[blogfocus] tuesday rounds

Longrider talks telephone:

While we are used to our landline numbers being exposed in a directory unless we choose the ex-directory option, it is worth bearing in mind that it is something of a historical hangover.

Centurean 2 exposes Common Purpose:

Common Purpose specifically targets children from the age of 13, and more recently younger, for special leadership and citizenship training. Yes, it is active in schools, and again the average parent has no idea. People have contacted us to speak of their experiences with Common Purpose. A common theme is its all sweetness and light, until you fail to follow the direction set by the CP leadership.

L'Ombre takes part in the great Man vs Horse race:

The Man vs Horse race provides a fairly good indicator of what humans can do, and what horses can do, at the top end of the range on mixed terrain. The man on foot can beat a horse if he's fit and smart and the rider doesn't want to ruin his animal.

Lord T is in fighting form about declining standards:

If I speak out about treason in the government that makes me a patriot not a traitor.
If I speak out against corruption in the government that makes me a patriot not a traitor
If I speak out about the government destroying our way of life without as much as a referendum or a mandate then I am a patriot not a traitor.
If I rise against a corrupt government that makes me a patriot not a traitor.

Mark Wadsworth is concerned with Gov-speak:

As short a time ago as February, the Ministry of Plenty had issued a promise (a 'categorical pledge' were the official words) that there would be no reduction of the chocolate ration during 1984. Actually, as Winston was aware, the chocolate ration was to be reduced from thirty grammes to twenty at the end of the present week.

Posh Totty is off to the beach:

I have packed swimmers, sun hats, shorts, t-shirts, vest tops & cropped trousers for us all in the hope we get some much need sunshine .... and bunged in a few spares just in case.

Pisces explains reality:

Create is probably not the right word: we do, I believe, define/realise our own reality by becoming aware of it - the flowers that grow beside the motorway are not included in our reality until we become aware of them.

Welshcakes writes of the job process over there:

When I tell my Italian students that in the UK it is possible to apply directly for a professional job, they are flabbergasted, as in Italy they have to put themselves through a complicated series of "competitions" and the job is usually awarded on the results of these, with no interview.

Trixy does her bit for international relations:

However, basic is too much for this shower. They really are beyond the pale and expecting any level of decency from them is like expecting the French not to surrender.

Vox quotes Barron's:

There are better and worse ways to manage the Federal Reserve, but most are a matter of luck and hindsight. As economist Marc Faber has written, "When...the public...finally realizes that central bankers are no wiser than the central planners of former communist regimes, the tide will turn and monetary reform will come to the fore.... market forces [will] drive economic activity, and not some kind of central planner...."