The Evil European

Ben takes a photo of himself everyday

Taking photos mark 2

Very funny

New battle ground in the war on terror!

S-P-A-C-E!

From the Register

"In it, the US government allocates itself rights to access and use space without anyone else getting in its way. It also sets security at the heart of the space agenda, frequently citing its right to use space as part of its national defence"

Last year, 160 nations at the UN voted to keep space free of weapon systems....something that was undertaken during the Cold War. However....


"The United States is committed to the exploration and use of outer space by all nations for peaceful purposes, and for the benefit of all humanity. Consistent with this principle, 'peaceful purposes' allow US defence and intelligence-related activities in pursuit of national interests."

In other words: "Everyone has to use space peacefully, except us. We can do what we like, cos we were here first(*). And anyway, if you try to stop us, it won't stay peaceful for long, which would spoil the first part of our principle."

Now, I am pretty sure that the Taliban/Al-Quaida and other Islamic fundementlist nut jobs dont have space based weapons....the only nations that could develop such systems are Russia (has the skills, but poor), China (developing the skills and getting richer), Japan (allies) and the EU (has skills and funds but not a military organisation).
It would appear that the US government clearly has China in mind (as well as maybe the EU re paranoid Franco fantisies)....confrontation instead of cooperation (though to be fair, I would trust the Chinese Communist party even less than the Bush Regime).

And heres the rub.....I would not want ANY ONE nation to have control of space in a military fashion. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolute. The USA is a nation, like any other, and it has its own agenda...we are foolish to think that that agenda will be in anyones best intrests accept the US governments (and that goes for any nation...I would not trust the Danes).
Linked to that is fact that because you can do something, you will do something. Having the ability to strike at anyone at any time with imputnity will only embolden armchair generals to undertake little and big wars. You only have to see the mess that Iraq has become because the armchiar generals belived they could do the jobs with technology and not man power. If the technology had been less, would the US had gone to war so easily.
War becomes not an action of last resort, but an everyday policy option...as it would not be US serivcemen and women getting killed, or even the various despots around the world, but poor people.

Expect the UK government to suck Bush's cock on this one, and for the EU to mumble something

Policy is here

More here and here and here and here and here

The University of Oslo Natural History Museum has created a display of the animal kingdom which includes some queendom!

"human homosexuality cannot be viewed as "unnatural." "We may have opinions on a lot of things, but one thing is clear—homosexuality is found throughout the animal kingdom; it is not against nature," an exhibit statement said"

"Geir Soeli, the project leader of the exhibit, titled "Against Nature," told Reuters: "Homosexuality has been observed for more than 1,500 animal species and is well-documented for 500 of them."

Of course, the display has not been without some contraversy. Right on que....
"One radical Christian said organizers of the exhibition, partly funded by the Norwegian government, should "burn in hell," Soeli said. Laws describing homosexuality as a "crime against nature" are still on the statutes in some countries"

Ohh, such compassion, such love....he should become a member of the Taliban!

Read more here

BBC NEWS | Europe | Swedes aim to put house on Moon

Charming cottage, secluded location, stunning panoramic views...

A Swedish artist has asked experts to help design one of Sweden's iconic little red cottages - but this one will stand on the Moon.

Much has been made of the protests of Muslims regarding the cartoons of Mohammed published by a Danish newspaper, and recently brought back into the media by a far right groups publishing of more cartoons.
But while it is easy for we in the West to get all-smug about our 'freedom of speech' there are those who, while protesting against repression of freedom of speech by Muslims, are not against it when it comes to their own sensibilities.

Christians
Sikhs
Jews

One mans meat is another mans posion

Ah, the internet....a wonderful cornucopia of technology, innovation, thought, feeling and porn!

I have come across many a wonderful blog, podcast and general sites....all of which have highlighted the wonder that is the WWW. It as also shown what can be achieved with a bit of effort, so its time I tried and intergrated all the different parts of my life spread out across the WWW into this little bolg (or the bits I am happy to share).

I have started with the links but I think that will rapidly expand.

I am still to decide what the point of this blog is, what I am trying to acheive, but if I make an effort, most likley it will shape itself.

The truth and horror of the GAY AGENDA

There has been much talk across the pond on the 'GAY AGENDA' since the whole Foley-Page think blow up....much of it misleading and the rest out right lies..ie Gays are kiddy fiddlers.
Thought this was very touching and much nearer the truth.

Guardian Unlimited | Science | World moves into ecological overdraft today, says study

Humanity slides into the red today and begins racking up an ecological overdraft driven by unsustainable exploitation of the world's resources, according to a report by the sustainable development organisation Global Footprint Network.

In little more than nine months, humans have used up all that nature can replenish in one year, and for the rest of 2006 are destined to eat into the planet's ecological capital, the study claims.