[Jaspersharpe]

My word. I can't work out if Toby Young is incredibly stupid to the point of actually believing the shit he comes out with or just a complete and utter scumbag. Or both.

[chris05]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/apr/04/pro-cuts-rally-against-debt

"Any visits to Fortnum & Mason's by protesters will only be to marvel at their selection of quality goods and perhaps make the occasional purchase," it says. "Bonfires will be strictly forbidden: it's out of season anyway. Trips to see Vodafone and other high street chains will result in congratulations to the company for providing jobs and growth in the UK."

What a bunch of   

[Jaspersharpe]

Coulson next? 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/apr/05/phone-hacking-affair-now-journalists-arrested

[DaveC]

When I saw this footage earlier today over here I realized we were probably parked about three spots to the left on the weekend!! 

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australasia/video-crash-driver-survives-100ft-plunge-2262849.html

Glad I didn't test the barriers at all!!

[slackline]

I hadn't realised that new laws governing paternity leave are coming into effect, seems quite fair and reasonable to me.

[slackline]

Human Genetics Commission sees no barriers to pre-conception genetic screening, can only be a good thing in my opinion, especially as its not saying its obligatory.

[Jaspersharpe]

Why inequality is a bad thing for everyone:

http://www.vanityfair.com/society/features/2011/05/top-one-percent-201105?currentPage=1

[slackline]

Why inequality is a bad thing for everyone:

http://www.vanityfair.com/society/features/2011/05/top-one-percent-201105?currentPage=1

Not got time to read that (for once), but I bet it lifts a lot of information/facts from The Spirit Level : Why Equality Is Better For Everyone which has had some good reviews and is sat on my shelf waiting to be read (just got one more to get through, was interrupted in starting it by getting Troll Wall).

[andy popp]

I've bigged it up here before but The Spirit Level is a pretty essential read. You'll love it Slackers - its packed with stats.

[slackline]

My friend was reading it in Verdon last year and I read a few bits, sounded interesting.

[Percy B]

Is it just me, and my twisted sense of humour......?

[Falling Down]

 

I wonder if the lessons will include how to use his little finger too 

[slackline]

The topic and subject matter presented were interesting in the bits I read. 

[slackline]

Not news, but all other earthquake footage has been posted here and this is a I came across today 

[DaveC]

Something about the way the camera moves around in that video gives a real sense of the gut-wrenching fear that the cameraman must have felt as the full power of the wave kicked in. Terrifying!

[Jaspersharpe]

 

Total helplessness. Absolutely terrifying.

[slackline]

So much for "scaling back the database state"

[lagerstarfish]

A fine candidate for a new Viz character

http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/local/useless_thief_trapped_on_cattle_grid_1_3275072

He could be the inspiration for a good tv sitcom; a sort of crooked Frank Spencer, who has to be rescued then arrested by the police at the end of every episode. Are Galton and Simpson still around?

[JamieG]

I know this has been coming for quite a while. But still . . .

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13031397

State endorsed racism. Totally outrageous that they can get away with this. In conjunction with the rise of nationalism in france again it is all pretty worrying.

[slackline]

Don't pack your niqab next time you head to Font then.

 

I think it might be quite liberating for the women who are often forced to wear such accoutrements by their male partners to be able to have the freedom to show their face in public (although it may result in them not actually being allowed out by said male partners). 

[JamieG]

I agree that thee are definitely two sides to this argument. I hate the idea that people are forced to wear the veil against their wishes. However, I suspect the legislation the French are bringing in is nothing really to do with women's rights (that is a thinly veiled excuse). Excuse the pun. I think the real motive is a populist anti-islamic one. But i don't know, but i certainly don't trust the french government. I also can't believe it would be enforceable if it went to the European courts.

[slackline]

I also can't believe it would be enforceable if it went to the European courts.

You mean like keeping DNA of innocent people interminably which was ruled as being contrary to European Human Rights, yet is still being enforced and the ruling fought against by the UK government? 

[DaveC]

This case has been the centre of attention here for a while now, finally over and the cowardly cvnt is off to spend at least 32 years inside. I suspect they'll have to protect him from the other inmates for quite some time!

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/sentenced-to-life-bridge-killer-lets-fly-with-bizarre-courtroom-rant-20110410-1d9dh.html

For those who've never been to Melbourne, this is where it happened.


The original story was reported 2 years ago even in your papers.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/australia/4386871/Australian-man-throws-daughter-to-death-from-bridge.html

[Jaspersharpe]

Re the French Burka ban, it's a very difficult issue but I think this is an interesting take on things:

http://heresycorner.blogspot.com/2010/01/is-it-liberal-to-ban-burka.html



DaveC - That story is totally horrific. Just glad he hasn't got away with playing the mad card.

[RAK Punter]

A fine candidate for a new Viz character

http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/local/useless_thief_trapped_on_cattle_grid_1_3275072

He could be the inspiration for a good tv sitcom; a sort of crooked Frank Spencer, who has to be rescued then arrested by the police at the end of every episode. Are Galton and Simpson still around?

Some pretty moderate comments on this report by the good folk of Sheffield as to the future of this guy.