On this day in 1215, King John sealed Magna Carta, which would guarantee English political freedoms and limit the power of the monarchy.
One of the main clauses was:
"No free man shall be arrested, or imprisoned, or deprived of his property, or outlawed, or exiled, or in any way destroyed, nor shall we go against him or send against him, unless by legal judgement of his peers, or by the law of the land".
Thank heavens that Tony Blair is determined to remove as many of our rights and liberties as possible. It goes without saying that 800 years of English history are wrong, and "Dear Leader" Blair is right...
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Sunday, June 12, 2005
Asbo-lutely Fabulous
"My client admits that he was drunk when he created a disturbance at Weymouth Bay Caravan Park", defending solicitor Roger Maxwell told Weymouth Magistrates Court. "He admits that he used threatening words & behaviour, he admits to shouting & banging on caravan doors, and he admits to swearing at the police when they handcuffed him.
It is also true that he is already the subject of a 2-year Anti-Social Behaviour Order. But in mitigation, I should point out that..the wording on the Asbo specifically states that he is 'prohibited from not being drunk in a public place'".
After consultation with his fellow magistrates, Chairman of the bench Colin Weston passed judgement on 38-year-old Stephen Winstone. "It is fortunate for you that the Asbo has been badly written, because otherwise we would have been looking to sentence you to prison for a couple of years. However, you were technically fulfilling the terms of your Asbo by being drunk in public, so the court will show leniency to you. You are fined £100".
[source: Dorset Echo 17/03/05].
It is also true that he is already the subject of a 2-year Anti-Social Behaviour Order. But in mitigation, I should point out that..the wording on the Asbo specifically states that he is 'prohibited from not being drunk in a public place'".
After consultation with his fellow magistrates, Chairman of the bench Colin Weston passed judgement on 38-year-old Stephen Winstone. "It is fortunate for you that the Asbo has been badly written, because otherwise we would have been looking to sentence you to prison for a couple of years. However, you were technically fulfilling the terms of your Asbo by being drunk in public, so the court will show leniency to you. You are fined £100".
[source: Dorset Echo 17/03/05].
Saturday, June 11, 2005
Keyboard Warrior
Typing at a keyboard. Like using a phone, it enables gutless morons to act aggressively, safe in the knowledge that they won't get a shoe-ing. And that's why messageboads are wonderful. That specific moment when someone just loses the plot and then the floodgates open. The keyboard warrior just can't stop, or, heaven forfend, back down like the coward they inebitably are.
Ladies & gents, click here to witness perhaps THE funniest example of someone exploding into a rage of bigoted nonsense. And what fundamentalist bulletin board are we talking about? Er...Lonely Planet. Take the time to read every post. Genius. Accidental genius.
Ladies & gents, click here to witness perhaps THE funniest example of someone exploding into a rage of bigoted nonsense. And what fundamentalist bulletin board are we talking about? Er...Lonely Planet. Take the time to read every post. Genius. Accidental genius.
Monday, June 06, 2005
Apostate Windbag
Apostate Windbag
This is a great blog which I've lazily only just posted about. For good measure I'll add it as a link soon.
This is a great blog which I've lazily only just posted about. For good measure I'll add it as a link soon.
Who Murdered John Peel?
Shift-patterns are detrimental to health. Fact. I've lived the call-centre dream first-hand, so I know. Everyone who's ever worked nights or late-shifts knows it. It's not called a graveyard shift for nothing.
I'm healthy(ish) and in my thirties, and would feel the strain. Imagine what it must be like if you're in your sixties.
In the mid-nineties, Radio One repaid their debt to their longest-serving DJ in the only way they knew how- by giving him short shrift. Notably at a time when "alternative" music was truly seeping into the mainstream, the BBC beancounters clearly saw him as a spent force, albeit with cult status. With multiple reschedules, Peel was forced to work later hours and make the long journey from Suffolk to London and back. This stress was intensified in 1996, when his wife Sheila suffered a brain haemorrage. The BBC switched and reduced his slots to ease the pressure, but six months later he was back on a regular late start for 3 days a week. For a while his show was starting at an "early" 20:40.
In 2001, Peel was diagnosed with diabetes. Out of compassion, the BBC soon had him back on a late night slot (starting 22:00). A few months before his tragic death, the BBC decided to turn the screw a bit more, and bump his show back to a 23:00 start.
Two weeks before he died, Peel told Andy Kershaw that the move to the 23:00 slot:
John Peel
Well done, BBC, you've done us proud. John Peel's later shows were available to listen to 24/7 on the internet, as well as being broadcast live on radio. As the BBC are so keen on promoting digital media, you have to wonder why they failed to allow an elderly employee, in ill heath, to record the shows at a reasonable time, to be broadcast later at any time they chose. Instead, they cause further damage to his body-clock and related biochemical processes. At best, they are criminally neglient, at worst, well... anyone for corporate manslaughter?
People who work nightshifts as part of their job may be at greater risk of heart disease, say researchers.
A team from the University of Milan has found that the heart does not respond well to being made to work hard in the middle of the night.
This is because the body is programmed to slow down during the night - and changes to sleep patterns appear to have no effect.
The researchers found that nerve activity that accelerates the heart is lower in people working an overnight shift than when they work in the morning or afternoon. BBC website, 17 October 2000.
I'm healthy(ish) and in my thirties, and would feel the strain. Imagine what it must be like if you're in your sixties.
Urine tests from workers on the [late] shift revealed that levels of melatonin, the sleep-regulating hormone normally secreted at night, did not become synchronised to the new sleep times after shift changes. As well as being more tired and less attentive on the job, these unadapted workers showed signs of being at risk of long-term health effects. The men had abnormally high levels of fatty acids circulating in their blood after meals, compared with the day shift or adapted workers. This increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes and other metabolic disorders. New Scientist, 23 April 2005.
In the mid-nineties, Radio One repaid their debt to their longest-serving DJ in the only way they knew how- by giving him short shrift. Notably at a time when "alternative" music was truly seeping into the mainstream, the BBC beancounters clearly saw him as a spent force, albeit with cult status. With multiple reschedules, Peel was forced to work later hours and make the long journey from Suffolk to London and back. This stress was intensified in 1996, when his wife Sheila suffered a brain haemorrage. The BBC switched and reduced his slots to ease the pressure, but six months later he was back on a regular late start for 3 days a week. For a while his show was starting at an "early" 20:40.
In 2001, Peel was diagnosed with diabetes. Out of compassion, the BBC soon had him back on a late night slot (starting 22:00). A few months before his tragic death, the BBC decided to turn the screw a bit more, and bump his show back to a 23:00 start.
Two weeks before he died, Peel told Andy Kershaw that the move to the 23:00 slot:
"caused him a lot of stress and that he felt marginalised and unappreciated" Wikipedia.
John Peel
Well done, BBC, you've done us proud. John Peel's later shows were available to listen to 24/7 on the internet, as well as being broadcast live on radio. As the BBC are so keen on promoting digital media, you have to wonder why they failed to allow an elderly employee, in ill heath, to record the shows at a reasonable time, to be broadcast later at any time they chose. Instead, they cause further damage to his body-clock and related biochemical processes. At best, they are criminally neglient, at worst, well... anyone for corporate manslaughter?
Chop Chop!
Afternoon all! I'm back from my self-imposed exile and I'm doing a good job of typing, considering I nearly lopped off half a finger last night. A few Stellas, a couple of tots of Glenfiddich, and I was all fired up for some midnight cookery. Obviously moving into the arena of searing metal, boiling water, and sharp knives is a risk at any time, but more so when you've strapped on your beer-goggles. Endorphins and alcohol save the day again...
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