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!
Labour’s Instinct Is To Control Our Lives
In an article discussing the identity of the psychotic moron, who beheaded the unfortunate James Foley, there is this insert.
Yvette Cooper, Labour’s shadow home secretary, said those returning from fighting in the Middle East should be forced to take part in compulsory de-radicalisation programmes, even if they cannot be charged with a criminal offence.
It may be a popular policy, but where does it end? Will those who leave Oxford, who have joined the Bullingdon Club, be re-educated. And what about Malky Mackay and Iain Moody?
Let’s face it, one of the reasons we’re in this dangerous mess is because of Tony Blair’s continuous licking of Dubya’s arse.
I cdertainly wouldn’t trust the Labour Party, with anything. I doubt they could organise a piss-up in a brewery!
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!
A Good Score Draw For The Overground’s Ticket Machines
I wrote here about how I bought my ticket to Reading using the machine at Dalston Junction, rather than on the Internet.
Yesterday at about 17:00, I bought my ticket for Ipswich, that I used today.
And I paid the same price, as I would have done on the Internet.
But I didn’t have to go through the rigmarole of entering an 8-character code to get my tickets.
So I think the machine got a good score draw today.
Match Four – Ipswich 0 – Norwich 1
This match was a tale of two goalkeepers. Our one made a mistake that led to the goal and Norwich’s keeper was sound throughout.
It could be worse though – We might all be Fulham supporters.
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.
Crossrail As A Tourist Attraction
Today, I took the Docklands Light Railway to Custom House station to see progress and then came back to see the works at Canary Wharf station.
In one of the pictures of Custom House station, you can just see the portals for the Conaught Tunnel. This was a particularly challenging rebuild of an old Victorian tunnel, which was one of the subjects covered in the BBC documentary; Fifteen Billion Pound Railway.
One thing I was trying to see, was one of the trees they are planting in the gardens on top of the station, that are mentioned in this article in the Wharf.
There seemed to be others looking around and now that you can walk from Poplar DLR station over the bridge at Bank Street, there are better opportunities for looking at the sites.
Adam’s Place
Appropriately, this is one of the first places created and opened by Crossrail.
I didn’t realise it was open until today.
But it will be a superb place to meet, if you’ve come to Canary Wharf on Crossrail.
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.
Are These The Perfect Gluten-Free Dunking Biscuit?
Marks and Spencer have recently launched some gluten-free ginger snaps.
I don’t think I’ve found a better dunking biscuit.
I wonder if they’d pass C’s test of breaking them into pieces on her left elbow, with her right hand?
On the other hand, she wouldn’t approve of the picture on the right!
The Anonymous Widower 