More random thoughts

There's the recent hubbub in India because Hollywood actor Richard Gere embraced and kissed "Celebrity Big Brother" winner and Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty several times on her cheek. Shock! Horror!
Gere faces Indian arrest warrant

I understand public displays of affection are apparently still frowned on in India among religious fundamentalists and Hindu nationalists. But issuing an arrest warrant for embracing and kissing?

Let's remind ourselves why Richard Gere was on stage with Shilpa in India anyway - he came to support an Aids awareness rally which focused on India's truck driving community.

Instead of burning effigies of Richard Gere, or shouting "death to Shilpa Shetty", I'd be more concerned about the spread of this terrible illness. That's a more pressing problem.

Some random thoughts.....

Yesterday I watched from my window a march by Islamic protesters in support of six Muslims arrested in London earlier this week.
Muslims Stage Demo Outside Police Station

Seeing the demo with placards supporting the implementation of "Sharia law" in Britain, I was reminded of a story on the BBC News channel this week about the recent police crackdown in Iran on poor Islamic dress (Iran has a a strict interpretation of the Sharia law).
Crackdown in Iran over dress codes

Now if I visited countries like Iran that observed Sharia law, I would respect that law. But I find it baffling why these protesters believe that the UK - a predominantly Judaeo-Christian country - would adopt an Islamic moral code that would control all areas of our society, from individual behaviour to the workings of our criminal justice system and financial institutions.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights - Case Study: SHARIA LAW

Goodbye (2): James Alan Ball, Jr.

I was a mere nipper when Alan Ball played his considerable part for the victorious England football side in the 1966 World Cup final. So my first memories of him as a footballer was when he joined Arsenal from Everton in December 1971 for £220,000 (at the time, a record fee). He played for the Gunners between 1971 - 1976, making 177 appearences, scoring 45 goals and was one of the few highlights in an indifferent period of Arsenal's history (the club were nearly relegated from the top flight during the 1975/76 season).
His death yesterday of a heart attack at the age of 61 was a shock.

In today's time when fleeting glimpses of skill are rewarded with instant celebrity status, Alan Ball was a genuine legend for Arsenal, Everton and England.

RIP James Alan Ball, MBE

(12 May 1945 – 25 April 2007)
Alan Ball remembered

Goodbye (1): Boris Nikolayevich Yeltsin

Boris Yeltsin, who played a key role in the demise of the Soviet Union and the first president of the Russian Federation, has died of heart failure in hospital at 1545 (1145 GMT) on April 23. He was 76.

How will we remember Boris Yeltsin?
Obviously his place in history is assured with his resistance against the August 1991 coup launched by hard-line communists, to overthrow the President of the Soviet Union (Mikhail Gorbachev). Who can forget Yeltsin mounting a tank outside the Russian Parliament in Moscow and denouncing the coup?
Yeltsin gave us the promise of a world without two superpowers bent on "Mutual Assured Destruction." He rejected communism and his actions led to the collapse of the coup, and subsequently the end of the Soviet Union.
However Boris Yeltsin's economic radicalism for Russia involved the withdrawal of price controls, steep cuts to state spending and unleashing unregulated free markets. During the rushed transition of the world's largest socialist planned economy into a market democracy, hyper-inflation wiped out the life savings of many Russians. Yeltsin's presidency in the 1990s was a period of instability for Russia and his leadership also contributed to the rise of the oligarchs, who profited from his push for privatizing former state enterprises.

And let us not forget Yeltsin's disastrous large-scale military intervention in the breakaway republic of Chechnya in 1994 - leading to the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians (Yeltsin himself acknowledged in 1996 that the decision to go to war in Chechnya was probably a mistake). Or the numerous incidents related to his drinking problem.

But had Boris Yeltsin lost back in August 1991, I'd hate to think of the consequences.

Борис Николаевич Ельцин
(February 1, 1931 – April 23, 2007)

Obituary: Boris Yeltsin

Space...the final frontier...

Scientists have found the most Earth-like planet outside our Solar System to date, an exoplanet with a radius only 50% larger than the Earth and possibly having liquid water on its surface (note: an exoplanet is defined by astronomers as planets around a star other than the Sun).

This "Super Earth" orbits the faint star Gliese 581, which is 20.5 light-years away in the constellation Libra. While it's distance prevents an immediate visit at this point in time (20.5 light years is equivalent to 120 trillion miles), scientists believe new kinds of propulsion technology could make a difference in the future.
Of the 200+ exoplanets so far discovered, a large proportion are Jupiter-like gas giants that experience inhospitable temperatures from their close orbit to hot stars. However the super-Earth of Gliese 581 is in what scientists call the "Goldilocks Zone" where temperatures "are just right" to allow surface water to exist as a liquid. With water, life has a chance to exist.
But what sort of life? This planet has a 13-day orbit - or year, and while its mean temperature is between 0C - 40C, the surface gravity is believed to be twice that of the Earth. Also, the solar radiation from its sun would be higher.

In any case, bookmakers William Hill has shortened the odds on proving the existence of extraterrestrial intelligence from 1,000-1 to 100-1.
New 'super-Earth' found in space

The OTHER Arsenal Stadium Mystery.....

The story so far:

March 2007:
Jurgen Mainka, director of communications for Major League Soccer club Colorado Rapids and spokesman for American billionaire Enos Stanley "Stan" Kroenke, states: "There is no interest from KSE in buying any shares of Arsenal or any Premier League club."
59-year old business entrepreneur Stan Kroenke is listed in the "Forbes 400" as one of the richest Americans in the world. He is ranked 153rd on this list - seven places higher than the Glazer family, who owns Manchester United and 89 ahead of Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner. Kroenke's wealth is estimated to be about $2.1 billion and is based primarily on real estate (source: wikipedia).

5th April 2007:
British television network ITV plc have announced they have unconditionally sold their 9.99% shareholding in Arsenal Holdings plc to American Stan Kroenke's KSE UK Inc.

12th April 2007:
Arsenal Holdings plc confirms Stan Kroenke controls a total of 10.22% of the club

18th April 2007:
Arsenal's influential vice-chairman David Dein leaves the club with immediate effect. In a statement, chairman Peter Hill-Wood said: "On behalf of the board I would like to express our gratitude to David Dein for the many years of loyal service he has given to the club [Dein was an Arsenal board member for 24 years]. We sincerely regret that irreconcilable differences between Mr Dein and the rest of the board have necessitated a parting of the ways."
In another statement Hill-Wood tells the Guardian newspaper: "The shareholders would prefer to stay in control than sell out to some stranger. We would be horrified to see ownership of the club go across the Atlantic."

19th April 2007:
Arsenal's manager Arsène Wenger meets the football club's board members as minority shareholders expressed concern that Dein's sudden exit could be followed by Wenger's own departure. Dein was reportedly Wenger's closest ally on the board and was credited as the man behind Wenger's appointment as manager in 1996. While Wenger expressed sadness and disappointment that Dein had left, he also promised to see out the remaining year of his contract.

21st April 2007:
Stan Kroenke revealed yesterday that he has increased his stake in Arsenal Football Club to 12.2%. If Kroenke raises his Arsenal stake to 30% he is obliged by takeover rules to launch a formal bid for the club.

From FT.com:
Peter Hill-Wood: "Why don't we want the American at our club? Call me old-fashioned but we don't need his money and we don't want his sort."
Kroenke increases his Arsenal stake to 12.2%

It's evident that Dein and the other board members had different directions for Arsenal's future, which led to the "parting of the ways." Dein's departure from the board is a big loss for Arsenal, especially when one considers his influence in Football's upper echelons. He'll always have the gratitude of Arsenal fans for introducing Arsène Wenger to the club.

There are two ways of looking at Hill-Wood's stance:
The finances for the new stadium at Ashburton Grove appears to be in order and Kroenke's interest in Arsenal doesn't necessarily mean he would be as philanthropic as Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich has been for Chelski. So Hill-Wood has every right to recoil at the thought of an American "stranger" motivated by making money out of Arsenal FC.

On the other hand, it's a bit quaint and outdated to declare that "we don't want his sort." The success of the English Premier League has inevitably attracted investors from beyond these shores. Chelski, Liverpool, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Fulham, West Ham & Portsmouth have all been taken over by foreign buyers.

To sniffly declare that "we don't need his money" is missing the point. Our game changed in July 2003, with the entrance of Abramovich at Chelski. It will continue to change and clubs that don't adapt with these changing times could find themselves left behind.

Watch this space....
David Dein - the fall-out
Arsenal raise standards too late over flag flying
Why Arsenal are reluctant to venture down America way

Iraq....

And the grim news continues...

Almost 200 people are killed in car bombs in Baghdad, in the worst violence since a US security operation began. The attacks took place in mostly Shia areas.
The worst attack targeted a market in the Sadriya area, where 140 people were killed.

A witness said the area had been turned into "a swimming pool of blood". The market was being rebuilt after it was destroyed by a bombing in February.

Four years on from the invasion, and the killing in Iraq appears to have no end in sight.
Up to 200 killed in Baghdad bombs

Virginia Tech

"The death of one man is a tragedy. The death of millions is a statistic."
Joseph Stalin

Stalin was wrong - whether one man or millions, all life should be cherished above the most precious jewels found on Earth. Which is why yesterday's news from the USA is so awful.

32 people - mostly students with potential and promise....gone.

I write these words living in London, a city currently struggling to understand the reasons behind a recent spate of schoolboy murders. More potential and promise lost.

I can only hope those touched by the sudden, senseless and tragic loss of 32 souls can rebuild their lives. I also hope that those injured will recover swiftly.
US university shooting kills 33

Goodbye, 'Fly....

I was stunned today on hearing that friend and fellow blogger Nightfly (aka NF, aka 'Fly) passed away on 6th April 2007.

I've known NF through our time on the F.O. forum and we also exchanged comments between his blog (The BUZZ - Life of a Nightfly) and my own Alpha to OM3GA blog.
While our comradeship was via the internet, words cannot express the hurt I felt at learning of his passing.

To his family and close fiends: I sincerely offer my condolences for your loss. May God bless you all in this time of sorrow.

Rest easy Michael Greenwood , alias Nightfly.

Ω

Calling Crocodile Dundee....

Surgeons in Taiwan reattach a vet's arm, after it was bitten off by a Nile crocodile as he tried to give it an anaesthetic. The vet, Chang Po-yu, is said to be doing well and is in a stable condition in hospital after a six-hour operation.
Nile crocodiles are known to be man-eaters, but are also listed as an endangered species.
Crocodile severs Taiwan vet's arm

Poor people not wanted at the worlds local bank?

The small seaside village of Canford Cliffs near Poole, which contains the Sandbanks enclave and marina, is a community of roughly 12,500 people, whose homes overlook Poole Harbour.
It is also one of the most expensive locations in Britain. The cheapest house currently on the market in the area, is priced at approx. £330,000 ($653,000) with the most expensive priced in excess of £8m ($15.83m).
With this in mind, the "world's local bank" based in the village has announced that from June this year they will only allow face-to-face banking for their so-called "premier" customers.
In order to qualify as a Premier customer at the bank you must have:

• £50,000 ($98,940) in savings


• or a £200,000 ($395,760) mortgage


• or a £100,000 ($197,880) nmortgage and £75,000 ($148,410) salary


• or pay £19.95 ($39) a month "premier" account fee and have £75,000 salary

Customers who do not meet the above requirements will have to use other neighbouring branches of the bank in Poole or Westbourne, although they will still be able to deposit and withdraw funds from the cash machines (there is no cashier service at this branch).

A spokesman for the bank said: “The reason we are doing it is because Canford Cliffs is a very wealthy area and well serviced by HSBC. It’s a unique location. A high percentage of customers at this particular branch are premier customers”

Well if I was turned away because I didn't meet their "Premier" customer criteria (and I don't), then I would vote with my feet and find another bank. Simple - but effective. If the bank doesn't value me as a customer, they don't get my cash.
HSBC's exclusive village branch

HAPPY EASTER!

A happy and peaceful Easter to one and all....

Reprieve of the Gatwick Express...

Last year I commented that the Gatwick Express rail service from London Victoria was to be axed:
The Murder Of The Gatwick Express....

Well it seems that common sense has prevailed - the Gatwick Express will remain, the government has announced.
However the franchise will change in May next year from National Express to Govia-owned Southern.
The Department of Transport said the service will also run beyond Gatwick Airport to Brighton at the busiest times of day.
Gatwick Express service to remain

The return of the Doctor

I missed the new series of "Doctor Who" last Saturday. While I'm gutted, it couldn't be helped (my relative took a turn for the worse in hospital...but he's recovering).

Not to worry, the first episode is being repeated on BBC 3 this Friday.

Doctor Who series is ratings hit

The road to Eurovision (continued)....

Scooch's Eurovision ditty Flying The Flag (For You) appears to have encountered some turbulence, in the shape of Swedish singer Pandora (aka Elin Magnusson).
Pandora, who also competed for Eurovision glory in her home country, alleges the British entry is a copy of her 1999 song No Regrets and demanded that Scooch be disqualified from the contest.
A BBC spokesman stated Scooch's song is an original work.
Anyway - decide for yourself.....
Scooch MySpace website
Pandora's official website (featuring "No Regrets")

GTA IV

The teaser trailer for the next phase of the Grand Theft Auto story is out, and I have to say, it is amazing!!!! But as I stated in another post, not even this awesome piece of work is going to make me buy a PS3, which I consider overpriced and flawed...
GTA IV Trailer