Christmas in Japan means placing your KFC order two months in advance
The future: schools as sweet-free zones
South American dictator follows the lead of the 'free' world by restricting the internet (link dead but resurrected in the comments)
A new website - SantaLeaks
When is a 36% increase in heart attacks classed as a decrease? When using an anti-smoker's calculator, of course
The perils of insuring a car in Northern Ireland
The Happy Meal slippery slope
Introducing the singing mouse
Snow should be banned in rural areas
With all those other things to be scared about for your kids, don't forget caffeine
Schoolboy arrested for possession of a marker pen
An elegy on the British pub by the Economist obituary editor
5 comments:
While the Economist piece is a good article, it's notable that it doesn't mention the elephant in the room once. I'll probably still post a link to it once I get back home after the Christmas break.
The current attitude towards pubs seems in many ways to be similar to that towards rural railways in the Beeching era - people become increasingly sentimental about them, but in practice use them less and less.
Dear Mr Puddlecote
The item on the Mk I South American dictator censoring the internet has been censored.
http://www.portfolio.com/business-news/reuters/2010/12/20/venezuela-tightens-internet-regulation
Happy Christmas
DP
Anonymous 14:18 :
Praise be for google cache.
http://www.google.co.uk/#hl=en&expIds=17259,18167,24283,28025&xhr=t&q=reuters/2010/12/20/venezuela-tightens&cp=37&pf=p&sclient=psy&safe=off&site=&source=hp&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=reuters/2010/12/20/venezuela-tightens&gs_rfai=&pbx=1&fp=de610b7113b09eab
from which:
Dec 20 2010 5:49pm EST
CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela's parliament approved tighter regulation of the Internet on Monday in the latest of a package of laws to entrench President Hugo Chavez's socialist "revolution" before a new Assembly is sworn-in next month.
Members of his ruling Socialist Party say the move brings South America's top oil producer into line with international norms for policing the Web. But opposition politicians say it is aimed at stifling dissent.
It followed a more controversial vote by the National Assembly last week that will allow Chavez to bypass the next parliament and rule by decree for 18 months.
The former paratrooper turned populist leader says he needs the wide-ranging powers to deal with a national emergency caused by floods that have killed 40 people and driven nearly 140,000 more from their homes.
But the decision was denounced by furious opposition parties due to take 40 percent of seats in the Assembly beginning on January 5, as well as by the U.S. State Department, which accused Chavez of finding "creative ways" to justify autocratic powers.
The Internet bill approved on Monday prohibits online content attacking "good customs," disrespecting public officials or inciting violence against the president.
Many of Venezuela's lively news forums operate without a moderator or editor filtering out extremist or vulgar content. But the bill has concerned some free speech activists, who have drawn comparisons with how China and Cuba police the Web.
Under the new regulations, all Internet traffic is supposed to pass through a single, government-controlled access point, stoking opposition fears about surveillance and censorship.
Lawmakers who promoted the bill had argued that it would make the Internet faster. But it was not clear how the government planned to undo the communications architecture already in place, or even whether it was technically possible.
(Reporting by Daniel Wallis; Editing by Anthony Boadle)
A little bit off topic DP, but you were one of the first to give me support with my blog...sorry it didn't turn out quite as hoped.
Here's wishing you and all the Puddlecotes a very A merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
PC: It was mentioned very briefly, but kinda hinted that closures were happening anyway, which we know is nonsense.
I look forward to your more educated writing about it. It's precisely why I do these link posts. :)
Anon @ 16:11: Thanks very much for the capture. That's the article originally linked. I've updated to include your comment.
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