Saturday, October 31, 2009
Nutt again
Nutt revealed some of his children – he has two sons and two daughters, aged 18 to 26 – had perhaps taken ‘soft drugs’ before - he didn't seem sure - and that he was more concerned about drinking habits. He told The Mail on Sunday: ‘I’m sure my children have tried drugs. In fact, some have told me they have. But I’m not as concerned about this as I am about alcohol. I’ve always told them about the dangers of drugs, but teenagers are at greater risk from alcohol, because it is so cheap, readily available and accepted.'
IMO: I'm fairly appalled by this. For a start Nutt has admitted to not knowing what his own kids are doing, secondly he does not seem to realise that even drugs like cocaine appear readily available and often enough cheaper then lager. Also there are often 'free trial offers' of narcotics, anyone must know this. AFAIK crystal meth may be becoming a current problem, particularly among the gay community, and crystal meth is even relatively easily made at home. I think the problem that the highfalutin profs who seem to support Nutt have to note is that they have to face the facts of soft sciences like those of ethics and social culture if they want to front against the Government in the way Nutt tried to do, and apparently Nutt at any rate cannot do this. Some say Nutt has done good work in related fields to his previous advisory Govt role, but now he sadly seems to have gone astray. Lets hope the scientific community think a little more before supporting him. I certainly agree that alcohol is another problem, but in the UK alcohol is firmly entrenched, unlike other countries like India which hopefully may still reduce alcohol consumption without undue social repercussions. I am more appalled than Nutt claims to be (after his having had to converse with the drunken louts styled as MPs, Lords and Ladies) when I notice even relatively reputable firms like Waitrose (where the drunken old harridan Mrs. Margaret Thatcher seems to have bought a lot of the booze which caused her downfall) still sells alcoholic goods, but surely other drugs were also his remit which he appears to have handled badly. I certainly would not allow the traditional 'teachers and nurses' Guardian newspaper, whose grossly overpaid staff have little real knowledge of current science, to sway my views. At their salaries they can afford to take recreational drugs, and dountless most do so. I think the crux of the matter is less the question of whether cannabis is B or C , as whether the scientific panel are capable to judge morals in the way they seem to try to do.
IMO: Oh, the rift is not between scientists and politicians, but crudely and roughly, between high-functioning Asperger's cases and overpaid drunks. And if I had to chose, in this case I would choose the overpaid drunks as being right.
Dr Les King, a respected chemist and former head of the Drugs Intelligence Unit in the Forensic Science Service, said that anger over the "disgraceful" decision by the Home Secretary, Alan Johnson, to remove Professor David Nutt could lead to a meltdown in the 40-year-old organisation. He claimed that as many as six of its scientists will resign from the independent organisation, putting further pressure on the Government over its handling of the affair. Dr King cautioned that the Government's whole drugs programme could be at risk.
IMO: Deplorable, as are a lot of things in the UK. To the anger of scientists, Mr Johnson accused Professor Nutt of "lobbying for a change in policy". But, what else can Johnson say to that loony bunch of 'mad scientists'. People say about expenses, MPs "do not get the message". But those loonytune scientists "do not get the message" in this case, but MPs of both parties hopefully DO "get the message". I agree with Johnson on known facts, which could take an extremely unpleasant turn. Joe McCarthy must be turning in his grave, and for once I would not blame him.
IMO: I'm fairly appalled by this. For a start Nutt has admitted to not knowing what his own kids are doing, secondly he does not seem to realise that even drugs like cocaine appear readily available and often enough cheaper then lager. Also there are often 'free trial offers' of narcotics, anyone must know this. AFAIK crystal meth may be becoming a current problem, particularly among the gay community, and crystal meth is even relatively easily made at home. I think the problem that the highfalutin profs who seem to support Nutt have to note is that they have to face the facts of soft sciences like those of ethics and social culture if they want to front against the Government in the way Nutt tried to do, and apparently Nutt at any rate cannot do this. Some say Nutt has done good work in related fields to his previous advisory Govt role, but now he sadly seems to have gone astray. Lets hope the scientific community think a little more before supporting him. I certainly agree that alcohol is another problem, but in the UK alcohol is firmly entrenched, unlike other countries like India which hopefully may still reduce alcohol consumption without undue social repercussions. I am more appalled than Nutt claims to be (after his having had to converse with the drunken louts styled as MPs, Lords and Ladies) when I notice even relatively reputable firms like Waitrose (where the drunken old harridan Mrs. Margaret Thatcher seems to have bought a lot of the booze which caused her downfall) still sells alcoholic goods, but surely other drugs were also his remit which he appears to have handled badly. I certainly would not allow the traditional 'teachers and nurses' Guardian newspaper, whose grossly overpaid staff have little real knowledge of current science, to sway my views. At their salaries they can afford to take recreational drugs, and dountless most do so. I think the crux of the matter is less the question of whether cannabis is B or C , as whether the scientific panel are capable to judge morals in the way they seem to try to do.
IMO: Oh, the rift is not between scientists and politicians, but crudely and roughly, between high-functioning Asperger's cases and overpaid drunks. And if I had to chose, in this case I would choose the overpaid drunks as being right.
Dr Les King, a respected chemist and former head of the Drugs Intelligence Unit in the Forensic Science Service, said that anger over the "disgraceful" decision by the Home Secretary, Alan Johnson, to remove Professor David Nutt could lead to a meltdown in the 40-year-old organisation. He claimed that as many as six of its scientists will resign from the independent organisation, putting further pressure on the Government over its handling of the affair. Dr King cautioned that the Government's whole drugs programme could be at risk.
IMO: Deplorable, as are a lot of things in the UK. To the anger of scientists, Mr Johnson accused Professor Nutt of "lobbying for a change in policy". But, what else can Johnson say to that loony bunch of 'mad scientists'. People say about expenses, MPs "do not get the message". But those loonytune scientists "do not get the message" in this case, but MPs of both parties hopefully DO "get the message". I agree with Johnson on known facts, which could take an extremely unpleasant turn. Joe McCarthy must be turning in his grave, and for once I would not blame him.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Nutt sacked
Professor David Nutt has been sacked as the government's top drugs adviser after a rollercoaster of a relationship with two home secretaries over the last 12 months. It was his job to provide hard scientific facts to the government on the harm of drugs.
He seems to have argued the harm from illegal drugs could be equal to harm in other parts of life, such as horse-riding. He did not seem to have accurate statistics to this effect.
He reproduced a chart of drugs and other substances, based on their risk to health. The chart stated that alcohol and tobacco were more harmful than many illegal drugs, including LSD, ecstasy and cannabis. Again, adequate statistics, directly relevant to the existing social context, do not seem to be there.
But he then went beyond that and criticised the moral tone of policy decisions.
IMO: The Government were right to sack Nutt. Firstly, he publically cricitised their moral view which was well outside his remit. Secondly, alternative statistics and anecdotal observation suggest his views are in considerable variance with fact. It is clear that the Government may well be ruing some actions (e.g. on removing marriage tax reliefs) it has taken, allegedly in the interests of Socialism, but in fact far from both that and far from the public good, and they may well be trying rather clumsily to correct some earlier errors. So Nutt can't stand the heat and has had to be taken out of the kitchen. Clumsy well-wishing scientists are only likely to anger the public and defeat their own profession if their arguments in Nutt's favour do not actually prove him right, which is most unlikely - there are many literature references and much anecdotal evidence which can be quoted to this end, and in any case the onus is on him to prove his controversial points. We cannot accept scientific advice ex cathedra, science is no religion.
He seems to have argued the harm from illegal drugs could be equal to harm in other parts of life, such as horse-riding. He did not seem to have accurate statistics to this effect.
He reproduced a chart of drugs and other substances, based on their risk to health. The chart stated that alcohol and tobacco were more harmful than many illegal drugs, including LSD, ecstasy and cannabis. Again, adequate statistics, directly relevant to the existing social context, do not seem to be there.
But he then went beyond that and criticised the moral tone of policy decisions.
IMO: The Government were right to sack Nutt. Firstly, he publically cricitised their moral view which was well outside his remit. Secondly, alternative statistics and anecdotal observation suggest his views are in considerable variance with fact. It is clear that the Government may well be ruing some actions (e.g. on removing marriage tax reliefs) it has taken, allegedly in the interests of Socialism, but in fact far from both that and far from the public good, and they may well be trying rather clumsily to correct some earlier errors. So Nutt can't stand the heat and has had to be taken out of the kitchen. Clumsy well-wishing scientists are only likely to anger the public and defeat their own profession if their arguments in Nutt's favour do not actually prove him right, which is most unlikely - there are many literature references and much anecdotal evidence which can be quoted to this end, and in any case the onus is on him to prove his controversial points. We cannot accept scientific advice ex cathedra, science is no religion.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Clinton scolds Pakistan over inaction on al-Qaida
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton chided Pakistani officials Thursday for failing to press the hunt for al-Qaida inside their borders, suggesting they know where the terror leaders are hiding.
"I find it hard to believe that nobody in your government knows where they are and couldn't get them if they really wanted to," Clinton said.
IMO: Exactly.
It would be unthinkable, Clinton said, for the U.S. government to decide, "Let the Taliban have Washington (state)" first, then Montana, then the sparsely populated Dakotas, because those states are far from the major centers of population and power on the East Coast".
IMO: Of course, and most modern nations would hopefully think the same. Basically the great difference between Pakistan and USA emerges. Hard to say what the ultimate consequences will be. 'Go America Go' does not seem to suit. Pakistan in its brief history seems to have become a disgrace. There are clearly many ways to remedy this, but will any be applied in time. Some would blame Saudi and US imperialism but that is an oversimplification. To say 'Go America Go' is like a juvenile delinquent knifing Santa Claus.
"I find it hard to believe that nobody in your government knows where they are and couldn't get them if they really wanted to," Clinton said.
IMO: Exactly.
It would be unthinkable, Clinton said, for the U.S. government to decide, "Let the Taliban have Washington (state)" first, then Montana, then the sparsely populated Dakotas, because those states are far from the major centers of population and power on the East Coast".
IMO: Of course, and most modern nations would hopefully think the same. Basically the great difference between Pakistan and USA emerges. Hard to say what the ultimate consequences will be. 'Go America Go' does not seem to suit. Pakistan in its brief history seems to have become a disgrace. There are clearly many ways to remedy this, but will any be applied in time. Some would blame Saudi and US imperialism but that is an oversimplification. To say 'Go America Go' is like a juvenile delinquent knifing Santa Claus.
Dorries wins allegedly 'substantial' settlement from McBride
According to Guido.
IMO: £1000 is hardly 'substantial' by the standards of the people involved, who clearly have interests.
The gossip blogs comment:
" The alleged utter tool Damian McBride has decided to avoid the litigation risk of testing his disgraceful Guido Fawkes / Paul Staines alike smearologist behaviour in the libel court and has paid an undisclosed sum (£1,000 we're told) to Ms Nadine Dorries MP,
Seems that Guido also profited by charging Ms Dorries' lawyer Donal Blaney £75/hour for serving the legal letter on the former Number 10 man.
Dorries's daughter Jennifer is telling people an absolutely ridiculous figure for her parliamentary wages from mum. Probably twice the going rate. Twice what Conway was paying IIRC. Her big sister Philippa is the one listed in the RMI Part 2 for 2-9 and also 14-10 though she is believed to be in Australia. But Jennifer - mentioned in HoC on 06-07-09 as hopeless unemployed graduate is now being paid sackfuls of taxpayer money for a job she says herself she has little clue about performing. And little experience. And no interview or selection process. That's the scandal. By employing two of her kids who have little skills, knowledge or experience Ms Dorries is now screwing the taxpayer".
IMO: It is all quite a lot of money to many impoverished people, not so much to these epeople
IMO: £1000 is hardly 'substantial' by the standards of the people involved, who clearly have interests.
The gossip blogs comment:
" The alleged utter tool Damian McBride has decided to avoid the litigation risk of testing his disgraceful Guido Fawkes / Paul Staines alike smearologist behaviour in the libel court and has paid an undisclosed sum (£1,000 we're told) to Ms Nadine Dorries MP,
Seems that Guido also profited by charging Ms Dorries' lawyer Donal Blaney £75/hour for serving the legal letter on the former Number 10 man.
Dorries's daughter Jennifer is telling people an absolutely ridiculous figure for her parliamentary wages from mum. Probably twice the going rate. Twice what Conway was paying IIRC. Her big sister Philippa is the one listed in the RMI Part 2 for 2-9 and also 14-10 though she is believed to be in Australia. But Jennifer - mentioned in HoC on 06-07-09 as hopeless unemployed graduate is now being paid sackfuls of taxpayer money for a job she says herself she has little clue about performing. And little experience. And no interview or selection process. That's the scandal. By employing two of her kids who have little skills, knowledge or experience Ms Dorries is now screwing the taxpayer".
IMO: It is all quite a lot of money to many impoverished people, not so much to these epeople
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
India, China and Russia on the same page on terror
Significantly, Russia and China said they “understand and support” India’s aspirations to play a greater role in the U.N. and condemned the attack on the Indian embassy in Kabul.
Without mentioning Mumbai, they highlighted the need to bring to book the perpetrators of all terrorist attacks. In turn, India and China backed Russia’s efforts to stabilise the Caucasus.
This occurred at the ninth trilateral meeting of the foreign ministers of Russia, India and China (RIC) that concluded in Bangalore on Tuesday.
Without mentioning Mumbai, they highlighted the need to bring to book the perpetrators of all terrorist attacks. In turn, India and China backed Russia’s efforts to stabilise the Caucasus.
This occurred at the ninth trilateral meeting of the foreign ministers of Russia, India and China (RIC) that concluded in Bangalore on Tuesday.
Patricia Howe
Pauline Howe, 67, wrote a letter to Norwich Council objecting to a local gay pride march. She used the word “sodomites” and objected to “perverted sexual practices”. That is something Guido at least would perhaps be embarrassed by if his aunt blurted it out at Christmas. Subsequently two police officers turned up on her doorstep to warn her that she had committed a “hate crime”.
IMO: At least the lady was not given a beating by 'gay' police officers, in the traditonal Gilbert and Sullivan manner. In fact the incident reminds of the 'Neasden Police' regularly featured in 'Private Eye'. We have to hope that Mr. Paddick, a hopefully quite suitable potential replacement for Boris Johnson (who appears himself to have some strange background on that matter), has got it a bit more accurate. Current comments suggest that Paddick has, and to promote a long standing realistic and indeed sensitive view is a good deal different to - say - bashing of a so-called gay police trainee, as we so recently had in Liverpool and which Paddick commented on. Such violence is not the way forward and culprits undoubtedly should be dealt with. Basically reasoned disagreement, as seems to have been the case with Patricia Howe, is a valued part of the democratic process. If the situation is made too different to that, people will not tolerate it.
IMO: At least the lady was not given a beating by 'gay' police officers, in the traditonal Gilbert and Sullivan manner. In fact the incident reminds of the 'Neasden Police' regularly featured in 'Private Eye'. We have to hope that Mr. Paddick, a hopefully quite suitable potential replacement for Boris Johnson (who appears himself to have some strange background on that matter), has got it a bit more accurate. Current comments suggest that Paddick has, and to promote a long standing realistic and indeed sensitive view is a good deal different to - say - bashing of a so-called gay police trainee, as we so recently had in Liverpool and which Paddick commented on. Such violence is not the way forward and culprits undoubtedly should be dealt with. Basically reasoned disagreement, as seems to have been the case with Patricia Howe, is a valued part of the democratic process. If the situation is made too different to that, people will not tolerate it.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Threats to Obama
Threats to the president's life are up a whopping 400% over previous presidents and that is putting serious pressure on the Secret Service to keep up with its task of investigating and protecting against those threats. The Secret Service has, in turn, increased its employees by just 5.3% from two years ago. Not nearly enough. apparently.
IMO: Interesting. It shows at least two things 1. Why he got the Nobel prize - not much use after death. 2. Obama's government is working and somewhat reputable, otherwise the wingnuts would not be taking that trouble, nor would the Republicans. Can't think why any other significant minority would increase threats by 400% over Dubya.
IMO: Interesting. It shows at least two things 1. Why he got the Nobel prize - not much use after death. 2. Obama's government is working and somewhat reputable, otherwise the wingnuts would not be taking that trouble, nor would the Republicans. Can't think why any other significant minority would increase threats by 400% over Dubya.
UK corruption
The Committee on Standards and Privileges has so far administered only the gentlest of slaps on the wrist to the Wintertons and Jacqui Smith, both beneficiaries of £100,000 plus scams. Guido has almost given up hope of porcine politicians being ordered to repay their ill-gotten gains. Do the punishments really deter the crimes? With the Lords establishment ruling that the Sunlight Centre’s complaint against Lord Rennard could not be upheld, because the Lords had no definition of main residence, Guido is sceptical that a penny will ever be repaid by Lords for lying about their main residence. So far not one single penny has been shamed out of these troughers of the realm.
IMO: The trouble is that this overt bad behaviour by the authorities will lead to even more widespread corruption, civil violence, and voter appointment of almost anyone who will try to put a stop to the criminality. One can imagine a party whose sole real aim is, for example, the advancement of pedophilia as picking up an excellent vote if hand on heart it offered to put an end to this awful Westminster corruption. It is not a joke - without taking a view on personal ethics, the fact remains that even a few years ago the term "Gay Christian" would have seemed an oxymoron and now many Christian churches seem to be crammed with buggers, at least if they ever show up. In the UK the slogan "success breeds success" has now become "corruption breeds corruption" with the sad effect on real growth in the economy that this will lead to. You only have to read the comic 'Dilbert' to see how far corruption has spread in business society in the US, and what damage it has done there. And in the UK it is even worse - the UK is now handing over its national sovereignty to the inchoate EU so that all UK politicians can benefit from more bribes, without offering a referendum for obvious reasons.
And Armando Iannucci says of the prospect of a Tory government…“I don’t think there’s going to be dancing in the streets. It will be like knowing you have to go in for a knee operation.”
IMO: Yeah, the sort of knee operation you would get on the NHS - you'd probably wait 20 years, have to pay some prat at a clinic anyway, and when you get it, be crippled for life - hardly able to get past the piles of shit and vomit in the NHS wards.
IMO: The trouble is that this overt bad behaviour by the authorities will lead to even more widespread corruption, civil violence, and voter appointment of almost anyone who will try to put a stop to the criminality. One can imagine a party whose sole real aim is, for example, the advancement of pedophilia as picking up an excellent vote if hand on heart it offered to put an end to this awful Westminster corruption. It is not a joke - without taking a view on personal ethics, the fact remains that even a few years ago the term "Gay Christian" would have seemed an oxymoron and now many Christian churches seem to be crammed with buggers, at least if they ever show up. In the UK the slogan "success breeds success" has now become "corruption breeds corruption" with the sad effect on real growth in the economy that this will lead to. You only have to read the comic 'Dilbert' to see how far corruption has spread in business society in the US, and what damage it has done there. And in the UK it is even worse - the UK is now handing over its national sovereignty to the inchoate EU so that all UK politicians can benefit from more bribes, without offering a referendum for obvious reasons.
And Armando Iannucci says of the prospect of a Tory government…“I don’t think there’s going to be dancing in the streets. It will be like knowing you have to go in for a knee operation.”
IMO: Yeah, the sort of knee operation you would get on the NHS - you'd probably wait 20 years, have to pay some prat at a clinic anyway, and when you get it, be crippled for life - hardly able to get past the piles of shit and vomit in the NHS wards.
Nick Griffin's mother-in-law says the BNP leader is a 'racist'
Mrs Cook, 72, is the mother of Griffin’s wife Jackie. She has said the BNP leader is a “racist”.
IMO: If true, I think that's cute. Nobody really cares what any politican says nowadays.But, there may be ways that this can be put right. Here and Here.
IMO: If true, I think that's cute. Nobody really cares what any politican says nowadays.But, there may be ways that this can be put right. Here and Here.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
BNP success
Simon Bennett, the BNP's webmaster, declared. "In the Euro elections, we gained 40,000 enquiries, but spent £500,000 to do so – on Question Time we spent peanuts but gained almost 25% of the Euro election total in eight hours! We had to upgrade our server capacity enormously, which allowed us to cope with extra traffic."
And I gather that 1 in 5 people said that they would seriously consider backing the BNP from an apparently independent poll.
IMO: I'm not at all surprised. As I have said, Griffin's opponents overall give the impression of being mindless louts and everyone sees the sad state of UK politics. MPs are like evil greedy pigs who could not care less about voters, and of course there are many other important factors, almost too many to delve into here. I would say, however, do not vote BNP. Further, last election I was so sickened by ALL the candidates that I did not vote, and even a year or two ago I would have thought that public duty required me to vote for someone. My best advice would to deface your ballot paper giving clear brief and precise reasons on it as to the reasons for defacement. But do not let the electoral officals see you doing it as, crazily, you might be arrested, even jailed ! I never thought, even in such a place as the UK, it would come to that. I will not spell out my reasons against minority candidates, but believe me, those exist too. Would any reasonable person vote for the sick crowd hanging around "Question Time", for example, many escorted away by police ? I think not. I am not actually advising anyone to spoil their ballot paper, because the stinking corrupt cabal of MPs have probably made even to do that illegal by now, but I am simply expressing my thoughts as a good citizen.
And I gather that 1 in 5 people said that they would seriously consider backing the BNP from an apparently independent poll.
IMO: I'm not at all surprised. As I have said, Griffin's opponents overall give the impression of being mindless louts and everyone sees the sad state of UK politics. MPs are like evil greedy pigs who could not care less about voters, and of course there are many other important factors, almost too many to delve into here. I would say, however, do not vote BNP. Further, last election I was so sickened by ALL the candidates that I did not vote, and even a year or two ago I would have thought that public duty required me to vote for someone. My best advice would to deface your ballot paper giving clear brief and precise reasons on it as to the reasons for defacement. But do not let the electoral officals see you doing it as, crazily, you might be arrested, even jailed ! I never thought, even in such a place as the UK, it would come to that. I will not spell out my reasons against minority candidates, but believe me, those exist too. Would any reasonable person vote for the sick crowd hanging around "Question Time", for example, many escorted away by police ? I think not. I am not actually advising anyone to spoil their ballot paper, because the stinking corrupt cabal of MPs have probably made even to do that illegal by now, but I am simply expressing my thoughts as a good citizen.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Pollution in China
Too many sordid pictures to display but they can be found here.
IMO: This is a hideous picture, and a warning to countries like India to be very careful indeed with increasing industrialisation. The penalties are not worth it. I can well remember when in Sheffield, England, at times you could not see your own hand in front of you for misty polluted smoke in your own front hall. Those days are thankfully long gone in Sheffield, but if allowed nowadays they could become irreversible..
IMO: This is a hideous picture, and a warning to countries like India to be very careful indeed with increasing industrialisation. The penalties are not worth it. I can well remember when in Sheffield, England, at times you could not see your own hand in front of you for misty polluted smoke in your own front hall. Those days are thankfully long gone in Sheffield, but if allowed nowadays they could become irreversible..
Shree Vivek Pandit elected in Vasai
Vasai-Virar: Shramajivi Sanghatana's Vivek Pandit has won the Vasai assembly seat with a margin of 16,737 votes after defeating Bahujan Vikas Aghadi's candidate Narayan Mankar.
The controversial issue of inducting 53 villages into the jurisdiction of the newly-formed Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation (VVMC), and the protest against this move, proved fruitful for Pandit. The state formed the VVMC in March and inducted these villages in the civic corporation.
After the move, Bahujan Vikas Aghadi's legislator Hitendra Thakur and newly-elected MP Baliram Jadhav had to face the ire of villagers. For two days in August, Vasai saw violent protests. Pandit started an indefinite hunger strike against the induction, and ultimately, the government had to take note and appointed a committee to review the move.
The Gaon Bachao Aandolan Samiti, which was formed to protest against the VVMC, offered support to Pandit on the condition that he would have no truce with the Sena or other parties. Pandit agreed and polled 81,249 votes, while his rival Mankar got 64,512 votes. "I will now ensure that villages don't come under the ambit of the VVMC," said Pandit.
IMO: So the strongman has been trounced, and the Vasai area will hopefully benefit even more from Vivek Pandit who has done much useful work in areas like social work and combating slavery. The light of hope arises, like a great beacon, from Vasai !
(Note added 2/10/09: of course AFAIK Vivek Pandit actually stood as Sena candidate a year or so ago as for some reason Congress did not want to support him, but he definitely sounds a very good choice and many Sena views have been fair and uplifting - apparently even MNS Sena were getting some Muslim votes !)
The controversial issue of inducting 53 villages into the jurisdiction of the newly-formed Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation (VVMC), and the protest against this move, proved fruitful for Pandit. The state formed the VVMC in March and inducted these villages in the civic corporation.
After the move, Bahujan Vikas Aghadi's legislator Hitendra Thakur and newly-elected MP Baliram Jadhav had to face the ire of villagers. For two days in August, Vasai saw violent protests. Pandit started an indefinite hunger strike against the induction, and ultimately, the government had to take note and appointed a committee to review the move.
The Gaon Bachao Aandolan Samiti, which was formed to protest against the VVMC, offered support to Pandit on the condition that he would have no truce with the Sena or other parties. Pandit agreed and polled 81,249 votes, while his rival Mankar got 64,512 votes. "I will now ensure that villages don't come under the ambit of the VVMC," said Pandit.
IMO: So the strongman has been trounced, and the Vasai area will hopefully benefit even more from Vivek Pandit who has done much useful work in areas like social work and combating slavery. The light of hope arises, like a great beacon, from Vasai !
(Note added 2/10/09: of course AFAIK Vivek Pandit actually stood as Sena candidate a year or so ago as for some reason Congress did not want to support him, but he definitely sounds a very good choice and many Sena views have been fair and uplifting - apparently even MNS Sena were getting some Muslim votes !)
Thursday, October 22, 2009
BNP on "Any Questions"
Nick Griffin was booed, jeered and mocked by a hostile television audience on the BBC's "Any Questions" last night, say the UK Daily Mail. Other newspapers also criticise his appearance.
IMO: Griffin sounded really excellent and his party sounded well worth a vote. The protestors outside the BBC, the BBC audience and the others on the panel sounded like twisted barbarians, a mad crowd. The history of Griffin's party,BNP, is not appealing. I recall the foundations of this party right back to Martin Webster's "Australian Nazi Party" through well-attended UK "National Front" rallies up to the present-day BNP. I believe I clearly understand Griffin's well-presented qualifications as to the aims of the present Party. We can compare the early days of the BNP with those of the Liberal Party, run by Jeremy Thorpe whose believed then illegal activities with rentboys and perhaps more important his alleged threats and murders, and his proven animal killings reminiscent of the horses-head-on-the-bed activities of the film Mafia godfathers, plus the apparently still continued attempts at vote-rigging by the same party could tempt one to think of the Libdems as being England's "Hamid Karzai"s. The BNP did none of those things AFAIK. Other parties covered up better than the Liberal party used to do, even bearing in mind the jailed Lord Kagan and Lord Plurenden, the John Stonehouse matter and the too numerous to mention Tory misdeeds, but most people realise by now that all the major parties, bearing in mind the banking and expenses scandals, are criminal incompetent scum. Anyone who wanted to vote for any of the major parties should have found their showing on the program disagreeable and disappointing even by their own standards. Vote for the BNP ? It would take long reasoned argument to say why not, but at this time a BNP vote does not yet seem advisable. Bear in mind that in office or with a strong voice the BNP are unlikely to be better than the rest. Perhaps you shouldn't give a dog a bad name, but UK politicians seem to have earned their bad name.
IMO: Griffin sounded really excellent and his party sounded well worth a vote. The protestors outside the BBC, the BBC audience and the others on the panel sounded like twisted barbarians, a mad crowd. The history of Griffin's party,BNP, is not appealing. I recall the foundations of this party right back to Martin Webster's "Australian Nazi Party" through well-attended UK "National Front" rallies up to the present-day BNP. I believe I clearly understand Griffin's well-presented qualifications as to the aims of the present Party. We can compare the early days of the BNP with those of the Liberal Party, run by Jeremy Thorpe whose believed then illegal activities with rentboys and perhaps more important his alleged threats and murders, and his proven animal killings reminiscent of the horses-head-on-the-bed activities of the film Mafia godfathers, plus the apparently still continued attempts at vote-rigging by the same party could tempt one to think of the Libdems as being England's "Hamid Karzai"s. The BNP did none of those things AFAIK. Other parties covered up better than the Liberal party used to do, even bearing in mind the jailed Lord Kagan and Lord Plurenden, the John Stonehouse matter and the too numerous to mention Tory misdeeds, but most people realise by now that all the major parties, bearing in mind the banking and expenses scandals, are criminal incompetent scum. Anyone who wanted to vote for any of the major parties should have found their showing on the program disagreeable and disappointing even by their own standards. Vote for the BNP ? It would take long reasoned argument to say why not, but at this time a BNP vote does not yet seem advisable. Bear in mind that in office or with a strong voice the BNP are unlikely to be better than the rest. Perhaps you shouldn't give a dog a bad name, but UK politicians seem to have earned their bad name.
US Drones
(And no, this time I do not mean US Professors of Philosophy).
The U.S. government runs two drone programs. The military's version, which is publicly acknowledged, operates in the recognized war zones of Afghanistan and Iraq, and targets enemies of US. troops stationed there. As such, it is an extension of conventional warfare. The C.I.A.'s program is aimed at terror suspects around the world, including in countries where U.S. troops are not based. The program is classified as covert, and the intelligence agency declines to provide any information to the public about where it operates, how it selects targets, who is in charge, or how many people have been killed.
Even if a precise account is elusive, the outlines are clear: the C.I.A. has joined the Pakistani intelligence service in an aggressive campaign to eradicate local and foreign militants, who have taken refuge in some of the most inaccessible parts of the country.
IMO: OK for drones, that seems great but it sure would be foolish if they trust ISI.
The C.I.A. bombardments have continued at a rapid pace with Obama
It's easy to understand the appeal of a "push-button" approach to fighting Al Qaeda, but the embrace of the Predator program has occurred with remarkably little public discussion, given that it represents a radically new and geographically unbounded use of state-sanctioned lethal force. And, because of the C.I.A. program's secrecy, there is no visible system of accountability in place, despite the fact that the agency has killed many civilians inside a politically fragile, nuclear-armed country with which the U.S. is not at war.
IMO: There is a long report here, which makes interesting reading and it may well be true, and probably is true, that there should be even more drone attacks, but here could be at least two provisos, neither of which are easy.
(1) Maybe some smaller, cheaper and more selective missiles than Hellfire should be used more often. Occasionally much larger missiles may be needed.
(2) The public should be kept in touch, but sensationalist US media like Fox News are prone to distort, and on the other hand some media seem to be comprised of peaceniks. The situation cannot be easy for the President.
The U.S. government runs two drone programs. The military's version, which is publicly acknowledged, operates in the recognized war zones of Afghanistan and Iraq, and targets enemies of US. troops stationed there. As such, it is an extension of conventional warfare. The C.I.A.'s program is aimed at terror suspects around the world, including in countries where U.S. troops are not based. The program is classified as covert, and the intelligence agency declines to provide any information to the public about where it operates, how it selects targets, who is in charge, or how many people have been killed.
Even if a precise account is elusive, the outlines are clear: the C.I.A. has joined the Pakistani intelligence service in an aggressive campaign to eradicate local and foreign militants, who have taken refuge in some of the most inaccessible parts of the country.
IMO: OK for drones, that seems great but it sure would be foolish if they trust ISI.
The C.I.A. bombardments have continued at a rapid pace with Obama
It's easy to understand the appeal of a "push-button" approach to fighting Al Qaeda, but the embrace of the Predator program has occurred with remarkably little public discussion, given that it represents a radically new and geographically unbounded use of state-sanctioned lethal force. And, because of the C.I.A. program's secrecy, there is no visible system of accountability in place, despite the fact that the agency has killed many civilians inside a politically fragile, nuclear-armed country with which the U.S. is not at war.
IMO: There is a long report here, which makes interesting reading and it may well be true, and probably is true, that there should be even more drone attacks, but here could be at least two provisos, neither of which are easy.
(1) Maybe some smaller, cheaper and more selective missiles than Hellfire should be used more often. Occasionally much larger missiles may be needed.
(2) The public should be kept in touch, but sensationalist US media like Fox News are prone to distort, and on the other hand some media seem to be comprised of peaceniks. The situation cannot be easy for the President.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
UK MPs expenses
Guido claims "John Mann MP said…‘We’re not underpaid. We are well paid. MPs should stop moaning about their pay levels.’"
John Mann serves on the influential Treasury Select Committee from where he is calling for the re-mutualisation of British building societies. He has been on the committee before, leading the campaign for more transparency in the consumer credit industry.
IMO: So, he should know.
Others say MPs are "Spineless bags of shite spouting bullshit with no principles except self interest and with exceptional ability to brown nose, anything up to 150k plus ridiculously generous pension and expenses (all food paid for)"
Also said: "John Mann MP said ‘We’re not underpaid. We are over paid. MPs should stop moaning about their pay levels and shoot themselves, wives, boyfriends and children and rid this land of our kind" See, if you waited till after 10.30am – and the opening of the gin you get the full quote."
IMO: At this rate we will soon be imploring the Taliban to run the UK. UK MPs of all political views certainly need to wake up to their responsibilities to society. If or when the Taliban run the UK we may at least get Islamic banks.
John Mann serves on the influential Treasury Select Committee from where he is calling for the re-mutualisation of British building societies. He has been on the committee before, leading the campaign for more transparency in the consumer credit industry.
IMO: So, he should know.
Others say MPs are "Spineless bags of shite spouting bullshit with no principles except self interest and with exceptional ability to brown nose, anything up to 150k plus ridiculously generous pension and expenses (all food paid for)"
Also said: "John Mann MP said ‘We’re not underpaid. We are over paid. MPs should stop moaning about their pay levels and shoot themselves, wives, boyfriends and children and rid this land of our kind" See, if you waited till after 10.30am – and the opening of the gin you get the full quote."
IMO: At this rate we will soon be imploring the Taliban to run the UK. UK MPs of all political views certainly need to wake up to their responsibilities to society. If or when the Taliban run the UK we may at least get Islamic banks.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
First Batch of Hajis Leave for Mecca
About 1.64 lakh Indians would be undertaking Haj this year out of which 1.15 lakh would be going through the Haj Committee of India and rest through private operators during the one-month period. Flagging off the first batch of 200 pilgrims at the airport here, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said computers have been set up at various locations to enable them to keep in touch with their relatives in the country.
The government has sanctioned more than 350 crores Hajj subsidy for Indian pilgrims, who will be transported to holy cities of Makkah and Medina in 170 flights from tomorrow. The union cabinet today gave its approval to Air India, Saudi Airlines, and National Air Service of Saudi Arabia to carry the pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage. Each pilgrims will get subsidy of about Rs 30,000 for air travel, while he himself bears expenses of stay, transport and other charges during his stay in the kingdom. The pilgrims are required to pay Rs 16,000 this time as against Rs 12,000 last year.
IMO: Of course people each have their own view about the Haj but, generally speaking, it is good to see India trying to cater for the moral and spiritual views of its minorities. You can't see the UK doing this. Instead people in the UK are being encouraged to drink themselves to death with cheap booze and to betray any underlying moral principles which they may still have. Often enough this is by public fornication on the streets outside public houses. Also in the UK people are encouraged to gorge their fat guts with needlessly slaughtered innocent cows and sheep. Something like 400 possibly habitable planets seem already to be known to astronomy. What will some of the inhabitants of these think, if of similar origins to cows and sheep, if they see their innocent relatives being killed and eaten. Irrespective of the recent Goa murders which of course are unacceptable, Hindu institutions like Sri Ram Sena are at least doing what they can. Om Ganesh.
The government has sanctioned more than 350 crores Hajj subsidy for Indian pilgrims, who will be transported to holy cities of Makkah and Medina in 170 flights from tomorrow. The union cabinet today gave its approval to Air India, Saudi Airlines, and National Air Service of Saudi Arabia to carry the pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage. Each pilgrims will get subsidy of about Rs 30,000 for air travel, while he himself bears expenses of stay, transport and other charges during his stay in the kingdom. The pilgrims are required to pay Rs 16,000 this time as against Rs 12,000 last year.
IMO: Of course people each have their own view about the Haj but, generally speaking, it is good to see India trying to cater for the moral and spiritual views of its minorities. You can't see the UK doing this. Instead people in the UK are being encouraged to drink themselves to death with cheap booze and to betray any underlying moral principles which they may still have. Often enough this is by public fornication on the streets outside public houses. Also in the UK people are encouraged to gorge their fat guts with needlessly slaughtered innocent cows and sheep. Something like 400 possibly habitable planets seem already to be known to astronomy. What will some of the inhabitants of these think, if of similar origins to cows and sheep, if they see their innocent relatives being killed and eaten. Irrespective of the recent Goa murders which of course are unacceptable, Hindu institutions like Sri Ram Sena are at least doing what they can. Om Ganesh.
Top U.S. Scientist Arrested in FBI Sting Attempting to Sell Nuclear Secrets to Israel
Top U.S. Scientist Arrested in FBI Sting Attempting to Sell Nuclear Secrets to Israel
This is, of course, the precise sort of thing which FBI linguist-turned-whistleblower Sibel Edmonds has been alleging concerning both Turkish and Israeli interests for some time.
In addition to allegations against a network of moles said to be based at U.S. nuclear weapons facilities, Edmonds has also fingered current and former members of Congress, such as Dennis Hastert (R-IL), Dan Burton (R-IN), Roy Blunt (R-MO), Stephen Solarz (D-NY) and Tom Lantos (D-CA, deceased), as well as high-ranking Pentagon and State Dept. officials such as Marc Grossman, Douglas Feith, Richard Perle and Paul Wolfowitz, as having participated, via bribery and blackmail schemes, in related espionage with Turkish and Israeli interests.
IMO: There is always a slight worry that US is regressing to a Joe MaCarthy era, but disclosures seem fair enough so far. We keenly look forward to more disclosures. It is quite possible that some disclosures will involve persons with conscience and merit. This will matter, at least to the international community. Perhaps we are caught between the cheap sensationalism of the Murdoch outlets like Fox News (and from time to time UK papers like the absurd "Sun" and the occasionally Alzheimerslike "UK Times") and the possibility of giving the views of the many worthless timeserving academics in the US and UK undue support. Thank God for Bloggers.
This is, of course, the precise sort of thing which FBI linguist-turned-whistleblower Sibel Edmonds has been alleging concerning both Turkish and Israeli interests for some time.
In addition to allegations against a network of moles said to be based at U.S. nuclear weapons facilities, Edmonds has also fingered current and former members of Congress, such as Dennis Hastert (R-IL), Dan Burton (R-IN), Roy Blunt (R-MO), Stephen Solarz (D-NY) and Tom Lantos (D-CA, deceased), as well as high-ranking Pentagon and State Dept. officials such as Marc Grossman, Douglas Feith, Richard Perle and Paul Wolfowitz, as having participated, via bribery and blackmail schemes, in related espionage with Turkish and Israeli interests.
IMO: There is always a slight worry that US is regressing to a Joe MaCarthy era, but disclosures seem fair enough so far. We keenly look forward to more disclosures. It is quite possible that some disclosures will involve persons with conscience and merit. This will matter, at least to the international community. Perhaps we are caught between the cheap sensationalism of the Murdoch outlets like Fox News (and from time to time UK papers like the absurd "Sun" and the occasionally Alzheimerslike "UK Times") and the possibility of giving the views of the many worthless timeserving academics in the US and UK undue support. Thank God for Bloggers.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Robert Crumb on Genesis
There are several views on this new work of R. Crumb. For example:
1. Mike Judge, of the Christian Institute says. "If you are going to publish your own version of the Bible it must be done with a great deal of sensitivity. The Bible is a very important text to many many people and should be treated with the respect it deserves. Representing it in your own way is all very well and good but it must be remembered that it is a matter of people's faith, their religion".
2. The Jewish Daily says "To say this book is a remarkable volume or even a landmark volume in comic art is somewhat of an understatement. It doesn’t hurt that excerpts of the book appeared during the summer in the New Yorker and that the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles is opening an exhibit of the original drawings from which the book’s contents were adapted."
IMO: Most people have read some of the work of Robert Crumb. For example, his "Mr. Natural" rendering is more or less iconic of one era of the United States's somewhat aimless meanderings through modern history. To me, Crumb's work overall reminds of the generally feckless disregard for long term common sense that is still so unfortunately typical of America. Perhaps the book is worth looking at, for those who still like to take a new view on America and on religion. But my feeling was, "I have seen it all before". Muslims may see the book as worthy of a fatwa, though one would possibly have to be somewhat of an 'Uncle Napoleon' to care enough for a fatwa.
1. Mike Judge, of the Christian Institute says. "If you are going to publish your own version of the Bible it must be done with a great deal of sensitivity. The Bible is a very important text to many many people and should be treated with the respect it deserves. Representing it in your own way is all very well and good but it must be remembered that it is a matter of people's faith, their religion".
2. The Jewish Daily says "To say this book is a remarkable volume or even a landmark volume in comic art is somewhat of an understatement. It doesn’t hurt that excerpts of the book appeared during the summer in the New Yorker and that the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles is opening an exhibit of the original drawings from which the book’s contents were adapted."
IMO: Most people have read some of the work of Robert Crumb. For example, his "Mr. Natural" rendering is more or less iconic of one era of the United States's somewhat aimless meanderings through modern history. To me, Crumb's work overall reminds of the generally feckless disregard for long term common sense that is still so unfortunately typical of America. Perhaps the book is worth looking at, for those who still like to take a new view on America and on religion. But my feeling was, "I have seen it all before". Muslims may see the book as worthy of a fatwa, though one would possibly have to be somewhat of an 'Uncle Napoleon' to care enough for a fatwa.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Three people in a car tried to kill me: Mamata
Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee has alleged a conspiracy to kill her, claiming that a car with a press sticker on it tried to hit her vehicle in Kolkata's satellite township of Salt Lake in the early hours of Wednesday. "The policemen in our convoy asked them to stop, but the car did not. I asked the policemen not to fire," Banerjee said.
Union Minister of State for Shipping Mukul Roy was at the scene and he accused the West Bengal home department and the state Communist Party of India (Marxist) headquarters of masterminding an attack to kill Banerjee. Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee holds the home portfolio. "Already Buddhadeb and his government are trying to influence the probe," Roy alleged.
IMO: Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee should be jailed. He is worse than UK former home secretary Jacqui Smith by a long way, and Jacqui Smith could end in jail for her crimes. Both parties stink of bad Kremlin politics.
Union Minister of State for Shipping Mukul Roy was at the scene and he accused the West Bengal home department and the state Communist Party of India (Marxist) headquarters of masterminding an attack to kill Banerjee. Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee holds the home portfolio. "Already Buddhadeb and his government are trying to influence the probe," Roy alleged.
IMO: Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee should be jailed. He is worse than UK former home secretary Jacqui Smith by a long way, and Jacqui Smith could end in jail for her crimes. Both parties stink of bad Kremlin politics.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
NY Times doubts hadron collider action
"A pair of otherwise distinguished physicists have suggested that the hypothesized Higgs boson, which physicists hope to produce with the collider, might be so abhorrent to nature that its creation would ripple backward through time and stop the collider before it could make one, like a time traveler who goes back in time to kill his grandfather".
These people are Holger Bech Nielsen, of the Niels Bohr Institute in Copenhagen, and Masao Ninomiya of the Yukawa Institute for Theoretical Physics in Kyoto, Japan, and they put this idea forward in a series of papers with titles like “Test of Effect From Future in Large Hadron Collider: a Proposal” and “Search for Future Influence From LHC,” posted on the physics Web site arXiv.org in the last year and a half.
IMO: I have not checked out these papers but in my experience these people are way off track though like most commentators I am not fully up to date with string theory. On time travel, think neuroscience, qualia, even the Matrix or Kurzweil and Second Life if you like. Better still, if seriously academically inclined, read my academic blog. However, historically, at the time of the Manhattan project there were reasonable doubts as to whether it would blow us all up, a sad prospect even during a war. Those involved with the Manhattan project regaled me often with these doubts, many years later.
These people are Holger Bech Nielsen, of the Niels Bohr Institute in Copenhagen, and Masao Ninomiya of the Yukawa Institute for Theoretical Physics in Kyoto, Japan, and they put this idea forward in a series of papers with titles like “Test of Effect From Future in Large Hadron Collider: a Proposal” and “Search for Future Influence From LHC,” posted on the physics Web site arXiv.org in the last year and a half.
IMO: I have not checked out these papers but in my experience these people are way off track though like most commentators I am not fully up to date with string theory. On time travel, think neuroscience, qualia, even the Matrix or Kurzweil and Second Life if you like. Better still, if seriously academically inclined, read my academic blog. However, historically, at the time of the Manhattan project there were reasonable doubts as to whether it would blow us all up, a sad prospect even during a war. Those involved with the Manhattan project regaled me often with these doubts, many years later.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Guardian silenced again - this time on murder and torture
Following closely in the heels of the Trafigura gagging order, this is yet another example of the Guardian being silenced at the wave of a chequebook. But the Trafigura incident did demonstrate to us how e-activism on twitter can be used as pressure-tool to reverse and withdraw gagging orders.
Those who are in favour of freedom of expression and justice in Britain must counter this despicable underhand move by Chowdhury Mueen-Uddin.
IMO: Some Pakistanis seem to be at it this time. This sad behaviour is not in Pakistan's interest or that of anyone else and EVERYBODY should be against it. Details here.
Those who are in favour of freedom of expression and justice in Britain must counter this despicable underhand move by Chowdhury Mueen-Uddin.
IMO: Some Pakistanis seem to be at it this time. This sad behaviour is not in Pakistan's interest or that of anyone else and EVERYBODY should be against it. Details here.
Scientists propose home made black hole
Apparently the first experimental demonstration of electromagnetic black hole in the microwave frequencies. The proposed black hole is composed of non-resonant and resonant metamaterial structures, which can absorb electromagnetic waves efficiently coming from all directions due to the local control of electromagnetic fields. Hence the electromagnetic black hole could be used as the thermal emitting source and to harvest the solar light.
IMO: I won't say a word about AlQuaeda
IMO: I won't say a word about AlQuaeda
Singh gets leave to appeal
Singh says “We have only won leave to appeal. Now we must convince the court of appeal on the issue of meaning. There is a long battle ahead. Reform of English libel laws, particularly the right to a public interest defence and a fairer costs structure, are vital.”
IMO: This seems quite correct. The actual interests seem to include the fact that Singh, as a journalist, needs to ply his trade and that the 'alternative medicine' people also want to ply theirs. Lord Justice Laws had very reasonably said Eady had risked swinging the balance of rights too far in favour of the right to reputation and against the right to free expression. Lay persons have to concede that Singh made reasonable comments bearing in mind the apparent lack of any adequate known scientific basis for his opponent's claims with regard to use and curative powers of their methods. The fact remains that history has shown us that often enough people like Singh have been wrong (I think for example of the work of Edward Margolis on the tribulations of Copernicus and others), but that does not mean that Singh should be deprived of the right to forcefully state a view that by the standards of his peers (including myself) is correct, reasonable and in the public interest. Thus systematic and fair law reform need a lot of steps, and without them, people's rights are left in jeopardy.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Thane elections: Paramilitary required at Nalasopara
Paramilitary forces had to be called in at Gass in Nalasopara following allegations that MLA Hitendra Thakur loyalist Kashinath Patil was threatening voters.
In Vasai, candidates alleged that EVMs were not functioning properly. As a result, they alleged that all votes were going to a particular candidate.
Jalpet, a village in Vasai, recorded a 100% turnout.
IMO: Maybe such matters should be investigated and corrected. It is well known about the effect of the 'hanging chads' etc in Florida, which, some say, led to very wide consequences for the USA, and indeed to the world through refusal to deal adequately with global warming in USA. And, we do not want Thane to be thought of as "India's Kabul".
(Someone said: India would be a much better place if positive, modern-thinking reformers who have worked hard - like Vivek Pandit - get a fair chance. But always, the backward-looking and greedy seem to benefit, often by force, lies and corruption, and threatening people who will not vote for them).
In Vasai, candidates alleged that EVMs were not functioning properly. As a result, they alleged that all votes were going to a particular candidate.
Jalpet, a village in Vasai, recorded a 100% turnout.
IMO: Maybe such matters should be investigated and corrected. It is well known about the effect of the 'hanging chads' etc in Florida, which, some say, led to very wide consequences for the USA, and indeed to the world through refusal to deal adequately with global warming in USA. And, we do not want Thane to be thought of as "India's Kabul".
(Someone said: India would be a much better place if positive, modern-thinking reformers who have worked hard - like Vivek Pandit - get a fair chance. But always, the backward-looking and greedy seem to benefit, often by force, lies and corruption, and threatening people who will not vote for them).
Places for life in solar system
By Standard Microbial Habitability - FWIW
Saturn's icy moon Enceladus scored 0.4 -- the same as Earth.
Mars 0.3 -- dig deeper, maybe
Jupiter's moon Europa 0.3 -- maybe in the shallow ocean
Saturn's icy moon Enceladus scored 0.4 -- the same as Earth.
Mars 0.3 -- dig deeper, maybe
Jupiter's moon Europa 0.3 -- maybe in the shallow ocean
Monday, October 12, 2009
Guardian Gagged from Reporting Parliament
Guido gives us another gem
"According to the Guardian, despite the 1688 Bill of Rights, it has been gagged from reporting a question to be asked in parliament later this week. The gag was obtained by Carter-Ruck. Wonder if it is this question:
Paul Farrelly (Newcastle-under-Lyme): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of legislation to protect (a) whistleblowers and (b) press freedom following the injunctions obtained in the High Court by (i) Barclays and Freshfields solicitors on 19 March 2009 on the publication of internal Barclays reports documenting alleged tax avoidance schemes and (ii) Trafigura and Carter-Ruck solicitors on 11 September 2009 on the publication of the Minton report on the alleged dumping of toxic waste in the Ivory Coast, commissioned by Trafigura."
Other reasonably say: "Solicitors backed up by wealthy clients are getting more aggressive and judges seem to be getting weaker. Hence the emergence of “super-injunctions” which rather than get you to defend an apparently defamatory statement in court, prevents you from making that statement at all just in case it is defamatory.
But it is certainly a milestone when a newspaper cannot report what is said in Parliament. And a milestone when I sympathise with the Guardian."
Further comments here, filling in some information.
IMO: I understand that the toxic waste dumping has been going on for many years. Disgraceful. Good thing: The cat is partly out of the bag. Bad thing: As I've said for years, UK judges are seemingly getting more and more corrupt.
"According to the Guardian, despite the 1688 Bill of Rights, it has been gagged from reporting a question to be asked in parliament later this week. The gag was obtained by Carter-Ruck. Wonder if it is this question:
Paul Farrelly (Newcastle-under-Lyme): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of legislation to protect (a) whistleblowers and (b) press freedom following the injunctions obtained in the High Court by (i) Barclays and Freshfields solicitors on 19 March 2009 on the publication of internal Barclays reports documenting alleged tax avoidance schemes and (ii) Trafigura and Carter-Ruck solicitors on 11 September 2009 on the publication of the Minton report on the alleged dumping of toxic waste in the Ivory Coast, commissioned by Trafigura."
Other reasonably say: "Solicitors backed up by wealthy clients are getting more aggressive and judges seem to be getting weaker. Hence the emergence of “super-injunctions” which rather than get you to defend an apparently defamatory statement in court, prevents you from making that statement at all just in case it is defamatory.
But it is certainly a milestone when a newspaper cannot report what is said in Parliament. And a milestone when I sympathise with the Guardian."
Further comments here, filling in some information.
IMO: I understand that the toxic waste dumping has been going on for many years. Disgraceful. Good thing: The cat is partly out of the bag. Bad thing: As I've said for years, UK judges are seemingly getting more and more corrupt.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Even now, our rotten MPs still don't get it
According to the Daily Mail. Should no criminal charges be brought by the authorities, the TPA plans to pursue the worst cheats with private prosecutions. Justice must be done - however determined our MPs are to resist.
IMO: I had come across a rumour that Gordon Brown may agree to repay thousands of pounds, then try to retire due to ill health as a self-styled hero. Many people may be reasonably called heroes (including Barack Obama in the crazy USA) but I know of absolutely no heroes in Westminster - UK MPs do not even help with simple enquiries or problems, more often than not.
IMO: I had come across a rumour that Gordon Brown may agree to repay thousands of pounds, then try to retire due to ill health as a self-styled hero. Many people may be reasonably called heroes (including Barack Obama in the crazy USA) but I know of absolutely no heroes in Westminster - UK MPs do not even help with simple enquiries or problems, more often than not.
God is not the Creator, claims academic
Professor Ellen van Wolde, a respected Old Testament scholar and author, claims the first sentence of Genesis "in the beginning God created the Heaven and the Earth" is not a true translation of the Hebrew.
She claims she has carried out fresh textual analysis that suggests the writers of the holy book (or books) never intended to suggest that God created the world -- and in fact the Earth was already there when he created humans and animals.
IMO: Depending on van Wolde's status, this could be of deep concern to Christians, Muslims and Jews. The rest of us may not need to worry, but in those faiths Genesis would be hard to ingore in their theologies, however derivative, as otherwise they could be even more easily taken as hypocrites. I must say that I would prefer to consider the inclusion of the Gospel of Mary into the Bible and/or the possibility of yet another woman pope. (It would be hard to vouch for or against the previous existence of even one woman pope and I would qualify the possibility in a more detailed blog, some time - it should make some difference, either way, and history may still play peculiar tricks on feelings towards the idea).
She claims she has carried out fresh textual analysis that suggests the writers of the holy book (or books) never intended to suggest that God created the world -- and in fact the Earth was already there when he created humans and animals.
IMO: Depending on van Wolde's status, this could be of deep concern to Christians, Muslims and Jews. The rest of us may not need to worry, but in those faiths Genesis would be hard to ingore in their theologies, however derivative, as otherwise they could be even more easily taken as hypocrites. I must say that I would prefer to consider the inclusion of the Gospel of Mary into the Bible and/or the possibility of yet another woman pope. (It would be hard to vouch for or against the previous existence of even one woman pope and I would qualify the possibility in a more detailed blog, some time - it should make some difference, either way, and history may still play peculiar tricks on feelings towards the idea).
Is Hillary Clinton a successful diplomat ?
IMO: In a word, Nagorno-Karabakh, which AFAIK is mainly comprised of ethnic Armenians (about 95% and mainly Christian).
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Kabul: Pakistan acting for Taliban, AlQuaeda
Afghanistan has boldly stepped up where even India has been discreet in treading, bluntly accusing the Pakistani intelligence agency ISI of masterminding the latest bombing of the Indian Embassy in Kabul which killed 17 people.
Pakistan is now widely reviled in Afghanistan and is regarded as the source of all its troubles, beginning with the training and infiltration of the Taliban in the early 1990s to take over Kabul after the eviction of the Soviet Union at the end of the Cold War.
IMO: So US should now be using controlled drones on Pakistan to clear out the Taliban. Also, this would save money, lives and soldiers. Pakistan, never a friend of US or UK, has only got the greed of its own higher-ups to blame. Seems India has invested 1.5 billion dollars in Afghanistan on schools, hospitals and the like, whilst as for Pakistan: The rump area controlling Pakistan which is Afghanistan's natural enemy, has bombed Afghanistan and now the Indian embassy and the U.N. as well. Hurry up and see sense, Pres. Obama, or call yourself a failure and a shame. Trust your own people like Joe Biden, and not some clapped-out military generals. AlQuaeda and its Paki pals could well bomb Washington next.
Pakistan is now widely reviled in Afghanistan and is regarded as the source of all its troubles, beginning with the training and infiltration of the Taliban in the early 1990s to take over Kabul after the eviction of the Soviet Union at the end of the Cold War.
IMO: So US should now be using controlled drones on Pakistan to clear out the Taliban. Also, this would save money, lives and soldiers. Pakistan, never a friend of US or UK, has only got the greed of its own higher-ups to blame. Seems India has invested 1.5 billion dollars in Afghanistan on schools, hospitals and the like, whilst as for Pakistan: The rump area controlling Pakistan which is Afghanistan's natural enemy, has bombed Afghanistan and now the Indian embassy and the U.N. as well. Hurry up and see sense, Pres. Obama, or call yourself a failure and a shame. Trust your own people like Joe Biden, and not some clapped-out military generals. AlQuaeda and its Paki pals could well bomb Washington next.
Open Access Policy for York University Librarians and Archivists
At least for a year. Other such Universities are
University of Calgary Academic Council of Libraries and Cultural Resources. IR deposit.
University of Oregon Library Faculty. IR Deposit, CC license.
The University of Michigan Library. CC license to materials such as "bibliographies, research guides, lesson plans, and technology tutorials."
Oregon State University Libraries. IR deposit.
IMO: A good idea. There is at least one list of universities which have at least some OA facilities and OA would appear to be a really good idea, helpful for research. Valuable suggestions of more OA names are requested here.
University of Calgary Academic Council of Libraries and Cultural Resources. IR deposit.
University of Oregon Library Faculty. IR Deposit, CC license.
The University of Michigan Library. CC license to materials such as "bibliographies, research guides, lesson plans, and technology tutorials."
Oregon State University Libraries. IR deposit.
IMO: A good idea. There is at least one list of universities which have at least some OA facilities and OA would appear to be a really good idea, helpful for research. Valuable suggestions of more OA names are requested here.
Friday, October 09, 2009
AlQuaeda and CERN
At least one physicist at CERN has been arrested for his AlQuaeda links.
Source states: " Cern: "None of our research has potential for military application, and all our results are published openly in the public domain." Ah yes, nothing published in public domain has ever had military application. Um."
IMO: It could turn out worse than the Sibel Edmonds MIT nuclear possible leaks, already blogged. Maybe at some point AlQaeda may be forcing truly severe action on them and CERN involvement is not necessarily in their own interests.
Source states: " Cern: "None of our research has potential for military application, and all our results are published openly in the public domain." Ah yes, nothing published in public domain has ever had military application. Um."
IMO: It could turn out worse than the Sibel Edmonds MIT nuclear possible leaks, already blogged. Maybe at some point AlQaeda may be forcing truly severe action on them and CERN involvement is not necessarily in their own interests.
New Game - Urban Spying
Apparently free to join. £1000 rewards.
Prizes when you find a crime through the "TV surveillance". There are 4 million cameras in the UK, many unwatched. Only operating in Stratford, Warks. so far but it soon will be around the nation it is hoped.
It is not known whether if you moon at a camera and then report it, you gain points.
Prizes when you find a crime through the "TV surveillance". There are 4 million cameras in the UK, many unwatched. Only operating in Stratford, Warks. so far but it soon will be around the nation it is hoped.
It is not known whether if you moon at a camera and then report it, you gain points.
Guido on Big Government
The attack on Big Government: “government got too big, promised too much and pretended that it had all the answers” and the little reported promise of a return to sound money policies. The emphasis on the family unit as the essential foundation of society, the emphasis on lower taxes for the lower paid and the education reforms which are the most exciting manifesto promise from the Tories, all sound good.
What is a little unconvincing is the idea that in government the Tories will roll back Big Government, policy after policy is statist; the Tories are proposing 17 new quangos, threatening to put up taxes and devoid of privatisation proposals. When the leader of the LibDems is sounding more right-wing on taxes and implementing “savage spending cuts” than the leader of the Tories, you wonder who is really offering real change?
IMO: A pity Labor does not pull up its socks RIGHT NOW, an improved answer might solve Guido's problems within the ground rules of both (or all) parties. We also need a Lisbon referendum and more open voting as much discussed already in this blog. Both are still possible to Labor. Further there should be a more eyes open approach to fringe religious groups like the small Muslim minority, especially bearing in mind the likely course of the EU. What is more the expenses scandal ought to be dealt with, disgusting that only the Telegraph newspaper did so for awhile.
What is a little unconvincing is the idea that in government the Tories will roll back Big Government, policy after policy is statist; the Tories are proposing 17 new quangos, threatening to put up taxes and devoid of privatisation proposals. When the leader of the LibDems is sounding more right-wing on taxes and implementing “savage spending cuts” than the leader of the Tories, you wonder who is really offering real change?
IMO: A pity Labor does not pull up its socks RIGHT NOW, an improved answer might solve Guido's problems within the ground rules of both (or all) parties. We also need a Lisbon referendum and more open voting as much discussed already in this blog. Both are still possible to Labor. Further there should be a more eyes open approach to fringe religious groups like the small Muslim minority, especially bearing in mind the likely course of the EU. What is more the expenses scandal ought to be dealt with, disgusting that only the Telegraph newspaper did so for awhile.
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Polygamy
The Muslim Association of Britain states: "in Islamic culture having multiple wives is more responsibility than a right".
IMO: As a former student of Wahabism I understand this is quite incorrect. I am left wondering as to the legal status of organisations which presume otherwise. (Certainly polygamy has been freely accepted from time to time in both Hinduism and Islam, but the comment is misleading on the nature of Islam). Its enough to make you vote Tory.
IMO: As a former student of Wahabism I understand this is quite incorrect. I am left wondering as to the legal status of organisations which presume otherwise. (Certainly polygamy has been freely accepted from time to time in both Hinduism and Islam, but the comment is misleading on the nature of Islam). Its enough to make you vote Tory.
Pakistani group claims blast on UN
A pro-Taliban group in Pakistan has claimed responsibility for an attack on a UN compound in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the attack as a 'heinous crime.' The world body has also temporarily shut down all its offices in Pakistan while investigations are underway.
The UN apparently were using the compound for a food program involving famine relief.
IMO: The Taliban used to have support from the US so the tens of thousands of Pakistanis on the streets, some with placards saying "Death to America" are understandable. But up to a point Pakistan does not understand the US regime change, and the fact that "war is war". Unlike Pakistan, USA and Europe both experienced real war during WW2, and winning that war was a good thing, even with the blood sweat and tears. Now Europe is roughly united, in a roughly good way. I can remember that war, even if some mealymouthed politicians want to forget it. I would think there will be need for drones to be used on Pakistan and if some Paks join the wrong side - hard luck. Use neutron bombs on the Paks if needed and available. After all, Nixon sold neutron bomb technology to China for use on its own minorities if need be.
The UN apparently were using the compound for a food program involving famine relief.
IMO: The Taliban used to have support from the US so the tens of thousands of Pakistanis on the streets, some with placards saying "Death to America" are understandable. But up to a point Pakistan does not understand the US regime change, and the fact that "war is war". Unlike Pakistan, USA and Europe both experienced real war during WW2, and winning that war was a good thing, even with the blood sweat and tears. Now Europe is roughly united, in a roughly good way. I can remember that war, even if some mealymouthed politicians want to forget it. I would think there will be need for drones to be used on Pakistan and if some Paks join the wrong side - hard luck. Use neutron bombs on the Paks if needed and available. After all, Nixon sold neutron bomb technology to China for use on its own minorities if need be.
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Virar Co seeks new image with 'clean' nominees
Hitendra Thakur's elder brother Jayendra alias Bhai Thakur is a TADA convict and is now being prosecuted in a Pune TADA court in the Suresh Dube murder case. So, Hitendra Thakur's son Kshitij and aide Narayan Mankar are standing. Thakur has been always attacked by political rivals as leading a gang of terrorists. More here.
I gather that since nominally 'clean' nominees have been appointed by Thakur, there is no deal between Congress and Sena.
IMO: I can only say we can draw our own conclusions. But in fairness to Sonia Gandhi, she is said to be no Imelda Marcos and does not speak Hindi or English very well.
I gather that since nominally 'clean' nominees have been appointed by Thakur, there is no deal between Congress and Sena.
IMO: I can only say we can draw our own conclusions. But in fairness to Sonia Gandhi, she is said to be no Imelda Marcos and does not speak Hindi or English very well.
David Cameron retreats on raising retirement age
Mr Cameron insisted that he had only authorised a review into the issue. He claimed that 2016 was the earliest that changes would take effect and moved to ease the concerns of women, telling them that they would not be subjected to a sudden jump in their retirement age.
IMO: Perhaps he has finally realised that to raise the pension age for women in the 50s would lose him lots of votes. It seems to me that there must be two horns to any retirement policy, or any economic policy. The first is to get Broken Britain mended in the short term, the second to bear in mind longer term problems. We now know that in the forseeable future life expectancy may rise to over 200 years. Not many hard working people would want to support idlers for over 130 years. But a short term policy must bring in votes, and the idea of simply saying "there will be a review" really means "we want to be elected and will then do what we like". That is not a policy, Cameron seems already to have denied people the right to vote over the Lisbon agreement and he now seems to be using more weasel words than Tony Blair.
IMO: Perhaps he has finally realised that to raise the pension age for women in the 50s would lose him lots of votes. It seems to me that there must be two horns to any retirement policy, or any economic policy. The first is to get Broken Britain mended in the short term, the second to bear in mind longer term problems. We now know that in the forseeable future life expectancy may rise to over 200 years. Not many hard working people would want to support idlers for over 130 years. But a short term policy must bring in votes, and the idea of simply saying "there will be a review" really means "we want to be elected and will then do what we like". That is not a policy, Cameron seems already to have denied people the right to vote over the Lisbon agreement and he now seems to be using more weasel words than Tony Blair.
Monday, October 05, 2009
Nobel Winners allegedly Isolate Protein Behind Immortality, Cancer
This year’s Nobel Prize in medicine went to a trio of scientists who discovered the enzyme telomerase, which allows cells to divide without any limits, making them effectively immortal.
It may be nature’s greatest double-edged sword. Coax cells into producing telomerase, and they will survive indefinitely, but they will also become cancerous.
Mark Muller thinks humans could live for 90 to 210 years once scientists know more about the molecular basis of aging.
IMO: Wired magazine like to make a headline but there could be some advance in a number of years. But obviously the present results are by now well known. (8th October - some more explanatory references here, here and here)
It may be nature’s greatest double-edged sword. Coax cells into producing telomerase, and they will survive indefinitely, but they will also become cancerous.
Mark Muller thinks humans could live for 90 to 210 years once scientists know more about the molecular basis of aging.
IMO: Wired magazine like to make a headline but there could be some advance in a number of years. But obviously the present results are by now well known. (8th October - some more explanatory references here, here and here)
Sena, Congress alliance in Vasai ?
Local leaders of Shiv Sena, NCP, Congress, BJP and MNS in the area have reportedly joined hands with five other parties in an attempt to defeat four-time Independent MLA Hitendra Thakur.
The two parties, and eight others – Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), Janata Dal (JD), Swabhimani Vasaikar Sanghatana, Shramjivi Sanghatana, Vasai Sangharsh Samiti and a social organisation led by Dutta Nar – have formed the Vasai Jan Andolan Samiti (VJAS) to ensure Thakur’s defeat in the upcoming Assembly elections. Shiv Sena’s Vivek Pandit is the chosen candidate for the job.
“Despite having been elected four times, Thakur has done nothing to help the people of Vasai. He has used his position only to realise his dreams of becoming a builder and has converted the area into a concrete jungle,” Pandit said. He further alleged that Thakur has not even solved the area’s sewage problem and residents still complain of lack of drinking water. He added that the VJAS has also decided to have a non-political election symbol to show that they are united.
Also, it is said that Thakur has now decided not to stand himself but instead has fielded his wife and son.
IMO: Vivek Pandit seems to have a good track record and could be the man for the job.
The two parties, and eight others – Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), Janata Dal (JD), Swabhimani Vasaikar Sanghatana, Shramjivi Sanghatana, Vasai Sangharsh Samiti and a social organisation led by Dutta Nar – have formed the Vasai Jan Andolan Samiti (VJAS) to ensure Thakur’s defeat in the upcoming Assembly elections. Shiv Sena’s Vivek Pandit is the chosen candidate for the job.
“Despite having been elected four times, Thakur has done nothing to help the people of Vasai. He has used his position only to realise his dreams of becoming a builder and has converted the area into a concrete jungle,” Pandit said. He further alleged that Thakur has not even solved the area’s sewage problem and residents still complain of lack of drinking water. He added that the VJAS has also decided to have a non-political election symbol to show that they are united.
Also, it is said that Thakur has now decided not to stand himself but instead has fielded his wife and son.
IMO: Vivek Pandit seems to have a good track record and could be the man for the job.
Sibel Edmonds had received 2006 Pen/Newman award.
Edmonds is described as a "heroine". Recent revelations are of bribery and blackmail of current and former U.S. Congress members and high-ranking State and Defense Department officials, and the theft and sale of nuclear secrets by agents of Turkey and Israel, as detailed in her sworn deposition in August, and remarkable AmCon cover-story interview which followed it late last month... Brief details here and here.
IMO: I had not been aware she had received that award. There is a lot of dirty work going on behind the scenes, clearly. We only have to think of the apparent continued cover-up by the US Govt and other interested parties of the Syrian involvement with Lockerbie, and the apparent use of AlMegrahi and his seemingly unlawful, unfair and corrupt trial by the US and UK authorities. "Private Eye" p29 for 2nd October discuss a few details of that alleged frame-up, still in force even under the Obama administration. It seems that many in Afghanistan prefer the Taliban to the US and the UK. I do not support the Taliban personally, in fact I would be using more drones and maybe taking some more advice from Joe Biden, but I do sympathise with such Afghans who must by now view the rather mickey-mouse appearance of the US and UK with some disrespect.
IMO: I had not been aware she had received that award. There is a lot of dirty work going on behind the scenes, clearly. We only have to think of the apparent continued cover-up by the US Govt and other interested parties of the Syrian involvement with Lockerbie, and the apparent use of AlMegrahi and his seemingly unlawful, unfair and corrupt trial by the US and UK authorities. "Private Eye" p29 for 2nd October discuss a few details of that alleged frame-up, still in force even under the Obama administration. It seems that many in Afghanistan prefer the Taliban to the US and the UK. I do not support the Taliban personally, in fact I would be using more drones and maybe taking some more advice from Joe Biden, but I do sympathise with such Afghans who must by now view the rather mickey-mouse appearance of the US and UK with some disrespect.
Saturday, October 03, 2009
Donal Blaney on Tories
"Does Channel 4 not see the way the wind's blowing? Channel 4 is ripe for being privatized and stripped of taxpayers' money if/when the Tories take power next May.
You'd have thought they'd be more sensible than to seek to insult David Cameron on the eve of his speech to the Conservative Party Conference this week.
Even the TUC will be paying homage to the Prime Minister-in-waiting this week..."
IMO: All very interesting. Certainly Ch4 seems to say "a new Channel 4 docu-drama charting one of the most embarrassing periods of the Conservative leader’s past will air on the eve of an all-important speech to next week’s Tory party conference. The 90-minute show features scenes detailing when a young Cameron is caught with cannabis at his desk along with rowdy drinking scenes and interviews with his university contemporaries that paint him as a ‘Phil Collins-obsessed geek’" ..... Maybe the Tories really need a man of the soil as their leader, like former sky pilot Norman Tebbit. I believe US pilots in particular, are now lamenting about scandalously low wages. On the TUC, I suppose the TUC will have to make friends with the Tories, to get details to help them prepare their next strike (and to hell with the widows and orphans if these two bent groups are in cahoots again).
You'd have thought they'd be more sensible than to seek to insult David Cameron on the eve of his speech to the Conservative Party Conference this week.
Even the TUC will be paying homage to the Prime Minister-in-waiting this week..."
IMO: All very interesting. Certainly Ch4 seems to say "a new Channel 4 docu-drama charting one of the most embarrassing periods of the Conservative leader’s past will air on the eve of an all-important speech to next week’s Tory party conference. The 90-minute show features scenes detailing when a young Cameron is caught with cannabis at his desk along with rowdy drinking scenes and interviews with his university contemporaries that paint him as a ‘Phil Collins-obsessed geek’" ..... Maybe the Tories really need a man of the soil as their leader, like former sky pilot Norman Tebbit. I believe US pilots in particular, are now lamenting about scandalously low wages. On the TUC, I suppose the TUC will have to make friends with the Tories, to get details to help them prepare their next strike (and to hell with the widows and orphans if these two bent groups are in cahoots again).
Friday, October 02, 2009
Tory poll: 8 out of 10 say Cameron feeble on EU
The poll of 2,205 Tory members by the ConservativeHome.com website found that more than eight in 10 want him to call a referendum on the Treaty of Lisbon even if it has been approved by the next general election – a pledge he is refusing to make.
IMO: The lack of a referendum seems even to many Labor voters to be an abnegation of agreed pre-election Labor promises over a long time. In short, most people may want their vote, and both major parties took it away.
IMO: The lack of a referendum seems even to many Labor voters to be an abnegation of agreed pre-election Labor promises over a long time. In short, most people may want their vote, and both major parties took it away.
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