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!"
31 May 2007
Nazis & the INS?
A new book entitled "Ringside at the Revolution: An Underground Cultural History of El Paso and Juarez" by David Dorado Romo alleges that the Nazis may have picked up some of their tricks through observation of American treatment of Mexicans in period between the wars.
Hmmm. I may have to give it a read.
¶ 16:59:00 0 comments
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Hmmm. I may have to give it a read.
Where do they keep finding these guys?
The top man at the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration, one Michael Griffin, has expressed his doubts as to whether fighting climate change is a priority. It's hardly even news anymore.
¶ 16:42:00 0 comments
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Apostats everywhere
There has been much comment and anger at a Malaysian court's decision not to recognise a Muslime woman's conversion to Christianity. The anger is justified although I think it would be even better if we all expressed concern as to why religious affiliation should even be included on an identify document. Nonetheless the decision clearly restricts freedom of religion and, in a free and open society, should be set aside.
I hope that there will be just as much discussion over the claims by an Israeli rabbi that conversion to Judaism cannot be set aside. Rabbi Haim Druckman's statements relate to a decision by a religious court (yes there is such a thing in Israel!) that a woman who had converted fifteen years ago but failed to keep the mitzvot. In Rabbi Druckman's opinion once a Jew always a Jew.
¶ 16:21:00 0 comments
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I hope that there will be just as much discussion over the claims by an Israeli rabbi that conversion to Judaism cannot be set aside. Rabbi Haim Druckman's statements relate to a decision by a religious court (yes there is such a thing in Israel!) that a woman who had converted fifteen years ago but failed to keep the mitzvot. In Rabbi Druckman's opinion once a Jew always a Jew.
Whilst we're not looking
The Commander Guy is trying to sneak yet another bigoted, homophobic right winger onto the Federal bench. Leslie Southwick is the latest nominee for the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Write or ring you Senator and make sure that Bush has to try at least one more time to come up with someone qualified and at least marginally human for the job.
¶ 16:11:00 0 comments
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Tear 'em down
For those of you that haven't been to the UK during the St. Tony Blair years you should know that CCTV cameras now ubiquitous. They are everywhere and frankly one does get used to them after a while. However it turns out that fully 95% of the country's more than 14 million cameras may in fact be in violation of the law.
Time for the de-installation crews I'd say.
¶ 15:52:00 0 comments
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Time for the de-installation crews I'd say.
The lowest common denominator
Series eight of Big Brother has begun and well, it just gets worse and worse doesn't it? This year's house mates are all female including a bi-sexual, a Spice Girl wannabe and young, blond twin Scousettes.
The first show drew around 8 million viewers fully 7.9 million of which I imagine to be middle aged men entrapped by some twisted sexual fantasy involving the twins.
In case you are wondering I was one of the 52 million British residents that didn't bother to watch this mindless piffle.
¶ 15:47:00 0 comments
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The first show drew around 8 million viewers fully 7.9 million of which I imagine to be middle aged men entrapped by some twisted sexual fantasy involving the twins.
In case you are wondering I was one of the 52 million British residents that didn't bother to watch this mindless piffle.
The Imperial Vice Presidency
How is it that the only person in the country that US Vice President "I'm a Big" Dick Cheney seems to believe has a right to privacy is himself? Via his lawyer "I'm a Big" ordered the Secret Service to destroy the logs pertaining to those who had visited him at his official residence claiming that they were protected under the Presidential Records Act. The letter came to light as part of a public interest lawsuit brought by the ever optimistic Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington who are attempting to find out what right wing religious leaders visited the Veep. It is not clear if the records were destroyed or not at the time.
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Nineteen and losing
It is with a considerable amount of personal pride that I can say I am a lifelong supporter of the Philadelphia Phillies, as was my father before me and his father before him. We Stringers go all the way back to the beginning in the nineteenth century and we never, ever, ever supported those damn Athletics when they were in town.
It is important that you know that these selfsame Phillies are the losingest team of all time having lost more matches than any other team in any professional sport. The current tally is 9,981 leaving us just 19 losses away from the coveted 10,000. If I were in the states I would give anything to be in attendance on June or at worst July day when the milestone is reached. If it happens in Philly how will the crowd react? Will they boo hits by the home side and cheer runs by the opposition? Will there be a standing ovation? Will ticket stubs from the match become collectors’ items?
I have so many questions.
¶ 15:21:00 0 comments
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It is important that you know that these selfsame Phillies are the losingest team of all time having lost more matches than any other team in any professional sport. The current tally is 9,981 leaving us just 19 losses away from the coveted 10,000. If I were in the states I would give anything to be in attendance on June or at worst July day when the milestone is reached. If it happens in Philly how will the crowd react? Will they boo hits by the home side and cheer runs by the opposition? Will there be a standing ovation? Will ticket stubs from the match become collectors’ items?
I have so many questions.
The freedom agenda
Yesterday saw a court in Thailand ban the country's most popular political party from participation in the democracy that doesn't exist in the country. The Thai Rak Thai was dissolved by court order and all of its officials prohibited from engaging in political activity.
Now if we could just manage to do the same with those pesky Democrats...
¶ 15:05:00 0 comments
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Now if we could just manage to do the same with those pesky Democrats...
Whither Palestinian youth?
The six insufferably long years of this Bush administration has meant six long years without any serious US brokered effort to bring peace in the conflict between the Palestinians and the Jews. During that time what has occurred? The largely secular Fatah movement once headed by Yasser Arafat has lost ground to the Islamist Hamas movement, the withdrawal of Jewish troops from the Gaza strip has turned it into a nightmare territory not too far distant from that imagined in Escape from New York
and the youth of the occupied territories are become more and more radicalised.
A job well done I'd say.
¶ 14:50:00 0 comments
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and the youth of the occupied territories are become more and more radicalised.A job well done I'd say.
Antipodean angst
The Times, a Murdoch paper nonetheless, has been running a series on how to reduce one's carbon footprint. One of the recommendations was to buy French wine rather than a tipple from New Zealand. Needless to say the Kiwi's are not well pleased.
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One more reason for organic living
A study funded by the European Union and carried out in Italy, Romania, Scotland, and Sweden has established a link between exposure to pesticides and Parkinson's Disease. They found that even low levels of exposure, such as that an amateur gardener might experience, can produce a material difference in likelihood of contracting the condition. Head trauma and injuries associated with contact sports, especially boxing, was also found to be a casual agent.
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I, for one, am relieved!
Dr Kevan Wylie of the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield has been doing important and much overlooked research in an area which, in my opinion, does not get the funding it deserves. He has been reviewing the results of twelve different studies of attitudes towards penis size conducted over the past 65 years and concludes that women don't care about it as much as men do.
I am so happy for my friends, acquaintances and colleagues who, unlike me, have had to bear the burden of perceived inadequacies in this area throughout their adult lives.
¶ 14:26:00 0 comments
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I am so happy for my friends, acquaintances and colleagues who, unlike me, have had to bear the burden of perceived inadequacies in this area throughout their adult lives.
Progress report
Is it Lent again already? It is approaching that in Baghdad at least as middle class Iraqis are having to ration their meat intake as food shortages caused by the waves of violence in the Iraqi capital take hold. In addition nearly 65% of Iraqis are now living below the poverty line due to unemployment and other factors.
¶ 14:19:00 0 comments
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Payback time
The Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, has asked the Decider(TM) to decide to decide to intervene in a lawsuit in the Federal courts that accuses the Persian Gulf state of forcing thousands of children to work as camel jockeys. In a letter to GW the sheikh noted that the UAE was "a key partner in the global war against terrorism" and asked for his assistance in having the suit, filed under the Alien Tort's Act, thrown out. I shall be following this one closely I think.
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What a surprise
Rex Tillerson, chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil, has restated the company's objections to regulation on carbon emissions and continued to cast doubt on climate change driven by the consumption of fossil fuels. Perhaps after they've squeezed the last hundred billion USD or so out of the petroleum market they will consider thinking about discussing whether it might be time to perhaps change their mind.
Mr. Tillerson "earned" a pitiful 4.1 million USD last year although he was only in charge for six months. I'm sure he will do much better this year!
¶ 12:42:00 0 comments
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Mr. Tillerson "earned" a pitiful 4.1 million USD last year although he was only in charge for six months. I'm sure he will do much better this year!
Mela-mine v. Mela-yours
The presence of melamine in animal feed imported into the US from China recently caused an uproar and there was much concern expressed over the lack of oversight, regulation and inspection in China. One wonders if the presence of melaminein animal feed products manufactured in America will cause the same level of concern. Feed products from both Tembec BTLSR Inc. of Toledo OH and Uniscope Inc. of Johnstown CO have now been recalled.
¶ 12:30:00 0 comments
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This will teach her!
An eighteen year old Connecticut woman who had snuck out of her house, undoubtedly up to no good, has shot by her father, an off duty police officer after climbing through a basement window in order to return home. Awakened by a motion light Eric Scott of the New Haven PD saw an individual in his basement and shot his daughter with his police issue pistol. The officer has not been charged.
Christ if you can't trust the coppers to use firearms responsibly what hope is there for a heavily armed nation such as America?
¶ 12:19:00 0 comments
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Christ if you can't trust the coppers to use firearms responsibly what hope is there for a heavily armed nation such as America?
Peace in our time...
...but not in our country. The US comes in at 96th out of 121 countries according to the World Peace Index. That is just below The Yemen and just above America's perennial favourites Iran. America's young protégé, Iraq, outperformed its mentor by coming in at 121; that's last for those of you who are rubbish at maths. Infamous whale killers Norway ranked at the top and 18 of the top 20 are socialist states by American standards. The UK ranks 49th; sandwiched between Morocco and Mozambique.
The full rankings with backup detail may be found here.
¶ 12:01:00 0 comments
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The full rankings with backup detail may be found here.
Does torture pay?
I think that the American Civil Liberties Union is displaying incredible naïveté in its understanding of post-modern capitalism by choosing to sue a subsidiary of Boeing Corporation for profiting from the CIA's extraordinarily illegal 'extraordinary rendition' programme. After all it is clear to me that Jeppesen Dataplan Inc simply recognised a niche in the market and moved into it in order to follow the Prime Directive; maximising shareholder value. Now what could be more American than that, eh?
¶ 11:56:00 0 comments
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I cannot stand the suspense
I can hardly wait to learn the results of the US Justice Department's internal investigation into whether it violated civil service regulations by hiring only conservative Republicans. There is no word as to whether only conservative Republicans have been named to work on the investigation. I am certain that Gone-zo Gonzales will tell us just as soon as he has some recollection related to the matter in question if he can remember what the matter in question is.
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Reality radio
Performance artist Mark McGowan has eaten what he claims to be cooked Corgi as a protest over the royal family's treatment of animals. The meal took place during a show on Resonance FM, a London station. He also shared the feast, minced Corgi balls with apple, onion and seasoning with Yoko Ono who was also a guest on the show. I have been unable to reach Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of England and Wales and Elizabeth I of Scotland for her comments on this matter.
¶ 11:43:00 0 comments
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Leftward Ho!
Young David Cameron's Tory Party is accusing New Labour of a "leftwards march of ideas" as the race for the deputy leadership hots up as least according to their shadow Chancellor George Osborne. Well Mr. Osborne in case you haven’t noticed left is the only direction that they have to march to having already moved as far right as any party that used to be used socialist might dare.
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Footprints everywhere
Britain is to launch a voluntary scheme whereby consumer products will be labelled as to their carbon footprint. The joint imitative between the government's initiative has been announced by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Carbon Trust (also government funded), and British Standards (BSI). The labels will rate the products' contribution to greenhouse gas emissions from production, transport and consumption. Even though this is a voluntary enterprise I anticipate that should significant consumer pressure be brought to bear, and I believe it will, that the participation in the scheme will soon become de rigeur.
Perhaps my countrymen can push for a similar proposal on their side of the Atlantic.
¶ 11:26:00 0 comments
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Perhaps my countrymen can push for a similar proposal on their side of the Atlantic.
Now this is a military industrial complex
A new book entitled "Military Inc. Inside Pakistan's Military Economy" is set to be published in Pakistan. The volume details the tangled web of business interests controlled by the country's military and which are valued in the neighbourhood of 10 billion USD.
The launch party however doesn't seem likely to happen after the government warned hotels, clubs and restaurants in Islamabad that hosting the party would not be advisable.
¶ 11:14:00 0 comments
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The launch party however doesn't seem likely to happen after the government warned hotels, clubs and restaurants in Islamabad that hosting the party would not be advisable.
Why do you think they called them cheetahs?
I plan to launch a crusade calling for the burning and destruction of all children's books that include cheetahs as characters as the news reaches us that the elegant big cats refuse to recognise that marriage is a union between one male cat and one female cat. It seems that the females of the species are a bit slutty and like to sleep around. Thank God that Jerry Falwell didn't live to hear this or the African felines might have been blamed for the 11 September attacks!
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Bush does a good thing (no kidding!)
The Decider(TM) has decided to decide to announce that his is to ask Congress to double aid money to be spent on HIV/AIDS from the current 15 billion USD over five years to 30 billion. This will create some pressure, prior to the upcoming G8 summit in Germany, for other wealthy nations to step up their contributions. This is a good.
The bad news of course is that a material portion of the funds will be spent on programmes run by right wing religious groups that promote abstinence as the only method to avoid infection and that refuse to allow the distribution of condoms.
Still some of the money will do some good.
¶ 11:01:00 0 comments
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The bad news of course is that a material portion of the funds will be spent on programmes run by right wing religious groups that promote abstinence as the only method to avoid infection and that refuse to allow the distribution of condoms.
Still some of the money will do some good.
A day in the life
The front page of today's Guardian newspaper sees an article by an anonymous British private security guard in Iraq who details what his life is like in and out of the Green Zone in Baghdad. He is earning about £90K per annum tax-free providing protection for contractors working on reconstruction contracts. He describes the service he and others provide as a "taxi service with guns".
Key quote to be found near the end of the article:
Key quote to be found near the end of the article:
¶ 10:56:00 0 comments links to this post"I will probably bin it fairly soon. I think the writing is on the wall for Baghdad. I think it is about to go ballistic. The Baghdad security plan is not going to work." (Emphasis mine.)
St.Tony's travels*
Blairgacy - the farewell tour continues with the soon-to-be-ex-Prime Minister stopping off in Sierra Leone where he was named Shebora Matof or "Prince of Peace", apparently without a sense of irony. At the same time Gordon Brown has been named Shebora Matof in waiting.
In defence of the Sierra Leonians (sic?) the British Prime Minister's intervention in the country's long running civil war did provide a lesson in how the power of the West can be used for good. It is perhaps not coincidental however that the United States did not take part in any of the military action in the West African country.
*Note: not to be confused with St. Tony's travails - see also Iraq, BAE Systems and Lolly for Lordships.
¶ 10:33:00 0 comments
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In defence of the Sierra Leonians (sic?) the British Prime Minister's intervention in the country's long running civil war did provide a lesson in how the power of the West can be used for good. It is perhaps not coincidental however that the United States did not take part in any of the military action in the West African country.
*Note: not to be confused with St. Tony's travails - see also Iraq, BAE Systems and Lolly for Lordships.
Gone-zo watch (day 72)
72 fucking days I've been at this and yet US Attorney General and Bush succubus Alberto "Gone-zo" Gonzales is still employed. Why? How? In the private sector, so beloved of his boss, no one this incompetent would last a month. Still the boss thinks that he's doing a bang up job! According to the Decider(TM) "he has done nothing wrong". If it that were the case he also has do nothing, or at least precious little, right. Is that enough for him to remain as the nation's top law enforcement official? Given the otherwise incredibly low standards of the Bush administration it would appear so.
Elsewhere tonight is the first match that England will play at the new three quarters of a billion pounds Wembley stadium under Steve "I've Never Really Coached a Winning Side and It Doesn't Look Like I'm Going to Start Now" McClaren. He has, in an act of desperation, brought back David Beckham to face Brazil in tonight's friendly and then Estonia next week in the must win Euro qualifier. Should England lost that match McClaren looks a dead cert for the sack.
(To be continued...)
¶ 10:22:00 6 comments
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Elsewhere tonight is the first match that England will play at the new three quarters of a billion pounds Wembley stadium under Steve "I've Never Really Coached a Winning Side and It Doesn't Look Like I'm Going to Start Now" McClaren. He has, in an act of desperation, brought back David Beckham to face Brazil in tonight's friendly and then Estonia next week in the must win Euro qualifier. Should England lost that match McClaren looks a dead cert for the sack.
(To be continued...)
30 May 2007
Why do governments only listen to the lawyers when they say what they want them to?
Could it be that Israel has known all along, based on the advice of its legal advisers that the construction of Jewish settlements on Arab land occupied after the Six Day War would be illegal? It is hard to imagine that this could be so? I mean would so many successive American administrations give the developments some measure of approval if this were the case?
Well Theodor Meron, undoubtedly another self-loathing Jew, who was the Israeli Foreign Ministry's legal adviser during and after the war wrote a memo to the foreign minister Abba Eban saying just that. Furthermore Mr. Meron, who moved on to become a respected international jurist, says that the settlements are still in violation of the Hague and Geneva Conventions.
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Well Theodor Meron, undoubtedly another self-loathing Jew, who was the Israeli Foreign Ministry's legal adviser during and after the war wrote a memo to the foreign minister Abba Eban saying just that. Furthermore Mr. Meron, who moved on to become a respected international jurist, says that the settlements are still in violation of the Hague and Geneva Conventions.
Bring out the pork
Despite the fact that the United States spends far more on defence (aka offence) than any other country in the world the good folks at the Heritage Foundation say it isn't nearly enough. They demand that spending levels are ratcheted up until they reach 4% of GDP a roughly 20 - 25% increase over planned levels.
That should lead to lots of prime lobbying jobs for departing Senators, Congressmen, Generals and Defense Department staffers!
¶ 13:54:00 0 comments
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That should lead to lots of prime lobbying jobs for departing Senators, Congressmen, Generals and Defense Department staffers!
America thy name is irony
The US State Department tells us, with not hint of a hidden smirk, that they are taking steps to "prevent an erosion of democracy in the Americas and around the world".
I suggest that they could begin this effort in Washington DC perhaps in the White House. They could run some seminars for those in high office who seem to have forgotten the basics. I would suggest such interesting topics as:
I suggest that they could begin this effort in Washington DC perhaps in the White House. They could run some seminars for those in high office who seem to have forgotten the basics. I would suggest such interesting topics as:
"Why the Whole World is a Free Speech Zone"
"Why the Fourth, Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments Mean Your Need a Court Order to Wiretap"
"Habeas Corpus - A Beginner's Guide"
and of course
¶ 13:42:00 0 comments links to this post"Why Article VI, Clause 2 of the Constitution Means That Ratified Treaties (e.g. the Geneva Conventions and the UN Convention Against Torture) Trump Presidential Power
"I thought I heard buzzing"
The constabulary in Hasland, Chesterfield were called to the local postal sorting office to deal with a suspicious package that was believed to be making a noise of some sort. The coppers did what they normally do in such circumstances; they took it outside and blew it up. How were they to know it was just a vibrator. If this had occurred in Texas it would be more understandable.
There is no mention of the level of compensation the intended recipient is entitled to.
¶ 13:37:00 0 comments
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There is no mention of the level of compensation the intended recipient is entitled to.
Guns don't kill people...
...chilli sauce does. At least it gets them shot as Renel Frage of Miami can testify. Fortunately for young Mr. Frage, the night manager of the Wendy's Restaurant in question the gunshot woke the security guard who was having a kip at the time.
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The fiscal policy behind Bush's immigration deal
I am sure that all of the true, red Republicans who are so upset that the Decider(TM) has thrown open the borders to millions of millions of brown people will come back on board with the plan once they realise that the amnesty for those already in the States is going to be used to finance the tax cut for rich folks through inflation busting increases in visa and citizenship fees.
That old GW - he's dumb as an (idiotic) fox.
¶ 13:21:00 0 comments
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That old GW - he's dumb as an (idiotic) fox.
The end of the silence
I have refrained from commenting about the tragedy surrounding the abduction of young Madeleine McCann in Portugal largely because I felt I had nothing to add and there was enough sadness already. However as the media circus surrounding the girl's disappearance over the past month I have slowly stirred myself up as her parents, undoubtedly justifiably, use the media in an attempt to keep the case in the spotlight and hopefully ensure her return. Now however I have had enough. Today they have jetted off to Rome to see Il Papa and he has blessed her photograph. Now just exactly how is that supposed to fucking help? Surely even the deranged alleged celibate doesn't believe that will have any impact does he? If so he is madder than I thought. I suppose that should the young girl suddenly be located and returned to her parents when the old German kicks off his supporters can use this as evidence of a "miracle" to propel him on the path to sainthood and a sure reunion with Jerry Falwell wherever Jerry has ended up.
Question: is the Murdoch run newspaper the Times trying to tell us anything by carrying this story on its entertainment page? I thought old Rupert was a good Christian and believe in all this rubbish.
¶ 13:11:00 0 comments
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Question: is the Murdoch run newspaper the Times trying to tell us anything by carrying this story on its entertainment page? I thought old Rupert was a good Christian and believe in all this rubbish.
Say it ain't so
Federal investigators are looking into remodeling done at the home of Alaskan Senator Ted "The Tubes Are Clogged" Stevens over suggestions that he may not have paid for it all by himself.
Whether the investigation is related to this story entitled "U.S. to Study Protection for Alaska Loon" I cannot possible say.
¶ 11:57:00 0 comments
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Whether the investigation is related to this story entitled "U.S. to Study Protection for Alaska Loon" I cannot possible say.
The invisible hand of the market stymied yet again by government socialists
The Creekstone Farms Premium Beef company of Kansas City (I'm not sure which one) wants to test 100% of its cattle for mad cow disease because they feel that such tests could enhance the value of their product.
However those dastardly Commies in Bush's Department of Agriculture say "not so bloody fast". Implementation of a court ruling that was to take effect on Friday that would have allowed the company to freely pursue free enterprise has been put on hold after the Feds announced that they were appealing the decision.
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However those dastardly Commies in Bush's Department of Agriculture say "not so bloody fast". Implementation of a court ruling that was to take effect on Friday that would have allowed the company to freely pursue free enterprise has been put on hold after the Feds announced that they were appealing the decision.
Will they get a good draft pick?
In what can only been seen as a bad omen for the fortunes of Philadelphia’s venerable but generally hapless American football team the Eagles the nest of the first pair of bald eagles to call the city home in 200 years has failed.
The pair had made the playoffs (i.e. produced an egg) but the Super Bowl (i.e. eaglet surviving) was just out of reach.
¶ 11:46:00 0 comments
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The pair had made the playoffs (i.e. produced an egg) but the Super Bowl (i.e. eaglet surviving) was just out of reach.
No four star General left behind
True or false: 3445 > 2996
According to American General Peter Pace, head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the answer is false. I leave you to come to your own conclusion as to the answer.
¶ 11:37:00 0 comments
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According to American General Peter Pace, head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the answer is false. I leave you to come to your own conclusion as to the answer.
Extra! Extra! US environment adviser speaks the truth
To quote James Connaughton, the Decider's environmental go to guy, who is currently on a tour of Europe saying "No" to anything anyone throws at him:
"The U.S. has different sets of targets."One certainly can't argue with that. ¶ 11:26:00 0 comments links to this post
The shores of Tripoli
I forgot to mention that St. Tony's first stop on his whistle-stop tour of Africa could get him in hot water with the Decider(TM) as he as gone to Libya to talk to the known terrorist leader Muammar Gaddafi. Oh wait a minute. They're selling us oil against. They mustn't be terrorists anymore! Never mind.
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Time for a rethink?
I have been a lifelong opponent of the death penalty in any and all circumstances. However now that China is showing us its utility in dealing with corrupt and incompetent government officials I may have to reconsider my position.
It is unlikely to change my mind in the end but if someone were to dangle Karl Rove in front of me as bait I would be likely to be sorely tempted indeed.
¶ 11:16:00 0 comments
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It is unlikely to change my mind in the end but if someone were to dangle Karl Rove in front of me as bait I would be likely to be sorely tempted indeed.
TB flights
Is it just me or does this story about an flying about the globe whilst infected with a rare and dangerous strain of tuberculosis sound like a puff piece for a bad TV movie starring Lindsay Wagner? Perhaps she just wishes to make yet another half-comeback now that they are remaking the "Bionic Woman" with a younger, British model.
¶ 11:09:00 0 comments
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"Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world like a Colossus."
St. Tony's farewell tour in promotion of the "Blairgacy" continues.
The first stop was Washington DC where who knows what goes one when he is alone with the Commander Guy.
Then it was on to Baghdad for a surprise visit so that he could personally thank the troops for dying in the name of the "Blairgacy".
Now he is triumphantly stomping across the Dark Continent accompanied by a writer and two photographers from that serious foreign policy publication Men's Vogue.
Where to next I wonder.
¶ 11:03:00 0 comments
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The first stop was Washington DC where who knows what goes one when he is alone with the Commander Guy.
Then it was on to Baghdad for a surprise visit so that he could personally thank the troops for dying in the name of the "Blairgacy".
Now he is triumphantly stomping across the Dark Continent accompanied by a writer and two photographers from that serious foreign policy publication Men's Vogue.
Where to next I wonder.
No room at the inn
The British prison and jail system is hereby declared full. Please commit no crimes until further notice. Thank you very much indeed for your cooperation.
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Blair's autocracy
A former British Cabinet Secretary, Lord Butler, has come forward to accuse the lame duck Prime Minister of gutting the powers of the cabinet. According to Lord Butler the cabinet took only one decision in Blair's first eight months in office and that was to leave the Prime Minister the task of sorting out the Millennium Dome fiasco. For those in charge of the careful cultivated Blair legacy* the fact that Lord Butler compares St. Tony unfavourably with Margaret "The Milk Snatcher" Thatcher will not be an east pill to swallow.
*Note: from this point forward I shall be refering to the "Blair legacy" as the "Blairgacy" in order to conserve valuable keystrokes.
¶ 10:50:00 0 comments
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*Note: from this point forward I shall be refering to the "Blair legacy" as the "Blairgacy" in order to conserve valuable keystrokes.
Is anyone else getting a sense of déjà vu?
The United States has provocatively been going forward with plans to base its son-of-the-son-of-the-son-of-Star Wars missile "defence" system in Eastern Europe. This has the Russians rather worried. After all they do have great deal of oil and natural gas and the Bush administration has shown its willingness to use force in places that have considerable fossil fuel reserves.
So how do they react? They up the ante. Perhaps this time the Russians will force America to spend its way into bankruptcy and the IMF could be sent in to clear up the mess.
¶ 10:44:00 0 comments
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So how do they react? They up the ante. Perhaps this time the Russians will force America to spend its way into bankruptcy and the IMF could be sent in to clear up the mess.
Gone-zo watch (day 71)
Yes, US Attorney General and Bush succubus Alberto "Gone-zo" Gonzales is still employed. Who would have thought he would last this long? Not I but then I can't pick horses either. His support is slipping away so rapidly that we have to look as far a field as Idaho to find an editorial that supports him. Unfortunately for him we couldn't find one
Meanwhile the competition for second spot in the who-gets-sacked-first contest is heating up as England football Steve "I've Never Really Coached a Winning Side and It Doesn't Look Like I'm Going to Start Now" McClaren admits that recalling David Beckham could have been the last act of a desperate man. Should England fail to win in Estonia next month he is sure to go. I wonder how the head WAGS feel about the imminent return of Posh.
(To be continued...)
¶ 10:29:00 0 comments
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Meanwhile the competition for second spot in the who-gets-sacked-first contest is heating up as England football Steve "I've Never Really Coached a Winning Side and It Doesn't Look Like I'm Going to Start Now" McClaren admits that recalling David Beckham could have been the last act of a desperate man. Should England fail to win in Estonia next month he is sure to go. I wonder how the head WAGS feel about the imminent return of Posh.
(To be continued...)
29 May 2007
The Natural Unhistory Museum is open
Well it's open and it is sure to ruin the education of dozens of unhappy children of uneducated adults who take them there.
Welcome to the Creation Museum. I don't plan on going even if I get really, really close!
¶ 16:13:00 0 comments
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Welcome to the Creation Museum. I don't plan on going even if I get really, really close!
"Patience my arse I'm going to kill something"
Didn't there used to be a poster that was more or less popular in the states that showed two vultures sitting on a branch or a rock with one saying the above to the other?
It turns out it might have been prophetic.
¶ 15:00:00 0 comments
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It turns out it might have been prophetic.
Jerry Falwell reincarnated!
This didn't take long. How long has he been dead; a week and a bit? He has resurfaced in Poland where the already homophobic government is set to an inquiry into gay propagandists the Teletubbies! And they are having psychologist Ewa Sowinska focus on Tinky Winky because they think he's gay. Tinky Winky is the one that so outraged Falwell before God snatched the good reverend up and clutched him to Her bosom.
¶ 14:55:00 0 comments
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The down slope
For the first time in a very long time American men in their thirties can expect to earn less in real terms than their fathers did. In 2004 the real income of thirty year old men was 12% less than in 1974 after adjusting for inflation. Family income for men in thirties is slightly up on that of thirty years ago but only because of the increasing number of wives and mothers in the work place.
It isn't likely to get much better either. For the second time today I feel lucky to be old!
¶ 14:33:00 0 comments
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It isn't likely to get much better either. For the second time today I feel lucky to be old!
Progress report
Thanks to the efforts of the Commander Guy Iraqi women are no longer relegated to a status of second class citizens virtually imprisoned in the home. They are now free to seek challenging new careers in exciting new places. He's quite a guy - our George.
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What happens after
Should the Turkish armed forces finally decide that they cannot resist an incursion into Iraqi territory for a strike against Kurdish separatists based there what then? Does the US abandon Iraqi Kurdistan to a de facto Turkish occupation? Do American troops intervene? What?
At least we can rest assured that the Commander Guy and his minions have at least a good a plan for this eventuality as they did for post-invasion Iraq.
¶ 14:05:00 0 comments
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At least we can rest assured that the Commander Guy and his minions have at least a good a plan for this eventuality as they did for post-invasion Iraq.
The overlong goodbye
St. Tony's extended and ridiculous farewell tour continues with a completely unnecessary taxpayer funded trip to Africa. The man is now a lame duck and therfore an irrelevance. Why are we paying for this? This is just stock footage for the legacy section on his website.
¶ 12:57:00 0 comments
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Obama's curious plan
US Presidential contender Barack Obama has come out in favour of "universal health care". I've only read a bit of the coverage but as far as I can tell it is essentially a welfare programme for insurance companies. This will not provide what Americans need unless of course they work for or own significant stock in a health insurance company. Health insurance firms add no value whatsoever to the process and any engineer worth his or her salt would eliminate them as redundant and unnecessary.
I am sure Sen. Obama will be accused by the right wingers of being a socialist but it is a peculiar type of socialism indeed.
¶ 12:39:00 0 comments
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I am sure Sen. Obama will be accused by the right wingers of being a socialist but it is a peculiar type of socialism indeed.
Don't forget the sun screen
A huge collective sigh of relief must have been heard in Brighton the other day after the organisers of the local leg of the World Naked Bike Ride and police have come to an understanding.
The website for the global event, probably not safe for work, may be found here.
¶ 12:31:00 0 comments
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The website for the global event, probably not safe for work, may be found here.
Brazil to go to Catholic Hell
Well can there be any doubt of that now? If the country is going to subsidise birth control pills so that poor woman can afford them does Il Papa have any other choice? If they we subsidising or suppressing news of child abuse that would be something entirely different.
¶ 12:20:00 0 comments
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How high is too high?
Or for that matter how hot is too hot? Supposedly acting on medical advice the Fédération Internationale de Football Association has banned international football matches in stadia above an altitude of 2500 metres above sea level. Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru, all of whom have national stadia above the cut-off, are not well pleased. The ruling is not thought to cause any problems for either Bangladesh or the Netherlands. Personally I would think that matches in temperatures above 35C would be equally, if not more, dangerous.
¶ 12:09:00 0 comments
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Meanwhile in "America's Hometown" (and mine)
Is a demonstration of little seen American irony that the Philadelphia Inquirer, from the City of Brotherly Love, provides on its website a handy, dandy interactive homicide map? There is also an interactive shootings maps. That must drive the local National Rifle Association folks crazy! The NRA can at least take solace from the fact that the city's most recent killing didn't involve a gun. Not that they ever do because we all know that "guns don't kill people". We all know that it is "bullets that are shot out of guns that kill people"; and occasionally knives.
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The Commander Guy goes to Cloud Cuckoo Land
It will come as no surprise to anyone that George W. Bush, the anti-President, and I don't see eye to eye. In defence of my position he doesn't exactly see eye to eye with reality either. He seems to believe that the American people agree with him and trust him.
There I was thinking he had given up on the booze.
¶ 11:43:00 0 comments
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There I was thinking he had given up on the booze.
The contractor that couldn't shoot straight
Blackwater USA, the controversial security firm and major Pentagon subcontractor, is also the subject of a frightening and important book. They also opened fire on Iraqi security forces last week and killed an Iraqi driver. Since they are theoretically exempt from both Iraqi and American law it is unlikely that any charges will be brought. However, according to a company spokeswoman, they are required to file "action reports on any such incidents". That's a relief. I am sure that justice will be done.
¶ 11:29:00 0 comments
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. They also opened fire on Iraqi security forces last week and killed an Iraqi driver. Since they are theoretically exempt from both Iraqi and American law it is unlikely that any charges will be brought. However, according to a company spokeswoman, they are required to file "action reports on any such incidents". That's a relief. I am sure that justice will be done.
That "Freedom Agenda" thing
As the courts in Thailand prepare to ban the two largest political parties the good old Washington Times, voice of Moonies and wingnuts everywhere reports "U.S.-Thai relations strong". Hmm.
¶ 11:19:00 0 comments
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A coward honours heroes
How noble of the Commander Guy to devote yesterday, at least a wee bit of it, to honouring those whose deaths he is personally responsible for. In his remarks at Arlington National Cemetery he said:
"Now this hallowed ground receives a new generation of heroes, men and women who gave their lives in places such as Kabul and Kandahar, Baghdad and Ramadi...Like those who came before them, they did not want war, but they answered the call when it came."
He left the "unlike me" unsaid.
¶ 11:15:00 0 comments
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A message to American taxpayers
Are you sitting comfortably? If not, try to relax before carrying on reading the rest of this post. Take a deep breath and perhaps two or three Valium.
Now. Here we go. The US government makes up the accounting rules that it applies to itself as it goes along. It doesn't use what are known as Generally Accepted Accounting Practices (GAAP). If you take these rules, which corporations must adhere to unless they are Enron or WorldCom, and apply them to the Federal government last year's deficit was 1.3 trillion USD rather than the 248 billion USD that the government claims. That comes to 11,434 USD per household more than the income tax paid. To make matters worse, especially for those under thirty, the cumulative deficit is actually 59.1 trillion USD or 516,348 USD per household.
Suddenly it doesn't seem so terrible to be old.
¶ 11:07:00 0 comments
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Now. Here we go. The US government makes up the accounting rules that it applies to itself as it goes along. It doesn't use what are known as Generally Accepted Accounting Practices (GAAP). If you take these rules, which corporations must adhere to unless they are Enron or WorldCom, and apply them to the Federal government last year's deficit was 1.3 trillion USD rather than the 248 billion USD that the government claims. That comes to 11,434 USD per household more than the income tax paid. To make matters worse, especially for those under thirty, the cumulative deficit is actually 59.1 trillion USD or 516,348 USD per household.
Suddenly it doesn't seem so terrible to be old.
Weekend sport
The weather for our Bank Holiday weekend was, to put it mildly, abysmal. It meant that one was stuck in front of the telly trying to find some sport to watch. The test match was basically a non starter due to the rain so that was out.
There was the richest match in football, worth an estimated £60 million to the winner. It wasn't a bad match and Derby County won by a score of one to nil. That means my Palace get to play West Bromwich Albion again next year.
At the other end of the spectrum, admittedly shown only on the news, was the annual Coopers Hill cheese rolling competition in Gloucestershire. Here the contestants stand to win a lot less, a cheese, but it sure looks like a lot of fun if a bit dangerous. There were twenty five volunteers from St. John Ambulance on hand to assist. I wonder if they have an over 50 competition.
¶ 10:53:00 0 comments
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There was the richest match in football, worth an estimated £60 million to the winner. It wasn't a bad match and Derby County won by a score of one to nil. That means my Palace get to play West Bromwich Albion again next year.
At the other end of the spectrum, admittedly shown only on the news, was the annual Coopers Hill cheese rolling competition in Gloucestershire. Here the contestants stand to win a lot less, a cheese, but it sure looks like a lot of fun if a bit dangerous. There were twenty five volunteers from St. John Ambulance on hand to assist. I wonder if they have an over 50 competition.
Less than human?
The scandals surrounding Iraq and the legal advice given to the Blair regime just won't go away. Today's Independent carries a story about the questionable guidelines set down by the Attorney General related to the rules that British forces were to follow when arresting and questioning Iraqis. His advice was that they were not bound to follow the Human Rights Act which incorporated the European Convention of Human Rights into the British statue books. The ECHR sets a lower threshold for inhuman and degrading treatment than the Geneva Conventions do.
I have a word of advice for Lord Goldsmith; once you define something as a "human right" there are no exceptions unless you chose to define someone as less than human. It really is quite simple and I don't see what it is you don't understand.
Note: the British Army's senior legal adviser, Lieutenant-Colonel Nicholas Mercer, ruled that the ECHR did constrain British forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.
¶ 10:44:00 0 comments
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I have a word of advice for Lord Goldsmith; once you define something as a "human right" there are no exceptions unless you chose to define someone as less than human. It really is quite simple and I don't see what it is you don't understand.
Note: the British Army's senior legal adviser, Lieutenant-Colonel Nicholas Mercer, ruled that the ECHR did constrain British forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Gone-zo watch (day 70)
A new week dawns for US Attorney General and Bush succubus Alberto "Gone-zo" Gonzales and he still has a job, any job. He must be feeling isolated though. Even though the Decider(TM) has decided to decide to hang on to him even members of his ethnic group are thinking it is time for him to go. They seem to think he's giving Hispanics a bad name. Has anyone checked his green card?
(To be continued...)
¶ 10:37:00 0 comments
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(To be continued...)
28 May 2007
The police state the police don't want
Frustrated by those damned activist judges and restrained by the UK's obligations under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights the Blair government, led on this front by the irascible John Reid, have demanded more powers for the police to harass and detain ordinary folks. The trouble is that the Old Bill don't actually want them. Haven't they read St. Tony's comment piece from yesterday's Times where he instructs us that all of this concern over human rights is just so much fiddle faddle and that we all have to surrender these freedoms in order that his legacy is secure? I'll bet that they haven't.
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Why is Putin's Russia like Dubya's America?
In a demonstration of solidarity with right wing Christians in America the Russian authorities stood by as neo-Nazis assaulted gay right activists in Moscow before stepping in to arrest those who had been beaten.
Of for the good old days when you could get away with this in America. Wait a second - you still can get away with this in America. How silly of me!
¶ 12:57:00 0 comments
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Of for the good old days when you could get away with this in America. Wait a second - you still can get away with this in America. How silly of me!
Finally a reason to intervene in Zimbabwe
Clearly the human rights of Zimbabwe's citizens are no concern of the West as we have demonstrated by continuing to look the other way as autocrat Robert Mugabe tortures, imprisons, kills and starves his people. However now that he is talking about seizing the ownership of western companies I sure the troops will be there sharpish.
After all private property is important!
¶ 12:51:00 0 comments
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After all private property is important!
Who's counting?
Ten more American soldiers have been killed in Iraq pushing the total for May over one hundred again but then to quote White House spokesman Tony Snow: "it's just a number".
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More proof that the French hate America and God
The winner of the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival is a low budget Romanian film entitled "4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days" about a young woman who helps a friend to have an illegal abortion during Ceauşescu's brutal dictatorship. Instead of casting the heroic communist authorities, who fight desperately to save the life of the unborn foetus, in a good light the woman who assists her friend to murder her unborn child is cast as the heroine.
Shame. Shame.
¶ 12:40:00 0 comments
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Shame. Shame.
No no child it wasn't me
When I was a kid my father used to tell me that one of the things about growing up was that one had to take responsibility for one's actions. Well it is good to know that sixty three year old Paul Wolfowitz is still a kid at heart as he blames the media rather than his own serious misjudgement for the fact that he will soon be on the dole.
There are also reports that his paramour, Shaha Riza, has dumped him. I suppose that is the fault of the press too and nothing to do with the fact that he was rubbish in the sack.
¶ 12:34:00 0 comments
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There are also reports that his paramour, Shaha Riza, has dumped him. I suppose that is the fault of the press too and nothing to do with the fact that he was rubbish in the sack.
Dying for a drink
Imagine living in a town of over 125,000 souls with only one off licence. Personally I'd rather not think about it. Of course I don't think I would ever live in Utah let alone the unfortunate town of St. George. Alcohol possession is tightly controlled in the state that is dominated by the less than progressive Church of Latter Day Saints. You can only purchase booze from the state and the state thinks one shop is enough. The queues often start outside.
Hey. Isn't having a state monopoly over anything, including booze, just one small step from communism? Someone should point that out to them. Let the market rule!
¶ 12:29:00 0 comments
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Hey. Isn't having a state monopoly over anything, including booze, just one small step from communism? Someone should point that out to them. Let the market rule!
Way down south in the heart of dixie..
Haven't they learned anything from Nixon? You're supposed to keep these thoughts secret!
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...terrorists come in all shapes and sizes. Just ask the Alabama Department of Homeland Security. The state security apparatus has had to take down a portion of its website that included antiwar groups, gay rights groups, environmentalists, animal rights advocates and abortion opponents in its list of possible terrorists. Luis Posada Carilles was, however, mysteriously absent. According to the now vanished web page the Department believed that "single-issue extremists often focus on issues that are important to all of us. However, they have no problem crossing the line between legal protest and ... illegal acts, to include even murder, to succeed in their goals".
Haven't they learned anything from Nixon? You're supposed to keep these thoughts secret!
What's a drought good for?
Cleaning out the lake apparently. Officials in Florida are taking advantage of the state's long dry spell to scour the bottom of Lake Okeechobee which has fallen to a near record low depth of only 9.2 feet. I am certain that the South Florida Water Management District staffers carefully checked the documentation of the workers that they hired to do the job. After all we wouldn't want any Democrats slipping into state employment now would we?
¶ 12:17:00 0 comments
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Gone-zo watch (day 69)
Given it is a bank holiday in America as well there isn't much to report as to the controversy surrounding US Attorney General and Bush succubus Alberto "Gone-zo" Gonzales. He still has his job. If he isn't spending today in Crawford TX fellating the Commander Guy he's probably at home burning the truth.
(To be continued...)
¶ 12:12:00 0 comments
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(To be continued...)
27 May 2007
Happy bank holiday
Yes it is the resplendently named Spring Bank Holiday weekend here on Old Blighty. What does that mean you ask? It means the weather will be shit. In fact this looks to be the grandmother of all bank holiday weekends. Good thing I haven't any plans, eh?
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His legacy is more important than freedom - just ask him
It would appear that St. Tony Blair is leaving in the nick of time after he said yesterday that civil liberty must be sacrificed on the alter of the "Global War on Terra".
By the way Tony I think Gordon and the missus are coming round to Number 10 this afternoon to measure up for curtains.
¶ 13:19:00 0 comments
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By the way Tony I think Gordon and the missus are coming round to Number 10 this afternoon to measure up for curtains.
And you thought the Cubbies sucked!
Some weeks ago after an abysmal start to the season I swore that I would not mention the baseball team I support again until they got above .500. Well the Philadelphia Phillies have managed this in the nick of time. It is time that you all know that I support the losingest professional sports team of all time and they are about to do what no other teams has done before and which precious few will do after them. What is that you ask?
Lose their 10,000th game! Only 21 more to go; a mere doddle for the likes of them. And to think my family has been supporting them from the very beginning. I'm not sure what that says about the Stringers but it sure says something.
Stay tuned for further, sad developments.
¶ 13:08:00 0 comments
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Lose their 10,000th game! Only 21 more to go; a mere doddle for the likes of them. And to think my family has been supporting them from the very beginning. I'm not sure what that says about the Stringers but it sure says something.
Stay tuned for further, sad developments.
There must be a better way
Today the Observer's monthly food supplement highlights the scam that is American food "aid" which is actually little more than a welfare programme for American agribusiness. Read it.
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Adventures in learning Kentucky style
If I still lived in the states I know how I would be spending my Memorial Day weekend. Like so many of you I would be heading off to Petersburg KY for the long awaited grand opening of the Creation Museum where you will be able to see the true history of the world's last and only 7000 years. It is sure to be an exciting event and fun for the whole, misguided family.
I fear though that the headline from this ABC story about the opening ("Creation Museum Marries Adam, Eve and Dinosaurs") might be subject to misinterpretation and cause considerable angst amongst those folks most likely to visit. After all marriage is supposed to be between one man and one woman rather than one man and one extinct reptile!
¶ 12:46:00 0 comments
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I fear though that the headline from this ABC story about the opening ("Creation Museum Marries Adam, Eve and Dinosaurs") might be subject to misinterpretation and cause considerable angst amongst those folks most likely to visit. After all marriage is supposed to be between one man and one woman rather than one man and one extinct reptile!
No vacancy
Sometime soon, very soon indeed, the jails (or is it gaols) in the UK are going to be completely full and the head of the prison service plans to refuse ministerial plans to jam more in.
So if you want to do porridge you should think of committing your crime today as there are only 320 spots left!
¶ 12:41:00 0 comments
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So if you want to do porridge you should think of committing your crime today as there are only 320 spots left!
Will we still need ash trays?
As the United Kingdom prepares to go smoke free, in public at least, in July the European Union is preparing to go one step further as it plans to ensure that only fire safe cigarettes will be available for sale by 2010. These cigarettes will put themselves out when you fall asleep, pissed and smoking in bed therefore saving hundreds of lives. These will undoubtedly be closely followed by fags that are completely fire-proof and will not burn at all.
¶ 12:36:00 0 comments
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"Thank you sir may I have another tax exemption?"
What do British public schools* have in common with the Royal Cancer Society, the British Red Cross and Crisis? They are considered charitable institutions and are therefore exempt from taxes. This saves Eton et al in the neighbourhood of £100 million annually. Now Jon Cruddas, a candidate for the deputy leadership of the Labour Party, wants that to end and these havens of the British aristocracy are less than pleased. Well too fucking bad.
*Note: for Americans - public schools in Britain are not actually open to the public unless you have lots and lots of money and the right bloodlines. They are the equivalent of America's most expensive private schools.
¶ 12:27:00 0 comments
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*Note: for Americans - public schools in Britain are not actually open to the public unless you have lots and lots of money and the right bloodlines. They are the equivalent of America's most expensive private schools.
Perhaps they should call it Neo-Labour
As a member of a party that used to consider itself a socialist party, and may again, British trade minister Margaret Hodge must be less than pleased by the support she is getting from the far right wing British National Party over her statements on housing priority for British folks over immigrants.
¶ 12:24:00 0 comments
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Gone-zo watch (day 68)
I wonder how US Attorney General and Bush succubus Alberto "Gone-zo" Gonzales is spending his bank holiday weekend; perhaps a cook out in the garden with the kids, catching a ball game or just popping 'round the White House and fellating the Commander Guy. No matter what he is doing he has to count himself lucky to still be employed and he must know his days are numbered. If he hasn't yet realised that then reading these opinion pieces from noted America hating communist hot spots such as Tuscaloosa AL and of course Town Hall might be of some help.
(To be continued...)
¶ 12:13:00 0 comments
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(To be continued...)
26 May 2007
God's Army (and Air Force)
Did the Army and Air Force think that no one would notice their involvement with holiday weekend event sponsored by Task Force Patriot USA* whose mission is to share "the fullness of life in Jesus Christ with all U.S. military, military veterans and families"?
Well if they did they were wrong.
*Note: their website seems to be temporarily unavailable!
¶ 15:46:00 0 comments
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Well if they did they were wrong.
*Note: their website seems to be temporarily unavailable!
"I am shocked, shocked I tell you!"
For years I have loyally believed all of those, predominately but not exclusively, Republican American legislators who have been telling us for so long that the reason that OBY/GYNs can no longer "practise their love" is because of extortionately high malpractice insurance costs. And why the premiums for this cover so ridiculously high you ask.
Well let me tell you. It is because the insurance companies are gouging the doctors.
Hey wait a minute. That can't be right can it?
(The full report (PDF) from the American Association for Justice, based on the financial statements of fifteen major malpractice insurance firms is available here.)
¶ 15:23:00 0 comments
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Well let me tell you. It is because the insurance companies are gouging the doctors.
Hey wait a minute. That can't be right can it?
(The full report (PDF) from the American Association for Justice, based on the financial statements of fifteen major malpractice insurance firms is available here.)
In which I celebrate the Detroit Free Press...
...for their opinion piece entitled "Treat all terrorism suspects equally" in which it agrees with what I have been saying about Luis Posada Carilles for months thereby earning my respect! To quote them:
"The Bush administration's failure to bring Posada to justice further undercuts the notion that it is committed to fighting terrorism wherever it finds it."
It should undercut the notion for the notion is palpably untrue. The "Global War on Terra" is a war against whoever the Decider(TM) decides to decide are the, preferably Muslim, evildoers of the month. After all extremism in the defence of autocracy and corporate power is no vice, right?
¶ 15:16:00 0 comments
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High hubris
Testifying before the Helsinki Commission in Washington DC on Thursday Daniel Fried, assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs, said the following:
"It would be an insult to hold that great country to low standards...We want [insert country name here] to be a partner in the world, and we want [insert country name here] to be strong, but strong in 21st-century terms" America would like to see [insert country name here] "with strong, democratic and independent institutions in and out of government; with a strong civil society, free press and active opposition; with strong and independent middle and entrepreneurial classes...We do not exempt [insert country name here] from our belief in the universal potential of freedom."
The country that Fried was speaking of was:
A) Iraq
B) Israel
C) The United States of America
D) Pakistan
E) The Russian Federation
(The answer is C) The United States of America. No wait - I got carried away - the answer is E) The Russian Federation.)
¶ 15:07:00 0 comments
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A) Iraq
B) Israel
C) The United States of America
D) Pakistan
E) The Russian Federation
(The answer is C) The United States of America. No wait - I got carried away - the answer is E) The Russian Federation.)
Green food
It has been proposed that the Soil Association, the organisation responsible for certifying all organic foods sold in Britain, should remove its approval from all foods which are transported by air. Not a day too soon. One is not exactly saving the planet by eating organic asparagus from Chile or organic beef from Australia.
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This should confuse the Commander Guy no end
Does anyone know where George W. Bush stands on faith based protest; at least faith based protest that doesn't focus on abortion or the breasts of a member of the Jackson family? In Scotland Christian activists are taking part in protests against nuclear weapons at Faslane naval base. They then plan to march south through Sellafield and end their march in London on 6 August, Hiroshima Day.
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Attention Minutemen!
Whilst you folks have been wandering around in the desert near the Mexican American border looking for someone to mow your lawn or watch you kids you have been ignoring the fact that dangerous and Canadian terrorists, who could possibly be French as well, could slip into the country unnoticed by sneaking out of the stacks in the Haskell Library in Stanstead Quebec (that's Canada) into the entryway of the Haskell Library in Derby Line, VT (that's America).
Where have you been? Who knows how many of the Francophile evildoers have brazenly entered the country quite possibly carrying copies of Jean Paul Sartre's L'Etre et le Neant or even the insidious Astérix le Gaulois with which to poison the minds of innocent young Americans.
Au nord mes amis!
¶ 14:47:00 0 comments
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Where have you been? Who knows how many of the Francophile evildoers have brazenly entered the country quite possibly carrying copies of Jean Paul Sartre's L'Etre et le Neant or even the insidious Astérix le Gaulois with which to poison the minds of innocent young Americans.
Au nord mes amis!
So help me L.
A judge in North Carolina has ruled that any religious text can be used to swear an oath in court. Frankly I am surprised that this was not already established law but then we are talking about North Carolina which is certainly not one of the most progressive of states.
I can hardly wait for the first Scientologist witness to take advantage of this ruling by taking his or her oath on a copy of Battleship Earth.
¶ 14:29:00 0 comments
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I can hardly wait for the first Scientologist witness to take advantage of this ruling by taking his or her oath on a copy of Battleship Earth
.
I hope he enjoyed it!
His imperial potentate American Emperor and ruler of all he surveys George the First apparently celebrated last night over the only victory he is ever going to have in relation to Iraq.
The Commander Guy signed into law a bill that provides financing for the illegal occupation of Iraq after Democrats in the House and Senate punked out.
Shame! Shame! Shame!
¶ 14:24:00 0 comments
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The Commander Guy signed into law a bill that provides financing for the illegal occupation of Iraq after Democrats in the House and Senate punked out.
Shame! Shame! Shame!
If it says Libby's, Libby's, Libby's on the cell door
US Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald wants I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby to serve thirty to thirty seven months in prison after his conviction on charges of obstruction. Documents that Mr. Fitzgerald filed with the court said:
"Mr. Libby, a high-ranking public official and experienced lawyer, lied repeatedly and blatantly about matters at the heart of a criminal investigation concerning the disclosure of a covert intelligence officer's identity...He has shown no regret for his actions, which significantly impeded the investigation."
How they are going to be able to fit the three years inside between the time that Scooter is sentenced and the moment that the Decider(TM) decides to decide to pardon him is open to question.
¶ 14:18:00 0 comments
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Democracy - Texas style
Ah Texas. They always do things bigger and bolder down there. It must have something to do with the fact that the state was once, however briefly, a country in its own right.
Now things are getting a bitted stirred up in the state's House of Representatives because the Speaker, Republican Tom Craddick, is refusing to countenance attempts to remove him from office. He reign has been so ham-fisted that even the other members of his party can't stand him. Yesterday when fellow Republican Fred Hill tried to enter a motion to allow a vote to remove him from office Speaker Craddick refused to recognise him and when that was appealed he said that "the speaker's discretion to recognize a member on a motion on any matter is unappealable (sic)". After Craddick left the building Democrats attempted to storm the podium but were "restrained" by capital police.
If only the Democrats had been exercising their 2nd Amendment rights to carry firearms perhaps they would have succeeded!
¶ 14:08:00 0 comments
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Now things are getting a bitted stirred up in the state's House of Representatives because the Speaker, Republican Tom Craddick, is refusing to countenance attempts to remove him from office. He reign has been so ham-fisted that even the other members of his party can't stand him. Yesterday when fellow Republican Fred Hill tried to enter a motion to allow a vote to remove him from office Speaker Craddick refused to recognise him and when that was appealed he said that "the speaker's discretion to recognize a member on a motion on any matter is unappealable (sic)". After Craddick left the building Democrats attempted to storm the podium but were "restrained" by capital police.
If only the Democrats had been exercising their 2nd Amendment rights to carry firearms perhaps they would have succeeded!
Is it cruel and unusual yet?
The great state of Ohio killed Christopher Newton yesterday. It took ten attempts and two hours.
Good work everyone! Kudos is due you.
¶ 12:32:00 0 comments
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Good work everyone! Kudos is due you.
Persona non grata
The Decider(TM) certainly possesses the Midas touch doesn't he? His former chief of staff, Andy Card, received an honorary Doctorate (in obfuscation?) from the University of Massachusetts yesterday where he was roundly booed and generally treated with disdain.
¶ 12:26:00 0 comments
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Wolfowitz to Wal-Mart?
By early summer sacked World Bank President Paul "Old Socks" Wolfowitz should be looking for a new job. I recommend that he consider a career at Wal-Mart; it seems that he would fit right into the corporate culture and would not have to suffer through that awkward adjustment period.
¶ 12:22:00 0 comments
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"If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well It were done quickly"
John Major, who has probably proved to be a better ex-Prime Minister than he was Prime Minister, has told Tony Blair, in no uncertain terms, to stop fucking about and get out of Number 10.
Note: I may have paraphrased what Sir John said just a wee bit.
¶ 12:18:00 0 comments
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Note: I may have paraphrased what Sir John said just a wee bit.
Excuses, excuses, excuses
Should the US government ever get around to deploying the son-of-the-son-of-the-son-of-Star Wars missile shield is it likely that it will make anyone, anywhere feel any safer? Yet another test of the system has failed and had to be aborted.
What is the reason this time you ask?
Answer: the target missile wasn't flying high enough. Should they have announced that? Doesn't this tell the evil doers just what they need to know? I assume that Iran, China and al-Qaeda will all now embark on a development programme for low flying ballistic missiles.
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What is the reason this time you ask?
Answer: the target missile wasn't flying high enough. Should they have announced that? Doesn't this tell the evil doers just what they need to know? I assume that Iran, China and al-Qaeda will all now embark on a development programme for low flying ballistic missiles.
I want to be alone!
Jim Cole is a photographer and author about grizzly bears. On Wednesday, for the second time in fifteen years, he was mauled by a grizzly bear in Yellowstone National Park.
The bear at the heart of the incident, who is known only as Yogi, is quoted as saying that he "finally freaked out" after being tailed by what he termed the "humarazzi". Said Yogi:
The bear at the heart of the incident, who is known only as Yogi, is quoted as saying that he "finally freaked out" after being tailed by what he termed the "humarazzi". Said Yogi:
"Everywhere I turned he was always there. When I can out of the den first thing in the spring what do I hear but 'Yogi over here', 'smile' and 'click, click, whirr, whirr'. Even if I was just popping round the hive for a bit of honey he was omnipresent. I just couldn't take it anymore. I think something snapped in my head. I hope he's alright but I never want to see him again."
Mr. Cole is said to be in fair condition in a hospital in Idaho Falls recuperating from seven hours in the operating theatre.
¶ 11:58:00 0 comments
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Pot meet kettle!
A report by the US Department of Defense to the US Congress accuses China of spending too much on its military and not being transparent enough.
Snigger. Snigger.
¶ 11:55:00 0 comments
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Snigger. Snigger.
Just another day in Philly
"We don't prepare for holidays. We prepare for funerals."
¶ 11:45:00 0 comments
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Coke splashing out on water
Yesterday Coca-Cola Corporation announced that it will shell out 4.1 billion USD (£2.1 billion) to acquire Glaceau a bottled water company whose key product is called "Vitamin Water". Are they serious? "Vitamin Water"? This "premium" product seems to be nothing more than ordinary water with some juice or just vitamins added.
Only time will tell if this major investment will have a better pay off for the Atlanta company than its "Source de Sidcup" bottled tap water venture back in 2004.
¶ 11:37:00 0 comments
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Only time will tell if this major investment will have a better pay off for the Atlanta company than its "Source de Sidcup" bottled tap water venture back in 2004.
Followup required
At the end of this article on Afghanistan in today's Guardian newspaper I found this tantalising little snippet:
"Separately, the Guardian has learned that, to the fury of civilian organisations, US forces are using an aid agency's property as a place to interrogate Afghans."
Hopefully we will learn more soon.
¶ 11:27:00 0 comments
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New twelve step programme required
Britain has become a nation of "flying junkies" who have done or are willing to do little to alter their lifestyles in the battle to combat climate change. In a Guardian/ICM poll only 20% of the public wanted to see higher airline taxes brought in to discourage air travel as opposed to 30% who wish to see these taxes reduced.
In my defence I travel by train whenever practical although I cannot honestly claim this as a sacrifice I have made to save the planet. I just prefer travelling by rail and couple with a pathological aversion to airports.
¶ 11:20:00 0 comments
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In my defence I travel by train whenever practical although I cannot honestly claim this as a sacrifice I have made to save the planet. I just prefer travelling by rail and couple with a pathological aversion to airports.
The unravelling Ukraine
It seems like only yesterday that Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko was a hero to supporters of democracy everywhere after he was victorious in his "Orange Revolution". How quickly things change. Yesterday, after he siezed command Interior Ministry troops and sacked the country's Prosecutor General Svyatoslav Piskun, the country seems on the brink of violence and left Yushchenko appearing a despot.
¶ 11:15:00 0 comments
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Rumours of their death may have been greatly exaggerated
Apiologists in both the US and Britain have been expressing concern over rapid reductions in the bee population and the danger that this poses to agriculture. However an occurrence in Bournemouth yesterday suggest that perhaps the bees haven't actually died off but rather have been lying low and waiting for a opportunity to attack low cost air traffic.
¶ 11:09:00 0 comments
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Lest we forget
Four farm workers in Wales and North West England have tested positive for the H7N2 strand of avian influenza which is not considered as dangerous to humans as the H5N1 strain.
¶ 11:02:00 0 comments
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British court finds UK guilty of war crimes
Well at least after a fashion they have. The trial of the so-called "Fairford Two" has ended with a finding of not guilty for the two men who were accused of conspiring to cause criminal damage when they broke into RAF Fairford in 2003 with the intent to damage American B-52s which were being used to bomb Iraq. Their defence argued that their acts were justified by the intent to prevent the commission of a crime, e.g. the illegal bombing of Iraq, and as that has been accepted by the jury this essentially means that war crimes have been or were intended to be committed.
Perhaps the case against the government should now be turned over to the International Criminal Court. I shall hold my breath.
¶ 10:57:00 0 comments
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Perhaps the case against the government should now be turned over to the International Criminal Court. I shall hold my breath.
Standing alone
Very, very alone. The United States under the control of the Decider(TM) once again shows itself to be isolated from the rest of the world as it rejects out of hand any and all of the climate change proposals put forward by the German government to be agreed at next month's G8 summit. To think it was only yesterday that soon to be ex-British Prime Minister Tony Blair was saying that he was optimistic about American acceptance of the proposals. I reckon the Decider(TM) has decided to decide that you are now irrelevant Tony.
A note to anyone living at or near sea level; this might be a good time to consider relocation inland.
¶ 10:50:00 1 comments
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A note to anyone living at or near sea level; this might be a good time to consider relocation inland.
Gone-zo watch (day 67)
So US Attorney General and Bush succubus Alberto "Gone-zo" Gonzales has lasted until another weekend and since this one is a holiday weekend it ensures Sr. Gonzales of at least one more day of employment. Even so there are even more difficulties ahead for the inept and incompetent man who is America's top lawyer. Now oozing out of the cess pit that is the Bush administration is the news that Gonzales's process of reforming the corps of immigration judges might have come up a little short. It seems that whilst Republican loyalty and right wing credentials were critical for those appointed to the judgeships by Gone-zo even rudimentary familiarity with immigration law was not. Suspicious behaviour from someone with the surname Gonzales don't you think?
Elsewhere later today we should know how desperate England football coach Steve "I've Never Really Coached a Winning Side and It Doesn't Look Like I'm Going to Start Now" McClaren, the other contender for runner up in the first annual Yank in London who-will-get-sacked-first-competition, is as he is set to name the England squad for the upcoming friendly against Brazil and the European Championship qualifier against Estonia. It appears likely that David Beckham will return from exile but even if he does it will only be a stop gap measure as once he begins to play in America against lacklustre competition his form will assuredly fall off and he will no longer be up to the challenge.
(To be continued...)
¶ 10:35:00 0 comments
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Elsewhere later today we should know how desperate England football coach Steve "I've Never Really Coached a Winning Side and It Doesn't Look Like I'm Going to Start Now" McClaren, the other contender for runner up in the first annual Yank in London who-will-get-sacked-first-competition, is as he is set to name the England squad for the upcoming friendly against Brazil and the European Championship qualifier against Estonia. It appears likely that David Beckham will return from exile but even if he does it will only be a stop gap measure as once he begins to play in America against lacklustre competition his form will assuredly fall off and he will no longer be up to the challenge.
(To be continued...)
25 May 2007
Worth a read
From Colonel Dan Smith, USA (Ret.) a Memorial Day message.
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Conrad Black cleared!
Unfortunately for Baron Black of Crossharbour the jury trying him hasn't actually cleared him yet but at least the great man has cleared himself. Speaking after his former business partner testified against him he said:
"I don't think he has any credibility...I don't think any jury in the world would convict anybody on the basis of what he said. I repeat my long-standing view that this was never a criminal case - except possibly against him."
The defence rests your Honour!
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We have met the censors and they is us
Washington DC's Smithsonian Museum stands accused of toning down the message in a climate change exhibit. According to a former administrator the changes were made by the museum themselves to "avoid any political conflicts with Congress or the Bush administration". Now which of those two do you think they were really concerned about?
¶ 15:39:00 0 comments
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Too good to pass up
"Paula Abdul breaks nose in dog mishap"
The details are a little unclear but according to a spokesman "she's a little sore, but is doing fine". There was no news available as to Ms. Abdul's condition.
¶ 15:34:00 0 comments
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The details are a little unclear but according to a spokesman "she's a little sore, but is doing fine". There was no news available as to Ms. Abdul's condition.
As sweet as
In order to soften the blow of the news that Florida's Tupelo honey crop is in severe danger due to the ongoing drought that is definitely not being caused by non-existent climate change I give you -
Van Morrison
¶ 15:29:00 0 comments
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Van Morrison
Recalls, recalls everywhere
Can anyone explain how diesel fuel gets into tins of turnip greens?
¶ 15:25:00 0 comments
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A totally unnecessary apology
Richard Jones, the American ambassador to Israel, has been forced to apologise over remarks he made earlier in the week about convicted Israeli spy and American traitor Jonathan Pollard. After a speech at Bar Ilan University Israeli Radio quoted him as saying:
"It came out in the trial very clearly, Jonathan Pollard took money for what he did, he sold out his country. The fact that he wasn't executed is the mercy that Jonathan Pollard will receive...This is a very emotional issue in the United States. I know he was helping a friend but that's what makes it even more emotional for Americans, if a friend would cooperate in aiding and abetting someone who is committing treason against his own country."
Mr. Jones has now retracted the remarks apologising for being insensitive and saying that he had been "misinformed and misleading" adding that he regretted "any distress that I may have caused Mr. Pollard's family and loved ones".
Can you imagine a similar volte face over a statement about a traitor who had sold out America to any other country? The UK? Russia? China? Iran?
I don't think so. I demand that he apologise for the apology!
¶ 15:09:00 0 comments
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Can you imagine a similar volte face over a statement about a traitor who had sold out America to any other country? The UK? Russia? China? Iran?
I don't think so. I demand that he apologise for the apology!
"The General" can't get his kit off
That great champion of democracy Pakistan's President Pervez "The General" Musharraf has said that he would like to take off his military uniform but that due to some freak occurrence, not unlike those that happen to superheroes early in their careers, he cannot as his uniform is now his skin. He has also said that the Pakistani military did not wish to become in politics but were "invited to tend civil administration". That has to be the strangest euphemism for a coup that I have ever heard.
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Have I got this right?
In the trial of accused terrorist Jose Padilla one Yahya Goba, a Yemeni national already convicted of terrorist offences, has testified that he doesn't know Jose Padilla, hasn't met Jose Padilla but once went to terrorist training camp in the wilds of Afghanistan.
This is helpful to the prosecution how?
¶ 14:55:00 0 comments
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This is helpful to the prosecution how?
Bending the law
The British Medical Association has issued a new report entitled "The use of drugs as weapons - The concerns and responsibilities of healthcare professionals". The addresses the loopholes in international law that allow governments to use drugs as weapons for the purposed of internal law enforcement even though they are banned in war time under both the 1925 Geneva Protocol and the 1993 Chemical Weapons Convention. The BMA document cites three primary reasons why this activity should be outlawed:
- The international legal norms which protect humanity from poison and the deliberate spread of disease which have been put in place by decades of negotiation risk being undermined.
- Widespread but responsible deployment of drugs as weapons would inevitably result in their reaching the hands of state or non-state actors for whom lethality among those targeted is not of concern. This would simply be chemical warfare with a medical label.
- Using existing drugs as weapons means knowingly moving towards the top of a ‘slippery slope’ at the bottom of which is the spectre of ‘militarization’ of biology; this could include intentional manipulation of peoples' emotions, memories, immune responses or even fertility.
The full report (PDF) is available here.
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"I'll have one of each please"
A 29 year old woman from Shrewsbury is set to go to trial on charges of "making a false statement" after she entered into a civil union with a woman last year before her marriage to a man had been dissolved. Some folks are just too greedy for their own good.
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Was Jesus a shark?
I only ask because it appears that the fish is capable of virgin births. A female bonehead shark in Nebraska has given birth without having been near a male in three years, much like Mary Cheney, and DNA tests have confirmed that the mother had reproduced through a process known as "automatic parthenogenesis".
¶ 14:30:00 0 comments
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Gone-zo does his homework
The US Attorney General, Alberto "Gone-zo" Gonzales, has released his annual report to Congress on the government's efforts to combat human trafficking and it is available here (PDF). Why it takes 1.6 MBs to say "I can't remember" I just don't know.
¶ 14:23:00 0 comments
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Oops there goes another fire ant
Red imported fire ants are insidiously moving north out of Florida and Texas and are now reported to be making their presence felt in Virginia. Are these communist insects migrating as a consequence of non-existent global warming? Dr. Dini Miller, a pest specialist from Virginia Tech University is quoted as saying "this is a horrid, obnoxious pest that we do not want in Virginia" although it is possible that she was speaking about an impending visit from US Vice President "I'm a Big Dick" Cheney.
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Thailand takes another step in the wrong direction
The government of Thailand is run by the members of a military junta who seized power from the democratically elected government with scarcely a murmur of protest out of Washington. That was bad enough.
Now the country, which is embroiled in a bitter and violent conflict with Muslim separatists in its south, looks set to name Buddhism as its official religion.
I expect an even smaller murmur this time.
¶ 14:11:00 0 comments
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Now the country, which is embroiled in a bitter and violent conflict with Muslim separatists in its south, looks set to name Buddhism as its official religion.
I expect an even smaller murmur this time.
Freedom of speech ≠ freedom to hear?
The Hattiesburg American out of Mississippi has finally won its long running battle with the US Justice department over access to records pertaining to the seizure tapes belonging to reporter for the paper of a speech made by Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia back in 2004. A member of the US Marshalls Service seized the tapes from the journalists allegedly at the behest of Justice Scalia.
So just exactly what did he say that he didn't want anyone to hear?
¶ 13:59:00 0 comments
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So just exactly what did he say that he didn't want anyone to hear?
Moqtada's back and this time he's angry
It seems that the springtime holiday that Iraqi Shi'a cleric Moqtada al-Sadr has been enjoying in Iran is now over. He attended prayers at a mosque in Kufa today where he led the faithful in some chants that should clear up any misgivings you might have should you not be entirely clear on his political positions:
"No, no for Satan. No, no for America. No, no for the occupation. No, no for Israel."
Any questions?
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New tool
The Integrity in Science Project has launched an Integrity in Science database wherein you can look up the links between research scientists and industry.
¶ 12:32:00 0 comments
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Become a Bushie in three easy steps
Step 1: say "I have broken no laws and have nothing to hide"
Step 2: say "I will tell the truth"
Step 3: say "I won't testify without immunity" ¶ 12:27:00 0 comments links to this post
Step 2: say "I will tell the truth"
Step 3: say "I won't testify without immunity" ¶ 12:27:00 0 comments links to this post
"I shit in your general direction"
Because we all want to be the bird you can find video of an Islamopigeon shitting on the Commander Guy here. Enjoy.
¶ 12:19:00 0 comments
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Protect your soldiers!
If you're a bloke and you and the missus are trying to have a kid it is probably best that you say out of the sun this summer; your swimmers don't like it.
You have been warned.
¶ 12:13:00 0 comments
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You have been warned.
Is the US harbouring terrorists in Iraq?
Attacks across the border from Iraq into Turkey by Kurdish terrorists, or "separatists" if you are so inclined, have resulted in a number of deaths this week. The Turkish government is coming under increasing pressure to attack terrorists hiding out in Iraq there so they won't "follow them home" and strike in Turkey.
The US is, rather curiously, urging restraint.
¶ 11:58:00 0 comments
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The US is, rather curiously, urging restraint.
It didn't work for me
I have suffered from that wonderful seventeenth century affliction known as the gout since my early thirties. I can tell you unequivocally that I have never experienced anything as painful as the now thankfully rare attacks. It can get so bad that the weight of a bed sheet on the afflicted joint is excruciating.
Well researchers from the Arthritis Research Centre of Canada are reporting that drinking four or more cups of coffee a day dramatically reduces the incidence of attacks.
Well it hasn't worked for me. I probably drink four or more cups five days out of seven since my late teens.
¶ 11:52:00 0 comments
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Well researchers from the Arthritis Research Centre of Canada are reporting that drinking four or more cups of coffee a day dramatically reduces the incidence of attacks.
Well it hasn't worked for me. I probably drink four or more cups five days out of seven since my late teens.
Truth in advertising
Connecticut’s Attorney General, Richard Blumenthal, is suing American discount retailer Best Buy because they aren't the best buy after all. Such a subtle ploy there is no wonder that gullible consumers fell for it. I mean who would think that name of the store might actually be a porky?
¶ 11:43:00 0 comments
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"We've got you surrounded! Come out of there with your leg off."
Dateline: Bellingham, WA, USA - a local woman believed that she saw a man enter St. Joseph's Hospital carrying a gun. Local law enforcement leapt into action and locked down the building immediately saving countless lives! Then it turned out that the rifle was actually a prosthesis. Irrespective of falseness of the alarm local deputy police chief David Doll was pleased. He is quoted as having said "everyone did everything right".
¶ 11:37:00 0 comments
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Congratulations are in order
American couple Mary Cheney and Heather Poe have a new baby named Samuel David Cheney. The good news for young Sam is that he has two Mums and they don't live in a state the number of Mums per child is restricted.
The bad news for Sammy is that only three of his four grandparents are not Satan.
¶ 11:28:00 0 comments
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The bad news for Sammy is that only three of his four grandparents are not Satan.
The carnage continues
In case you haven't been paying attention six American soldiers were killed yesterday in Iraq bring the total for the month to 88; pushing the month towards the 100 threshold once again.
¶ 11:16:00 0 comments
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Whip me, beat me just don't burn me!
Deep inside every journalist who works for a broadsheet newspaper, unmentioned and unmentionable, lurks the desire to write for a tabloid. I am indebted to the Guardian's "Diary" column for pointing me to this story, entitled "Fire whips though bondage parlour", from The Age newspaper in Melbourne about a fire in a facility devoted to bondage. Sit back, relax and enjoy the breathless prose:
"An MFB spokesman said 18 firefighters 'were tied up for some time but disciplined and controlled firefighting contained the blaze'"
I am certain that the credited journos, AAP & Reko Renni, needed to have a fag afterwards.
¶ 11:04:00 0 comments
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Air America
Those freedom hating folks at the British Broadcasting Corporation are at it again. Last night the corporation's This World series aired a segment entitled "Mystery Flights". This show attempted to cast America's morally and legally justified "extraordinary rendition" programme in a negative light. They even went so far as to track down the former European head of the CIA, Tyler Drumheller, and forced him to say, undoubtedly after the utilisation of "intensive interrogation techniques" on the unfortunate man:
"It's a mess, and it's going to get worse. A lot of things were done after 9/11 that are going to be looked at for years to come. There are going to be commissions, inquiries, court cases."
I don't know if the Yanks amongst you will get an opportunity to see this. If you get a chance it is worth your time.
¶ 10:54:00 0 comments
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(Good) terrorists in America
The alleged mastermind behind the bombing of Greenpeace's ship the Rainbow Warrior, Jean-Pierre Dillais, is alive and happily living in America. Despite his admitted involvement in this act of terrorism M. Dillais, a former French intelligence operative, has never been tried for the crime. Somehow I missed this story when it was covered by Harper's Magazine earlier this month but the story popped up in the Guardian today.
What is M. Dillais doing in America? Well it is obvious isn't it? He is selling weaponry to the US government including those branches involved in the global and everlasting "War on Terra"! Oh, the irony!
Greenpeace has demanded that he be deported but the US government has yet to respond other than to say that "the law is very clear: persons involved in acts of terrorism are not admitted into the United States". That clears that up then.
By the way has anyone seen Luis Posada Carilles lately?
¶ 10:45:00 0 comments
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What is M. Dillais doing in America? Well it is obvious isn't it? He is selling weaponry to the US government including those branches involved in the global and everlasting "War on Terra"! Oh, the irony!
Greenpeace has demanded that he be deported but the US government has yet to respond other than to say that "the law is very clear: persons involved in acts of terrorism are not admitted into the United States". That clears that up then.
By the way has anyone seen Luis Posada Carilles lately?
An apology not far enough
Il Papa is trying to makes amends for his recent remarks in Brazil and making a bit of a hash of it. He has admitted that some tactical mistakes (rape, murder, plunder, enslavement etc) might have been made during the forced conversion of indigenous peoples in Latin America to one and only true, God certified religion but that at the end of the day these people should consider themselves fortunate victims because they are now better off.
Lucky them.
¶ 10:37:00 0 comments
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Lucky them.
So much for a quiet retirement
Jacques Chirac is no longer the President of France.
Ergo Jacques Chirac no longer has immunity from prosecution.
Ergo Jacques Chirac just might be in deep shit trouble.
On the other hand what is 30 million Euros amongst friends anyway?
¶ 10:34:00 0 comments
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Ergo Jacques Chirac no longer has immunity from prosecution.
Ergo Jacques Chirac just might be in deep shit trouble.
On the other hand what is 30 million Euros amongst friends anyway?
Gone-zo watch (day 66)
It is hard to believe that US Attorney General and Bush succubus Alberto "Gone-zo" Gonzales is still tenaciously hanging on to his job. If the Decider(TM) were an even marginally competent administrator or leader we should be surprised that Gonezo remains his man; he isn't; we're not. Meanwhile the investigation into acts of malfeasance in the Justice Department seems to widen with each passing hour.
Considering the situation seriously for a moment it is absolutely clear that Gonezo must go. There are really only two scenarios to consider.
The first is that despite all of his testimony before Congress and other public pronouncements he was intimately involved in the sackings of the US Attorneys and that he bowed to political pressure in selecting those who would go. This is what I believe to be the case. If it is true then he must go as he has lied to the American people and he has lied to Congress under oath which is a crime that should be prosecuted.
The second scenario is that he truly did delegate the responsibility entirely for these decisions. Prosecuting US Attorneys are the public face of the US Justice Department. One can make a reasonable argument that they are the most important employees in the entire organisation. If Gonezo believed that it was acceptable for him to leave these decisions to others without even the slightest involvement on his part or at the very least his approval of the decisions having been informed of the reasoning behind them then he is clearly unfit to lead an organisation as important to the American people and to American ideals as the one he does and therefore he must go.
At the end of the day it doesn't matter at all which of these is the truth the man must go and he must go now!
In related news the other contender for runner up in the first annual Yank in London who-will-get-sacked-first-competition, England football coach Steve McClaren is growing increasingly concerned over his rival's incredible staying power and is considering taking desperate measures, such as recalling David Beckham, in order to hang on to his job.
(To be continued...)
¶ 10:18:00 0 comments
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Considering the situation seriously for a moment it is absolutely clear that Gonezo must go. There are really only two scenarios to consider.
The first is that despite all of his testimony before Congress and other public pronouncements he was intimately involved in the sackings of the US Attorneys and that he bowed to political pressure in selecting those who would go. This is what I believe to be the case. If it is true then he must go as he has lied to the American people and he has lied to Congress under oath which is a crime that should be prosecuted.
The second scenario is that he truly did delegate the responsibility entirely for these decisions. Prosecuting US Attorneys are the public face of the US Justice Department. One can make a reasonable argument that they are the most important employees in the entire organisation. If Gonezo believed that it was acceptable for him to leave these decisions to others without even the slightest involvement on his part or at the very least his approval of the decisions having been informed of the reasoning behind them then he is clearly unfit to lead an organisation as important to the American people and to American ideals as the one he does and therefore he must go.
At the end of the day it doesn't matter at all which of these is the truth the man must go and he must go now!
In related news the other contender for runner up in the first annual Yank in London who-will-get-sacked-first-competition, England football coach Steve McClaren is growing increasingly concerned over his rival's incredible staying power and is considering taking desperate measures, such as recalling David Beckham, in order to hang on to his job.
(To be continued...)
24 May 2007
How many wives you got mister?
Samuel Fischer has an idea for the small and struggling Texas town of Lockney but it isn't likely to impress the marriage is a bond between one man and one woman crowd. He'd like them to become polygamists.
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Well they are pink!
Two gay flamingos in Slimbridge, near Bristol in the UK, have adopted a baby chick and are caring for it. Undoubtedly there hordes of concerned Christians will soon descend on the wildlife refuge in an attempt to save the poor innocent young bird from a life of sin and damnation.
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Supporting the troops
In February of 2005, as things continued to get worse in Iraq and the insurgency grew in strength, the Marine Corps in the field made an urgent request for about 1,000 so-called Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles. After full consideration and an unknown number of three martini lunches things finally started moving on the request eighteen months later.
Semper Fi my arse.
¶ 19:42:00 0 comments
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Semper Fi my arse.
Boom boom
Those freedom hating Democrats in Washington DC have once again struck a blow against the forces of good by refusing to fund design efforts for new atomic weapons.
I mean how the hell is America supposed to be able to blow the hell out of anyone we want to; whenever we want to if we haven't got the latest shit in our silos? And it was only 89 million USD as well. Halliburton wouldn't even bother to get out of bed for that kind of money.
¶ 19:37:00 0 comments
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I mean how the hell is America supposed to be able to blow the hell out of anyone we want to; whenever we want to if we haven't got the latest shit in our silos? And it was only 89 million USD as well. Halliburton wouldn't even bother to get out of bed for that kind of money.
Because human rights aren't for everyone
Three suspected terrorists who were subject to so-called control orders in the UK have gone missing. How has the irascible Home Secretary John Reid reacted to this news? By announcing that to prevent this happening in the future the government will probably have to disregard parts of the European Convention on Human Rights so that he can treat these evildoers more harshly without judicial or international interference.
Wouldn't a better solution be for Mr. Reid to find some remaining speck of the old Empire where he could open his own personal Guantánamo Bay Beach and Leisure Resort*. I've had a look and the Pitcairn Islands, St. Helena and especially South Georgia all appear at first blush to be excellent candidates.
*Note: the US Navy is so humble about the excellent facilities that they maintain that the official website for the Guantánamo Bay Naval Base doesn't even mention the resort facilities that are maintained there for lucky foreigners.
¶ 19:23:00 0 comments
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Wouldn't a better solution be for Mr. Reid to find some remaining speck of the old Empire where he could open his own personal Guantánamo Bay Beach and Leisure Resort*. I've had a look and the Pitcairn Islands, St. Helena and especially South Georgia all appear at first blush to be excellent candidates.
*Note: the US Navy is so humble about the excellent facilities that they maintain that the official website for the Guantánamo Bay Naval Base doesn't even mention the resort facilities that are maintained there for lucky foreigners.
Did he clear this with George?
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has made a call for countries to cut their output of CO2 emissions by 50 % before the year 2050. What was he thinking? Doesn't he realise that such a move could harm the American economy and therefore bring on the end of civilisation as we know it?
¶ 19:18:00 0 comments
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Has Ahmadinejad finally gone to far?
The President of Iran is at least holding his own in the battle of political wills and geopolitical influences between his government and that of the Decider(TM). Nonetheless his decision to ration the amount of subsidised petrol an Iranian citizen can purchase may be going too far and could mean the end of public support for him.
Don't we all know that dirt cheap petrol is a God given right? If you doubt me just ask your bog standard American.
On the other hand this could be interpreted as a sign that the country is moving towards more open and unfettered capitalism; after all the concept of subsidised petrol does sound awfully communistic.
¶ 19:07:00 0 comments
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Don't we all know that dirt cheap petrol is a God given right? If you doubt me just ask your bog standard American.
On the other hand this could be interpreted as a sign that the country is moving towards more open and unfettered capitalism; after all the concept of subsidised petrol does sound awfully communistic.
Here's to Harry
Harry Hallowes has been living rough in a shack on Hampstead Heath since he became homeless in 1986. After a long battle he has now been given the deeds to the land on which his home sits. Estimates of the value of the property range between £1 million and £3.5 million but I think Mr. Hallowes just wants to be left alone.
¶ 19:03:00 0 comments
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I already kind of knew this
Richard Turnbull is the head of Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, a training college for the Church of England. He also believes that 95% of all Britons are going to Hell. In a speech he made last October, that has been published on an Anglican website he said:
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"We are committed to bringing the gospel message of Jesus Christ to those who don't know [him] and in this land that's 95% of the people: 95% of people facing hell unless the message of the gospel is brought to them."If I am wrong in my religious disbelief I am clearly in the 95%. It's a shame really because I don't like hot weather one bit.
Home to Chagos, at last
The former residents of the Chagos Islands who were unceremoniously evicted from their homes by the British government and deported to distant lands so that the Brits could gift the island of Diego Garcia to the Yanks as a massive air base and nuclear weapons platform have finally won the right to return home. Neither the British government nor the Americans want this to happen and the government is considering an appeal to the House of Lords but it now seems likely that these folks who were made homeless over forty years ago in order that the Americans could bring their instruments of death to the Indian Ocean will finally be able to return.
Good on ya as the Aussies would say.
¶ 18:47:00 0 comments
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Good on ya as the Aussies would say.
The ballad of Paul and Shaha
I confess that I rarely look to the New York Post as a reliable news source but the fact that they are reporting that poor old unwanted Paul "Old Socks" Wolfowitz, the soon-to-be-ex-World Bank President has been dumped by the very woman whose special treatment as a Bank employee at the same time she was shagging "Old Socks" lost the poor man his job has brought a smile to my face.
Let us face it. It is unlikely that he was a tiger in the sack and now that he's unemployed she can probably do better.
¶ 18:38:00 0 comments
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Let us face it. It is unlikely that he was a tiger in the sack and now that he's unemployed she can probably do better.
The OED didn't invent the word
The entirely ethical and people orientated McDonalds Corporation has started a petition to get the Oxford English Dictionary to change the definition of "McJob" which has now been included in the definitive English lexicon. They claim that it is "insulting to its staff". What they are really concerned about is that it will be damaging to their revenues.
The OED definition of "McJob" is "an unstimulating low-paid job with few prospects". Perhaps once McDonalds raises the pay of their staff and provides them with meaningful prospects the dictionary can add a second definition and mark the first one as archaic. It will however remain in the book ad nauseum; that's just the way it works.
Next they will launch a petition demanding that second tier comic stop using the "if you work for McDonalds in London you can look out the window and see a parking metre that earns more an hour than you do" joke.
¶ 18:31:00 0 comments
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The OED definition of "McJob" is "an unstimulating low-paid job with few prospects". Perhaps once McDonalds raises the pay of their staff and provides them with meaningful prospects the dictionary can add a second definition and mark the first one as archaic. It will however remain in the book ad nauseum; that's just the way it works.
Next they will launch a petition demanding that second tier comic stop using the "if you work for McDonalds in London you can look out the window and see a parking metre that earns more an hour than you do" joke.
"I didn't break it - honest!"
Like a small child who has bought a small toy, beaten on it with a hammer and then takes it back to the toy shop claiming it was broken all along the Commander Guy looks likely to ask the United Nations for help with Iraq including the introduction of UN peacekeeping forces wearing the blue helmet to replace American troops. Didn't Colin Powell warn him about just this eventuality?
The appropriate response from the UN would be a unanimous two fingered salute.
¶ 18:22:00 0 comments
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The appropriate response from the UN would be a unanimous two fingered salute.
Gone-zo watch (day 65)
I even missed a day out of Gone-zo watch and the son of a bitch is still employed. That doesn't mean that there hasn't been even more bad news for the US Attorney General and Bush succubus extraordinaire as his former aide has testified before Congress that Gone-zo tried to rig their testimony so that they could both tell the same lies, I mean forget the same things. None of this matters though as the Commander Guy is still standing by his man.
(To be continued...)
¶ 18:17:00 0 comments
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(To be continued...)
22 May 2007
Can you define "catastrophic event"?
(I am sorry but for the purposes of this discussion the "election" of George W. Bush as President of the United States in either 2000 or 2004 does not qualify.)
Whatever one is should one occur in the United States and should George W. Bush (aka the Decider(TM), aka the Commander Guy) still be President of the United States at the time we are all in a deep shit trouble because of this National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directive that he just signed about a week and a half ago. In the event of a "catastrophic event" the President becomes a dictator in order to "preserve the constitutional framework".
I am suddenly extremely worried about the five major hurricanes predicted for this year.
¶ 19:41:00 0 comments
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Whatever one is should one occur in the United States and should George W. Bush (aka the Decider(TM), aka the Commander Guy) still be President of the United States at the time we are all in a deep shit trouble because of this National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directive that he just signed about a week and a half ago. In the event of a "catastrophic event" the President becomes a dictator in order to "preserve the constitutional framework".
I am suddenly extremely worried about the five major hurricanes predicted for this year.
I'm confused
The way I read this scary little article the gentleman is saying that Christians are not engaged in a culture war and then he goes on to instruct Christian who they should wage the culture war that they are not involved in.
¶ 19:38:00 0 comments
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You can not say these things about the land of the free damn it!
The splendidly named Jorge Bustamante, who is the United Nations' Special Rapporteur (that’s a French word George) on the human rights of migrants, has paid a visit to the United States and found that all is not as it should be. He specifically points to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights ( ICCPR), the Convention Against Torture and All Forms of Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment (CAT), the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) are treaties with which the country just might not be in compliance. During his visit Sr. Bustamante was prohibited from visiting a Federal facility in Texas where he had already been scheduled to go.
Am I the only American to feel shame over this?
By the way the story does not seem to be getting much coverage in the United States press for some reason.
¶ 19:19:00 0 comments
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Am I the only American to feel shame over this?
By the way the story does not seem to be getting much coverage in the United States press for some reason.
I predict that...
...within the next seven days the American National Rifle Association will launch a campaign calling for the end of the war in Iraq due to the critical ammunition shortage that it is causing amongst the country's gun nuts and police. (Note: there is some considerable intersection between those two groups.) Delays in delivery could be as great as a year in some places.
Once the war is ended the NRA will then lobby for the establishment of a national Strategic Ammunition Reserve. The government will buy all sorts of ammunition for the reserve during the limited times of peace (i.e. when a Republican isn't in the White House) and then these stocks can be released to America's millions and millions of gun owners during time of war to prevent this terrible situation from recurring.
I just hope that America can make it through the summer without the absolute collapse of this unarmed republic!
¶ 19:11:00 0 comments
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Once the war is ended the NRA will then lobby for the establishment of a national Strategic Ammunition Reserve. The government will buy all sorts of ammunition for the reserve during the limited times of peace (i.e. when a Republican isn't in the White House) and then these stocks can be released to America's millions and millions of gun owners during time of war to prevent this terrible situation from recurring.
I just hope that America can make it through the summer without the absolute collapse of this unarmed republic!
The whole world wasn't watching
The conflict in the Central African Republic that raged for a number of years early this millennium is one of those that the Western press rarely saw fit to mention. Now the International Criminal Court, you know that court that the US says isn't good enough for its citizens, is to launch an investigation into possible war crimes. According to one of the Court's prosecutors, Luis Moreno-Ocamp:
"We believe that grave crimes falling within the jurisdiction of the Court were committed in the Central African Republic...Attacks against civilians followed a failed coup attempt; there emerged a pattern of massive rapes and other acts of sexual violence perpetrated by armed individuals. Sexual violence appears to have been a central feature of the conflict."
Perhaps the most horrific aspect of the investigation is that it is believed that the crimes of sexual violence may outnumber the killings.
¶ 19:06:00 0 comments
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To sleep, perchance to dream
Michael Lusher of Huntington West Virginia is clearly a sound sleeper. In the wee hours of Sunday morning someone sprayed his caravan with automatic gunfire. One of the bullets struck Mr. Lusher in the head but failed to awaken him. He didn't notice the problem until he got up in the morning and noticed he was bleeding.
Just two comments:
Just two comments:
- The tune of the article suggests that a home being sprayed with gunfire in Huntington is not an unusual occurrence or at least one that is common enough that it only bears mentioning because someone got shot and didn't wake up.
- The key to Mr. Lusher's admirable sleeping abilities might be found in the statement that he had returned "from a night on the town about an hour before he was shot". In other words he was legless.
No vow of poverty here
Divorce is so hard. Even when you are a Christian church. So what is the most difficult question facing the Episcopal / Anglican Church in the US; other than whether gays are God's children or not?
Who gets to keep the house? Perhaps they should take the Christian path and donate the property in question to the local homeless people or would that just be too easy?
¶ 18:50:00 0 comments
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Who gets to keep the house? Perhaps they should take the Christian path and donate the property in question to the local homeless people or would that just be too easy?
Please don't bury me in that cold, cold ground
First Scotty's ashes went missing on their way back from space, thankfully all has ended well in that regard, and now the Aussies have misplaced Ned Kelly. What the hell is going on? Can't anyone just rest in peace? Have they lost Ned's suit of armour as well?
Whilst we are on the subject who the hell is buried in Grant's tomb?
¶ 18:40:00 0 comments
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Whilst we are on the subject who the hell is buried in Grant's tomb?
Is it warm or is it just me?
Remember those UN studies on climate change that the US (and China) are always trying to water down? Well new studies indicate that worldwide CO2 emissions are rising at a rate that is greater than the worst case scenario in any of the reports released to date.
Now we go over to ExxonMobil corporate headquarters for the up side to this story.
¶ 18:36:00 0 comments
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Now we go over to ExxonMobil corporate headquarters for the up side to this story.
Now this is progress
What would the Bush administration reaction be if Israel went so far as to assassinate the duly elected leader of the Palestinian people. Would they applaud it as a blow for freedom everywhere? Would they condemn it as a blow to freedom everywhere?
What indeed. I wonder.
¶ 18:32:00 0 comments
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What indeed. I wonder.
Long hot summer
It has been Republicans who have been speaking as if September is the make or break time for the Decider's surge in Iraq. Has Iran been listening and are they, along with al Qaeda and others trying to make the summer as difficult for American forces as possible?
If they are when do we invade? The 101st Keyboarders had best start recruiting now as they are likely to need an additional division and possibly some new PJs.
¶ 18:27:00 0 comments
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If they are when do we invade? The 101st Keyboarders had best start recruiting now as they are likely to need an additional division and possibly some new PJs.
Farewell to thee blythe spirit
Don't anyone tell Percy Bysshe Shelley but it seems that global warming may mean that we here on Old Blighty are soon to hear the last of the skylark.
Good thing there is no such thing as global warming, eh?
¶ 18:24:00 0 comments
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Good thing there is no such thing as global warming, eh?
Gone-zo watch (day 63)
Even though Congressional Democrats are moving ahead with an extremely rare no confidence vote for US Attorney General and Bush succubus Antonio "Gone-zo" Gonzales he remains employed and rumours have it that the Commander Guy has been strolling about the White House happily humming "Stand By Your Man". Meanwhile more evidence has surfaced that little Berto has been telling porkies.
In the race for runner up in the who-will-get-sacked-first competition (remember England cricket coach Duncan Fletcher came from way back in the field to seize first place) England manager Steve "I've Never Really Managed a Winning Side and It Doesn't Look Like I'm Going to Start Now" McClaren must be feeling a bit worried by Gone-zo's resiliency.
(To be continued...)
¶ 18:16:00 0 comments
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In the race for runner up in the who-will-get-sacked-first competition (remember England cricket coach Duncan Fletcher came from way back in the field to seize first place) England manager Steve "I've Never Really Managed a Winning Side and It Doesn't Look Like I'm Going to Start Now" McClaren must be feeling a bit worried by Gone-zo's resiliency.
(To be continued...)
21 May 2007
You can't say bad things about the Pope
At least, you don't seem to be able to in Italy. How dare the British Broadcasting Company suggest that il Papa might have helped to cover up the fact that hundreds, if not thousands, of Catholic priests had committed sex offences against under age children over the years!
¶ 17:53:00 0 comments
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Why does Danny Glover hate America?
If he doesn't hate America then how can we explain his taking blood money from a man who clearly wants to bring down the Commander Guy and America along with him? And all to make a film about the life of Toussaint Louverture; a Haitian revolutionary leader who clearly would have been an evil godless communist, like Sr. Chavez, had he lived in the late 19th or 20th century.
Clearly all right thinking Americans will do what it necessary to see to it that this seditious man is appropriately punished. Hey - Cuba's not that far from Haiti is it?
¶ 17:49:00 0 comments
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Clearly all right thinking Americans will do what it necessary to see to it that this seditious man is appropriately punished. Hey - Cuba's not that far from Haiti is it?
Gone-zo watch (day 62)
Busy, busy, busy. But I have time to tell you that US Attorney General and Bush succubus Antonio "Gone-zo" Gonzales's is still employed even though my personal Senator, Arlen "Magic Bullet" Specter, has gone on record as saying that he believes Gone-zo will resign. Perhaps he is right. Let us hope so.
(To be continued...)
¶ 17:11:00 0 comments
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(To be continued...)
20 May 2007
Light blogging
Next week promises to be very busy so posting will be light to non-existent until Thursday or Friday.
In the meantime here's Smokey Robinson and Miracles for your auditory enjoyment.
¶ 13:33:00 0 comments links to this post
In the meantime here's Smokey Robinson and Miracles for your auditory enjoyment.
¶ 13:33:00 0 comments links to this post
Is this the end of beautiful friendship?
Now that the packing crates are starting to arrive at Number 10 Downing Street we could be in the last days of the Bush-Blair extremely special, toothpaste sharing relationship. Already the two lovers had that bittersweet moment on the White House lawn were they had to face up to the glare of the aggressive questioning of the White House press corps even though they knew it was their last day together.
Now the Commander Guy has to face up to the probability that last major member of the "Coalition of the Willing" is going to leave Iraq with many troops gone by the end of the summer.
It will be lonely for incurious George. How sad. How sad indeed.
¶ 13:06:00 0 comments
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Now the Commander Guy has to face up to the probability that last major member of the "Coalition of the Willing" is going to leave Iraq with many troops gone by the end of the summer.
It will be lonely for incurious George. How sad. How sad indeed.
This didn't take long
Masterfoods, owners of a number of confectionery brands including Mars bars, Snickers and Maltesers, have decided that it isn't a good idea to ignore the vegetarians. The company made the announcement as we embark on National Vegetarian Week.
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What can you buy in Baghdad for half a billion USD?
Well for a bit more than a half a billion, 592 million USD, you can get a fucking enormous and posh embassy. Why, oh why, does the United States require a 102 acre embassy in Iraq for? Was State Department adviser David Satterfield giving the game away when he said:
"We assume there will be a significant, enduring U.S. presence in Iraq."
On the plus side it is probably the only American construction project in the country that is on schedule, on budget and will deliver what was promised; shame its not a school or a hospital or something truly useful though.
¶ 12:49:00 0 comments
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What a brilliant idea!
Your state has recently been the site of terribly tragedy in which more than thirty people, most of them young, were shot to death. What better way to get the minds of the citizens off of such a horrible event than to host an event at which you give away hand guns; for free. Of course the winners will have to pass the same careful Virgina State background checks that former Virgina Tech student Seung-Hui Cho did so no one has to worry about them falling into the wrong hands now do they?
¶ 12:41:00 0 comments
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The greening of Upper Darby
The police force of Upper Darby PA, just outside the Philadelphia city limits, are doing what they can to save the planet by ensuring that the guns that they confiscate are recycled. We are talking hundreds of guns.
I reckon they believe it ensures their jobs are safe, from redundancies if not from heavily armed criminals.
¶ 12:35:00 0 comments
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I reckon they believe it ensures their jobs are safe, from redundancies if not from heavily armed criminals.
Philly's carnage continues
Three more human beings shot dead.
How long will it be before there are enough guns in the City of Brotherly Love so that everyone can feel safe again?
¶ 12:33:00 0 comments
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How long will it be before there are enough guns in the City of Brotherly Love so that everyone can feel safe again?
Look away now
Wait. I said don't look. We have to make sure that the eyes of the world are elsewhere whilst Israel exacts revenge, I mean "justice" in Gaza.
There was a time I thought there might just be peace in Palestine in my lifetime. I am no longer so hopeful. For those of you who are wondering I can reasonably expect to live another twenty five years.
¶ 12:22:00 0 comments
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There was a time I thought there might just be peace in Palestine in my lifetime. I am no longer so hopeful. For those of you who are wondering I can reasonably expect to live another twenty five years.
The past is not a distant place
The civil rights battle in America remains incompletely fought. Images of the fifties, sixties and seventies are reawakened by this story from Jena Louisiana.
From the description it sounds as if little has changed in the past thirty or forty years in this small town. Integration has come, after a fashion. Housing is still more or less segregated. The schools are integrated but there is no mixing amongst the students. The good jobs still go to whites. The low paying ones, when available, go to blacks.
The trouble started last autumn when black students decided that, after first seeking approval from the head master, they were going to sit in a spot that had previously been reserved for the white folks. Waiting for them they found nooses hanging from the tree that shaded the spot. The white students responsible for what the school authorities described as a prank we given a few days of in school suspension. The black community, rightly seeing shades of the KKK and Jim Crow in action, complained that the punishment was insufficient. Following this there were a number of more violent incidents between white and black students including a black youth who was assaulted by a white schoolmate when he had the temerity to show up at an "all white" party and an incident in which a white student pulled a shotgun on a three black students at a convenience store. Finally in December a group of black students beat up a white student, who allegedly had been taunting blacks, outside of the gymnasium. The white student was hospitalised for a few hours but was seen to be "acting himself" that very evening. So after all of this what charge did the white local district attorney decide was warranted in this particular case? Attempted second degree murder with a possible maximum sentence of 100 years in prison.
The NAACP and the ACLU have taken up the case of the boys and are arguing that the charges are unwarranted and racist in nature. The local whites say that this is not racially motivated and just a case of good old American justice taking its course. The town's mayor, Murphy McMillan says:
From the description it sounds as if little has changed in the past thirty or forty years in this small town. Integration has come, after a fashion. Housing is still more or less segregated. The schools are integrated but there is no mixing amongst the students. The good jobs still go to whites. The low paying ones, when available, go to blacks.
The trouble started last autumn when black students decided that, after first seeking approval from the head master, they were going to sit in a spot that had previously been reserved for the white folks. Waiting for them they found nooses hanging from the tree that shaded the spot. The white students responsible for what the school authorities described as a prank we given a few days of in school suspension. The black community, rightly seeing shades of the KKK and Jim Crow in action, complained that the punishment was insufficient. Following this there were a number of more violent incidents between white and black students including a black youth who was assaulted by a white schoolmate when he had the temerity to show up at an "all white" party and an incident in which a white student pulled a shotgun on a three black students at a convenience store. Finally in December a group of black students beat up a white student, who allegedly had been taunting blacks, outside of the gymnasium. The white student was hospitalised for a few hours but was seen to be "acting himself" that very evening. So after all of this what charge did the white local district attorney decide was warranted in this particular case? Attempted second degree murder with a possible maximum sentence of 100 years in prison.
The NAACP and the ACLU have taken up the case of the boys and are arguing that the charges are unwarranted and racist in nature. The local whites say that this is not racially motivated and just a case of good old American justice taking its course. The town's mayor, Murphy McMillan says:
"Jena is a place that's moving in the right direction...Race is not a major local issue. It's not a factor in the local people's lives."
I presume he left the "as long as the nigras stay in their place" unsaid.
¶ 12:00:00
The future's bright - the future's radioactive
Gordon Brown's soon to be premiership was going so well even if less than a week old so why does he have to go and ruin everything by announcing his commitment to a huge nuclear energy building programme. I think we all realise that nuclear has to have some part in the near future at least but why this level of commitment is necessary I just don't know.
Just a pointer Gordo. This isn't likely to make you any new friends on the back benches, unless you're courting the Tory back benches that is.
¶ 11:53:00 0 comments
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Just a pointer Gordo. This isn't likely to make you any new friends on the back benches, unless you're courting the Tory back benches that is.
Gone-zo watch (day 61)
Yes US Attorney General and Bush succubus Antonio "Gone-zo" Gonzales's is still employed. Will someone just make it stop. Please.
(To be continued...)
¶ 11:48:00 0 comments
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(To be continued...)
19 May 2007
Musical interlude
A little John Coltrane to keep things cool.
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¶ 16:54:00 0 comments links to this post
In case you were wondering...
...the US National Rifle Association was most DEFINITELY NOT being anti-Semitic when it portrayed New York mayor and gun control advocate Michael Bloomberg as an octopus, an anti-Semitic symbol, on the cover of its magazine. It was just a wee joke.
¶ 16:16:00
I see in a flaw in the plan
Because the US doesn't seem to want to take in many Iraqi refugees because John McCain says it is as safe as can be many of them are instead finding a safe haven in Sweden where they will become evil agnostic socialists and them attempt to destroy the one and only Christian God approved economic system of globalised not quite free trade capitalism.
Shit. Why does everyone seem to be against us?
¶ 16:07:00 0 comments
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Shit. Why does everyone seem to be against us?
Fox in the hen house
One of the primary jobs of the inspector general in any US government department, including the Commerce Department, is to protect the rights of whistleblowers. Continuing with the theme of ineptitude that pretty much defines the Bush Administration we find that the inspector general at the Commerce Department is really bad at his job.
The U.S. Office of Special Counsel, under investigation for misconduct itself, has found that Commerce Department Inspector General Johnnie E. Frazier committed "egregious violations" of the statute that is designed to protect government whistleblowers when he demoted them whilst they were investigating his spending.
Allow me to recap; an investigation by an office that is under into the punishment meted out to prevent an investigation in another office has found evidence of misconduct.
I think that means that Mr. Frazier has been exonerated but I will wait for the White House to clarify this for us.
¶ 15:57:00 0 comments
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The U.S. Office of Special Counsel, under investigation for misconduct itself, has found that Commerce Department Inspector General Johnnie E. Frazier committed "egregious violations" of the statute that is designed to protect government whistleblowers when he demoted them whilst they were investigating his spending.
Allow me to recap; an investigation by an office that is under into the punishment meted out to prevent an investigation in another office has found evidence of misconduct.
I think that means that Mr. Frazier has been exonerated but I will wait for the White House to clarify this for us.
FA Cup update
First half over. Not much excitement. Score nil - nil.
The have been no reported sightings of José Mourinho's dog. ¶ 15:53:00 0 comments links to this post
The have been no reported sightings of José Mourinho's dog. ¶ 15:53:00 0 comments links to this post
What is he up to?
I don't get it. Why is George Bush suddenly pushing for ratification of the Law of the Sea Treaty? Just what the hell is he up to?
¶ 15:30:00 0 comments
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Stick to peanuts!
I'm usually a big fan of ex-President Jimmy Carter but sometimes he goes a bit too far. This is one of those times as he has viciously attacked soon-to-be-ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair for his blind devotion to all things Bush.
Just take your Peace Prize back to Georgia Jimmy it shouldn't be too long before the Commander Guy has one of his own!
¶ 15:26:00 0 comments
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Just take your Peace Prize back to Georgia Jimmy it shouldn't be too long before the Commander Guy has one of his own!
Pot is good!
So says pop star George Michael who tells that the world would be an "easier place to live" if cannabis were legalised.
Let's think about some recent events and consider what might have happened:
Let's think about some recent events and consider what might have happened:
- 11 September 2001 - would Osama bin Laden have organised the attacks of that day if he were smoking reefer? Almost certainly not. It would have required a level of organisation that he undoubtedly would be incapable off.
- Illegal invasion of Iraq - would Bush and Blair have decided to attack Saddam had they been busy rolling spliffs on the White House balcony. Absolutely not but George might have eventually succumbed to a pretzel following an attack of the munchies.
Exxon still funding climate change deniers
Greenpeace has published a new document that indicates that ExxonMobil is continuing to provide material funding for the climate change denial industry. Whilst their funding has seemingly declined slightly after the Royal Institute took the extreme measure of publicly requesting them to eliminate this funding it continues at a material level.
Full report (PDF) available here.
¶ 14:32:00
Full report (PDF) available here.
Religious recidivism
Would anyone argue that a school system that allows a Christian organisation into the schools that they are responsible for to hand out Christian Bibles to every student and then say "God bless you" is in violation of the seperation of church and state promised in the US Constitution?
The members of the Tangipahoa LA school board probably will as this is the fifth such case against them in the past thirteen years. Surely Louisiana must have a three strikes and you're out law.
¶ 14:21:00 0 comments
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The members of the Tangipahoa LA school board probably will as this is the fifth such case against them in the past thirteen years. Surely Louisiana must have a three strikes and you're out law.
Race in the capital
Demographic changes in America's capital mean that the city could soon become as white as the Republican Presidential candidates. Well, perhaps not that white, but by 2020, unless the trends reverse themselves, blacks will no longer be a majority. These changes do not pertain to Capitol Hill where blacks are not, and perhaps never will be, a significant minority.
In the great state of Utah, however, things are looking as white as ever. They'll just have to work on getting themselves some more black Mormons.
¶ 14:20:00 0 comments
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In the great state of Utah, however, things are looking as white as ever. They'll just have to work on getting themselves some more black Mormons.
Incurious Clarence
A lot of folks out there in the extreme left wing main stream media are trying to make a big deal out of the fact that the over-qualified US Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has sat through 68 hours of oral arguments this term and not asked a single question. In fact he has only spoken 281 words since October 2004.
So what? What's the big deal here? If he's already made up his mind why should he waste everyone's time by unnecessarily prolonging the proceeds just to appear erudite. I'm sure that as soon as a case comes before the court involving legendary actor Long Dong Silver he will be right in there with questions galore!
¶ 12:20:00 0 comments
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So what? What's the big deal here? If he's already made up his mind why should he waste everyone's time by unnecessarily prolonging the proceeds just to appear erudite. I'm sure that as soon as a case comes before the court involving legendary actor Long Dong Silver he will be right in there with questions galore!
Why it's called a slippery slope
The Ohio legislature allows ministers of various Christian and Jewish sects to speak a prayer before each of its sessions. These prayers are allegedly to give lawmakers a "chance to reflect" but are surely just a sop to those who want to see religion intrude into the government sector. The preachers are supposed to submit their remarks in writing three days before they are to appear and are to avoid proselytising and discussing political issues.
It turns out that it doesn't always work that way. This week the Rev. Keith Hamblen of pastor of Calvary Bible Church in Lima OH "made multiple references to Jesus, spoke favorably of church-sponsored schools and mentioned the bills up for debate that day, including a proposal to ban nudity in strip clubs after midnight". He claimed to be unaware of the rules and "never intended to advocate passage of any bill". If that is true what plausible reason could he have had for bringing up strip clubs? Perhaps he was just trying to trigger fond memories in the minds of the lawmakers.
All of this has caused House clerk Laura Clemens to get a bit stroppy.
It turns out that it doesn't always work that way. This week the Rev. Keith Hamblen of pastor of Calvary Bible Church in Lima OH "made multiple references to Jesus, spoke favorably of church-sponsored schools and mentioned the bills up for debate that day, including a proposal to ban nudity in strip clubs after midnight". He claimed to be unaware of the rules and "never intended to advocate passage of any bill". If that is true what plausible reason could he have had for bringing up strip clubs? Perhaps he was just trying to trigger fond memories in the minds of the lawmakers.
All of this has caused House clerk Laura Clemens to get a bit stroppy.
¶ 12:10:00 1 comments links to this post"I would hate to have to eliminate this program but may find it necessary to do so if this trend continues."
"If you could see what I see"
St. Tony continues his extravagant taxpayer funded farewell tour by flying from Washington DC to Baghdad, well it is on the way, where, after donning some special spectacles he found in a box of Cracker Jack, he is seeing signs of real progress. Did the Commander Guy slip something into St. Tony's OJ?
I wonder where he will fly to next?
¶ 12:01:00 0 comments
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I wonder where he will fly to next?
Biting the hand the heals you
Jim Kenefick is the rabid Michael Moore hater behind the website MooreWatch. He also recently had difficulty finding and paying for medical insurance for his wife. An anonymous donor eventually paid the first years premium of 12K USD for him. According to Kenefick it "was like manna from heaven at that time. ... My business was almost dead, my wife was very, very ill, and I was racking up a few little health problems of my own. That money made it possible for us to begin to turn our lives around."
Now that it turns out that the benefactor was none other than the loathed film maker himself is the man grateful? Well not really. Saith Kenefick:
Now that it turns out that the benefactor was none other than the loathed film maker himself is the man grateful? Well not really. Saith Kenefick:
"I knew he was using me...Moore is going to try to make me into one of his little puppets."
A simple "thank you" probably would have been sufficient.
¶ 11:49:00 0 comments
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Heading the wrong way
Will Israel, whether covertly or overtly, provide military aid to Fatah in its power struggle with Hamas on the West Bank and in Gaza? If it does it can only lead to an escalation of the current violence and, one suspects, a crisis of credibility for Fatah in its own constituency.
¶ 11:44:00 0 comments
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A storm's a-comin'
The US government's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is spending lavishly on a campaign to publicise its 200th anniversary whilst at the same time cutting the research budget and the director of the National Hurricane Center is not happy. Bill Proenza is quoted as saying:
"No question about it, it is not justified. It is using appropriated funds for self-promotion."
Meanwhile a satellite key to the NOAA's ability to predict hurricane activity could fail and there will be no replacement for at least five years.
¶ 11:32:00 0 comments
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Ssh. Don't tell Tom Cruise
I generally stay away from either reading or linking to the Daily Mail for obvious reasons. However when they see fit to have a go at the Scientologists I find that I suddenly can't resist.
¶ 11:27:00 0 comments
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The carnage continues
Philadelphia's murder rate continues to clip along with two killings yesterday. In separate incidents a 53 year old man and a 16 year old boy were both shot to death. The total for the year is now 152 or 1.1 per day. If only there were more guns in Philly just think of how much safer it would be.
¶ 11:16:00 0 comments
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Some people aren't all the clever, are they?
I have some, unfortunately belated, advice for Jon Stentiford of St Neots in Cambridgeshire. If you are going to "earn" your living by cheating the Department of Work and Pensions out of £43K of disability benefit do not, I repeat do not, enter and win the Cornwall Strongest Man competition. It really is self-defeating.
¶ 11:12:00 0 comments
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I am suspicious
Why does is the Faux News website carrying a very favourable review of Michael Moore's new film, Sicko, which has just debuted at Cannes? Did I wake up in Bizarro World again?
¶ 11:08:00 0 comments
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Progress report
The southern sector of Iraq, to which Lt. Harry Wales is not to be sent, ostensibly under the control of British and Iraqi armed forces is actually run by ethnic militias most of whom are strongly influenced by Iran. An Iraqi professor of law is quoted as saying "If the Prophet Muhammad would come to Basra today he would be killed because he doesn't have a militia...There is no state of law, the only law is the militia law."
This bodes well for when British troops pull out and leave the Iraqis in charge. Of course by then St. Tony will be long gone and his acolytes can blame the resulting disaster on Gordo.
¶ 10:55:00 0 comments
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This bodes well for when British troops pull out and leave the Iraqis in charge. Of course by then St. Tony will be long gone and his acolytes can blame the resulting disaster on Gordo.
Parliament passes the Freedom from Information About Us Act
Well members of the British Parliament have done themselves proud. Yesterday they voted to exempt themselves from the Freedom of Information Act. It was a Private Member's Bill put forward by a Tory and it still needs to be approved by the House of Lords. I guess that we can hope that they at least retain some sense but I wouldn't hold my breath.
The measure was passed by a vote of 96 to 25. That is out of 646 MPs. That is less than 20% of the total. What does it take for a quorum for God's sake?
¶ 10:44:00
The measure was passed by a vote of 96 to 25. That is out of 646 MPs. That is less than 20% of the total. What does it take for a quorum for God's sake?
This means war!
The question on everyone's lips is that now that Conrad Black has declared war on the United States is when the Decider(TM) will decide to decide to strike back and what form will it take.
Will there be a strike by American attack helicopters on Lord Black's ancestral home in Crossharbour? Will black clad operatives wearing balaclavas suddenly appear outside the courtroom in Chicago, shove the British peer into the back of a Suburban with smoked windows and render him to places unknown? Will there be a tactical nuclear strike on Barbara Amiel?
Whatever he decides I am certain to be shocked and awed.
¶ 10:33:00
Will there be a strike by American attack helicopters on Lord Black's ancestral home in Crossharbour? Will black clad operatives wearing balaclavas suddenly appear outside the courtroom in Chicago, shove the British peer into the back of a Suburban with smoked windows and render him to places unknown? Will there be a tactical nuclear strike on Barbara Amiel?
Whatever he decides I am certain to be shocked and awed.
Gone-zo watch (day 60)
Sixty days! Sixty fucking days I've been at this and yet US Attorney General and Bush succubus Antonio "Gone-zo" Gonzales's is still hanging on. How can this be? I tried very hard to find some evidence that someone, somewhere outside of the Bush and Gone-zo families supports the man and I can't find any. Is it out there and have I somehow missed it or is this man the most incompetent toady, amongst all of the incompetent toadies, in the Bush administration. He is just a yes man and a lick-spittle.
For God's sake just make him go away!
(To be continued...)
¶ 10:28:00 0 comments
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For God's sake just make him go away!
(To be continued...)
18 May 2007
A request
Will whomever found their way to this site with a search for
testicle repair units london lewishamplease explain themselves. Thank you. ¶ 17:21:00 0 comments links to this post
The Blair years are well and truly over
In Haringey, North London it has been decided that the new school will be a plain old secular state school and a trust school, a church school or one of Tony's beloved academies. And so near to where Tony will soon be living as well.
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SOA losing clients
Costa Rican President, and Nobel Prize winner, Oscar Arias has announced that his country will no longer send police to be trained at the American military's Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation*. The institution is notorious for having graduated hundreds or thousands who have been involved in the overthrow of democratically elected governments or who have been charged with or found guilty of serious human rights abuses. Venezuela, Uruguay and Argentina have previously severed relationships with the school.
Who's left? Colombia undoubtedly.
*Note: the school was previously known as the School of the Americas. It's association with right wing Latin American juntas and death squads was so heavily publicised that the US Army was forced to take the dramatic reaction of changing its name to WHISC.
¶ 15:25:00 0 comments
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Who's left? Colombia undoubtedly.
*Note: the school was previously known as the School of the Americas. It's association with right wing Latin American juntas and death squads was so heavily publicised that the US Army was forced to take the dramatic reaction of changing its name to WHISC.
You have to admit it is an interesting explanation
One Robert Boyd, a 45 year old from Belfast, has been jailed for two years for stealing women's lingerie from a shop called Orchid. His explanation that he may have believed he was a female elf at the time of the robbery was not credited by the judge. He stole bras, knickers, suspenders and stockings worth £250. It is not reported if the lingerie was elf sized or not.
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In memoriam
Some Jerry Falwell quotes to brighten up your day.
¶ 14:53:00 0 comments links to this postOn failure - "If you're not a born-again Christian, you're a failure as a human being"
On the 11 September attacks - "And, I know that I'll hear from them for this. But, throwing God out successfully with the help of the federal court system, throwing God out of the public square, out of the schools. The abortionists have got to bear some burden for this because God will not be mocked. And when we destroy 40 million little innocent babies, we make God mad. I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People for the American Way -- all of them who have tried to secularize America -- I point the finger in their face and say, 'You helped this happen.'"
On gays - "AIDS is not just God's punishment for homosexuals; it is God's punishment for the society that tolerates homosexuals."
On Jews - "The Jews are returning to their land of unbelief. They are spiritually blind and desperately in need of their Messiah and Savior."
On global warming - "The whole thing is created to destroy America's free enterprise system and our economic stability"
On his crush on the Commander Guy - "I am such a strong admirer and supporter of George W. Bush that if he suggested eliminating the income tax or doubling it, I would vote yes on first blush."
On Islam - "I think the Moslem faith teaches hate."
William Fallon - hero for our time?
If this story is true I have a new hero. In February of this year Admiral William Fallon, who at the time was the nominee to head up the US Armed Forces Central Command, resisted the Decider's plans to increase the number of naval attack groups in the Persian Gulf from two to three and swore that "there would be no war against Iran as long as he was chief of CENTCOM".
¶ 14:42:00 0 comments
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Equal opportunity hate
Anyone who describes Jerry Falwell as a "corpulent false prophet" has to be pretty much alright with me. Well, almost anyone. Is there anyone who the Very Unright Reverend Fred Phelps doesn't hate?
Oh and if you haven't seen Louis Theroux's visit with the Phelps clan here's a taster.
¶ 14:19:00 0 comments
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Oh and if you haven't seen Louis Theroux's visit with the Phelps clan here's a taster.
Colombia's dirty war and Bush's buddy
One of the Commander Guy's few remaining mates in Latin America, Colombian President Álvaro Uribe, is increasingly being linked to the right wing paramilitary terrorists who are responsible for so much killing and mayhem in his country. He says that it just isn't so and that he is a loyal non-commissioned officer enlisted in the Coalition of the Willing and that he is fighting in the Global War on Terra. His quoted as saying that he likes "to fight terrorists every day".
Of course it could just be that these friends of his friends are good terrorists which would make the relationship perfectly OK.
¶ 14:12:00 0 comments
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Of course it could just be that these friends of his friends are good terrorists which would make the relationship perfectly OK.
My kind of boss
South African businessman Vivian Imerman sold the Whyte & Mackay distillery for a little over half a billion pounds earlier this year. His not leaving without a proper goodbye to the six hundred or so staff as he is to pay them a bonus equal to three months salary even if he has to do it out of his own pocket.
¶ 14:07:00 0 comments
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Dear Mr. Imerman - I don't know what enterprises you still own or plan to go
into now that your whiskey interests have been sold off but I was wondering if
you were hiring.
Sincerely,
Yank in London
Carbon sink sunk
My day would not be complete without some bad environmental news. Today is now complete. It seems that the ability of the southern ocean to absorb CO2 is about exhausted and will soon be unable to absorb more. At the moment it is currently responsible for dealing with about 15% of the globes excess carbon dioxide.
It is a good thing therefore, and we should thank the ExxonMobil Corporation for keeping us apprised of this fact, that excess CO2 in the atmosphere will not lead to increased mean temperatures.
¶ 12:56:00 0 comments
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It is a good thing therefore, and we should thank the ExxonMobil Corporation for keeping us apprised of this fact, that excess CO2 in the atmosphere will not lead to increased mean temperatures.
Invaluable new research!
From the eminent publication Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology from the Research Centre for Reproductive Health, and School of Molecular and Biomedical Science at the University of Adelaide in Australia I bring you this article entitled "Lifestyle impact and the biology of the human scrotum".
¶ 12:50:00 0 comments
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I am alive with exictment...
...at the news that the Buffalo Bill Historical Center of Cody Wyoming is planning to bring together all of the great man's papers.
I hope there will be rope tricks included.
¶ 12:46:00 0 comments
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I hope there will be rope tricks included.
A question for British readers
Take a look at this clip of the second Republican Presidential Candidate "debate" and tell me that they haven't just lifted the set off of 15-to-1 and stuck Faux News on it.
Pointer: Try not to pay attention to any of the questions, answers or candidates as it is just too frightening. ¶ 12:41:00 0 comments links to this post
Pointer: Try not to pay attention to any of the questions, answers or candidates as it is just too frightening. ¶ 12:41:00 0 comments links to this post
Supporting the troops
The White House is bravely fighting the US Congress's attempt to give the armed forces an inflation busting 3.5% wage increase. A Bush administration policy statement on the subject states in part:
"When combined with the overall military benefit package, the president’s proposal provides a good quality of life for service members and their families...While we agree military pay must be kept competitive, the 3 percent raise, equal to the increase in the Employment Cost Index, will do that."
As part of the President's plan service members will also get a free plastic turkey at Thanksgiving and limited access to YouTube between midnight and dawn.
¶ 12:31:00 0 comments
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Dear Ms. Springer
I have a just read a translation of your piece in El Tiempo and I am afraid I must take issue with the tenor of your remarks. When an American based multi-national corporation such as Chiquita, Dole, Banacol, Uniban, Proban or Del Monte makes large payments to groups of murderous right wing paramilitary terrorists it should not be viewed in the negative light that you seem to suggest it should. After all these small gratuities, also known as "share holder value enhancement stipends" or SHOVES, are only made to allow Colombia growers to be able to get their fruit products to the American marketplace and that can only lead to a brighter future for everyone.
¶ 12:21:00 0 comments
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It's only fair really
Britain's Prince Harry, aka Lieutenant Wales, won't be deployed to Iraq as it is feared that he will present too great a temptation to would be kidnappers and assassins. Unfortunately for Mr. Wales (or is it Mr. Windsor or Mr. Saxe-Coburg-Gotha) and his young lady friend it has been suggested that whilst he remains safely in Britain he not deploy himself to any night clubs.
What is a young man to do? I reckon he could go round the Palace and help his gran sort through the old Tupperware.
¶ 12:14:00 0 comments
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What is a young man to do? I reckon he could go round the Palace and help his gran sort through the old Tupperware.
Florida governor to Floridians re hurricaines - "You're on your own"
Ever since Katrina Americans have known that they can't rely on Federal government to be of much use in the face of a natural disaster. With the '07 hurricane season approaching fast Florida Governor Charlie Crist has told the state that they had best look out for themselves. The invisible hand of the market at work yet again. I am sure that there will be no profiteering.
¶ 12:08:00 0 comments
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Hitchens on Falwell redux
Christopher Hitchens gets another opportunity to eulogise the late Right Reverend Jerry Falwell whilst at the same time proving that he is much more intelligent and eloquent than anything Faux News can throw at him. His key point: Falwell was a religious figure he was a businessman who made a great deal of money out of conglomerate that he built up and has now passed on to his children. A truly Christian life.
¶ 12:03:00 0 comments
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Yet another bad idea from American television
Why do I think that CBS's new idea for a reality TV show, Kid Nation, think of it as Lord of the Flies for those with the attention span of a gnat, is disaster just waiting to happen?
The concept is that forty kids between the ages of eight and fifteen live by themselves in a deserted ghost town. I certainly hope the kids will all be fully abstinence trained.
¶ 11:55:00 0 comments
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The concept is that forty kids between the ages of eight and fifteen live by themselves in a deserted ghost town. I certainly hope the kids will all be fully abstinence trained.
The Americanisation of Iraq
Since the American invasion of Iraq much has gone well in terms of changing the country's economic conditions to emulate those in America; rapacious American oil companies are lurking the wings just waiting to get their hands on all that lovely oil; money spent to improve infrastructure and the lives of ordinary citizens instead ends up in the hands of large corporations and a few entrepreneurs are much better off whilst most Iraqis are worse off economically. Medical care has been largely privatised and is becoming inaccessible.
Now we are making strides on the social front as well. An article in today's Guardian about how the lives of Iraq women have dramatically worsened since the illegal invasion tells us that incidence of rape, murder and domestic violence are up dramatically whilst infant mortality has worsened.
I don't see why we should have to bring the American troops home anytime soon. They must feel like they are at home now. No wonder the Commander Guy sees progress.
¶ 11:12:00 0 comments
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Now we are making strides on the social front as well. An article in today's Guardian about how the lives of Iraq women have dramatically worsened since the illegal invasion tells us that incidence of rape, murder and domestic violence are up dramatically whilst infant mortality has worsened.
I don't see why we should have to bring the American troops home anytime soon. They must feel like they are at home now. No wonder the Commander Guy sees progress.
When the lights went out in Dakar
Senegal is one of the African countries we don't hear very much about other then as the home of musicians perhaps. However the poor West African country is now in the news as it appears likely that it will have no electricity within the next few days as it is out of fuel for its power plants. The capital is already suffering power cuts of two to twelve hours at a time.
¶ 11:04:00 0 comments
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Science marches on
Now that the UK is to allow the creation of human / animal hybrid embryos for the purposes of stem cell research I can think of a few combinations that might be interesting and where the difference between the two halves would not be so great to start with:
Tony Blair and a poodle
The Decider(TM) and something simian
Simon Cowell and something vaguely reptilian
Any other suggestions?
¶ 11:01:00 0 comments
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Bye bye Wolfie bye bye
Paul Wolfowitz has finally finally agreed to step down as the President of the World Bank following the scandal surrounding the extraordinary generous treatment given to his partner who was a World Bank employee. Another Guardian article captures the spirit of the man perfectly by describing him as "controversial, divisive and tainted by Iraq".
In the true spirit of democracy the US alone gets to name his successor. Who will it be? The timing is unfortunate because if Wolfie could have just hung on until Tony Blair moved off to the House of Lords, assuming he can afford to buy a title from Gordon, he would have been just perfect!
Wolfie has managed to hang on long enough to get his mitts on that 400K USD "performance" bonus he was so worried about. At least, thanks to Wolfie's largess, Shaha now makes enough for the two of them to squeeze by on until he finds something else.
¶ 10:44:00 0 comments
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In the true spirit of democracy the US alone gets to name his successor. Who will it be? The timing is unfortunate because if Wolfie could have just hung on until Tony Blair moved off to the House of Lords, assuming he can afford to buy a title from Gordon, he would have been just perfect!
Wolfie has managed to hang on long enough to get his mitts on that 400K USD "performance" bonus he was so worried about. At least, thanks to Wolfie's largess, Shaha now makes enough for the two of them to squeeze by on until he finds something else.
Gone-zo watch (day 59)
Will this be US Attorney General and Bush succubus Antonio "Gone-zo" Gonzales's last weekend in the employ of his mentor George W. Bush? One can only hope so. The support of otherwise loyal Republicans is falling away. A no confidence vote is looming. One cannot help but feel sorry for him. Oops. Sorry I meant to say that one CAN help but feel sorry for him.
(To be continued...)
¶ 10:33:00 0 comments
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(To be continued...)
17 May 2007
How'd she know?
Ann Coulter's new column over at Human Events Online is entitled "Jerry Falwell -- Say Hello to Ronald Reagan!". How does she know that Ronnie went to Hell?
¶ 17:10:00 0 comments
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Arlen are you listening?
My senior Senator Arlen Specter (R - PA) was the architect of the single bullet theory in the investigation into the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Now a group of scientists, including a former member of the FBI's famed crime lab, is saying that the "evidence used to rule out a second assassin is fundamentally flawed".
Get your conspiracy theories out ---- now!
¶ 17:03:00 0 comments
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Get your conspiracy theories out ---- now!
Headline of the week (possibly not safe for work)
Just go read it. Further research may be required.
¶ 16:44:00 0 comments
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Things I don't miss about America - number 34
The annual Testicle Festival in Elderon Wisconsin. This year's was the ninth and it was just five USD for the all-you-can-eat menu.
I'm now going to sit quietly in a corner for a bit; breathing deeply.
¶ 16:37:00 0 comments
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I'm now going to sit quietly in a corner for a bit; breathing deeply.
Waiting for God
Somehow I seem to have missed out on this bit from the Pope's tour of Brasil. I thought everything was going really well. The people were greeting him like a pop star. The weather was nice. Then he has to go and fuck it up by suggesting that the indigenous peoples of Brasil were "silently longing" to become Christians even before the conquistadors showed up and raped them, enslaved them, colonised them and killed them.
Come on Benedict. You have to be more careful in this day and age. So many people get ever so touchy over the smallest things. Maybe you need a PR man.
¶ 16:25:00 0 comments
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Come on Benedict. You have to be more careful in this day and age. So many people get ever so touchy over the smallest things. Maybe you need a PR man.
Ain't too proud to beg
Like a serial wife beater who is momentarily calm and sober soon to be ex-World Bank President Paul "Old Socks" Wolfowitz is begging the board to give him another chance and promising he can change.
Right. I believe him. Do you?
¶ 16:20:00 0 comments
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Right. I believe him. Do you?
Do they really know?
Scientists at the Freie Universität Berlin claim to have discovered that fruit flies have free will through an analysis of their flight patterns. I mean, humans have been arguing about this for centuries at least and as far as I know we still haven't decided if humans have free will. Could we sort that out first please?
¶ 16:15:00 0 comments
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Now for the science
Consumers are stupid and easily cheated.
¶ 16:12:00 0 comments
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Permits? We don't need no stinking permits.
Yes - we must do all we can to stop the smuggling that is rife across the porous Mexican American border! What I want to know is what the Minutemen are doing to seal off the flood of illegal guns crossing from America to Mexico. Well? I'm waiting.
¶ 16:06:00 0 comments
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OK who put the acid in my OJ this morning?
Clearly I am either tripping my brains out or have slipped into Bizarro World because I am just unable to cope with the casting of former US Attorney General John "Put Some Clothes on Justice Will You" Ashcroft in the heroic champion of civil liberties role.
It does go a long way towards demonstrating just how truly dreadful Gone-zo is.
¶ 15:53:00 0 comments
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It does go a long way towards demonstrating just how truly dreadful Gone-zo is.
In the dark
OK. So America's National Aeronautical and Space Administration believes that they have evidence of the existence of so-called "dark matter". The existence of dark matter has been postulated for some time, without it there doesn't seem to be enough matter about, but its proof of its existence has remained illusory until now. It is still not known what the stuff actually is with some physicists suggesting it is comprised of black holes and dead stars which are also called massive astrophysical compact halo objects (Machos); others believe it could be made of weakly interacting massive particles (Wimps); yet others subscribe to the belief that it is primarily something called neutralinos.
It is believed that this report slipped out of NASA before George Bush's "scientific" team could redact so that God would appear more likely. This would explain the rumours that the Decider's plans to turn over management of NASA to a "faith based" non-profit organisation are being accelerated. Once that is complete plans for a trip to Mars in a 300 cubit long wooden boat can proceed post-haste.
¶ 15:38:00 0 comments
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It is believed that this report slipped out of NASA before George Bush's "scientific" team could redact so that God would appear more likely. This would explain the rumours that the Decider's plans to turn over management of NASA to a "faith based" non-profit organisation are being accelerated. Once that is complete plans for a trip to Mars in a 300 cubit long wooden boat can proceed post-haste.
The extremely invisible hand of the market at work
According to the Commonwealth Fund the United States healthcare system ranks at or near the bottom when compared to Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. All of these countries spend less per capita than the US does on health; have, I believe, lower per capita GDPs than the US; and rely on the evil hand of communistic socialism to heal their sick. The study ranks five different aspects of care: quality, access, efficiency, equity, and healthy lives.
Sad reading.
¶ 15:20:00 0 comments
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A Dubya-ictionary entry
COLLAPSE (n.) a positive development; an advancement. See also "progress", "success" and "victory".
¶ 15:13:00 0 comments
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Hitchens on "horrible, little" Falwell
There are not enough daylight hours left, even at this time of year, to cover all of the areas in which I disagree with Christopher Hitchens. However you have to admit he is a clever and erudite bastard. I would imagine during his interviews on American telly the censors are at a complete loss as to what to bleep out as they probably only understand half the words at best.
I highly recommend this clip of him discussing what he obviously considers the timely death of Jerry Falwell and calling a charlatan a charlatan.
(Hat tip to Crooks & Liars.)
¶ 14:58:00 0 comments
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I highly recommend this clip of him discussing what he obviously considers the timely death of Jerry Falwell and calling a charlatan a charlatan.
(Hat tip to Crooks & Liars.)
Teaching the untruth
For those of you in the teaching profession, especially if you are a member of a science faculty, those freedom haters at the Union of Concerned Scientists has released a ciriculum guide dealing with political attempts related to the "manipulation, suppression, and distortion of science".
So just what is their point exactly?
¶ 14:54:00 0 comments
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So just what is their point exactly?
Police files made public
A Federal judge in New York yesterday ordered that six hundred pages of New York Police Department files relating to the NYPD’s preparation for the 2006 Republican Convention be released to the public.
Some of the files, previously published by the New York Times, may be found here.
¶ 14:44:00 0 comments
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Some of the files, previously published by the New York Times, may be found here.
To protect and serve (and some other stuff)
As if it wasn't stating the obvious a report from the Federal government's monitor into reforms in the management of the Los Angeles Police Department says that there is still quite a was to go. The LAPD was in the news again on May Day when they attempted to break up a demonstration by immigration protestors with baton charges and rubber bullets.
La plus ça change, eh?
¶ 14:28:00 0 comments
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La plus ça change, eh?
Guns, guns, guns
With complete disregard for the Second Amendment to the US Constitution as well for the safety of the few as yet unarmed citizens of New Orleans officials from the US government's freedom oppressing Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms have raided Elliot's Gun Shop in Louisiana and seized the business's gun inventory. Now how are these folks supposed to make a living if they haven't any guns to sell? Why does George Bush hate free enterprise.
So what if guns sold at the store have been tied to over 2,300 crimes in the past five years, including 125 murder investigations and 500 drug offences; Second Amendment, Second Amendment!
New Orleans had the nation's highest per capita murder rate last year but this cruel blow against capitalism coupled with Philadelphia's strong surge now puts this in jeopardy for this year.
¶ 14:19:00 0 comments
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So what if guns sold at the store have been tied to over 2,300 crimes in the past five years, including 125 murder investigations and 500 drug offences; Second Amendment, Second Amendment!
New Orleans had the nation's highest per capita murder rate last year but this cruel blow against capitalism coupled with Philadelphia's strong surge now puts this in jeopardy for this year.
The browning of America
There is trouble ahead for the Christian Anglo Saxons that God has decreed should rule America until the Rapture. Minorities, i.e. non Christian Anglo Saxons, now make up one in three Americans, or a third for those of you who struggle with maths, is now a minority of some sort. Some of these folks don't even speak English! And this is only ethnic minorities; it doesn't include unrepentant homosexuals, communists and other deviants!
No wonder John Gibson was so het up about the apparent refusal of white folks to breed sufficiently.
¶ 14:13:00 7 comments
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No wonder John Gibson was so het up about the apparent refusal of white folks to breed sufficiently.
Wolfowitz scandal a Communist plot
I prove this by noting that a German government minister, Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul, also known as "Red Heidi", seems to be leading the fight to oust him from his richly deserved job.
¶ 14:09:00 0 comments
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Making the world safe for guns
The legislature of the once great state of South Carolina is boldly headed where only one state, Utah, has gone before. They seem close to approving a bill that would allow students to pack concealed heat on campus. This will allow more students to die more efficiently. Unlike the situation that arose recently at Virginia Tech were students only got in the way of the gunman South Carolina's undergraduates will now have the opportunity to get caught in the cross fire between a demented gunman and terrified, but heavily armed, freshman.
I like to see the nation’s leaders thinking creatively. Don't you?
¶ 12:49:00 0 comments
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I like to see the nation’s leaders thinking creatively. Don't you?