Jim Swire’s Web Site
I’ve just found this site, which has been setup by Dr. Jim Swire and Peter Biddulph.
The material on the site forms the basis of the one man show Lockerbie:Unfinished Business, which I saw at The Gilded Balloon.
An important witness in the trial of Megrahi was Thomas Hayes. Read his Wikipedia entry. I know this can be suspect, but his involvement in other cases; Maguire Seven and Judith Ward, is a matter of public record.
My question about Hayes is why did he not give truthful evidence to the Court? Scientists are brought up to know that in research evrything must be true and able to be shown to be true. Somehow some seem to develop a theory and then prove it to be true. I prefer the different approach of we have a problem and let’s solve it.
Was Andy Murray Victimised Over Lockerbie?
I’ve just watched Andy Murray crash out of the tennis in Cincinnati. It was to be expected as it was his seventh successive start in the heat of the day. He did ask for a later start, but this was refused. Here’s what the BBC said.
The Scot was treated court-side for the heat in the second set, which Fish took with ease as Murray’s strength waned.
Murray showed immense reserve to force the final set to a tie-break but Fish proved just too strong for the Scot.
The players took to the court at 12pm local time (1700 BST) in temperatures reaching 33 degrees in the shade, after Murray’s request for a later start on Friday was rejected by tournament officials.
I wonder why they rejected his request?
Could it be that Murray was a Scot and the Americans wanted to vent their fury over the release of Al Megrahi on someone Scottish?
What’s the odds that he gets a terrible draw in the US Open?
Some Muslims Risking Their Lives During Ramadan
I couldn’t believe the headline of this article on the BBC’s web site.
Apparently, Barts and the Royal London Hospital has found that some patients are missing appointments and delaying treatments during the month of Ramadan at great risk to their health.
I’m not sure that any religion would put religious observance above health, but I’m certain if I had any religion, I would defy such a statute.
In fact the article does go on to say that local imans are urging patients to continue with their treatment, so progress is being made. Knowing the hospitals well, I’m saure they are trying as hard as is humanely possible to improve the situation.
Also in these times of austerity, surely we have a moral duty to our fellow citizens not to load extra costs on the NHS. And I would think we also have a moral duty to our friends and relatives to do the best for our health, as they are the ones, who could really suffer in the long term if we stop treatment.
It should be said that “No-shows” are a big cost to the NHS and that is why my hospital, Addenbrookes, has installed an SMS-based system to ensure attendance. Perhaps, those who are persistent non-attenders should go to the back of the queue.
Have Intel Bought a Pup?
I notice that the chip-maker Intel has just bought the anti-virus software company McAfee.
Now I have nothing against Intel and have used PCs powered by their chips for a long time. In fact except for the odd one powered by an AMD processor, I suspect it’s almost an exclusive relationship. I used to have the same relationship with McAfee, partly because I was an indirect investor in the company through a venture capital firm, but mainly because I knew I could trust their products. But recently they have tried and in some cases forced me to buy and/or install software that I have no need for, such as Site Advisor. So when my subscription to McAfee ran out, I searched for other software that was free to install and use. I now use ClamWin and I’m very happy with it.
There is other software too, that can do the same or a better job at a lower price than McAfee.
I hope Intel took note of these facts, when they worked out what they should pay for McAfee!
Should We Still Call It The Battle of Britain?
Today is the 70th anniversary of the start of The Battle of Britain in 1940, which perhaps is one of the great battles in history.
But are we right to name it such?
I remember a French documentary on the battle in probably 1965, that was considered controversial. It wasn’t in any great sense, but it criticised us for calling it The Battle of Britain. As they felt, it was effectively Europe’s last stand against the Nazis and if we had lost the battle then the war might well have been over, then the battle should be called The Battle of Europe.
I thinik the French were right!
The Selfish Who Ruin Our Wildlife
With the conviction of Jeffrey Lendrum yesterday, we locked up a dangerous enemy of peregrine falcons. If you think so what, look at this post, where I saw these wonderful birds on the cathedral in Brussels.
But the real criminals weren’t in the dock. These are the middle men and the sheikhs in the Middle East, who feel they need to have our wild falcons for their sport. But it is not all gloom, as breeding programs are starting in places like Qatar.
I am not against falconry by any means, as I have enjoyed demonstrations at country shows and have met men, who use birds of prey to frighten pigeons away from airfields, to increase air safety. Controlling a bird like that is a great skill and it is to be admired.
As a stud owner, you also have to take into account the part that birds of prey play in the control of rats, mice and rabbits. We have a couple of pairs of harriers on the stud and they are fascinating to watch. Sometimes, if you drive the lorry along the narrow lane, you’ll have one flying alongside, waiting for the vibrations to disturb a mouse in the verge. It is a magnificent sight and long may it be admired.
I did not see it, but one of the most amazing stories I heard of, concerned a golden eagle, that had been trained by a falconer. He had been given it, after it had I think been stolen as a chick or something like that. In any case, he had definitely acquired it legally and at the time, he was the only person licenced to fly a golden eagle. Everybody who saw the bird, said they had never seen anything so spectacular.
So the bird after a bad start in life was giving pleasure to many.
You have to add to the selfish in the Middle East, who prey on our falcons, those adherents to Chinese medicine, who feel that rhino horn is a must. It is! But only on the rhino!
I’ve seen rhino in the semi-wild in South Africa, and they are truly wonderful.
But even those in game-parks are now being poached for their horns.
That is disgraceful, as rhino should be here for our grandchildren and their grandchildren. The only solution is to convince the Chinese that some of their traditional medicine is just not acceptable to the rest of the world.
Here Come the Nimbys
They are going to announce the compensation scheme for the High-Speed Line to the North (HS2) today, so what does the BBC do? They get a stupid Nimby on the BBC Breakfast counch. Looking at her, she looks like a typical Home Counties woman, who thinks much more for herself, than the general population. I was uncertain about HS2, until I read an article in Modern Railways, which convinced me that the planned route, via the Chilterns was correct.
There are a lot of unpopular developments we need like nuclear power stations and freight distribution depots. Done properly and sympathetically, they can be to everybody’s benefit.
We must not let the Nimbys win!
Real Tennis as a Recovery Index
I played my first competitive game of real tennis since the last stroke yesterday. I didn’t do too well, but I think I was getting better as the hour progressed.
As real tennis has a computerised handicap system, it will be interesting if my handicap gets better or worse over the coming months.
SO if you’re recovering from a stroke or any other illness for that matter and you can play tennis, why not consider learning real tennis. It can be played at a gentle level if you wish, but as it depends very much on your thinking, as your physical prowess, you will at least know, if you are improving.
The Anonymous Widower 