Tuesday 22 July 2014

 

John Kerry Calls Israel's Gaza Offensive 'Hell Of A Pin Point Operation' 
Uh Oh. Things are reaching a sorry state when Israeli competence cannot be criticised. I appreciate that US politicians can't criticise Israeli policy and survive, but I didn't know they can't even say when Israel is carrying out that policy very badly.

Still, with enough journlists around, there will always be someone to drive a wedge between allies and to disparrage any politician no matter what side of an issue s/he comes down on.
Tulisa Contostavlos Drugs Trial Collapses
Good for the judge: entrapment is not a way we wish to see justice done.
PS: I was surpriserised to see that "...the driver was pressurised to change his statement..." It does not seem right to that this should be allowerised.

Girl Summit 2014: Instagram Documentary Shows How You Can Pledge Against FGM And Forced Marriage

Commented Jul 22, 2014 at 03:01:44 in UK Lifestyle

“"It is heartbreaking that these hidden crimes still exist in our society and threaten the well-being of a generation of girls."

Ask a journalist why these crimes are still hidden in Britain. Ask them why current child abuse is not being reported daily with the same vigour that 40-year-old child abuse is. Ask them who is responsible for this cover-up.”
Michelle Mone Slams ‘Dragons' Den' Bosses: ‘They Won't Ask Me On The Show Because I'm A Woman'

Michelle Mone Slams ‘Dragons' Den' Bosses: ‘They Won't Ask Me On The Show Because I'm A Woman'

Commented Jul 20, 2014 at 05:02:40 in UK Entertainment

“They won't ask you because you are a whiner who likes to play the victim card. The show prefers people who take control of their own lives rather than ceding it to others.”

 

The 'scroungers’ fight back: The welfare claimants battling to alter stereotypes

Good for them: not for trying to boost their images, but for the work they do to contribute to their community. These are the kind of people we need in this society, whether working or on welfare.

“I think there is a minority that are milking it, but that’s the story that sells, so it’s the only one you hear about in newspapers and on television.”
Spot on. It is a hallmark of our biased media that it is very unusual to get a positive story in the press - whether about those on benefits or about any other subject at all.

“A mum with a partner gets the right to stay at home and look after the kids and bake cakes and go to pre-school without being judged. But mums on their own are seen as sitting on their backside claiming benefits. "
The first mum does it at her own expense, the second does it at someone else's expense.

 

Friday 18 July 2014

 
Reshuffle: 6 Ways Cameron's 'Rise Of The Women' Is A Damp Squib

Reshuffle: 6 Ways Cameron's 'Rise Of The Women' Is A Damp Squib

Commented Jul 16, 2014 at 08:10:51 in UK Politics

“OK, Daisy, you are right - this just isn't good enought. 
Ok guys, efforts not appreciated at all, so no benefit to changing. Lets go back to the way it was before.
Daily Mail Slammed For 'Heinously Sexist' Cabinet Reshuffle Coverage

Daily Mail Slammed For 'Heinously Sexist' Cabinet Reshuffle Coverage

Commented Jul 16, 2014 at 07:52:15 in UK

“Well, it was pretty bad and not to be condoned.

Still I do wonder about women who flash glimpses of thigh or bosom then whine when people (expecially men) look at the flash.”

 

12
Legal aid in civil cases should be limited to citizens and resident taxpayers.
I can see no reason to give support to non-contributing foreigners
4
What? They are giving women and younger people what they asked for?
How dare they?
4
About time we replaced him with someone who favours the teachers more than the students. Remember: most students don't vote.

 

Tuesday 15 July 2014

 
BBC Journalists To Strike On First Day Of Commonwealth Games

BBC Journalists To Strike On First Day Of Commonwealth Games

Commented Jul 15, 2014 at 18:06:12 in UK

How will we be able to tell if these fat cats don't show up for work?
60% Of 'Bedroom Tax' Houses In Arrears Due To Cut In Benefits

60% Of 'Bedroom Tax' Houses In Arrears Due To Cut In Benefits

Commented Jul 15, 2014 at 18:03:55 in UK

Like many of the people whose taxes paid for these benefits, 60% of these tenants are finding that they cannot affford a spare bedroom. 

This is not surprising - it is what those who pay out of their own pockets have found for decades.
These Israelis Eat Popcorn At 'Sderot Cinema' As They Watch Bombs Fall On Gaza

These Israelis Eat Popcorn At 'Sderot Cinema' As They Watch Bombs Fall On Gaza

Commented Jul 14, 2014 at 05:06:35 in UK

What do the Gazans do while they watch their rockets fail to fall on Israel? 
MPs Need Ethics Training In Honesty And Accountability, Standards Committee Says

MPs Need Ethics Training In Honesty And Accountability, Committee Says

Commented Jul 14, 2014 at 04:46:17 in UK Politics

Good idea, considering the British culture they come from. Perfidious Albion has internationally famous for centuries as a people who play fast and loose with truth and honesty. 

Add in the culture of "yer on yer own, mate" from the eighties and nineties and the culture of "me-I-mine" from the noughties and teens, and we see that a dishonest politician is a true refelection of oursleves.

 

Indy 15/7/2014

Primary school sends beautiful letter with exam results to say ‘there are many ways of being smart’ (even if it is a bit unoriginal)
PS Kids: It is okay to plaigerize wholesale if you "lose the link to the original." You do not need attribute, to put the passage in qutoes or even to acknowledge its author.
     PPS: If you are a journalist, you do not need to trace the author (Kimberley Hord Hurst, a primary school teacher in Isanti Minnesota) even though it only takes 5 minutes to find her.

Cabinet reshuffle: Michael Gove ousted after Lib Dems warned they would exploit his unpopularity
About time we replaced him with someone who cares more about teachers than about students. Remember: most students don't vote.

New data Bill: Last-minute rush 'undermines trust in Government intentions'
It is unclear to me whether this legislation reqires the the government to tell ANYONE when it orders a telecom company to release customer data. Not only no judicial oversight, but no oversight at all?

Monday 14 July 2014

 
MPs Need Ethics Training In Honesty And Accountability, Standards Committee Says

MPs Need Ethics Training In Honesty And Accountability: Standards Committee

Commented Jul 14, 2014 at 04:46:17 in UK Politics

“Good idea, considering the British culture they come from. Perfidious Albion has internationally famous for centuries as a people who play fast and loose with truth and honesty.

Add in the culture of "yer on yer own, mate" from the eighties and nineties and the culture of "me-I-mine" from the noughties and teens, and we see that a dishonest politician is a true refelection of oursleves.
Israel Warns Residents In Northern Gaza To Leave Their Homes Ahead Of Heavy Strikes (LIVE UPDATES)

Israel Warns Residents In Northern Gaza To Leave Their Homes Ahead Of Heavy Strikes

Commented Jul 13, 2014 at 01:07:19 in UK

Good advice. Now watch Hamas encourage them to stay, so as to build more martyrs to the cause.

Hamas know that their rockets are almost totally ineffective, so the ONLY reason to continue them (even if we were to grant that they are self-defence) is to keep the parties away from the peace table, while more Palestinians become martyrs to the cause.

Hamas know that the Israeli government is too stupid to stop as long as the rockets continue and is particularly hoping for more dead Palestinian women, children and old people to use as a "moral weapon."
We Should Give Up Encouraging Girls To Do Science, Says Glasgow University Professor Dr Gijsbert Stoet

We Should Give Up Encouraging Girls To Do Science, Says Glasgow University Professor Dr Gijsbert Stoet

Commented Jul 13, 2014 at 01:03:13 in UK

“Uh Oh, this guy is going to be pilloried by the equal-results people who want women to be 50% of all jobs, professions and careers.

Sadly, he is correct: young girls are not that interested in math and science and they are not all that good at it.

The primary reason: they have been given permission to be not all that good at it - both by their parents and by their teachers.

The countless counter-examples cited in many of the comments on this article are women who etiher 1) did not get that permission or 2) chose not to accpet it.
Cheney Is STILL Trying To Find A Link Between Saddam And Al-Qaeda

Cheney Is STILL Trying To Find A Link Between Saddam And Al-Qaeda

Commented Jul 13, 2014 at 00:56:43 in UK

“Clear links do exist between Saddam and Al Qaeda

1) Both were Sunni

2) Both grew in power from being funded by the USA - in both cases this funding was open and above board, not a secret. The US wanted their help against Iran and Russia respectively.

2) The Bush-Cheney war deposed Saddam with no credible government to replace him, then removed any competent Baathists (mostly Sunni) from the government and the army, leaving a power vacuum for Al Qaeda to take hold in Iraq and a disaffected Sunni minority to support them.”
George Galloway Doubles Pay Packet With Appearances On Russia Today And Al-Mayadeen

George Galloway Doubles Pay Packet With Appearances On Russia Today And Al-Mayadeen

Commented Jul 12, 2014 at 02:30:43 in UK

“How is Russia Today a "dubious" state broadcaster?
Or does "dubious" just mean "we don't like their message?"Permalink
George Clooney Issues Scathing Rebuke Of Daily Mail's Apology For 'Fabricated' Story

George Clooney Issues Scathing Rebuke Of Daily Mail's Apology For 'Fabricated' Story

Commented Jul 11, 2014 at 04:37:59 in UK

“"... to exploit religious differences where none exist, is at the very least negligent and more appropriately dangerous."
"...the idea that someone would inflame any part of that world for the sole reason of selling papers should be criminal.”

Mr Clooney appears to understand modern journalism well:
Is it true?
Does it harm some innocent?
Does it damage our society and make our world a worse place to live?
Who cares; all we want to know is "does it sell newspapers?"
Should We Be Offering Thousands More People NHS Weight Loss Surgery?

Should We Be Offering Thousands More People NHS Weight Loss Surgery?

Commented Jul 11, 2014 at 04:29:29 in UK

The question, simply put, is: should the rest of us pay for the bad habits of others.

Option 1: Make it conditional: if they hold a strict diet and exercise regime for 6 months with no improvement, it is probably a systemic health issue that needs surgical correction on our nickel. If they cannot do this, they hold contributory negligence and should pay at least part of the cost.

However, has anyone done a cost benefit analysis on the cost of treating complications arising from obesity? At what point does this surgery save the NHS money?
Hijabs: University's Last Taboo? Muslim Students On Stereotyping And Discrimination

Hijabs: University's Last Taboo? Muslim Students On Stereotyping And Discrimination

Commented Jul 10, 2014 at 15:46:42 in UK Universities & Education

“Well, of course it makes you "stick out" in a secular, gender-equal culture. Thus it is contrary to the teachings of the Qoran: it is immodest to call attention to yourself in this way.”

 
1
I have no sympathy for those who would deny themselves healthcare so that they might continue to break the law with impunity.
I do understand the concern for public health risk: building potential pools of epidemic. Has anyone done a study of the extra risk involved?
14
What? People wanting immigrant status for spouses must be able to support them? How dare they? What is government for, if not to support foreigners with tax dollars?
9
Will eating organic food make you healthier?
No.
But it might make you feel self-righteously holier than thou.
2
US to Germany: we'll stop if you will.

15
Agreed. Competence is over-rated. Politicians should be selected on the basis of their gender, race, colour, creed and sexual orientation.
If the voters will not play, simply abolish elections and have the queen appoint them.
18
Best way to stop sexism in politics - start a sexist party.
3
What? They want to know how to do things better? How dare they?
The last thing we need is a military that is competent or modern.
10
Probem is, the fuel duty and other vehicle taxes have become such a lucrative pot of money for government. If they waste it on roads and other transport, they cannot keep other taxes steady. Justice? Who cares: we're talking general fund revenue here.

 

Saharan remains may be evidence of first race war, 13,000 years ago

Saharan remains may be evidence of first race war 13000 years ago
Fascinating: with little or no evidence, we speculate that a battle of 13,000 years ago was over issues we are most concerned with today. 

Analysts of the 18th through early 20th century, would have speculated on terrritory and empire, the 16th and 17th on religion, before that it would have been about fiefdom

This page is powered by Blogger. Isn't yours?

Subscribe to Posts [Atom]