Given the possibility of an acknowledged creationist becoming vice-president, the normal cry about evolution will be heard even more by those who see her appointment as strengthening their position.
"But its only a theory" goes the cry.
Lets nail that one on its head once and for all.
Ignoring that there are many theories in science that the creationists seem to ignore (Quantum Theory, Theory of Relativity amongst others) since they either don't understand them or just don't fit into their world view, it must be emphasisied that the word "theory" itself causes the problems.
In everyday use, a theory is better than a guess or a hunch but not much better but the word in science means something much much stronger.
A scientific theory is the explanatory model that best explains a natural phenonema. A scientific theory can be tested against known facts - and can be modified if found wanting. A lot of scientific laws are in fact theories.
An example of the latter is Newton's Laws of Gravity... These survived until Einstein's Theory of Relativity (note the change from Law to Theory!)
Evolution is a scientific theory ... it best explains how life changed on ths planet...
Sunday, 31 August 2008
Friday, 29 August 2008
Sarah Palin
Extraordinary choice. She has only had two years in office as Governor of Alaska (which has an electorate smaller than a Euro seat here - say 500,000 of which about half voted), definitely on the right of the party - life membership of the NRA and anti-abortion.
I think she will be an election asset for most - but how she will go down in Redneck country ...?
Remember this: McClain is 72 - and we don't know how badly his health was damaged by his stay in the Hanoi Hilton.
BTW her husband apparently works for BP at times ...
Update
Thought has struck me that being pro-life and pro-gun is an odd combination....and I really really don't want a person who has upported creationist teachings anywhere near the White House. I would think that the US scientific community has just let out a collective groan.
I think she will be an election asset for most - but how she will go down in Redneck country ...?
Remember this: McClain is 72 - and we don't know how badly his health was damaged by his stay in the Hanoi Hilton.
BTW her husband apparently works for BP at times ...
Update
Thought has struck me that being pro-life and pro-gun is an odd combination....and I really really don't want a person who has upported creationist teachings anywhere near the White House. I would think that the US scientific community has just let out a collective groan.
Thursday, 28 August 2008
The taste is back ...
Here I wondered about where has all the taste gone... well at long last I can tell you: into my garden. Had some lovely, gorgeous corn-on-the-cob that was picked this afternoon. Absolutely scrummy ...
1s, 2s, 2p, 3s
My son has been accepted to do A level chemistry (as well as geology and computer science) at the local six form college. Problem is that it is now so long that I did any form of chemistry that I am just so rusty. I have decided therefore to try and catch up - if only so I can follow what on earth he is doing!
I always felt that A levels were the most difficult examinations I ever did - you seem to have to learn a fairly broad but deepish understanding of a subject, whereas, of course, at university the subject narrows but deepens (yes yes first years are fairly entertaining!). I am not - yet until I see what a modern chemistry A level is like - going to get into the debate as to whether standards have slipped or just that the structure of the course has changed beyond all recognition so that comparisons cannot be made between the winner-takes-all exams at the end of two years or the modern modular course.
Anyway been reminding myself of the electron shells of the elements at the beginning of the periodic table as well as joys (at least to the organic chemist - physical chemists tend to look at this in horror!) of orbital hybridisation.
So here we go: pi and sigma bonds ... Hund's rule, sp3 hybridisation, sp2 hybrids - double bonds, shapes of methane, ammonia and water etc etc
Got a feeling that this might be a longish journey!
I might not know it but I do hope I understand it!
I always felt that A levels were the most difficult examinations I ever did - you seem to have to learn a fairly broad but deepish understanding of a subject, whereas, of course, at university the subject narrows but deepens (yes yes first years are fairly entertaining!). I am not - yet until I see what a modern chemistry A level is like - going to get into the debate as to whether standards have slipped or just that the structure of the course has changed beyond all recognition so that comparisons cannot be made between the winner-takes-all exams at the end of two years or the modern modular course.
Anyway been reminding myself of the electron shells of the elements at the beginning of the periodic table as well as joys (at least to the organic chemist - physical chemists tend to look at this in horror!) of orbital hybridisation.
So here we go: pi and sigma bonds ... Hund's rule, sp3 hybridisation, sp2 hybrids - double bonds, shapes of methane, ammonia and water etc etc
Got a feeling that this might be a longish journey!
I might not know it but I do hope I understand it!
Cynical, Cynical Post Office
Last night on Midlands Today I watch a representative of the Post Office claim that there had been public consultation for its proposed closure of local offices. 'Fraid I have only one word for that: "Bollocks". The Post Office had plainly decided which ones would close and the whole consulation process was a complete sham.
My evidence for this claim: simple - 50 offices in the West Midlands are to close and just ONE has been reprieved.
This process is moving on inexorably now to the West Mercia area and no-one will believe the Post Offices claims about the consulation.
Yes, the Post Office badly needs reform but this is a public relations disaster on a grand scale.
My evidence for this claim: simple - 50 offices in the West Midlands are to close and just ONE has been reprieved.
This process is moving on inexorably now to the West Mercia area and no-one will believe the Post Offices claims about the consulation.
Yes, the Post Office badly needs reform but this is a public relations disaster on a grand scale.
Lloyds Bank
I bank with Lloyds and on the whole I am satisfied with them but I am disturbed by this story. Now the customer might have had issues with Lloyds but they are of no concern here. What is of concern is the internal security of Lloyds. Firstly, according to El Reg , the password length has a limit of only six characters which is far far too short for modern systems; and secondly it implies that the staff employed at Lloyds can actually see your password. Not very reassuring and I wonder how an security auditor would view that practice.
Wednesday, 27 August 2008
Data Found
I suppose that this makes a change from the unending stories about critical data being lost but it is just as bad.
Dumping old legal files on a tip reinforces my view that the public services are horribly lax about data security - whether in paper or electronic format.
Dumping old legal files on a tip reinforces my view that the public services are horribly lax about data security - whether in paper or electronic format.
Tuesday, 26 August 2008
Wall head hit
How the hell am I able to diagnose a tar extract issue if someone unbeknowest to me keeps recreating the effing tar archive at the same time?
Monday, 25 August 2008
Political Inhumanity
I thought the idiocy concerning Myra Hindley was the height but that lasted lesss than 24 hours.
I discovered this earlier. In essence an ambulance controller refused to send out a vehicle to an injured motocross rider because the event was covered by private medics. The transcript of the call makes astonishing reading:
EXTRACTS FROM THE TRANSCRIPT..
The caller explains the rider's medical situation and after questioning explains that a private ambulance service is at the event.
Shift manager: "Are you working for a private ambulance service?"
Caller: "We are."
Shift manager: "Okay, well I can't send you an ambulance I'm afraid."
Caller one: "We don't have an ambulance on site and we cannot transport as we cannot leave the event."
Shift manager: "Well I'm sorry, I'm not sending an NHS resource, I'm sorry. When you guys put in the business case that should all be addressed, and I can't send an ambulance and deprive the local community of an NHS resource to transfer a patient."
Caller: "I'm sorry, this patient is seriously ill here. He has suspected head and neck injuries and we do not have a vehicle to transport."
The shift manager explains to a member of the committee running the club (caller two) that if they have paid for medical cover they must provide an ambulance.
Caller two: "We have a guy who is bleeding from the mouth, he's agitated, we've got oxygen on him, we need an ambulance."
Shift manager: "No."
Caller two: "You want us to leave this person lying in a field till we get an ambulance? Is that what you're saying?"
Shift manager: "Excuse me, do you want me to leave a person with chest pain who is paying the NHS to get ambulance provision?
The shift manager then asks to speak to whoever is in charge of the incident, at which point caller three, identified as the clerk of the course, takes the phone.
Caller three: "Every meeting we have run for about the last ten years, when we've asked for an ambulance to come on site, they have come on site. This is the first time I've heard of anything like this. I don't understand this at all."
Shift manager then asks to speak to the manager of the private ambulance service.Shift manager: "I'm sorry, but I'm not sending an ambulance until I clarify exactly what is going on here."
Caller four then brings over his head, identified as caller five, and following more to-ing and fro-ing, he says they will use a car they have.
Caller five: "I'm not going to argue, I'm going to put the phone down."
Apart from the obvious point that the shift manager considered that her political viewpoint was more important than the health of the injured rider, there is also the normal anonymity that is now to be found.
That shift manager could have killed the rider but who was that person? Was she fired? (like hell) What further action was taken ? (Damn all I suspect)
I discovered this earlier. In essence an ambulance controller refused to send out a vehicle to an injured motocross rider because the event was covered by private medics. The transcript of the call makes astonishing reading:
EXTRACTS FROM THE TRANSCRIPT..
The caller explains the rider's medical situation and after questioning explains that a private ambulance service is at the event.
Shift manager: "Are you working for a private ambulance service?"
Caller: "We are."
Shift manager: "Okay, well I can't send you an ambulance I'm afraid."
Caller one: "We don't have an ambulance on site and we cannot transport as we cannot leave the event."
Shift manager: "Well I'm sorry, I'm not sending an NHS resource, I'm sorry. When you guys put in the business case that should all be addressed, and I can't send an ambulance and deprive the local community of an NHS resource to transfer a patient."
Caller: "I'm sorry, this patient is seriously ill here. He has suspected head and neck injuries and we do not have a vehicle to transport."
The shift manager explains to a member of the committee running the club (caller two) that if they have paid for medical cover they must provide an ambulance.
Caller two: "We have a guy who is bleeding from the mouth, he's agitated, we've got oxygen on him, we need an ambulance."
Shift manager: "No."
Caller two: "You want us to leave this person lying in a field till we get an ambulance? Is that what you're saying?"
Shift manager: "Excuse me, do you want me to leave a person with chest pain who is paying the NHS to get ambulance provision?
The shift manager then asks to speak to whoever is in charge of the incident, at which point caller three, identified as the clerk of the course, takes the phone.
Caller three: "Every meeting we have run for about the last ten years, when we've asked for an ambulance to come on site, they have come on site. This is the first time I've heard of anything like this. I don't understand this at all."
Shift manager then asks to speak to the manager of the private ambulance service.Shift manager: "I'm sorry, but I'm not sending an ambulance until I clarify exactly what is going on here."
Caller four then brings over his head, identified as caller five, and following more to-ing and fro-ing, he says they will use a car they have.
Caller five: "I'm not going to argue, I'm going to put the phone down."
Apart from the obvious point that the shift manager considered that her political viewpoint was more important than the health of the injured rider, there is also the normal anonymity that is now to be found.
That shift manager could have killed the rider but who was that person? Was she fired? (like hell) What further action was taken ? (Damn all I suspect)
Sunday, 24 August 2008
Crass crass totally crass
Who on earth thought that this was smart, clever idea?
It makes me wonder about the common sense of supposedly clever people. Someone somewhere should have had the nous to realise that putting an image such as that would bring a ton load of opprobrium down upon their heads. I hope to God that we learn a bit more befre 2012.
It makes me wonder about the common sense of supposedly clever people. Someone somewhere should have had the nous to realise that putting an image such as that would bring a ton load of opprobrium down upon their heads. I hope to God that we learn a bit more befre 2012.
Never interview kids live .....
Priceless bit just now from the BBC programme celebrating London's official start as the Olympic host city......
Interviewer chatting to some kids about which sport they liked to watch at the Olympics:
"Taekwondo .. I liked the bit where the referee got kicked ...." came the reply!
Priceless
Interviewer chatting to some kids about which sport they liked to watch at the Olympics:
"Taekwondo .. I liked the bit where the referee got kicked ...." came the reply!
Priceless
The London Handover piece
Wasn't quite as buttock clenchingly embarrassing as I feared it would be ....
Saturday, 23 August 2008
The odious Paul Gadd
I see that there are calls for police not to protect Paul Gadd, including from Simon Heffer in today's Telegraph. Unfortuantely these calls are wrong. Gadd/Glitter is an repulsive, vile, arrogant specimen but he should be afforded the same protection that anyone else would warrant. We cannot pick and choose who gets protection and it would be our responsibility if some low-life (the sort that confuses paediatrician and paedophile) causes him harm or worse.
Friday, 22 August 2008
When will they ever learn?
There is yet another scandal concerning the loss of sensitive data from the Government; this time details of thousands of criminals.
Apart from the stupidity of copying such data onto a memory stick (for God's sake there are Government departments that advise on this) why the hell wasn't it encrypted when it was put on to that memory stick?
It doesn't matter whether it was the Government or a contractor that was to blame the buck stops with the Government since it was their procedures that should have been followed.
Additionally, I do hope that the contactors involved were SCed.
Apart from the stupidity of copying such data onto a memory stick (for God's sake there are Government departments that advise on this) why the hell wasn't it encrypted when it was put on to that memory stick?
It doesn't matter whether it was the Government or a contractor that was to blame the buck stops with the Government since it was their procedures that should have been followed.
Additionally, I do hope that the contactors involved were SCed.
Wednesday, 20 August 2008
Abuse of powers
There is a disturbing story in the newpapers about the shameful arrest of a man who photographed a PC reversing the wrong way up a one way street. Without going into the details of that particular case (which should have involved the dismissal of the PC involved but didn't) what is deeply disturbing is that the man involved had DNA samples and fingerprints taken. I strongly suspect that these were not destroyed even though the Avon and Somerset Chief Constable has apologised and called the officer's behaviour "totally unacceptible.
Gary Glitter has "heart attack"
Does anyone actually believe him? (BBC)
Not that I would wish harm to a fellow human being but in a way I hoped it was true .....
Not that I would wish harm to a fellow human being but in a way I hoped it was true .....
Tuesday, 19 August 2008
A fair medal table
One of the minor pleasures of these Olympics is watching GB climb steadily up the medal table until they are, at the time of writing, third.
However what is a fair medal table?
Most countries (ok ok ALL countries bar one!) and the IOC have a gold centred system with the order being rankings by gold then, within gold, silver and finally bronze. This can produce serious iniquities: to take an extreme example, should a country that has won, say 1 gold be ranked higher than a country that has won, say 10 silvers?
For instance, at present, Hungary has won 4 silvers and a bronze and is ranked below Tunisia which has won a solitary gold.
The US (and ONLY the US) have a total medals system where countries are ordered by the total number of medal won. Now, of course, this also can have anomalies: it would be crazy to consider that a country winning 51 bronze medals would be ahead of a country that wins 50 golds. But that is their way and at present it keeps them at the top of the medals table (surprise! surprise!)
So what is a fair medal table?
I don't think anyone would doubt that winning gold deserves higher ranking that winning a bronze so I have given each one a value, gold=3,silver=2 and bronze=1 so we have Bonetired's Olympic medal table .....
However, I cannot see it catching on ...
Puts the Aussies above us ...
So gold=6, silver=2 and bronze=1 would do the trick......
However what is a fair medal table?
Most countries (ok ok ALL countries bar one!) and the IOC have a gold centred system with the order being rankings by gold then, within gold, silver and finally bronze. This can produce serious iniquities: to take an extreme example, should a country that has won, say 1 gold be ranked higher than a country that has won, say 10 silvers?
For instance, at present, Hungary has won 4 silvers and a bronze and is ranked below Tunisia which has won a solitary gold.
The US (and ONLY the US) have a total medals system where countries are ordered by the total number of medal won. Now, of course, this also can have anomalies: it would be crazy to consider that a country winning 51 bronze medals would be ahead of a country that wins 50 golds. But that is their way and at present it keeps them at the top of the medals table (surprise! surprise!)
So what is a fair medal table?
I don't think anyone would doubt that winning gold deserves higher ranking that winning a bronze so I have given each one a value, gold=3,silver=2 and bronze=1 so we have Bonetired's Olympic medal table .....
| Country | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Points |
| China | 39 | 14 | 14 | 159 |
| USA | 22 | 24 | 26 | 140 |
| Australia | 11 | 10 | 12 | 65 |
| Russia | 8 | 13 | 15 | 65 |
| GB | 13 | 7 | 8 | 61 |
However, I cannot see it catching on ...
Puts the Aussies above us ...
So gold=6, silver=2 and bronze=1 would do the trick......
Monday, 18 August 2008
Yvette Cooper and bullshit ...
Iain Dale has performed what he describes as a "light fisk" on a stupid article written by Yvette (Balls) Cooper in today's Guardian.
He needed have bothered since the comments to the article are what could only be desscribed as a "savage fisking"
He needed have bothered since the comments to the article are what could only be desscribed as a "savage fisking"
History of the 100 meters
Lets see what the history of the event since the Seoul Olympics:
1988 Ben Jonson - THE cheat
1992 Linford Christie. Tested positive for nandralone 1999
1996 Donovan Bailey
2000 Maurice Green
2004 Justin Gatlin Currently banned
2008 Usain Bolt
Inspires confidence , doesn't it?
1988 Ben Jonson - THE cheat
1992 Linford Christie. Tested positive for nandralone 1999
1996 Donovan Bailey
2000 Maurice Green
2004 Justin Gatlin Currently banned
2008 Usain Bolt
Inspires confidence , doesn't it?
Sunday, 17 August 2008
Russian bully boy tactics
Looking around the newpapers this morning, I am beginning to wonder whether the Russian tactics orchestrated by the ex-KGB thugs in the Kremlin are beginning to unravel. Yes, they are still holding Georgia hostage, and I will believe the withdrawal when I actually see it, but the knock-on effect is beginning to draw countries that surround Russia more westwards. The Ukraine has offered to share with the west its early warning radar data and the crass Russian statement that Poland is a target will only make existing links stronger.
Ironically, the action in Georgia could isolate Russia even more.
Ironically, the action in Georgia could isolate Russia even more.
Saturday, 16 August 2008
Friday, 15 August 2008
Mobility Scooters
There is an interesting, and slightly depressing because it is becoming polarised, discussion in the internal work news groups.
A small girl (4 1/2) was being walked by her grandmother along a pavement when one of those mobility scooters being driven by a man who appeared to be in his 80s came up behind, caught the child by the legs and literally ran her over, with the child being scuffed along the ground for some distance.
It was, apparently, not the first offence for this elderly man and hardly surprisingly the parent of the child wants to take action.
The problem as I see it is that if the old man's mobility was removed, its not like banning a BMW driver but rather condemming an old man to potential solitude and lonliness.
Of course these scooters should be driven carefully so there is no excuse for what he did and that some action should be taken. However, removing his mobility could be a death sentence.
A small girl (4 1/2) was being walked by her grandmother along a pavement when one of those mobility scooters being driven by a man who appeared to be in his 80s came up behind, caught the child by the legs and literally ran her over, with the child being scuffed along the ground for some distance.
It was, apparently, not the first offence for this elderly man and hardly surprisingly the parent of the child wants to take action.
The problem as I see it is that if the old man's mobility was removed, its not like banning a BMW driver but rather condemming an old man to potential solitude and lonliness.
Of course these scooters should be driven carefully so there is no excuse for what he did and that some action should be taken. However, removing his mobility could be a death sentence.
Wednesday, 13 August 2008
Ignoring Michael Phelps
As if one can! But seriously are the Americans doing as well in these Olympics as we expected? At the time of writing the US have won 10 golds. Now if one subtracts Phelps's total we have the US winning 5, below South Korea, Germany and only just above Italy with the Chinese being way ahead on 17.
Strange how just one person can dominate so much....
Strange how just one person can dominate so much....
RIPA and basic liberties
The Telegraph has a report that RIPA is - as everybody feared - having mission creep and now local councils and health authorities are being encouraged to further use the power to intercept phone calls and emails. Why? The Government says that "This data is a vital tool to investigations and intelligence gathering in support of national security and crime" .
So why are health authorities getting that power? What possible need do they have for data intercepts? Councils (for eg Poole) have proven time and time again that they are not to be trusted with RIPA powers and that these powers are being misused.
Dizzy has an excellent blog on why any half-decent criminal would bye-pass RIPA anyway, something that any decent techie would be able point out to the government...
So why are health authorities getting that power? What possible need do they have for data intercepts? Councils (for eg Poole) have proven time and time again that they are not to be trusted with RIPA powers and that these powers are being misused.
Dizzy has an excellent blog on why any half-decent criminal would bye-pass RIPA anyway, something that any decent techie would be able point out to the government...
Tuesday, 12 August 2008
Happy 90th To The Greatest Living Briton
Tomorrow (August 13th) is the 90th birthday of the man that I consider the greatest living Briton, but it seems that most people haven't heard of him. He is, apparently since I haven't met him, extremely modest about his achievements but given that he is the only person alive to have won two Nobel Prizes and in fact the only person ever to have won two in Chemistry (1958 & 1980) it is fair to say that they are substantial. The first man to elucidate (in the 1950s) the primary structure -the order of amino acids which form its backbone - of a protein (insulin) and later on to develop one of the key methods of detemining the sequence of bases within DNA (the dideoxynucleotide method was the one - with modifications - used by the Human Genome Project [details here] to sequence human DNA).
It is fair to say that his impact upon science has been profound.
Happy 90th Birthday, Frederick Sanger OM CH CBE FRS
It is fair to say that his impact upon science has been profound.
Happy 90th Birthday, Frederick Sanger OM CH CBE FRS
Attack on our freedoms
Guido and elsewhere have blogged this from the Times . It is one of the most serious attacks on both our freedoms and government openness that has occured for a long time.
Time to re-open radar sites
The behavior of Putin at the moment means that the cold-war is restarting and that we in the west will be part of it. Reconnaissance Bears are now approaching our shores again , although not in the numbers of 20+ years ago.
As part of the peace dividend we closed down and centralized our radar assets, major sites including Buchan and Saxa Vord have either been downgraded or in the latter case actually closed.
Think its time to re-open
As part of the peace dividend we closed down and centralized our radar assets, major sites including Buchan and Saxa Vord have either been downgraded or in the latter case actually closed.
Think its time to re-open
Olympic opening ceremony ...
suffered the Blue-Screen-Of-Death ....
http://gizmodo.com/5035456/blue-screen-of-death-strikes-birds-nest-during-opening-ceremonies-torch-lighting
http://gizmodo.com/5035456/blue-screen-of-death-strikes-birds-nest-during-opening-ceremonies-torch-lighting
Monday, 11 August 2008
Will the security forces go meekly?
It seems that Mugabe will be kicked upstairs to a ceremonial post, with Morgan Tsvangirai being in effective power as Prime Minister. The problem with that is that Mugabe's Security Forces - esp the veterans of the murderous 5th Brigade - have a lot of blood on their hands and might not go quietly.
Olympic translations
Just gathering some translations of stock phrases at the Olympics:
"Gallant effort" = "Came last"
"Judged the moment perfectly" = "Did it by the skin of the teeth!"
"This is incredible!" = "Which drug are you on?"
"Narrowly missed the bronze" = "Loser"
"Might have been the possibility of a fault" = "Miles out."
More to come ....
"Gallant effort" = "Came last"
"Judged the moment perfectly" = "Did it by the skin of the teeth!"
"This is incredible!" = "Which drug are you on?"
"Narrowly missed the bronze" = "Loser"
"Might have been the possibility of a fault" = "Miles out."
More to come ....
Saturday, 9 August 2008
Competitive pharmacology
I have great fears that the cynic within me will come towards the front during these Olympics. Not just athletics but in the other power sports - esp weightlifting amongst others - which will be dominated by the question that no-one will dare ask:
"Are you clean?"
"Are you clean?"
Friday, 8 August 2008
The Bear's Claws
As the world's attention is diverted towards Beijing, I see that the Russians have interceded in a separarist fight in Georgia (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7548715.stm). The antics of the ex-KGB man is beginning to get worrying. Russia seems to be regressing back about 30 years.
Support Droids
I had a meeting yesterday near my brother's house so afterwards I met up and joined him in something to eat.
Unfortunately his broadband connection had completely died overnight and I voluteered to help.
Big Big Mistake ....
The symptoms were that the ADSL connection to the ISP were dead. orange fault light on router flashing happily
Ran through the normal checks - connection from PC to router OK? yes
Router OK? yes - swapped it out with his old one and problem remained.
Checked account details on router - yup fine
Connection from router to phone point - looks OK
So phone up support.
I explained the symptoms, ran through what I had done, and gently suggested that it probably wasn't us but rather BT.
Without going through the 45 minute call which would bore everybody to death I would suggest that reinstalling winsock on the PC would probably not help .....
Bloody droid
Oh and the Broadband connection came back to life on its own later in the evening.
Unfortunately his broadband connection had completely died overnight and I voluteered to help.
Big Big Mistake ....
The symptoms were that the ADSL connection to the ISP were dead. orange fault light on router flashing happily
Ran through the normal checks - connection from PC to router OK? yes
Router OK? yes - swapped it out with his old one and problem remained.
Checked account details on router - yup fine
Connection from router to phone point - looks OK
So phone up support.
I explained the symptoms, ran through what I had done, and gently suggested that it probably wasn't us but rather BT.
Without going through the 45 minute call which would bore everybody to death I would suggest that reinstalling winsock on the PC would probably not help .....
Bloody droid
Oh and the Broadband connection came back to life on its own later in the evening.
Wednesday, 6 August 2008
Tuesday, 5 August 2008
Navel Gazing
The news that a Conservative PPC (Ian Oakley) indulged in a vitriolic and nasty campaign against his, primarily Lib Dem, opponents is deeply disturbing. Whatever the reasons behind his attacks (personally - and without any evidence at all- I would suggest that he needs medical help) serious questions must be asked as to how such a man became selected by the Conservatives.
Update
There is a certain amount of speculation that my thoughts on his mental health might not be too far off the mark ( http://www.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/879086/thoughts-onthe-ian-oakley-case.thtml ) in which case one wonders whether or not there should be psychological and psychometric testing for candidates. It would happen in many other professions so why not for parliamentary candidates?
Update
There is a certain amount of speculation that my thoughts on his mental health might not be too far off the mark ( http://www.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/879086/thoughts-onthe-ian-oakley-case.thtml ) in which case one wonders whether or not there should be psychological and psychometric testing for candidates. It would happen in many other professions so why not for parliamentary candidates?
More Government incompetance
I would love to be in estate agent's and solicitor's offices today as the phones go red hot with people cancelling/postponing any house purchases that might be in the pipeline if this story is true http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Business/Ministers-Consider-Plans-To-Temporarily-Scrap-Stamp-Duty-To-Boost-Housing-Market/Article/200808115070980?lpos=Business_0&lid=ARTICLE_15070980_Ministers%2BConsider%2BPlans%2BTo%2BTemporarily%2BScrap%2BStamp%2BDuty%2BTo%2BBoost%2BHousing%2BMarket%2B
The government is panicking, having screwed up big time. Now ALL house sales will stop stone dead whilst everyone waits and sees .....
The government is panicking, having screwed up big time. Now ALL house sales will stop stone dead whilst everyone waits and sees .....
The Guardian Makes A Complete Arse of Itself (again)
There was a long article on Friday in the Guardian concerning photography in public places and included claims that photographers would need to be registered with the Boys-In-Blue and be RFID chipped. Unfortunately for the Grauniad that was a load of complete bollocks since it was based upon an April Fool in Editorial Photographer.... Ooops!
Story in El Reg: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/08/01/graun_wurst_blowback/
And the Grauniad article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/aug/01/google.searchengines?gusrc=rss&feed=commentisfree
Story in El Reg: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/08/01/graun_wurst_blowback/
And the Grauniad article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/aug/01/google.searchengines?gusrc=rss&feed=commentisfree
Monday, 4 August 2008
China
The Chinese just don't get it. The mechanics of repression have eaten so deeply into what remains of their soul that they cannot just let go. Promises have been made to the West but when it comes down to it they cannot move away from the old ways - even for a few weeks. A facade of tolerance is appearing but once the Games are over the regime will re-exert itself. It's the only way they know.
Bit harsh? Possibly but let's wait and see.
Bit harsh? Possibly but let's wait and see.
Sod's Law
Younger son wanted me to join him on a bike ride this evening. Conscious that I am becoming very unfit I agreed albeit after a certain amount of hesitation since the pain in my hip has been quiet severe as of late.
Anyway I strapped my prosthesis well on, dosed myself up with some codeine to dull the inevitable pain and set off into the sunset.
Got down to the river when I noticed I had a flat tyre .....
Anyway I strapped my prosthesis well on, dosed myself up with some codeine to dull the inevitable pain and set off into the sunset.
Got down to the river when I noticed I had a flat tyre .....
Olympic Women's Beach Volleyball
For some unknown reason my 16 year old son wants to watch this. No idea why!
Will Labour step back from the edge?
No party can survive in power for very long if civil war breaks out within its ranks. Memories of the Conservatives tearing themselves apart over Europe in the 1990's are still very fresh within political circles and the consequences of that and the perceived corruption (I don't like the word "sleaze") was that 11 years of opposition occured.
Once ranks start to be broken - and I think Miliband has initiated that process - then there is a cascade effect as people start jockeying for position and any pretence of unity starts to disappear.
Brown has lost authority and hence, I suspect, that we are going to be watching his descent into political oblivion.
Once ranks start to be broken - and I think Miliband has initiated that process - then there is a cascade effect as people start jockeying for position and any pretence of unity starts to disappear.
Brown has lost authority and hence, I suspect, that we are going to be watching his descent into political oblivion.
Sunday, 3 August 2008
Blue badge abuse
Just come back from a trip into town where I followed a car into a series of spaces reserved for blue badge holders. The only occupant, a middle aged lady, got out of the car, which had a blue badge, and walked off happily into the distance.
Why am I so cross? Well, stuck to the back of the car was a label: "Please leave plenty of space for my wheelchair"
Abuse of blue badges really pisses my off.
Why am I so cross? Well, stuck to the back of the car was a label: "Please leave plenty of space for my wheelchair"
Abuse of blue badges really pisses my off.
Saturday, 2 August 2008
Three Choirs
It's our turn now and the city is heaving - the Worcester festival is being run to coincide with it - with more tourists than I have seen for a very long time - foreign voices being very conspicuous around the streets.
I struggled my hip around the cathedral today with my son, even though large parts of it were roped off for the opening concert tonight. The new organ was in place looking and sounding magnificient.
I am an atheist but I still find that I am uplifted everytime I go into the cathedral, the spirits of those long dead masons, artisans and builders who built such a wonderful building on faith, civic pride still pervade. Unlike most buildings from the medieval times, the cathedral is still alive, still living, still part of the community from which it sprang all those years ago.
A sheep is not a creature of the air .....
"Another fair question. One thing is for sure; a sheep is not a creature of the air. They have enormous difficulty in the comparatively simple act of perchin'. (crash) As you see. As for flight, its body is totally unadapted to the problems of aviation. Trouble is, sheep are very dim. Once they get an idea in their heads, there's no shifting it. "
Friday, 1 August 2008
Priceless
There is a lovely letter in today's Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?menuId=1588&menuItemId=-1&view=DISPLAYCONTENT&grid=A1&targetRule=0)
"Eau de stone age
Sir – Michael Stanford is fortunate that the best-before date of his cheddar is so far in the future (Letters, July 30). My supermarket sells bottled water which, if the adverts are to be believed, has taken millions of years to percolate through pristine rocks. However, the best before date is rarely more than a couple of months away. Luckily, they extracted and bottled it just in time. Andrew Wands, Crieff, Perthshire"
"Eau de stone age
Sir – Michael Stanford is fortunate that the best-before date of his cheddar is so far in the future (Letters, July 30). My supermarket sells bottled water which, if the adverts are to be believed, has taken millions of years to percolate through pristine rocks. However, the best before date is rarely more than a couple of months away. Luckily, they extracted and bottled it just in time. Andrew Wands, Crieff, Perthshire"
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