Great Britain today. Whatever went wrong?
A 13-YEAR-OLD schoolboy had two community support officers cowering in a locked room as they called for back-up.
The officers were confronted by the youngster after being called to a referral centre in Plymouth at 2pm yesterday.
On their arrival the boy became threatening and abusive, prompting them to call for back-up and lock themselves in a room.
Four uniformed police officers then came to their rescue, arresting the youth and taking him into custody.
Must have been a terribly dangerous and violent confrontation for two adults to cower like that surely?
According to a police spokesman the boy was freed 45 minutes later into the care of one of his parents and no further action will be taken.
Apparently he "became aggressive" and "violence was displayed" and yet the police aren't pressing any charges? Kind of contradicts the bit about the boy becoming only threatening and abusive, doesn't it?
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Blogger Crackdown?
HotAir has the details-
Imagined villains included hackers, bloggers and even reporters. In one scenario, after mock electronic attacks overwhelmed computers at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, an unspecified "major news network" airing reports about the attackers refused to reveal its sources to the government. Other simulated reporters were duped into spreading "believable but misleading" information that confused the public and financial markets, according to the government's documents.
The bloggers crime during the exercise was pretty bizarre-
Bloggers revealed locations of railcars with hazardous materials.
Are they implying that bloggers can't be trusted and therefore need to be controlled? Interesting that in planning their response to a major terrorist attack the DHS is highlighting their concerns about bloggers and the press. We've already seen how the government treats the Second Amendment during an emergency (Katrina) so what are the odds that there's a contingency plan being developed, or already in place, to curtail the First?
The exercise was a big deal for all concerned.
The $3 million, invitation-only war game simulated what the U.S. describes as plausible attacks over five days in February 2006 against the technology industry, transportation lines and energy utilities by anti-globalization hackers.Imagined villains included hackers, bloggers and even reporters. In one scenario, after mock electronic attacks overwhelmed computers at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, an unspecified "major news network" airing reports about the attackers refused to reveal its sources to the government. Other simulated reporters were duped into spreading "believable but misleading" information that confused the public and financial markets, according to the government's documents.
The bloggers crime during the exercise was pretty bizarre-
Bloggers revealed locations of railcars with hazardous materials.
Are they implying that bloggers can't be trusted and therefore need to be controlled? Interesting that in planning their response to a major terrorist attack the DHS is highlighting their concerns about bloggers and the press. We've already seen how the government treats the Second Amendment during an emergency (Katrina) so what are the odds that there's a contingency plan being developed, or already in place, to curtail the First?
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Dust Test
Not exactly breaking news but I just know that six months from now I'll be looking for these figures on the net and my Google-Fu will let me down. The handy graphic comes from Murdoc's Gun Pundit website- where he'll be posting his SHOT Show reports. So keep checking back there!
Amazes me that the US Army- which once spoke of a total spectrum domination doctrine- continues to field an outdated weapon, particularly one which could be updated with nothing more than an upper change. The AR certainly has its place but it does not belong in the field where soldier's lives depend on it in its current configuration.
Does anyone expect the Air Force to go to war with planes that are decades out of date?
Amazes me that the US Army- which once spoke of a total spectrum domination doctrine- continues to field an outdated weapon, particularly one which could be updated with nothing more than an upper change. The AR certainly has its place but it does not belong in the field where soldier's lives depend on it in its current configuration.
Does anyone expect the Air Force to go to war with planes that are decades out of date?
Flight Of Fantasy
A while ago I posted an image of Wonder Woman by new-to-me artist Alexander Tso. Well, he's surpassed himself with this drawing of Batgirl- and I think we may be looking at someone who will become a major player in the comic art field.
Big hat tip to the wonderful Comic Art Fans website.
Big hat tip to the wonderful Comic Art Fans website.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Change Kennedy
Barack Obama's running on a "Change" platform- you can see it plastered all over his website and there's even an opportunity to put it on a T-shirt.
On Saturday night, Barack Obama reminded us that his campaign is about ‘change’. He used the word a dozen times in his speech following his overwhelming victory in the South Carolina primary. Obama promises more than incremental change, more than just a change in the leader or the party in power. ‘We’re looking to fundamentally change the status quo in Washington’, he declared.
How hollow does that ring when you know he's being endorsed by Teddy Kennedy?
It amazes me that Democrat voters are buying into the scam that he's going to change anything- but then I see Republicans voting for John McCain and, well, it seems people will believe just about anything they're told by politicians hustling for votes.
On Saturday night, Barack Obama reminded us that his campaign is about ‘change’. He used the word a dozen times in his speech following his overwhelming victory in the South Carolina primary. Obama promises more than incremental change, more than just a change in the leader or the party in power. ‘We’re looking to fundamentally change the status quo in Washington’, he declared.
How hollow does that ring when you know he's being endorsed by Teddy Kennedy?
It amazes me that Democrat voters are buying into the scam that he's going to change anything- but then I see Republicans voting for John McCain and, well, it seems people will believe just about anything they're told by politicians hustling for votes.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Meeting The Enemy
The BBC embeds with terrorists yet again.
On a bright and sunny afternoon in Khan Yunis, in the eastern Gaza Strip, Abu Haroun places a Kalashnikov rifle into the hands of his nephew.
The gun is twice as tall as the little child.
"Remember, as I may not be coming back, learn to use this against the enemy one day," he says, giving the boy a farewell cuddle.
Nothing like indoctrinating little kids with hatred, eh? The article does teach us some things though- for example, that the terrorists are not uneducated-
Not far away, in a small room with peeling walls and pictures of past so-called martyrs, is a 23-year-old called Mohamed.
He is excited because, after three years with the group, this is to be his very first rocket-firing mission.
A university-trained computer expert, he is peering at a screen, looking at Google Earth maps on the internet.
He is searching for the best target for their short-range rockets.
We learn too that religion just might have something to do with it-
After prayers on the balcony, Abu Haroun's father, 57, goes outside and picks some dates from his tree and offers them to the militants.
"I am proud of you, my son," he says. "Sometimes, it is necessary to kill."
The Religion of Peace, isn't it?
The militants set out in a battered white jeep, its windows plastered with small photos of fighters who have been killed.
In a back street little boys stop playing football to gaze admiringly at their heroes.
I guess these kids are an example of the Palestinian people we're told about unceasingly who just want peace. And whose heroes happen to be murderers.
The article goes on to demonstrate just how well moderate Fatah is developing now that they're being courted by the world's politicians and feted with millions of dollars in aid, arms and military training from George "you're with us or with the terrorists" Bush. Because they're so moderate.
Abu Haroun's rocket-firing militant group is from Fatah, the previously dominant movement which lost control of the Gaza Strip to its rivals Hamas last June.
Hamas, it is said, has better maintained rockets thanks to the multitude of secret tunnels that its men control which run under the Gaza Strip's border with Egypt.
Abu Haroun is disappointed. He says only a few Israelis have died as a result of the rockets fired by all the different militant group. According to Israel there have been 13 fatalities in the last six years.
And these are the people the Bush adminisration is dealing with- and supporting- against the US's long-term ally Israel.
Makes you wonder just how many terrorist outrages Fatah have to commit to be designated a terrorist organisation- how many more innocent people have to die in Israel before the War on Terror president takes action?
On a bright and sunny afternoon in Khan Yunis, in the eastern Gaza Strip, Abu Haroun places a Kalashnikov rifle into the hands of his nephew.
The gun is twice as tall as the little child.
"Remember, as I may not be coming back, learn to use this against the enemy one day," he says, giving the boy a farewell cuddle.
Nothing like indoctrinating little kids with hatred, eh? The article does teach us some things though- for example, that the terrorists are not uneducated-
Not far away, in a small room with peeling walls and pictures of past so-called martyrs, is a 23-year-old called Mohamed.
He is excited because, after three years with the group, this is to be his very first rocket-firing mission.
A university-trained computer expert, he is peering at a screen, looking at Google Earth maps on the internet.
He is searching for the best target for their short-range rockets.
We learn too that religion just might have something to do with it-
After prayers on the balcony, Abu Haroun's father, 57, goes outside and picks some dates from his tree and offers them to the militants.
"I am proud of you, my son," he says. "Sometimes, it is necessary to kill."
The Religion of Peace, isn't it?
The militants set out in a battered white jeep, its windows plastered with small photos of fighters who have been killed.
In a back street little boys stop playing football to gaze admiringly at their heroes.
I guess these kids are an example of the Palestinian people we're told about unceasingly who just want peace. And whose heroes happen to be murderers.
The article goes on to demonstrate just how well moderate Fatah is developing now that they're being courted by the world's politicians and feted with millions of dollars in aid, arms and military training from George "you're with us or with the terrorists" Bush. Because they're so moderate.
Abu Haroun's rocket-firing militant group is from Fatah, the previously dominant movement which lost control of the Gaza Strip to its rivals Hamas last June.
Hamas, it is said, has better maintained rockets thanks to the multitude of secret tunnels that its men control which run under the Gaza Strip's border with Egypt.
Abu Haroun is disappointed. He says only a few Israelis have died as a result of the rockets fired by all the different militant group. According to Israel there have been 13 fatalities in the last six years.
And these are the people the Bush adminisration is dealing with- and supporting- against the US's long-term ally Israel.
Makes you wonder just how many terrorist outrages Fatah have to commit to be designated a terrorist organisation- how many more innocent people have to die in Israel before the War on Terror president takes action?
Hypocrisy
Whenever Israel takes action to defend itself and its citizens from terrorism there's usually an international outcry. I'm not holding my breath to hear the same about this-
Egypt has started choking off supplies to its border zone with Gaza in an attempt to discourage Palestinians from pouring into the area, reports say.
Reports say Egyptian lorries are being prevented from entering the Sinai peninsula, as well as being stopped at checkpoints outside the town of Rafah, which straddles the perforated border.
Meanwhile, Israeli tankers carrying fuel intended for Gaza's one power station are reported to have arrived at the Karni crossing point, and are waiting to cross.
So there we have it- a neighbouring Arab/Muslim country cutting off supplies to the poor, beleagured Palestinians while Israel sends fuel tankers to aid them. Want to bet that no other nation in the Middle East condemns Egypt's actions?
Egypt has started choking off supplies to its border zone with Gaza in an attempt to discourage Palestinians from pouring into the area, reports say.
Reports say Egyptian lorries are being prevented from entering the Sinai peninsula, as well as being stopped at checkpoints outside the town of Rafah, which straddles the perforated border.
Meanwhile, Israeli tankers carrying fuel intended for Gaza's one power station are reported to have arrived at the Karni crossing point, and are waiting to cross.
So there we have it- a neighbouring Arab/Muslim country cutting off supplies to the poor, beleagured Palestinians while Israel sends fuel tankers to aid them. Want to bet that no other nation in the Middle East condemns Egypt's actions?
Killing Dogs
The footage of this was shown on Friday on the news (either Sky or BBC News channel, I'm afraid I can't remember which now) and I was surprised that there wasn't more made of it by the British media- we are, after all, a nation of dog lovers.
The picture the text refers to can be found here.
A Palestinian Hamas militant, unseen, fires at the direction of Egyptian police dogs, as Egyptian border guards and riot police officers try to protect themselves at the border between Egypt and Gaza, in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Friday, Jan. 25, 2008. The gunman killed 3 of the dogs according to witnesses.
The picture the text refers to can be found here.
A Palestinian Hamas militant, unseen, fires at the direction of Egyptian police dogs, as Egyptian border guards and riot police officers try to protect themselves at the border between Egypt and Gaza, in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Friday, Jan. 25, 2008. The gunman killed 3 of the dogs according to witnesses.
Gaza
Shouldn't Israel have simply handed Gaza back to Egypt and washed their hands of the whole place by now?
The southern border is still open and it seems that Hamas are now co-operating with Egypt in re-sealing it (after blowing it up and knocking it over), in exchange for co-control of the crossings. Seems to me like it's the right time for Israel to announce that they're handing back the territory taken after the Six Day War.
The Arab nations keep harping on about the pre-1967 borders so why not restore Gaza to Egypt and do just that? Then all the so-called Palestinians could begin arguing with Cairo about getting their own state.
The southern border is still open and it seems that Hamas are now co-operating with Egypt in re-sealing it (after blowing it up and knocking it over), in exchange for co-control of the crossings. Seems to me like it's the right time for Israel to announce that they're handing back the territory taken after the Six Day War.
The Arab nations keep harping on about the pre-1967 borders so why not restore Gaza to Egypt and do just that? Then all the so-called Palestinians could begin arguing with Cairo about getting their own state.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Islamic Iowa
So much for separation of church mosque and state, eh?
The Iowa Legislature started just over a week ago and some people were upset before the first issue was every addressed.
The Iowa Legislature started just over a week ago and some people were upset before the first issue was every addressed.
When the session began, a Muslim Imam began the prayer in the Iowa Legislature. This is where the controversy begins. The prayer asked for “victory over those who disbelieve,” and “protection from the great Satan” among other things.
The Future?
So Fred Thompson has bowed out of the race and the Republican field has been whittled down to Rudy RINO Guiliani, John McCain-Feingold, Mitt "weapons of unusual lethality" Romney, Mike "living breathing Constitution" Huckabee or Ron "isolationist" Paul. The Stupid Party indeed- is this really the best they can muster? And who the heck is voting for McCain- are you people crazy?
Meanwhile the Evil Party is arguing over putting the Questionable Clintons in office instead of an untested, no-experience empty suit.
America, I worry for your future.
Meanwhile the Evil Party is arguing over putting the Questionable Clintons in office instead of an untested, no-experience empty suit.
America, I worry for your future.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Compare and Contrast
Global warming edition.
Compare this-
Dr Dan Barlow, acting director of WWF Scotland, said: "2007 was the third warmest year ever recorded in Scotland and a year during which the country experienced dramatic or unusual weather patterns.
"Rainfall in the summer months exceeded the average for this time of year and the monthly temperature average in the winter months was significantly higher than normal."
He said the trends backed predictions that Scotland would become warmer and wetter.
The organisation called for Scotland to bring forward a "robust" climate bill to tackle greenhouse gas emissions.
With this-
Scotland's ski centres have had the "best snow for years" as a result of the country's recent wintry weather.
All five of the country's snow sports areas have opened early - an achievement which operators said was highly unusual.
Oh, yeah, and this too-
Snow fell on Baghdad today for the first time in living memory, delighting residents who declared it an omen of peace.
"It is the first time we've seen snow in Baghdad," said 60-year-old Hassan Zahar. "We've seen sleet before, but never snow. I looked at the faces of all the people, they were astonished."
Compare this-
Dr Dan Barlow, acting director of WWF Scotland, said: "2007 was the third warmest year ever recorded in Scotland and a year during which the country experienced dramatic or unusual weather patterns.
"Rainfall in the summer months exceeded the average for this time of year and the monthly temperature average in the winter months was significantly higher than normal."
He said the trends backed predictions that Scotland would become warmer and wetter.
The organisation called for Scotland to bring forward a "robust" climate bill to tackle greenhouse gas emissions.
With this-
Scotland's ski centres have had the "best snow for years" as a result of the country's recent wintry weather.
All five of the country's snow sports areas have opened early - an achievement which operators said was highly unusual.
Oh, yeah, and this too-
Snow fell on Baghdad today for the first time in living memory, delighting residents who declared it an omen of peace.
"It is the first time we've seen snow in Baghdad," said 60-year-old Hassan Zahar. "We've seen sleet before, but never snow. I looked at the faces of all the people, they were astonished."
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