Politics In the news 7 Jan 2008 Let’s see… what’s happening in the world today? Kenya is in turmoil and thousands are displaced and in danger of death by disease, starvation or tribal feuds. Religious moneymaking scam Scientology is accused of threatening those who leave it with sex revelations (I’d believe anything of that cult – they… Continue Reading
Politics What must a citizen know? 3 Jan 2008 The previous Australian junta introduced a “citizenship test” for those wanting to become naturalised Aussies. It includes such gems as who Don Bradman was, who wrote a song that isn’t even officially our anthem (Waltzing Matilda – Tom Wait’s version is way better), and other fluff. About one in eight… Continue Reading
Censorship Australia to impose “opt-out” filtering 2 Jan 2008 I’m going to have to start a “freedom watch” thread, I can see. Australia, under the ALP government, is to impose an “opt-out” internet filtering system on all lSPs, leading to the question asked by IT-Wire: what happens if I do opt out? Will I be listed somewhere as a… Continue Reading
Politics Are you being watched? 2 Jan 200818 Sep 2017 Since I am divesting myself of the occasional political whine, here’s another. The US-based Electronic Privacy Information Center and the UK-based Privacy International have assessed over 70 countries for their protection of privacy, both online and generally. The worst nations are Russia, China, the United Kingdom and the United States…. Continue Reading
Evolution NYE: the aftermath 1 Jan 200818 Sep 2017 OK, so the next door party finished about 1.30, but the family disputes finished about 5 am, so instead of thinking, I’m going to let others think for me, and round up a few New Years Day links… Continue Reading
History Follies d’Air 30 Dec 2007 The New York Times has a long overdue article on the stupidity of airport security measures for those flying to, within or in markets affected by the United States post-9/11. Pointing out that the security screening at airports in no way reduces any threats (but screening luggage does considerably), and… Continue Reading
Politics Vedantic creationism 28 Dec 2007 Just to demonstrate that it is not only the Christians who have their religious fundamentalists opposing science, here’s a piece that claims that the Vedas are the source of all true scientific knowledge. OK, guys, inventing zero was cool, but what have the Vedas done for us lately (apart from… Continue Reading
Politics Haneef: the final chapter 21 Dec 2007 Well the mills of God and the justice system grind exceeding fine, but they sometimes come up with the right conclusion. Haneef has been given back his visa, as was obviously going to happen from the beginning. Ex-minister Kevin Andrews did a bad thing, knowingly, I warrant, and has been… Continue Reading
Politics Thank the fates! The RQF is dead 21 Dec 2007 The previous Australian government, in its ongoing quest to out-mediocre the rest of the world, had instituted a “research Quality Framework”, liberally taken from a failed exercise in Britain. Now, the new government has declared it dead. It will not be missed. Continue Reading