It seems the Islamists are now trying to hit airports that are not so easily guarded. Four men tried to blow up Glasgow airport by driving petrol ladened vehicles into the front of the airport. The lead car was a Cherokee and there are more details and pictures on Sky’s site. It looks as if the UK have to upgrade their security at so-called regional airports.

Yet again it seems that ordinary citizens were in the forefront of the preventing a large loss of life. Reports said that taxi drivers waiting in a rank near by grabbed the bastards who did this.

Shockingly the following was reported by a bystander.

“Everyone was in a panic and police and security were scuffling with an Asian gentleman.”

He added: “There was a lot of anger – if the crowds had got hold of this gentleman it would have been the end of him.”

Glaswegian’s are not known for taking rubbish from anyone so I suspect the witness had things right.

The only upside is that one of the men responsible was seen to be on fire. May he suffer greatly from his burns as he would have those at the airport suffer.

Don’t forget our Facebook group in reaction to these attacks.

9:19 pm after getting box in hand and leaving store at 6:45 pm. I hate to say this, but after sitting in the queue for two hours, a glass of wine and a bit of a snack to top up the pizza shared with a patient neighbor in the queue were priority. Of course, I opened the box while sipping red wine.

So, at nearly 8 pm, I started the validation process through iTunes 7.3. This included the screen instructions to transfer my mobile number from my old carrier to the new carrier as well as the credit check code I received from the store ata purchase. Eash step worked well within the minutes projected on screen. I chose my plan and read all the licensing materials. Yes, in this case, it seemed appropriate to read all the materials. The licensing text covers Apple licensing, AT&T licensing, Google maps and YouTube licensing.

Then on to the sychronize process using the updated iTunes. I used the iTunes account I have had for some time.

Synch worked well. I have not yet checked the contacts yet. I may now carry in my iPhone far more contacts than necessary. I will reorganize my contacts into special and general later.

The one thing I wanted to do and did not see in the first synch, was to add my gmail address to the list of e-mail synchronizing. There did not appear to be an initial edit function to add another e-mail not immediately visible to the software within my computer.

The keyboard is fascinating. One thing I learned right away. One’s finger must approach the key head on. Come in at an angle, as one is likely to do holding the phone in one hand and typing with the other, causes a letter just before the one you want to be typed. Easily remedied of course. I just have to be crisp in my approach to the keys- zoom in and tap the key and take your finger right away. That seems to do it. I am sure I will smooth this process in another few minutes of use. Getting rid of the whole stylus idea is just so great.

I have left out the neat stuff. The box itself is luxury packaging. It would be worthy of a very expensive perfume. The iPhone is sleek, lovely, solid to hold. The glass screen a wonder. And the AT&T salesman at my local store had been well trained. Everyone in the store and the security man too were all good humored. Sadly, they had to tell at least half of the people in the queue that there would be no phone for them today. I was tenth in the queue, so I was certain to get my 8gig iPhone and did. I was second in the second wave of customers let in the door, measured by two customers per clerk for this little store with four clerks.

I was sorry not to be able to add the bluetooth headphone to my purchase. My store in Cook’s Corner, Brunswick, Maine had received none by this afternoon’s opening time. I bought the 8 gig phone, the car charger and a little clear plastic case with a stand which keeps the phone at a tilt for easy reading, no hands. It will be interesting to see whether I use the latter or return it in favor of the little leather case on offer. The bluetooth headset I will order online if the store does not receive it tomorrow.

Written by: Mater

Update: Buy an iPhone for freedom?

Crossposted @ Blogcritics

Campaign for an English Parliament

NEWS RELEASE

29th June 2007

For release 30th June 2007

Brown to balkanise England

We will not sit idly-by and see our country balkanised

The new UK Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, has signalled his intention to balkanise England.

Appointing Ministers for each region of England, Mr. Brown has shown that he wishes to revive regionalism in England- the idea of which many thought had been killed-off with the publics strong rejection of a North East regional assembly in a referendum in 2004. Despite the severe lack of public support, Gordon Brown intends to press ahead with the regionalisation project which even John Prescott could see was dead and buried.

Gordon Brown signed the Scottish Claim of Right, acknowledging the sovereign right of the Scottish people to determine the form of government best suited to their needs. And yet he is content to deny this right to the people of England. Support for an English Parliament continues to grow, and yet Gordon Brown- unaccountable to a single English voter, will ignore this and instead impose unwanted and unpopular regions on England.

CEP Chairman, Scilla Cullen, said, Where is our right to determine the form of government best suited to our needs, Mr Brown? The so-called English MPs that have become regional ministers should be treated with the contempt they so richly deserve.

Ms. Cullen added, We will not sit idly-by and see our country balkanised just because it suits the political career of an ambitious politician.

CEP Vice Chairman, Tom Waterhouse, said, Gordon Browns plans to balkanise England is not just undemocratic, it is outrageously arrogant and demonstrates his utter contempt for the people of England. You have no idea how angry people are about this.

Campaign for an English Parliament, National Council

CONTACT:

Scilla Cullen (Chairman) 01438 833155

Mike Knowles (Media Unit) 01260 271139

Tom Waterhouse (Vice Chairman) 07900633811

Links: http://www.thecep.org.uk/news/

Campaign for an English Parliament

A company limited by guarantee. Registered in England number 3636739.

Having lived in Miami for many years it was odd that I never made it to the Bahamas. I would like to rectify that when Kim and I head to Miami for my prep school reunion. It would be nice to go visit the islands that I have heard so many good things about. Getting there from Miami is pretty easy so it won’t be as much of a trek as it was when we went to Cancun this year.

As with Cancun, there is a great deal of choice of accommodations in the Bahamas. I have to said I would be very tempted to do an all-inclusive adults-only has we did on our honeymoon. It would be great fun to head over to the Bahamas for a week combined with a trip to Miami to see old friends.

Barbra Streisand performed her first concert in France this week, and was awarded with an honorary medal of the Legion Of Honour by new president
Nicolas Sarkozy. He told the singer “You are the America that we love. Women
like you … do a lot to bring our two peoples together.”

It’s the first time he’s bestowed the honour, ordinarily reserved for French citizens but sometimes awarded in an honorary capacity to foreigners. Streisand told Sarkozy that he reminded her of former US presidents Bill Clinton and John F Kennedy, because of the way that they “appreciated art, and recognised the importance of the arts in the world”.

Via: CMU.

This is as part of this contest, being held to celebratet the upcoming final book. I leave it up to you to determine which part of the contest its aimed to win.

_________

Hermione buried her head in Hagrids vast chest weeping, unable to look at the scene around them. Hagrid, his huge hand comforting his young friend stood stoically staring at this hut. He tried not to think of his loss and remember what was won and what was lost.

Hermione sobbed, but I never got to say I loved him, Hagrid. She sighed, its so unfair he had to die.

Yes, I know Hermione, it was unfair that he had to die to protect all of us.

But why? She was barely audible but Hagrid could hear her voice vibrating through his body.

Hermione, Dumbledore warned us that one of us was going to have to make the ultimate sacrifice to save us all. He tried to sound strong, not letting his emotion get the best of him, we will rebuild it all better than it was before.

I dont care about it all, she scream sobbed, all I care about is that Harry is gone forever. I will never get to see him again.

I know its hard on all of us we all loved ole Harry. He summoned his strength, Dumbledore warned us all about the fight that came.

Smoke from filled the sky as Hogwarts and its surroundings burned in the night sky. Its students and teachers did all they could to put out the fires that filled the area. They were all out of the building and trying to come to terms with the utter destruction of their beloved school.

Slithrin House was participating in the fight against the fire. Long forgotten was their leader Malfoy and their hatred for the other houses. They all got stuck in

Dumbledore looked on and smiled at his students. He was pleased to see that they were all there to help save what they could. He had known that Harry would not see old age since he first came to Hogwarts.

Harry Potters demise help end the terror of Voldermort once and for all. The students would not understand until they were older what had gone on that fateful night.

Dumbledore had already warned Hagrid that he would be leaving Hogwarts soon. His stewardship was over, his task was done and his end was nigh.

I wonder is Ron and the rest of them are alright, Hermione mumbled.

I am sure he is alright, he is a tough lad, Hagrid patted her on the head not believing what he was saying.

Just then one of the towers of Hogwarts fell to the ground. Slowed in its descent by a quick handed group of students with their wands.

No one noticed Harrys wand lying on the ground in the middle of the grounds smoking and mangled.

Dumbledore mentally prepared his farewell speech. He would address the students once the fires were put out. These dark times will soon be over

Just then Hagrid spoke up, seeing Dumbledore near by. Come on Hermione lets see if we can do anything to help.

She reluctantly moved towards the rest of the students removing her wand from her pocket hand in hand with Hagrid.

The End

Now Transformer movie is the next big family movie coming down the pike this summer. Based on the popular and long running animated series that started in the 80s and still continues to this day. I am sure you have all seen Transformer the movie trailer, if you haven’t you should see it now as its pretty impressive. Its all over YouTube and people are getting really rather excited about it. If you are keen on this movie then the link below just might be of interest and its free of course.

Want six passes for the new Transformers movie? Participate now

A car packed with explosives was found in central London last night after it crashed in Haymarket. A silver Merc was used in this attack that failed. The event was discovered by two bouncers at a nearby club. The car was driven erratically before it crashed. Needless to say, such a central London location, is going to snarl things quite a bit.

It looks like it didn’t happen because of luck for the good guys. We take prevention whatever way we can right? Anyway, all of you who work in Central London take care of yourself.

Update: As the guy who was in it ran away there might be some DNA around for them to find out the identity of the evil bastard. They have just taken away the C-Class for forensics. The car was seen smoking by the bouncers at the Tiger Tiger nightclub. Police seem to think there was an attempted and failed detonation.

In the light of the fact it almost went off or went off in the wrong way I have started a Facebook group of those determined these bastards won’t get us down.

One has to wonder if those behind the bomb are attempting to “Zapatero” Brown. They are trying to get Brown to cut and run from Iraq and other places as the PM of Spain did after the Madrid Bombings.

Update: Dumbest comment so far goes to Geraldo Rivera. He suggested the bomber might be someone who got dumped at the nightclub. A jilted love basically, what a nitwit.

UpdateII: Park Lane is closed as they are investigating a car in a parking garage off the street. Fleet Street has been closed as well.

Our friends know that we have just come back from our wedding and honeymoon. Many of them, considering the weather, are asking us if we are wishing we were still in the Caribbean in Cancun where we stayed. It is a most surprising to them when we point out that the weather in Cancun in mid-May this year was not that great at all.

Our accomodation in the Carribean was so good that it didn’t bother us in the slightest that much of the time the weather was not conducive to be outside. Despite the fact we failed to visit any attractions we had a wonderful time in Cancun. The entertainment both in-house and nearby was excellent with something for everyone. It says alot about our resort, the Excellence Cancun, that despite the fact we never left the resort for nine days and the fact it rained over half the time we were there we had a wonderful time.

Excellent news: the Fairness Doctrine is history. And that’s where it belongs. In the light of the rather troubling news from Central London this morning this bit of news from Washington is welcome.

It has to be said that fact that Democrats in Congress tried this says far more about the state of their minds than anything else. It just goes to show that many Democrats don’t believe in fairness at all and find the new media landscape threatening and something to be destroyed.

read more | digg story

Lead singer Chad Kroeger was having trouble coming up with a name, and so approached his brother, who worked at a Starbucks. Coffee was $1.95, which meant every customer who paid two bucks got—waiiiit for it—a nickel back. (It was either that or We’re Sorry About the Homeless Man Shooting Up in the Bathroom.)

The thrilling stories of how Nickelback (Lordy, how I hate that band) and others got their names.

Good thing Alberta doesn’t have a provincial sales tax, or they might have wound up as “Hey, Wait A Bit, I Think I’ve Got A Couple Of Pennies.”

Warning: Language.

the blog québécois

“Rage Boy keenly looks forward to anger, while we worriedly anticipate trouble, and fret about etiquette, and prepare the next retreat. If taken to its logical conclusion, this would mean living at the pleasure of age Boy, and that I am not prepared to do.” And neither should any else who has any sense at all. You succumb to their outrage once and pretty soon everything you do outrages them. Sycophantically trying to avoid offending Islamists is a road to no where and the sooner the establishment learns that the better.

read more | digg story

Thankfully I am staying here and writing today after the rather busy earlier bit to the week. Considering the weather its a relief not to go out in weather that is far more suited to ducks than people. I do feel sorry for those of my friends into boating as the weather in Southern England has been anything but friendly to those wanting to out for a spin. Not that it would be much better in New England either. I gather there was a rather nasty thunderstorm yesterday, our time in Maine was not exactly dry either.

This blog is trying out:

I will tell you what I think of it in good time. Not impressed with their authentification so far it has to be said. The easy option does not seem to work at all which does not impress.

Mingle² – Online Dating

Egads, PG not even 13. I know that being married to a wonderful lady has mellowed me but this is a bit over the top methinks. Found via my buddy the Flea who is a fellow muso.

The left in the US is trying to muzzle the right in the media (specifically talk radio) and using legislation to do it. Its not like most of the media, the entertainment industry and academia are left, it seems that any expression of any idea other than the left line needs to be blotted out with the full force of the law. Classy and mature…

read more | digg story

Moore is at it again, but showing a softer side. While ignoring many of the factual overview of real problems in socialized systems he holds as models, Moore tells us to let the government handle it…...

read more | digg story

Toronto Star:

A growing number of Canadians are calling on the Conservative government to bring Omar Khadr home from the notorious U.S. detention centre in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, according to an a survey from Angus Reid Strategies.
That’s music to the ears of Khadr’s lawyer Dennis Edney, given that Prime Minister Stephen Harper and other federal cabinet ministers won’t demand the Canadian citizen be released from Guantanamo, as other countries have done for their own detainees.

“Khadr is a pawn in this whole game of the war on terrorism. I see him as a political prisoner … Canada hasn’t done a thing for him,” said the Edmonton lawyer, who met yesterday with U.S. military lawyers appointed to defend Khadr.

Khadr was captured in Afghanistan in 2002, when he was just 15, after a firefight with U.S. forces.

Well, that’s one way of putting it. Another way of putting it is that he ambushed and killed an American Special Forces soldier (most press accounts describe Sgt. Christopher Speer as a medic, which he was indeed trained as; though not acting in that capacity while leading his squad through a bombed-out compound).

The survey of 1,028 people found that 51 per cent believe Ottawa should actively intervene to secure Khadr’s release, up from 40 per cent just two weeks ago, said Craig Worden, vice-president, public affairs at Angus Reid.
Who are these people? Everyone that I’ve talked to is in agreement that the traitorous little bastard can rot where he is. We’re already paying enough in welfare for the rest of his useless family.

The Blog Quebecois

Now its not the normal fare for this site that is for sure but I seem to be hearing about quite a number of my friends either being with new child or about to have a new one. Several of them were unable to attend my wedding because of their recent additions. Since there has been so much talking about babies, talking about baby shower decorations is probably par for the course. These days even the males of the species are doing their best to be involved in these things.

Having a look at the aforementioned site I have to say I am partial to the Winnie the Pooh stuff. I have always had a soft spot for Winnie the Pooh, even going so far as to read the tales of Christopher Robin in Latin. Why did I read it in Latin…because it was there? Pooh is classy childrens fare and good start to any child’s reading life.

Daniel Hannan makes the unchallangable case for a referendum on the EU. He explains in clear language why not having one is a great assault on democracy and British political culture. It is unfortunate that Hannan’s leader in the UK does not share his ideas on what is right for Britain. A worthwhile read for all.

read more | digg story

While I was off having a drink and a chat at Madsen’s book launch I missed the big news that a scumbag MP has defected to Labour. The bloke is a piece of work and its not terribly shocking. The fact he has helped Brown shows what an unprincipled wretch he is. There are quite a few great takedowns including one on Newsnight by Alan Duncan in whithering fashion, Guido, Iain, The Mole and even Perry.

The Westminster Village is all in a froth about it. Most of the public are probably going to yawn wildly and turn over to Big Brother.

Not sure its as clever as some of their older stuff. But good to see they are still putting stuff out.

I contributed to this one. And there was enough of it going round to warrant a new version of it. I suspect this won’t be the last either.

Just like the title says—touch the bubbles with your mouse (more correctly with your cursor) before they collide with the sides. It starts getting hectic about the third level or so.

Warning: Gentle music and sfx.

the blog québécois

While the BBC might like to think that wallowing in the mud in Glastonbury is edgy and rebellious, the rest of believe its standing up to the fascism of the present UK government. Last night saw the final “big smoke” at the Savoy with Forest the pro-smoking lobby group. Speakers, that it has to be said went on too long, included the excellent Andrew Neil (the man quoted Jefferson on limited government), Anthony Worral Thompson and a couple of less focused rambling speeches. (One from a self-described libertarian marxist…er.) Why they didn’t have fewer speeches and alllow us a bit of time for a dance do the jazz band is beyond me.

The food was excellent it has to be said but the wine and the staff were less than acceptable. It turns out that the Savoy is closing down from October for two years for refurb. I must admit seeing their staff sacked is not that bad a prospect. What a bunch of miserable, unhelpful and officious sods they were. Hotels, especially somewhere like the Savoy, need to realise they need to hire staff that speak English and have basic manners if they want people’s custom.

Our table was at the back and filled with less than fascinating people. One of them, who was a bit pissed, began hitting on my wife when I was off chatting with someone I knew. Not cricket it has to be said. But enough about that lot. Lets just say it was not as good an evening as I had hoped for the money paid.

The hightlight for me was having a natter with the lead singer of The Pretty Things. Unlike much of the rest of the music business they are actually doing some about the intrusion on freedom and rights. Instead of sucking up to the establishment like some bands and trying to get on every cause gig going they are doing something with their talent.

The single is called All Light Up and its nice two-fingered salute to the health fascists that are banning everything fun. Oh and its a free MP3 download.

Growing Old Disgracefully has recorded a similar edged song called Cry Freedom.

They say dames are like flowers. Maybe theyre right. Nice to look at, fun to smell, covered in complicated reproductive do-dads. But brother, get too close and youll also find out that they have thorns. And bees. And enough pollen to flood your sinus with a hot painful load of mucus thatll take a jumbo economy size box of Claritin and a six pack of hankies to forget.

Its a hard lesson you learn every day in my line of work.

My name is Rather. And Im a dick.

Iowahawk rolls out another of his hard-boiled Dan Rather mysteries, hot on the trail of Katie Couric’s missing viewers. With a supporting cast of the blogosphere’s seamier characters, including “Mongo Steyn, the hulking French Canadian punditry thug”.

the blog québécois

Those of you who have a new baby and think its cute…in other words all of you that have new babies, might want to consider this contest to help suppliment your skyrocketing costs of living. Its pretty simple to enter and more important, like any good honest contest, the entry to it is absolutely free. This baby photo contest with its 10 grand to prize is a good way to find out if your baby has the talent to go far in the showbiz game. Interestingly enough this photo contest is only open to the Anglosphere ie: New Zealand, Australia, US, UK and Canada. If you are in one of those countries and have a baby why not have a go?

It seems that the BBC managed to get 350 tickets to Glasto while newspapers could muster three if they were lucky. Not that the BBC types were mucking about, and there was a lot of muck about, with the rest of the festival goers, they were in the luxury area not having to deal with the mud and rain. Taking the piss methinks or taking the rain?

read more | digg story

Christopher Hitchens absolutely blasts Shirley Williams for her pathetic statements about the Salman Rushdie affiar. We have heard about it since Thursday and now we can now enjoy it in its glory. Boris Johnson also makes a complete arse of himself partly; but saves himself when it comes to the actually rioting about the book. As far as I am concerned its the best Question Time I have ever seen.