the office television...but I didn't watch the full report. I was too busy working on my democracy project."
Hearts and minds - fading fast
Iraq was once a reasonably prosperous state with a burgeoning middle class, good education and health services and a fairly low rate of poverty. Now, thanks largely to years of sanctions and the recent and illegal invasion by America and her allies, 30% of the population now lives in poverty with around 5% living in conditions of extreme deprivation.
¶ 11:50:00 0 comments
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Oh Irony thy name is....
...well I don't know what her name is but I do know Irony when I see it.
Guardian headline: "60 killed in Iraq as leaders hail fall in violence"
Meanwhile the carnage continues. ¶ 11:10:00 0 comments links to this post
Guardian headline: "60 killed in Iraq as leaders hail fall in violence"
Meanwhile the carnage continues. ¶ 11:10:00 0 comments links to this post
A man of conviction
In today's Guardian Gary Younge comments about George Bush and Iran in a piece entitled "Once George Bush has got hold of a bad idea he just can't let it go". Key quote -
"Just because it is irresponsible, irrational, unpopular and unconscionable doesn't mean he won't do it."
That pretty much sums up what we are up against, doesn't it?
¶ 11:06:00 0 comments
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Only the lonely
The mummified remains of a 70 year old man have been found in his home in Hampton Bays NY approximately a year after he died. He neighbours couldn't seem to get up the energy to check on him despite the fact that he was diabetic and blind. A year's worth of post had piled up by the mail box. He was found seated in a chair with the telly on. It is amazing to think that if he was watching Faux News the whole time it is unlikely that he would have missed one "fair and balanced" story.
¶ 10:54:00 0 comments
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Caps off
The UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is preparing to tell global governments that it is likely that material loss of the polar ice sheets may be unavoidable due to greenhouse gases irrespective of current and future efforts to reduce them. Such a loss could lead to sea level rises of four to six metres which would have catastrophic effects on human life including creating tens, if not hundred, of millions of refugees and displaced peoples and radically reshaping ecosystems. Time to say goodbye to Bangladesh, Kiribati, the Seychelles and New Orleans (if we haven't already).
This comes at the same time as we find out that British CO2 contributions are significantly higher than official figures due to the fact that major companies are underreporting their emissions, perhaps deliberately.
Well at least I'm not young!
¶ 10:36:00 0 comments
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This comes at the same time as we find out that British CO2 contributions are significantly higher than official figures due to the fact that major companies are underreporting their emissions, perhaps deliberately.
Well at least I'm not young!
18 February 2007
A message to Californians
If you do not go to the VoteYesMarriage website and do everything you can to support The Voters' Right to Protect Marriage Initiative normally heterosexual men and women in the state will be forced, possibly at gunpoint, to partner up with members of their own sex against their will and God will be very, very upset. There is no telling what she will do.
Do it. Now! If you don't no one will be safe.
¶ 13:10:00 0 comments
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Do it. Now! If you don't no one will be safe.
The end of civilisation in New Jersey
On Monday the law that allows civil unions between same sex couples goes into effect. If the Garden State was ever civilised, and there is considerable debate on the subject, it ends right there. I assume all God-fearing, extra-heterosexuals have already left the state for a more Christian state, possibly Utah.
¶ 13:07:00 0 comments
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England return to the scene of the crime
Next Saturday the English Rugby Union side takes on Ireland in the Six Nations competition. What is historic about the occasion is that it is the first time that an English side has played at the venue since the Bloody Sunday killings in 1920 when British Black and Tans shot into the crowd at a Gaelic Football match.
Northern Irish Secretary Peter Hain has no plans to mark the occasion. ¶ 12:58:00 0 comments links to this post
Northern Irish Secretary Peter Hain has no plans to mark the occasion. ¶ 12:58:00 0 comments links to this post
The end of the special relationship
After so many good years it is probably time to declare the special relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States over. The UK, now more properly named the United Queendom, has apparently decided that the greatest film kiss of all time took place between two blokes (ick!) in Brokeback Mountain.
Maybe the United Arab Emirates is still available.
¶ 12:52:00 0 comments
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Maybe the United Arab Emirates is still available.
Sex and Iraq
Is it possible that the Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith, got his advice on the illegal invasion of Iraq wrong because, due his being in the midst of a tawdry extramarital affair and therefore was thinking with the wrong brain. You know, that other one that always gets you into trouble?
¶ 12:49:00 0 comments
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Zimbawbwe in meltdown
Could this be Mugabe's last stand? Officers from the Army and the police force are deserting in droves as inflation tops 1500%, electricity supplies become increasingly undependable and sewage and water services continually breakdown.
A man can only and dream.
¶ 12:40:00 0 comments
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A man can only and dream.
Britney shears
Who gives a shit?
Let's all just let the poor girl have her meltdown and return to poor-white-trashdom in peace.
¶ 12:29:00 0 comments
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Let's all just let the poor girl have her meltdown and return to poor-white-trashdom in peace.
Jap crap
NASCAR is normally a safe haven for the beer bellied, tattooed, God fearing, patriotic and absurdly heterosexual American alpha male. It is rich with the scent of testosterone and motor oil. It throbs to the sound of American muscle cars endlessly going around in circles with Lynyrd Skynyrd on the radio.
Well it may be a safe haven no more as Japanese manufacturer Toyota makes its debut on the formerly all-American circuit. The true fans seem to be upset. Herewith a few snippets of outrage from NASCAR chatrooms:
Well it may be a safe haven no more as Japanese manufacturer Toyota makes its debut on the formerly all-American circuit. The true fans seem to be upset. Herewith a few snippets of outrage from NASCAR chatrooms:
¶ 12:15:00 0 comments links to this post"Toyota in Nascar... its just aint (sic) right! It's like putting a turd in a bowl of M&M's, it just dont (sic)fit and stinks the whole thing up."
"I just read Toyotas (sic) are the No1 choice among gays and lesbians. And im (sic)not gay bashing either, my cousin is a lesbo. but i am saying anyone who favors Toyotas over the big three is gay."
"I wish I had a billion dollars to give Nascar to keep all the race cars American, screw any and all Japcrap cars, drivers and fans. I'm done after this year, no more races on tv or at the track."
17 February 2007
Where would Jesus dump his waste?
I am not sure this really qualifies as news, I mean we all knew this didn't we, but a new study out of the University of Michigan shows that hazardous waste facilities are disproportionately to be found in poor and non-white neighbourhoods. I could have sworn there used to be one in Bryn Mawr.
¶ 16:48:00 0 comments
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NY Daily News headline
"Mike defends free condoms as lifesavers"
Don't lifesavers have a hole in them? ¶ 16:03:00 0 comments links to this post
Don't lifesavers have a hole in them? ¶ 16:03:00 0 comments links to this post
"They'll just make claims anyway."
State Farm Insurance has announced that it will no longer issue homeowner's insurance in Mississippi. An unnamed employee suggested that the southern state was "just too fucking poor" for the industry giant to bother.
¶ 15:41:00 0 comments
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Not Sly enough
Philadelphia native and the greatest actor (after Ronald Reagan) to not win an Academy Award Sylvester Stallone has had a spot of bother in Sydney Australia after he was stopped in customs and questioned over prohibited items in his luggage.
There has been no news as to whether Mr. Balboa was treated to a cavity search or not.
¶ 15:25:00 0 comments
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There has been no news as to whether Mr. Balboa was treated to a cavity search or not.
Pennsylvania in the news
It is always good to see Pennsylvania in the news although they must have had the wrong kind of snow near Allentown the other day. Cue Billy Joel.
¶ 15:20:00 0 comments links to this post"Well we're stranded here in Allentown
And they're closing all the off ramps down"
Fun with Tony Snow
The President's press secretary Tony Snow had a little confrontation with a journalist from CNN in yesterday's briefing. I have taken the liberty of making some slight alterations in the conversation (alterations in italics):
I find Tony's argument compelling, don't you? ¶ 15:01:00 0 comments links to this postHENRY: But is it really a question about whether or not you have strong evidence, when the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff seems to be saying something different than the White House, does that raise questions about how solid this evidence is?
SNOW: No, because you got — you’ve got — you have explosively formed penetrators. He says they exist, correct?
HENRY: Well, I don’t see that in this particular quote, but I —
SNOW: Well, no, no. He said that there’s, there are weapons that are coming from the US —
HENRY: He says that there are projectiles manufactured in the US.
SNOW: Alright, so, ok, so there’s no doubt about that, correct?
HENRY: Right.
SNOW: There are Americans in Iraq. There’s no question about that, correct?
HENRY: Sure.
SNOW: Alright, so where’s the credibility problem, in terms of the — are you saying –
HENRY: In terms of the American government being behind it. That’s not — nobody’s disputing whether it’s manufactured in America. That’s what you keep changing what my question is.
SNOW: No, no, I’m trying to clarify your question, because I think this is the –
HENRY: I don’t need it clarified. I’m trying to tell you — I know what my question is, and basically, he’s saying that he doesn’t see evidence that the Iranian government is clearly behind it. That’s my — I’ve asked that three or four times, you haven’t answered that.
Still not funny
Faux News is busy promoting their new non-alternative to The Daily Show and it is a truly painful thing to watch. Could the laugh track be any more obvious and unreal? They clearly need to get some professionals in the sound booth!
As to the scenario they present in the clip should Rush Limbaugh ever become President or the Anorexic One every serve in the government in any capacity I will personally organise the invasion. I am certain that it will not prove difficult to put together a "coalition of the willing" for that!
Is it possible that they call it the Half Hour News Hours because a half an hour is all the air time it will ever see?
¶ 14:56:00 0 comments
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As to the scenario they present in the clip should Rush Limbaugh ever become President or the Anorexic One every serve in the government in any capacity I will personally organise the invasion. I am certain that it will not prove difficult to put together a "coalition of the willing" for that!
Is it possible that they call it the Half Hour News Hours because a half an hour is all the air time it will ever see?
Oh no! Not Belgium
The head of the British Navy First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Jonathan Band has said that the government must give the Navy additional funding £1 billion. The alternative, at least in the mind of Admiral Band, is to become Belgium.
I have a question for the Admiral. Should this it occur will I be able to get moules frites on the average High Street? If so, I really can't see this as a bad thing.
¶ 14:48:00 0 comments
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I have a question for the Admiral. Should this it occur will I be able to get moules frites on the average High Street? If so, I really can't see this as a bad thing.
The coming Catholofascist invasion
I feel that I have to be the one to warn the British nation of a dire threat to its existence. There is a great surge of Catholic immigration into the UK and there are those who think that Catholicism could actually overtake Protestantism as the primary religion in the country.
BE WARNED! Lest we forget there is a long history of Catholic terrorism in this country and we must act before it is too late. We must begin by profiling travellers who appear to be Catholic (wearing of Crosses, crossing themselves, ash dots on foreheads etc.) and subjecting them to intense scrutiny and cavity searches.
BE MUST ACT NOW OR BE OVERWHELMED!
Note: please don't tell Bill Donohue that I am an "anti-Catholic vulgar trash-talking bigot".
¶ 12:37:00 0 comments
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BE WARNED! Lest we forget there is a long history of Catholic terrorism in this country and we must act before it is too late. We must begin by profiling travellers who appear to be Catholic (wearing of Crosses, crossing themselves, ash dots on foreheads etc.) and subjecting them to intense scrutiny and cavity searches.
BE MUST ACT NOW OR BE OVERWHELMED!
Note: please don't tell Bill Donohue that I am an "anti-Catholic vulgar trash-talking bigot".
From Guinea
The Prime Minister of Guinea has warned of caches of weapons and ammunition which are entering the country illegally and which could lead to civil war.
Word that Faux News had dispatched an unfortunate junior reporter to the African country to check for serial numbers and Farsi inscriptions could not be confirmed at this time.
¶ 12:11:00 0 comments
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Word that Faux News had dispatched an unfortunate junior reporter to the African country to check for serial numbers and Farsi inscriptions could not be confirmed at this time.
Wrong but not criminal
I am in material disagreement with laws in European countries which outlaw holocaust denial, the swastika, Mein Kampf and many other traces of undoubtedly loathsome right wing thought. Therefore I think it is completely wrong that German courts have found Ernst Zuendel guilty of holocaust denial and sentenced him to five years incarceration.
It is not a crime to be wrong even if you are very, very wrong.
¶ 12:01:00 0 comments
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It is not a crime to be wrong even if you are very, very wrong.
The one that didn't get away
I swear I am not making this up. Scientists from the Zoological Museum at the University of Copenhagen and the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute have used an Alvin Slurp Gun to capture a hermaphroditic hagfish from a deep sea hydrothermal vent.
Video of the exciting event is available here.
¶ 11:49:00 0 comments
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Video of the exciting event is available here.
Condi does Baghdad
American Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice made a surprise visit to Baghdad yesterday to inspect the progress of the newly underway surge in American troop levels (formerly known as escalation). Although she made no specific comment on Iraqi progress other than the well exercised "it's not easy to build a democracy" it is reported that she was dissatisfied with the selection of shoes on offer in the Green Zone shops.
¶ 11:38:00 0 comments
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Better left unsaid
Tony Blair has warned the Labour Party that someday they will no longer run the country.
Tony Blair neglects to point out to the Labour Party that this is likely to occur sooner rather than later largely due to his legacy of war and corruption.
¶ 11:28:00 0 comments
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Tony Blair neglects to point out to the Labour Party that this is likely to occur sooner rather than later largely due to his legacy of war and corruption.
Privatisation circle jerk
Let us imagine that the government privatises a given function that used to be its sole preserve. This creates an industry that never existed before.
In order to compete in this industry competitors for the business need to raise capital.
In order to raise capital the competitors need to ensure either the banks or the capital markets that there is sufficient potential for growth in the marketplace to justify the investment.
Ergo the competitors spend some of the income gained from the government privatisation to lobby the government to increase spending in their chosen area. (Note - it is especially useful in this arena if these business can play on a public fear of imminent danger that politicians can use to justify their votes which are actually based on dinners and junkets paid for.)
The government increases spending based on the carefully manipulated public outcry.
The increase in spending creates a need for competitors for the business to raise more capital.
The need to raise capital.....
Ad nauseum.
So is anyone surprised that prison numbers are soaring and government spending on incarceration is spiralling out of control?
¶ 11:12:00 0 comments
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Talking turkey
After the avian flu outbreak at its factory farm in Suffolk Bernard Matthews is in big trouble. First came news that DEFRA had reported problems with bio-security at the facility in the past (story from the ever popular meatinfo.co.uk). Now it appears that criminal prosecutions could result.
Sir Bernard may have to give up the Rolls.
¶ 10:52:00 6 comments
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Sir Bernard may have to give up the Rolls.
Private lives
Today's Guardian has a touching piece on the lives of ordinary American soldiers in Iraq, at Camp Warhorse near Baquba, and the difficulties of facing up to death and danger. The unit involved had been losing one soldier a fortnight and now have lost eight solders in the past nine days. Many of the soldiers are on their third tour of Iraq.
Just go read it.
¶ 10:42:00 0 comments
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Just go read it.
A tale of two salmonellas (or why the UK is posher than the US)
The United States is in the throes of a salmonella scare surrounding every child's favourite Peter Pan peanut butter.
Not to be outdone in the eternal competition that is the "special relationship" the United Kingdom has upped the stakes and is now living in a state of fear due to an outbreak of salmonella in Marks and Spencer’s' hummus creating a crisis in suburban households up and down the country as Saturday night entertainers try to work out just what to do with all that (wholemeal organic) pita bread.
¶ 10:31:00 0 comments
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Not to be outdone in the eternal competition that is the "special relationship" the United Kingdom has upped the stakes and is now living in a state of fear due to an outbreak of salmonella in Marks and Spencer’s' hummus creating a crisis in suburban households up and down the country as Saturday night entertainers try to work out just what to do with all that (wholemeal organic) pita bread.
16 February 2007
Save Big Pharma - buy Havidol®
If you thought the pharmaceutical industry was obscenely profitable now just think how much more money they could squeeze out in profits if they could just get rid of those pesky R&D expenses.
"How might they do this?" you ask. By inventing fake diseases and then coming up with bogus medications that claim to cure them. It seems to work!
Hey - I took the quiz and I think I may have Dysphoric Social Attention Consumption Deficit Anxiety Disorder! I got 47 out of 60 and it says that I should consult my GP immediately!
"How might they do this?" you ask. By inventing fake diseases and then coming up with bogus medications that claim to cure them. It seems to work!
Hey - I took the quiz and I think I may have Dysphoric Social Attention Consumption Deficit Anxiety Disorder! I got 47 out of 60 and it says that I should consult my GP immediately!
The actual (warning - contains satire) may be found here. Do not attempt to purchase the product advertised!
¶ 17:42:00 5 comments
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Virgil be Goode
US Representative Virgil Goode (R - VA) has spoken out in the Congressional debate over the "surge" resolution to say that those who oppose the Decider (TM) "would love to see ‘In God We Trust’ stricken from our money and replaced with ‘In Muhammad We Trust.’".
I find myself guilty as charged. I am all for it as long as the new banknotes are designed with blind people in mind.
Virgil Goode. Virgil Goode. I know that name from somewhere. Has he said stupid stuff before or something?
¶ 17:08:00 0 comments
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I find myself guilty as charged. I am all for it as long as the new banknotes are designed with blind people in mind.
Virgil Goode. Virgil Goode. I know that name from somewhere. Has he said stupid stuff before or something?
A simple enough question
Why is an 84 year old woman allowed to foster children in the first place?
¶ 17:07:00 0 comments
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"Damn it Dick! Where the hell are we gonna get the books from?"
This story makes me think that rabid Bush supporters have started putting together the collection for his presidential library with efforts in South Africa.
¶ 17:00:00 0 comments
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Save the planet but hold the sacrafice
According to analysis of a poll from 2003 most Americans feel that climate change is real and want action to deal with it. That's the good news. The bad news is that they don't view it as a priority probably because they don't understand the implications.
There is a long way to go and now a lot of time.
¶ 16:28:00 0 comments
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There is a long way to go and now a lot of time.
Why doesn't this guy live in Florida?
A 79 year old Swedish man caused an automobile accident in Karlskrona whilst driving his car to a vehicle inspection centre. He blamed his accident on Sweden's switch to driving on the right from driving on the left. Fair enough. One can understand how that could be confusing. The part of his argument that doesn't make any sense is that Sweden actually made the switch in 1967. Where the unnamed man has been for the past forty years is, as yet, unexplained.
¶ 16:11:00 0 comments
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The puppetmaster speaks
US Vice President and spawn of Satan, Dick Cheney, has come out with all his corporate guns blazing in a speech to the National Association of Manufactures. Among other things he urged them to lobby Congress to give the administration extended authority to negotiate and approve "free" trade pacts and suggested that the Decider (TM) would decide to veto any legislation that favoured unions. At least Bush will decide that as soon as Cheney tells him that is what he will decide.
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Insider trading
I am sure that the Attorney General of the United States would not sack a highly qualified US Attorney just to please the White House. But then if you ever observed me picking horses you probably would not trust my judgement.
Nor should it even be considered that the removal of another highly qualified US Attorney from his job at roughly the same time as the corruption investigation of a Republican governor within his jurisdiction is due to open is anything other than a curious coincidence.
¶ 15:53:00 0 comments
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Nor should it even be considered that the removal of another highly qualified US Attorney from his job at roughly the same time as the corruption investigation of a Republican governor within his jurisdiction is due to open is anything other than a curious coincidence.
Breaking education news!
White kids are stupid. This may go a long way to explaining the BNP.
¶ 15:47:00 0 comments
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Nyet!
There will still be no gay rights parade in Moscow after Georgy Muradov, head of the city's international relations department, asserted that he had "medical proof...this form of relations" is bad for the health and likened homosexuality with alcoholism. Enlightened our Russian friends are.
¶ 15:21:00 0 comments
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Georgia on my mind
I guess we should all be thankful that Georgia state legislator Ben Bridges (Republinut) isn't a member of the Kansas state school board. Otherwise the recent vote in the plains state might not have gone in favour of science. The estimable Mr. Bridges has been accused of suggesting, in an email that is going the rounds, that evolution was a plot cooked up in "Rabbinic writings" from the "mystic holy book Kabbala" and therefore violated the separation of church and state. The communication goes on to suggest that readers should log on to fixedearth.com which will further clarify his position.
Mr. Bridges would seem to have a natural ally in Texas State lawmaker Warren Chisum (Republinut) who apparently circulated the email from Bridges. Mr. Chisum considers science to be a religion and may believe that the Sun revolves around the Earth.
You've gotta love the red states, don't you?
http://bbsnews.net/article.php/20070215224557899
¶ 14:18:00 0 comments
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Mr. Bridges would seem to have a natural ally in Texas State lawmaker Warren Chisum (Republinut) who apparently circulated the email from Bridges. Mr. Chisum considers science to be a religion and may believe that the Sun revolves around the Earth.
You've gotta love the red states, don't you?
http://bbsnews.net/article.php/20070215224557899
Single man attacks Italian attempt to ruin marriage as we know it
The Italian cabinet has just approved a draft measure that would give certain rights, such as inheritance rights and making of medical decisions for incapacitated partner, to unwed couples including same sex couples. The Pope is jumping up and down mad about this but leading Italian Catholics living in the real world have told him to sod off.
¶ 12:31:00 0 comments
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Our action allies
Proving their worth to the US as an ally in the "war on terra" the Egyptian government has rounded up the usual suspects and detained seventy five members of the Muslim government. I am certain that they will be well treated, in a brutal sort of way, and that all of their human rights will be respected. The arrests came in advance of upcoming elections as well as parliamentary debates on constitutional reform. The Muslim Brotherhood is Egypt's strongest opposition group.
I wait, with bated breath, for the chorus of condemnation from Washington over this affront to democracy. After all our convictions require us to support an open and free democratic government over a military regime that generally does what we want. Don't they?
¶ 12:17:00 0 comments
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I wait, with bated breath, for the chorus of condemnation from Washington over this affront to democracy. After all our convictions require us to support an open and free democratic government over a military regime that generally does what we want. Don't they?
Parliamentary incontinence
Spotted in the gents of one of the House of Commons office building was the following sign:
¶ 12:12:00 0 comments links to this postWHOEVER SHAT ON THE SEAT NEEDS EITHER TO SEE A DOCTOR, OR A THERAPIST
I mean come on....you don't even have to aim
Those little blue pills
Whilst Viagra probably has played its part in the conception of countless children since its release onto the market this may be the first example of its being used to actually preserve the life of a child. Lewis Goodfellow weighed just 1 pound 8 ounces (0.7 kilos) when he was born sixteen weeks prematurely. A duct in his heart had collapsed and despite being treated with oxygen not enough was getting into his bloodstream. Doctors treating him decided to try treating him with Viagra in an effort to boost his circulation. It worked. Young Lewis is now home and, although still requiring oxygen, is doing well and is up to ten and a half pounds in weight.
¶ 11:49:00 0 comments
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Surge's little brother
Now that the Bush administration has taken measures to ensure that all goes swimmingly in Iraq it is moving on to Afghanistan and committing itself to sending more troops in a sort of "surge lite" move to counter increasingly successful Taliban attacks.
Who will they have left for Iran? Perhaps they can send the 101st Keyboarders, surely they must be ready and able by now.
¶ 11:40:00 0 comments
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Who will they have left for Iran? Perhaps they can send the 101st Keyboarders, surely they must be ready and able by now.
Good for the goose not good for the gander
Binding herself ever closer to Israel the United States is poised to ban all members of the just agreed Palestinian unity government including those who are not members of Hamas. The US is insisting that the government recognise Israel before the boycott is lifted. Why are the stateless Palestinians always required to bend over backwards but the Israelis are not? Perhaps, in an effort to be even handed, the US could ban all members of the Israeli government until they agree to vacate the illegally occupied territories, including the removal of all settlers and the return of Jerusalem.
It's just a thought.
¶ 11:34:00 0 comments
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It's just a thought.
Stringless aid
The United Kingdom is taking steps to streamline the process of aid delivery in Africa with more of the benefits being paid directly to either governments or individuals in cash rather than in deliveries of food or aid agreements with significant strings attached such as the US generally uses. American aid often takes the form of subsidised grains, often genetically modified over the objections of local people and governments, or financial grants which require that the goods or services be purchased from America or American firms. Hopefully this will be effective and, perhaps, serve as an example for the United States.
¶ 11:22:00 0 comments
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15 February 2007
Thank God my parents never had access to this
Pequannock Township High School in New Jersey is planning to utilise a controversial test to determine if students have had an alcoholic drink up to a week previously. Will they be able to plead communion?
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How the US government killed Ann Frank
Ann Frank's family were denied US visas prior to World War II. We all know how they ended up.
They must have thought that Frank was an Iraqi name.
¶ 17:45:00 0 comments
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They must have thought that Frank was an Iraqi name.
They were only off by 2630%
Prior to the illegal invasion of Iraq the Pentagon estimated there would only be 5,000 American troops in Iraq at the end of 2006. There were, in fact, about 132,000 and that number is now ending toward 150,000.
Oops. I'll bet they fired someone over that. Not.
¶ 17:38:00 0 comments
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Oops. I'll bet they fired someone over that. Not.
Advice for the office bound
If you are stuck in the office at lunchtime and you are bacteriphobic you will probably be better off eating your meal in the gents than at your desk according to a new study. Especially if you are woman!
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How old is your frog?
This guy's is 25 million years old or less than 6,420 years old if you believe God.
¶ 17:13:00 0 comments
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I am certain that nothing untoward...
...ever took place in this house on Kiawah Island or as a part of the deal to purchase it between a Justice Department official and an oil company lobbyist.
I do think however that a case could be made that the sharing of this house between a man and woman who were not, and are not, married to each other is certain to bring about the end of traditional marriage and possibly the end of civilisation as we know it.
¶ 17:07:00 0 comments
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I do think however that a case could be made that the sharing of this house between a man and woman who were not, and are not, married to each other is certain to bring about the end of traditional marriage and possibly the end of civilisation as we know it.
What a twat!
Is there any other valid description of the Decider (TM) after remarks he made in his press conference to the effect that sending the same soldiers back to Iraq time and time again doesn't affect their morale because if it did someone "on the ground" would have told him.
If I may be so bold as to repeat myself. What a twat! ¶ 16:46:00 0 comments links to this post
If I may be so bold as to repeat myself. What a twat! ¶ 16:46:00 0 comments links to this post
Playing at "what if"
What if American troops found an Arabic serial number on the remnants of a bomb used to attack them? What then? Would the White House make claims that Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia perhaps might be arming the insurgents?
Somehow I doubt it.
¶ 16:43:00 0 comments
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Somehow I doubt it.
Stars & Stripes - Fair & Balanced
I am currently reading Trespassing by Uzma Aslam Khan. I am not far enough along to provide a recommendation beyond saying that I have enjoyed what I have read so far. However I did think that the following passage was a propos given today's world. These are the thoughts of a young Pakistani, who is studying in America, as he flies home after his father's death:
. I am not far enough along to provide a recommendation beyond saying that I have enjoyed what I have read so far. However I did think that the following passage was a propos given today's world. These are the thoughts of a young Pakistani, who is studying in America, as he flies home after his father's death: ¶ 16:16:00 0 comments links to this post"Like Pakistan the U.S. was not the place to study fair and free reporting. In the former, he risked having his bones broken. In the latter, his spirit."
Fundamentalist Judaism
Lest we forget that fundamentalist religion, in all its guises not just Islamic, is capable of despicable and unacceptable acts herewith is a little story that comes to us from Jerusalem.
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Hearts and minds - part the "I've lost count"
One of the reasons, but certainly not the only one, that Hamas has made such gains in support on the West Bank and in Gaza over the last several years is the amount of humanitarian work that it did. Where the Palestinian Authority or NGOs could not provide schools, medical care and food Hamas often stepped in and bridged the gap.
In Iraq much the same thing is happening with militias, that are otherwise part of the insurgency, filling the aid gap for their own supporters or members of their ethnic / religious group.
This is not going to help either the American forces or the Iraqi government get a foothold in these areas.
¶ 15:53:00 0 comments
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In Iraq much the same thing is happening with militias, that are otherwise part of the insurgency, filling the aid gap for their own supporters or members of their ethnic / religious group.
This is not going to help either the American forces or the Iraqi government get a foothold in these areas.
"Slavery bad" - but not so bad that one would have to apologise for it!
Peter Hain, the cabinet secretary for Wales, Northern Ireland and perhaps the Isles of Scilly, seems to have overstepped the mark with what would appear to be an actual apology for the British slave trade. Speaking in New York Mr. Hain said:
"Slavery was the most inhuman and barbaric trade in the history of the world. Wales played a part in the slave trade and it is important that we face up to that role.
"A great many Welshmen prospered from slavery and much of the wealth of Wales at that time was based on the trade.
"We can never undo what was done, but this historic legacy must be recognised. We must also recognise our responsibility to support modern day Africa to tackle its problems."
The official New Labour stance on slavery is to be "sorrowful".
Tony is not going to be well pleased.
¶ 15:38:00 0 comments
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Tony is not going to be well pleased.
New coinage
The US Mint is to launch a series of new $1 coins honouring US Presidents. The say, of course, that this is not an attempt to wean Americans off of low value paper money (e.g. the $1 and $5 notes) which cost the mint a fortune to keep replacing. I don't believe them. After all for those few Americans who actually go to other economically advanced countries must find it silly how little the largest American coin in common circulation (the quarter) is worth compared to the largest common coins abroad. A short comparison:
US - highest value coin $0.25
US - lowest value bank note $1.00
UK - highest value coin £2.00 (3.91 USD)
UK - lowest value bank note £5.00 (9.79 USD)
Euroland - highest value coin €2.00 (2.63 USD)
Euroland - lowest value bank note €5.00 (6.58 USD)
The authorities are hoping that the new coins will prove as popular as the fifty state quarters series that was recently completed and, if so, will inevitably lead to the elimination of at least the one dollar bill.
I think that they haven't been creative enough. The value of the coins should be based on the relative importance and positive impact of the president on the money. For instance:
I think that they haven't been creative enough. The value of the coins should be based on the relative importance and positive impact of the president on the money. For instance:
A George Washington or Abraham Lincoln coin might be worth $5.00
A Thomas Jefferson or Franklin Roosevelt might be worth £3.50
A Teddy Roosevelt could be worth $1.00
A Richard Nixon could be worth $0.69
A Bush 41 could be valued at $0.41
A Millard Filmore be denominated at $0.22 etc
But they would have to do something extra special for the Decider (TM) wouldn't they? My proposal would be that the Bush 43 coin would in fact denote negative wealth in an attempt to mirror his impact on goodwill towards his country around the globe. Possession of a GWBush coin would represent a debt owed to the country of say $122,820.00 (roughly the equivalent of what the Iraq war was costing, per minute, in 2004).
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Gun of the month club
The New Jersey state legislature is now considering a bill that would limit handgun purchases in the state to one a month. Similar legislation has been considered, but not passed, in neighbouring Pennsylvania.
The National Rifle Association, home of the armed zealots of the land, will of course say that this unnecessarily restricts a citizen's "right" to possess as much fire power as he or she can afford.
I, on the other hand, find it very difficult to see this as any progress whatsoever. For Christ's sake if every American state treated car and lorry drivers the way they treat firearms users they would all end up like Florida.
In the meantime here in Old Blighty we are headed down a slippery slope of our own.
¶ 14:39:00 0 comments
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The National Rifle Association, home of the armed zealots of the land, will of course say that this unnecessarily restricts a citizen's "right" to possess as much fire power as he or she can afford.
I, on the other hand, find it very difficult to see this as any progress whatsoever. For Christ's sake if every American state treated car and lorry drivers the way they treat firearms users they would all end up like Florida.
In the meantime here in Old Blighty we are headed down a slippery slope of our own.
A bid for Asian dominance in Asia?
Do China, India and Russia have enough common ground to form an alliance that could rival American global hegemony? Perhaps they do. The foreign ministers of the three giant states are due to meet for the second time in three years and talk of a tripartite compact among the three may have Washington worried. Between them they comprise 5.9% of global land mass, 39.1% of global population and 8.5% of global GDP. Only in the later category does the US have any advantage, and it is currently a material one, but the growth of both China and India both significantly outstrip that of the US.
If nothing else talk that they will work to ensure that no outside interests maintain dominance within Asia will be most worrisome indeed.
¶ 14:18:00 0 comments
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If nothing else talk that they will work to ensure that no outside interests maintain dominance within Asia will be most worrisome indeed.
It must taste bitter
The Bush administration grew accustomed to having its way over its first six years in office with the help of a Congressional majority and rigid party discipline. They will now have to get used to something else entirely. Eleven Republicans have so far turned on the Decider (TM) in the debate on a House resolution opposing the administration's already underway surge in troop levels. And on Valentine's Day nonetheless.
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The pendulum swings
It must be an odd numbered year. The Kansas Board of Education has voted to bring science back into the classroom with a decision to treat evolutionary theory as the basis of modern biological thought. The theory's brief absence was due to a ruling by the previous Board that God should have her moment in the sun so to speak.
The issue is expected to run and run in the state which was once, believe it or not, a haven for radical thinking. According to John Calvert of the Intelligent Design Network: "You can’t keep science in a box". They do think that they can keep it a coffin if they can just get it in there!
¶ 12:02:00 0 comments
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The issue is expected to run and run in the state which was once, believe it or not, a haven for radical thinking. According to John Calvert of the Intelligent Design Network: "You can’t keep science in a box". They do think that they can keep it a coffin if they can just get it in there!
"You're shit and you know you are"
In a closely fought away match environmental pressure group Greenpeace has defeated the British government. The match, played at the government's preferred venue of the High Court, turned on contested refereeing decisions. The men in black awarded Greenpeace a penalty, which they converted, after holding that the government had been "procedurally unfair" and that their play was seriously "seriously flawed". Interviewed after the match senior referee Justice Sullivan said that "something has gone clearly and radically wrong".
The members of the Greenpeace squad celebrated their victory afterwards at the near by Sunken Whaler pub with organic real ale and hydroponically raised skunk. The government side skulked away grumbling.
¶ 11:52:00 0 comments
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The members of the Greenpeace squad celebrated their victory afterwards at the near by Sunken Whaler pub with organic real ale and hydroponically raised skunk. The government side skulked away grumbling.
Ameripharmiphobia
Tens of thousands of children in the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan have not been vaccinated against polio after their parents refused to allow them to be treated. Extremists Muslim clerics have been spreading the rumour in the province, which is largely outside the control of the central government, that the vaccine is a plot by the American government to sterilise Muslim children. Similar rumours several years ago in Muslim provinces of Nigeria saw a spike in cases after large numbers of infants were not vaccinated.
One would think that this would be a fairly simple rumour to refute. After all, anyone who has carefully watched the performance of the Bush administration over the past six years would be hard pressed to believe that they would be capable of implementing such a plan.
¶ 11:28:00 0 comments
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One would think that this would be a fairly simple rumour to refute. After all, anyone who has carefully watched the performance of the Bush administration over the past six years would be hard pressed to believe that they would be capable of implementing such a plan.
Price gouging or just good business?
Swiss drugs giant Novartis is fighting a case in the Indian High Court which could have far reaching implications for access to medicines in India and other emerging economies. India will not grant a patent to a new medication unless it is "genuinely innovative". At issue is Novartis's cancer medication Glivec which was denied an Indian patent on these grounds as it represented a minor modification to an existing drug. Glivec, treatment with which costs £15,000 per annum, is currently being produced in India by generic manufacturers. Novartis best tread carefully as they appear to being on the brink of incurring the wrath of US Representative Henry Waxman, a fate I would not wish on anyone.
¶ 11:18:00 0 comments
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That shrinking feeling
I can't help but think that chemist chain Boots have missed out on a golden opportunity. They recently announced that they would begin selling Viagra over the counter, without a prescription at some of their shops on a trial basis. Unfortunately those British men who had hoped to give their partners a little something extra for Valentine's Day found, after visting a Boots shop yesterday, that the trial wouldn't begin until this coming Monday and you had to book a forty five minute appointment with a pharmacist. Cue great disappointment for thousands of men and women up and down the country.
¶ 11:13:00 0 comments
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14 February 2007
Breaking news
Paula Abdul has never been drunk.
Shane MacGowan has never been sober. ¶ 17:21:00 0 comments links to this post
Shane MacGowan has never been sober. ¶ 17:21:00 0 comments links to this post
Two can play this game
I am waiting for news that the Iranian government will take a leaf out of the American book and link an American car, possibly a Ford, to the car bomb that killed eleven members of the elite Revolutionary Guard. They may even go so far as to suggest that they have found a serial number and a "Bush/Cheney" bumper sticker.
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It's not as if they were well organised or anything
I hate to be the bearer of sad news but Anarchist Youth of Ireland have given up the fight.
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A simple question
Why isn't this man being described as an "accused terrorist"? After all enquiring minds want to know.
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Sitting with a Dick by the bay
In the current issue of In These Times Karen J. Greenberg offers up eight reasons to close Guantánamo. The eight reasons are all hard to argue with but I know that there are those who will wish to do so. In the interests of time I will put myself in the position of the Bush administration and rebut them point by point.
- It is a legal no-man’s-land - "Exactly!"
- It violates the Geneva Conventions - "Isn't that quaint"
- Prisoners are degraded and abused - "And your point is?"
- Prisoners have no way to prove their innocence - "They are all evil doers"
- It undermines intelligence efforts - "So do we!"
- It creates new enemies - "Thereby creating new and profitable opportunities for our friends in the death trade - I mean defence industry."
- … and alienates our allies - "Only the Brits and Aussies are left anyway. Tony will be gone soon and Howard isn't looking too clever either"
- It will signal a fundamental change of strategy in the war on terror - "Hey. She spelled it t-e-r-r-o-r. Dick I told you it was spelled t-e-r-r-o-r not t-e-r-r-a!"
A humble suggestion
I am already tired of discussion of Sen. Barack Obama's race. I do wish the media would stop referring to him as "black". Didn't Tiger Woods already win this battle?
I have a suggestion for a slogan / sound bite for the Senator's campaign.
I have a suggestion for a slogan / sound bite for the Senator's campaign.
"I am not black. I am not white. I am American."Just a thought. ¶ 14:55:00 0 comments links to this post
Awaiting the uproar
Do you reckon that the folks who are so disgruntled with President Carter for referring to the treatment by the Israelis of the Palestinians in the illegally occupied territories as "apartheid" are going to get just as upset at the use of the selfsame word to describe the treatment of the Dalits in India?
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Law enforcement v corporate welfare
Anywhere you go, including in the United States, it is generally quite easy to find knock offs of brand name merchandise available at a fraction of the price of the originals. Except in some very few cases these cheap imitations fool no one into believing that what they are purchasing, or what they see someone wearing, is the real McCoy. One could argue that these copies serve in a way to enhance the brand that the copyright owners believe that they are damaging.
More and more, local police forces in America are being called on to invest significant portions of often spare law enforcement budgets to protect corporate marques. Is that the way citizens wish the resources to be allocated or is it just another case of corporations calling the shots?
¶ 14:31:00 0 comments
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More and more, local police forces in America are being called on to invest significant portions of often spare law enforcement budgets to protect corporate marques. Is that the way citizens wish the resources to be allocated or is it just another case of corporations calling the shots?
Valentine's Day special
Italian archaeologists are taking great pains not to separate a skeletons of a couple, dubbed the "Lovers of Valdaro", who were uncovered embracing each other. I think that is sweet.
Before the members on the right get too touched by this story of ancient love, the bones are believed to be over 5,000 years old, the should be warned that "even their gender is an open question until scientists confirm the theory they were a man and a woman". Oops.
¶ 14:13:00 0 comments
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Before the members on the right get too touched by this story of ancient love, the bones are believed to be over 5,000 years old, the should be warned that "even their gender is an open question until scientists confirm the theory they were a man and a woman". Oops.
God misses!
Pat Robertson was caught in a minor snow slide at a resort near Tahoe on Monday. Mr. Robertson sustained a broken leg and other minor injuries.
It was not this Pat Robertson. God expressed her disappointment and promised to try again.
¶ 13:51:00 0 comments
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It was not this Pat Robertson. God expressed her disappointment and promised to try again.
We used to call it cooperating
Now that America has become the world's least favourite country it is no longer considered a good thing to "cooperate" with the American intelligence services. The EU proved this today by agreeing to a damning report that the governments of several EU states colluded with the CIA in allowing illegal "extraordinary rendition" flights to utilise their territory. The report also recommends that the states involved commision independent inquiries into the matter, including investigation into violations of the law, without delay.
¶ 13:44:00 0 comments
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Anyone up for Ika Nigiri?
Japanese scientists have, for the first time, captured a giant squid on film. The squid was later killed for "scientific purposes" and is now available for sale in Tsukiji fish market.
¶ 13:36:00 0 comments
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Dolphinic rendition
Rumours reach us that, following the example of Lt. Ehren Watada, dozens of dolphins are refusing to deploy in the waters off of Washington state claiming that waters in question were stolen from Native American tribes in the 19th century. The aquatic mammals were last seen being bundled into the backs of armoured SUVs and driven to a military air field where they were flown to parts unknown.
¶ 13:22:00 0 comments
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A cunning plan
Lots of people think that Bush&Co are up to something sinister with their foot dragging over the rebuilding of New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricaine Katrina. Many people have suggested that there is a racist conspiracy to keep the black population from returning to their homes.
These people of course underestimate the true genius and foresight of the Decider (TM). Just think how many more would have died and how much more property would have been destroyed by the tornado that struck New Orleans if these people had returned to the homes that they don't, and probably won't have.
George has just been looking out for the black folks all along just like ol massa.
¶ 13:06:00 0 comments
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These people of course underestimate the true genius and foresight of the Decider (TM). Just think how many more would have died and how much more property would have been destroyed by the tornado that struck New Orleans if these people had returned to the homes that they don't, and probably won't have.
George has just been looking out for the black folks all along just like ol massa.
Welcome back Willie
Thanks to the Georgia Innocence Project Willie O. "Pete" Williams conviction for rape 22 years ago, for which he was given 45 years, has been vacated. How can you give back 22 years?