Fourteen-year old Kaylee MacIntosh from Fyvie, Aberdeenshire, joined the Army Cadets with the aim of becoming a soldier. Her ambitions were not to be fulfilled, as she drowned whilst out on exercise with the Army Cadets in the Outer Hebrides last August.
On August 3rd, 2007, the weather was very poor, with an unseasonable force 7 wind lashing the Western Isles. The sea was whipped up by the strong winds, and local seamen stayed ashore that day. Nonetheless, three rigid-inflatable boats set out from South Uist into Loch Carnan, a sealoch on the island's east coast. One boat overturned.
A head-count was held, but a mistake was made, meaning it took about 45 minutes for someone to realise that Kaylee was missing. The emergency services searched for her, to find her underneath the upturned boat. Kaylee was flown to hospital in Stornoway, 60 miles away, but declared dead on arrival.
Today, the Marine Accidents Investigation Branch published a detailed report, (PDF file) which lists a catalogue of errors. The girl's parents may seek a prosecution, but that decision lies with the Procurator Fiscal in Stornoway. Mr and Mrs Macintosh feel that the Army has failed in its duty of care towards their daughter.
Tuesday, 18 March 2008
Tuesday 18 March
Another quite reasonable day, with the sun peeking through the clouds. Locally, we are still awaiting a decision on the North Lewis Windfarm, which would see 181 turbines, each standing 450 ft tall, marching 40 miles from Stornoway to Port of Ness via Bragar. The Energy Minister was in town yesterday, proclaiming the Western Isles should harness ALL forms of renewable energy. Some interpret this as a favourable hint towards the big project, other read it as its death knell.
Belgium has finally got itself a government, 9 months after general elections. It is a coalition of both Flemish- and French-speaking parties, from across the political spectrum. The language issue is not straddled by any political party, and the issue threatened to split the country in two. An intervention by King Albert II forestalled that. Thirty years ago, pitched battles were fought on the streets of the disputed district of Fourons-le-Comte / 's Gravenvoeren, south of the Dutch city of Maastricht, which threatened to spill across the Dutch border.
As the two names indicate, both language groups lay claim to it. Asking directions in Wallonia whilst speaking Flemish (note) will earn you a terse "comment?" (what?). People from the Netherlands, whose accent is different from the Flemish may get a response in their own language.
A man has appeared in court, charged with the abduction and illegal imprisonment of 9-year old Shannon Matthews. He was remanded in custody for another appearance at a later date. Shannon herself remains in the care of social services pending the conclusion of police inquiries.
Belgium has finally got itself a government, 9 months after general elections. It is a coalition of both Flemish- and French-speaking parties, from across the political spectrum. The language issue is not straddled by any political party, and the issue threatened to split the country in two. An intervention by King Albert II forestalled that. Thirty years ago, pitched battles were fought on the streets of the disputed district of Fourons-le-Comte / 's Gravenvoeren, south of the Dutch city of Maastricht, which threatened to spill across the Dutch border.
As the two names indicate, both language groups lay claim to it. Asking directions in Wallonia whilst speaking Flemish (note) will earn you a terse "comment?" (what?). People from the Netherlands, whose accent is different from the Flemish may get a response in their own language.
A man has appeared in court, charged with the abduction and illegal imprisonment of 9-year old Shannon Matthews. He was remanded in custody for another appearance at a later date. Shannon herself remains in the care of social services pending the conclusion of police inquiries.
Monday, 17 March 2008
War in Iraq
The war in Eye-rack is approaching its 5th anniversary. I'm feeling decidedly ambiguous about the whole project. I'll just give my take on it.
Saddam Hussein was America's own son of a b****. Following the Islamic revolution in Iraq's eastern neighbour Persia / Iran in 1979, the USA wanted an ally to prevent the spread of radical Islam across the Middle East. So they pumped Iraq's small-town dictator Saddam Hussein full of arms, and he fought a bloody war against Iran, which neither side won. In 1988, the war drew to a close, and Saddam Hussein decided to wage war on his own people, using nerve gas against the village of Halabja in the north of his country. During the 1980s, Mr Hussein had nuclear ambitions, but that was knocked out in an audicious airstrike by the Israeli airforce in 1981.
In August 1990, Saddam Hussein became a naughty boy by invading Kuweit, which Iraq regards as its 19th province. His troops overran the province in days, but after US forces amassed in Saudi Arabia and surrounding areas, the Iraqis were routed in short order some 7 months later. The road to Baghdad lay open, and American forces were 100 miles from the capital. They were ordered to halt their progress, at the behest of other Arab leaders. A decision which I personally reckon to have been a severe mistake.
In the following 12 years, Saddam Hussein continued to be a pain in the backside, but he was in a military stranglehold, and not an immediate threat to anybody's interests. Although he had used surface-to-surface Scud missiles during the 1990/1 war, the threat of chemical or biological weapons was never carried through. In fact, it is thought that in a flash of realism, Saddam has probably destroyed what stockpiles of nasties he held as his position became ever more restricted.
However, George W. Bush was now on the throne in the White House, and he got it in his head that he wanted to finish the jobthat his daddy had failed to complete in 1991. Furthermore, he blamed Saddam Hussein for complicity in 9/11, even though there was no evidence to support that accusation.
In 2003, the decision was taken to effect a regime change in Iraq, oust Saddam Hussein and the Iraqi people would warmly embrace their liberators, the American and British armies. The reason given was that Saddam held chemical, biological or nuclear weapons - without a shred of credible evidence. Afraid that UN inspection teams would back that up, troops were amassed and sent into Iraq on 19 March 2003.
Saddam Hussein was deposed within a month, and he hid in a hole in the ground, from which he was extracted in December 2003. Having stood trial, he was convicted of genocide and sentenced to death. His hanging, though deserved, was bereft of any dignity as the condemned man was taunted to his dying moment, and nearly decapitated in the process. Some would say he didn't deserve any dignity. It shows, in my book, greatness of character to grant dignity - if only to show the guilty party off as the real villain.
Having kicked Saddam out on April 9th, 2003, president Bush didn't have a proper plan beyond that. He showed a complete lack of insight into Middle Eastern politics of recent and more distant years, being totally unaware that many in the Middle East regard America as their arch enemy for their support for Israel, which (through its foundation in 1948) has usurped Arab lands and suppressed the Palestinians. If Mr Bush had shown insight - well, that's an empty line of reasoning. He rarely has in international politics.
So, the presence of American troops in an Arab state was a convenient rallying call for Al-Qa'eda, which sought to fill a power vacuum through an insurgency. Meanwhile, an Iraqi government was installed which was, if anything, weak. Fortunately, the Iraqis are getting fed up with all the Islamic hot-heads coming into their country, stirring up trouble that they don't want. Things are slowly, very slowly, improving. Suicide bombers still do their deadly work, and battles are still being fought in Iraq.
British and American forces will be in Iraq for years to come, to sort out the mess that their governments created. Mr Blair has left office in the UK, and Mr Brown will not be taking any really major foreign policy decisions before the next General Election in 2009. Mr Bush will be leaving the White House in January of that year. Their legacy will be slightly different from the one they may have had in mind upon ascending to office in 1997 and 2000 respectively.
The War in Iraq.
Saddam Hussein was America's own son of a b****. Following the Islamic revolution in Iraq's eastern neighbour Persia / Iran in 1979, the USA wanted an ally to prevent the spread of radical Islam across the Middle East. So they pumped Iraq's small-town dictator Saddam Hussein full of arms, and he fought a bloody war against Iran, which neither side won. In 1988, the war drew to a close, and Saddam Hussein decided to wage war on his own people, using nerve gas against the village of Halabja in the north of his country. During the 1980s, Mr Hussein had nuclear ambitions, but that was knocked out in an audicious airstrike by the Israeli airforce in 1981.
In August 1990, Saddam Hussein became a naughty boy by invading Kuweit, which Iraq regards as its 19th province. His troops overran the province in days, but after US forces amassed in Saudi Arabia and surrounding areas, the Iraqis were routed in short order some 7 months later. The road to Baghdad lay open, and American forces were 100 miles from the capital. They were ordered to halt their progress, at the behest of other Arab leaders. A decision which I personally reckon to have been a severe mistake.
In the following 12 years, Saddam Hussein continued to be a pain in the backside, but he was in a military stranglehold, and not an immediate threat to anybody's interests. Although he had used surface-to-surface Scud missiles during the 1990/1 war, the threat of chemical or biological weapons was never carried through. In fact, it is thought that in a flash of realism, Saddam has probably destroyed what stockpiles of nasties he held as his position became ever more restricted.
However, George W. Bush was now on the throne in the White House, and he got it in his head that he wanted to finish the jobthat his daddy had failed to complete in 1991. Furthermore, he blamed Saddam Hussein for complicity in 9/11, even though there was no evidence to support that accusation.
In 2003, the decision was taken to effect a regime change in Iraq, oust Saddam Hussein and the Iraqi people would warmly embrace their liberators, the American and British armies. The reason given was that Saddam held chemical, biological or nuclear weapons - without a shred of credible evidence. Afraid that UN inspection teams would back that up, troops were amassed and sent into Iraq on 19 March 2003.
Saddam Hussein was deposed within a month, and he hid in a hole in the ground, from which he was extracted in December 2003. Having stood trial, he was convicted of genocide and sentenced to death. His hanging, though deserved, was bereft of any dignity as the condemned man was taunted to his dying moment, and nearly decapitated in the process. Some would say he didn't deserve any dignity. It shows, in my book, greatness of character to grant dignity - if only to show the guilty party off as the real villain.
Having kicked Saddam out on April 9th, 2003, president Bush didn't have a proper plan beyond that. He showed a complete lack of insight into Middle Eastern politics of recent and more distant years, being totally unaware that many in the Middle East regard America as their arch enemy for their support for Israel, which (through its foundation in 1948) has usurped Arab lands and suppressed the Palestinians. If Mr Bush had shown insight - well, that's an empty line of reasoning. He rarely has in international politics.
So, the presence of American troops in an Arab state was a convenient rallying call for Al-Qa'eda, which sought to fill a power vacuum through an insurgency. Meanwhile, an Iraqi government was installed which was, if anything, weak. Fortunately, the Iraqis are getting fed up with all the Islamic hot-heads coming into their country, stirring up trouble that they don't want. Things are slowly, very slowly, improving. Suicide bombers still do their deadly work, and battles are still being fought in Iraq.
British and American forces will be in Iraq for years to come, to sort out the mess that their governments created. Mr Blair has left office in the UK, and Mr Brown will not be taking any really major foreign policy decisions before the next General Election in 2009. Mr Bush will be leaving the White House in January of that year. Their legacy will be slightly different from the one they may have had in mind upon ascending to office in 1997 and 2000 respectively.
The War in Iraq.
Evening notes
We didn't have a white Christmas, but we just might get a white Easter. The long-range forecast mentions temperatures of 4C on Easter Sunday. Great.
The mystery of famous French author Antoine de St Exupery, who disappeared whilst flying a mission during World War II, has apparently been solved. A former German fighter ace has come forward, admitting that he shot down St Exupery. He is famous for the story of The Little Prince, who lives on an asteroid.
The Princess Diana inquest has heard one more rumour that I don't care to hear about. Paul Burrell, former butler to the Princess, says he removed a blood-stained ring from Diana's finger after her death. Burrell himself has refused to give further evidence to the inquest. Want to know more? Read here.
The mystery of famous French author Antoine de St Exupery, who disappeared whilst flying a mission during World War II, has apparently been solved. A former German fighter ace has come forward, admitting that he shot down St Exupery. He is famous for the story of The Little Prince, who lives on an asteroid.
The Princess Diana inquest has heard one more rumour that I don't care to hear about. Paul Burrell, former butler to the Princess, says he removed a blood-stained ring from Diana's finger after her death. Burrell himself has refused to give further evidence to the inquest. Want to know more? Read here.
Monday 17 March
Happy St Patrick's Day to the Irish or those of Irish descent. Here in Scotland, our national day is November 30th. The weather today is quite acceptable, fairly bright with some chinks in the clouds. The webcam shows that quite well.
The US has now got its own Northern Rock - it's called Bear Stearns. This bank was taken over for a fraction of its recent value by competitor JP Morgan on the back of the mortgage crisis. I specifically omit the word "sub-prime", because in a recent commentary, I heard that the problems with defaults on payments were spreading into the normal mortgage market.
Plugging one hole with another does not work in the long run. When you run out of holes, you're in one hell of a hole. And if you keep digging, it just gets worse. I'm not being even half funny saying this. It is what lies at the bottom of this debacle.
The US has now got its own Northern Rock - it's called Bear Stearns. This bank was taken over for a fraction of its recent value by competitor JP Morgan on the back of the mortgage crisis. I specifically omit the word "sub-prime", because in a recent commentary, I heard that the problems with defaults on payments were spreading into the normal mortgage market.
Plugging one hole with another does not work in the long run. When you run out of holes, you're in one hell of a hole. And if you keep digging, it just gets worse. I'm not being even half funny saying this. It is what lies at the bottom of this debacle.
Sunday, 16 March 2008
New Journal
Jan highlighted a new journal, and I feel it deserves a further relay. Pop along to Helen's World. Helen was badly burned at age 2, and has grown up to enjoy life very much - in the face of adversity.
Introspection
It seems to be introspection time in J-land, as I have come across three people who are opening up about matters in life that trouble them deeply. One writes a private journal, but Gina and Regina are public journalers. Neither entry is easy reading. I have highlighted both journals in Call for Support.
Palm Sunday
It's Easter next week, so an Easter greeting has found its way into my sidebar. Found a handful of other things, which I'll pop in here as the week goes on.
12 March 1938
The year 1938 was one of the black years of the 1930s, but as nothing in comparison to the following decade. On 12 March 1938, Nazi forces marched from Germany into Austria without opposition. It heralded the amalgamation of Austria into Germany, referred to historically as the Anschluss (the joining). Once more, a violation of the 1919 Treaty of Versailles, went unpunished. Austria ceased to exist as a fully independent nation until 1955. Later in 1938, on September 30th, Neville Chamberlain went to a summit meeting with Adolf Hitler at Munich, (in)famously returning to Great Britain "peace for our time".
Six weeks later, on November 9th, the infamous Kristallnacht saw Jewish property across Germany being vandalised and destroyed, and Jews molested and killed in an orchestrated campaign of terror.
The Sudetenland area of Czecho-Slovakia was invaded early in 1939 by Nazi forces, to continue Hitler's campaign to join all German speaking territories to the Fatherland. The British government stood by, swallowing the German excuse that it was defending a German minority.
The Nazi invasion of Poland in September 1939 finally did evoke a response from the British Government, in the shape of a declaration of war. World War II had begun.
I occasionally highlight key dates from World War II and preceding years, lest we forget the atrocities that occurred between 1933 and 1945.
125 years ago
Join the army in the Crimean war, mid 19th century. What did you get? Well, paragraph 1123 from the Napier Commission inquiry into the conditions of the poor of the Highlands and Islands gives a flavour:
But when you were in [the army]?—Well, for one time I had two years and four months without ever stripping or going to bed. From the time I left Portsmouth till I returned, I never stripped. I was in clothes all the time, and it was hard enough work for all I got.
Shannon Matthews
The police have asked for extra time to interrogate Shannon's uncle, aged 39, who is being held on suspicion of abduction. The usual recriminations are flying today, which state that "if the police had done this, and if the police had done that, she would have been found faster". The police refute those suggestions. I have not found reliable corroboration for the allegation that Shannon was abused by her stepfather's uncle. This will undoubtedly surface if and when the police decide to charge the man - or not.
In recent days, reception on Sky TV (satellite) has deteriorated somewhat (the dish is rusting), and it's affecting BBC News 24 :-(. As a result, I've reverted to watching Sky News, which is not half as cautious as the BBC in its reporting.
In recent days, reception on Sky TV (satellite) has deteriorated somewhat (the dish is rusting), and it's affecting BBC News 24 :-(. As a result, I've reverted to watching Sky News, which is not half as cautious as the BBC in its reporting.
Sunday 16 March
Fairly bright day, with some sunny intervals, much like yesterday. Tonight, we can expect a frost. Over on the mainland, the mercury will plummet to -7C / 20F.
Organise a party and get your house trashed. Particularly when BBC Radio 1 (the popular music channel) gives it a "shout". A girl had organised a fancy-dress party at Bovey Tracey, Devon, for 100 invited guests, to celebrate her 18th. Someone had passed on the information to the BBC, which broadcast the event - resulting in a throng of 400 uninvited guests, who proceeded to rampage through the property. The girl's parents blame the BBC and have declared they are considering their options. Methinks the BBC should stop advertising private parties, or at least check them out before broadcasting. It is well known that "home alone" parties by teenagers tend to get out of hand, and it doesn't need the tender ministrations of the country's public service broadcaster to add to that.
A crane has collapsed in New York, crushing an apartment block in its path. Four have died, dozens are injured, and the emergency services are still scouring the wreckage for survivors.
Organise a party and get your house trashed. Particularly when BBC Radio 1 (the popular music channel) gives it a "shout". A girl had organised a fancy-dress party at Bovey Tracey, Devon, for 100 invited guests, to celebrate her 18th. Someone had passed on the information to the BBC, which broadcast the event - resulting in a throng of 400 uninvited guests, who proceeded to rampage through the property. The girl's parents blame the BBC and have declared they are considering their options. Methinks the BBC should stop advertising private parties, or at least check them out before broadcasting. It is well known that "home alone" parties by teenagers tend to get out of hand, and it doesn't need the tender ministrations of the country's public service broadcaster to add to that.
A crane has collapsed in New York, crushing an apartment block in its path. Four have died, dozens are injured, and the emergency services are still scouring the wreckage for survivors.
Saturday, 15 March 2008
125 years ago
On 8 May 1883, Lord Napier visited the Isle of Skye and other areas in the Highlands and Islands. He had been charged by Queen Victoria to investigate the grievances of crofters and cottars against the prevailing system of land ownership, security of tenure (or lack thereof) and living conditions. I have a transcript of the report, and it makes for deeply depressing reading. However, if anyone wants to understand the recent history of the north of Scotland, this is compulsory reading.
I copy the first 21 paragraphs, which gives a flavour of society in those days.
For reference: the man interviewed, Angus Stewart, lives in an area called the Braes, 8 miles southeast of Skye's main town, Portree. When the landowner found that the local cottars were not paying the rent, he sent in the constabulary. The police were met with a fully fledged riot, and retreated bloodied to Portree. A Royal Navy ship was sent to the area, by which time the uprising had come to the attention of the authorities in London.
I copy the first 21 paragraphs, which gives a flavour of society in those days.
For reference: the man interviewed, Angus Stewart, lives in an area called the Braes, 8 miles southeast of Skye's main town, Portree. When the landowner found that the local cottars were not paying the rent, he sent in the constabulary. The police were met with a fully fledged riot, and retreated bloodied to Portree. A Royal Navy ship was sent to the area, by which time the uprising had come to the attention of the authorities in London.
1. -The Chairman.—Would you have the goodness to state what is your occupation ?—A crofter.
2. Have you also been engaged in fishing ?—Yes.
3. Were you born here, at the Braes?—Born at the Braes.
4. Have you lived here all your life?—Not all my life. I have been away, but not very far off.
5. From time to time?—From time to time.
6. But you are thoroughly acquainted with the feelings and interests of the people here?—Yes.
7. Have you been freely elected by the people to be their delegate!— Yes.
8. Now, will you have the goodness to state to me what are the hardships or grievances of which the people complain who have elected you ?— Yes; but it is in Gaelic that I prefer to speak.
9. You desire to be examined in Gaelic?—Yes. [From this point the examination of the witness and of subsequent witnesses in Skye was conducted through Mr Dugald McLachlan, sheriff-clerk depute, as interpreter.]
10. Then you wit! have the goodness to state what are the hardships and grievances, if any, of which the people whom you represent at this place complain?—I would wish that I should have an opportunity of saying a few words before I tell that, and that is that I should have the assurance that I will not be evicted from my holding by the landlord or factor, as I have seen done already. I would not have a fire in my house at Whitsunday I want the assurance that I will not be evicted, for I cannot bear evidence to the distress of my people without bearing evidence to the oppression and high-handedness of the landlord and his factor.
11. Have you anything more to add to your preparatory statement?— No.
12. It is impossible for the Commission to give you any absolute security of the kind which you desire. The Commission cannot interfere between you and your landlord, or between you and the law, but we trust that no act of oppression or severity would ever be exercised towards you or any one else by the landlord in consequence of your courage and goodness in telling the absolute truth.
Mr ALEXANDER MACDONALD, Factor for Lord Macdonald—examined.13. The Chairman.—You are at liberty to speak if you desire to make Macdonald, any observations?—In the first place, I may say that I am surprised at this man's statement, because he is not one of our crofters at all. He is a crofter's son; he is not a crofter. That is the first thing. In the next place, I do not think that he has any reason whatever, or that any person has any reason whatever, if he tells the truth, and nothing but the truth, to fear anything. In fact, we consider it rather insulting to us to insinuate anything of the sort. We despise to do anything of the sort. We expect and trust that the men will tell the truth and nothing but the truth, and the whole truth.
14. There is something rather ambiguous in the statement which you have made. Am I to understand that you publicly state that no proceeding will be taken against any tenant or inhabitant of this place in consequence of what they state before the Commission on this occasion?—I believe not.
15. You say you believe not, but do you engage that no proceedings will be taken?—That is all I can state: on my own property certainly there will not be, and, I believe, on no property. In fact, such an idea never entered our heads; but we expect the people will tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
16. Mr Cameron.—Would you engage on behalf of the proprietors for whom you act; for all properties with which you are connected?—Most certainly; but this I would say, if we hear any man making a grossly false statement against us, which we can prove to be false, I do not think that in human nature it would be found we should like to continue that man as our tenant. If there is any statement which is made by a man thinking and believing it to be true, even though we ourselves differ from it, we would never dream of using any power that we have, but if the man tells a parcel of unfounded lies—which I do not believe any man here or elsewhere in Skye will do until I hear it—that is a different matter altogether. So far as we are concerned the people have full liberty to tell everything they have to say, without any fear.
17. The Chairman.—If
you are able to do so I would rather that you availed yourself of this occasion
to make a distinct declaration that whatever the people say no proceeding will
ever be taken against them on that account,—that on this particular occasion
whatever they may say, however mistaken you may think them, however erroneous
or false, no proceeding will be attempted?—These are my own personal feelings,
and certainly so far as the properties for which I am factor are concerned they
will never know or hear
anything about it—so far as I, as factor, am concerned.
18. Then I am
authorised by you to assure this gentleman before me that nothing will ever be
done to his prejudice on this occasion?—I expect that he will tell the truth,
the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, and so far as I am concerned as factor,
I will visit in no way anything upon him, and I believe Lord Macdonald will do
nothing.
19. Mr Cameron.—You have heard what this witness has said, that except under certain conditions he refuses to give us evidence. We have been appointed by the Queen to investigate this subject thoroughly, and it is impossible that we can do so unless we get proper evidence from witnesses such as Mr Angus Stewart. Now, I am sure you would not Macdonald, wish that the evidence should fail to be recorded from any disinclination on your part to give the assurance which has been asked by the chairman — I give him the fullest assurance.
20. And I think all we wish was contained in the observation which I formerly made, namely, that so far as concerns the estates under your management nothing shall happen to any witness in consequence of any statement which he may make, whether you consider it truthful or not, before this Commission. If you give that assurance we may at once proceed ?—Certainly we expect the man to tell the truth.
21. The Chairman.—But let us come to a point on this matter. Will you state yes or no in reply to my question,—will you authorise me to state absolutely to this man that nothing will ever be done prejudicial to his interest or that of his family in consequence of anything he may say on this occasion ?—I believe I am quite at liberty to say so. I believe I am perfectly at liberty to say so, and from the first I could have said so.
Evening notes
As we move towards sunset, the news continues to be dominated by young Shannon Matthews, found, after being missing for 24 days, in Dewsbury. A picture is emerging of complicated family ties. Police are interviewing the young girl to piece together a sequence of events since February 19th.
In Albania, an armaments depot has exploded, leaving widespread devastation, death and injury behind. The Albanian army was disposing of old ammunitions, some dating back to the 1940s, when the blast occurred. This report on the BBC website has actual footage of the detonations as they happened.
I have spent the afternoon uploading images of ships, which have visited Stornoway over the past 6 months, to the shipspotting website. So far, I have put 85 pictures up. In comparison with other ports on the Scottish west coast, Stornoway cannot be described as bustling, making the appearance of strange boats quite an occasion. There is a meeting of shipspotters in Rotterdam next month, with an inevitable session of 4 hours on the water's edge, spotting ships.
I hope any J-landers in Atlanta, GA, were not affected by the storm last night which has left the city centre severely damaged. It appears to have been tornado-like in nature.
Talking of storms, I have no tropical cyclones whatsoever to report upon. The season in the southern oceans is moving towards its closure - which means the Northern Hemisphere hurricane season is nigh. Two months from now, in fact. Be prepared.
In Albania, an armaments depot has exploded, leaving widespread devastation, death and injury behind. The Albanian army was disposing of old ammunitions, some dating back to the 1940s, when the blast occurred. This report on the BBC website has actual footage of the detonations as they happened.
I have spent the afternoon uploading images of ships, which have visited Stornoway over the past 6 months, to the shipspotting website. So far, I have put 85 pictures up. In comparison with other ports on the Scottish west coast, Stornoway cannot be described as bustling, making the appearance of strange boats quite an occasion. There is a meeting of shipspotters in Rotterdam next month, with an inevitable session of 4 hours on the water's edge, spotting ships.
I hope any J-landers in Atlanta, GA, were not affected by the storm last night which has left the city centre severely damaged. It appears to have been tornado-like in nature.
Talking of storms, I have no tropical cyclones whatsoever to report upon. The season in the southern oceans is moving towards its closure - which means the Northern Hemisphere hurricane season is nigh. Two months from now, in fact. Be prepared.
Saturday 15 March
A nice bright morning, with good sunny intervals between the clouds. There is a northeasterly wind, which will gain in strength through the day. In other words, it's cold outside.
Did you know toasters are banned in Cuba? Quite a few electronic items will be un-banned in the near future. The problem lies in limited power supplies.
Young Shannon Matthews is safe in police care, but both she and her abductor will be questioned extensively over events of the past 24 days. Neighbours in her area of Dewsbury celebrated her freedom with fireworks last night.
Did you know toasters are banned in Cuba? Quite a few electronic items will be un-banned in the near future. The problem lies in limited power supplies.
Young Shannon Matthews is safe in police care, but both she and her abductor will be questioned extensively over events of the past 24 days. Neighbours in her area of Dewsbury celebrated her freedom with fireworks last night.
Friday, 14 March 2008
Abduction
As I mentioned in my previous post, 9-year old Shannon Matthews has been found alive and well. She was found, hidden in the base of a divan bed, in a house in Batley Carr, Dewsbury, earlier today. A man, aged 39, has been arrested on suspicion of abduction. The girl is currently in the care of West Yorkshire Police.
If you keep checking this link, it will carry further updates as they appear.
If you keep checking this link, it will carry further updates as they appear.
Shannon Matthews
Unconfirmed reports suggest that this 9-year old from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, has been found in Batley, near Leeds, 4 miles from her home. She went missing on February 19th. No further details at this stage.
Politician
On 12 March 1941, the SS Politician was making her way from the United Kingdom to America, but was hopelessly lost in fog around the Hebrides. Although the captain thought he was near Skerryvore, he was in fact a good few miles further west, and heading into the narrow channel between the isles of South Uist and Eriskay. With a grinding crunch, the boat ran aground on a reef, just off Eriskay.
The Politician's crew decided she was not going to come off in a hurry, either refloated or sinking, so they rowed ashore at Eriskay and alerted the authorities. The islanders were alerted in the process and they went over to have a look around the wreck. Its cargo consisted of cases of Jamaican banknotes, several grand pianos, bathroom suites and... many thousands of cases of all kinds of whisky.
The story has become legendary, with the islanders helping themselves to unimaginable quantities of uisge bheatha [water of life] and having a high old time. Compton Mackenzie immortalised the story in his book Whisky Galore, changing a few names along the way. Apart from the whisky, the bathroom suites also found a good home. One set is reportedly still sitting outside a house in Eriskay, in daily use.
After a couple of days, the authorities intervened and retrieved part of the cargo. Several islanders were prosecuted for illegally retrieving goods off a wrecked ship. Bottles of 'polly' still turn up every now and again, If they have been in the sea, the spirits will have become undrinkable. But it's a nice story.
Friday 14 March
The pictures buttons are back in normal working order, thanks Vish.
A nice sunny morning - with pretty beefy showers, some with hail. After they fade away later today, a cold night will precede the same conditions on Saturday.
Thirteen months ago, a man of 18 was picking up his friends to go to Inverness one morning, when he approached a level crossing near Invergordon, north of the Highland capital. A train was approaching, but rather than slow down to a stop, he sped up, in an apparent attempt to beat the train to the level crossing. The train won, by 13 metres. He smashed into the undercarriage at speed, killing two of his friends in the process and sustaining serious injury himself. At trial in Edinburgh yesterday, it appeared the man in the dock had been clocked at 108 mph on the nearby A9 road, just two days after he passed his test in December 2006.
Drivers aged between 18 and 24 are most likely to suffer an accident behind the wheel. Nobody is invincible, and in the car vs train stakes, the train always wins.
A nice sunny morning - with pretty beefy showers, some with hail. After they fade away later today, a cold night will precede the same conditions on Saturday.
Thirteen months ago, a man of 18 was picking up his friends to go to Inverness one morning, when he approached a level crossing near Invergordon, north of the Highland capital. A train was approaching, but rather than slow down to a stop, he sped up, in an apparent attempt to beat the train to the level crossing. The train won, by 13 metres. He smashed into the undercarriage at speed, killing two of his friends in the process and sustaining serious injury himself. At trial in Edinburgh yesterday, it appeared the man in the dock had been clocked at 108 mph on the nearby A9 road, just two days after he passed his test in December 2006.
Drivers aged between 18 and 24 are most likely to suffer an accident behind the wheel. Nobody is invincible, and in the car vs train stakes, the train always wins.
Thursday, 13 March 2008
Pictures
Vish, one of the journalseditors, has told me that the problems with the greyed-out graphics buttons are restricted to the UK only. It is being looked into and will be resolved ASAP. It looks something like this - oh, and I had to manually upload the picture, and manually insert the <img src tag.
Learning about weather
As you know, I'm strongly interested in the weather, and I've discovered a very useful website for learning about the weather. It is part of the American National Weather Service, called Jetstream. Have a browse, if you'd like to learn more. At the end of each topic, there is the option of taking a short test, which will give you a certificate.
Evening notes
The death of Greater Manchester police chief Michael Todd remains shrouded in mystery. He was found to be over the drink drive limit, a fact corroborated by the find of a half-empty bottle of spirits by his side. A number of 'disturbing' text messages had been sent in the hours leading up to the find of his dead body. Whatever problems had contributed to Mr Todd's apparent suicide appear to have been wholly of a personal nature.
The lifeboat crew at Barra, 120 miles south of Stornoway, have been honoured with the issue of a series of stamps. The crew, consisting of 26 volunteers and 2 full-time staff, were joined for the occasion by the Stornoway-based Coastguard helicopter. Barra Lifeboat station opened in 1931 and has saved more than 400 lives since.
I have viewed the evidence given yesterday at an inquiry into financial and managerial failure at the Western Isles Health Board between 2003 and 2006. It appears that the Board has one Chief Executive out on secondment, never to return; another suspended on full pay (and has been for more than 6 months) and a third, acting CEO. Although the Board only pays the salary of one (the other two are funded by NHS Scotland) it beggars the belief that a cash-strapped health authority is costing the taxpayer the wages of three CEOs.
The lifeboat crew at Barra, 120 miles south of Stornoway, have been honoured with the issue of a series of stamps. The crew, consisting of 26 volunteers and 2 full-time staff, were joined for the occasion by the Stornoway-based Coastguard helicopter. Barra Lifeboat station opened in 1931 and has saved more than 400 lives since.
I have viewed the evidence given yesterday at an inquiry into financial and managerial failure at the Western Isles Health Board between 2003 and 2006. It appears that the Board has one Chief Executive out on secondment, never to return; another suspended on full pay (and has been for more than 6 months) and a third, acting CEO. Although the Board only pays the salary of one (the other two are funded by NHS Scotland) it beggars the belief that a cash-strapped health authority is costing the taxpayer the wages of three CEOs.
Thursday 13 March
A nicer day than yesterday, with some sunshine between the clouds. Showers are forecast, and winds will increase through the day. Last night, I was taking part in a "ceilidh" (a social event) with plenty of food and drink, as is customary here.
AOL Time Warner is reported to have acquired the social networking site Bebo, at a time when Time Warner is contemplating splitting off its AOL arm. It does send me wondering whether all this uncertainty contributes to the deterioration in service that many people have been complaining about.
Oh, I still haven't got my greyed-out buttons back to normal.
AOL Time Warner is reported to have acquired the social networking site Bebo, at a time when Time Warner is contemplating splitting off its AOL arm. It does send me wondering whether all this uncertainty contributes to the deterioration in service that many people have been complaining about.
Oh, I still haven't got my greyed-out buttons back to normal.
Wednesday, 12 March 2008
Last French veteran of WW1 dies
Lazare Ponticelli has died at the age of 110. He was the last surviving French veteran of World War I. He was born in northern Italy in December 1897, but went to Paris to work. In 1914, at the age of 16, he lied about his true age and joined the French legion. He adopted France as his homeland in 1921.
Only a few veterans remain alive, one of the Briton Henry Allingham, aged 111.
Only a few veterans remain alive, one of the Briton Henry Allingham, aged 111.
Pictures 12 March
Pending the resumption of normal picture service on AOL (have emailed the journalseditor), you can view today's pictures here.
Windy and cold
In common with the rest of the country, we have a westerly wind force 7 going,. This morning, went out to Garry (15 miles north of Stornoway), but there were frequent hail and rainshowers, propelled on that very cold wind.
I'll be catching up with alerts hopefully later today, but more likely tomorrow. I did take pictures on the wee outing, but am unable to put them on the journal, as the photo-buttons are greyed out and not working.
I'll be catching up with alerts hopefully later today, but more likely tomorrow. I did take pictures on the wee outing, but am unable to put them on the journal, as the photo-buttons are greyed out and not working.
Wednesday 12 March
Nice bright day - when you're inside. Outside, a cold northwesterly wind is blowing showers in from the Atlantic. Temperature only 6C / 43F. The rest of the country is being lashed by westerly gales, with gusts up to 60 mph. Have a look at this map, which is updated every half hour. The bigger the arrow, the stronger the wind.
I notice we can't add pictures to entries today, except by manual entry through HTML (if you know the URL of your graphic). Fantastic.
The Audit Committee of the Scottish Parliament continues its investigation into the financial problems at the Western Isles Health Board. I cannot follow proceedings live, as I'm going out in a minute or two. But it would appear that a document, requested by the Committee, was not submitted by the Health Board. The Committee may now invoke its powers to force the board to hand over the paperwork, known to contain a report into a shortfall of £290k in 2006.
I notice we can't add pictures to entries today, except by manual entry through HTML (if you know the URL of your graphic). Fantastic.
The Audit Committee of the Scottish Parliament continues its investigation into the financial problems at the Western Isles Health Board. I cannot follow proceedings live, as I'm going out in a minute or two. But it would appear that a document, requested by the Committee, was not submitted by the Health Board. The Committee may now invoke its powers to force the board to hand over the paperwork, known to contain a report into a shortfall of £290k in 2006.
Tuesday, 11 March 2008
Overweight? Read this
Manuel Uribe from Mexico has just shed 460 pounds. Before his weightloss journey began he weighed 1,265 pounds or 570 kg. He now weighs in at an excelled 800 lbs or 350 kg.
The other day, Manuel wanted to celebrate in the local park. A forklift truck lifted him, bed and all, out of the house. A strong towtruck hauled him along the road, but unfortunately, it collided with a bridge. His bloodpressure plummeted, and doctors advised him to cancel.
Source: MSN
The other day, Manuel wanted to celebrate in the local park. A forklift truck lifted him, bed and all, out of the house. A strong towtruck hauled him along the road, but unfortunately, it collided with a bridge. His bloodpressure plummeted, and doctors advised him to cancel.
Source: MSN
Top policeman found dead
It is all over the UK news this evening that Great Manchester Chief Constable Michael Todd was found dead on Snowdon (the highest mountain in Wales) on Monday evening. Reports on the BBC News website state that personal effects, belonging to Mr Todd, were located on the mountain and the alarm was raised. A concerted effort by rescue services served to located Michael Todd's body on an area called Bwlch Glas. Letters addressed to his family were found as well. Suicide is one of the lines of inquiry.
At one time Michael Todd was quoted as one of the possible successors to the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Sir Ian Blair, at a time when the latter was having serious problems.
At one time Michael Todd was quoted as one of the possible successors to the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Sir Ian Blair, at a time when the latter was having serious problems.
Prostate Cancer Awareness week
This week, March 10 to 16, is Prostate Cancer Awareness week.
I have put this ribbon in my sidebar to commemorate this. Feel free to snag!
I have put this ribbon in my sidebar to commemorate this. Feel free to snag!
Tuesday 11 March
Fairly sunny today, ahead of more wind and rain tonight. The storms appear to have abated down south, but wind- and water damage remains. Another spell of severe gales will pass over the central part of the United Kingdom later today. We'll be left with northwesterly winds and wintry showers tomorrow.
This is the MV Riverdance, which beached at Fleetwood on January 31st. Its salvage is being hampered by the current bad weather.
This is the MV Riverdance, which beached at Fleetwood on January 31st. Its salvage is being hampered by the current bad weather.
Monday, 10 March 2008
Local notes
A brand-new boat, designed for transporting young salmon, ran aground east of the Isle of Skye on Saturday morning. The Ronja Superior, full of the latest navigation gadgets, hit a reef at Eilean Garbh, North Rona. It managed to refloat itself on the tide, but was escorted to Kyle of Lochalsh, 50 miles to the south, by the Portree lifeboat. Media reports stating this distance as 15 miles are incorrect.
The Sir E Scott primary school in West Tarbert (Harris) was severely damaged by fire on Saturday evening. A passer-by alerted the fire-service, but when crews arrived at around 8.45pm, the building was well alight. Just over two hours and a lot of seawater later, the blaze was out. The building was fortunately not a complete write-off, as firedoors had been kept closed properly. Pupils at the school had the day off, while alternative arrangements were made.
The islanders of Lewis are anxiously awaiting whether or not the Scottish Government will approve the North Lewis Windfarm. Highlands and Islands MSP Peter Peacock had questioned the Energy Minister (Jim Mather) on the issue, but had not got an answer, as the Minister felt it inappropriate to comment on an application in progress. Mr Peacock had queried whether there was an alternative to the Lewis Windfarm in terms of economic prosperity and job creation.
The Sir E Scott primary school in West Tarbert (Harris) was severely damaged by fire on Saturday evening. A passer-by alerted the fire-service, but when crews arrived at around 8.45pm, the building was well alight. Just over two hours and a lot of seawater later, the blaze was out. The building was fortunately not a complete write-off, as firedoors had been kept closed properly. Pupils at the school had the day off, while alternative arrangements were made.
The islanders of Lewis are anxiously awaiting whether or not the Scottish Government will approve the North Lewis Windfarm. Highlands and Islands MSP Peter Peacock had questioned the Energy Minister (Jim Mather) on the issue, but had not got an answer, as the Minister felt it inappropriate to comment on an application in progress. Mr Peacock had queried whether there was an alternative to the Lewis Windfarm in terms of economic prosperity and job creation.
Images from the past
As you may be aware, I've been involved with digitising some of the history of my current location, the Isle of Lewis. One aspect is the Iolaire Disaster, which I have mentioned a few times on here. I am currently transferring the list of names into Blogger (http://iolaire1919.blogspot.com), together with any portraits - and a picture of their gravestone.
On 1 January 1919, His Majesty's Yacht "Iolaire" was returning to Stornoway, carrying 280 sailors back to Lewis. It was the end of World War I, and they had seen up to 4 years of service, either on the high seas or at the Western Front. As Iolaire neared Stornoway, it veered off course and grounded on the Beasts of Holm, a reef just offshore, 2 miles south of the town. The weather was poor, with high winds and a high swell. Seventy-five managed to gain the shore, but when the ship sank, more than an hour after striking the reef, 205 perished. More than 60 of those were never recovered. The others were found on the shore, from Point in the north to Grimshader in the south.
Rather than a celebration of war's end and a new year, deep mourning hung over the island's villages. Some villages had lost up to 9 of its sons, and some families lost more than one. Even now, it is not a subject easily discussed. When I did a presentation to the Stornoway Historical Society in April 2006, outlining the work I had done, the Secretary remarked that all members present would have had a relative involved in the tragedy.
Last year, I went round the island's graveyards to photograph any gravestones of Iolaire victims. The date, 1 January 1919, makes them easily identifiable.
On 1 January 1919, His Majesty's Yacht "Iolaire" was returning to Stornoway, carrying 280 sailors back to Lewis. It was the end of World War I, and they had seen up to 4 years of service, either on the high seas or at the Western Front. As Iolaire neared Stornoway, it veered off course and grounded on the Beasts of Holm, a reef just offshore, 2 miles south of the town. The weather was poor, with high winds and a high swell. Seventy-five managed to gain the shore, but when the ship sank, more than an hour after striking the reef, 205 perished. More than 60 of those were never recovered. The others were found on the shore, from Point in the north to Grimshader in the south.
Rather than a celebration of war's end and a new year, deep mourning hung over the island's villages. Some villages had lost up to 9 of its sons, and some families lost more than one. Even now, it is not a subject easily discussed. When I did a presentation to the Stornoway Historical Society in April 2006, outlining the work I had done, the Secretary remarked that all members present would have had a relative involved in the tragedy.
Last year, I went round the island's graveyards to photograph any gravestones of Iolaire victims. The date, 1 January 1919, makes them easily identifiable.
Monday 10 March
It is a fairly quiet morning in Stornoway, after some strong winds overnight. A few chinks in the clouds, but not much else. Conditions in the south of England are poor and deteriorating fast. Dramatic images on the news at 10 am, of a train on the line between Exeter and Plymouth being battered by waves as it travels just behind the seawall at Dawlish. Residents in Teignmouth, in the same area, had the sea lapping at their doorsteps, and a tanker had to be towed into Southampton after it started dragging its anchor. Further news on the weather and its impact here.
Tropical cyclone Jokwe has had the expected impact on Mozambique, with hundreds of buildings destroyed and powerlines downed. The storm is slowly ambling south, down the Mozambique Channel, and has ceased to affect mainland Africa. Jokwe is a category 2 system, with winds up to 100 mph near its centre.
Tropical cyclone Jokwe has had the expected impact on Mozambique, with hundreds of buildings destroyed and powerlines downed. The storm is slowly ambling south, down the Mozambique Channel, and has ceased to affect mainland Africa. Jokwe is a category 2 system, with winds up to 100 mph near its centre.
Sunday, 9 March 2008
Mountain casualty
A name, which was associated with 5 deaths last winter (2006/7) has unfortunately cropped up again for the wrong reasons.
Coire an t-Sneachda, in the Cairngorm Mountains south of Inverness offers challenging climbs, but is quite unforgiving. A walker suffered serious injuries in the area yesterday, and was airlifted to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness. He did not survive.
Coire an t-Sneachda, in the Cairngorm Mountains south of Inverness offers challenging climbs, but is quite unforgiving. A walker suffered serious injuries in the area yesterday, and was airlifted to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness. He did not survive. A month in pictures - February
February started out with 36 hours of winter. After that, it generally stayed cold, but with quite a few acceptable days in terms of sunshine. We did not escape from the gales - it has been a bad winter for that. However, there were a couple of bright, sunny weather.
Sunday 9 March
Folks in the US: did you put your clocks forward an hour last night?
Morning all from Stornoway, which is showery but otherwise fairly bright. The survey ship Franklin, which has been pottering about the Outer Harbour for more than a week is still slowly surveying the area.
Weather is dominating the news today. I just read that Columbus, Ohio, had received 20 inches (50 cm) of snow yesterday. I have yet to check my alerts, but several Ohio J-landers were reporting on this yesterday. It is apparently one of the worst winters on record. Later today, I shall tot up the number of days I was mentioning the word "gale" in my diary this winter - preliminary total 15, but probably a lot more.
Talking of high winds, people in western England and Wales are warned to stay away from the seafronts until Wednesday. A severe storm is on its way in from the Atlantic, which is expected to carry hurricane force winds and waves up to 35 feet in height. That last figure is out at sea, but even near shore, the waves will be high. Disruption to transport will probably be severe. An added problem will be high tides. This morning's high tide at Stornoway peaked at 5.2 metres (17 feet 4 inches) - with a low tide of 0.2 metres (8 inches) at 2.15pm. The high tides, in combination with high winds are liable to caused coastal flooding.
Friday night's roadcrash in Gloucestershire, western England, has claimed a 7th life, when one victim succumbed to severe injuries, sustained in the head-on collision on the A429 road between Moreton-in-Marsh and Stow-on-the-Wold. Of the nine people involved in the collision, only two children aged 9 and 10 survived. Their grandparents and others died.
Morning all from Stornoway, which is showery but otherwise fairly bright. The survey ship Franklin, which has been pottering about the Outer Harbour for more than a week is still slowly surveying the area.
Weather is dominating the news today. I just read that Columbus, Ohio, had received 20 inches (50 cm) of snow yesterday. I have yet to check my alerts, but several Ohio J-landers were reporting on this yesterday. It is apparently one of the worst winters on record. Later today, I shall tot up the number of days I was mentioning the word "gale" in my diary this winter - preliminary total 15, but probably a lot more.
Talking of high winds, people in western England and Wales are warned to stay away from the seafronts until Wednesday. A severe storm is on its way in from the Atlantic, which is expected to carry hurricane force winds and waves up to 35 feet in height. That last figure is out at sea, but even near shore, the waves will be high. Disruption to transport will probably be severe. An added problem will be high tides. This morning's high tide at Stornoway peaked at 5.2 metres (17 feet 4 inches) - with a low tide of 0.2 metres (8 inches) at 2.15pm. The high tides, in combination with high winds are liable to caused coastal flooding.
Friday night's roadcrash in Gloucestershire, western England, has claimed a 7th life, when one victim succumbed to severe injuries, sustained in the head-on collision on the A429 road between Moreton-in-Marsh and Stow-on-the-Wold. Of the nine people involved in the collision, only two children aged 9 and 10 survived. Their grandparents and others died.
Saturday, 8 March 2008
Summertime
Well, with several of our American friends up to their armpits in snow, I think it is imperative to remind those in the US who are on Daylight Savings Time that it actually starts tonight.
In the UK, British Summer Time does not start until March 30th.
Monday mayhem
That is likely to be the result when the worst storm of this winter barrels across western England. Winds up to 100 mph are forecast, which could lead to mayhem on the roads. The depression behind it all will form south of Cap Farvel (the southern point of Greenland) early tomorrow, and then cross 35 degrees of longitude in 36 hours, arriving over northern Ireland on Monday afternoon. Ahead of it, a strong wind field will give rise to hurricane force winds. More information here.
It would appear that for a change, we in the Western Isles will escape the worst of this storm as we're to the north. It may turn a bit wintry though.
It would appear that for a change, we in the Western Isles will escape the worst of this storm as we're to the north. It may turn a bit wintry though.
Saturday 8 March
Sunshine and showers rule the roost again, throughout the weekend. A shower is just passing through as I type this.
The news this morning makes for depressing reading. A head-on collision in Gloucestershire, western England, has left 6 people dead. It happened on the A429 road in the county, northeast of Stow-on-the-Wold. Three other people, including two children, remain critically ill in hospital.
A train derailment in Greece, thought to have been caused by faulty points, left many injured at Larissa. The train was heading northeast from Athens to Alexandroupolis. Five of its carriages left the track.
An English survivor of the Auschwitz deathcamp has died at the age of 97. Leon Greenman was taken from his home in Holland in 1943 and transported to Poland. He passed through 6 concentration camps. His wife and young son did not survive. He has dedicated his life to telling the story of the holocaust.
The news this morning makes for depressing reading. A head-on collision in Gloucestershire, western England, has left 6 people dead. It happened on the A429 road in the county, northeast of Stow-on-the-Wold. Three other people, including two children, remain critically ill in hospital.
A train derailment in Greece, thought to have been caused by faulty points, left many injured at Larissa. The train was heading northeast from Athens to Alexandroupolis. Five of its carriages left the track.
An English survivor of the Auschwitz deathcamp has died at the age of 97. Leon Greenman was taken from his home in Holland in 1943 and transported to Poland. He passed through 6 concentration camps. His wife and young son did not survive. He has dedicated his life to telling the story of the holocaust.
Friday, 7 March 2008
South America
It appears that the crisis, involving Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela has been defused.
During a Latin American summit in the Dominican Republic, in the Caribbean, all leaders involved shook hands. This included Nicaragua's president Ortega, who had also cut ties with Bogota. Colombia's government took a huge gamble by ordering the airstrike in Ecuador, but it has paid off. The FARC leader is dead, and another was killed by his own men.
During a Latin American summit in the Dominican Republic, in the Caribbean, all leaders involved shook hands. This included Nicaragua's president Ortega, who had also cut ties with Bogota. Colombia's government took a huge gamble by ordering the airstrike in Ecuador, but it has paid off. The FARC leader is dead, and another was killed by his own men.
Classical corner
Not classical music, pop from the 80s. French chansonnier Michel Sardou with one of his great hits "Les Lacs du Connémara" about a battle in Ireland. It runs for 5 minutes.
Evening notes
Looking in the eye of a weekend with more bad weather. The south of the UK can expect stormforce winds on Monday - the eye of the storm, which is expected to have a central pressure of only 935 mbar (27.5 inches).
I spent an hour in the library scanning more images for the tributes I'm working on. Unlike yesterday, there was not the entertainment in the shape of toddlers having a screaming tantrum on the floor. Stornoway Library is quite old-fashioned, in that it has a notice hanging up saying: "Please keep the noise down. Remember, you're in the library!".
Robert Mugabe only wants people observing his elections that look favourably upon him. There are still apologists for this apology of a president about. Venezuela's Hugo Chavez is one of them. Mugabe just wants to hear that everything in the garden is fine, in spite of the fact that his economy is being sustained by a German firm, printing banknotes. Inflation at latest count was running at 100,000%, and unemployment at 20%. Just to give you an idea what Mugabe's housing arrangements are, have a look at this and vomit.
I spent an hour in the library scanning more images for the tributes I'm working on. Unlike yesterday, there was not the entertainment in the shape of toddlers having a screaming tantrum on the floor. Stornoway Library is quite old-fashioned, in that it has a notice hanging up saying: "Please keep the noise down. Remember, you're in the library!".
Robert Mugabe only wants people observing his elections that look favourably upon him. There are still apologists for this apology of a president about. Venezuela's Hugo Chavez is one of them. Mugabe just wants to hear that everything in the garden is fine, in spite of the fact that his economy is being sustained by a German firm, printing banknotes. Inflation at latest count was running at 100,000%, and unemployment at 20%. Just to give you an idea what Mugabe's housing arrangements are, have a look at this and vomit.
Oprah goof
Oprah Winfrey is organising a world-wide event on the Internet. This will take place at 8pm EST on March 10th. In order to find out at what time, local time, this takes place in your neck of the woods, you can go to Oprah's site, where she has installed a handy time converter. Which has every timezone in the world. Going down the list, I saw
GMT+2
GMT+1
GMT-1
GMT-2
Hello? I'm in the pure GMT-timezone, minus or plus nothing.
What an appalling gaffe.
GMT+2
GMT+1
GMT-1
GMT-2
Hello? I'm in the pure GMT-timezone, minus or plus nothing.
What an appalling gaffe.
Friday 7 March
Last night saw some atrocious weather ocnditions, with galeforce winds and lashing rains. These died down before midnight, leaving us a quiet night. The morning saw heavy wintry showers with squalls, making it unpleasant to walk outside.
On the subject of the missing tourist, whose body was found 15 miles from where she was last seen - the police did not finally identify her until January 19th, and did not publicise their findings for another 6 weeks. There was no word on her cause of death; I can think of several things that could have happened, but that would be conjecture and not helpful.
Google has been banned from inside military installations, after detailed imagery of an American army base was displayed on one of its sites. I am flagging this up, because protesters who turned up on the top of the Houses of Parliament in London recently, found their way up using images from Google Earth.
Is email ruling and ruining your life? Read this article on the BBC website.
On the subject of the missing tourist, whose body was found 15 miles from where she was last seen - the police did not finally identify her until January 19th, and did not publicise their findings for another 6 weeks. There was no word on her cause of death; I can think of several things that could have happened, but that would be conjecture and not helpful.
Google has been banned from inside military installations, after detailed imagery of an American army base was displayed on one of its sites. I am flagging this up, because protesters who turned up on the top of the Houses of Parliament in London recently, found their way up using images from Google Earth.
Is email ruling and ruining your life? Read this article on the BBC website.
Thursday, 6 March 2008
Graphics gripes
Couple of things I've noticed, and have been asked about. Won't do any harm to rehash.
Picture source
If you see this cute graphic that someone sent you in an email, please don't link to the email. The moment you move or delete the email, you lose the link and will be presented with one of those boxes with a very pretty but singularly undecorative red cross in it.
So, right-click and Save to your harddisk drive.
Picture storage
Any graphics you use in a journal or anywhere on the Net should be stored on-line.
Static graphics (like a photograph) can be stored in AOL Pictures, but I don't recommend it, as you have little opportunity for organising.
Use sites like Photobucket or Flickr.
Obtain the link to your uploaded picture in Photobucket by clicking on Direct URL. Once you link on a picture in Photobucket, you CANNOT move it to another folder, if you decide to organise later. If you do, you lose your link. Unless, you remember where you put that graphic, go back and adjust the URL. So, don't move.
Animated graphics should not be stored on AOL, as you lose the animation. Photobucket or Flickr should be used in those instances.
Picture size
Graphics in the sidebar should be no wider than 150 pixels. You can force the size by inserting the HTML code width=150 immediately before the closing > in the HTML that links to the image. Graphics in entries should be no wider than 600 pixels. You can adjust the width in the same way.
If you decide to insert a gallery of pictures into an entry, please separate them using a linebreak (Enter key). If you don't you'll stretch your entry off your screen, into the next room, the next house, the next town, the next state and right across the Atlantic.
Note from Donna [nightmaremom]: Resizing graphics to fit in a side bar when they were not made or designed for such. It distorts and ruins the image. Many taggers, as well as myself, ask that this not be done. If a graphic is to large for the sidebar or entry for that matter they should contact the maker and ask them to resize if possible. That isn't saying all can be. Some it won't matter how you resize.
Picture acknowledgements
It's appreciated by people who make graphics if you acknowledge them. Either by asking for permission to snag their work, or putting a line like "Graphics by YouKnowWho". Please don't alter someone else's graphics and certainly don't abuse them for your own monetary gain.
Picture source
If you see this cute graphic that someone sent you in an email, please don't link to the email. The moment you move or delete the email, you lose the link and will be presented with one of those boxes with a very pretty but singularly undecorative red cross in it.
So, right-click and Save to your harddisk drive.
Picture storage
Any graphics you use in a journal or anywhere on the Net should be stored on-line.
Static graphics (like a photograph) can be stored in AOL Pictures, but I don't recommend it, as you have little opportunity for organising.
Use sites like Photobucket or Flickr.
Obtain the link to your uploaded picture in Photobucket by clicking on Direct URL. Once you link on a picture in Photobucket, you CANNOT move it to another folder, if you decide to organise later. If you do, you lose your link. Unless, you remember where you put that graphic, go back and adjust the URL. So, don't move.
Animated graphics should not be stored on AOL, as you lose the animation. Photobucket or Flickr should be used in those instances.
Picture size
Graphics in the sidebar should be no wider than 150 pixels. You can force the size by inserting the HTML code width=150 immediately before the closing > in the HTML that links to the image. Graphics in entries should be no wider than 600 pixels. You can adjust the width in the same way.
If you decide to insert a gallery of pictures into an entry, please separate them using a linebreak (Enter key). If you don't you'll stretch your entry off your screen, into the next room, the next house, the next town, the next state and right across the Atlantic.
Note from Donna [nightmaremom]: Resizing graphics to fit in a side bar when they were not made or designed for such. It distorts and ruins the image. Many taggers, as well as myself, ask that this not be done. If a graphic is to large for the sidebar or entry for that matter they should contact the maker and ask them to resize if possible. That isn't saying all can be. Some it won't matter how you resize.
Picture acknowledgements
It's appreciated by people who make graphics if you acknowledge them. Either by asking for permission to snag their work, or putting a line like "Graphics by YouKnowWho". Please don't alter someone else's graphics and certainly don't abuse them for your own monetary gain.
Follow up
On Thursday, 19 July 2007, German tourist Sara Lodhi went shopping in Castlebay, Barra. She caught a lift back to her self-catering cottage in Vatersay and was dropped off there at 11.30 am. A week later, the proprietor went to the cottage to prepare it for the next holidaymaker, only to find Ms Lodhi's possessions, including her purse and shopping still there. She was reported missing to the police.
On Saturday 28 July, a body was washed ashore at Orosay, South Uist, 15 miles from Vatersay. Police were not able to confirm its identity at the time - not until today.
Today's West Highland Free Press carries confirmation that the body of Sara Lodhi was recovered from the shore at Orosay on July 28th, 2007. A report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal, as per procedure in these cases.
I promised an update back in July. I had this horrible idea that it was the tourist that had washed up in Uist. I am pleased for the family in Nuremberg, Germany, that they finally have closure.
On Saturday 28 July, a body was washed ashore at Orosay, South Uist, 15 miles from Vatersay. Police were not able to confirm its identity at the time - not until today.
Today's West Highland Free Press carries confirmation that the body of Sara Lodhi was recovered from the shore at Orosay on July 28th, 2007. A report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal, as per procedure in these cases.
I promised an update back in July. I had this horrible idea that it was the tourist that had washed up in Uist. I am pleased for the family in Nuremberg, Germany, that they finally have closure.
Freedom of speech
Something that the Netherlands are famous for. Not everybody appreciates the consequences, though. A while back, I mentioned that Dutch MP Geert Wilders has made a 15 minute movie called Fitna; Arabic for religious discord or strife. The film starts by showing the Koran (the Muslim holy book) opening, with the pages showing images of what the filmmaker thinks are Muslim-inspired atrocities in Islamic countries. Mr Wilders has also stated that Dutch culture is far superior to (I quote) the retarded Islamic culture.
The Dutch government has warned that the movie could damage the country's economic and security interests, and the authorities in The Hague have now augmented the security status to Substantial, the second highest. This as a result of disapproving noises from Islamic countries like Pakistan.
To my mind, the Dutch government has it wrong this time. Mr Wilders, a far-right MP, has done well in calling his film Fitna, because he is causing discord alright, by gratuitously insulting a major religion of the world on the back of blatant racism. He is playing right into the hands of religious extremists by releasing his production. To my mind, it should be stopped from reaching general circulation.
I am only too aware of the atrocities being committed in the name of Islam, but I also know that the true Islamic faithful abhor violence.
The Dutch government has warned that the movie could damage the country's economic and security interests, and the authorities in The Hague have now augmented the security status to Substantial, the second highest. This as a result of disapproving noises from Islamic countries like Pakistan.
To my mind, the Dutch government has it wrong this time. Mr Wilders, a far-right MP, has done well in calling his film Fitna, because he is causing discord alright, by gratuitously insulting a major religion of the world on the back of blatant racism. He is playing right into the hands of religious extremists by releasing his production. To my mind, it should be stopped from reaching general circulation.
I am only too aware of the atrocities being committed in the name of Islam, but I also know that the true Islamic faithful abhor violence.
Hurricane update - 6 March
Tropical cyclone JOKWE has passed over Madagascar, and has rapidly intensified in the Mozambique Channel, between Madagascar and mainland Africa. The storm currently has winds of 75 knots (85 mph), gusting to 90 knots (100 mph) and is moving westsouthwest. Outlying rainbands are currently affecting the Comoros Islands to the north.
It will arrive off the coast of central Mozambique tomorrow with winds of 95 knots (110 mph), gusting to 115 knots (130 mph). Landfall is a possibility, but most forecasts project a change in direction to the south, along the African coastline.
The South African weatherservice is monitoring this cyclone, with input from the dedicated centre on La Reunion. If the storm makes landfall in Mozambique, the effects will be as bad as those of TC Ivan, 3 weeks ago. A trajectory parallel to the coast puts the north of South Africa in the firing line.
It will arrive off the coast of central Mozambique tomorrow with winds of 95 knots (110 mph), gusting to 115 knots (130 mph). Landfall is a possibility, but most forecasts project a change in direction to the south, along the African coastline.
The South African weatherservice is monitoring this cyclone, with input from the dedicated centre on La Reunion. If the storm makes landfall in Mozambique, the effects will be as bad as those of TC Ivan, 3 weeks ago. A trajectory parallel to the coast puts the north of South Africa in the firing line.
Jersey
The wife of the minister, responsible for children's welfare in Jersey, sent an internal email, saying that the police officer (Lenny Harper) was more like Lenny Henry (a British comedian). Mr Harper failed to see the joke, and is seeking legal advice with a view to sue Mrs Shenton.
Jersey is the focus of an investigation at a former children's home, Haut de La Garenne, where possibly up to 160 people were abused since the 1960s. Mr Harper has issued strongly worded statements, warning against witness intimidation, and has taken an extremely dim view of the above mentioned joke. He has queried why the wife of the very minister responsible for child welfare, should say something like that.
So-called punishment rooms have been found in the basement of Haut de la Garenne, with graffiti messages on the wall. One of them read: "I've been bad for years and years". Items were recovered from the floor, some of which could be bone fragments. A cadaver dog reacted strongly to them.
Jersey is the focus of an investigation at a former children's home, Haut de La Garenne, where possibly up to 160 people were abused since the 1960s. Mr Harper has issued strongly worded statements, warning against witness intimidation, and has taken an extremely dim view of the above mentioned joke. He has queried why the wife of the very minister responsible for child welfare, should say something like that.
So-called punishment rooms have been found in the basement of Haut de la Garenne, with graffiti messages on the wall. One of them read: "I've been bad for years and years". Items were recovered from the floor, some of which could be bone fragments. A cadaver dog reacted strongly to them.
Thursday 6 March
The day has started overcast, but the cloud cover is starting to break up. It'll be a temporary improvement, as more rain and gales are on their way. I've done a search on my blog for the word "gale" and came up with about 15 references this winter. I'm sure there will be more.
Yesterday, I spent some time in the library scanning in pictures for one of my World War tributes. The net result is 120 portraits. Another similar number still requires scanning, so that'll keep me busy one or two days.
I have also dug out a digitised copy of a document, central to recent history in the Highlands, the Napier report of 1885. Lord Napier conducted an inquiry, at the command of HM Queen Victoria, into the injustices inflicted upon the people of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. I'll transfer a few examples onto here.
Yesterday, I spent some time in the library scanning in pictures for one of my World War tributes. The net result is 120 portraits. Another similar number still requires scanning, so that'll keep me busy one or two days.
I have also dug out a digitised copy of a document, central to recent history in the Highlands, the Napier report of 1885. Lord Napier conducted an inquiry, at the command of HM Queen Victoria, into the injustices inflicted upon the people of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. I'll transfer a few examples onto here.
Wednesday, 5 March 2008
Hurricane update - 5 March
Madagascar is still coming to terms with the devastation wrought by Hurricane Ivan two weeks ago but another storm is already on its way. Jokwe is a tropical storm, so of a lesser magnitude than Ivan. It will traverse the extreme north of Madagascar tonight and tomorrow, then pass into the Mozambique Strait. The forecast does not yet extend to landfall, but when it does, Jokwe could well be a category 3 hurricane when it strikes Mozambique. I'll keep y'all posted.
Afternoon jottings
Weather has turned decidedly nasty, with rain and blustery winds. The only saving grace is the mild temperatures - today's 10C is better than yesterday's 4C.
I am hearing despairingly belligerent talk coming out of South America, where three heads of state are eminently successful in making a mountain out of a molehill. Ecuador has stated it is prepared to go to the ultimate consequence in defending itself against a raid, mounted by Colombian forces on Sunday. This took place a mile within Ecuadoran territory. Not a clever idea. Venezuela, as I reported on Sunday, is ready to defend the "sacred sovereignty" of the homeland - and what the heck have they got to do with anything?
The nomination for the Democratic candidacy for the White House is once again wide open, now that Hillary Clinton has won 3 of yesterday's 4 primaries. Neither stands a realistic chance against Republican McCain, in my opinion. Putting it bluntly, a black man in the White House is still a sore point in the US (I think), and a woman in the White House - I wonder if she has what it takes in the cut-throat business of being a head of state. Not all countries in the world afford the same dignity to a woman that they do to a man. I know that sounds sexist, but I don't think I'm far off the mark.
I am hearing despairingly belligerent talk coming out of South America, where three heads of state are eminently successful in making a mountain out of a molehill. Ecuador has stated it is prepared to go to the ultimate consequence in defending itself against a raid, mounted by Colombian forces on Sunday. This took place a mile within Ecuadoran territory. Not a clever idea. Venezuela, as I reported on Sunday, is ready to defend the "sacred sovereignty" of the homeland - and what the heck have they got to do with anything?
The nomination for the Democratic candidacy for the White House is once again wide open, now that Hillary Clinton has won 3 of yesterday's 4 primaries. Neither stands a realistic chance against Republican McCain, in my opinion. Putting it bluntly, a black man in the White House is still a sore point in the US (I think), and a woman in the White House - I wonder if she has what it takes in the cut-throat business of being a head of state. Not all countries in the world afford the same dignity to a woman that they do to a man. I know that sounds sexist, but I don't think I'm far off the mark.
Trip to Ness - a few notes
I did not annotate the pictures for yesterday's trip to Ness yet, but will answer the questions left in comments.
The sheep have coloured bottoms, because that's where the ram left his mark as he made his contribution towards this year's lambs. The piles of what appear to be black rocks are in fact peats. These are cut out of the moorland every spring, left to dry during the summer and burned through the year. The gold discs of the one inside picture (no 9) are golden LPs, collectors' items, individually numbered, of famous records made by people like ABBA, Elvis and Queen (amongst others). They hang inside the Cross Inn.
The sheep have coloured bottoms, because that's where the ram left his mark as he made his contribution towards this year's lambs. The piles of what appear to be black rocks are in fact peats. These are cut out of the moorland every spring, left to dry during the summer and burned through the year. The gold discs of the one inside picture (no 9) are golden LPs, collectors' items, individually numbered, of famous records made by people like ABBA, Elvis and Queen (amongst others). They hang inside the Cross Inn.
Trip to Ness
Yesterday, I went to Ness, in the north of Lewis, for another look round. Came away with 120-odd pictures, which can be seen in above gallery. Enjoy!
Wednesday 5 March
Weather has done a volte-face, and we're back to windy and cloudy conditions. The forecast on Radio Scotland was completely wrong this morning, talking of snow and ice. Temperature is nearly 10C / 50F and we've got a galewarning outstanding.
Azerbaijan and Armenia are once again eyeball-to-eyeball over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabach. Following a full-scale war in 1994, Armenia took control of the area. Azeri and Armenian forces clashed in the northwest of the region yesterday. Armenia is in turmoil at the moment over disputed elections. Clashes in the capital Yerevan over this issue claimed 8 lives.
Common sense seems to be falling by the wayside on a global scale at the moment.
Azerbaijan and Armenia are once again eyeball-to-eyeball over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabach. Following a full-scale war in 1994, Armenia took control of the area. Azeri and Armenian forces clashed in the northwest of the region yesterday. Armenia is in turmoil at the moment over disputed elections. Clashes in the capital Yerevan over this issue claimed 8 lives.
Common sense seems to be falling by the wayside on a global scale at the moment.
Tuesday, 4 March 2008
Ian Paisley quits
Just one thing I want to mention before I sign off for the night.
The Reverend Ian Paisley, unionist firebrand in Northern Ireland and First Minister of said province, is to step down. His deputy, Peter Robinson, will now don the mantle of power in his stead.
I have respect for Mr Paisley for the extra-ordinary strength of his convictions. I am pleased he has stepped aside for a younger man - he will be 82 in April. To me, Ian Paisley is synonymous with intransigence. The only reason I found it tolerable is that this was fed by the atrocities committed by the IRA. Nonetheless, the Protestant side in Ulster is equally guilty of atrocities themselves.
I have respect for Mr Paisley for showing the extra-ordinary courage of stepping into an administration with Sinn Fein, which I never thought possible.
I hope that, with Mr Paisley's resignation, we will see a secularisation of politics in Northern Ireland. At present, a Roman Catholic party (Sinn Fein) and a protestant party (the Democratic Unionist Party) rule at Stormont. It is time this segregation along religious lines was taken out of the equation in Ulster. Whether it will be is questionable. If the question of reunification of Ireland has definitely been answered with "NO", then this should be possible.
The Reverend Ian Paisley, unionist firebrand in Northern Ireland and First Minister of said province, is to step down. His deputy, Peter Robinson, will now don the mantle of power in his stead.
I have respect for Mr Paisley for the extra-ordinary strength of his convictions. I am pleased he has stepped aside for a younger man - he will be 82 in April. To me, Ian Paisley is synonymous with intransigence. The only reason I found it tolerable is that this was fed by the atrocities committed by the IRA. Nonetheless, the Protestant side in Ulster is equally guilty of atrocities themselves.
I have respect for Mr Paisley for showing the extra-ordinary courage of stepping into an administration with Sinn Fein, which I never thought possible.
I hope that, with Mr Paisley's resignation, we will see a secularisation of politics in Northern Ireland. At present, a Roman Catholic party (Sinn Fein) and a protestant party (the Democratic Unionist Party) rule at Stormont. It is time this segregation along religious lines was taken out of the equation in Ulster. Whether it will be is questionable. If the question of reunification of Ireland has definitely been answered with "NO", then this should be possible.
Evening notes
This afternoon, I went to the north of Lewis, and on driving round collected about 120 pictures. It was a beautifully sunny if coldish day. Will post the piccies tomorrow.
I shall also attend to the majority of my alerts tomorrow, as I have been out this evening.
I shall also attend to the majority of my alerts tomorrow, as I have been out this evening.
Junkmail prevention (UK)
Fed up with the daily supply of junkmail through the letterbox? Had enough of losing normal mail in the deluge of other unwanted stuff? If you're in the UK, help is at hand.
This page, from South Wales, gives addresses which will cut the amount of junk you receive by snailmail.
This page, from South Wales, gives addresses which will cut the amount of junk you receive by snailmail.
1000 days at sea
The schooner Anne set forth from New York in 2007 with the aim of spending 1,000 days at sea, without calling into ports for resupply. Until a few days ago, the boat had two crew, but due to weeks of seasickness, one of them had to leave. Now it is only one. Why not keep up with this amazing voyage, which still has 683 days to run.
Tuesday 4 March
Sunny day today, with the temperature slowly rising. Tomorrow, we'll be back to wind and rain.
The row between Ecuadar, Venezuela and Colombia continues to rumble on. Diplomatic ties between Colombia and the other two have been cut. Colombia claims Farc were negotiating the acquisition of uranium, making it a global terrorist organisation. Ecuador and Venezuela have rubbished those claims. Whether this will escalate into armed conflict is unclear, and according to one analysis I've read, not likely. Venezuela is a major oil exporter.
A male nurse from West Yorkshire has been convicted of murder, after he injected non-diabetic patients with overdoses of insulin. The elderly patients, women aged between 79 and 88, were in hospital for hip problems. He was handed a life sentence, with a recommendation he serve at least 30 years. Detectives described him as an arrogant person. Only the vigilance of the doctor on the ward prevented him from continuing his killing spree.
The row between Ecuadar, Venezuela and Colombia continues to rumble on. Diplomatic ties between Colombia and the other two have been cut. Colombia claims Farc were negotiating the acquisition of uranium, making it a global terrorist organisation. Ecuador and Venezuela have rubbished those claims. Whether this will escalate into armed conflict is unclear, and according to one analysis I've read, not likely. Venezuela is a major oil exporter.
A male nurse from West Yorkshire has been convicted of murder, after he injected non-diabetic patients with overdoses of insulin. The elderly patients, women aged between 79 and 88, were in hospital for hip problems. He was handed a life sentence, with a recommendation he serve at least 30 years. Detectives described him as an arrogant person. Only the vigilance of the doctor on the ward prevented him from continuing his killing spree.
Monday, 3 March 2008
Missing
On February 19th, 9-year old Shannon Matthews left a swimming pool in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire. She has not been seen since. Concerns are growing for her well-being, and the head of her primary school has released new pictures of the girl. Nonetheless, Shannon's disappearance is already threatening to slide into the shadows of publicity, as her parents do not have vast monetary or media resources.
Madeleine McCann, the 4-year old who went missing in Portugal 10 months ago, was kept in the media spotlight, thanks to the efforts of her parents. Countless reports of her alleged sightings keep popping up, and keep being popped as baseless.
I wish the same could be done for Shannon Matthews. Or for any of the other dozens, hundreds or thousands of children and adults who go missing without trace each year.
Please note I do not post images of children on my blog; if you wish to view Shannon's portrait, you need to visit the above link to BBC News.
Madeleine McCann, the 4-year old who went missing in Portugal 10 months ago, was kept in the media spotlight, thanks to the efforts of her parents. Countless reports of her alleged sightings keep popping up, and keep being popped as baseless.
I wish the same could be done for Shannon Matthews. Or for any of the other dozens, hundreds or thousands of children and adults who go missing without trace each year.
Please note I do not post images of children on my blog; if you wish to view Shannon's portrait, you need to visit the above link to BBC News.
Group
I have been having a few problems too many with people receiving daft error messages when trying to join the group. I have now temporarily opened the group to all comers, so you no longer need an invite.
If you were getting messages like "You are not authorized", please try again.
Group URL: Jland Group
If you were getting messages like "You are not authorized", please try again.
Group URL: Jland Group
Monday 3 March
Good morning all from a bright but very cold Stornoway. We had about 1 or 2 inches of snow overnight, which is thawing rapidly in the bright sun. The temperature does not help, it's barely above freezing. We'll get more snow - it looks decidedly threatening to the north. The cold snap will end tonight, with the mercury heading for the 7C / 45F mark.
Whilst excavations continue at the former Jersey carehome, where the skull of a child was found last week, an erstwhile careworker has spoken out about the atmosphere at Haut de la Garenne in the 1970s. She described the careworkers as ice-cold, and the children being "frozen with fear". Allegations have surfaced over four cellars, where indescribable practices allegedly took place - I am being extremely careful in my wording here. Police issued stern warnings on Saturday, as former residents and staff appear to have been approached with threats not to disclose anything for their own good.
Whilst excavations continue at the former Jersey carehome, where the skull of a child was found last week, an erstwhile careworker has spoken out about the atmosphere at Haut de la Garenne in the 1970s. She described the careworkers as ice-cold, and the children being "frozen with fear". Allegations have surfaced over four cellars, where indescribable practices allegedly took place - I am being extremely careful in my wording here. Police issued stern warnings on Saturday, as former residents and staff appear to have been approached with threats not to disclose anything for their own good.
Flashpoint
Forget about Afghanistan, Iraq, Israel or Gaza.
Don't be surprised if Colombia and Venezuela are at war with each other in the foreseeable future.
Colombia, in the far northwest of South America, has been conducting a pernicious war with rebels (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia FARC) war quite a few years. With US aid, the government in Bogota slowly appears to be turning the tables on the revolutionaries. However, things went pearshape, when Colombian forces struck at a FARC base in its southern neighbour, Ecuador, 1 mile across the border. A leader of the revolutionaries was killed.
Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez has ordered the closure of his embassy in Colombia's capital Bogota, stating that any Colombian incursion into Venezuela like the one into Ecuador would mean war. Conversely, Ecuador has recalled its envoy from Bogota, meaning that relations are not wholly severed.
Mr Chavez has ordered tanks and troops to the Colombian border, whilst deploring the killing of the leader, referring to him as a good revoluationary. Previously, the president negotiated the release of hostages held by FARC.
The Venezuelan president has struck me previously as being a bit hot under the collar. The Colombian incursion into Ecuador is not acceptable, and the government in Quito has denounced it, and lodged a formal protest with Bogota. If anyone had a cause for going to war, it would be Ecuador, but they (as the injured party) have not wholly cut off ties. Seems it's time for a cold shower in Caracas.
Don't be surprised if Colombia and Venezuela are at war with each other in the foreseeable future.
Colombia, in the far northwest of South America, has been conducting a pernicious war with rebels (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia FARC) war quite a few years. With US aid, the government in Bogota slowly appears to be turning the tables on the revolutionaries. However, things went pearshape, when Colombian forces struck at a FARC base in its southern neighbour, Ecuador, 1 mile across the border. A leader of the revolutionaries was killed.
Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez has ordered the closure of his embassy in Colombia's capital Bogota, stating that any Colombian incursion into Venezuela like the one into Ecuador would mean war. Conversely, Ecuador has recalled its envoy from Bogota, meaning that relations are not wholly severed.
Mr Chavez has ordered tanks and troops to the Colombian border, whilst deploring the killing of the leader, referring to him as a good revoluationary. Previously, the president negotiated the release of hostages held by FARC.
The Venezuelan president has struck me previously as being a bit hot under the collar. The Colombian incursion into Ecuador is not acceptable, and the government in Quito has denounced it, and lodged a formal protest with Bogota. If anyone had a cause for going to war, it would be Ecuador, but they (as the injured party) have not wholly cut off ties. Seems it's time for a cold shower in Caracas.
Sunday, 2 March 2008
Snow
Yep, we've got snow coming down here, and it's absolutely freezing outside. Just want to share some nighttime pictures of falling snow, and snow on the ground, something that several of my readers have had more than enough of. It doesn't come anywhere near the 2.5 metres of snow in New Hampshire, for example.
Walmart $4 prescription list
I read in Carlene's journal that Walmart US have just published their latest $4 prescription list. With reference to my screenie, I want to add a few cautionary notes.
Before you change to a Walmart generic, please check with your treating doctor as well as with your pharmacist whether it is safe to change over.
One example where you can NOT just change over is thyroid preparations. Every preparation, made by a different manufacturer, works differently. When your thyroid condition is well controlled on preparation A, it may become uncontrolled on preparation B.
Before you change to a Walmart generic, please check with your treating doctor as well as with your pharmacist whether it is safe to change over.
One example where you can NOT just change over is thyroid preparations. Every preparation, made by a different manufacturer, works differently. When your thyroid condition is well controlled on preparation A, it may become uncontrolled on preparation B.
Lost
A tourist, staying in a hotel near Rhiconich, in the far northwestern Highlands of Scotland, was reported missing last night. He had been hillwalking and birdwatching, but failed to return to the hotel at nightfall. Police and coastguards, including a helicopter, were out to look for the man. Weather conditions were very poor, with high winds, rain and snow.
The missing man was finally located along the road south, towards Ullapool, at 3.50 am. He had fallen and hit his head, which left him confused and disorientated. The man was not dressed for serious hillwalking.
The missing man was finally located along the road south, towards Ullapool, at 3.50 am. He had fallen and hit his head, which left him confused and disorientated. The man was not dressed for serious hillwalking.
Slovenia
On February 6th this year, the former president and prime minister of the former Yugoslav republic of Slovenia passed away at the age of 57. Janez Drnovsek was prime minister of the independent Slovenia from 1992 until 2002, and president until last year. He was diagnosed with cancer, which led to his death last month.
The reason I mention this is that I feel he prevented the Balkans War of the 1990s becoming an international war. In 1991, Slovenia declared independence. Although federal Yugoslav forces tried to intervene, Mr Drnovsek brokered a deal, which led to their withdrawal from his country. There were frightening images in August 1991, when tanks lined up to the Austrian border, and other armoured vehicles rampaged through the capital Ljubljana. Without Mr Drnovsek's intervention, there was a distinct possibility of Austria becoming involved in the Yugoslav conflict.
The reason I mention this is that I feel he prevented the Balkans War of the 1990s becoming an international war. In 1991, Slovenia declared independence. Although federal Yugoslav forces tried to intervene, Mr Drnovsek brokered a deal, which led to their withdrawal from his country. There were frightening images in August 1991, when tanks lined up to the Austrian border, and other armoured vehicles rampaged through the capital Ljubljana. Without Mr Drnovsek's intervention, there was a distinct possibility of Austria becoming involved in the Yugoslav conflict.
Sunday 2 March
Reasonably bright day, but with a scattering of showers about. It's not very warm, just below 5C. According to the weather radar, a rash of showers is 20 or 30 miles away to the west. That's got our name on it, in other words. We may get some wintry showers.
Tomorrow marks the 65th anniversary of a fatal crush at a London Underground station. On 3 March 1943, hundreds of people were entering Bethnal Green underground station to seek refuge from an impending airraid. The crowd suddenly surged forward, causing dozens to be crushed and trampled underfoot. 173 were killed, 90 were injured. The link gives an account of events that evening.
On reflection, I think a mistake was made in sending Prince Harry out on active service to start with. It was known that any soldier on active duty would be liable to serve overseas (Iraq or Afghanistan). By implication, Prince Harry would have to be sent overseas as well. On account of his position, there would be grave concerns, and also being in mind his high media profile, any arrangement with the press to keep silent was not going to last. I feel it was unfair on Harry to be trained up as a professional soldier, only to be denied the real thing for any length of time, precisely because of his position. Conversely, Harry himself bemoaned the fact that he would not able to lead a normal life. Well, that's tough, but that's the price of privilege.
Tomorrow marks the 65th anniversary of a fatal crush at a London Underground station. On 3 March 1943, hundreds of people were entering Bethnal Green underground station to seek refuge from an impending airraid. The crowd suddenly surged forward, causing dozens to be crushed and trampled underfoot. 173 were killed, 90 were injured. The link gives an account of events that evening.
On reflection, I think a mistake was made in sending Prince Harry out on active service to start with. It was known that any soldier on active duty would be liable to serve overseas (Iraq or Afghanistan). By implication, Prince Harry would have to be sent overseas as well. On account of his position, there would be grave concerns, and also being in mind his high media profile, any arrangement with the press to keep silent was not going to last. I feel it was unfair on Harry to be trained up as a professional soldier, only to be denied the real thing for any length of time, precisely because of his position. Conversely, Harry himself bemoaned the fact that he would not able to lead a normal life. Well, that's tough, but that's the price of privilege.
Saturday, 1 March 2008
Cancer awareness
Kelly (Kim's sister) is participating in a fundraising activity, aimed at promoting Breast Cancer awareness. She has already achieved a laudable total, but more is needed to prevent more people dying of the disease.
In nine days from now, between March 10th and 16th, the focus will be on Prostate Cancer awareness. Cancer in men is a difficult subject, as men generally find it very hard to talk about illness, let alone about illnesses around their masculinity.
The prostate straddles the urethra (through which we urinate). It is normal for this gland, involved in the ejaculation of sperm, to swell up in later life. This can lead to problems passing urine. Prostate cancer means that cancerous cells have formed in the gland. These can spread to other organs.
There is a campaign, called Real Men Do, who aims to raise awareness of this cancer, what signs and symptoms to look out for. And not to be hesitant to see a doctor about it.
Each year, 35,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Every hour a man dies of prostate cancer.
If you're a Real Man, don't become another statistic.
In nine days from now, between March 10th and 16th, the focus will be on Prostate Cancer awareness. Cancer in men is a difficult subject, as men generally find it very hard to talk about illness, let alone about illnesses around their masculinity.
The prostate straddles the urethra (through which we urinate). It is normal for this gland, involved in the ejaculation of sperm, to swell up in later life. This can lead to problems passing urine. Prostate cancer means that cancerous cells have formed in the gland. These can spread to other organs.
There is a campaign, called Real Men Do, who aims to raise awareness of this cancer, what signs and symptoms to look out for. And not to be hesitant to see a doctor about it.
Each year, 35,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Every hour a man dies of prostate cancer.
If you're a Real Man, don't become another statistic.
Hurricane season
The Southern Hemisphere hurricane season is still in full flow - tropical cyclone Ophelia has just formed off the Kimberley coast in Western Australia, and another system is brewing northeast of La Reunion. However, the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific hurricane seasons kick off on 1 June and 15 May respectively, not all that far away.
The National Hurricane Center in Miami hold a hurricane awareness week between May 25 and 31 this year. It is important however, if you are in an area likely to be impacted by hurricanes, to start making preparations NOW.
Detailed advice can be found on the NHC website, and it's imperative that you are prepared by May. Also, make sure friends or family are prepared.
I have learned, in two years of hurricane monitoring, that information is essential, and it is accurate and up to date information that is sometimes difficult to come by. Make a note of the NHC website, which will update on any system every 6 hours. Read up, in order that you understand their terminology.
BE PREPARED
YOUR LIFE COULD DEPEND ON IT
The National Hurricane Center in Miami hold a hurricane awareness week between May 25 and 31 this year. It is important however, if you are in an area likely to be impacted by hurricanes, to start making preparations NOW.
Detailed advice can be found on the NHC website, and it's imperative that you are prepared by May. Also, make sure friends or family are prepared.
I have learned, in two years of hurricane monitoring, that information is essential, and it is accurate and up to date information that is sometimes difficult to come by. Make a note of the NHC website, which will update on any system every 6 hours. Read up, in order that you understand their terminology.
BE PREPARED
YOUR LIFE COULD DEPEND ON IT
Bus services
Here in Lewis, the 20,000 strong populace is served by a surprisingly good bus service. The town of Stornoway has two or three dedicated scheduled buses, and there are numerous buses to outlying areas. The exception is Uig, 35 miles to the west, which only has two or three buses going to it in the day, and if you want to come back in the evening, you have to locate a people carrier outside the Timsgarry shop.
I am mentioning this, because Lisa was surprised I could board a schoolbus. It is the very fact that local bus operators have the contracts to take schoolchildren to and from their schools (sometimes from outside their very doors) that we have such an excellent service. By implication, the buses used are part of the normal scheduled service. Anyone can join them, but they are there primarily for the kids. Unlike the USA, where there are dedicated vehicles, which will only carry schoolchildren.
Another unusual aspect of the buses here is that you can join them anywhere you want. Many is the time I have flagged a bus down from the side of the road, miles from anywhere. And the drivers are not surprised at that at all. The only favour they ask is for you to stand in a place where they can pull over safely, and that you give an adequate hand signal.
I am mentioning this, because Lisa was surprised I could board a schoolbus. It is the very fact that local bus operators have the contracts to take schoolchildren to and from their schools (sometimes from outside their very doors) that we have such an excellent service. By implication, the buses used are part of the normal scheduled service. Anyone can join them, but they are there primarily for the kids. Unlike the USA, where there are dedicated vehicles, which will only carry schoolchildren.
Another unusual aspect of the buses here is that you can join them anywhere you want. Many is the time I have flagged a bus down from the side of the road, miles from anywhere. And the drivers are not surprised at that at all. The only favour they ask is for you to stand in a place where they can pull over safely, and that you give an adequate hand signal.
Saturday 1 March
Welcome to the joys of spring. Winter is over (said he, dodging snowballs from across the pond) and lambs are popping out, well, not quite here I don't think. And happy St David's Day if you've got any Welsh connections.
It's a reasonably bright morning and afternoon here, with the odd shower slowly moving east across the island. The high winds we were promised probably happened overnight, but they being northwesterly, were not noticed by yours truly. The strong winds blew containers off a freight train at Shap, Cumbria (northern England), causing severe disruption on the West Coast mainline between Glasgow and London. Elsewhere, cranes were damaged at Felixstowe docks and cars were crushed by falling trees.
The BBC is bringing back an icon of 1980s television, by putting the old BBC1 clock on its revamped homepage. You can even pull the clock animation and put it up as a screen saver.
It's a reasonably bright morning and afternoon here, with the odd shower slowly moving east across the island. The high winds we were promised probably happened overnight, but they being northwesterly, were not noticed by yours truly. The strong winds blew containers off a freight train at Shap, Cumbria (northern England), causing severe disruption on the West Coast mainline between Glasgow and London. Elsewhere, cranes were damaged at Felixstowe docks and cars were crushed by falling trees.
The BBC is bringing back an icon of 1980s television, by putting the old BBC1 clock on its revamped homepage. You can even pull the clock animation and put it up as a screen saver.
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