The BBC is reporting new UK government findings about the impact of greenhouse gases. It makes chilling reading: The report, published by the UK government, says there is only a small chance of greenhouse gas emissions being kept below “dangerous” levels. It fears the Greenland ice sheet is likely to melt, leading sea levels to… Continue reading More Stupid People
Tag: politics
The New Commentariat
There’s an interesting piece in today’s Guardian about the British political blogging scene. They interview eight people who they consider major political bloggers from the UK. Nice to see that it’s in G2 (the cover story no less) and not the technology section. Of course the downside is that I didn’t already have all of… Continue reading The New Commentariat
Politicians’ Families
Two nicely contrasting stories in today’s papers about members of politicians’ families. Firstly, theguardian has used the freedom of information act to get lots of good dirt on how Mark Thatcher abused the fact that his mother was Prime Minister. This is, of course, exactly how the freedom of information act should be used. And… Continue reading Politicians’ Families
Warming hits ‘tipping point’
This could get serious. A vast expanse of western Siberia is undergoing an unprecedented thaw that could dramatically increase the rate of global warming, climate scientists warn today. Researchers who have recently returned from the region found that an area of permafrost spanning a million square kilometres – the size of France and Germany combined… Continue reading Warming hits ‘tipping point’
Patriotism – The New Chauvinism
George Monbiot on form as ever in today’s Guardian. Out of the bombings a national consensus has emerged: what we need in Britain is a renewed sense of patriotism. The rightwing papers have been making their usual noises about old maids and warm beer, but in the past 10 days they’ve been joined by Jonathan… Continue reading Patriotism – The New Chauvinism
Making Money From ID Cards
One of the worrying things about ID cards is the idea that putting all of those personal details together in one database is just asking for trouble when unscrupulous people get hold of the contents of that database. Of course. it doesn’t help when those unscrupulous people happen to be the people who are running… Continue reading Making Money From ID Cards
Eroding Freedoms
I’ve been concentrating on other things recently, so I haven’t had time to post about the new limits on demonstrations around parliament. Luckily, Robin over at perfect.co.uk has summarised it all nicely so I don’t have to. But looking at it in a wider context, it’s just one more step along a path which increasingly… Continue reading Eroding Freedoms
G8 climate plans ‘watered down’
This is all very disappointing. A leaked copy of a document on climate change being drafted for the G8 summit suggests plans have been watered down. A version of the communiqué leaked in May treated climate change as a fact and pledged money to energy projects. In the new version the words “our world is… Continue reading G8 climate plans ‘watered down’
Live 8 Tickets
So the Live 8 ticket lottery winners have all got their text messages and I didn’t get one. My stepdaughter’s boyfriend did tho’, so they’ll be off to see it together. I’m slightly jealous. But I suspect I’ll get a better view on the TV.
Don’t Mention The War
Tony Blair is banging on again about how a protest vote against the Iraq war will let in a Tory government. Let’s get a few things straight. If I don’t vote Labour, then it’s not just a protest vote against the war in Iraq. It’s also a protest vote against foundation hospitals, ID cards, top-up… Continue reading Don’t Mention The War