Daily Star Columnist shows class (or lack thereof)

A columnist with the daily star has caused controversy by not only making light of Ricky Gervais and his weight loss, but by his remarks which stink of homophobia and a distinct lack of tact.
See below for said picture:


















I don't think I need to tell you that such a comment is wholly unncessary and careless.
I would write more but it's been done quite well elsewehere.

For example "The New Statesman:"

http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/the-staggers/2011/04/-3

And "Pink News:"

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2011/04/12/daily-star-columnist-if-ricky-gervais-was-gay-youd-think-he-had-aids/


For a larger picture on this Joe Mott idiot read Charlie Brookers excellent blog post on him:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2007/feb/26/pressandpublishing.digitalmedia


That's all for now folks!

Cleggs war or Nepotism

Nick Clegg the deputy Prime Minister has dropped the ball, again.
He has said recently that internships given to people by family members are "unfair" and that he seeks to level the playing field. The word for this is "nepotism" which means:

"Favoritism shown or patronage granted to relatives, as in business."

or:

"Favoritism shown to relatives or close friends by those in power (as by giving them jobs)"

I actually don't see a problem with nepotism but I'll come to that in the moment.
The major way in which Nick Clegg has has put his foot in it is by bringing this up and more or less declared war on nepotism. Except he was given an internship at the "United Trust Bank" whilst on a gap year because his father worked for that company, and because his father "had a word" with a friend who worked at a Finnish bank. Oops.

Now onto the concept of nepotism. Why do I think it is acceptable? Well I certainly don't think it is morally wrong. I have been helped by nepotism, because of nepotism I am in my current job. You could say my father also "had a word", from which a work experience position was created for me. Two a bit years on I am now a contracted worker. Does this make me biased? Well maybe but it doesn't cloud my judgement.
I think nepotism is good because if a person is struggling to find work no matter what background they come from, if you help a person out that you are related to or you know then you are first and foremost putting a person in employment. You are giving them a leg up.
I was in part time employment, had I not been giving the opportunity to work where I work now who knows where I would be. I might be working in part time retail or I might be unemployed.
I want to be clear that no-one lost out because of the opportunity I got. I did not get the job over someone else just because of nepotism, although a position it seems was created for me and for that I am forever grateful.

If you look at nepotism and it's definition it doesn't have to apply to just office jobs and high paid employment. Technically you could say if a builder gives his son work then that is nepotism. It works on many levels.
However it is obvious at which level Nick Clegg is aiming at here. He is obviously looking at the higher end of the scale where he seeks to drive such a practice out despite the fact that he got work experience because of it. He wants to increase the chances of the less fortunate getting employed that is fine. I agree with that, but doing so by waging war on those fortunate to know someone? That's just wrong
Just for the record I am only in favour of nepotism if it is harmless. I don't agree with it if someone who is more qualified loses out and doesn't get a job.

So in conclusion, nepotism isn't always bad and shouldn't be condemned across the board just for the sake of it, and Nick Clegg is a hypocrite and should think more carefully about his dreams of solving unemployment.


Links:

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/politics/clegg-labelled-a-hypocrite-after-nepotism-revelation-1.1094760

http://www.answers.com/topic/nepotism

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&safe=off&defl=en&q=define:nepotism&sa=X&ei=GoWcTYGJA9SZhQf_tZzOBg&ved=0CBYQkAE

Lehmann Sue's over Jibe

I may not be correct, but I am under the distinct impression that professional football players (or soccer players to our American cousins) are a bit soft. They dive at the first sign of contact and writhe on the floor looking for pity and attention until they get it and a free kick too.
Despite this I have been under the impression that goalkeepers are better. Not much just slightly, however I'd be wrong!
Jens Lehmann, the reserve goalkeeper who has only recently returned to the North London club is threatening to sue Werder Bremen keeper Tim Wiese because Wiese said Lehmann should go on the Muppet show. He said:

"He should go on the Muppet Show, That man should be on a couch. Maybe someone would be able to help him there. Commit him - best to an asylum."

Why did Wiese say that? Because Lehmann had criticized him heavily during a game between Wiese's team Werder Bremen, which is a German side, against Tottenham Hotspur, another London club.
Apparently Lehmann didn't like this retort and is now suing for £17,500 because he felt his "personal rights were violated."

Oh dear poor Jens Lehmann, were your feelings hurt? Is your ego bruised? Bless.
What's that famous phrase? Something about people in glass houses, throwing stones? Oh nevermind.

Source:

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/05042011/58/bundesliga-lehmann-suing-muppet-jibe.html

Anorexia in the Media

It is often that television programmes hit upon a touchy subject, but you don't often expect it from an popular TV animation.
"American Dad" is a fantastic cartoon, made by Seth McFarlane, the man who brought us "Family Guy." It is often well animated and well written and it proves to be very entertaining.
So imagine my surprise when in one episode they hit upon a tough subject: anorexia.
In the episode "The American Dad After School Special" Stan's son Steve starts dating a larger girl. When Stan finds out she is fat he is horrified and reacts badly which causes his wife and daughter to berate him claiming he is overweight.
You see Stan starting to do more and more exercise under the guidance of a personal trainer called "Zack." He also becomes quite paranoid that his family do not want him to lose weight and that they are injecting fat into his foods. Eventually under the instruction of Zack, Stan confronts his family at which point his family make him realise the truth. He isn't fat, he is in fact thin, and he is anorexic.
















He also realises that his personal trainer "Zack" is actually a hallucination. Once Stan realises he is anorexic "Zack" fades away for good.
The rest of the episode involves Stan going to an anorexia support group and his family trying to make him eat.


I was pleasantly surprised by this episode because I found it topical and not in the controversial way. They covered a tough subject in a way that wasn't insulting or patronising or obtuse, they showed the effects that anorexia has on an individual and those around them. I would like to think that amongst all the satire and comedy in "American Dad" and as well the brilliant story lines, there will be more stories like this because this is a good way to get through to some people. It is a good way to drive a point home, it is a good way to plant an idea and a thought into a persons mind.

To Seth McFarlane and the others who make "American Dad", I tip my hat to you!

Links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_American_Dad_After_School_Special

MPAC and the Boycott

Whilst on my lunch break at work today I started idly browsing YouTube and somehow I came across a series of video's in which young Muslims (some or all of whom are of Palestinian origin) go into a supermarket and look for certain foods and certain products where the only available types are from Israel. These include such items as dates.
The organisation is called MPACUK, which is the "Muslim Public Affairs Committee UK." Their point is that by buying these items, people are fuelling the Israeli economy and therefore they are inadvertently supporting and funding the Israeli Defence force which commits a series of actions against Palestinians and Muslims which we often hear about in the news.

Here is the first video:





Now granted that woman shouldn't have reacted the way she did, it didn't help at all but she could have just been having a long day or a tough day, frustrated by many things. If this is true then this certainly didn't help. The last thing you want is further drama to hold you up and cause you further grief and something like this is certainly likely to provoke.

Now here are two more video's of a similar nature:









Ok so I hope you have had a chance to watch all three of those videos, now here is my opinion on this.
These people are obviously trying to make a point. They want to get the message across that people should boycott Israeli products because they believe that by buying products like dates it is fueling the Israeli economy and therefore their military actions which are often considered controversial.

They are most certainly going about this the wrong way. If they really wanted to make a point and make it heard and really bash some heads over this then they would go to the head office. They would make an amateur documentary about it where they actually try and get in contact with someone in the marketing department from those supermarkets and confronted them about it because that's where campaigning and media meets.
What they should not be doing is going into random supermarkets and stirring trouble in this way. By taking all the dates and other products from Israel off the shelves and taking them to the supermarket, to then say "oh look they are all from Israel, we don't want these" and to then just walk out doesn't do anything except inconvenience the little people who work at that branch who have no control over this whatsoever.
In at least one of those video's you see a manager being called, the manager of the store but even the branch manager wouldn't have much say over this. The most that the branch manager could do is report the incident and the objection of MPACUK to the head office but I am pretty sure that because the people from MPACUK decided to go down that route all they will get is a rather standard non-cooperative response from the head office.

What good does it do to target random branches of a supermarket? It does nothing. All it does is inconvenience the people who work there, and like you can see in the first video it inconvenience the other customers who if they are like me just want to get on and buy what they want and leave because unlike the people in that video from MPACUK, some people actually have lives and things to do. Not all of us can afford to spend time strolling into supermarkets to cause havoc and provocation in the most nonsensical fashion.

AND THEN.....then they have the audacity to claim it as a victory when they get outside. They get outside and they are smiling and congratulating themselves as if they have actually achieved something good and as if they have made their point so clearly. Also they seem to be under the distinct impression that they might have changed people's minds and maybe planted the seeds of thought on this matter into people's minds. Well I used to work in a supermarket myself and there were now and again wacky people who came in. None this wacky but still wacky, and I can guarantee you that after a few days those incidents were all but forgotten.
I'm pretty sure the people inside those stores whether they be employee's or customers had more important things to worry about so they probably forgot that incident within a few days, a week at most.

If you have read my post from a few days ago you might see I mentioned Keith Olbermann who was up until recently a political commentator on the American news channel MSNBC. He had a segment on his show called "Worst persons in the world" in which he would nominate three people because of things they had done and/or said.

Well once again if I were to have a similar segment I would nominate MPACUK, specifically the four or so people in those videos. Not because theirs was not a just cause, but because they did it in entirely the wrong fashion and in doing so they inconvenienced many people. They also made complete fools of themselves.

"You've just been MPAC'ed," what a farce.



Sources:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtSl9L-GHlM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSJRIC_rUFo&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sFD0HJIBo8

http://www.mpacuk.org/

Who was watching the kids?

In my last blog of the evening, something light hearted (as if my last post wasn't light hearted enough.)
Cingino Dam in Italy isn't entirely vertical but it is still by steep by anyones standards. Anyone but not anything. The fact that it was steep did not stop some goats from climbing it.






















































Those pictures were from the National Geographic website:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/11/photogalleries/101101-ibex-goats-dam-italy-bighorn-sheep-wyoming-science/#/goats-dam-licking_28159_600x450.jpg


For a fuller set of the pictures visit this website:

http://i.imgur.com/IERh4.jpg

Naked in New York

Artists do some crazy things these days in the name of art or expressing themselves, and Erica Simone is no different. Originally from Paris she had her photo taken whilst she was nude and out and about.














































Wasn't she cold?
Anyway this is my second favourite one!


















Apparently that one was the "most challenging one." I can't imagine why. At least she crossed her legs. I can't begin to imagine what was going on in the head of the people sitting opposite. Perhaps one of the thoughts was "I'm getting off at the next stop and going to the bathroom."

But my favourite out of all of them was this one:


















Aside from the fact that she has a "tramp stamp." I have to say I used to work in a shop for over three years and if someone like that came in I would think all of my Christmases had came at once.
Of course I don't like it just for the obvious reason, I think it's quite a good shot. And by that I mean it's a good picture.
That is my reason...honest! That is my reason and I'm sticking with it!

Anyway if you want to read the full article you can find it here:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1369962/Naked-ambition-Photographer-lays-bare-nude-poses-streets-NYC.html


Enjoy!!

Violence in London

Today saw another demonstration, another protest. This was a massive protest, well organised with a huge variety of people protesting against the budget cuts. They claim amongst other things that the cuts were too deep and too soon.
This may be true and I don't disagree, however this is besides the point. As usual there were people who caused trouble, who acted violently and who created considerable damage.

There was violence at the prestigious Ritz hotel:

































More window smashing and vandalism at banks:
































And so on and so forth. These are people who are anarchists. They may have a cause but they ultimately use any protest, any excuse to turn up and cause damage. Destroy windows and get into fights with the police. These people are troublesome and the are also bad for the normal people who just want to protest peacefully and get their point across.
They are cowards who get joy and satisfaction from damage which solves nothing and proves no point except that they are despicable. These people, these anarchists are no better than your usual every day yobs who cause vandalism.

If you want to read the full article where there are more pictures then click on the link below:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1370053/TUC-anti-cuts-demo-At-HALF-A-MILLION-peaceful-protesters-march-London.html

The people who caused this damage should not only be prosecuted but they should also be made to foot the bill for all of the damage collectively made on that day.

No doubt about it.

Spiders in the Tree's

Last year during the terrible floods in Pakistan hordes of spiders looked for refuge. They eventually found it in the tree's, and that is where they stayed. Over time they all spun webs one by one and eventually the tree's were filled with silky webs.



















Quite incredible. I used to enjoy climbing tree's when I was a kid, but I think that if I was asked to climb this tree I'd probably refuse.

Apart from looking spectacular there is also another positive side:

"People in this part of Sindh, in south eastern Pakistan, near Karachi, have never seen this phenomenon before, but locals are reporting that there are now fewer mosquito's than they would expect, given the amount of stagnant, standing water that is around.
It is thought that the mosquito's are getting caught in the spiders web and reducing the risk of malaria, benefiting local people."

So, everybodies a winner?



Source:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1370181/The-ghost-trees-Pakistan-Spider-webs-cocoon-branches-creepy-effect-floods.html

A Boycott of common sense

In the USA there is a man called Keith Olbermann who hosted a TV show for many years until recently called "Countdown." It was a review and and analysis of recent topical news items from political to general views on world matters.
He had a segment called "The Worst Persons in the World" in which he nominated three people for said award because of something they had said and/or done. Usually it was something highly insensitive or controversial.

Since the program no longer exists these awards do no exist, which is a shame because if they did I think the winner would be without a doubt Geoff Boycott. The former cricketer and commentator made some very insensitive remarks about England cricketer Mike Yardy who went home earlier this week from the World Cup because of his struggle with depression. Geoff Boycotts response?

"‘I’m very surprised but he must have been reading my comments about his bowling,’ he said. ‘That must have upset him because it’s obviously too much for him at this level."

Not only are these words insensitive but they are not helpful, and they show a distinct lack of understanding too.
It is obvious that Geoff Boycott should be without a doubt reprimanded so that next perhaps he will think before making comments like this again. Preferably it would be better if he just kept his old fashioned nonsocial views to himself.

Geoff Boycott the insensitive ass receives the Some Corner of the World honorary "Worsts person in the world" award.

Congratulations to him.

References:

http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2011/03/25/geoffrey-boycott-angers-mental-health-charities-by-criticising-depressed-player-michael-yardy-115875-23014038/

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/cricket/2011/03/26/england-players-fury-at-geoff-boycott-115875-23017949/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/cricket/article-1370067/CRICKET-WORLD-CUP-2011-Andrew-Strauss-slams-Geoff-Boycott-Michael-Yardy-comments.html

The Recruitment Game

Due to the recession many cuts have been made. There have been many cuts and ultimately many sacrifices have had to be made. It isn't just the financial sector which has become more difficult, the recruitment game has also become harder.
Before the recession and the financial troubles really kicked in recruitment and job hunting was sometimes troubling and difficult depending on what role you were looking for and of course what qualifications and experience you had. Unfortunately because of the recession the job hunting game has become much tougher, the competition has been raised.
The recession and financial woes have made many employers tighten their belts meaning there are fewer jobs whilst there are still many more unemployed. This has meant that there are invariably more people applying for the same jobs.
Usually the best candidates are shortlisted because of their qualifications, experience, and no doubt because of their CV and how they present themselves.
So does this mean that people who don't have as many qualifications or perhaps none at all will miss out more times than not? Does this mean that people with less experience will be less able to get a job? If so how are people ever expected to get a job?
It seems that even the most qualified people during this recession are finding it hard to find work, that is unless you know a person or are able to get employment another way. Is the government really doing enough to get people of all ages into training courses and education, to make them qualified enough to be able to get the job they desire and achieve the life they truly desire?

The next question after that is are people doing enough for themselves too? It is up to the individual to keep themselves motivated to learn and always be progressing. One problem we seem to have in this society we live in at the moment is we often rely too much on other people. Institutionalised laziness has become the norm.

That aside, I still have to wonder if the fortunate people who already have qualifications and experience are the currently the luckiest. Are they the ones who are being favoured for jobs and where does this leave those who have less experience and qualifications? What really can be done? What really must be done whilst we weather the storm that is the recession?

Your feedback would be most welcome

League Cup Final heartbreak

Being an Arsenal supporter perhaps my next entry should be one explaining what can only be described as extreme disappointment to say the least at the performance of Arsenal Football Club in the League Cup final today against Birmingham City.
My beloved Arsenal football club had the chance to win but they squandered every chance, furthermore with only a few minutes left of normal time to play a complete lack of communication between a defender and the goal keeper meant that the ball was put right in front of a Birmingham City forward in what can almost be described as an open goal scenario.
Had that happened in the first few moments of extra time I would have been worried but not greatly as that would have meant that Arsenal still would have had almost half an hour to equalise. Still, Birmingham City played well at times and the man of the match is, I have to admit, their goal Ben Foster who made countless saves, without which Arsenal could have been two perhaps three or more goals ahead.

I suppose I must once again rely on and remain hopeful that Arsenal succeed in the bigger trophies, although invariably the competition is tougher and the stakes are higher. One can only hope that Arsenal will really pull up their socks and finally break the dry spell which has left them without silverware for over five years.

One can only hope…

Greyhound trainer held over mass cruelty

It's a sad fact of life these days that you don't have to look far to find shocking stories in the news, especially when it is on the subject of cruelty, whether it be cruelty to babies, children, or even animals.

So it is with great shock and disgust that I saw in the news a racing dog breeder in Florida is facing charges for the deaths of at least two dozen dogs.
Ronald Williams is under investigation for cruelty to and for the deaths of perhaps as many as thirty dogs.

Williams is (thankfully) in jail at the moment and is facing a $54,000 bond.

Here are a few quotes:

According to the emergency suspension order, the pari-mutuel wagering division launched an investigation into Williams shortly after he delivered eight underweight dogs with sores to Greyhound Pets of America’s Emerald Coast (GPAEC) chapter on Oct. 25. Four days later, investigators entered Williams’ kennel at Ebro and discovered 21 dead greyhounds that had “suffered from extreme neglect.” Several of the animals were housed two per cage.

The five surviving dogs were rescued from the same kennel. Three of the survivors and one of the dead dogs had duct tape tightly wrapped around their necks, according to the order.

And another rather more chilling quote:

Five more carcasses were discovered in the freezer of the Building 7 kennels, and one more was found in the freezer of Building 5, where Williams also kept kennels.

Investigators also found six large plastic garbage bags that contained remains of an unknown number of animals. Investigators reported the rotting parts could not be safely inspected.

It's all rather disturbing, that a man could to this to an animal which is entrusted into his care and which relies on him for safe keeping and good company. It is truly disgusting

I have to say though, rather it happened over in the USA rather than here in the UK because I do sometimes feel they take justice more seriously in the USA especially when it comes to animal cruelty. Here in the UK there are some abhorrent crimes against animals and yet the person(s) involved get away with a fine and a pathetic excuse for a criminal sentence.

Hopefully over there in the United States their laws on animal cruelty are more defined and hopefully if found guilty/found to be guilty, they will go to prison for a long time.

It is the least that can be done for the animals that suffered and were killed, not least all the ones that may have been hurt and killed that we don't yet know about.

It astounds and disgusts me that as of yet the punishment for animal cruelty is not as strong as it perhaps should be.

Anyway, I will keep you updated on the latest with this when I hear it.

Until next time,
Ciao!

Sources:

http://www.waltonsun.com/news/license-88279-newsherald-suspect-suspended.html


http://www.wjhg.com/home/headlines/Ronnie_Williams_Could_Be_Linked_To_More_Greyhound_Deaths_106577273.html

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2010/10/31/Trainer-cited-in-Florida-greyhound-deaths/UPI-57951288565122/

http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/news/specials/weirdflorida/blog/2010/11/at_least_7_dead_dogs_believed_1.html

http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/299787

It's been too long

Hey all, sorry I know it's been a while but I have been very busy.
I went away over the summer and then when I came back I moved into a flat, and then on top of that I have been pretty manic at work.

Don't worry I haven't fallen off the edge of the planet.

Back soon!

Ciao!

MP's Bully Expenses Staff

Have they no shame?
Since it broke the expenses scandal has forever changed how people look and view MP's. Some have tried to make amends by either paying back or not doing it any more, or by finding other ways to look as honest and respectful as possible.
So it probably doesn't help when they call up the people who deal with expenses and deliver a tirade of abuse just because the rules and regulations have gotten tighter now the public know about them being sneaky and stealing from the tax payer.

In this news article from "The Express"

http://www.dailyexpress.co.uk/posts/view/195536/Swearing-MPs-brand-expenses-staff-monkeys-/

It is explained how staff were called "monkeys" and were swore at and shouted at.

Quote:

"He was said to have reduced one intern to tears though he later returned with a box of chocolates."

The people who did this are bullies who are throwing their toys out of the pram because they couldn't get their way. And the reason they couldn't get their way is because them and other politicians fiddled expenses to their own means to allow them to claim as much as possible on expenses so they didn't have to use any of their own money.

It's their own fault, and their own doing. And now they have the audacity to blame others.

Any MP found to be verbally abusing staff like that should have their expenses barred for a certain amount of time, perhaps six months.

No person deserves to be talked to like that. It's despicable behaviour. Anyone who acts that way should be ashamed of themselves and action should be taken against them.


Sources:

http://www.dailyexpress.co.uk/posts/view/195536/Swearing-MPs-brand-expenses-staff-monkeys-/

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/how-mps-greeted-the-new-expenses-regime-2062199.html

Celebrity idiocy

Yet again we have a case of more money than sense.
It is a common thing these days for a person or persons to buy a house and then knock it down only to build another house in it's place to the acute customised liking of the land owner. It is always a shame when that house is relatively old and in it's place the people plan to build something shamelessly ugly.

So once again we have the case of someone who has more money than sense, except it's not one of these so called celebs it's Rowan Atkinson. Yes the star of Blackadder and Mr Bean plans to knock down a house that has been standing since the 1930's to make way for a futuristic house which frankly looks hideous.

Rowan Atkinson's house now:

















It is a 1930's mansion in the village of Ipsden for £2,647,500 back in 2006. Neighbours thought they might restore it. Well how wrong they were. In fact the local council have just approved his application to knock it down and rebuild a house looking like this:



















Good gawd Blackadder!

Frankly that is awful. Just how someone can replace a nice old beautiful house like that with modern nonsense I don't know.

Like I said, more money than sense.

Another blogging cartoon

Here it is:

The conforming game?

Do you think referee's in football/soccer have conformed too much to the fans and the players who dive too much?

It seems in the last few years diving has continued, and even when it is obvious the player is not hurt they still appeal for a foul.
These days if a person dives and a free kick or penalty is not given more often than not the players, the fans and the managers still complain whether they know it is a foul or not. If they know they pretend they didn't see.

If a referee doesn't give a foul then they are often branded bad referees by managers who quite frankly are bullies, Alex Ferguson to name but one. (I refuse to refer to him as "sir Alex".)

Alex Ferguson bullies and berates referee's, calling them and the governing body corrupt every time a game or a mere decision doesn't go their way.

These days young players who are already being paid far too much for their own good dive far too often or at least fall over and feign injury all too often.

As a result the reaction from the player, his fellow players, fans and managers during and after the game pressure the referee to make a decision.


It seems a slippery slope, and now the referee is more likely to conform to this mockery of the rules by awarding free kicks and penalties for what are more often than not atrocious decisions. This allows more and more players more leeway to dive or to fall over easily and expect a free kick from it.

The game needs to return to it's roots.

- Reduce the pay for players
- Reduce transfer fee's
- And stop allowing players to get away with atrocious behaviour on the field.

Otherwise the game will just become even more of a joke.

Death of a terrorist

The news is that Abu Daoud, the mastermind behind the massacre of Israeli Olympic athletes in Munich in 1972 has died.

During the 1972 summer Olympic games in Munich, Germany, members of the Palestinian terrorist group "Black September" entered the living quarters for the Israeli athletes in the Olympic village and took them hostage.

"By the end of the ordeal, the terrorists had killed 11 Israeli athletes and coaches and 1 West German police officer. Five of the eight members of Black September were killed by police officers during a failed rescue attempt. The three surviving terrorists were captured, but later released by West Germany following the hijacking by Black September of a Lufthansa airliner. Israel responded to the massacre with Operation Spring of Youth and Operation Wrath of God, as well as a series of airstrikes and killings of those suspected of planning the kidnappings."

And so the man who apparently organised the massacre of twelve people dies without remorse. No doubt he will be seen as a hero to some, but in my eyes he is a terrorist. Scum who used his men to launch a cowardly attack on a sporting event designed to bring nations together. To forget past woes and violence and to compete in sports.

He's scum, and he and his ilk always will be in my opinion.

Anyone thinking highly of him would be greatly mistaken. Despite the fact he said the intention was not to kill the Israeli atheletes but to use them as hostages for bartering and negotiations, the fact remains that the deaths did happen and as a result he is one of many with blood on his hands.

All I can say is, I am glad there is one less of his kind alive.



Sources:


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/sport-obituaries/7871498/Abu-Daoud.html


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Munich_massacre

Two brilliant students found dead in hotel room

So often academic and skill full brilliance is coupled with tragedy.

Many brilliant people with talent have also struggled with personal problems and demons. So I wonder what on earth led two brilliant students to commit suicide together on a suicide pact.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1286170/Laptop-suicide-riddle-brilliant-students-dead-hotel-room.html

These two friends who were described as intelligent rigged up a laptop to deliver lethal injections to them both.

This is incredibly sad, what is even more so is that not only did they buy into the euthanasia idea but that they took part despite the fact that they appeared to be perfectly healthy. Physically at least.

I am still on the fence about euthanasia, however surely the idea of physically healthy people looking into suicide with no prior motives other than getting the idea from someone (in this case that someone is Dr. Philip Nitschke - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_Nitschke )

This is incredibly worry, and incredibly sad as well.

Regardless, may they both rest in peace.

Usher had no idea who Amanda Holden was.

A quote from the "Metro" newspaper:

"Usher tells a source he had no idea who Amanda Holden was when he met her at the Dorchester. "I thought she was in TV production or something but it turns out she was a judge. Total shock." He said."

That made me smile.

The fact that she is considered eligible to judge shows like "Britain's Got Talent" is still a shock to me.

Car crash victim sues Google for £68,000

This is the story of a dopey woman who was seeking directions from Google Maps on her Blackberry. As she walked she kept her eyes mainly down on her blackberry as she tried to navigate to her destination.

God forbid she should have the common sense to once in a while look up and see where she was going. Obviously that was too much to ask, because she ended up walking across a dual carriageway where she was duly hit by a car.

And now she is suing Google.

"Ms Rosenberg – understood to be in her mid-20s – wants Google to pay her medical bills and compensation for mental distress and lost wages."

All I can say is, what a dopey mare.


Source:
http://www.metro.co.uk/news/829221-car-crash-victim-sues-google-for-68-000

Celtic nationalists of Cornwall reject England flag

No matter what part of England or the UK you are from, we are still the same country. Despite each county and each part of the UK having it's own traditions and heritage, we all still belong to the United Kingdom and if you are within the specific borders then you are part of England.

Not so according to the Celtic nationalists of Cornwall who seem to consider the St. Georges flag of England "foreign."

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1278319/Celtic-loyalists-push-ban-English-flags-Cornwall.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

http://www.metro.co.uk/news/826071-cornish-nationalists-protest-against-world-cup-england-flags

This quote from the second linked article stands out to me the most:

But Michael Chappell of the Celtic League said he had received ‘many complaints about the oncoming flood of St George flags’.

He added: ‘This is a foreign flag here and can be quite insulting to some.

‘If Cornwall had its own sports teams I am sure we would see more of our own flags [pictured] rather than foreign English ones,’ said Mr Chappell, adding he hoped England would ‘fall by the wayside early in the competition’.

To me this is absurd. Cornwall is part of the UK. Despite it's Celtic roots. Denying this is absurd. they don't have their own country (as much as they would like one I'm sure) so perhaps they should learn to live with it without being offended by such trivial things.

I am not sure why but this does annoy me.
I think it's because even having the stones to suggest such a thing is insanely stupid.

"I will arrest the Pope."

You tend to hear a lot of daft things time to time, so it came as no surprise to me when Richard Dawkins, atheist, campaigner, and general boob said that he use a legal loophole to have the Pope arrested when he is visiting the UK.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article7094310.ece

Apart from the fact that he is probably biased in his "reasoning" if you can even use that word because he is an atheist, the mere audacity that you would need to have to even make such a comment is immense.

I can't help but think that it is exactly because he is an atheist that Dawkins is launching this crusade. Although he might not have better things to do the Pope does.

Whilst I agree the actions of the Vatican recently are not exactly honourable, it stands to reason that this is perhaps taking it a little too far.
I really doubt this will take off the ground and if it does all it will succeed in doing is waste the time of many people in the legal profession and otherwise.

Israel digs themselves into a deeper hole

Israel aren't really doing themselves any favours.
Firstly they fall out politically with the USA over building more houses in disputed area's, then the whole debacle on the assassination in Dubai and stealing the identities of Brits living in Israel, and now an Israeli politician refers to Brits as "dogs."

How charming. I refer you to this article:

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3866929,00.html

"When asked of the comparison, Eldad said, "I was just quoting what was said in
Latroun 62 years ago. I think the British are being hypocritical and I do not
wish to insult dogs here, since some dogs show true loyalty. Who gave the
British the right to judge us on the war on terror?"

And then:

"Eldad's fellow party member Michael Ben-Ari was asked if he agrees with the
comparison and said, "Dogs are usually loyal, the British may be dogs, but they
are not loyal to us. They seem to be loyal to the anti-Semitic
establishment."Unfortunately, the Israeli government and Israeli diplomacy play
into their hands. We have learned that a dog must be called by its name. This is
anti-Semitism disguised as anti-Zionism."

Then this morning (24th March 2010) on BBC Radio 4 an Israeli politician from a far right group was being interviewed, and he said that it was acceptable that those passport identities were stolen and used because it was used to fight terrorism.I don't really see that as a good excuse and frankly it just reinforces the idea that Israel are maintain more than ever their "we'll do what we want, stuff you if you don't like it" attitude towards countries it's supposed to call it's allies.

Another thing about the radio interview this morning, the radio presenter interviewing that Israeli MP kept asking what Israel would think if the shoe was on the other foot.What if it was 12 or so Israeli passports that had been stolen and used for a hit.The Israeli MP dodged the question.


I don't think the Israeli's are in any position to attack or critisise us Brits considering Britain has stood by Israel for over 50 years despite all that has been going on.
In all of this though I do feel sorry for the pro-West Israeli's, especially in their government. It must be tough seeing relations unravelling and months of diplomatic work being laid out in front of you as the Israeli's will no doubt try to claw their way back.

Then again if they do try to claw their way back it will be a miracle as it seems that Israel usually just employ their usual attitude of "we'll do what we like, if you don't like it then stuff you."

Well good luck to them.

Phone returned from repair filled with porn.

Yes this is the delightful news that Lauren Kennedy, 18, sent her mobile phone to be fixed at her local Carphone Warehouse. When it was returned it was full of porn.

That's not the best part though, oh no. And I quote:

"But she was left "deeply traumatized" after it was given back to her filled
with sleazy videos of sexual encounters, group orgies and women touching
themselves"

What a joke. How can anyone, much less an 18 year old be "traumatized" by such things.
This just makes her look not only desperate for attention but pathetic and stupid.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/girls-phone-loaded-with-porn-in-repair/story-e6frf7jx-1225844539753

http://www.itproportal.com/portal/news/article/2010/3/24/teenager-finds-adult-content-mobile-phone/

Prom Discrimination

There is a story of resounding bigotry that I came across just recently.
In the US state of Mississippi a school prevented a girl from taking her girlfriend to the prom, instead they were told they had to arrive separately.

Quote:

"The ACLU wants Itawamba County School District officials in Fulton, Mississippi
to reverse their decision to forbid a lesbian student from attending prom with
her girlfriend and from wearing a tuxedo to the prom. Constance McMillen, a
student at Itawamba Agricultural High School, came to the ACLU for help after
school officials told her that she could not come to prom with her girlfriend,
also a student at IAHS, and that if they arrived separately but slow-danced
together they might be thrown out."

http://www.aclu.org/lgbt-rights/fulton-ms-prom-discrimination

For whatever reasons that the school made that decision, be it based on their traditional religious beliefs, how they were raised or for any other reason I hope that someone is reprimanded for this. Not necessarily fired because I am not sure that's necessary, but reprimanded.

Or perhaps some guidelines for schools set out by the government to stop cases like this happening more often as it's entirely unncesessary and all it does is give the school and all people concered a bad repuation.


She's also released a video thanking people for support:

http://www.aclu.org/lgbt-rights/thank-you-constance-mcmillen

Nothing much to report

Not only have I been very busy but there hasn't really been any news stories lately that have really grabbed me. I haven't disapeared.
Soon no doubt a story will appear that will take my fancy and make me post it here, so watch this space!

My dream

I had the strangest most vivid dream I have had in a long time, and yet in no time at all I will probably forget it which is why I feel like I need to write it down.
Some dreams are very vivid and yet as soon as you wake up you already the main details about them. You want to remember and you really try hard, and yet you cannot.
Anyway, here is the gist of my dream as I remember it.

I was in a shopping centre, one I don't really recognise though. I was
going to HMV to look at some Manga comics even though in real life HMV don't
sell Manga comics.
I entered and started to walk towards one aisle in particular when a
young kid shoulder barged me. He muttered some apology but laced with
severe attitude and he shot me a look.
So I stood in the aisle looking through the magazines but then I put
them down and turned around, at which point that same young Asian guy walked
into me. This time he wasn't so apologetic and although I can't remember what
exactly he said, I know it wasn't very complimentary.
This next part is the strangest and possibly the most frightening,
because without much more provocation I lashed out at him. He fell back onto
a rack/shelf and I hit him a few more times. Then his friend who wasn't
that much older than him came over and grabbed me by the collar but he didn't
have enough time as I then thrust my forehead into his face, headbutting him,
however not only did headbutting him not hurt, I didn't feel it.
They both lay there, quite still. In pain and in shock by the
looks of it. Everyone had turned and was looking at me. I considered running
away but I didn't. I remained rooted to the spot.

The scene then changed to what I imagine was a police station,
however it was the sort of police station you saw from a 1970's American cop
show. The policewoman who interviewed me seemed quite sympathetic however she
nodded and took the statement anyway. I was very worried, I knew I was deep
in the shit.
I left the station still protesting my innocence.

Next thing I knew I was at some sort of institution. It was a strange
mix between a psychiatric hospital, a rehab, and facility for people who have
anger issues, and so on. I was shown around by a person who kept changing. At
first it was a big hairy tattooed biker in leathers, and then towards the end it
was someone who I knew.

I was shown around and there were all sorts of people there like
Carrot Top (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrot_Top)
and so on. Eventually we stopped in this big ward where nothing was going on,
people were just milling about. Some wearing normal clothing's, others wearing
those big hospital gowns.
My guide told me I was a softy because I hurt people but didn't mean
it, however he and his friends were hard because they hurt people and meant it.
It was about that time that I woke up.

So quite a strange dream. It certainly did spark a few thoughts, and some parts even surprised me. I think the part that surprises me the most is the way I lashed out at those two young Asian guys. They were young but I didn't want to call them kids in case it made me sound like an even bigger asshole.
But they can't have been older than about seventeen or eighteen years old, I'm guessing sixteen or seventeen.

The point is that it is very unlike me to lash out like that. I am quite calm and reserved now and I am able to have patience. Admittedly I wasn't that patient when I left school some 7 years ago or so, I had a bit of a temper. But now I am calmer, much calmer.

Maybe the dream brought out and represented a different side of me, the side that no-one ever see's, not even me.

Well that's all for now. I might have some more to say on it later, but at least it's said now, it's written down so I won't forget.

What a bizarre dream.

Angie Jackson Live-Tweets Her Abortion on Twitter

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/angie-jackson-live-tweets-abortion/story?id=9937689&page=1

"But Jackson, who said she's always spoken about controversial topics online -- she is a self-professed atheist who says she grew up in a fundamentalist cult and survived sexual abuse -- never expected her abortion tweets to garner such attention.

"I don't feel like I'm doing anything different from what I do every day," said Jackson. "But now I have people calling me a killer; it's surreal."

So despite the fact she publicly admitted to having a procedure that is still very much in debate, very much a hot topic, and very much controversial especially in America, where there are still a lot of people who feel very strongly about it one way or another, she thinks it's surreal and is surprised that some people are reacting the way they are?

Either she is a fool, misguided, or just very stupid. What was she expecting, a round of applause?

I am still very much on the fence about abortion and I think I will be still for some time, however as I said there are many who are not and who actively express their feelings especially in America. If you openly admit on somewhere very public like Twitter how can you not expect some backlash and critique?

In some way's she just brought it on herself.
That may sound harsh and unfair, however the reality of it is that she could have kept this quiet and to herself but she chose not to.

Sacre bleu!

HSBC boss Michael Geoghegan gives £4m bonus to charity

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/banking_and_finance/article7043878.ece

"MICHAEL GEOGHEGAN, the chief executive of HSBC, has turned down the chance to become Britain’s best-paid bank boss by handing a multi-million-pound bonus to charity.

He is in line for a payout of close to £4m after HSBC’s strong performance. This week it is expected to report annual profits of £10 billion.

Rather than give up the bonus, Geoghegan plans to pass it on to a number of children’s charities. The move follows public protests over payments to Britain’s bank bosses.

Stephen Hester, the chief executive of Royal Bank of Scotland, gave up his right to a £1.6m bonus last week in an effort to appease public anger.

Eric Daniels, the chief executive of Lloyds Banking Group, was offered a £2.25m bonus by his board — but also chose to turn it down.

Hester and Daniels were deemed to have earned the payments in spite of huge losses racked up by their banks.

Peter Sands, the chief executive of Standard Chartered, is believed to be getting a bonus of more than £1m. It appears that the former McKinsey consultant, who helped to mastermind the RBS and Lloyds bailouts, plans to accept the payout. Standard Chartered, which specialises in Africa and Asia, has few UK operations.

Geoghegan’s decision comes after a long wrangle with shareholders over pay."

Well isn't that nice of them, however I can't help but think that this was one of those "jump before their pushed" moments. With all the public outrage lately at bonuses and fiddling with expenses by bankers as well as MP's.

Maybe they wanted to try and show some redemption or maybe they were just trying to win back some support however minimal it might be.

The skeptical side of me says that although each of these people may be giving substantial amounts to charity they still not only accept their high salary but then might believe it is acceptable to receive a similiar bonus later and accept it, after all they donated their last one to charity right?

This was a nice gesture but such an action will either be a one time only occurrence or a rarity.

U.S. Shocked Andorra Not In Africa

Shock horror!!!

You can't make this up, watch this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3q_iqrvnC_4&feature=player_embedded

Another great video from 'The Onion.'

The Falklands row

Here is my input on the Falklands row and Argentina's claim to the Falklands.

First read this link

http://conservativehome.blogs.com/centreright/2010/02/oil-the-falkland-islands-and-international-law.html

Quote:

"The continental shelf of a coastal State comprises the seabed and subsoil of the submarine areas that extend beyond its territorial sea throughout the natural prolongation of its land territory to the outer edge of the continental margin, or to a distance of 200 nautical miles[/B] from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured where the outer edge of the continental margin does not extend up to that distance"

It is worth noting, at this juncture, that the point of the Falkland Islands closest to Argentina lies some 300 miles (480 kilometres) from its coastline. "

And:

"Article 77, points one and four address the rights of Britain to drill for oil more closely:

"The coastal State exercises over the continental shelf sovereign rights for the purpose of exploring it and exploiting its natural resources... The natural resources referred to in this Part consist of the mineral and other non-living resources of the seabed and subsoil together with living organisms belonging to sedentary species, that is to say, organisms which, at the harvestable stage, either are immobile on or under the seabed or are unable to move except in constant physical contact with the seabed or the subsoil"

Article 81 continues:

"The coastal State shall have the exclusive right to authorize and regulate drilling on the continental shelf for all purposes"

This indicates Britain is well within it's rights.




I would like to point out that the mere geographical position of an island or group of islands does not mean that the mainland country nearest has more claim than another country.

Otherwise the French would be able to claim the Channel Islands.

I would also like to point out that at first when Argentina owned the Falklands it was whilst they were still under Spanish rule. They continued to hold it for a little while after their independence until the British regained control.

It is said it was discovered by John Strong, captain of the Welfare, in January 1690.
That along with the fact that technically Argentina didn't run it at first, Spain did using Argentina as their puppets, I doesn't see how Argentina can justify their claim to these islands.

Whilst it's true that international law might not officially acknowledge British sovereignty, Argentina does not have a credible claim to the islands.

Another blogging related picture

Bedfordshire lagoon murder victim 'tortured for cash'

These days it takes a lot to shock people, to make them stop and reflect with horror on a situation.

One such incident was the Baby P incident where an innocent child was ruthlessly beaten, tortured, and then murdered.
Another example before that is the murder of Jamie Bulger, the toddler who was abducted by two boys no more than eleven years old, tortured and then murdered.

And now we have another example.

Last May the body of 27 year old Michael Gilbert was found. It was severely dismembered and an autopsy showed that before his gruesome death the victim had suffered years of abuse.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/beds/bucks/herts/8530096.stm

This is harrowing to even consider and come to terms with. The idea of being forced to sleep chained to a radiator is disturbing. As is the thought that to even consider escape would lead to more severe beatings and abuse.

To die and succumb to death is one thing, but to do so in a slow and painful manner at the hands of people who have no mercy or remorse is perhaps even more terrifying.


The Accused:

- The Watts brothers of Chertsey close, Luton are accused of murder.

- Their father Antonio Watt is accused familial homicide and perverting the course of justice.

- Their mother, Jennifer Smith-Dennis, is charged with familial homicide and two counts of perverting the course of justice.

- Nichola Roberts, 21, of Burfold Close, Luton, the girlfriend of the accused men's brother, Richard Watt, is charged with murder, familial homicide and perverting the course of justice.

- Natasha Oldfield, 29, of Chertsey Close, who is the girlfriend of James Watt, faces the same charges as Ms Roberts.


Of course all of these people are innocent until proven guilty and I will not be one to caste blame, however that is six people in the docks accused of this man's gruesome murder. That's six people who conspired to send this man to his death in the most inhumane way.

I sincerly hope for the sake of Mr Gilbert that the guilty person, or people, are brought to justice and given what can only be a life sentence and nothing less.

Rest in peace Mr Gilbert.

Blogging!!!

Gordon Brown and the "bullygate" scandal.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8529626.stm

Basically an anti-Bullying helpline said some people who worked for Gordon Brown had contacted them and now a huge furor has begun.

And the head of the anti-bullying line has come under a lot of critisism and some patrons and leading supporters of the anti-bullying campaign have pulled out.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8531377.stm]Publicity leech Christine Pratt, chief executive of the National Bullying Helpline

Then Phil Woolas, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, Immigration minister and all round idiot and hypocrite wades into the topic by critisizing Christine Pratt:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article7037419.ece

Pot calling the kettle black if ever I heard it.


And then Taiwan's "Apple Daily" heard and just couldn't resist. Already they made a great computer generated video concerning the Tiger Wood's saga (or affair if you will) and they have struck gold once again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxJoMIFDTSs


I must say this is all rather entertaining.

And of course it goes without saying that that Tories are rubbing their hands in glee at this because it is yet more ammunition for them to sling in the direction of New Labour.

All this on accusations. It hasn't even been proven yet.