Mud in the Blood

Papers please - random searches come to Clacton

2012-01-28T00:52:00.000Z

Following the recent knife-related incidents in the town, anyonenow wishing to enter a club or bar who employ security staff willbe searched by them.

Which is fair enough it's their premises and their business. Nightclubs have been doing this for years so nothing new there. This bit is new though.

Police will be carrying out spot-checks at all licensed venuesin Clacton.

So a quiet night in the pub may well turn out to a evening of being randomly searched. The police have always visited licensed premises just to check that the house is being kept in good order and to keep an eye on underage drinking etc. They will also pay special attention to trouble spots.
But random visits to search patrons?
Can the police insist on a search ? They will probably arrest you if you decline so most will agree, but is the principle of mass stop and search without any prior intelligence actually lawful?

A number of clubs and bars in Clacton will be supportingthe police’s stance .

Like they'd disagree!!!

Check it out here

Guilty as charged - but the law stinks!

2012-01-27T12:43:00.000Z

An 85 year old man is facing a 5 year prison term for simply being in possession of something. Yes that's right it's guns again, but this story has some strange twists. You can read the report here.

The stupidity of the law and how it is applied is exemplified by these extracts;

Firstly the guns are an interesting mix.

.Percy Hermitage............. admitted possessing an automatic-loading pistol with a barrel of less than 30 centimetres, without the authority of the Secretary of State.
He similarly admitted having a Saxby and Palmer .177 self-contained gas cartridge air pistol, and a .22 double action revolver, both without authority.
Hermitage further admitted possessing a Victor .22 calibre rifle* and two .22 calibre rounds of ammunition, both without certificates.
Finally, he admitted possessing a hollow point bullet without authority.

All small calibre, as indicated, that would suggest a use in small vermin control and/or target shooting, there is no suggestion that these weapons have been used in any crime either by the owner or by anyone else.

He has had them for while too!

Hermitage is said to have had the weapons since the 1960s.

So there has been no problem with these guns for around fifty years or so and I cannot see any hint of these guns being used in any way let alone in the commission of a crime. Yet it seems that sentencing an 85 year old to spend possibly the rest of his life in prison is deemed the correct thing to do. Sorry, but that is wrong. This case is about having something in your possession and not using it rather than using it to threaten or harm someone or carry out a robbery. Perhaps he should have beaten someone up, he could have walked free then if he had said sorry!

Julia M has an example of more gun related police idiocy reported here

*This may be an air rifle - I'll need to check

Healthy eating

2012-01-26T11:43:00.002Z

I was thinking the other day about the sort of diet that I had grown up with. These thought were brought on by my seeing a photograph of myself at the age of 20 or so. I have to say that I was much slimmer and obviously fitter than I am now, but the sort of food that was eaten in our home was not really the healthy options that we are hectored about today.
A fairly typical evening meal menu for the week would have looked a bit like this in the early eighties.

Sunday:
A modest roast. This may be beef, pork, lamb or chicken and sometimes turkey. In season we may have pheasant, partridge or wildfowl. But on a Sunday we always had a midday family roast.
Monday:
Cold meat, boiled potatoes and pickles in the winter or salad and new potatoes in the summer. This never changed.
Tuesday:
If there was any/enough meat left we would have a pie of some sort. If there was not enough meat then we would still have a pie but it would be a 'spud and onion' one!
Wednesday:
Stew, this would often be rabbit or sometimes hare. If it were beef it would be the cheapest cuts and casseroled for over four hours.
Thursday:
Offal. Liver and bacon, roast hearts, kidneys served with onions, potatoes and greens.
Friday:
Fish. Sometimes bought and cooked at home occasionally from the Fish and Chip shop. Usually though it would be fish that we had caught and be taken from the freezer.
Saturday:
Boiled eggs. Duck eggs were a real treat.

Shoot your own food - a sort of grown up pick your own.

This food was usually cooked with lard when fat was required, but not that much as meat often had fat on it which wasn't trimmed off. I would estimate that around half of the vegetables that we ate came from our own garden and almost as much of our meat was killed or caught by us too. The freezer was always full and mainly of seasonal surplus rather than simple storage.

I think that I need to get back to this sort of routine. I will continue to ignore the heath fascists and continue to enjoy eating the food that I like, what needs to change is how I get that food. The joy in food is in the preparation and the anticipation as much as the eating. There is also a lot to be said for coming to the table slightly hungry. I have already ditched the processed crap from the fridge and freezer and stocked with the components of meals rather than the finished item. It will take up more time, but as my work is a combination of feast and famine I actually have that time available. What it will mean is less time on the computer looking at crap and stuffing crisps and biscuits washed down with endless cups of coffee.

The picture is of Melissa Bachman a sort of perfect girlfriend type from America

Cute Beaver

2012-01-25T09:35:00.003Z

You know that saying; " He was like a dog with two dicks..."

2012-01-20T20:54:00.002Z

Well, it seems that there is a Woman with two vaginas...........
Really!

UK Policing role for army.

2012-01-20T14:46:00.000Z

PARATROOPERS were pelted with petrol bombs and missiles during new riot training.
Soldiers from Colchester were taught how to deal with hostile crowds - skills which could be used at home or abroad.
Troops from the town make up the nation’s emergency rapid response force and could be sent anywhere in the world to deal with problems.
But the training could also be useful within the UK to deal with any future riots and during the London Olympics - with soldiers from Colchester expected to provide support for the Games.
See the full story and pictures in Monday's Gazette.

All of which may please the average reader of the Daily Mail, but is that a good thing?
Do we want to be (possibly) policed by the army?
I'm not at all sure about this.

UPDATE:

Mind, it may be better than this sorry bunch!

Sanctimonious Gun Hate

2012-01-19T10:56:00.000Z

"No gun is acceptable", so says Hazelmere Junior School Headteacher, Jenny Firth. The school has recently suspended a pupil for taking into school a toy gun that fires foam bullets. These 'weapons' are of course far less dangerous than say a pencil or a compass, but in a classic example of overreaction a child has been excluded, something that will stay on his educational record, when really confiscating the article and returning to the parents with a quiet word is what was really needed.

Read the full piss boiling article here

I suppose that the parents should be grateful that armed police weren't called to shoot him!

Guilty until proven innocent.

2012-01-17T23:58:00.002Z

Not quite perhaps but well on the way.............

Some theft, assault, burglary and drugs offences will have juries axed under proposals

The changes could save in excess of £30million per year..........

OK, that sounds like a lot, but actually it's nothing compared to the money that we chuck on the EU bonfire. Let alone what is squandered on foreign aid to countries that don't need it and have economies growing faster than ours.What about the millions spent on protecting foreign criminals and bogus asylum seekers from deportation on some of the most spurious grounds? But this change has been well documented and indeed warned about for months. This will, if the reforms go ahead, bring us a little closer to the European justice model, that is what it is all about. What next?

Peoples courts
Political crimes
Re-education centres
Concentration camps

Pretty unlikely but then so was this a few years ago. I wouldn't bet against any of the above.

A wave of the big fat Cuban to Captain Ranty for bringing this to light back in November 2009.

Unadulterated pure hate..............

2012-01-12T00:12:00.003Z

Bucko's piece about the The Gun Control Network and their Nazi inspired* ideas sent me scurrying over to their site to see what this bunch turds were up to. I was drawn their list of 'objectives'. I have copied this mess of ill conceived bollocks below, together with a brief demolition of the 'objective'.

GCN objectives are in italics and my reasoned response is in blue. Emphasis are mine.

Posted: 1 October 2011

All our objectives are predicated on the belief that the interests of public safety demand a reduction in the availability and attractiveness of guns of all kinds.

    1    The tightening of gun licensing into a single, more rigorous, system that includes all firearms, shotguns and air guns. The onus should be on the applicant to demonstrate their suitability to own a gun and a specific need for doing so. Any opportunities for the spontaneous purchase of any gun, including air weapons, should be eliminated.

There is really nothing that can justify this. The onus should always be on the licensing authority to show that there are good reasons not to grant a licence. This is in line with the presumption of innocence principle. There is no justification to alter that in any way. Why should you not make a spontaneous purchase of an gun? One. Good. Reason. There aren't any.

    2    A licence for every gun, renewed annually (as opposed to the current five-year renewal) and requiring two referees for each application and its renewal.

This seems like a prescription for non-jobs and a way to simply wear gun owners down. It would NOT prevent any tragedies such as those that we have seen in the last couple of years, as these tend to be spontaneous rather than actions planned over several months.

    3    An increase in the licence fee in order to cover the cost of policing a more rigorous system.

Pricing out the poor and the young! If the state demands more unwarranted controls, then they should foot the bill.**

    4    Lifting the secrecy about gun ownership, making it possible for certain professionals and members of the public to find out who has a licence and for what purpose.

The police know who legally hold firearms, no one else needs to. Allowing members of the public these details is simply irresponsible.

    5    A National Gun Hotline for those wishing to record their concerns about a gun owner. This should be a well-advertised free phone line for those concerned about their own or another’s safety or the behaviour or well-being of a gun owner.

Er, if you have genuine concerns you could call the police, use 999 and mention the word gun and they will be there in seconds probably with a helicopter or two as well. this idea is a load of wonk. This also has a high liklihood of being used a tool of mischief or revenge.

    6    Refusal or revocation of a gun licence where there is evidence of domestic violence, drug or alcohol abuse, misuse of a gun, when a relevant misdemeanour has been committed (e.g. shooting of wildlife, threatening behaviour or negligent storage of the weapon) or when an applicant has a significant criminal conviction.

All of which can be grounds for revocation or refusal as it is.

    7    Mandatory notification to GPs at the point when a patient becomes a legal gun owner.

Why? It's my GP's job to make me better when I'm ill. No more no less! Whether I own a gun or an axe or the materials to make a bomb is not his concern. If he independently feels that he has concerns then he can raise them as can anyone else

    8    Mandatory private and discrete notification to former and present partners of new and repeat applicants. Evidence from Canada and Australia shows that gun-related domestic violence has decreased as the legal frameworks on gun licensing and domestic violence have become harmonised.
This is the get your own back charter, it is worthless unless there is proof and that takes us back to my point about point 6. It would wrong to judge anyone purely on hearsay - except gun owners it seems

They then go on to say;

We recognise the existence of a significant minority interest in shooting for sport, and our proposals are aimed at striking an appropriate balance between the sport-shooting interest and the overriding interest in public safety.

Which they obviously don't in any way!! The Gun Control Network has few members, a secretive structure and a nasty, repressive agenda. Why does this very peculiar organisation have the ear of government?

Just for fun, take look at this blog. It hasn't been updated for a while but I think that the piss taking bastard is actually pretty good. Go and give him a few hits perhaps he will be inspired to carry on.

* "...the Nazis were master manipulators of popular emotion and sentiment, and were disdainful of people thinking for themselves. See here
**Yes, I know. The taxpayer would have to foot the bill

New year begins as it means to go on.

2012-01-09T10:08:00.002Z

It seems that 2012 might just be the year that we see our notional freedom disappear down the pan as Cameron starts the year with a couple of real gems just to soften us up.

First up is the secret court agenda, following on from no jury trials which were brought in almost exactly a year ago. They only apply to the most complex cases of course or ones where national security, war on terror, blah, blah, blah, are concerned. Problem is that it isn't fair, isn't transparent and in the former case the accused does not even know what they are accused of. No one cares because it will never affect them - not yet anyway.

Secondly, Cameron wants a new law to make business risk takers responsible for their action and face jail
if they 'crash' the economy. Fair enough you may say, but taking risks is what pushes business on, it's what grows a business and that needs to be encouraged. There are already laws to cover corporate theft, fraud and wilful negligence so why do we need more? I make the point that this is about business risk takers in general, although the new law seems to be directed at bankers, these things always creep and at present pissing on the bankers will appeal to the drooling mouth breathers.

Cameron says............."that reckless bankers should be jailed, in the same way as reckless doctors and drivers can already be prosecuted."

But it isn't the same is it?

It's a dog, of course!

2012-01-04T10:36:00.001Z

There is an amusing naval gazing piece by Robert Hanks on the Garudian website where the author ponders whether it is OK to let his whippet kill squirrels in a park.

I know the problem. When out exercising greyhounds, whippets or lurchers I have often found that they race off chasing things, often hares and sometimes rabbits. If more than one are being exercised together they often seem to be in competition with each other too. Sometimes they catch something and we are, of course, mortified, struck dumb and riven with guilt.
What if a child had witnessed such a scene, we cry?
What if an OAP had been shocked by such scenes and reduced to a sobbing jelly?
What if someone, somewhere were to offended and spent the next few days in darkened room as a result?
What if...............

A dog being a dog!

I can't be bothered with this, why not just let the dog enjoy being a dog. Why don't we just enjoy letting dogs be dogs. Is this all people have to worry about?

Julia M has a take on this story too.

Girls I'd like to see run!

2012-01-04T07:00:00.000Z

The first in an occasional series............

I was made for loving you.

2012-01-03T19:45:00.003Z

I like different versions of songs.

I am not surprised ..................

2012-01-03T16:59:00.001Z

I am not convinced that this is justice though.

Stephen Lawrence Murder verdict.

Foregone conclusion maybe, but the idea that the flimsy evidence presented was enough to convict anyone should scare us all.

Essex Police officers and PCSOs have a criminal records

2012-01-03T15:03:00.000Z

Essex Police totals include
one inspector convicted of dangerous driving;
another inspector convicted of possessing and supplying cannabis;
a detective constable convicted of robbery;
a Pc convicted of data protection breaches for viewing intelligence records relating to friends, relatives or other people living in the local area;
a special constable convicted of stealing a set of car number plates, putting them on another vehicle and obtaining petrol without paying.

Couldn't make this up, could you?
From here

Police clearly NOT at fault.

2012-01-03T14:31:00.001Z

The tragic shootings in Peterlee will provide a huge opportunity for the army of perpetually confused to argue for more laws and stricter enforcement around the civilian possesion of firearms in the UK. It is quite unerving to see that the most commonsense comment that I have seen on the matter comes from Inspector Gadget (some of the usual muppets are in the comments though).

Refreshed and rejuvenated.

2012-01-03T14:03:00.002Z

Christmas and New Year are over and done with, and I thoroughly enjoyed the break. Meeting with friends and family is especially pleasurable when it is accompanied with shooting, fishing and copious refreshment.
Since we are all of an age where presents are of an irrelevance, we are able to devote ourselves to enjoyment and the various comestibles that go with it.
All in all a good end the one year and a great start the the new one.

I'm looking forward to what 2012 brings - perhaps not in a good way though!

See you next year.

2011-12-21T13:21:00.002Z

Christmas is always a busy time for me. As well as all of the seasonal frippery, it is a time that I am able to indulge in some of my favourite pastimes, catch up with old friends and visit family over the Christmas period. This is possible as the winter is my least active time work wise. So from now until January I'll be game shooting, rough shooting and doing a bit of predator fishing; locally and hopefully in the fens, as well as the requisite drinking and smoking that goes with it. In essence, I'll be living life as it should be lived - without interference.

The blog will be on hold until then, but when it's back I'm intending to make a few changes.
Until then I hope that all who happen to visit this blog have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Olympian security efforts..............

2011-12-16T10:37:00.000Z

As the news breaks that we are to be subject to a form of Olympic martial law, I wonder what the real agenda is here? Last nights news made the point that we would have more fully armed soldiers on 'security duties' during the Olympics, than are currently serving in Afghanistan.

This will involve more than 13000 personnel and include warships on the Thames and jet fighters in the sky. Because we are told that the Olympics are a terrorist target we are supposed to accept this without a murmur, on the basis that the government knows best and is doing everything that it can to 'keep us safe'.

Bucko makes some good points at his place, so I'm not going to rehash all of that. I will make the following points though.

We live in a society that has an artificial negative view of guns, we are told that they are unnecessary and that people who have them are either criminals or potential criminals. Britain has some of the most draconian gun laws in the world.

The Olympic facilities built for the shooting disciplines will be demolished after the event, the government does not want to seen to encourage shooting.
Shooting sports were excluded from the schools ticket allocation, the government does not want to seen to encourage shooting.
TV reporting of shooting will be minimal and probably only feature medal ceremonies, the government does not want to seen to encourage shooting.
Contestants weapons will be transported to the facilities under an armed escort, the government does not want to seen to encourage shooting.

Contrast with this;

Armed police will be present at all the Olympic events.
Armed soldiers will share security operations with the police.
The military will be under police command.
If you are visiting the Olympics, you will effectively be searched at gunpoint.
If you are found to have the wrong brand of drink or the wrong logo on clothes they will be removed at gunpoint.
If you object you may be ejected at gunpoint.
You will be controlled at gunpoint.

The government does not want to seen to encourage shooting. It is encouraging the use of firearms to control the population. It is encouraging the acceptance of policing by force with the support of the military. Do they know something we don't? I don't believe that this is just about security at the Olympics. I think it is practise for something else.

Chavton Murder!

2011-12-15T10:56:00.000Z

If you decide that you will not dosomething then it is surprising how often your attention will beforced on the very thing that you are trying to avoid. So my effortsto avoid the news and focus on other things have been thwarted bysomeone managing to get themselves killed not too far away from myfront door.

A dad was stabbed to death during a street brawl outside anoff-licence. Liam Mearns, who was 21, of Sillet Close, Clacton, diedfollowing the fight involving two groups in Wellesley Road. Tenpeople were later arrested in connection with the murderinvestigation.

OK so it's not that close, but stillclose enough to muck up the traffic for the last two days, a minorinconvenience compared to being stabbed of course.

More information will emerge over thenext few days, but I am willing to make a few predictions based on myown knowledge of the area.

The dead man will:

Have a criminal record, mainly pettycrime.

Be the father of one or moreillegitimate children.

Have had no meaningful employmentrecord.

Be in receipt of various benefits.

Have achieved little or no success atschool.

Own an extensive wardrobe of tracksuitsand trainers – designer or course.

Excel at computer games.

I suspect that we will tick a few ofthe above list off over the next few days. None of which is ajustification for being murdered of course. As we watch the floraldisplays pile up and listen to the comments from friends and familythat Mearns was a 'diamond' and 'the room lit up when he entered ',as various rent seekers and professional whingers demand toughersentencing for almost anything, we forget that Mearns was not justthe victim of an assault that took his life he was the victim of asociety that has accepted and glorified under achievement. A societythat rails against financial poverty and provides generous benefitsto alleviate that, but fails to address the poverty of ambition andself respect that goes with it.

For the last 30 years or more societyhas made excuses for its failings and put in place a social caresystem that strips away any drive or enthusiasm that the youngerpopulation may have had. We have created an underclass that isvalueless, to itself and everyone else.

Liam Mearns was 21, his life dribbledaway into the gutter in front of a shabby off-licence in a grubbyseaside town on a cold night in December. The reason for thealtercation is not known, but when we do find out what it was I'llwager that is a pathetic argument about a trivial matter.

UPDATE: He's fathered three brats!!

Thinking................

2011-12-09T14:21:00.001Z

I've been somewhat out of the loop this week. Most of my time has been spent between gardening, shooting and wood cutting with a fair bit of socialising thrown in too. I have to say I've enjoyed it.

It's been a relief to be away away from the constant stream of hectoring, scaremongering shite that is flung at us every day. Now, I may not take much notice of any of it anyway; but some do, and some not only believe any scare story that appears in the press, they obsess about.

If the news consisted of just news and was devoid of PR pieces, scare stories, examples of overreaction to minor incidents and the vilification of the politically incorrect, would be better off?
Would we able to make better decisions based on our own experience? Would we happier if we were not constantly be encouraged, cajoled and threatened to change our lifestyles, and left to live with the consequences?

I don't know, but I'm going to find out. I'm not going to take any notice of anything for a while. I won't read a paper or watch the news. I'll just get on with things that I need to do, I'll smoke when I like and I'll take a drink when I please. I'll eat the food that I enjoy. I'll take the opportunities to shoot and fish as I find them.

I'll see if I feel more relaxed for it.

I'll post up a sort of log over the next week, so we'll see.

Tram women in slammer, muslim thugs walk free shock.

2011-12-07T23:56:00.001Z

I'm not surprised at this, read in conjunction with this it makes you wonder exactly who decides how law is applied and by what standard.
Most of all it makes me wonder how shouting abuse can be adjudged more serious than a kick to the head.
If someone needs to be remanded, whilst unconvicted of any offence, for their own protection because they voiced a racist opinion, surely those who committed an unprovoked racist gang assault need imprisoning when actually convicted of that crime.

Sorry, I forgot that I was living in a surreal juxtaposed country where a few unpleasant words will cause more harm than a few kicks to head.

Christmas is coming, Clarksons getting fat!

2011-12-02T10:54:00.001Z

Jeremy Clarkson woke up laughing this morning. His 'ill concieved' comments on a BBC magazine programme caused a whole range of pinched faced arse clenchers to have an outraged hissy fit, some even threatening police action, over a thow away comment.

Clarkson has found himself plastered over the newspapers, the subject of numerous opinion articles and the story featuring in prime time news slots.

I bet his books and DVDs are selling well.

Just in time for Christmas, funny that.

Ther's no bad publicity!

It's December the first.

2011-12-01T16:00:00.000Z

Soon be time to go and cut the Christmas tree and drag it home. Smoking of course!

The bright stream of memory.

2011-12-01T14:00:00.000Z

About this time of year, a long time ago when my hair was longer and my BMI was smaller, I sold a Land Rover fitted with a sprayer to a guy in Scotland. He wanted me to deliver it and since he was happy to pay the costs I drove it up and caught a train home. The train stopped a bit north of Newcastle and was taken out of service, with no choice but to wait until the morning, I eventually bedded down in a phone box - it was quite cold. Soon I was disturbed as a girl wanted to make a phone call, after explaining the situation she suggested that I stay at her flat rather than in the phone box.

She was a pretty girl with long brown hair and I caught the train south three days later. Although I had all good intentions of keeping in touch it was really too great a distance to maintain any sort of relationship and we never saw each other again.

Anyway, on the morning that I left to get the train home, this song was playing on the radio.

I still have to stop whatever I'm doing when I hear it.

Wimpish parent Outrage

2011-12-01T12:41:00.001Z

Some over sensitive kids and their peculiar parents have been outraged by a duck shoot.
Full story here. Some of the comments make you despair.

Children were said to have returned home in tears after seeing wildfowl shot and dogs retrieving their lifeless bodies.

One dad, Ray Poolman, 49, told the Daily Mail that his horrified 10 year-old daughter was distraught after what she'd witnessed."She thought she was going to a bird-watching place but it turns out it was a shoot," he said.

I think she is quite old enough to handle a bit of reality

A letter had been sent home by the school informing parents that the 22 children would watch a "flight", but Mr Poolman said it did not say children would witness birds being shot:"I have since spoken to some of my friends who go shooting and they told me that 'flight' means 'shoot'. I thought the kids would be watching the birds coming into roost or migrating."My daughter came home absolutely distraught and in floods of tears. I was absolutely unaware that it was a shoot, otherwise she wouldn't have been there. There's no way it's an educational trip."It shouldn't have been arranged by teachers in school time. I can't believe they put children in that environment. What if something had gone wrong?"

Nothing went wrong. Grow a pair Tony! I think it is more educational than say, facebook and other crap.

Mrs Stapleton defended the trip, telling the newspaper: "This is an annual trip which has taken place for several years."It is not compulsory - it is entirely up to individuals and parents must return a signed permission slip before their child can go.

"All the children indicated at the end of the visit that they had thoroughly enjoyed it.

Just think of the outrage if those shooters were seen smoking or sipping from hip flasks as well!

Renewable resources not Eco friendly after all.

2011-12-01T10:57:00.001Z

I noticed this story via a piece on Leg-Irons' blog.

Climate criminals at work some time ago.

Basically, those Eco- friendly stoves that burn renewable resources and waste wood are as filthy as diesel engines and damage the environment.

Take this quote from the linked article;

............... the report, funded by the Swedish government, found that emissions from burning wood to be a major factor in 'climate forcing'.

WTF! Sweden is one of the world leaders in the development of wood burning stoves and the use of forest residue as a bio-mass heating and power generating resource. Most of the Scandinavian countries as well as the Baltic states and northern Europe countries have huge forest resources and have used them to supply heating since, well, forever really. As a result they have developed some of the best designed and well engineered products in the sector. Is the Swedish government really going to trash one of its most successful domestic and export markets?

Probably, anything can be sacrificed to great false god of climate change. Even as I'm writing this I suspect that some slack-jawed bureaucrat is working on a new raft of tax and regulation regarding the 'burning of wood and climate harm in domestic dwellings'.

Get your cheque books ready.

By the way, I haven't even lit the fire yet this winter, so climate change isn't that bad after all.

Safety fears as sales of second-hand car seats soar

2011-11-30T14:38:00.001Z

See the story here

Rampant scaremongering in the pursuit of sales I think!
I know things are pretty desperate but I think that most people will recognise if a car seat looks a bit worn or damaged.

Sticks and stones.....................

2011-11-30T00:46:00.001Z

Well I suppose that it was inevitable, speaking your mind is now a crime and you will be punished.

Mum arrested over My Tram Experience YouTube video locked up for "own protection"

Whether you agree with what she said or not, whether you feel that she was being unpleasant or uncouth, it would take a huge leap of faith to see this episode as anything mare than a hyperbolic rant. It is difficult to see that anyone could actually feel frightened in these circumstances and whilst some will ride the outrage bus and claim 'offence', they should be dismissed out of hand.

Remanded for her own protection is simply a crock of shit, she's been remanded as an example to the others. This type of thinking cannot be tolerated, it cannot even be challenged, as this would give it a legitimacy. I've no doubt that a whole raft of claims will now be placed alleging that the claimants are now too scared to use the tram etc and whingeing for a payout. Police and politicians will spout a whole load of weasel words about 'not tolerating this behaviour' and 'keeping us all safe'.

Personally, I'd like to see the knuckledraggers of the BTP take as seriously the racist comments and actions that take place every day on public transport by blacks, particularly targeting young white girls. Or perhaps the spitting and abuse that is directed at white and black girls by, often middle aged as well as young, Muslims who seem to object to the way that they are dressed.

This overreaction to trivial non-crimes seems to be the way that we are heading. Soon it will be the norm, and I guess that we shouldn't we surprised - this will be as nothing compared to what you can be arrested for during the Olympics!

Let's use baton rounds against protesters.

2011-11-26T23:30:00.001Z

Because they won't cause any real harm......................

Story here

UK's largest restaurant charging for babies -

2011-11-24T09:15:00.001Z

No, they're not serving them on the menu, they are charging them for the space that they occupy and I guess for the inconvenience caused to other diners.
Cosmo restaurant in Croydon has introduced a £3 charge per baby to sit at the table with adults, according to the Croydon Guardian.

I can't see whats wrong with this. Whilst plenty argue that the babies take up no appreciable room and the adults are spending money etc., the restaurant obviously identifies an issue and seeks to resolve it. Surely it's up to them? If anyone takes exception to any such policy then there will surely be other places that will welcome babies, perhaps seeing an opportunity ti increase their business.

Actually I can see a real demand for 'baby free' eating establishments. Just think about it; no screaming and crying throughout you meal, no more dirty nappy smells, no more baby sick, no more gurning grannies and stupid baby talk and no more giant fleshy jugs* being whipped out to feed the squealing brat. What's not to like?

I also have no particular dislike of babies and children, I just don't like paying for the privilege of eating in a restaurant only to find that someone else spawn is imposed on me. More eateries that catered for an adult only clientele may well be a good thing.

Perhaps this is just a subtle way to change the customer demograph as the right to breast feed is enshrined in law. It's amazing what you can't do in your own premises isn't it?

Breastfeeding in public (restaurants, cafes, libraries etc.) is protected under the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 under the provision of goods, facilities and services section. If the child is under 6 months old, the mother has additional protection under a 2008 amendment to the act which protects maternity rights.

In Scotland, the Scottish Parliament passed legislation safeguarding the freedom of women to breastfeed in public in 2005. The legislation allows for fines of up to £2500 for preventing breastfeeding in public places.

The Equality Act 2010 also prohibits discrimination against women who are breastfeeding.
* I actually rather like the more generous women, but there is a time and a place for the enjoyment of such things and and a restaurant isn't it.

Coming soon; the backdoor Stasi state.

2011-11-24T00:09:00.001Z

Predictable really, when you have dumbed down the population with an ever shittier education system, quietly removed or subverted a whole raft of rights, and poisoned the minds of whole sections of society, convincing each that the others are out to get them. It is is easy to prey on their fears and misconceptions. Add in the fairy tale fear factor of 'climate change', the mythical danger of second hand smoke/alcohol/fat, trash the economy and convince the population that a paedophile lurks behind every bush. Is it then any wonder that that this sort of righteous shit gets such a positive response?

'Cameraphone lynch mob': Former police chief's volunteer scheme to catch drivers who use mobiles at the wheel

The comments to this piece are absolute gold !

Do people really want a finger man on every corner? Yes, they do it seems. Of course it all sounds so sensible when it is dressed up as a road safety measure, as we have seen with tobacco control it won't stop there though. Soon we could have whole squads of volunteers, armed with digital cameras or mobile phones taking pictures of everything that was even possibly illegal and reporting it to police, or the council perhaps. Just imagine how much money could be raised if an army of concerned citizens were to photograph every parking transgression?. Makes you wonder why they haven't had this type of society before doesn't it? You know, one where every one watches everyone else and it's all quietly fed back to the gummint. The society that is so rigidly controlled that any transgression can be interpreted as a subversive act, against the welfare of the state and the good of the people.

We have have known that type of society before, and I visited it a few times.

It was known as the DDR last time around. I wonder what it will be called next time

Gadget again!

2011-11-21T11:52:00.001Z

Gadgets whining about routinely arming police with tasers ratchets up to an even shriller level as a result of this incident. I suspect that what Gadget and his acolytes really want is another way to distance themselves from the public. The taser would swiftly become a tool of compliance*, and the childish squeals for routine arming would escalate.

Which is all well and good; but if the pronouncements of the police themselves are to be believed then it's all a bit unnecessary anyway as we live in such a safe and crime free society. How many times have we heard a weaselly police spokesman stating the police 'just want us all to be safe?' We know that that is just bollocks.

Let's not forget that the police and government believe that the good old general public have no need to protect themselves and are viciously denied the tools to do so anyway.
In the rare cases where someone runs amok there seems to be little that can done, such behaviour is somewhat unpredictable after all. What is somewhat more predictable is that we will suffer from crimes that are targeted against our person or property, when these occur the police are of course unlikely to anywhere near and we have no recourse to even basic weapons such as batons or pepper spray - even in our own homes. We are on our own.

When the public has the right to own and use weapons in their own defence, I suspect that we may see a more sympathetic view to arming our police.

Until then the police will just have to accept that they will have to continue to face dangerous situations better armed, better protected and better supported that any member of the public. Joining the police is a choice. If you are finding it too difficult, too dangerous or too stressful, then change job!
It's your career choice.

* Link contains some disturbing pictures and video footage.

Another day in the Demokratik Socialist Wonderland of Great Britain

2011-11-16T10:00:00.001Z

So the BMA demand that smoking be banned in private cars and naturally the spectre of the banning of smoking in private homes gallops happily behind. Citing flawed evidence based on unlikely or fantastical scenarios seals the deal and the slack jawed masses suck it all up and agree that the the gummint and their single issue 'advisors' know best.

Commentators, bloggers, tweeters and individuals mount a counter argument based on known facts and proven scientific studies. The freedom of the individual is trashed on the alter of collective good supported by misinformation and hysterical reaction. Those who want to ban, hector, control and punish others take notes as the template is refined and defined ready for use against almost anything that they want.

Another day in a vassel state in the bankrupt empire of Europe. Another day that that state takes another small step to control of you and your life. With a smile on its face. All for your own good. Another day that I disconnect more from the pantomime of miserable control freakery, disguised as benevovent concern.

Another day nearer being designated as an 'enemy of state'.

Stuck for that different Christmas present?

2011-11-16T00:35:00.001Z

Try this!

A fly fishing western no less. Sounds crap? Well watch the trailer here.

This is real sport, you can stuff your olympics - this is worth paying out for.

Here we go again....................

2011-11-14T23:51:00.001Z

It seems that we are to be subjected to yet another round of infantile hectoring about a known non-problem.
Yes, it's passive smoking again. Another round of meaningless drivel dressed up as soundbites with the eventual aim of - well who knows where it will end - this lady has an idea and I think that she may be right.

This smoker is obviously a danger to society, (but not the drivers of course).

The move to discuss the myth of passive smoking may well be welcomed by some and it may well be a means to publicise more of the facts about tobacco use and its remarkable lack of serious health consequences.* Unfortunately it won't though. what it will do will provide a reinforcement of a raft of already promoted misconceptions and lies all backed by the ever present mantra of 'studies have shown' and 'experts agree'. This bullshit will form 'government advice' and will be passed down to all levels for immediate implementation. For the children of course. Who could possibly disagree?

What it will mean is that the smoker will eventually not be allowed to smoke anywhere, not in their own cars or homes, not in any public places, nowhere where children may be present outdoors, not where anyone else, (fellow smoker or not),may catch the faintest whiff of the evil weed. You may be allowed to smoke in your own garden if you don't have children and there are no dwellings within 100 yards, but only with a license.**

I hate smoking and want to ban it . What do you mean nobody will take me seriously?

Seriously, noone is going to tell me that I cannot smoke in my own home or in my garden or on any land that I may own. The current smoking ban goes way too far and this sort of meddling is well beyond what any government should be getting involved with, far less the unpleasant mess of unelected quango's, fake charities and professional hatemongers that seem to be drawn to this debate.

When will it end? It won't because even if smoking is completely eradicated, they will find other targets. In fact they already are. It will never end unless we stop it.

*It's not me saying that it's IARC here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9776409
** I made this up, but don't bet that it will stay a fantasy

PS expect this sort of shite to repeat itself all over the place too!

UPDATE: You just got love this! The carbon monoxide in car fumes are good for us. Wait..........isn't there CO in tobacco smoke? Fags must be good too. They've stopped taking comments on this after just 4!!!!!!!!

Reunited.

2011-11-14T01:04:00.001Z

Black Sabbath to make a new album.

An excuse to play this then..........................

The slippery slope.

2011-11-13T00:29:00.001Z

The theft of various non-ferrous and indeed ferrous metals goes on all year, it is not confined to a particular season. So why the sudden hysteria at the theft of bronze plaques from our war memorials? Probably because it is Armistice Day/Remembrance Sunday when our press, media and population are focused on the sacrifice of the armed services.

This is the editorial piece from the British Forces News, but I am pretty sure that you can find an example of such thefts from your immediate area. If they are not from war memorials then you can bet that they are from churches or other heritage buildings

Tougher rules to protect war memorials

"The Local Government Association (LGA) has called for councils to be given tough new powers to stop the "soaring" trade.

It wants a ban on cash payments so sellers can be traced, as well as the installation of CCTV with automatic number plate recognition in scrapyards."

It wasn't long ago that I put up a brief post about the outlawing of cash transactions in Louisiana here . Then as in this instance there are very credible reasons that make such a proposal sound sensible, in reality they are nothing of the sort. It is really just the start, as the rationale can be applied to almost any cash transaction. Any of which may be funding crime, but probably aren't. Once the public have accepted this rationale it can then be used as a template for future restriction and regulation, just as it has in the tobacco, alcohol, unhealthy food and lifestyle banning industry, which must be the only sector currently enjoying any growth. It would be easy to let this pass and see a few crooks get their just deserts. But I think that it would be the start of a process of criminalising undocumented cash sales - is that really what we want?

The real problem is not the thefts themselves but the type of individual that carries them out. Unfortunately, they have been the creation of an entitlement driven society that has excuses for everything and consequences for nothing. They will find a way to get around any new rules and the thefts will continue.

You will never get anyone to respect anything or anyone if they have no self respect themselves. For too long self respect has been sacrificed on the alter of self confidence and self esteem. We have a generation of crap to undo, and it won't happen quickly.

Cost of smoking anyone?

2011-11-11T00:29:00.001Z

Chris Auld writes on the whole cost of smoking versus cost of long term health paradigm.
Please visit his site and read the whole thing. The comments are good too, with interesting information
It's an interesting read.Here's a taster...................

If we do want to control these externalities, we should enact policies which encourage behaviors which reduce demand on the health care system and discourage behaviors which increase demand, all else equal. So suppose we’ve already decided that we want to subsidize healthy behaviors because we value health. If healthy behaviors wind up increasing lifecycle health care costs, we should either subsidize less than we otherwise would, or perhaps even tax, healthy behaviors. Healthy behaviors in this scenario benefit the person exhibiting the behavior but impose costs on everyone else, and this logic demands that we discourage healthy behavior relative to whatever policies we would otherwise have enacted.

Hat tip to http://offsettingbehaviour.blogspot.com/

A visit to the pub

2011-11-10T11:23:00.004Z

Earlier this week I visited a pub for lunch. having nothing better to do I decided that I would treat myself . I found the pub empty apart from an acquaintance of mine who was the only other patron inside or out. Now, I don't know this chap well but having acknowledged each other I found him waving me over after I had ordered.
I knew it was a mistake!
I was treated to a lecture in entitlement politics though, as well as an object lesson in the application of bile.

First he started off about the student protest, (which at that time hadn't happened), they were all scum who sucked the money from taxpayers blah, blah, blah.
The police should shoot them, teargas them, use water cannon on them blah, blah, blah.
They should get proper jobs blah, blah, blah.

So I said that actually many and quite possibly most students will fund their own education by means of loans, savings and part time work. In some instances parents will contribute too. In any event, the loans have to be paid back and any earned income may be subject to tax at source, so I couldn't see that the taxpayer was being squeezed too much.
As for police strong arm tactics; well, be careful what you wish for that all I can say. As for the 'proper jobs' bit, that's why they are in higher education isn't it? Despite what the Daily Mail may want you to believe all university course aren't in surfing studies or goofyology! Students are protesting at being placed deeply in debt at the start of their careers, which is to be commended.*

He changed tack and explained that he paid too much tax and it all went to undeserving scum, he deserves more. He then explained that in addition to his wages his family also get a raft of tax credits and DLA for his wife, he also lives in a council house at a quite modest rent with all repairs and upgrades completed and paid for by the council. He of course felt that he 'rich' should pay more to help people like him.

He pays no net tax as his contributions are effectively refunded by the tax credits and the DLA. His housing is secure and if he loses his job then he will receive housing benefit to cover the rent. When I said that I don't understand why he feels that the rich should pay more, surely everyone should pay the same percentage of their income in tax and national insurance, his response was that pricing should be skewed in relation to earnings.
Yes, really!
If you earn more than a certain level then the cost should be higher for things like council tax or building work. Amazingly he saw no reason that this couldn't be applied to things like a weekly shop. Say, a surcharge added at the till if you were earning over a certain wage.**

In case your wondering what this fellows job is, he has worked for many years as a clerk in a local company. An uninspiring if necessary role. My parting comment was to suggest that life style improvement has more to do with recognising opportunity and being prepared to take risks rather than settle down to a lifetime of paper shuffling and whingeing. Taking things from others is theft however you disguise it and the real improvement to personal circumstance comes from control of your own future, not the limiting of the aspirations of others

* I actually believe that all Primary, Secondary and Tertiary education should be free. Grants and loans for maintenance yes, but education is an investment in our future as a nation. Rather than leaving the selection of courses to market forces we could then offer courses that addressed shortages in particular areas, (both geographical and skills).
** Based on what he told me I have paid, in each of the last three years, more in tax and NI than his gross earnings! Even this year I would expect to pay close to it! Why does he - or anyone else - think that I should pay more?

So Downton Abbey has come to an end.

2011-11-08T00:04:00.004Z

Downton my arse - this is more like it

The magical, fairytale vision of England from the late Edwardian period has drawn the shutters and locked the doors - for a while at least. Whether there will be another series, who can say? I do rather hope so, because as a piece of historical soap opera it has been quite entertaining. Its historical accuracy has been questioned many times though, in relation to the language spoken and particularly the use of modern idiom and slang as well as the informal relationship between the family and their servants and the rather modern non-judgemental attitudes to things such as unmarried mothers.

Edward the Seventh usually smoked twenty cigarettes and twelve cigars a day.

To me though the greatest inaccuracy has been the lack of smoking by the aristocracy and their guests combined with the complete absence of any reference to fox hunting and only a passing few references to the pheasant shoot. The only characters that smoked were those from the lower order who were scheming at the time, when those same characters were doing or planning something benign then not a shred of tobacco is seen. However as soon as a gripe or groan, moaning or plotting occurs, out comes the fags. As for the gentry the absence of cigarettes and cigars, especially after dinner is a glaring omission, the upper and middle classes were, in Edwardian England, enthusiastic consumers of tobacco. This seems to form a sort of propaganda statement that only nasty people smoke or that people only smoke when being nasty.

Saturday Sax Session

2011-11-05T23:13:00.000Z

A while ago there was a flurry of internet interest in saxaphone solos/tracks. I'm coming at this a bit late but, here's a particular favourite of mine;

" Open Your Eyes (the Locarno Song) "

from "Nadirs Big Chance" Peter Hammill

Best turn up the speakers for this!

Lyrics:

I was sitting in the dance-hall,
but my mind was far away
so when the usherette walked over
I didn't know quite what to say:
I tried to look cool
but I knew that I blew it somehow.
Her fishnet tights took me quite by surprise;
I had to open my eyes.

I told her I was dancing
but she didn't seem to hear;
she asked if I wanted to learn judo,
then she threw me out on my ear
before I'd even
had time to take a bow.
I landed on the street, all dishevelled my disguise
but I really opened my eyes.

So if you're leaning over the balcony
or hanging around the floor
these are the last of the days of the Locarnos--
there really are no more.
And the usherette smiles,
but she's not telling all she knows....
But there's time in the end of us all to get wise
if we only open our eyes

Saxaphone played by Hammill's Van der Graaf Generator bandmate David Jaxon . VDGG often used the saxaphone in place of lead guitar.

Click through. Read. Despair.

2011-11-05T00:17:00.000Z

New cancer risk linked to overcooked meat

'Studies have shown'

'Experts agree'

blah, blah, blah, blah, blah............................

If you believe all this crap you deserve all you get.It wasn't that long ago it was rare meat that was bad for you, now its well done meat. Why can they not just leave it alone? We can all make our own choices and hey we will have to live with them. My choice is to eat, drink, smoke and do the things that make me feel happy or provide a feeling of contentment. So just fuck off.

Thoughts from the Fishing Lodge

2011-11-04T13:08:00.001Z

Those few days away have been like a month in a luxury resort far, far away. We were cut off from mobile phone signal and Internet so the only way to keep in contact with home was by using a public phone box,
( yes, they do still exist). Frankly, we were all better off because of it, the amount that can be achieved without the constant trivial diversions that go with the whole mobile phone/constant Internet thing are astonishing. In fact, one of the topics that kept coming up was how little we really achieve in our modern lives. Keeping things simple and only buying in to the modern methods of communication when it suits you, actually make a lot of sense. It's about taking back control and not just following a trend or fashion.

I spent the week with members of our informal smoking/drinking club. Some were there all the time, whilst others came for a few days. Now, the thing is we are all of a similar age and all of us have a history of work in separate but related fields, most have had more than one career and usually have had multiple income strands. This means that we are in a fairly comfortable position and whilst we could all do with more money we are certainly poor or anything approaching it. One of the reasons for this trip was to find ways that we could all take back our lives and not be constantly hectored, bullied and lied to by the petty acolytes of government. Not so much about going off grid, more about creating a smaller, personal grid, the way that it suits us. So we came up with a few ideas, some of these were new and some are already in action to some degree, but I'll share them - just for interests sake and to see if there are comments that can be useful.

Use cash - seems simple but many of us have forgotten the power of a cash deal. Put simply cash gives you a hugely effective bargaining tool, some businesses, especially smaller ones are open to doing a deal for cash and you can make some significant savings on big purchases and services. We've all been sucked into the credit/debit card system and we don't always think of the alternative.

Ask for payment in cash. Try it. you will be surprised how often that request will be met with an affirmative answer, particularly if you are having to give a discount anyway.

Seek out the small independent shops for any purchase. I use a small local computer shop for all my IT requirements. The service is personal and knowledgeable. Advice is good and reliable, repairs are quick and effective and the turnaround is quick. Want to make a comparison to the chains? I think tat this applies to most consumer goods.

Always buy good quality it will simply last longer, ( my current set of saucepans are 27 years old and I suspect that they will see me out). Don't be afraid to buy secondhand and clean up or repair goods if they are of good quality, if you like it and you need it then it's worth a little time.

Check out the auctions, jumble sales and boot fairs when you want something rather than going straight for new. There must be hundreds of items that can be bought for a song that have had hardly any use. It is a pain trawling through the mountains of tat at these boot fairs and suchlike so I only go with a specific in mind and stay focused, occasionally you will find something that you can sell on though so it is worth keeping your eyes open.

If you can, catch or kill some of you own meat and fish, pass round any surplus.

Grow your own vegetables and pass round any surplus.

Buy meat, fish and vegetables direct from the producers. They are fresher, taste better and will often be cheaper. Buy eggs from small poultry keepers, very different from mass produced eggs. Try new things, you'll be surprised how limited the range in the supermarket really is.

Be generous with your time and be prepared to help out, You'll get the value back many times over. For years I knew a retired accountant who did my books , the 'cost' was helping him cut his hedges once year.

Be awkward with officialdom. Demand things in writing, argue and complain - they will leave you alone pretty much.

We think that by putting these fairly simple changes into action we will see an all round benefit. We can buy more but spend less, as our money goes further we need to earn less so the monetary surplus grows which means that we can all spend that surplus on things that we enjoy. That may be an indulgent holiday, more fishing or shooting trips, copious amounts of tobacco or alcohol or stashing it under the mattress. But whatever it gives you at least it is your own and not borrowed from a bank or in the gift of government.

I have no idea what this show is......................

2011-11-04T00:06:00.000Z

.....................................................but I would like to go and see it.

Interesting - no more papers please............

2011-11-03T10:10:00.000Z

EU mulls smart biometric borders

The European Commission has adopted a Communication which sets out the main options for using new technologies, such as biometrics, to simplify life for foreigners frequently travelling to the EU and to better monitor third-country nationals crossing the borders.

Of course it will all be for our safety and convenience, nothing to worry about.

Halloween a bit of a let down this year?

2011-11-03T00:29:00.003Z

Crappy pumpkins might be the problem, so next year carve them like this guy

Oh, wait. that's not going to happen is it? This is good old GB. Still we can dream.

(Child) gun hate # 365598874

2011-11-02T00:09:00.002Z

Focusing on the story in the Daily Mail. Click on the link below and see that nothing has changed in the last year or so.

Amazingly, I could find a picture of a actually child shooting, something the Daily Mail seemingly couldn't!!

More than 30 children aged under 10 issued with shotgun licences in past three years

Over at Buckos' place, there is a pretty good rebuttal of the whole miserable argument which is being stirred up by this fellow, Labour MP Thomas Docherty, somewhat predictably he is a Scottish Labour MP.

Well who would have guessed that?

The question that I have is: where are all the shooting organisations?

We have three large national organisations in the NRA, the CPSA and the BASC plus smaller specialised organisations for discipline such as muzzle loaders, long range shooting etc. Add to that all of the local clubs and county level organisations and you have a lot of clout - potentially anyway. Lets not forget the noise that we could all make as shooters to our MP, in the local and national press.

So why the silence?

Why do we put up with this sort of unsubstantiated drivel?

I'm off.............

2011-10-22T11:20:00.006+01:00

........for a week or so. I'm going on a short break where there will be much smoking, drinking and a fair bit of fishing. The real purpose though is to come up with a plan for the next few months to get my business back on track. Waiting for the recession to end and for things to become more 'normal' achieves little and puts nothing in the bank, but I am also starting to feel that I have spent too long driving either a desk or a car, so a complete change of direction may be in order.

Maybe it is time to revisit the past and reinvent a few things.

That's about right!

2011-10-21T11:48:00.000+01:00

From an email making the rounds on the Internet:

The folks who are getting free stuff,
Don't like the folks who are paying for the free stuff.
Because the folks who are paying for the free stuff,
Can no longer afford to pay for both the free stuff and their own stuff.

And, the folks who are paying for the free stuff,
Want the free stuff to stop.
And the folks who are getting the free stuff,
Want even MORE free stuff on top of the free stuff they're getting already.

Now, the people who are forcing people to PAY for the free stuff,
Have told the people who are RECEIVING the free stuff, that the people who
Are PAYING for the free stuff, are being mean, prejudiced and racist.

So, the people who are GETTING the free stuff, have been convinced they need
To HATE the people who are PAYING for the free stuff because they are selfish.
And they are promised more free stuff if they will vote for the people who force
The people who pay for the free stuff to give them even more free stuff.

And -- when the free stuff stops we will riot, burn, steal and commit mayhem.
For the "rich" owes us! It is happening in England and coming here soon.

And that's the Straight stuff!

From here
And that's the ungrateful entitlement mentality. I'll give charitably to those who are down on their luck, but the rest of you can take a hike. The government is not authorized to take what I earn and redistribute it as they see fit.

The outlawing of cash transactions

2011-10-21T00:14:00.000+01:00

Coming to a democracy near you..........................

"Cold hard cash. It's good everywhere you go, right? You can use it to pay for anything.
But that's not the case here in Louisiana now. It's a law that was passed during this year's busy legislative session.
House bill 195 basically says those who buy and sell second hand goods cannot use cash to make those transactions, and it flew so far under the radar most businesses don't even know about it."

Read more here

Gadaffi dead.

2011-10-20T23:51:00.001+01:00

The war is over, what happens now?

Blair, Bush and loads of other shady types breath a sigh of relief.

Cameron issues statements full of drivel.

Libya descends into an islamist state that hates us

Western governments look forward to lucrative rebuilding contracts to make good the damage they have done with their 'demokratik' bombing campaign.

They start to eye up the next likely target.

We really do need a change.

Well, would you believe it?

2011-10-14T16:12:00.000+01:00

Sadly, yes. It's an example of the sort of country we've become.

Probation for station-sex siblings

Current story here

Back story and pictures here

I guess this sort of thing is a lot more common than we think but usually it is going on in secret - not at a railway station under a CCTV camera.
Mind, neither of these two look the brightest lights on the tree!
It's probably best they don't breed and certainly not with each other.

Nothing surer in life than death and taxes.

2011-10-11T00:43:00.000+01:00

'Death is going to get more expensive - by about £170. Whether you are burnt or buried when you go, the government is planning to grab an extra £170 from your estate via a new death tax. It claims the tax is needed because they want to improve the accuracy of death statistics.'

They are not even trying to hide it now, just like the last lot only the name has changed.

'................... it would mean the family of the deceased having to stump up £170 for all non-coroner related deaths before the person is allowed to be buried.'

More here

Unbelievable..............

2011-10-09T00:15:00.000+01:00

Police have asked the public to monitor social media for clues about how a war memorial was destroyed in the Gloucestershire village of Prestbury.

The Cotswold stone monument was knocked over and smashed into pieces late on Friday evening, but it is not clear exactly how it happened.

The War Memorials Trust said vandalism was a regular occurrence at monuments across the country and that it ran a grant scheme to help local communities fund repairs.

I am lost for words.............................................................................

Leave me alone!

2011-10-06T11:26:00.001+01:00

So the party conference season is over.All the main parties have waffled a lot, achieved little, madepromises that they won't keep and studiously ignored a number ofelephants wandering around the conference halls.

This posthttp://dickpuddlecote.blogspot.com/2011/10/are-you-really-going-to-tax-salmon-and.html

on the subject of taxing the wrong typeof food got me thinking. Now the various political parties, publichealth bodies and various charities are obsessed with an warpedvision of an 'obesity crisis', something must be done they cry andthe usual answer is to levy a tax; what a surprise!

A light snack for one.

The aim of taxing the wrong types offood, ( and the ever rising tax and duty on tobacco and alcohol), isto ensure that we are all kept healthy and live a long andfulfilling, productive life. For anyone that does not agree with theparty lines then the future is of ostracism, criticism and the threatof having to pay for health treatment, over and above what hasalready been taken for this purpose by general taxation, nationalinsurance and various levies and duties. This is justified by thesaying that if we do not wish to pay these taxes then we just have tochange our lifestyles- it's our choice after all. All the governmentis doing is try to help us.

Trying to help us to keep safe,healthy and happy.

Bollocks

When you die they say that your lifepasses before your eyes. So when those searing pains come in thechest and I realise that my time has come this is what I will see?

My guess is that it will be a whirlwindof images, in no particular order;

Food and wine consumed in some of thebest restaurants in Britain and Europe.

Days hunting, shooting and fishing.

Good friends and fantastic companions.

Funny, stimulating and thoughtprovoking conversation.

Rock concerts, opera recitals, theatre,music.

Steam train excursions.

Barge trips, river cruising and sailing.

Travel. In Germany, France, Italy, andSpain

Coming home after a days shooting to ahot bath and a Gin and Tonic.

Steak, bacon, sausages, lamb, pork,offal, venison , rabbit, pheasant etc., cooked every way imaginable.

Youthful energetic sex, adult relaxedsex, middle aged chubby sex.

Women – all of them, I've never lostthe eye for a pretty girl.

Family, seeing children grow and becometheir own person, not mindless drones.

Books – old and new. Nothing betterthan a book with a drink and a cigar.

All of the above and more enjoyed withcopious amounts of alcohol, plenty of fine food and accompanied withcigarettes and cigars, depending on the situation. So, bearing thatin mind, maybe just maybe before I enter that long black tunnel I'llhave a few seconds to think; Yeah, that was good! I enjoyed that.

Or I could follow the government/healthNazi guidelines and live longer, (possibly), then I might end my daysin a non-smoking hell hole, sorry I mean care home, sitting in puddleof my own piss, having my arse wiped by a Chinaman and looking backon a lifetime of worry, misery and a diet of donkey food andshrubbery.

What sounds preferable?

Great Video - Watch it and pass it on

2011-10-04T00:25:00.000+01:00

Archery.

2011-10-01T00:21:00.000+01:00

This picture has been around on the web for a while now.

Always from the back though.
Ever wondered what she might look like from the front?

Scroll down................

There you go. She does look like she knows what she is doing too.

James Higham..............

2011-09-22T11:39:00.000+01:00

has this post up at the Orphans of Liberty. I think that James basically nails the situation, especially when he says this;

'It is so bleedin obvious what the State is about, both in the U.S. and in the UK [where it has a head start]. It wants to':

1. Disarm all citizens;
2. Control anything held in a home.

But do go and read the whole thing and the comments.

One thing that is mentioned in the article is this;

"I don't personally have any weapon of any kind in my home, nor can I manufacture one, nor have I any intention of being anything but a good boy........"

Yes you can, James. Anyone with basic metal working skills, (think 'O' level here), and access to a shed and a vice and a few basic tools can manufacture their own firearm. It really is simple. Purely for historical interest I direct you to this site:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/3895312/home-made-9mm-machinegun

Making your own firearm is of course illegal and quite possibly dangerous to the user as well. But it isn't difficult. Perhaps we understand now why the teaching of practical metalwork in secondary schools has given way to 'airy-fairy' design based subjects, and practicals that revolve around making basic electrical circuits, with a switch!!!!, and cutting shapes out of cardboard with blunt scissors.

A neat summation of the history of firearms law in the UK is here.

Go for it boys!

2011-09-22T01:33:00.005+01:00

Because rough times are coming.

I've spent the last few days trawling for work, that's OK as I have picked up a bit. But only small stuff. the thing that struck me was that for all the calls and visits I didn't meet one person in any sector who had any real confidence in the next twelve months. It's not exactly all doom and gloom, but it is not sunshine and kittens either. Most clients report a fall in business measured by turnover and a consequent reduction in profits. Fair enough, we're in a recession and that's to be expected, what is concerning is the minority that report a rise in turnover with a drop in profit. With interest rates low and inflation too, my guess is that they are selling stock cheap to get money in to pay bills. Sometimes you have to do that. This is a trend that has been going on for a while though and it is unsustainable. Sooner or later companies and their owners will have to shed jobs, re-size operations and re-evaluate their business structure and methods.

Now, a massive change in the structure and nature of our SME's may well be beneficial in the long term and may even be overdue, but it is not a pleasant process. Jobs and homes will be lost, families broken up - might be a pretty miserable time. Add into the mix an ever increasing tax and regulatory burden both at a corporate and personal level, surging personal debt levels, upwardly creeping food prices, rapidly rising fuel ( all types) costs, a cold winter and a series of strikes by 'public servants', and you get a recipe for disaster, or maybe change.

We'll see, in the meantime it may well pay to batten down the hatches, stock up on food and fuel then sit back and watch it all play out. Could be interesting.

I hope that...........

2011-09-15T00:18:00.002+01:00

that's an airgun!

Essex Gun Crime - not much actually...........

2011-09-13T14:22:00.003+01:00

Essex police are in 'scare tactic' mode after releasing the most recent figures concerning firearm offences in the county.

You'll get five years for that, bitch

The head of Essex Police, Chief Constable Jim Barker-McCardle, revealed the latest figures which show incidents up by a third.

OK, that sound like a lot, but how many were there Jim?

Between April and June this year there were 48 crimes involving guns, more than in any three-month period in recent history and up from 32 during the same period last year.

Oh, not that many then! And I suspect that quite a few over the top reactions to minor incidents involving low powered guns that are not really firearms.

33 of these involved air or ball bearing guns.

Why am I not surprised?

There were ten handgun incidents and five involving a shotgun.

The population of Essex is a little over 1.6 million. So that is one crime involving a genuine firearm for every100,000 plus people in the county! Two thirds of these crimes were carried out with already illegal handguns and of the remaining five involving shotguns, Essex Police seem to be keeping quiet as to whether these were legally held weapons or not.

The lack of any real substance to these figures has not stopped the rent seekers from various 'chariddee's getting involved and chiming in with a few weaselly soundbites aimed at getting some cash out of you:

Gun crime in Essex has risen by an alarming rate and tougher sentences are needed, according to a victims’ charity group.
Ann Oakes-Odger MBE, who set up knifecrimes.org and victims' advocates after her son Westley was stabbed to death at a cashpoint in Greenstead, Colchester, in 2005 has spoken out.
She said: “That is alarming. We must ensure robust sentences for being found with a gun are imposed."

Yes, but I don't know if you can be objective about this Ann. It seems that you have an agenda and people with agendas are not really the people we want framing or amending our laws. There are plenty of robust sentences available for the imposition on offenders after conviction and it seems to me that murder or any other form of assault are already adequate covered here. What you seem to want is harsh sentencing for the possession of an item- even if not used to harm anyone. Yet crimes are the result of personal decisions and actions not possessions

Summer is over

2011-09-08T12:11:00.001+01:00

It feels like it anyway, real feel of autumn in the air.
Lets go through the summer activity list and see whats happened!

Gardens

Vegetable: Poor cropping and a series of late failure or previously strong plants. The only things that have done really well have been the Strawberries, Sunflowers and the Jerusalem Artichokes. Stunning failures from Parsnips, Beetroot, Sweetcorn and salad crops. More work needed for next year!

Ornamental: OK displays from the perennials and shrubs but more green than flowers this year.

Shooting

Forget it! A couple of days at clays early on but then confounded by the weather. I'm by no means a 'fairweather shooter', but I draw the line at misery for its own sake.

Fishing

Sea: Poor from beach and pier but better from boat. Some reasonable bags from spring boat fishing but several blank days from the pier. Overall a poor year, the days of having to take a pram with you to carry home the catch seem a long time ago! Winter Cod and Whiting may be better.

Coarse: Some excellent days at lakes, consistent fishing and a good range of size and species. River fishing has been poor, again several blank days. High hopes for a four day trip in October.

Game: Didn't bother. First time I haven't cast a summer fly for years.

Holidays

This year I just didn't get around to it. Talked lots and did very little, so the holiday just didn't happen.

I'm sure that the weather has had a lot to do with it, the fact that summer just didn't get going seems to have left me waiting for things to improve, which of course it hasn't. In past years I've posted up periodic picture to show what the weather is like here on the sunshine coast, I didn't bother this year as there are not enough pictures of miserable overcast days to go round.

Roll on winter

Change

2011-09-07T14:42:00.000+01:00

It had to happen.
Work has fallen off a cliff. There has been a marked slowdown of referrals from companies that are launching new products in the last year or so, but I had been lucky, only seeing a 10-15% drop in commissions since 2008. Since April I have had no new work offered and existing customers are not planning new product launches for the next 12 months at least.

I am not too bothered, I can use some of the accrued profits to boost other earnings and if I do that to maintain the average income of the last couple of years I continue for a year or so without breaking step. It is tempting to do this and trust the the recession will end. I don't think that it will though. Things are going to get tougher than this and we we all have to change our spending patterns and the way that we earn a living.

I am also aware that my more elderly relatives need a bit of help and on a more regular basis than in the past too. That will reduce my available time so I need to make a few plans.

Whereas some may feel worried or concerned about making these changes and adapting to them, I don't. I feel more excited and energised than I have been for years.

Winter draws on

2011-09-01T12:17:00.001+01:00

It's the season of mellow fruitfulness and as happens every year fruit is ripening all at the same time, often in bumper quantities. Apples in particular are in abundance this year with the crop arriving several weeks early. So what to do with all that surplus?

Well, being the owner of a small fruit press means that I'll make a bit of cider, but if you don't own a press or have a load of apple trees dripping with fruit, you can still take advantage of this years glut of apples. Many of the orchards and PYO places make their own juice and at a pretty cheap price too. Go and get yourself a few litres of apple juice and follow these simple instructions.

What you will need:*

5 litre plastic bottle - sterilised. With an airlock bung

4.5 litres of pure apple juice (betterjuice = better cider)

Packet of wine or cider yeast

Dextrose

Step 1

Pour half of the juice into the bottle.

Step 2

Add some of the dextrose along withsome more juice and shake well. Repeat this a few times, beingcareful not to add too much dextrose at once, until all the dextroseis in the bottle. Try and leave some juice left over.

Step 3

Pour the packet of yeast into thebottle, using what juice you have left to wash it down in case any ofthe yeast sticks to the bottle. You may need to wait a few minutesbefore adding the last of the juice as it will probably have foamedup from all the shaking and pouring. Put the stopper on the end ofthe bottle.

Step 4

Thecider should become cloudy in a couple of days and remain so for afew weeks. Around the fourth week it should become clear, meaningyour cider is ready - though you can keep it for another month or so.

Step 5

It’s a relatively crude recipe, sothink scrumpy more than Magners, but the trick is to reservejudgement until your third glass - it grows on you.

*You can get all kinds of beer and wine making stuff from boot fairs and junk shops for a few quid.

Clacton porker miffed at 'attack' in park.

2011-09-01T00:37:00.000+01:00

A very cross porker (complete with ring in the nose), this morning

And now for the gory details..................................read it and weep.

So, a couple of points about this non-story.
Firstly, the pig seems to have reacted to an uncontrolled dog approaching it. Then to an uncontrolled child joining in. The owner of the pig, who is in control of the animal, is pissed off by this and tries to shoo them away. For some reason a fat girl who was not in control of the situation at all thinks that the pig should be put down as a dangerous animal.

I 've a suggestion Kathryn, keep your dog under control and don't allow it to run off after other peoples pets. While you're about it keep your brother under control too and teach him not to approach animals that he doesn't know.

Then you won't be such a whining fat nuisance will you?

Mother killed by fumes in tent

2011-08-17T11:26:00.000+01:00

A woman has died after her family was overcome by fumes in a tent

'One theory police are investigating is that she was overcome by carbon monoxide fumes from a barbecue in the entrance to the tent, which had been brought close for warmth.'

Too stupid for words really.

This is about the third case that I have noticed in the last three months or so. In addition to the above story there was this one:

Stove fumes could have killed camper

And the one that started it all:

Woman 'killed by barbecue fumes' in tent in Norfolk

After the first instance of 'death by stupidity', you would think the message would have got through. But no, still some think that they can defy the laws of nature and fill a tent with poisonous gases with impunity.

Why?
It is an act of monumental idiocy, up there with letting a baby play with an electrical appliance in the bath, because it will go badly and somebody will be hurt or die as a result.

So why do people do it?

Despair

2011-08-17T00:15:00.000+01:00

This article in the Daily Mail shows what a shit bin we have truly become. Not so much the 15 year old slapper who gets knocked up or the 17 year old unemployed boyfriend who obviously has committed a crime in order to knock her up. it is the mother who has made my piss boil. Take a look at these excepts as a taster.

By age 12, Soya Keaveney had already posed in lacy underwear and was on a strict diet so she could become a model.
So it should not come as a surprise that by the age of 15 the youngster is pregnant - and her mother is delighted.

'And her unemployed mother, Janis, 48, is delighted at the prospect that the new addition will mean a larger council home for the family including her other children Coco, Ritzy, Tarot and Jake.
She hopes that the council will upgrade them from a three-bedroom house to a five-bedroom home'.

Sorry, words (almost) fail me. Your daughter is pregnant after having underage sex in your house and you want a bigger one to house them? Paid for by the taxpayers I note. And your children's are Soya,Coco, Ritzy, Tarot? really, you thinks that's clever or edgy or something?

'On social website Facebook, Soya and Jake, who have been in a relationship for 18 months, say they are 'married'.

I'm guessing that the underage sex wasn't a one-off then!

Janis, who allows Jake to stay over in the family home............................
She said: 'I'm sure she'll make a wonderful mum and will teach her children discipline like I have.'

That's just beyond parody, what can you say? There is no real point carrying on with this article it just gets worse. This family are the exemplar of what is wrong in the country. Until you root out the lazy, feckless bastards who think that someone elses' money is there to provide a life for them, things will stay as they are.
If we can't deal with the problem of the benefit dependent underclass then a few days rioting will be a walk in the park compared for the toilet we're turning into.

Something for the weekend.....................

2011-08-13T01:38:00.002+01:00

Click through - you know you want to.

Sikhs protect their temple

2011-08-11T18:12:00.000+01:00

Good for you!
Wait a minute......................
Axes, swords, clubs and various bladed weapons secreted about your person. All being displayed in a threatening manner in a public place. If you had been white you'd be in the slammer by now!

The Riot (Damages) Act 1886

2011-08-11T12:04:00.002+01:00

Summary here

It seems that if the police fail in their duty to control a riot they are considered responsible for any damage or loss and have to pay for it. This is on the basis that they are paid and equipped to do a job and if they fail to discharge their duties adequately, then they liable for the costs and damages caused by that failure.

Full details here

The Association of Police Authorities are not happy and want the act repealed
Lets not forget that the way that the police are funded means that we will actually be paying for it as the costs of any claims met under the act will ultimately fall on council tax payers in those respective areas.

On a lighter note

2011-08-11T00:20:00.001+01:00

The better weather of the last few days has brought out the girls along the sunshine coast.

Note: this a representative picture

Babylon burning

2011-08-10T16:41:00.001+01:00

A few random thoughts on the events of the last few days.

1. There is no doubt that the riots have been caused by poverty. The poverty of ambition, of expectation and responsibility.

2. The police were fundamentally ineffective in this situation - or they made sure that they were. Just see the squealing for more armed units, routine arming, water cannon, baton rounds and tear gas. What's that all about? Getting ready for the Olympic wank fest is my guess.

3. Look how social media has 'aided' the rioting - softened up for some more restriction and monitoring yet?
Don't bet that it isn't coming.

4. All those morons who constantly call for Britons to rise up and for politicians to be hung from lampposts etc. This is what it would be like but worse. Does it still seem like a good idea?

The answers;

Make the police locally accountable.
Give citizens the right to protect lives and property either individually or in groups.
Derail the gravy train and make sure that people understand from their first days in school that the only things worth having are the one you earn. Don't teach that you are entitled just because you exist. Teach that accepting charity is an unfortunate necessity not a lifestyle choice. That debt is shameful burden not badge of honour.

It doesn't matter if you are black, white or any other shade in between. The sky pixie that you worship is irrelevant to everyone else, we don't care.You have no right to take things or destroy other property or businesses. Your not special. So get over that and get on with your life, everyone will be a lot better off.

Gadget again!!!!!

2011-08-05T13:54:00.000+01:00

Don't have nightmares tattooed thugs on patrol - incidentally that gun needs a clean!

Gadget is using this incident as a clarion call for the routine arming of all police officers.
Some may agree that the time is right. However if the UK is so dangerous that we need to routinely arm the police, who are usually reactive, it surely follows that we should allow the routine possession of firearms so that the public can protect themselves. We are after all the usual victims of crime, are we not?

Take a look at the comments from some of those purporting to be police officers on Gadgets' blog, here's an example;

Maniac Cop

One day I’ll get a first.

Back on topic – I’ve never wanted to carry a gun but I’m now persuaded that in the various metropolitan areas of this fucked up country, at least, we need to be routinely armed.

Problem is if I had a gun these days I’d shoot Scameron first, then the rest of parliament, then a bunch of journos and finally assorted ACPO bods before turning my attention to the sceptre.

Yeah, just read that again. You really want this arsehole to routinely armed? The police have become the career choice for the playground bully, those with 'short man syndrome', the terminally thick and the genitally challenged.

Inspector Gadget

2011-08-04T16:30:00.000+01:00

I can't say that I am a big fan of Inspector Gadget. The warped sense of self importance that goes with the modern policing is perhaps a given, rather it is the the continual grandstanding of the police as the only barrier between order and chaos that is particularly galling. Couple that with the moronic cabal of weasels that make up the usual commentators, and it makes a blog that will only ever attract the mouth breathing police drones that it was only ever meant to appeal to.

Now and again though something rises to the surface of the vat of statist shit that is Inspector Gadget that truly deserves to be read by the widest possible audience. Please go there and read this post :

http://inspectorgadget.wordpress.com/2011/07/30/dawn-will-break-eventually/

Evidence indeed of the disgusting state of society today. The trouble is that the likes of Gadget and his acolytes will never except that they are the reason that this sort of thing goes on. They will never accept the failure of society begins when the people lose control of it and pass their responsibility to others. Whether they pass their responsibilities to the Police, social services or any other agency the response will always be an ineffectual one size fits all approach, which we know doesn't work.

We need to take back control of our society. A start would be an elected local police chief that would have to get the results that were demanded by those who elected them, not ACPO number crunchers.

Atmospheric Science, Climate Change and Carbon – Some Facts

2011-08-04T09:43:00.000+01:00

Carbon dioxide is emitted by human activities as well as a host of natural processes. The satellite record, in concert with instrumental observations, is now long enough to have collected a population of climate perturbations, wherein the Earth-atmosphere system was disturbed from equilibrium. Introduced naturally, those perturbations reveal that net global emission of CO2 (combined from all sources, human and natural) is controlled by properties of the general circulation – properties internal to the climate system that regulate emission from natural sources. The strong dependence on internal properties indicates that emission of CO2 from natural sources, which accounts for 96 per cent of its overall emission, plays a major role in observed changes of CO2. Independent of human emission, this contribution to atmospheric carbon dioxide is only marginally predictable and not controllable.

PROFESSOR MURRY SALBY, Chair of Climate, Macquarie University, Australia

Full article here

Violence, violence. It's the only thing that'll make you see sense

2011-08-03T16:53:00.001+01:00

I've just been reading a post over at Captain Rantys' place in which he bemoans the state of Britain. I am just amazed that the post is so short! It is easy to see why many who read these sorts of stories end up talking loudly of piano wire from lampposts and other colourful descriptions of what they would like to do to the politicians who have brought about this disgusting mess that we are in.
Captain Ranty has always said that he was not in support of violence but couldn't see any way to avoid it in the long term. My view has been the same, mainly because as much as I do not wish to hurt anyone I also have no great desire to get hurt myself; remember too, that those who are the greater victims are usually those who are weaker. Add to that the unfortunate fact that I am now too old to fight and too fat to run, and you can see my rationale that the (unarmed) population basically has to take what the government chuck out.

But surely we reaching a tipping point! The shit simply cannot go on!

Sunglasses on, baby.

2011-08-03T11:42:00.001+01:00

So we are sitting around the 'smoking shed' talking and enjoying a few bottles of Costiere de Nimes, ( half price at Tesco), the conversation gets to what might the best summertime song of all time. After a lot of discussion we decided that this was the best summer song ever.

This is some background on the song from http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=2820

This is about looking back on a past relationship and wanting your ex back - wanting to return to what you had. The first verse depicts how the writer is left behind. His ex has moved on but he hasn't and still hangs onto hope: "But babe, I'm gonna get you back, I'm gonna show you what I'm made of / those days are gone forever I should just let them go but..." At first he is hanging onto hope but then he realizes that he must let go. The "Boys Of Summer" could refer to the boys who his ex is now seeing, and how they are just summer flings, while he is in it for the long haul.

Don Henley told the NME that he really did see a Deadhead sticker on a Cadillac. Said the Eagles frontman: "I was driving down the San Diego freeway and got passed by a $21,000 Cadillac Seville, the status symbol of the Right-wing upper-middle-class American bourgeoisie – all the guys with the blue blazers with the crests and the grey pants – and there was this Grateful Dead 'Deadhead' bumper sticker on it!"

The opening lyrics ("Nobody on the roads, nobody on the beach") refer to the California coast as summer turns into fall. It becomes a much quieter place when the weather gets cold.

The title comes from a baseball book by Roger Kahn called Boys Of Summer. The book is about The Brooklyn Dodgers, who broke the hearts of their fans when they moved to Los Angeles.

A version of the song by The Eagles

Some say that the song  could be interpreted as a reference to Henley's days with the Eagles.Who knows? I think that it is a great summer song, but like with all great songs it means different things to different people.

Anarchists everywhere

2011-08-02T00:16:00.000+01:00

Ranty , Clockie and many others have posted on the subject of the police call to businesses and individuals to report anyone that they believe is an anarchist. Read the Garuduian story here:

Since having any anti-state or anti-government views could be classed as anarchic, and I have a great many of these, I guess that I will be one of those who could be potentially accused of being an anarchist.

So I may as well declare as such and proudly fly the flag on the blog.
My particular anarchist flag is this one;

The Anarcho-Capitalist flag

Visit here for some interesting perspective on the stateless society.

Can you see it - SHOCK! HORROR!

2011-07-21T12:52:00.000+01:00

Look on the left.

She's smoking a cigarette!!!!!!

Can you say that you have never been tempted?

2011-07-21T10:36:00.001+01:00

Click on the picture to enlarge and seeif you can spot baby-chavs' microscopic injury

OK, let's look at this a minute.

Peculiarly hyphenated christian name followed by unhyphenated double barrelled surname.

Low cost budget supermarket.

Tiniest little graze.

Hysterical overreaction from unmarried mother.

Might this be a case of a hyper active uncontrolled brat, crazed on energy drinks, crisps and sweets running into the trolley rather than a deliberate assault by an old women. Maybe, but any trip to a supermarket and especially one of the budget chains means running the gauntlet of these types. I've got an idea, why not leave your revolting spawn at home when you shop. That way it will be a much more pleasant experience all round!

They won't get hurt or annoy people and you won't fill the local paper with your whining drivel.

Will it never stop??

2011-07-21T01:00:00.002+01:00

Essex Police roll out mobile fingerprint devices

Show us your papers, or we'll fucking taze you.

Assistant chief constable Sue Harrison said a process that currently could take hours by arresting and detaining someone would now take minutes.

But you need to have a reason to arrest someone, this means that your identity can be checked without arresting you, which of course will save time. The problem is that if you carry no 'proof of identity' then this could be used without arrest, which would need a suspicion of some sort of criminal offense being committed. Who would bet against the situation arising where those who carry no proof of who they are and are not in the fingerprint database will then be arrested in order to verify their identity!

It said that trial had seen an average saving of half an hour per case and helped with identification of victims at crime scenes.

Again, this will only work if you are in the system. If you have not been previously arrested then you won't show up anyway.

They are spinning it as positively as possible, but it's not particularly effective unless the majority of the population are on the database. To think that the government was trumpeting the end of the database state and dumping the ID card/identity registration scheme not so long ago. This kind of thing just brings it back onto the agenda by another route - all in the name of saving time and money. Just wait a while and see the calls for fingerprints on driving licenses and count the willing idiots who actually ask for it.

In 2006 Steve Watson asked:
"Does a free society consist of police checkpoints, curfews, on the spot fines, civilian spies, wall to wall surveillance cameras and the ability to stop and search anyone with no due cause?"

I think Essex police would say yes .

Oh Deer!!

2011-07-18T11:51:00.000+01:00

More Gun Hate

2011-07-15T12:25:00.001+01:00

Why were murdered men at traveller site?

Some of you may remember this story from back in the spring. Well, at the time of writing this it seems that the police are nowhere further forward with the investigation, with a few suspects on bail and not much else happening. I'm not surprised.
A few days ago though this story hit the local papers.

Teenager campaigns against guns in memory of friend.
Click through and read the article.
Hailey James has started a campaign against guns and a has a website to support it. She also intends to make a film about guns and wants to show it around the local schools.

We should be encouraging sensible shooting rather than anti -gun campaigns .

Now if this isn't an example of blatant bandwagon jumping I don't know what is! The site can be viewed here:
http://saynotoguns.weebly.com/what-i-want-to-get-from-this-site.html

What you will find is a collection of vacuous soundbites, cobbled together incoherently. No effective argument is made and no facts or statistics are supplied. That is to say nothing of the appalling spelling and grammar which would shame a six year old. An example is............

I am trying to raise awareness about the affect of carrying a gun and even taking a life with one and how it affects people around victims .

I think you mean effect

I am hoping that if this website only stops one person carrying a gun that at least it may have saved a life.

Ah yes the old 'if it saves one life it's worth it' line.

It is not only the life of the victim but the life of the person who would be carrying the gun.

What??

Now it is far too easy to get guns and with all the TV shows, music videos and games young children think it’s cool to carry a gun or others do it because they are scared.

Guns are not easy to get hold of, not legally anyway. As far as criminal acquisition goes any campaign like this is irrelevant and pointless.

GUNS ARE NOT THE WAY FORWARD!!!!!!

SAVE LIFES SAY NO TO GUNS!

The plural if life is lives isn't it?

Am I being cynical to suspect that Ms James motivations are more driven by;

a A desire to get a bit of publicity, (and make some money).
b To feel like a 'good' person,(and make some money) .
c Get some sort of grant for her campaign and start troughing.

Woman 'killed by barbecue fumes' in tent in Norfolk

2011-07-07T00:53:00.002+01:00

**UPDATE**
It seems that the barbecue was one of those 'bucket' types and it was brought into the tent so that it would not be stolen!! Darwinism at its best I think.

Original story is here

It seems that the couple brought the lit barbecue into their tent.

Hell, yeah! Bring it inside.

Why?
Suicide pact?
Stupidity?
Didn't want to get it wet?
Thought it was a bit chilly, so brought in for the warmth?
Who knows? It is however a mind-bendingly stupid thing to do and not something that you expect a couple of thirty somethings to do, so I'm guessing that they is going to be some sort of twist to this one.

Det Insp Marie James, of the Norfolk and Suffolk MIT, said: "........ I would like to take this opportunity to warn other campers about the risks of having charcoal barbecues within an enclosed space".

Yes Marie dear, anyone with an IQ above cretin can work that out, but it does put the dangers of second hand smoke in perspective doesn't it!
One thing to watch out for will be the raft of new regulations regarding the sale of barbecues and fuel, and perhaps some training for purchasers of a new barbecue.

You heard it here first.

"Dominate. Intimidate. Control."

2011-07-06T09:23:00.000+01:00

I found this gem at the Sipsey Street Irregulars.

It concerns the activities of the American TSA and other agencies, do go and read the whole thing as it give an insight into the minds of our masters. Expect similar in the EUSSR soon. Here's an extract to whet your appetite;

'It's an ingenious plan: the incremental ratcheting-up of intrusive searches (VIPR searches are not yet widespread), combined with the gradual rollout of VIPR teams permits the normalization of TSA activities while inciting minimal resistance, thereby muting dissent and enabling the ultimate implementation of totalitarian-style authoritarianism.'

Of course, much of Europe has been here before in one guise or another!

Does anyone fall for these scams?

2011-07-04T11:23:00.001+01:00

Received in my inbox this morning!

Well, does anyone fall for it? Is anybody on the planet really so stupid as to think that

they will be paid $1.8 million simply for using an ATM?

Shanghai Future Tower
300 Songlin Road Pudong
Shanghai,200122.China.
Union Pay/ATM Compensation Payment Notification
 
Attention Dear Beneficiary,
 
This is to inform you that the China Union Pay settlement Committee and the ATM 
International Inc. wishes to congratulate you on the successful emergence in our 
ongoing fund remittance promo of all ATM card users around the globe. This 
scheme was initiated by the C.U.P and the ATM Inc. to compensate ATM card users 
and also to help the world in the sustainable 2011 poverty alleviation scheme. 
In regards to this, we wish to inform you that your ATM compensation funds 
valued at (US$1.800.000.00) One million and eight hundred thousand United States 
dollars has been authorized to be released to you through our corresponding 
financial institution in China.
 
China Union Pay is a leading operator approved by China's Welfare Lottery Center 
to develop and operate real-time electronic paperless lottery services in China 
and around the globe,in accordance with the rules and regulations set by China's 
Welfare Lottery Center as a result of a joint development effort by the China 
Union Pay and the ATM inc to all ATM card users worldwide.You are hereby 
requested to contact the office of our remittance agent Mr. Frank Reese via 
email and telephone with details giving below with your personnal details for 
immediate procession of won fund.
Shanghai Future Tower
300 Songlin Road Pudong
Shanghai,200122.China.
Email: chinaunionpayoffice@yahoo.cn
Contact Person: Mr. sam jacky
Required information:
1. Full Name
 
2. Phone and Fax Number
 
3. Address Were You Want Them to Send the ATM Card to (P.O Box Not Acceptable)
4. Your Age and Current Occupation
 
5. Country:
 
Note that because of impostors, we hereby issued you our code of conduct, which 
is (ATM-3714) so you have to indicate this code when contacting the card center 
by using it as your subject. Now contact our ATM center Manager for more 
details.We Wait For Your Expedite Response.
 
Yours in Service,
Mr. wu song.

Home defence

2011-07-03T13:36:00.000+01:00

I must admit to quite liking Ken Clarke. I certainly don't agree with a lot of what he says, but I still like the man. So when I read that he was, on behalf of the government, defending the householders right to attack and injure or kill intruders on their property, I was quite heartened. Then I thought about it a bit.

This is what Ken Clarke said, my comments are in blue and the parts in bold are my emphasis:

'If an old lady finds she has got an 18-year-old burgling her house and she picks up a kitchen knife and sticks it in him, she has not committed a criminal offence and we will make that clear,’
Hmmmmmmmmmm. That's an unlikely scenario and I wonder if the same would be said if the burglar was a slight teenage girl and the householder a strapping great bloke. I don't believe that the response would be any less appropriate, but would the law still think it 'reasonable force'? It also seems to rely on the fact the householder picks up something to hand, we'll come to that later
‘There is no doubt that you or I or anybody else is entitled to use reasonable force to defend ourselves and to protect ourselves or our homes or both.
But what is reasonable force. More importantly, can you make a deliberate preparation for such an event?
‘We will make it quite clear you can hit the burglar with the poker if he is in the house and you have a perfect defence if you do so.’
What about keeping a machete or baseball bat by the bed and using that? Or would that constitute 'malice aferethought'? What about on the property?What if it is a shed or an outbuilding, or does this only apply to houses?
Mr Clarke accepted that the defence of reasonable force already exists, but said: ‘Given that doubts are expressed, we are going to clarify that.
Then please do!
‘It is quite obvious that people are entitled to use whatever force is necessary to protect themselves and their homes. What they are not entitled to do is go running down the road chasing them or shooting them in the back when they are running away or to get their friends together and go and beat them up.
OK, but you still need to define that 'whatever force is necessary' bit. Do I decide or the burglar, perhaps the police or the courts or, more probably, no will be prepared to actually clearly state what a householder can do in defence of his/her/their property or person(s).
‘Nobody should prosecute and nobody should ever convict anybody who takes these steps.’
I won't hold my breath on that though, the police will still go through the usual pantomime and if the alleged burglar/victim is a non white one then there is the whole tiresome race angle to be explored too.

A householder demonstrates his response to a multiple person home invasion.

It is quite ludicrous that in a country where the law abiding are not allowed to have, on their own premises, weapons of self defence, that piss and wind like this is pumped out by government ministers in a cynical attempt to allay fears the the criminal classes have an advantage over us. To the criminal there is no downside to carrying a weapon or using it, but to an ordinary citizen there is a huge price to pay for simply being in possession of a can of CS gas, an expandable baton or, heaven forfend, a handgun. The criminal is already tooled up and prepared to be violent - why shouldn't we?
Perhaps if anyone considering a burglary or street robbery thought the they may well end up hurt and arrested or dead and buried they would think twice before attempting that crime. Of course, the bleeding hearts will claim the criminals are victims of circumstance in a cruel capitalist society and are driven by need not greed, but if we put a few of them in the ground I'll bet that the crime rates drop.
I doubt that we will ever get to test that theory though!

A suspected burglar has been stabbed to death...............................

2011-06-23T14:11:00.001+01:00

Good. he has got his just reward, hopefully the householder will get an award.
But what's this?

householder arrested on suspicion of murder after an attempted break-in at his house

Let's see what Cameron says about that then.

Update: Check out the comments to the story above - absolute gold!

Essex coast re-branded - shock!

2011-06-23T00:25:00.000+01:00

There is to be a major tourist drive to promote the Essex coast as a holiday destination. As a part of this the coastal regions are to be 're-branded' as the Discovery Coast.
You can see a local news report here and the official council blurb is here

Clacton beach this morning.

Ok, so my first thought as resident of the area was that all concerned are trying to polish the proverbial turd. Then I thought maybe there was something in it after all, because the Essex coastline has a lot to offer. Any visitor will need to look beyond the rubbish strewn, potholed roads, the decaying shacks of Jaywick or the chavtastic entertainments of Clacton, but scratch the surface and the Essex coastal regions are one of the most interesting of all England's counties.*
For example, take a browse around the sites below and you can get get a feel of the countys' history;

http://www.essexhistory.co.uk/index.html
http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/
http://www.essex.ac.uk/history/esah/

Whether the tourist office will be able to make a good enough case to visit the county in the face of TV programmes such as 'The Only Way Is Essex ', I don't know. I do feel that the image that is portrayed on these programmes becomes embedded in peoples minds and it has to be said that it can be reinforced by a day trip to one of the more extrovert resorts on the coast. But there is a lot more to the county in general and the coast, it remains to be seen if people can be convinced to visit it.

A visitor to Mersea finds fascinating wildlife to discover - her next find was a jellyfish!

* All counties can claim historical and cultural heritage, just not quite as much as Essex, or so deeply obscured.

I noticed this in the print version of the local paper:

2011-06-16T00:36:00.002+01:00

The online version has less detail

Read that?

Now , I am a little surprised that Mr Reis was until recently a member of the Metropolitan Polices' firearm squad, given that he was being medicated for a mental health condition, but perhaps that is the sort of person that the police want to be waving guns at the public.

For a bit of fun why not get in contact with your local firearms licencing department and ask them, on principle, whether they have any objection to your having a shotgun or firearm certificate, making them aware that:
You have a conviction for drink/driving.
You are an alcoholic.
You have a mental health condition.
You are on prescription medication for that condition.

I suspect that you might just be declined!

Never mind though, you can always apply to the Met!
Can we really take our police seriously?

I would quite like one of these

2011-06-15T16:46:00.000+01:00

Info from here

Seasick Steve.

2011-06-15T01:11:00.000+01:00

Nothing to say really

More wheels come off the climate change bandwagon.

2011-06-14T00:35:00.000+01:00

From here
Emphasis are mine.

In short, anthropogenic CO2 emissions are not, nor will not be a climate issue. If Earth could deal with the Siberian Traps and the Deccan Traps emitting tens of billions of tons of CO2 for thousands and millions of years as well as other mantle plume events in addition to the continuous rate of venting at plate boundaries, then the 30 billions tons of annually emitted anthropogenic CO2 is not nor will not be a problem for Earth to deal with, even if anthropogenic emissions are more than doubled.

By far, the largest contributing factors for Earths climate and temperature variations are influenced by Solar Output, and Water Vapor that is 78% to 82% of the temperature influence. The bottom line is that higher levels of atmospheric CO2 are more favorable for life to flourish. Keep in mind that most GW/CC presentations deliberately omit the big picture of the CO2 cycle (cherry picking the information), and there is a deliberate reason that children and teens are selected to promote GW/CC.

Do go and read the whole piece.

I like the French.............

2011-06-13T12:46:00.002+01:00

because so often they just get on with things.*

The Critérium du Dauphiné, a cycling race in France that's a warm-up for the Tour de France, was interrupted yesterday by cows.

Had this been the UK, we would have had the whole race cancelled, all schools within 10 miles put on lockdown, local residents told to stay indoors and any motorway within the county closed. Then, a group of specialist stormtroopers would be brought in to spend a few hours taking ineffective potshots at the unfortunate animals, only for the whole sorry mess to be quietly forgotten, ignored by the media.

* Yes, I am aware of, and have experienced, the soul destroying bureaucracy of the state.

I wonder how they phrased this in the job discription?

2011-06-09T14:29:00.000+01:00

Stick that in your pipe...

2011-06-08T23:49:00.001+01:00

I've been reading with interest Frank Davis' article about pipe smoking.
I have occasionally smoked a pipe since my early twenties, although in those days it was decidedly 'uncool'. My pipe smoking was usually carried on while fishing. If I hooked a fish, it was easy to just put the pipe down and pick up and relight as required. The same was true of shooting, when a flock of pigeons came into range just spit out the pipe and blast away. For everyday smoking it was cigarettes though, the favoured brand being Piccadilly No 3. The reason is obvious, as many have pointed out, the convenience of cigarettes cannot be beaten. As time has gone by I do find that I'm drawn back to the pipe, simply because I have more time to smoke one. A few years ago I purchased a churchwarden pipe as pictured below

This type of pipe gives a cool smoke and seems most suitable for lazy smoking by the river or in the garden. Trouble is it is never going to be practical for driving or for walking around town.
It seems that it will be a while before I move away from cigarettes altogether, (and I'm not sure that I want to).

Essex Police plumb new depths of stupidity. Again!!!!!

2011-06-07T01:09:00.001+01:00

Some particularly tragic events have unfolded in Braintree. Two people are dead, one of them a child.
Read the whole thing here
But could it all have been averted?
Maybe, these quotes from the linked article.

Friends and family of the couple claimed that Miss Chambers had repeatedly complained to police about Mr Oakes’s behaviour during their turbulent six-year relationship. She had handed police 100 threatening text messages from Mr Oakes as recently as last Thursday, it was alleged.

Essex Police admitted that Miss Chambers had complained to them numerous times about Mr Oakes over the past two years and that the force had been in repeated contact with the family.

Mr Oakes’s father, Peter, 79, said he had been worried his son might “do something silly” because he was so upset about not being able to see his daughter. Mr Oakes added: “David came round here three weeks ago and he was crying his eyes out. I told him not to do anything stupid. I was worried he would.
“He has a tendency to be violent and has been in trouble before.”

Donna Garrod, 20, a friend of Miss Chambers, said the dead woman had been the victim of numerous beatings from Mr Oakes during their “on-off” relationship.

“They had rowed and he warned Chrissy that he was ready to hurt their daughter.”

Outside the home yesterday, residents berated officers guarding the property. One man was led away after shouting at police: “You let this happen, you let this happen.”

Let us not forget that this object lesson in chaos and cock-up has been orchestrated by Essex Police, who as we can see here are quick to confiscate the legal weapons of victims of crime.

We don't know at this stage whether the shotgun used was a legally held weapon, but I doubt that whether it was or wasn't will stop a series a shrill calls from the usual suspects to impose more stringent gun laws .

*An overview of Braintree can be found here

Anyone got Olympic tickets yet?

2011-05-28T00:27:00.001+01:00

I've applied for the beach vollyball.........................

Just watch this!

2011-05-06T01:10:00.000+01:00