Weather experts are warning that the USA is likely to be hit by a big, biiiiiig hurricane later this year. Bejeesus, say it cannot be! Who’d have thought it? I mean, it must be Dubya’s fault or something.

We are the 10th most linked UK-authored blog.

The Karnival of the Koran… is upon us.

Via: Ken

This interesting letter appears in today’s DT letters page. It shows a wonderful range of arrogance and naivete. No doubt the person in question takes the EU Euro.

Sir – Today is a sad day for France and for Europe. The lack of vision, nerve and understanding displayed by the Non vote here will come back to haunt all members of the European Union for a long time. The “Little Englander” views of your leader today – shared, alas, by the Conservatives – although to be regretted, are not unexpected from a country that appears to be happy to remain a vassal state of George Bush’s America.

It is only by having a strong and united Europe that the American policy of world political and economic domination, started after the war, now being pursued from the other side of the Atlantic, can be combated.

Opponents of the Union show a lack of vision, of destiny and courage.

John Sorrell, Paris

No sir, opponents of the Constitution and the current state of the EU know full well that Brussels is an undemocratic dictatorial organisation that cares little for the opinion of its citizens. Its bureaucrats’ arrogrant reaction to the French Non vote (ie finding ways to ignore it) clearly demonstrate this fact. The British people were sold a free trade area in the referendum in the early 70s; what they have gotten is a budding country called the United States of Europe. I daresay the French are starting to realise this as well, as are many of the rest of the countries in the EU.

It’s amazing to see daft people like this man who are willing to sign away a 1000 years of history just because of a short-termist hatred of the US.

As you can imagine with such a crushing defeat several blogs have posted their thoughts on the issue including: Samizdata, Pollard,, EU Ref blog and Harry’s Place. Oh and lets not forget Andrea.

Cross-posted on Liberty Cadre.

While Gnotalex and Guido seem to be keeping this blog ticking along; Wolfie, Jon P, and I are still pumping out political stuff over at Liberty Cadre. There is a short piece on the current leadership/constitutional machinations in the Tory Party, and Wolfie has produced an amusing piece on the French Non!

Meanwhile, I have been listening to a few review discs, reviewed a Young Heart Attack gig and a Hangface CD plus a few others. I expect to review a few others tomorrow.

i am letting the telephone ring
cause i don’t want to know why
i don’t want to hear you explain
i don’t want to hear you cry

ani difranco

It’s always somewhat humbling to find that something we disregard as the invisible furniture of our lives was once brand-spanking new and people had to be tutored on how to handle some marvellous new piece of techno-majik. These are from an old Bell handbook on telephone etiquette. No doubt future generations will regard our own quaint baby steps with similar amusement. (My aunt has an Edmonton phone book from the same era. Holy Privacy Concerns, Batman! Every residence listed also had the name of each person living there, their age, and occupation.)

Glub-glub-mo-blon?

the blog québécois

Britbloggers are up in all their collected glory at Tim’s. Meanwhile, over at Gary’s we have the latest edition of the symphony. Gun and bullet fans will enjoy the most recent Cordite Carnival. Blog Business hosts the Carnival for these week…go have a look.

I like to start the week off with a nice story that renews your faith in humanity and puts a chuckle in your throat and a spring in your step.

But I couldn’t find one, so this will have to do:

A REPORTER sent to do a story about a baby squirrel stood on the fluffy creature by mistake and killed it.

Inka Blumensaat wanted to tell how a pet cat had saved the orphaned squirrel by adopting it as her own.

But the friendly rodent jumped on her leg as she filmed her report and she panicked and trampled it underfoot,breaking its neck.

Heike Reher, whose cat adopted the squirrel in Lubeck, Germany, said: ‘The reporter started leaping about like a mad woman. She squashed the squirrel completely.”

the blog québécois

The latest issue of Response, the online magazine from the SWC is out. It makes for some rather unpleasant reading.

From the Indy letter page:

02 May 2005

Sir: The Archbishop of Canterbury is right about trade barriers being unfair on poor countries (and everyone else) but grossly wrong about free trade: starvation is not caused by economic inequality but by brutal and corrupt regimes ruling rich and fertile countries. There was no shortage of food during the Ethiopian famine, just as there is no shortage of food now in Zimbabwe where millions are starving.

MARK BAILLIE

EDITOR INTERNATIONAL POLICY NETWORK LONDON WC2

John Kerry and John Edwards?

Last seen in November of 2004, the intrepid Senators are now working at a bankrupt Russian company.

the blog québécois

A blog named Seixon has done a rather impressive analysis of Galloway’s testimony. What a pity the Senate staff did not do such a good job.

The famous B-52 “Stratofortress” bomber. Note how surprisingly nimble it is in flight.

Unfortunately it ends in a fiery crash.

Luckily nobody was killed. Here’s why.

the blog québécois

I came across this fine article on how to make the perfect martini. It ranks up there with the famous chapter in Ian Fleming’s debut Bond novel, Casino Royale, in its depiction on how to make the perfect, headbanger of a drink. (Thanks to Russell Whitaker’s “Survival Arts” blog for the link).

Guido has recently been disturbed to learn that the fire services are appointing non-fire service “managers” to the top posts. His friends in the service are in despair over this, and those that have to deal with some of the appointees are looking forward to working under them with more than some trepidation. Of course, this is all a consequence of the “modernisation” programme dreamed up by the Bain report, which, Guido finds, seems to be nothing more than a “cherry picking” of all the more contentious issues from previous reports and agendas. The “evidence” on which the Bain report is based seems to be highly suspicious and unsupported by fact – for example the issue of addressing “Community Fire Safety”, which is something most fire services have been engaged in under other titles for years.

What brought Guido’s hackles to full attention was the report in the Times on Saturday on the appointment of a no doubt well meaning and generally nice woman to the post of Chief Fire Officer – or whatever it is now called – of the County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service. At least she sounded sensible and nice until he got to the bit about her fire experience – and then she got insulting. This is not about being able to deal with “chip pan fires”, it is about being able to take command of, and responsibility for, the fire defence of the area her Service protects, about protecting the lives and property of the people of the County. There may well be chip pan fires to attend, but to belittle the service by suggesting that attendance at one or two such fires would give her professional credibility is not just insulting, it betrays her complete ignorance of what the Fire Service is all about.

What the morons of the Durham and Darlington Fire Authority were thinking of when they appointed her to this post is beyond comprehension. Her experience of marketing and as a Chief Executive of a business forum is not suitable preparation for the position she is now arrogantly assuming she can learn in five minutes. The job does not come with a convenient “Executive Summary” she can scan and assimilate before making life or death decisions.

Liberty Cadre has a new contributor. She is Elizabeth Dodge, and has contributed a nice bit of original reporting about the recent launch of the People’s No anti-EU Constitution campaign.

Good thing she posted something on the subject, as the BBC did not even bother to send anyone to cover the standing-room-only event.

The Smoking Gun:

Meet Dion Milam. The 30-year-old California inmate may be the scariest looking criminal TSG has ever seen. Milam, who wears “Aryan” and “Honor” tattoos above his eyebrows and a swastika tat on his neck, was charged yesterday in a methamphetamine case (his brother-in-law allegedly tried to mail the drug into the Stanislaus County Jail, where Milam is being held on a murder charge). The below mug shot was taken earlier this year following Milam’s arrest in the murder case. Milam, who pulled a gun on sheriff’s deputies, got roughed up a bit as he resisted arrest.

the blog québécois

If you thought your local candidate(s) in the last General Election were particularily poor, Canadian Tories know how you feel.

As you know, I’ve long had my heart set on becoming an officer in Canada’s Navy. Or what’s left of it. Well, screw that.

I’m off to join the Singapore Navy. It has like, way cooler stuff.

the blog québécois

BOMS is first, and it’s got a Machiavelli theme this week. The Britblogs have their round-up up at Tim’s place. There is a new issue of Ovi, as well. Storyblogging is happening ; I even managed to get a new tale done in time!

That smoke over yonder is the Bonfire. Speaking of smoking; I just published my review of Thunder’s latest over at BC. CoTV is up as well; so go take a look.

Colby has posted an excellent piece on the Newsweek out-rage fallout.

Mike has a few interesting changes to announce; both of which deserve a hearty congratulations!

The frothing lunatics were out in force this weekend in London. They were spewing hate-speech left & left but the plods didn’t seem to care. Seeing they were spewing it against Jews & Americans, so it was alright. I wonder if the pin-headed members of the Senate committee realised what they have wrought by empowering that cretin Galloway.

Not strictly rock ‘n’ roll this one but my good friend & Newswire member Steve Jenkins is doing a charity bike ride from Ashford (Middlesex) to Cardiff – a mere 140 miles – on the 29th May. It’s in aid of the Princes Alice Hospice where his dad was cared for before he passed away in February this year. My gran passed away at the weekend from cancer and it makes you realise what sterling work and time the nurses & doctors give at hospices & hospitals, not only dealing with patients but their naturally anxious realatives and friends as well. It’s a very worthy cause and if you would like to donate (every penny really does make a difference, even if you don’t make a donation just drop him an e-mail of support as he would really appreciate that) please e-mail Steve on –
studio@celsurplastics.co.uk (use ‘Bike Ride’ in your e-mail header)

or you can donate by Paypal using my ID (papa_bear70@hotmail.com) –
www.paypal.co.uk

Many thanks,
Jason

Llandewi Dago is a ways up the coast from Pembrokeshire, in Ceredigion. No one really knew it existed when it was a going town. So its no surprise that no one knew about what had happened there. The Sage first learned of recent events when he was approached at a pub gathering in Sageston, near his South Pembrokeshire house and a good distance from that dark town.

Once again, Andrew had failed to keep a low profile. But, in this instance hardly avoidable as the Sage of Wales had been invited in his official capacity. He was asked to address a meeting in Sageston pub on local myth and mysteries. This was very much a local grouping; not something aimed at curious tourists. The Sage could assume a significant level of knowledge in his audience encouraging discussion rather than giving a lecture. Generally the progression of a discussion was held back by the least knowledgeable in attendance, and so easier to control. With a lecture aimed at those with the most knowledge, there was the worry that some dark details slip through and affect people not equipped with adequate strength of mind to combat the threat of darkness.

Despite all this, the Sage was a bit surprised to have someone spring something on him like the case of Llandewi Dago. He really should have guessed what it was all about, from the name. It was a local farmer who brought it up. He had heard about odd events there from his cousin, a postie in the wilds to the north of Ceredigion.

A Boston station has booted Newsweek radio and replaced it with Pundit Review Radio. Most amusing timing, doncha think?

The Queen is in Canada and Canada is in political turmoil. You want to be able make heads and/or tails of it all? Needless to say, Colby Cosh is the best place to start.

Pop diva Kylie Minogue, the petite Aussie bombshell with that invaluable combo of kittenish sex appeal and girl-next-door manner, has got breast cancer, according to this report. Damn. I hope the lady pulls through and goes on entertaining us for years to come. One of the things I like about her is that unlike a lot of talentless airheads, she does not feel the need to share her views on world peace, hunger, or the evil of capitalism with us. She is a total pro who focusses on her music.

Be tough, Kylie.

It’s called the One Jerusalem Blog, and it’s worth a look.

PORTLAND, Ore. Robots at Cornell University are making copies of themselves without human intervention. In principle, the machines will thus be able to repair and reproduce themselves in space and other remote environments.

“Our self-replicating robots perform very simple tasks compared with intricacies in biological reproduction,” said engineer Hod Lipson, a Cornell assistant professor. “But we think they demonstrate that mechanical self-reproduction is possible and not unique to biology.” Self-replication is sometimes seen as the holy grail of robotics.

A video of this is fascinating, if a bit creepy.

the blog québécois

Found via Dave J

Over at LC, one of our readers has explained what would happen if Galloway annoys the Senate.