Sunday, November 29, 2009
Gary McKinnon extradition decision is shameful
The UK Guardian says, inter alia "As we approach the 25th anniversary of the Bhopal gas disaster on 3 December 1984, in which over 30,000 people died (and some 60,000 still suffer blindness, respiratory and other illness), it is perhaps an opportune moment to compare the US's self-serving approach to extradition. Britain has been coerced by the Washington regime to extradite Gary McKinnon, who has done no more than embarrass American security. When the Indian government repeatedly sought the extradition of Warren Anderson, the station chief of Union Carbide – the US conglomerate responsible for the Bhopal gas leak – for his culpability in the deaths and the company's wilful neglect, who had done a runner back to the States directly after the tragedy, Washington bluntly refused to hand over their man. American justice is apart from international norms."
IMO: Its clear that a great many US judicial rulings over the years, including some by Hamburger and by Learned Hand, have made the US even worse than the Guardian states. Lets hope that the Obama administration tries to improve things, but with so many disgracefully bad politicians and a corrupt judiciary on both sides of the channel, as there has been for such a long time, we certainly can't be sure of that. But after this Goatse and then the Lisa Simpson business over the Olympics, I think the UK authorities at any rate almost give the impression of being either blind or mad.
IMO: Its clear that a great many US judicial rulings over the years, including some by Hamburger and by Learned Hand, have made the US even worse than the Guardian states. Lets hope that the Obama administration tries to improve things, but with so many disgracefully bad politicians and a corrupt judiciary on both sides of the channel, as there has been for such a long time, we certainly can't be sure of that. But after this Goatse and then the Lisa Simpson business over the Olympics, I think the UK authorities at any rate almost give the impression of being either blind or mad.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Smita Thackeray to join Congress Party
The Congress has decided to embrace the high-profile daughter-in-law of Shiv Sena chief Smita Thackeray, to strongly convey the message that party president 'Soniaji' Gandhi has greater acceptance than Balasaheb.
Even after her divorce with Jaidev in 2004, Smita, 48, had continued to live in the Thackeray family home, Matoshree, underlining what many said was her special bond with her father-in-law.
But Smita has already spoken against the philosophy of the Sena and praised Sonia Gandhi, two unwritten conditions for joining the Congress.
IMO: I was left with the impression that Smita Thackeray's work was of artistic merit. This may not be an obvious situtation, certainly Rane and others do not seem happy with the situation, doubtless time will tell as to how important it is.
Even after her divorce with Jaidev in 2004, Smita, 48, had continued to live in the Thackeray family home, Matoshree, underlining what many said was her special bond with her father-in-law.
But Smita has already spoken against the philosophy of the Sena and praised Sonia Gandhi, two unwritten conditions for joining the Congress.
IMO: I was left with the impression that Smita Thackeray's work was of artistic merit. This may not be an obvious situtation, certainly Rane and others do not seem happy with the situation, doubtless time will tell as to how important it is.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Gary McKinnon
Solicitors for Pentagon hacker Gary McKinnon are planning a 11th-hour judicial review after Home Secretary Alan Johnson decided new medical evidence was insufficient reason for him to step in and block US extradition proceedings. Johnson's decision runs contrary to the findings of the Commons' Home Affairs Committee that McKinnon's extradition ought to be halted because of his "precarious state of mental health". The MPs also criticised the lopsided US-UK extradition treaty that means US authorities are not obliged to present any evidence when seeking the extradition of a British citizen.
IMO: The whole treaty was yet another of Tony Blair's mistakes. Whether Johnson is wise from his own standpoint to behave as he has, seemingly genuinely contradicting medical expertise, is another matter. Johnson seems to have been right enough about Nutt, but this is another matter and it seems most incorrect that McKinnon should be extradited or indeed that the present extradition treaty should remain. The problem is that if McKinnon really does commit suicide, as he may well do, it could badly - and irrelevantly - affect the politics/science interface.
IMO: The whole treaty was yet another of Tony Blair's mistakes. Whether Johnson is wise from his own standpoint to behave as he has, seemingly genuinely contradicting medical expertise, is another matter. Johnson seems to have been right enough about Nutt, but this is another matter and it seems most incorrect that McKinnon should be extradited or indeed that the present extradition treaty should remain. The problem is that if McKinnon really does commit suicide, as he may well do, it could badly - and irrelevantly - affect the politics/science interface.
Obama's ideas for India on global warming
The U.S. National Renewable Energy Lab will partner with India's Solar Energy Centre and Centre for Wind Energy Technology to map potential, develop technology and, ultimately, aid in its deployment—potentially allowing rural Indians to "leapfrog" directly to distributed solar energy, without the need for costly transmission lines. And there will also be enhanced cooperation in agriculture—helping to revitalize the Green Revolution in India that dramatically reduced starvation there in the 20th century. "India is important to the energy and climate change problem for several reasons," said U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu during a visit to the country this month. For one, "eighty percent of the infrastructure in India has yet to be built. What we have today and what we are going to have by 2030. So this is an incredible opportunity for India to build its buildings, its cities, its highways, its infrastructure, its transportation in the most energy efficient way possible."
According to "The Hindu", India believes that there is recognition in the joint statement of the need for substantially scaled-up financial resources to support climate change action in developing countries.
IMO: Hopefully, an improvement in the electrification position in Vasai, and a more efficient Western Railways will result but I'm not yet clear how. Mamata Banerjee is already intending to make use of solar power to operate Indian railway stations. But it can also be hoped that increased and more efficient use of nuclear power will generally occur.
According to "The Hindu", India believes that there is recognition in the joint statement of the need for substantially scaled-up financial resources to support climate change action in developing countries.
IMO: Hopefully, an improvement in the electrification position in Vasai, and a more efficient Western Railways will result but I'm not yet clear how. Mamata Banerjee is already intending to make use of solar power to operate Indian railway stations. But it can also be hoped that increased and more efficient use of nuclear power will generally occur.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Afghanistan
The senior U.S. officer in Logar, Army Lt. Col. Thomas Gukeisen, tells Voice of America that he does not have enough soldiers to control all of the province, even with the help of the Afghan National Army (ANA) and the Afghan National Police (ANP). Instead, he uses the troops that he has to occupy the most cooperative villages, and turn them into examples for neighboring villages to follow.
IMO: Hm, sounds a little like the old 'strategic hamlets' of Vietnam. Perhaps not a nice similarity.
In declaring on Tuesday that he would “finish the job” in Afghanistan, US President Barack Obama used a phrase clearly meant to imply that even as he deploys an additional 30,000 or so troops, he has finally figured out how to bring the conflict to an end, perhaps by 2017. But Pakistanis may feel that if the US withdraws, India will fill the void in southern Afghanistan. So the United States is stuck, between not wanting to suggest it will be a presence in the region forever and showing enough commitment to encourage Pakistan to change its behaviour.
IMO: So, an element of any success for Obama and the undoubtedly economically strained USA is the co-operation of both Pakistan and India. India's Manmohan Singh will undoubtedly do his best, and it is hoped that Pakistan under its present leadership may do the same. I have just been to Turkey, which has strong Sufi elements and Turkey has been extremely successful now for many years, economically and in other ways. For the sake of Pakistan and Islam, I trust that the Sufi element in Pakistan may also prove successful . IMO Sufism is as like Wahabism as chalk is like cheese, not much alike, and things could conceivably turn out well for the subcontinent.
IMO: Hm, sounds a little like the old 'strategic hamlets' of Vietnam. Perhaps not a nice similarity.
In declaring on Tuesday that he would “finish the job” in Afghanistan, US President Barack Obama used a phrase clearly meant to imply that even as he deploys an additional 30,000 or so troops, he has finally figured out how to bring the conflict to an end, perhaps by 2017. But Pakistanis may feel that if the US withdraws, India will fill the void in southern Afghanistan. So the United States is stuck, between not wanting to suggest it will be a presence in the region forever and showing enough commitment to encourage Pakistan to change its behaviour.
IMO: So, an element of any success for Obama and the undoubtedly economically strained USA is the co-operation of both Pakistan and India. India's Manmohan Singh will undoubtedly do his best, and it is hoped that Pakistan under its present leadership may do the same. I have just been to Turkey, which has strong Sufi elements and Turkey has been extremely successful now for many years, economically and in other ways. For the sake of Pakistan and Islam, I trust that the Sufi element in Pakistan may also prove successful . IMO Sufism is as like Wahabism as chalk is like cheese, not much alike, and things could conceivably turn out well for the subcontinent.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Two pieces of favorable news.
US President Obama and Indian PM Singh hold talks : Obama: "The United States and India can strengthen the global economic recovery". President Barack Obama has praised the United States' relationship with India as "one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century". Mr Singh began his visit to America on Monday. He is being received with pomp and ceremony which far exceeds that enjoyed by any previous foreign visitor to Mr Obama's White House. India hopes the talks will see the finalisation of the civilian nuclear deal with the US.
Kashmir integral part of India: EU : The European Union leaders’ statement on Tuesday that Kashmir is an integral part of India has come as a major diplomatic relief for the country at a time when China and the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) raised their pitch over the Kashmir to India’s dislike.
Kashmir integral part of India: EU : The European Union leaders’ statement on Tuesday that Kashmir is an integral part of India has come as a major diplomatic relief for the country at a time when China and the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) raised their pitch over the Kashmir to India’s dislike.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Somali pirates
The crew of a Royal Navy vessel watched a British couple being kidnapped by Somali pirates, but were ordered not to open fire, it emerged last night.
An official account of the kidnap released last month said only that a Royal Navy vessel found the empty yacht, without disclosing that its crew saw the action unfolding. The full picture emerged when an anonymous crew member leaked the details to the press.
The Ministry of Defence later confirmed that the Wave Knight, which was carrying a helicopter, was within range.
A spokesman said: "Significant efforts were made by Royal Navy vessels and international maritime forces to locate the Lynn Rival. Everything possible was done without further endangering the lives of Paul and Rachel Chandler."
IMO: Surely they could have at least tracked the pirate boat, and if competent could have overcome them. It looks as if the Brits are sharing any rewards with the pirates. It makes you wonder how much the UK is trying to protect its nationals, e.g. in Afghanistan where it looks like things could be dealt with much better. Obviously the UK lie a lot to their own citizens, and even want to hand over power to Brussels to fill the pockets of their politicians and civil servants, as all major parties have even refused a referendum. It almost looks as if they are encouraging the Taliban in order to make further military efforts essential, again for personal profits. Even the Bofors case seems to involve much less corruption, compared to the current crooked bunch of British politicians - all parties - and bent and lazy 'civil servants'. Next we will have Somaliland and Yemen to worry about, apparently thanks to crooked UK MPs.
An official account of the kidnap released last month said only that a Royal Navy vessel found the empty yacht, without disclosing that its crew saw the action unfolding. The full picture emerged when an anonymous crew member leaked the details to the press.
The Ministry of Defence later confirmed that the Wave Knight, which was carrying a helicopter, was within range.
A spokesman said: "Significant efforts were made by Royal Navy vessels and international maritime forces to locate the Lynn Rival. Everything possible was done without further endangering the lives of Paul and Rachel Chandler."
IMO: Surely they could have at least tracked the pirate boat, and if competent could have overcome them. It looks as if the Brits are sharing any rewards with the pirates. It makes you wonder how much the UK is trying to protect its nationals, e.g. in Afghanistan where it looks like things could be dealt with much better. Obviously the UK lie a lot to their own citizens, and even want to hand over power to Brussels to fill the pockets of their politicians and civil servants, as all major parties have even refused a referendum. It almost looks as if they are encouraging the Taliban in order to make further military efforts essential, again for personal profits. Even the Bofors case seems to involve much less corruption, compared to the current crooked bunch of British politicians - all parties - and bent and lazy 'civil servants'. Next we will have Somaliland and Yemen to worry about, apparently thanks to crooked UK MPs.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Afghanistan again
From MSNBC: Obama’s decision is likely to come at the end of Thanksgiving week or the week after. But the calendar is a real factor here: If the president orders all the troops McChrystal wants, it still will take more than a year to get them in to the country. But McChrystal said in his report that “failure to gain the initiative and reverse insurgent momentum in the near-term (next 12 months) … risks an outcome where defeating the insurgency is no longer possible.”
And the popular press insist Obama must act quickly.... and so on... What a bunch of assholes all these people are, with no interest at all in the people of the USA.
IMO: Actually if issues like the pipeline are what matters, bearing in mind that there may be a cumulative number of such issues, rendering the problem important in anybody's terms, UK has an easy answer. Show willing with the UK troops, get the EU to send even more if reasonably possible, but keep them out of important areas - and out of dangerous areas such as UK troops are at the moment - such matters are best left to the US. US can keep putting in drones and killing as many Afghans as they need to. Mainly more and better drones, presumably, but enough men just to keep down the enemy, and kill them when needed, probably the more the better. And my quick fix would still be neutron bombs.
And the popular press insist Obama must act quickly.... and so on... What a bunch of assholes all these people are, with no interest at all in the people of the USA.
IMO: Actually if issues like the pipeline are what matters, bearing in mind that there may be a cumulative number of such issues, rendering the problem important in anybody's terms, UK has an easy answer. Show willing with the UK troops, get the EU to send even more if reasonably possible, but keep them out of important areas - and out of dangerous areas such as UK troops are at the moment - such matters are best left to the US. US can keep putting in drones and killing as many Afghans as they need to. Mainly more and better drones, presumably, but enough men just to keep down the enemy, and kill them when needed, probably the more the better. And my quick fix would still be neutron bombs.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
UK to build robot stealth raygun jet/copter
Aerospace firms are competing for a "classified" UK MoD contract to build a robotic military stealth aircraft which would be able to hover like a helicopter or fold its rotors and fly as an aeroplane. The "novel air concept" would be able to operate "within urban canyons" and deploy radical new weapons such as microwave or laser rayguns.
IMO: Most readers seem to think that this would be very useful in say, Coldharbour Lane or Oxford Street when the honest working people get even more sick and tired of the way they are being imposed on by the UK Government of the day. Could be really quite serious to innocent voters and taxpayers. Probably of little use in Afghanistan, good for further repression in UK.
IMO: Most readers seem to think that this would be very useful in say, Coldharbour Lane or Oxford Street when the honest working people get even more sick and tired of the way they are being imposed on by the UK Government of the day. Could be really quite serious to innocent voters and taxpayers. Probably of little use in Afghanistan, good for further repression in UK.
Monday, November 09, 2009
Up to a Quarter of British MEPs in Denial Over Climate
I am afraid that minority parties seem to predominate as 'Climate Deniers' to the point at which a vote for BNP or UKIP would now seem ill advised according to information here, which is normally well qualified and reliable although they do have some blind spots of total ignorance, probably not including climate change. It is not illegal to be a 'Climate Denier' though it is much worse than being a 'Holocaust Denier'.
IMO: I have already stated my current views on voting in the UK.
IMO: I have already stated my current views on voting in the UK.
Sunday, November 08, 2009
Why the Afghanistan war ? - IT'S THE PIPELINE, STUPID
Former UK ambassador to Uzbekistan, Craig Murray, who insists - probably correctly - that "CIA sent people to be ‘raped with broken bottles" asserts:
'The primary motivation for US and British military involvement in central Asia has to do with large natural gas deposits in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. As evidence, he points to the plans to build a natural gas pipeline through Afghanistan that would allow Western oil companies to avoid Russia and Iran when transporting natural gas out of the region'.
in the late 1990s the Uzbek ambassador to the US met with then-Texas Governor George W. Bush to discuss a pipeline for the region, and out of that meeting came agreements that would see Texas-based Enron gain the rights to Uzbekistan's natural gas deposits, while oil company Unocal worked on developing the Trans-Afghanistan pipeline.
"The consultant who was organizing this for Unocal was a certain Mr. Karzai, who is now president of Afghanistan," Murray noted.
Murray said part of the motive in hyping up the threat of Islamic terrorism in Uzbekistan through forced confessions was to ensure the country remained on-side in the war on terror, so that the pipeline could be built.
"There are designs of this pipeline, and if you look at the deployment of US forces in Afghanistan, as against other NATO country forces in Afghanistan, you'll see that undoubtedly the US forces are positioned to guard the pipeline route. It's what it's about. It's about money, it's about oil, it's not about democracy."
IMO: Sounds reasonable.
The CIA relied on intelligence based on torture in prisons in Uzbekistan, a place where widespread torture practices include raping suspects with broken bottles and boiling them alive, says Craig Murray.
IMO: Murray is probably still somewhat miffed about losing his job, but in the past he has written at length and whilst we perhaps do not find the degree of detail provided by, say, Sibel Edmonds, his work is intriguing if at times amusingly informal and would be worth Googling at depth. Murray is still rector of the University of Dundee AFAIK and accusations by a person of his stature are surely worth considering.
In 2007, Human Rights Watch declared that torture is "endemic" to the Uzbekistan's justice system, so it would seem that at any rate the CIA may find it an adequate replacement for GITMO.
'The primary motivation for US and British military involvement in central Asia has to do with large natural gas deposits in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. As evidence, he points to the plans to build a natural gas pipeline through Afghanistan that would allow Western oil companies to avoid Russia and Iran when transporting natural gas out of the region'.
in the late 1990s the Uzbek ambassador to the US met with then-Texas Governor George W. Bush to discuss a pipeline for the region, and out of that meeting came agreements that would see Texas-based Enron gain the rights to Uzbekistan's natural gas deposits, while oil company Unocal worked on developing the Trans-Afghanistan pipeline.
"The consultant who was organizing this for Unocal was a certain Mr. Karzai, who is now president of Afghanistan," Murray noted.
Murray said part of the motive in hyping up the threat of Islamic terrorism in Uzbekistan through forced confessions was to ensure the country remained on-side in the war on terror, so that the pipeline could be built.
"There are designs of this pipeline, and if you look at the deployment of US forces in Afghanistan, as against other NATO country forces in Afghanistan, you'll see that undoubtedly the US forces are positioned to guard the pipeline route. It's what it's about. It's about money, it's about oil, it's not about democracy."
IMO: Sounds reasonable.
The CIA relied on intelligence based on torture in prisons in Uzbekistan, a place where widespread torture practices include raping suspects with broken bottles and boiling them alive, says Craig Murray.
IMO: Murray is probably still somewhat miffed about losing his job, but in the past he has written at length and whilst we perhaps do not find the degree of detail provided by, say, Sibel Edmonds, his work is intriguing if at times amusingly informal and would be worth Googling at depth. Murray is still rector of the University of Dundee AFAIK and accusations by a person of his stature are surely worth considering.
In 2007, Human Rights Watch declared that torture is "endemic" to the Uzbekistan's justice system, so it would seem that at any rate the CIA may find it an adequate replacement for GITMO.
Saturday, November 07, 2009
Academics attack Professor Nutt over 'incorrect statements' on drugs
Some of Britain's leading drug experts yesterday launched an attack on Professor David Nutt, who was sacked as chair of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) after he argued that alcohol and tobacco were more dangerous than cannabis.
Professor Andy Parrott, the country's foremost authority on ecstasy, accused him of making "misleading and factually incorrect" comments. He said: "Professor Nutt has stated that ecstasy/MDMA is 'less pleasurable' than cocaine or nicotine, and hence less damaging. This is nonsense." He said such mistakes are "very worrying" and "may help to explain his recent dismissal", he added.
And Professor Robin Murray, a cannabis expert at the Institute of Psychiatry, added to his previous criticism of Professor Nutt when he said the ACMD hadn't "covered itself with glory in its understanding of cannabis" and has "always been several years behind the evidence". "It isn't an exclusively expert scientific body... and has been badly led by a few individuals," he said.
IMO: I still hope this is little more than a 9 day wonder, as it does not reflect well on science in general.
Professor Andy Parrott, the country's foremost authority on ecstasy, accused him of making "misleading and factually incorrect" comments. He said: "Professor Nutt has stated that ecstasy/MDMA is 'less pleasurable' than cocaine or nicotine, and hence less damaging. This is nonsense." He said such mistakes are "very worrying" and "may help to explain his recent dismissal", he added.
And Professor Robin Murray, a cannabis expert at the Institute of Psychiatry, added to his previous criticism of Professor Nutt when he said the ACMD hadn't "covered itself with glory in its understanding of cannabis" and has "always been several years behind the evidence". "It isn't an exclusively expert scientific body... and has been badly led by a few individuals," he said.
IMO: I still hope this is little more than a 9 day wonder, as it does not reflect well on science in general.
Friday, November 06, 2009
Iraq apparently using bogus UK bomb detectors
The fact that UK bomb detectors which do not work are being sold to the Iraq army for $US15,000 to $US60,000 dollars appears to have been exposed by the New York Times. Apparently these are supposed to work somewhat like dowsing, and they do not do anything at all. 1500 believed sold so far. They have also been exposed by bloggers and seem laughable, if the matter were not so serious.
IMO: So this is how the UK intends to bolster its trade deficit - by continuing to kil Iraquis. Maybe the Prime Mentalist Gordon Brown hopes they will work as well as his public-private-partnerships, or maybe Prof. "Nutty Nutt" suggested their sale before he was fired. Lets hope a lot of these have not been sold on to Drayson or somebody as well, or are the cause of the Britsh deaths in Afghanistan, as on the description given they are certainly bogus.
IMO: So this is how the UK intends to bolster its trade deficit - by continuing to kil Iraquis. Maybe the Prime Mentalist Gordon Brown hopes they will work as well as his public-private-partnerships, or maybe Prof. "Nutty Nutt" suggested their sale before he was fired. Lets hope a lot of these have not been sold on to Drayson or somebody as well, or are the cause of the Britsh deaths in Afghanistan, as on the description given they are certainly bogus.
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Laika - 52 years
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Pakistan terror in Iran - India tries to assist USA
Extremely poor, and deeply impoverished India is nonetheless heading towards becoming the new English speaking superpower and Britain is heading towards becoming a bankrupt state with a devalued currency.
India and Iran share deep historical and cultural relations. And, as per diplomatic sources, Washington wants New Delhi to use its influence and bring Iran onboard vis-à-vis its controversial nuclear programme. Cross Border terrorism emanating from Pakistan is expected to top the agenda of talks between foreign ministers of India and Iran due to be held in mid-November in the national capital.
After India and Afghanistan, Iran has become the latest neighbourhood victim of Pakistan sponsored terrorism through Pakistan-based Jundollah (or, God’s soldiers); recently suicide bomber killed 29 people, including several senior Revolutionary Guards commanders, in southeastern Iran.
India has been crying hoarse over the Pakistan sponsored terrorism for almost two decades, the Taj Mahal attacks on Mumbai beng only the tip of the iceberg.
IMO: Lets hope, also, that the Pakistan prime minister eventually comes to terms with his obligations to the world and to his own people. India only wants to be Pakistan's friend but Pakistan has so far been jinxed by bad leadership and foreign involvement.
India and Iran share deep historical and cultural relations. And, as per diplomatic sources, Washington wants New Delhi to use its influence and bring Iran onboard vis-à-vis its controversial nuclear programme. Cross Border terrorism emanating from Pakistan is expected to top the agenda of talks between foreign ministers of India and Iran due to be held in mid-November in the national capital.
After India and Afghanistan, Iran has become the latest neighbourhood victim of Pakistan sponsored terrorism through Pakistan-based Jundollah (or, God’s soldiers); recently suicide bomber killed 29 people, including several senior Revolutionary Guards commanders, in southeastern Iran.
India has been crying hoarse over the Pakistan sponsored terrorism for almost two decades, the Taj Mahal attacks on Mumbai beng only the tip of the iceberg.
IMO: Lets hope, also, that the Pakistan prime minister eventually comes to terms with his obligations to the world and to his own people. India only wants to be Pakistan's friend but Pakistan has so far been jinxed by bad leadership and foreign involvement.
Tory U-turn
The Tories do seem to have done a U-turn on the EU referendum promised to the UK voters, as there are obviously many ways that, effectively, a referendum situation could still be fairly imposed upon the EU, whilst clearly furthering the liberty and rights of its citizens without upsetting the EU applecart, such as it is.
Nigel Farage says: “We can now see how gutless and dishonest the Conservative Party has been about their intentions on a referendum.”
Average bloggers say "What chump would believe a word from “Cast Iron Daves” mouth now? His credibility is in shreds".
IMO: A difference between Afghanistan and the UK: In Afghanistan attempts are being made to give the public a chance to vote. In Britain overpaid politicians simply tell lies to the public and try wholeheartedly to remove the public's right to vote to further their personal ends.
Nigel Farage says: “We can now see how gutless and dishonest the Conservative Party has been about their intentions on a referendum.”
Average bloggers say "What chump would believe a word from “Cast Iron Daves” mouth now? His credibility is in shreds".
IMO: A difference between Afghanistan and the UK: In Afghanistan attempts are being made to give the public a chance to vote. In Britain overpaid politicians simply tell lies to the public and try wholeheartedly to remove the public's right to vote to further their personal ends.
Monday, November 02, 2009
Cameron warns of climate change “disaster,” but Tory bloggers are skeptical
And, it seems, Maggie Thatcher, John McCain and other prominent right wing people also see the danger of global warming.
IMO: Global warming problems are now physically obvious to the point where entire nations are starting to disappear because of global warming. It is said that the next UK Govt is likely to be Tory. Cameron already seems to be doing a U-turn over his EU referendum promises. If there is any chance there will also a U-turn on global warming, a Tory vote is ill-advised. Gobal warming is currently much more serious than any other matter. At least almost all the MPs seem to have had some common sense over Nutt, and effectively agreed with Johnson, so we may still hope for common sense on global warming.
IMO: Global warming problems are now physically obvious to the point where entire nations are starting to disappear because of global warming. It is said that the next UK Govt is likely to be Tory. Cameron already seems to be doing a U-turn over his EU referendum promises. If there is any chance there will also a U-turn on global warming, a Tory vote is ill-advised. Gobal warming is currently much more serious than any other matter. At least almost all the MPs seem to have had some common sense over Nutt, and effectively agreed with Johnson, so we may still hope for common sense on global warming.
Richard Baum, M.P. on Johnson and Nutt
Baum says, inter alia, "I don’t think that Nutt's criticism of Mr Johnson is motivated by a respect for science. I think it’s motivated by a dislike for the government. On this occasion, I think that it is Professor Nutt who has overstepped the mark, not Mr Johnson. Ministers set policy, so that we can vote them in or out for doing so. The day that unelected advisers think that they set policy, no matter how informed their advice, is not a good day.
IMO: Bravo ! Some sense at last !
Mr Johnson writes: “There are not many kids in my constituency in danger of falling off a horse – there are thousands at risk of being sucked into a world of hopeless despair through drug addiction.”
IMO: Fair enough.
Sacked scientist Prof Nutt has said he doubts any “true” scientist could work for Mr Johnson.
IMO: Does Nutt therefore mean that unelected advisors should set public policy . But surely that is Stalinist and reeks of a wouldbe dictatorship. I do not want a dictator, whether he be a jumped-up scientist, an Imam, or the Pope. When I ran a scientific journal, for 7 years, I kept running up against guys like Nutt, usually ignorant types without any broad, human view - but with a deep sense of self-importance and unenlightened self-interest. Let's hope this is a usual 9 day wonder.
(added 4 Nov 09 : I feel I have to mention this post as it puzzles me. These people are usually trying to be sincere but they seem to have missed the true situation here, as for example on Nutt's obvious bias against Labor, his apparent personal involvement and his foolish horseriding comment. I am off to India and I do not have time to follow this up, but just hope the amateur scientists do not go overboard in favor of the overpaid Guardianista lobby in a foolish way. As just said, I've sure seen those Asperger's types before, and their approach is a problem in science dissemination - I have two big cases of that type currently in mind.)
IMO: Bravo ! Some sense at last !
Mr Johnson writes: “There are not many kids in my constituency in danger of falling off a horse – there are thousands at risk of being sucked into a world of hopeless despair through drug addiction.”
IMO: Fair enough.
Sacked scientist Prof Nutt has said he doubts any “true” scientist could work for Mr Johnson.
IMO: Does Nutt therefore mean that unelected advisors should set public policy . But surely that is Stalinist and reeks of a wouldbe dictatorship. I do not want a dictator, whether he be a jumped-up scientist, an Imam, or the Pope. When I ran a scientific journal, for 7 years, I kept running up against guys like Nutt, usually ignorant types without any broad, human view - but with a deep sense of self-importance and unenlightened self-interest. Let's hope this is a usual 9 day wonder.
(added 4 Nov 09 : I feel I have to mention this post as it puzzles me. These people are usually trying to be sincere but they seem to have missed the true situation here, as for example on Nutt's obvious bias against Labor, his apparent personal involvement and his foolish horseriding comment. I am off to India and I do not have time to follow this up, but just hope the amateur scientists do not go overboard in favor of the overpaid Guardianista lobby in a foolish way. As just said, I've sure seen those Asperger's types before, and their approach is a problem in science dissemination - I have two big cases of that type currently in mind.)
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Sri Lanka outcry over police brutality
Sri Lanka's war ended in May but there has been an outcry against the police over brutal acts they are said to have committed. A focus for public anger is the impoverished village of Angulana, half an hour to the south of the capital, Colombo. Another such public anger area is Maligawatte, an old Muslim quarter of Colombo.
Complaints concern matters like extrajudicial killings and other serious brutality.
It is important to stress that this alleged police brutality is not near the former war zone and seems to be against anyone, particularly Muslims if a group has to be singled out. A few more details here, but Press censorship is still severe and breaching censorship rules can lead to imprisonment or death.
IMO: I have long held the view that either the Singhalese are basically very stupid and/or more likely their administration is. They only seem to have won the war with a lot of Chinese aid, and they were effectively Goliath against David and without Chinese help would still have lost. Now the Tamils are often held in concentration camps, where comparisons to a rather stupid Auschwitz situation is far from irrelevant. Obviously the West largely does not care and India is not in a position to act. Compared to the Allied win in WW2, this is a stupid and bad result and need not have happened. I do not necessarily know that the Singhalese are actual Nazis, they just seem to have behaved stupidly.
Complaints concern matters like extrajudicial killings and other serious brutality.
It is important to stress that this alleged police brutality is not near the former war zone and seems to be against anyone, particularly Muslims if a group has to be singled out. A few more details here, but Press censorship is still severe and breaching censorship rules can lead to imprisonment or death.
IMO: I have long held the view that either the Singhalese are basically very stupid and/or more likely their administration is. They only seem to have won the war with a lot of Chinese aid, and they were effectively Goliath against David and without Chinese help would still have lost. Now the Tamils are often held in concentration camps, where comparisons to a rather stupid Auschwitz situation is far from irrelevant. Obviously the West largely does not care and India is not in a position to act. Compared to the Allied win in WW2, this is a stupid and bad result and need not have happened. I do not necessarily know that the Singhalese are actual Nazis, they just seem to have behaved stupidly.
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