Thursday, 29 November 2007
Monday, 26 November 2007
Friday, 23 November 2007
Streetkids
Where are Durban's street children?
November 22 2007 at 10:21AM
By Sharlene Packree and Heinz de Boer
Durban's usually bustling street child colonies have all but disappeared from the city after what is believed to be a major police crackdown ahead of this week's Fifa preliminary draw.
City officials remain at odds over the fate of dozens of children, who are believed to have been rounded up by SAPS and Metro Police units before being taken to Westville Prison.
Social workers say this happened after the children and some adults with small children were charged for loitering and given fines they cannot afford. Some may spend up to 90 days behind bars.
'The children were... handed over to social workers'
City manager Dr Michael Sutcliffe has however strongly denied the allegations, saying he would "never condone" such police action.
But Metro Police spokesperson Superintendent Thozamile Tyala, confirmed that beachfront children were collected by Metro Police in a routine operation.
"We always remove the street children from the beachfront. The children were taken to a place of safety and handed over to social workers," he said.
The Daily News visited several hotspots in Mahatma Gandhi Road (Point Road), Addington Beach, Blue Lagoon and Central Durban where street children are usually seen. There were no children in sight in any of these areas.
There were no children begging at traffic lights or along the beachfront. Adult vagrants at Addington Beach said the children had been rounded up over the weekend and collected by Metro police vans.
'So where have they gone to suddenly'
A social worker, who asked not to be named out of fear of falling foul of city authorities and who works at a Durban shelter, said the children were picked up by Metro police and charged with loitering.
She said they were taken to Westville Prison.
"Hopefully this is the last time it happens. They can't keep doing this to these children. We should find a permanent solution," she said.
Sipho Mabaso, who works with street children at the Sakhisizwe Reception Centre near Margaret Mncadi Avenue (Victoria Embankment), said that on average there were 200 children living on Durban's streets.
However, since Monday, Durban's street children have disappeared from many of their popular city haunts.
"On average, we see about 5 or 10 children at the reception centre. I haven't seen any of these kids since Monday," he said.
Mabaso said it was "very suspicious" that the children are nowhere to be seen at a time when there were international delegates and media in the city.
"Everybody knows street children are a problem in Durban. So where have they gone to suddenly?" he said.
Sutcliffe has meanwhile called on people with details of forced removals to bring forward evidence.
"Dealing with street children is a social welfare issue, and the Metro Police is not involved. We as the city will never be associated with that.
"It has been an issue discussed at the Joint Operations Centre, and police have been instructed to certainly take away their glue if they are seen with it.
"Obviously there is a heightened police presence now, so the street children tend to not hang out as much," Sutcliffe said.
This article was originally published on page 1 of Daily News on November 22, 2007
_______________________________________________________________________
Fuck them ... that is the most disturbing news i've heard all week.
November 22 2007 at 10:21AM
By Sharlene Packree and Heinz de Boer
Durban's usually bustling street child colonies have all but disappeared from the city after what is believed to be a major police crackdown ahead of this week's Fifa preliminary draw.
City officials remain at odds over the fate of dozens of children, who are believed to have been rounded up by SAPS and Metro Police units before being taken to Westville Prison.
Social workers say this happened after the children and some adults with small children were charged for loitering and given fines they cannot afford. Some may spend up to 90 days behind bars.
'The children were... handed over to social workers'
City manager Dr Michael Sutcliffe has however strongly denied the allegations, saying he would "never condone" such police action.
But Metro Police spokesperson Superintendent Thozamile Tyala, confirmed that beachfront children were collected by Metro Police in a routine operation.
"We always remove the street children from the beachfront. The children were taken to a place of safety and handed over to social workers," he said.
The Daily News visited several hotspots in Mahatma Gandhi Road (Point Road), Addington Beach, Blue Lagoon and Central Durban where street children are usually seen. There were no children in sight in any of these areas.
There were no children begging at traffic lights or along the beachfront. Adult vagrants at Addington Beach said the children had been rounded up over the weekend and collected by Metro police vans.
'So where have they gone to suddenly'
A social worker, who asked not to be named out of fear of falling foul of city authorities and who works at a Durban shelter, said the children were picked up by Metro police and charged with loitering.
She said they were taken to Westville Prison.
"Hopefully this is the last time it happens. They can't keep doing this to these children. We should find a permanent solution," she said.
Sipho Mabaso, who works with street children at the Sakhisizwe Reception Centre near Margaret Mncadi Avenue (Victoria Embankment), said that on average there were 200 children living on Durban's streets.
However, since Monday, Durban's street children have disappeared from many of their popular city haunts.
"On average, we see about 5 or 10 children at the reception centre. I haven't seen any of these kids since Monday," he said.
Mabaso said it was "very suspicious" that the children are nowhere to be seen at a time when there were international delegates and media in the city.
"Everybody knows street children are a problem in Durban. So where have they gone to suddenly?" he said.
Sutcliffe has meanwhile called on people with details of forced removals to bring forward evidence.
"Dealing with street children is a social welfare issue, and the Metro Police is not involved. We as the city will never be associated with that.
"It has been an issue discussed at the Joint Operations Centre, and police have been instructed to certainly take away their glue if they are seen with it.
"Obviously there is a heightened police presence now, so the street children tend to not hang out as much," Sutcliffe said.
This article was originally published on page 1 of Daily News on November 22, 2007
_______________________________________________________________________
Fuck them ... that is the most disturbing news i've heard all week.
Anti Hi-Jacking Info
Prepared by: Inspector Riaan Steenkamp
Elsburg SAPS
Sponsored By:
Netstar
CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION 5
2. HOW TO AVOID A HIJACK SITUATION 5
2.1 Take Precautions: 5
2.2 Don’t Be Fooled By: 6
2.3 Know Your Environment : 6
3. HOW TO REDUCE THE RISK 7
3.1 When Entering Your Vehicle and While Driving: 8
3.2 When Parking Your Vehicle: 9
4. WHAT IS A SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE/PERSON? 9
4.1 Vehicles 9
4.2 Persons 10
5. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 10
5.1 WHEN AM I THE MOST VULNERABLE? 10
5.2 WHO ARE THESE HIJACKERS ? 11
5.3 ARE THERE DIFFERENT TYPES OF HIJACKING ? 12
5.4 WHAT PREVENTATIVE MEASURES CAN I TAKE REGARDING MY PROPERTY ? 14
5.5 HOW SHOULD I RESPOND IN THE EVENT OF BEING HIJACKED ? 16
1. Introduction
This document was designed with the following in mind:
· To educate the public
· To assist the public in recognising what a suspicious vehicle and person may look like
· To emphasise the seriousness of hijackings on the person reading this awareness guide.
Hijacking is not a new or unique problem to South Africa.
The first hijacking was recorded in 1984.
Between January and August 1996, there were 8 740 hijackings in South Africa, of which 5 251 were in Gauteng.
Hijacking is also not only a problem just associated with industrial areas; e.g. Wadeville in Germiston, but rather a problem associated with the availability of a certain of vehicle.
In 90% of these cases the hijackers were armed, although only 1% of attacks involved a fatal shooting. This means that the better prepared a potential victim is, the greater probability of the person surviving the attack with limited physical injury.
2. How to Avoid a Hijack Situation
2.1 Take Precautions:
· Be familiar with your environment.
· Get to know who belongs in the vicinity of your home or workplace, and who does not.
· Keep your eyes open for anything out of the ordinary.
· Lock all doors and close windows before driving off.
· Try to vary your route to work, the gym – all places you travel to regularly.
· Hijackers are professionals too; they plan their attacks carefully.
· Ensure all your mirrors are adjusted to give you an optimal all-round view of your surroundings.
· Try to stop about 5m behind the car in front of you at a stop sign or traffic light – it makes for an easy getaway if trouble arises.
2.2 Don’t Be Fooled By:
· False appeals for help.
· “Accidents” such as having you car rammed from behind.
· Someone trying to get help from a stationary car.
· your electric gates being jammed
2.3 Know Your Environment :
· If approached by a stranger while in your car, drive off if possible and/or use your hooter to attract attention.
· Be constantly on the lookout for suspicious looking characters or vehicles and do not hesitate to report them to the Police.
· Always be on the alert for potential danger, and be on the lookout for possible escape routes and safe refuge along the way.
· If your suspicions are aroused by any person or vehicle in a high-risk area, treat it as hostile and take appropriate action (i.e. Ignore a red robot if it is safe to drive through; turn off and speed away from the perceived danger zone) and call for assistance where necessary.
· Always have your identity document and driver’s license on your person; and a pen and notepad ready to make necessary notes.
· If possible, avoid driving in the dark. Hijackers may stage a minor accident; e.g. If your car is bumped from behind and you do not feel comfortable with the individual/s involved in the situation, drive to the nearest Police Station for help.
· Never open your vehicle window or door for any stranger. If a suspicious person is near your unoccupied car, do not approach the vehicle. Keep walking to the nearest public area and ask for assistance.
3. How to reduce the risk
While there is no guarantee what action will prevent hijacking, practising the following common sense techniques can reduce the risk:
3.1 When Entering Your Vehicle and While Driving:
· Have your key ready, but not visible.
· Inspect the outside and inside of the vehicle before unlocking.
· Know your destination and directions to it, and be alert should you get lost.
· Always drive with your windows and doors locked and/or closed.
· Make a mental note of any Police Stations in the vicinity while driving.
· When dropping a passenger off, make sure that they are safely in their own vehicles before departing.
· Avoid driving through high crime or unfamiliar areas.
· Avoid driving late at night at/or the early hours of the morning when the roads are quiet.
· Drive in the centre lane away from pedestrians where possible.
· If possible, never drive alone.
· NEVER, EVER pick up hitchhikers.
· Never follow routine routes when driving; change on a regular basis.
· Do not leave windows open more than 5cm.
3.2 When Parking Your Vehicle:
· Check rear-view mirror to ensure that you are not being followed.
· When returning home after dark, ensure that there is an outside light on, or have someone meet you at the door.
· When exiting your vehicle, be cautious and aware of surrounding obstructions and shrubbery that may be concealing a hijacker.
· Never sit in your parked car without being conscious of your surroundings. Sleeping in a stationery vehicle is particularly dangerous.
· When approaching your driveway, be on the lookout for suspicious vehicles/persons.
4. What is a suspicious vehicle/person?
A suspicious vehicle/person is a vehicle/person that acts in a manner which may seem to be unusual or strange.
EXAMPLES:
4.1 Vehicles
You are driving from your home; a new vehicle follows you for thirty minutes staying in the same lane as you, taking the same turn-offs as you.
If this vehicle has an old registration number e.g. HSG 090 T, the registration number is false, as all new cars should now have new Gauteng numbers plates.
The most important fact to remember while driving a motor vehicle is to be alert at all times. This is why the K53 driving method of driving is beneficial since the method concentrates a lot on the regular use of rear view mirrors.
4.2 Persons
A suspicious person can be any person that you feel acts in a strange manner. The problem with suspicious persons is that there are no distinguishing features. Hijackers come in any form or shape. Colour, race, sex or age are not distinguishing features.
The best way to identify a suspicious person is to see all unknown persons as being suspicious.
5. Questions and Answers
5.1 WHEN AM I THE MOST VULNERABLE?
At traffic lights 7%
At a stop street or yield sign 6%
At other intersections 1%
In front of private residences 51%
At business premises 5%
At shops, post offices, telephone booths, etc 3%
At filling stations 1%
Victims sitting in parked cars 10%
Victims forced off road by decoys 4%
Victims parking, i.e. Either starting cars or
leaving/approaching parked cars 2%
Victims stationery and working at the roadside, i.e.
repairing telephone cables 2%
While loading and offloading goods 2%
By hitch-hikers 1%
While taxis are loading/offloading passengers 4%
Unknown 1%
5.2 WHO ARE THESE HIJACKERS ?
To date, the overwhelming proportion of all the hijackers have been men, and occasionally women. operating in groups of four or five, sometimes more. The hijackers tend to be very young, in their teens and early twenties, although some victims report the presence of a ‘team leader’ who seemed older. Women are being used to lull potential victims into a false sense of security, since most of us feel less threatened in the presence of a woman as opposed to a man.
These people are sometimes well dressed, but not always. They may wear a jacket or jersey under which they may conceal weapons, mostly handguns and knives, but occasionally AK47 assault rifles.
The hijackers operate from motorcars, although they have been known to attack on foot. The cars they use vary, but are normally high performance vehicles, sometimes with tinted windows. Their driving habits are immediately suspicious. Before an attack they may cruise slowly around a particular area (often for days before the attack) without any apparent sense of purpose or specific direction. They may also simply sit in the car parked off the road or in a parking garage. Immediately after an attack, their driving patterns change dramatically. They will speed off, driving perhaps nervously and recklessly, but often with an air of bravado as if enjoying or flaunting publicly their total disregard for the law and the innocent person they have just attacked. They might ignore red traffic lights, jump stop streets and weave in and out through traffic, especially on motorways. This renders them highly visible to the public and this is where private citizens can play a vital role in assisting these people’s arrest.
The police are urging citizens to make use of the 10111 telephone number if they find themselves in a hijack situation. It is also open to anyone who sees a suspicious looking vehicle either following them or loitering around the neighbourhood.
5.3 ARE THERE DIFFERENT TYPES OF HIJACKING ?
· The “Freight” hijacking, in which a commercial vehicle is hijacked, is not only to secure the vehicle, but also its cargo, which can be of substantial value. Frequently, the cargo is of more interest to the hijacker than the truck.
· The “Transport” hijacking, in which the vehicle is taken for the express purpose of using as transport during other crimes such as drug trafficking, burglaries, bank robberies and gun running. The vehicles are probably later cannibalised for spare parts or simply dumped.
· The “Showmanship” hijacking, in which a gang operates out of egotistical bravado, acting on the “this is a cool thing to be doing” rationale. Peer group pressure is very high and individuals may be coerced into more dangerous and daredevil approaches, being labelled as a ‘sissy’ if they do not. Thus intimidation, violence and vandalism is associated with the crime.
· The “Operational” hijacking, in which a group formally work together in a more structured way. They usually have experience in car theft and have established contact within the motorcar underworld who will receive and pay cash for stolen vehicles or spare parts. They also often have information with regards to the international black market, e.g. The movement of stolen cars into South Africa’s neighbouring states.
· The “Syndicate” hijacking, which is the most organised of all and often has international connections. A network of hijacking groups is established with the overall co-ordinator syndicating out work so that he remains out of view in exactly the same way as the “drug barons” use pushers. This makes identifying and arresting the ultimate boss very difficult.
Additionally, a syndicate is often backed by a lot of money, especially if there are international links and makes full use of any potential to bribe the authorities in order to protect their operations.
5.4 WHAT PREVENTATIVE MEASURES CAN I TAKE REGARDING MY PROPERTY?
· Ensure that anyone leaving your property can get into their car, start it, lock the doors and be fully prepared to drive off before the gates are opened. Consciously think about this every time someone leaves your premises.
· If possible, ensure that anyone leaving you premises can do so without having to reverse into the road. Reversing forces one to concentrate on the driving and not what lies outside the gate. It also greatly reduces visibility.
· If your visitors have to park in the street, escort them out on foot and check that the road is clear for them. If you have dogs, take them with you, especially after dark.
· Ensure that your gate and driveway are well lit after dark. Replace fused light bulbs immediately.
· Ensure that the number of your house is clearly visible at all times, night or day.
· Install electrically operated gates – consider these now a necessity rather than a luxury.
· If you have electric gates and a buzzer system, ensure that visitors can reach the buzzer without having to get out of their cars.
· At the home, when someone rings the bell and you have established that the person can enter your property, do not leave them stationary waiting outside for longer than is absolutely necessary.
· Either do not leave you property or hesitate to drive away from it if you spot a suspicious looking person or car in your immediate vicinity
· Be particularly alert if you live in a cul de sac, given their single point of entry and exit. More and more residents are reverting to closing off cul de sacs and employing a guard at the entrance. However, when considering this, do not forget to liaise with the City Council.
· When driving, avoid wearing flashy jewellery, heavy gold chains, large dangling earrings, gold watches, or anything that can be easily seen from a distance by a casual passer-by.
· Never leave any important documents in your car, i.e. cheque books, bank statements, invoices, telephone accounts, credit cards, keys, remote controls or personal post, anything that may provide personal details, either while stationary or driving.
· Vehicle tracking: the only solution to vehicle related crimes is to have tracking systems installed.
5.5 HOW SHOULD I RESPOND IN THE EVENT OF BEING HIJACKED?
· No matter how outraged you may feel at the time, your prime objective must be to look after your personal safety and that of your passengers. The preservation of human life must take precedence over material assets.
· Do nothing that is going to alarm the hijackers. Never initiate any movement yourself. This may give the hijacker the impression that you are reaching for a gun or panic button. Remember – the hijackers will be as nervous, if not more so, than you. Do not motion with your hands. Rather tell the hijackers where they can find the items. Keep you hands clearly visible and as still as possible, ideally at chest level. Do not raise them above your head as the hijackers may interpret this as you trying to attract the attention of a third party.
· Answer any Questions truthfully especially with regard to firearms. If the hijacker finds out or suspects that you have lied to him, he is more likely to turn violent and unleash his frustrations on you physically.
· Even in your shocked and terrified state, try to listen to and understand exactly what the hijackers want from you.
· Try to concentrate on the possibility of identifying your attackers at a later stage. But remember – this does not mean staring at your attackers, making it obvious that you are looking for a means of identifying them. Stare openly at them and they will be less willing to release you, as they will think that you have incriminating evidence against them.
· If they kidnap you – co-operate with them fully. If you have a baby sleeping in the back seat which they may not have noticed, tell the attackers. Tell them that driving away with your child is only going to make things more difficult for them. Ask them if they can fetch your child. Do not move towards the car without their explicit directive. Tell them that a baby means them no harm and is no threat. Do the same if you have a pet in the car. Do not push the issue to the point where your life may be threatened at the expense of a pet.
Elsburg SAPS
Sponsored By:
Netstar
CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION 5
2. HOW TO AVOID A HIJACK SITUATION 5
2.1 Take Precautions: 5
2.2 Don’t Be Fooled By: 6
2.3 Know Your Environment : 6
3. HOW TO REDUCE THE RISK 7
3.1 When Entering Your Vehicle and While Driving: 8
3.2 When Parking Your Vehicle: 9
4. WHAT IS A SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE/PERSON? 9
4.1 Vehicles 9
4.2 Persons 10
5. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 10
5.1 WHEN AM I THE MOST VULNERABLE? 10
5.2 WHO ARE THESE HIJACKERS ? 11
5.3 ARE THERE DIFFERENT TYPES OF HIJACKING ? 12
5.4 WHAT PREVENTATIVE MEASURES CAN I TAKE REGARDING MY PROPERTY ? 14
5.5 HOW SHOULD I RESPOND IN THE EVENT OF BEING HIJACKED ? 16
1. Introduction
This document was designed with the following in mind:
· To educate the public
· To assist the public in recognising what a suspicious vehicle and person may look like
· To emphasise the seriousness of hijackings on the person reading this awareness guide.
Hijacking is not a new or unique problem to South Africa.
The first hijacking was recorded in 1984.
Between January and August 1996, there were 8 740 hijackings in South Africa, of which 5 251 were in Gauteng.
Hijacking is also not only a problem just associated with industrial areas; e.g. Wadeville in Germiston, but rather a problem associated with the availability of a certain of vehicle.
In 90% of these cases the hijackers were armed, although only 1% of attacks involved a fatal shooting. This means that the better prepared a potential victim is, the greater probability of the person surviving the attack with limited physical injury.
2. How to Avoid a Hijack Situation
2.1 Take Precautions:
· Be familiar with your environment.
· Get to know who belongs in the vicinity of your home or workplace, and who does not.
· Keep your eyes open for anything out of the ordinary.
· Lock all doors and close windows before driving off.
· Try to vary your route to work, the gym – all places you travel to regularly.
· Hijackers are professionals too; they plan their attacks carefully.
· Ensure all your mirrors are adjusted to give you an optimal all-round view of your surroundings.
· Try to stop about 5m behind the car in front of you at a stop sign or traffic light – it makes for an easy getaway if trouble arises.
2.2 Don’t Be Fooled By:
· False appeals for help.
· “Accidents” such as having you car rammed from behind.
· Someone trying to get help from a stationary car.
· your electric gates being jammed
2.3 Know Your Environment :
· If approached by a stranger while in your car, drive off if possible and/or use your hooter to attract attention.
· Be constantly on the lookout for suspicious looking characters or vehicles and do not hesitate to report them to the Police.
· Always be on the alert for potential danger, and be on the lookout for possible escape routes and safe refuge along the way.
· If your suspicions are aroused by any person or vehicle in a high-risk area, treat it as hostile and take appropriate action (i.e. Ignore a red robot if it is safe to drive through; turn off and speed away from the perceived danger zone) and call for assistance where necessary.
· Always have your identity document and driver’s license on your person; and a pen and notepad ready to make necessary notes.
· If possible, avoid driving in the dark. Hijackers may stage a minor accident; e.g. If your car is bumped from behind and you do not feel comfortable with the individual/s involved in the situation, drive to the nearest Police Station for help.
· Never open your vehicle window or door for any stranger. If a suspicious person is near your unoccupied car, do not approach the vehicle. Keep walking to the nearest public area and ask for assistance.
3. How to reduce the risk
While there is no guarantee what action will prevent hijacking, practising the following common sense techniques can reduce the risk:
3.1 When Entering Your Vehicle and While Driving:
· Have your key ready, but not visible.
· Inspect the outside and inside of the vehicle before unlocking.
· Know your destination and directions to it, and be alert should you get lost.
· Always drive with your windows and doors locked and/or closed.
· Make a mental note of any Police Stations in the vicinity while driving.
· When dropping a passenger off, make sure that they are safely in their own vehicles before departing.
· Avoid driving through high crime or unfamiliar areas.
· Avoid driving late at night at/or the early hours of the morning when the roads are quiet.
· Drive in the centre lane away from pedestrians where possible.
· If possible, never drive alone.
· NEVER, EVER pick up hitchhikers.
· Never follow routine routes when driving; change on a regular basis.
· Do not leave windows open more than 5cm.
3.2 When Parking Your Vehicle:
· Check rear-view mirror to ensure that you are not being followed.
· When returning home after dark, ensure that there is an outside light on, or have someone meet you at the door.
· When exiting your vehicle, be cautious and aware of surrounding obstructions and shrubbery that may be concealing a hijacker.
· Never sit in your parked car without being conscious of your surroundings. Sleeping in a stationery vehicle is particularly dangerous.
· When approaching your driveway, be on the lookout for suspicious vehicles/persons.
4. What is a suspicious vehicle/person?
A suspicious vehicle/person is a vehicle/person that acts in a manner which may seem to be unusual or strange.
EXAMPLES:
4.1 Vehicles
You are driving from your home; a new vehicle follows you for thirty minutes staying in the same lane as you, taking the same turn-offs as you.
If this vehicle has an old registration number e.g. HSG 090 T, the registration number is false, as all new cars should now have new Gauteng numbers plates.
The most important fact to remember while driving a motor vehicle is to be alert at all times. This is why the K53 driving method of driving is beneficial since the method concentrates a lot on the regular use of rear view mirrors.
4.2 Persons
A suspicious person can be any person that you feel acts in a strange manner. The problem with suspicious persons is that there are no distinguishing features. Hijackers come in any form or shape. Colour, race, sex or age are not distinguishing features.
The best way to identify a suspicious person is to see all unknown persons as being suspicious.
5. Questions and Answers
5.1 WHEN AM I THE MOST VULNERABLE?
At traffic lights 7%
At a stop street or yield sign 6%
At other intersections 1%
In front of private residences 51%
At business premises 5%
At shops, post offices, telephone booths, etc 3%
At filling stations 1%
Victims sitting in parked cars 10%
Victims forced off road by decoys 4%
Victims parking, i.e. Either starting cars or
leaving/approaching parked cars 2%
Victims stationery and working at the roadside, i.e.
repairing telephone cables 2%
While loading and offloading goods 2%
By hitch-hikers 1%
While taxis are loading/offloading passengers 4%
Unknown 1%
5.2 WHO ARE THESE HIJACKERS ?
To date, the overwhelming proportion of all the hijackers have been men, and occasionally women. operating in groups of four or five, sometimes more. The hijackers tend to be very young, in their teens and early twenties, although some victims report the presence of a ‘team leader’ who seemed older. Women are being used to lull potential victims into a false sense of security, since most of us feel less threatened in the presence of a woman as opposed to a man.
These people are sometimes well dressed, but not always. They may wear a jacket or jersey under which they may conceal weapons, mostly handguns and knives, but occasionally AK47 assault rifles.
The hijackers operate from motorcars, although they have been known to attack on foot. The cars they use vary, but are normally high performance vehicles, sometimes with tinted windows. Their driving habits are immediately suspicious. Before an attack they may cruise slowly around a particular area (often for days before the attack) without any apparent sense of purpose or specific direction. They may also simply sit in the car parked off the road or in a parking garage. Immediately after an attack, their driving patterns change dramatically. They will speed off, driving perhaps nervously and recklessly, but often with an air of bravado as if enjoying or flaunting publicly their total disregard for the law and the innocent person they have just attacked. They might ignore red traffic lights, jump stop streets and weave in and out through traffic, especially on motorways. This renders them highly visible to the public and this is where private citizens can play a vital role in assisting these people’s arrest.
The police are urging citizens to make use of the 10111 telephone number if they find themselves in a hijack situation. It is also open to anyone who sees a suspicious looking vehicle either following them or loitering around the neighbourhood.
5.3 ARE THERE DIFFERENT TYPES OF HIJACKING ?
· The “Freight” hijacking, in which a commercial vehicle is hijacked, is not only to secure the vehicle, but also its cargo, which can be of substantial value. Frequently, the cargo is of more interest to the hijacker than the truck.
· The “Transport” hijacking, in which the vehicle is taken for the express purpose of using as transport during other crimes such as drug trafficking, burglaries, bank robberies and gun running. The vehicles are probably later cannibalised for spare parts or simply dumped.
· The “Showmanship” hijacking, in which a gang operates out of egotistical bravado, acting on the “this is a cool thing to be doing” rationale. Peer group pressure is very high and individuals may be coerced into more dangerous and daredevil approaches, being labelled as a ‘sissy’ if they do not. Thus intimidation, violence and vandalism is associated with the crime.
· The “Operational” hijacking, in which a group formally work together in a more structured way. They usually have experience in car theft and have established contact within the motorcar underworld who will receive and pay cash for stolen vehicles or spare parts. They also often have information with regards to the international black market, e.g. The movement of stolen cars into South Africa’s neighbouring states.
· The “Syndicate” hijacking, which is the most organised of all and often has international connections. A network of hijacking groups is established with the overall co-ordinator syndicating out work so that he remains out of view in exactly the same way as the “drug barons” use pushers. This makes identifying and arresting the ultimate boss very difficult.
Additionally, a syndicate is often backed by a lot of money, especially if there are international links and makes full use of any potential to bribe the authorities in order to protect their operations.
5.4 WHAT PREVENTATIVE MEASURES CAN I TAKE REGARDING MY PROPERTY?
· Ensure that anyone leaving your property can get into their car, start it, lock the doors and be fully prepared to drive off before the gates are opened. Consciously think about this every time someone leaves your premises.
· If possible, ensure that anyone leaving you premises can do so without having to reverse into the road. Reversing forces one to concentrate on the driving and not what lies outside the gate. It also greatly reduces visibility.
· If your visitors have to park in the street, escort them out on foot and check that the road is clear for them. If you have dogs, take them with you, especially after dark.
· Ensure that your gate and driveway are well lit after dark. Replace fused light bulbs immediately.
· Ensure that the number of your house is clearly visible at all times, night or day.
· Install electrically operated gates – consider these now a necessity rather than a luxury.
· If you have electric gates and a buzzer system, ensure that visitors can reach the buzzer without having to get out of their cars.
· At the home, when someone rings the bell and you have established that the person can enter your property, do not leave them stationary waiting outside for longer than is absolutely necessary.
· Either do not leave you property or hesitate to drive away from it if you spot a suspicious looking person or car in your immediate vicinity
· Be particularly alert if you live in a cul de sac, given their single point of entry and exit. More and more residents are reverting to closing off cul de sacs and employing a guard at the entrance. However, when considering this, do not forget to liaise with the City Council.
· When driving, avoid wearing flashy jewellery, heavy gold chains, large dangling earrings, gold watches, or anything that can be easily seen from a distance by a casual passer-by.
· Never leave any important documents in your car, i.e. cheque books, bank statements, invoices, telephone accounts, credit cards, keys, remote controls or personal post, anything that may provide personal details, either while stationary or driving.
· Vehicle tracking: the only solution to vehicle related crimes is to have tracking systems installed.
5.5 HOW SHOULD I RESPOND IN THE EVENT OF BEING HIJACKED?
· No matter how outraged you may feel at the time, your prime objective must be to look after your personal safety and that of your passengers. The preservation of human life must take precedence over material assets.
· Do nothing that is going to alarm the hijackers. Never initiate any movement yourself. This may give the hijacker the impression that you are reaching for a gun or panic button. Remember – the hijackers will be as nervous, if not more so, than you. Do not motion with your hands. Rather tell the hijackers where they can find the items. Keep you hands clearly visible and as still as possible, ideally at chest level. Do not raise them above your head as the hijackers may interpret this as you trying to attract the attention of a third party.
· Answer any Questions truthfully especially with regard to firearms. If the hijacker finds out or suspects that you have lied to him, he is more likely to turn violent and unleash his frustrations on you physically.
· Even in your shocked and terrified state, try to listen to and understand exactly what the hijackers want from you.
· Try to concentrate on the possibility of identifying your attackers at a later stage. But remember – this does not mean staring at your attackers, making it obvious that you are looking for a means of identifying them. Stare openly at them and they will be less willing to release you, as they will think that you have incriminating evidence against them.
· If they kidnap you – co-operate with them fully. If you have a baby sleeping in the back seat which they may not have noticed, tell the attackers. Tell them that driving away with your child is only going to make things more difficult for them. Ask them if they can fetch your child. Do not move towards the car without their explicit directive. Tell them that a baby means them no harm and is no threat. Do the same if you have a pet in the car. Do not push the issue to the point where your life may be threatened at the expense of a pet.
Tuesday, 20 November 2007
prettybirdwomanhouse
Pretty Bird Woman House
What more can i add? The more pissed off i get with people, the more they astound me.
There IS hope.
What more can i add? The more pissed off i get with people, the more they astound me.
There IS hope.
Friday, 16 November 2007
Pleiades
Small planets 'are forming in the Pleiades'
November 16 2007 at 02:01AM
Washington - Small, rocky planets that could resemble the Earth or Mars may be forming around a star in the Pleiades star cluster, astronomers reported on Wednesday.
One of the stars in the cluster, also known as the Seven Sisters, is surrounded by an extraordinary number of hot dust particles that could be the "building blocks of planets" said Inseok Song, a staff scientist at Nasa's Spitzer Science Centre at the California Institute of Technology.
"This is the first clear evidence for planet formation in the Pleiades, and the results we are presenting may well be the first observational evidence that terrestrial planets like those in our solar system are quite common," said Joseph Rhee of the University of California Los Angeles, who led the study.
There is "hundreds of thousands of times as much dust as around our sun", said Benjamin Zuckerman, a UCLA professor of physics and astronomy. "The dust must be the debris from a monster collision, a cosmic catastrophe."
The team used two telescopes to spot the dust, and report their findings in Astrophysical Journal.
Located about 400 light years away in the constellation of Taurus, the Pleiades is one of the best known star clusters and among the closest to Earth. A light-year is the distance light travels in a year, about 9.4 trillion kilometres.
"The cluster actually contains 1 400 stars," said Song.
Song said the dust can accumulate into comets and small asteroid-size bodies, and then clump together to form planetary embryos, and finally full-fledged planets.
"In the process of creating rocky, terrestrial planets, some objects collide and grow into planets, while others shatter into dust; we are seeing that dust," Song said.
"Our observations indicate that terrestrial planets similar to those in our solar system are probably quite common," Zuckerman added.
Researchers have observed about 200 planets around stars outside our solar system but none are as small as Earth and just one, spotted earlier this year, appears potentially capable of supporting life.
November 16 2007 at 02:01AM
Washington - Small, rocky planets that could resemble the Earth or Mars may be forming around a star in the Pleiades star cluster, astronomers reported on Wednesday.
One of the stars in the cluster, also known as the Seven Sisters, is surrounded by an extraordinary number of hot dust particles that could be the "building blocks of planets" said Inseok Song, a staff scientist at Nasa's Spitzer Science Centre at the California Institute of Technology.
"This is the first clear evidence for planet formation in the Pleiades, and the results we are presenting may well be the first observational evidence that terrestrial planets like those in our solar system are quite common," said Joseph Rhee of the University of California Los Angeles, who led the study.
There is "hundreds of thousands of times as much dust as around our sun", said Benjamin Zuckerman, a UCLA professor of physics and astronomy. "The dust must be the debris from a monster collision, a cosmic catastrophe."
The team used two telescopes to spot the dust, and report their findings in Astrophysical Journal.
Located about 400 light years away in the constellation of Taurus, the Pleiades is one of the best known star clusters and among the closest to Earth. A light-year is the distance light travels in a year, about 9.4 trillion kilometres.
"The cluster actually contains 1 400 stars," said Song.
Song said the dust can accumulate into comets and small asteroid-size bodies, and then clump together to form planetary embryos, and finally full-fledged planets.
"In the process of creating rocky, terrestrial planets, some objects collide and grow into planets, while others shatter into dust; we are seeing that dust," Song said.
"Our observations indicate that terrestrial planets similar to those in our solar system are probably quite common," Zuckerman added.
Researchers have observed about 200 planets around stars outside our solar system but none are as small as Earth and just one, spotted earlier this year, appears potentially capable of supporting life.
Thursday, 15 November 2007
Calvin and Hobbes
CLEVELAND, OHIO — If reclusive artist Bill Watterson has his way, it will soon become illegal to own copies of his beloved Calvin & Hobbes comic strips — and even Stupendous Man may be powerless to stop him.
Breaking a long period of seclusion in which he granted no interviews and issued virtually no public statements, Watterson, creator of the wildly popular and critically acclaimed “Calvin & Hobbes”, has announced that he is seeking the total destruction of all copies of the strip in any form.
Watterson’s unwavering refusal to merchandise his characters is well-known, but his latest decision raises his commitment to the purity of his art to a new, and some would say too extreme, level.
“I’ve always believed that merchandising and licensing cheapens the original creation,” Watterson wrote in a statement faxed to Universal Press Syndicate, which distributed the strip from 1985 to 1995, and Andrews McMeel Publishing, which published 18 bestselling collections of it in book form, including a massive 22-pound, 1440-page “Complete” edition in 2005.
“My decision to destroy all copies of the strip itself is simply the logical extension of this core belief,” the statement continued. “When cartoon characters appear on countless products, the public inevitably grows bored and irritated with them, and the appeal and value of the original work are diminished. But when the public can simply read the original work over and over again, the same boredom and irritation inevitably follow. The only solution is to destroy the strip itself. It will live on for a few years as a fond memory, and then fade away entirely. And that’s the way it should be.”
Watterson is hardly the first artist to destroy one of his own creations. But he is almost certainly the most successful, making the execution of his decree a daunting logistical challenge. Under existing copyright law, owners of Calvin & Hobbes books must return any and all copies to Andrews McMeel Publishing by the end of the year, where they will be shredded and pulped in a warehouse specially converted for the task. Saving old newspaper copies of the strip will also become technically illegal.
In a press conference today, representatives from Mr. Watterson’s legal team admitted that while pulling the books from stores and libraries will be relatively straightforward, Watterson’s demands would be difficult to enforce against individual consumers. They announced the establishment of a website where people can report friends or acquaintances who may be hoarding old books or clippings.
“We’re counting on the support of the public to make sure Bill’s wishes are fully respected on this one,” said attorney Dionne Levchak, of intellectual property law firm Levchak Barnes & Groder, tasked with overseeing the execution of Watterson’s decree.
However, other legal scholars doubted that Watterson would ever be able to achieve the complete destruction of his strip. “Is he going to start suing college kids and grandmothers, like the RIAA?” asked Stanford law professor and copyright expert Lawrence Lessig, referring to the recording industry’s controversial prosecutions of people suspected of illegally downloading copyrighted music over the Internet. “It’s completely unworkable. It’s copyright law run amok.”
Lessig added that he was preparing a legal challenge to Watterson’s demand. But if it fails, then workable or not, the era when readers could legally own and enjoy Calvin’s adventures could be over just two months from now. That’s one cliffhanger not even Spaceman Spiff would appreciate.
______________________________________________________________
What about this makes me feel the worst? I cannot imagine Charles Shultz ever wanting to destroy "Peanuts" ... the whole reason he did it was to make people smile.
Now, he wants to declare that you must return something you bought and paid for (?)
And destroy al the artwork, never allowed to look again? It doesn't work that way, not here, not there. Logistal, moral, ethical, RATIONAL .... problems every which way you turn.
Sadly i kind of get to the concluson that it's a publicity stunt, and that the lon term goal is for his owrks t be more valuablefor posterity. If its illegal to own i wonder how that will work .... but *shrug*
If this is how he thinks, he should never have picked up a pen. AS to his wish that it be forgotten, done. I'll never read another strip of his again.
What a small hearted, mean little man :(
Breaking a long period of seclusion in which he granted no interviews and issued virtually no public statements, Watterson, creator of the wildly popular and critically acclaimed “Calvin & Hobbes”, has announced that he is seeking the total destruction of all copies of the strip in any form.
Watterson’s unwavering refusal to merchandise his characters is well-known, but his latest decision raises his commitment to the purity of his art to a new, and some would say too extreme, level.
“I’ve always believed that merchandising and licensing cheapens the original creation,” Watterson wrote in a statement faxed to Universal Press Syndicate, which distributed the strip from 1985 to 1995, and Andrews McMeel Publishing, which published 18 bestselling collections of it in book form, including a massive 22-pound, 1440-page “Complete” edition in 2005.
“My decision to destroy all copies of the strip itself is simply the logical extension of this core belief,” the statement continued. “When cartoon characters appear on countless products, the public inevitably grows bored and irritated with them, and the appeal and value of the original work are diminished. But when the public can simply read the original work over and over again, the same boredom and irritation inevitably follow. The only solution is to destroy the strip itself. It will live on for a few years as a fond memory, and then fade away entirely. And that’s the way it should be.”
Watterson is hardly the first artist to destroy one of his own creations. But he is almost certainly the most successful, making the execution of his decree a daunting logistical challenge. Under existing copyright law, owners of Calvin & Hobbes books must return any and all copies to Andrews McMeel Publishing by the end of the year, where they will be shredded and pulped in a warehouse specially converted for the task. Saving old newspaper copies of the strip will also become technically illegal.
In a press conference today, representatives from Mr. Watterson’s legal team admitted that while pulling the books from stores and libraries will be relatively straightforward, Watterson’s demands would be difficult to enforce against individual consumers. They announced the establishment of a website where people can report friends or acquaintances who may be hoarding old books or clippings.
“We’re counting on the support of the public to make sure Bill’s wishes are fully respected on this one,” said attorney Dionne Levchak, of intellectual property law firm Levchak Barnes & Groder, tasked with overseeing the execution of Watterson’s decree.
However, other legal scholars doubted that Watterson would ever be able to achieve the complete destruction of his strip. “Is he going to start suing college kids and grandmothers, like the RIAA?” asked Stanford law professor and copyright expert Lawrence Lessig, referring to the recording industry’s controversial prosecutions of people suspected of illegally downloading copyrighted music over the Internet. “It’s completely unworkable. It’s copyright law run amok.”
Lessig added that he was preparing a legal challenge to Watterson’s demand. But if it fails, then workable or not, the era when readers could legally own and enjoy Calvin’s adventures could be over just two months from now. That’s one cliffhanger not even Spaceman Spiff would appreciate.
______________________________________________________________
What about this makes me feel the worst? I cannot imagine Charles Shultz ever wanting to destroy "Peanuts" ... the whole reason he did it was to make people smile.
Now, he wants to declare that you must return something you bought and paid for (?)
And destroy al the artwork, never allowed to look again? It doesn't work that way, not here, not there. Logistal, moral, ethical, RATIONAL .... problems every which way you turn.
Sadly i kind of get to the concluson that it's a publicity stunt, and that the lon term goal is for his owrks t be more valuablefor posterity. If its illegal to own i wonder how that will work .... but *shrug*
If this is how he thinks, he should never have picked up a pen. AS to his wish that it be forgotten, done. I'll never read another strip of his again.
What a small hearted, mean little man :(
Wednesday, 14 November 2007
\Ping Darwin
Best to use tools when loosening lug nut
Mon Nov 12, 6:12 PM ET
SOUTHWORTH, Wash. - A man trying to loosen a stubborn lug nut blasted the wheel with a 12-gauge shotgun, injuring himself badly in both legs, sheriff's deputies said.
The 66-year-old man had been repairing a Lincoln Continental for two weeks at his home northwest of Southworth, about 10 miles southwest of Seattle, and had gotten all but one of the lug nuts off the right rear wheel by Saturday afternoon, Kitsap County Deputy Scott Wilson said.
"He's bound and determined to get that lug nut off," Wilson said.
From about arm's length, the man fired the shotgun at the wheel and was "peppered" in both legs with buckshot and debris, with some injuries as high as his chin, according to a sheriff's office report.
"Nobody else was there and he wasn't intoxicated," Wilson said.
The man was taken to Tacoma General Hospital with injuries Wilson described as severe but not life-threatening.
____________________________________________________________________
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! fucking IDIOT!!!
Mon Nov 12, 6:12 PM ET
SOUTHWORTH, Wash. - A man trying to loosen a stubborn lug nut blasted the wheel with a 12-gauge shotgun, injuring himself badly in both legs, sheriff's deputies said.
The 66-year-old man had been repairing a Lincoln Continental for two weeks at his home northwest of Southworth, about 10 miles southwest of Seattle, and had gotten all but one of the lug nuts off the right rear wheel by Saturday afternoon, Kitsap County Deputy Scott Wilson said.
"He's bound and determined to get that lug nut off," Wilson said.
From about arm's length, the man fired the shotgun at the wheel and was "peppered" in both legs with buckshot and debris, with some injuries as high as his chin, according to a sheriff's office report.
"Nobody else was there and he wasn't intoxicated," Wilson said.
The man was taken to Tacoma General Hospital with injuries Wilson described as severe but not life-threatening.
____________________________________________________________________
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! fucking IDIOT!!!
Tuesday, 13 November 2007
Robert M Pirsig
Pirsig's pearls
• The Buddha resides as comfortably in the circuits of a digital computer or the gears of a cycle transmission as he does at the top of a mountain.
• Metaphysics is a restaurant where they give you a 30,000 page menu and no food.
• Traditional scientific method has always been, at the very best, 20-20 hindsight. It's good for seeing where you've been. It's good for testing the truth of what you think you know, but it can't tell you where you ought to go.
• Why, for example, should a group of simple, stable compounds of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen struggle for billions of years to organise themselves into a professor of chemistry? What's the motive?
• The only Zen you find on the tops of mountains is the Zen you bring up there.
This woul not be complete without Plato:
And what is good, Phædrus,
And what is not good...
Need we ask anyone to tell us these things?
Monday, 12 November 2007
No More Fines: A Traffic Safety Revolution
November 9th, 2007
By NMA President, James Baxter
For over thirty years I have heard every excuse and permutation conceivable to justify more and larger fines for traffic law violations. The one thing they all have in common is that there is no evidence that they reduce accidents.
The founders of our country were clearly aware of the corrupting and corrosive potential that derives from allowing the “enforcers” to profit from enforcement.
They knew better than to allow enforcement agencies, or the governments that employ them, to profit from law enforcement activities. That’s why many state constitutions mandate that fines and financial penalties be diverted to non-enforcement purposes such as education or libraries.
Unfortunately, less gifted legislative bodies, in the intervening years, have created legal fabrications that allow the circumvention of these needed restraints.
I propose we strike this beast at its heart; we eliminate financial penalties for traffic law violations.
No money means no enforcement for profit. The remaining enforcement activity would be concentrated on truly dangerous drivers. Wouldn’t that be novel!
There is no serious evidence that traffic fines really have a positive effect on highway safety. That’s not the same as saying traffic law enforcement doesn’t, or can’t, have a positive effect on highway safety.
I’m saying traffic fines are ineffectual. After almost thirty years of listening to ticket recipients I can attest to the constancy of one refrain:
“I don’t mind paying the fine, but I don’t want the points on my driving record.”
Many times followed by:
“I don’t want my insurance rates jacked up for the next three years.”
Clearly, it’s the points and the implied potential for loss of license and increased insurance rates that are the real deterrents.
The government types aren’t so slow as to miss this point, nor to fail to capitalize on the leverage it offers.
Any prosecutor with more than a week’s experience knows that an offer of “no points” converts a determined “not guilty” to a compliant “no contest.”
I propose that the current corrupt fine system be replaced by a non-negotiable point system.
The points would be assessed much like they are today, based on the seriousness of the violation.
The violations could be contested in court, just like they are today.
If the number of points exceeds a set number over a set time span the operator’s license would be suspended for a specified period of time.
Escalating non-financial penalties, including jail time, could be applied to those driving on a suspended license.
I can already hear the road warriors out there bemoaning the loss of the “easy out,” just pay the fine, forget the points, and be on your way. However, that’s the system that has gotten us where we are today; wholesale government extortion of motorists.
This change will not take place in a vacuum, and the ramifications will reach far beyond the obvious:
Small villages with populations of 200 people will not be fielding 20 man police department to patrol the half-mile of Interstate that passes through the village boundaries.
County Sheriffs’ departments and city police departments will redirect the man hours spent operating speed traps to dealing with real crimes and providing emergency services.
High profile enforcement binges will become rare events.
There will be far fewer people driving on suspended licenses which will result in more insured drivers (no license, no insurance coverage).
Significantly reduced case loads in traffic courts, perhaps resulting in the return of due process for persons charged with a traffic violation.
And, the allure of ticket cameras will also fade into oblivion.
Why all these positive changes?
Taking the money out of the system will vastly reduce the number of tickets issued and change the priorities for law enforcement agencies. There will be no financial incentive to ensnare normal citizens with arbitrary traffic law enforcement.
Replacing traffic fines with a non-monetary penalty system could dramatically improve the driving experience in the US. No more revenue and profit-driven enforcement. And, yet there would be meaningful deterrents to dangerous and unsafe drivers that would equally affect the poor, the wealthy, and everybody in between.
Let me know what you think about this “revolution!”
By NMA President, James Baxter
For over thirty years I have heard every excuse and permutation conceivable to justify more and larger fines for traffic law violations. The one thing they all have in common is that there is no evidence that they reduce accidents.
The founders of our country were clearly aware of the corrupting and corrosive potential that derives from allowing the “enforcers” to profit from enforcement.
They knew better than to allow enforcement agencies, or the governments that employ them, to profit from law enforcement activities. That’s why many state constitutions mandate that fines and financial penalties be diverted to non-enforcement purposes such as education or libraries.
Unfortunately, less gifted legislative bodies, in the intervening years, have created legal fabrications that allow the circumvention of these needed restraints.
I propose we strike this beast at its heart; we eliminate financial penalties for traffic law violations.
No money means no enforcement for profit. The remaining enforcement activity would be concentrated on truly dangerous drivers. Wouldn’t that be novel!
There is no serious evidence that traffic fines really have a positive effect on highway safety. That’s not the same as saying traffic law enforcement doesn’t, or can’t, have a positive effect on highway safety.
I’m saying traffic fines are ineffectual. After almost thirty years of listening to ticket recipients I can attest to the constancy of one refrain:
“I don’t mind paying the fine, but I don’t want the points on my driving record.”
Many times followed by:
“I don’t want my insurance rates jacked up for the next three years.”
Clearly, it’s the points and the implied potential for loss of license and increased insurance rates that are the real deterrents.
The government types aren’t so slow as to miss this point, nor to fail to capitalize on the leverage it offers.
Any prosecutor with more than a week’s experience knows that an offer of “no points” converts a determined “not guilty” to a compliant “no contest.”
I propose that the current corrupt fine system be replaced by a non-negotiable point system.
The points would be assessed much like they are today, based on the seriousness of the violation.
The violations could be contested in court, just like they are today.
If the number of points exceeds a set number over a set time span the operator’s license would be suspended for a specified period of time.
Escalating non-financial penalties, including jail time, could be applied to those driving on a suspended license.
I can already hear the road warriors out there bemoaning the loss of the “easy out,” just pay the fine, forget the points, and be on your way. However, that’s the system that has gotten us where we are today; wholesale government extortion of motorists.
This change will not take place in a vacuum, and the ramifications will reach far beyond the obvious:
Small villages with populations of 200 people will not be fielding 20 man police department to patrol the half-mile of Interstate that passes through the village boundaries.
County Sheriffs’ departments and city police departments will redirect the man hours spent operating speed traps to dealing with real crimes and providing emergency services.
High profile enforcement binges will become rare events.
There will be far fewer people driving on suspended licenses which will result in more insured drivers (no license, no insurance coverage).
Significantly reduced case loads in traffic courts, perhaps resulting in the return of due process for persons charged with a traffic violation.
And, the allure of ticket cameras will also fade into oblivion.
Why all these positive changes?
Taking the money out of the system will vastly reduce the number of tickets issued and change the priorities for law enforcement agencies. There will be no financial incentive to ensnare normal citizens with arbitrary traffic law enforcement.
Replacing traffic fines with a non-monetary penalty system could dramatically improve the driving experience in the US. No more revenue and profit-driven enforcement. And, yet there would be meaningful deterrents to dangerous and unsafe drivers that would equally affect the poor, the wealthy, and everybody in between.
Let me know what you think about this “revolution!”
Friday, 9 November 2007
Chris's tips for car-only drivers
(Because clearly millions of you need to be told)
Eyes You have two of these, normally located in the front of your head. Use them. Don't just look, but see what's going on. You might spot someone else on the road other than you. I know that comes as a surprise, but there are other people entitled to share the same road space with you. Here's something else - get them tested. In the UK, a 2003 study found that 1 in 7 drivers who didn't think they needed glasses had vision so bad that their licenses could have been revoked.
Brain You should have one of these. Most humans are issued with one as standard. It's used for a lot of things, and is certainly capable of multitasking. When you're using your eyes (see above) to look in your mirrors (see below), use your brain to interpret the information. Very handy.
Mirrors The shiny, reflective things in your car. You have at least one, and most modern cars have three. Interestingly, they're not for putting your makeup on, or adjusting your hair. They are in fact to help you use your eyes to see what's behind you without the horrible inconvenience of actually turning your head. Look in them occasionally, you'll be surprised at what you see.
Indicators You know those pretty little orange lights that light up the corners of your car? I hate to tell you, but they're not decorative elements put there by the designers on a whim. They actually have a purpose. For the 99.999% of us who can't read your thoughts, those are indicator lights, for you to use to indicate to us what you intend to do. They're operated by a stalk on the steering column - you should try them some time. Oh, and when you do, make sure you use them before actually turning. Like I said, most of the rest of us have trouble reading your mind.
Steering wheel The big circular thing you hold on to when driving. Apparently, not many of you realise that if you turn this, your car will drift from lane to lane. Most often, you also haven't grasped the basic use of the indicators (see above) so the result is that you'll change lanes, probably surprising yourself, and certainly surprising everyone behind you because you didn't tell us you were going to do it. By the way, when you do this, that grating, scraping, crashing sound from the back of the car isn't "ordinary car noises" - it means you've hit someone.
Brakes Now this is a complicated one. The middle pedal in your manual car, or the left pedal in your automatic, is there to slow you down, and even stop you. I mention this because it seems that when you've committed to a bonehead maneuver, and see the motorbike at the last minute, not many of you realise that pushing this pedal will make you stop. Often, if you stop, it will avoid the accident. You don't have to run into us you know - your car will stop if instructed to do so. I think the problem is that in order to use the brakes, you also need to engage your eyes and your brain at the same time, and for most of you, that does seem to cause some trouble.
Cellphone Throw the f%#$ing thing away. You can't drive on a good day. Now you're trying to drive while clamping a cellphone to your ear and holding a conversation? I know I said the brain was multitasking, but you know that you can't do all this at the same time. Just throw it away. You're not that important, really - you aren't. And believe me, your phonecall isn't so important that you have to endanger everyone else on the road to take it.
"Sorry, I didn't see you" This is the phrase that your brain will be desperately trying to get you to say, when you realise that your eyes didn't see the motorbike you just hit because you didn't use your mirrors, brakes or indicators appropriately, and were having an unimportant, inconsequential conversation on your cellphone. You'll step out of the car and find the motorcyclist and you'll be so desperately wanting to say this phrase that you'll not be able to hold back.
It's worth knowing that if you do utter these five words to an injured motorcyclist, you are likely to be punched and kicked and otherwise generally assaulted because these are not words that we like to hear. You say "sorry, I didn't see you". What we hear is "I'm a blind f&%$ing moron and my brain doesn't work". These five words are only marginally less offensive than "Are you okay?"
Crash helmet This is not so much of a tip as a public information service. Now that you've run the motorcyclist down, and p!$$ed him off by telling him you didn't see him, and asking if he's okay, your next course of action will typically be to try to take his crash helmet off. No, no no no no no no no no a thousand times no. Use your brain. You just nearly killed the guy and now you want to remove the one item of protective gear that might be holding his head together after you swatted him with your Buick? Are you totally deranged? No - don't answer that. If you've got this far into the accident, we all know the answer. You're blind, and stupid. We don't need to add deranged to the list.
Eyes You have two of these, normally located in the front of your head. Use them. Don't just look, but see what's going on. You might spot someone else on the road other than you. I know that comes as a surprise, but there are other people entitled to share the same road space with you. Here's something else - get them tested. In the UK, a 2003 study found that 1 in 7 drivers who didn't think they needed glasses had vision so bad that their licenses could have been revoked.
Brain You should have one of these. Most humans are issued with one as standard. It's used for a lot of things, and is certainly capable of multitasking. When you're using your eyes (see above) to look in your mirrors (see below), use your brain to interpret the information. Very handy.
Mirrors The shiny, reflective things in your car. You have at least one, and most modern cars have three. Interestingly, they're not for putting your makeup on, or adjusting your hair. They are in fact to help you use your eyes to see what's behind you without the horrible inconvenience of actually turning your head. Look in them occasionally, you'll be surprised at what you see.
Indicators You know those pretty little orange lights that light up the corners of your car? I hate to tell you, but they're not decorative elements put there by the designers on a whim. They actually have a purpose. For the 99.999% of us who can't read your thoughts, those are indicator lights, for you to use to indicate to us what you intend to do. They're operated by a stalk on the steering column - you should try them some time. Oh, and when you do, make sure you use them before actually turning. Like I said, most of the rest of us have trouble reading your mind.
Steering wheel The big circular thing you hold on to when driving. Apparently, not many of you realise that if you turn this, your car will drift from lane to lane. Most often, you also haven't grasped the basic use of the indicators (see above) so the result is that you'll change lanes, probably surprising yourself, and certainly surprising everyone behind you because you didn't tell us you were going to do it. By the way, when you do this, that grating, scraping, crashing sound from the back of the car isn't "ordinary car noises" - it means you've hit someone.
Brakes Now this is a complicated one. The middle pedal in your manual car, or the left pedal in your automatic, is there to slow you down, and even stop you. I mention this because it seems that when you've committed to a bonehead maneuver, and see the motorbike at the last minute, not many of you realise that pushing this pedal will make you stop. Often, if you stop, it will avoid the accident. You don't have to run into us you know - your car will stop if instructed to do so. I think the problem is that in order to use the brakes, you also need to engage your eyes and your brain at the same time, and for most of you, that does seem to cause some trouble.
Cellphone Throw the f%#$ing thing away. You can't drive on a good day. Now you're trying to drive while clamping a cellphone to your ear and holding a conversation? I know I said the brain was multitasking, but you know that you can't do all this at the same time. Just throw it away. You're not that important, really - you aren't. And believe me, your phonecall isn't so important that you have to endanger everyone else on the road to take it.
"Sorry, I didn't see you" This is the phrase that your brain will be desperately trying to get you to say, when you realise that your eyes didn't see the motorbike you just hit because you didn't use your mirrors, brakes or indicators appropriately, and were having an unimportant, inconsequential conversation on your cellphone. You'll step out of the car and find the motorcyclist and you'll be so desperately wanting to say this phrase that you'll not be able to hold back.
It's worth knowing that if you do utter these five words to an injured motorcyclist, you are likely to be punched and kicked and otherwise generally assaulted because these are not words that we like to hear. You say "sorry, I didn't see you". What we hear is "I'm a blind f&%$ing moron and my brain doesn't work". These five words are only marginally less offensive than "Are you okay?"
Crash helmet This is not so much of a tip as a public information service. Now that you've run the motorcyclist down, and p!$$ed him off by telling him you didn't see him, and asking if he's okay, your next course of action will typically be to try to take his crash helmet off. No, no no no no no no no no a thousand times no. Use your brain. You just nearly killed the guy and now you want to remove the one item of protective gear that might be holding his head together after you swatted him with your Buick? Are you totally deranged? No - don't answer that. If you've got this far into the accident, we all know the answer. You're blind, and stupid. We don't need to add deranged to the list.
Wednesday, 7 November 2007
Pakistan
'Emergency likely to end to 2 to 3 weeks'
November 07 2007 at 07:29AM
By Simon Cameron-Moore
Islamabad - Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf will likely end emergency rule that has drawn widespread international condemnation in two to three weeks, the president of the country's ruling party told a newspaper.
Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain - president of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League, a former prime minister and member of General Musharraf's inner circle - said the president understood the ramifications of failing to lift the widely criticised measure.
"I'm sure it will end in two to three weeks as President Pervez Musharraf is aware of the consequences of long emergency rule," Hussain said in the Dawn's Wednesday edition.
Officials have said national elections will still take place in January, but Musharraf has not yet said when the vote will be held or when the emergency will end.
Pakistani opposition parties will discuss on Wednesday how to overturn emergency rule, hoping to capitalise on international disapproval over the detention of growing numbers of lawyers and political opponents.
Opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, in her strongest comments since Musharraf assumed emergency powers on Saturday, said the world must make Pakistan's military leader revoke his measures or tell him to quit.
"If he doesn't, then I believe that the international community must choose between the people of Pakistan and him," Bhutto said in an interview with Britain's Channel 4 News.
Bhutto, who arrived in the capital Islamabad on Tuesday, was due to meet leaders of smaller parties on Wednesday - though several have been detained.
She has not yet mobilised her people power on the streets, but said her party will stage a protest rally in the garrison town of Rawalpindi next to Islamabad, on November 9.
The United States and Britain were joined by the 27-nation European Union in urging Musharraf to release all political detainees, including members of the judiciary, relax media curbs, and seek reconciliation with political opponents.
The EU said Musharraf should stick to a pledge to step down as army chief this month and hold elections in January.
The Commonwealth, a 53-nation group of mainly former British colonies, called a special ministerial meeting in London next week to discus the state of emergency in Pakistan.
Washington has said it will review aid to Pakistan, which has reached nearly $100-billion since the September 11 attacks.
But it has yet to come up with a clear stance for dealing with a nuclear-armed country which is on the frontline in the battle against al-Qaeda and the Taliban.
A White House spokesperson said President George Bush had not telephoned Musharraf since he imposed emergency rule and described the general's act as "a mistake".
Critics of Musharraf's decision to declare emergency rule - a move which thwarted US hopes of a transition to civilian-led democracy through elections due in January - say he may have made Pakistan more unstable.
Bhutto said militants had taken control of the lawless tribal areas bordering Afghanistan - raising the possibility of the country fragmenting under the control of warlords.
"God alone knows what would happen to our nuclear weapons in such a scenario," she said.
While hundreds of opposition activists have been detained, primarily from the party of exiled former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Islamist groups, the political parties have yet to order their supporters on to the streets.
Protests so far have been led by a lawyers' movement, outraged by the dismissal of independent-minded judges, like ousted chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, who is being held incommunicado at his residence in Islamabad.
Announcing the emergency and suspension of the constitution last Saturday, Musharraf said he was being hampered by a hostile judiciary and fighting rising militancy.
But ordinary Pakistanis were unconvinced.
"This is not emergency; this is hooliganism," said Haji Hafeezur Rehman, a merchant from the north.
(Additional reporting by Kamran Haider)
__________________________________________________________________
This does not bode well. Despite what is said, musharraf is a big friend of bush, and is actively working for the US. Yes he has nuclear weapons, quite a few i believe, and the US is "talking" about stopping the billions they're already giving him?
Most informed people could agree pakistan is the most likely hideout of osama, and is the home of most terrorist training camps in the area.
Nothing happens there without the authority of the US ... they must be up to something REALLY nasty.
Like a trial run perhaps .... (?)
November 07 2007 at 07:29AM
By Simon Cameron-Moore
Islamabad - Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf will likely end emergency rule that has drawn widespread international condemnation in two to three weeks, the president of the country's ruling party told a newspaper.
Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain - president of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League, a former prime minister and member of General Musharraf's inner circle - said the president understood the ramifications of failing to lift the widely criticised measure.
"I'm sure it will end in two to three weeks as President Pervez Musharraf is aware of the consequences of long emergency rule," Hussain said in the Dawn's Wednesday edition.
Officials have said national elections will still take place in January, but Musharraf has not yet said when the vote will be held or when the emergency will end.
Pakistani opposition parties will discuss on Wednesday how to overturn emergency rule, hoping to capitalise on international disapproval over the detention of growing numbers of lawyers and political opponents.
Opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, in her strongest comments since Musharraf assumed emergency powers on Saturday, said the world must make Pakistan's military leader revoke his measures or tell him to quit.
"If he doesn't, then I believe that the international community must choose between the people of Pakistan and him," Bhutto said in an interview with Britain's Channel 4 News.
Bhutto, who arrived in the capital Islamabad on Tuesday, was due to meet leaders of smaller parties on Wednesday - though several have been detained.
She has not yet mobilised her people power on the streets, but said her party will stage a protest rally in the garrison town of Rawalpindi next to Islamabad, on November 9.
The United States and Britain were joined by the 27-nation European Union in urging Musharraf to release all political detainees, including members of the judiciary, relax media curbs, and seek reconciliation with political opponents.
The EU said Musharraf should stick to a pledge to step down as army chief this month and hold elections in January.
The Commonwealth, a 53-nation group of mainly former British colonies, called a special ministerial meeting in London next week to discus the state of emergency in Pakistan.
Washington has said it will review aid to Pakistan, which has reached nearly $100-billion since the September 11 attacks.
But it has yet to come up with a clear stance for dealing with a nuclear-armed country which is on the frontline in the battle against al-Qaeda and the Taliban.
A White House spokesperson said President George Bush had not telephoned Musharraf since he imposed emergency rule and described the general's act as "a mistake".
Critics of Musharraf's decision to declare emergency rule - a move which thwarted US hopes of a transition to civilian-led democracy through elections due in January - say he may have made Pakistan more unstable.
Bhutto said militants had taken control of the lawless tribal areas bordering Afghanistan - raising the possibility of the country fragmenting under the control of warlords.
"God alone knows what would happen to our nuclear weapons in such a scenario," she said.
While hundreds of opposition activists have been detained, primarily from the party of exiled former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Islamist groups, the political parties have yet to order their supporters on to the streets.
Protests so far have been led by a lawyers' movement, outraged by the dismissal of independent-minded judges, like ousted chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, who is being held incommunicado at his residence in Islamabad.
Announcing the emergency and suspension of the constitution last Saturday, Musharraf said he was being hampered by a hostile judiciary and fighting rising militancy.
But ordinary Pakistanis were unconvinced.
"This is not emergency; this is hooliganism," said Haji Hafeezur Rehman, a merchant from the north.
(Additional reporting by Kamran Haider)
__________________________________________________________________
This does not bode well. Despite what is said, musharraf is a big friend of bush, and is actively working for the US. Yes he has nuclear weapons, quite a few i believe, and the US is "talking" about stopping the billions they're already giving him?
Most informed people could agree pakistan is the most likely hideout of osama, and is the home of most terrorist training camps in the area.
Nothing happens there without the authority of the US ... they must be up to something REALLY nasty.
Like a trial run perhaps .... (?)
Tuesday, 6 November 2007
Wise words
“As a well-spent day brings happy sleep, so life well used brings happy death.” ~Leonardo da Vinci
Monday, 5 November 2007
Guy Fawkes
Remember, remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason, why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, guy, t'was his intent
To blow up king and parliament.
Three score barrels were laid below
To prove old England's overthrow.
By God's mercy he was catch'd
With a darkened lantern and burning match.
So, holler boys, holler boys, Let the bells ring.
Holler boys, holler boys, God save the king.
And what shall we do with him?
Burn him!
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason, why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, guy, t'was his intent
To blow up king and parliament.
Three score barrels were laid below
To prove old England's overthrow.
By God's mercy he was catch'd
With a darkened lantern and burning match.
So, holler boys, holler boys, Let the bells ring.
Holler boys, holler boys, God save the king.
And what shall we do with him?
Burn him!
Racing Towards Inclusion
by David Tereshchuk
Dick and Rick Hoyt are a father-and-son team from Massachusetts who together compete just about continuously in marathon races. And if they’re not in a marathon they are in a triathlon — that daunting, almost superhuman, combination of 26.2 miles of running, 112 miles of bicycling, and 2.4 miles of swimming. Together they have climbed mountains, and once trekked 3,735 miles across America.
It’s a remarkable record of exertion — all the more so when you consider that Rick can't walk or talk.
For the past twenty five years or more Dick, who is 65, has pushed and pulled his son across the country and over hundreds of finish lines. When Dick runs, Rick is in a wheelchair that Dick is pushing. When Dick cycles, Rick is in the seat-pod from his wheelchair, attached to the front of the bike. When Dick swims, Rick is in a small but heavy, firmly stabilized boat being pulled by Dick.
______________________________________________________________________________
You have to read the whole article. This guy makes all other athetes look silly. HE DOES AN IRON MAN PULLING HIS GROWN SON!!!!!!
Wow.
Dick and Rick Hoyt are a father-and-son team from Massachusetts who together compete just about continuously in marathon races. And if they’re not in a marathon they are in a triathlon — that daunting, almost superhuman, combination of 26.2 miles of running, 112 miles of bicycling, and 2.4 miles of swimming. Together they have climbed mountains, and once trekked 3,735 miles across America.
It’s a remarkable record of exertion — all the more so when you consider that Rick can't walk or talk.
For the past twenty five years or more Dick, who is 65, has pushed and pulled his son across the country and over hundreds of finish lines. When Dick runs, Rick is in a wheelchair that Dick is pushing. When Dick cycles, Rick is in the seat-pod from his wheelchair, attached to the front of the bike. When Dick swims, Rick is in a small but heavy, firmly stabilized boat being pulled by Dick.
______________________________________________________________________________
You have to read the whole article. This guy makes all other athetes look silly. HE DOES AN IRON MAN PULLING HIS GROWN SON!!!!!!
Wow.
Friday, 2 November 2007
Thursday, 1 November 2007
My day has just been made!!
Scientists 'gone crazy'
01/11/2007 07:28 - (SA)
Paris - Elephants on LSD... sexual turn-ons for turkeys... attempts to restore corpses to life: all feature on the list of the "craziest scientific experiments of all time," New Scientist reports.
Here is a selection from the Top Ten, appearing in this Saturday's issue of the British science magazine:
Elephants on acid
In 1962 US researchers, curious about what might happen to an elephant injected with LSD, fired into a tusker a syringe-full of the drug, about 3 000 times the maximum dose for a human being.
The elephant trumpeted violently, keeled over and died within an hour, despite attempts to revive it with anti-psychotic drugs.
"It appears that the elephant is highly sensitive to the effects of LSD," the researchers sheepishly concluded, in a paper published by the August journal Science.
Reversing death
Seeking to restore life to the deceased, Robert Cornish, a University of California scientist in the 1930s, seesawed corpses up and down to circulate the blood while injecting adrenalin and anti-coagulants.
Forced off the campus for his controversial experiments, Cornish continued at home, building a lab that included a heart-lung machine built out of a vacuum cleaner and radiator tubing.
Thomas McMonigle, a prisoner on death row, volunteered to be Cornish's guinea pig, but was turned down by the State of California, which worried that if McMonigle came back to life, he would have to be freed.
Eyes wide open
In 1960, University of Edinburgh sleep researcher Ian Oswald wondered if it was possible to sleep with one's eyes open. He got volunteers to lie down on a couch, taped their eyes open, placed a bank of flashing lights in front of them, attached electrodes to their legs to deliver painful shocks and blasted loud music into their ears.
Three plucky volunteers signed up for the experiment. Despite all the impediments to sleeping, an electro-encephalogram (EEG) monitor of their brain showed all fell asleep within 12 minutes.
Turkey turn-ons
Pennsylvania State University's Martin Schein and Edgar Hale discovered that male turkeys, when placed in a room with a lifelike model of a female turkey, mated with the surrogate as eagerly as they would the real thing.
Schein and Hale experimented to see what was the minimum sexual stimulus, gradually removing parts from the model one by one until the male bird finally lost interest.
"Tail, feet and wings - Schein and Hale removed them all, but still the clueless bird waddled up to the model, let out an amorous gobble and tried to do his thing," says writer Alex Boese for New Scientist.
"Finally, only a head on a stick remained. The male turkey was still keen. In fact, it preferred a head on a stick to a headless body."
01/11/2007 07:28 - (SA)
Paris - Elephants on LSD... sexual turn-ons for turkeys... attempts to restore corpses to life: all feature on the list of the "craziest scientific experiments of all time," New Scientist reports.
Here is a selection from the Top Ten, appearing in this Saturday's issue of the British science magazine:
Elephants on acid
In 1962 US researchers, curious about what might happen to an elephant injected with LSD, fired into a tusker a syringe-full of the drug, about 3 000 times the maximum dose for a human being.
The elephant trumpeted violently, keeled over and died within an hour, despite attempts to revive it with anti-psychotic drugs.
"It appears that the elephant is highly sensitive to the effects of LSD," the researchers sheepishly concluded, in a paper published by the August journal Science.
Reversing death
Seeking to restore life to the deceased, Robert Cornish, a University of California scientist in the 1930s, seesawed corpses up and down to circulate the blood while injecting adrenalin and anti-coagulants.
Forced off the campus for his controversial experiments, Cornish continued at home, building a lab that included a heart-lung machine built out of a vacuum cleaner and radiator tubing.
Thomas McMonigle, a prisoner on death row, volunteered to be Cornish's guinea pig, but was turned down by the State of California, which worried that if McMonigle came back to life, he would have to be freed.
Eyes wide open
In 1960, University of Edinburgh sleep researcher Ian Oswald wondered if it was possible to sleep with one's eyes open. He got volunteers to lie down on a couch, taped their eyes open, placed a bank of flashing lights in front of them, attached electrodes to their legs to deliver painful shocks and blasted loud music into their ears.
Three plucky volunteers signed up for the experiment. Despite all the impediments to sleeping, an electro-encephalogram (EEG) monitor of their brain showed all fell asleep within 12 minutes.
Turkey turn-ons
Pennsylvania State University's Martin Schein and Edgar Hale discovered that male turkeys, when placed in a room with a lifelike model of a female turkey, mated with the surrogate as eagerly as they would the real thing.
Schein and Hale experimented to see what was the minimum sexual stimulus, gradually removing parts from the model one by one until the male bird finally lost interest.
"Tail, feet and wings - Schein and Hale removed them all, but still the clueless bird waddled up to the model, let out an amorous gobble and tried to do his thing," says writer Alex Boese for New Scientist.
"Finally, only a head on a stick remained. The male turkey was still keen. In fact, it preferred a head on a stick to a headless body."
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