h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I dunno about "the level of comedic content", but the level of unoriginality is about the same as it has been for years.

The Scottish government has agreed to change the wording of its independence referendum question, after concerns it may lead people to vote 'Yes'.

SNP ministers wanted to ask voters the yes/no question: "Do you agree that Scotland should be an independent country?" in autumn 2014.

The wording of the question will now be altered to: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"

The change was suggested by the Electoral Commission watchdog.

Final approval of the referendum arrangements rests with the Scottish Parliament.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-21245701



ps is there a search facility for "askh2g2" I wanted to post this on the "should scotland become independent" thread but couldn't find it.

http://h2g2.com/dna/h2g2/brunel/F19585?thread=8287088

I am lead to believe that a google search
with the keywords "h2g2 conversation" and
some part of the thread's subject line, in
this case 'Scottish Independence', will often
bring up a link to a lost convo.
Blessed be the google!

~jwf~

I wish the question were:

"The Government of Scotland has made public its proposal to negotiate a new agreement with the rest of the UK, based on the equality of nations; this agreement would enable Scotland to acquire the exclusive power to make its laws, levy its taxes and establish relations abroad — in other words, sovereignty — and at the same time to maintain with the UK an economic association including a common currency; any change in political status resulting from these negotiations will only be implemented with popular approval through another referendum; on these terms, do you give the Government of Scotland the mandate to negotiate the proposed agreement between Scotland and the UK?"

Simple.

Can't make this stuff up: Republicans hold a retreat to discuss how to communicate with minorities and women at a former slave plantation

http://www.mediaite.com/online/house-republicans-hold-minority-outreach-meeting-in-burwell-plantation-conference-room/

Wind turbine blows down in the wind

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/energy/windpower/9837026/Wind-turbine-collapses-in-high-wind.html

Summary of BBC report: HIV infection rates in gay and bisexual men steady at 2300 / year. Prevalence at all time high in this group. Average time between infection and diagnosis: just over three years.
Critique of BBC report: No comparison of infection rates amongst other groups, to set group figure into context.

"A resurgence of risky sexual practice could be behind a failure to curb HIV in gay and bisexual men in England and Wales, researchers suggest. ... New infections were static at about 2,300 a year between 2001 and 2010, despite rises in early diagnosis and far more people taking medication. ... There is concern about the spread of HIV in men who have sex with other men. The Health Protection Agency's latest report said HIV had reached an "all-time high" in this group, with more and more new cases reported each year.

In that time the number of gay or bisexual men being tested in clinics went from 16,000 to 59,000 a year, the time from infection to diagnosis fell from four years to just over three and the numbers taking antiretroviral therapy went from 69% to 80%.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-21277450

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-21327920

This story has been around for some time now. Malala Yousafzai, the 14 year-old Pakistani schoolgirl targeted and shot in the head by the Taliban because she was promoting education for girls and women continues to recover.

An inspirational young woman and one who's parent's chests must bursting with pride.

PP.

Indeed, but she is still brainwashed with the God delusion:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/feb/04/malala-yousafzai-god-second-life

""Today you can see that I am alive. I can speak, I can see you, I can see everyone and … I am getting better day by day. It's just because of the prayers of people. Because all people – men, women, children – all of them have prayed for me.

"And because of these prayers God has given me this new life … and this is a second life. And I want to serve. I want to serve the people. I want every girl, every child, to be educated.""

I thought it was the doctors, surgeons and modern medicine?

Sorry to be like that but it annoys me when people put things down to some god when it is humans that have made those things happen.

Alfster she's 14 years old from some Pakistani backwater and she's had half her skull blown away. Be fair.

I am.

She's now been officially nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/malala-yousafzai-nobel-peace-prize-labour-party-members-norway/1/248648.html

~jwf~

Personally Alfster, although I am a God denier myself, I'm not to bothered that her inspiration is religious, she is doing the right thing against all of the odds.

Female, 14 and wealding a pen rather than a sword. Whatever her religious belief, I would be proud of her if she was MY daughter.

PP.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21332048

Sad to see that Reg Presley of The Troggs has died.

I met Reg once, years ago, and he didn't sound like a rock star. He was from Salisbury.

PP.

>> Alfster Posted 8 Hours Ago

Indeed, but she is still brainwashed with the God delusion:

... I thought it was the doctors, surgeons and modern medicine?

Sorry to be like that but it annoys me when people put things down to some god when it is humans that have made those things happen.<<


Maybe the fourteen year old Pakistani girl has thought a little more about the issue than you have.
a) As we all know she was shot in the head by the Taliban for disobeying "Allah".

b) If she returns to Pakistan praising the good science of the UK medical people, the Taliban will shoot her in the head again. That's the future you have in mind for her?

c) By saying it is Allah that has saved her --> she is tackling the Taliban "head" on, by taking away the argument that they are carrying out the work of Allah. With this broadcast she is attempting to show that the Taliban must be "wrong" with their interpretation of Allah.

In summary: By claiming that she was save by Allah - she has a chance that she won't be shot in the head again.
If she claimed it was the good doctors of the UK that saved her life - she will be targeted again by the Taliban (who also are fighting a war against the UK)

She has to live in the Taliban area. You don't.

Sea urchins provide clue to a possible new carbon capture technology for world climate control
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-21320666

Stone art



Her quote from the article above:

"I want to serve the people. I want every girl, every child, to be educated"

She is going back to do exactly what she did before. Which is what she got shot for in the first place...hardly keeping a low profile. It would appaer she may well be targetted again.

Personally, I don't agree with your view on why she said the things she did.

And Please do not think that a) I do not think she is brave in what she did or b) not glad that she isn't recovering.

My comment was a general comment about people who ascribe survival etc to their god rather than to the medical teams.

Not much you can say about this one...

https://rt.com/news/saudi-preacher-fine-rape-333/

"Public anger has gripped Saudi Arabia after a prominent preacher who raped and beat to death his 5-year-old daughter was sentenced to a few months in jail and a $50,000 fine – known as 'blood money' – to compensate the victim's relatives.

­According to Islamic law, the 'blood money' can be paid in lieu of the death penalty. The preacher's fine was reportedly half the usual amount because the victim was a girl.

Saudi preacher Fayhan Ghamdi, a frequent guest on Muslim TV networks, confessed to using cables and a cane to inflict the injuries..

Ghamdi reportedly doubted that his daughter...was a virgin, and forced her to undergo a medical inspection."

Presumably it's a cultural issue ratehr than a religious one... ... ...