In the news

wee minx · In the news

Row over baffling road signs

A DRIVER is fighting a parking fine because he was confused by SIX different signs.

Pic of signs here

Jim McNally, 64, from Anniesland, Glasgow, was given a £60 fine for leaving his car in the West End.

But he says he was baffled by six sets of rules on signs relating to the spot in Dumbarton Road, Partick.

Local businesses call the area "a nightmare" for parking and even the Automobile Association says it does not understand what all the signs mean.

Mr McNally said he looked at the signs closely and thought it was fine to leave his Renault Megane there on a Wednesday just before 3pm.

The sign he thought related to him has a blue circle with a red line through it, which means no waiting.

It outlines the hours of midnight-9.30am and 4pm -midnight Monday to Saturday, and Sunday at any time.

Mr McNally said: "I thought it meant no parking between those hours. As it was outside those hours I thought it was okay to park. But when I came back I had a ticket.The sign is ambiguous.

"There was a double yellow line but I was in a bay. It looks like you can park there with no problems.

"How foreign tourists would understand the sign I don't know."

Mr McNally, who is a union representative, is appealing the ticket.

Shop staff in the area say they often have problems with parking tickets.

Martin McMahon, 29, who works at Kaya Tattoos, which is close to where Mr McNally got the ticket, says traffic wardens are "like vultures".

He said: "The signs are confusing for people who do not know. It is a nightmare."

Alan Wright, 35, from nearby Laptops Direct, said: "It really affects our business, no one can get parked here. The signs are not clear."

Paul Watters, of the AA, said he was "at a loss" to understand what the road markings mean and backed Mr McNally's appeal..

A city council spokeswoman said: "The penalty charge notice was issued because the vehicle was parked during the times when "goods vehicles only (vans) were permitted to load/unload.

"The case is progressing through the appeals process."

Hugo Drax

Local councils, health authorities and hundreds of other public bodies are to be given the power to access details of everyone's personal text, emails and internet use under Home Office proposals published yesterday.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/aug/13/privacy.civilliberties/print

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7557963.stm

http://www.computerworlduk.com/ma...ector/news/index.cfm?newsid=10502

http://www.computing.co.uk/comput...223816/home-office-issues-snooper

Enough is enough! Are we all criminals now?

james73

Welcome to 1984.

James H

wee minx

Floods all over the place on 14th August....

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/display.var.2426138.0.0.php

...i jumped out the car to get this one at Clarkston Toll....see Bonis on the right?

Alex Glass

40 Years of the High Life

Kennishead Flats

james73

I've been in those flats. I thought they were pretty horrible. With it being winter
they were also freezing cauld.

James H

Alex Glass

As far as I know some are worse than others.

I have been in one of the blocks once but it was years ago.

Stuball

Alex Glass

Thanks Stu

I am learning from the best

Slow progress but I will hopefully get there sometime.

Stuball

Alex Glass

Only slower

Alex Glass

One of my photos has been printed in tonight's Evening Times

james73

Summer’s sinking feeling (Evening Times)

GLASGOW has suffered one of its wettest Augusts in living memory with
only three dry days in the month so far.

And the soggy summer is making people miserable as the feelgood factor
is replaced by the feel worse' effect, an academic claims.

The city has endured more than double the normal August rainfall already
with forecasters warning there is more to come before the month ends.

Normally an average of 80mm of rain falls in Glasgow during August but
so far this month the city has been drenched by more than 160mm.

A weatherman said today: "To have only three rain-free days in the
month is pretty poor but there will be more rain before the weekend and
on Saturday night."

The spokesman for weather forecasters Meteogroup said there had been
three particularly bad days: August 1, 7 and 10, though he added: "Just
about every day in Glasgow has had rain for a spell."

And it is claimed that the constant rain could have a "feel-worse" rather
and feelgood effect.

Professor Nanette Mutrie, of Strathclyde University's department of sport,
culture and the arts, said the effect was different from seasonal affective
disorder, brought on by a lack of daylight.

But she added: "Poor weather conditions put people off doing outdoor
activities.

"That will have a negative impact on overall activity levels and can be a
link to how people feel.

"Being regularly active is positively linked to feeling good but people
whose activity levels are curtailed get what we describe as a feel-worse'
effect and their moods drop.

"We encourage them to do a little bit of exercise a day even in rain."

James H

tombro

Oh, wow !

And just how much money does 'Professor Nanette Mutrie, of Strathclyde University's department of sport, culture and the arts' receive each year to tell rain-sodden Glaswegians that wet weather brings on that seasonal affective disorder (in common words, makes them feel like sh!t) ?

I guess it does take a real academic with fifteen University Degrees to work out that 'poor weather conditions put people off doing outdoor activities'.

Look back to Noah and the Ark. Did he have an academic to tell him how he should feel after forty days and nights of rain ?

It's wet out and I'm staying inside ! Is there something odd about that ?

Regards,
Tombro

neilmc

james73

Fry-up 'increases cancer risk'

Scientists have warned that eating a fry-up every morning could increase
the risk of bowel cancer.

Processed meats like bacon and sausages may raise the chances by as
much as 60 per cent, the charity World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF)
said.

In addition, the high calories in a fry-up can contribute to obesity* which in
itself leads to a higher risk of six different types of cancer, the WCRF
said. The typical English breakfast with fried eggs, sausages, bacon,
mushrooms and tomatoes can contain around 700 calories.

Experts now believe that, after not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight
is the most important thing people can do to prevent getting the disease.

Professor Martin Wiseman, medical and scientific adviser for WCRF, said:
"For some people, having a fry-up with bacon and sausages might seem
like a good way to start the day.

"But if you are doing this regularly then you are significantly increasing
your risk of bowel cancer, which is one of the most common cancers in
the UK."

He added: "Only a third of people are aware of the link between processed
meat and cancer, which means two thirds of people are not in a position
to make an informed choice about how much of it they eat.

"This is not a question of all or nothing because the more processed meat
you eat, the greater your risk."

----------------------------------

* - no fukkin sh!t, Sherlock...

How's that cure for cancer coming along boys?

James H

Fjord

I had a fry up at the weekend and thought I had bowel cancer the following day... thankfully it was only tomato skins

Alex Glass

scallopboy

I think eating a fryup every morning also increases your chances if becoming an HGV driver.

Alex Glass

wee minx · It’s game over for Scots comedy duo

It’s game over for Scots comedy duo
http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/display.var.2447240.0.0.php

SCOTLAND'S favourite comedy duo, Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill, has split up according to reports today.

The Glasgow-based pair, who are behind hit TV shows Still Game and Chewin' The Fat, are said to have gone their separate ways after a boardroom bust up.

The news, which has stunned fans, comes less than two weeks after the Evening Times revealed the pair were absent from BBC's winter schedule - with insiders hinting the writing and acting partnership was in trouble.

It is believed the shock split came after Paul Riley, co-director of the duo's production company but best known as Winston in Still Game, returned from summer holiday and announced he was quitting to go it alone.

james73

Probably time to call it a day, quit while you're ahead and all that.

James H

Hugo Drax

Can't wait to see what Paul Riley comes up with on his own.

james73

Lone Groover · THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT !

2 Notes from the BBC Scotland news page today .....

Alcohol plans to suffer 'defeat'

MSPs are expected to back a parliamentary motion against raising the age limit for buying alcohol in shops.

Delay urged on teenage sex reform

Ministers are urged to delay plans to reform the law on teenage sex

So there you go Kids, keep drinkin' & Shaggin your MP thinks it's ok.

God bless this fine country !!!!

Chief Inspector

hahahaha rock on

wee minx · Re: THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT !

Chief Inspector

You must be about 16 minxy

cybers

cybers

Yee haa ... Morrisions livingston had a free BBQ extravaganza this afternoon

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7649070.stm

CyberPic...
After it was deemed safe ... cos ahm a big fearty

They are now using my pic ... Sausages anyone

wee minx

wee minx

Maryhill Bigman sculpture

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7650955.stm

LowLight

He better get some scants on or we'll be celebrating the 'weeman' unveiling too.

cybers

An Extract

Stuball

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7658798.stm

I'm just pissed off that it's being turned into a religious thing

cybers

I would be pissed if i was on the night shift and some god botherer decided to bash on his greatest hits tape.
Church bells were the preserve of sunday worship and to make sure the heathen were up...
I have no problem with bells as long as they are limited to a sunday and the odd wedding.
But for some idiot to strap a few Bullhorns up a pole and call it bells is not on...
I have heard these things it is the most horrendous noise i have heard kinda like turning the bass way way down and the treble way up on your hi-fi then sticking your head in a ventilation duct to get the full experience.

I have no preference to either of the 2 religions as i am sure no one that lives in the area has either but what is objectionable is the racket..

But sticking a religious slant on it sells papers ...

Stuball

I agree cybers.... the catholics seem to think they are being hard done when infact it is a noise nuisance to be sounding daily at it does sound terrile.

cybers

It's not just the catholics though ... religions always like to play the persecution hand...
I remember there was the same problem with the call to prayer on a friday in the city... Erm do they still do that at the mosque ?

Stuball

cybers

Well that church dont stand a chance then with planning

wee minx

There ye go ..thats religion for you

"Is it cos I is Catholic!"

" ding dong merrilee on high la la la "

Only kiddin

Pee ess....gonny turn the noise down in here

Hugo Drax

That's it I will never eat a kebab again - at least while sober.

Kebabs made as corpse lay nearby

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/7669625.stm

cybers

That is truly scary ...
What the hell he was thinking i don't know ...

cybers

Yer baby Lonely Planet lists glasgow in their top 10 world cities
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7670156.stm

james73

wee minx

An insult to the dead (Evening Times)

EVIL thugs have desecrated 27 headstones in a historic Glasgow cemetery - including the grave of a child.

Staff arrived at the Necropolis to find the wrecking spree.

They believe the sickening damage was carried out in daylight around lunchtime on Tuesday.

It is the third time in less than a year vandals have targeted the Victorian graveyard.

The latest attack has shocked visitors, mourners and the city council which is responsible for its upkeep.

Glasgow councillor Pat Chalmers represents the east central ward, which includes the Necropolis, and is vice chairman of Glasgow Building Preservation Trust.

She said: "This is absolutely mindless destruction which does enormous harm to the city.

"These people have no appreciation of how much effort has gone into creating a place which should have dignity and respect.

"The cost to taxpayers of putting right the damage will be huge."

East central councillor Frank Docherty said he will be demanding increased security in the Necropolis.

He added: "I cannot believe people would want to desecrate somewhere like this.

"I will be asking for greatly increased security at the Necropolis."

Doorstop

Scum.

Hugo Drax

And if they get caught they will just end up going before the children's panel where they will get a nice social worker with a budget for goodies and trips.

LowLight

Lone Groover

LowLight

Any time I've been there I've never been bothered or seen many neds but I suppose I may not be their usual target.

Later at night there's a few jakies, some goths etc. It's a crackin place for a wander.

james73

Man sues God...

A judge has thrown out a case against God - as the Almighty doesn't have
an official address and legal papers can't be served.

Nebraska State Senator Ernie Chambers filed the lawsuit last year seeking
a permanent injunction against God who he said made terrorist threats against
him and his Omaha constituents.

Additionally, he said God inspired fear and caused "widespread death,
destruction and terrorisation of millions upon millions of the Earth's
inhabitants".

The US politician said his case was over the fact that everyone should
have access to the courts regardless of whether they have money or not.

However, Douglas County District Court Judge Marlon Polk ruled that under
state law a plaintiff must have access to the defendant for a lawsuit to move
forward - and this would be rather tricky under the circumstances.

Judge Polk said: "Given that this court finds that there can never be service
effectuated on the named defendant this action will be dismissed with prejudice."

But Senator Chambers, a law school graduate, thinks he's found a hole in
the judge's ruling.

He said: "The court itself acknowledges the existence of God. A consequence
of that acknowledgement is a recognition of God's omniscience.

"Since God knows everything, God has notice of this lawsuit."

Senator Chambers, who has served a record 38 years in the Nebraska Legislature,
has 30 days to decide whether to appeal.

James H

Hugo Drax

Passports will be needed to buy mobile phones

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article4969312.ece

Everyone who buys a mobile telephone will be forced to register their identity on a national database under government plans to extend massively the powers of state surveillance.

And while we are on the subject........

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith - EU G6 plus USA Ministers discussing "remote searches of computer hard drives"

http://p10.hostingprod.com/@spybl...ches-of-computer-hard-drives.html

Fjord

Years ago when I bought my first mobile I paid cash (gift vouchers actually) and the guy in Dixons asked for my bank card. I pointed out that it was a cash transaction and he said 'Ah err... we need your details one way or another or no sale'

It was also reported this week that if you pass through customs control (USA) your Ipod can or will be scrutinised for any trace of illegal downloads of either music or video ... you can see the pattern developing here.

Doorstop

Only a couple of years ago people were being ridiculed for predicting exactly this sort of 'function creep'.

New Labour-New Stasi have entirely too much interest in things they should have no business looking at.

People can bleat all they want with the old stand-by "If you haven't done anything wrong, you have nothing to worry about" but you can bet your bottom drawer they will be exactly the sort of folk being scrutinised before long ... and it won't be for anti-terrorist activities, it'll be for a 'fishing expedition' .. make no bones about it.

And by that time it'll be legal for the buggers to do so. We, Joe Public, have to stop this insidious slide from Rule Britannia to Banana Republic.

samscafeamericain

Hugo Drax

We aren't doing very well on the Yearly Privacy ranking of countries. We are way down the bottom.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Privacy_International#Privacy_index

Doorstop

LowLight

HOME REPOSSESSIONS DOUBLE

Published Date: 19 October 2008

LowLight

Mortality Map

Aren't these things just depressing for those of us staying in Easterhouse (me).

james73

Wrinkly robbers caught in the act (Evening Times)

A GANG of pensioners robbed a newsagent of almost £8000 in a lunchtime
raid.

The robbery happened in Glasgow's West End as a female shop assistant
fetched a light bulb for a customer from the back shop of News and Views
post office and newsagent in Byres Road.

She returned to the front counter to find a bag containing two days worth
of takings which, were due to be banked, had gone from under the counter.

The culprits were captured on CCTV during the raid which happened just
before 1pm last Thursday and all look to be aged over 60.

The gang, one of whom wore a suit and tie, also helped themselves to almost
£450 worth of stamps and pinched 100 £5 powercards.

Shop assistant Agnes Blaine, 57, of Govan was terrified by her ordeal.

She said: "There were five of them, one of them came into the shop asking
for a light bulb which I went to get from the back of the shop.

"When I came back two others blocked my way.

"I couldn't clearly see them, because one of them had a cap, but I think
they must have been aged 60 years or more."

The shop is owned by Mamun Rashid, 38, whose family has owned the post
office for 16 years.

James H

Doorstop

I know I probably shouldn't be saying this but ... Fuckin' Brilliant!

All they need is another ten blags and it's "Ancients Eleven".

cybers

Wheres Jack N Victor...
Nae doubt getting a grillin about there whereaboots at the time of the robbery...

wee minx

james73

Burrell celebrates 25th birthday (BBC)

One of the world's best known artistic collections is celebrating its 25th
anniversary.

The Burrell Collection, housed in Glasgow's Pollok Park, was officially opened
by the Queen in October 1983.

Since then, more than 10 million people have been to see its 9,000 works
of art.

The collection was gifted to the city by Sir William Burrell in 1944, and is
regarded as being one of the greatest created by a single person.

Sir William had been an art collector since his teens, and his hoard was
made up of a vast array of works of all periods and from all over the
world.

Born in Glasgow in 1861, he joined his family's successful shipping firm at
the age of 15, eventually running it alongside his brother.

By 1915 the Burrell and Son company owned thirty ships, but Burrell -
who had disappointed his father as a child by using his pocket money to
buy a picture instead of a cricket bat - had already decided to devote the
remainder of his life to collecting art.

He sold off most of his fleet and bought Hutton Castle, near Berwick upon
Tweed, which was quickly filled with pieces from every corner of the globe,
many of which were built into the fabric of the rooms.

He lived a relatively frugal life inside the castle walls alongside his wife
Constance, buying art to save it for posterity rather than for himself.

But he also had a deep knowledge and appreciation of the works he purchased,
having read widely about them.

When the castle was finally filled to bursting point, Sir William loaned parts
of his collection to galleries, museums and cathedrals across the UK,
including the Glasgow Art Gallery and the Tate Gallery in London.

He meticulously recorded each acquisition he made in 28 notebooks, which
he kept from 1911 until shortly before his death in 1958.

James H

Stuball

Beware the dangers of on-board toilets!!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7693386.stm

Doorstop

I wonder if he got his phone back.

Hugo Drax

Shop found frozen it time.

A boarded-up shop in Lancashire was found to have been left in exactly the same state as when it stopped trading more than 40 years ago.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7664661.stm

james73

Clyde Tunnel vision (Evening Times)

SECURITY gates and cameras are being fitted in a bid to rid the Clyde Tunnel's
pedestrian route of gangs.

The walkways and cycleways, which run below the main road in the Glasgow
tunnel, have for years been plagued by thugs.

Now Glasgow City Council wants to clean up the pedestrian tunnels, make
them more attractive, and encourage people to use them.

It has commissioned a leading security firm to design dual security gates
at all entrances with a buzzer system to strictly control entry.

The work, costing £200,000, is being carried out by Airdrie-based firm
Scotshield.

Technical director Graham Thomson said: "Gangs from either side of the
Clyde come through the walkway wanting to have a wee rumble' every
now and then.

"That means that pedestrians are wary of using the route and the council
is duty bound to try to make the area safe and encourage usage."

He said the security company had come up with a double gate system of
gates with an audio-entry system backed up by a bank of CCTV cameras.

Pedestrians will buzz to get in the first gate, wait until it is closed, then the
second gate will be unlocked.

The dual-security door system could effectively trap' troublemakers.

....

James H

Lone Groover

Now... if they have them trapped, could they not flush them into the clyde - a natural rescource that is underused in this area of social engineering ....

james73

Virgin sacks 13 over Facebook use (Yahoo)

Virgin Atlantic has sacked 13 cabin crew staff after they criticised the airline's
safety standards and insulted passengers on a social networking website, it
has been revealed.

The airline said the employees' behaviour was "totally inappropriate" and
"brought the company into disrepute".

In a statement, the airline said: "Virgin Atlantic can confirm that 13 members
of its cabin crew will be leaving the company after breaking staff policies
due to totally inappropriate behaviour.

"Following a thorough investigation, it was found that all 13 staff participated
in a discussion on the networking site Facebook, which brought the company
into disrepute and insulted some of our passengers.

"It is impossible for these cabin crew members to uphold the high standards
of customer service that Virgin Atlantic is renowned for if they hold these
views."

A spokesman for the airline said: "There is a time and a place for Facebook.
But there is no justification for it to be used as a sounding board for staff of
any company to criticise the very passengers who ultimately pay their
salaries.

"Virgin Atlantic staff are known for their world-class customer service and
there is no place in our business for anyone who behaves otherwise.

"We have numerous internal channels for our staff to feed back legitimate
and appropriate issues relating to the company."

James H

scallopboy

Well done Virgin! Facebook is so last year.....

Stuball

Re: Clyde Tunnel

The last time they closed it for refurbishment, they were meant to install new lighting and cameras with a security entry system of some sort.... what happened to that?

LowLight

Pub-goers To Be Tested For Drugs

Pub-goers in Aberdeen are facing a drugs test before entering bars as part of a crackdown by Grampian Police.

Officers in the force will be the first in Scotland to use an Itemiser - a device which can detect traces of drugs from hand swabs in a matter of seconds.

The test is voluntary, but customers will be refused entry if they do not take part. They could be searched and even arrested if traces are found.

The device was trialled by the police force in the area earlier this year.

The Itemiser allows police officers or door staff to swab customers hands as they enter a pub or club. It can tell almost instantly if drugs are present - including cocaine, cannabis, heroin and ecstasy.

The device can show three possible results: green, amber or red.

"We hope that over time the model can be developed and used by community partnerships in other towns and cities across Scotland"
Det Supt Willie MacColl

Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency
Customers who get a green reading are allowed entry to the pub, those who get amber are given a drug information pack and those who get red could be searched by police.

If drugs are found on that person they could be arrested and a report could be sent to the procurator fiscal.

Police said the device deters unwanted drug dealers.

Det Supt Willie MacColl, national drugs co-ordinator for the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency (SCDEA), said: "This project offers an opportunity for collaborative working to implement an alternative intervention that will help change attitudes and reduce demand for controlled drugs.

"We hope that over time the model can be developed and used by community partnerships in other towns and cities across Scotland to reduce the harm caused by drugs."

Ch Insp Innes Walker, of Grampian Police, said that as a result of the trial period in October "people had a greater confidence that they could enjoy a night out without fear of encountering drugs".

The Itemiser is already being used in pubs in England where concerns have been raised about the possibility of customers getting a positive reading simply by touching a surface where there are traces of drugs.

But a spokeswoman for the SCDEA said the device was able to tell the difference between this type of contamination and drug use.

Hugo Drax

It is only a matter of time before we are also forced to register our political affiliations.

On second thoughts we probably won't have to as they will just be able to read our email and eavesdrop on our phonecalls anyway.

LowLight

We come into indirect contact with drugs a lot on a night out (most notes will have coke on them), this Itemiser machine picks up a tiny amount of drugs on the palm of your hand, you're refused entry and the police can then search you.

Everyone, drug takers or not, should boycott any pub/club introducing this pish.

Hugo Drax

I hope they trial it at the house of commons bar.

LowLight

Hugo Drax

And the winner of the Saudi Arabia "Most Beautiful Goat" contest is.........

Yeah baby!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/p...res-31-October-2008.html?image=24

wee minx

Which one is the goat then?

wee minx · Wasps

Experts called in as museum is hit by thousands of wasps

PART of a Glasgow museum has been invaded by thousands of wasps.

They have stung staff and the top floor of the People's Palace on Glasgow Green had to be closed.

They were discovered on October 16 and since then staff estimate they have swept up 500 dead wasps.

A spokesman for Culture and Sport Glasgow, which runs the museum, said: ""We have had experts in to have a look and they expect the cold weather will kill them off in the not too distant future. Every couple of days they have another check."

advertisement
Geoffrey Hancock, curator of entomology at the University of Glasgow Hunterian Museum, said wasps can be more likely to sting at this time of year and the authorities are right to treat them with caution.

Mr Hancock said: "The nest will have been there for some time, they take months to build.

"Perhaps it is only now they are becoming apparent because at this time of year nests tend to die off, leaving only the queen to go into hibernation.

"At the end of the season the social cohesion of the colony breaks down. That is why you have punch drunk wasps making a nuisance of themselves, trying to eat your picnic.

"They are particularly confused at this time of year.

If they feel up to it they may be more likely to sting people on a random basis, but only if they perceive themselves to be threatened.

"I am surprised the nest is still active as we are going into November. Maybe the heating in the building is keeping them buzzing.

"If they are encroaching into a public space then perhaps it is perceived to be a risk to the public."

He said wasps were only dangerous if people got too close to their nest.

"They are very territorial.

If you disturb the nest they come out and defend it. If you are 20ft away they will ignore you. It is only if you threaten them they defend themselves.

" Normally you get nests in houses and people do not even know they are there. "

The top floor of the museum, which contains comedian Billy Connolly's famous banana boots and exhibits on work and housing, was closed for a week but has now reopened.

The rest of the museum, including the first floor exhibition on Glasgow through the ages, remained open.

Doorstop

Lone Groover

james73

Obama wins historic US election (BBC)

Democratic Senator Barack Obama has been elected the first black president
of the United States, prompting celebrations across the country.

"It's been a long time coming, but tonight... change has come to America,"
the president-elect told a jubilant crowd at a victory rally in Chicago.

His rival John McCain accepted defeat, and called on his supporters to
lend the next president their goodwill.

The BBC's Justin Webb says the result will have a profound impact on the US.

He says the American people have made two fundamental statements
about themselves: that they are profoundly unhappy with the status quo,
and that they are slamming the door on the country's racial past.

McCain: 'We must work together'

Mr Obama appeared with his family, and his running mate Joe Biden,
before a crowd of tens of thousands in Grant Park, Chicago.

James H

james73

Palin 'Said Africa Was A Country' (Yahoo)

Sarah Palin did not know Africa was a continent rather than a country, according
to information leaking out from the failed Republican campaign.

Aides to John McCain were shocked by the gaps in the Alaska Governor's
knowledge at briefings after she was announced as his running mate,
according to Fox News chief political correspondent Carl Cameron.

"She didn't understand, McCain aides told me, that Africa was a continent
and not a country and actually asked them if South Africa wasn't just part
of the country as opposed to a country in the continent," he said on The
O'Reilly Factor programme.

Mrs Palin was also unable to name the countries involved in the North
American Free Trade Agreement, which was "a major campaign issue",
Cameron said.

Talk about dodging a bullet...

James H

Hugo Drax

Cosmetic surgery addict injected cooking oil into her face

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,24640894-401,00.html

james73

Jeezo.

James H

Hugo Drax

I wonder if she thinks it was worth it?

LowLight

Craig Moore Has Undergone Surgery For Cancer

Hugo Drax

The removal of a single US hosting company from the internet has led to a 66% reduction in the volume of spam.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-...008111200658.html?nav=hcmoduletmv

james73

Kwality. I've been getting a lot less spam recently.

James H

james73

Blaze destroys school (Evening Times)

A PROBE is under way today after a massive blaze ripped through a former
private school in Glasgow's West End.

Around 50 firefighters tackled the fierce fire at the former Hutchesons' Grammar
Primary School, which has been reduced to a charred shell.

Blackened walls are visible and the roof area is virtually destroyed.

Flames could be seen across the city skyline when the fire broke out shortly
before 11pm last night.

Crews were still at the scene in Lilybank Terrace, at its junction with Great
George Street, this morning, with local diversions in place.

Once the building has been made safe investigators will go in to find the source
of the blaze.

The school was a feeder primary for Hutchesons' which merged with independent
all-girl school Laurel Park in 2001.

The merger led to the sale of the site to a developer around two years ago,
with the premises - thought to be worth around £5million - earmarked for
luxury flats.

Residents raised the alarm last night and fire crews had to call for back-up
when they arrived due to the severity of the inferno.

Eight fire engines were on the scene at the height of the blaze in the empty
three-storey building.

James H

Fjord

james73

Real pest of a problem (Evening Times)

GLASGOW is becoming overrun by rats with almost 4000 calls for help made
to pest control officers by worried residents in the past year.

The number of complaints - 3835 in the past 12 months - represents a
10% rise on the same period last year.

The previous year there were 3475 requests to pest control to investigate
rats and in 2006 there were 3498.

Glasgow's West End is the worst-hit neighbourhood with 281 reports of
the creatures in the Hillhead and Woodlands area in the last year.

In Ibrox and Kingston there have been 223 complaints and in Springburn
191.

At one point in May, officers were receiving an average of 14 complaints
a day about the problem from across the city.

They investigate each report and then take action where appropriate
including laying traps and poison.

Today experts said the problem was caused by rubbish left lying in the
streets and the fast rate at which rats breed.

Resident Alan Lee, who lives in Woodside in the heart of the most rat-infested
area, took the Evening Times on a tour of his neighbourhood.

Rotting food waste was left lying around flats at Braid Square and St
George's Road.

Behind one close in St George's Road were cardboard boxes which Alan,
26, thinks the rats are using as nests.

He said: "Round about Braid Square and St George's Road the problem is
really bad.

"You see them, usually crowds of them. They're really big. They've got
long tails and a fat body. It's disgusting.

"It's not something you'd expect in this area. We've got a lot of elderly
people and there's primary schools nearby. It's a serious health and
safety issue.

"It's worst during the summer. If you're out at night you'll see them most
nights."

Alan, who is secretary of Woodside Community Council, added: "People
need to learn to put their rubbish in bins and not just throw it on the
street."

James H

james73

Dragon warship launched on Clyde (BBC)

More than 10,000 people have gathered on the banks of the River Clyde to
witness the launch of the Royal Navy's latest Type 45 Destroyer.

HMS Dragon slipped into the water from BVT's shipyard at Govan, Glasgow,
with an 18m Welsh Dragon on its bow.

The vessel will provide air defence cover, be able to carry up to 60 Royal
Marine Commandos and operate a Chinook sized helicopter from its flight
deck.

Dragon is the fourth of six new Type 45 Destroyers to be launched. The
Type 45 will replace the Navy's ageing fleet of Type 42 destroyers.

All six new vessels are to be built and launched in Glasgow, securing work
at yards on the Clyde well into the next decade.

HMS Daring was launched in February 2006, HMS Dauntless in January 2007
and HMS Diamond in November 2007. They are due to come into service in
2009 and 2010.

Work on the fifth and six T45s, Defender and Duncan, is still ongoing.

With a price tag of £605m, each of the 150m long vessels weighs in at about
7,350 tons.

James H

james73

Pirates capture Saudi oil tanker (BBC)

James H

zolita1908

you just put that there to play with the pirate smilies

LowLight

BNP Activists Details Published Online

A list showing the full contact details of British National Party activists has been published online.

The BNP says the list, which includes home phone numbers and e-mail addresses, dates from 2007 and some people are no longer members.

BNP deputy leader Simon Darby called it "an underhand political attack", saying an ex-employee was to blame.

Party leader Nick Griffin has complained to Dyfed Powys Police, who are investigating.

Mr Darby said the publication could lead to identity theft and endanger children named in the list.

He believes it was posted on Monday night by an ex-employee who had used it to send out party information to members.

Earlier this year the party obtained an injunction from the High Court in Manchester banning any publication of the list.

The anti-immigration party has won council seats in recent years, and took a London Assembly seat in May.

Now I'm not gonna post the names here obviously as I wouldn't want to get anyone in trouble but if you want to peruse the list you know where to find me.

Fjord

Is the Duke of Embra on it ?

LowLight

In the news

It’s game over for Scots comedy duo

THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT !

Re: THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT !

Wasps