05 February 2010

05/02/10

It will never cease to amaze me how days seem to either be feast or famine, in terms of events and notable births.  Yesterday was a feast.  I left out quite a bit of stuff that was interesting.  Today, I'm hard-pressed to find any of it terribly interesting.  But here goes:

An earthquake measuring approximately 7.5 on the Richter Scale caused major damage to Pompeii in 62.  Twenty-six Christians were crucified as threats to Japanese society in 1597.  And the Royal Greenwich Observatory began broadcasting an hourly signal in 1924.

Born today:  William S. Burroughs (1914-1997), Charlotte Rampling (1946), Sven-Göran Eriksson (1948), Christopher Guest (1948), Carlos Tévez (1984) and Irritating Portuguese Pretty-boy (1985).

The good folk of San Marino are celebrating their Liberation from the Alberoni Occupation today.

M.C. Escher has no association with today's events, that I'm aware of.  My son liked the Leger that I put with yesterday's thread and told me that I should use an Escher some day.  Since the only thing relevant that I could think of would have been a photo of Pompeii, I decided to go ahead and use this.

98 comments:

  1. The Brown thread has been re-opened, chaps and chappesses.

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  2. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  3. Is that oinking I can hear in the distance?

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  4. Seems to have scared everyone, off Dot!

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  5. Either that or they're all gathered around a pig pen somewhere, egging them on.............

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  6. actually, i'm watching the AB thread unfold (unravel?) in the genuine expectation that at some point Seaton and the Mods are going to have to stage an intervention, and drag him off to the Priory.

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  7. LordS - here's where we find out if AB is as venerated as TB....

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  8. Is this the greatest CiF own goal of all time unfolding?

    -----------------------------------

    chuckled the Duke.

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  9. AB really has lost the plot now.

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  10. It really is turning into a train wreck. Taliesin20 has just posted a rather good idea about the editorship of Cif Belief.

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  11. This from the NSS:
    "Andrew Brown, the smug know-it-all who runs the Guardian's irritating blog about "Belief" wrote a vitriolic attack on the NSS but was given a kicking by his readers. The blogosphere showed great support for our stance."
    http://www.secularism.org.uk/nss-speaks-out10.html

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  12. So AB's comment calling anyone who disagrees with him a child, is now floating in a lonely fashion with two deleted comments on each side. FFS.

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  13. To be fair to Andrew. Purely by virtue of his name and actions, he's given a whole new impetus to those tedious 'Nuliebore out' posts:

    ''Time for Auld mother Broon and Cif beLIEf to go! Years of lies, spin and distortion. BROWN OUT, BROWN OUT, BROWN OUT!!''

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  14. I should like at this point to state quite clearly that although I know Andrew Brown, we last met about ten years ago. And in that time he seems to have turned into a weapons-grade arse.

    Message ends.

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  15. LordS is down as in banned or deleted?

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  16. Jay,

    I think deleted. He referred to Brown in the same way you referred to Blair.

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  17. And when I say deleted, I meant a post deleted. At least I hope so. Don't want the good LordS silenced.

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  18. yes - just that that the post was modded, along with nearly everything else...

    peter - don't worry, no guilt by association!

    am just going to pop over and see what's happened

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  19. I've always been a bit uneasy about the the level of vitriol directed at Brown and dislike pack attacks anyway . Woolly of course has directed his considerable artillery against Brown but he is a lone wolf (as it were).

    But, but, having looked over, by the gods (his own or none) Andrew Brown deserves it.

    'Don't want the good LordS silenced.'

    Would be annoyed if they did your Grace - my last Bagpuss act was to vote for Lord S as commentator of the year. He makes the sort of witty comments that Ally thinks he makes (miaow I know but Ally has become a house elf - a serf of MattLucious Malfoy).

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  20. I'm not deleted yet, folks. Just in pre-mod.

    Presumably I'll be let out once I've repented my sins, said a dozen Hail Marys and half a dozen Our Fathers.

    No regrets!

    It's all very well being expected to win an argument by force of logic but when you've tried politeness, reason and even been reduced to pleading, then in the continuing face of utter contempt, personal abuse is all that's left.

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  21. LordS,

    glad to hear it! An astonishing performance all round from the belief editor. At one stage I was looking at the thread with my fingers over my eyes, truly cringeworthy.

    Just tell the mods you're a good christian man and they'll suspend your sentence ;)

    Edwin, I know what you mean about 'pack attacks' but as you quite rightly point out, it was fully justified.

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  22. the moderation has now become so random that some of us are responding to things that disappear before we have the chance to post. am giving up...

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  23. edwin - I don't like hatchet jobs either, but normally when he screws up (on the threads that I read), it's on a finer point of theology so a) only three people notice and b) everyone then starts arguing about the theology and the debate trundles along nicely without him. I have however been a bit taken aback by some of his BTL contributions - he is immensely rude to people sometimes. and gets all high-handed about them being modded, when what they said wasn't that bad.

    grrr. anyway, there's a lot else on Belief, so I'll stick to that for now, not sure my blood pressure can take any more...

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  24. Welcome Lord S!

    Your Grace, Phillipa, throw as many hatchets at Andrew Brown as you like, I shall cheer loudly!

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  25. Philippa,

    he's shown himself to be as dogmatic, blind to reason and as objectionable as 16th Century Calvinist fire n brimstone preacher.

    Now his true self has been revealed, in all the ways LordS has outlined above, there is absolutely no way he can ever be taken seriously again as a reasoned arbiter on religious affairs.

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  26. "It's all very well being expected to win an argument by force of logic but when you've tried politeness, reason and even been reduced to pleading, then in the continuing face of utter contempt, personal abuse is all that's left."

    I think we have a new motto, chaps...

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  27. Just posted this on the new pub glass thread, let's see how long it takes to get approved.

    Well, yes! With 87,000 attacks a year, it sounds like a national pastime...

    Of course it does, and everybody knows that the British are up for a fight the moment they've had a couple of Stellas so naturally this latest distortion goes unquestioned.

    http://petebrown.blogspot.com/2010/02/how-87000-glassing-injuries-year-gave.html

    87,000 is the total of alcohol related attacks. Of those, approx 5,000 involve glass. A far more sedate 13 a day instead of the 240. You all might like to give the link above a read through for a more balanced view of what's happening.

    The glass, provided it doesn't alter the flavour of the beer, is a great idea.

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  28. right, am off to the pub, will try not to injure anybody...

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  29. Hi everyone.

    Saving an extract from dementedbear's post @5.49pm here, as I fancy it will vaporise form the AB thread:
    "The hypocrisy on this site can at times be simply unbelievable. Georgina Henry, the readers editor and Alan Rusbridger will be receiving emails not only detailing Andrew's latest indiscretions in this article, but his consistent flaunting of the guidelines and journalistic professionalism in other articles and the record of a conversation I have that suggests he published an article without consent from its original author".

    On pub glasses - Prof Jonathan Shepherd, a maxillofacial surgery specialist from Cardiff, is one of the leading lights behind this policy.

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  30. LordS

    Welcome to the murcky world of crime & disorder stats! You get police-recorded alcohol-related incidents, not all of which are then 'crimed up', but those that are are put into crime categories such as wounding and assault. And then you get the British Crime Survey, which is self-reported incidents some of which will have been reported to police & crimed up; some will have been reported to police but not crimed up; and some will never have been reported to police at all, but you have no way of distinguishing between these variants. There have been big increases in wounding offences in many areas which is connected to 'glassing'.

    The definition of 'alcohol-related' is whether the copper attending the incident can smell alcohol on someone's breath, btw. Although I will freely admit that it's pretty obvious to most observers when someone is completely bladdered, but nonetheless the category is based on a subjective judgement.

    And then there's new data from A&E services in some areas about treatment for alcohol-related injuries. Alcohol-related hospital admissions are counted separately and include persons under 16, from memory. Again, the definition of 'alcohol-related' is broad.

    And then there's a sub-set of domestic violence stats, within the data for alcohol-related incidents, crimes & injuries...

    Right, I'll shut up now.

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  31. Disraeli's old saying should be changed ....

    There are lies, damned lies and statistics, and if they're not misleading enough then there are always government statistics.

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  32. Damn but AB's thread is already a contender for Thread of the Year. Good work from LordS and Norman Hadley in particular - ooh and Philippa. Disgraceful they're shutting it so early.

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  33. Evening my little Utters.

    I've missed the bloody AB thread again! Grrr...

    Still - Friday night, fish and chips from the chippy in my tum, can of beer and feet up. What more could a gal want?

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  34. First rate post from M.LeJ/atomboy on Waddya. can't fault that analysis of the troubles with the Guardian, and their inability to countenance criticism of or , goodness forbid, opposition to their haughty, metropolitan NewLab-loving self-adoring world view. Of course there are q. a few honourable exceptions at the G, but not among the editorial staff...

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  35. On my way, Alisdair. Haven't got as as waddya yet.

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  36. Just looked at the Brown thread again. It's closed, but f8ck me the weaselly sod has engineered it so he gets the last word, and there he's doing contortions again. What a wanker.

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  37. He really is a whiny little sod. I am amazed he is allowed to get away with it too...

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  38. Now I know I am being something-ist here, but doesn't this bloke just look the part?

    Anyone remember the Les Dawson character Cosmo Smallpiece?

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  39. evenin' to anyone who is around. Friday night, me at work, but life is pretty sweet nontheless.

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  40. Wotcha habib

    I am popping in and out. Rebus just started on the telly. Love Ian Rankin's books, and the series is nae bad.

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  41. heyhabib
    The weekend starts (and stops) here...

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Et_t5SQe8lA

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  42. Hola BB, have sent you a couple of emails lately, don't seem to have landed.
    hardbjorn@ etc etc

    xxx

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  43. Damn straight, Bitterweed, damn straight.

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  44. heyhabib
    What is the difference between this

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD60juKhnDQ

    and this ?

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MO7bQAjMWV0

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  45. It is fun to dance on a Friday night, though.

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  46. Hell no, it's ATTITUDE. In the eighties we were all paranoiacs in the UK, me included, and there was little left to work with for our younger brothers and sisters. In the US, it was all about celebrating being an interesting, if creative idiot. There was more to hand down to the next kids.

    To me they're very coterminous tracks, just separated by a sea and attitude.

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  47. Hey BW!

    They've not arrived.

    I will "ping" you. I have your ntl addy - will that work?

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  48. I like this one

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dryiMi9k5Rg

    And this one

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmopROxBnBU

    What a waste..

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  49. I love that Bedingfield song - my kids were tiny little rapscallions at the time.

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  50. And the second one is me as a rapscallion. cheers BW!

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  51. I'm sure I've played this before, but do you remember it? Makes me giggle.

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  52. HEY you HABIBB
    GREAT link, but... I thought I found that one ! ha ha....

    Compare and contrast bwana:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lbi2i0j0k9M

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFhM1XZsh6o

    Please report back.
    x

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  53. Heyhabib: Bru posted this on WDYWTTA including this pearl:

    Anyone know what happened to that other beacon of sanity HeyHabib? Haven't heard from him for a while.

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  54. StudRockman's post asking where is the love reminded me of this dance classic

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  55. Medve, everyone seems to be looking for a fight over there. I'd rather be here.

    BW, loving pussycat.

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  56. But Mountain is more my kind of music. I couldn't say which one is more artistically valid. I just like Mountain a bit more, but have enjoyed both.

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  57. Give her the elbow

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hk2xaeXnxlM

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  58. silver paper

    Peace'n'love, man! 'Life is like a ragin' river.'

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  59. Pah! All your music is wrong.
    If you want a chuckle, look at this (especially the braces-twanging and the ridiculous aeroboat-thing at 1:46):
    The mighty Baris Manco
    Any allegations that Baris Manco is the prototype for the Fast Show's Disco-Baby-Sexy-Baby-Hot will be dealt with most harshly.

    * Caveat: I might be a mocking git, but some of his stuff is fucking brilliant, such as this track with the totally unfortunate-sounding lyrics and Fast Show cover. It's a developer, so you need to listen to the whole thing. Promise it's worth it.

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  60. back from pub.

    have a new blogpost up, if anyone wishes to comment (and I know I am writing from a particular standpoint - but would be interested to know where my 'metanalysis self-awareness' is lacking, as well as more general thoughts)

    PS - is nothing to do with AB. Just to confirm.

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  61. Aye, good. But brain too tired to deal with the central thesis tonight.
    Liked this, though:
    The problem seems to me to be an assumption that scientific proof is relevant to the debate. Now, if a religious person is seeking to ‘move’ their belief on others, claiming it as indubitably true, and extrapolating from this to creationism, geocentrism, or other such immutable views touching on the material world, then this is worthy of challenge. But if they are simply saying ‘this is what I believe, it holds for me’, that is, I think, different. It is a question of belief rather than knowledge – it is subjective rather than objective. It is only where religion is claimed as an objective truth that there is a problem.
    Though I'd say it's a bit wider - there are Believer types who try to argue that the evidence for God is as rational as that for, say, biscuits, if I recall my Belief threads correctly. Then you have to pile in - though I try to not use the Sky Pixie stuff.
    I followed up someone's link to AB's Hume Comment Policy thread where he complained of 900-comment threads that were all God = bastard or God = not bastard (or some such), but he's bloody responsible for most of that with his bloody manichaeism.
    Sorry to bring him in, btw.

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  62. Right guys. I know I'm a lightweight, but it's time for bed for me

    Night night all xx

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  63. ner-nizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

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  64. Fence - 'zackly, which is what I (probably self-interestedly) am seeking to differentiate

    Basically it's
    "keep it to yourself theist" = a bit weird but OK
    "think they are God theist" = have at them

    possibly rather simplistic as a central thesis...

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  65. bitterweed, great elbow/choir link. New to me, but I've sent it to my sister who sings with the Belfast Community Gospel Choir. I reckon she'll love it.

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  66. If I get a chance, might look in on that properly tomorrow.
    The AB thread, while extraordinary bollocks, did remind me how much I used to enjoy chatting with some of the people there (though not SOTR, obviously. He's a cream-faced loon of the first order).

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  67. ...and I've just looked at the Simon Jenkins thing. My eyes! My eyes!

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  68. Nice one scherfig ! Here's one of the finest things ever recorded in Ireland
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33Jaodra7AY


    Followed by some VERY fine Jimi Hendrix licks. Probably his finest hour...

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_sJ0O68Gb0


    Piece.

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  69. Weird peace http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FaEebHT0jY

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  70. navro

    did we meet ??

    Here's some fun.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nj-YNDUVzqw

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  71. That's way slow
    Here's Joe Zawinul
    He fucking rocked

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6SbaYPU2LA

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  72. Yeah, soz Bw I'm a newbie at all this stuff. Found the UT though. Like this one.

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  73. Well, that's alright navro, why don't you just pull up a chair and play some tunes.

    And while your'e gatherin your thoughts, here's this from Paul Weller.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKlXi7qVXeg

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  74. Is it just me or is that jessica reed just a smug infantile little bossymouth with no idea ?

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  75. And why all the crocodile tears for that bore imogenblack ? She was doing this shit *all day* while someone else was *paying* her ? Wonders never cease. Except why she got fired perhaps.

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  76. Wellhard
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Y1W4DNTGP8

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  77. Uh huh ?! Here's a plea from Jackie Opel

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UZSKXg8HBg

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  78. Aw fuck it, yr so quiet, you may as well have this one too

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBPTuAl2Qyk

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  79. imogenblack? What? She work's or not? Dunno. If you don't work; do something usefull. More PWhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1H8lkkOrhw

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  80. BW you should check out this album from your local library http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jW3_8Q45xM8

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  81. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  82. The library...now. or whenever
    .http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldTYRg8Yr28

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  83. Sweet http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XF8u8b9wDd8

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