Saturday, November 04, 2006

[blogfocus] the tragedy of iraq and related issues

Photo from Iain Dale

The Iraq and other Middle-Eastern conflicts have forced western countries to consider their positions and those positions are disparate. This Blogfocus touches on some of the things bloggers have written on these themes:

# Shoddy treatment
# Under-equipped troops
# Military tactics
# The British enquiry
# The posting of evidence of WMD
# Across-the-spectrum anti-war sentiment
# The Muslim mindset
# Different takes on the issue

Iain Dale sets the tone with a timely reminder about those above us who make the decisions: Three soldiers' bodies returned home today from Iraq. There was no government minister in attendance. What an indictment of this sorry lot of charlatans that purport to govern our country.

On the other hand, as Blognor Regis brings to our attention: The Duke of Edinburgh has paid a surprise visit to Iraq to see British troops serving there. The 85-year-old flew to Basra to see soldiers from The Queen's Royal Hussars. That’s leading from the top.

Continued here ...

[nazis] lebensborn children meet

Found this quite moving: The Lebensborn "source of life" children were part of Nazi racial experiments. While millions of Jews and others deemed "undesirable" were being slaughtered, thousands of children were selected for Aryan physical qualities and given to families of Hitler's special police. Now, a meeting of 60 members of the Lebensspuren "traces of life" group, formed last year, is being held in Wernigerode, a town where the Nazis ran a Lebensborn home. It’s a struggle to imagine what it must have been like in those days in Germany.

[louise veronica ciccone] the battle for moronic supremacy

Follow her advice – tell no one.

It’s usually against my principles to write about Madonna but this one takes the biscuit: "If you haven't heard of [my book] by now, then you are either: a] living under a rock, b] living on the moon, c] away with the fairies. I am happy to clue you in to what the rest of the world already knows." Yet no matter how much sympathy she generates over the adoption saga, this passage about her own writing surely ranks among the most self-serving, self-satisfied and downright smug introductions to any book in recent memory. That’s all I wish to quote about the arcane Kabbalist who recently said she didn’t want to be a mother anyway. Try not to buy anything of hers whatsoever.

[rumsfeld] he’ll go when ‘they’ want him to, not before

An editorial to be published Monday in the Army Times, which serves the four main branches of the U.S. military will call for President Bush to replace Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. "Basically, the editorial says, it's clear now, from some of the public statements that military leaders are making, that he's lost the support and respect of the military leadership," said Robert Hodierne, senior managing editor. One of the unknown knowns is that Rumsfeld can’t go unless he himself wants to or the ties are cut by Them. Identifying Them members, including Richard Cheney and Henry Kissinger, is quite easy. The rule of thumb is - if he’s in a top post, if the policy he supports produces Sudans and Iraqs, if he's a headkicker by nature - he’s one of Them.

[cllr ayling] the pleasures of eating indian

Love this excerpt from Gavin Ayling, who went to India in a manner of speaking. I went to Indian Summer in Brighton last night for a Diwali evening. As always the food was perfect (I don't use that word lightly) and the environment, service and everything else you might wish for were excellent. The chicken melts in the mouth, the inter-course palate cleanser does what it should while tasting better than any fruit juice you've had... Inter-course palate cleanser … yes … I can see how that would satisfy.

[saddam] the moment has come

If you’re moved to pity by the aging Saddam, never forget the swashbuckling version from the past and his delightful sons.

So the verdict and sentence on Saddam appears to have finally arrived. From the City News report: One of Saddam's lawyers claimed a death sentence for his client would "open the gates of hell" to the thousands of American soldiers stationed in Iraq. The mother of all gates? Sunni Arabs are predicting widespread violence should Saddam be sentenced to death and the majority of Shiites, many who were persecuted under Saddam, will be enraged if he gets off. Nice situation for that sad, divided country.

[saturn’s day] one day to go

The Sumerian and Babylonian Ninurta, the Greek Cronos and the Latin Saturnus all join to bring to a close the working week. Saturnus was identified in classical antiquity with the Greek deity Cronus, and the mythologies of the two gods are commonly mixed. Either way, the photo of him eating his children might scare the children so the photo of the planet appears instead. Tomorrow’s a rest day, folks and over here we now have four days of holidays !

[2006] year of the missile

1] Somali Islamists test fired rockets on Friday and prepared for war. 2] Iran's Revolutionary Guards have fired missiles with the capability of carrying cluster warheads at the start of 10 days of military manoeuvres. 3] North Korea test-fired a long-range missile. 4] China recently joined North Korea and Hezbollah in the parade of ballistic bombers by shooting off a newly developed Dong Feng 31. 5] Hezbollah's happy-hour shooting needs no link. Awful lot of countries preparing for war when there is no official war. Does someone know something we don’t?

[haggard] who stands to win and lose

If we can leave aside the MSM sleaze for one moment, it’s a fair question what the motivation was behind the Haggard ‘outing’. The question this blog asks itself, as do many others, is who stands to win and lose by this ‘outing’? One answer is that the environmental lobby [the pre-hijacked grass roots supporter level] stands to lose big time. They’ve lost a major spokesperson. Who gains? You can answer this for yourself.

Friday, November 03, 2006

[china] the silk road to africa

Never thought this blog would stoop to using Them as a source for a story. The CFR [and one thing their pedigree does give them is authority in international pot-stirring] says Beijing’s policy of “non-interference in domestic affairs” allows it to feed its voracious appetite for oil without regard for Sudan’s refusal to accept UN peacekeeping troops in Darfur, as discussed in Backgrounder, or the repressive regime of Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe. China’s investment in Africa is projected by Chinese officials to reach $50 billion this year and that’s a whole new ball game.

[dj de petro] foot in mouth, then backslides

Had to chuckle over DJ de Petro, who made some – er - inappropriate remarks about a Gubernatorial candidate and was then fired. DePetro told the Globe today he was "stunned" by his firing and that he only told his listeners that he wished someone would "tell the fat lesbian to shut up." He then tried to extract himself: "I didn't violate any laws. I know it's mean but she is technically obese and lives an alternative lifestyle. What if someone yelled about Kerry Healey being a spoiled white bitch or Mihos being an arrogant wealthy egomanic?" DePetro apologized on the air after making these remarks. There we go again – apologize, apologize. If you make a remark, stick with it, especially if it’s appropriate.

[ségolène] how much do you really know

All right – she’s a total honey, even at 55 and appears to have a good heart. But be careful – as Wikipedia admitted, she’s also the woman who commissioned a homosexual video for schools called “The Happiness of Loving”, including information for students on the Civil Partnership scheme and how to counter distaste for homosexuals. She has also been very active in promoting same sex ‘marriages’. That will no doubt put her up in some people’s estimation but it will leave the rest us cold.

[sarkozy] comme ségolène, comme benoît xvi

''Ca fait bien longtemps que j'ai employé ces mots'', assure Nicolas Sarkozy

Le patron de l’UMP a promis vendredi de ramener ''l'ordre juste'' en France, une formule chère à Ségolène Royal. Pour lui, la candidate à la candidature socialiste n’a pas le monopole de cette expression. « Je suis pour l'ordre juste », a déclaré vendredi Nicolas Sarkozy aux chauffeurs de bus de Villepinte, en Seine-Saint-Denis. « Il n'y a pas de justice possible sans ordre », a-t-il précisé. Suivez.

[tomkat] irrational dislike for this man worries me

I do not like thee, Mr. Cruise. The reason why I can but muse but this I know I’ll never lose – I do not like thee, Mr. Cruise. MGM CEO Harry E. Sloan announced yesterday: "Cruise and Wagner will have substantial ownership of United Artists. Budget permitting they will have almost complete control over green-lighting and developing new productions." How long till the first blockbuster starring Tom Cruise?

[richard branson] what to do with wealth

This is another of those pre-blogging days articles with end credits but no links. And yet it is interesting and throws up some novel ideas on how best to disburse wealth in poorer nations. Richard Branson is famous for enjoying his wealth. But he also feels that great wealth brings with it great responsibility and he talked to the BBC about the business of philanthropy in the third world. Here.

[backsliding] apologies left, right and centre

What’s with all this apologizing? Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont apologized Thursday to Muslims in the southern part of Thailand for past government policies. The American Legion accepted John Kerry's apology. The Pope said he was ‘deeply sorry’ for comments on Islam following the papal tradition of apologizing for things like the annihilation of Constantinople by Crusaders during 4 days of mayhem in 1204 A.D. Australia has an ongoing National Sorry Day for the aborigines. Enough already! PG Wodehouse said the best sort of people don’t need apologies and the worst sort take advantage of them. Sorry if that offended you just now! Sorry!

[food & wine] seafood to disappear in 50 years

Are you a seafood lover? Researchers warn in the journal Science that 90 per cent of present-day marine fish, crustaceans, shellfish and other currently eaten species of seafood could vanish in 50 years. But the study's lead author, Canadian fisheries researcher Boris Worm, [is that his real name?], thinks countries will correct the present overfishing, economic mismanagement and environmental degradation before that happens. Really? I’m not so sure.

[scum rises] enough to make you haggard

The key comment on this Haggard issue comes from JC Himself: Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Ted Haggard, president of the National Association of Evangelicals, who resigned Thursday after denying an accusation by a male prostitute that the pastor paid him for sex over three years, is either an innocent man framed by those who would destroy the church … or else he’s of the devil’s party and a shining example of the adage ‘the scum always rises’. Time will tell. To say the Christian church is riddled with scum is a truism. To say that this negates the Christian message is either naïve or something worse.

Thursday, November 02, 2006

[insulin] don’t mess with the keys to good health

Insulin crystals

In 1996, the Zone diet was popularized through, amongst others, Joyce and Gene Daoust [Warton, Del Mar, CA]. The theory was that excessive carbos produce excess insulin, which in turn causes heart disease, hypertension, stroke, high blood cholesterol and triglycerides, and diabetes. The solution was to consume 40% carbos, 30% protein and 30% fat in each of five or six balanced meals over the course of one’s day. Dr. Phil Maffetone [3ba060$8ce@newsbf01.news.aol.com] added that perhaps half the population [including athletes ] was insulin resistant to some degree. There were some unresolved questions about this theory.

[steorn] quinlan about to become billionaire

Enormous claims: In 2003 Steorn undertook a project to develop more efficient micro generators. Early into this project the company developed certain generator configurations that appeared to be over 100% efficient. Further investigation and development has led to the company’s current technology, a technology that produces free energy… meaning never having to refuel your car or recharge your mobile phone. Black Quill is a devotee and says: A couple of months back, Steorn was the most searched-for item on Technorati, but of late there is only a silence. I want to know why the major energy suppliers don’t buy it up and shelve it and why nothing more has been heard but I hope it is real and that Quinlan makes a packet.

[thor’s quiz] try these for size

1.......In what war did the crucial Battle of Bunker Hill take place?
2.......The ancient region of Nubia is in which two modern countries?
3.......In which century did the Black Death reach Britain?
4.......Air Force One is the US President's plane. What is Marine One?
5.......At the beginning of the War of American Independence, what was considered to be the 14th colony?

6-10 and answers here.

[china] one truck cuts 28 000 people’s water

Something like this would make front page news anywhere else in the world. As it happened in China, it barely rated a mention. An oil truck overturned on Thursday October 26, dumping 33 tons of wash oil into a river in north China's Shanxi Province, and contaminating an estimated two million cubic meters of water, forcing water supplies to nearly 28,000 people to be cut. Investigations show that the overloaded truck, which had a capacity of only 31.5 tons, overturned due to a brake failure. Meanwhile, an oil spill in the Songhua Riverhas been brought under control and will not threaten drinking water in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, state authorities said Saturday. Just thought you might like to know. Stop yawning.

[us economy] all's not roses approaching christmas

Wal-Mart, Target and Gap are heading for poor Christmases. Wal-Mart says it expects its November figures to be "approximately flat", Gap was among the poorest performers with a 7% fall in like-for-like takings and Target achieved a 3.9% rise but missed estimates of a 4.2% increase. The economy’s expansion of only 1.6% during the third quarter was the weakest rate since the first quarter of 2003. Julian Jessop of Capital Economics said he saw a 30% chance of a recession occurring. "Considering oil prices have fallen and the strength of the stock market, confidence should be very strong but the fact that it is not suggests there is something else going on." Lowered oil prices and a slowing housing market have been blamed by some.

[thor’s day] all souls day

Welcome to the Sumerian Enlil’s, the Babylonian Marduk’s, the Greek Zeus’, the Roman Iuppiter’s and Thor’s Day. May it be happy and productive for you. Today is also All Souls Day, when we remember the souls of the departed, of any colour and of any persuasion. Today is the day to remember our grandparents, parents and any others we miss and as such, maybe you'd agree it’s an important day in the calendar.

[defending the west] falling at the final hurdle

[ Photo of window in St Peter's Basilica]

Melanie Phillips, Minette Marrin, Johnathan Pearce and Tom Paine are hardly Christian apologists and yet look where they’ve independently found themselves. Melanie Phillips says: The crucial insight here is that only a strong indigenous faith has the capacity to resist Islamisation. That is why the collapse of Christianity in Britain and Europe and its steady replacement by secularisation is so catastrophic for the defence of the west. Read what the others have to say.

[mount of olives] precepts for living

Here are the words, just the words, minus anotation and minus the hard-sell: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. Continued here.

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

[iceland] thou shalt not steal thy neighbour’s hotpot

The District Court of North Iceland last Thursday sentenced a man in his twenties to two months prison for stealing a hot pot from a patio but he might escape imprisonment if he manages to stay on the right side of the law for three years, as reported on mbl.is. The hot pot was stolen from the patio of a summer house in February 2006. As it had yet to be glued to the patio, the thief could remove it with a crowbar. The thief was tracked down after an observant citizen contacted the police in Akureyri. Yet to be glued? Crowbar?

[éditorial du figaro] pas d'excuses pour les mineurs

Il n'est jamais trop tard pour ouvrir les yeux. Les chiffres de la violence augmentent, 180 000 mineurs sont, chaque année, mis en cause, une moitié d'entre eux sont âgés de 13 à 15 ans lorsqu'ils sont traduits en justice. Mais si la gravité du constat commence à être partagée, les solutions, elles, divisent encore. Et là, la gauche, saisie par ses traditionnels démons, chausse ses vieilles lunettes. Pour accuser le ministre de l'Intérieur de « pompier pyromane », et asséner sa culture de l'excuse. Refusant d'admettre que c'est précisément celle-ci qui a favorisé le développement de la délinquance dans les banlieues. Suivez ici.

[australia] highest greenhouse gas per capita

UN figures released this week show that, per capita and discounting tiny Luxembourg, Australia pumps out more greenhouse gases than any other nation and more than twice the levels within the European Union. The sprawl of Australian cities, relatively cheap petrol and fuel-inefficient cars have made transport emissions particularly high. And having one of the world's highest populations of cows per head gives it ‘spectacularly high emissions of methane’, which cows burp out endlessly. Those Aussies.

[george allen] never spit

In a nutshell, if I understand it correctly, Sen George Allen and James Webb [Virginia race] both allegedly have skeletons in the closet and a political prankster, Mike Stark, decided to ask, on his website, for donations to help with one of his pranks. He sucked in $4000 and began with a question to Allen about spitting on his first wife, after Allen’s team zeroed in on Webb’s sexual references in a book he wrote. There was biffo but at least it put the issue on the agenda. Read the details here.

[feedback] pretty vital, actually

Thinking of employing this little chap as my blog-mascot – for a start, he is wearing my football team’s strip.

Coming around to thinking that we can’t blog alone. I’d heard previously that my site was slow-loading but had it confirmed today by one blogger and I’m at a loss what to do about it. Too many pictures? Non-standard template? Too many links out? At one point I put it down to Kaspersky but that can’t be so; so if you could advise, it would help a lot.

[heather mills] amputee or gold digger

Nice debate over at Samizdata. Johnathan says: “One of the problems with Political Correctness … is that it will invite a backlash. That backlash will not necessarily be for the good, but could encourage a new sort of ugliness: a desire to say things that are by any yardstick offensive, rude and coarsening of public life.” He refers, of course, to the Heather Mills biz, to which Guido commented that she was fair game. I’d agree and so is PC itself.

[senator kerry] remarks might just be the truth

Skull & Bones member, Senator Kerry, told students at Pasadena City College, "You know, education, if you make the most of it, you study hard, you do your homework and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well. If you don't, you get stuck in Iraq." Kerry may just be telling the truth: "A very large proportion of today's military is comprised of young people who barely made their way through high school and had nothing close to an educational or career prospect. " That would explain a lot in Iraq and why the insurgency is of the intensity it is.

[today’s holiday] all hallow’s day

Today, as you know, is All Hallows’ Day [all saints, tousssaint], the day we remember those who suffered for their Maker. Because we didn’t personally know these people, it’s a little hard to get enthused, as it would be difficult to get enthused over some village in Somalia or the Sudan which has just suffered atrocity. Easier to be outraged over, say, climate change. Human nature. Anyway, that’s today; yesterday was All Hallow’s evening [or Hallowe’en] and tomorrow is All Souls Day. Just to set the record straight, like.

[commons vote] iraq enquiry after troops home

Far be it for this blog to praise Tony Blair but the vote to hold the enquiry on Iraq after the troops have been withdrawn seems the right decision. I wouldn’t like to be over there myself, knowing I could die today and also knowing there’s an investigation underway on why I actually need to die today. That wouldn’t be so good, methinks.

[china] live and be executed

How would you like to live in China? China's highest court must now approve all executions under legislation enacted Tuesday, prompting human rights activists to express hope that the country will reduce its use of the death penalty. This follows reports of wrongly convicted people being executed and criticism that the death penalty has been imposed arbitrarily by lower courts, even for tax evasion. In a previous report, China has equipped its courts with mobile execution vans to make the process quicker and easier and have started using the new "civilised" lethal injection.

[wodnesdaeg] day to pause and reflect

On the day of Woden or Mercury, two supposed psychopomps, the sun has just broken out, whereas yesterday here was falling snow. Have a happy Wodnesdæg [or Day of the Sumerian Enki, the Babylonian Nabû, of E-zida, in Borsippa, the Greek Hermes or the Roman Mercurius].

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

[blogfocus] the way forward in life

Iraq, Iran, climate change, veils, making ends meet, what’s the way forward in this life we’re forced to lead? Bloggers from the four corners have their say this evening, beginning with Colin Campbell, who is in no doubt – family values are everything; the family which trampolines together, stays together [see photo of the construction of said trampoline]. He also believes in early rising – the photos were posted at 6.05 a.m. More ingenious blogger solutions here.

[which] ie7 v firefox

Firefox seems to be leading early on in the download race, and it's been more of a hit with the critics. One explanation for this is that, since Firefox users tend to be more fanatical and technology savvy than those of IE, they'd be more likely to download the new browser on the day of its release. By contrast, most IE users will wait until the new version of the browser is sent over automatic updates, which is expected to occur in November. If you have an interest in either of these, this is an interesting article.

[snow] it’s falling outside, in a manner of speaking

Hurrah! Hurrah! We have snow out there – do you? I adore the snow but not when it almost immediately turns to slush, so that when you cross the road to your carpark, some great semi-articulated lorry drives within two metres, covering you from head to foot in a torrent of road sludge. No, that’s not so good. Have a lovely day, wherever you are.

[super trains] in britain, take repair kits

This sort of thing from the Telegraph today could make a man nostalgic: After several minutes sitting silently at Rugby station, a sheepish member of staff broke the silence with the announcement: "If anyone has some nuts and bolts with them will they come forward?" The new, tilting Pendolino had ground to a halt because the blades on the windscreen wipers had come loose and it could not pull away until they had been fixed. Willing passengers gathered together a rudimentary tool kit and one even clambered on to the front of the engine in an attempt to get it running again, but to no avail. I love Britain.

[air crashes] regime adjusters in nigeria

You have to hand it to the Nigerians. The victims of the latest ADC crash near Abuja included the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Maccido. The late Sultan, who headed Nigeria’s millions of Muslims, was the spiritual leader of the Islamic faithful both in the country and the Niger Republic. A man revered across many countries in West Africa, the late Sultan was not a religious leader himself, but someone to whom Muslims looked up to for leadership and guidance. What a perfect way to curtail the activities of a nuisance, with no political fallout and no blame attributable.

[iraq] two things which catch the eye

1] Thousands of weapons the United States has provided Iraqi security forces cannot be accounted for and spare parts and repair manuals are unavailable for many others, a new report to Congress says. Black market 2] "It's my belief that they're [Shi’ite militias] very sensitive to the fact that we've got an election scheduled and they can get on the websites like anybody else," says Dick Cheney. Corollary: give people freedom to blog and see what happens – militias!

Monday, October 30, 2006

[id cards] open letter to all readers

More likely an embedded verichip than what's in this photo

ScotsToryB commented: James, perhaps you can have a wee look at Monty's blog re ID cards and post a link to get the rest of us great unwashed to start standing up for ourselves. My readership, STB, is not large but I do have readers with large readerships - fellow bloggers. For you ladies and gentlemen, if you happen upon this post, please go to Monty Lionheart's own post on ID cards, if you haven't already done so; then to this site and then prehaps think out the best possible way to use your blog to assist - maybe running banners, I don't know. I'll think it out this evening in terms of my own blog. Our children's future quite possibly depends on it.

[usa] cold comfort for the russians …

Dr. Strangelove

I recently read on one blog, [please set me straight on whose], that what the Americans didn’t know in the Cuba crisis was that they were floating above Soviet subs with nuclear tipped warheads, as they, the Americans, intended dropping depth charges. Once our American friends wipe their brows, it’s time for the return bout; it’s the Russians’ turn to blanch. Actually, they were nearly wiped out too, without the least inkling of it. Just a few notes about it here.

[overseas] the perils of expats and repats

Maria Sharapova

Recently, a girl I know came back here from America [as a repat] and immediately visited two of her best friends. Far from supporting her, they told her she could not succeed back here. I told her that this attitude is also very common in the west. On the other hand, as a foreigner living in Russia, more or less semi-permanently [as an expat], there are two questions I am always asked: “Do you like it here?” and “When are you going home?” Continued here.

[smoking] why it’s particularly bad for girls

Each age group has its own particular self-delusions associated with it. A middle aged man might conclude that because he personally finds a lady attractive, then she automatically must want to go out with him; or believing your teenage daughter is innocent because she tells you so. 16 to 20 year old girls might conclude that anorexia is the way to happiness, that body piercing is beautiful and that smoking is OK. This article is about girls smoking.

[which] blogger, wordpress, typepad, haloscan

It was Colin Campbell who made reference [in an e-mail] to support in the blogosphere and I can heartily second that. The number of pieces of quite constructive advice on what to do over the vexed Blogger issue was gratifying to say the least, some from quite surprising sources. Thank you and if I can do something in return … In the meantime: Blogger. When it’s working and if you have a good imported template, it’s flexible and understandable, if a little slow. Wordpress is snazzier but just doesn’t have the flexibility, e.g. widgets plus it also occasionally refuses. Typepad – I’ve heard mixed reviews. Haloscan – I’ve heard nothing. So, it’s the old dilemma.

[which is worse] evil intent, madness or incompetence


A commenter below, on the question of whether George Bush was satanic or nay, made the point: The Iranian is way more mad than Bush. Even my new found Bush hating levels allow me to see that. This set me to thinking: which evil is worse? That 1] from cold, calculated intent 2] from gross incompetence and general thickness 3] from madness?

[lewisham] fond memories of maggie’s cafe

Are you familiar with Lewisham? You know when you come from Tesco’s carpark along the narrow walkway between the station ramp and the café on the left? That’s Maggie’s and I got it into my head to write to her and find out how things were going. Maggie was a wonder in 1995, swirling round the café with two pots of tea, refilling people’s empty cups and asking if they were all right; and the food was the best and most reasonably priced in London. Basic fare, done well and what’s more – you could see them preparing it through there. Eleven years later, I imagine she may have moved on but the café/restaurant is still going. Check it out.

[in brief] thought for the day

In the immortal words of Tony Blair: Enough of talking, time now to do [1997]. Have a lovely grey Monday, enjoy an extended lunch with your colleagues and partners and keep your spirits up.

[school chaplains] return to real values

It’s right out in the open now and the gloves are off. In Australia, a new school chaplaincy program would not force religion on children but instead provide more choices, says Federal Education Minister Julie Bishop [Liberals – means Conservatives]. Labor has backed the plan [amazing], but minor parties, including the Greens and Democrats say the proposal blurs the line between church and state. The Green humanistic atheists can’t have it all their own way – the truth has to also be told sometime, as a counter-balance, according to their own enlightened debating rules. And this should produce some very lively debate. [Interesting that Blogger let this one go straight to post in 2 mins with no impediments.]