Monthly Archive for May, 2008

What Happens in Vegas

Published on 28 May 2008 in Cinema. 0 Comments Tags: .

We went as a family to watch this film last night; I wanted to see either Sex and the City (being teh gayer) or Iron Man, but was outvoted. Having seen the trailer, the story was going to be entirely predictable and just like all the rest of the “hate them then love them” romcoms ever made:

http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox/whathappensinvegas/

Yes, it was as I had thought. But yes, I did enjoy it after all and I laughed out loud a number of times. Oh and did Cameron Diaz and Steve Martin stand in the same line when God was handing out mouths?

Act Your Age…

Published on 24 May 2008 in Syndicated. Closed

Act Your Age…, originally uploaded by Captain Blue.

…not your shirt logo.

More Erosion of Civil Liberties

Published on 20 May 2008 in Cellcomms, Internet, News, Public and Society. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

I can’t recall who it was who said that the time to bring in oppressive legislation to clamp down on individuals’ civil liberties was when there was any fear and uncertainty of the kind that the Government continues to spread as part of the so-called War on Terror (itself started in response to US foreign policy and their illegal invasion of Iraq, which we decided to join in as the 51st State…).

We are already one of the most watched countries in the world, in terms of CCTV cameras per capita, so perhaps the news that “Ministers are to consider plans for a database of electronic information holding details of every phone call and e-mail sent in the UK” shouldn’t really come as any surprise.

Whilst they’re more than welcome to plough through the Spam I receive – more than 1,300 yesterday alone – and take action against the spammers, they can fuck right off if they think I’d be happy for some shiny-suited, job-protected twat in some local authority or agency to be able to read my private messages to friends and family.

It’s none of your business!

And this piece by AC Grayling in the Guardian pretty much sums up my thoughts about those who trot out the trite “if you’ve done nothing wrong…” nonsense, although far more eloquently than I could.

Tropic Thunder

Published on 17 May 2008 in Cinema. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

Now this movie trailer looks like it might be a great laugh:

http://www.tropicthunder.com/

Blatant Discrimination

Published on 16 May 2008 in Bikes, News, Public, Stupidity, Vehicles and WTF. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

I belong to a minority sector for whom discrimination is an everyday fact of life. The fact is that that discrimination is so blatant and unapologetic and is institutional discrimination but despite that, the media make little or no comment upon it.

It’s not racial discrimination. It’s not religious discrimination. It’s not sexual discrimination. No, I’m sorry to confess it’s far worse than that. It’s because I ride a motorbike.

The most recent example of this prejudice and discrimination comes from those well known haters of all things motorcycling – a Welsh police force. Their latest anti-motorcycle act is to effectively ban the annual Welsh National Motorcycle Show because:

“Dyfed-Powys Police are of the view that there is a significant risk of violence at this year’s Welsh motorcycle show.”

I see.

Surely on that basis the police should be cancelling all football matches? After all, as we saw with the UEFA Cup Final match in Manchester, there is more than a significant risk of violence with football matches. But amazingly, they are never cancelled. I wonder why? Could it be that the perception – reinforced by the police, Government and the media – that motorcyclists are all troublemakers and lawless?

After all, the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee stated that:

“Motorcyclists are particularly liable to evade road tax. Nearly 40% of motorcycles are now unlicensed.

“If the DVLA’s motorcycle enforcement regime is not to be a complete laughing stock, then the agency and the department must make the most of new powers to enforce VED on public roads.”

They must also “strongly consider more severe measures such as impounding unlicensed motorcycles”, he said, adding: “Large parts of the biking community are cocking a snook at the law.”

Of course, that was completely inaccurate, and for once the MPs were forced to apologise when it was revealed that that was complete bollocks.

Is it any wonder we feel like criminals when we are treated like criminals and discriminated against?

The New Puritans

Published on 5 May 2008 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments Tags: , .

Now we all know that the so-called Safety Camera Partnerships are staffed by wannabe policemen – probably those who failed the entry requirements – with no sense of humour and limited social skills. After all, who else but loners with voyeuristic tendancies would want to spend their days in the back of a van peeping through a zoom lens at people? On sunny days only, of course, because that’s when their tally of tickets is likely to be highest and after all points (and more particularly fines) make prizes for these sorts of people.

But for a complete lack of humour and for the best “think of the children!” moment of the week, this news story and the quote from the (no doubt) polyester-suited, greasy loser wins the prize:

Jeremy Forsberg, of the Northumbria Safer Roads Initiative, said: “This behaviour is simply ridiculous – it’s clear what he was thinking with what he had on show.

“Not only is it disrespectful, but distasteful and offensive, particularly to children who may have been exposed to this nonsense.

“This prank could have been a real distraction from the driver and that is not something to laugh about.”

Maybe not, but you are, Jeremy! What a puritanical jobsworth he sounds!

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