Journal Entries
Amok Time.
Posted Oct 2, 2002
No nation has a mandate for pre-emptive strikes against another nation. That would be little better than terrorism. You can not punish someone for what they might do. Why are America and Britain so determined to play with their military toys, invade Iraq and take the world into a war that would be injustifiable, unwinnable and ultimately disastarous?
We know it's not about weapons of mass destruction. Iraq is by no means the only country with those (if indeed it has). It's not about Saddam, he's not the only evil dictator in the world (and could've been eliminated twelve years ago, anyway).
Is it about oil?
Is it about the justification of military expenditure and making government contractors rich?
Is it about turning George W Bush into John Wayne?
Is it all of the above.
One thing's for sure. Bush is stupid, very stupid, he can hardly string two words together. Yet he has, otherwise sensible, people under his spell. Why?
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Latest reply: Oct 2, 2002
America's Most Wanted.
Posted Oct 2, 2002
He must be eliminated. As long as he is in power he represents a threat to stability, a threat to his neighbours, a threat to democracy and a threat to his people. He has spent more money on arming his empire than we've seen at anytime in history. He shows utter contempt for human life. He is a drunkard and a liar with a criminal record who undemocratically seized power in his country. His nation is clandestinely stockpiling weapons of mass destruction. He acts with impunity and without the need for agreement from anyone else. This man represents a very clear threat to the stability of the world.
Yes, America's, and the world's, number one enemy is... George W Bush.
For real enlightenment, go to BBC's 'Five Live' homepage. Launch the radio player and click on Clive Anderson's excellent feature 'The Real George W Bush'.
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Latest reply: Oct 2, 2002
When is an icon not an icon?
Posted Oct 2, 2002
When it becomes a cynical marketing exercise. Ferdinand Porsche and Alec Issigonis must be turning in their graves.
Has anyone noticed what the Volkswagen Bettle and the Mini have become? These are cars which started their lives with the best of intentions. Utilitarian transport for the masses.
The design of the Beetle was a bit of a technological blind alley, A rear mounted air cooled engine and torsion bar suspension were not exactly a precedent for all other cars to follow. But the basic concept of solid, reliable, no frills motoring within the financial reach of everyone was just what the world needed. It seated four in comfort and ran forever.
The original Mini was a marvel that few appreciate today. It's basic design has never been bettered and that's why it was produced, almost unchanged for forty two years. At the time of it's introduction few, if any, cars were built the way the Mini was. Now they virtually all are. A transverse engine, front wheel drive and all independent suspension were virtually unheard of in 1959 and the Mini managed to combine all these into a package only three metres long that seated four adults in comfort. An added bonus was that the handling of the Mini was so good that it was successfully used as a race and rally car, easily winning many international events.
The importance of these two products should not be underestimated.
What are the new versions of these classics? A cynical parody of their original concept.
The new Bettle is front engined, front wheel drive and a hatch back. It's simply a re-skinned Volkswagen Golf and the Golf is better in every respect (certainly more space efficient and prettier).
The new Mini is larger, heavier, thirstier , costlier and retains none of the charm of the original.
Why did they bother? Why not simply continue to produce the originals? What use is a parody of an icon?
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Latest reply: Oct 2, 2002
Happiness.
Posted Aug 19, 2002
The best definition of happiness I've ever heard came from Alfred Hitchcock. He said "happiness is a clear horizon". What's your definition of happiness? 
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Latest reply: Aug 19, 2002
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