Posted in March 2007

Iraqi waters

Source: Current Affairs Blog
Wednesday 28th March 2007, 12:23pm

Why are the government muddying the facts?

Currently watching the PM's Question time regarding the 'kidnapping' of the sailors/marines.

Why if it was obvious that they were well inside Iraqi waters, a fact ironically confirmed by the Iranian authorities on Saturday. This was pointed out to them on Sunday, they then changed the details on Monday to 'claim' they were in Iranian waters.

So, why has the government waited until today to release this information which clearly exposes the Iranian actions. If their excuse is 'because of (face-saving?) negotiations', perhaps they should spare a thought for what the sailors/marines (and their families) are going through.

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Ethical Banking with Smile

Source: Current Affairs Blog
Monday 26th March 2007, 11:05am

Smile - the world's online bank makes me grin

Co-op's online banking group brilliant!.

What with all the recent banking issues on tv, it's nice to see that they include a questionnaire for people to have their say on the bank's ethical stance

Whilst having a good look round, I saw they also have an internet bank only section called Smile, which also includes an 'Ethical Policy' section.

Explore the ethical online banking route it's worth visiting to make an informed decision

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Elections

Source: Current Affairs Blog
Thursday 22nd March 2007, 12:40pm

I want to be elected...

I note that some people think it isn't worth voting, even if it's for the best of the worst bunch. But, if people did vote, even if in the form of a protest vote, it can make politicians take notice.

On Talksport radio, James Whale suggested that at the next election, people in the constituencies of the current government ministers should vote them out. The shock factor alone should make all politicians sit up and take note, because it would send the message... "you are on borrowed time, you will be judged on everything you say and do!"

Sadly, I don't think it will happen because so many people have been brow beaten by recent governments. Which is why I think compulsory voting may be a good thing (painful though the fine might be), as it will make people vote, even if in anger and then who knows what the voting outcome might be.

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Is it safe to travel?

Source: Current Affairs Blog
Tuesday 20th March 2007, 12:06pm

Demand and supply

Trawling through the news headlines threw up these snippets…

Shortage of dead bodies is threatening to undermine the training of tomorrow's doctors. According to Royal College of Surgeons, some 1,000 cadavers a year are required to teach anatomy.

Perhaps the answer lies here...

Man tells of first class flight with corpse. A British Airways passenger flying in first class woke up to find he was sitting next to a corpse.

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Holidays

Source: Current Affairs Blog
Friday 16th March 2007, 12:09pm

Disney World...

From time to time I've thought about visiting the USA on some sort of Florida holidays, and in particular going to Disney World in Florida (Disney plus French staff equals no way Josẽ), but always presumed that it was for families and especially (little) kids. I finally got round to taking a look at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida (to give it its' full name), and it had experiences listed for Big Kids!!!

There's various attractions, entertainment (with or without Mickey Mouse et al), a whole range of recreation (leisure) activities plus a Virgin Megastore (Eh?, not sure how that's called an activity). Also, at the Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex you can watch a range of baseball teams (rounders on steroids) completing their spring training. Now if they only got the kids and foreigners out of the way, it would be almost perfect.

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Bored

Source: Current Affairs Blog
Wednesday 14th March 2007, 3:26pm

Something must be happening

Seeing as I have nothing better to do at the moment, I thought I would see what trivia is on the www at the moment.

Starting with... Terry Wogan is the only presenter paid on the Children In Need show. The Mail On Sunday revealed that he received £9,065 in 2005 for the seven-hour show.

Elsewhere, apparently it's illegal to introduce beavers in the wild (how else are they going to meet?). German police rescue 91-year old man glued to roof. Taste for Guinness wanes in changing Ireland.

Finally, Children's show Blue Peter' faked a phone-in competition. Mercedes to develop hybrids (sounds painful). Russian mother wanted son killed over cramped flat. Britons want Churchill and Doherty on notes.

So, that's the political, sporting and religious-free news for the day (unless you include the Guinness story). Cheers...

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Feeling the blues

Source: Current Affairs Blog
Monday 12th March 2007, 2:16pm

Make MPs more accountable

Well, it's Monday again and what do we have to look forward to…

British troops suffering from mental health problems after serving in Iraq and Afghanistan are having to wait up to 18 months for treatment (not good).

Patients are at increased risk of getting MRSA due to overcrowded hospitals (not good).

A vast majority of customers are ready to switch bank accounts if free banking is ended (good).

Possible Labour rebellion over a Commons vote on new nuclear deterrent (good).

Overall, things just seem to get worse... do you think we could do with a vote-off each month, where we can evict an MP(s) for failing to do their 'job' properly, or attend a minimum of debates.

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Don't push

Source: Current Affairs Blog
Wednesday 7th March 2007, 12:16pm

Joe public fights back...

I see that the banks are determined to replace traffic wardens as the 'lowest of the low'.

In an effort to bypass the £10 fee (as set out under the Data Protection Act), some banks are charging extra for 'archived/microfiched' statements. Thankfully, the Information Commissioner's Office, has warned the banks that their behaviour is being closely monitored and could result in prosecution.

Just when public opinion was making companies rethink about outsourcing call centres to India, and revert back to UK based centres, Barclaycard has announced it is to transfer 630 jobs in Manchester to Mumbai.

On a more positive front, it was amusing to see that Tesco finally agreed to cough up £2,690 damages to a van driver as ordered by the courts, but only after the bailiffs seized £60,000 worth of alcohol. I wonder if they were making use of the buy one get one free offers?

So, remember it pays to be stubborn!

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Credit card alternatives

Source: Current Affairs Blog
Monday 5th March 2007, 1:23pm

Online fraud

Hope you all had a good weekend, despite the weather, though the clouds cleared in time to watch the 'eclipse', which had the added benefit of being able to see even more stars than normal.

Having been the victim of credit card fraud (see previous blogs), though my bank picked it up straight away and stopped me being ripped off, I have been looking for an alternative to using my credit card online.

Paul (the frustrated businessman) suggested using prepaid mastercards, which allows you to limit any possible damage, as you can only lose the amount you have placed (at that time) on your card.

I also went to moneysavingexpert.com to see if there was any advice/options. He mentions 'webcard' by Cahoot. This is a virtual credit card, which again you transfer money to, the twist being that you don't acutally have a card. You click on the icon on your taskbar, fill in the details (it can also autofill common details), and then it generates a credit card number!!. This number is only valid for that online transaction and the amount you set ie you round up to the nearest pound - so if someone does hack in, they can only spend pennies!!

You do need to have an account with Cahoot to make use of this facility, and he does suggest that you keep a small balance in the account.

Has anybody already made use of this 'webcard'?

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IMM r us

Source: Current Affairs Blog
Thursday 1st March 2007, 12:59pm

All for one and one for one?

I remember reading someones' blog on here that mentioned itsmymarket is now famous (apologies for forgetting who found this out) and that you could find the links by googling Itsmymarket. So, with nothing better to do, I thought I would take a look to see what they are saying about 'our' site.

The initial listings were fairly straightforward with people/reviewers etc., commenting on how the site provides local classifieds, classified ads, classified listings (and other variations of). Also, they mention the blog service cum community portal, news service, local events and the photo competition too boot.

Being really sad, I wondered if anybody was mentioned (I wasn't just look for me, honest!) and I could only find the Pasty Muncher (Kim). However, I did find plenty of links to sites containing some really weird and aggressive people, so much so that they make ours look like a vicars tea party (not that I've ever been to one).

So, remember when surfing the www, be safe, be secure and that your house may be repossessed if you fail to mention how wonderful I am.

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