I'm a contestant - get me a kidney!

A Dutch television show is been criticised for offering a terminally ill woman's kidneys as a prize.
De Grote Donorshow (The Big Donor show) is a "reality television" programme from Big Brother creators Endemol, which will be broadcast in the Netherlands from tonight.
The 37-year-old woman, identified only as Lisa, will interview panelists and their families and friends in order to decide which contestant will receive her kidneys when she passes away. Viewers will also be able to send in their advice by text messages during the 80-minute show.
Political parties have called for the show to be dropped because it is "unethical" and "wretched," but broadcaster BNN said it would go ahead to highlight the difficulties of searching for kidney donors.
Outcry over TV kidney competition

The surveillance society (continued)...

"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both."
Benjamin Franklin.

So, our government is considering proposals allowing police to stop and question anyone in the UK about their identity and movement, under new anti-terror laws. Anyone refusing to co-operate could be charged with obstructing the police and fined up to £5,000.

Before I get on my soapbox, I really can understand the reasons behind such a controversial plan - in the recent fertiliser bomb trial, among the targets discussed by the plotters were the Bluewater shopping centre and the Ministry of Sound nightclub. Bombing a shopping centre and a nightclub has nothing to do with the issues of Afghanistan or Iraq or Palestine - it's a statement of intent by people who consider our society decadent and corrupt when compared to their skewered vision of Islam.

But does the police really need these proposed powers? At present, under section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000, officers already have the power to stop and search people or vehicles in an area seen as being at risk from terrorism even if they are not suspected of any breach of the law.

In our rush to protect our democracy and way of life, laws that are supposed to defend us could instead end up destroying what we are trying to protect. Remember, powers under the Terrorism Act were used against Walter Wolfgang at the 2005 labour conference for the heinous crime of shouting "nonsense" as Foreign Secretary Jack Straw defended the government's Iraq policy.

We are walking a precarious tightrope between liberty and security...
More stop and quiz terror powers

A new era (continued)?

ROLL UP! ROLL UP! The Beckham PR circus is back in town!

England football coach Steve McClaren has recalled former captain David Beckham. After reportedly impressing for Real Madrid in recent weeks, 32-year old Beckham is back for the friendly against Brazil and the Euro 2008 qualifier against Estonia on 6 June.

Beck's selection seems like a desperate backward step by McClaren to save his skin from the press and the public. And selecting this media darling is a short-term decision, in my opinion.
We should be concentrating on building an England team for the future instead...if that means not qualifying for Euro 2008, so be it.
Beckham recalled to England squad

Big Bother (continued)......

To quote from Michael Corleone (in The Godfather: Part III):
"Just when I thought that I was out they pull me back in."

"Celebrity Big Brother" returned to haunt Channel Four after British media regulators Ofcom ruled that the program broke broadcasting rules by airing footage of racist insults being hurled at Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty. Unseen footage also contained contestants inventing a racist lyric about the Indian actress.
Ofcom stated that Channel Four was guilty of "serious editorial misjudgment" over its handling of the racism row that caused an international furore earlier this year and ordered the broadcaster to apologise publicly at the start of the next series of Big Brother on 30th May. Hertfordshire police are also considering reopening their investigation into events on the show.

It serves Channel Four right for even considering racist bullying was good entertainment on national TV. I would have imposed massive fines as well, to hit C4 and the show's creator, Endemol where it hurts. But I also find it sad that a broadcaster previously praised for showing programs promoting our nation's ethnic diversity like No Problem! and Desmond's should come to this.
Furthermore, I feel the timing of Ofcom's criticism will ironically help to promote this embarrassing twaddle that passes as "reality TV."
Big Brother rapped over race row
Big Brother race row transcript

Cutty Sark Arsonist caught!!

And in case you're wondering "what is a Cutty Sark?"
Cutty Sark (wikipedia entry)
The Cutty Sark (360 Degree Picture)
Blaze ravages historic Cutty Sark

Ca$hley (continued).....

It seems Chelski's Mr. Tweedy just don't know when to keep quiet.

First he comments about "shutting Arsenal fans up," after picking up his 4th FA Cup-winners medal on Saturday. Someone should remind Ca$hley that he played for roughly 10 minutes in that snooze-a-thon that masqueraded as a final, and his only contribution was getting booked for time-wasting.

Then Ca$hley has a go at Champions League (CL) finalists Liverpool, claiming they are not good enough to compete for the Premiership, FA and Carling Cups, as well as the CL. Although I seem to recall that Liverpool were good enough to beat Chelski in the CL semi-final.

Pathetic.
Sorry to shatter your delusions Ca$hley, but nobody cares what you thinks....
Four-time winner Cole aims one final gibe at Arsenal
Liverpool are just not good enough to challenge on all fronts, taunts Cole

'All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.'

Sometimes we should be mindful on what our elected government are supposedly doing in our name. For example: the Freedom of Information (Exemption) Bill.
In 2005, the Freedom of Information Act became law in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, making government more open and accessible (Scotland has a similar but not identical law - the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002).

The Act allows any person to request information from a public body and have that information given to them (subject to certain exemptions). Over 100,000 public bodies are subject to the Act. This includes central government departments and agencies, local councils, the NHS including health authorities and hospital trusts, the Police, state schools, colleges and universities. Organizations such as The Health and Safety Executive and the Electoral Commission are also covered by the Act.

However....if the Freedom of Information (Exemption) Bill is passed, Members of Parliament (MPs) and peers would be effectively removed from the aforementioned list of public authorities obliged to release information under the Act.
Supporters of the bill claims it is needed to protect the confidentiality of MPs' correspondence with their constituents. Critics describe it as undemocratic. You decide.
There are fears that Britain is sleepwalking into an "Orwellian" state, à la "1984."
I suggest we should also take a peek at Orwell's other classic as well.....


Brown will not block secrecy bid
In full: MPs who backed Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill

The surveillance society (continued).....

According to the BBC, there are up to 4.2 million CCTV cameras in Britain - about one for every 14 people. The UK also has the world's biggest DNA database, with 3.6 million DNA samples on file.
In an interview with yesterday's Politics Show on the BBC, the deputy chief constable of Hampshire Ian Readhead questioned the use of CCTV cameras in small towns and villages where crime rates were low.
We should be worried by Ian Readhead's comments. I've mentioned the subject of a "surveillance society" in previous posts, but the dangers are real. An untrustworthy government could now monitor our every move using CCTV and "dataveillance" - the use of information from credit cards, mobile phones and loyalty cards to monitoring telecommunications.
Consider: Westminster council in central London has already tested microphones installed alongside CCTV cameras. Talking CCTV cameras have been tested in Middlesbrough and are due to be installed in 20 areas across England.
Whatever next?


Are we so obsessed with the usual diet of celebrity gossip and tabloid tittle-tattle that we've become blind to this creeping surveillance?
Police chief's 'Orwellian' fears
Warning over 'talking CCTV' plans
Microphones catch out noisy bars

Mourinho's Drog bites back...

Nice stadium, shame about the match....120 minutes of a terribly dull, uninspiring game, with Chelski producing the one moment of class worthy of the occasion.

After all the hype about how "fitting" it was that the first FA Cup Final at the new Wembley stadium should be between the "best two teams in the English Premiership," how ironic that the actual match between Chelski & Man Utd produced such dross for the 90,000 in attendance and an estimated global audience of 500 million.
It's all very well to say that Chelski stifled the game with their tactics, but I was more disappointed with Man U, who had almost a full squad to choose from and are supposedly the Premiership's best attacking team. Ronaldo was as invisible yesterday as he was when Man U lost to AC Milan and Giggs played at times as if Father Time finally caught up with him (as for Man U's "goal" - Cech was quite clearly fouled).
Rooney played well and did create plenty of problems for the Chelski defenders, but he suffered from a lack of service and was too isolated up front.
As for the Wembley pitch? For a stadium that was over budget at £757M ($1,494.8 Billion), you'd expect better. And £4.50 ($8.89) for a pint of beer? Enough to make me a teetotaller....

Oh well, history will record that the first FA Cup at the new Wembley stadium was won by Chelski 1-0. Just as long as we don't have to watch it again....
FA Cup final - Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd

And now - a commercial break (with Mr. T)....

Best ad on TV at the moment....inspired genius!

Prince Harry......

From the BBC, Wednesday, 16 May 2007:

The Ministry of Defence has announced that Prince Harry will now not be going to Iraq. Chief of the General Staff, Sir Richard Dannatt said he has discovered a number of threats relating directly to Harry and those around him.
Prince Harry is said to be "very disappointed" but will not quit the army, according to a statement from Clarence House.

Let's be honest, for Harry it was damned if you do... damned if you don't. Catch-22 logic:

• If Harry went to Iraq, he would immediately be a prime target for the terrorists, and subsequently at great risk of being captured, tortured and/or killed. His colleagues would also be at increased risk, due to their proximity to him - any harm befalling the third in line to the throne would send this nation's media into a frenzy and result in a major PR coup for the insurgents.


• If Harry was stopped from going to Iraq, he (and the UK) would be accused of cowardice, and there will be heated arguments over "special treatment for royalty," whereby any ordinary Tom & Dick could be sent to Iraq, but not a certain Harry - again a PR coup for the insurgents, but only a temporary one.

Harry apparently wanted to go, and I think they should have respected his wishes. But that's easy for me to say - I wouldn't have been the one who had to inform a grieving relative/spouse that their son/husband was killed in Iraq, because he was unlucky to be next to Harry when they were attacked.
Prince Harry will not go to Iraq

Not good enough, Gunners......

Finally this season is over for Arsenal...a season of maddening inconsistencies, disappointments and sadness at the deaths of former Arsenal players Alan Ball & Arthur Milton last month.

The team reached the Carling Cup final without relying on their star players, but were eliminated in the FA Cup and UEFA Champions League and were well off the pace in the Premiership title race - some players need to look at their lackluster performances and admit they've let down their manager and their club.

I sincerely hope that Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger will have sufficient funds to make some much needed team changes (according to Sky Sports, Wenger will be meeting with the clubs's paymasters in the following days in order to establish his summer transfer budget).
We also need to know what Stan Kroenke will do to the club, if he seriously intends on a hostile takeover.
Overall, another season which started with so much promise, ultimately ended with nothing for Arsenal - another season of "if only" and "almost."
Here's hoping the Gunners will be stronger in 2007/08 (and rival the silverware collected by the Arsenal Ladies this season)......
Portsmouth 0-0 Arsenal
Wenger waits on budget meeting

The road to Eurovision (continued)....

Serbian singer Marija Serifovic has won the Eurovision Song Contest. Marija was second favourite in the betting odds at 4-1 with her powerful ballad Molitva, the first non-English language song to win the contest since 1998.
She scored 268 points, beating Ukrainian Andrei Danilko, in the character of drag queen Verka Serdyuchka into second place with 235 points. Verka was the 5-2 favourite to win the contest. Russia finished third, with Turkey fourth and Bulgaria fifth.

British act Scooch came joint second-last with their song Flying the Flag (For You), mustering only 19 points. According to Ladbrokes, Scooch's song was a 28-1 outsider.

As usual, the block voting patterns were utterly predictable. However I'm not complaining about the UK entry coming second last. Let's be honest, Scooch was poor. But no doubt next year we'll select more plastic no-hopers with a silly backbeat to represent these shores.

My favourite moment of the contest? Hearing last year's winners Finnish monster rock group Lordi sing Hard Rock Hallelujah again. Says it all, really...
Serbian ballad wins at Eurovision

Remembering Tony Blair, PM....

Today Prime Minister Tony Blair announced his resignation and revealed his final day in office will be 27th June.
What will his legacy be?

Well, there is the Northern Ireland peace process, begun by his predecessor, John Major. Anyone who can get the Reverend Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness working together deserves credit.

There is also his commitment to Africa, winter fuel allowance, the independence of the Bank of England in monetary policy (thus making them responsibile for setting interest rates), devolution in Scotland and Wales, the introduction of a minimum wage and making the (New) Labour party so acceptable to the British electorate, that the opposition Tory party eventually decided to follow the motto "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em," and picked David Cameron as their leader. And Blair's staunch support of the United States after 9/11 should be praised (although I think he also deserves criticism for his apparent servile attitude to Dubya).

But there is also the continuing poor state of the National Health Service, despite money spent on improving it. There is widespread apathy about all politicians, thanks to an over-reliance on spin, statistics and soundbites, not to mention the issue of sleaze that haunts Blair and the Labour party - from Bernie Ecclestone's £1 million donation in 1997 to today's "cash for honours" police enquiries. We have tuition fees for students, leaving many facing debt. Then there's increased taxation and the fear that Britain is "sleep-walking into a surveillance society," with the possibilty of identity cards, an expanded DNA database and the huge rise in the use of CCTV cameras.
And let's not forget the government's removal of tax credits from share dividends in 1997, netting an additional £5bn per year for the government's coffers which would otherwise have remained in pension funds (but Gordon Brown will be held more accountable for that).

But above all, history will remember Tony Blair for IRAQ. Grounds for invading Iraq in 2003 were based on dubious intelligence that Saddam Hussein possessed chemical and biological weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). No such weapons were found, but evidence of weapons programmes were uncovered.
While "Operation Iraqi Freedom" did remove Saddam from power and defeated the Iraqi army in only three weeks, the planning for postwar Iraq by the victorious "coalition of the willing" was inadequate and Iraq is paying for that inadequacy today. Some say the UK also paid with 7/7.
Whether Tony Blair was right or wrong to side with Dubya on the invasion of Iraq is a question best left to posterity.
Blair will stand down on 27 June

One Jail with Paris....

So - Paris Hilton was found guilty after allegedly violating her probation for a drink-driving conviction.

She's been sentenced for 45 days in prison, starting on 5th June with no prospect of an early release. Furthermore, if she doesn't report to jail on that date, she will face 90 days in the clink.

Oh dear. How sad. Never mind.....

Paris Hilton gets 45 days in jail

Well done Arsenal (Ladies) again....

I congratulated them last year - and more congrats are in order to the Arsenal Ladies team, for winning the Community Shield, the London County Cup. Premier League title (they are currently unbeaten with two games left), the League Cup, the UEFA Cup (for the first time) and today the FA Cup, by defeating Charlton women 4-1.

At the beginning of the year, they were ranked 4th in the world on a list compiled by Womensworldfootball.com. It is interesting to note that the number one team on that list (Umea IK, Europe's only full-time professional women's team) were beaten 1-0 (sounds familiar?) when Arsenal Ladies secured the Uefa Cup in April, the first British club to win the competition:

Top 20 Women's Club Teams

1 Umea IK, Sweden
2 Duisburg, Germany
3 Vancouver Whitecaps, Canada
4 Arsenal, England
5 FC Indiana, USA
6 Malmo, Sweden
7 FFC Frankfurt, Germany
8 Long Island Fury, USA
9 Ottawa Fury, Canada
10 Kolbotn, Norway
11 Trondheims Orn, Norway
12 Djurgarden/Alvsjo, Sweden
13 Shanghai FC, China
14 Brondby, Denmark
15 FC Nippon Beleza, Japan
16 Bad Neuenahr, Germany
17 Charlton Athletic FC, England
18 Fortuna Hjorring, Denmark
19 Ajax America
20 Montpellier, France


I don't know much about ladies' football, but I do know a successful side - and any team that can win six trophies in one season, deserves the utmost respect and appreciation. Well done, Ladies!
Arsenal Ladies 4-1 Charlton Women

Goodbye, Rose the goat...

Sudan's famous (or infamous, depending on your point of view) "married" goat passed away last month, after accidentally swallowing a plastic bag while scavenging for scraps of food on the streets of Juba, in southern Sudan.
The goat, known as Rose to close friends, became an internet celebrity after reports that she had been "married" to Sudanese man Charles Tombe in February last year. A Google search returns over a million different web pages on the subject and the original BBC news item is still attracting 100,000 hits a day
The wedding was decreed by elders after a drunken Tombe was found molesting the poor animal. Tombe was also made to pay a “dowry” of 15,000 Sundanese dinars (equivalent to £25 or $50) to Rose's original owner, Mr Alifi, as he was considered to have used the goat “as his wife.”
Rose is survived by a male kid (goat, not human).
Mr Tombe has refused to comment.
R.I.P. Sudan's married goat