Hi ho

There are some days when the world has a definite "Oh, FFS!" air about it. Thoughts don't gel, arrangements are difficult, research leads to too many dead ends. Today is one such day, hence the old Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band number. You have to cheer yourself up somehow.

Whither Democracy?

I'm currently ploughing my way through the writings of Tom Paine (The 18th century Radical - not this guy), and one thing strikes me; one of the problems with democracy is voters. The people who will support a particular party no matter what, or people who have insufficient reading skills to understand the issues. Those who vote for a specific candidate because they're told who to vote for. They all warp the process.

Paine appeared to believe in Rousseau's postulate of the 'Noble savage', and advocated the extension of voting to everyone over a given age. Which is where the major problem with Democracy lies. We humans aren't all equal. As I have probably posted before, only 15% of a given human population can be described as fully self aware all the time, and thus cognisant of the effects of their choices. Most people aren't. We do things like substitute behaviour response loops or opinions for thought, and often can't tell the difference. Democracy needs people capable of thinking clearly to work effectively.

Longrider had a bitch about a silly Grauniad posted proposal to give two votes to pregnant women, and I'm inclined to agree. So I posted the following comment;

I’m increasingly of the opinion that the franchise should only be extended to those who can pass a voter comprehension test. Say a simple paragraph and ten related questions, in English (Or the host language of your country), to be completed when you turn up to vote. You pass, your vote counts. You don’t, it doesn’t. Simple.

This way the opportunity to vote could be safely offered to 16 year olds who have sufficient comprehension skills to understand some of the issues.

Or of course be 'bovvered' to turn up to vote. This way those who want the franchise and are capable of participating can do so. Such a scheme may result in fewer votes actually counting, but there are advantages to that, too.

Good Friday?

- Or as one man said as they were nailing him to a tree...

"I don't see what's so bloody good about this."


A rather simple shop assistant made the cardinal error of wishing me 'Happy Earth day'. My response was, "Am I supposed to find the nearest piece of dirt and wish it happy birthday?" Sorry, but it's Easter. I don't do fatuous crap for the gullible like 'Earth day'.

I really shouldn't take the piss out of the credulous idiots who think 'green is good'*, but dear god almighty they do sit up and beg for it so.

*Although if you can explain to me what is 'good' about regressing our technological base to pre industrial levels and the deaths of several billion people I'll be amazed. After I've called you a 'genocidal knobhead' to your face of course.

Who's afraid...?

Via Autonomous mind, this piece on Fukushima and related matters by Lewis Page over at The Register.

"Some of us at least are getting a bit sick of the idea that you simply aren't allowed to tell frightened people quite bluntly to act their age – and we're getting more than just a bit sick of irrational or unscrupulous fairytale-spinners making them frightened in the first place."

I second that.

Yeah...... tools

To help ameliorate that yawning feeling of despair many in the UK may be feeling after finding out that the latest budget was more of the same pain repackaged, here is a great song and an amusing video. Oh, and great tools, yeah?

Even if it does get cut a bit short at the end. Now I need a lie down in a darkened room.

New Icelandic link

Courtesy of commenter Smiler03; a new treasure on the Volcanic matters blogroll. The Iceland Volcano and Earthquake blog.

He has the story about the recent Hengill tremor swarms being man made, and the juice behind the recent Krisuvik activity. Brief and to the point, with a better inside track than I could ever hope for.

One for the Neo-Malthusians out there

You know, I was quite happy when the Jehovah's Witnesses gave up predicting the end of the world. Now I'd be just as content if another group would all give us a rest from their annoying doomsaying. If you think the world could do with fewer people, as always the message is; "After you."

Sometimes.....

A simple look can encapsulate everything you want to say. Although I'm still wondering what 'listenting' is.

Happy Valentines day

This is for Mrs S. She won't like the song, but she'll get the message. Happy Valentines day, love.

Correction; she likes the song, the message, and by proxy, me. I going off to blush now.

Baiting the 'righteous'

They don't like people who smoke, who drink a little more than a single glass of wine every other day, or who like the odd bit of red meat now and again. Light heartedness is an alien concept, as is imagination. They don't think you have the right (or ability) manage your own affairs or bring up your own children. They want to dictate what information others have available, how much exercise they take, and look upon themselves as the arbiter of all that is 'moral'. They have no 'live and let live' about them and judge others only by their own narrow standards. You must do as they do, believe as they do. All else is anathema. These are people who serve vegetarian cuisine at dinner parties and never provide for those who prefer a little meat or fish with their meals. Many believe in the evil of Eugenics and that 'Global Warming' is real. They exert a disproportionate influence upon our daily lives.

These are the new puritans. UK local and central government is plagued both by and with them.

I believe Longrider was first to dub them the 'Righteous'. I may be wrong, but his blog is where I first recall seeing the term. Although Longrider in the comments says it was Leg Iron of 'Underdogs bite upwards'. Thanks for the correction.

Synonyms and adjectives include bigot, chauvinist, diehard, doctrinaire, dogmatist, enthusiast, extremist, fanatic, fiend, maniac, Malvolio, monomaniac, nimby, puritan , racist, sectarian, segregationist, sexist, stickler, zealot. Other worthy descriptions are; grinch, misery, wet blanket, scourge, shrew, self righteous, misery guts.

My personal choice is the term used by the Aussies and Kiwis; 'Wowser'. Far more appropriate, and carries just the right balance of pejorative disdain without treading the unimaginative trail of Anglo-Saxon four letter invective. Even if that is where temptation leads.

You can even use the word in polite society without legitimate censure; as in.
"You're a bit of a Wowser aren't you?"
"He's a complete and utter Wowser."
"Wouldn't date her. She's a complete Wowser."
"Don't be such a Wowser." ....and so on.

Although our friends south of the 49th parallel apparently think 'wowser' is an adolescent term of approval.

I prefer the Anzac version.

Introducing

The inimitable, the amusing, Fenbeagle!

Shutting up

Over the past week or so I've found myself deleting post after unpublished post. It's not that they were that bad, it's just that by the time I've got round to putting my own spin on a subject, someone else has done it better. Like the boy in class whose hand is just one nanosecond too slow, I find myself mute. Nothing new to say, and no reasonably apposite way to say it.

A couple of domestic problems are proving distracting and they must claim my close attention before all else.

Also Blog editorial policy is under review.



In a while.

Ah.. Facebook again...

I told Facebook I wanted my account deleted, but I'm still getting 'fiend' requests. Why? Who are these stupid people? On second thoughts I think I'm better off not knowing.

Happy new blogging environment

Having been bid a Happy New Year by my comrade in words, the Angry Exile, here's my entry on the blogging environment meme thingy. Working from right to left;

• Scanner
• Hunting goods catalogue
• Work cap
• Receipts
• Corporate information packs
• Visitors cards
• 3 shelves
• Legal and letter size brown envelopes
• Letter size 75gsm paper
• Empty T-shirt tin (Reads 'Multi-tasking male - experimental model only)
• 2 out of date 2010 calendars
• 30 assorted magazines
• Webcam
• 17" Desktop Screen
• 2 PC speakers
• Desktop tower unit
• 4 port USB hub
• The only extant copy of 'The Sky full of Stars' by John Morrow
• Empty packing box for above
• 'Age and Guile' by P J O'Rourke
• 'Long dark tea time of the soul' by Douglas Adams
• 'Brewing Quality Beers' by Byron Burch
• 'Name of the Game' by Steve Schall
• BCAA Maps for BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island
• BCAA Guide books for; Western Canada and Alaska, Ontario, Atlantic Provinces and Quebec, Arkensas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma, Also North Central.
• Various local maps for BC, Ontario, Quebec Ctiy, Montreal, Victoria, Toronto
• 2010 Backroad offroad Mapbook for Vancouver Island
• 2 Baskets full of defunce pens and old receipts
• USB Port drinks warmer
• Rack of assorted paperwork
• 18"x24" Magnetic Whiteboard with black pen
• Bin
• HP Inkjet Printer
• 5 Gang power socket
• Window
• Map of Vancouver Island
• Nautical Map of same
• Guest bed 78"x50" with turned wood head and footboards
• Mrs S's Desk with 24" screen, Mouse, Mouse pad, desk lamp, Microsoft Keyboard, 3 shelf unit with cordless phone handset, Magazines, 3 drawer plastic shelf unit, BC Certification
• Toshiba L510 laptop
• Jar of pens and pencils
• 2 A5 ring bound Notebooks
  
• Map of Canada
• 2011 planner
• Beige carpet
• Large shredder
• 3 small laptop bags
  
• 8"x12"x6" cardboard box lined with white kitchen bin bag
• Internal white painted door 78"x 36"
  
• Mirrored closet door 78"x50" (Two panels)
• Wooden swivel chair in dark pine
  
• Wooden 'carver' style chair in light pine
  

That's it. Now I'm off for a large drink that is going to last clear through into 2011. TTFN.

Monday Musical interlude

'Waiting for Tomorrow' from Hawkwinds 1987 album 'Choose your Masques' featuring Hu Lloyd-Langton. I used to have the 12 inch vinyl of this one - yes, I'm that sad. The album version is much better but couldn't find one I could embed. Waiting for tomorrow is what Mrs S and I are doing right now. Hope there are no more travel hang ups.

There's also this, which many libertarians may find some synergy with;

"We're sick of politicians harassment and laws, All we do is get screwed up by other people's flaws"

Another interminable post on global flaming warming

If the 10:10 violent child porn apologists would care to take note; this Armstrong and Miller sketch is both funny and satirical. "Believe, or we'll throw you in gaol". Enjoy the snow, guys.



H/T Bishop Hill

BTW: Lots of Warble Gloaming in China, the Middle East and lots of other places.

A man I have a great deal of time for...

P J O'Rourke.

'Nuff said.

H/T Theo Spark

A good reason not to use Facebook

One of the news services I subscribe to is the specialist legal site Out-law.com run by legal eagles Pinsent Masons which can be pretty useful for keeping up to date with the latest on legal matters pertaining to the jolly old interweb.

One of the latest wheezes with regards to using those apparently oh so user fiendish friendly NHS services is if you have a Facebook profile. The bulk of the story is here, and includes this quotation*:

"Facebook capturing data from sites like NHS Choices is a result of Facebook’s own system," said a Department of Health statement. "When users sign up to Facebook they agree Facebook can gather information on their web use. NHS Choices privacy policy, which is on the homepage of the site, makes this clear."

Apparently if you haven't logged out of your Facebook profile properly (Just closing the browser window doesn't count), then go browsing the NHS database for details of an embarrassing little ailment you'd rather no-one else knew about, Facebook get to know all about it. Isn't that sweet?

Now you know why I went to extremes to delete my entire Facebook profile.

*Published under the 'fair use' provisions of the copyright act to draw attention to or comment upon the article in question, so there guv'nor, gor blimey, luv a duck, it's a fair cop, innit?

Them that's fightin words

The following rebuttal is mine alone. I do not speak for my husband, for my friends, for my children, but solely for myself.

I am tired of being told to sit down and shut up.

I am tired of being told what I can and can not say.

What is “acceptable”, while my ideas and values are mocked and trampled.

Wow. That's one pissed off military mother. The lady's plain, no-nonsense eloquence is quite frankly startling.

H/T Celestial Junk

The belief that dare not speak it's name..... not

From those very funny chaps at Minnesotans for Global Warming.

H/T Wattsupwiththat.

November fifth. Exactly the right date for a kind of bonfire of inanities such as the belief in Man made global climate disruption and similar nonsense.