[global warming] fact or myth – does the epa care

1] The Stern Report was set upon by many bloggers and dismantled but did they dismantle the report or the phenomenon of climate change as well? Is anyone saying there’s no climate change?

How much of this do you dispute? Greenhouse gases are generated naturally and by human activities, including the burning of fossil fuels. Once in the atmosphere, they trap the sun's heat and radiate it back to Earth. Motor vehicles emit four major greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and hydrofluorocarbons.

Whose side are you on here? California is part of a coalition of 12 states and environmental groups imploring the Supreme Court to tell the Bush administration that its Environmental Protection Agency has the authority and responsibility to regulate greenhouse gases emitted by new cars. The EPA has balked for years, saying the Clean Air Act does not allow it to step in.

The EPA's approach has frustrated environmentalists and the majority of climate scientists, who say rising levels of greenhouse gases are the driving force behind global warming. The Bush administration contends that it does not have the power to regulate greenhouse gases, and that even if it did, it would not exercise it. The government says carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are not “air pollutants” as the Clean Air Act defines them.

To oversimplify, Arnie says there’s global warming and that the cause and the course are clear. Dubya says there’s not and that they are not.

2] Or there is an alternative explanation. What about this and this being the real causes?

[state medical] some questions about the russian health system

On the topic of the state medical I underwent yesterday, Gavin Ayling asked…What is the point of these compulsory medicals? How does the Russian health service compare to the UK and is it free at the point of use? Ellee also asked…And what happens if you don't go for your appointment?

Both good questions. To answer, having a current medical record is what’s compulsory, not actually yesterday’s fun ’n games. Yesterday just brought all specialists together in one place, away from the houses of sickness and for that reason, on reflection, it was probably the best option of three. If I hadn't gone on the last available day yesterday, I'd have had two other choices:

1] waiting in lines, at different clinics, for each and every specialist over a period of weeks;

2] to have paid about 30% of western prices at a 'platnaya klinika', pay clinic. I glanced at a US site to get a photo for the post and they were advertising the same battery of tests for $1050. With the new affluence in this republic since 2001, many are now doing this sort of thing.

The question of compulsory health checks is one we could argue about – people’s freedoms etc. Some might say it is just window-dressing. Me – I suppose it’s necessary, otherwise I’d never go and have it done and it is nice to know my glucose is 4.6, that my eyes are minus something and that my blood pressure is 123 over 78.

Health insurance is still in it's infancy but it's coming. Many people say that though the new technologies are used at the pay places, they can still give shoddy service. It’s a case of Russia trying to lift itself by its bootstraps and taking two steps forward, one step back. But they are moving forward overall. For how long is anyone’s guess.

[worst movie ever] 4th nomination - starship troopers

Imdb: Directed by Paul Verhoeven, Writing credits (WGA), Robert A. Heinlein (book), Edward Neumeier (screenplay) Plot Outline: Humans of a fascistic, militaristic future do battle with giant alien bugs in a fight for survival.

All right, we get the idea. Now, not long ago, dirty dingus wrote…Starship Troopers should be there for its wilful abuse of the novel. It’s another of those movies that cause you to stop watching before the end. In this case it also makes you feel like shooting the dire-ector.

Author: Freemheart from Chile gives her literate take on the movie: The acting it's good, the soundtrack it's one of the best works of Basil Poleoduris. After this you can read the book of Robert Heinlein founding how far goes Paul Verhoeven in every scene and every character creating. This is a little worrying – praise from Chile. Let’s look at the cast: Casper Van Dien playing Johnny Rico, Dina Meyer playing Dizzy Flores and Denise Richards playing Carmen Ibanez.

Stop! Stop! Denise Richards, another ‘actress’ who runs the full gamut of emotions from A to B. Denise Richards, of TWINE – you know – the one with the tummy tatts and the heaving bust, whose acting won her the coveted Movie Site: Worst Supporting Actress of 1999, in The World is Not Enough.

All right, it’s on the list, dirty dingus.

[bond] a verdict from one who viewed it

Johnathan Pearce believes Mr Fleming would be very impressed. Here I reprint the bulk of his comprehensive verdict, for those who haven’t already read it:

Last night, I went along to see the latest 007 movie … there had been so much media noise and excitement leading up to the film, starring Daniel Craig as Bond, that I just had to go and see it.

I am very glad that I did so. I am one of those folk who actually prefers the original Ian Fleming books to the films, and I have a consequent dislike of the nonsense of the Roger Moore films, and the excesses of gadgetry and sheer silliness that the film-makers imposed on the stories after the first two or three of the Sean Connery movies, which are my favourites. So the fact that the new film deliberately sought to be more hard-edged, less dependent on gimmickry and cheesiness, was a good development.

Daniel Craig has been a controversial choice for Bond. The Bond of the novels is a slim, dark-haired old Etonian, of Swiss-French and Scottish ancestry - with a hard streak, a weakness for beautiful women in distress and a belief in living life to the full. Craig does well to convey the hard side of Bond, but he tries a bit too hard, sometimes.

He comes across as a sort of over-muscled army squaddie, who struts about the set rather than adopt the sort of feline grace of Fleming's character. But there is no doubting that Craig - who says he loves the Fleming novels - has taken up the challenge of portraying Bond as not just some suave dude who can kill and seduce the girls, but who can also take risks and get hurt in the service of his cause - his country.

And that is the unspoken message of this film, and very un-PC it is. Bond is a patriot (not much sign that he wants to work for the UN). He kills without the need to consult a post-traumatic stress disorder clinic, and is more likely to drink a large glass of bourbon instead. He gets cut, he gets beaten up, and he falls in love and learns the dangers of emotional involvement with ravishing brunettes (not that there is anything wrong with ravishing brunettes, ahem).

I thought the scene in the casino was the highlight, and even though the game was poker rather than baccarat - as in the story - the tension is built up nicely. The setting is nice, the actors who support Bond are pretty good, and the actress who plays Vesper is lovely - I can see why any red-blooded man can fall for her. The torture scene, taken from the original book, is pretty nasty, although the scene in the book is far nastier (it gave Raymond Chandler nightmares, apparently).

Some of the stunt/action scenes do not seem to add a great deal to the plot - such as the amazing scene at Miami airport - but they are incredibly well-done. For sheer excitement, the opening half-hour of the film cannot be beaten.

What is clear is that the film-makers, seeing how the Bond movies were mocked by the Austin Powers series of Mike Myers, have decided that our Jim is not going to put up with being a joke any more. Daniel Craig deserves a large, well-made vodka martini - made the right way, obviously - for playing 007 so well, and with such obvious conviction and relish.

Good review of the movie here. The original Fleming novel is definitely worth a read. Meanwhile, Jim Henley has thoughts. One final gripe: will the moviemakers ever get the casting right of Felix Leiter, Bonds' CIA buddy? In the books, he is a fair-headed Texan, ex-Marine Corps with a wonderfully sardonic sense of humour. Update: here is my review of Simon Winder's recent diverting if also irritating book about the James Bond phenomenon and post-war British history.

[obama] time to play or time to hold

The Chicago Tribune says: Granite State Democrats asked Obama to be the star attraction at a party event to celebrate sweeping victories in the state in the November election. The senator also recently has discussed a potential campaign with leading Democratic activists in Iowa, which holds the influential caucus that kicks off the presidential primary campaign in early 2008.

Among those he has spoken with are the former Iowa campaign managers for 2004 Democratic nominee John Kerry and 2000 Democratic nominee Al Gore, an Obama campaign adviser said. The recent release of his second memoir, "The Audacity of Hope," and a publicity tour in promotion of the book has bolstered his already high visibility just as he is contemplating a presidential run.

This blog does not claim any expertise in American politics but still, it seems premature. The Russians use the words ‘nye tak’, literally meaning ‘not so’ and there’s something a bit that way about the man. The answers a bit glib, the philosophy a bit pat and generalized - the passion is what carries him along, giving all the appearance of aptitude and authority.

First there’s his obvious charisma. One Iowa campaign worker said: You felt it. It was not just his speech. It was the way the crowd surged around him ... You couldn't move if he was in the area. I don’t trust that sort of charisma one inch. That’s early Blair charisma.

Then there was Cheney, who despite his faults is still an astute campaigner: He said in late October that he thought Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton could win the White House in 2008 and that a potential Democratic opponent, Sen. Barack Obama, was too inexperienced. That could all have been spin and yet …

[blogfocus tuesday] lad, lass, lad, lass, lad ...

The correct choice of beer before entering the cricket ground is critical. A fan ponders.

The beginning of this Blogfocus could have been called focus-on-food but the actual theme is 50-50, with one lad, one lass, one lad and so on. I don’t know so many female bloggers but we made eight and drew lots for the eight males. A little note – all links are in yellow but all other colours are highlighting only. Anyway, without further ado, here it is and hope you enjoy it:

The cricket is first up - Four and a Half Days at the Gabbatoir - The Sequel, by Colin Campbell and what I want to know is what a Scot’s doing following cricket [or is that my ignorance]? Not that I’m complaining or anything like … not any way:

The hype has been dissipated and normality has been restored. Andrew Miller dissects the Execution in the Gabbatoir … At least the beer is cold, the weather warm and sunny and although the Barmy Army Trumpeter has been banned in Adelaide, [he’s] welcome in Melbourne and Sydney. Life goes on.

Welshcakes limoncello issues us all un invito a pranzo - an unexpected invitation to lunch with Marco and Giovanna today.

Here are trays of Giovanna's wonderful breads [in the photograph]. It doesn’t end there – the page is full of dainty morsels from Sicily, so if you’re a cosmopolitan gourmet, this is for you.

7 more lads and 7 more lasses here ...

[worst movie ever] 3rd nomination – arthur’s dyke

Arthur's Dyke (2001)
Directed by Gerry Poulson, Writing credits Robb Stringle Cast: Pauline Quirke … Janet, Robert Daws … Arthur; Richard Graham … Andy

Gracchi said … Not sure if this made it to the cinema but otherwise it surely would make the list. I ended up watching it whilst on holiday in Wales with a couple of mates and it was unintentionally funny because it was so bad. Its called Arthur's Dyke. Unfortunately I don't think it qualifies because I suspect it was never released cinematically.

James answers: That doesn’t necessarily disqualify it. It only had to be seriously intended for cinematic release.

Plot Outline: Twenty years ago, three men set out on the longest walk of their lives. They vowed to repeat the walk, but this time they are joined by a forty year old wife and mother who is in the midst of a mid-life crisis.

Looking, good, Tiberius Gracchus. Another review:

Shamefully assembled Author: (lord_seagrave@totalise.co.uk) from London, England

In spite of a humorous and interesting summary, Arthur's Dyke failed to sustain either humour or interest for any length of time. There are moments of well-observed comedy, but it looks and feels like an extended Sunday night drama - although overly long and disappointingly shallow. The film attempts to incorporate too much (neglect, terminal illness, ignorance, regret, homophobia etc) and is tarnished by a pointless cameo from Dennis Waterman. The story is potentially good, but let down in execution because insufficient time and depth is afforded to the key areas of the plot, and the cluttering of other (crassly inserted) issues. Having said that, it is well shot and occasionally witty, and Quirke's performance is solid. The viewer will, however, gain more from an average episode of 'Down to Earth'.

Think it’s qualified itself. One more from the SMH:

Arthur's Dyke plays out like an extended episode of Monarch of the Glen. At best, it's free promotion for the Welsh Tourism Board. Mostly, it's like walking all day through the driving rain, mud and marshes of the British countryside without a nice B&B to roll up to.

And if you need that in Dutch:

Drie vrienden besluiten na twintig jaar bij wijze van reünie nog één keer de oude wandelroute langs Offa's Dyke in Noord-Engeland te lopen. Huisvrouw Janet heeft hetzelfde idee gekregen en de vier ontmoeten elkaar onderweg, evenals allerlei andere soorten wandelaars.

So, Arthur’s Dyke has qualified as the 3rd nomination and thanks to Gracchi. The other two nominations so far are here and here. The 4th will be tomorrow morning, from dirty dingus.

[wren cross update] vapidity, interpretation, commentary

Remember the William and Mary business where the cross was taken from the altar of the chapel and locked in a cupboard so that it did not offend other faiths?

The Director, Gene Nichols, who did the act:

It is precisely because the Wren Chapel touches the best in us—the brightened lamp, the extended hand, the opened door, the call of character, the charge of faith, the test of courage—that it is essential it belong to everyone. It defines us. And it must define us all. I make no pretense that all will agree with these sentiments.

Interpretation:

He’s going to keep it locked away.

Commentary by Beach girl:

The removal of the Wren Cross is like a rape, a violation. The Wren Chapel without its Wren Cross is an empty place, devoid of the solemn majesty that guarantees all of us freedom of religion. It is a sad day when Christians have to plead, to ask permission from a secular authority that the Wren Cross be taken out from under lock and key so that it may be placed upon the altar in the Wren Chapel.

Was there anyone so dispossessed as a uni student? Their opinions apparently mean nothing, compared to a smiling, besuited man in a mahogany office.

[likability] how whitehouse contenders rank

Trouble with journalistic articles on polls is that they never give you just the stats – it has to be woven into some magic piece of prose to justify their paycheck. Here are all the stats I could glean from the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute, Hamden, Connecticut Likability Poll in the US, taken after the elections and then hacked about by the Washington Post:

1] New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, a Republican, 64.2
2] Democratic Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, 58.8
3] McCain, 57.7
4] Condoleezza Rice, 56.1
5] former Democratic President Bill Clinton, 55.8
6] Sen. Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut, 52.7
7] New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a Republican, 51.1
8] former Democratic Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina, 49.9
9] Hillary Clinton, 49
10] New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, 47.7
11] Democratic Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware, 47
12] Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, a Republican, 45.9
13] unlisted by article
14] former Vice President Al Gore, 44.9
15] Bush 43.8
16] Democratic Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana, 43.3
17] former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, a Republican, 42
18] outgoing Senate Republican Leader Bill Frist, 41.5.
19] unlisted by article
20] Kerry, 39.6

So, the Lizard Queen isn’t all that high, really. Wonder what would happen if Condi ran?

[turkey and the eu] cyprus the stumbling block

On the eve of the Pope's visit to Turkey, where Europe's fraught relations with its predominantly Muslim neighbour have been highlighted by widespread protests, the EU abandoned any hope of reaching a deal on Cyprus. The breakdown sets the scene for three weeks of intense diplomacy as the EU decides how severely Turkey should be punished for refusing to open its ports and airports to Greek Cypriot shipping.

When will they wake up? There are certain things which will never happen. One of them is Britain escaping the EU clutch, another is Turkey compromising over their occupation of northern Cyprus. Another is Wimbledon Vinnying another FA Cup. CAP is another. And US trade subsidies is yet another. They’ll have lovely lunches together and trips to the Bahamas to sort it all out but, of course, they never will. Entrenched national interest is, in the end, paramount.