AIM Profiles is going to Bebo. Sounds to me like they're going to pot. Sorry, I'm in a very cynical mood this week. If you don't want to go to Bebo, you lose your profile. Check out this latest piece of disservice from AIM here. Why the sarcasm? We've already lost AIM Groups. I wonder what else will go. Better not speculate.
Wednesday, 3 September 2008
Tuesday, 2 September 2008
Standards in public life
OK, here's the score. The candidate for vice-president of the United States of America for the Republican Party is a woman of 44, who has been governor of the State of Alaska for 2 years or so. As a high-profile public figure, her private life will be splashed across the front pages of every news publication within sight.
Before Sen McCain selected her as his 'running mate', he knew that there was a metaphorical skeleton in the cupboard of Ms Palin. It takes the shape of the lady's daughter, aged 17, who is pregnant outwith wedlock. The dad has promised to marry the girl, but that's actually beside the point. Ms Palin is professed pro-life (i.e. anti abortion), and the 17-year old will complete the pregnancy and have the child.
Now, we're all adults on here, and we all know teenagers will dabble with sex before they're married. It is up to adults therefore to educate our youngsters on the subject and be frank, open and honest about it. When you have sex, a pregnancy may ensue. If you don't want that, you take measures. The US Sex Ed system (as pointed out to me by the BBC) generally suggests to exercise abstinence until marriage.
What?
I have never heard such stupidity in my life. The word pragmatism seems to be alien to the US administration in this matter. Why don't they talk about condoms, the pill and other contraceptive methods to youngsters? Is it a surprise therefore, that in the US, every third girl falls pregnant before the age of 20? No, I'm not making this up, these are official government statistics.
What really grinds me is this downright hypocrisy of people like Ms Palin who block proposals towards more sensible sex education on moralistic grounds - and don't bother to educate their own kids, even if the state fails to do so. And she's potentially the American Commander in Chief?
Give me strength.
Before Sen McCain selected her as his 'running mate', he knew that there was a metaphorical skeleton in the cupboard of Ms Palin. It takes the shape of the lady's daughter, aged 17, who is pregnant outwith wedlock. The dad has promised to marry the girl, but that's actually beside the point. Ms Palin is professed pro-life (i.e. anti abortion), and the 17-year old will complete the pregnancy and have the child.
Now, we're all adults on here, and we all know teenagers will dabble with sex before they're married. It is up to adults therefore to educate our youngsters on the subject and be frank, open and honest about it. When you have sex, a pregnancy may ensue. If you don't want that, you take measures. The US Sex Ed system (as pointed out to me by the BBC) generally suggests to exercise abstinence until marriage.
What?
I have never heard such stupidity in my life. The word pragmatism seems to be alien to the US administration in this matter. Why don't they talk about condoms, the pill and other contraceptive methods to youngsters? Is it a surprise therefore, that in the US, every third girl falls pregnant before the age of 20? No, I'm not making this up, these are official government statistics.
What really grinds me is this downright hypocrisy of people like Ms Palin who block proposals towards more sensible sex education on moralistic grounds - and don't bother to educate their own kids, even if the state fails to do so. And she's potentially the American Commander in Chief?
Give me strength.
Tuesday 2 September
Bright and fairly sunny, but with some shower clouds about. A rash of showers is shown on the weather radar, all the way from Cornwall to the Western Isles and beyond. Not very warm, 13C / 57F.
A ferocious fire destroyed a mansion in Maesbrook, Shropshire, last Tuesday. Following the blaze, three members of a family were missing. Over the weekend, forensic teams were able to enter the ruins and recovered the remains of three people. One has been positively identified as the mother, the other (a male) is thought to be that of the father. The third corpse could be that of their 15-year old daughter. The body of the mother had a gunshot wound to the head, and police are treating the incident as murder. The man had been in serious difficulties with his business
The BBC program Dateline London, which I plugged last week, is now available for viewing on the BBC iPlayer, but in the UK ONLY, and until 7 September only.
A ferocious fire destroyed a mansion in Maesbrook, Shropshire, last Tuesday. Following the blaze, three members of a family were missing. Over the weekend, forensic teams were able to enter the ruins and recovered the remains of three people. One has been positively identified as the mother, the other (a male) is thought to be that of the father. The third corpse could be that of their 15-year old daughter. The body of the mother had a gunshot wound to the head, and police are treating the incident as murder. The man had been in serious difficulties with his business
The BBC program Dateline London, which I plugged last week, is now available for viewing on the BBC iPlayer, but in the UK ONLY, and until 7 September only.
Gustav, Hanna, Ike, Josephine (to be)
The red systems from left to right: Gustav, Hanna, Ike and to-be Josephine. If you're in Florida, Georgia or South Carolina, beware of Hanna. May yet be a major hurricane at landfall.
Monday, 1 September 2008
Hurricane update - 1 September (III)
As Gustav loses the worst of its potency over Louisiana, Hanna is getting hers up over the Bahamas. Well, that ain't all folks. Tropical storm Ike formed in mid Atlantic, and the next system is brewing up near the Cape Verde islands - promising to become tropical storm Josephine. With a bit of luck, there will be 4 tropical cyclones on the maps by tomorrow morning. The Atlantic is at full throttle!
Hurricane update - 1 September (II)
Whilst Gustav is hammering the Louisiana coast, please be advised that another threat is emerging off the Atlantic coast of the USA: tropical storm Hanna has just been upgraded to a category 1 hurricane in the Bahamas. The storm will head northwest towards mainland USA (Florida to South Carolina), and any deviation to the west will bring the system closer to land than it already is.
Divorce by order
A man of 84 in Nigeria has been ordered to divorce 82 of his 86 wives. Earlier he had been sentenced to death over the issue, but this sentence was lifted. The man is estimated to have 170 children. Don't believe me? Read more here.
Hurricane update - 1 September
Regarding hurricane Gustav, there remains little to say other than to wish everyone in its path good luck. The storm will be coming ashore within the next couple of hours with winds of about 115 mph and a 10 to 15 feet storm surge.
Tropical storm Hanna is looming over the Bahamas, but its future strength and path are not certain. Landfall is foreseen somewhere between Florida and South Carolina by the end of the week, as a category 1 hurricane. Please monitor the NHC output in the coming days if you're in the southeastern US. For now, be wary if you're on the beaches there, beware of dangerous rip currents, born of swells generated by Hanna.
Tropical storm Hanna is looming over the Bahamas, but its future strength and path are not certain. Landfall is foreseen somewhere between Florida and South Carolina by the end of the week, as a category 1 hurricane. Please monitor the NHC output in the coming days if you're in the southeastern US. For now, be wary if you're on the beaches there, beware of dangerous rip currents, born of swells generated by Hanna.
Sunday, 31 August 2008
Diana
Diana, Princess of Wales, died in a car-crash in Paris in the early hours of Sunday, 31 August, 1997. A protracted legal battle turned out that her driver was drunk at the time and driving at excessive speed. Although harassment by reporters may well have had some bearing on the accident, a direct link has been discarded. Diana died in a vehicle she was sharing with her friend Dodi Al-Fayed, son of Harrods owner Mohammed Al-Fayed. Dodi died too, but his father has been vociferous in his conviction that the British Royal Family had conspired to get rid of Diana in this fashion. An inquest has ruled that such a conspiracy theory could not be substantiated. Mr Al Fayed has stated that he does not intend to pursue the matter further, to everybody's great relief.
Hurricane update - 31 August (II)
Gustav is approaching New Orleans at a speed of about 18 mph. The storm appears to be intensifying, with winds currently at 115 mph. The National Weather Service has issued Hurricane Local Statements for the Gulf Coast. These can be accessed through the NHC website - if you are in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama or Florida, please read. In the case of Louisiana, as a matter of extreme urgency. Hurricane force winds will start to affect the Gulf Coast itself early tomorrow morning local time, with tropical storm force winds (i.e. galeforce and higher) from now onwards. Gustav is 215 miles from New Orleans, and the radius of tropical storm force winds is 220 miles.
Once Gustav makes landfall, it will probably grind to a halt and start to dump vast amounts of rain on Louisiana and surrounding states. It'll be up to 20 inches.
Once Gustav has disappeared off the weather maps, by the end of the coming week, the USA might be facing another hurricane hazard: Hanna. This is a tropical storm, affected by adverse atmospheric conditions as it approaches the Bahamas. After a jaunt southwest, the storm could well head northwest: into Georgia and South Carolina by the weekend. This is very long term, and the NHC isn't even sure about the short-term forecast for this system.
Once Gustav makes landfall, it will probably grind to a halt and start to dump vast amounts of rain on Louisiana and surrounding states. It'll be up to 20 inches.
Once Gustav has disappeared off the weather maps, by the end of the coming week, the USA might be facing another hurricane hazard: Hanna. This is a tropical storm, affected by adverse atmospheric conditions as it approaches the Bahamas. After a jaunt southwest, the storm could well head northwest: into Georgia and South Carolina by the weekend. This is very long term, and the NHC isn't even sure about the short-term forecast for this system.
Labor Day
Would like to wish our American friends a happy Labor Day on September 1st (tomorrow), and hope y'all have a great vacation!
Piping up
There was a young Scottish lad named
Angus who decided to try life in Australia. He found an
apartment in a small block and settled in.After a week or two, his
mother called from Aberdeen to see how her son was doing in his new
life. "I'm fine," Angus said, "But there are some really strange
people living here in Australia. One woman cries all day long,
another keeps banging on the ceiling, and there is a guy next
door to me who bangs his head on the wall all the time." "Well, ma
wee laddie," says his mother, "I suggest you don't associate with
people like that." "Oh," says Angus, "I don't, Ma'am, I don't. No, I
just stay inside ma apartment all day and night, playing ma
bagpipes."
Sunday 31 August
Fairly nice day, with some brightness in the sky. Better than what is headed for the northern Gulf Coast. Gustav will probably be a category 4 hurricane, not quite as bad as a cat 5, but still bad. If you're on the Gulf Coast, please follow all advice and orders from the authorities. You can't weather winds of 140 mph. Nothing will be left standing - remember Katrina?
The program I highlighted earlier in the week, Dateline London, was retimed unexpectedly. The webversion will be available tomorrow.
Another earthquake, measuring 6 on the Richter scale, has struck the region in China that was devastating by a huge tremor in May. 22 people died in yesterday's quake; rescue efforts are hampered by rain.
The program I highlighted earlier in the week, Dateline London, was retimed unexpectedly. The webversion will be available tomorrow.
Another earthquake, measuring 6 on the Richter scale, has struck the region in China that was devastating by a huge tremor in May. 22 people died in yesterday's quake; rescue efforts are hampered by rain.
Hurricane update - 31 August (I)
Anyone in the city of New Orleans should evacuate NOW. Follow all directives from FEMA and similar government agencies. I have already had reports of people making a hurricane shelter by boarding up 4 doors in a room in the centre of their house and thinking they can survive a category 5 hurricane in that. There is not a 100% certainty they will.
Gustav has just made landfall in western Cuba with winds of 143 mph. On reemerging into the Gulf of Mexico, it will crank up to sustained winds of 160 mph, gusting to 190 mph. Although slight weakening is forecast as the storm heads across the Gulf, taking a direct hit from a cat 3 hurricane is not pretty.
PLEASE CONSULT THE NHC WEBSITE IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF HURRICANE GUSTAV.
Gustav has just made landfall in western Cuba with winds of 143 mph. On reemerging into the Gulf of Mexico, it will crank up to sustained winds of 160 mph, gusting to 190 mph. Although slight weakening is forecast as the storm heads across the Gulf, taking a direct hit from a cat 3 hurricane is not pretty.
PLEASE CONSULT THE NHC WEBSITE IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF HURRICANE GUSTAV.
Saturday, 30 August 2008
Hurricane update - 30 August
Hurricane Gustav is deepening rapidly. I am tracking Hurricane Hunter missions on Google Earth (if you have Google Earth, Open this link: http://www.tropicalatlantic.com/recon/ge/Atlantic.kmz). Central pressure has fallen by 12 mbar (from 971 to 959 mbar) in the 4 hours between 05.19 and 09.53 GMT, and winds of 100 knots (115 mph) are being measured around the centre of the storm. Hurricane force winds are approaching the south coast of Cuba, and the Hurricane Hunter is reporting intense lightning activity on the northern wall of the eye.
Cuba and the Isle of Youth should prepare for a storm surge of 14 to 19 feet. I don't want to even think about that. What will happen in the Gulf of Mexico is anyone's guess. Atmospheric conditions and oceanic conditions are not as favourable there as they are right now, south of Cuba, so the rate of strengthening may well level off tomorrow and Sunday.
There is NO reliable indication on the point of landfall, but preparations are on-going along the Gulf coast.
Cuba and the Isle of Youth should prepare for a storm surge of 14 to 19 feet. I don't want to even think about that. What will happen in the Gulf of Mexico is anyone's guess. Atmospheric conditions and oceanic conditions are not as favourable there as they are right now, south of Cuba, so the rate of strengthening may well level off tomorrow and Sunday.
There is NO reliable indication on the point of landfall, but preparations are on-going along the Gulf coast.
Saturday 30 August
Another breezy morning, but the sun is out for the moment. Summer is really over, no doubt about it. Mind you, points further south and east probably disagree with me as they see the mercury topping at 80F today.
Hurricane Gustav is getting nasty, packing winds well in excess of 100 mph as it heads towards the Isle of Youth off Cuba. Beyond that, it's the Gulf of Mexico and pick your own point of landfall. Your guess is as good as mine, and I haven't got a clue, because the National Hurricane Center hasn't got a clue either. Spare a thought for the poor souls in Cuba, who can anticipate a storm surge of nearly 20 feet when Gustav rolls by.
Hurricane Gustav also brings a lot of rain, 25 inches. Australia, conversely, is suffering from drought. A drought of men. There are more women than men in Australia. Read the article, while I close this entry to avoid making ribald comments.
Hurricane Gustav is getting nasty, packing winds well in excess of 100 mph as it heads towards the Isle of Youth off Cuba. Beyond that, it's the Gulf of Mexico and pick your own point of landfall. Your guess is as good as mine, and I haven't got a clue, because the National Hurricane Center hasn't got a clue either. Spare a thought for the poor souls in Cuba, who can anticipate a storm surge of nearly 20 feet when Gustav rolls by.
Hurricane Gustav also brings a lot of rain, 25 inches. Australia, conversely, is suffering from drought. A drought of men. There are more women than men in Australia. Read the article, while I close this entry to avoid making ribald comments.
Friday, 29 August 2008
Just the ticket
The line-up for next November's US presidential elections is now complete, and what a flipping rogues' gallery it has become. As I've said earlier in the year, ain't I glad I don't have to go and vote for any of 'em.
Republicans:
McCain is superannuated, and in order to counteract that, they've taken on the governor of Alaska - Ms Palin, aged 44 - as deputy. I can't STAND her drawl, broader than the Yukon River itself.
Democrats:
Can a black man ever become president in the USA? I'm extremely cynical and say no. He did get the endorsement of Bill Clint'n - dragged out of Wandering Willy's mouth by a team of a dozen horses. What's the name of his sidekick, Bidet? OMG, I'm sorry, Biden.
Roll on December.
Republicans:
McCain is superannuated, and in order to counteract that, they've taken on the governor of Alaska - Ms Palin, aged 44 - as deputy. I can't STAND her drawl, broader than the Yukon River itself.
Democrats:
Can a black man ever become president in the USA? I'm extremely cynical and say no. He did get the endorsement of Bill Clint'n - dragged out of Wandering Willy's mouth by a team of a dozen horses. What's the name of his sidekick, Bidet? OMG, I'm sorry, Biden.
Roll on December.
Nice Matters
Friday 29 August 2008
A stiff breeze is blowing in the islands, yet the clouds sit at ground level. Further east, temperatures are set to soar into the mid 20s Celsius / 70s Fahrenheit, but we feel the effects of the Atlantic.
Tropical storm Gustav is grinding across Jamaica with winds of up to 70 mph, close to hurricane force. Once clear of the island, Gustav will really get down to business as it veers northwest across the far west of Cuba - the system may be packing winds of 125 mph by that time. The Cayman Islands will be in the way as well.
Tropical storm Hanna is expected to do something strange - veer southwest towards the Bahamas. Due to the rotation of the earth, tropical systems usually head northwest in the northern hemisphere. There is no indication yet where Hanna will make landfall (if at all); the same applies to Gustav.
A couple of other weather systems are marching across Africa, ready for the conveyor belt across the Atlantic - maybe to become hurricanes as well.
Tropical storm Gustav is grinding across Jamaica with winds of up to 70 mph, close to hurricane force. Once clear of the island, Gustav will really get down to business as it veers northwest across the far west of Cuba - the system may be packing winds of 125 mph by that time. The Cayman Islands will be in the way as well.
Tropical storm Hanna is expected to do something strange - veer southwest towards the Bahamas. Due to the rotation of the earth, tropical systems usually head northwest in the northern hemisphere. There is no indication yet where Hanna will make landfall (if at all); the same applies to Gustav.
A couple of other weather systems are marching across Africa, ready for the conveyor belt across the Atlantic - maybe to become hurricanes as well.
29 August 2005
Some archive pictures of the destruction wrought by Hurricane Katrina, exactly 3 years ago today. In memory of those who died. In the hope that some lessons were learned.
Hurricanes show the tremendous force of mother Nature and actually serve a very useful purpose. They disperse the energy of the sun which is radiated down onto tropical seas to higher latitudes. Hurricanes are in fact quite small weather systems, albeit intense. The depressions that visit us here in Scotland for instance extend for up to 2,000 miles in winter - wouldn't like to think of the amount of energy contained in them.
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