Better to give than to be taxed
"The Government can help by altering the tax regime... to encourage those with millions to spare to give...'
'The government gets 40% to squander anyway'
'This country is a truly unfit one in which to raise a child.'
'...money given to Mr. Brown is simply be wasted on ideological projects.'
For what it's worth, a short while ago (about 10 minutes before the road petition issue exploded), I uploaded one advocating the creation of a Carbon Legacy as an alternative to donating the excess over the IHT limit to government-selected 'causes unknown'.
It seems an equitable way of answering all the negative issues (and points raised here) that are causing the current, divisive gridlock, from Mr. Hain's rather unilateral high-earning career targets to the 'scrap it all' approach of the Express campaign, neither of which seem likely to happen in anyone's lifetime, much less my kids.
Speaking of whom, the Carbon Legacy would be a way of knowing my inheritance would be going to ensure they and theirs have a better chance at a future as a direct consequence of my bequest, and not to support some politicians' index-linked, gold-plated pension funds.
Oddly, it has yet to be approved.
Maybe they have other things on their minds. Or don't like the logic of what I propose.
SunTel (I was moved to write 'Better to save the planet with it, than see it wasted') - Blair's wealth gap: voters want City bonus curb
Sunday, February 18, 2007
The politics of what happens next
Good question.
It seems that I am to be written to by the PM to explain why I was/am misguided.
I will therefore take the opportunity to ask him a few things, such as:
1) Was it the intention of the petition site to acquire data on people to let them know you know where they live, and/or then be used for seemingly exclusive, one-sided propaganda?
2) Where exactly will the money be going? Will it be going to enviro-improvements or will some need to go to funding more index-linked public servants, and beholden voter groups, plus existing and future pension problems in the name of green?
I write this as I watch him with Andrew Marr on the BBC, and on his performance there I would say he is going to have a tough sell, and will need to do a lot better with answers to the above.
It seems that I am to be written to by the PM to explain why I was/am misguided.
I will therefore take the opportunity to ask him a few things, such as:
1) Was it the intention of the petition site to acquire data on people to let them know you know where they live, and/or then be used for seemingly exclusive, one-sided propaganda?
2) Where exactly will the money be going? Will it be going to enviro-improvements or will some need to go to funding more index-linked public servants, and beholden voter groups, plus existing and future pension problems in the name of green?
I write this as I watch him with Andrew Marr on the BBC, and on his performance there I would say he is going to have a tough sell, and will need to do a lot better with answers to the above.
The very idea
Chill out
Gosh, the very idea of anything like this happening here in the UK.
Imagine if the Prime Minister used names acquired by signing a petition to a) say we know where you live and b) claim an exclusive right to show you the error of your ways.
The very idea....
'Tricky thing, democracy.
I recall my university days, when the vast majority of students were in the medical, engineering and law faculties.
Yet the Student Union was run (very much against most of our wishes) by the arts guys, who had about two lectures a week, while the rest of us were wall to wall 9 to 5.
Seems there was a Quorum (or some posh word) necessary to vote things in and out, including officers, and they tended to hold these when we'd lose course units for not being at class.
In the end we rebelled when they executive voted ents funds for some terrorist group in Africa, and got them out.
So to those of us (sorry, me. I decry all those who speak for others by claiming a mandate there is no evidence for them having) with families and day jobs and not living in London, where the streets are paved with gold and the transport is free, lobbing up to a rally does (how are the bodies drummed up for these, by the way? No spammed e-mails, surely), waving a placard all day really has no more value than an e-petition at doing much more than saying 'stop listening, start hearing and DO something that is not governed by hype, spin and self-interest'.
At least, that's wot I fink. But it seems I am too ignorant to understand the issues, let alone have the right to have an opinion or comment on them.'
Observer - Drivers to be offered trial pay-if-you-like toll scheme -
Observer - Hard sell in snarled-up Britain -
Observer - The e-petition shows that my government is listening -
Listening...hmnn. Are you hearing? Are you understanding?
I just heard you on Andrew Marr's show.
I look forward to getting your email and the answer to my questions, but on this performance won't hold my breath.
Lovely. Joining Art on Global Cool soon, no doubt.
Gosh, the very idea of anything like this happening here in the UK.
Imagine if the Prime Minister used names acquired by signing a petition to a) say we know where you live and b) claim an exclusive right to show you the error of your ways.
The very idea....
'Tricky thing, democracy.
I recall my university days, when the vast majority of students were in the medical, engineering and law faculties.
Yet the Student Union was run (very much against most of our wishes) by the arts guys, who had about two lectures a week, while the rest of us were wall to wall 9 to 5.
Seems there was a Quorum (or some posh word) necessary to vote things in and out, including officers, and they tended to hold these when we'd lose course units for not being at class.
In the end we rebelled when they executive voted ents funds for some terrorist group in Africa, and got them out.
So to those of us (sorry, me. I decry all those who speak for others by claiming a mandate there is no evidence for them having) with families and day jobs and not living in London, where the streets are paved with gold and the transport is free, lobbing up to a rally does (how are the bodies drummed up for these, by the way? No spammed e-mails, surely), waving a placard all day really has no more value than an e-petition at doing much more than saying 'stop listening, start hearing and DO something that is not governed by hype, spin and self-interest'.
At least, that's wot I fink. But it seems I am too ignorant to understand the issues, let alone have the right to have an opinion or comment on them.'
Observer - Drivers to be offered trial pay-if-you-like toll scheme -
Observer - Hard sell in snarled-up Britain -
Observer - The e-petition shows that my government is listening -
Listening...hmnn. Are you hearing? Are you understanding?
I just heard you on Andrew Marr's show.
I look forward to getting your email and the answer to my questions, but on this performance won't hold my breath.
Lovely. Joining Art on Global Cool soon, no doubt.
Luv u 2 death
I'm sure there is some noble value in there somewhere...
The MPs come in from the cold
... but I couldn't see it.
'If I may join the 4 persons (at least) this politico/journalistic jolly is reaching, and doubtless meant to inspire, and can I come too?
Mind you, one can only wonder at the consequences to the pristine snowbound wilderness if loads more of us decide to come up (how does one get there again?) and tramp about.'
The MPs come in from the cold
... but I couldn't see it.
'If I may join the 4 persons (at least) this politico/journalistic jolly is reaching, and doubtless meant to inspire, and can I come too?
Mind you, one can only wonder at the consequences to the pristine snowbound wilderness if loads more of us decide to come up (how does one get there again?) and tramp about.'
Where things are going. Uphill.
As readers of this blog will know, while I do very much care about climate change/global warming, I am not too fussed about what is or is not causing it. I'm more interested in cutting down on waste and inefficiency in any form, and a move to responsible behaviour as the facts of man's impact get proven further.
However, there still seems to be a rather large body of folk impeding progress in the latter area by still arguing whether it is happening at all.
So I am indebted3d to Dave of Solarventi for the following: On Earth: the glacier meltdown is accelerating
All I know is that what was once there is going in one direction, and there has to be some pretty dire consequences. So maybe slowing it down if we can may be a plan.
However, there still seems to be a rather large body of folk impeding progress in the latter area by still arguing whether it is happening at all.
So I am indebted3d to Dave of Solarventi for the following: On Earth: the glacier meltdown is accelerating
All I know is that what was once there is going in one direction, and there has to be some pretty dire consequences. So maybe slowing it down if we can may be a plan.
Dear Peter, ...Best, Tony
So it is true. He is going to write to me as a petitioner. I have written to BBC Breakfast TV where it was just shown.
'Ignoring for now the ethics (is that what petitions are meant for - data collation for propaganda purposes?) of using my email address exclusively (I imagine any contrary arguments to his will not be accorded the same facility), I do hope that Mr. Blair will be telling me how all the money generated will help the environment and none will go to shoring up wasted expenditures and such as index-linked pension commitments.'
I may also ask him where my Carbon Legacy one has got to.
'Ignoring for now the ethics (is that what petitions are meant for - data collation for propaganda purposes?) of using my email address exclusively (I imagine any contrary arguments to his will not be accorded the same facility), I do hope that Mr. Blair will be telling me how all the money generated will help the environment and none will go to shoring up wasted expenditures and such as index-linked pension commitments.'
I may also ask him where my Carbon Legacy one has got to.
Them's might potent slippers, gramps!
That's my age. But it looks like it may also be my carbon footprint (without a per-anything to apply it to, that's a meaningless stat most media would be happy to use).
Over-50s leave largest carbon footprint
Interesting stuff, but I would like better context. Are they applying the same level of heating consequences to my Mum in her cottage (or me working at home) as to some bright young activist minister or researcher in their trendy des res flat for 6 hrs a night, when the rest of the time they are in their office or the club, both of which I presume are still heated by the freeholders?
As to travel, well that is looking iffy. On TV I saw some peroxided biddy, about a year older than me, who could not dream of not having her six overseas holiday PER year.
Over-50s leave largest carbon footprint
Interesting stuff, but I would like better context. Are they applying the same level of heating consequences to my Mum in her cottage (or me working at home) as to some bright young activist minister or researcher in their trendy des res flat for 6 hrs a night, when the rest of the time they are in their office or the club, both of which I presume are still heated by the freeholders?
As to travel, well that is looking iffy. On TV I saw some peroxided biddy, about a year older than me, who could not dream of not having her six overseas holiday PER year.
When others zig. Zag.
Odd how I see things differently.
Wacko Creationist Indoctrination Footage
It's funny, but I took it the total opposite way as a brilliantly subtle, mocking propaganda piece against the clunking efforts of such creationists to discredit evolution. From slick Woomera (he was an Aussie, right?) Willy at the start to our Nobel-aspiring Pierced Brosnan at the end, the whole lot of them seemed to me to pretty much do a pretty good job of showing where their brains are at from their own mouths. And it had been editted that way to do so (cut off on my view before any credits rolled to see who produced it). Didn't the lady interviewer say she was pre-evolution when being put straight by the highly articulate goth yoof in the shades? And in that regard perhaps more effective than shutting anything down, which seems to be what these guys were being held up for derision in advocating, placard after placard, song after song, confused kid after confused kid, the notion of evolution.
Wacko Creationist Indoctrination Footage
It's funny, but I took it the total opposite way as a brilliantly subtle, mocking propaganda piece against the clunking efforts of such creationists to discredit evolution. From slick Woomera (he was an Aussie, right?) Willy at the start to our Nobel-aspiring Pierced Brosnan at the end, the whole lot of them seemed to me to pretty much do a pretty good job of showing where their brains are at from their own mouths. And it had been editted that way to do so (cut off on my view before any credits rolled to see who produced it). Didn't the lady interviewer say she was pre-evolution when being put straight by the highly articulate goth yoof in the shades? And in that regard perhaps more effective than shutting anything down, which seems to be what these guys were being held up for derision in advocating, placard after placard, song after song, confused kid after confused kid, the notion of evolution.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Off the people. Bye bye the people. Screw the people
Busybodies will be the death of us smokers
Leave it out! I mean the 'smokers' bit in your headline.
I have never smoked. Never will. I loathe all about it, and cannot stand the fact that a person who would get most agitated if I started burning polystyrene cups next to them as they travel, eat or any other activity that brings us into proximity, can think they have had any right, ever, to do so. But...
I agree. You want to do for yourself in or outdoors where it doesn't affect me and my own, knock yourself out. But here I see the matter of policing sensibly the how and the when gets tricky, along with costs to the taxpayer in scooping diseased lungs out of 30 year-olds at the expense of a kid with a hereditary ailment who happens to have lost a postcode lottery.
These would of course be matters for civilised debate, to arrive at an equitable solution.
But oh no, we have some fatuous 'the people require' vindication slapped on top of a spun elf & safety justification, when in fact it is just another attempt to stick more vote-nanny-loves-ya bodies on the solid gold, index-linked public payroll, funded in part by fines imposed outside of due legal process by the very folk whose salaries depend on a bust, on the sector of society who are most likely to cooperate and stump up. Meanwhile, at a gun dealer near you...
It's almost as logical as allowing a certain class of car to be made and then demonise the manufacturers for making them and people for buying them, when overhead a much worse form of transport pollution flies by almost unhindered by legislation to deliver air-flown berries to Islington supermarkets.
What next? Fining kids for putting (if indeed they did - innocent 'til proven, 'n all...) the wrong type of paper in a recycling bin. Oh... they have.
Leave it out! I mean the 'smokers' bit in your headline.
I have never smoked. Never will. I loathe all about it, and cannot stand the fact that a person who would get most agitated if I started burning polystyrene cups next to them as they travel, eat or any other activity that brings us into proximity, can think they have had any right, ever, to do so. But...
I agree. You want to do for yourself in or outdoors where it doesn't affect me and my own, knock yourself out. But here I see the matter of policing sensibly the how and the when gets tricky, along with costs to the taxpayer in scooping diseased lungs out of 30 year-olds at the expense of a kid with a hereditary ailment who happens to have lost a postcode lottery.
These would of course be matters for civilised debate, to arrive at an equitable solution.
But oh no, we have some fatuous 'the people require' vindication slapped on top of a spun elf & safety justification, when in fact it is just another attempt to stick more vote-nanny-loves-ya bodies on the solid gold, index-linked public payroll, funded in part by fines imposed outside of due legal process by the very folk whose salaries depend on a bust, on the sector of society who are most likely to cooperate and stump up. Meanwhile, at a gun dealer near you...
It's almost as logical as allowing a certain class of car to be made and then demonise the manufacturers for making them and people for buying them, when overhead a much worse form of transport pollution flies by almost unhindered by legislation to deliver air-flown berries to Islington supermarkets.
What next? Fining kids for putting (if indeed they did - innocent 'til proven, 'n all...) the wrong type of paper in a recycling bin. Oh... they have.
tushtissue.info
Last night I did not go out for my Friday pint or two.
So I decided to invest what I would have spent on yet another website. Tushtissue is dedicated to all those who seek to paper over the cracks only enough to cover their own sweet selves and careers with meaningless action, but are not too concerned with actually doing anything that will make any difference than looking like you are acting.
It has been inspired by this morning watching the news media packed with pictures and interviews of pols, police and all sorts of other talking heads rushing around being interviewed and wearing nice outfits as a response to some high-profile, low-surprise murders with guns - as opposed to all the other much safer ways there are to get dead if anyone wishes to so commit such a crime, especially if the perpetrators are not complete cretins and have the patience to wait about a week 'til the police O/T budgets runs out, and the media get bored enough to move to more productive areas of outrage.
Tushtissue can apply across most areas of public protection and concern, including the environment, of course.
I have, at present, NO IDEA what form the design of this site will take, but have in mind some kind of graph (the logo is sweeeet) that tracks various public events along with the official response and resource commitment, as well as that of the media, etc as time progresses.
I'm guessing a peak for a few days on the latter, maybe a month on the former, followed by a slow tail-off on both. Until the next.
Best use of funds (I mean my £5 - there's a chance a wee bit more has been blown on what we're tracking already)? Let the viewer decide.
Anyone fancy working on it with me?
BBC - Man dies after new gun killing
So I decided to invest what I would have spent on yet another website. Tushtissue is dedicated to all those who seek to paper over the cracks only enough to cover their own sweet selves and careers with meaningless action, but are not too concerned with actually doing anything that will make any difference than looking like you are acting.
It has been inspired by this morning watching the news media packed with pictures and interviews of pols, police and all sorts of other talking heads rushing around being interviewed and wearing nice outfits as a response to some high-profile, low-surprise murders with guns - as opposed to all the other much safer ways there are to get dead if anyone wishes to so commit such a crime, especially if the perpetrators are not complete cretins and have the patience to wait about a week 'til the police O/T budgets runs out, and the media get bored enough to move to more productive areas of outrage.
Tushtissue can apply across most areas of public protection and concern, including the environment, of course.
I have, at present, NO IDEA what form the design of this site will take, but have in mind some kind of graph (the logo is sweeeet) that tracks various public events along with the official response and resource commitment, as well as that of the media, etc as time progresses.
I'm guessing a peak for a few days on the latter, maybe a month on the former, followed by a slow tail-off on both. Until the next.
Best use of funds (I mean my £5 - there's a chance a wee bit more has been blown on what we're tracking already)? Let the viewer decide.
Anyone fancy working on it with me?
BBC - Man dies after new gun killing
At least we can reply on the media
Trouble is, I don't think we can rely on them necessarily where it counts.
Bad Science.
'That's Sir Trev McD.... and you can't buy a title that good without having made a serious contribution to, er... what?
Dontcha just lay in bed at night feeling that little bit more secure in the knowledge that those tasked and/or paid to make sure our lives and those of our kids are safe, are in the hands of such a caring, competent bunch of folks.
Next thing they'll be doing is giving airtime to any bozo who can rack up ratings by claiming climate change will just make holidays in Bognor a better reason to get into sunscreen futures.
As to Sir. T, well, let's not go there. I doubt he will be.'
Bad Science.
'That's Sir Trev McD.... and you can't buy a title that good without having made a serious contribution to, er... what?
Dontcha just lay in bed at night feeling that little bit more secure in the knowledge that those tasked and/or paid to make sure our lives and those of our kids are safe, are in the hands of such a caring, competent bunch of folks.
Next thing they'll be doing is giving airtime to any bozo who can rack up ratings by claiming climate change will just make holidays in Bognor a better reason to get into sunscreen futures.
As to Sir. T, well, let's not go there. I doubt he will be.'
All in the best possible taste!
Maybe they could conduct a seance to get Kenny Everett to present Newsnight:
Sadly I missed both the programme and yesterday's opportunity to view it online - please consider archiving!
However I did get the promo email, which started with a 'joke' (the one at the end was funny:
"One guy in a bar licked his finger, then touched a girl's shirt, then said
"Hey, baby, how about we get out of these wet things?"
Classy, eh?
Followed immediately by: 'In tonight's programme":
SHOOTING
Another gun killing in south London last night.
Classy, eh?
Sadly I missed both the programme and yesterday's opportunity to view it online - please consider archiving!
However I did get the promo email, which started with a 'joke' (the one at the end was funny:
"One guy in a bar licked his finger, then touched a girl's shirt, then said
"Hey, baby, how about we get out of these wet things?"
Classy, eh?
Followed immediately by: 'In tonight's programme":
SHOOTING
Another gun killing in south London last night.
Classy, eh?
Words' Worth?
Today I have already watched and read two separate items that got a bit under my skin with the way people in the news say things that really are less than accurate, or substantiated, and the news outlets that allow such messages to go out.
First up is an enduring one, usually spouted by a pol or other spokesperson pitching or defending something under the spotlight; 'The [name social, racial, local, ethnic, national, etc, group here] want/are calling for, etc [this action, inaction, positive, negative, etc].
Er, no. I wasn't asked. And didn't offer any such view. So how do I suddenly get told I am supporting this? My immediate reaction is to rebel. Don't do it. Pitch on the basis of fact and reason.
Next is more topical: ' The climate debate is over'. Er, no, it patently is not. And trying to shut it down in this way is silly. There are still a horde of 'deniers' keeping it going well and truly, and denying this is just playing into their hands.
Find another way of phrasing to persuade those who do not live and breathe the day and night twists of the whole issue. Quick!
First up is an enduring one, usually spouted by a pol or other spokesperson pitching or defending something under the spotlight; 'The [name social, racial, local, ethnic, national, etc, group here] want/are calling for, etc [this action, inaction, positive, negative, etc].
Er, no. I wasn't asked. And didn't offer any such view. So how do I suddenly get told I am supporting this? My immediate reaction is to rebel. Don't do it. Pitch on the basis of fact and reason.
Next is more topical: ' The climate debate is over'. Er, no, it patently is not. And trying to shut it down in this way is silly. There are still a horde of 'deniers' keeping it going well and truly, and denying this is just playing into their hands.
Find another way of phrasing to persuade those who do not live and breathe the day and night twists of the whole issue. Quick!
Don't Drive or Drive?
Missed a day. Did you miss me?
The boys are on half-term and 'er indoors had set them up with an eye test in Hereford, so I decided to combo a whole set of chores.
So we set off at 8.45am for the 9.15am appointment. 30 minutes. By car. 3 up. Half a gallon. £2 round trip, plus £1 parking. Back after chores (see below) in time to get lunch ready for Mum.
Took a large box set of exhausted toner cartridges and expired drum thingy to Cartridge World to be refilled. Went to Volvo to see about connecting my solar trickle charger to the cigar lighter (it doesn't seem to work - no answer). Then to Sainsbury's to restock my supply of tinned palm hearts (shipped, I trust - do food miles weigh air vs. sea?). Home.
Now, the simple answer to how to do that 'eco' is to do it slowly or not at all. Was that an option? I guess. But I missed a morning anyway and a lot I needed to do will not get done (you could argue my reading and blogging the day's media is non-essential, but there are a lot of 'jobs' being carried out I'd say are equally forgoeable. It would have been a long day without the car, and more money (unless I never owned the car in the first place. Not really an option in the country). At least I can get this blog post out of it. The green elite would turn it into a TV programme, and pay their mortgage on the proceeds. Most are not so blessed in being rewarded for their good green practices, and I do wonder if those who preach most vocally would do so if not compensated for their special status
Hmmmn.
The boys are on half-term and 'er indoors had set them up with an eye test in Hereford, so I decided to combo a whole set of chores.
So we set off at 8.45am for the 9.15am appointment. 30 minutes. By car. 3 up. Half a gallon. £2 round trip, plus £1 parking. Back after chores (see below) in time to get lunch ready for Mum.
Took a large box set of exhausted toner cartridges and expired drum thingy to Cartridge World to be refilled. Went to Volvo to see about connecting my solar trickle charger to the cigar lighter (it doesn't seem to work - no answer). Then to Sainsbury's to restock my supply of tinned palm hearts (shipped, I trust - do food miles weigh air vs. sea?). Home.
Now, the simple answer to how to do that 'eco' is to do it slowly or not at all. Was that an option? I guess. But I missed a morning anyway and a lot I needed to do will not get done (you could argue my reading and blogging the day's media is non-essential, but there are a lot of 'jobs' being carried out I'd say are equally forgoeable. It would have been a long day without the car, and more money (unless I never owned the car in the first place. Not really an option in the country). At least I can get this blog post out of it. The green elite would turn it into a TV programme, and pay their mortgage on the proceeds. Most are not so blessed in being rewarded for their good green practices, and I do wonder if those who preach most vocally would do so if not compensated for their special status
Hmmmn.
A Century of Scouting
For not much better reason than to test this blog system, which is playing up with error messages, I offer a video for your delectation: A Century of Scouting
Our kids' local group was asked to help with an original song, and Firebird was asked to film, record and edit the results. So we did.
You never know, what goes around may come around.
Our kids' local group was asked to help with an original song, and Firebird was asked to film, record and edit the results. So we did.
You never know, what goes around may come around.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
It's the Sun wot did it: BBC
The Chilling Stars by Calder and Svensmark
"I thought I’d wait and watch the slot before commenting. Having done so I have I must say that it presents a dilemma. It’s one that has been discussed on these e-pages before about the level of balance that needs to be shown by the media in presenting all sides of an argument, and the agendas they can be accused of following when some find it wanting.
This was, one could fairly say, a more contrary view on the causes, effects and solutions to ‘climate change’ to what I hope I can equally fairly claim to be a rather more extensive, possibly majority consensus. Which makes it rather tantalising to media outlets by being at least different, and even... controversial, maybe? So we get the inevitable +/- twofer, only against the duffer (who will be dust before his notions can be proved wrong, which he seemed to be saying we should wait for) this time at least we had a very sane, coherent young lady who knew her stuff and put her case and rebuttals well. With only Mr. Paxman to lob in the odd pot-stirrer to try and throw her off.
Yet look... good golly, there is a book to go with it. Hmmmn. To get a balanced view I have to stump up, and to encourage me to do so I have the benefit of a rather nifty level of free promotion courtesy of the nation’s public, and public-funded, broadcaster.
See.... dilemma. Thing is, in this case I just don’t buy it. The argument. Or the book. Shame that the same doesn’t apply to where I get my broadcast information from, if I think it’s more about ratings than balance.
Is it me, or is that making you shiver too? I’ll go with posts 6&9, James & Paul, on the cause of logic and fact in how best to proceed.
ps: the piece on vultures just made me sick – especially as the govt. decided ‘it couldn’t appear’. Is this the new standard of debate and accountability we can expect in the UK?
pps: Loved the music. Never liked the man. But by 'eck, I had to applaud what Noel G had to say about entertainers and politics. Guess he won't be headlining Global Cool then."
"I thought I’d wait and watch the slot before commenting. Having done so I have I must say that it presents a dilemma. It’s one that has been discussed on these e-pages before about the level of balance that needs to be shown by the media in presenting all sides of an argument, and the agendas they can be accused of following when some find it wanting.
This was, one could fairly say, a more contrary view on the causes, effects and solutions to ‘climate change’ to what I hope I can equally fairly claim to be a rather more extensive, possibly majority consensus. Which makes it rather tantalising to media outlets by being at least different, and even... controversial, maybe? So we get the inevitable +/- twofer, only against the duffer (who will be dust before his notions can be proved wrong, which he seemed to be saying we should wait for) this time at least we had a very sane, coherent young lady who knew her stuff and put her case and rebuttals well. With only Mr. Paxman to lob in the odd pot-stirrer to try and throw her off.
Yet look... good golly, there is a book to go with it. Hmmmn. To get a balanced view I have to stump up, and to encourage me to do so I have the benefit of a rather nifty level of free promotion courtesy of the nation’s public, and public-funded, broadcaster.
See.... dilemma. Thing is, in this case I just don’t buy it. The argument. Or the book. Shame that the same doesn’t apply to where I get my broadcast information from, if I think it’s more about ratings than balance.
Is it me, or is that making you shiver too? I’ll go with posts 6&9, James & Paul, on the cause of logic and fact in how best to proceed.
ps: the piece on vultures just made me sick – especially as the govt. decided ‘it couldn’t appear’. Is this the new standard of debate and accountability we can expect in the UK?
pps: Loved the music. Never liked the man. But by 'eck, I had to applaud what Noel G had to say about entertainers and politics. Guess he won't be headlining Global Cool then."
Dave does Devos. Ta.
Dave at Solarventi has kindly send me this:
Just found this by accident - http://www.demos.co.uk/themes/~clim
If you look at the Technorati links they are all links to your blog.
Now I need a bit of help here.
a) Is this a good thing? (They seem very nice folk and their mission is in keeping with mine from a quick scope of the site).
Assuming it is...
b) How does this Technorati thing work?
c) How did I end up there?
d) How do we work the same magic elsewhere, starting with de.licio.us?
Any offers welcomed!
Just found this by accident - http://www.demos.co.uk/themes/~clim
If you look at the Technorati links they are all links to your blog.
Now I need a bit of help here.
a) Is this a good thing? (They seem very nice folk and their mission is in keeping with mine from a quick scope of the site).
Assuming it is...
b) How does this Technorati thing work?
c) How did I end up there?
d) How do we work the same magic elsewhere, starting with de.licio.us?
Any offers welcomed!
I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike.
So, become an MP.
My cycling Triumph
This all sounds so super and sensible.
Of course cycling is to be admired, and advocated... wherever and whenever possible.
I just wish those that pay my salary (now, who pays for Westminster dwellers' time?) where as cooperative on funding the time I take getting to and fro. They seem only keen on stumping up for time spent working, sadly. Something those who set policy and impose taxes, so most have to cover as much ground in as little time as possible, would be as well to bear in mind.
Enjoy the fresh air and view, mate. I wish I could.
Next thing we know you'll be touring around South America on your trusty Triumph with a full BBC film crew in tow (4x4s are really the only thing practical for all the kit, dontyaknow), blogging the jaunt to raise awareness in all the rest of us for how horrible our lives are... for the environment.
Er, good for you.... on yer bike.
My cycling Triumph
This all sounds so super and sensible.
Of course cycling is to be admired, and advocated... wherever and whenever possible.
I just wish those that pay my salary (now, who pays for Westminster dwellers' time?) where as cooperative on funding the time I take getting to and fro. They seem only keen on stumping up for time spent working, sadly. Something those who set policy and impose taxes, so most have to cover as much ground in as little time as possible, would be as well to bear in mind.
Enjoy the fresh air and view, mate. I wish I could.
Next thing we know you'll be touring around South America on your trusty Triumph with a full BBC film crew in tow (4x4s are really the only thing practical for all the kit, dontyaknow), blogging the jaunt to raise awareness in all the rest of us for how horrible our lives are... for the environment.
Er, good for you.... on yer bike.
When poachers turn gamekeepers. With nukes.
This issue has rumbled on so long I almost sailed past it.
Nuclear energy? Yes please...
Then I saw who the pro-nuclear advocate in question was, and that makes it worthy of note in the debate, and coming to a pragmatic opinion.
The writer is a former leader of Greenpeace and chair and chief scientist of Greenspirit Strategies
That, of course, along with the facts quoted (in this day and age, one man's fact is another's lobby-group propaganda), I leave to you.
Nuclear energy? Yes please...
Then I saw who the pro-nuclear advocate in question was, and that makes it worthy of note in the debate, and coming to a pragmatic opinion.
The writer is a former leader of Greenpeace and chair and chief scientist of Greenspirit Strategies
That, of course, along with the facts quoted (in this day and age, one man's fact is another's lobby-group propaganda), I leave to you.
What the view like up there!
If you look back over the last few blogs you will see I have become a little testy with those from the chattering classes that seem to feel that they are slightly above the rest of us, and such things as popular petitions are really rather grubby, ineffective and even if a million+ (with some wonderful juggling on what % of the voting population they constitute) do offer an opinion it is... misguided.So, with due deference to our youngers and betters in the media, I bring you something Not in our (now who is that?) name: what looks pretty much like a petition.
How very Animal Farm, now some petitions are more relevant than others, and a few score elite - Leading figures from politics, religion, the arts (leading whom, exactly?) and the military - are waaay more important than the mere working public.
ps: In the Indy yesterday, and I admit to being selective, but these are direct quotes: 'Petitions should not determine government policy', 'we should not be unduly swayed by this petition'
Guardian - Beware of No 10's instant democracy
You know, I'm getting a teenie bit tired of being told I am not as worthy of having, and/or expressing an opinion by those who feel better positioned to do so.
http://junkk.blogspot.com/2007/02/emperors-new-steamroller_14.html
http://junkk.blogspot.com/2007/02/what-view-like-up-there.html
One thing is true though. Nothing will kill the value of this valuable opportunity to actually engage the workings of government with the working classes quicker than all the nonsense petitions, which are clogging the system. Democracy inaction, I guess.
And those used to a clear, suitably moderated (thanks, CiF) shot at telling us what to do and think (pols, commentators, spokespersons) all have a vested interest in making it so. There's an unholy alliance against a great threat: a population fed up with being fed spin and kept in a froth, who just want to get on and do what they can and is reasonable to make life fairer and safer for their families and futures.
Just before the airflown compost hit the windwill, I had submitted a compromise IHT petition advocating a Carbon Legacy to future generations, which has been acknowledged but not yet accepted or rejected - http://junkk.blogspot.com/2007/02/carbon-legacy.html . Just a tad busy elsewhere at the 'mo to get it up, I'm hoping.
I also sweat on it getting rejected for not mutting the custard. Or maybe being too sensible and uncontentious to risk being shared with the ignorant masses.
Because that just seems how some want to keep things that they don't control these days - divide & rule!
BBC - Transport targets 'not being met'
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