December 31 2008 at 10:41AM
By Tim Castle
London - Rock singer Robert Plant, fantasy author Terry Pratchett and Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton were all honoured by Britain's Queen Elizabeth on Wednesday.
The queen also granted awards to members of Britain's Beijing Olympics team, including a knighthood for triple cycling gold medallist Chris Hoy, the country's most successful Olympian at a single games for 100 years.
The credit crunch even made an appearance in the traditional New Year's honours list, with a knighthood for Nick Macpherson, the most senior civil servant at the government's Treasury, for his "extraordinary work" on tackling the financial crisis.
Plant, 60, most famous for fronting rock band Led Zeppelin in the 1970s, becomes a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) under Britain's ancient and complex system of honorary titles.
Plant has forged a successful career since Led Zeppelin's demise in 1980, recently collaborating with singer Alison Krauss on the acclaimed album Raising Sand.
Pratchett, 60, best known for his satirical Discworld fantasy series, becomes a knight, one of the queen's most important honours, and will now be addressed as a "Sir".
"There are times when phrases such as 'totally astonished' just don't do the job," he said in a statement.
"I am of course delighted and honoured and needless to say, flabbergasted."
In December 2007 Pratchett announced he had a rare form of early onset Alzheimer's disease, and earlier this year he donated £500 000 to research into the disorder.
Hamilton, 23, became the youngest Formula One world champion in November in only his second season competing in the annual championship.
The first black driver on the Formula One motor racing circuit, Hamilton is made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), a lower ranking award.
Britain's Olympics squad won a fresh haul of honours after coming a better-than-expected fourth in the Beijing medals table.
As well as Hoy's knighthood there were awards for double gold-winning swimmer Rebecca Adlington, 400m champion Christine Ohuruogu and double cycling gold winner Bradley Wiggins.
There were also honours for Olympic sailing gold medallists Ben Ainslie, Sarah Ayton and Sarah Webb.
Fourteen-year-old Paralympic swimmer Eleanor Simmonds was made an MBE after winning two golds in Beijing, becoming the youngest person ever to be royally honoured.
There was an OBE for actor Michael Sheen, who played former British Prime Minister Tony Blair in the 2006 film The Queen, and a CBE for jazz musician Courtney Pine.
In the world of business there were knighthoods for Alexander Crombie, group chief executive of insurer Standard Life, and for David Jones, former chairman of retailer Next and co-founder of a Parkinson's disease charity.
Most of the 966 people on the New Year's list are honoured for voluntary work or for their contributions to health, education or local services. - Reuters
______________________________________________________________________________
First time ever i have approved of the annual awards ... but to my mind these people all deserve the recognition.
SIr Pratchett is oddly fitting.
Wednesday, 31 December 2008
Sunday, 28 December 2008
Humbug
Christmas has become the epitome of everything that is wrong with us. It's a sick, depraved twisting of reality. For starters, fuck you if you equate chocolate and love. The only reason they punt xmas is to sell the crap that you would never, ever ever buy for yourself. Why? Because it's crap and ou know it.
The total amount of rubbish generated is enough to make me puke. Can anyone say "carbon footprint"?
It's a pagan holiday that the christians stole, then commerce stole, and now no-one wants to admit to. Don't blame them really, it's a crappy time, and we all know it. Why is it always about the person you can't be with, the present you cannot afford? And the only succesful xmas includes a lot of useless things (usually broken by lunchtime) ... far too much food and wine ... and the insane desire to surround yourself with people you successfully avoid the other 364 days of the year?
Hardly a good time. And i see israel has gone bossies again ... let's celebrate by killing people ... cos they're pests ... AND it's FUN!!! *c/o George Carlin.
My dog bit me .... says summin about MY karma, or dogma perhaps. Chows .... turns out they're related to pitbulls .... i didn't know. Such is life. At least it's healing really well.
peace ... and love ... and even happiness, if you can manage
The total amount of rubbish generated is enough to make me puke. Can anyone say "carbon footprint"?
It's a pagan holiday that the christians stole, then commerce stole, and now no-one wants to admit to. Don't blame them really, it's a crappy time, and we all know it. Why is it always about the person you can't be with, the present you cannot afford? And the only succesful xmas includes a lot of useless things (usually broken by lunchtime) ... far too much food and wine ... and the insane desire to surround yourself with people you successfully avoid the other 364 days of the year?
Hardly a good time. And i see israel has gone bossies again ... let's celebrate by killing people ... cos they're pests ... AND it's FUN!!! *c/o George Carlin.
My dog bit me .... says summin about MY karma, or dogma perhaps. Chows .... turns out they're related to pitbulls .... i didn't know. Such is life. At least it's healing really well.
peace ... and love ... and even happiness, if you can manage
Friday, 19 December 2008
No new coal
Yesterday the full story emerged of what happened. "It was about 10pm, very dark indeed," said Highmore. "It looks from the CCTV like he came in via a very remote part of the site by the sea wall and got over the double layer of fences."
The intruder then crossed a car park and walked to an unlocked door. But instead of going to the power station's main control room, where about eight people would have been working, he headed for its main turbine hall, where no one would have been working at that time.
Within minutes, says E.On, "he had tampered with some equipment" - believed to be a computer at a control panel - "and tripped unit 2, one of the station's giant 500MW turbines".
"This caused the unit to go offline," she added. "It was running at full 500MW load and the noise it would have made as it shut itself down is just incredible. CCTV shows that he then just walked out, and went back over the fence.
All power from the coal and oil-powered Kingsnorth station in Kent was halted for four hours, in which time it is thought the mystery saboteur's actions reduced UK climate change emissions by 2%. Enough electricity to power a city the size of Bristol was lost.
Get the full story here
The intruder then crossed a car park and walked to an unlocked door. But instead of going to the power station's main control room, where about eight people would have been working, he headed for its main turbine hall, where no one would have been working at that time.
Within minutes, says E.On, "he had tampered with some equipment" - believed to be a computer at a control panel - "and tripped unit 2, one of the station's giant 500MW turbines".
"This caused the unit to go offline," she added. "It was running at full 500MW load and the noise it would have made as it shut itself down is just incredible. CCTV shows that he then just walked out, and went back over the fence.
All power from the coal and oil-powered Kingsnorth station in Kent was halted for four hours, in which time it is thought the mystery saboteur's actions reduced UK climate change emissions by 2%. Enough electricity to power a city the size of Bristol was lost.
Get the full story here
Thursday, 18 December 2008
Sun harvesting?
Ok, so i posted about the sun, and i remembered this image i saw when it first appeared. Important to mention, this image still resides at the NASA website, i have the high resolution at home.
WTF?
There is clearly something there .... if you look at the previous image and te next, they aren't there either, but in this multimillion dollar infallible lens, is what can only be .... WHAT? I really don't pretend to have even a clue. It could not be a reflection, or, or, or ....
I can look at it, and my mind takes my hand and says lookee here little one, there are some things you shouldn't think about, ok? It's really for your own good ....
Wednesday, 17 December 2008
The Scream
Edvard Munch
In a page in his diary headed Nice 22.01.1892, Munch described his inspiration for the image thus:
“I was walking along a path with two friends — the sun was setting — suddenly the sky turned blood red — I paused, feeling exhausted, and leaned on the fence—there was blood and tongues of fire above the blue-black fjord and the city — my friends walked on, and I stood there trembling with anxiety — and I sensed an infinite scream passing through nature.
Also called "Skrik" in norwegian, the english word could be shriek, skrik is the afrikaans word for fright.
The sun
I don't know how many people noticed the image of the sun i added on the right of the page. It's a widgit (love that word) which is a life update feed from a nasa site, updating every hour or so, with the latest solar images.
Cute.
The point is it appears static because nothing has happened, for months now. You've heard of sunspots? Well as can be plainly seen, there aren't any. There should be.
Now a period of little or no activity is occasionally normal ... but not for such extended periods of time. It's a first. And as happens when it goes quiet, people are pretending not to notice.
I have another similar image from last year .... i'll dig it out tonight, but something wrong somewhere, and have NO DOUBT this affects humans, and animals, and plants .... intimately, we just don't quite know how ....
Cute.
The point is it appears static because nothing has happened, for months now. You've heard of sunspots? Well as can be plainly seen, there aren't any. There should be.
Now a period of little or no activity is occasionally normal ... but not for such extended periods of time. It's a first. And as happens when it goes quiet, people are pretending not to notice.
I have another similar image from last year .... i'll dig it out tonight, but something wrong somewhere, and have NO DOUBT this affects humans, and animals, and plants .... intimately, we just don't quite know how ....
Monday, 15 December 2008
Taglines
I been tagged by Aquila ka Hekate .... who has the CHEEK to call bratsie ... *lol*
Perhaps i should add, that it's probably accurate, not wrong, just .... CHEEKY :p
Point is, i should list 6 things that make me happy .... and all sortsa other bits, but i'm not too keen on passing stuff on. Anyways, without further ado, 6 things that make me happy .....
1. My kids ..... as infuriating as parenthood is, something about a childs smile just rips straight through me, like a ray of light on a cloudy day.
2. Music ..... it's there ... and it does things to me .... takes me places never seen before.
3. Technology, to a degree .... like my bike, when it's going, it is a thing of beauty
4. People .... some of them. But there are those with hearts of pure gold ... that, change everything really. You cannot hate ALL people when these few just smile, and you see the love in their hearts.
5. Planet earth, not YET the late anything. Even today, alive and flourishing, despite all else. The clouds, bright sky and the wind ... the rain ... fresh and life bringing .... the plants that grow EVERYWHERE ... all shapes and forms, and of course the birds, insects and other little ebing that seem to appear from nowhere, living and taking part in the great moving picture.
6. Me. As odd as it may seem, sometimes i appreciate being me. My body, healthy and ... strong enough for me thanks. My mind, able to unravel mysteries and wonders, with nothing but logic, and of course the spirit ... mine all black and dirty, AND YET STILL able to feel, and give ... resonating with all it sees, knowing that i am just part of ... something bigger.
Yeesh ..... i better hide under my desk today, post like this is OMINOUS ... :)
Peace and love
Perhaps i should add, that it's probably accurate, not wrong, just .... CHEEKY :p
Point is, i should list 6 things that make me happy .... and all sortsa other bits, but i'm not too keen on passing stuff on. Anyways, without further ado, 6 things that make me happy .....
1. My kids ..... as infuriating as parenthood is, something about a childs smile just rips straight through me, like a ray of light on a cloudy day.
2. Music ..... it's there ... and it does things to me .... takes me places never seen before.
3. Technology, to a degree .... like my bike, when it's going, it is a thing of beauty
4. People .... some of them. But there are those with hearts of pure gold ... that, change everything really. You cannot hate ALL people when these few just smile, and you see the love in their hearts.
5. Planet earth, not YET the late anything. Even today, alive and flourishing, despite all else. The clouds, bright sky and the wind ... the rain ... fresh and life bringing .... the plants that grow EVERYWHERE ... all shapes and forms, and of course the birds, insects and other little ebing that seem to appear from nowhere, living and taking part in the great moving picture.
6. Me. As odd as it may seem, sometimes i appreciate being me. My body, healthy and ... strong enough for me thanks. My mind, able to unravel mysteries and wonders, with nothing but logic, and of course the spirit ... mine all black and dirty, AND YET STILL able to feel, and give ... resonating with all it sees, knowing that i am just part of ... something bigger.
Yeesh ..... i better hide under my desk today, post like this is OMINOUS ... :)
Peace and love
Commerce
We went to the Nan-Hua temple again yesterday, what an astounding place to find, here in africa. Literally like taking a step back in time, in another country.
Imagine my surprise when a monk gives my kids each a knick-knack .... mockey mouse and minnie mouse.
Wifey didn't really understand what had bitten me, is this a buddhist temple or bloody disneyland .... ? i asked out loud.
I still don't get it, really.
Imagine my surprise when a monk gives my kids each a knick-knack .... mockey mouse and minnie mouse.
Wifey didn't really understand what had bitten me, is this a buddhist temple or bloody disneyland .... ? i asked out loud.
I still don't get it, really.
Dolla a day diet
How much does it cost to feed you? Daily that is? You'd be surprised, can you do it for less? How much less?
These folks in the states just tried something fo themselves, and it grew (for them) into a full time exercise. 1 dollar a day, US, not Zim ....
http://onedollardietproject.wordpress.com/
You couldn't ... i'll bet you NOW that you could not eat for even a week on a dollar or less. In South african rands it's what, about 10 rand or thereabouts. A loaf of bread is about 8/9 rand, depending on where you buy it .... and man cannot live by bread alone ..... part of the challenge is sustainability .... do it, and be healthy at the same time.
Most people i know couldn't ... they couldn't see the reason, or even begin to understand the need, never mind actually DOING it. We got 5 in our family, plus the maid who we feed every day, so that works to about R60/pd allowance. I wonder how it compares (?) Obviously buying and cooking bulk is cheaper in the long run, but you have to be really careful how you spend the money.
Big respect to these 2 though, this hope they are able to share the message. I've added them to the blogroll on the right, and i know i'll be keeping an eye on them, as they put it "Around 700k people have visited our little blog, and if that isn’t evidence that this is a crucial conversation to have, just read some of the stories from people around the country (and the globe)."
These folks in the states just tried something fo themselves, and it grew (for them) into a full time exercise. 1 dollar a day, US, not Zim ....
http://onedollardietproject.wordpress.com/
You couldn't ... i'll bet you NOW that you could not eat for even a week on a dollar or less. In South african rands it's what, about 10 rand or thereabouts. A loaf of bread is about 8/9 rand, depending on where you buy it .... and man cannot live by bread alone ..... part of the challenge is sustainability .... do it, and be healthy at the same time.
Most people i know couldn't ... they couldn't see the reason, or even begin to understand the need, never mind actually DOING it. We got 5 in our family, plus the maid who we feed every day, so that works to about R60/pd allowance. I wonder how it compares (?) Obviously buying and cooking bulk is cheaper in the long run, but you have to be really careful how you spend the money.
Big respect to these 2 though, this hope they are able to share the message. I've added them to the blogroll on the right, and i know i'll be keeping an eye on them, as they put it "Around 700k people have visited our little blog, and if that isn’t evidence that this is a crucial conversation to have, just read some of the stories from people around the country (and the globe)."
Friday, 12 December 2008
fuckit <--- that's what i had written.
“Often people attempt to live their lives backwards; they try to have more things, or more money, in order to do more of what they want, so they will be happier. The way it actually works is the reverse. You must first be who you really are, then do what you need to do, in order to have what you want.” – Margaret Young
thats what i read shortly after.
“Often people attempt to live their lives backwards; they try to have more things, or more money, in order to do more of what they want, so they will be happier. The way it actually works is the reverse. You must first be who you really are, then do what you need to do, in order to have what you want.” – Margaret Young
thats what i read shortly after.
Wednesday, 10 December 2008
Letter from Zimbabwe
> John Winter is an architect in Zimbabwe, whom I studied with in the
> 1970's
>
> This letter has no real direction other than a plea for help which is
> understandable, and otherwise is pitiful.
>
> Neil HH
>
> Terrible, terrible things are taking place in Zimbabwe by the
> communist thugs that rule the place. the internet is a powerful tool
> and the only way that this madman and his henchmen are going to be
> brought to justice is if the whole world gangs up up on them and
> topples their evil bastion once and for all.
>
> Please forward this everyone you know so it gets around the world in
> a few days.
> Letter from Zimbabwe sent in by John Winter
>
> I reckon that these are the last days of TKM and Zanu-PF. The
> darkest hour isalways before dawn.
>
> We are all terrified at what they are going to destroy
> next........I mean they are actually ploughing down brick and mortar
> houses and one family with twin boys of 10 had no chance of
> salvaging anything when 100 riot police came in with AK47's and
> bulldozers and demolished their beautiful house - 5 bedrooms and
> pine ceilings - because it was 'too close to the airport', so we
> are feeling extremely insecure right now.
>
> You know - I am aware that this does not help you sleep at night,
> but if you do not know - how can you help? Even if you put us in
> your own mental ring of light and send your guardian angels to be
> with us - that is a help -but I feel so cut off from you all
> knowing I cannot tell you what's going on here simply because you
> will feel uncomfortable. There is no ways we can leave here so that
> is not an option.
>
> I ask that you all pray for us in the way that you know how, and
> let me know that you are thinking of us and sending out positive
> vibes... that's all. You can't just be in denial and
> pretend/believe it's not going on.
>
> To be frank with you, it's genocide in the making and if you do not
> believe me, read the Genocide Report by Amnesty International which
> says we are - IN level 7 - (level 8 is after it's happened and
> everyone is in denial).
>
> If you don't want me to tell you these things-how bad it is-then it
> means you have not dealt with your own fear, but it does not help
> me to think you are turning your back on our situation. We need
> you, please, to get the news OUT that we are all in a fearfully
> dangerous situation here. Too many people turn their backs and say
> - oh well, that's what happens in Africa
>
> This Government has GONE MAD and you need to help us publicize our
> plight---or how can we be rescued? It's a reality! The petrol
> queues are a reality, the pall of smoke all around our city is a
> reality, the thousands of homeless people sleeping outside in 0
> Celsius with no food, water, shelter and bedding are a reality.
> Today a family approached me, brother of the gardener's wife with
> two small children. Their home was trashed and they will have to
> sleep outside. We already support 8 adult people and a child on
> this property, and electricity is going up next month by 250% as is
> water.
>
> How can I take on another family of 4 -----and yet how can I turn
> them away to sleep out in the open?
>
> I am not asking you for money or a ticket out of here - I am asking
> you to FACE the fact that we are in deep and terrible danger and
> want you please to pass on our news and pictures. So PLEASE don't
> just press the delete button! Help best in the way that you know
> how.
>
> Do face the reality of what is going on here and help us SEND OUT
> THE WORD.. The more people who know about it, the more chance we
> have of the United Nations coming to our aid. Please don't ignore
> or deny what's happening.
> Some would like to be protected from the truth BUT then, if we are
> eliminated, how would you feel? 'If only we knew how bad it really
> was we could have helped in some way'.
>
> [I know we chose to stay here and that some feel we deserve what's
> coming to us]
>
> For now,--- we ourselves have food, shelter, a little fuel and a
> bit of money for the next meal - but what is going to happen next?
> Will they start on our houses? All property is going to belong to
> the State now. I want to send out my Title Deeds to one of you
> because if they get a hold of those, I can't fight for my rights.
>
> Censorship!----We no longer have SW radio [which told us everything
> that was happening] because the Government jammed it out of
> existence - we don't have any reporters, and no one is allowed to
> photograph. If we had reporters here, they would have an absolute
> field day. Even the pro-Government Herald has written that people
> are shocked, stunned, bewildered and blown mindless by the wanton
> destruction of many folks homes, which are supposed to be 'illegal'
> but for which a huge percentage actually do have licenses.
>
> Please! - do have some compassion and HELP by sending out the
> articles and personal reports so that something can/may be done.
>
> 'I am one. I cannot do everything, ---but I can do something.. And
> because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the
> something that I can do. What I can do, I should do. And what I
> should do, by the grace of God,
> I will do.'
>
> Edward Everett Hale
> 1970's
>
> This letter has no real direction other than a plea for help which is
> understandable, and otherwise is pitiful.
>
> Neil HH
>
> Terrible, terrible things are taking place in Zimbabwe by the
> communist thugs that rule the place. the internet is a powerful tool
> and the only way that this madman and his henchmen are going to be
> brought to justice is if the whole world gangs up up on them and
> topples their evil bastion once and for all.
>
> Please forward this everyone you know so it gets around the world in
> a few days.
> Letter from Zimbabwe sent in by John Winter
>
> I reckon that these are the last days of TKM and Zanu-PF. The
> darkest hour isalways before dawn.
>
> We are all terrified at what they are going to destroy
> next........I mean they are actually ploughing down brick and mortar
> houses and one family with twin boys of 10 had no chance of
> salvaging anything when 100 riot police came in with AK47's and
> bulldozers and demolished their beautiful house - 5 bedrooms and
> pine ceilings - because it was 'too close to the airport', so we
> are feeling extremely insecure right now.
>
> You know - I am aware that this does not help you sleep at night,
> but if you do not know - how can you help? Even if you put us in
> your own mental ring of light and send your guardian angels to be
> with us - that is a help -but I feel so cut off from you all
> knowing I cannot tell you what's going on here simply because you
> will feel uncomfortable. There is no ways we can leave here so that
> is not an option.
>
> I ask that you all pray for us in the way that you know how, and
> let me know that you are thinking of us and sending out positive
> vibes... that's all. You can't just be in denial and
> pretend/believe it's not going on.
>
> To be frank with you, it's genocide in the making and if you do not
> believe me, read the Genocide Report by Amnesty International which
> says we are - IN level 7 - (level 8 is after it's happened and
> everyone is in denial).
>
> If you don't want me to tell you these things-how bad it is-then it
> means you have not dealt with your own fear, but it does not help
> me to think you are turning your back on our situation. We need
> you, please, to get the news OUT that we are all in a fearfully
> dangerous situation here. Too many people turn their backs and say
> - oh well, that's what happens in Africa
>
> This Government has GONE MAD and you need to help us publicize our
> plight---or how can we be rescued? It's a reality! The petrol
> queues are a reality, the pall of smoke all around our city is a
> reality, the thousands of homeless people sleeping outside in 0
> Celsius with no food, water, shelter and bedding are a reality.
> Today a family approached me, brother of the gardener's wife with
> two small children. Their home was trashed and they will have to
> sleep outside. We already support 8 adult people and a child on
> this property, and electricity is going up next month by 250% as is
> water.
>
> How can I take on another family of 4 -----and yet how can I turn
> them away to sleep out in the open?
>
> I am not asking you for money or a ticket out of here - I am asking
> you to FACE the fact that we are in deep and terrible danger and
> want you please to pass on our news and pictures. So PLEASE don't
> just press the delete button! Help best in the way that you know
> how.
>
> Do face the reality of what is going on here and help us SEND OUT
> THE WORD.. The more people who know about it, the more chance we
> have of the United Nations coming to our aid. Please don't ignore
> or deny what's happening.
> Some would like to be protected from the truth BUT then, if we are
> eliminated, how would you feel? 'If only we knew how bad it really
> was we could have helped in some way'.
>
> [I know we chose to stay here and that some feel we deserve what's
> coming to us]
>
> For now,--- we ourselves have food, shelter, a little fuel and a
> bit of money for the next meal - but what is going to happen next?
> Will they start on our houses? All property is going to belong to
> the State now. I want to send out my Title Deeds to one of you
> because if they get a hold of those, I can't fight for my rights.
>
> Censorship!----We no longer have SW radio [which told us everything
> that was happening] because the Government jammed it out of
> existence - we don't have any reporters, and no one is allowed to
> photograph. If we had reporters here, they would have an absolute
> field day. Even the pro-Government Herald has written that people
> are shocked, stunned, bewildered and blown mindless by the wanton
> destruction of many folks homes, which are supposed to be 'illegal'
> but for which a huge percentage actually do have licenses.
>
> Please! - do have some compassion and HELP by sending out the
> articles and personal reports so that something can/may be done.
>
> 'I am one. I cannot do everything, ---but I can do something.. And
> because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the
> something that I can do. What I can do, I should do. And what I
> should do, by the grace of God,
> I will do.'
>
> Edward Everett Hale
Racists
Parents in south Tel Aviv who are seeking to prevent two Arab girls from attending their children's school are denying accusations of racism, saying they're worried about academic standings.
The conflict centers around the Hagalil Elementary School in the Hatikva quarter and began when the Tel Aviv school board decided to enroll the girls, both of whom are neighborhood residents. Even in the country's handful of mixed cities, Jews and Arabs generally prefer to live - and learn - apart.
"The school board already dumped the African kids here, and now they're bringing in the Arab kids without even telling us," one mother said. "They can't speak Hebrew well, they're having trouble in class and it's hurting the academic level of the school," she said.
"Anyone who doesn't understand why we're so upset... should take a look at other schools in the area," the mother added. "It starts with a few students and all of a sudden parents find that there are dozens of refugees in their schools. It's simply bad for the school."
While other parents have called the group's charges blatant racism, its members say they plan to circulate a petition calling on administrators to remove the girls.
The Education Ministry said there were no plans to do so, citing the girls' right as Israeli citizens and neighborhood residents to a public education without hindrance.
"The students in question are Arab girls who live in the neighborhood and belong in the school, according to the school registration areas," a ministry statement said. "They have the right to attend Hagalil School just as any other student living in the area. The parents' complaints are unjustified."
_________________________________________________________
Now in south africa you would be castrated. The courts and civil society, as well as the ever helpful international noise makers, would eat you for breakfast. This is not acceptable in ANY western nation, yet appears quite "reasonable" coming from jews?
WTF
The conflict centers around the Hagalil Elementary School in the Hatikva quarter and began when the Tel Aviv school board decided to enroll the girls, both of whom are neighborhood residents. Even in the country's handful of mixed cities, Jews and Arabs generally prefer to live - and learn - apart.
"The school board already dumped the African kids here, and now they're bringing in the Arab kids without even telling us," one mother said. "They can't speak Hebrew well, they're having trouble in class and it's hurting the academic level of the school," she said.
"Anyone who doesn't understand why we're so upset... should take a look at other schools in the area," the mother added. "It starts with a few students and all of a sudden parents find that there are dozens of refugees in their schools. It's simply bad for the school."
While other parents have called the group's charges blatant racism, its members say they plan to circulate a petition calling on administrators to remove the girls.
The Education Ministry said there were no plans to do so, citing the girls' right as Israeli citizens and neighborhood residents to a public education without hindrance.
"The students in question are Arab girls who live in the neighborhood and belong in the school, according to the school registration areas," a ministry statement said. "They have the right to attend Hagalil School just as any other student living in the area. The parents' complaints are unjustified."
_________________________________________________________
Now in south africa you would be castrated. The courts and civil society, as well as the ever helpful international noise makers, would eat you for breakfast. This is not acceptable in ANY western nation, yet appears quite "reasonable" coming from jews?
WTF
Brazil dead
While most of people's attention in Brazil was turned to the tragic floods in Santa Catarina, another environmental disaster struck the country, this time in the state of Rio de Janeiro. On November 18, a leak of deadly endosulfan pesticide into the Pirapetinga river, a tributary of Paraíba do Sul River, killed thousands of fish - over 80 tonnes - in Resende and other neighboring cities. The incident also caused the interruption of the water supply for 7 cities in the area. The tragedy was worsened by the fact that it happened during breeding season for many species, some of which are under threat of extinction. Cintia Sibucs [pt] says that apart from fish, she was sad to see also dead water hogs and even birds:
By seeing the quantity of dead fish and animals, we can say that some ten years or more will be necessary to restore life back to what it was before. Endosulfan, a chemical used to make insecticides, is used by this company in Resende. The accident has generated even more inconvenience because the water and sewer services have stopped getting water [from the rivers] for a few days, leaving the population on alert.
Servatis received a R$ 33 million fine (about US$ 13.3 million), which will be disputed by the company [pt], and a 20 day suspension penalty. It has resumed operations today, December 9th, in all departments apart from endosulfan production.
The apparatus for environmental patrol when it comes to the pursuit of measures to control and ban fishing (actually necessary), has proved to be effective in curbing infractions committed by fishermen and people who rely on this activity, and who usually occupy the bottom of our social pyramid… On the other hand, when it comes to extending this efficiency to entrepreneurs and industry onwers, who exploit economic activities that bring serious risks to the ecosystem in which they are inserted, our environmental bodies demonstrate a shameful leniency and inefficiency… The right to property and free enterprise can not override the right to life… Well, at least it should not…
Taken from: Global Voices
Tuesday, 9 December 2008
Zimbabwe: Time for regime change
TheTimes
3 December 2008, 00:04 GMT + 2 2 comments
ON our pages today we carry a story written by our former deputy editor, Moses Mudzwiti, now a resident of Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare.
It is a harrowing account of just how far this once vibrant city has sunk under the watch of the tyrant, Robert Mugabe.
The break down in the provision of basic services such as water, sanitation and electricity is so severe that they have all but ceased by be provided by the state.
Water, life’s greatest necessity, is now traded in plastic barrels on the back of pick-up trucks.
Electricity is so erratic as to render basic household appliances such as stoves, useless.
On the streets of Harare, soldiers have become a law unto themselves as the state has failed to pay them.
They once protected the people. Then they became the tools of an ailing regime.
Now they fend for themselves, breaking the windows of clothing stores and taking what they can like common thieves.
The state propaganda sheet, The Herald newspaper and state television ignored the rampage despite the fact it took place a stone’s throw away.
The breakdown of Mugabe’s state is complete.
There is no longer any monetary system to speak of. Law and order have given way to the survival of the fittest.
South Africa and Botswana have begun to act more decisively on the crisis, cutting aid and threatening to close borders.
But this is too little, too late.
Zimbabwe is becoming the scene of a global health and security catastrophe.
The world’s leaders need to consider far more drastic steps to save the lives that are in grave danger.
A massive assistance programme — with or without the support of Mugabe — must be launched to restore water and sanitation and to end this pernicious regime once and for all.
3 December 2008, 00:04 GMT + 2 2 comments
ON our pages today we carry a story written by our former deputy editor, Moses Mudzwiti, now a resident of Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare.
It is a harrowing account of just how far this once vibrant city has sunk under the watch of the tyrant, Robert Mugabe.
The break down in the provision of basic services such as water, sanitation and electricity is so severe that they have all but ceased by be provided by the state.
Water, life’s greatest necessity, is now traded in plastic barrels on the back of pick-up trucks.
Electricity is so erratic as to render basic household appliances such as stoves, useless.
On the streets of Harare, soldiers have become a law unto themselves as the state has failed to pay them.
They once protected the people. Then they became the tools of an ailing regime.
Now they fend for themselves, breaking the windows of clothing stores and taking what they can like common thieves.
The state propaganda sheet, The Herald newspaper and state television ignored the rampage despite the fact it took place a stone’s throw away.
The breakdown of Mugabe’s state is complete.
There is no longer any monetary system to speak of. Law and order have given way to the survival of the fittest.
South Africa and Botswana have begun to act more decisively on the crisis, cutting aid and threatening to close borders.
But this is too little, too late.
Zimbabwe is becoming the scene of a global health and security catastrophe.
The world’s leaders need to consider far more drastic steps to save the lives that are in grave danger.
A massive assistance programme — with or without the support of Mugabe — must be launched to restore water and sanitation and to end this pernicious regime once and for all.
Monday, 8 December 2008
Peace frog
Year of the frog
Ok so i'm the stupid one, or at least blind. Taking me till december to work this one out. We were invited to the jhb zoo for some or other walk thingy ... they do it all the time, was a first for me.
Why Year of the Frog?
A deadly disease threatens amphibians
Frogs are going extinct. So are toads, salamanders, newts, and the intriguingly unusual caecilians. In fact, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) predicts that at least one-third of known amphibian species are in danger of disappearing from the earth for good www.globalamphibians.org.
In addition to habitat loss, climate change, pollution, and other factors a deadly disease is threatening to make many frogs and other amphibian species die out completely. Chytridiomycosis is a disease caused by a fungus called Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). This fungus is destroying amphibian species and populations as we speak. Unless we act now, we could be facing one of the largest extinctions since the time of the dinosaurs.
Ok so i'm the stupid one, or at least blind. Taking me till december to work this one out. We were invited to the jhb zoo for some or other walk thingy ... they do it all the time, was a first for me.
Why Year of the Frog?
A deadly disease threatens amphibians
Frogs are going extinct. So are toads, salamanders, newts, and the intriguingly unusual caecilians. In fact, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) predicts that at least one-third of known amphibian species are in danger of disappearing from the earth for good www.globalamphibians.org.
In addition to habitat loss, climate change, pollution, and other factors a deadly disease is threatening to make many frogs and other amphibian species die out completely. Chytridiomycosis is a disease caused by a fungus called Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). This fungus is destroying amphibian species and populations as we speak. Unless we act now, we could be facing one of the largest extinctions since the time of the dinosaurs.
Thursday, 4 December 2008
War Pigs
Generals gathered in their masses
Just like witches at black masses
Evil minds that plot destruction
Sorcerers of deaths construction
In the fields the bodies burning
As the war machine keeps turning
Death and hatred to mankind
Poisoning their brainwashed minds, oh lord yeah!
Politicians hide themselves away
They only started the war
Why should they go out to fight?
They leave that role to the poor
Time will tell on their power minds
Making war just for fun
Treating people just like pawns in chess
Wait till their judgement day comes, yeah!
Now in darkness, world stops turning
As the war machine keeps burning
No more war pigs of the power
Hand of God has struck the hour
Day of judgement, God is calling
On their knees, the war pigs crawling
Begging mercy for their sins
Satan, laughing, spreads his wings
All right now!
Thanks to Black Sabbath, they said it.
Just like witches at black masses
Evil minds that plot destruction
Sorcerers of deaths construction
In the fields the bodies burning
As the war machine keeps turning
Death and hatred to mankind
Poisoning their brainwashed minds, oh lord yeah!
Politicians hide themselves away
They only started the war
Why should they go out to fight?
They leave that role to the poor
Time will tell on their power minds
Making war just for fun
Treating people just like pawns in chess
Wait till their judgement day comes, yeah!
Now in darkness, world stops turning
As the war machine keeps burning
No more war pigs of the power
Hand of God has struck the hour
Day of judgement, God is calling
On their knees, the war pigs crawling
Begging mercy for their sins
Satan, laughing, spreads his wings
All right now!
Thanks to Black Sabbath, they said it.
Wednesday, 3 December 2008
Zim
Harare hospital 'has become a place of death'
December 03 2008 at 02:41PM
By Francis Hweshe
Activist for refugee rights Braam Hanekom has reported the dire situation facing his countrymen in Zimbabwe after he managed to sneak into the country last week.
At a press conference in Cape Town on Tuesday Hanekom told of the horror he had witnessed first-hand.
"At Parerinyatwa hospital in Harare where I was born, there is no electricity, running water and about 50 sick people are turned away daily to go and die at home," he said.
"In its mortuary I saw bodies piled upon bodies as the facility has become a place of death."
Hanekom is the chairman of refugee lobby group, People Against Suppression, Suffering, Oppression and Poverty (Passop). He has visited his troubled homeland twice recently after a three-year absence.
He said a health official at the hospital had told him: "It's better for them to die at home than here."
The doctor also told him those who were admitted to the hospital were sure to die due to lack of medicine.
Hanekom said he had seen staffers at the hospital's mortuary working without proper protective gear such as gloves and bodies were not being cleaned as the city did not have water.
He said he had been deeply touched by an incident when a relative had come to collect his beloved's body but staffers had refused him access to the body as it was in a "mess".
"The agonised man protested that he could bring a bucket of water to wash the body but they refused, as that would bring cholera."
Hanekom described the cholera situation as volatile - people have ceased greeting one another with handshakes for fear of contracting the disease which has claimed hundreds of lives.
"It's a hopeless situation... people are dying of dehydration... there is no water, even in affluent areas," he said.
He said he had interviewed disgruntled civil servants including soldiers and police officers, some of whom said they wanted to band with civilians to overthrow President Robert Mugabe's government.
Soldiers earn R70 a month but for the past two months have not been paid and they are frustrated, he said.
Hanekom said MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai should exploit the moment and turn the tables on Mugabe.
He warned that failure to do so could result in the emergence of rebels.
"Schools have shut down, national examinations have been cancelled and concerned parents are paying private tutors in foreign currency, which they don't have.
"Malnutrition is everywhere, we estimate that about 40 percent of the people are living beneath the daily nutritional intake needed for basic survival.
"Queues ran across the city streets outside the banks with up to 300 people desperately waiting to withdraw their daily limits of Z$500 000 (R5)."
He said in the rural areas, where hunger and starvation is taking its toll, subsistence farming had started, but many of the farmers lack the necessary resources.
Zimbabwean refugee Barbara Zhungu, also present at the media briefing, said: "We are caught up in a tight situation as it is tough for us to live in this country."
This article was originally published on page 3 of Cape Argus on December 03, 2008
____________________________________________________________
Well fuck me .... All hail the great MOTHERFUCKER MBEKI ... fuck you mbeki you cunt, you and your fucking quiet bullshit.
Always more interested in HISTORY than people .... well i fucking hope that history puts you down as the fucking politician RESPONSIBLE ... may your sould be bathed in the blood of the dead and dying.
My god ... it's the black plague ... bring out your dead ... except they cannot even afford the pennies for the ferryman.
May God have mercy on them all. Holidays are coming, i wonder if my children will even go to school next year, or if the plague will have reached us by then. Our water supplies are already suspect.
December 03 2008 at 02:41PM
By Francis Hweshe
Activist for refugee rights Braam Hanekom has reported the dire situation facing his countrymen in Zimbabwe after he managed to sneak into the country last week.
At a press conference in Cape Town on Tuesday Hanekom told of the horror he had witnessed first-hand.
"At Parerinyatwa hospital in Harare where I was born, there is no electricity, running water and about 50 sick people are turned away daily to go and die at home," he said.
"In its mortuary I saw bodies piled upon bodies as the facility has become a place of death."
Hanekom is the chairman of refugee lobby group, People Against Suppression, Suffering, Oppression and Poverty (Passop). He has visited his troubled homeland twice recently after a three-year absence.
He said a health official at the hospital had told him: "It's better for them to die at home than here."
The doctor also told him those who were admitted to the hospital were sure to die due to lack of medicine.
Hanekom said he had seen staffers at the hospital's mortuary working without proper protective gear such as gloves and bodies were not being cleaned as the city did not have water.
He said he had been deeply touched by an incident when a relative had come to collect his beloved's body but staffers had refused him access to the body as it was in a "mess".
"The agonised man protested that he could bring a bucket of water to wash the body but they refused, as that would bring cholera."
Hanekom described the cholera situation as volatile - people have ceased greeting one another with handshakes for fear of contracting the disease which has claimed hundreds of lives.
"It's a hopeless situation... people are dying of dehydration... there is no water, even in affluent areas," he said.
He said he had interviewed disgruntled civil servants including soldiers and police officers, some of whom said they wanted to band with civilians to overthrow President Robert Mugabe's government.
Soldiers earn R70 a month but for the past two months have not been paid and they are frustrated, he said.
Hanekom said MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai should exploit the moment and turn the tables on Mugabe.
He warned that failure to do so could result in the emergence of rebels.
"Schools have shut down, national examinations have been cancelled and concerned parents are paying private tutors in foreign currency, which they don't have.
"Malnutrition is everywhere, we estimate that about 40 percent of the people are living beneath the daily nutritional intake needed for basic survival.
"Queues ran across the city streets outside the banks with up to 300 people desperately waiting to withdraw their daily limits of Z$500 000 (R5)."
He said in the rural areas, where hunger and starvation is taking its toll, subsistence farming had started, but many of the farmers lack the necessary resources.
Zimbabwean refugee Barbara Zhungu, also present at the media briefing, said: "We are caught up in a tight situation as it is tough for us to live in this country."
This article was originally published on page 3 of Cape Argus on December 03, 2008
____________________________________________________________
Well fuck me .... All hail the great MOTHERFUCKER MBEKI ... fuck you mbeki you cunt, you and your fucking quiet bullshit.
Always more interested in HISTORY than people .... well i fucking hope that history puts you down as the fucking politician RESPONSIBLE ... may your sould be bathed in the blood of the dead and dying.
My god ... it's the black plague ... bring out your dead ... except they cannot even afford the pennies for the ferryman.
May God have mercy on them all. Holidays are coming, i wonder if my children will even go to school next year, or if the plague will have reached us by then. Our water supplies are already suspect.
Tuesday, 2 December 2008
Monday, 1 December 2008
The weekend ...
Toyrun has run ... what n incredible day!! The sheer SIZE and VOLUME and everything ...
A lot went wrong, several accidents to and from the venues, 2 marshalls were knocked over during the ride. The Think Bike caravan was totalled en route to the venue, and we had the JHB METRO idiots involved, who promptly went and fucked it up as solidly as could be imagined. In several places too.
Several bikers had incidents to and from the run, R.I.P to the Walkerville 18 year old, who hit a pedestrian. Get well soon to the rest. Gemini, you and your son both heal soon, and i hope the bike gets sorted ... in the line of duty, respect.
You see, a mass of bikes like that, is like a wild animal, perhaps a bull, with us marshalls as the toreadors. And instead of having a closed arena within which to work, imagine it in the middle of the market square, and no-one else is allowed to get hurt. It's more about holding it's attention ... and keeping it, than anything else. AND making sure no "kids" run into the way ...
As a whole, i rate it a success. Many people had a lot of fun, and thousands of toys are going to find their ways into kids christmas stockings.
Will post my fvourite pics as they find themselves onto the net.
A lot went wrong, several accidents to and from the venues, 2 marshalls were knocked over during the ride. The Think Bike caravan was totalled en route to the venue, and we had the JHB METRO idiots involved, who promptly went and fucked it up as solidly as could be imagined. In several places too.
Several bikers had incidents to and from the run, R.I.P to the Walkerville 18 year old, who hit a pedestrian. Get well soon to the rest. Gemini, you and your son both heal soon, and i hope the bike gets sorted ... in the line of duty, respect.
You see, a mass of bikes like that, is like a wild animal, perhaps a bull, with us marshalls as the toreadors. And instead of having a closed arena within which to work, imagine it in the middle of the market square, and no-one else is allowed to get hurt. It's more about holding it's attention ... and keeping it, than anything else. AND making sure no "kids" run into the way ...
As a whole, i rate it a success. Many people had a lot of fun, and thousands of toys are going to find their ways into kids christmas stockings.
Will post my fvourite pics as they find themselves onto the net.
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