“Alistair Darling in the budget set out plans which show the deficit coming down, national debt coming down.”which resulted in an irate telephone call from Mr Balls to Mr Nelson. Read one side of the story here.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
liar liar pants on fire!
Fraser Nelson had the audacity to call Ed Balls a liar after a series of media interviews in which Ed said
keep calm and carry on again
The subliminal messaging is continuing apace .. .. .. this time by having it carried on the famous chest of one half of a celebrity couple.
who was running the book?
I read a post, but can't remember where, in which the blogger offered odds for the first MP to table an EDM about Michael Jackson.
Step forward Mr Keith Vaz.
Twat.
Tip of the cat to LOBBYDOG for pointing it out.
Step forward Mr Keith Vaz.
Twat.
Tip of the cat to LOBBYDOG for pointing it out.
Monday, June 29, 2009
gordon's plan
Rather than just commenting on the basis of other people's assessment of Gorgon's latest wheeze I downloaded the pdf via this site and have been reading slowly through it. I'm only on page 10 of section 1 and already I'm having a chuckle to myself. This passage
16. That is why the Government has made the choice to maintain and bring forward public investment so that the recession is as short and shallow as possible, and the financial system is stabilised. To cut spending at this time would prolong and deepen the recession, with all of its associated financial costs. However, we must and will reduce our deficits as soon as it is prudent to do so. To ensure future fiscal sustainability, we have set out tax and spending measures that will halve borrowing within five years, and ensure debt is on a declining path in the medium term. We will rigorously prioritise public spending with targeted investment and a tougher focus on efficiency at every level of government.says that cuts would be bad but there will be a tougher focus on efficiency. Well if being efficient isn't cutting the amount of money spent then what is it precisely? And who could fail to notice the return of prudence? We haven't heard about her for a while.
I have much more to read .. .. .. ..
damn it's hot
.. .. .. .. as Sharon Jones sang on the classic Desco Records album Spike's Choice. But not hot enough to be classified a heatwave just yet as the thermometer has only hit 30˚C. If I was in Newcastle however the temperature would be enough to declare it heatwave.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
andrew marr show 28 jun 09
Ed Balls from the transcript of this morning's edition
ED BALLS:Well it's a very, very big choice because that goes to two different things - one, your view of justice - what is fair; and, secondly, what is your role, your view of the role of the state? What should government do? We've been very clear that government must act to get us through the downturn and do it fairly. David Cameron and George Osborne say we shouldn't be acting and they want to do tax cuts, which to be honest I think are hugely unfair and will be paid for in police and hospitals and schools being cut if you had a Conservative government.As DK points out today there is an article in the Telegraph that says
The stark evidence of the growing imbalance between what the Government raises and what it spends is likely to intensify the political row over the public finances and may strengthen calls for cuts in spending.So if the choice is between a government that will continue to spend in excess of what it is extorting from us and one that might not the choice seems like a no brainer for the average working person. Thank you Ed for making that a little clearer for us all.
Treasury figures show that welfare payments will exceed income tax receipts by almost £25 billion. Normally, income tax receipts comfortably cover the benefits bill.
In 2008/09, gross income tax receipts were £152.5 billion. In the same year, social security benefits cost the Exchequer £150.1 billion.
In 2009/10, the Treasury is expecting to take in £140.5 billion in gross income tax receipts. Social security benefits are projected to be £164.7 billion.
polar bears
The upcoming Copenhagen Summit is due to tell the world how badly global warming is damaging the environment and how it's still all the fault of humanity and if we don't act quickly, and governments don't raise more taxes to pay for action, then the poor polar bears will become extinct.
Except they won't according to the scientist who has spent the last 30 years studying them and who, unsurprisingly, has been told that his presence at the summit is not required.
Dr Mitchell Taylor has been researching the status and management of polar bears in Canada and around the Arctic Circle for 30 years, as both an academic and a government employee. More than once since 2006 he has made headlines by insisting that polar bear numbers, far from decreasing, are much higher than they were 30 years ago. Of the 19 different bear populations, almost all are increasing or at optimum levels, only two have for local reasons modestly declined.So next time a global warmist tells you that the polar bears are facing extinction point them to the work of Dr Taylor, the foremost expert in polar bear populations, and call them a liar.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
yet another attempt to raise alcohol tax
With all of the attention focussed on the death of an American singer you may not have noticed this. Back in March Liam Donaldson proposed a minimum charge of 50p per unit of alcohol as a way of reducing the alcohol intake of the country. He also tried to equate drinking with smoking when he said
as passive smoking damages others, passive drinking was inflicting untold damage on children whose mothers drink while pregnant, or whose parents drink too much, as well as the 7,000 victims of drink drivers and 39,000 alcohol-related sexual assaults per year.Step forward a few months and another attempt to equate drinking and smoking, this time from Ian Gilmore.
"We need an international framework convention for alcohol control, similar to that on tobacco, as soon as possible, to put into practice the evidence-based measures needed to reduce alcohol-related harm. These include increasing the price of alcohol, reducing its availability and banning advertising, and the action needs to start now."After the success of interfering with smokers they are now coming for drinkers. After they've introduced prohibition in this country what will they turn to next? It's time for the people of this country to stand up and say in a firm an loud voice "NO MORE". This won't go away, this will never end unless we all stand together and tell them where to stick their control freakery.
Friday, June 26, 2009
a letter to the prime minister
fidothedog needs help completing his letter to Gordon Brown. If you can offer any help while you are waiting for sickipedia to calm down then please click here.
farrah fawcett
Pin up model, actress, wife of the six million dollar man, Farrah Fawcett died yesterday from anal cancer.
sickipedia
Predictably the website sickipedia is struggling under the weight of people sharing tasteless jokes in the aftermath of Michael Jackson's death.
Luckily Old Holborn has opened a thread to help ease the demand. Some of the best (worst?) include:
Feel free to add any others you've heard in the comments.
Luckily Old Holborn has opened a thread to help ease the demand. Some of the best (worst?) include:
- A woman at the seaside asked Michael Jackson if he wouldn't mind getting out of her son.
- Why is Michael Jackson like a carrier bag? Both are made from plastic and you shouldn't let your kids play with them.
- Farrah Fawcett died yesterday and for living a blame free life God granted her one wish. "Make all the children on the world safe" she replied.
- Michael's latest wife is heartbroken after his death and says that she intends to live with her parents to help her work through the grief. Kate and Gerry are so happy that she's coming home.
- Although reports from America are saying that Michael died from a heart attack at home there is a strong rumour that he had a stroke in a children's home.
- What is the difference between Arthur Scargill and Michael Jackson? Arthur hasn't seen a miner's helmet in years.
- The Jockey Club is thinking of giving Michael a posthumous award for the large number of 3 year olds he rode
- What is the difference between Alex Ferguson and Michael Jackson? Alex will still be playing Giggs in August.
- Anyone else notice that- 'The singer and dancer Michael Jackson' is an anagram of- 'Danger as he jams a cock in ten children'?
- Why did Michael Jackson check into the rehab clinic? To cure his 10 year old crack habit.
- I don't know what you think about Michael Jackson and these blackmail allegations but I reckon he definitely used to be one.
Feel free to add any others you've heard in the comments.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
michael jackson is dead
The LA Times is reporting that Michael Jackson has died. There are no firm details as yet but reports suggest he had some kind of heart attack and fell into a coma. Michael was 50.
drinkers under attack
An article in the Times raises the issue of the 700 controlled drinking zones that have been imposed on towns and cities across the country. CPOs have even gone as far as stopping a Brighton man who had just purchased alcohol from an off-license and confiscated it because they believed he intended to drink it in public. After getting angry reading the article (and you really should) I looked at the first few comments and this one caught my eye
euan,manchester thinks that the only people who drink in public places are winos or alkies. It seems that the governments anti-alcohol message is starting to get through and euan can't imagine the pleasure of sitting in a park on a summers evening with your loved one and a bottle of wine watching the sun go down. Alcoholics are more likely to hide their drinking euan not the other way around. Did you ever stop to think that maybe, just maybe, the policy of prohibiting smoking indoors has caused a rise in the numbers of people who drink outdoors as they are no longer welcome in pubs?
With the success of alienating smokers the self righteous are now looking for similar successes with drinkers. I'd like to say I told you so but either you were saying the same thing already or you'd take offence to it. I do so hope it's the latter .. .. ..
cat tip to NickM at Counting Cats
euan,manchester thinks that the only people who drink in public places are winos or alkies. It seems that the governments anti-alcohol message is starting to get through and euan can't imagine the pleasure of sitting in a park on a summers evening with your loved one and a bottle of wine watching the sun go down. Alcoholics are more likely to hide their drinking euan not the other way around. Did you ever stop to think that maybe, just maybe, the policy of prohibiting smoking indoors has caused a rise in the numbers of people who drink outdoors as they are no longer welcome in pubs?
With the success of alienating smokers the self righteous are now looking for similar successes with drinkers. I'd like to say I told you so but either you were saying the same thing already or you'd take offence to it. I do so hope it's the latter .. .. ..
cat tip to NickM at Counting Cats
radio 4 weather forecast
A fantastic corpse while reading the weather forecast on Radio 4 today. Listen to him struggle after his slip of the tongue and laugh along
tango with added tango
While it's obvious the acronym was entirely innocent and in no way designed to court controversy and gain media coverage the logo from the new 440ml cans of Tango orange drink has courted controversy and gained media coverage.
If you have wandered in here via the miracle of google then other tango related images can be found here and here on this blog.
trademark issues
A few days ago I was extolling the virtues of Over The Top's Icarian:Kindred Spirits. Today news surfaced that due to trademark issues (for all you non-gamers the trademark in question is for a game called Kid Icarus) the title will be renamed NyxQuest:Kindred Spirits which, to quote kotaku
This new awkward name might damage sales which is a shame because it is a very good game. OTT have already changed the domain name and rebranded their site for the game.doesn't exactly roll off the tongue
new laws for mps
I am once again indebted to bEnEdiCt for pointing out that another new law being proposed covers the same ground as existing legislation. Harriet Harman, outlining plans for the government's attempt to be seen to be doing something about the scandal that erupted over MPs expense claims, has proposed 3 new offences - knowingly providing false or misleading information in allowance claims, failing to comply with the rules on registration of interests and breaching the rules which ban paid advocacy. The penalty for the first will be up to 12 months in jail and an unlimited fine, the other two carry up to a £5000 fine only.
Having a quick hunt around I found this definition from the Audit Commission.
Having a quick hunt around I found this definition from the Audit Commission.
Fraud – “the intentional distortion of financial statements or other records by persons internalor external to the authority which is carried out to conceal the misappropriation of assets orotherwise for gain”.Legislation for fraud already exists, and the penalties are already in place
In addition, fraud can also be defined as“the intentional distortion of financial statements or other records by persons internal orexternal to the authority which is carried out to mislead or misrepresent”.
Corruption – “the offering, giving, soliciting or acceptance of an inducement or reward whichmay influence the action of any person”.
In addition, this strategy covers “the failure to disclose an interest in order to gain financial orother pecuniary gain.”
(3) A person who is guilty of fraud is liable—so I'm left scratching my head as to why we need more new legislation to be passed. Is this just another example of being seen to be taking action?
(a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12
months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum (or to both);
(b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding
10 years or to a fine (or to both).
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
56 stars the truth revealed
As I suggested when the story first came out the girl who had 56 stars tattooed on her face lied when she said that she had only asked for 3 stars.
Icarian:Kindred Spirits
As is often the case when I come to write about games I have a confession to make. I'm rather partial to well designed side on platformers. Oh I've dallied with the 3D and the psuedo 3D but my heart belongs to the side on platformer so when I saw a new wiiware title I thought I'd give it a go. I exchanged 1000 Wii Points for Icarian:Kindred Spirits and began playing.
The story line is your usual mortal falls in love with goddess which is forbidden but in an unexpected change of heart the senior deity allows the goddess to search for her missing beau when he disappears after a crisis affair. Graphically it is a scorched ancient desert replete with columns and pillars, amphorae and viaducts. The soundtrack is atmospheric and also conveys a feeling of Ancient Greece played as it is on instruments such as the harp, santur and duduk.
The game can be played either one player with wiimote and nunchuk or two player where the second player assists the first by taking over control of some of the powers that are accumulated during the levels. The first is the ability to grab and move some objects, the second is to control the paths of wind, I've not yet reached a third ability but I believe that it is some kind of lightning strike. You run, walk, jump and fly through the levels trying to avoid enemies and scenery while solving puzzles that will allow you to progress further. A couple of times I've kicked myself once I've spotted the choice of path (it always seems so obvious once you've solved the puzzle) but on the whole the seasoned gamer won't have too many difficulties in smoothly progressing between restart points.
The controls are good and responsive with a feel and style similar to Lostwinds, another excellent wiiware platform game. The learning curve is well balanced carefully introducing new elements of peril at a steady and manageable pace. The only exception to that has been the 'boss' areas that I've encountered where there is a sharp, but not unmanageable, rise in concentration required.
Spread across the game there are 100 bonus items hidden away for you to collect in devious and sometimes seemingly inaccessible spots. Collecting all of these should add some length to the game which, unfortunately is reported to be very short. Some people are claiming to have completed it in under 3 hours.
For what it is, a £7 wiiware title, I rate this game highly. All of the different components fall into place to give a worthwhile experience which and I will be sad once I've completed it.
Why not share your flights of fantasy on the Gameov3r Forum
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
amend the smoking ban
There is a new campaign to try to amend the smoking ban in pubs. Rather than calling to repeal the legislation the campaign is trying to get an amendment that will bring it in line with the way that the Spanish have implemented their restrictions. I've already written to my MP and I urge you to write to yours too. I'm hoping that you will be more elegant and eloquent with your letter .. .. .. ..
Dear Tim Loughton,
I have been reading today about the campaign to amend legislation to allow pubs, clubs, bars and restaurants that satisfy criteria to once again allow smoking inside their premises. I fully support such an idea and would hope that you will lend your support to the campaign when given the chance to do so.
Three years ago my local pub was a vibrant thriving community meeting place. Today it was a quiet, muted drinking hole.
Allowing Landlords to choose whether they wish to allow smoking, as is the situation in other European countries, would not automatically return us to the time before the smoking ban. Before the ban came into force Brighton Council had a policy that worked effectively whereby every bar had to advertise their smoking policy at every public entrance and I believe it was very effective. It would allow landlords, smokers and non-smokers a choice and might rekindle a greater sense of community than currently exists.
Yours sincerely,
captainff
This amendment will introduce choice for and hopefully prevent bars closing at an even faster rate than they already are. If you love pubs, or if you love fags, or if you love pubs and fags, or even if you hate pubs and fags I urge you to support the campaign for the amendment to help stem the flood of failing local informal community gathering places.
cat tip to Dick Puddlecoat.
brighton marathon 2010
Entry for the Brighton Marathon 2010 opened today. Taking place on 18 April 2010 the inaugural event will be limited to 12,000 entries with the aim of increasing that year on year providing it is successful. Full details can be found on their official site.
Knowing the city as I do can I suggest that you avoid it at all costs on that day if you are not directly involved? However cleverly the course is arranged on the streets it cuts off all of the major routes into and out of the city center. Maybe not the same level of chaos as when the London to Brighton bike ride show rolls in, but still enough to have the pollution levels rising as traffic jams bring the surrounding roads to a complete standstill.
kate garraway
Does anyone know where I can watch again todays output from GMTV? At around 8:30 mrsff came into the kitchen and told me of a piece they were running about a teenager who had had the dubious honour of being Britain's fattest teen. The girl has apparently lost 7 stone since starting a diet and as she walked onto the set for the interview Mrs Derek Draper said
"Sit down and take the weight off your feet"
Monday, June 22, 2009
second round results
John Bercow - 221
George Young - 174
Meerkat Beckett - 70
Alan Haselhurst - 57
Alan Beith - 46
Ann Widdicombe - 30
599 votes were cast
After that round of voting all but George Young and John Bercow have withdrawn leaving the final ballot as a two horse race.
George Young - 174
Meerkat Beckett - 70
Alan Haselhurst - 57
Alan Beith - 46
Ann Widdicombe - 30
599 votes were cast
After that round of voting all but George Young and John Bercow have withdrawn leaving the final ballot as a two horse race.
first round results
John Bercow - 179
George Young - 112
Meerkat Beckett - 74
Alan Haselhurst - 66
Alan Beith - 55
Ann Widdicombe - 44
Patrick Cormack - 26
Parmjit Dhanda - 15
Richard Shepherd - 13
Michael Lord - 9
Votes cast - 594
Spoiled Ballots - 1 (John Mann claims it was him)
The bottom four candidates have withdrawn from the contest and another round of voting is due to begin.
George Young - 112
Meerkat Beckett - 74
Alan Haselhurst - 66
Alan Beith - 55
Ann Widdicombe - 44
Patrick Cormack - 26
Parmjit Dhanda - 15
Richard Shepherd - 13
Michael Lord - 9
Votes cast - 594
Spoiled Ballots - 1 (John Mann claims it was him)
The bottom four candidates have withdrawn from the contest and another round of voting is due to begin.
Meerkat Beckett
The majority may compare Margaret Beckett to a horse but I see her, especially when she does that 'tilting her head to one side' thing, as more of a meerkat. Either way she is looking ever more likely to be the new speaker of the house.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
charity muggers
As I was rushing through town yesterday there were a number of charity collectors, standing in strategic positions, shaking their collection tins at the passers-by. Each was armed with a roll of stickers to reward donors for their generosity should they decide to donate. Without exception they were above retirement age, or looked decidedly old for their chronological age, and they cheerfully engaged anyone who directly approached them while not actually approaching anyone. They were collecting for the NSPCC (which receives a wad of taxpayers cash from the government but, IMO, below the threshold for qualification of a fakecharity).
Compare that to the chuggers (charity muggers). Chuggers almost never carry a collection tin. Stickers? No chance. The preferred tool of the chuggers is the clipboard / pen combination. They will undoubtedly have a bib top over their smart casual (cool) attire with the logo of the charity they are supporting today echoed on the back of their clipboard. They will approach anyone and everyone in an attempt to get them to sign a direct debit pledge to today's charity. Tomorrow they will be encouraging people to sign for another charity in another town nearby.*
Ridding yourself of a chugger can be a tiresome and difficult task because they are motivated. If you ignore them or say no as you pass they may well let rip with a sarcasm laden "thank you", letting all around you know that you are not caring enough for their cause. There is a solution. Listen to their spiel for a while and then innocently ask them this question
They absolutely hate that. They'll start trying to tell you that they get more money for the charity than they cost but don't let them do it. Stop them and ask them how they sleep at night knowing that they are stealing money from [insert beneficiaries of the charity here]. This is most effective when the charity is for child cancer sufferers. If you have the time follow them around and tell every person they approach that they are stealing money from child cancer sufferers. Press the issue until they reach breaking point**. Let them lose their temper with you or get help from other chuggers. Waste as much of their time as you can because usually it costs them money if they aren't signing people up and if they aren't making money they won't come back.
* I've noticed a rise in numbers of the Doorstep Chugger, a relatively unknown subspecies of Chugger whose plumage is usually a suit but is still grasping the clipboard and wearing the bib. Similar techniques maybe used when dealing with this variety of chugger as you would employ against the more common town center chugger.
** Female Chuggers tend to cry when breaking point is reached.
Compare that to the chuggers (charity muggers). Chuggers almost never carry a collection tin. Stickers? No chance. The preferred tool of the chuggers is the clipboard / pen combination. They will undoubtedly have a bib top over their smart casual (cool) attire with the logo of the charity they are supporting today echoed on the back of their clipboard. They will approach anyone and everyone in an attempt to get them to sign a direct debit pledge to today's charity. Tomorrow they will be encouraging people to sign for another charity in another town nearby.*
Ridding yourself of a chugger can be a tiresome and difficult task because they are motivated. If you ignore them or say no as you pass they may well let rip with a sarcasm laden "thank you", letting all around you know that you are not caring enough for their cause. There is a solution. Listen to their spiel for a while and then innocently ask them this question
Are you being paid by the hour or by the signup?
They absolutely hate that. They'll start trying to tell you that they get more money for the charity than they cost but don't let them do it. Stop them and ask them how they sleep at night knowing that they are stealing money from [insert beneficiaries of the charity here]. This is most effective when the charity is for child cancer sufferers. If you have the time follow them around and tell every person they approach that they are stealing money from child cancer sufferers. Press the issue until they reach breaking point**. Let them lose their temper with you or get help from other chuggers. Waste as much of their time as you can because usually it costs them money if they aren't signing people up and if they aren't making money they won't come back.
* I've noticed a rise in numbers of the Doorstep Chugger, a relatively unknown subspecies of Chugger whose plumage is usually a suit but is still grasping the clipboard and wearing the bib. Similar techniques maybe used when dealing with this variety of chugger as you would employ against the more common town center chugger.
** Female Chuggers tend to cry when breaking point is reached.
Jonah 1:4-8
Gordon Brown is to be interviewed for Songs of Praise for an episode to be screened at a later date focusing on the theme 'courage' according to the Telegraph. If anyone knows the editorial staff of the show can I suggest this passage gets slipped in?
It won't be Gordon's first time on SoP. Back in 1998, while Chancellor, he appeared as the chairman of the memorial fund for Diana, Princess of Wales.
4 Then the LORD sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up.linky
5 All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship.But Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep.
6 The captain went to him and said, "How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god! Maybe he will take notice of us, and we will not perish."
7 Then the sailors said to each other, "Come, let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this calamity." They cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah.
8 So they asked him, "Tell us, who is responsible for making all this trouble for us? What do you do? Where do you come from? What is your country? From what people are you?"
It won't be Gordon's first time on SoP. Back in 1998, while Chancellor, he appeared as the chairman of the memorial fund for Diana, Princess of Wales.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
UKCP 09
I've been having a look at the climate change predictions released this week by UKCP09 (funded by Defra) and the thing that strikes me is this. They are predicting hotter summers and winters with more precipitation which is pretty much how people who know both Canada and England describe the Canadian weather. The ex-pats that I know living in Canada are overjoyed at the long hot summers and then the hard cold of winter with the snow and the winter sports that it brings.
How would that be a bad thing for the UK?
How would that be a bad thing for the UK?
i before e except after c
According to section 1:106 of the latest national strategy [pdf] from the department for children, schools and families
The i before e except after c rule is not worth teaching. It applies only to words in which the ie or ei stands for a clear /ee/ sound .. .. .. it is easier to learn the specific words: receive, conceive, deceive (+ the related words receipt,conceit,deceit)How appropriate to the current MPs expenses situation that we should be encouraging school children to learn receipt, conceit and deceive while at the same time trying to prevent the passing of a simple mnemonic tool to aid spelling.
gordon brown is winning
Yes you read that correctly, I think that Gordon Brown is winning.
Let me explain .. .. .. ..
Like many I've watched PMQs for the last few weeks waiting for CMD to land the killer blow, finish off Gordon, and force a general election but he never does either because he won't or he can't. I've listened to the language used in the exchanges between the two and then observed how that translates to the media coverage and Gordon is most definitely setting the agenda for the language of the debate. The phrase "Tory cuts, Labour investment" is the one that sticks in the mind. CMD never denies that there will need to be spending cuts but instead spends his time trying to goad Gordon into a position where he has to admit that there will be 'real terms' cuts under Labour too. The whole debate over who will cut money from the budget and how much that cut will be is all argued from the perspective that cuts are bad which is a Labour Party device through and through. We've been through 12 years of Gordon running the country's finances and 12 years of borrow now pay later ideology and where has that got us? I'm not sure of the latest figures but somewhere close to £1 trillion in debt. Gordon's solution is to borrow and spend more money.
What if I think that cuts to Government are a good thing? What if I think that the scope and cost of the State are too large and need to be reduced? Why does increased spending have to equal better value?
I'm convinced that the public could be persuaded to demand cuts from the budget if the language used were subtly different. CMD promised to streamline Parliament by reducing the number of MPs. It was a good start, even though the reduction in numbers fell short of my own personal preference, but it needs to continue. Properly explaining the cost of any new legislation before it is passed, in depth and detail, should make people think twice about whether it is really necessary. Disband most QUANGOS. Stop funding charities (if a charity can't survive by public donation alone then in my eyes it's a fakecharity.)
All the while that cuts are seen as bad and spending is seen as good then we will never reduce the size of Government and never reduce the tax burden on us the people of this country that Government is supposed to serve.
The reason that cuts are viewed as bad is because Gordon is winning.
Let me explain .. .. .. ..
Like many I've watched PMQs for the last few weeks waiting for CMD to land the killer blow, finish off Gordon, and force a general election but he never does either because he won't or he can't. I've listened to the language used in the exchanges between the two and then observed how that translates to the media coverage and Gordon is most definitely setting the agenda for the language of the debate. The phrase "Tory cuts, Labour investment" is the one that sticks in the mind. CMD never denies that there will need to be spending cuts but instead spends his time trying to goad Gordon into a position where he has to admit that there will be 'real terms' cuts under Labour too. The whole debate over who will cut money from the budget and how much that cut will be is all argued from the perspective that cuts are bad which is a Labour Party device through and through. We've been through 12 years of Gordon running the country's finances and 12 years of borrow now pay later ideology and where has that got us? I'm not sure of the latest figures but somewhere close to £1 trillion in debt. Gordon's solution is to borrow and spend more money.
What if I think that cuts to Government are a good thing? What if I think that the scope and cost of the State are too large and need to be reduced? Why does increased spending have to equal better value?
I'm convinced that the public could be persuaded to demand cuts from the budget if the language used were subtly different. CMD promised to streamline Parliament by reducing the number of MPs. It was a good start, even though the reduction in numbers fell short of my own personal preference, but it needs to continue. Properly explaining the cost of any new legislation before it is passed, in depth and detail, should make people think twice about whether it is really necessary. Disband most QUANGOS. Stop funding charities (if a charity can't survive by public donation alone then in my eyes it's a fakecharity.)
All the while that cuts are seen as bad and spending is seen as good then we will never reduce the size of Government and never reduce the tax burden on us the people of this country that Government is supposed to serve.
The reason that cuts are viewed as bad is because Gordon is winning.
Friday, June 19, 2009
schools too safe
The BBC (funded by the taxpayer) is carrying a story about the results of survey by TeachersTV (funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families) where 585 of their viewers completed a questionnaire. The results, questions and findings are not shown on the TeachersTV site anywhere that I can find them and no other news source is reporting this story as yet.
Is this a scoop for the BBC or a case of the Government trying to generate news stories to deflect anger from other things like, for example, the expenses row?
Is this a scoop for the BBC or a case of the Government trying to generate news stories to deflect anger from other things like, for example, the expenses row?
protective goggles are dangerous!
It would seem that devices deigned to protect the soft tissues of the eyes are likely to cause injury, according to this document [.doc] or [HTML] from the British Association of Advisers and Lecturers in Physical Education (BAALPE). It says
So there you have it.
Cat tip (well someone has to mow the lawn) to Nanny Knows Best
"Head teachers should inform parents/carers that goggles can be a hazard and cause permanent eye injury."
"In these rare instances where the use of goggles may be allowed the adult responsible for the group should have the prerogative to require the pupil to remove them for reasons of safety if the pupil constantly adjusts or removes and replaces the goggles. "
So there you have it.
Cat tip (well someone has to mow the lawn) to Nanny Knows Best
trawling the expense claims of tim loughton
It would be rude not to have a look at the expense claims of an MP, however much has been hidden by black marker (nothing to hide if you've got nothing to fear, remember?), so Tim seemed an obvious choice. As Shadow Minister for Children His ACA claims are, on the whole, fairly boring but his IEP claims are a little more interesting.
For example, some time between 01/04/06 and 30/04/06 he purchased a Brother fax machine for £334.88 and some time between 01/07/06 and 31/07/06 an all in one printer/scanner/fax was purchased for £309.32. How many fax machines does one man need?
Also in July 06 as part of a digital camera purchase from Jessops was a UV filter which is used by photographers to give specific effects in their shots. Is that necessary for an MP to do their job correctly?
In May 2004 a Sat Nav was purchased for £326.66, then in 2006 a Garmin Sat Nav for £349.99 (expensive even by 2006 standards).
Along with numerous amounts whose description is hidden away under a mass of black ink there are regular claims of £100, changing to £150, per month for "petty cash", subscriptions to The Times and The Telegraph (various throughout the time covered, TaxCalc software for £24.95, a cafetiere for £8.99, a £20 first aid kit from Halfords, £180 for Chatham House (independent thinking on international affairs) membership, the list goes on.
I must remember to file a raft of similar claims when filling out my tax return this year.
HAHAHA: I've just read this from the BBC where Tim is unhappy at the suggestion that he used the expense claims to stock up on "boy's toys". Still Tim .. .. .. two satnavs in as many years?
For example, some time between 01/04/06 and 30/04/06 he purchased a Brother fax machine for £334.88 and some time between 01/07/06 and 31/07/06 an all in one printer/scanner/fax was purchased for £309.32. How many fax machines does one man need?
Also in July 06 as part of a digital camera purchase from Jessops was a UV filter which is used by photographers to give specific effects in their shots. Is that necessary for an MP to do their job correctly?
In May 2004 a Sat Nav was purchased for £326.66, then in 2006 a Garmin Sat Nav for £349.99 (expensive even by 2006 standards).
Along with numerous amounts whose description is hidden away under a mass of black ink there are regular claims of £100, changing to £150, per month for "petty cash", subscriptions to The Times and The Telegraph (various throughout the time covered, TaxCalc software for £24.95, a cafetiere for £8.99, a £20 first aid kit from Halfords, £180 for Chatham House (independent thinking on international affairs) membership, the list goes on.
I must remember to file a raft of similar claims when filling out my tax return this year.
HAHAHA: I've just read this from the BBC where Tim is unhappy at the suggestion that he used the expense claims to stock up on "boy's toys". Still Tim .. .. .. two satnavs in as many years?
youth unemployment
With the figures suggesting that youth unemployment (ages 18-24) is already at 16% and rising the new Secretary of State for Work and Pensions was invited onto the Radio 5 show hosted by Victoria Derbyshire to talk about, among other things, the way that the Government would tackle this problem. Her suggested solution was that from January 2010 the Government would guarantee a job for any young person who had been unemployed. I've recorded this short clip from the show.
Yvette says that because there aren't enough jobs for young people local councils can make up jobs and then pay staff out of the treasury budget.
£1 billion budget for made up public sector jobs. Vote Labour!
(actually don't vote for any of them as it just encourages them).
Yvette says that because there aren't enough jobs for young people local councils can make up jobs and then pay staff out of the treasury budget.
£1 billion budget for made up public sector jobs. Vote Labour!
(actually don't vote for any of them as it just encourages them).
Thursday, June 18, 2009
goodbye AM/FM
As part of the recommendations in the Digital Britain report (apart from the 50p per month tax levy on copper telephone lines) is the commitment to end analogue radio broadcasts by 2015.
Do you have a DAB radio already? I do and the reception is either great or shocking, with very little middle ground. Early adopters of vehicle based systems have complained many times that the on/off nature of the signal (how very digital!) and interruption of coverage by hills, trees etc have rendered them impractical. Frequently the programme I'm listening to will be replaced with silence as the signal strength drops unlike the pops and crackles of the analogue broadcasts.
As more transmitters come online the situation improves but I can't help comparing it to Freeview, the digital TV carrier, and how even now in 2009 there are still houses where reception is appalling, verging on non-existent, because of natural barriers like hills and valleys.
Will the next new tax be on television and radio equipment to pay for improving the transmitter network?
Do you have a DAB radio already? I do and the reception is either great or shocking, with very little middle ground. Early adopters of vehicle based systems have complained many times that the on/off nature of the signal (how very digital!) and interruption of coverage by hills, trees etc have rendered them impractical. Frequently the programme I'm listening to will be replaced with silence as the signal strength drops unlike the pops and crackles of the analogue broadcasts.
As more transmitters come online the situation improves but I can't help comparing it to Freeview, the digital TV carrier, and how even now in 2009 there are still houses where reception is appalling, verging on non-existent, because of natural barriers like hills and valleys.
Will the next new tax be on television and radio equipment to pay for improving the transmitter network?
expenses revealed today
With all of the trouble in Iran taking center stage you might not have noticed that MPs expense claims are to be published on the Parliament site later on this morning. Don't all rush at once to look or it will crash the servers .. .. ..
The next few days might be rather interesting. Treasury minister Kitty Ussher stood down last night on the eve of publication over allegations of 'flipping' and capital gains tax avoidance. Kitty was one of the MPs exposed by the Telegraph investigation earlier but chose to hang on until now. Curious.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
public information
With the closing of the Nightjack blog and yesterday's events removing his anonymity I thought I'd join the large number of other bloggers who are reposting this advice. Read carefully. One day you might need it.
A Survival Guide for Decent Folk
Paul has posted a number of lengthy replies on the “Modest Proposal" thread. In these days of us increasingly having to deal with law abiding folk who have fallen foul of the “entitled poor” and those who have learned how to use us to score points and exact revenge, I thought it would be a good idea to give out a bit of general guidance for those law abiding types who find themselves under suspicion or under arrest. It works for the bad guys so make it work for you.
Complain First Always get your complaint in first, even if it is you who started it and you who were in the wrong. If things have gone awry and you suspect the cops are going to be called, get your retaliation in first. Ring the cops right away and allege for all you are worth. If you can work a racist or homophobic slant into it so much the better.
Make a counter allegation
Regardless of the facts, never let the other side be blameless. If they beat you to the phone, ring anyway and make a counter allegation against them. Again racism or homophobia are your friends. If you are not from a visible minority ethnic culture, may I suggest that that the phrase “You gay bastard” or similar is always useful. In extremis, allege sexual assault. It gives us something to bargain with when getting the other person to drop their complaint on a quid-pro-quo basis. This is particularly good where there are no independent witnesses. When it boils down to one word against another and nobody is ‘fessing up, CPS run a mile and you, my friend, are definitely on a walk out.
Never explain to the Police
If the Police arrive to lock you up, say nothing. You are a decent person and you may think that reasoning with the Police will help. “If I can only explain, they will realise it is all a horrible mistake and go away”. Wrong. We do want to talk to you on tape in an interview room but that comes later. All you are doing by trying to explain is digging yourself further in. We call that stuff a significant statement and we love it. Decent folk can’t help themselves, they think that they can talk their way out. Wrong.
Admit Nothing
To do anything more than lock you up for a few hours we need to prove a case. The easiest route to that is your admission. Without it, our case may be a lot weaker, maybe not enough to charge you with. In any case, it is always worth finding out exactly how damning the evidence is before you fall on your sword. So don’t do the decent and honourable thing and admit what you have done. Don’t even deny it or try to give your side of the story. Just say nothing. No confession and CPS are on the back foot already. They forsee a trial. They fear a trial. They are looking for any excuse to send you home free.
Keep your mouth shut
Say as little as possible to us. At the custody office desk a Sergeant will ask you some questions. It is safe to answer these. For the rest of the time, say nothing.
Claim Suicidal Thoughts
A debatable one this. Claiming to be thinking about topping yourself has several benefits. If you can keep it up, it might just bump up any compensation payable later. On the other hand you may find yourself in a paper suit with someone watching your every move.
Always always always have a solicitor
Duh. No brainer this one. Unless you know 100% for sure that your mate the solicitor does criminal law and is good at it, ask for the Duty Solicitor. They certainly do criminal law and they are good at it. Then listen to what the solicitor says and do it. Their job is to get you off without the Cops or CPS laying a glove on you if at all possible. It is what they get paid for. They are free to you. There is no down side. Now decent folks think it makes them look like they have something to hide if they ask for a solicitor. Irrelevant. Going into an interview without a solicitor is like taking a walk in Tottenham with a big gold Rolex. Bad things are very likely to happen to you. I wouldn’t do it and I interview people for a living.
Actively complain about every officer and everything they do
Did they cuff you when they brought you in? Were they rude to you? Did they racially or homophobically abuse you? Didn’t get fed? Cell too cold? You are decent folk who don’t want to make a fuss but trust me, it pays to whinge and no matter how trivial and / or poorly founded your complaint there are people who will uncritically listen to you and try and prove the complaint on your behalf. Some of them are even police officers. Nothing like a complaint to muddy the waters and suggest that you are only in court because the vindictive Cops have a grudge against you. Far fetched? Wait until your solicitor spins it in court and you come over as Ghandi.
Show no respect to the legal system or anybody working in it
You think that if you are a difficult, unpleasant, sneering, unco-operative and rude things will go badly for you and you will be in more trouble. No sirree Bob. It seems that in fact the worse you are, the easier things will go for you if, horror of horrors, you do end up convicted. Remember to fake a drink problem if you haven’t developed one as a result of dealing with us already. Magistrates and Judges do seem to like the idea that you are basically good but the naughty alcohol made you do it. They treat you better. Crazy I know but true.
So there you go, basically anything you try and do because you are decent and staightforward hurts you badly. Act like an habitual, professional, lifestyle criminal and chances are you will walk away relatively unscathed. Copy the bad guys, its what they do for a living.
A Survival Guide for Decent Folk
Paul has posted a number of lengthy replies on the “Modest Proposal" thread. In these days of us increasingly having to deal with law abiding folk who have fallen foul of the “entitled poor” and those who have learned how to use us to score points and exact revenge, I thought it would be a good idea to give out a bit of general guidance for those law abiding types who find themselves under suspicion or under arrest. It works for the bad guys so make it work for you.
Complain First Always get your complaint in first, even if it is you who started it and you who were in the wrong. If things have gone awry and you suspect the cops are going to be called, get your retaliation in first. Ring the cops right away and allege for all you are worth. If you can work a racist or homophobic slant into it so much the better.
Make a counter allegation
Regardless of the facts, never let the other side be blameless. If they beat you to the phone, ring anyway and make a counter allegation against them. Again racism or homophobia are your friends. If you are not from a visible minority ethnic culture, may I suggest that that the phrase “You gay bastard” or similar is always useful. In extremis, allege sexual assault. It gives us something to bargain with when getting the other person to drop their complaint on a quid-pro-quo basis. This is particularly good where there are no independent witnesses. When it boils down to one word against another and nobody is ‘fessing up, CPS run a mile and you, my friend, are definitely on a walk out.
Never explain to the Police
If the Police arrive to lock you up, say nothing. You are a decent person and you may think that reasoning with the Police will help. “If I can only explain, they will realise it is all a horrible mistake and go away”. Wrong. We do want to talk to you on tape in an interview room but that comes later. All you are doing by trying to explain is digging yourself further in. We call that stuff a significant statement and we love it. Decent folk can’t help themselves, they think that they can talk their way out. Wrong.
Admit Nothing
To do anything more than lock you up for a few hours we need to prove a case. The easiest route to that is your admission. Without it, our case may be a lot weaker, maybe not enough to charge you with. In any case, it is always worth finding out exactly how damning the evidence is before you fall on your sword. So don’t do the decent and honourable thing and admit what you have done. Don’t even deny it or try to give your side of the story. Just say nothing. No confession and CPS are on the back foot already. They forsee a trial. They fear a trial. They are looking for any excuse to send you home free.
Keep your mouth shut
Say as little as possible to us. At the custody office desk a Sergeant will ask you some questions. It is safe to answer these. For the rest of the time, say nothing.
Claim Suicidal Thoughts
A debatable one this. Claiming to be thinking about topping yourself has several benefits. If you can keep it up, it might just bump up any compensation payable later. On the other hand you may find yourself in a paper suit with someone watching your every move.
Always always always have a solicitor
Duh. No brainer this one. Unless you know 100% for sure that your mate the solicitor does criminal law and is good at it, ask for the Duty Solicitor. They certainly do criminal law and they are good at it. Then listen to what the solicitor says and do it. Their job is to get you off without the Cops or CPS laying a glove on you if at all possible. It is what they get paid for. They are free to you. There is no down side. Now decent folks think it makes them look like they have something to hide if they ask for a solicitor. Irrelevant. Going into an interview without a solicitor is like taking a walk in Tottenham with a big gold Rolex. Bad things are very likely to happen to you. I wouldn’t do it and I interview people for a living.
Actively complain about every officer and everything they do
Did they cuff you when they brought you in? Were they rude to you? Did they racially or homophobically abuse you? Didn’t get fed? Cell too cold? You are decent folk who don’t want to make a fuss but trust me, it pays to whinge and no matter how trivial and / or poorly founded your complaint there are people who will uncritically listen to you and try and prove the complaint on your behalf. Some of them are even police officers. Nothing like a complaint to muddy the waters and suggest that you are only in court because the vindictive Cops have a grudge against you. Far fetched? Wait until your solicitor spins it in court and you come over as Ghandi.
Show no respect to the legal system or anybody working in it
You think that if you are a difficult, unpleasant, sneering, unco-operative and rude things will go badly for you and you will be in more trouble. No sirree Bob. It seems that in fact the worse you are, the easier things will go for you if, horror of horrors, you do end up convicted. Remember to fake a drink problem if you haven’t developed one as a result of dealing with us already. Magistrates and Judges do seem to like the idea that you are basically good but the naughty alcohol made you do it. They treat you better. Crazy I know but true.
So there you go, basically anything you try and do because you are decent and staightforward hurts you badly. Act like an habitual, professional, lifestyle criminal and chances are you will walk away relatively unscathed. Copy the bad guys, its what they do for a living.
model b
A short piece on Fox News about a patent application rejected by the German authorities from a Saudi inventor
The basic model would consist of a tiny GPS transceiver placed in a capsule and inserted under a person's skin, so that authorities could track him easily.As the patent was rejected does that mean that anyone can copy this idea now?
Model B would have an extra function — a dose of cyanide to remotely kill the wearer without muss or fuss if authorities deemed he'd become a public threat.
The inventor said the chip could be used to track terrorists, criminals, fugitives, illegal immigrants, political dissidents, domestic servants and foreigners overstaying their visas.
56 stars
Apparently she fell asleep after the first one and only woke up when the tattooist got to her nose and the other 54 stars didn't hurt enough to wake her. In the court papers she claims to have asked for only 3 stars.
I'm suffering from a large dose of "I don't believe you" young lady, a very large dose. If you were intoxicated, inebriated, or somehow under the influence then I can perhaps believe you passed out, a different situation to falling asleep, and not have a clear recollection of the artwork you requested but asleep? No.
immigration: a short tale
Back in the early Nineties, in one of the jobs I had, I worked with an immigrant who was a couple of years younger than me. His family had fled to England during the Eighties as their father faced persecution and execution for his political beliefs. He was one of the most driven, dedicated, pleasant, friendly, gentle, well spoken, nicest people I've met. Unfortunately I lost touch with him when we both changed jobs but I did bump into him a few years later after he had completed his law degree and was working as a commercial lawyer. His father had been an architect in his home country and when he arrived in England we offered him? A life on benefits even though he had been responsible for building, among other things, dams, hospitals, roads and bridges. It goes part of the way to explaining why his son was so driven to achieve.
Why bring this up now? A rant about immigration? No. A rant about how we treat skilled immigrants? No.
The reason is this. With all of the furore raging about the result of the election in Iran I thought I'd make the point that Mir Hossein Mousavi, seemingly the peoples choice for president, was the Prime Minister of Iran at the time when that family fled in fear of their lives.
Be careful what you wish for, it might not turn out the way you think it will.
Why bring this up now? A rant about immigration? No. A rant about how we treat skilled immigrants? No.
The reason is this. With all of the furore raging about the result of the election in Iran I thought I'd make the point that Mir Hossein Mousavi, seemingly the peoples choice for president, was the Prime Minister of Iran at the time when that family fled in fear of their lives.
Be careful what you wish for, it might not turn out the way you think it will.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
new labour : new tax hikes
The Digital Britain Report[pdf] was released today and I've been skimming through the Executive Summary. Point 30 reads
The BBC's Working Lunch screened an item earlier today that said the number of households that don't have a landline is 1:10 and rising (iPlayer, about 4:40 into the programme). Will this extra tax have the unintended consequence of pushing that figure higher still?
In a speech earlier today Gorgon Brown said
So there you have it; New Taxes from New Labour so that we can "lead the world" by starting what other countries already began over 2 years ago.
* Share as in "have removed from your pocket with the threat of prison if you don't agree"
** The price of telecomms services is dropping, reducing the amount of VAT levied, and New Labour wants a larger cut.
The Government believes the fairest and most efficient means of ensuring that the overwhelming majority of the country has access to next generation broadband is to share* some of that saving** and create an independent Next Generation Fund, based on a supplement of 50 pence per month on all fixed copper lines.
The BBC's Working Lunch screened an item earlier today that said the number of households that don't have a landline is 1:10 and rising (iPlayer, about 4:40 into the programme). Will this extra tax have the unintended consequence of pushing that figure higher still?
In a speech earlier today Gorgon Brown said
"Britain is going to lead the world. This is us taking the next step into the future to being the digital capital of the world. It is making sure no family or business misses out,"As far back as 2007 France had broadband capable of the 50Mb/s proposed and Japan already had 100Mb/s. Lead the world or play catch up?
So there you have it; New Taxes from New Labour so that we can "lead the world" by starting what other countries already began over 2 years ago.
* Share as in "have removed from your pocket with the threat of prison if you don't agree"
** The price of telecomms services is dropping, reducing the amount of VAT levied, and New Labour wants a larger cut.
mikado lu
A very clever and funny advert for biscuit sticks coated in chocolate but are they any good? We saw them while out for a wander today and impulse purchased them. They look tempting in the packet and there is a pleasantly large number of sticks included.
But that unfortunately is where the positives end for me. The biscuit used is a thinner version of the Kraft 'dunkers' and is relatively bland, the chocolate coating is thin and eating one left me feeling very unsatisfied. I won't be buying them again.
Tortoise Brown
Inspiration garnered via Dick Puddlecoat
While stitching up the hand of a 75 year old Devon farmer, who had cut it on a gate, the rural doctor struck up a conversation with the old man. Eventually the topic got around to Gordon Brown and his appointment as Prime Minister.
“Well, you know,” drawled the old farmer, “this Brown fellow is what they call a fencepost tortoise.”
Not being familiar with the term, the doctor asked him what a fencepost tortoise was.
The old farmer said, “When you’re driving along a country road and you come across a fence post with a tortoise balanced on top, that’s called a fencepost tortoise.”
The old farmer saw a puzzled look on the doctor’s face, so he continued to explain, “You know he didn’t get up there by himself, he definitely doesn’t belong up there, he doesn’t know what to do while he is up there, and you just have to wonder what kind of idiot put him up there in the first place.”
Postman Patrician
I've been trawling wikipedia, reading about the new Home Secretary. Postman, Marxist aligned with the ideology of the Communist Party of Great Britain, General Secretary of the Communications Workers Union and then Member of the NEC before getting elected to Parliament in 1997.
Minister for Higher Education (having left school at 15), Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Secretary of State for Productivity, Energy and Industry, Secretary of State for Education and Skills, Secretary of State for Health and now the Home Secretary, all of those Ministerial posts coming in the last 10 years. One has to ask why he can't seem to find a job that suits his talents or is there another reason that he moves so frequently?
Unlike his predecessor Alan seems to me to be more media aware so there may not be any more "people are coming up to me asking when they can have an ID card" moments but will he have such a hardline Authoritarian attitude? His CV suggests that he may well do.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
The Axe Trick
(Only available to UK viewers as it is a BBC video.)
Found this over on the blog of the creator of, among other things, The Wrong Door Mr Ben Wheatley who promises in the comments that no actors were killed during the filming of this sketch.
Found this over on the blog of the creator of, among other things, The Wrong Door Mr Ben Wheatley who promises in the comments that no actors were killed during the filming of this sketch.
future history
With the scale of anger in Iran over the re-election of the incumbent president and the coverage it has received my thoughts turned to how a similar result in the UK general election might be covered by the world's media. The ever more desperate attempts by the Labour Party to cling to power are almost daily reducing the freedoms of the people who live in this country. We may look at what has happened in Iran and say that it could never happen here .. .. ..
bento #54
If, like me, you are amazed by the creative talents that are to be found in less conventional places then you could do worse than looking at Annathered's site. I'm constantly amazed by not only the inspiration but also the ability to achieve the vision of gaming related lunches.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
T3 Motion
Sussex Police are planning to use a new vehicle to patrol Gatwick airport according to the BBC. The T3 motion is a battery powered trike that has a top speed of 25mph and is not legal for use on roads in the UK.
The previous vehicle they announced that caused a stir was this one that has the driver also about 9 inches off the ground but has a top speed of around 150mph and is road legal in the UK. I've seen this in the metal while out driving (it wasn't chasing me ok?) and the photo does not do it justice. Even with the decals it is gorgeous to behold.
Which one would you ask for the keys to?
The previous vehicle they announced that caused a stir was this one that has the driver also about 9 inches off the ground but has a top speed of around 150mph and is road legal in the UK. I've seen this in the metal while out driving (it wasn't chasing me ok?) and the photo does not do it justice. Even with the decals it is gorgeous to behold.
Which one would you ask for the keys to?
Friday, June 12, 2009
equality harman style
11 Jun 09 Harriet Harman (from Hansard)
cat tip to Old Holborn
Can we do away with all of the black only, asian only, women only, homosexual only organisations at the same time please Harriet? Why not?Our immigration policy remains as it ever was: firm, fair and points-based. We have all been shocked and horrified by the fact that two great regions of this country—the North West and Yorkshire and Humberside—are represented by the British National party, which has in its constitution a provision that no one who is not white can be a member. Under the Equality Bill that is passing through the House, that constitution will be made unlawful. I know that the Opposition voted against the Equality Bill, but I hope that they will now strongly support the Bill, which will prevent us from having an apartheid political party in this country.
cat tip to Old Holborn
Thursday, June 11, 2009
peter hain - delusional
Determined to support Gorgon Brown whatever the cost. Apparently Gorgon rescued the world economy at the G20 summit in London.
16,000 and rising
I'm gobsmacked at the response to the Downfall parody that I uploaded to youtube on Monday. Already it's had over 16,000 views which is something of a surprise to me. I knew I could persuade a few of my friends and maybe the visitors here to have a look but it seems to have caught the mood of a wider audience. Many blogs and forums have posted links to the video or have hosted it on their sites which dramatically boosted the number of viewers. To put the success in some kind of perspective my second highest viewed youtube video has had the grand total of 800 views in 3 months.
Reading through the comments left around the internet I notice a few recurrent themes in the reactions.
There are those who are tired of this meme, who have seen better versions. To those people I apologise.
There are those, from all sides of the political spectrum, who think that it has a pro BNP message. It doesn't.
There are those who have found comedy in some of the lines I wrote. The favourites seem to be "you backstabbing ringpiece" and also "Ed's cock still works". I'm glad I was able to put a smile on your faces with those flashes of comedy inspiration.
Reading through the comments left around the internet I notice a few recurrent themes in the reactions.
There are those who are tired of this meme, who have seen better versions. To those people I apologise.
There are those, from all sides of the political spectrum, who think that it has a pro BNP message. It doesn't.
There are those who have found comedy in some of the lines I wrote. The favourites seem to be "you backstabbing ringpiece" and also "Ed's cock still works". I'm glad I was able to put a smile on your faces with those flashes of comedy inspiration.
cleavage of the buttocks
The city council of Yakima, Washington, has amended their indecent exposure laws so that anyone in public wearing see-through apparel, a thong or a G-string could be prosecuted for a misdemeanor violation. The fines for women are set at up to 90 days in jail and a £750 fine, however if the person exposes themselves to a child under 14 it increases to up to a year in jail and £3,000 fine.
when planets collide
Jacques Laskar of the Paris Observatory brings shocking news that Earth and Mars might collide. If they do it would be "the end of the world", "totally devastating because the relative speed is very high - they go at 10km/s" according to the BBC coverage.
Scary stuff?
Not really because there is only a small chance of it happening 3 billion years in the future, in fact there is apparently a 99% chance that the planets will not collide before the sun is predicted to expand and engulf them all anyway.
It begs the question as to where he gets the funding for this important and relevant research?
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
tube strike
This evening High Maintenance Girl was supposed to be heading off to Camden to see her brother's band perform live. As the Tubes are not working because of the strike by the RMT union she's now not going.
This evening England play Andorra in a world cup qualifier at Wembley Stadium and the predictions are that many of the seats will be empty as people can't easily get to the game. The FA estimates the cost of lost revenue at around £1 million.
In 2012 London is hosting the Olympic Games.
Here's a very NSFW song to keep you amused while you try to get home.
This evening England play Andorra in a world cup qualifier at Wembley Stadium and the predictions are that many of the seats will be empty as people can't easily get to the game. The FA estimates the cost of lost revenue at around £1 million.
In 2012 London is hosting the Olympic Games.
Here's a very NSFW song to keep you amused while you try to get home.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
you can sleep safely, Gordon is reforming
Unfortunately he's not planning to listen to the electorate or his party. Oh no, he's planning to reform the voting system. After losing control of every local council last week and also managing to lose five seats in the European Parliament Gordon has decided that the way the voting system works needs to be changed. The encouragingly named Democratic Renewal Council, discouragingly only a collection of ministers, is investigating the possibility of moving away from the first past the post system to the AV system. This move is in no way connected to the outlook of electoral destruction of the Labour Party in the next twelve months. Absolutely not.
The BBC has been briefed already with the news that Gordon
will say there would have to be a referendum before any change could be made to the voting system.but then again at the last general election there was a manifesto pledge to have a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. I might be horribly cynical but I can't help thinking that if a government wants to reform the voting system it should do so immediately after winning an election, rather than while it is grasping at straws trying to retain power in any way it can.
euro millions
£5million to spout their race hatred: Taxpayers will fund BNP after EU breakthrough says the Daily Mail today and goes on to list the wages, allowances and benefits that the two MEPs-elect can claim.
On that basis, £2.6 million for each MEP spread over five years, that means that the 25 Conservative MEPs will cost the taxpayer a total of £65 million, the 13 Labour MEPs £33.8 million, 13 UKIP MEPs £33.8 million, 12 Lib Dem MEPs £31.2 million.
Part of the fury is about the allowances the party can claim which the Mail cites as being £36,755 for political expenditure, around £110,798 in administrative support and £183,776 a year in staff and office allowances.
How much money do the Labour, Conservative, UKIP, Greens and Lib Dem parties claim? I've yet to see one of them getting angry about their party payouts from the EU. Like Leg-iron I have no time for the policies of the BNP or, for that matter, for most of the rhetoric from any of the political parties. I just find the whole situation one of 'pot' and 'kettle'.
Using taxpayers money to support political parties is wrong whatever their manifesto.
at the casino
Is it just me or did the latest images from number 10 make the cabinet meeting look like a scene from a casino with a bunch of addicted gamblers putting everything they own (and all the promissory notes they can extract from us) on the roulette table?
on choosing a username
Many years ago, when I had my first full time job, my line manager decided one day that he would rename all of the staff based around characters from Viz. Somehow I ended up being attributed with the name of a character that appeared in two brief frames of a one off strip in issue 38; not a pleasant character, or name, either but one who would gain a kind of cult status over the intervening years as new people heard about it and disbelieved its existence.
And it stuck.
Fast forward a large handful of years to, with the arrival of the first Wii in our home, a stable broadband connection to the interweb. Having lived with a pre V90 dial up modem for a number of years the transformation was astounding. The removal of the 5 minute wait for each page to load allowed me to virtually interact with other like minded people across this exciting digital medium. Signing up to the first of many forums I needed to pick a username and password and there was no deliberation or hesitation when I filled out that first box. The choice was simple as it had been made for me many years ago. And so it came to pass that my online persona, captainff, was unleashed on an unsuspecting world.
I've been asked many times what the 'ff' stands for. I've often had difficulty explaining because many online spaces have strict filters that prevent me from typing it out in full. Sometimes a picture can say a thousand words so it's probably best just to show you.
So now you know.
And it stuck.
Fast forward a large handful of years to, with the arrival of the first Wii in our home, a stable broadband connection to the interweb. Having lived with a pre V90 dial up modem for a number of years the transformation was astounding. The removal of the 5 minute wait for each page to load allowed me to virtually interact with other like minded people across this exciting digital medium. Signing up to the first of many forums I needed to pick a username and password and there was no deliberation or hesitation when I filled out that first box. The choice was simple as it had been made for me many years ago. And so it came to pass that my online persona, captainff, was unleashed on an unsuspecting world.
I've been asked many times what the 'ff' stands for. I've often had difficulty explaining because many online spaces have strict filters that prevent me from typing it out in full. Sometimes a picture can say a thousand words so it's probably best just to show you.
So now you know.
Monday, June 8, 2009
one eyed loonatic
No not that one the other one.
You can tell the two of them apart .. .. erm .. .. ..
That's it!
One of them gained seats from the other at the Euro Elections.
cat tip (someone has to mow the lawn) to Prodicus for pointing it out. And G.O.T for the image inspiration
You can tell the two of them apart .. .. erm .. .. ..
One of them gained seats from the other at the Euro Elections.
cat tip (someone has to mow the lawn) to Prodicus for pointing it out. And G.O.T for the image inspiration
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Saturday, June 6, 2009
as I was going to St Ives
As I was going to St Ives
I met a man with seven wives
Each wife had seven sacks
Each sack had seven cats
Each cat had seven kits
Kits, cats, sacks, wives
How many voted Monster Raving Looney Party in St Ives?
If you need help with the answer then click here
I met a man with seven wives
Each wife had seven sacks
Each sack had seven cats
Each cat had seven kits
Kits, cats, sacks, wives
How many voted Monster Raving Looney Party in St Ives?
If you need help with the answer then click here
how old do you have to be?
I'm waiting for confirmation but I've heard that the friend of one of my employees was sent a polling card.
Wow! A polling card that would have allowed him to vote?
Big deal!
He's only 17
Wow! A polling card that would have allowed him to vote?
Big deal!
He's only 17
Gordon Brown and the expense claims
The Telegraph is piling the pressure on Gordon Brown tonight with the allegation that he has had, on more than one occasion, irregularities with his expense claims.
another spoiled ballot paper
With all of the intrigue and expectation surrounding the ongoing cabinet rejiggle the act of despoiling ballot papers from the Euro election may now seem less significant. However I was chuffed to bits when The Gasman, one of my ex-employees, came in to see me tonight brandishing his mobile phone. He bluetoothed me the photo he'd taken of his spoiled ballot with a glint in his eye.
As work was rather busy we had little chance for a decent conversation although I managed to pass on this result that obnoxio found. Interesting times indeed.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Ian Gibson resigns
A few moments ago I asked who would be next? While Dr Gibson is not a cabinet member his action of standing down as an MP will force a by-election and put even more pressure on Gordon Brown.
At a press conference in Norwich this afternoon he said
At a press conference in Norwich this afternoon he said
“Following Tuesday's meeting with the panel set up by the National Executive Committee of The Labour Party, and the upholding of their recommendations by the Organisation Committee, I wish to make the following statement:
“It has been my great honour to have served the people of Norwich North as their MP since 1997. I am proud to have voted with the government on the introduction of Tax Credits, Pension Credits and the Minimum Wage etc, but equally proud to have voted against invading Iraq, ID Cards, renewing Trident missiles and the charging of University Top-Up Fees.
“I wish to publicly thank the hundreds of people who sent me messages of support. The decision of the NEC leaves me today bowed but not broken. However, I believe that my position as an MP between now and the next election is untenable. And after discussions with my family, colleagues, party members and my admirable staff, I have decided to tender my resignation as an MP with immediate effect and I expect it to be accepted.”
Smith, Blears, Purnell, Hutton, Hoon. Who's next?
Purnell made it 3 ministers in 3 days, Hutton 4 in 4, Hoon 5 in 4 days to resign or stand down as a minister. Darling refuses to be reshuffled.
Surely mummylonglegs will get her orgasm sooner rather than later?
Update 6:30pm It seems that the answer has already been supplied .. .. Flint and McNulty!
Surely mummylonglegs will get her orgasm sooner rather than later?
Update 6:30pm It seems that the answer has already been supplied .. .. Flint and McNulty!
regret
I'm not entirely sure why you would want to upload those bizarre texts that seem appropriate to send while you are under the influence but the morning after a little less so. But people do upload them for your pleasure and amusement. Among the gems are
(301): Is it 'vaginas' or 'vaginae?'. Either way there were a shit ton of them.
(925): tell ils to like buy her flowers and like a balloon that says, sorry I tried to fuck your sister. I think hallmark makes some of those cards too.
cat-tip (well someone has to mow the lawn) to Funktards
Thursday, June 4, 2009
the latest resignation in full
Dear Gordon,
We both love the Labour Party. I have worked for it for 20 years and you for far longer. We know we owe it everything and it owes us nothing.
I owe it to our party to say what I believe no matter how hard that may be. I now believe your continued leadership makes a Conservative victory more, not less likely.
That would be disastrous for our country. This moment calls for stronger regulation, an active state, better public services, an open democracy.
It calls for a government that measures itself by how it treats the poorest in society.
Those are our values, not David Cameron's.
We therefore owe it to our country to give it a real choice. We need to show that we are prepared to fight to be a credible government and have the courage to offer an alternative future.
I am therefore calling on you to stand aside to give our party a fighting chance of winning. As such I am resigning from government.
The party was here long before us, and we want it to be here long after we have gone. We must do the right thing by it.
I am not seeking the leadership, nor acting with anyone else. My actions are my own considered view, nothing more.
If the consensus is that you should continue, then I will support the government loyally from the backbenches. But I do believe that this question now needs to be put.
Thank you for giving me the privilege of serving.
Yours,
Rt Hon James Purnell MP
We both love the Labour Party. I have worked for it for 20 years and you for far longer. We know we owe it everything and it owes us nothing.
I owe it to our party to say what I believe no matter how hard that may be. I now believe your continued leadership makes a Conservative victory more, not less likely.
That would be disastrous for our country. This moment calls for stronger regulation, an active state, better public services, an open democracy.
It calls for a government that measures itself by how it treats the poorest in society.
Those are our values, not David Cameron's.
We therefore owe it to our country to give it a real choice. We need to show that we are prepared to fight to be a credible government and have the courage to offer an alternative future.
I am therefore calling on you to stand aside to give our party a fighting chance of winning. As such I am resigning from government.
The party was here long before us, and we want it to be here long after we have gone. We must do the right thing by it.
I am not seeking the leadership, nor acting with anyone else. My actions are my own considered view, nothing more.
If the consensus is that you should continue, then I will support the government loyally from the backbenches. But I do believe that this question now needs to be put.
Thank you for giving me the privilege of serving.
Yours,
Rt Hon James Purnell MP
bad for democracy
A couple of times tonight on Question Time the idea that if minority parties, especially the BNP, are elected as part of a protest vote then this will be bad for Democracy.
Help me here will you?
People vote, the candidate who gets the most votes wins, democracy as we have practiced it for many years.
Why is it that voting for a party outside of the main three parties is bad for democracy?
Help me here will you?
People vote, the candidate who gets the most votes wins, democracy as we have practiced it for many years.
Why is it that voting for a party outside of the main three parties is bad for democracy?
thoughts on the process of voting
I've just returned from spoiling my ballot paper. You may or may not agree with that course of action but it is the one that I choose. I have a few thoughts about the process of casting a vote and they aren't positive.
The polling station for my ward was in a school and two classrooms had been set aside for the day. Entering the room allocated to my code the layout was not one that engendered privacy. Eight triangular shelves, separated by screens, were laid out back to back with their most open side pointing towards the two pairs of voting officers that sat at a desk on either side of the room. I showed my poll card to one of the officers who then confirmed my name and wrote my polling number next to the corresponding ballot number on a sheet of paper. I took my ballot, not quite as long as the 3 feet of the London paper, and waited for a free booth. It was at this point that I realised that the paper could not rest entirely on the shelf in one unfolded piece.
Having successfully, but not hugely creatively, spoiled my ballot I folded it, placed it in the assigned box, then ignored the Tory teller on my way out.
I remember as a child accompanying my mother when she went to vote and indeed my early recollections of the system are also similar. Voting took place in a school hall. The booths were square and had a curtain that could, if you desired, be pulled across for an extra feeling of privacy. The officers overseeing the ballot were a lot further away from the booths too. If anyone can track down the 1983 LP "The Stun" by Jasper Carrott and listen to the track Virgin Voter it will confirm some of this.
By tracking who has which ballot paper it could be possible to track how each of us voted. By reducing the privacy of the moment when we actually cast our vote we are discouraging people from having their voice by increasing the feeling that we are being watched and judged on who we vote for. I have no fear of sharing my voting choices with the world; others are far more careful of revealing who they supported.
Among all of the electoral reforms that are needed right now it is my opinion that the need to make the voting process secret should be of the highest priority. We need to remove the recorded link between each voter and the vote they cast (while still maintaining a record of who actually cast a vote), we need to return to larger, more secure booths, and we need to have more space between the officers and the voters. In that way more people may well be tempted to take part in the process.
UPDATE: If you've come to the blog looking for 'Virgin Voters' come back at ten past midnight on Thursday 6th May. ;o)
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