Saturday, 5 July 2008
Wednesday, 2 July 2008
Bus spotter forced to give up 40-year hobby after being labelled terrorist and paedophile | Mail Online
Bus spotter forced to give up 40-year hobby after being labelled terrorist and paedophile | Mail Online: "bus spotter has decided to give up his lifelong hobby of photographing buses because people fear he is a terrorist and even a paedophile.
Rob McCaffrey - who calls himself an omniboligist - has been taking pictures of buses all over the world for forty years but has only ever faced problems in Britain.
Over the time the 50-year-old has amassed a collection of 30,000 photos of buses, trams and coaches.But Rob says that in politically correct Britain he is finding it increasingly difficult to continue his beloved hobby because of the fear and suspicion he causes among onlookers.
In the last year he has been questioned twice by the police and had to give all his personal details after people who saw him innocently snapping buses on public roads reported him."
Tuesday, 1 July 2008
The Associated Press: Officials: Madeleine McCann probe is not over yet
The Associated Press: Officials: Madeleine McCann probe is not over yet: "LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Police have completed their final report into the disappearance of British child Madeleine McCann but officials have taken no decision yet on whether to proceed with the investigation or drop the case, Portugal's attorney-general said Tuesday.
Three papers — Correio da Manha, Jornal de Noticias and Expresso — published comments on Tuesday from unidentified police sources saying the 14-month investigation had reached a dead end and is to be dropped.
However, Attorney-General Fernando Pinto Monteiro said in a statement that prosecutors will examine the police report before deciding whether to end the investigation or undertake further inquiries.
Officials will 'determine whether further inquiries are needed or whether the conditions are in place for the investigation to be closed,' the statement e-mailed to The Associated Press said.
It said the case file amounted to 'dozens of volumes' and noted that the judicial secrecy law covering ongoing investigations, which ensures evidence remains confidential, expires only in mid-August."
Monday, 30 June 2008
BBC NEWS | Programmes | Click | The viral video online revolution
"Within 15 months, Youtube.com has become one of the internet's most watched websites, with 25 million hits a day.
More than 40 million original clips and TV segments have been uploaded by visitors."
The website provides free editing and uploading tools. Even the player is built on open source code. Traditional video players have largely been replaced by Flash, because of its flexibility and huge install base.
Social networking websites like MySpace.com have fuelled the viral intensity of web videos.
Marketers and advertisers are not far behind, using these sites to their advantage, but DIY video is a double-edged sword.
One car company recently invited visitors to create their own commercial from the supplied clips and fonts.
The idea quickly caught the attention of environmentalists who created their own advertising campaign.
But despite the setbacks, everyone in the industry says online video 2.0 is here to stay and it is only a matter of time before a new tier of home-based entertainers become household names around the world.
Excerpt taken from
BBC NEWS | Programmes | Click | The viral video online revolution:
Battling The Online Bullies
Cyber-bullying used to involve sending threatening texts or e-mails, but the class of 2008 are finding social networks to be a fertile, and occasionally dangerous breeding ground, as Ian Hardy found out.
read more | digg story
Thursday, 26 June 2008
Wednesday, 25 June 2008
Spare a few seconds to support the Tibetian people
With just weeks left before the Olympic Games, a major Chinese government crackdown is taking place in Tibet, and a climate of fear grips the region.
This spring, Tibetans began escalating protests against the repressive policies of the Chinese government and its harsh campaign against the Dalai Lama. These demonstrations have been met with brutality. Thousands of Tibetans, including Buddhist monks and nuns, have been detained, interrogated and tortured. More than one hundred have been killed.Of special concern are the untold number of Tibetans who have disappeared since the crackdown began.
Now is the time to sign the petition urging world leaders not to commit to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics!
Click Here to Sign the Petition Your signature will be delivered to world leaders through their embassies and consulates.
Already, we have received almost 20,000 signatures from all around the world. Help us reach our goal of 50,000!
The International Campaign for Tibet is calling for:
* A full accounting of Tibetans currently detained, and due process of law.* Real progress in the Sino-Tibetan dialogue.* Open access for the media in Tibet, as promised in China¹s Olympic bid.
World leaders should carefully weigh these concerns before they commit to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics.
The Olympic Games is an international sporting event.
The Olympic torch is a symbol of peace.
Neither the torch nor the Games belong to Beijing, but to the citizens of the world, including the Tibetan people. Let¹s send a clear message to the Chinese government to stop the crackdownin Tibet and engage in genuine dialogue with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Thank you for your support of the Tibetan people! Please Forward This Message
Click here to forward
A Vision of Students Today
A short video summarizing some of the most important characteristics of students today - how they learn, what they need to learn, their goals, hopes, dreams, what their lives will be like, and what kinds of changes they will experience in their lifetime. Created by Michael Wesch in collaboration with 200 students at Kansas State University.
read more | digg story
Tuesday, 24 June 2008
Useless Random Facts
Useless Facts:
"The 3 most valuable brand names on earth are:-
Malboro, Coca-Cola and Budweiser - in that order.
Humans are the only primates that don't have pigment in the palms of their hands.
The sentence 'The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.' uses every letter in the alphabet.
The only 15 letter word that can be spelled without repeating a letter is uncopyrightable.
Months that begin on a Sunday will always have a 'Friday the 13th.'
When you sneeze, all bodily functions stop...even your heart.
Your feet are bigger in the afternoon than the rest of the day."
Monday, 23 June 2008
Sarcasm, Sarcastic Comments, Quotes, Remarks, Dark Sarcasm
"There is nothing more beautiful than sarcasm. That is definitely an overstatement but it should balance the moronic comment which says that sarcasm is the lowest form of humor. Now, whoever made that statement was desperately in need of a rectal broomstick extraction procedure.
Sarcasm usually requires a quick wit, and the ability to extract the minutest points of weakness in a conversation. So it is quite unlikely that it is the lowest form of humor as some would like to call it. Perhaps not being able to enjoy sarcasm is directly related to not having the ability to come up with sarcastic comments, which in turn creates a feeling of inadequacy, which in turn can spawn a Napoleon complex, that can cause someone to logicise that sarcasm is the humor of the stupid."
Sarcasm, Sarcastic Comments, Quotes, Remarks, Dark Sarcasm
Cannot find Weapons of Mass Destruction
For those seeking weapons if mass destruction this weblink may help you
Weapons of Mass Destruction
Sunday, 22 June 2008
Photographer Documents Secret Satellites — All 189 of Them
His shots of 189 secret spy satellites are the subject of a new exhibit -- despite the fact that, officially speaking, the satellites don't exist. The Other Night Sky, on display at the University of California at Berkeley Art Museum through September 14, is only a small selection from the 1,500 astrophotographs Paglen has taken thus far.
read more | digg story
Saturday, 21 June 2008
The Olympic Torch relay reaches Tibet
The latest leg of the controversial The Olympic torch relay passed through the Tibetan provincial capital of Lhasa.
Reports suggest that only a small group of vetted spectators were allowed to watch the flame as it was carried allong the 11km (seven mile) route.
Foreign journalists have been barred from Lhasa but a small group of reporters representing about 30 international news organisations were allowed into the city in to cover the torch relay although they were closely monitored by Chinese officials.
The flame was carried through the streets of Lhasa beginning at Norbulingka, the former summer palace of the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader now living in exile in India.The closing ceremony took place at iconic hilltop Potala Palace, the traditional seat of Tibetan rulers.
Palma Trily, vice-governor of the Beijing-backed Tibetan government said ahead of the ceremony "We have sufficient confidence and capability to turn tomorrow's Lhasa torch relay into a big success," (Associated Press)
The deafening silence of the Tibetan people suggests that this was a success for the Chinese authorities, a PR exercise which has no credibility and an insult to the people of Tibet
Harnessing the power of 'clouds'
The cloud is the latest buzzword doing the rounds in the tech world. This article outlines how Cloud computing can change the way we access our digital content.
read more | digg story
Thursday, 19 June 2008
YouTube goes live to take on TV
YouTube, the popular video sharing website, is set to challenge established TV broadcasters by offering its own live channels. The plans would enable YouTube's millions of users to chat from their bedrooms, perform music or report on a breaking news story to a worldwide audience in real time. A birthday party or wedding could be broadcast live to family and friends who are unable to attend. The truly committed could start a 24-hour 'lifecast' of their daily activities reminiscent of television's Big Brother.Read More| Technology | The Observer
Thursday, 12 June 2008
Dont Panic - the panic cry that warns that you should Panic!!!
Long queues appeared at forecourts yesterday ahead of a planned strike by hundreds of tanker drivers. This is probably as a result of recent stories in the news in which the same message was repeated over and overDon't Panic Buy!!!!The very words don't panic alert you that there is something happening which people may panic over. If this is the case then you may think maybe you should just stock up just in case panic sets in. Its not that you are panic buying just stocking up a little extra in case well thats what you tell yourself anyway. This then starts a whole chain reaction of stock running out because of the people who did not panic and sparks a 2nd wave of panic buying until the situation snowballs and everyone is panicking. What started out as something which may have caused a bit of inconveince to a few petrol stations because of industrial action by tanker drivers is likely to become a huge crisis and I blame the media for telling us not to PANIC BUY! I am however not going to panic buy but might just stock up on petrol to make sure!!!!!!
read more | digg story
Armed police in school gun alert
ARMED police officers were called to a school yesterday after pupils spotted a man carrying a rifle. Quick thinking pupils reported the incident and police were alerted. A firearm was recovered and there were three arrests. My children attend the school and both said that whilst they were made aware of the situation they felt there was no immediate danger and I am grateful that staff at the school responded so quickly. As a parent I have always taken the stance that schools should not become prisons with high fence security and surveillance cameras but I have to admit that this incident did frighten me and I am starting to see the reasoning behind such security measures. I am sure this was only a one off incident but it does bring it home to me that gun crime exists and it may be happening right on your front door
read more | digg story
Tuesday, 10 June 2008
Blogging - The Twilight Zone
Blogging....what's it for, why do we do it?
Its a sort of twilight zone really.
I really didn't think that anyone would actually visit my blog let alone read the content and yesterday somebody commented on a story a posted!!! This is a rarity in my little world, someone actually took the time to read what I had written. Blogging is a strange concept to which I have yet to find my own little niche. Its personal and yet impersonal, a brief glimpse into the minds of some or random,irrelevant babblings (in my case). I blog therefore i am but what does it actually mean?
The Oxford English dictionary defines it as:
(weblog)- frequently updated web site consisting of personal observations, excerpts from other sources, etc., typically run by a single person, and usually with hyperlinks to other sites; an online journal or diary.
The site Blogger gives many variations on how a blog may be defined -
A blog is a personal diary. A daily pulpit. A collaborative space. A political soapbox. A breaking-news outlet. A collection of links. Your own private thoughts. Memos to the world.
Your blog is whatever you want it to be. There are millions of them, in all shapes and sizes, and there are no real rules.
In simple terms, a blog is a web site, where you write stuff on an ongoing basis. New stuff shows up at the top, so your visitors can read what's new. Then they comment on it or link to it or email you. Or not.
And that is where is the problem starts for me. How do visitors know you exist? What do they expect when they hit your page? Its all a big mystery to me.....but it cheers the little cockles of my heart when you know that you have reached out to at least one or two readers who have actually taken the time to read what you have written and let you know by posting their own thoughts or observations. I am making it my new year resolution to post my own comments or thoughts on blogs that interest me. I may too be the one to cheer up the writers days and spread a little happiness as I go. To all my fellow bloggers, interaction is the future, so put down your garlic bread and cakes of cheese and embrace the world of conversation.
Sunday, 8 June 2008
Israel’s Barrier to Peace
The horrors of "life" and death under Israeli Occupation are revealed in this poignant article. The former Middle East bureau chief for The New York Times and author of the bestseller “War Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning” examines the way Israel’s security wall has ripped a mortal gash in the lives of Palestinians living in its shadow, and argues that there can be no hope for peace in the Middle East as long as America continues to aid Israel in its dehumanizing practices.
read more | digg story
Swansea Jacks v's Cardiff Bluebirds
A video inciting violence against Swansea City fans has reportedly been circulated on the internet. The five-minute film was posted on the YouTube site and uses footage of Nazi rallies and extremist marches as well as featuring a pretence of Hitler himself leading Swansea fans into battle read more
Swansea City FC and Cardiff City FC face to face in the same league for the first time in six years. Lets hope the Jack army do not rise to the warcry of the Bluebirds, but there is such bitter rivalry that the inevitable violence will eventually break out and the season will be remembered for all the wrong reasons.
Saturday, 7 June 2008
Andrew Keen on New Media - Media, News - The Independent
Andrew Keen on New Media - Media, News - The Independent
Interesting article by andrew Keen on the growth of new media with particular reference to Wiki and how it is being embraced around the world
Wednesday, 4 June 2008
ICANN Watch - Questions that everyone should be asking
To reach another person on the Internet you have to type an address into your computer - a name or a number. That address has to be unique so computers know where to find each other. ICANN coordinates these unique identifiers across the world. Without that coordination we wouldn't have one global Internet.
ICANN was formed in 1998. It is a not-for-profit partnership of people from all over the world dedicated to keeping the Internet secure, stable and interoperable. It promotes competition and develops policy on the Internet’s unique identifiers.read more on the ICANN website
ICANN Watch say however
ICANN says that it is private, non-profit, consensus-based, California corporation charged with technical coordination of the Internet. Some others, including some of the people behind this web site, worry that ICANN has a somewhat manipulable idea of what constitutes a consensus, or that ICANN's close relationship with the U.S. Department of Commerce might make it a "state actor" under U.S. law-- a formally private body that has the same legal obligations to provide due process and non-discrimination as a government agency. read more on ICANN Watch website
This is worrying for the future of a free and open internet. Censorship of the internet is already a highly controversial topic and more people need to be made aware of the role of ICANN and the close relationship it shares with the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Tuesday, 3 June 2008
Prepare. Plan. Stay Informed.....but not if you live in New Orleans
Ready.gov - Prepare. Plan. Stay Informed. This website is dedicated to informing American citizens on how best plan for an emergency and includes a section on hurricanes. One section asks
Want to reach your state or local government to see how you can prepare for events that happen in your area?
New Orleans does not appear to be included in the drop down list of states....Is that an oversight on behalf of Homeland Security or yet another snub by a government who clearly did not care in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina?
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad - The Official Blog !!!!
I have seen it all now! The official blog of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the mind boggles.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad - The Official Blog - Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Sunday, 1 June 2008
Press Complaints Commission Received Record Number Of Complaints |Sky News|Media
Press Complaints Commission Received Record Number Of Complaints |Sky News|Media
Media watchdog the Press Complaints Commission received a record number of complaints last year.
Many of the complaints dealt with the issue of privacy.
The increase in complaints is thought to be attributed to more awareness of the PCC and the ease of complaining online, rather than a drop in standards.
The council said it discreetly settled 100 complaints and helped prevent intrusions in more cases with pre-publication advice.
Sunday, 25 May 2008
BBC NEWS | Technology | Web users 'getting more selfish'
The annual report into web habits by usability guru Jakob Nielsen shows people are becoming much less patient when they go online. BBC NEWS | Technology | Web users 'getting more selfish'
Wednesday, 21 May 2008
Israel and the War on Terror
The whole issue of the Middle East crisis is one in which I have tried to remain neutral and unbiased. I understand there are legitimate arguments on both sides but after reading an article in the Independant I have to express my disgust towards US foreign policy and the Bush administration.
Nakba Day meaning "day of the catastrophe" is an annual day of commemoration for the Palestinian people of the "anniversary of the creation of Israel" which marks the beginning of the 1948 Palestinian exodus, the resulting defeat in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, the loss of land that followed from the war and their displacement and dispossession as a result While for Israelis, the 1948 war gave them independence and this day represents the "fulfilment of a historic ideal of the Jewish people" to establish a homeland for the Jewish people, for Palestinians, the day represents "the dispossession of hundreds of thousands of their people who were made homeless as Israel was born.” Read more
On the 16th May 2008 Donald Macintyre writes
President George Bush lavished anniversary praise on Israel yesterday, as Palestinians commemorated the "Nakba" or "catastrophe" when 700,000 were forced from or fled their homes 60 years ago.In a special address to the Israeli Knesset, Mr Bush declared that the US was proud to be the "closest ally and best friend in the world" of a nation that was a "homeland for the chosen people" and had "worked tirelessly for peace and... fought valiantly for freedom."....Mr Bush does not make even an oblique reference to the fact that he was delivering his speech on the day that Palestinians annually commemorate the "Nakba" in the 1948 war that left a victorious Israel in control of 78 per cent of mandatory Palestineread more here
Why does Mr Bush not praise the Palestine people, instead he brands them a terrorist organisation. One thing he needs to remember.
One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter
Which one does Mr Bush catergorise himself as?
Monday, 19 May 2008
BBC NEWS | World | Africa | Violence spreads in Johannesburg
BBC NEWS | World | Africa | Violence spreads in Johannesburg
At least 12 people have been killed in the South African city of Johannesburg since Friday in a wave of violence directed at immigrants, police say.
Police have used tear gas and rubber bullets to try to stop gangs of armed youths from attacking foreigners and looting and burning their property.
Sunday, 18 May 2008
BBC NEWS | World | Americas | Inside the secretive Bilderberg Group
BBC NEWS | World | Americas | Inside the secretive Bilderberg Group
Every year since 1954, a small network of rich and powerful people have held a discussion meeting about the state of the trans-Atlantic alliance and the problems facing Europe and the US.
Organised by a steering committee of two people from each of about 18 countries, the Bilderberg Group (named after the Dutch hotel in which it held its first meeting) brings together about 120 leading business people and politicians.
Bilderberg meetings often feature future political leaders shortly before they become household names. Bill Clinton went in 1991 while still governor of Arkansas, Tony Blair was there two years later while still an opposition MP. All the recent presidents of the European Commission attended Bilderberg meetings before they were appointed.
This has led to accusations that the group pushes its favoured politicians into high office
Britain is focal point for terrorism, warns Europe's police
Islamic terrorism, particularly through a rejuvenated al-Qa'ida, was highlighted as the most significant security threat to the authorities in the UK. Britain is the focal point for Islamic terrorism across Europe, and its controversial military campaigns overseas are putting the entire continent at risk, a disturbing new report has warned
read more | digg story
Saturday, 17 May 2008
Thursday, 15 May 2008
Bush Visits Israel - What The Hell For?
Red carpet and high words, but no progress what so ever. Bush visits Israel to "push peace forward" with Peres, Ohlmert and Abbas when all 4 are lame ducks and in light of growing violence in Lebanon and in Ghaza.
read more | digg story
Unprecedented Media Spin - Who sets the agenda for the mainstream news?
September 11, 2001- The Day the World Changed?
An eitorial review for the book September 11th, 2001 by Max Frankel:
On Tuesday September 11, our world changed forever. The United States
was attacked by an unknown terrorist organization. Word of this attack spread
instantaneously around the world. Billions of people woke up on September 12 to find
that the front page of their local newspaper was devoted to the tragedy of the World
Trade Center and the Pentagon.
People across the world watched the footage "live from the scene" Most will remember the pictures of the planes hitting the building or the Twin Towers falling to the ground. Less people will remember that 2974 people tragically lost their lives. The headlines dominated the front pages of the newspapers for weeks
Boxing Day Tsunami - 2004
Again, pictures were flashed around the world of an "unprecedented" disaster in South east Asia. The Indian Ocean tsunami, the deadliest on record, smashed into a dozen Asian and African countries on Dec. 26, 2004, swallowing up lives and homes and changing the coastline for ever.
230,000 dead or missing
2.1 million people displaced
Headlines dominated by destruction that the wave caused and the amount of foreigners that were presumed missing or dead.
Hurricane Katrina - 29th august 2005
"Reports of murder, rape and violence among the thousands trapped in New Orleans' shelters in the wake of Hurricane Katrina shocked the world." - BBC News
Hurricane Katrina strikes New Orleans at 8:00 AM with winds at 120 MPH and a storm surge of 18 feet.In the days immediately after Hurricane Katrina, most of us, most likely saw the same footage. Images of hurricane victims breaking into closed stores, taking food and other items, and escaping through chest-high waters with their loot.
Police chief Eddie Compass, spoke on the Oprah Winfrey show of babies being raped he also claimed tourists were being raped and beaten in the street. He later admitted that his statements were based on second-hand reports - and had turned out to be untrue.
An sightful report on the BBC News Website tells a shocking tale
New Orleans police confirm they have had no official reports of rapes or murders in the days after the city was catastrophically flooded.
Death toll - 1,836,
The media coverage on these three disasters varies greatly. From a global sympathy to victims of the New York attacks, a mass grieving for the foreign tourists of the Tsunami to a gross misjustice to the mainly black victims of Hurricane Katrina. It surely begs the question -
Who sets the agenda for the mainstream news? 
Wednesday, 14 May 2008
63 Signs You’re Addicted To Google
Am I that addicted? Its a sad day when I have to come out as A GOOGLE ADDICT. There I feel so much better now
read more | digg story
Tuesday, 13 May 2008
Reuters : Bearing Witness 5 Years of the Iraq War
Bearing Witness
5 Years of Reporting War in Iraq
A unique multimedia essay from Reuters
Visit www.reuters.com/iraq
Through five years of war, a team of 100 Reuters correspondents, photographers, cameramen and support staff have strived to deliver news to the world from Iraq - the most dangerous country for the press. These are their personal stories, bearing witness through half a decade of conflict which has taken the lives of 127 journalists, including seven Reuters staff.
- Testimony from journalists who have witnessed each phase of the conflict
- Rich visual timeline charting the major events and turning points
- Interactive maps and graphs following the key trends
- Live news from Iraq and links to related resources online
Visit www.reuters.com/iraq
Rain lashes Myanmar
By Aung Hla Tun YANGON (Reuters) - Heavy rains pelted homeless cyclone survivors in Myanmar's Irrawaddy delta on Tuesday, complicating the already slow delivery of aid to more than 1.5 million people facing hunger and disease.
read more | digg story
Stock Waves: Citizen Photo Journalists Are Changing the Rules
Stock Waves: Citizen Photo Journalists Are Changing the Rules
Article on citizen photo journalism
Monday, 12 May 2008
At least 8 533 dead in China earthquake
The most devastating earthquake to hit China in more than three decades killed 8,533 people in the southwestern province of Sichuan alone on Monday, the official Xinhua news agency said, citing the local government.The official Xinhua News Agency said that another 10,000 people were believed hurt in one of the province's counties after the 7.8-magnitude quake on Monday. The tremor was felt across the entire region - shaking buildings in the capital, Beijing, as well as the Thai capital, Bangkok, and Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam.Xinhua report China's Chengdu Military Area Command has dispatched troops to help with disaster relief work in the earthquake-stricken Wenchuan County of southwest China's Sichuan Province. read more on Yahoo news
Earthquake shakes cities from Beijing to Bangkok - Times Online
Earthquake shakes cities from Beijing to Bangkok - Times Online: "Tower blocks from Beijing to Bangkok rocked and swayed today as an earthquake shook a swath of Asia, with a magnitude of 7.8 in south west China"
Friday, 9 May 2008
Thursday, 8 May 2008
Monday, 5 May 2008
Man complains after beer makes him drunk
A Romanian man has lodged an official complaint with the local trading standards agency after he got drunk on a single can of beer.
read more | digg story
Latest form of green tranport
It may look like the most dangerous motorbike in the world but this new invention is actually the latest form of green transport
read more - Ananova
Introduction to e-petitions
Introduction to e-petitions
Petitions have long been sent to the Prime Minister by post or delivered to the Number 10 door in person. You can now both create and sign petitions on this website too, giving you the opportunity to reach a potentially wider audience and to deliver your petition directly to Downing Street.
Saturday, 3 May 2008
'We are living in a combat zone' - Middle East - Independent
One family who will not be celebrating the 50 year anniverary of Israel
read more | digg story
Blockade puts Gaza on brink of serious food crisis, says UN
Destitution and food insecurity among Gaza's 1.5 million residents has reached an unprecedentedly critical level, according to unpublished UN findings that they now need "urgent assistance" to avert a "serious food crisis" in the occupied Palestinian territories.
read more | digg story
Boris Johnson is the new Mayor of London.
Boris Johnson is the new Mayor of London. Ken is gone, yippee!
read more | digg story
Blogger exposes life on the Underground
LONDON (Reuters) - Annie Mole's blog about the London Underground rail system began as a New Year's resolution to teach herself how to make an Internet Web site and has blossomed into a popular slice of commuter life.The criticisms, witticisms and daily observations posted on her "London Underground's Blog" www.london-underground.blogspot.com
read more | digg story
Thursday, 1 May 2008
Electronic Frontier Foundation | Defending Freedom in the Digital World
Electronic Frontier Foundation | Defending Freedom in the Digital World
Another website deicated against censorhip of the Media
Wikileaks - Wikileaks
Wikileaks - Wikileaks
The site deicated to publishing documents which are not in the public domain
Madeline McCann Media hype goes on
Four year old Madeleine McCann went missing from an appartment in Praia du Luz almost one year ago. Despite a high profile media camapaign the little girl remaims missing. The first anniversary of the disappearance of Madeleine McCann has been marked with a two-hour television documentary on ITV. The British press have been foolowing the story with relish but I am concerned that the parents have not at least been made accountible for leaving the children alone that night whhilst they went out with friends for dinner. The Times reports "The couple admit in a TV documentary tonight that they talked about not going to the tapas restaurant in Praia da Luz, Portugal, on the night of May 3 last year, and considered instead taking their children with them to another restaurant called the Millennium, further away. They rejected the idea only because the children were tired and they did not have a buggy, they said" As seemingly intelligent parents of 3 young children surely an essential item to take on holiday would be a buggy. If the parents of a four year old girl living on a sink estate in Britian left the child alone to go to a party down the road and returned to find the child missing there would be a different media reaction I am sure. A visit to the Pope would probably be unlikely and I can not see David Beckham making an appeal for her retuen. Whilst I do not condone trial by media I do think that the tabloids have glossed over the reality of the situation. Now one year on when all the papers are focusing again on the story why have the McCanns not taken every opportunity to concentrate on the search for their daughter instead of discussing how they feel and how it is affected them? The most important priority should remain the safe return of their daughter and not complaining about the treatment received by some areas of the media.
Wednesday, 30 April 2008
Gaza's humanitarian crisis
Startling statistics that shed light on the situation in Gaza. A report on the BBC website highlights the need for urgent action to prevent a humanitarian disaster in Gaza in what is described as an unprecendented crisis
read more
A group of UK-based human rights and development organisations have called for fundamental policy changes towards the Gaza Strip by Israel, the international community and the West Bank-based Palestinian leadership.A report sponsored by Amnesty International, Care International UK, Cafod, Christian Aid, Medecins du Monde UK, Oxfam, Save the Children UK and Trocaire, details what the organisations say is the worst humanitarian crisis in the strip since Israel occupied it in the 1967 war, and describe it as a man-made disaster resulting from the isolation and blockade of Gaza after its take-over by Hamas militants last June. The full report can be read here The Gaza Strip:A Humanitarian Implosion
The main points of the report cover the dramatic decline of social and economical indicators and flag key issues such as poverty, food aid dependency, humanitarian access,unemployment, access to basic services and medicalsupplies, They describe the situation as an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. Israel, as the occupying power, is ultimately responsible for ensuring the welfare of the Palestinian population in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT), including the 1.5 million Palestinians who live in the Gaza Strip, all of whom are protected persons.Israeli officials however contend that Israel is no longer bound by the laws of occupation since it redeployed its forces to the perimeter of the Gaza Strip in 2005. Israel does control however , The Strip's air space and territorial waters, and the movement of people and goods. The report concludes the Israeli authorities are
bound by their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law to ensure the welfare of the Palestinian population in the OPT.
digg story
The Art of Language is dead?
Diane Mermigas: On Media » Blog Archive » Youth Speaks: If u dk what this is, gl
Diane Mermigas has written her concerns following the results of new report from the Pew Internet & American Life Project. According to the report, of the 700 teens ages 12 to 17 surveyed by Pew, 85% said they engage in some form of electronic personal communications, including text messaging, sending emails and instant messages, blogging and posting comments on social networking sites. Sixty percent of those teens said they do not consider any such electronic texting to be the same as “writing,” yet 50% said they use many of the same text abbreviations and emoticons in their written school assignments and even in spoken conversations.
Is the art of language a dying form or just evolving....time will tell
Tuesday, 29 April 2008
Save the Internet : Fighting for Internet Freedom
Save the Internet : Fighting for Internet Freedom
Webpage dedicated to Fighting for the right to stop corporate control of the internet. Previous articles on censorsip of new media can be found below
Operation: Budding Genius:Who controls the internet?
Operation: Budding Genius:Censorship of New Media
Monday, 28 April 2008
Mafia man too faT for prison
A court in Sicily has ruled that an accused Mafioso can be put under house arrest because he is too fat for any Italian jail.
read more | digg story
Sunday, 27 April 2008
Saudi blogger freed after 4 months jail: colleague
A Saudi blogger detained without charge for more than four months after expressing pro-reform opinions has been released, a colleague said on Saturday. Fouad Farhan was detained in early December after running an online campaign over 10 men arrested since February 2007 on suspicion of financing militant groups, but whose supporters say they are be
read more | digg story
Friday, 25 April 2008
Not Famous? Hire Your Own Papazrazzi
Hey, there's a way to get famous, or at least feel famous....
read more | digg story
Vicar applying for drinks licence to sell wine at church
"We have plans to serve lager and red and white wine - that is what the average punter wants."
read more | digg story
Russell Brand ....Shame on you!
Russell Brand | Shagger Of The Year | Beds Virgin air hostess | The Sun |HomePage|Showbiz|Bizarre
Russell Brand had been turned away from America and beds an airhostess who looked after him on the plane home. Yawn... this a man who seriously needs a good women to make an honest man of him and make his mother proud. He is getting on a bit now and losing the charm and boyish good looks of the past, its chlamidya and a lonely future for him if he does not change his ways. Shame on Russell Brand!!
Thursday, 24 April 2008
Thumbelina the world's smallest horse
She may be small, a mere 17 inches and weighing only 60 pounds. But she is all horse.'Born as a dwarf to a miniature horse, Thumbelina is officially the world’s smallest horse.
Penis theft panic hits city... - Yahoo! News
Penis theft panic hits city... - Yahoo! News
KINSHASA (Reuters) - Police in Congo have arrested 13 suspected sorcerers accused of using black magic to steal or shrink men's penises after a wave of panic and attempted lynchings triggered by the alleged witchcraft.
Welcome to Bizarre News - Home of Weird, Strange, and Stupid News!
Welcome to Bizarre News - Home of Weird, Strange, and Stupid News!
From videos to photos or just plain stupid stories this site has it all
Monday, 21 April 2008
A second summer of love: 20th anniversary of acid house | Electronic | guardian.co.uk Music
A second summer of love: 20th anniversary of acid house | Electronic | guardian.co.uk Music
Twenty years ago acid house and a new drug arrived in Britain's clubs to incite the biggest revolution in youth culture since the Sixties' summer of love. The key members of the scenes in London and Manchester talk DayGlo grins and dancing in fountains with Luke Bainbridge
BBC NEWS | Magazine | Innocent photographer or terrorist?
BBC NEWS | Magazine | Innocent photographer or terrorist?
Tom Geoghegan, BBC News magazine reports that amateur photographers are being prevented from enjoying their hobby because of misplaced fears about terror, privacy and child protection issues.The National Union of Journalists has staged a demo to highlight how media photographers are wrongly challenged by police and photography enthusiast Adam Jones has started an online petition on the Downing Street website urging the prime minister to clarify the law. This is in light of several complaints made about the police seizing and attempting to confiscate photography equipment from both camera men and the general public with out legitimite cause.
BBC NEWS | Programmes | Click | Evolution of the social network
BBC NEWS | Programmes | Click | Evolution of the social network
Slow down of the social networking sites may lead to the demise of current social interaction practices.
Monday, 14 April 2008
Anorak News | Anorak News
Anorak News | Anorak News: "Paul Sorene’s Anorak gives a knowing and wry take on the world of news, celebrity, money and more. It's award-winning news with irony and good writing. The site is Updated throughout the day."
Saturday, 12 April 2008
Tibetan Government in Exile's Official Web Site
Tibetan Government in Exile's Official Web Site
Further to the Olympic torch protests I have found this site which highlights the suffering of those in Tibet
Thursday, 10 April 2008
Olympic Torch fiasco
Olympic Torch Relay
The Chinese media are reporting that the Olympic torch relay in San Francisco was "successful" under enthusiastic reception of the American public, including the Chinese Americans and overseas Chinese.
Olympic torch relay concludes in San Francisco without major incidents_English_Xinhua
Another report ran with the story that thousands of people began gathering along the route of the Olympic torch relay early Wednesday morning to show their support for the torch run
Xinhua News
One torch bearer was reported as hearing a lot of cheers along the route.
Is this the same torch relay which I watched on Western news channels. The one, in which the Olympic torch disappeard for half an hour and then, was paraded through the empty streets guarded by what appeared to be the whole of the San Fransisco policeforce. A game of hunt the Olympic torch was played out in front of the worlds media when the torch was then taken on board a bus and driven away from the site of the closing ceremony where both protestors and supporters had gathered to wait for his arrival. The closing ceremony allegedly took place first on a motorway overpass then the airport. Times Onlinereports The Olympic flame’s procession through San Francisco drew world-wide ridicule and the authorities seemed to panic and abruptly changed the route, cutting it by half and scrapping the closing ceremony. The International Olympic Comittee and the Beijing authorities were determined to avoid the protestors that had gathered to lend their their voice to the Free Tibet camapign, but that raises questions again about censorship and rights to free speech. In a democratic country such as The USA people reserve the right to demonstrate and protest however it seems that the government also reserve the right to drown out the voice of the people. Shame on you!!
Protest photos
Wednesday, 9 April 2008
Snapshots
Introducing Snap Shots from Snap.com
I just installed a nice little tool on this site called Snap Shots that enhances links with visual previews of the destination site, interactive excerpts of Wikipedia articles, MySpace profiles, IMDb profiles and Amazon products, display inline videos, RSS, MP3s, photos, stock charts and more.
Sometimes Snap Shots bring you the information you need, without your having to leave the site, while other times it lets you "look ahead," before deciding if you want to follow a link or not.
Should you decide this is not for you, just click the Options icon in the upper right corner of the Snap Shot and opt-out.
Photojournalist of note - One to Watch
Simon Rees Photography | Home
Simon Rees is an up and coming UK based Photojournalist, who's images are both fresh and inspiring.
camel beauty contest
MSN Hotlist blog: UAE stages camel beauty contest
How bizarre, the United Arab Emirates are hosting their 6th annual beauty contest for camels. The prizes for the most attractive camel include cash prizes with up to nine million dollars and 100 cars up for grabs
Tuesday, 8 April 2008
Monday, 7 April 2008
Blog Till they drop
In Web World of 24/7 Stress, Writers Blog Till They Drop - New York Times
This may be a serious warning to all those in the blogosphere. Maybe it should carry a government health warning
Further discussion at Technorati
Technorati: Discussion about “In Web World of 24/7 Stress, Writers Blog Till They Drop - New York Times”
Beijing Olympic spokesman condemns attempts to sabotage torch relay in London_English_Xinhua
Beijing Olympic spokesman condemns attempts to sabotage torch relay in London_English_Xinhua
News about the Olympic torch protests from Chinese sources. The Chinese authorities cannot control outside news reports but they put their own spin on the story
Sunday, 6 April 2008
Tuesday, 25 March 2008
Random thoughts to Ponder..
Can you cry under water?
How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?
If money doesn't grow on trees then why do banks have branches?
Since bread is square, then why is sandwich meat round?
Why do you have to "put your two cents in"....
but it's only a "penny for your thoughts"?
Where's that extra penny going to?
Once you're in heaven, do you get stuck wearing the clothes you were buried in for eternity?
Why does a round pizza come in a square box?
What disease did cured ham actually have?
How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea a to put wheels on luggage?
Why is it that people say they "slept like a baby" when babies wake up like every two hours?
If a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a hearing?
If you drink Pepsi at work in the Coke factory, will they fire you?
Why are you IN a movie, but you're ON TV?
Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?
How come we choose from just two people for President and fifty for Miss America?
Why do doctors leave the room while you change?
They're going to see you naked anyway.
If a 911 operator has a heart attack, whom does he/she call?
Why is "bra" singular and "panties" plural?
Do illiterate people get the full effect of Alphabet soup?
Who was the first person to look at a cow and say, "I think I'll squeeze these dangly things here, and drink whatever comes out!"
Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat?
Why is there a light in the fridge and not in the freezer?
When your photo is taken for your driver's license, why do they tell you to smile? If you are stopped by the police and asked for your license, are you going to be smiling?
If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a stupid song about him?
Can a hearse carrying a corpse drive in the carpool lane?
If the professor on Gilligan's Island can make a radio out of a coconut, why can't he fix a hole in a boat?
Why do people point to their wrist when asking for the time, but don't point to their crotch when they ask where the bathroom is?
Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours? They're both dogs!
What do you call male ballerinas?
Can blind people see their dreams? Do they dream?
If Wyle E. Coyote had e enough money to buy all that ACME crap, why didn't he just buy dinner?
If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from?
If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?
Is Disney World the only people trap operated by a mouse?
Do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune?
Why did you just try singing the two songs above?
Why do they call it an asteroid when it's outside the hemisphere, but call it a hemorrhoid when it's in your butt?
Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him for a car ride; he sticks his head out the window?
Do you ever wonder why you gave me your e-mail address in the first place?
Best jokes from Edinburgh festival
The dodo died. Then Dodi died, Di died and Dando died... Dido must be sh!tting herself.
Colin & Fergus at the Pleasance
My parents are from Glasgow which means they're incredibly hard, but I was never smacked as a child ... well maybe one or two grams to get me to sleep at night.
Susan Murray at the Underbelly
Is it fair to say that there'd be less litter in Britain if blind people were given pointed sticks?
Adam Bloom at the Pleasance
My mum and dad are Scottish but they moved down to Wolverhampton when I was two, 'cause they wanted me to sound like a twat.
Susan Murray at the Underbelly
Q: Who are the most decent people in the hospital?
A: The ultrasound people.
David O'Doherty at the Gilded Balloon
I went to the airport to check in and they asked what I did because I looked like a terrorist. I said I was a comedian. They said, "Say something funny then." I told them I had just graduated from flying school.
Ahmed Ahmed at C34
I realised I was dyslexic when I went to a toga party dressed as a goat.
Marcus Brigstocke at the Assembly Rooms
Sleeping with prostitutes is like making your cat dance with you on its hind legs. You know it's wrong, but you try to convince yourself that they're enjoying it as well.
Scott Capurro at the Pleasance
My dad's dying wish was to have his family around him. I can't help thinking he would have been better off with more oxygen.
Jimmy Carr at theI CC
The world is a dangerous place; only yesterday I went into Boots and punched someone in the face.
Jeremy Limb, at the Trap
Cats have nine lives. Which makes them ideal for experimentation.
Jimmy Carr
I saw that show, 50 Things To Do Before You Die. I would have thought the obvious one was "Shout For Help".
Mark Watson, Rhod Gilbert at the Tron
I went out with an Irish Catholic. Very frustrating. You can take the Girl out of Cork ...
Markus Birdman at the Pod Deco
Got a phone call today to do a gig at a fire station. Went along. Turned out it was a bloody hoax.
Adrian Poynton at the Pleasance
Employee of the month is a good example of how somebody can be both a winner and a loser at the same time.
Demetri Martin at the Assembly Rooms
Walking down Princes Street, soaking up the atmosphere, I saw a big sign that said: "Bus tours, ten quid." So I thought I'd give it a try... What a rip off. Ten quid to have a look round a bus!
Seymour Mace at Café Royal
I like to go into the Body Shop and shout out really loud "I've already got one!"
Norman Lovett at The Stand
Ask people about God nowadays and they usually reply, "I'm not religious, but deep down, I'm a very spiritual person." What this phrase really means is: "I'm afraid of dying, but I can't be ar5ed going to church."
Colin Ramone at The Stand
50 Cent, or as he's called over here, approximately 29p.
Sarah Kendall at the Pleasance
Monday, 17 March 2008
The Cult of the Suicide Bomber
Robert Fiske writes candidly about the extent of the damage in Iraq five years on. As always his report is both moving and informative
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/fisk/robert-fisk-the-cult-of-the-suicide-bomber-795649.html
Thursday, 6 March 2008
Censorship of New Media
This article debates the relationship between property rights and copyright issues
http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?no_d2=1&sid=08/03/05/1757211
Wednesday, 5 March 2008
Censorship of New Media
New Media Technology is advancing rapidly . The use of multimedia platforms to distribute and share information is something to which many are accustomed to. It is inevitable, that in this new information society, a minority of users will abuse this privilege by publishing libellous or copyrighted material, albeit not always deliberately. General consensus of social norms and common sense by the majority of the online community means unsavoury or offensive material found on the Internet is ignored. I believe in free speech and understand that one man's freedom fighter is another man's terrorist. No one should dictate what anyone says, even if it is not always appropriate or conventional. At present there are debates about control and censorship of the Internet and I wonder how long it will be before there are calls for all online content to be subject to approval by strict draconian rulings and guidelines. Surveillance and collection of data by government is already in force and if sanctions are imposed, democratic thought processes will be assigned to the history books.
The notion of a Ministry of Truth is something which I fear will become a reality, and our right to free speech is rapidly disappearing .
For further debates about online censorship see http://current.com/topics/75917592_censorship
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