Some Things For You

On Terror

Published on 2007-05-26 19:25:00

Blair describes the flight of suspects under control orders as "a symptom of a society which put civil liberties before fighting terror" according to the BBC.Under new laws being considered, people will be charged up to £5000 for refusing to answer police questions under "stop and quiz" powers. Questions that can be asked with no reason or suspicion.That's not fighting terror. That is terror. It's not even the foundation of a police state, but one of the basic infrastructures. Under such legisl

On the Future of Political Parties

Published on 2007-05-20 12:48:00

At a time when the Prime Minister-elect is one of the key architects of the last decade of government, it can be difficult to remember that this should be a time to look to the future. But we have reached a stage of party politics that could define government for a generation or more and it is increasingly vital to reflect on how we got there and what that means for the routes available to us. As ever, the future is rooted in history. It began with Thatcher. It was whilst in her hands that the

The level of political debate in the US

Published on 2007-03-31 14:16:00

Sometimes I dispair at the standard of political debate in this country: newspapers seem to be dumbing down and Newsnight can be a little hit or miss. But much as much as I read about America's coverage, I was shocked to see this clip from Fox News: America's most watched news channel according to Wikipedia.No one comes out well here. Rosie O'Donnel, someone I have previously had respect for, sounds like a mad ranting bint. Anyone stupid enough to swallow Loose Change's story deserves a thorough

The hillarious overtones of 300

Published on 2007-03-28 11:43:00

300 is already a very, very funny movie. When plenty of blood, high-camp sensibilities and Miller's style clash, you know the result will be good.However, when the propaganda and xenophobic overtones smacked me about the face, it was wonderful. The story is one of the "free men" of Greece - freedom is an oft-mentioned concept in 300 - against the forces of "mysticism and tyranny" of Persia. The Persian God-king is fabulous (Iranians are sissies) and commands an enormous army of mutants (brown pe

Zurich's slogan

Published on 2007-03-04 06:16:00

Zurich's new slogan is "Because change happenz".I don't think I can say any more about that without vomiting.

Sexism on Campus

Published on 2007-01-24 02:35:00

Originally appeared in Nouse.It may be many years since feminism’s peak, but apparently sexism still blights our society. York University has recently been in the spotlight for its alleged “institutional sexism”. Online magazine The First Post published an article singling out this university for its chauvinistic campus practices, primarily Goodricke’s Playboy Mansion and the Pole Exercise club. York was not alone: Loughborough’s student union was criticised for extending an invitation

British Weather and the Death Toll

Published on 2007-01-18 14:37:00

A horrific implication of the immediate nature of new media has been making itself much too apparent today, as storms have whipped through much of Britain. I've been internetting on and off all day, and watched as the death count has risen on the BBC RSS feed, from two this morning to eight now.This is not pleasant. It means I know that five people died whilst I studied and another one whilst I played Wario Ware. It's a stark and grim and deeply uncomfortable thing to watch.LATER: The number we

The best animation ever

Published on 2007-01-17 03:57:00

Are people idiots?

Published on 2007-01-15 18:11:00

Ambulance drivers drive 200 miles in the wrong direction, following satnav instructions.Overly obedient German drivers crash following satnav instructions.What is wrong with people? Is everyone a bloody idiot?

The news is rubbish

Published on 2007-01-08 08:03:00

It must be so dull to be a journalist these last few weeks. Nothing has happened. Yet, there has been so much potential. Prescott as acting prime minister must have created some kind of headline story. I thought it was his job to keep a number of journalists employed, seems he can't even do this properly. I want scandal.Instead, I am constantly reminded of 'what is going to happen in 2007' and the Ashes. All fair and well, but if I have to read that 'later this year, Bush will become the most ex

Book: A Human Being Died That Night

Published on 2007-01-04 09:32:00

I'm currently reading A Human Being Died That Night, by Pumla Gobodo-Madiizela, an incredibly well-written but harrowing account of her meetings with the man known as the Prime Evil of the apartheid, Eugene de Kock.As I was reading, I became more concious of the language and writing, partially because the author was herself discussing language, specifically that usede to relate traumatic incidents. And as I read account after unbelievable account of horror and so much misery - husbands shot in f

"Sexy and Factual"

Published on 2007-01-04 06:25:00

Men and Motors, that venerable broadcaster, is to be airing a series named The All American Strip Off. Not spectacular news in itself, but the contestants are to keep video diaries that will be "sexy and factual". This is such an amazing description. If even half of my life could be called sexy and factual, I would be a much happier man.

Little Chef: A Sad Start to the Year

Published on 2007-01-03 15:32:00

Little Chef enters administration: from the BBCThis upsets me perhaps more than it should. Little Chef is something that featured quite a large amount in my childhood. Despite the staff whose lacksadasical attitude to sersvice bordered on the offensive, terrible food and general British crapness, being taken to our local Little Chef was quite a treat: the several months in between the mysterious fire and subsequent refitting were difficult ones.To be completely honest, essentially, the pleasure

Published on 2006-12-24 12:18:00

The NRA have a graphic novel coming out.It is too wonderful for words.

Strictly Come Dancing

Published on 2006-12-23 19:42:00

For a while I was living with the thought that 'Celebrity Love Island' was the most unentertaining programme on televsion. How wrong I was. Having been surrounded by what can only be described as 'people' for the past few days, I have been subjected to conversation regarding said television programme.Today, I could not move without it being mentioned, be it tv, newspaper, internet... Thinking about it, I cannot understand the appeal one bit. People you have vaguely heard of given a dance partner

Bono to be Knighted

Published on 2006-12-23 07:00:00

But as an Irish citizen, he shall not be allowed to use the title "Sir".It amazes me that someone so devoted to peace, prosperity and generally groovy things can be so widely hated. It has to be granted to Bono that he has done some Good Things.Why, then, can I not help but hate him and those stupid bloody sun glasses and his smug little smile and his bandmate The Edge?Sometimes I just want a big man to punch Bono right in his mouth.

Monkey Magazine - Another Publication for Idiots

Published on 2006-12-22 12:12:00

Monkey Magazine is a new mens magazine.God-damn I hate those magazines and the sneery, laddish way they revel in their own stupidity. But this is not why I write. Rather, Monkey is to be online only.This, again, is not really something to write about. So another website has lauched. Hoorah. But there is more to be said yet. First, it is being produced by Dennis Publishing, who also publish, among another titles, Maxim. Clearly they know their stuff in the field of idiot-mags. This marks then an

BBC air Tom Stephens interview, despite assurances of anonymity

Published on 2006-12-19 08:37:00

BBC Editors BlogStephens was interviewed some time ago as park of the background to the case: it appears he was promised that it would not be broadcast and he would not be named.With a surprising lack of integrity, the BBC has dang old gone ahead and broadcast these interviews anyway.Mr Stephens should be presumed innocent until proven otherwise in a court of law; it is not for the BBC to judge these things. And untill that point, his confidences should have been kept.That another man has been s

Girl gives birth whilst at school

Published on 2006-12-19 06:59:00

From the BBCI don't wish to moralise here, but I think that there is an element to this story that simply cannot pass without comment."The Year 11 pupil is not thought to have known she was pregnant. "It is true that I am male and, as such, have not had first-hand experience with preganacy. However, all reports seem to indicate that it is a fairly obvious 9-month process. At some point there, one expects the bearer to become aware of the growing child.Or perhaps I am mistaken.

Why does BB3 hate us?

Published on 2006-12-16 16:57:00

Tonight's schedule:4 episodes of Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps 2 episodes of Little BritainReading that listing made me do sick all in my mouth and on my shoes.Why BBC3, why do you hate us?

Kazakhstan Build Giant Tent

Published on 2006-12-10 06:18:00

They want to build a city-sized tent.Amazing. This sounds perfect. Imagine never walking out of your door and encountering gale force winds and heavy rain, also it can be warm all day long.Going back to the Millennium, instead of building a crap tent and put something inside it, we should have built a giant motherfucker over, say, Scotland. It would have been amazing! People would have flocked there without the constant fear of getting swept away in a gale or freezing to death.This is what the f

4oD: First impressions

Published on 2006-12-07 19:34:00

4oD is hot and willing, all naked and beta for your lust-filled gaze.I was very excited about 4oD. It's new, it's bold and it's the future of media, right there in downloadable form. So, did it match up to my dreams?Kinda, I guess.The installer is small and intuitive, though one has to try hard to mess up an installer. Even so, so far, so happy.The interface is pretty okay. It was a little slow and wasn't entierly wonderous, but does the job and looks pretty. Hopefully it will become a little mo

BBC Sports Personality Of The Year

Published on 2006-12-07 12:35:00

Just like this years Mercury Music prize shortlist, this years shortlist for Sports Personality of the year has been severely disappointing. Between them, I think I may have achieved more this year with a few badminton wins and picking matching socks in the morning.Lets go through the list: Monty Panesar, a cricketer who cannot get picked in the England cricket team over the awful Ashley Giles. Andy Murray, only because Henman is worse. Zara Phillips, if she wasn't royalty, she would not be the

It's about bloody time

Published on 2006-12-05 05:38:00

NASA are planning a moon base!And about time too. It's been the future for almost seven years now and I tell you, it still seems just like the present. Where are my meal-pills? My floating cars? Teleporter-related mishaps? Time-travel adventures? I mean honestly. I've not even entered hyperspace yet.Pull your socks up, Scientists. I demand more future.

DeVito

Published on 2006-12-01 03:46:00

Danny DeVito drunk on American TVThere are few things more enjoyable than watching celebrities really being themselves in otherwise utterly artificial surroundings. In the above clip DeVito looks to be drunk as a cunt and is hillarious. And whilst Rosie O'Donnel handles the situation brilliantly, whoever her generic co-host is fails utterly to respond in an apropriate way: spending the entire interview trying to get back to scripted questions, floundering in the face of something TV-school just