Don't be afraid...

Well, it has happened again.
Another round of terrorist attacks have taken place in the UK, with two car bombs in London's West End last night that failed to detonate, followed by two men who were arrested this afternoon after a blazing car was driven at the main terminal building at Glasgow Airport. The car was packed with propane gas cylinders (similar to the London car bombs).
Only through the grace of God does it appear that death and injury has been avoided. If the terrorists aim was to intimidate, then it has worked...to a degree. Police are now reviewing security arrangements for events taking place over the weekend, including today's Concert for Diana. Furthermore, the UK has been placed on its highest level of terrorism alert - Critical - meaning an attack is expected imminently.
However the Gay Pride march went ahead in central London yesterday and was well attended - the best response to those hoping to inspire fear. London is our city and we should not be stopped or intimidated by terrorists.
UK terror threat now 'critical'

Adios, Henry....

Of late, there has been some unkind words about Thierry's supposed lack of interest, that the team this season has played better and got better results without his involvement. I believe us Arsenal followers really have been spoilt.

Those "unkind words" have now returned to haunt us Gooners.....with a vengeance.
Arsenal has just confirmed that they've reached an agreement with FC Barcelona over the transfer of legendary striker Thierry Henry. It's believed Barça are have agreed to pay a reported £16million for Henry - however some reports claim the fee could be as high as £20million. Regardless of the price, La Liga's gain is Arsenal's and the Premiership's loss.

While Henry's legacy is etched into the very soul of Arsenal's history, perhaps the time is right to say goodbye and thank him for his years of service to the club. To be honest at the age of 29, Henry's best years were probably with Arsenal. Also the writing was probably on the wall when Henry said he was an Arsenal player "for now" in a recent interview.
Still, his departure leaves Arsenal looking like a team in the midst of a messy transition (and there's also a potential takeover to consider). But I'm sure the club will bounce back.

Finally - good luck in Barcelona, Thierry Henry. We will miss you....
Arsenal announce Henry departure

Punk

God save the queen
The fascist regime
They made you a moron
Potential H-bomb

30 years ago The Sex Pistols attempted to commemorate the Queen's Silver Jubilee by sailing a boat called the Queen Elizabeth up the River Thames and performing God Save The Queen. However they were stopped by the police in mid-performance near the Houses of Parliament, despite being granted a license to perform in advance. The band, their manager Malcolm McLaren, and many of their entourage were arrested (after a brief scuffle) when the vessel docked.

During the week of Queen Elizabeth's Silver Jubilee, the Pistols' anti-monarchy single reached number one in the NME chart, but number two in the official UK chart. It was apparently kept off the official top spot by Rod Stewart's I Don't Want To Talk About It. However, many (including this blogger) believed that the chart compilation had been rigged, because it was officially felt that the song might cause offence during the national celebrations. Back then, God Save the Queen was considered "against good taste and decency, likely to encourage or incite to crime, or lead to disorder". It became the most heavily censored record in British history, subjected to a blanket ban by the BBC and all independent radio stations.

Such was the power of Punk back then, that a song could generate such fear and loathing. While Punk rock had a very short time in the limelight, its lasting impact on Britain was to change the face of rock music. It was a shot in the arm (or a knee in the groin) to a music scene that had become tame and bloated.
Punk rock (Wikipedia entry)
A History of Punk
Punk celebrates 30 years of subversion

The Falklands - 25 years on....

The Falkland Islands were liberated on 14 June 1982, two and a half months after they were invaded by Argentina. A total of 255 British servicemen, more than 600 Argentines and three islanders were killed in the 74-day conflict.

Back then, I hadn't realised how the Falklands War would prove to be such a significant turning point in the fortunes of Maggie Thatcher and the UK. At the time I disliked Thatcher, but still believed she made the right decision to send the Task Force.

I still believe the UK's military actions to retake the Falklands were entirely justified. But debate about the Falklands can wait for another day. Today we remember and honour the courage of those British soldiers who gave their lives 25 years ago.
Veterans mark Falklands conflict

Strike a pose....

It appears tabloid models like Jordan & Jodie Marsh are now considered role models by more and more young women looking to become celebrities (Jordan a role model? Surely some mistake).
A recent survey revealed that that two-thirds of teenage girls would rather become a glamour model than a nurse, doctor or teacher.
However one newspaper columnist described it as a sad indictment of society when women feel it's more important to have a big bust than intelligence.
Christina Odone said: "There is an attitude now that all I need to do is pose, strut my stuff, show off my breasts and my assets and I too can get into the tabloids, be a Page Three girl and walk on the red carpets of Hollywood. That is the ultimate goal, and it's celebrity, it's D-List celebrity. Surely there's more to life than that."

I can understand Christina's comments. If our society rewards young women with a so-called "celebrity" lifestyle for appearing semi-naked and/or nude in tabloids and magazines, then I'm not surprised at the survey's results. Let's be honest with ourselves, sex sells.
But, a dose of reality is needed here. Successful models like Jordan, Jodie or eighties "Page 3" legend Samantha Fox (whose tabloid modelling developed into a career as a pop star), don't appear by magic. Celeb status notwithstanding, those models put in their share of hard work with photo takes, retakes, maintaining those poses for hours and other activities involved with the actual modeling assignment. Then there's keeping a strict diet regime, regular exercise, caring for one's skin and hair. It's not easy maintaining a desirable figure that will attract those modeling jobs, and once your looks start to fade, no amount of airbrushing, sprayed-on tans or silicon-enhanced breasts will prevent you being replaced by a younger, prettier model.
So, good luck to those women earning their money by using their physical attributes - but as with any career, go into it with eyes wide open.
Girls Want Jordan And Jodie Lifestyles

London 2012 (continued)....

The funniest (and a rather ADULT) application of the London 2012 logo I've seen thus fsr:

2012

"Citius, Altius, Fortius" indeed....

London 2012

My feelings about the 2012 London games logo that cost £400,000?


What a farce. Now we can't even design a decent logo!
And I'd hate to think what the rejects look like....
MPs call for Olympic logo rethink

One Jail with Paris (continued)....

Remember Paris Hilton? She's the "celeb" who's famous for being...er...famous.

Just three days into a 45-day sentence for violating probation on a driving ban. she was released from detention this Thursday, on unspecified medical grounds.

Then her sentence was cut in half after being given credit for good behaviour and Hilton was "reassigned" to house arrest 20 days before her revised jail term was due to end.

Finally, it was back in court yesterday to hear that she would have to serve her full 45-day sentence after all.

All very ridiculous.
Paris Hilton is sent back to jail

Back again.....

Had the decorators in this week...so I'm relocated with the relatives for the time being...

I'm a contestant (continued)......

So now we know - the Dutch reality TV show in which viewers were to help decide who received an organ transplant has turned out to be a hoax.
The "dying woman" supposedly deciding which of the three contestants would get a kidney donated by her, was revealed to be an actress. However the contestants wanting a transplant were genuine, although they were in on the act.
The programme makers argued the show highlighted the shortage of organ donors in the Netherlands. In this respect they succeeded. The controversy over the ethics of De Grote Donorshow (The Big Donor Show) spread far beyond the shores of the Netherlands (and also fooled a certain London-based blogger....but I digress). As clever publicity stunts go, this is the crème de la crème.

However when one considers TV programmes like the public autopsy in 2002, the one-off Russian Roulette stunt in 2003 and this year's "Wank Week" (a series of documentary programmes about masturbation, which was later abandoned by the broadcaster) - is it any wonder that we so cynical about today's society in general that we actually believe TV could scrape the barrel in the name of "entertainment"?
TV kidney competition was a hoax