Friday August 12, 2005

South Korea backs North Korea

• Posted by Rob (#1) on August 12, 2005 15:01 CEST

This I did not expect: South Korea backs North Korea's nuclear programme:

"Our position is that North Korea has a general right to peaceful use of nuclear energy, for agricultural, medical and power-generating purposes," South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong Young said in an interview with the online news service Media Daum.

"In this, our position differs from that of Washington," he said.

Fine. Let's trust the DPRK to be peaceful and pull all US troops from the area and give the country its long-desired unification, even if it would cause the destruction of Seoul and a peninsula under Kim-Jung Il's rule.

It's probably much more important to protect Taiwan's independence from the Chicoms anyway.

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Freedom of hate speech?

• Posted by Rob (#1) on August 12, 2005 16:29 CEST

Today, I agree with the bad guys! Sheikh Bakri Mohammed has been denied a return to Britain because of his hateful speeches and I most definitely think it's a bad decision. Quick introduction first. Like most of Britain, The Sun does not like the man for obvious reasons:

Bakri boasts of his aim to "see the Islamic flag flying over Downing Street" and sparked outrage by calling the July 7 suicide bombers the "Fantastic Four".

This week, Perry de Havilland of SamizData argued in favour of such bans:

The freedom to express yourself short of inciting violence does not threaten security but bolsters it: I want to know exactly who my enemies are by reading their freely spoken words. And when they cross the line and incite people to terrorism, I want the Government to do the one thing with my tax money of which I approve: protect me from these nutters by throwing them in jail or out of the country.

But this is where I disagree - I want protection from suicide bombers and crime, not hate speech. A friend of the sheikh:

"I think it's completely outrageous that the Government can exclude someone simply because they disagree with his views," Anjem Choudary, a close associate of Sheikh Bakri Mohammed, told Sky News. "It seems to be that this is a failure of the freedoms that you espouse."

I actually agree with Mr. Choudary. This ban is a complete failure. In a knee-jerk reaction to terrorist threats, the British government fails to actually take advantage of our own freedoms.

Consider this: right now we have an anti-secular, anti-British lunatic running around in Lebanon. Out of sight and out of control, possibly recruiting new terrorists right there. De Havilland might consider hate speech crossing the line, but I think hate speech is quite wonderful: it is by far the perfect source of intelligence. If we allow radical imams like Mr. Mohammed to open their mouths at home, Scotland Yard would know precisely what kind of audience is listening. Just by looking at queues in front of the mosques where these people preach hatred, it would know precisely which people might be inspired to actually cross the line and carry bombs into tube stations, London 2012 or Euro-bloody-tunnel.

Let them expose themselves. Please.

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For those who like quiz posts

• Posted by Rob (#1) on August 12, 2005 21:02 CEST

It's weekend, so I'm going to drop the politics for now: Charlotte posted a quiz and I'm reposting.

• What is your secret guaranteed weeping movie?
  Thanks to the "guaranteed" part I can get away with "none".
• If you could have plastic surgery, what would you have done?
  The obvious answer would be to remove the scar from my face and I don't want plastic surgery, but if I had to: I think my ears bother me most.
• Do you have a completely irrational fear?
  Not really. Aren't I boring?
• What is the little physical habit that gives away an insecure moment?
  I honestly can't think of something. Who made these questions?
• Are you a pyromaniac?
  Only when I'm really, really, really bored. Like now.
• Do you have too many love interests?
  Definitely. There's always a primary interest but that doesn't mean I don't like other girls at the same time. Love isn't a strict black and white feeling - I'm loyal when I have to though.
• Do you know anyone famous?
  I'm webmaster for the HorrorPops, I suppose that counts in some circles.
• Describe your bed:
  Queen size. Clean. And far too empty lately.
• Spontaneous or plan?
  A bit of both: I plan trips, but I don't practice speeches or conversations in the mirror or something like that. Those are mostly spontaneous.
• Do you know how to play poker?
  Yes. Am I any good? Nope. Or am I?
• What do you carry with you at all times?
  Phones (both private and work), wallet and keys.
• What do you miss most about being little?
  Barely anything. I like earning money and being able to live independently and travel.
• Are you happy with your given name?
  Robert-Jan? Not really, although it works out fine for my Anglosphere bias by providing me an obvious middle name.
• How much money would it take to get you to give up the Internet for one year?
  Quite a bit as I require it to make a living. On the other hand, I have not had Internet access at home since December, at free will. Often it's just a waste of time.
• Do you like yourself and believe in yourself?
  Sure. Obviously there are times I feel like shit but most of the time I realise I shouldn't complain about who I am and how I am spending my time on earth.
• Do transient, homeless, or starving people bother you?
  On the streets? Occasionally. The existance of poverty? Sure, but it is obvious to me that any social programme to get rid of poverty completely will self-destruct under the influence of abuse and corruption, so you won't see such a sentiment in my political views.
• Do you consider yourself to be a nice person?
  Who doesn't? But yeah, I feel like I treat my mates well.
• Do you spend more time with your girlfriend/boyfriend or your friends?
  I'm single, so that would have to be my friends. Maybe if my primary love interest didn't live so far away she'd actually be my girlfriend and things would be different, but alas.
• What's one thing you wish you could do but can't?
  Retroactively take the London job offer I had a couple of months ago, but turned down. See the question above.
• What is your ideal marriage location?
  somewhere warm.
  I think Hawaii would be a nice place to get wed and New Zealand would be nice for the honeymoon. The actual marriage would preferably take me many places, urabnity first and countryside later.
• Which musical instrument do you wish you could play?
  I wish I hadn't given up on drums.
• Favorite fabric?
  I think rayon as it comes out of the washing machine virtually dry. Perhaps mixed with cotton though, I'd have to check the label of my favourite shirt.
• Something you love and hate?
  To travel. I love being somewhere, but I hate returning and often even going there (packing, the actual journey). Or moving: the actual task is horrible but starting in a new, spacious, clean space is wonderful.
• What kind of bedding do you use?
  Sheets. I need to replace what's inside though, it's falling apart and my bedroom is filled with feathers in the morning.
• Do you tell your friends about your sex life?
  Bits and pieces. I'm not shy about it but usually don't mention everyone and everything out of respect for the other persons involved.
• What's the one language you want to learn?
  Spanish or Japanese. Probably the latter, but the former should be far easier for me.
• What do you order at a bar?
  A pint of beer, except at Paddy because they kind of know what I drink there so I just nudge there.
• Have you ever pierced your body parts?
  Just the tongue.
• Do you have tattoos?
  Just one on the upper arm.
• Would you ever admit to having done plastic surgery any kind if confronted?
  Yes, why be ashamed of your choices? In the unlikely case I'd have any, that is.
• Do you drive stick?
  Nope, cars and male sex organs don't interest me.
• What's one trait you hate in a person?
  A "I'm better than you" attitude.
• what kind of watches do you wear?
  None, I have a phone.
• Most frivolous purchase?
  Big bedroom fan that would chop me in the middle if I actually would mount and use it considering my low ceiling.
• Do you consider yourself materialistic?
  Somewhat. I love shopping and spending money and ownership of property, but spending time with mates is just as much fun.
• What do you cook the best?
  I make excellent tacos.
• Favorite writing instrument?
  Scented pens or a proper keyboard.
• Do you prefer to stand out or blend in?
  Both in moderation. But mostly I come as I am and don't care.
• What kind of books do you like to read?
  Good ones. I don't think there is a specific genre or topic.
• If you won the lottery, what would you do?
  Travel even more, buy some nice property, start a company.. depends on the amount I suppose.
• What's one thing you're a sore loser at?
  Surprisingly few games these days, to be honest. I'm seriously happy with my life.
• If you don't like a person, how do you show it?
  But not attempting to mates. In professional relations, I barely do, professional means professional.
• What kind of first impression do you think you give to people?
  I've had anything from "nerd" to "sexy beast" thrown at me, and then some, so I doubt there's a pattern.
• What's one thing you like to do alone?
  Use the gents.
• Are you a giver or a taker?
  Depends on the relationship, I suppose, but I'd say giver, these days.
• Favorite communication method?
  Face to face. Or else SMS.
• How many drinks before you're tipsy?
  Depends a bit. Somewhere around the fifth pint.
• Favorite kind of porn?
  Sideways, it looks the best.
• Do you ever have to beg?
  Neh.
• Have you ever done any illegal drugs?
  Not in this country.
• Do you think you're cute?
  I have my moments.
• Do you have problems changing clothes in front of friends?
  Why would I? Wouldn't that rule out shagging mates?
• What's the most painful experience you've ever had?
  Physically I suppose breaking my arm must have been the worst. Mentally.. let's just say I was truly gutted four weeks ago.

Sigh. That quiz was far too long, I wish I had noticed before I pasted and answered the darn thing.

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Make time for me, Mr. President!

• Posted by Rob (#1) on August 12, 2005 22:01 CEST

Some of the news CNN is posting is seriously boring. Apparently gathering a mere 100 people is now sufficient to make headlines:

President Bush's motorcade, en route to a political fund-raiser near his ranch, passed Friday by the site of Cindy Sheehan's Iraq war protest where more than 100 people had gathered to support her.

Sheehan -- whose son, Casey, was killed five days after he arrived in Iraq last year at age 24 -- held a sign that read: "Why do you make time for donors and not for me?"

Probably because being present at a fund-raiser would actually make a difference for the stated purpose of the event, while a discussion with anti-war protestors would probably end without either party being satisfied. Wait, probably?

Sheehan met the president in June 2004 but said she deserves another visit since there have been so many revelations about faulty prewar intelligence since then.

Please. If the President had to personally talk to every single person who has a problem with the war in Iraq (), repeatedly, after every series of major developments, he'd get even less work done than than Bill Clinton during his hornier days.

We've had the debate on the intelligence. Mistakes were made and the case wasn't the best one that could have been made. But we are in Iraq now, doing good work from the start to be honest, and pulling out would be disastrous. Even the bloody UN agrees, as UNSC resolution 1618 condemns terrorism in Iraq and says this:

Calls on the international community to support fully the Government of Iraq in exercising its responsibilities to provide protection to the diplomatic community, United Nations staff and other foreign civilian personnel working in Iraq.

But I suppose the doves will claim that, just like 1441, the UN doesn't really mean it.

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French reaction to Iran's nuclear activities

• Posted by Rob (#1) on August 12, 2005 22:45 CEST

First Iran resumes its nuclear activities and then threatens the US and EU. The French reaction?

"We think that negotiations are still possible, in particular with the Europeans, under the condition that the Iranians suspend their activities," Douste-Blazy said.

They did, foreign minister. November last year. Then we talked for nine months and now they're back to what they've been doing secretly for the past 18 years. What else do the French regard as "possible"? Negotiations with Saddam Hussein? Adolf Hitler? Julius Caesar?

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Rotterdam bomb threat a hoax

• Posted by Rob (#1) on August 12, 2005 23:05 CEST

Mea culpa, the Rotterdam bomb threat was just a hoax:

Police in Rotterdam have arrested a 23-year-old man who is the main suspect in the investigation into a hoax bomb threat to the 'Monaco aan de Maas' Formula-1 race event last weekend. The man confessed, police say.

We should put this guy in jail for a while and then tell him it was just a hoax. By abusing and distracting security resources like this he's as much a national security threat as the people who would actually carry out such attacks. Not that I expect any serious action to be taken in a country where Samir Assouz walks freely.

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