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Greetings, Quotaholics:
I
think in the United States we tend to think of England as this relatively
crime free place full of friendly, helpful people. And for the most
part that’s probably true. However, lately it seems that England has
become a land of draconian laws that are turning it into a police state.
What started off as an attempt to keep people safe has turned into a
sad joke about being the nanny state. I’m constantly reading about some
new rule or law designed to protect people but instead seems to be taking
safety to an extreme.
There is a new internet law about to go into effect in an attempt to
stop illegal downloading of music and films that will result in families
losing their access to the internet if a member of the family is even
accused of illegal downloads.
There are cameras everywhere so that citizens are watched from the time
they leave home until they return. At least that’s the plan. There have
been stories of the camera operators turning the cameras to peep into
windows, but that’s another story!
But perhaps the most troubling story I’ve seen lately concerns England’s
DNA database.
I don’t know, off the top of my head, how the U.K. compares to the U.S.
in size and population. I do know that the annual gun violence of the
entire country is surpassed by any one of many U.S. cities. Yet the
U.K. has the biggest DNA database in the world.
Now it’s come to light that people are having their DNA taken and entered
into the database when they are arrested and they stay on the database
forever even if they are never charged or convicted of a crime.
According to an article at The
Times Online, people are being arrested, it seems, just to obtain
their DNA. The article is accompanied by a photo of a young man who
was arrested when he was 12 because a friend’s father accused him of
stealing Pokemon cards.
"He (professor Jonathan Montgomery, chairman of the Human Genetics
Commission, an independent government advisory body) said that a retired
senior police officer told the commission: ‘It is now the norm to arrest
offenders for everything if there is a power to do so. It is apparently
understood by serving police officers that one of the reasons . . .
is so that DNA can be obtained.’ He said that the tradition of only
arresting someone when dealing with serious offences had collapsed."
Professor Montgomery "…said that ‘function creep’ over the years
had transformed a database of offenders into one of suspects. Almost
one million innocent people are now on the DNA database."
More troubling perhaps, "The report’s foreword states that
the DNA profiles of 75 per cent of black men aged 18 to 35 are recorded."
"The Equalities and Human Rights Commission said the proportion
of black men on the database created an impression that one race group
represented an ‘alien wedge’ of criminality."
"The commission report said that the database should be placed
on a clear statutory basis and overseen by an independent authority.
Isabella Sankey, of Liberty, said: ‘Not only are we stockpiling the
most sensitive information of innocents who have never been charged,
let alone convicted, we are also creating a perverse incentive to arrest
people solely to get their details on the database.’"
The article does mention that a new Crime and Security Bill would limit
to 6 years the length of time that an innocent person’s DNA would remain
on the register. But no limit is planned on the police power to obtain
DNA from everyone arrested.
Doesn’t it seem unfair that innocent people are required to submit DNA?
If you are never charged or convicted should DNA be taken? Are any of
or U.K. readers concerned about this?
Or do you feel that the more DNA samples there are in the database means
it’s more likely to be helpful in solving crimes? Should everyone’s
DNA be taken at birth just for future reference?
Innocently,
Comment
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“It’s great to be with Bill Buckley, because you don’t have to think.
He takes a position and you automatically take the opposite and you
know you’re right.” – John Kenneth Galbraith
Regarding Rona Barrett – “She doesn’t need a steak knife. Rona cuts
her food with her tongue.” – Johnny Carson
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Nine Answers Men Would Like to Give to Women’s Stupid Questions ….But
Never Will
[Thanks Sied]
1. No we can’t be
friends; I just want you for sex.
2. The dress doesn’t make you look fat; it’s all that ice cream and
chocolate you eat that makes you look fat.
3. You’ve got no chance of my calling you.
4. No, I won’t be gentle.
5. Of course, you have to swallow.
6. Well, yes, actually, I do this all the time.
7. I hate your friends.
8. I have every intention of using you, and no intention of speaking
to you after tonight.
9. I’d rather watch a porno.
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“Every man desires to live long, but no man wishes to be old.”
“I never wonder to see men wicked, but I often wonder to see them not
ashamed.”
“It is a maxim among these lawyers, that whatever hath been done before,
may legally be done again: and therefore they take special care to record
all the decisions formerly made against common justice and the general
reason of mankind.” - All from Irish writer and satirist Jonathan Swift
born on this date in 1667
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Bad
Place Names
[Thanks Tesser]
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Speak right up!
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Holidaze
And it begins…
As I write this, "Black Friday" is well underway. My daughter
has already been shopping for several hours, an activity I distance
myself from with all due diligence.
The official kick-off for the holiday season, which lasts about a month,
began a scant few hours ago. Speakers in every store and restaurant
began playing various renditions of songs of secular and religious themes.
Red and green trimming bestows every nook & cranny . Twinkling &
steady lights resembling icicles and garland drape across every facade.
Christmas decorations, trees, and paraphernalia have been on display
for upwards of a few weeks already in some stores. However, the biggest
sale day of the year is going on right now. "Black Friday"
is the one day of the retail selling year when retailers anticipate
covering all the losses encountered from having to maintain a business
presence the rest of the year.
The term "Black Friday" comes from the fact that stores actually
loose money all year long just from being open, termed "being in
the Red". On the Friday after Thanksgiving, sales abound to draw
in customers. Stores vying for the dollars to make their fiscal year
profitable alter their standard opening hours to give potential customers
access to the products as early as the first minute of the day. This
one day can make or break a retail company. Profitability is referred
to as "being in the Black", thus the moniker given to the
day after Thanksgiving.
Much like planning for Mardi Gras in New Orleans, and the Rose Parade
in Pasadena, planning for "Black Friday" begins anew right
after Christmas. Some retail chains have departments in their corporate
structure strictly to focus on "Black Friday" and how to address
& react for the next one. Meetings will begin the first business
day after Christmas for most. Some begin the first Monday after "Black
Friday", assessing the success, or lack thereof, of the results
from the big sale weekend.
Then comes the inevitable & perpetual repetition of those seasonal
songs. By the time Christmas arrives, people are well past caring that
grandma got run over by a reindeer.
Here’s your quiz:
Do you shop for Christmas all year long in hopes your intended recipient
hasn’t already obtained one of what you bought?
Do you spend the year creating & updating a gift list then go out
on "Black Friday" to get the best deal?
Do you maintain a list and buy between Thanksgiving & Christmas
when store crowds are relatively thinner?
Do you order online and let the delivery service company deal with the
traffic?
Holidaze - How One Feels This Time Of Year
Cliff (the High-Tech Redneck who doesn’t rate a fancy ’signature pic’)
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Here’s
another archive article for Kirsten.
Email
Kirsten
Last
week I went to see my doctor about my sore foot. In addition to getting
my foot looked at, I got a renewed prescription for antidepressants,
antibiotic cream for a rash on my arm, a flu shot, and some stuff
to take for my perpetually inflamed sinuses. It was kind of like those
times when you go to the grocery store for a bottle of milk and walk
out with enough groceries to see you through a nuclear war. In a spectactular
example of this kind of behaviour, my Mom once sent my Dad out to
buy a loaf of bread, and he came back with a new car.
But I digress.
I tend to do this from time to time. I have the attention span of
a hamster, so I occasionally have trouble staying with one subject.
What I wanted
to talk about was the flu shot. I did not go to the doctor intending
to get one, but since I was there anyway I thought I may as well get
it over and done with. The flu shot borders on being controversial.
There are those who are in favour of it for the obvious reason that
it helps protect against the flu. And there are those who are opposed
to it because they believe that it (a) doesn’t work, (b) can cause
allergic reactions, or even autism, and (c) it creates side effects
worse than the illness it is supposed to be a protection against.
Most sources
agree that the worst side effect you can get from the flu shot is
a sore arm. Some people experience a bit of stuffiness for a day or
two, but the notion that the flu shot can cause the flu is just that
- a notion. The vaccine contains dead flu viruses that cannot cause
infection.
The belief that
the flu shot doesn’t work is largely based on the belief that it is
intended to protect against colds as well. Almost every year I hear
someone say, "I got the flu shot last year but I got a really
bad cold anyway". Colds and flu are caused by different kinds
of bugs, and protection against one does not automatically mean you
are protected against the other.
The allergy claim
actually does have merit for some people. If you are allergic to eggs,
or if you have had a bad reaction to previous flu shots, then you
may not be a candidate for the vaccine. The jury is still out - and
will be for some time - on the autism debate. So far, extensive research
has failed to expose a link between the flu shot and autism. I myself
do not believe there is a connection. However, I have heard a number
of mothers tell stories about how their kids were perfectly fine,
and then started displaying symptoms of autism literally hours after
receiving the flu shot. I fully respect the experiences of these families.
If they believe that the flu shot caused their child’s autism, what
right do I have to dispute that? I am open to the possibility that
the flu shot can have a very detrimental effect to children who have
certain genetic predispositions.
In general, though,
the flu shot is a good idea for anyone over the age of six months.
People over the age of 60 are particularly vulnerable to the flu,
as are people in other age groups who have respiratory weaknesses.
Babies younger than six months are at risk as well, and since they
cannot be vaccinated, the best way to protect them is to vaccinate
anyone who comes into contact with them.
The flu can be
serious enough to kill. About 35,000 Americans die each year from
flu-related complications. It makes sense for us to protect ourselves
and those around us in whatever way we can.
Kaleidoscopically
yours,
Kirsten
Comment
On This Article
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I don’t think my car likes me. Well, it’s not that it doesn’t like
me, I just don’t seem to have very good luck with it. When I first
bought the car, I had to have the gas tank replaced. I’ve told you
how my speedometer cable broke, but I don’t really care about that
because the car can’t go fast enough for me to get a ticket. And recently
I told you how the battery went dead twice in the same parking lot.
It turns out that was a short in my rear window defroster. While I
need it, I just have to turn it off after the rear window is cleared.
Today I wanted to go do my laundry and a bit of shopping. I got ready,
loaded my laundry in the car, and got in. But when I turned the key,
nothing happened. I thought perhaps the clutch wasn’t depressed enough,
to I pressed harder, even though it was already touching the floor.
That’s when I heard a very faint noise. It took me a moment to figure
out what it was. It was my radio. You see, when you turn off most
cars, the radio turns off as well. Not my car. I have to make sure
I turn off the radio. Unfortunately, when I parked the car, I tried
to turn it off, but just managed to turn it down to a barely audible
whisper. It didn’t click off, so it drained my battery until it was
almost completely dead.
So I got one of my neighbors to help push my car, figuring I could
just pop the clutch and it would start right up. So we pushed, I hopped
in, put it in gear, and I popped the clutch. The car tried to come
to life, but quickly died. We tried again with the same results. Apparently
there has to be at least a little juice left in the battery to be
able to start my car by popping the clutch. It was dead. Luckily,
I bought a battery charger after the parking lot incident and was
able to borrow an extension cord, so I got my car running again. But
I wasn’t able to do my laundry or my shopping.
That means I have to do it this week after work, which makes for
a long day. Oh, and I added something to my shopping list. I’m gong
to get one of those batteries you can use to jump-start your car.
I just don’t trust it anymore.
Tim a’Musing
Having a Ball with Yarns
E-mail Dear Tim
Comment
on this article
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Miscellaneous Tips
If you have a problem opening jars: Try using latex dishwashing gloves.
They give a on-slip grip that makes opening jars easy.
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Ellen’s been gone a long time, but her gnu lives
on in legend and rhyme!
Next opening line…
Study and be all you can be…
Hints:
Here’s a great new rhyming/composition tool. http://www.writerhymes.com/
There’s also a great rhyming dictionary at http://www.rhymezone.com/
Limerick rules. http://freespace.virgin.net/merrick.sheldon/limerickrules.htm
Submit
Opening Line
Submit
Limerick
I
decided to visit the zoo…..
Changed my mind ’cause of you…..
Locked up in a cage…..
Showing your rage…..
And maybe some other parts, too. - Skeeter
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I
(we) decided to visit the zoo…..
After having a round or two…..
I said to my friend…..
"We’re friends to the end….."
"Even though that monkey looks just like you." - Skeeter |
I decided
to visit the zoo
In search of Ellen’s gnu
It was not to be found
Even though I looked all around
I wonder what that gnu’s up to? - Bonnie |
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Re: Airlines
I’ve only flown one time,
and the ticket was paid for because it was when I flew to Atlanta
for my Vista training. The flew me United, and this was in: 2006 and
my experience both going and coming back was absolutely wonderful.
Even though coming back we were delayed. They changed our departure
time four times, and this meant that I changed gates four times, but
once on board I got the best service. Now, some of my friends said
it was because I was blind, but I do not think so. I watched the staff
with others, and it looked to me that they were getting as much help
as I was. I would use them again for sure, and would also like to
try out other airlines. Anyone want to buy me a ticket? LOL! - The
Tazz!
I take Amtrak instead
of flying. Sure, it takes longer, but I’m retired, so who cares? The
car attendant does. The folks who operate the diner and snack bar
do. The Conductor does. That totally beats the snubbing by flight
attendants when you don’t drink alcoholic beverages. It’s way better
than being told over a mike, "get off the plane. We don’t have
a damn pilot." (United had scheduled the same crew to fly 2 planes
at the same time - they flew the other one) after you’ve been seated
for half an hour. It definitely beats the people in charge of getting
you on a plane that DOES have a pilot who think it’s your fault for
having to be stuck in Chicago overnight when you expected to be home
at 8 p.m. that day. Going back a bunch of years, it also beats one
flight attendant’s nasty remarks to everyone on board because She
was inconvenienced by being called in to work due to someone else’s
illness.
I’ve had some wonderful airline flights, but that was years ago. All
of the above took place between 1984 and 1995. I haven’t been on an
airplane since. I am not impressed by crammed together seats, no meals
unless you’re on board for a given number of hours, attendants chattering,
laughing and generally cutting up while ignoring passengers, but that’s
not much different than check-outs at stores these days, is it? On
the train, you buy your meals if you ride coach, they’re included
if you take the sleeper. And the sleeper attendants often act as fussy
as any Nanny about where you are when s/he has turned down your bed
and you’re not IN it by 11 p.m., but they always have free coffee,
juice and snacks at the end of the car, and are very helpful about
how the shower works and where the towels are. And you can get off
at stops for a few minutes or up to an hour and look around in places
you’ve not visited before (also to smoke - trains and planes are the
same now - no smoking aboard). The only frustrating part of train
travel is the rail sharing with freight trains. They are supposed
to give the passenger trains right-of-way or pay a sum per mile for
delaying it. Very often, they opt to pay while the passenger train
sits on a siding and gets to stations late. Amtrak takes the bad rap
for this when it’s the freight trains that cause it! What our country
REALLY needs in overland transport is dedicated passenger rail tracks
in the entire system! And a better attitude by Congress about a truly
great way to travel. - Nancy L in Ohio
Patti said; "The
planes I have flown in have been locally owned and operated or Irish
owned and operated. I’m not familiar with any other airlines."
Just
wondering, if Cunard Cruise Lines and Aer Lingus merged, would they
be called CunaLingus?
"How often do you fly?"
At least once a year. My wife and I have cashed in 1,000,000 air miles.
"What do you base your choice of airlines on? How much does
cost factor into your choice? Do you care about reputation?"
The destination and origin airports, plus reasonable price and good
reputation.
"Do you worry about décor?"
No.
"Does a bad experience on a flight make you stay away from
the airline during your next trip? Has your luggage ever been lost
and if so, did the airline handle the inconvenience to your satisfaction?"
Oh, HELL yes! If Air Canada had FREE flights, I would still be reticent
to fly them again. Every flight will have a problem… late take-off,
screwed up seat assignments, itinerary changes that will make you
miss a connection, lost luggage, (once we got our bags back 4 weeks
after we got home and they arrives with SWASTIKA STICKERS on them.
I never figured out where the hell they had to go to have that happen…
the Twilight Zone had been off TV for 25 years by then).
We had one screw-up with United and British Airways (I guess they
work together for UK flights) when our grandaughter’s Christmas
presents arrived but our CLOTHES didn’t. At DIA some knucklehead
took our bag off the shuttlebus at United thinking it was his and
we noticed it after we got off at the American stop. Our clothes ended
up at John Wayne airport. It was a quick trip to Asda in Blackpool
to get some cheap threads until our bag got there, but due to airline
policy (the last carrier being responsible for delivering our stuff)
and a mix-up at Manchester airport our bag sat safely in a special
room, (after being sent from John Wayne), while we waited for the
phone call for us to retrieve it thinking it was United’s responsibility.
3 weeks later it all was delivered to us at home by American Airlines
(our provider) because of some excellent sleuthing by a United employee
in Orange County Calif. the day after we all realized that American
had the responsibility of delivering it.
" Do you care about the number of layovers? The time allotted
between flights can make the trip either very long (long layovers)
or very nerve-wracking (short layovers with an even slightly delayed
flight)."
Depends on where. The trip we leave on tomorrow was going to stop
in Paris for 4 hours, but then our first leg changed to get to the
hub ½ hour after the Paris flight took off, so no France for
us this time.
" Does your choice of carrier have anything to do with the
time spent in airports between flights?"
No.
"Are you flying "home" for the holiday?"
No. Going to England’s Lake District to visit our daughter’s
family. - Bruce in Colorado
After
having flown to and from Oklahoma City in February on UA–I will never
willingly use that airline again. I flew there several years ago via
Southwest and had a lovely time. Nice people, comfy seats, no big
deal. The attendants on UA were surly and unhelpful, the seats were
uncomfortable and the plane wasn’t overly clean. The worst part was
the layover at Chicago both ways and having to go from one gate to
another across the airport and then being sent back to where I started!
It’s no wonder the company is in trouble even with the bad economic
times. - Ruth in WA
Re: Energy
About Energy: Energy is
the potential for doing work, which can be expressed as force times
distance. That is one reason it is impossible for adults to imitate
kids. Standing up involves moving more distance, so even if the same
percentage of body mass is muscle in both cases, the adult can’t keep
up. Children are also more highly motivated by play, and enjoy a greater
sensation of novelty to mask fatigue.
I maintain my physical capacity by making a habit of exercise, and
by making sure I get B vitamins, along with a nutritious diet.
A rock sitting on the ground, unable to fall, has lost it’s potential
energy, and converted it into elastic strain in the substrate. While
a bird’s wings do store and release small amounts of kinetic energy,
or momentum, with each stroke, the energy for flight is chemical in
nature. - Bob of the North
Well, I sure do
know what you mean about grand kids taking all of your energy. I see
mine about once a week, and when I return home from my visit I’m wiped
out for the rest of the day. Yet I go back for more. We will try and
figure out why later.
Now, the kids are three years and three months. Both very high energy
girls. The nine month old takes most of my energy because she has
mastered crawling, and is almost walking as well. Her arms are most
assuredly made of rubber and she can reach everything no matter where
I put it, short of hanging it from the sealing.
The three year old is usually not such a problem as long as something
Dora related is on TV. and as long as the nine month old keeps her,
as my three year old puts it, Slobbery hands off her Dora stuff.
I’ve always believed that if only we could bottle up all that energy
that kids have that we could make an energy drink that couldn’t be
beat, and that even doctors that have to work long hours would never
get tired if they drank it.
My advice for visiting kids, and keeping up your energy? Get lots
of good healthy things to eat, get an extra nap before they come,
and always, always pray for extra strength!
Enjoy those kids, they’re only little once. - The Tazz!
Maintaining my energy level
- I move slower, avoid heavy lifting.
Keeping up with others - why bother? Life is good at my own pace.
Energy wasted on youth - absolutely ! The big problem is that the
younger they are, the less they KNOW about how to USE energy. - Nancy
L in Ohio
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Disclaimer- All quotes printed in this publication are believed to be
accurately attributed, but no guarantees are made that some incorrectly
attributed, or even outright false quotes won’t get in here from time
to time. I assure readers that I will do my best to weed out incorrect
quotes, and will print a retraction as soon as I become aware of any errors.
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and point it out to me. I’m in the process of compiling an e-book
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