These Beheaders Aren’t Jihadists, They’re The Cast Of A Clockwork Orange
This is the title of an article by Dominic Lawson in the Sunday Times today.
This is a typical thought.
the Financial Times writer Gautam Malkani last week observed of the diatribe of Foley’s killer: “As recruitment material, video footage of beheadings seem tailor-made to lure the most unhinged of maniacs to the fray. And yet by labelling them ‘terrorists’ or ‘militants’ instead of ‘lunatics’ or ‘nutters’ we unduly dignify them. We also play to the vanity of many young militant Islamists.
Sometimes, I think we’re watching a Muslim version of A Life of Brain. Except it’s not as funny. Perhaps someone should make a version, as there is no more powerful weapon against fanatics, psychopaths and dictators, than humour. I wonder how, this famous line from Monty Python’s classic would translate.
He’s not the Messiah. He’s a very naughty boy! Now, piss off!
The trouble is, no-one would dare make the film!
Al Gore Invests In OVO Energy
This article in the Telegraph talks about OVO Energy and how Al Gore’s interests have taken a stake in the company in particular. Here’s the first bit.
OVO Energy has raised £8m in growth capital from former US vice president Al Gore as it prepares to ramp up its battle against the incumbent energy giants.
It’s all a very interesting article.
I’ve been with them for since December 2013 and I can’t say that I’m in the least bit unhappy. There have only been minor web site problems and if I want to change suppliers again, I now have a single sheet of A4 paper with all my details on it.
The only problem with the change was nPower, who took nearly nine months to pay me, what was still in my account. I would never use them again!
Nothing Changes On Smoking
I found this article on the BBC web site, about black market cigarettes. Here’s the first two paragraphs.
Attempts to cut the amount people smoke are being hit by a black market trade in millions of illegal cigarettes, council bosses have warned.
The Local Government Association (LGA) said such products posed a fire risk, hurt legitimate businesses and cost the UK about £3bn a year in unpaid duty.
I am a passionate anti-smoker as I believe that smoking was a major cause in the death of my youngest son.
As to black market cigarettes, I once had a meeting about fifteen years ago, with a task group in a UK Police Force, that was wondering if some of my software could help them find a pattern in illegal drug and black market cigarette sales. I was told by the officer in charge of the investigation, that cigarettes were then more profitable for smugglers, as there was no real penalty for being caught. But what worried me, was that I was told, the dealers targeted children in run-down areas, so that they would have the customers in the future.
Smoking, despite the fact, that I’ve never been stupid enough to indulge, has caused me a lot of pain.
A New Take On Dumbbells
I bought these dumbbells in John Lewis, as my fitness trainer, said I needed some heavier ones.
A New Take On Dumbbells
There was only one problem and that was bringing two 4 kilo dummbells home in two flimsy plastic carriers.
A Design Crime – Why I Didn’t Buy Another Pair Of DAKs Trousers
For the last twenty-five years, I’ve had a pair of DAKs cord trousers for when I need to be smart. Last year, I bought a replacement pair and they were fine.
The original pair were still comfortable and warm and I wore them on my holiday in Iceland. I unfortunately ripped them on something, so there was only one place for them – the bin!
So I thought I’d buy another pair and went to their shop.
But what a disappointment!
They’ve been designered and now there are three buttons to do the trousers up. With my gammy hand that is a no-no! Or imagine getting taken short and wanting to disrobe quickly.
It’s almost as bad as the dreaded button-fly!
I went elsewhere!
Flowers Maketh The City
Wandering round Birmingham yesterday, I was pleased to see the city was more colourful.
There’s no doubt in my mind, that flowers can improve the city.
Birmingham at the present time, also has a floral trail linked to the anniversary of the Great War.
Birmingham Has Now Got Liths
I was pleased to see that Birmingham has now got maps on liths all over the city centre.
It certainly makes finding your way easier and I used a totally different and more interesting route to get to Carluccio’s from Moor Street station.
Now they need decent street and route maps on every bus stop in the city.
How Chemistry Overcame Politics
I sometimes describe myself as an engineer/scientist, despite the fact that I made most of my money by programming computers.
So this morning, this article entitled Thatcher and Hodgkin: How chemistry overcame politics, on the BBC’s web site caught my eye. Here’s the introduction.
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Dorothy Hodgkin’s Nobel Prize, a play – The Chemistry Between Them – has been written, looking at her friendship with Margaret Thatcher. Its creator Adam Ganz describes their ongoing mutual respect.
Whether you love or hate Margaret Thatcher, you must read the article about the relationship between two of the most influential British women of the twentieth century. There is this significant paragraph.
It’s a peculiar fact that the UK’s Margaret Thatcher and Germany’s Angela Merkel both studied science at university, yet no male leader of either country has had a science degree.
Is the lack of scientific knowledge amongst world leaders the reason, why the world is in such a mess?
I shall be listening to the play on Radio 4.
As regards the play, I can’t think of a serious play or film, with the exception of The Killing of Sister George and Whatever Happened To Baby Jane?, that has two female leads and no significant male parts.
What Do They Mean By An Organic Pharmacy?
I passed this shop in Hampstead today.
The Organic Pharmacy
But what do they mean by an organic pharmacy?
Does it mean that all products sold, have come from an organic agricultural or horticultural route?
Or does it mean that it only sells organic compounds? This is Wikipedia’s first paragraph.
An organic compound is any member of a large class of gaseous, liquid, or solid chemical compounds whose molecules contain carbon. For historical reasons discussed below, a few types of carbon-containing compounds such as carbides, carbonates, simple oxides of carbon (such as CO and CO2), and cyanides are considered inorganic.[1] The distinction between organic and inorganic carbon compounds, while “useful in organizing the vast subject of chemistry… is somewhat arbitrary.
So surely as some important things you buy in a pharmacy like soap are inorganic compounds, if it’s the second definition, you have a problem about what you can buy there. You could certainly buy Vaseline there, as it’s petroleum jelly and petrol is a hydrocarbon, which makes it organic.
I think I’ll march to Boots!
An Interesting Take On Air Miles
I bought two of these little boxes in Waitrose, so I can use them for the second chop, burger, fish or steak, that I have to buy when creating a delicious and nutritious meal for one. My freezer is half full with all this unused food.
The interesting thing is that they were made in New Zealand, so if I put them in the fridge upside down, they might save space as well.
I think it’s the first time, I’ve ever bought anything that was manufactured as opposed to grown in New Zealand.
Was it air-freighted from New Zealand with the lid closed?
If it was, it gives a whole new meaning to the subject of Air Miles!
And also when I opened it for the first time, did it release a whole container full of fresh Antipodean air into my house?
The latter might apply even if it came by sea!
A comedian could generate a whole routine around this simple container.
The Anonymous Widower 