Wednesday, May 30, 2007
UK "University News"
(1) According to Khaleej Times (and elsewhere including BBC) teaching staff at various universities and colleges in Britain oppose the government order to report the activities of Muslim students who could be suspected of Islamic radicalism.
The Department for Education and Skills has asked higher education staff to report about "suspects" in the classes as a means to stem terrorism on campuses.
AND ALSO (from BBC)
(2) Academics have backed calls for a wide-ranging debate on a boycott of Israeli academic institutions.
If a boycott was to be agreed upon it might mean UCU members being urged not to attend conferences at Israeli universities or submit articles to their journals, it was said.
IMO: I think anyone who has crossed a picket line will know what these bums mean by "urged".
As a member of the general public I would see it essential to report where appropriate to the appropriate Police or authorities any serious attempt, by ANY creed or religion to breach the peace. Whether they would find it worthwhile to take notice or not could be another matter.
On the basis of the two extremes above we could end up with a universal screening process which may already preventing very many serious persons from conducting their work as they might wish. Two obvious cases in the past are David Bohm and Abdus Salam To those who like me who knew them, further comment is possibly not necessary.
IMO: At one of my favorite websites here, the most important celebrity is certainly not seriously breaching the peace although if he were informed he would doubtless be saddened by the mindless wholesale slaughter by the Blairite Government..
The Department for Education and Skills has asked higher education staff to report about "suspects" in the classes as a means to stem terrorism on campuses.
AND ALSO (from BBC)
(2) Academics have backed calls for a wide-ranging debate on a boycott of Israeli academic institutions.
If a boycott was to be agreed upon it might mean UCU members being urged not to attend conferences at Israeli universities or submit articles to their journals, it was said.
IMO: I think anyone who has crossed a picket line will know what these bums mean by "urged".
As a member of the general public I would see it essential to report where appropriate to the appropriate Police or authorities any serious attempt, by ANY creed or religion to breach the peace. Whether they would find it worthwhile to take notice or not could be another matter.
On the basis of the two extremes above we could end up with a universal screening process which may already preventing very many serious persons from conducting their work as they might wish. Two obvious cases in the past are David Bohm and Abdus Salam To those who like me who knew them, further comment is possibly not necessary.
IMO: At one of my favorite websites here, the most important celebrity is certainly not seriously breaching the peace although if he were informed he would doubtless be saddened by the mindless wholesale slaughter by the Blairite Government..
Man eats corgi dog as protest.
He said:
"I am doing this to raise awareness about the RSPCA's inability to prosecute Prince Philip and his friends shooting a fox earlier this year, letting it struggle for life for five minutes and then beating it to death with a stick."
It seems that the RSPCA were unable to find enough evidence of cruelty to prosecute but 'they would, wouldn't they'..
The queen has owned more than 30 corgis during her reign, which started in 1952, and currently owns four - Pharos, Swift, Emma and Linnet.
IMO: It seems to me that the Royal Family, if they want to remain as some kind of worthwhile emblem for this country, need to have more effort spent on projecting a wholesome image. Blood sports are a rather childish and inhumane activity and should be avoided by them. There are plenty of chances for genuine risk, sport and indeed heroism and the Royal family are hardly part of these, and by now would not be believed if they were. We only need to look at the rather left handed involvement of the younger Princes in the Armed Services and cannot help detecting a whiff of craven cowardice (all round) there.
"I am doing this to raise awareness about the RSPCA's inability to prosecute Prince Philip and his friends shooting a fox earlier this year, letting it struggle for life for five minutes and then beating it to death with a stick."
It seems that the RSPCA were unable to find enough evidence of cruelty to prosecute but 'they would, wouldn't they'..
The queen has owned more than 30 corgis during her reign, which started in 1952, and currently owns four - Pharos, Swift, Emma and Linnet.
IMO: It seems to me that the Royal Family, if they want to remain as some kind of worthwhile emblem for this country, need to have more effort spent on projecting a wholesome image. Blood sports are a rather childish and inhumane activity and should be avoided by them. There are plenty of chances for genuine risk, sport and indeed heroism and the Royal family are hardly part of these, and by now would not be believed if they were. We only need to look at the rather left handed involvement of the younger Princes in the Armed Services and cannot help detecting a whiff of craven cowardice (all round) there.
Robert Bruce Zoellick
Robert Bruce Zoellick is the latest US recommendation for leader of the World Trade Bank, after their last appointee was allegedly sacked for being too currupt and too partisan towards George Bush.
Here is what wiki say, with references, FWIW.
"Tom Barry, the policy director of the International Relations Center, has written that Zoellick "regards philosophy and free trade agreements as instruments of U.S. national interests.
Gavan McCormack has written that Zoellick used his perch as U.S. trade representative to advocate for Wall Street's policy goals abroad.
Zoellick was one of the first of those now associated with Bush's foreign policy to invoke the notion of "evil." "
And according to Forbes "some global health and environment groups expressed concerns over Zoellick as the next bank chief"
Actually the above abbreviated summary of his position and track record of Bush's latest nominee is of course by no means complete but omits some of the bluster of other summaries. It suggests he may be just the sort of guy an American wants to be on the board of Goldman Sachs - but the World Bank ??
I do not know but a current rumour (and of course after Bush's 'surefire rumours' about Iraq we know we cannot totally rely on rumour) says "Podhoretz: Bush to Bomb Iran Before Leaving Office". It sounds to me that George Bush should be forcibly placed in a lunatic asylum if that his actual intent, not putting forward potential World Bank candidates.
IMO: Is this sort of activity by the US really going to do USA any good, let alone anyone else ?
Here is what wiki say, with references, FWIW.
"Tom Barry, the policy director of the International Relations Center, has written that Zoellick "regards philosophy and free trade agreements as instruments of U.S. national interests.
Gavan McCormack has written that Zoellick used his perch as U.S. trade representative to advocate for Wall Street's policy goals abroad.
Zoellick was one of the first of those now associated with Bush's foreign policy to invoke the notion of "evil." "
And according to Forbes "some global health and environment groups expressed concerns over Zoellick as the next bank chief"
Actually the above abbreviated summary of his position and track record of Bush's latest nominee is of course by no means complete but omits some of the bluster of other summaries. It suggests he may be just the sort of guy an American wants to be on the board of Goldman Sachs - but the World Bank ??
I do not know but a current rumour (and of course after Bush's 'surefire rumours' about Iraq we know we cannot totally rely on rumour) says "Podhoretz: Bush to Bomb Iran Before Leaving Office". It sounds to me that George Bush should be forcibly placed in a lunatic asylum if that his actual intent, not putting forward potential World Bank candidates.
IMO: Is this sort of activity by the US really going to do USA any good, let alone anyone else ?
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Daimler-Chrysler
Q: How do you pronounce Daimler-Chrysler in German ?
A: Daimler. The "Chrysler" is silent.
So - Are the Americans selling off the family silver ? I think I've heard that kind of talk before, in the U.K. - and they say it never rains in California. Herbert Hoover, where are you now ?
A: Daimler. The "Chrysler" is silent.
So - Are the Americans selling off the family silver ? I think I've heard that kind of talk before, in the U.K. - and they say it never rains in California. Herbert Hoover, where are you now ?
Virar to Borivili track quadrupling
Hopefully, all will be done by 30th June - as planned.
Most of the work was done at Borivali, Mira road and Bhayander stations by the end of the Megablock.
But as of yet, the new tracks haven't been laid. The sleepers, the concrete blocks that are the foundation of the tracks, have been laid at Mira Road station though the rails are missing. No workers were to be seen all day [29th May] from Virar to Borivali.
Dinesh Chorghe, Station Manager at Mira road said, "New tracks will only be laid in the month of June. For now, the necessary work has been done."
Sources said that the signal work that has to be completed requires time. It is the job of perfection which cannot be totalled without the passage of time.
Souces also said that the laying of tracks is one of the minor things as the railway government now has the machinery to lay the tracks. "Not much man power is required since the machines actually place the rails on the right place and the fitting is done," said Dhananjay Gajbhiye, one of the workers at the Bhayander station.
The residents of North Mumbai will have to face the problems for some more days or may be till the end of June.
Several parts of Mumbai and its suburbs today [29th May] experienced pre-monsoon showers. The weather bureau said in Mumbai that more localised showers are expected in the next 24 hours and that the monsoon is expected to hit the city in a week's time.
The south-west monsoon which hit Kerala yesterday has already progressed further today into coastal Karnataka up to Karwar and interior parts of Karnataka and some parts of Tamil Nadu.
I hope that the track quadrupling may not be affected unduly.
At any rate I hope we will get a good monsoon this year, with plenty of rain at the right time and in the right places. This for example may prevent vegetable prices from rising and ensure plentiful fresh water for all.
Most of the work was done at Borivali, Mira road and Bhayander stations by the end of the Megablock.
But as of yet, the new tracks haven't been laid. The sleepers, the concrete blocks that are the foundation of the tracks, have been laid at Mira Road station though the rails are missing. No workers were to be seen all day [29th May] from Virar to Borivali.
Dinesh Chorghe, Station Manager at Mira road said, "New tracks will only be laid in the month of June. For now, the necessary work has been done."
Sources said that the signal work that has to be completed requires time. It is the job of perfection which cannot be totalled without the passage of time.
Souces also said that the laying of tracks is one of the minor things as the railway government now has the machinery to lay the tracks. "Not much man power is required since the machines actually place the rails on the right place and the fitting is done," said Dhananjay Gajbhiye, one of the workers at the Bhayander station.
The residents of North Mumbai will have to face the problems for some more days or may be till the end of June.
Several parts of Mumbai and its suburbs today [29th May] experienced pre-monsoon showers. The weather bureau said in Mumbai that more localised showers are expected in the next 24 hours and that the monsoon is expected to hit the city in a week's time.
The south-west monsoon which hit Kerala yesterday has already progressed further today into coastal Karnataka up to Karwar and interior parts of Karnataka and some parts of Tamil Nadu.
I hope that the track quadrupling may not be affected unduly.
At any rate I hope we will get a good monsoon this year, with plenty of rain at the right time and in the right places. This for example may prevent vegetable prices from rising and ensure plentiful fresh water for all.
Monday, May 28, 2007
RCTV shutdown - free speech in Venezuela. AND why was "Mussolini" Brown so easily made UK PM ? - malaise in UK politics ?
There is still a limited amount of free speech in the UK. Many have real concern for the position of free speech in Venezuela and here are a few comments I noted.
Some comments in the media:
"Firstly, it [RCTV] is not being shut down. Chavez is not renewing the license for the use of the public airwaves.
They can still broadcast over cable, internet, and satellite.
Secondly, the poster failed to mention that RCTV openly supported and helped a coup of his government that was partially successful. Chavez did not shut it down immediately but allowed the contract to expire 5 years later.
He also allows other networks that are openly critical of him to continue, just not the ones that tell people to overthrow a democratically elected government.
It seems plausible that the US would do the same if ABC openly supported and helped enact a coup of the government."
It is important to notice that much limited RCTV broadcasting is still possible for the station, which may however suffer a loss of a few jobs, and so those who lose their jobs and some rich US supporters may be one source of the 'popular' complaints at what is after all, apparently just the refusal of a lucrative new franchise to a bunch of moguls by a mildly socialist Government. But is the present state of affairs likely to continue - i.e. will limited broadcasts still be allowed ? And indeed, should they be, if the station really does spread lying incitement to violence as some quite seriously claim.
In the UK the Tories are complaining that Channel 4 should ban some apparently rather harmless and boring old program about Princess Diana's death as ' It might upset Prince Harry'.
I am beginning to wonder if the British politicians and Press are living in the real world - or are they all being bribed by rich idiots ? "Private Eye" frequently seems to claim both very often and also that, especially when in power, they make a lot of money through both "foreign orders"and bribes.
IMO: We are beginning to see what looks like the end of democracy. Some would say for example - why did "Mussolini" Brown get elected so easily as PM ?. Private Eye have one answer by 'Ratbiter' on page 7 of No 1185 for 8th June ..... But that just looks like one very clear symptom of a horrible malaise throughout UK politics.
Some comments in the media:
"Firstly, it [RCTV] is not being shut down. Chavez is not renewing the license for the use of the public airwaves.
They can still broadcast over cable, internet, and satellite.
Secondly, the poster failed to mention that RCTV openly supported and helped a coup of his government that was partially successful. Chavez did not shut it down immediately but allowed the contract to expire 5 years later.
He also allows other networks that are openly critical of him to continue, just not the ones that tell people to overthrow a democratically elected government.
It seems plausible that the US would do the same if ABC openly supported and helped enact a coup of the government."
It is important to notice that much limited RCTV broadcasting is still possible for the station, which may however suffer a loss of a few jobs, and so those who lose their jobs and some rich US supporters may be one source of the 'popular' complaints at what is after all, apparently just the refusal of a lucrative new franchise to a bunch of moguls by a mildly socialist Government. But is the present state of affairs likely to continue - i.e. will limited broadcasts still be allowed ? And indeed, should they be, if the station really does spread lying incitement to violence as some quite seriously claim.
In the UK the Tories are complaining that Channel 4 should ban some apparently rather harmless and boring old program about Princess Diana's death as ' It might upset Prince Harry'.
I am beginning to wonder if the British politicians and Press are living in the real world - or are they all being bribed by rich idiots ? "Private Eye" frequently seems to claim both very often and also that, especially when in power, they make a lot of money through both "foreign orders"and bribes.
IMO: We are beginning to see what looks like the end of democracy. Some would say for example - why did "Mussolini" Brown get elected so easily as PM ?. Private Eye have one answer by 'Ratbiter' on page 7 of No 1185 for 8th June ..... But that just looks like one very clear symptom of a horrible malaise throughout UK politics.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Too old for networking? - Social networking is crap
In a BBC article by Rory Cellan-Jones: To put it succinctly he says (very roughly speaking) social networking is crap.
IMO: This is more or less true in my experience also, but blogs are great. Social networking also brings with it a lot of spam, thousands upon countless thousands of emails which by any standards are total rubbish.
This is a blog, and it needs no friends other than God and to prove it I will again refer to an important webcam
IMO: This is more or less true in my experience also, but blogs are great. Social networking also brings with it a lot of spam, thousands upon countless thousands of emails which by any standards are total rubbish.
This is a blog, and it needs no friends other than God and to prove it I will again refer to an important webcam
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Stop and quiz powers considered in UK - perhaps a new manifestation of a UK Fascist Mussolini style state
The UK government is considering giving police officers across the UK "stop and question" powers under new anti-terror laws, says the Home Office. The proposal, allowing police to ask people about their identity and movement, is among measures being considered by Home Secretary John Reid.
Reid has already made a quick exit from his responsibilities towards organising part of the new (split) Home Office by resigning before the new system gives him any political sorrow. (Was the split a good idea ? I do not take the time to venture an opinion but am merely marvelling at Reid's high level of prudence with respect to his own career.)
IMO: Thank goodness Reid has at least not made up his own mind yet.
We hear the usual congrats from Toady's other cronies and regrets from the civil liberties people.
Tony McNulty (often said to be one of the least obnoxious of the 'cronies') told Mr Blair the new "stop and question" measures would be "very useful UK wide".
IMO: Yeah, It will make it really easy for the Police to arrest mental retards etc. and increase their personal conviction rates and so support the current faulty Labor ethos. The legislation also will allow the easy imprisonment without trial of children who throw slices of cucumber, at least if they do not answer police quizzing satisfactorarily. Bin Laden, quake in yer shoes !?
Jane Winter, director of British-Irish Rights Watch, told the Sunday Times the government was using "a sledgehammer to crack a nut".
IMO: And maybe persecute the innocent - parallels with Mussolini are mounting for "New Labor"'s state terror drive.
Director Shami Chakrabarti said: "This looks like political machismo, a legacy moment. Stopping and questioning anyone you like will backfire because people will be being criminalised."
IMO: Yes, another Blair legacy moment, like murder and torture. Still, at least a few more harmless people will be refused visas to USA so may miss further persecution over there.
OTOH a lot more can be said: Writing separately in the Daily Telegraph, Mr Blair said the disappearance of three suspects under control orders was a symptom of a society which put civil liberties before fighting terror.
IMO: He is admitting that his Potemkin like policies are going wrong and trying to introduce more Mussolini like measures of control to put his own mistakes right, and it probably won't work. Why does B.Liar not just quietly go away ? Perhaps he believes it will be "Apres moi, le deluge" - at least as far as even worse legislation by Gordon Brown is concerned.
Anyone who refuses to co-operate could be charged with obstructing the police and fined up to £5,000, according to the Sunday Times. So: More Gordy stealth taxes
Reid has already made a quick exit from his responsibilities towards organising part of the new (split) Home Office by resigning before the new system gives him any political sorrow. (Was the split a good idea ? I do not take the time to venture an opinion but am merely marvelling at Reid's high level of prudence with respect to his own career.)
IMO: Thank goodness Reid has at least not made up his own mind yet.
We hear the usual congrats from Toady's other cronies and regrets from the civil liberties people.
Tony McNulty (often said to be one of the least obnoxious of the 'cronies') told Mr Blair the new "stop and question" measures would be "very useful UK wide".
IMO: Yeah, It will make it really easy for the Police to arrest mental retards etc. and increase their personal conviction rates and so support the current faulty Labor ethos. The legislation also will allow the easy imprisonment without trial of children who throw slices of cucumber, at least if they do not answer police quizzing satisfactorarily. Bin Laden, quake in yer shoes !?
Jane Winter, director of British-Irish Rights Watch, told the Sunday Times the government was using "a sledgehammer to crack a nut".
IMO: And maybe persecute the innocent - parallels with Mussolini are mounting for "New Labor"'s state terror drive.
Director Shami Chakrabarti said: "This looks like political machismo, a legacy moment. Stopping and questioning anyone you like will backfire because people will be being criminalised."
IMO: Yes, another Blair legacy moment, like murder and torture. Still, at least a few more harmless people will be refused visas to USA so may miss further persecution over there.
OTOH a lot more can be said: Writing separately in the Daily Telegraph, Mr Blair said the disappearance of three suspects under control orders was a symptom of a society which put civil liberties before fighting terror.
IMO: He is admitting that his Potemkin like policies are going wrong and trying to introduce more Mussolini like measures of control to put his own mistakes right, and it probably won't work. Why does B.Liar not just quietly go away ? Perhaps he believes it will be "Apres moi, le deluge" - at least as far as even worse legislation by Gordon Brown is concerned.
Anyone who refuses to co-operate could be charged with obstructing the police and fined up to £5,000, according to the Sunday Times. So: More Gordy stealth taxes
Friday, May 25, 2007
TODAY IS THE BIG DAY - TRACK LAYING STARTS
Yes, at 11pm today they lay the new tracks between Borivili and Virar!
The work will hopefully be completed by 6 am May 28 and there will be two new tracks between Borivili and Virar.
Congratulations to WR, authorities and staff, for this work !!
We trust completion may have positive repercussions for ordinary passengers, mail and freght alike !
Some say the megablocks could be avoided but at any rate it is important that this work should be well over before the monsoon.
[Sat 26th May: Yes, quadrupling is proceeding today Sat 26th May! WR say "This will be the last mega block on this sector and all train services are likely to resume at 6 am on Monday morning after 55 hours of work on the tracks. The entire quadrupling track work is costing Rs five crore and the deadline for completion of the project is June 30." Terrific ! Congrats again !]
[Sun 27th May: Still doing well - Mega block: 180 trains cancelled, but commuters don’t mind In fact, the railway authorities came in for praise for their meticulous planning as only 180 out of 1,042 trains were cancelled on Day 1].
[Mon 28 May: Megablock completed - Three Cheers !!!: the work on quadrupling the tracks will continue and would be completed by June 30 -- and lets hope the monsoon does not disturb completion]
The work will hopefully be completed by 6 am May 28 and there will be two new tracks between Borivili and Virar.
Congratulations to WR, authorities and staff, for this work !!
We trust completion may have positive repercussions for ordinary passengers, mail and freght alike !
Some say the megablocks could be avoided but at any rate it is important that this work should be well over before the monsoon.
[Sat 26th May: Yes, quadrupling is proceeding today Sat 26th May! WR say "This will be the last mega block on this sector and all train services are likely to resume at 6 am on Monday morning after 55 hours of work on the tracks. The entire quadrupling track work is costing Rs five crore and the deadline for completion of the project is June 30." Terrific ! Congrats again !]
[Sun 27th May: Still doing well - Mega block: 180 trains cancelled, but commuters don’t mind In fact, the railway authorities came in for praise for their meticulous planning as only 180 out of 1,042 trains were cancelled on Day 1].
[Mon 28 May: Megablock completed - Three Cheers !!!: the work on quadrupling the tracks will continue and would be completed by June 30 -- and lets hope the monsoon does not disturb completion]
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Lethal haul near Ayodhya - Maya smells plot to fuel communal strife
Thursday, May 24 : Uttar Pradesh stumbled from serial blasts to a cache of explosives powerful enough to blow up “half the temples in Ayodhya”. The explosives were found at Faizabad railway station today, a day after the tiffin-box blasts in Gorakhpur.
About 10 kg of explosives and 20 litres of ammonium nitrate, which makes a deadly mix in combination with kerosene or diesel, were seized by police from the second-class waiting room on platform 1 of Faizabad station.
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayavati and rainbow (Dalit/ST/ SC /Muslim/Brahmin etc.) coalition leader pinned the blame on political rivals. “There appears to be a big conspiracy behind the Gorakhpur blasts.... The Samajwadi Party and the BJP are frustrated (by the poll defeat) and want to disturb communal amity,” she said. “If they try any tricks, they will be thwarted.”
About 10 kg of explosives and 20 litres of ammonium nitrate, which makes a deadly mix in combination with kerosene or diesel, were seized by police from the second-class waiting room on platform 1 of Faizabad station.
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayavati and rainbow (Dalit/ST/ SC /Muslim/Brahmin etc.) coalition leader pinned the blame on political rivals. “There appears to be a big conspiracy behind the Gorakhpur blasts.... The Samajwadi Party and the BJP are frustrated (by the poll defeat) and want to disturb communal amity,” she said. “If they try any tricks, they will be thwarted.”
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Litvinenko (2)
Due to Blair's poodle like submission to George Bush earlier, it looks as if Lugovoy, if sent to UK for the reasons referred to in the earlier blog, could then be referred to Guantanimo Bay for torture without trial or at the very least, get the fate of the NatWest Three.
There is, of course, also the possibility nowadays anywhere in Western Europe of 'extraordinary rendition', but that remains another matter. On that matter maybe we could find ourselves back with some kind of clandestine 'Checkpoint Charlie' situation of the kind which to some must have been nearly a daily occurrence in West Berlin, with strange furtive movements in cars and gunshots on both sides. That is documented elsewhere. I am not aware of those things being quite as bad as they were.
Now these sorts of alternatives can hardly be considered acceptable, on the face of it, for any Russian citizen. There is, of course, the possibility of a subsequent UK PM putting right Blair's earlier poodle ways.
IMO: Gordon Brown may or may not decide rectify some of Blair's alleged errors re extradition or whatever to the US. A change in that position might change the cards on the table importantly both for Lugovoy (most unfavorably) and Western Europe (mildly favorably).
There is, of course, also the possibility nowadays anywhere in Western Europe of 'extraordinary rendition', but that remains another matter. On that matter maybe we could find ourselves back with some kind of clandestine 'Checkpoint Charlie' situation of the kind which to some must have been nearly a daily occurrence in West Berlin, with strange furtive movements in cars and gunshots on both sides. That is documented elsewhere. I am not aware of those things being quite as bad as they were.
Now these sorts of alternatives can hardly be considered acceptable, on the face of it, for any Russian citizen. There is, of course, the possibility of a subsequent UK PM putting right Blair's earlier poodle ways.
IMO: Gordon Brown may or may not decide rectify some of Blair's alleged errors re extradition or whatever to the US. A change in that position might change the cards on the table importantly both for Lugovoy (most unfavorably) and Western Europe (mildly favorably).
Put on your tinfoil topi, UK experts may urge
Medical experts say that Wifi radiation may harm kids and this has been played down by spin in the UK as Gordon Brown is bringing in the $$$s for sanctioning its use. Or with the flop of the greenback, should that now be IRupeeIRupeeIRupees ? (though I have to admit that does not seem to look so well in print).
Loads of URLs on the web, just GoogleNews (wifi radiation) or read the BBC articles, say.
3% of people are believed electrosensitive and tests apparently show they can actually detect wifi radiation in the amounts normally emitted. I have a research interest in synaesthesia and can see links could exist, but I know of no proven results to date.
It is reasonable that wifi radiation could be dangerous and that fact may be pinpointed if these sensitives can be successfully tested further, There ae also numerous important philosophical and neurological implications. Certainly there is a lot we do not yet know about the brain.
In Switzerland, Italy, Russia and China, for example, I believe that high intensity WiFi as in the UK is forbidden.
Sir William Stewart, chairman of the Health Protection Agency, has called for a review of the health risks of wireless technology after an investigation into its effects on children.
IMO: I do not use WiFi at home for a variety of reasons, the above being one of them.
Loads of URLs on the web, just GoogleNews (wifi radiation) or read the BBC articles, say.
3% of people are believed electrosensitive and tests apparently show they can actually detect wifi radiation in the amounts normally emitted. I have a research interest in synaesthesia and can see links could exist, but I know of no proven results to date.
It is reasonable that wifi radiation could be dangerous and that fact may be pinpointed if these sensitives can be successfully tested further, There ae also numerous important philosophical and neurological implications. Certainly there is a lot we do not yet know about the brain.
In Switzerland, Italy, Russia and China, for example, I believe that high intensity WiFi as in the UK is forbidden.
Sir William Stewart, chairman of the Health Protection Agency, has called for a review of the health risks of wireless technology after an investigation into its effects on children.
IMO: I do not use WiFi at home for a variety of reasons, the above being one of them.
Russia will not turn over suspect in Litvinenko poisoning
"In accordance with Russian law, citizens of Russia cannot be turned over to foreign states," according to the the Russian prosecutor-general's office.
However Yuri Sharandin, chairman of the constitutional legislation committee of the Federation Council, the upper house of parliament, said it was possible for Russia to extradite its citizens, but that it also could refuse such requests. Sharandin said on Ekho Moskvy radio that the matter would come under the European Convention on Extradition, to which both Russia and Britain are signatories.
"Murder is murder, this is a very serious case," Blair's spokesman said. Too right, but who ever took any notice of Toady ?
IMO: I would say that on the face of it Russia sounds very reasonable in not kowtowing immediately to the Brits desires and I contrast that behaviour to the Brits kowtowing to George Bush and extraditing anyone he facies to Gitmo etc. However there are serious issues on all sides of the matter, and I spelled out some of this in an earlier blog entry. One clear matter I mentioned involves the possibility of Georgia eventually joing the EU. I hope that any diplomatic issues can be resolved in a way satisfactory to all parties, though knowing Europe that seems unlikely.
However Yuri Sharandin, chairman of the constitutional legislation committee of the Federation Council, the upper house of parliament, said it was possible for Russia to extradite its citizens, but that it also could refuse such requests. Sharandin said on Ekho Moskvy radio that the matter would come under the European Convention on Extradition, to which both Russia and Britain are signatories.
"Murder is murder, this is a very serious case," Blair's spokesman said. Too right, but who ever took any notice of Toady ?
IMO: I would say that on the face of it Russia sounds very reasonable in not kowtowing immediately to the Brits desires and I contrast that behaviour to the Brits kowtowing to George Bush and extraditing anyone he facies to Gitmo etc. However there are serious issues on all sides of the matter, and I spelled out some of this in an earlier blog entry. One clear matter I mentioned involves the possibility of Georgia eventually joing the EU. I hope that any diplomatic issues can be resolved in a way satisfactory to all parties, though knowing Europe that seems unlikely.
Monday, May 21, 2007
When Aziz was 'stared down' by Condi Rice - fascinating Rice biography to appear shortly
Aziz is said to have tried to charm Dr. Rice on her first trip to Pakistan in 2005, and alleged 'brothel madam' Rice simply "stared him down".
IMO: Aziz will never make it as a pimp - Paki women do not count. But as for Bush....Hmm.
"Rice's friends insisted the attraction to Bush was platonic, but Brenda Hamberry-Green, her Palo Alto hairdresser, who had spent years commiserating with Rice over how hard it was for successful black women to find a good man, noticed a change when Rice started working for Bush. "He fills that need," Hamberry-Green decided. "Bush is her feed." "
Advance details and book extracts here
IMO: Aziz will never make it as a pimp - Paki women do not count. But as for Bush....Hmm.
"Rice's friends insisted the attraction to Bush was platonic, but Brenda Hamberry-Green, her Palo Alto hairdresser, who had spent years commiserating with Rice over how hard it was for successful black women to find a good man, noticed a change when Rice started working for Bush. "He fills that need," Hamberry-Green decided. "Bush is her feed." "
Advance details and book extracts here
Mammals have the power to regenerate - an exciting prospect
Mammals have the power to switch on dormant genes capable of regenerating cells, according to new research reported in Nature.
This idea has been toyed with a lot in the last year or two. In this study, researchers at Penn U. Medicine School found that wound healing in a mouse model created an “embryonic window” of opportunity. Dormant embryonic molecular pathways were awakened, sending stem cells to the area of injury. Unexpectedly, the regenerated hair follicles originated from non-hair-follicle stem cells.
IMO: The baldies may be able to enthuse! I have quite a lot of hair, not as much as David Chalmers perhaps (but who does ?), so it means little to me. But the idea of wound healing and body regeneration really sounds good, and hopefully in the medium term body regeneration will not be curtailed, often ineffectively, to the George Bests of this world.
This idea has been toyed with a lot in the last year or two. In this study, researchers at Penn U. Medicine School found that wound healing in a mouse model created an “embryonic window” of opportunity. Dormant embryonic molecular pathways were awakened, sending stem cells to the area of injury. Unexpectedly, the regenerated hair follicles originated from non-hair-follicle stem cells.
IMO: The baldies may be able to enthuse! I have quite a lot of hair, not as much as David Chalmers perhaps (but who does ?), so it means little to me. But the idea of wound healing and body regeneration really sounds good, and hopefully in the medium term body regeneration will not be curtailed, often ineffectively, to the George Bests of this world.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
20 hurt in fresh violence at Singur
May 20: At least 20 persons were injured in fresh clashes between police and villagers protesting against proposed Tata Motors car factory here on Sunday.
Around 200 farmers gathered at the factory site in Singur demanding their acquired land back.
The project has been mired in trouble with some farmers who say the government took their land against their will. The government claims that it has compensated most of the farmers.
There have been regular protests in West Bengal this year over the acquisition of agriculture land for industry.
SEZs have been a real flash point for many places such as Alibag near Mumbai, where many say that such a venture is needless. One cannot avoid seeing a high level of arrogance by the authorities over some of these cases, which in itself can brew trouble and foment violence.
On the face of it, it already looks like fascist diplomacy, a sort of Mussolini type Government/Business 'Private Finance Initiative' so both Government and Big Business can try to solve their problems at the expense of the poor, in this case presenting in return the Potemkin Village of motor cars, the '1 lakh car'. The relevance to the whole world with such cars ? Well, it may be that the end result is rather like building nuclear power stations without writing eventual essential closure costs into the sums. In short the world will certainly have to pay through the nose for these cars. But exactly who and exactly how ? Best to know real environmental costs of these projects in advance. Nowadays effect on the environment of such cars is extremely large. And the local workers do not seem happy either. So both the world and the local poor are really filling the coffers of greedy tycoons and their running dogs, the latter apparently being for the moment the Indian Government, deeply preoccupied already with other matters such as caste and religion, which in fact had been half way solved by Mahatma Gandhi, some would say completely solved in principle.
Perhaps fascist corporate/state tactics were (relatively) innocent enough in the early 20th Century, but we are living in the 21st Century now, with environment and overcrowding and all the other problems of the 21st Century. We cannot nowadays afford to be simply greedy capitalists or altruistic socialists as we choose. Those halcyon days are long gone.
IMO: I am already unwillingly beginning to find myself with a dossier of the adverse effects of such PFI methods already in the UK and how they seemingly bolster a Government's budget there in a basically unsound way. Not, I fear, a possible prelude to the likely end of socialism but to the possible end of the capitalist system and this time there may not be a Herbert Hoover around to pick up the pieces. I don't like it.
Around 200 farmers gathered at the factory site in Singur demanding their acquired land back.
The project has been mired in trouble with some farmers who say the government took their land against their will. The government claims that it has compensated most of the farmers.
There have been regular protests in West Bengal this year over the acquisition of agriculture land for industry.
SEZs have been a real flash point for many places such as Alibag near Mumbai, where many say that such a venture is needless. One cannot avoid seeing a high level of arrogance by the authorities over some of these cases, which in itself can brew trouble and foment violence.
On the face of it, it already looks like fascist diplomacy, a sort of Mussolini type Government/Business 'Private Finance Initiative' so both Government and Big Business can try to solve their problems at the expense of the poor, in this case presenting in return the Potemkin Village of motor cars, the '1 lakh car'. The relevance to the whole world with such cars ? Well, it may be that the end result is rather like building nuclear power stations without writing eventual essential closure costs into the sums. In short the world will certainly have to pay through the nose for these cars. But exactly who and exactly how ? Best to know real environmental costs of these projects in advance. Nowadays effect on the environment of such cars is extremely large. And the local workers do not seem happy either. So both the world and the local poor are really filling the coffers of greedy tycoons and their running dogs, the latter apparently being for the moment the Indian Government, deeply preoccupied already with other matters such as caste and religion, which in fact had been half way solved by Mahatma Gandhi, some would say completely solved in principle.
Perhaps fascist corporate/state tactics were (relatively) innocent enough in the early 20th Century, but we are living in the 21st Century now, with environment and overcrowding and all the other problems of the 21st Century. We cannot nowadays afford to be simply greedy capitalists or altruistic socialists as we choose. Those halcyon days are long gone.
IMO: I am already unwillingly beginning to find myself with a dossier of the adverse effects of such PFI methods already in the UK and how they seemingly bolster a Government's budget there in a basically unsound way. Not, I fear, a possible prelude to the likely end of socialism but to the possible end of the capitalist system and this time there may not be a Herbert Hoover around to pick up the pieces. I don't like it.
At last ! New train tracks between Borivili and Virar
Mumbai, May 7: Commuters beware. The last weekend of this month will be of severe hardship as over 280 local trains on the western line are to be shut for three days beginning May 25 as work starts on laying two new tracks between Borivali and Virar.
As of now, there are two tracks between Borivali and Virar on which run 473 local trains to Churchgate and 263 trains to Virar. This apart, 30 long distance trains use them too. But with over 3 million commuters using the western line every day, rail facilities have to be augmented.
Once work is over and western railway has two new tracks between Borivali and Virar, it will shift 30 mail express trains onto them, thereby reducing the congestion of long distance trains on the existing tracks. Subsequently, more locals will be introduced on the western line.
There are now so many people travelling on this line that nothing will solve the crowding problem completely, but it is certainly worth trying.
There also seem to be some minor doubts about allegedly forged MP train reservation slips found in Virar.
IMO: I should think a lot more trains (using the new tracks) could help a lot too. With the expected heavy monsoon soon and the many open excavations on the roads, this could matter to all.
As of now, there are two tracks between Borivali and Virar on which run 473 local trains to Churchgate and 263 trains to Virar. This apart, 30 long distance trains use them too. But with over 3 million commuters using the western line every day, rail facilities have to be augmented.
Once work is over and western railway has two new tracks between Borivali and Virar, it will shift 30 mail express trains onto them, thereby reducing the congestion of long distance trains on the existing tracks. Subsequently, more locals will be introduced on the western line.
There are now so many people travelling on this line that nothing will solve the crowding problem completely, but it is certainly worth trying.
There also seem to be some minor doubts about allegedly forged MP train reservation slips found in Virar.
IMO: I should think a lot more trains (using the new tracks) could help a lot too. With the expected heavy monsoon soon and the many open excavations on the roads, this could matter to all.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Microsoft antics again
Computer dealers in Gujarat, India held a one-day strike to protest ongoing anti-piracy raids from Microsoft.
This month, six PC dealers in Gujarat received notices from Microsoft for selling pirated copies of Windows. Microsoft demanding a payment of 200,000 Rupee ($4,955) and a fine of 1,600,000 Rupee ($39,638) if the vendor continued to sell pirated copies of the OS.
"Since we are are not charging anything extra for installing the software, it means that we are actually not trading in pirated software. For us this is just a sewa (selfless act) that we are offering to our customers. Besides, the pricing of their operating systems is way too high for the Indian markets."
IMO: Microsoft has been downgraded as a buy by Goldman Sachs. It is now in the same league as lollywater carpetbaggers like Coca Cola which try to pollute the environment. The same article mentions how their 'DRM' is a bad useless copy. On top of all this some loony Americans are trying to patent YOGA, for heavens sake. How long before we will all be charged 10 rupees for asteya ?
IMO: USA is showing a worse and worse image to the world as the greenback drops further and further in value, which is a great pity. I never thought I would want to see Jimmy Carter as President again, but at least he seems to recognise Blair as the useless turd he is and tries to have sensible ideas, pretty unusual for a senior US diplomatic figure nowadays.
This month, six PC dealers in Gujarat received notices from Microsoft for selling pirated copies of Windows. Microsoft demanding a payment of 200,000 Rupee ($4,955) and a fine of 1,600,000 Rupee ($39,638) if the vendor continued to sell pirated copies of the OS.
"Since we are are not charging anything extra for installing the software, it means that we are actually not trading in pirated software. For us this is just a sewa (selfless act) that we are offering to our customers. Besides, the pricing of their operating systems is way too high for the Indian markets."
IMO: Microsoft has been downgraded as a buy by Goldman Sachs. It is now in the same league as lollywater carpetbaggers like Coca Cola which try to pollute the environment. The same article mentions how their 'DRM' is a bad useless copy. On top of all this some loony Americans are trying to patent YOGA, for heavens sake. How long before we will all be charged 10 rupees for asteya ?
IMO: USA is showing a worse and worse image to the world as the greenback drops further and further in value, which is a great pity. I never thought I would want to see Jimmy Carter as President again, but at least he seems to recognise Blair as the useless turd he is and tries to have sensible ideas, pretty unusual for a senior US diplomatic figure nowadays.
Friday, May 18, 2007
The owner of Napoleon’s penis died last Thursday
After Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo, his possessions toured England. His carriage, filled with enticing contents like a gold tongue scraper, a flesh brush, “Cashimeer small-clothes” and a chocolate pot, drew crowds and inspired the poet Byron to covet a replica. When Napoleon died, the trees that lined his grave site at St. Helena were slivered into souvenirs.
Some say it’s time to let Napoleon’s penis rest in peace. Museums are quietly de-accessioning the human remains of indigenous peoples so that body parts can be given proper burial rites. Some say Napoleon’s penis, too, should be allowed to go home and rejoin the rest of his captivating body.
Perhaps surprisingly, and maybe an example of a new entente cordiale, and Blair's friendship with France, Sarkozy has not yet asked for it's return. (Or perhaps it has to do, maybe in a Freudian sense, with Sarkozy's daughter having studied at Sheffield University, considered by some authorities to be a Northern Oxbridge - it is not too bad, I was a post-doc student there myself.) Anyway it is now in the USA.
Some say it’s time to let Napoleon’s penis rest in peace. Museums are quietly de-accessioning the human remains of indigenous peoples so that body parts can be given proper burial rites. Some say Napoleon’s penis, too, should be allowed to go home and rejoin the rest of his captivating body.
Perhaps surprisingly, and maybe an example of a new entente cordiale, and Blair's friendship with France, Sarkozy has not yet asked for it's return. (Or perhaps it has to do, maybe in a Freudian sense, with Sarkozy's daughter having studied at Sheffield University, considered by some authorities to be a Northern Oxbridge - it is not too bad, I was a post-doc student there myself.) Anyway it is now in the USA.
FYI: Impeachment Resource Centre
Passengers push-start a train in Bihar
The 565 UP Patna-Buxar EMU train had on Tuesday suddenly stopped after some passengers pulled the alarm chain to stop it near the Raghunathpur station on the Howrah-Delhi Main Line route. Then the driver of the train requested the passengers to push the train because there was no way out to restart it as it stopped in the neutral zone - that is, between the two power sub-stations - where there was no power supply.
Hundreds of passengers pushed the train for 60 metres, heaving and weighing from behind and the sides of the train, under a hot summer sun.
"Though a rare instance in railways history, it did happen," a railway official confirmed.
IMO: In May in UP, temperatures are maximum. Quite an achievement.
Hundreds of passengers pushed the train for 60 metres, heaving and weighing from behind and the sides of the train, under a hot summer sun.
"Though a rare instance in railways history, it did happen," a railway official confirmed.
IMO: In May in UP, temperatures are maximum. Quite an achievement.
# posted by uv : 2:53 AM
Is searchology the new Web 2.0 ?
With its universal search, Google is now going to offer results in web search that integrate results from all of their vertical search properties, such as image, video, maps, local, blogs, etc. The video results will include results from third party video sites like Metacafe, and not just from Google's own YouTube and Google Video. Google is going to be integrating so that the most relevant item shows up first. So if the most relevant item is a video, it will be the first result. If the most relevant item is a map, then it will be the first result, and so forth.
So, is this the coming innovation ? Websites like "OS News" say stuff like "Google - Don't Be Evil" and follow with an article.
IMO:I would definitely be wary of this innovation, following items, mentioned in this blog earlier, like Google's expensive acquisition of the notorious Doubleclick
So, is this the coming innovation ? Websites like "OS News" say stuff like "Google - Don't Be Evil" and follow with an article.
IMO:I would definitely be wary of this innovation, following items, mentioned in this blog earlier, like Google's expensive acquisition of the notorious Doubleclick
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Wolfowitz should resign without exoneration
Unconfirmed reports suggest that he's negotiating an exit deal in which he would be largely exonerated of any wrongdoing.
The Sacramento Bee seem to view this matter as involving a complex piece of domestic workplace politics and say "Both employers and employees may benefit from more creative solutions than the self-imposed ethics straitjacket the World Bank employed in l'affaire Wolfowitz."
This sort of thing seems to be a clumsy US attempt to whitewash Wolfowitz's fraud.
If the US wants to involve itself in ancient suffragette style debates, the world does not care much. But the Bush administration and the Bank itself emerge tarnished by the whole affair.The rest of the world, outside the US, wants a non US World Bank president.
Mr. Paulson, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and White House National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley all actively lobbied their counterparts in Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Japan and Canada, the bank's main shareholders along with the U.S. Their arguments that Mr. Wolfowitz didn't deserve to be forced out appeared to gain few adherents: Only Japan, among these countries, stood by in support of Mr. Wolfowitz.
Wolfowitz was one of the key architects of the Iraq war.That is bad enough, as the subsequent Iraq position suggest that, whether or not the Iraq war seemed like a good idea, that idea was extremely badly implemented and casts doubts on Wolfowitz's overall credibility. And there's plenty more.
And the Bank has enough problems anyway, best handled without Wolfowitz.
IMO: Lompoc for Wolfowitz, Bush and Carl Rove and the World Bank needs lots of improving too.
The Sacramento Bee seem to view this matter as involving a complex piece of domestic workplace politics and say "Both employers and employees may benefit from more creative solutions than the self-imposed ethics straitjacket the World Bank employed in l'affaire Wolfowitz."
This sort of thing seems to be a clumsy US attempt to whitewash Wolfowitz's fraud.
If the US wants to involve itself in ancient suffragette style debates, the world does not care much. But the Bush administration and the Bank itself emerge tarnished by the whole affair.The rest of the world, outside the US, wants a non US World Bank president.
Mr. Paulson, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and White House National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley all actively lobbied their counterparts in Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Japan and Canada, the bank's main shareholders along with the U.S. Their arguments that Mr. Wolfowitz didn't deserve to be forced out appeared to gain few adherents: Only Japan, among these countries, stood by in support of Mr. Wolfowitz.
Wolfowitz was one of the key architects of the Iraq war.That is bad enough, as the subsequent Iraq position suggest that, whether or not the Iraq war seemed like a good idea, that idea was extremely badly implemented and casts doubts on Wolfowitz's overall credibility. And there's plenty more.
And the Bank has enough problems anyway, best handled without Wolfowitz.
IMO: Lompoc for Wolfowitz, Bush and Carl Rove and the World Bank needs lots of improving too.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
CBI files application seeking adjournment in Taj corridor case
Lucknow, May 16: The CBI on Tuesday filed an application seeking adjournment in the Rs 175 crore Taj corridor case in which the agency has been asked to seek prosecution against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati.
The Congress is set to exploit the situation. It will not try and weaken the Mayawati government as any doubt over the leader of the government will bring instability, which will give its rivals in the state - the BJP and the SP - a chance to gain ground. So, like in the past, Congress leaders have been prompt to come to Mayawati's rescue. The Congress will seek her support for its choice for the presidential candidate, while Mayawati wants relief from the CBI in the another significant trial that awaits her - the disproportionate assets case.
It is frequently said that the only reason Rahul got as many votes as he did in UP (precious few) is because of Priyanka's tireless campaigning and some say Priyanka would have been the better candidate in personality terms and got a few more votes.
IMO: The Taj Corridor matter may involve serious environmental matters, which should be borne in mind. OTOH - with 7 Brahmins, 6 Thakurs and 5 Muslims in her UP cabinet - Mayawati should not be underestimated as a possible force for good. Some call it "soft hindutva" and claim it essentially advantagous. Maybe it really can be "Haati nahin Ganesh hai .. Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh hai". Let us pray to the Lord Ganesh for a successful Bharat.
The Congress is set to exploit the situation. It will not try and weaken the Mayawati government as any doubt over the leader of the government will bring instability, which will give its rivals in the state - the BJP and the SP - a chance to gain ground. So, like in the past, Congress leaders have been prompt to come to Mayawati's rescue. The Congress will seek her support for its choice for the presidential candidate, while Mayawati wants relief from the CBI in the another significant trial that awaits her - the disproportionate assets case.
It is frequently said that the only reason Rahul got as many votes as he did in UP (precious few) is because of Priyanka's tireless campaigning and some say Priyanka would have been the better candidate in personality terms and got a few more votes.
IMO: The Taj Corridor matter may involve serious environmental matters, which should be borne in mind. OTOH - with 7 Brahmins, 6 Thakurs and 5 Muslims in her UP cabinet - Mayawati should not be underestimated as a possible force for good. Some call it "soft hindutva" and claim it essentially advantagous. Maybe it really can be "Haati nahin Ganesh hai .. Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh hai". Let us pray to the Lord Ganesh for a successful Bharat.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Yes, now it's MooTube
Hindu monks campaigning to save a sacred bull from being slaughtered under animal health regulations have ramped their media push up a notch. Now the cow has its own Webcam, "MooTube".
There is a case presented for the survival of the sacred cow, here and here, and the Skanda Vale community called for a rethink of Britain’s “incredibly stupid” policy for controlling bovine tuberculosis. Apparently some farmers sympathise, but some Hindus apparently consider that this sort of popularisation of the matter trivialises what are actually serious animal cruelty issues, and, indeed, to Hindus and many others, serious religious, moral and social issues in the UK
The moral perspective in the UK is sometimes strange, and often even lacking altogether, I agree. Strange and even barbarous, perhaps, to slaughter household pets for meat, for example.
Stanley Milgram showed us that we are only inches, not hundreds of miles, from sanctioning Auschwitz style situations today, in fact some say that we do sanction them anyway. Someone actually plaintively said in a blog about Shamba :"I once got ill.. but a guy in a funny outfit didn't come to kill me."
There is a case presented for the survival of the sacred cow, here and here, and the Skanda Vale community called for a rethink of Britain’s “incredibly stupid” policy for controlling bovine tuberculosis. Apparently some farmers sympathise, but some Hindus apparently consider that this sort of popularisation of the matter trivialises what are actually serious animal cruelty issues, and, indeed, to Hindus and many others, serious religious, moral and social issues in the UK
The moral perspective in the UK is sometimes strange, and often even lacking altogether, I agree. Strange and even barbarous, perhaps, to slaughter household pets for meat, for example.
Stanley Milgram showed us that we are only inches, not hundreds of miles, from sanctioning Auschwitz style situations today, in fact some say that we do sanction them anyway. Someone actually plaintively said in a blog about Shamba :"I once got ill.. but a guy in a funny outfit didn't come to kill me."
Monday, May 14, 2007
If there had actually been a Robocop or a Terminator, would he have surfed the web?
That might have put him off doing his dirty work as he might have found the gentility and decency which still lurks there not in accordance with his personal ethic. Maybe we can still find some remnants of good government in UK Labor.
With Blair, Labour is 4% behind the Tories, when voters are asked how they will vote when Brown becomes leader the gap widens to 10%. He told a US interviewer "I take responsibility, as does the whole of the cabinet, for decisions we made on Iraq. There will be no sense in which we seek to walk away from decisions we made." That should be worth a few votes for John McDonnell.
Benn is rumoured to have less than two-dozen MP backers. I do not know if his alleged financial gains are partly responsible for this.
McDonnell and Meacher called for a debate on the future direction of the Labour Party. They complained about growing inequality in Britain and a lack of affordable housing. "We've lost touch with our voters ... and we need a genuine renewal," Meacher said. They decided to settle on having McDonnell stand.
Brown said Labour had made progress over the last 10 years but had a lot more to do, pledging to work on reducing poverty among children and pensioners. But he rejected a return to high-spending policies that he said had undermined past Labour governments.
IMO: Actually a very good point and to be pleased about. But otherwise he seems to be cloning Blair a bit, with far less good spin, so far.
Well Blair certainly did not keep us out of Iraq. But possibly this had to do with yet another alleged CIA coup attempt and in retrospect his intervention in Iraq may have been forced on him, though I doubt it. If Brown really does have "a brain the size of Mars" as Mr McDonnell apparently said a day or two ago, I hope he will use it sensibly and other than to amass money for himself (allegedly quite a lot so far, a starting figure of £1.8 million was mentioned in the Press I believe) and instead to help the poor, the sick, the elderly and all the other things like global warming, world peace etc etc.
IMO: However, just as it was said somewhat disparagingly of one US senator, "let's face it, he's no JFK" it is perhaps not yet time to say of Brown "Let's face it, he's no Beveridge" but signs are not promising. One may well feel that McDonnell or Meacher should be PM.
Actually McDonnell seem to be currently having better Google showings than Brown, details here.
With Blair, Labour is 4% behind the Tories, when voters are asked how they will vote when Brown becomes leader the gap widens to 10%. He told a US interviewer "I take responsibility, as does the whole of the cabinet, for decisions we made on Iraq. There will be no sense in which we seek to walk away from decisions we made." That should be worth a few votes for John McDonnell.
Benn is rumoured to have less than two-dozen MP backers. I do not know if his alleged financial gains are partly responsible for this.
McDonnell and Meacher called for a debate on the future direction of the Labour Party. They complained about growing inequality in Britain and a lack of affordable housing. "We've lost touch with our voters ... and we need a genuine renewal," Meacher said. They decided to settle on having McDonnell stand.
Brown said Labour had made progress over the last 10 years but had a lot more to do, pledging to work on reducing poverty among children and pensioners. But he rejected a return to high-spending policies that he said had undermined past Labour governments.
IMO: Actually a very good point and to be pleased about. But otherwise he seems to be cloning Blair a bit, with far less good spin, so far.
Well Blair certainly did not keep us out of Iraq. But possibly this had to do with yet another alleged CIA coup attempt and in retrospect his intervention in Iraq may have been forced on him, though I doubt it. If Brown really does have "a brain the size of Mars" as Mr McDonnell apparently said a day or two ago, I hope he will use it sensibly and other than to amass money for himself (allegedly quite a lot so far, a starting figure of £1.8 million was mentioned in the Press I believe) and instead to help the poor, the sick, the elderly and all the other things like global warming, world peace etc etc.
IMO: However, just as it was said somewhat disparagingly of one US senator, "let's face it, he's no JFK" it is perhaps not yet time to say of Brown "Let's face it, he's no Beveridge" but signs are not promising. One may well feel that McDonnell or Meacher should be PM.
Actually McDonnell seem to be currently having better Google showings than Brown, details here.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Cow Country gets Maya again
LUCKNOW/NEW DELHI: Uttar Pradesh woke up to a Blue Sunrise on Friday. Across the populous state, BSP’s elephant emerged triumphant garnering a phenomenal majority of 206 seats in a House of 403 , smiting its rivals into surrender. Samajwadi Party came a distant second at 97 seats while BJP folded up at 50. Congress's performance was even worse despite all the exertions of Rahul Gandhi — it finished a poor fourth with a paltry 22.
UP has broken its jinx of serving a "mili-juli sarkar" at every election since 1993. While it may be too early to judge whether it is prelude to a two-party system in the state which sends 80 MPs to the Lok Sabha, but the BSP tsunami has ominous portents for national players like BJP and Congress. Cruelly for them, and whatever the UK crap 'liberal' papers like the Guardian would like to say, the excuse that the caste overran all else is not available. Mayawati's surge pointed to the caste being trumped by the common intent to unseat Mulayam
.
Mayawati is a Delhi University graduate and a former government school teacher, a key arbiter on the national stage and the first Dalit leader to wrest power on her own steam. Her gambit to pitch for upper-caste support by fielding 86 Brahmins paid handsome dividends.
Mayawati celebrated a win that has been powered by her exceptional success in weaving together a rainbow coalition of Dalits, upper castes and Muslims that had once sustained Congress. But there was a critical difference. Now UP's Dalits, particularly the assertive Jatavs, who are the engine of this social alliance, have the upper castes playing a supporting caste.
IMO: She looks nice and cheerful in her photos. She says she thinks she could be Prime minister in 10 years and makes even that sound possible. But this is cow country, not the whole of Bharat. Let us hope we get enough improvement in UP now to somehow justify her comments.
People, perhaps sentimentally, say the BSP elephant this time was unveiled as the friendly, generous, beloved Ganesha, who could embrace believers across the divide. Ganesha is usually the first idol I see in the morning. Let's hope all goes well and pray to Ganesha for that.
UP has broken its jinx of serving a "mili-juli sarkar" at every election since 1993. While it may be too early to judge whether it is prelude to a two-party system in the state which sends 80 MPs to the Lok Sabha, but the BSP tsunami has ominous portents for national players like BJP and Congress. Cruelly for them, and whatever the UK crap 'liberal' papers like the Guardian would like to say, the excuse that the caste overran all else is not available. Mayawati's surge pointed to the caste being trumped by the common intent to unseat Mulayam
.
Mayawati is a Delhi University graduate and a former government school teacher, a key arbiter on the national stage and the first Dalit leader to wrest power on her own steam. Her gambit to pitch for upper-caste support by fielding 86 Brahmins paid handsome dividends.
Mayawati celebrated a win that has been powered by her exceptional success in weaving together a rainbow coalition of Dalits, upper castes and Muslims that had once sustained Congress. But there was a critical difference. Now UP's Dalits, particularly the assertive Jatavs, who are the engine of this social alliance, have the upper castes playing a supporting caste.
IMO: She looks nice and cheerful in her photos. She says she thinks she could be Prime minister in 10 years and makes even that sound possible. But this is cow country, not the whole of Bharat. Let us hope we get enough improvement in UP now to somehow justify her comments.
People, perhaps sentimentally, say the BSP elephant this time was unveiled as the friendly, generous, beloved Ganesha, who could embrace believers across the divide. Ganesha is usually the first idol I see in the morning. Let's hope all goes well and pray to Ganesha for that.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Paisley and Ahern visit Boyne site
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Northern Ireland First Minister Ian Paisley stood shoulder-to-shoulder at an ancient battlefield to vow a shared future.
IMO: The section of Ahern's speech which I heard sounded quite sensible, and stressed the essential character of European agreement etc. Whilst I think many people will sensibly "remember the battle of the Boyne", I suppose by now many religious ideas are beginning to sound out of date anyway, but IMO religion still has beneficial factors. Indeed many people regard a serious and sympathetic attitude to all religions, however strange and bizarre, to be an important feature of human life and feel that religions should be treated sympathetically and with respect, for the benefit of science and scholarship at the very least.
IMO: The section of Ahern's speech which I heard sounded quite sensible, and stressed the essential character of European agreement etc. Whilst I think many people will sensibly "remember the battle of the Boyne", I suppose by now many religious ideas are beginning to sound out of date anyway, but IMO religion still has beneficial factors. Indeed many people regard a serious and sympathetic attitude to all religions, however strange and bizarre, to be an important feature of human life and feel that religions should be treated sympathetically and with respect, for the benefit of science and scholarship at the very least.
The New UK Labour site seems to be dirty purple
The site is here. Some say that UK Labour has certainly behaved in a dirty way, which could explain the dirty colour, but they seem to have added a Tory Blue shade to the Labour Party colour it appears. Or the colour may that of the face of a Cabinet Minister after a few too many drinks.
It may all be more than a mild joke or a feeble p.r. attempt as the Labour Party has over the last few years turned to supporting potential voters of the "Mondeo Man" variety. Maybe that gets more votes but it is beginning to look as if it could also be the end of an era and a surrendering to a corrupt and ideologically and politically unacceptable and unsound form of State Monopoly Capitalism.
This is possibly bad, but lets wait and see. The new, sophisticated Mondeo Man styled society has turned out largely not to be a step up from being working class, but a nasty bunch of bigoted and mindless drunks and yobs, as indeed a thinking person might have expected.
Maybe some improvement in the voting system is needed, or maybe contemporary democracy is becoming complely unworkable in present likely climates of opinion. Blair certainly did not seem to give much heed to expressed public views on Iraq but in effect relied on an increase in public ignorance and stupidity, plenty of spin, and a less than welcome Tory opposition. But this could be regarded as a betrayal of democracy or an exposure of some of its weaknesses.
IMO: In roughly the words of Wellington: I don't know if the voters frighten Gordon Brown, but they certainly would frighten me, indeed with knives, guns, masks, hoods and veils if they can.
It may all be more than a mild joke or a feeble p.r. attempt as the Labour Party has over the last few years turned to supporting potential voters of the "Mondeo Man" variety. Maybe that gets more votes but it is beginning to look as if it could also be the end of an era and a surrendering to a corrupt and ideologically and politically unacceptable and unsound form of State Monopoly Capitalism.
This is possibly bad, but lets wait and see. The new, sophisticated Mondeo Man styled society has turned out largely not to be a step up from being working class, but a nasty bunch of bigoted and mindless drunks and yobs, as indeed a thinking person might have expected.
Maybe some improvement in the voting system is needed, or maybe contemporary democracy is becoming complely unworkable in present likely climates of opinion. Blair certainly did not seem to give much heed to expressed public views on Iraq but in effect relied on an increase in public ignorance and stupidity, plenty of spin, and a less than welcome Tory opposition. But this could be regarded as a betrayal of democracy or an exposure of some of its weaknesses.
IMO: In roughly the words of Wellington: I don't know if the voters frighten Gordon Brown, but they certainly would frighten me, indeed with knives, guns, masks, hoods and veils if they can.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Furor in Lok Sabha over Dikshit's Remarks
Following the Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit's anti-Bihar and anti-UP rhetoric on Wednesday, both Houses of Parliament were adjourned on Thursday as leaders from various parties demanded an unequivocal apology from her for insulting millions of Biharis and UP residents across the nation.
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As reported, on Wednesday, while laying the foundation stone of a flyover in New Delhi, Dikshit singled out people from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh saying a large number of people from these states come to Delhi and settle down here contributing to traffic and other civic problems.
IMO: I will not say that all this is political correctness gone mad, as is so often the case in European countries, and given India's circumstances Sheila was almost certainly right to apologise quickly for any implied offence. But her comments are really to a certain extent simply echoing Rahul Gandhi's expressed sentiments about UP, and he is a candidate in the UP election ! Some would say, fairly enough, that Mahatma Gandhi was the greatest human being who has ever lived, even with the inclusion of Jesus Christ and Buddha. Well I would say that if Rahul Gandhi is elected to UP he may need inherited gifts from his ancestors to carry out his program. We may soon start to see.
.
As reported, on Wednesday, while laying the foundation stone of a flyover in New Delhi, Dikshit singled out people from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh saying a large number of people from these states come to Delhi and settle down here contributing to traffic and other civic problems.
IMO: I will not say that all this is political correctness gone mad, as is so often the case in European countries, and given India's circumstances Sheila was almost certainly right to apologise quickly for any implied offence. But her comments are really to a certain extent simply echoing Rahul Gandhi's expressed sentiments about UP, and he is a candidate in the UP election ! Some would say, fairly enough, that Mahatma Gandhi was the greatest human being who has ever lived, even with the inclusion of Jesus Christ and Buddha. Well I would say that if Rahul Gandhi is elected to UP he may need inherited gifts from his ancestors to carry out his program. We may soon start to see.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
World Bank Panel Indicts Wolfowitz - Recommends resignation
On the disclosure of the panel's report yesterday, the United States (US) President George W. Bush had steered clear of the controversy contrary to his initial position, seeking more support for the embattled Wolfowitz. According to reports, Bush is “not getting directly, personally involved” in the battle over Wolfowitz’s presidency at the World Bank.
On Monday, in a preview of the possible bloodbath in the offing, Wolfowitz chief aide Kevin Kellems resigned from his post saying that “the current environment surrounding the leadership” at the bank made it “very difficult to be effective in helping to advance the mission of the institution”.
Bank officials say that as of now, only the United States, Japan and Canada would vote in favor of Wolfowitz. They represent less than 30 percent of the voting shares. Most other directors are reported to be willing to vote against Wolfowitz.
NEVER AGAIN The overwhelming sentiment in Europe, as expressed in editorials, political commentaries and even Web logs, was that European governments should never again let the United States pick the president of the World Bank all by itself. Also, the Europeans say that they have begun signaling their intention of aiding African countries and other poor nations through their own development agencies, rather than through the World Bank or its principal vehicle for aid to the poorest countries, known as the International Development Agency (IDA).
IMO: We'll see, but Bush is beginning to seem the proverbial 'broken reed'. Russia and China may be more aware than I would think, but the situation would seem rather dangerous now as Bush may - perhaps rightly - wish to push on with his own agenda. Does anybody care about Darfur ? Bush was prepared to take on his tiny stooge Saddam, but are Russia and China a bit too much for him to handle - or quite likely part of his own "evil axis" ?
On Monday, in a preview of the possible bloodbath in the offing, Wolfowitz chief aide Kevin Kellems resigned from his post saying that “the current environment surrounding the leadership” at the bank made it “very difficult to be effective in helping to advance the mission of the institution”.
Bank officials say that as of now, only the United States, Japan and Canada would vote in favor of Wolfowitz. They represent less than 30 percent of the voting shares. Most other directors are reported to be willing to vote against Wolfowitz.
NEVER AGAIN The overwhelming sentiment in Europe, as expressed in editorials, political commentaries and even Web logs, was that European governments should never again let the United States pick the president of the World Bank all by itself. Also, the Europeans say that they have begun signaling their intention of aiding African countries and other poor nations through their own development agencies, rather than through the World Bank or its principal vehicle for aid to the poorest countries, known as the International Development Agency (IDA).
IMO: We'll see, but Bush is beginning to seem the proverbial 'broken reed'. Russia and China may be more aware than I would think, but the situation would seem rather dangerous now as Bush may - perhaps rightly - wish to push on with his own agenda. Does anybody care about Darfur ? Bush was prepared to take on his tiny stooge Saddam, but are Russia and China a bit too much for him to handle - or quite likely part of his own "evil axis" ?
Monday, May 07, 2007
Amnesty accuses Sudan over arms - supplied by Russia and China
Amnesty says a white Antonov 26 was spotted at Nyala in March. Amnesty International has accused Sudan of violating a UN arms embargo on Darfur and is "dismayed" at Russian and Chinese arms supplies to Khartoum.
Amnesty's report backs UN findings leaked this month that Sudan is flying weapons into Darfur in breach of UN Security Council resolutions.
BBC Bulgaria produces photos of these UN breaches here. Amnesty also provides, for example, photos of an all-white, Russian-built Antonov 26 military plane, registration ST-ZZZ.
2005 trade figures show China sold $24m and Russia $21m of military materiel to Sudan.
IMO: China and Russia are taking money for arranging mass murder, 200,000 known deaths so far. Goodness knows what nuclear bomb materials Russia is supplying to Iran. Some would say that the 'cold war' is coming back and it may get very hot with respect to Russia and China, hardly democracies.
Amnesty's report backs UN findings leaked this month that Sudan is flying weapons into Darfur in breach of UN Security Council resolutions.
BBC Bulgaria produces photos of these UN breaches here. Amnesty also provides, for example, photos of an all-white, Russian-built Antonov 26 military plane, registration ST-ZZZ.
2005 trade figures show China sold $24m and Russia $21m of military materiel to Sudan.
IMO: China and Russia are taking money for arranging mass murder, 200,000 known deaths so far. Goodness knows what nuclear bomb materials Russia is supplying to Iran. Some would say that the 'cold war' is coming back and it may get very hot with respect to Russia and China, hardly democracies.
Saturday, May 05, 2007
Bush now unfit to be President - a view
Insurgents in Iraq are right to try to force US troops out of the country, a former British army commander has said.
Gen Sir Michael Rose also told the BBC's Newsnight programme that the US and the UK must "admit defeat" and stop fighting "a hopeless war" in Iraq.
He said: "As Lord Chatham said, when he was speaking on the British presence in North America durin the war of independence, he said 'if I was an American, as I am an Englishman, as long as one Englishman remained on American native soil, I would never, never, never lay down my arms' ...The Iraqi insurgents feel exactly the same way." The soldiers have been telling me from the frontline that the war they have been fighting is a hopeless war.
IMO: I really do not know and cannot guess whether Michael Rose is right, but the Bushies really are beginning to seem too insensitive to diplomatic pressure for their own good or anyone else's.. .. I do know one thing, though - Bush is sounding more and more like Alex Salmond (with his alleged 'majority' of less than 16% of Scottish votes, probably as a protest vote). Both sound like lying dodgy crooks after the style of Nixon, like it or not. Both need to improve their attitude if they want to survive politically.
Gen Sir Michael Rose also told the BBC's Newsnight programme that the US and the UK must "admit defeat" and stop fighting "a hopeless war" in Iraq.
He said: "As Lord Chatham said, when he was speaking on the British presence in North America durin the war of independence, he said 'if I was an American, as I am an Englishman, as long as one Englishman remained on American native soil, I would never, never, never lay down my arms' ...The Iraqi insurgents feel exactly the same way." The soldiers have been telling me from the frontline that the war they have been fighting is a hopeless war.
IMO: I really do not know and cannot guess whether Michael Rose is right, but the Bushies really are beginning to seem too insensitive to diplomatic pressure for their own good or anyone else's.. .. I do know one thing, though - Bush is sounding more and more like Alex Salmond (with his alleged 'majority' of less than 16% of Scottish votes, probably as a protest vote). Both sound like lying dodgy crooks after the style of Nixon, like it or not. Both need to improve their attitude if they want to survive politically.
Paris Hilton must serve 45 days in jail - justice for all in California (hopefully)
At one point, her attorney, Howard L. Weitzman — calling his client someone with "unique issues and needs" who simply made a mistake — tried to shoulder some of the fault Hilton was placing on others.
Superior Court Judge Michael T. Sauer saw it otherwise. "She disregarded everything and continued to drive," Sauer said.
And he made it clear that he wanted no special treatment for Hilton — an heiress to the Hilton hotel fortune and a successful entrepreneur in her own right — ordering her to spend her sentence in a county jail and not a privately run "glamour slammer" where other celebrities have done their time.
Maybe she will make an amusing TV program on her time in prison.
IMO: I have driven quite a few miles in California and by and large by international standards, motoring there is quite good except for drivers like Hilton. Gere will possibly escape his public obscenity conviction in India, some would say unfairly as indeed I think it may well be - in India his behaviour seems to me to be roughly equivalent to George Michael's famous (and needless) cottaging offence in America but with many more overtones and a reasonably high corresponding penalty available. I am pleased to see there is some chance of road safety justice for celebrities in California. A reasonable degree of public safety must clearly be paramount to all - we do not need views on cultural sensitivity for that.. If Hilton does not now get time in a really nasty slammer, California justice will be seen as a laughing stock.
Superior Court Judge Michael T. Sauer saw it otherwise. "She disregarded everything and continued to drive," Sauer said.
And he made it clear that he wanted no special treatment for Hilton — an heiress to the Hilton hotel fortune and a successful entrepreneur in her own right — ordering her to spend her sentence in a county jail and not a privately run "glamour slammer" where other celebrities have done their time.
Maybe she will make an amusing TV program on her time in prison.
IMO: I have driven quite a few miles in California and by and large by international standards, motoring there is quite good except for drivers like Hilton. Gere will possibly escape his public obscenity conviction in India, some would say unfairly as indeed I think it may well be - in India his behaviour seems to me to be roughly equivalent to George Michael's famous (and needless) cottaging offence in America but with many more overtones and a reasonably high corresponding penalty available. I am pleased to see there is some chance of road safety justice for celebrities in California. A reasonable degree of public safety must clearly be paramount to all - we do not need views on cultural sensitivity for that.. If Hilton does not now get time in a really nasty slammer, California justice will be seen as a laughing stock.
Friday, May 04, 2007
US and Iran
America and Iran continued their uncertain dalliance today, with ambassadorial talks in Egypt undermined by military raids in Baghdad, a cryptic conversation between Condoleezza Rice and her Iranian counterpart and a violinist's red dress.
But the Iranian minister did not stay long enough even to sit down, with reports differing as to whether he objected to the seating arrangements or the revealing dress of the violinist who was entertaining the diplomats. “I am not sure which woman he was afraid of: the woman in the red dress or the Secretary of State,” said Sean McCormack, the US State Department spokesman.
IMO: After Rice's apparent financial involvement with an escort (or sex) service, which at the very least she can hardly be unaware of, we have to bear in mind that standards of superficial propriety in both USA and Iran can matter, at any rate in the Asian countries. Asians frequently genuinely do not want to surrender even more to Western decadence, as it is often reasonably seen.
But the Iranian minister did not stay long enough even to sit down, with reports differing as to whether he objected to the seating arrangements or the revealing dress of the violinist who was entertaining the diplomats. “I am not sure which woman he was afraid of: the woman in the red dress or the Secretary of State,” said Sean McCormack, the US State Department spokesman.
IMO: After Rice's apparent financial involvement with an escort (or sex) service, which at the very least she can hardly be unaware of, we have to bear in mind that standards of superficial propriety in both USA and Iran can matter, at any rate in the Asian countries. Asians frequently genuinely do not want to surrender even more to Western decadence, as it is often reasonably seen.
Sweden sheds its nuclear fears, offers India fighter jets
NEW DELHI: Sweden will pitch to sell the most advanced version of its multi-role fighter aircraft Saab Gripen, to India, even as this northern European nation, a known champion of non-proliferation, has clearly softened its stand towards India's nuclear deal.
Swedish foreign minister Carl Bildt, on a visit to India, told journalists on Friday, "India is emerging as a significant global player in areas such as Asian stability, climate change etc, and we need to deepen the dialogue."
IMO: Well, yes, and with India's open society (unlike unfortunate examples elsewhere in Asia) there are genuine and vigorous attempts to further Asian stability. Obviously, the word 'Bofors' comes to mind when Scandanavia is considered but all in all, India at least has acted for the good and stability of its Asian neighbors.
Swedish foreign minister Carl Bildt, on a visit to India, told journalists on Friday, "India is emerging as a significant global player in areas such as Asian stability, climate change etc, and we need to deepen the dialogue."
IMO: Well, yes, and with India's open society (unlike unfortunate examples elsewhere in Asia) there are genuine and vigorous attempts to further Asian stability. Obviously, the word 'Bofors' comes to mind when Scandanavia is considered but all in all, India at least has acted for the good and stability of its Asian neighbors.
Cryptome back again
Cryptome are for the moment apparently back online and state: "Cryptome is now on a new ISP, Network Solutions, another US giant like Verio, closely linked to the authorities. We'll see if it can take the heat or cave. We intend to test all the giants if necessary to see what is up with them and the censors: if one buckles we'll sign up with another. And air the results.Meanwhile the archives are being distributed worldwide by other means."
Google News may give further information from time to time, such as that currently at Mathaba and Wired.
P.S. For example one gem Cryptome fairly recently unearthed explained "“The United States is unprepared to mitigate the consequences of a nuclear attack,” Pentagon analyst John Brinkerhoff concluded in a July 31, 2005 .....
Google News may give further information from time to time, such as that currently at Mathaba and Wired.
P.S. For example one gem Cryptome fairly recently unearthed explained "“The United States is unprepared to mitigate the consequences of a nuclear attack,” Pentagon analyst John Brinkerhoff concluded in a July 31, 2005 .....
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Armed Communist goons attacking innocent citizens on street - Putin's legacy ?
Mamata meets Governor, asks for Army in Khejuri Kolkata, May 3: Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee today demanded that Khejuri, which borders Nandigram, be declared a “disturbed” area and the Army should be deployed there to stop CPI(M) (Communist Party of India (Marxist)) goons from continuing their offensive.
She also demanded that the border between Khejuri and Nandigram be sealed.
“It’s the armed Communist goons of CPI(M) who are continuing with their offensive on the people of Nandigram. They have stockpiled arms and ammunition there and are attacking people. We demand that the area be declared disturbed and armed forces be deployed there. Unless these CPI(M) goons are disarmed, peace will remain elusive for the people of Nandigram,” Mamata later said.
IMO: CPI(M) have already attacked members of parliament in Lok Sabha. It is time this nuisance was ended.
She also demanded that the border between Khejuri and Nandigram be sealed.
“It’s the armed Communist goons of CPI(M) who are continuing with their offensive on the people of Nandigram. They have stockpiled arms and ammunition there and are attacking people. We demand that the area be declared disturbed and armed forces be deployed there. Unless these CPI(M) goons are disarmed, peace will remain elusive for the people of Nandigram,” Mamata later said.
IMO: CPI(M) have already attacked members of parliament in Lok Sabha. It is time this nuisance was ended.
Boeing 737 found abandoned on Mumbai street
The plane was being driven through Chembur at the weekend when the driver got lost, realised he was nearing a low flyover, panicked and abandoned his cargo. He has disappeared and no one is taking responsibility.
Some say it is a tourist attraction. Vamsi Shastri, an engineering student, told BBC News, "I've been fascinated with planes and never seen one so closely. It's huge." If nobody claims it a a local businessman said he plans to buy the plane and convert it to an amusement centre.
It is still not clear who is responsible for the aircraft. Some homeless men even found the cargo hold of the plane good enough to be used as a makeshift kitchen. And some even strung a clothesline.
IMO: When space exploration gets underway perhaps old space ships, lost robotic dogs and even matter transmitters will be found on the Mumbai streets. It would be a good place for a straying intergalactic cow to go, though some might prefer a quieter outer suburb like Vasai.
Some say it is a tourist attraction. Vamsi Shastri, an engineering student, told BBC News, "I've been fascinated with planes and never seen one so closely. It's huge." If nobody claims it a a local businessman said he plans to buy the plane and convert it to an amusement centre.
It is still not clear who is responsible for the aircraft. Some homeless men even found the cargo hold of the plane good enough to be used as a makeshift kitchen. And some even strung a clothesline.
IMO: When space exploration gets underway perhaps old space ships, lost robotic dogs and even matter transmitters will be found on the Mumbai streets. It would be a good place for a straying intergalactic cow to go, though some might prefer a quieter outer suburb like Vasai.
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Closure of Cryptome site
Details here. Cryptome has a history of making publicly available documents and information that governments would rather keep secret. Comments on Slashdot (if that has not been closed yet by US state terrorist conspiracies). I'd say they can't cover all the bad stuff up but they certainly try.
However there are still many mirrors, such as
http://cryptome.quintessenz.org/mirror/
Typical comment: "Cryptome has been an indispensable ally in many wars against secrecy, ineptitude, corruption, and evil-doing conspiracies all over the place. John [Young] mirrored a couple of separate batches of stuff I had a minor involvement in, and in both cases the world was made (in a tiny way) a less crappy place by his actions.
It's also a sad day in it's message that there is now, ultimately, no genuine free speech left on the net. If the state really really wants to suppress your message, it can do so. It's slow, labour intensive, and expensive for them to do this, so they don't usually bother; but when they need The System to function, it does."
IMO: I hope these cryptome mirrors, at least, will continue, most people do not want to be ripped off and a lot of the stuff on Cryptome seems to just have been dull sensible truths..
[The site found at www.crytome.org is not, of course, cryptome.org but some so-called "spyware" site that has nothing to do with it.]
However there are still many mirrors, such as
http://cryptome.quintessenz.org/mirror/
Typical comment: "Cryptome has been an indispensable ally in many wars against secrecy, ineptitude, corruption, and evil-doing conspiracies all over the place. John [Young] mirrored a couple of separate batches of stuff I had a minor involvement in, and in both cases the world was made (in a tiny way) a less crappy place by his actions.
It's also a sad day in it's message that there is now, ultimately, no genuine free speech left on the net. If the state really really wants to suppress your message, it can do so. It's slow, labour intensive, and expensive for them to do this, so they don't usually bother; but when they need The System to function, it does."
IMO: I hope these cryptome mirrors, at least, will continue, most people do not want to be ripped off and a lot of the stuff on Cryptome seems to just have been dull sensible truths..
[The site found at www.crytome.org is not, of course, cryptome.org but some so-called "spyware" site that has nothing to do with it.]
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Police swoop on animal rights activists
A series of police raids targeting animal rights extremists across the UK and Europe have been carried out in the largest operation of its kind. More than 700 officers targeted 30 properties in 12 British counties, as well as in Belgium and the Netherlands, arresting 30 people in the "substantial" operation.
IMO: Only 30 ? With that amount of police manpower in use, they could have arrested more members of staff of Tesco for corporate violations and animal cruelty.
The manager of one of the raided properties, Freshfields Animal Rescue Centre in Ince Blundell, Merseyside, claimed police used "heavy-handed" tactics in the raid this morning. Dave Calendar said some of his staff were injured as they attempted to protect the animals and some animals had been released during the raid. "They have been extremely heavy-handed in their approach, and the welfare of the animals does not seem to bother them."
IMO: I am appalled by the way animals are treated in the UK, and consider eating animals as disgusting and truly low life behaviour
IMO: Only 30 ? With that amount of police manpower in use, they could have arrested more members of staff of Tesco for corporate violations and animal cruelty.
The manager of one of the raided properties, Freshfields Animal Rescue Centre in Ince Blundell, Merseyside, claimed police used "heavy-handed" tactics in the raid this morning. Dave Calendar said some of his staff were injured as they attempted to protect the animals and some animals had been released during the raid. "They have been extremely heavy-handed in their approach, and the welfare of the animals does not seem to bother them."
IMO: I am appalled by the way animals are treated in the UK, and consider eating animals as disgusting and truly low life behaviour
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