We've all been highly amused by the sight of Bush trying to exit his China press confernece by way of a locked door. Pity they didn;t close all the others too and detain him indefinately.
After a short stopover to congratulate Mongola on helping him in Iraq, the ape emperor returns to his homeland as I write. First South America and then Asia - one wonders what has brought on the urge to travel so much? His return will be marked by a two week holiday in the business of Washington, so he'll presumably be hoping to hunker down for recovery undisturbed by all the shit flying his way recently.
I really have become allergic to the Blair-faced spectacle. When that wonderful singer Paul Rodgers joined up with the remnants of the Queen band some time back, my enthusiasm for the result was marred by the PR machine telling me how Rodgers was Blair's favourite vocalist. A similar downder happened when I watched the UK Music Hall of Fame ceremonies at the weekend. Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart are two of Britain's major gems in the music world and performing together as the Eurythmics they have always been greater than their parts. Sad then that a greater part of the homage was delivered by that selfsame Blair.
Another homage by Blair came by videotape to another concert - this one a memorial for the late Mo Mowlam. Fine tributes from musicians and other major figures, but an odd one for Blair given that he'd snubbed her funeral in favour of a holiday. Hypocrisy and attention-grabbing is what I'd call it.
Another new entry today in Richard Neville's "Diary of A Futurist! today. Check it out HERE.
Later.
Monday, November 21, 2005
Friday, November 18, 2005
The cat's away - let dissent play!
Independent Clinton Outburst
It must be psychology - with Bush temporarily dispatched to the other side of the planet, otherwise timid beasts emerge from the shadows.
Well not Bill Clinton. His claims that Iraq has been a "big mistake" are echoing everywhere and this link to today's Independent has a decent summary.
Possibly more upsetting for the ape emperor is the complete rejection of his social spending cuts and a demand for Iraq war accounting by Congress. Not so much a democrat uprising than a rebellion by now unhappy republicans.
In the UK, Blair's at home but facing similar dissent for his ideas of future social planning. Sadly, although he can't muster support from his own party, it seems likely he'll get a lot of backing from the opposition. As a result some legislation may get through. The Torys hardly need a new leader - they've got Blair! In his pursuit of legacy, he is more than willing to betray the party he used to lead and with retirement pending he has little regard for the electorate.
We've got the Olympics and now government is backing a UK bid for the World Cup (football). Scoring in one's own goal doesn't go down too well in that game and any team captain practising the habit with such regularity would not be tolerated for long. Blair should scuttle off to the other side of the house and let the team oust his cronies and rebuild themselves. Then they might just be ready to play in future games.
Later.
It must be psychology - with Bush temporarily dispatched to the other side of the planet, otherwise timid beasts emerge from the shadows.
Well not Bill Clinton. His claims that Iraq has been a "big mistake" are echoing everywhere and this link to today's Independent has a decent summary.
Possibly more upsetting for the ape emperor is the complete rejection of his social spending cuts and a demand for Iraq war accounting by Congress. Not so much a democrat uprising than a rebellion by now unhappy republicans.
In the UK, Blair's at home but facing similar dissent for his ideas of future social planning. Sadly, although he can't muster support from his own party, it seems likely he'll get a lot of backing from the opposition. As a result some legislation may get through. The Torys hardly need a new leader - they've got Blair! In his pursuit of legacy, he is more than willing to betray the party he used to lead and with retirement pending he has little regard for the electorate.
We've got the Olympics and now government is backing a UK bid for the World Cup (football). Scoring in one's own goal doesn't go down too well in that game and any team captain practising the habit with such regularity would not be tolerated for long. Blair should scuttle off to the other side of the house and let the team oust his cronies and rebuild themselves. Then they might just be ready to play in future games.
Later.
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
U.S. Keeps Control Of 'Net Names
CBS News | U.S. Keeps Control Of 'Net Names | November 16, 2005�10:00:01
Hot off the press from CBS this item claims Amerika will keep control of the internet for now. See this morning's piece for more.
Hot off the press from CBS this item claims Amerika will keep control of the internet for now. See this morning's piece for more.
Webmistress sleeps & Pot gets go-ahead
When the webmistress sleeps
First off a plug here for Richard Neville's latest blog - always a favourite of mine.
Meanwhile in the UK there has been a limited approval for prescribing medical pot. FULL DETAILS HERE. Oddly, the "Sativex" product is manufactured in Britain and currently exported to Canada. Exactly why the product needs to be re-imported for use is something of a mystery - a lack of communication between government departments perhaps? It is welcome news noneless, especially in the light of my comments last week on the persecution of "Cannabis Gran".
Later.
First off a plug here for Richard Neville's latest blog - always a favourite of mine.
Meanwhile in the UK there has been a limited approval for prescribing medical pot. FULL DETAILS HERE. Oddly, the "Sativex" product is manufactured in Britain and currently exported to Canada. Exactly why the product needs to be re-imported for use is something of a mystery - a lack of communication between government departments perhaps? It is welcome news noneless, especially in the light of my comments last week on the persecution of "Cannabis Gran".
Later.
Is the Internet in danger?
Independent Online Edition > Science & Technology
A quick link today for an article in the British newspaper "The Independent" which examines in more detail the previously reported moves to shift control of the World Wide Web to an international body. Were there any kind of stable global authority available, this might be a good idea, but as this story shows, it is commerce, vested interests and censorship that are signing up for this campaign.
At present, there are no winners in the debate and the world's population has everything to lose. Information is power and neither dictatorships or corporate-manipulated democracies like the idea of giving it to we humble citizens. Even if control remains where it is, the imperial Bush machine will move the privatise its governance subject to US law and oversight. This in itself would be another obsticle to the empowerment of the people in the global state.
Later.
A quick link today for an article in the British newspaper "The Independent" which examines in more detail the previously reported moves to shift control of the World Wide Web to an international body. Were there any kind of stable global authority available, this might be a good idea, but as this story shows, it is commerce, vested interests and censorship that are signing up for this campaign.
At present, there are no winners in the debate and the world's population has everything to lose. Information is power and neither dictatorships or corporate-manipulated democracies like the idea of giving it to we humble citizens. Even if control remains where it is, the imperial Bush machine will move the privatise its governance subject to US law and oversight. This in itself would be another obsticle to the empowerment of the people in the global state.
Later.
Monday, November 14, 2005
Small Pharma? Reefer to dosage ...
Respectable Reefer
After a quiet weekend here is a story that seems appropriate after Friday's outrage about "Cannabis Gran". GW Pharmaceuticals make the only legal marijuana products in the UK and their customer base here is non-existent. They do however export produce to Canada.
This feature takes a look at the company whose Sativex brand isn't even available in the country of manufacture. Were it so, poor pensioners might not be forced to prepare their own medicine and thus be subject to persecution by forces of law and order who have far more important things to do in this day and age.
This on a day when our Transport secretary hosts a meeting where plans are being annouced for high-tech surveillance measures on the underground and elsewhere. It is, of course, part of the government's anti-terrorism strategy but surely this better fits the Home Office remit. Maybe this is designed to take the heat off Charles Clarke and recent parliamentary failures.
Later.
After a quiet weekend here is a story that seems appropriate after Friday's outrage about "Cannabis Gran". GW Pharmaceuticals make the only legal marijuana products in the UK and their customer base here is non-existent. They do however export produce to Canada.
This feature takes a look at the company whose Sativex brand isn't even available in the country of manufacture. Were it so, poor pensioners might not be forced to prepare their own medicine and thus be subject to persecution by forces of law and order who have far more important things to do in this day and age.
This on a day when our Transport secretary hosts a meeting where plans are being annouced for high-tech surveillance measures on the underground and elsewhere. It is, of course, part of the government's anti-terrorism strategy but surely this better fits the Home Office remit. Maybe this is designed to take the heat off Charles Clarke and recent parliamentary failures.
Later.
Thursday, November 10, 2005
News of the weed not good for Granny
news of the weed
A quick link to the latest "News Of The Weed" here at blogspot.
When a 67 year old "grandma" can face a possible 14 year sentence and eviction from her home you might think she has been hiding some horrible history. Not so! The lady in question has simply been preparing a little home-grown cannabis for use as medicine. She's been rather loud about it's sucess as a treatment for various ails of course - maybe that's the real reason for this outrageous action.
The police should be watching out for terrorists - not themselves terrifying poor pensioners for habits they conduct in the privacy of their own homes.
Later.
A quick link to the latest "News Of The Weed" here at blogspot.
When a 67 year old "grandma" can face a possible 14 year sentence and eviction from her home you might think she has been hiding some horrible history. Not so! The lady in question has simply been preparing a little home-grown cannabis for use as medicine. She's been rather loud about it's sucess as a treatment for various ails of course - maybe that's the real reason for this outrageous action.
The police should be watching out for terrorists - not themselves terrifying poor pensioners for habits they conduct in the privacy of their own homes.
Later.
Something In The Air?
America Waking
This link leads to a summary in the Times of the fall from grace of the Republication Party in yesterday's local and state elections. Long term bad news for Bush and short term bad news for Arnie.
By sheer co-incidence of course, we now have Blair suffering his first ever defeat in the House of Commons. When I wrote here yesterday, I knew it would be close but actually didn't remotely expect this - the vote against him was more sunstantial than one or two.
Later.
This link leads to a summary in the Times of the fall from grace of the Republication Party in yesterday's local and state elections. Long term bad news for Bush and short term bad news for Arnie.
By sheer co-incidence of course, we now have Blair suffering his first ever defeat in the House of Commons. When I wrote here yesterday, I knew it would be close but actually didn't remotely expect this - the vote against him was more sunstantial than one or two.
Later.
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
World on hold for Blair's private battle
Independent
After several days of terrorising both his supporters and the opposition in an effort to gain support for draconian laws, Prime Preacher Blair has now put international business aside in order to recall ministers from foreign parts just to get their votes. The financial expense and political price of such behaviour is absurd - surely votes could be cast by proxy or electronically? The biggest folly is that even if our self-consumed leader gets his way and scrapes through the proposed legislation, the House of Lords are almost certain to reject it anyway.
It will be back to stage one and history will simply show British cabinet ministers abdicating their other, more important, responsibilities for a couple of days.
As our neighbour France shows all the signs of descending into a modern-day revolution, Britain's media eyes have been focused on the China state visit. Whilst "Free Tibet" and other civil rights protesters put on a worthy show, democracy and freedom were wholly absent from the agenda. This was iconic intercourse designed to consolidate pre-eminence in the power structure of the 21st Century. China may not offer any political menu to it's citizens, but it has proved a dab hand at capitist method and the market-driven world economy. Indeed, it bankrolls the vaster part of American debt! Britain may still have a degreee of free speech and claim to abide by its democratic heritage, but the menu offered to it's electorate is more often than not a case of the same pudding served with different sauce.
If Blair's aspirations were met, there would be even less difference between our two countries.
If America's debts were called in, Bush would either have to "nuke" the bank or accept that China is already the world's strongest economy. Their size makes them the planet's worst polluter, but they are also leading the field toward sustainable energy. They are ahead of America in the old space race, but their agenda is more concerned with off-planet resources and farming than America's showmanship. In percentile terms, China's citizens are emerging from poverty at an accelerating rate and the contentment factor is high. Elsewhere in the world, the opposite is becoming the norm as the social-economic divide widens. France today is a good example.
I would hardly claim that China's leaders are benevolent in our understanding of the word and they certainly exhibit ruthless methods of quashing any dissent in their midst. Yet they have proved more than capable of attaining a dominent position in the global economy in a very short period of time and as a world power they are currently in the ascendency. Even more significantly, they are largely unaffected by the new religious and cultural fundamentalism presently disrupting the rest of the planet.
Enough of the devil's advocate, but it all gives pause for thought.
Later.
After several days of terrorising both his supporters and the opposition in an effort to gain support for draconian laws, Prime Preacher Blair has now put international business aside in order to recall ministers from foreign parts just to get their votes. The financial expense and political price of such behaviour is absurd - surely votes could be cast by proxy or electronically? The biggest folly is that even if our self-consumed leader gets his way and scrapes through the proposed legislation, the House of Lords are almost certain to reject it anyway.
It will be back to stage one and history will simply show British cabinet ministers abdicating their other, more important, responsibilities for a couple of days.
As our neighbour France shows all the signs of descending into a modern-day revolution, Britain's media eyes have been focused on the China state visit. Whilst "Free Tibet" and other civil rights protesters put on a worthy show, democracy and freedom were wholly absent from the agenda. This was iconic intercourse designed to consolidate pre-eminence in the power structure of the 21st Century. China may not offer any political menu to it's citizens, but it has proved a dab hand at capitist method and the market-driven world economy. Indeed, it bankrolls the vaster part of American debt! Britain may still have a degreee of free speech and claim to abide by its democratic heritage, but the menu offered to it's electorate is more often than not a case of the same pudding served with different sauce.
If Blair's aspirations were met, there would be even less difference between our two countries.
If America's debts were called in, Bush would either have to "nuke" the bank or accept that China is already the world's strongest economy. Their size makes them the planet's worst polluter, but they are also leading the field toward sustainable energy. They are ahead of America in the old space race, but their agenda is more concerned with off-planet resources and farming than America's showmanship. In percentile terms, China's citizens are emerging from poverty at an accelerating rate and the contentment factor is high. Elsewhere in the world, the opposite is becoming the norm as the social-economic divide widens. France today is a good example.
I would hardly claim that China's leaders are benevolent in our understanding of the word and they certainly exhibit ruthless methods of quashing any dissent in their midst. Yet they have proved more than capable of attaining a dominent position in the global economy in a very short period of time and as a world power they are currently in the ascendency. Even more significantly, they are largely unaffected by the new religious and cultural fundamentalism presently disrupting the rest of the planet.
Enough of the devil's advocate, but it all gives pause for thought.
Later.
Monday, November 07, 2005
Women protest during Bush visit to South America. Argentina, Brazil - you name it, they don't like it. Homecoming's not good either - the FBI reckon the Iraq War was started for the profits rather than ideaology and guess whose corporate pockets are getting fat? Actually, this photo replaces a destroyed MacDonalds in the Paris uprising which sadly vanished.
eTV Picture Post
Paris Burning
It has taken a week or more, but now the international press has woken up to the riots in France. This is not the student uprising of 1969, nor, as yet, is it an Islamist terrorist ursurgency. It is about poverty and social deprivation - albeit in predominantly muslim inner city areas. It is a matter of 21st Century ghettos and their consequences - here in a nation renowned for the volatile nature of its citizens.
The sudden and dramatic increase in violence has proved beyond the ability of the police to control and it should serve as a warning to other societies where rampant market driven economies are accelerating the divide between rich and poor. On the international stage it is the real source of the current global discontent, but the problem is present in most capitalist based nations and local unrest is only a matter of time. When people revolt "en-masse", there will never be enough law enforcement to keep them at bay. Such is the stuff of revolution and the French should know this only too well.
Chirac has unsurprisingly responded with condemnation and vowed to punish the protagonists. Exactly how he plans to round up so many individuals is unclear. His first stop should be to address the seeds of this civil warfare and attempt to placate the disaffected. Although street level intermediaries are doing their best to bring some calm on a local level, the danger that this uprising could be hijacked by religious extremeists is all too clear - and right here in the centre of Europe.
Let us hope the current destruction does not start focusing on the greater economic infrastructure or places like the channel tunnel itself. Those who advocate terrorism are just waiting for the chance to ingratiate themselves with a movement such as this and in the absence of hope, there will be all too many willing recruits.
Later.
The sudden and dramatic increase in violence has proved beyond the ability of the police to control and it should serve as a warning to other societies where rampant market driven economies are accelerating the divide between rich and poor. On the international stage it is the real source of the current global discontent, but the problem is present in most capitalist based nations and local unrest is only a matter of time. When people revolt "en-masse", there will never be enough law enforcement to keep them at bay. Such is the stuff of revolution and the French should know this only too well.
Chirac has unsurprisingly responded with condemnation and vowed to punish the protagonists. Exactly how he plans to round up so many individuals is unclear. His first stop should be to address the seeds of this civil warfare and attempt to placate the disaffected. Although street level intermediaries are doing their best to bring some calm on a local level, the danger that this uprising could be hijacked by religious extremeists is all too clear - and right here in the centre of Europe.
Let us hope the current destruction does not start focusing on the greater economic infrastructure or places like the channel tunnel itself. Those who advocate terrorism are just waiting for the chance to ingratiate themselves with a movement such as this and in the absence of hope, there will be all too many willing recruits.
Later.
Saturday, November 05, 2005
Grandchildren of the revolution
Grandchildren of the revolution by Richard Neville
Today's link is for a lengthy essay by Richard Neville. More a case of "then and now" than his usual satire, he looks back at sixties London and draws some parallels with modern times. Essential reading!
Bush may have a few problems at home these days, but beyond the womb of his homeland security the reception in South America would be enough to give an intelligent person cause for thought. Has nobody told him he's unwelcome most places on the planet?
Another link. This tells of a UN audit which suggests the US owe millions of dollars to Iraq. First they invade and secure the oil supply for cheap. Then they steal back the profits to pay for an infrastructure. Then they build to such a poor standard that they make extra extra profits. Money for nothing or oil for nothing?
Here in the UK the government almost lost a vote in the House of Commons on anti-terror measures. Just one vote short of defeat. This link points out that a certain loudmouth called George Galloway was too busy with a bit of self-promotion to attend and cast what could have been a crucial vote. Like Blunkett, this guy enjoys the cushy life - his procrastination and willingness to combat the Amerikan Emprire may have endeared him to many, but this is folly of the highest order.
Scan down a few entries for that photo of Blunkett published the day before his resignation. Some of you missed the significance - his companion looks to be none other than the selfsame Galloway. Let him hang himself, or should I say "head the gallows way!" Before we get too silly ...
Later.
Today's link is for a lengthy essay by Richard Neville. More a case of "then and now" than his usual satire, he looks back at sixties London and draws some parallels with modern times. Essential reading!
Bush may have a few problems at home these days, but beyond the womb of his homeland security the reception in South America would be enough to give an intelligent person cause for thought. Has nobody told him he's unwelcome most places on the planet?
Another link. This tells of a UN audit which suggests the US owe millions of dollars to Iraq. First they invade and secure the oil supply for cheap. Then they steal back the profits to pay for an infrastructure. Then they build to such a poor standard that they make extra extra profits. Money for nothing or oil for nothing?
Here in the UK the government almost lost a vote in the House of Commons on anti-terror measures. Just one vote short of defeat. This link points out that a certain loudmouth called George Galloway was too busy with a bit of self-promotion to attend and cast what could have been a crucial vote. Like Blunkett, this guy enjoys the cushy life - his procrastination and willingness to combat the Amerikan Emprire may have endeared him to many, but this is folly of the highest order.
Scan down a few entries for that photo of Blunkett published the day before his resignation. Some of you missed the significance - his companion looks to be none other than the selfsame Galloway. Let him hang himself, or should I say "head the gallows way!" Before we get too silly ...
Later.
Thursday, November 03, 2005
13 hours to reboot the universe and everything
http://www.slate.com/id/2129225/
This week the final installment of the "Star Wars" saga goes on sale for our home entertainment. We can all now take a day off to watch all 13 hours or so in the correct order and muse upon a phantom reality that has occupied our lives for near on 25 years. This link has an interesting essay.
Of course, a synopsis will barely take 13 minutes.
Bit One. A long time ago in a galaxy very far away a child is born. He is exceptionally gifted and gets adopted by the state to be trained for some higher purpose. He's cute and has lots of robots and aliens for friends.
Bit Two. Boy in now a teenager and doing lots of worthy stuff for his tutor and the state. Shows signs of attitude problem but still struts his stuff in a palitable fashion whilst falling in love and getting married. Meanwhile, the shadow of war falls on the state.
Bit Three. War arrives and boy is young adult. Has a son and daughter but then rebels and joins the other side. Abandons children to pursue a career as serious war-monger.
Bit Four. Son has grown up in isolation but inhertied daddy's talents. Daddy's old tutor resurfaces to educate son. Son also discovers secret sister. Daddy is now a major bigwig in the empire that has replaced the state. State is now relegated to resistance movement and sets out to train son as their own champion. Old tutor dies.
Bit Five. The son is now the big hero of the resistance and, unlike daddy, shows no signs of being a rebel. The son, his sister and assorted mates do all sorts of things to combat the empire. Also gets to meet a load of daddy's old pals who also help him out. Son finally meets daddy and has a fight with him before finding out the truth of their blood relationship. Survives fight and escapes with an arm missing.
Bit Six. The son gets a new robot arm and makes serious plans to sort out the daddy problem. Seeks out daddy's old mega-guru to get some advanced training before having another go at daddy. Big generation battle ensues but daddy won't kill son and decides he's a nice guy after all. Son kills emporer instead and everyone has a party. It was just a little celebration at first, but becomes galaxy wide for the remastered edition.
Bit Seven. There isn't one, but you could just go back to bit one and re-enter the loop.
13 hours! Just how many times are we really going to watch it all again now? If there is a parable here, it's a mighty flimsy one.
Later.
This week the final installment of the "Star Wars" saga goes on sale for our home entertainment. We can all now take a day off to watch all 13 hours or so in the correct order and muse upon a phantom reality that has occupied our lives for near on 25 years. This link has an interesting essay.
Of course, a synopsis will barely take 13 minutes.
Bit One. A long time ago in a galaxy very far away a child is born. He is exceptionally gifted and gets adopted by the state to be trained for some higher purpose. He's cute and has lots of robots and aliens for friends.
Bit Two. Boy in now a teenager and doing lots of worthy stuff for his tutor and the state. Shows signs of attitude problem but still struts his stuff in a palitable fashion whilst falling in love and getting married. Meanwhile, the shadow of war falls on the state.
Bit Three. War arrives and boy is young adult. Has a son and daughter but then rebels and joins the other side. Abandons children to pursue a career as serious war-monger.
Bit Four. Son has grown up in isolation but inhertied daddy's talents. Daddy's old tutor resurfaces to educate son. Son also discovers secret sister. Daddy is now a major bigwig in the empire that has replaced the state. State is now relegated to resistance movement and sets out to train son as their own champion. Old tutor dies.
Bit Five. The son is now the big hero of the resistance and, unlike daddy, shows no signs of being a rebel. The son, his sister and assorted mates do all sorts of things to combat the empire. Also gets to meet a load of daddy's old pals who also help him out. Son finally meets daddy and has a fight with him before finding out the truth of their blood relationship. Survives fight and escapes with an arm missing.
Bit Six. The son gets a new robot arm and makes serious plans to sort out the daddy problem. Seeks out daddy's old mega-guru to get some advanced training before having another go at daddy. Big generation battle ensues but daddy won't kill son and decides he's a nice guy after all. Son kills emporer instead and everyone has a party. It was just a little celebration at first, but becomes galaxy wide for the remastered edition.
Bit Seven. There isn't one, but you could just go back to bit one and re-enter the loop.
13 hours! Just how many times are we really going to watch it all again now? If there is a parable here, it's a mighty flimsy one.
Later.
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Senate enters closed session on Iraq
CBS News | Senate Dems Force Showdown On Iraq | November 2, 2005�08:30:04
I'm no expert on the American constitution but this latest news seems significant. The demoncrats have effectively closed down the US senate and put it in a closed session to address the Bush administration's abuse of intelligence in the run-up to the Iraq invasion. With everything else piled up against the ape emporer, could this be the icing on the cake?
Later.
I'm no expert on the American constitution but this latest news seems significant. The demoncrats have effectively closed down the US senate and put it in a closed session to address the Bush administration's abuse of intelligence in the run-up to the Iraq invasion. With everything else piled up against the ape emporer, could this be the icing on the cake?
Later.
Pack yer bags - Take two!
For those who haven't heard (it was too late for this morning's papers), the British cabinet minister David Blunkett has now departed government again. He will not be sorely missed!
In other news, Iran has sacked all its diplomats whose attitude was considered too liberal for the new regime. See here. Not the most encouraging decision in the current climate.
Later.
In other news, Iran has sacked all its diplomats whose attitude was considered too liberal for the new regime. See here. Not the most encouraging decision in the current climate.
Later.
Monday, October 31, 2005
Daze of ghosts and gory
A harvest of Halloween traditions
Tradition has it we tell our children never to take sweets from strangers. Given that such strangers could be persons of dubious intent offering cunningly disguised adult chemicals, this may be wise. On the other hand, tonight we let all those same children dress up as witches and the like then pack them off to knock on every stranger's door asking for - you guessed it - sweets. Trick or treat or weird logic?
It is of course Halloween - or to be more precise, All Hallows Eve. Time to celebrate the spooky, the mysterious and the downright unknown. When it comes down to it, this is a truer holiday than Xmas. Why? Research shows that far more Britons believe in ghosts than believe in a god! I'd rather this pot-pourri than the official mythology of state. Tomorrow the party will be over and we'll remove the masks. But in the corridors of power, they'll be keeping them on - lest we see the true face of their ideaology and the nightmares therein.
It can't be a comfortable time in Whitehall. After all, in barely another week the entire country will be indulging in the glorification of terrorism! That's right - it's fireworks galore as another celebration remembers Guy Fawkes and his attempt to bomb the British parliament. What strange hypocrisy surrounds us.
Later.
Tradition has it we tell our children never to take sweets from strangers. Given that such strangers could be persons of dubious intent offering cunningly disguised adult chemicals, this may be wise. On the other hand, tonight we let all those same children dress up as witches and the like then pack them off to knock on every stranger's door asking for - you guessed it - sweets. Trick or treat or weird logic?
It is of course Halloween - or to be more precise, All Hallows Eve. Time to celebrate the spooky, the mysterious and the downright unknown. When it comes down to it, this is a truer holiday than Xmas. Why? Research shows that far more Britons believe in ghosts than believe in a god! I'd rather this pot-pourri than the official mythology of state. Tomorrow the party will be over and we'll remove the masks. But in the corridors of power, they'll be keeping them on - lest we see the true face of their ideaology and the nightmares therein.
It can't be a comfortable time in Whitehall. After all, in barely another week the entire country will be indulging in the glorification of terrorism! That's right - it's fireworks galore as another celebration remembers Guy Fawkes and his attempt to bomb the British parliament. What strange hypocrisy surrounds us.
Later.
Friday, October 28, 2005
10% of British use Pot
Independent Online Edition > Crime
A quick link to today's Independent. It seems 11 million people here in Britain have used illegal drugs - hardly a small minority any more. More telling is the fact that 10% of us seemingly use Cannabis and that's after suggestions of a decline in it's use generally. Prohibition has clearly become a joke! If tobacco consumption is to be limited to private clubs, maybe marijuana should join it in a new class of recreational dugs for use in reserved places only. It's social policy that kills - far better to have licensed thrills!
If Blair wants to become the "war president" of the EU and play the one-upmanship game with Bushy, someone should remind him that the office expires in a couple of months, at which time he simply becomes British prime minister again.
Later.
A quick link to today's Independent. It seems 11 million people here in Britain have used illegal drugs - hardly a small minority any more. More telling is the fact that 10% of us seemingly use Cannabis and that's after suggestions of a decline in it's use generally. Prohibition has clearly become a joke! If tobacco consumption is to be limited to private clubs, maybe marijuana should join it in a new class of recreational dugs for use in reserved places only. It's social policy that kills - far better to have licensed thrills!
If Blair wants to become the "war president" of the EU and play the one-upmanship game with Bushy, someone should remind him that the office expires in a couple of months, at which time he simply becomes British prime minister again.
Later.
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Washington in Crisis, Bush at Bay!
Independent UK
The headline alone is enough to justify this morning's link. I was waiting all day yesterday for indictment news before posting the blog but it remains simply iminent.
In Britain, the government has finally stopped bickering amongst itself long enough the announce that the smoking ban will happen here. As a smoker I'm concerned that something so comprehensive has civil liberties implications but acknowledge that it is a habit to be discouraged.
It's bad news for the chancellor too - much less revenue if the habit wanes. It is also unclear whether the expression "smoking" extends to ginseng and other herbal cigarettes. If it were simply an issue of inhaling toxic substances, far more dangerous to health are the petrolium fumes we have to endure constantly. Ban those and I'll agree to give up cigarettes - cold turkey or no!
Later.
The headline alone is enough to justify this morning's link. I was waiting all day yesterday for indictment news before posting the blog but it remains simply iminent.
In Britain, the government has finally stopped bickering amongst itself long enough the announce that the smoking ban will happen here. As a smoker I'm concerned that something so comprehensive has civil liberties implications but acknowledge that it is a habit to be discouraged.
It's bad news for the chancellor too - much less revenue if the habit wanes. It is also unclear whether the expression "smoking" extends to ginseng and other herbal cigarettes. If it were simply an issue of inhaling toxic substances, far more dangerous to health are the petrolium fumes we have to endure constantly. Ban those and I'll agree to give up cigarettes - cold turkey or no!
Later.
Monday, October 24, 2005
War Droppings Falling On Our Heads
Independent Burt Bacharach turns protest singer
A link to the Independent with an article on singer-songwriter Burt Bacharach. During the Vietman War he whimisically mused about raindrops falling on his head and despite his technical craftsmanship was viewed as a slightly absurd anachronism given the pioneering and frequently political pop music of those times. A major surprise then, that at the ripe old age of 77, he is back on the scene with an album that lyrically castigates Bush and criticises the state of the modern world. One wonders if I'm about the develop a taste for a "smoochy" underscore.
London today has miserable weather and I have a headache. It is nothing of course compared to the 125mph winds of the latest hurricane battering Florida. Ominously, I just heard news on the radio that Britain will probably experience the tail end of Wilma herself around the end of this week. This planet seems to be getting seriously pissed off with mankind!
Later.
A link to the Independent with an article on singer-songwriter Burt Bacharach. During the Vietman War he whimisically mused about raindrops falling on his head and despite his technical craftsmanship was viewed as a slightly absurd anachronism given the pioneering and frequently political pop music of those times. A major surprise then, that at the ripe old age of 77, he is back on the scene with an album that lyrically castigates Bush and criticises the state of the modern world. One wonders if I'm about the develop a taste for a "smoochy" underscore.
London today has miserable weather and I have a headache. It is nothing of course compared to the 125mph winds of the latest hurricane battering Florida. Ominously, I just heard news on the radio that Britain will probably experience the tail end of Wilma herself around the end of this week. This planet seems to be getting seriously pissed off with mankind!
Later.
Saturday, October 22, 2005
An explosive U-Turn
It will be time for fireworks soon, but in Downing Street I suspect they will not be confined to November 5th. A long-term betrayer of the values of the original Labour Party, Blair took a very odd turn last week. It is one that now conflicts with his beloved New Labour project and is potentially a harbringer of all sorts of unrest.
I refer to his agreement over pensions with the public service union. Civil servants have always been on to a cushy number. Unless they are really senoir, they don't get paid that highly, but (since they are largely beaurocrats) their life is frequently one of undemanding paper-pushing and subservience to the dictates of the state. In return, they have uniquely received a retirement pension linked to their final salary. Thus, around age 60, they settle down to a reasonably comfortable old age. Such generosity has never existed in the private sector and these days there is little security for life-long workers in those sectors at all.
Assuming corporate administrators do not hi-jack the funds for their own devices, pensions are supposed to be paid for with money held for and invested safely on the part of the worker. They are the one "tax" that is eventually refundable with interest. Or they were! Decades of unwillingness to increase contributions coupled with the refusal to accomodate longer lifespans have left the whole business in a complete mess. The Blair government's response has been to push foward legislation and policy that allows them to abdicate the obligations of the welfare state and corporate schemes in forcing the population to make financial plans for their own retirement years.
For those starting their adult life, this may be fine - assuming they can find any institution left willing to offer such long-term secure investment. For those already retired with modest resources, there is the threat of ever-dwindling resources. For those still working and yet to retire there is also much insecurity - largely linked to one's current status in the now massive rich-poor divide. This latter is the "black hole" between any future system and the old.
Essentially, unless you are already well-off, we are now told that we will need to work longer and save more of our own money from wages that are diminishing anyway if you are at the lower end of the pay scale. It is tough already and will be tougher in the future - unless, that is, you are a government employee. The new agreement means civil servents will be exempt from working extra years and their rewards will remain linked to their final salary. In other words, no such changes for them!
This is the kind of "favouritism" that will lead to major unrest in other areas of society. It is also, to my mind, no major surprise that such exemption has been granted to those who provide the machinary of state. The new authoritarianism will need them! The biggest irony is that such exemption does cover other areas of social and public services. If civil servants get this privilage, why not the others who strive to keep the country running on lower salaries than that of the average civil servant?
An explosive situation looms. How long before Blair is "The Guy"?
Later.
I refer to his agreement over pensions with the public service union. Civil servants have always been on to a cushy number. Unless they are really senoir, they don't get paid that highly, but (since they are largely beaurocrats) their life is frequently one of undemanding paper-pushing and subservience to the dictates of the state. In return, they have uniquely received a retirement pension linked to their final salary. Thus, around age 60, they settle down to a reasonably comfortable old age. Such generosity has never existed in the private sector and these days there is little security for life-long workers in those sectors at all.
Assuming corporate administrators do not hi-jack the funds for their own devices, pensions are supposed to be paid for with money held for and invested safely on the part of the worker. They are the one "tax" that is eventually refundable with interest. Or they were! Decades of unwillingness to increase contributions coupled with the refusal to accomodate longer lifespans have left the whole business in a complete mess. The Blair government's response has been to push foward legislation and policy that allows them to abdicate the obligations of the welfare state and corporate schemes in forcing the population to make financial plans for their own retirement years.
For those starting their adult life, this may be fine - assuming they can find any institution left willing to offer such long-term secure investment. For those already retired with modest resources, there is the threat of ever-dwindling resources. For those still working and yet to retire there is also much insecurity - largely linked to one's current status in the now massive rich-poor divide. This latter is the "black hole" between any future system and the old.
Essentially, unless you are already well-off, we are now told that we will need to work longer and save more of our own money from wages that are diminishing anyway if you are at the lower end of the pay scale. It is tough already and will be tougher in the future - unless, that is, you are a government employee. The new agreement means civil servents will be exempt from working extra years and their rewards will remain linked to their final salary. In other words, no such changes for them!
This is the kind of "favouritism" that will lead to major unrest in other areas of society. It is also, to my mind, no major surprise that such exemption has been granted to those who provide the machinary of state. The new authoritarianism will need them! The biggest irony is that such exemption does cover other areas of social and public services. If civil servants get this privilage, why not the others who strive to keep the country running on lower salaries than that of the average civil servant?
An explosive situation looms. How long before Blair is "The Guy"?
Later.
Friday, October 21, 2005
A grand reunion
Cream Free On-Demand Music Videos
This is a link to Rolling Stone magazine. It gets a plug because they have three video tracks running from the new Cream Reunion DVD release. If you want to get the feel of the kind of musical experience we loved over 35 years ago, this is where you can find it. Try closing your eyes - the sound is virtually timeless.
Later.
This is a link to Rolling Stone magazine. It gets a plug because they have three video tracks running from the new Cream Reunion DVD release. If you want to get the feel of the kind of musical experience we loved over 35 years ago, this is where you can find it. Try closing your eyes - the sound is virtually timeless.
Later.
Off to the hustings? UK Conservative leader candidate, David Cameron (left) now has to tackle the grass roots activists. Photo courtesy newsoftheweed.blogspot.com
eTV Picture Post
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Whatever happened to non-proliferation treaties?
Independent Online Edition
CND must be turning in its grave. Today Tony Blair annouces plans to build a load of new nukes for future use. All the greater his audacity in demanding other nations not be allowed to do the same. A sad day.
Later.
CND must be turning in its grave. Today Tony Blair annouces plans to build a load of new nukes for future use. All the greater his audacity in demanding other nations not be allowed to do the same. A sad day.
Later.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
On The Road to Plastic Anarchy
Independent Online
Yesterday the UK government pushed through the first steps of legislation to introduce its controversial ID cards. As this link points out, it was a shallow victory. They only mustered a majority of 25 MPs and look set for greater rebellion as the bill progresses. Interestingly, the Microsoft corporation (no stranger to big-brother style snooping themeslevs) also warn that this is the first step on a path toward future fraud and anarchy. SEE HERE.
It would make far more sense and be far less costly to bring in some kind of "chip and pin" system like that used by credit card companies. Such a card could allow us all to access the personal information we are entitled to see under the Data Protection Act and could be compatible with a standard computer card-reader so we can interact with government services online if required. If the card was lost or stolen, it could then be cancelled and replaced. Futhermore, if needs must and our civil liberties were not threatened, the disclosure of the PIN could be required by the police and security services under existing law to confirm our identity and the PIN itself could be surrendered using the same kind on technology now seen at vitually every supermarket check-out.
Even if fingerprints, iris scans, dental records and the like are to be compulsory future identity requirements, the information can still be held on an online database linked to the card. I would certainly rather that than the thought I carry it all on my person with the prospect of my entire existence being wiped out if it was mislaid or acquired by someone else.
There is also a "worst case scenario" where environmental and terrorist threats may someday result in the disruption of modern technological communications. A secured data hub with remote backups would surely offer a faster route to social and economic recovery than millions of displaced people wandering around with defunct ID cards tied to a non-functioning closed system.
It is time the power-brokers of this world were reminded that they exist to serve us. We do not exist to serve them or their control fantasies.
Later.
Yesterday the UK government pushed through the first steps of legislation to introduce its controversial ID cards. As this link points out, it was a shallow victory. They only mustered a majority of 25 MPs and look set for greater rebellion as the bill progresses. Interestingly, the Microsoft corporation (no stranger to big-brother style snooping themeslevs) also warn that this is the first step on a path toward future fraud and anarchy. SEE HERE.
It would make far more sense and be far less costly to bring in some kind of "chip and pin" system like that used by credit card companies. Such a card could allow us all to access the personal information we are entitled to see under the Data Protection Act and could be compatible with a standard computer card-reader so we can interact with government services online if required. If the card was lost or stolen, it could then be cancelled and replaced. Futhermore, if needs must and our civil liberties were not threatened, the disclosure of the PIN could be required by the police and security services under existing law to confirm our identity and the PIN itself could be surrendered using the same kind on technology now seen at vitually every supermarket check-out.
Even if fingerprints, iris scans, dental records and the like are to be compulsory future identity requirements, the information can still be held on an online database linked to the card. I would certainly rather that than the thought I carry it all on my person with the prospect of my entire existence being wiped out if it was mislaid or acquired by someone else.
There is also a "worst case scenario" where environmental and terrorist threats may someday result in the disruption of modern technological communications. A secured data hub with remote backups would surely offer a faster route to social and economic recovery than millions of displaced people wandering around with defunct ID cards tied to a non-functioning closed system.
It is time the power-brokers of this world were reminded that they exist to serve us. We do not exist to serve them or their control fantasies.
Later.
Monday, October 17, 2005
Booze and the terror equation
Saul Landau: Luis Posada and Bush's Drinking
Just a quick link to an interesting piece in Counterpunch this weekend. We've been here before of course.
Later.
Just a quick link to an interesting piece in Counterpunch this weekend. We've been here before of course.
Later.
Backfiring bitch of a witch-hunt
Times Online
This link for today's Times suggests that the sex and drugs stories that so obsess the media may not quite have hit their mark where discrediting the conservative leadership contender David Cameron is concerned. I'm tempted to agree - the public are so used to seeing the glorification of shallow, barely controversial, evidence against public figures that they are beginning to take it in their stride. The big question is whether the Tory parliamentarians have the ability to connect with the public mood before deciding which two candidates should go forward for the final contest.
Cameron has everything to gain. His refusal to answer personal questions has given him credibility as a reasonably dignified diplomat whilst avoiding any polarisation amongst those who might vote for him. The whole witch-hunt has now given him the highest profile amongst the contenders and his demeanor is one that suggests the time is right for a political generation shift. The only thing we don't know is much more about the detail of his policies and when it comes to figureheads I onder who really cares. After all, Blair won the 1997 election against John Major by offering very little and saying "trust me, trust me, trust me!" Look where that got us!
I'm not a Tory voter but I'd love to see the final as a contest between Ken Clarke and Cameron. It would be a clear choice between effective opposition and a distinctive fresh start. Whichever the winner, I would hope they then work together to combat the wild, blind and deceitful arrogance of the current administration. Britain might even begin to feel like a democracy again.
Meanwhile, Blair is in trouble again. This time for pretending his anti-terror policies have the support of the intelligence service. See here.
Later.
This link for today's Times suggests that the sex and drugs stories that so obsess the media may not quite have hit their mark where discrediting the conservative leadership contender David Cameron is concerned. I'm tempted to agree - the public are so used to seeing the glorification of shallow, barely controversial, evidence against public figures that they are beginning to take it in their stride. The big question is whether the Tory parliamentarians have the ability to connect with the public mood before deciding which two candidates should go forward for the final contest.
Cameron has everything to gain. His refusal to answer personal questions has given him credibility as a reasonably dignified diplomat whilst avoiding any polarisation amongst those who might vote for him. The whole witch-hunt has now given him the highest profile amongst the contenders and his demeanor is one that suggests the time is right for a political generation shift. The only thing we don't know is much more about the detail of his policies and when it comes to figureheads I onder who really cares. After all, Blair won the 1997 election against John Major by offering very little and saying "trust me, trust me, trust me!" Look where that got us!
I'm not a Tory voter but I'd love to see the final as a contest between Ken Clarke and Cameron. It would be a clear choice between effective opposition and a distinctive fresh start. Whichever the winner, I would hope they then work together to combat the wild, blind and deceitful arrogance of the current administration. Britain might even begin to feel like a democracy again.
Meanwhile, Blair is in trouble again. This time for pretending his anti-terror policies have the support of the intelligence service. See here.
Later.
Sunday, October 16, 2005
A Sunday diversion
As the contenders for the British Conservative Party throne battle it out, one wonders why they can't muster this kind of energy and venom at a General Election. Who did what, when and with whom seems wholly tangental to the real issue - who can do what, when and how in the future. Meanwhile, our present chancellor gets his portrait in lights - except that is isn't. See here.
In America, maybe there's hope for the next generation yet. This from the post ...
President Bush was visiting a primary school and he visited one of the classes. They were in
the middle of a discussion related to words and their meanings. The teacher asked the
President if he would like to lead the discussion on the word "tragedy". So the illustrious leader
asked the class for an example of a "tragedy".
One little boy stood up and offered: "If my best friend, who lives on a farm, is playing in the field
and a tractor runs over him and kills him, that would be a tragedy."
"No," said Bush, "that would be an accident."
A little girl raised her hand: "If a school bus carrying 50 children drove over a cliff, killing
everyone inside, that would be a tragedy."
"I'm afraid not," explained the president. "That's what we would call a great loss."
The room went silent. No other children volunteered. Bush searched the room. "Isn't there
someone here who can give me an example of a tragedy?"
Finally at the back of the room a small boy (Lil Johnny) raised his hand. In a quiet voice he said:
"If Air Force One carrying you and Mrs. Bush was struck by a "friendly fire" missile and blown
to smithereens, that would be a tragedy."
Fantastic!" exclaimed Bush. "That's right. And can you tell me why that would be tragedy?"
"Well," says Lil Johnny, "It has to be a tragedy, because it sure as hell wouldn't be a great loss
and it probably wouldn't be an accident either."
Lastly, plug for another blog here. If you like the blues (music) this is for you, but there's much more too. Go now.
Later.
In America, maybe there's hope for the next generation yet. This from the post ...
President Bush was visiting a primary school and he visited one of the classes. They were in
the middle of a discussion related to words and their meanings. The teacher asked the
President if he would like to lead the discussion on the word "tragedy". So the illustrious leader
asked the class for an example of a "tragedy".
One little boy stood up and offered: "If my best friend, who lives on a farm, is playing in the field
and a tractor runs over him and kills him, that would be a tragedy."
"No," said Bush, "that would be an accident."
A little girl raised her hand: "If a school bus carrying 50 children drove over a cliff, killing
everyone inside, that would be a tragedy."
"I'm afraid not," explained the president. "That's what we would call a great loss."
The room went silent. No other children volunteered. Bush searched the room. "Isn't there
someone here who can give me an example of a tragedy?"
Finally at the back of the room a small boy (Lil Johnny) raised his hand. In a quiet voice he said:
"If Air Force One carrying you and Mrs. Bush was struck by a "friendly fire" missile and blown
to smithereens, that would be a tragedy."
Fantastic!" exclaimed Bush. "That's right. And can you tell me why that would be tragedy?"
"Well," says Lil Johnny, "It has to be a tragedy, because it sure as hell wouldn't be a great loss
and it probably wouldn't be an accident either."
Lastly, plug for another blog here. If you like the blues (music) this is for you, but there's much more too. Go now.
Later.
Friday, October 14, 2005
We're not stoned enough it seems
Independent Online Edition > Health Medical : app2
When it comes to the clinical uses of marijuana, new research seems to suggest that alleged problems are actually due to the administration of a "too low" dosage. A decent amount boosts brain power and also acts as an anti-depressant. This article explains more.
Maybe Cameron could out-smart Blair but that old battle-axe Margaret Thatcher is having her say too. On Irag that is:
"I was a scientist before I was a politician and as a scientist I know you need facts, evidence and proof -- and then you check, recheck and check again. The fact was that there were no facts, there was no evidence, and there was no proof. As a politician the most serious decision you can take is to commit your armed services to war from which they may not return."
Astonishing.
Later.
When it comes to the clinical uses of marijuana, new research seems to suggest that alleged problems are actually due to the administration of a "too low" dosage. A decent amount boosts brain power and also acts as an anti-depressant. This article explains more.
Maybe Cameron could out-smart Blair but that old battle-axe Margaret Thatcher is having her say too. On Irag that is:
"I was a scientist before I was a politician and as a scientist I know you need facts, evidence and proof -- and then you check, recheck and check again. The fact was that there were no facts, there was no evidence, and there was no proof. As a politician the most serious decision you can take is to commit your armed services to war from which they may not return."
Astonishing.
Later.
Thursday, October 13, 2005
On and On Part Three
Reuse, Recycle, Repeat! 10/12/05
A quick link to this week's offering from Mark Fiore. It's a continuation of the theme.
Also a continuation of sorts - Blunkett's been up to his tricks again. SEE HERE for more.
Meanwhile, amidst all the disasters, the Iron Lady gets her 80th anniversary polish and almost looks tame beside the reality of the Blair state. Let's hope it doesn't take a flu pandemic to expose our own inability to cope with a major disaster. At least the mainstream media has woken up to the iminent threat at last.
Check out Planet Ark's news service for environmental matters.
Later.
A quick link to this week's offering from Mark Fiore. It's a continuation of the theme.
Also a continuation of sorts - Blunkett's been up to his tricks again. SEE HERE for more.
Meanwhile, amidst all the disasters, the Iron Lady gets her 80th anniversary polish and almost looks tame beside the reality of the Blair state. Let's hope it doesn't take a flu pandemic to expose our own inability to cope with a major disaster. At least the mainstream media has woken up to the iminent threat at last.
Check out Planet Ark's news service for environmental matters.
Later.
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Blunkett flunks it with crumpet and resorts to his trumpet
Scotsman.com News - Top Stories - New technology and greater scrutiny to feature in anti-fraud strategy
You'll have to excuse the mild sexist undertone to that title - I just couldn't resist!
Today's link leads to a report on the Blair/Blunkett plans to slash British welfare payments. Draconian in itself, the real nightmare is the extraordinary plans they have to monitor those involved - with benefit claimants being subjected to the kind of surveillance hitherto reserved for "terrorists". Evading the regulations of this new "big brother" state will, I suspect, lead to far greater fraud and other criminality - eventually burdening an already over-stretched police force. The government only has itself to blame for the beaurocratic mess it's in. To execute this plan without creating further economic segregation they will have to invent more artificial jobs for the otherwise un-employable (beaurocrats?) or risk the kind of civil unrest that will finally define the "lie" of everything the Labour Party ever stood for.
Last night's television drama on Blunkett's days as Home Secretary was hilarious and made for great first night viewing. It was a digital broadcast of course, so one wonders how many benefit claimants actually had the privilage of seeing it. Odd nonetheless that this news appears just when the protagonist's questionable integrity and competence are in the limelight. If this is a "knee-jerk" announcement timed to convince us otherwise, I suspect they have indeed "flunked it".
Later.
You'll have to excuse the mild sexist undertone to that title - I just couldn't resist!
Today's link leads to a report on the Blair/Blunkett plans to slash British welfare payments. Draconian in itself, the real nightmare is the extraordinary plans they have to monitor those involved - with benefit claimants being subjected to the kind of surveillance hitherto reserved for "terrorists". Evading the regulations of this new "big brother" state will, I suspect, lead to far greater fraud and other criminality - eventually burdening an already over-stretched police force. The government only has itself to blame for the beaurocratic mess it's in. To execute this plan without creating further economic segregation they will have to invent more artificial jobs for the otherwise un-employable (beaurocrats?) or risk the kind of civil unrest that will finally define the "lie" of everything the Labour Party ever stood for.
Last night's television drama on Blunkett's days as Home Secretary was hilarious and made for great first night viewing. It was a digital broadcast of course, so one wonders how many benefit claimants actually had the privilage of seeing it. Odd nonetheless that this news appears just when the protagonist's questionable integrity and competence are in the limelight. If this is a "knee-jerk" announcement timed to convince us otherwise, I suspect they have indeed "flunked it".
Later.
Monday, October 10, 2005
More 4 Debuts with extended news and Pot Question
More 4
Tonight will see the launch of the highly anticipated new channel from the British broadcaster, Channel Four. More 4 is an adult channel, but despite some initial titillating promos, is not at all concerned with sex. Rather, it promises something similar to BBC4, but less restrained - a second place on the box to appeal to the thinking man and woman.
It launches with More 4 News at 8pm - a direct run-on from the usual highly-acclaimed Channel 4 News of the previous hour and going into more depth on current issues. This link to their website also features an issue of the day. Tonight they ask if it matters whether our politicians have smoked Pot - a natural response to yesterday's telling evasion of an answer by new Tory hopeful, David Cameron.
9pm on the new channel sees something called "A Very Personal Secretary" which looks very much like a fictionalisation of the real life adventures of David Blunkett. At first site, I thought the clip was from "Bremmer Bird & Fortune" but the Blunkett character looks so much like the real thing it's uncanny. I can't see myself doing much channel surfing tonight.
Later.
Tonight will see the launch of the highly anticipated new channel from the British broadcaster, Channel Four. More 4 is an adult channel, but despite some initial titillating promos, is not at all concerned with sex. Rather, it promises something similar to BBC4, but less restrained - a second place on the box to appeal to the thinking man and woman.
It launches with More 4 News at 8pm - a direct run-on from the usual highly-acclaimed Channel 4 News of the previous hour and going into more depth on current issues. This link to their website also features an issue of the day. Tonight they ask if it matters whether our politicians have smoked Pot - a natural response to yesterday's telling evasion of an answer by new Tory hopeful, David Cameron.
9pm on the new channel sees something called "A Very Personal Secretary" which looks very much like a fictionalisation of the real life adventures of David Blunkett. At first site, I thought the clip was from "Bremmer Bird & Fortune" but the Blunkett character looks so much like the real thing it's uncanny. I can't see myself doing much channel surfing tonight.
Later.
Who Rules the Web?
The following editorial comes courtesy today's newsletter from Info Economy.
<<<
Who rules the web? "No-one", answer some. "Google", say others. "The US", say a growing group of nations around the world - who are set on doing something about it.
At next month's World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), the European Union, backed by many other countries, is seeking to take formal 'control' of the Internet away from the US and give it to the United Nations.
The proposal has US bloggers and columnists fuming, even if the US government itself seems untroubled: it has simply said it will not happen.
In practice, it is not clear what the move would mean. Certainly domain name registration, IP addressing and the overall routing architecture remain under US control. But apart from that, the US has little more power over the Internet than any other nation - except by dint of the many privately owned US companies who contribute so much. In fact, the Internet is largely privately owned, and control points are deliberately and effectively distributed - in accordance with the original US military design back in the 1960s.
At first sight, the moves by the WSIS seem laudable: they want to close the digital divide, enshrine free speech, and attempt to secure some consistency over electronic trade. For example, it might be possible to legislate on where taxes should be paid, or on what rights governments have to tap digital conversations.
But there are several problems with this approach. On most matters - say, libel, or freedom of speech - there is a huge gulf between any governing body's ability to legislate over these matters, and their power to actually impose these on the ground. The task of bringing centrally controlled electronic order to some 190 countries, with their plethora of laws about tax, trade, freedom of speech, surveillance, privacy and copyright is beyond the ability of the UN in its current form.
And where would the UN's new responsibilities lie? Trade, for example, is already handled by the WTO, by parts of the UN itself, and by various multilateral or bilateral agreements. It is doubtful where any new controlling bodies could add much. The same is true in many other areas, whether it is privacy, or intellectual property, or even high level electronic trading formats.
Meanwhile, the US has not - so far - used its limited powers in order to use the Internet as an economic weapon (by denying access, for example), and it is unlikely that it would get away with it at the UN if it tried.
The UN has many big problems, and at the moment, the Internet is not one of them. For the time being, at least, it should leave the Internet alone - as unregulated and privately led as it can possibly be. Where deeper problems exist, these should be dealt with by the governments concerned.
>>>
On Friday I got dragged along to the Ideal Home exhibition in London to look at mass-produced interior design. Very boring. However, I got an hour or so to myself at the end and took a look at gadgets and Xmas gifts. So here's an unashamed plug for something that really caught my eye.
It's a game called "Cirondo" and it combines some of the more basic moves of Chess with a new circular playing board. Strategy is in theory simpler than Chess, but the reality is far more complex with the mind being challeged by this new, less-linear environment. For example, diiagonal moves which take place in a straight line on the traditional chessboard, here move along a spiralling sphere with obstacles far from obvious.
The game sells for around £30 but the really good news is that you can play it online for free. Go HERE and expect to stay a good many hours.
Later.
<<<
Who rules the web? "No-one", answer some. "Google", say others. "The US", say a growing group of nations around the world - who are set on doing something about it.
At next month's World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), the European Union, backed by many other countries, is seeking to take formal 'control' of the Internet away from the US and give it to the United Nations.
The proposal has US bloggers and columnists fuming, even if the US government itself seems untroubled: it has simply said it will not happen.
In practice, it is not clear what the move would mean. Certainly domain name registration, IP addressing and the overall routing architecture remain under US control. But apart from that, the US has little more power over the Internet than any other nation - except by dint of the many privately owned US companies who contribute so much. In fact, the Internet is largely privately owned, and control points are deliberately and effectively distributed - in accordance with the original US military design back in the 1960s.
At first sight, the moves by the WSIS seem laudable: they want to close the digital divide, enshrine free speech, and attempt to secure some consistency over electronic trade. For example, it might be possible to legislate on where taxes should be paid, or on what rights governments have to tap digital conversations.
But there are several problems with this approach. On most matters - say, libel, or freedom of speech - there is a huge gulf between any governing body's ability to legislate over these matters, and their power to actually impose these on the ground. The task of bringing centrally controlled electronic order to some 190 countries, with their plethora of laws about tax, trade, freedom of speech, surveillance, privacy and copyright is beyond the ability of the UN in its current form.
And where would the UN's new responsibilities lie? Trade, for example, is already handled by the WTO, by parts of the UN itself, and by various multilateral or bilateral agreements. It is doubtful where any new controlling bodies could add much. The same is true in many other areas, whether it is privacy, or intellectual property, or even high level electronic trading formats.
Meanwhile, the US has not - so far - used its limited powers in order to use the Internet as an economic weapon (by denying access, for example), and it is unlikely that it would get away with it at the UN if it tried.
The UN has many big problems, and at the moment, the Internet is not one of them. For the time being, at least, it should leave the Internet alone - as unregulated and privately led as it can possibly be. Where deeper problems exist, these should be dealt with by the governments concerned.
>>>
On Friday I got dragged along to the Ideal Home exhibition in London to look at mass-produced interior design. Very boring. However, I got an hour or so to myself at the end and took a look at gadgets and Xmas gifts. So here's an unashamed plug for something that really caught my eye.
It's a game called "Cirondo" and it combines some of the more basic moves of Chess with a new circular playing board. Strategy is in theory simpler than Chess, but the reality is far more complex with the mind being challeged by this new, less-linear environment. For example, diiagonal moves which take place in a straight line on the traditional chessboard, here move along a spiralling sphere with obstacles far from obvious.
The game sells for around £30 but the really good news is that you can play it online for free. Go HERE and expect to stay a good many hours.
Later.
Dreams of Treasure in Ice Melt
As Polar Ice Turns to Water, Dreams of Treasure Abound - New York Times
Today's link leads to the start of a new science series in the New York Times and reveals a new aspect of global warming. As the polar ice cap melts, new islands and territories appear and are ripe for the picking. Like the gold rush of yesteryear, savvy entrepreneurs are paying pennies to claim their stake on land that may be worth millions in future years.
Later.
Today's link leads to the start of a new science series in the New York Times and reveals a new aspect of global warming. As the polar ice cap melts, new islands and territories appear and are ripe for the picking. Like the gold rush of yesteryear, savvy entrepreneurs are paying pennies to claim their stake on land that may be worth millions in future years.
Later.
Sunday, October 09, 2005
Watching the defectives (on and on - pt.2)
The merry-go-round of Britain's political conference season ended last week with the conservative party rally. As usual they went on and on about electing a new leader but on this occaision the incubent made himself scarce until the end. All former bets were off as the new favourites are the old tobacco smoking sage and the new young (alleged other-smoking) pretender to the throne. We'll find out shortly one way of another.
On and on went the imperial cowboy too. A supposed important address to the Amerikan nation turned into a re-run of re-runs but without the optimism or any sense of morale boosting. There may be no turning for this president, but one wonders why he sought to offer up an excuse for his actions... "God told me to do it!" Hell - even the Blair-faced pulpit hasn't tried that one!
Later.
On and on went the imperial cowboy too. A supposed important address to the Amerikan nation turned into a re-run of re-runs but without the optimism or any sense of morale boosting. There may be no turning for this president, but one wonders why he sought to offer up an excuse for his actions... "God told me to do it!" Hell - even the Blair-faced pulpit hasn't tried that one!
Later.
Friday, September 30, 2005
What's cooking in the mind of Bush?
Paul Craig Roberts: Bush is Cooking Up Two New Wars
So here's a quick update for an intruiging article in today's Counterpunch. It makes for scary reading, especially given the author's credentials.
For those here in London, it has been annouced that the congestion charge is now to be extended. In announcing it, Mayor Ken Livingstone came up with what most be the most stupid remark for a long time - on urging it's necessity he said: "I wish we could do this without charging people!" Eactly what would be the point of it at all were that the case. Anyhow - I approve of it.
Later.
So here's a quick update for an intruiging article in today's Counterpunch. It makes for scary reading, especially given the author's credentials.
For those here in London, it has been annouced that the congestion charge is now to be extended. In announcing it, Mayor Ken Livingstone came up with what most be the most stupid remark for a long time - on urging it's necessity he said: "I wish we could do this without charging people!" Eactly what would be the point of it at all were that the case. Anyhow - I approve of it.
Later.
Daring to speak at the party parties!
Independent Online Edition > UK Politics : app5
Two days ago nobody had heard of Walter Wolfgang. Now, at least here in Britain, virtually everyone has. This link leads to today's Independent newspaper where the man himself has his say!
As the first leaves start falling, it is clear that summer is over in Britain. The annual holidays behind, most people are busy hunkering down and getting back to work. Not so our beloved parliamentarians! They all take a few extra weeks to celebrate amongst themselves during something laughingly called the "Conference Season". But "confering" has little to do with it - it is more a time devoted to self-congratulation if not mutual masturbation. In the case of New Labour, it looks like the habit really has led to blindness.
The first party to party were the Liberal Democrats. They're the ones that usually get my vote and to be honest the delegates did actually get the participate. But influence? Well, most questions concerned the leadership and whether Kennedy was the right person to help them capitalise on recent gains. The leader's answer? "I'm going on!" and that was that.
The second party to party have been New Labour. For them, the party in government, the delegates might as well not have existed. Most of them were spin doctors and media stooges anyway! The chancellor, Gordon Brown, already lives in 10 Downing Street (Blair and family live in the more spacious number 11 apartments) and after eight years is clearly anxious to explore the rest of the building. He's about the embark on a year long nationwide tour to pursuade us all that it's a good idea. Whilst his leader does seem to envisage this transition in due course, for now he's having none of it. His answer to the assembed masses? "I'm going on!" and that was that.
Hidden in the more localised area of conference was Ken Livingstone - former party upstart but now a veritable institution as mayor of London. Despite questions about his own re-election not actually being on the agenda, he sought to reply all the same. The answer? "I'm going on!" and that was that.
Foreign secretary Jack Straw is clearly going on too, not that he saw fight to say so directly. Rather, he chose to justify his position and policies in a manner now deviod of idealogy or constructive purpose. When one of the few genuine conference delegates chose to interrupt the robotic speech for the purposes of participation, he was violently ejected from the room. And the speech? It just went on and that was that.
Except there was a glitch.
The assault on Walter Wolfang was captured on camera for all to see and the lie of conference was exposed. Simultaneously, an undercover operation revealed an astonishing amount of cocaine use at the event - far more than could be attributed to the nighclub bouncers who were handling security and the eviction of Walter Wolfgang. Just how many of those in attendence were also artificially removed from reality is a matter for speculation, but one is reminded of the Nazi elite of the 1930s.
The carnival's now over, but hopefully the memory of it's behaviour will run and run. Not however, go on and on.
The tories have got in on the act before their conference has even started. For them it is always about leadership as assorted relics and aspirants join the fray. After months of musing on a better way to elect one they've come to a conclusion. The answer? No change. "We'll just go on!"
Feminist artist Caroline Coon also has a new posting today. This time on Rock Against Racism and assorted tangents. Odd to think how at one time this was just the sort of thing the grassroots of the Labour party took an interest.
On a more optimistic note, Click Here to read about a plan to develop cheap clockwork laptops to bring technology to the third world.
Later.
Two days ago nobody had heard of Walter Wolfgang. Now, at least here in Britain, virtually everyone has. This link leads to today's Independent newspaper where the man himself has his say!
As the first leaves start falling, it is clear that summer is over in Britain. The annual holidays behind, most people are busy hunkering down and getting back to work. Not so our beloved parliamentarians! They all take a few extra weeks to celebrate amongst themselves during something laughingly called the "Conference Season". But "confering" has little to do with it - it is more a time devoted to self-congratulation if not mutual masturbation. In the case of New Labour, it looks like the habit really has led to blindness.
The first party to party were the Liberal Democrats. They're the ones that usually get my vote and to be honest the delegates did actually get the participate. But influence? Well, most questions concerned the leadership and whether Kennedy was the right person to help them capitalise on recent gains. The leader's answer? "I'm going on!" and that was that.
The second party to party have been New Labour. For them, the party in government, the delegates might as well not have existed. Most of them were spin doctors and media stooges anyway! The chancellor, Gordon Brown, already lives in 10 Downing Street (Blair and family live in the more spacious number 11 apartments) and after eight years is clearly anxious to explore the rest of the building. He's about the embark on a year long nationwide tour to pursuade us all that it's a good idea. Whilst his leader does seem to envisage this transition in due course, for now he's having none of it. His answer to the assembed masses? "I'm going on!" and that was that.
Hidden in the more localised area of conference was Ken Livingstone - former party upstart but now a veritable institution as mayor of London. Despite questions about his own re-election not actually being on the agenda, he sought to reply all the same. The answer? "I'm going on!" and that was that.
Foreign secretary Jack Straw is clearly going on too, not that he saw fight to say so directly. Rather, he chose to justify his position and policies in a manner now deviod of idealogy or constructive purpose. When one of the few genuine conference delegates chose to interrupt the robotic speech for the purposes of participation, he was violently ejected from the room. And the speech? It just went on and that was that.
Except there was a glitch.
The assault on Walter Wolfang was captured on camera for all to see and the lie of conference was exposed. Simultaneously, an undercover operation revealed an astonishing amount of cocaine use at the event - far more than could be attributed to the nighclub bouncers who were handling security and the eviction of Walter Wolfgang. Just how many of those in attendence were also artificially removed from reality is a matter for speculation, but one is reminded of the Nazi elite of the 1930s.
The carnival's now over, but hopefully the memory of it's behaviour will run and run. Not however, go on and on.
The tories have got in on the act before their conference has even started. For them it is always about leadership as assorted relics and aspirants join the fray. After months of musing on a better way to elect one they've come to a conclusion. The answer? No change. "We'll just go on!"
Feminist artist Caroline Coon also has a new posting today. This time on Rock Against Racism and assorted tangents. Odd to think how at one time this was just the sort of thing the grassroots of the Labour party took an interest.
On a more optimistic note, Click Here to read about a plan to develop cheap clockwork laptops to bring technology to the third world.
Later.
The online currency of war and tragedy
In a diversion from conflict, US troops are rather fond of posting pictures of their exploits on the web. Quite a lot of them are gruesome or sadistic. Others are merely overly egotistical and an affront to the notion of human concern for others. The Pentagon is finally getting concerned - this is all rather bad PR. It's also becoming increasingly hard to distinquish the fictions from the facts - something equally obvious in the sheer volume of information and fantasy emerging from Amerika's own hurricane disaster zones. In the modern age we all have good reason to be skeptical about the messages fed to us by the commercial media, but recent events and government incompetence have even re-awakened a bit of the public service ethnic in the mainstream news sources. The problem is that they too increasingly rely on the same "stew" of online data to get their "facts". The amount of research and cross-ferencing required to locate the real "truths" is becoming everyone's full-time job.
For more about online obession and disaster reports check out the latest "Journal of a Futurist" from Richard Neville.
For more about online obession and disaster reports check out the latest "Journal of a Futurist" from Richard Neville.
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
The Oliy Grave
President Calls for Less Driving to Conserve Gas - New York Times
This link is for today's headliner at New York Times. In the gas-guzzling economy of the USA who would ever predicted that it;s president would be forced to ask its people to conserve their petrol? Especially a president whose whole policy and self-interest is dictated by commercial oil industries. I guess it just proves that Mother Nature can humble her most ardent opponents.
I've been watching a recording of last night's much-hyped Dylan film by Scorcese. It's received a lot of flack in some quarters and clearly avoids material and subjects which Dylan's management have not approved. Still, I find it an intruiging record of the times which initially created and later surrounded him. It is less about the man himself and a chronicle of the era.
The music aside, Dylan was essentially a poet. Most fascinating is a clip of Allen Ginsberg bemoaning the fact that the baton of the art had passed to a new generation. By strange co-incidence, Sunday in London also saw a "Poetry Olympics" (Pot) event at the Royal Albert Hall to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the now immortalised event featuring Ginsberg and others.
Maybe I'm jaded, but it seems the old-timers stole the show and could equally have stood under a banner saying "No Direction Home". Most of the newer poets could more aptly have gathered under a banner saying "No Direction To Go". Highlights were Adian Mitchell, Micheal Horowitz (the organiser) and a fascinating unique finale featuring Jerry Hall and Pete Townsend.
With spoken word on the mind, I took time off yesterday to listen to a couple of recordings which had been waiting for the right mood. These were also by a couple of old timers - former "yippie" Paul Krassner and former "Oz" editor Felix Dennis. Both had their moments, but were by and large disappointing. So it seems not all the old-timers have that much to say these days.
Later.
This link is for today's headliner at New York Times. In the gas-guzzling economy of the USA who would ever predicted that it;s president would be forced to ask its people to conserve their petrol? Especially a president whose whole policy and self-interest is dictated by commercial oil industries. I guess it just proves that Mother Nature can humble her most ardent opponents.
I've been watching a recording of last night's much-hyped Dylan film by Scorcese. It's received a lot of flack in some quarters and clearly avoids material and subjects which Dylan's management have not approved. Still, I find it an intruiging record of the times which initially created and later surrounded him. It is less about the man himself and a chronicle of the era.
The music aside, Dylan was essentially a poet. Most fascinating is a clip of Allen Ginsberg bemoaning the fact that the baton of the art had passed to a new generation. By strange co-incidence, Sunday in London also saw a "Poetry Olympics" (Pot) event at the Royal Albert Hall to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the now immortalised event featuring Ginsberg and others.
Maybe I'm jaded, but it seems the old-timers stole the show and could equally have stood under a banner saying "No Direction Home". Most of the newer poets could more aptly have gathered under a banner saying "No Direction To Go". Highlights were Adian Mitchell, Micheal Horowitz (the organiser) and a fascinating unique finale featuring Jerry Hall and Pete Townsend.
With spoken word on the mind, I took time off yesterday to listen to a couple of recordings which had been waiting for the right mood. These were also by a couple of old timers - former "yippie" Paul Krassner and former "Oz" editor Felix Dennis. Both had their moments, but were by and large disappointing. So it seems not all the old-timers have that much to say these days.
Later.
Friday, September 23, 2005
Rally for Peace
United for Peace�:�Saturday, September 24 Massive March, Rally & Festival
A quick plug for tomorrows Rally for Peace in Washington DC. Follow the link for details. Could this be the real reason Bush has just relocated to Texas.
Later
A quick plug for tomorrows Rally for Peace in Washington DC. Follow the link for details. Could this be the real reason Bush has just relocated to Texas.
Later
Cut and run or conference preparation
CBS News | U.K. Troops Cut Basra Presence | September 22, 2005�11:00:07
An interesting link to an article last night from CBS but not covered in the British news. It seems Britain is reducing manpower in Basra after the recent upset to relations with the locals. One wonders if government will spin the retreat to look favourable for policy discussion at their forthcoming party conference.
One also wonders whether the New World Order will soon be dictated by the New World Weather. A report here explains more.
Later.
An interesting link to an article last night from CBS but not covered in the British news. It seems Britain is reducing manpower in Basra after the recent upset to relations with the locals. One wonders if government will spin the retreat to look favourable for policy discussion at their forthcoming party conference.
One also wonders whether the New World Order will soon be dictated by the New World Weather. A report here explains more.
Later.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Contrary, Gifted & Back
Independent Online Edition > Profiles : app2
A quick link to an interview with Neil Young from today's Independent newspaper here in London.
Later.
A quick link to an interview with Neil Young from today's Independent newspaper here in London.
Later.
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Business services that begger belief
Strategic Communication Laboratories : An Overview
I doubt many of my readers can afford the services of the above, but the link is well worth viewing. I found it through an article in today's Slate which looks at the future of government "psy-ops" with a focus on Britain.
George Orwell will be turning in his grave!
Later.
I doubt many of my readers can afford the services of the above, but the link is well worth viewing. I found it through an article in today's Slate which looks at the future of government "psy-ops" with a focus on Britain.
George Orwell will be turning in his grave!
Later.
Friday, September 16, 2005
Trust me - I don't trust myself
One has to ask. Are we now supposed to place our trust in a government that seemingly doesn't trust itself on anti-terror policies? See Here.
Later.
Later.
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Smoked Out in the USA
Just a quick follow-up on Amerika's newly regressive attitude to marijuana. Check out this link at Alternet.
With the IRA in retirement, it seems that Northern Ireland's protestant paramilitaries have nothing better to do than war between themselves and the police. Some years ago I accidently witnessed an Orange Order march in London. The jackboots, stone faces and aggressive eyes were not a pretty sight - the message was one of intimidation and intolerence. If the Unionist movement is serious about democratic process, they too should get their house in order instead of criticising Sinn Feinn.
Later.
With the IRA in retirement, it seems that Northern Ireland's protestant paramilitaries have nothing better to do than war between themselves and the police. Some years ago I accidently witnessed an Orange Order march in London. The jackboots, stone faces and aggressive eyes were not a pretty sight - the message was one of intimidation and intolerence. If the Unionist movement is serious about democratic process, they too should get their house in order instead of criticising Sinn Feinn.
Later.
Sunday, September 11, 2005
News of the weed
The Amerikan government is trying to extradite three Canadian nationals for selling cannabis seeds by mail order. This is not an offence in Canada or even here in Britain where plenty of other businesses do the same thing. One suspects this move has more to do with the excellent website, Pot TV, with which the individuals are connected and are highly popular.
Yesterday British campaigners joined a worldwide protest at the US embassy in London. For a report, switch to News of the Weed here.
Later.
Yesterday British campaigners joined a worldwide protest at the US embassy in London. For a report, switch to News of the Weed here.
Later.
Friday, September 09, 2005
House of the Rising Damp
Gaia has stirred yet again and this time it's come home to roost on the Bush doorstep. A full two-thirds of US citizens now disapprove of the emporer's attitude and handling of the disaster according to yesterday's poll and the pervading long-term nature of this particular domestic problems is not something he can divert attention from.
What next? Well as of this morning, a new hurricane is spinning up to speed off the coast of Florida and nobdy seems to know how fast it will get or which way it will turn. With George Bush's brother, Jeb Bush, as governor of that state, one wonders how different the response to any impending disaster might be.
For more opinion on Katrina and the aftermath do check out the latest posting from Richard Neville in Australia.
I received this via the mail from Leilani Horton in the USA. It's well worth the read for an insider view of New Orleans now.
<<<<<
Date: Tue, 6 Sep 2005 22:09:38 -0600
From: Jay Watterworth
Subject: NOLA experiences
As a white guy who isn't suffering in poverty, it has been difficult
for me
to identify with the suffering of many trapped in NOLA through the
stories
I've read and heard from this disaster. Here is an interesting insight
that
I can relate to.
Jay
---------
Sept 5, 2005
Fwd by Phil Gasper
Two friends of mine-paramedics attending a conference-were trapped in
New
Orleans by Hurricane Katrina. This is their eyewitness report. PG
Hurricane Katrina-Our Experiences by Larry Bradshaw, Lorrie Beth
Slonsky
Two days after Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, the Walgreen's
store at
the corner of Royal and Iberville streets remained locked. The dairy
display
case was clearly visible through the widows. It was now 48 hours
without
electricity, running water, plumbing. The milk, yogurt, and cheeses
were
beginning to spoil in the 90-degree heat. The owners and managers had
locked
up the food, water, pampers, and prescriptions and fled the City.
Outside
Walgreen's windows, residents and tourists grew increasingly thirsty
and
hungry.
The much-promised federal, state and local aid never materialized and
the
windows at Walgreen's gave way to the looters. There was an
alternative. The
cops could have broken one small window and distributed the nuts, fruit
juices, and bottle water in an organized and systematic manner. But
they did
not. Instead they spent hours playing cat and mouse, temporarily
chasing
away the looters.
We were finally airlifted out of New Orleans two days ago and arrived
home
yesterday (Saturday). We have yet to see any of the TV coverage or look
at a
newspaper. We are willing to guess that there were no video images or
front-page pictures of European or affluent white tourists looting the
Walgreen's in the French Quarter.
We also suspect the media will have been inundated with "hero" images
of the
National Guard, the troops and the police struggling to help the
"victims"
of the Hurricane. What you will not see, but what we witnessed, were
the
real heroes and sheroes of the hurricane relief effort: the working
class of
New Orleans. The maintenance workers who used a fork lift to carry the
sick
and disabled. The engineers, who rigged, nurtured and kept the
generators
running. The electricians who improvised thick extension cords
stretching
over blocks to share the little electricity we had in order to free
cars
stuck on rooftop parking lots. Nurses who took over for mechanical
ventilators and spent many hours on end manually forcing air into the
lungs
of unconscious patients to keep them alive. Doormen who rescued folks
stuck
in elevators.
Refinery workers who broke into boat yards, "stealing" boats to rescue
their
neighbors clinging to their roofs in flood waters. Mechanics who helped
hot-wire any car that could be found to ferry people out of the City.
And
the food service workers who scoured the commercial kitchens
improvising
communal meals for hundreds of those stranded. Most of these workers
had
lost their homes, and had not heard from members of their families, yet
they
stayed and provided the only infrastructure for the 20% of New Orleans
that
was not under water.
On Day 2, there were approximately 500 of us left in the hotels in the
French Quarter. We were a mix of foreign tourists, conference attendees
like
ourselves, and locals who had checked into hotels for safety and
shelter
from Katrina. Some of us had cell phone contact with family and friends
outside of New Orleans. We were repeatedly told that all sorts of
resources
including the National Guard and scores of buses were pouring in to the
City. The buses and the other resources must have been invisible
because
none of us had seen them.
We decided we had to save ourselves. So we pooled our money and came up
with
$25,000 to have ten buses come and take us out of the City. Those who
did
not have the requisite $45.00 for a ticket were subsidized by those who
did
have extra money. We waited for 48 hours for the buses, spending the
last 12
hours standing outside, sharing the limited water, food, and clothes we
had.
We created a priority boarding area for the sick, elderly and new born
babies. We waited late into the night for the "imminent" arrival of the
buses. The buses never arrived. We later learned that the minute the
arrived
at the City limits, they were commandeered by the military.
By day 4 our hotels had run out of fuel and water. Sanitation was
dangerously abysmal. As the desperation and despair increased, street
crime
as well as water levels began to rise. The hotels turned us out and
locked
their doors, telling us that the "officials" told us to report to the
convention center to wait for more buses. As we entered the center of
the
City, we finally encountered the National Guard. The Guards told us we
would
not be allowed into the Superdome as the City's primary shelter had
descended into a humanitarian and health hellhole. The guards further
told
us that the City's only other shelter, the Convention Center, was also
descending into chaos and squalor and that the police were not allowing
anyone else in. Quite naturally, we asked, "If we can't go to the only
2
shelters in the City, what was our alternative?" The guards told us
that
that was our problem, and no they did not have extra water to give to
us.
This would be the start of our numerous encounters with callous and
hostile
"law enforcement".
We walked to the police command center at Harrah's on Canal Street and
were
told the same thing, that we were on our own, and no they did not have
water
to give us. We now numbered several hundred. We held a mass meeting to
decide a course of action. We agreed to camp outside the police command
post. We would be plainly visible to the media and would constitute a
highly
visible embarrassment to the City officials. The police told us that we
could not stay. Regardless, we began to settle in and set up camp. In
short
order, the police commander came across the street to address our
group. He
told us he had a solution: we should walk to the Pontchartrain
Expressway
and cross the greater New Orleans Bridge where the police had buses
lined up
to take us out of the City. The crowd cheered and began to move. We
called
everyone back and explained to the commander that there had been lots
of
misinformation and wrong information and was he sure that there were
buses
waiting for us. The commander turned to the crowd and stated
emphatically,
"I swear to you that the buses are there."
We organized ourselves and the 200 of us set off for the bridge with
great
excitement and hope. As we marched past the convention center, many
locals
saw our determined and optimistic group and asked where we were headed.
We
told them about the great news. Families immediately grabbed their few
belongings and quickly our numbers doubled and then doubled again.
Babies in
strollers now joined us, people using crutches, elderly clasping
walkers and
others people in wheelchairs. We marched the 2-3 miles to the freeway
and up
the steep incline to the Bridge. It now began to pour down rain, but it
did
not dampen our enthusiasm.
As we approached the bridge, armed Gretna sheriffs formed a line across
the
foot of the bridge. Before we were close enough to speak, they began
firing
their weapons over our heads. This sent the crowd fleeing in various
directions. As the crowd scattered and dissipated, a few of us inched
forward and managed to engage some of the sheriffs in conversation. We
told
them of our conversation with the police commander and of the
commander's
assurances. The sheriffs informed us there were no buses waiting. The
commander had lied to us to get us to move.
We questioned why we couldn't cross the bridge anyway, especially as
there
was little traffic on the 6-lane highway. They responded that the West
Bank
was not going to become New Orleans and there would be no Superdomes in
their City. These were code words for if you are poor and black, you
are not
crossing the Mississippi River and you were not getting out of New
Orleans.
Our small group retreated back down Highway 90 to seek shelter from the
rain
under an overpass. We debated our options and in the end decided to
build an
encampment in the middle of the Ponchartrain Expressway on the center
divide, between the O'Keefe and Tchoupitoulas exits. We reasoned we
would be
visible to everyone, we would have some security being on an elevated
freeway and we could wait and watch for the arrival of the yet to be
seen
buses.
All day long, we saw other families, individuals and groups make the
same
trip up the incline in an attempt to cross the bridge, only to be
turned
away. Some chased away with gunfire, others simply told no, others to
be
verbally berated and humiliated. Thousands of New Orleaners were
prevented
and prohibited from self-evacuating the City on foot.
Meanwhile, the only two City shelters sank further into squalor and
disrepair. The only way across the bridge was by vehicle. We saw
workers
stealing trucks, buses, moving vans, semi-trucks and any car that could
be
hotwired. All were packed with people trying to escape the misery New
Orleans had become.
Our little encampment began to blossom. Someone stole a water delivery
truck
and brought it up to us. Let's hear it for looting! A mile or so down
the
freeway, an army truck lost a couple of pallets of C-rations on a tight
turn. We ferried the food back to our camp in shopping carts. Now
secure
with the two necessities, food and water; cooperation, community, and
creativity flowered. We organized a clean up and hung garbage bags from
the
rebar poles. We made beds from wood pallets and cardboard. We
designated a
storm drain as the bathroom and the kids built an elaborate enclosure
for
privacy out of plastic, broken umbrellas, and other scraps. We even
organized a food recycling system where individuals could swap out
parts of
C-rations (applesauce for babies and candies for kids!).
This was a process we saw repeatedly in the aftermath of Katrina. When
individuals had to fight to find food or water, it meant looking out
for
yourself only. You had to do whatever it took to find water for your
kids or
food for your parents. When these basic needs were met, people began to
look
out for each other, working together and constructing a community.
If the relief organizations had saturated the City with food and water
in
the first 2 or 3 days, the desperation, the frustration and the
ugliness
would not have set in. Flush with the necessities, we offered food and
water
to passing families and individuals. Many decided to stay and join us.
Our
encampment grew to 80 or 90 people. From a woman with a battery powered
radio we learned that the media was talking about us. Up in full view
on the
freeway, every relief and news organizations saw us on their way into
the
City. Officials were being asked what they were going to do about all
those
families living up on the freeway? The officials responded they were
going
to take care of us. Some of us got a sinking feeling. "Taking care of
us"
had an ominous tone to it.
Unfortunately, our sinking feeling (along with the sinking City) was
correct. Just as dusk set in, a Gretna Sheriff showed up, jumped out of
his
patrol vehicle, aimed his gun at our faces, screaming, "Get off the
fucking
freeway". A helicopter arrived and used the wind from its blades to
blow
away our flimsy structures. As we retreated, the sheriff loaded up his
truck
with our food and water. Once again, at gunpoint, we were forced off
the
freeway. All the law enforcement agencies appeared threatened when we
congregated or congealed into groups of 20 or more. In every
congregation of
"victims" they saw "mob" or "riot". We felt safety in numbers. Our "we
must
stay together" was impossible because the agencies would force us into
small
atomized groups.
In the pandemonium of having our camp raided and destroyed, we
scattered
once again. Reduced to a small group of 8 people, in the dark, we
sought
refuge in an abandoned school bus, under the freeway on Cilo Street. We
were
hiding from possible criminal elements but equally and definitely, we
were
hiding from the police and sheriffs with their martial law, curfew and
shoot-to-kill policies.
The next days, our group of 8 walked most of the day, made contact with
New
Orleans Fire Department and were eventually airlifted out by an urban
search
and rescue team. We were dropped off near the airport and managed to
catch a
ride with the National Guard. The two young guardsmen apologized for
the
limited response of the Louisiana guards. They explained that a large
section of their unit was in Iraq and that meant they were shorthanded
and
were unable to complete all the tasks they were assigned.
We arrived at the airport on the day a massive airlift had begun. The
airport had become another Superdome. We 8 were caught in a press of
humanity as flights were delayed for several hours while George Bush
landed
briefly at the airport for a photo op. After being evacuated on a coast
guard cargo plane, we arrived in San Antonio, Texas.
There the humiliation and dehumanization of the official relief effort
continued. We were placed on buses and driven to a large field where we
were
forced to sit for hours and hours. Some of the buses did not have
air-conditioners. In the dark, hundreds if us were forced to share two
filthy overflowing porta-potties. Those who managed to make it out with
any
possessions (often a few belongings in tattered plastic bags) we were
subjected to two different dog-sniffing searches.
Most of us had not eaten all day because our C-rations had been
confiscated
at the airport because the rations set off the metal detectors. Yet, no
food
had been provided to the men, women, children, elderly, disabled as
they sat
for hours waiting to be "medically screened" to make sure we were not
carrying any communicable diseases.
This official treatment was in sharp contrast to the warm, heart-felt
reception given to us by the ordinary Texans. We saw one airline worker
give
her shoes to someone who was barefoot. Strangers on the street offered
us
money and toiletries with words of welcome. Throughout, the official
relief
effort was callous, inept, and racist. There was more suffering than
need
be. Lives were lost that did not need to be lost.
>>>>>
Later
What next? Well as of this morning, a new hurricane is spinning up to speed off the coast of Florida and nobdy seems to know how fast it will get or which way it will turn. With George Bush's brother, Jeb Bush, as governor of that state, one wonders how different the response to any impending disaster might be.
For more opinion on Katrina and the aftermath do check out the latest posting from Richard Neville in Australia.
I received this via the mail from Leilani Horton in the USA. It's well worth the read for an insider view of New Orleans now.
<<<<<
Date: Tue, 6 Sep 2005 22:09:38 -0600
From: Jay Watterworth
Subject: NOLA experiences
As a white guy who isn't suffering in poverty, it has been difficult
for me
to identify with the suffering of many trapped in NOLA through the
stories
I've read and heard from this disaster. Here is an interesting insight
that
I can relate to.
Jay
---------
Sept 5, 2005
Fwd by Phil Gasper
Two friends of mine-paramedics attending a conference-were trapped in
New
Orleans by Hurricane Katrina. This is their eyewitness report. PG
Hurricane Katrina-Our Experiences by Larry Bradshaw, Lorrie Beth
Slonsky
Two days after Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, the Walgreen's
store at
the corner of Royal and Iberville streets remained locked. The dairy
display
case was clearly visible through the widows. It was now 48 hours
without
electricity, running water, plumbing. The milk, yogurt, and cheeses
were
beginning to spoil in the 90-degree heat. The owners and managers had
locked
up the food, water, pampers, and prescriptions and fled the City.
Outside
Walgreen's windows, residents and tourists grew increasingly thirsty
and
hungry.
The much-promised federal, state and local aid never materialized and
the
windows at Walgreen's gave way to the looters. There was an
alternative. The
cops could have broken one small window and distributed the nuts, fruit
juices, and bottle water in an organized and systematic manner. But
they did
not. Instead they spent hours playing cat and mouse, temporarily
chasing
away the looters.
We were finally airlifted out of New Orleans two days ago and arrived
home
yesterday (Saturday). We have yet to see any of the TV coverage or look
at a
newspaper. We are willing to guess that there were no video images or
front-page pictures of European or affluent white tourists looting the
Walgreen's in the French Quarter.
We also suspect the media will have been inundated with "hero" images
of the
National Guard, the troops and the police struggling to help the
"victims"
of the Hurricane. What you will not see, but what we witnessed, were
the
real heroes and sheroes of the hurricane relief effort: the working
class of
New Orleans. The maintenance workers who used a fork lift to carry the
sick
and disabled. The engineers, who rigged, nurtured and kept the
generators
running. The electricians who improvised thick extension cords
stretching
over blocks to share the little electricity we had in order to free
cars
stuck on rooftop parking lots. Nurses who took over for mechanical
ventilators and spent many hours on end manually forcing air into the
lungs
of unconscious patients to keep them alive. Doormen who rescued folks
stuck
in elevators.
Refinery workers who broke into boat yards, "stealing" boats to rescue
their
neighbors clinging to their roofs in flood waters. Mechanics who helped
hot-wire any car that could be found to ferry people out of the City.
And
the food service workers who scoured the commercial kitchens
improvising
communal meals for hundreds of those stranded. Most of these workers
had
lost their homes, and had not heard from members of their families, yet
they
stayed and provided the only infrastructure for the 20% of New Orleans
that
was not under water.
On Day 2, there were approximately 500 of us left in the hotels in the
French Quarter. We were a mix of foreign tourists, conference attendees
like
ourselves, and locals who had checked into hotels for safety and
shelter
from Katrina. Some of us had cell phone contact with family and friends
outside of New Orleans. We were repeatedly told that all sorts of
resources
including the National Guard and scores of buses were pouring in to the
City. The buses and the other resources must have been invisible
because
none of us had seen them.
We decided we had to save ourselves. So we pooled our money and came up
with
$25,000 to have ten buses come and take us out of the City. Those who
did
not have the requisite $45.00 for a ticket were subsidized by those who
did
have extra money. We waited for 48 hours for the buses, spending the
last 12
hours standing outside, sharing the limited water, food, and clothes we
had.
We created a priority boarding area for the sick, elderly and new born
babies. We waited late into the night for the "imminent" arrival of the
buses. The buses never arrived. We later learned that the minute the
arrived
at the City limits, they were commandeered by the military.
By day 4 our hotels had run out of fuel and water. Sanitation was
dangerously abysmal. As the desperation and despair increased, street
crime
as well as water levels began to rise. The hotels turned us out and
locked
their doors, telling us that the "officials" told us to report to the
convention center to wait for more buses. As we entered the center of
the
City, we finally encountered the National Guard. The Guards told us we
would
not be allowed into the Superdome as the City's primary shelter had
descended into a humanitarian and health hellhole. The guards further
told
us that the City's only other shelter, the Convention Center, was also
descending into chaos and squalor and that the police were not allowing
anyone else in. Quite naturally, we asked, "If we can't go to the only
2
shelters in the City, what was our alternative?" The guards told us
that
that was our problem, and no they did not have extra water to give to
us.
This would be the start of our numerous encounters with callous and
hostile
"law enforcement".
We walked to the police command center at Harrah's on Canal Street and
were
told the same thing, that we were on our own, and no they did not have
water
to give us. We now numbered several hundred. We held a mass meeting to
decide a course of action. We agreed to camp outside the police command
post. We would be plainly visible to the media and would constitute a
highly
visible embarrassment to the City officials. The police told us that we
could not stay. Regardless, we began to settle in and set up camp. In
short
order, the police commander came across the street to address our
group. He
told us he had a solution: we should walk to the Pontchartrain
Expressway
and cross the greater New Orleans Bridge where the police had buses
lined up
to take us out of the City. The crowd cheered and began to move. We
called
everyone back and explained to the commander that there had been lots
of
misinformation and wrong information and was he sure that there were
buses
waiting for us. The commander turned to the crowd and stated
emphatically,
"I swear to you that the buses are there."
We organized ourselves and the 200 of us set off for the bridge with
great
excitement and hope. As we marched past the convention center, many
locals
saw our determined and optimistic group and asked where we were headed.
We
told them about the great news. Families immediately grabbed their few
belongings and quickly our numbers doubled and then doubled again.
Babies in
strollers now joined us, people using crutches, elderly clasping
walkers and
others people in wheelchairs. We marched the 2-3 miles to the freeway
and up
the steep incline to the Bridge. It now began to pour down rain, but it
did
not dampen our enthusiasm.
As we approached the bridge, armed Gretna sheriffs formed a line across
the
foot of the bridge. Before we were close enough to speak, they began
firing
their weapons over our heads. This sent the crowd fleeing in various
directions. As the crowd scattered and dissipated, a few of us inched
forward and managed to engage some of the sheriffs in conversation. We
told
them of our conversation with the police commander and of the
commander's
assurances. The sheriffs informed us there were no buses waiting. The
commander had lied to us to get us to move.
We questioned why we couldn't cross the bridge anyway, especially as
there
was little traffic on the 6-lane highway. They responded that the West
Bank
was not going to become New Orleans and there would be no Superdomes in
their City. These were code words for if you are poor and black, you
are not
crossing the Mississippi River and you were not getting out of New
Orleans.
Our small group retreated back down Highway 90 to seek shelter from the
rain
under an overpass. We debated our options and in the end decided to
build an
encampment in the middle of the Ponchartrain Expressway on the center
divide, between the O'Keefe and Tchoupitoulas exits. We reasoned we
would be
visible to everyone, we would have some security being on an elevated
freeway and we could wait and watch for the arrival of the yet to be
seen
buses.
All day long, we saw other families, individuals and groups make the
same
trip up the incline in an attempt to cross the bridge, only to be
turned
away. Some chased away with gunfire, others simply told no, others to
be
verbally berated and humiliated. Thousands of New Orleaners were
prevented
and prohibited from self-evacuating the City on foot.
Meanwhile, the only two City shelters sank further into squalor and
disrepair. The only way across the bridge was by vehicle. We saw
workers
stealing trucks, buses, moving vans, semi-trucks and any car that could
be
hotwired. All were packed with people trying to escape the misery New
Orleans had become.
Our little encampment began to blossom. Someone stole a water delivery
truck
and brought it up to us. Let's hear it for looting! A mile or so down
the
freeway, an army truck lost a couple of pallets of C-rations on a tight
turn. We ferried the food back to our camp in shopping carts. Now
secure
with the two necessities, food and water; cooperation, community, and
creativity flowered. We organized a clean up and hung garbage bags from
the
rebar poles. We made beds from wood pallets and cardboard. We
designated a
storm drain as the bathroom and the kids built an elaborate enclosure
for
privacy out of plastic, broken umbrellas, and other scraps. We even
organized a food recycling system where individuals could swap out
parts of
C-rations (applesauce for babies and candies for kids!).
This was a process we saw repeatedly in the aftermath of Katrina. When
individuals had to fight to find food or water, it meant looking out
for
yourself only. You had to do whatever it took to find water for your
kids or
food for your parents. When these basic needs were met, people began to
look
out for each other, working together and constructing a community.
If the relief organizations had saturated the City with food and water
in
the first 2 or 3 days, the desperation, the frustration and the
ugliness
would not have set in. Flush with the necessities, we offered food and
water
to passing families and individuals. Many decided to stay and join us.
Our
encampment grew to 80 or 90 people. From a woman with a battery powered
radio we learned that the media was talking about us. Up in full view
on the
freeway, every relief and news organizations saw us on their way into
the
City. Officials were being asked what they were going to do about all
those
families living up on the freeway? The officials responded they were
going
to take care of us. Some of us got a sinking feeling. "Taking care of
us"
had an ominous tone to it.
Unfortunately, our sinking feeling (along with the sinking City) was
correct. Just as dusk set in, a Gretna Sheriff showed up, jumped out of
his
patrol vehicle, aimed his gun at our faces, screaming, "Get off the
fucking
freeway". A helicopter arrived and used the wind from its blades to
blow
away our flimsy structures. As we retreated, the sheriff loaded up his
truck
with our food and water. Once again, at gunpoint, we were forced off
the
freeway. All the law enforcement agencies appeared threatened when we
congregated or congealed into groups of 20 or more. In every
congregation of
"victims" they saw "mob" or "riot". We felt safety in numbers. Our "we
must
stay together" was impossible because the agencies would force us into
small
atomized groups.
In the pandemonium of having our camp raided and destroyed, we
scattered
once again. Reduced to a small group of 8 people, in the dark, we
sought
refuge in an abandoned school bus, under the freeway on Cilo Street. We
were
hiding from possible criminal elements but equally and definitely, we
were
hiding from the police and sheriffs with their martial law, curfew and
shoot-to-kill policies.
The next days, our group of 8 walked most of the day, made contact with
New
Orleans Fire Department and were eventually airlifted out by an urban
search
and rescue team. We were dropped off near the airport and managed to
catch a
ride with the National Guard. The two young guardsmen apologized for
the
limited response of the Louisiana guards. They explained that a large
section of their unit was in Iraq and that meant they were shorthanded
and
were unable to complete all the tasks they were assigned.
We arrived at the airport on the day a massive airlift had begun. The
airport had become another Superdome. We 8 were caught in a press of
humanity as flights were delayed for several hours while George Bush
landed
briefly at the airport for a photo op. After being evacuated on a coast
guard cargo plane, we arrived in San Antonio, Texas.
There the humiliation and dehumanization of the official relief effort
continued. We were placed on buses and driven to a large field where we
were
forced to sit for hours and hours. Some of the buses did not have
air-conditioners. In the dark, hundreds if us were forced to share two
filthy overflowing porta-potties. Those who managed to make it out with
any
possessions (often a few belongings in tattered plastic bags) we were
subjected to two different dog-sniffing searches.
Most of us had not eaten all day because our C-rations had been
confiscated
at the airport because the rations set off the metal detectors. Yet, no
food
had been provided to the men, women, children, elderly, disabled as
they sat
for hours waiting to be "medically screened" to make sure we were not
carrying any communicable diseases.
This official treatment was in sharp contrast to the warm, heart-felt
reception given to us by the ordinary Texans. We saw one airline worker
give
her shoes to someone who was barefoot. Strangers on the street offered
us
money and toiletries with words of welcome. Throughout, the official
relief
effort was callous, inept, and racist. There was more suffering than
need
be. Lives were lost that did not need to be lost.
>>>>>
Later
Saturday, September 03, 2005
Friday, September 02, 2005
Cannabis Education Trust Bulletin
Latest cannabis event: Sat 10th September
Free the Pot Hostages - stop the international kidnappings to US jails
PEACEFUL POT PROTEST @ Canadian and US Embassies, Grosvenor Sq, London, W1. Sat 10th September 2005. Meet centre of Square (small park). 2pm - 5pm. Nearest tube: Bond Street.
The United States is attempting to extradite Marc Emery, editor of Cannabis Culture Magazine and two of his colleagues from Canada for offences related to supplying cannabis seeds by mail order.
Thease are relatively minor charges in Canada, but if these judicial kidnappings go ahead the Canadian 'pot hostages' face draconian penalties in the U.S. which they would not get in their own country. Amnesty International has described the US prison system as 'inhuman'.
Marc Emery is a leading cannabis activist and magazine publisher known internationally for his campaigning work. He has obviously been singled out for attention for political reasons.
Despite paying taxes on all profits from his seed buisness Marc is also being charged with ‘money laundering’, because he spent his seed profits on the campaign to end cannabis prohibition.
At very short notice, international protests have been organised for 10th Sep 2005, with protest events confirmed in 36 cities including London.
The issue of concern for people everywhere is the attempt to extradite non U.S. citizens for cannabis 'offences' to face harsher penalties than they would ever receive under the law of their own countries. It could be anywhere next. For anything.
Other issues are the 'Bush War on Drugs', the Afghan Heroin Scandal, and solidarity with US medical cannabis users also facing extradition to US prisons from Canada.
We will be advising the Canadian Government to retain their legal independence and their sovereignty as an independent nation, and refuse these extraditions. Canada has a good reputation in the world to uphold! According to a recent public opinion survey, 58 per cent of Canadians oppose Marc Emery's extradition to the USA.
We are calling on the US government to stop taking hostages in their failed 'War on Drugs' and end cannabis prohibition now. Currently over 700,000 Americans are prosecuted in the USA just for marijuana possession, costing over 10 billion dollars a year. Under U.S. law you can even face the death penalty for large scale ‘ganja’ cultivation, while their treatment of medical cannabis users is a crime against humanity.
Despite their total failure, the US is still attempting to export its drug policies worldwide, including Britain, with networks of DEA agents interfering in local politics, and causing problems. This seems to result in the increased use of heroin and crack cocaine where ever they go.
The DEA's 'fundamentalist' drug policy stubbornly flies in the face of scientific evidence, claiming that cannabis has no therapeutic or nutritional value. It is time they turned over a new leaf for the sake of the American people, and people everywhere.
"They came for the cannabis users and I did not speak out, and then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak out for me".
PEACEFUL POT PROTEST @ Canadian and US Embassies, Grosvenor Sq, London, W1. Sat 10th September 2005. Meet centre of Square (small park). 2pm - 5pm. Nearest tube: Bond Street.
Free The Pot Hostages Sep 10th CONTACTS:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
London organisers: www.cannabistrust.com
World listings: www.cannabisculture.com
Latest news: www.newsoftheweed.com
Download london event flyer for printing and local distribution: freepothostages.pdf (A4 3up b/w 220k).
Free the Pot Hostages - stop the international kidnappings to US jails
PEACEFUL POT PROTEST @ Canadian and US Embassies, Grosvenor Sq, London, W1. Sat 10th September 2005. Meet centre of Square (small park). 2pm - 5pm. Nearest tube: Bond Street.
The United States is attempting to extradite Marc Emery, editor of Cannabis Culture Magazine and two of his colleagues from Canada for offences related to supplying cannabis seeds by mail order.
Thease are relatively minor charges in Canada, but if these judicial kidnappings go ahead the Canadian 'pot hostages' face draconian penalties in the U.S. which they would not get in their own country. Amnesty International has described the US prison system as 'inhuman'.
Marc Emery is a leading cannabis activist and magazine publisher known internationally for his campaigning work. He has obviously been singled out for attention for political reasons.
Despite paying taxes on all profits from his seed buisness Marc is also being charged with ‘money laundering’, because he spent his seed profits on the campaign to end cannabis prohibition.
At very short notice, international protests have been organised for 10th Sep 2005, with protest events confirmed in 36 cities including London.
The issue of concern for people everywhere is the attempt to extradite non U.S. citizens for cannabis 'offences' to face harsher penalties than they would ever receive under the law of their own countries. It could be anywhere next. For anything.
Other issues are the 'Bush War on Drugs', the Afghan Heroin Scandal, and solidarity with US medical cannabis users also facing extradition to US prisons from Canada.
We will be advising the Canadian Government to retain their legal independence and their sovereignty as an independent nation, and refuse these extraditions. Canada has a good reputation in the world to uphold! According to a recent public opinion survey, 58 per cent of Canadians oppose Marc Emery's extradition to the USA.
We are calling on the US government to stop taking hostages in their failed 'War on Drugs' and end cannabis prohibition now. Currently over 700,000 Americans are prosecuted in the USA just for marijuana possession, costing over 10 billion dollars a year. Under U.S. law you can even face the death penalty for large scale ‘ganja’ cultivation, while their treatment of medical cannabis users is a crime against humanity.
Despite their total failure, the US is still attempting to export its drug policies worldwide, including Britain, with networks of DEA agents interfering in local politics, and causing problems. This seems to result in the increased use of heroin and crack cocaine where ever they go.
The DEA's 'fundamentalist' drug policy stubbornly flies in the face of scientific evidence, claiming that cannabis has no therapeutic or nutritional value. It is time they turned over a new leaf for the sake of the American people, and people everywhere.
"They came for the cannabis users and I did not speak out, and then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak out for me".
PEACEFUL POT PROTEST @ Canadian and US Embassies, Grosvenor Sq, London, W1. Sat 10th September 2005. Meet centre of Square (small park). 2pm - 5pm. Nearest tube: Bond Street.
Free The Pot Hostages Sep 10th CONTACTS:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
London organisers: www.cannabistrust.com
World listings: www.cannabisculture.com
Latest news: www.newsoftheweed.com
Download london event flyer for printing and local distribution: freepothostages.pdf (A4 3up b/w 220k).
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Quick News
I am currently rebuilding my operating environment from scratch so updating this blog has taken a back seat for now. Allow me a week or so for normal service to be resumed.
The latest links are always still here.
Our sympathies to everyone in New Orleans and the Mississippi delta.
Later.
The latest links are always still here.
Our sympathies to everyone in New Orleans and the Mississippi delta.
Later.
Saturday, August 20, 2005
Farewells to Mo Mowlam
This LINK takes you to a selction of tributes to Mo Mowlam who passed on yesterday.
At least two blogs here have gone missing in the last week including my own tribute to Mo yesterday morning. Her passing was not unexpected (she had been seriously ill for some weeks and unwell for some years) but coming so soon after that of her colleague Robin Cook it seems all the more pertinent. She will be remembered most for her relaxed and open-minded attitude to politics and iniating the Northern Ireland peace process in a way that only she could have done. She was also brave enough top publicly admit smoking marijuana and most famously said that unlike Bill Clinton, she did inhale. Her sense of humour and fondness for life remained undiminished by rise to official office and her later ostracisation by the Blair government was something she accepted without obviously bitterness.
Her demise reminds us just how far the political arena has changed since the pioneering days of the new labour project and the present government's betrayal of its roots. She will be sorely missed by both her fellow parliamentarians (most of them) and a grateful public alike.
Later.
At least two blogs here have gone missing in the last week including my own tribute to Mo yesterday morning. Her passing was not unexpected (she had been seriously ill for some weeks and unwell for some years) but coming so soon after that of her colleague Robin Cook it seems all the more pertinent. She will be remembered most for her relaxed and open-minded attitude to politics and iniating the Northern Ireland peace process in a way that only she could have done. She was also brave enough top publicly admit smoking marijuana and most famously said that unlike Bill Clinton, she did inhale. Her sense of humour and fondness for life remained undiminished by rise to official office and her later ostracisation by the Blair government was something she accepted without obviously bitterness.
Her demise reminds us just how far the political arena has changed since the pioneering days of the new labour project and the present government's betrayal of its roots. She will be sorely missed by both her fellow parliamentarians (most of them) and a grateful public alike.
Later.
Friday, August 19, 2005
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Reaction on Autopilot
I'm not actually on holiday but you may be forgiven for thinking so. The August siesta season is taking over and the blog pays the price.
It's the same all over. World leaders are vacationing and Blair has wisely decided to bury himself underwater while events on the surface can take care of themselves. Yours truely has too much news on the mind to decide what to write about and political comment is relegated to junior ministers and spokesmen who seem intent on delivering empty-headed soundbites designed to re-iterate policies of the absent supremos.
This link is simply to download the cure for the worm currently plaguing the web.
Later.
It's the same all over. World leaders are vacationing and Blair has wisely decided to bury himself underwater while events on the surface can take care of themselves. Yours truely has too much news on the mind to decide what to write about and political comment is relegated to junior ministers and spokesmen who seem intent on delivering empty-headed soundbites designed to re-iterate policies of the absent supremos.
This link is simply to download the cure for the worm currently plaguing the web.
Later.
Monday, August 15, 2005
A short history of the London bombers
London Bomb Suspects Stood Out as Radicals - Los Angeles Times
A very quick link to start the week. This story at the Los Angeles Times offers a glimpse into the background of those who attacked us here in London recently.
Later.
A very quick link to start the week. This story at the Los Angeles Times offers a glimpse into the background of those who attacked us here in London recently.
Later.
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Burnsite Moves
Burnsite
Not your usual blog I'm afraid, but this link leads to the new location for my site, "burnsite". burnsite.co.uk is no longer online but I hope it will be re-launched early next year as a studio-only portal.
Starting in September, the main news pages for burnsite will be published in blog format at http://www.imgblogs.com/Burnsite so check it out.
Later.
Not your usual blog I'm afraid, but this link leads to the new location for my site, "burnsite". burnsite.co.uk is no longer online but I hope it will be re-launched early next year as a studio-only portal.
Starting in September, the main news pages for burnsite will be published in blog format at http://www.imgblogs.com/Burnsite so check it out.
Later.
Saturday, August 13, 2005
Sunday, August 07, 2005
RIP: Robin Cook
Robin Cook dies at age 59
I was sad to learn of the death (at only 59) of the former foreign secretary Robin Cook yesterday. For those who have forgotten, he was a major voice against Britain's participation in the Iraq invasion and resigned from office over the affair. A distinguished statesman, he was always both highly intelligent and down to earth in his approach to politics and will be sorely missed. This link goes, appropriately, to a tribute in the Scotsman.
As Blair prepares to deport himself to a vacation location, we can be fairly certain he will return to these shores in due course. Such luxury will not be extended to others who may now be kicked out of the country for holding equally extreme views as the fundamental christianity to which he himself subscribes. A little more education, coupled with freedom of opportunity and expression, will do more to ease growing cultural polarisation than the new draconian measures which will force the forces of dissent even further underground.
On the optimistic side, maybe an extended holiday will help Blair relax long enough to extract himself from the Bush coupling and listen to the more common sense views of his wife. But that's probably wishful thinking.
Later.
I was sad to learn of the death (at only 59) of the former foreign secretary Robin Cook yesterday. For those who have forgotten, he was a major voice against Britain's participation in the Iraq invasion and resigned from office over the affair. A distinguished statesman, he was always both highly intelligent and down to earth in his approach to politics and will be sorely missed. This link goes, appropriately, to a tribute in the Scotsman.
As Blair prepares to deport himself to a vacation location, we can be fairly certain he will return to these shores in due course. Such luxury will not be extended to others who may now be kicked out of the country for holding equally extreme views as the fundamental christianity to which he himself subscribes. A little more education, coupled with freedom of opportunity and expression, will do more to ease growing cultural polarisation than the new draconian measures which will force the forces of dissent even further underground.
On the optimistic side, maybe an extended holiday will help Blair relax long enough to extract himself from the Bush coupling and listen to the more common sense views of his wife. But that's probably wishful thinking.
Later.
Saturday, August 06, 2005
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Hi-jack of the United Nations
Ambassador Bolton - New York Times
When emporer Bush finally appointed the human bulldozer John Bolton as ambassador to the United Nations yesterday, it was done sneakily amid great reservations from Democrats and Republicans alike. Surely this is final proof that Bush is simply following his own warped agenda without consideration for the greater elected government. This link to the New York Times tells more.
Recent reports have indicated that the UN is falling apart. I don't mean the organisation (although there is certainly an arguement about that too) but the building. Essentially - it's just too old to function. The New York Times also reports that the Bush strategy to reshape the UN has been going on behind the scenes for months - working well ahead of yesterday's official appointment. This doesn't bode well for the institution, remaining as it does, headquartered on Amerikan territory. This must severely affect its impartiality and freedom.
Now is the time for the UN itself to re-shape its own destiny. Moving its operations to neutral ground would help a lot. With the growing power of India and China and the need to co-operate with the Arab league, surely there is still an unused island somewhere that can have geographical proximity to the cultues of both east and west. One day it will probably need its own international space station, but if it is to survive the coming decades with its global respect intact, a revision of the security council membership and a wholly independent viewpoint is essential.
Later.
When emporer Bush finally appointed the human bulldozer John Bolton as ambassador to the United Nations yesterday, it was done sneakily amid great reservations from Democrats and Republicans alike. Surely this is final proof that Bush is simply following his own warped agenda without consideration for the greater elected government. This link to the New York Times tells more.
Recent reports have indicated that the UN is falling apart. I don't mean the organisation (although there is certainly an arguement about that too) but the building. Essentially - it's just too old to function. The New York Times also reports that the Bush strategy to reshape the UN has been going on behind the scenes for months - working well ahead of yesterday's official appointment. This doesn't bode well for the institution, remaining as it does, headquartered on Amerikan territory. This must severely affect its impartiality and freedom.
Now is the time for the UN itself to re-shape its own destiny. Moving its operations to neutral ground would help a lot. With the growing power of India and China and the need to co-operate with the Arab league, surely there is still an unused island somewhere that can have geographical proximity to the cultues of both east and west. One day it will probably need its own international space station, but if it is to survive the coming decades with its global respect intact, a revision of the security council membership and a wholly independent viewpoint is essential.
Later.
Monday, August 01, 2005
Subterranean Homeclick News
Alternative Media Portal to Underground News and Conspiracy
If you'll excuse that awful play on words, today's link is to a list of other links. They are part of an excellent site called "Underground Gateway" which is only a one-man show and barely a year old. Yet impressive.
Artist and activist Caroline Coon sent me this earlier and has kindly given me permission to reproduce it.
No to 'Faith and religion.
If you tolerate those who in the name of faith and religion
ban art, music, dancing and free speech,
If you tolerate those who in the name of faith and religion
spew murderous hatred at 'unbelievers' and others,
If you tolerate those who in the name of faith and religion
demand the genital mutilation of children,
If you tolerate those who in the name of faith and religion
stone women to death for 'adultery',
If you tolerate those who in the name of faith and religion
call same sex love a sin,
If you tolerate those who in the name of faith and religion
refuse women equal rights,
If you tolerate those who in the name of faith and religion
refuse to ordain women bishops,
If you tolerate those who in the name of faith and religion
control the way women dress,
If you tolerate those who in the name of faith and religion
demand that women are 'modest',
If you tolerate those who in the name of faith and religion
refuse women control of their bodies and reproduction,
If you tolerate those who in the name of faith and religion
refuse the poor birth control and family planning,
If you tolerate any
gender apartheid,
If you tolerate
"honour killing" women,
If you tolerate
the execution of homosexual and lesbians,
Then do not be surprised when they no longer tolerate you
And you find that they murder and bomb you to death
in the name of 'faith' and religion.
Caroline Coon/Cunst Art
Thanks to Leilani Horton for this one - if you are feeling bored try googling the word "failure" and then choosing "I feel lucky".
Later.
If you'll excuse that awful play on words, today's link is to a list of other links. They are part of an excellent site called "Underground Gateway" which is only a one-man show and barely a year old. Yet impressive.
Artist and activist Caroline Coon sent me this earlier and has kindly given me permission to reproduce it.
No to 'Faith and religion.
If you tolerate those who in the name of faith and religion
ban art, music, dancing and free speech,
If you tolerate those who in the name of faith and religion
spew murderous hatred at 'unbelievers' and others,
If you tolerate those who in the name of faith and religion
demand the genital mutilation of children,
If you tolerate those who in the name of faith and religion
stone women to death for 'adultery',
If you tolerate those who in the name of faith and religion
call same sex love a sin,
If you tolerate those who in the name of faith and religion
refuse women equal rights,
If you tolerate those who in the name of faith and religion
refuse to ordain women bishops,
If you tolerate those who in the name of faith and religion
control the way women dress,
If you tolerate those who in the name of faith and religion
demand that women are 'modest',
If you tolerate those who in the name of faith and religion
refuse women control of their bodies and reproduction,
If you tolerate those who in the name of faith and religion
refuse the poor birth control and family planning,
If you tolerate any
gender apartheid,
If you tolerate
"honour killing" women,
If you tolerate
the execution of homosexual and lesbians,
Then do not be surprised when they no longer tolerate you
And you find that they murder and bomb you to death
in the name of 'faith' and religion.
Caroline Coon/Cunst Art
Thanks to Leilani Horton for this one - if you are feeling bored try googling the word "failure" and then choosing "I feel lucky".
Later.
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