Quote of the day

from the story of a tsunami hitting a cruise ship in the Mediterranean and speculation into it's cause.

 

In the comments comes this gem:

"I guess it was the EU commissioners dumping Euros"

Yes I know two people died. But shit happens at sea.

Dead Websites

Digital dust-devils skitter across the electronic ether.

Teasing winds play in and out of broken links, and weeds take root upon the surface of a disused hit counter.

Dust settles on applets never used, and one door hangs off the deserted saloon façade of 'index.html'.

It's a dead website, one of thousands that litter Geocities, Xoom and AOL - a site once lovingly crafted with the best of intentions in bold, contrasting primaries and garishly crashing greens, on some irrelevant subject long forgotten. It now lies dead, a deserted town that you just know some desperado's gang is hiding out there in some cheesy Western flick.

Dead websites are the tragedies that litter the web. It is always the fond wish of every newbie to have a website of his or her own. But the site can't be maintained, they don't have the experience to look after it, and it soon falls into a state of disrepair.

Remember, kids, a site is for life, not just for Christmas.

I have written.

Just sent this to my MP.

Dear John Stanley,
I have never written to you before on the negative effects of the spiteful smoking ban that you supported and just blindly accepted every word from the pharmaceutically and Government backed groups like ASH and their ilk, who's one aim is to either socially engineer the population or reap huge rewards from the drug company's as the sales of nicotine replacement therapy rocket as a result of smoking bans and propaganda.

This time however I am writing to let you know that many people feel that a great injustice has been done to one pub landlord due to the ban. He has just been unfairly imprisoned for 6 months where he will pass his time with murderers, rapists and real criminals.
I am writing with reference to the jailing of Nick Hogan whose comment '‘Ninety per cent of people who come into my pub want to smoke, even the non-smokers think there should be a choice. These laws are ridiculous.’ says it all.

This is a farce. This man was fighting to uphold the dignity of a minority group, as stated in the United Nations Human Right Act.

This NuLabour smoking ban is doing the job that it was designed to do i.e. dividing the population smoker v anti-smoker. A divided population is an easier one to manage. !!

The influential political bloggers are flooding the internet with this travesty of justice and are not only demanding the release of this man, but are calling for this disgraceful U.K. smoking ban that is the harshest in Europe to be amended. At least 95% of people commenting think the jailing of this man is the beginning of mass rebellion. It is only as totalitarian as the Irish ban whereas the rest of Europe have decided to treat 25% of their population who are smokers as human rather than the scum of the earth. Nowhere is Europe is the ban designed to make people stand out in the street in freezing conditions to enjoy a legal product. This affects the elderly more than others. Whereas smoking was 'hidden' behind pub doors it is now widely prevalent on our streets in plain sight of every young person and therefore the uptake of younger people taking up smoking will rise as has been the case in every country that enacted a ban before the U.K.

Top bloggers views:
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/edwes ... smoke-ban/
http://bastardoldholborn.blogspot.com/2 ... pdate.html
http://frank-davis.livejournal.com/55354.html
http://freedom-2-choose.blogspot.com/20 ... +Choose%29
http://dickpuddlecote.blogspot.com/2010 ... dlecote%29
http://velvetgloveironfist.blogspot.com ... onths.html
http://www.annaraccoon.com/politics/pub ... oking-ban/
http://irdial.com/blogdial/?p=2477
http://www.britishblogs.co.uk/theme/nic ... riginally/
http://takingliberties.squarespace.com/ ... ntalk.html

http://niklowe.blogspot.com/2010/03/nick-hogan.html

Mr Cameron would be gleaning more votes if he decided to actually listen to people. This ban is not just adversely affective 12 million smokers in this country, but millions of sympathetic non-smokers who do not believe the myth of so called 'second hand smoke' and are aware that this is social engineering on a large scale. They all worry what group is next to be made into tomorrows pariah.

Yours Sincerely

The Filthy Engineer

Lifelong Conservative but like many others about to vote UKIP. (Said that to make him panic).

Why not do the same. It's easy. Just go to They Work for you.

Just a little bit more needed.

 

Don't forget this man banged up for daring to stand up to the bullying state. Just a little more money needed to have him freed.

Let's get Nick Hogan out of prison by the weekend.

Either Donate via PayPal at Old Holbourn's blog or at the Scottish Freedom2Choose address if you need to Donate by cheque.

The address is Freedom to Choose (Scotland), c/o The Dalmeny Bar, 297 Leith Walk, Edinburgh EH6 8SA. And write Nick Hogan on the back

Every single £1 counts. Over £6,000 raised in 48 hours. Total needed £10,000.

Or at least drop him a line:

 

Nick Hogan
prisoner DN5431
HMP & YOI Forest Bank
Agecroft Road
Pendlebury
Manchester
M27 8FB

This article sums up what we are becoming

Aaaaargh. (Again)

 

I really don't think that big companies have staff that can actually read the printed word.

Last week I had recourse to write a scathing letter to a local water company. (Southeast water. I hope you are reading this). This was over a final demand for non payment of my Uncle's water Bill. I had to point out to them in no uncertain terms that my Uncle had died before Christmas, and that I had informed them at the time that they were to contact the Probate Solicitor.

I really can't see what is so hard about that. I didn't use any long words or anything in the letter. maybe they just thought the word Solicitor was Me touting a Brothel or other house of repute, ( House of Commons springs Immediately to mind).

Today I went over there to meet the Estate Agent and there was a final demand from his power company. (Eon. I hope you are reading this)

Well the only consolation is that it gives me the chance to vent my spleen. I must admit I love the groveling apologies. So I shouldn't complain.

Well I found it funny.

A must read site: http: 27b/6

Late fees for his DVDs.

 

 

From: David Thorne
Date: Sunday 8 November 2009 2.16pm
To: Megan Roberts
Subject: DVDs
Dear Megan,

Thank you for your letter regarding overdue fees. As all four movies were outstanding examples of modern cinematic masterpieces, your assumption that I would wish to retain them in my possession is understandable, but incorrect. Please check your records as these movies were returned, on time, over three weeks ago.

I remember specifically driving there and having my offspring run them in due to the fact that I was wearing shorts and did not want the girl behind the counter to see my white hairy legs.

Regards, David.

From: Megan Roberts
Date: Monday 9 November 2009 11.09am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: DVDs
Hi David

Our computer system indicates otherwise. Please recheck and get back to me.

Kind regards,
Megan

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 9 November 2009 11.36am
To: Megan Roberts
Subject: Re: Re: DVDs
Dear Megan,

Yes, they are definitely white and hairy. Viewed from the knees down, the similarity to two large albino caterpillars in parallel formation is frightening. People who knew what the word meant might describe them as 'piliferous', although there is something quite sexy about that word so perhaps they wouldn't.

Regards, David.

From: Megan Roberts
Date: Monday 9 November 2009 1.44pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: DVDs
Hi David

No I mean our records indicate that the DVDs have not been returned. Please check and return as soon as possible.

Kind regards,
Megan

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 9 November 2009 4.19pm
To: Megan Roberts
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: DVDs
Dear Megan,

With the possible exception of Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay, the movies were not worth watching let alone stealing. In Logan's Run, for example, the computer crashed at the end when presented with conflicting facts and blew up destroying the entire city. When my computer crashes I carry on a little bit and have a cigarette while it is rebooting. I don't have to search through rubble for my loved ones. The same programmers probably designed the Blockbuster 'returned or not' database.

Also, while one would assume the title Journey to the Centre of the Earth to be a metaphor, the movie was actually set in the centre of the earth which, being a solid core of iron with temperatures exceeding 4300˚ Celcius and pressures of 3900 tons per square centimetre, does not seem very likely.

Waterworld was actually pretty good though. My favourite bit was when they were on the water but the scene when Kevin Costner negotiated for peace, ending the war between fish and mankind moments before the whale army attacked was also very good.

Regards, David.

From: Megan Roberts
Date: Tuesday 10 November 2009 3.57pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: DVDs
David

The DVDs are listed as not returned. If you cant locate the DVDs, you will be charged for the replacement cost.

Megan

From: David Thorne
Date: Tuesday 10 November 2009 5.12pm
To: Megan Roberts
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: DVDs
Dear Megan,

I have checked pricing at the DVD Warehouse and the cost of replacing your lost movies with new ones is as follows:

Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay $7.95
Waterworld $4.95
Journey to the Centre of the Earth $9.95
Logan's Run $12.95

I have no idea why Logan's Run is the most expensive of the four movies as it was definitely the worst. Have you seen it? I wouldn't pay $12.95 for that. I would use the money to buy a good movie instead. Probably something with Steven Seagal in it. The entire premise comprised of living a utopian and carefree lifestyle with only three drawbacks - wearing seventies jumpsuits, living in what looks like a giant shopping centre and not being allowed to live past thirty. This would seem logical though as I would not want a bunch of old people hanging around complaining about their arthritis while I am trying to relax at the shopping centre in my jumpsuit trying not to think about the computer crashing.

I was recently forced to do volunteer work at an aged care hospital. Footage of these people during Tuesday night line dancing could be used as an advertisement for the Logan's Run solution. The only good aspect of working there was that I halved their medication, pocketing and selling the remainder, explaining the computer listed that as their dose and they were welcome to check knowing their abject fear of anything produced after the eighteenth century would prevent them from doing so.

I also swapped my Sanyo fourteen inch portable television for their Panasonic wide screen plasma while they were sleeping, explaining that it had always been that way and their senility was simply playing up due to the reduced dosage of drugs.

Regards, David.

From: Megan Roberts
Date: Wednesday 11 November 2009 1.21pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: DVDs
Hi David

I have not seen those movies so I dont know what you are talking about. I prefer romantic comedies. If you have the movies we can't rent them so we lose money and the fees are based on what we we would have made from renting them and we also have to purchase movies through our suppliers not from DVD Warehouse.

Megan

From: David Thorne
Date: Wednesday 11 November 2009 3.28pm
To: Megan Roberts
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: DVDs
Dear Megan,

I myself am also a huge fan of romantic comedies. Perhaps we could watch one together. I have a new Panasonic wide screen plasma. My favourite romantic comedy is Fatal Instinct although it did not contain enough robots or explosions in my opinion and I was therefore unable to truly identify with the main characters on a personal and emotional level.

Recently, I was tricked into watching The Notebook which was about geese. Lots of geese. It also had something to do with an old lady who conveniently lost her memory so she could not remember being a whore throughout the entire film. I don't recall a lot of it as I was too busy being cross about watching it. In a utopian future society she would have been hunted down and killed at thirty.

In regards to the late fees, I understand the amount is based on what you lose by not being able to rent the movies out. You probably had people lined up around the block waiting to rent Logan's Run. For eighty two dollars though, I could have purchased six copies of it from DVD Warehouse or, as I have heard he is a bit strapped for cash, had Kevin Costner visit my house in person and re-enact key scenes from Waterworld in my bathroom.

Regards, David.

From: Megan Roberts
Date: Thursday 12 November 2009 3.16pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: DVDs
Hi David.

Restocking fees are:

002190382 Journey to the Centre of the Earth $9.30
003103119 Logans Run $7.90
008629103 Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay $6.30
000721082 Waterworld $5.70

Total: $29.20 - I have deleted your late fees and noted on the computer that the amount owed is for the replacement movies not fees.

Kind regards,
Megan

From: David Thorne
Date: Thursday 12 November 2009 7.42pm
To: Megan Roberts
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: DVDs
Dear Megan,

Those prices seem reasonable. I do not want Logan's Run but will pick up the other three when I come in next.

Regards, David.

From: Megan Roberts
Date: Friday 13 November 2009 12.51pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: DVDs
What? The $29.20 is the cost of the replacement DVDs for the store.

Megan

From: David Thorne
Date: Friday 13 November 2009 1.15pm
To: Megan Roberts
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: DVDs
Dear Megan,

That makes more sense, I was wondering what I was going to do with two copies of each movie.

Regards, David.

From: Megan Roberts
Date: Friday 13 November 2009 2.33pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: DVDs
What do you mean by two copies? Are you saying you found the four movies?

Megan

From: David Thorne
Date: Friday 13 November 2009 2.57pm
To: Megan Roberts
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: DVDs
Dear Megan,

Yes, they were on top of my fridge the whole time. Unfortunately I have a blind spot that prevents me from seeing this area of the kitchen as it is also where I keep my pile of unpaid bills.

Last night I slept on the kitchen floor with the fridge door open due to my air conditioner being broken and the temperature outside exceeding that of the centre of the earth. As my fridge emits a high pitched 'beep' every thirty seconds when left open, the vibrations from this caused the DVDs to wriggle forward over the space of many hours before toppling from the edge and I awoke to find them beside me on the pillow. As you have already waived the late fees, I will drop them off tonight and we will call it even.

Regards, David.

From: Megan Roberts
Date: Friday 13 November 2009 3.43pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: DVDs
Ok.

 

Oh and do read 5pm. His brush with the law.

Another shopping game

Checkout Chatter

This is a game best played on a weekday evening, when the younger members of the working population have taken over on their part-time shifts.

The aim of the game is simply to try and get them to talk to you. Sounds easy, doesn't it? But give it a try when you've got a bored 17-year old in front of you, who can't wait to get out of the place and has little else on their mind beyond which pub their mates are going to be in and whether they're the only person still waiting to lose their virginity.

Of course, there is some standard information that they're programmed to say for example, 'Hello', 'Do you have a loyalty card?', 'That'll be £5.63, please', 'Would you like cash back with that' and 'Goodbye'. But anything beyond that can certainly become a tribulation.

Some recommended lines to try are:

• 'Has it been busy today?' (also useful when playing Cabbie Chatter)

• 'What are you doing later?' (although this can be misinterpreted)

• 'Is the price of bread always so cheap?'

You win if you can manage to get them to hold a decent conversation with you. As you improve you may choose to handicap yourself by disallowing certain subjects eg, what 'A' levels¹ they are studying or how many hours they have left to work on their shift.

Go on give it a try.

Update : The Nick Hogan fund now stands at £5693. Notwithstanding postal donations.

Thanks to all who have donated. if not there's still time to Donate

The Anti Smoking Ban heroes.

just give £1 to help free Nick Hogan.

or an alternative way to pay:

Phil Johnson sent a message to the members of Justice for Nick Hogan.
--------------------
Subject: Alternative donation avenue
We have another safe avenue for donations for all those of you who would rather send a cheque. If so, your Cheques for the Nick Hogan fund can be made payable to Freedom to Choose (Scotland).
They will be retained in the Freedom to Choose (Scotland) account until further instructions are available.
The address is Freedom to Choose (Scotland), c/o The Dalmeny Bar, 297 Leith Walk, Edinburgh EH6 8SA.
For total transparency I will update the 'donations sent' on a daily basis as soon as the Treasurer informs me of such.
This now gives the Nick Hogan fund twice the opportunity to reach our target folks.
Phil J

Or at least write to him

Nick Hogan
prisoner DN5431
HMP & YOI Forest Bank
Agecroft Road
Pendlebury
Manchester
M27 8FB

Nick Hogan

 

If you have not heard about this man then I'll tell you the story.

Nick Hogan ran two pubs in Bolton. However since the smoking ban came into force in 2007 he saw his trade melting away.

'Ninety per cent of people who come into my pub want to smoke, even the non-smokers think there should be a choice. These laws are ridiculous.'

He was vehemently opposed to this unfair legislation but on several occasions was visited by Gestapo inspectors and subsequently ended up in court.

A judge fined Hogan, of Chorley, Lancashire, £3,000 and ordered him to pay £7,236 in costs after finding him guilty of four charges under the Health Act 2006.

Fine you say (pun not intended) but it got worse.

But the married father-of-two refused to pay the fine and yesterday, after repeatedly being hauled back before the courts, a judge sitting at Bolton Crown Court finally lost patience and jailed him.

Now you would have expected him to get a sentence of 1 month suspended or some such. After all if a peer of the realm can get 16 days suspended for a motoring offence causing death, then this would be the harshest sentence he could get.

Oh no. He has been given a full sentence of 6 months!

That is not justice as I see. That is "being made an example of" by the authorities.

To cut a long story short there is a campaign on the Blogosphere to raise the money for the fine and court costs. This should allow him to be freed.

If you feel sickened by this travesty of justice then you can donate over at Old Holborn's Blog. Just a pound will do, or more if you can afford it. (The Donate button is at the top right.)

If you can't afford it then at least write to Nick at:

Mr Nick Hogan (No DN 5431)

HMP & YOI Forest Bank
Agecroft Road
Pendlebury
Manchester
M27 8FB

Justice has left the room.

Just thought I'd post this You tube video to highlight Nick Hogans plight.

I bet the snitch who dobbed him in won't come forward and proudly proclaim it to all the world. The righteous never do. They do it from the shadows.

H/T tip to the Bigyinme

And if you wish to donate to the fighting fund to get him released go to Old Holborns blog. There is a paypal button in his sidebar. It's going well already. This just the start.