Complexity is Fraud
PJ O’Rourke is another favourite author of mine. He said the title of this post and it is a nice simple quote on Radio 5, this afternoon, whilst discussing his new book, Don’t Vote: It Just Encourages the Bastards
You could argue that the quote is the corollary of Occam’s Razor, which states that the simplest explanation is most likely the correct one.
He also said this about the American healthcare system, “When I go in for my tennis elbow, I’m paying for someone else’s gunshot wound.”
An Incident at the County Court
This was a letter to one of C’s colleagues, who was defending a fan with a serious illness, who had a nose bleed and spread it alkl over the County Court in Ipswich
Letter to a Barrister
The barrister in question is now a judge and does not seem to have suffered any ill effects from the incident.
A Grand Muck Heap Competition
This was organuised in about 1981 or so to raise funds for the Easton Harriers.
Grand Muck Heap Competition
Feel free to copy this idea, but give any money to a suitable charity. My preference would be one supportring research into pancreatic cancer.
I Remember Jarlath Regan
I use one of Tadey Regan’s phrases, “The Struggle Continues” all over the place as a catchphrase and e-mail signature for example, as it sums up my life so well. For Tadey, it summed up his life in trying to be a success in that most difficult of professions, as a racehorse trainer. C and I had horses with him for several years and although we never had a winner, we had a great time.
But for Tadey, there was little justice in his chosen profession, as he continually struggled.
Jarlath is the youngest of Tadey and his lovely wife, Moira’s four children. I remember them telling C and myself about how after a big meeting at the Curragh, the kids would climb the fence and collect all the discarded Tote tickets. They’d then bring them home and look for any winning ones that had been unintentionally discarded. Needless to say, sometimes they struck lucky.
So perhaps Tadey and Moira have got one of their biggest rewards, as Jarlath Regan appears to be making a success of being a comedian according to this article.
Perhaps, this from a review might sum up Jarlath. It certainly fits my memories and C would approve if she were still here.
But then, you can see how the thought might never have entered his head, as Regan is a very laid-back chap, insisting that he’s never been in a fight and will avoid confrontation at every turn. He can’t even bring himself to shout at his dad when he phones up every single day with the same question about working the TV remote control.
Mrs. Mills in the Sunday Times
I always find this column in the Style section of The Sunday Times worth reading.
She has a superb question and answer today under the title “Heated Debate”.
I have heard that the government has extended its “cash for clunkers” scrappage scheme to include old boilers. I would like to trade mine in for a newer, decorative and more energy-efficient model. How do I apply? If the one I select proves to be high-maintenance, is there a returns policy?
JHT, Leeds
There is a big question mark next to the merits of this scheme now. Newer models not only have installation costs, but also typically burn out irreparably after five years or so, and have to be replaced. Old boilers tend to be much more reliable. They might be a little on the large size and likely to make strange noises, but as long as the gas leaks are not too serious, I know which I’d rather rely on to see me through the cold nights.
Busway Humour – 2
There’s nothing like putting the boot into a project that has its troubles. So it is no surprise that the Cambridge Busway is the butt of humour in the Cambridge Evening News.
Dinosaur bones have been discovered on the guided busway – and tourist chiefs hope it could lead to the scheme becoming a major tourism attraction.
It’s not as funny as their previous attempt.
Is this Real or a Spoof?
An old friend sent me this link.
I have read it and think it’s about using pieces of the Berlin Wall in a homeopathic remedy. But I can’t be sure, as the English is obtuse and needs to be read several times. I have better things to do with my time.
So is it real or a spoof written by someone a lot cleverer than me?
The Ban on Islam4UK
Organisations such as Islam4UK and all the other so-called Muslim organisations, that don’t like the way things are done in the Western World bother me. But then so do right-wing so-called Christian groups and also those fake religions and cults beloved of celebrities with too much money and not enough common sense.
Most preach fiery hate to unbelievers like me and say we will rot in hell. That by the way is impossible, as hell doesn’t exist, unless you are stuck on the M25 (put your favourite in here) at the time of a small bump, that the Police decide is worthy of an enormous investigation.
When these groups commit crimes such as murder, assault, kidnapping and extortion, then hopefully they will feel the full force of the law.
So why do they bother me?
Usually the charlatans at the top are clever individuals, who know how to stay out of trouble, by playing the law to the limit. There are a lot of extreme political organisations, which are just as dangerous and use exactly the same techniques.
But their followers are often not so bright and in some cases can easily be encouraged to do things that are very much against the law. These are the ones that do the damage and those that led them on have all the excuses ready.
So Prudence has decided for popular reasons to add Islam4UK to the list of banned organisations.
I’d rather have them out in the open, than as a secretive underground organisation.
I thought this might be a lone view, but read Martin Bentham in the Evening Standard tonight. Here’s the article.
Today’s ban on Islam4UK and its offshoots is certain to be widely welcomed but its impact is likely to be limited.
The reality is that Anjem Choudary, a lawyer proficient at staying in the bounds of legality, will continue to propagate his extremist message and, if anything, attract even greater attention because of the increased notoriety.
The previous ban on The Saved Sect and Al Ghurabaa was unable to prevent him and his followers reorganising under a different guise, and the same will almost certainly happen this time.
There is also the wider question of whether such an order is proper in a democracy. If extremists’ views, however abhorrent, do not breach laws such as those against incitement to murder and racial hatred, instead of seeking to stifle them it might be better to ignore them — rather than generating yet more publicity.
There is also one very powerful weapon that we should use against all of these people – humour.
Remember in the Second World War nothing was off-limits when combatting the Nazis. Just read this little piece about Spike Jones in 1942. We need him now!
All of these groups give splendid opportunities for satire, ridicule and just plain fun.
A Man with a Bookcase
Sometimes things just happen that make you smile ever so much. One such thing happened last night as I made my way home from Oxford on a Victoria Line train to Blackhorse Road, where I had parked my car.
A guy entered carrying a bookcase and as the train was a bit crowded comments were made. These started to get funnier and funnier and for the five stops he was on the train, there was a lot of jokes and laughter. The journey moved very quickly.
Here’s a photograph of the guy sitting on his bookcase.
Man with a Bookcase
Before he left, I talked to the guy and found he was a photographer called Mario Guarino from Naples in Italy.
This episode made me think of the Roman Polanski short film, Two Men and a Wardrobe. It was made in 1962 and I think I probably saw it at school. I hope it is still worth watching!
Is Gordon Brown Buying Votes?
I received two of these e-mails yesterday.
OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER
TREASURY AND MINISTER FOR CIVIL SERVICE, LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM.Our ref: ATM/13470/IDR
Your ref:…Date: 26/11/2009IMMEDIATE PAYMENT NOTIFICATION
I am The Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP,Prime Minister British Government. This letter is to officially inform you that (ATM Card Number 048000101775550) has been accredited with your favor. Your Personal Identification Number is 477.The VISA Card Value is £2,000,000.00(Two Million, Great British Pounds Sterling).
This office will send to you an Visa/ATM CARD that you will use to withdraw your funds in any ATM MACHINE CENTER or Visa card outlet in the world with a maximum of £5000 GBP daily.Further more,You will be required to re-confirm the following information to enable;The Rt Hon David Miliband MP Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Office. begin in processing of your VISA CARD.
(1)Full names: (2)Address: (3)Country: (4)Nationality: (5)Phone #: (6)Age:
(7)Occupation: (8) Post CodesForward Reply To: hondavidmiliband@8.am
TAKE NOTICE: That you are warned to stop further communications with any other person(s) or office(s) different from the staff of the State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to avoid hitches in receiving your payment.
Regards,
The Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP
Prime Minister
He must be getting desperate if he is resorting to these methdos to get votes. Even Prudence isn’t that desperate and I suspect if you fall for this scam you get everything you deserve!
The Anonymous Widower 