This Wednesday saw the usual suspects (now 4) show up to Wimbledon for band rehearsal, recording, and logistical discussions. John was with clients until later than expected so Rob, Tom, and I occupied the pool table at the Leather Bottle until John finally appeared.

Fully briefed by our player musician manager on what we had to do to become a viable entity, we got down to some music. We decided on the timing for various logistical things regarding the band as a formal grouping. I briefed the band on the facilities, musicians, and vibe down in Bideford. Of course, what resulted was short burst of Devon-gags, mock accents, and generally tomfoolery.

The good news, hence the title, is that John has figured out why his computer was being rather unco-operative and downright boorish. It seems one of his RAM sticks was rather error filled (sort of like the spelling mistakes in the Guardian, I guess). It took longer than hoped to reinstall all that was needed, but it is now working. It was during one of these installs that John, Rob, Tom, and I took a stab at Fey as you Go, my tribute to metrosexuality. Tom and I camped it up while we did a rather hack job of constructing a song, before all of us were practically collapsing in fits of mirth. We are keeping the song, as Tom rather likes it, but it looks as if we will turn into a straight-ahead rocker rather than something out of Mama Mia.

Progress is still frustratingly slow; however we shall soon have at least a scratch website thanks to one of my Cthulhu-reading readers.

As tomorrow is Saturday, it’s off to Wimbledon for me. Looks as if both Rob and Tom are otherwise engaged.

STOCKHOLM, June 2 (Reuters) – Swedish prosecutors charged two teenage boys with planning an armed attack on their school on the sixth anniversary of the shootings at Columbine in the U.S. which claimed 15 lives, authorities said on Wednesday. The two, aged 16 and 17, planned to “rob as many people as possible of their lives” by attacking the Slottsstadens school in the southern city of Malmo with home-made bombs and guns, according to the prosecutor’s charge sheet seen by Reuters. The attack was planned for April 20, 2005, the sixth anniversary of the shootings at Columbine High School when two pupils murdered 12 students and a teacher before killing themselves, the charge sheet said. The older Swedish boy has admitted planning the attack but the younger boy has denied the charges, the prosecutor’s office said. According to the charge sheet police found material on the younger student’s computer which describes the two boys training with rifles and explosives and a plan of how the attack on the school would be carried out. Police also recovered chemicals which the charges allege could have been used for criminal acts. According to the prosecutor’s office, the two boys face a variety of other charges including attempted robbery. The younger of the two has also been charged with sexual molestation and child pornography and possession of a hunting rifle.

These guys look like they were trying to do a Methuen, Columbine, and Michael Jackson all in one go. The wag (named Jon Pearce) who sent me this piece wondered about the next step. No doubt some nut will blame it on Swedish kids’ fondness for heavy metal! For once, wouldn’t it be nice if some murderous loon liked Steps, S Club 7, or Abba? The Barry Manilow Killer has a nice sound to it…

“The Marijuana Party rolled out its election platform yesterday, hoping its 100 or so candidates can convince voters that it’s more than just a token party. The grassroots organization aims to field candidates in every region of Canada except Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and the Northwest Territories …. ‘We’re going to try to find out a little bit more about Sheila’s brownies,’ St-Maurice joked, referring to the prime minister’s comment at the end of last year that his wife once made strange-tasting brownies.” (06/02/04)

Bad pot puns thanks to Rational Review

Re: Poverty is our problem
Date: 4 June 2004

Sir – We are writing to urge the British Government to increase development aid substantially as part of the United Kingdom spending review this year.

From:
Rabbi Tony Bayfield, Chief Executive, Reform Synagogues of Great Britain; Iqbal Sacranie, Secretary-General, Muslim Council of Britain; Rt Rev John Mone, Bishop of Paisley (Roman Catholic), President of SCIAF; Dr Alison Elliot, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland; Rev David Coffey, Free Churches Moderator, Most Rev Dr Barry Morgan, Archbishop of Wales; Rt Rev Tom Wright, Lord Bishop of Durham;Rt Rev Michael Hill, Lord Bishop of Bristol; Rt Rev Michael Langrish, Lord Bishop of Exeter; Rt Rev David Stancliffe, Lord Bishop of Salisbury; Rt Rev Anthony Priddis, Lord Bishop of Hereford; Rt Rev Peter Price, Lord Bishop of Bath and Wells; Rt Rev Michael Perham, Lord Bishop of Gloucester; Rt Rev Kenneth Stevenson, Lord Bishop of Portsmouth; Rt Rev Thomas Butler, Lord Bishop of Southwark; Rt Rev Michael Scott-Joynt, Lord Bishop of Winchester; Rt Rev Peter Selby, Lord Bishop of Worcerster; Rt Rev Michael Hooper, Bishop of Ludlow; Rt Rev Christopher H. Morgan, Bishop of Colchester; Rt Rev Alan Smith, Bishop of Shrewsbury; Rt Rev John Parker, Bishop of Ripon and Leeds; Rt Revd Ian Brackley, Bishop of Dorking; Rt Rev Richard Lewis, Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich; Rt Rev Tony Robinson, Bishop of Pontefract; Rt Rev John Pritchard, Bishop of Jarrow; Rt Rev Robert Ladds, Bishop of Whitby; Rt Rev Alan Smith, Bishop of Shrewsbury; Rt Rev Christopher Hill,Bishop of Stafford; Rt Rev David Walker, Bishop of Dudley; Rt Rev Nicholas Reade, Bishop Of Blackburn.

How dare this lot of churchmen petition the government to spend more taxpayers money on poor people who aren’t even in the UK? If people want to give to these charities they can do so as individuals. There is no need for government to get involved. I wonder if any of the nitwits realise that charitable giving was at its highest back in the 80s when taxes were rather less than they are now. If they want people to give money to these charities they should be calling for taxes to be lowered.

It is our duty as members of a global community to increase our assistance to these people and to work towards a more stable, peaceful world.

Notice the letter does not explain how, exactly, giving more hard-earned taxpayers money to other countries’ poor actually helps towards a stable, peaceful world. It is not our duty to do any such thing. It would be nice if people were to give more money to charities, but there is no duty for them to do so. Neither is there a duty for any elected goverment to give any money to any other country if its populace does not want it done.

More Christian socialist rubbish from religious leaders. Instead of prattling on about how taxpayers’ money be spent… how about they try to stem the tide of those leaving their churches, or, in Islam’s case, making sure their flock doesn’t try to kill non-Muslims. The Catholic Church is loaded; if they are so concerned why don’t they send some more money to Africa.

Never mind the fact that any document that is signed by the terrorist-loving MCB has no credibility whatsoever.

This is the typical type of tripe that turns many people off religion. Its a case of butt out and keep your grubby hands away from the public purse.

The lads at Silent Running are doing modern day field reports as if they were actually there on D-Day. Expect updates over the entire weekend.

Guess who the Saudis ultimately think is responsible?