How To Respond To TV Licensing Threats

This Post Is Rated: C for Controversial. Contains references to government enabled thuggery no less. A while ago Neil Herron posted an excellent response he had sent to TVL Enforcement: "Despite a call to your 0870 number, I continue to receive threatening letters from yourselves. Therefore, as I have replied to you, and requested the attendance of one of your authorised officers at a mutually convenient time in order to be interviewed in compliance with the Police & Criminal Evidence Act 1984, I consider any further intimidatory letters or implied threats as harassment." - Neil Herron I do not believe in TV Licensing. There are few countries in the world today that force their citizens to pay for a telecommunications licence. The people of New Zealand are the most recent example of a nation successfully rising up to challenge and overturn their draconian licencing laws. I would encourage people here to also protest and write to their MPs. There are also countries who have proved that public service television can be successful without licensing. Canada, for example does not require you to own a licence to view public service television. There are only two channels available for free, then you purchase cable for the rest. Usually when it comes to licensing the BBC, the counter-argument always presented usually follows the lines of how the BBC can afford to take risks, we wouldn't get the quality programming if it wasn't funded by the licence and it allows the BBC to remain impartial. Bullshit. ITV, Channel 4 and even Channel 5 are now able to compete with substantial quality programming at no cost to the tax payer. But there is a more sinister work afoot with TV Licensing, and that is the subcontracting of the work to a firm called Capita which also run things like the Criminal Records Bureau, Congestion Charging and Council Tax. If you are not concerned yet, you should be. At this rate, 20 years from now Capita will be monitoring your every move in our increasingly Orwellian society. With regards to TV Licensing, Capita's method of enforcement appears to be: Send warning letter to ANY household not currently registered with a licence on our database (yes that means people without TVs included). Send threatening letter to ANY household that has not yet paid up (regardless of electronics owning status). Send a different version of threatening letter from step 2. Use lots of RED BOLD FONT. Send threatening letter: AN ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WILL SOON VISIT TO INTERVIEW YOU UNDER POLICE AND CRIMINAL EVIDENCE ACT... BLAHCAKES... Wait 3 months. Repeat steps 1-5. Anyone who has moved home or been a student will probably recognise one or more of the TVL letters mentioned above. We recently received all of these letters twice over when we first moved into our flat in London, before we had our TV setup. They seem to have been sending them since the last tenant left, whilst no-one was living there, until we arrived. When we finally got the TV setup and grudgingly paid for our licence, surprise! We were still receiving these threatening letters! It got to Step 4 twice, and yet, no enforcement official (which I was looking forward to). Why? The answer dear readers is simple. They seem to have little enforcement on the ground, though this is hard to determine, since they have not really been forthcoming with the FOI requests (read the pdfs). It is reported that even their detection equipment is not nearly as good as they make out. So what to do with these threats and harrassments from the TVL? I would not encourage anyone to break the law, but let's just say if they ever turn up at my doorstep, regardless of whether I have a TV and licence or not, I would tell them in polite and no uncertain terms to f*** off and get a warrant. If you you need a little more detail than that, here's a short guide: Ignore the threat letters, read others' personal accounts, opinions and check the forums Read one persons experience of their rhetorical threats. You are worried, are they coming for you? BBC Resistance has all the answers. Take your time over the material there, enjoy. Fed up of their hateful, empty threats? Write a 'cease and desist' letter revoking their 'implied right of access' (also see Neil Herron link above). On the event that an enforcement clown officer shows up at your door, you have a right to refuse entry unless they have a warrant. They most definitely won't have a warrant if it's the first visit. Only a court can issue a search warrant on reasonable ground to suspect you have a TV. This means they have to apply individually for every innocent person they harass. In the highly unlikely event they obtain a warrant, they will most likely want to interview you under caution. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SAY ANYTHING. However, be not afraid. Know this: They only want your money. I cannot find the source but did I read a post for the job of TV Licence Enforcement Officer on a jobsite a long time ago. It was a "day in the life of" in which the officer explained he would try to sell a licence to the person he had interviewed. This is what they will probably try to do. (If I find the link I will post it). Protest and resist. It is completely immoral and possibly unlawful to send out letters randomly to anyone who does not own a licence. This is an assumption of guilt and requires the recipient to prove their innocence. It's time the UK caught up with the 21st Century and realise that not everything can or should be taxed.

Jackface!

This Post Is Rated: F for Friendly and Fun. Just for Lost fans. Source: Lostpedia And for hardcore fans, geeks and theorists who like to freeze-frame every episode for easter eggs, theories, continuity and philosophy, check out ThEmIsFiTiShErE for some interesting theories.

How To Be A Victim

This Post Is Rated: O for Downright Offensive! It's controversial! Get your lawyers, call the police, a blogger has commented on a hot issue and we don't agree with his opinion. Whoa, Alex, getting personal now? Well, in a way yes, but no, not really. I've noticed a few bloggers have started to post wanted images for a blogger named Felicity Jane Lowde (FJL) recently, regarding an ongoing legal dispute generated by what can only be described as a cat-fight, between her and perpetual victim of things like malice and 7/7, Rachel North. After reading both blogs, and opinions of other bloggers, I decided on what I thought was the best response to the growing hysteria and lynch-mob that has resulted. I have posted a similar warning for the blogosphere. What has taken place was avoidable and unnecessary. It's hard to tell how it started since both women seem to have deleted comments and posts (North more evidently than FJL), but it is possible to assume that FJL began by trolling Norths blog. To read some of FJL's early postings on her blog, you wonder how it turned so nasty. Similarly North started out simply wanting to share her story of survival. It seems that FJL does have a checkered past with allegations brought against her (no official sources) on a couple of forums. She appears to have picked up a real stalker at some point early 2006. She was initially supportive of North and the Kings Cross United movement. In May 2006 she posted a constructively critical piece on the KCU and Rachel North. Having read it, I can say it was in no way vitriolic or without merit. It was written as a genuine concern (one I would have shared at the time) and I think she was entitled to post this on her own blog. The following month, FJL testifies having "problems with Rachel North", in the form of a "plethora of angry and aggressive mails from the self appointed public enquiry head campaigner". So big deal, right? This is the blogosphere, people have strong opinions and people are entitled to them. But suddenly what was originally a difference of ideas and opinions descended into vendetta's, accusations and eventually police involvement. In my own mind (which may not be right), if you can't take public criticism or the odd troll, you shouldn't be blogging. But the ridiculousness of this situation and the fault of both these women, is that they obviously did not know that blogs, posts and comments can be deleted, IP addresses can be blocked, and comments can be moderated. Instead, they both entered into a pissing contest to prove who had been abused the most. One woman chose to publish it all on her blog, the other kept it low key and delete comments/posts (unfortunately -which makes it difficult for me to present her side). It ended with confiscation of FJL's computer and her subsequent conviction for "cyber-bullying" and harassment. FJL's life being obviously decimated, has reportedly skipped bail and is on the run. Not satisfied with justice being done, North decided to go public, which comes across to me as simply gloating and sneering. Still not content with coming out on top, she has also spearheaded the aforementioned blog-campaign for vigilantes to find and shop FJL. The following quote is apparently a police description of FJL. Sounds a bit too bitchy for the police: "The police are unable to release her arrest photo, but say she has aged and put on considerable amounts of weight since it was taken. Age 41 ( police say she appears older). 5'8 tall. Size 16/18 ( police say overweight for height) Eyes brown/green with unusual squinting appearance in one eye. Hair mouse/light brown, possibly some grey" Rachel North (Italics mine) I had never heard of these two women till recently from a couple of other blogs I read. I've seen examples of trolling and flaming. I've even had a few trolls on my blogs in the past (though I'm not a prominent blogger or widely read). I believe that gives me a unique perspective in that I am able to look at both blogs, both sides and assess what I see. From my point of view, it's clear that FJL comes across on her blogs as slightly obsessed with Rachel North. She has created a number of strange defense blogs (here, here and here) when there is only need for one. In her defense, she posts a lot of evidence and exchanges that have taken place, so even if you do not agree with her- there is a method to her madness, so to speak. FJL could have a mental illness, again she appears to to be highly paranoid and suspicious. However this does not make her an evil or bad person. Mental Illness is an illness. If FJL suffers from it then she needs to be treated with an attitude of forgiveness and care. IF FJL is mentally ill, then she has an excuse for her odd behaviour, which prompts me to question those who oppose her: what is your excuse? "Don't answer the foolish argument of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are." - Solomon On the other hand, North hardly smells of roses. FJL has accused her of "using press attention to further what are ambitious career goals in journalism rather than help other deserving people quietly get to the truth of the matter (May 04 2006)". To be fair, FJL may not be far off the mark. Of course, I'm not saying that North shouldn't have a career in journalism, but why write under the blog pseudonym? It's clear she has benefited from the publicity. FJL is not the only critic that North has had on her blog and she has had no problem moderating comments in the past. This should not have got as far as the police. This could have been dealt with by methods I mentioned above. Even persistent trolls can be dealt with and eventually tire when they are moderated, ignored and blocked. It seems to me that North was either: a) Ignorant of online forum and blog culture and the methods for dealing with hostile posters and/or b) Wanted to escalate the situation, possibly motivated by desire for justice revenge on one of her critics Yes, Option B sounds strong. But why now try to turn the blogosphere against a woman who is now obviously disturbed and unstable? If it is indeed with the police, leave it for them to find her. Why not host a more worthwhile campaign on your blog, is it really worth the hyperbole? I wonder, if Tony Blair ever decides to pursue libel against bloggers, how many of us would also end up with our computers confiscated, eh Rachel? What hasn't been helpful in escalating this sad affair is supporters of Rachel North. They are not innocent and are themselves guilty of the same accusations levelled against FJN. I suspect many people are blogging about this and adding the 'Wanted FJN' badge to their website without knowing the full story or reading both blogs. They have simply bought into the mob-mentality. I'm convinced some bloggers out there care little about what campaigns they are supporting, but simply leap for the chance to add another 150x200px badge to their sidebar. Blog-Solidarity - Blogidarity. As mentioned, North had her other critics, most notably David Duff (Duff & Nonsense). Last year Duff posted on his blog: "Rachel North is a young woman from north London who was on a train hit by Islamist terrorists on July 7th last year. I first crossed 'pens' with her over at The Sharpener (I can't find the link but it was about a month ago) and then again yesterday and today on her own site - although you will be hard pushed to find much because she censored me first before banning me! Apparently I "insulted" her by, amongst other things, suggesting that she was mounting a political platform on the backs of the dead and wounded." - Rachel North from Planet Zog Rachel responded in the comments: "...In fact, we have corresponded once before, on one day, by email, and the correspondence relates to you querying why I did not pass a comment made by you on my blog. I said 'Just to let you know disagreement is fine, but personal attacks which add nothing to the debate will be binned. Your call. If you can't manage to post without insults, then please don't bother' This related to a comment which you attempted to post on my blog in which you said my volunary work with survivors in setting up a PTSD support group, my writing a blog and campaigning for an independent inquiry into 7/7 was 'standing on the backs of the dead and wounded of 7/7'. I explained to you that I found this deeply offensive and that was why I was not publishing your comment. You then apologised and sent another comment, which I did publish..." There was then a comment from FJL which prompted Duff to intervene with a humourous but insightful retort: "Ladies, ladies, you are at risk of resembling a pair of drunken biddies fighting outside a pub! STOP IT, both of you! But if you are enjoying it so much that you really can't stop, then please do it somewhere else. The blog equivalent of ladies wrestling in mud holds no attraction for me so please do it elsewhere." However they BOTH paid no heed to his request and made further side jabs against each other, in the comments, until losing interest. Recently Duff has commented on the Liberati Lynch Mob that has formed since. Duff was right. This is nothing more than the blog equivalent of two drunk ladettes fighting outside a pub. There was no need for others to get involved. There was no need to form a lynch mob. They should have BOTH been ignored. I realise this will not be a popular post, I don't have a huge circulation of regular readers. I usually get about 15-20 SE hits a day, so it's quite conceivable I'm now exposing myself to supporters of Rachel North in the form of trolling. Since I've linked extensively to North, I imagine she'll see this post, and if she stays true to form, she will comment, as I have noticed on all other blogs I have viewed linking to the witch hunt. So Rachel, feel free to comment and defend yourself, but be prepared for my response. Here. And good luck with the new book, for which Lowde has undoubtedly brought much unintentional publicity.

Hogzilla!

This Post Is Rated: F for Friendly Post. Just good humoured. Being a fan of Lost, I couldn't resist, but perhaps it belongs on this island. News story: Breitbart

Right-Minded Individuals

This Post Is Rated: M for You will probably be Mildly offended. But you won't be able to explain why. A while back Bryan Ferry was quoted in The Grauniad about his comments praising Nazi aesthetics. "I apologise unreservedly for any offence caused by my comments... I, like every right-minded individual, find the Nazi regime, and all it stood for, evil and abhorrent." I found it interesting he referenced right-minded individuals (no, I don't mean politically). I find it interesting because it causes me to wonder, do right-minded individuals really find the Nazi regime abhorrent? I think to verify that, we would need to know who would be considered a 'right-minded individual'. We also need to establish what exactly was abhorrent about the Nazi regime? Nazism, defined by Wikipedia is: National socialism Totalitarian ideology and practices A loose collection of incoherent postions including anti-parliamentarism, ethnic nationalism, racism, collectivism, eugenics, anti-Semitism, opposition to economic and political liberalism, a racially-defined and conspiratorial view of finance capitalism, and anti-communism Positive Christianity Nationalism Influenced by Nietzsche I haven't listed every single reference on Wikipedia (one hotly disputed section argues that Nazism was anti-capitalist which is a joke), nevertheless these are the main associations with Nazi ideology. You will notice that ethnic nationalism, anti-liberalism, anti-communism and nationalism are on this list. Strangely enough, you can find examples of large groups of people who support these ideologies alive and well today (particularly in regards to the American government). So is it really right-minded to oppose these ideologies? I suspect that many 'right-minded individuals' were caught up in the Nazi rhetoric before we could look back in hindsight knowing it was all evil and abhorrent. After all, how else would Hitler rise to power if he was not charismatic and good at blending a patriotic and religious message? Perhaps being 'right-minded' is not enough... or perhaps it's not about being 'right-minded' at all. The problem with using a term such as 'right-minded' is that it can only be defined in relative terms. Instead of acknowledging what is essentially evil or abhorrent, we define it as evil and abhorrent only as long as the majority of what we consider 'right-minded individuals' find it evil and abhorrent. See how easy it is to fall into the trap of circular reasoning? Why am I making such a meal of this? Because it's quite apparent to me that "I, like every right-minded individual" is a rhetorical statement. It's important for us to analyse what makes an ideology evil, and to stand against it as a matter of principal. We should not stand against an ideology simply because someone we dislike believes in it, or everyone agrees it's wrong - otherwise we will not recognise true evil when it stares us in the face.

That Was Odd...

This Post Is Rated: F for Friendly. Reflections on lost blogs. In my last post I mentioned my other blog Dark Side of the Light in purgatory (see comments). I just checked tonight and darksidelight.blogspot.com was available again, along with abandonallfear.blogspot.com. Of course I reclaimed! Particularly since the folks at Dead Yet Living failed to update their link since it was lost. Conspiracy much?

Where Do Blogs Go When They Die?

This Post Is Rated: F for Friendly Post. Nothing here you'll find insulting your religiosity. The End of the Road - Raw Carrot So this is free speech? - Argos Employee Stand Down - Universal Soldier Theories Re-incarnated? Independant Christian Voice In Purgatory? Dark Side of the Light Zombified? Quinnblog Bodysnatched? The Cranky Insomniac Bartender Is there a blog afterlife? Should there be a charity for abandoned blogs? I actually like what the cranky insomniac did- but I wish the new tenant would change the title already. I offered up my starter blog when I decided to move on, but sadly had no takers. I moved some of the archive posts over here, but it's now gone to the abyss. I'm now feeling my favourite mood. Melancholy.

Here's a FACT about F.A.C.T.

This Post Is Rated: I for Isn't that illegal? No, it's not. Yet. It seems to me, ironically, that only legally rented, bought and viewed movies display the Federation Against Copyright Theft's impotent warning message. That is, only those who have actually bought, rented or viewed legally have been warned not to buy, rent or view illegal copies... Regular readers be advised! Abandon All Fear will soon be going under the radar. This website and blog will be filtering ip addresses and blocking access to most government, police and copyright protection organisations. No, I'm not planning to offer the latest Arctic Monkeys song for download or anything like that. I do however intend to discuss the subject of copyright in the near future, along with speed cameras, parking and other legal matters which is viewed by some as a war between aging business models and profit making versus the future. I'd rather not have big brother snooping in on my blog, not liking what they see, discovering my identity and/or watching for some sort of mistake. However, I am aware that some of my dear readers may work for the government et al. Therefore if you find you can no longer access the blog in the next few days, drop me an email (see sidebar) with your IP and I will reply in view of restoring your access. You have been warned!

Mary Kicks Satans Ass!

This Post Is Rated: M for Midly Offensive. If you're super-spiritual. This is Awesome! Bible Fight HT: Dark Side of the Moon Chaplaincy

Jerry Falwell Has Stepped Into Eternity...

This Post Is Rated: O for You'll probably be Offended. Contains religious satire and irreverence towards the recently departed. Who will he be sharing it with? (Answers in the comments please): - - - OR - - - Forbes: Television Evangelist Falwell Dies at 73 Wikipedia: Jerry Falwell

Real Costs Of Immigration?

For any Daily Mail readers who may happen across this blog, I would like to advise that my wife is an immigrant to the UK. We paid a total of approximately £500 for our marriage visa+application, she pays a higher rate of tax and has no rights to claim any benefits for the first 5(?) years. If local councils are concerned about the cost of immigration, may I advise them to take it up with the treasury and the home office, who may be able to help with some of the funding.

Motherly Love

A while ago mattghg blogged an article for the Times by Caitlin Moran, on why abortion is the ultimate motherly act. The basis of her argument is simply that "...ending a pregnancy 12 weeks into gestation is incalculably more moral than bringing an unwanted child into this world." and interestingly she draws on religion to reinforce her argument: "The Hindu goddess Kali is both Mother of the Whole Universe, and Devourer of All Things. She is life and death. If women are, by biology, commanded to host, shelter, nurture and protect life, why should they not be empowered to end life, too?" It's interesting she chose that, since she admits in the article: "For one thing, I believe something very elemental and, in the most academic sense, nonChristian." So, I'm unclear, has she converted to Hinduism, or is she a rational believer in consumerism and choice (I'm avoiding using terms such as evolution, nature and atheism because I believe they have nothing to do with it)? She goes on to describe her own abortion as a decision no more difficult than deciding "...what work-tops to have in the kitchen". Let's leave out the obvious sanctity of life argument here, I find it disgustingly selfish when there are good, decent infertile couples out there desperate for a child, which by her words she treats with contempt. But I find it interesting that she stakes her claim on the moral high ground due to not wanting to be "responsible for a further human being". If she truly, truly believes that then surely by that logic she believes a family that doesn't want to take care of old parents should simply have them put to death, similarly for families that are tired of taking care of a disabled child. Let's even follow this through to it's logical conclusion. Moran argues that mothers have the ultimate right to choose whether a human life exists or not. What if other mothers assumed this responsibility? What if one of her children was a bully, and other mothers in the school decided her child was unwanted. Would they then have a right to put the child to death? I imagine Moran would be outraged. Let's take it further... Does the mothers right supersede the governments right to judge? If the child becomes a murderer and the laws of the land dictate capital punishment, does a mother have the right to intervene and demand her child lives? I know many mothers would like to. If you say "no", then why does a mother have the right to put their human-to-be to death in the first instance? If you are coming from a position that the mother does have these rights, then you would say "yes", and it could be argued that you are not fit for parenthood. Yes, but... you say, the resulting human has a responsibility also to society. However, that entails that mothers-to-be, being human, also have a responsibility to society and not just to themselves. Does this not mean that it's not their right to choose over abortion? If we all have a responsibility to society, what choice is it of ours to end a life (even if you believe that life is yet to be)? I guess the one argument is the government deems abortion to be legal. My counter-argument is the government has simply passed on its responsibility to protect us, and effectively put the executioners axe in the hands of women. I thank God my mum didn't choose to abort me, however I'm sure that many times growing up I would have given her much justification for it. Why do we find it easier to deprive life than to give it? Why are there certain conditions in which we have a right to murder (and call it euthanasia, abortion, mercy killing etc...) but we rarely find justification that someone can live? Should there not be a right for someone to live first. Perhaps weigh their contribution to society and then decide if they die? Uh, wait... that upsets us? Why? Of course there is a responsibility on the church as well, which I haven't mentioned. If the church wants to protest against abortion, it must do more to show potential executioners pregnant women that there are alternatives, such as putting the child up for adoption. The church must also provide people ready to take unwanted children. It's no use judging something to be wrong, and yet not doing anything about it. Both myself and my wife would be willing and prepared to adopt a child to spare it abortion. Adoption is something we have both discussed and want to do if and when the timing is right. Deciding to have an abortion can be a difficult period of a woman's life. Before you make any final decisions about the medical procedure you should look into some medical info first to learn of any possible risks. Health information websites can provide you with a wealth of knowledge on topics ranging from HIV and AIDS to sports nutrition.

Gordon Brown Homepage Switcheroo

Wow, that was fast! This morning I had a visit from www.gordonbrownforbritain.com, IP 81.152.54.40. I must have struck a nerve because the image http://www.gordonbrownforbritain.com/images/homepage.jpg has been changed. Either that or maybe they just rotate the images (perhaps they will rotate the images now to give that impression). Reminds me of a university project I did critiquing the US CIA website back in 1999- A story I'll tell another time maybe.

Gordon Brown And The Kiddies

Just checked out Gordon Brown's campaign website, prepared in advance (against the rules) by Silverfish. Wow, amazing what can be achieved with Photoshop these days, I prefer The Gimp but each to his own... Just for your ease, I have added 3 red spots to the image to point out areas they messed up. In no particular order (you need to be able to zoom on the image): a) Girls hand next to Gordons head, looks like it was just a straight cut or slightly botched placement next to the girls hair. b) Kids face on Gordon's left shoulder. A trick I learned from a TV program, compare the light reflection (white dots) to the kid on Gordon's right shoulder, the reflection is not in the same area of the pupil, not only that, there, many other kids are lacking white dots in their eyes- which means they were not in the same place or photo. c) Also look at the light reflections of clothing, skin, looks like the sun was only shining selectively this day. d) Bottom of the image. Why is almost every kid in this picture looking in a different direction? Lousy photographer or cut-n-paste. You decide...

Home Spun Prophecies

4 Years Ago 15 July 2003 - The Great Equity Raid Egg warned that, as consumers take on mounting levels of debt against the rising value of their homes, personal indebtedness could become a serious threat to future stability, especially if interest rates started to rise again... With the majority of homes now valued considerably higher than their purchase price, homeowners are feeling financially comfortable and ignoring the need to save elsewhere... This is a dangerous mindset to fall into. A drop in house prices could leave many homeowners financially exposed." 23rd July 2003 - Prices Up 2.4% Rightmove's commercial director Miles Shipside said: "The indicators in the market are positive in that supply is no longer outstripping demand but activity is far below what we were seeing last year. Stock levels remain very high and with low interest rates and lots of good mortgage deals it's still a good time to buy for first time and subsequent buyers." 26th July 2003 - Why The Tide Has Turned For Fixed Rate Loan Deals "Last week, the Bank of England's new governor Mervyn King hinted that this month's cut in interest rates to 3.5% may not be the last in the current cycle. The millions of people with variable rate mortgages will be hoping Mr King's hint bears fruit." 1 Year Ago 5th October 2006 - Rates Held At 4.75% "Inflation is also expected to rise higher in the coming months, as the high utility bills and university top-up fees feed through into the Consumer Price Index... ...more recent developments support the view that 5pc is likely to mark the peak of this interest rate cycle." 9th November 2006 - Interest Rates Rise To 5% "Rising interest rates will mean further problems for homeowners and borrowers struggling to pay off mortgage, loans and credit cards. A record 27,644 people went insolvent during the summer." This Year 21st January 2007 - Inflation: The Secret Cost Of Living "The practical question now is whether the 5.25 per cent rate is enough to curb inflation. The general perception in the financial markets is that there will be another increase in the spring. People should be prepared for 5.5 per cent, maybe more. Will that lead to a housing crash? Not necessarily. It could happen, but perhaps more probably prices could plateau for several years, maybe falling a bit but not collapsing. Gradually, incomes would catch up and houses would become more affordable again." 20th April 2007 - Britains Debt Pile Unlikely To Topple "LONDON, April 20 (Reuters) - British interest rates would need to rise to 8.5 percent for the cost of debt servicing as a proportion of national income to hit levels seen in 1990, when the economy tipped into recession, new research shows." 25th April 2007 - 'Determined' King Predicts Sharp Fall In Inflation "The comments, made during Parliament's enquiry into the first 10 years of the MPC, reinforced expectations that interest rates will be lifted by a quarter-point to 5.5 per cent in May. But there were no clues as to whether rates will need to rise further, to 5.75 or even 6 per cent as some commentators have suggested." 27th April 2007 - Rates Rise Could Spark Housing Crash Says Nationwide "In our view, the talk of rates climbing to 6 per cent and beyond is overblown and if implemented in the current climate could be damaging to housing market stability," said Fionnuala Earley, Nationwide's chief economist." 10th May 2007 - Rise In Interest Rates 'Certain' According to the results of a survey by Reuters, agreement that interest rates will today (May 10th) increase by 0.25 per cent to 5.5 per cent was greeted with unanimity... However, among the 61 polled economists, ten per cent voiced their expectation that interest rates may rise to 5.75 per cent... However, a more plausible scenario is that a hawkish inflation report could lead to back-to-back rate hikes in May and June." 10th May 2007 - Rising Inflation Could See Interest Rates Hit 7.5% "According to some economists the interest rate in the UK may have to hit 7.5% in order to try and bring inflation under control." 11th May 2007 - Rates Rise To Six Year High Of 5.5% "The Bank of England brought mortgage misery to millions of homeowners yesterday by raising interest rates to 5.5 per cent - the highest for six years." 11th May 2007 - Rates May Not Yet Have Hit Peak, Say Economists Borrowers should brace themselves for the possibility of another interest rate rise this year, as economists are warning that this week’s increase to base rates is unlikely to herald the peak of the cycle... Base rates were increased by a quarter of a point to 5.5 per cent on Thursday – the fourth such rise in nine months. Homeowners on variable rate mortgages have therefore faced a full percentage point hike in their interest rate since last summer... The interest rate rises are intended to put the breaks on the runaway house price growth seen over the past year... Last month inflation hit its highest level for 10 years... Economists said the Bank offered few solid clues as to future interest rate movements, but a number expected another quarter point rise some point this year. Mortgage brokers said fixed mortgage rates are currently being priced on the expectation that base rates will hit at least 5.75 per cent. Alex Fear says 4th March 2007 - You Can't Halt The Tide "Is this the beginning of the downturn in the cycle? 1st rule of investing: Buy low, sell high." 9th April 2007 - The First Myth: House Prices Always Rise "For earnings to catch up with prices, interest rates must rise, and when this happens, it will all come tumbling down as people rush to sell, being unable to afford their mortgages." Interest Rates Chart 1985 - Present Graph Soure: HPC Future..? 3.5% (1.5% Above Gordons' target for inflation) - Lowest since July 2003 5.5% (3.5% Above Gordons' target for inflation) - Current Base Rate 2007 6.0% (0.5% increase) - "Overblown" - Fionnuala Earley, Nationwide 7.5% (2% increase) - "Bring inflation under control" - Prof. Tim Congdon, Economist 8.5% (3% increase) - "1990 levels recession" - Alliance & Leicester If you're looking to spruce up your home a little, you should look into some great home improvement ideas. A popular addition to a house would be building what is sometimes known as a "man cave". Add a home bar along with a large home entertainment system or maybe even a home movie theater and your man cave will be the talk of the neighborhood!

Uri Geller Doesn't Want You To Watch This

But there's nothing he can do to stop you from watching it. Not even with psychic powers.

Random Humour

I think some of these could be attributed to George Carlin, but I'm not sure... anyway, enjoy. Someone asked me if I knew what time it was. I said, "Yes, but not right now." I've been doing a lot of abstract painting lately, extremely abstract. No brush, no paint, no canvas, I just think about it. If you can't hear me, it's because I'm in parentheses. Sponges grow in the ocean. That just kills me. I wonder how much deeper the ocean would be if that didn't happen. I planted some bird seed. A bird came up. Now I don't know what to feed it. I rented a lottery ticket. I won a million dollars. But I had to give it back. It's a small world, but I wouldn't want to have to paint it. You can't have everything. Where would you put it? I went to a restaurant that serves "breakfast at any time." So I ordered French Toast during the Renaissance. I went to a general store. They wouldn't let me buy anything specifically. I was in the supermarket the other day, and I met a lady in the aisle where they keep the generic brands. Her name was "woman". I went down the street to the 24-hour grocery. When I got there, the guy was locking the front door. I said, "Hey, the sign says you're open 24 hours." He said, "Not in a row!" I was in the grocery store. I saw a sign that said "pet supplies". So I did. Then I went outside and saw a sign that said "compact cars". In my house there's this light switch that doesn't do anything. Every so often I would flick it on and off just to check. Yesterday, I got a call from a woman in Madagascar. She said, "Cut it out." I watched the Indy 500, and I was thinking that if they left earlier they wouldn't have to go so fast. I like to pick up hitchhikers. When they get in the car I say, "Put on your seat belt. I want to try something. I saw it once in a cartoon, but I think I can do it." When I was in the Boy Scouts I sprained my ankle and an old lady had to help me across the street.

Fallible Design: How I Went From Intellectual To Dumb

There seems to be a wave of anti-theism spreading across the interweb these days. Either that or I'm just reading the wrong sites. Regardless, it's inspired me to recount my own conversion from being an enlightened, smart, intelligent being, to an unenlightened, stupid, dumb theist. Anti-theism can come in other forms but it usually takes the form of evolutionism. So I will try not to point out the obvious irony that Creationists consider human beings to be of higher intellect, value and potential whereas evolutionists consider human beings to have evolved from less intelligent species. This will be the first part of a series. I was not raised as a Christian, or to believe in any God. You could say I was an atheist, but I was probably more of an agnostic. I didn't have much of a concept of God, but I had at some point been taught the story of Jesus and the usual biblical stories: Noah's Ark, Moses etc. I was not hostile to any of it, I liked the stories, but that was all they were, stories. I grew up with a typical British education that everyone receives. I remember the science classes and the science experiments: measuring force, gravity, chemical reactions and the noise of gas taps being flicked on and off to the annoyance of our teacher. I had some good science teachers, I remember in particular a couple of things they used to say: 1. Every scientific investigation starts with a hypothesis. 2. For a scientific theory to be proved, it must be repeated and observed under the same conditions and produce the same results. ...Or words to that effect. I was also taught the theory of evolution, as was everyone else in the class. I believed it, along with everyone else in the class. I was not taught any alternative theories, and I was not taught to question it. In fact, I don't remember being taught to question anything my teachers said. It's only later you consider that they are also human, prone to error and sometimes don't do a very good job of it (I once worked in a school for 3 years, I've seen it all). So I left school with an standard education that most people in the UK, around the late 90's received. I left school with the same standard public school education that every Atheist, Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Jew, Wican, Pagan, Humanist and regular teenager received. It was a couple of years later that I became a follower of Christ. I'd leave out the details but I think it's important to mention some things about my conversion. I went from not believing in God, to asking God if he is real, to show me. I was in a time of need, and I said specifically "Jesus, if you are real, I need you now". There was no flash of light, no voice from heaven, no vision of God. But I read a few words and I then realised He was real, I got down on my knees and simply said "I'm yours, do what you can with me because I give up". It's important to mention this: nothing changed. I did not change in my appearance. I did not change my theology (apart from the fact God existed when previously he didn't). I did not renounce any of my beliefs (spiritual or physical). I did not renounce my prejudices. I did not suddenly forgive my enemies. I gave no thought to heaven and I did not suddenly believe in hell. In fact, the world still revolved around the sun, gravity still held us in place, the world was still millions of years old and I still had a fear of spiders. One thing did change. Hope. After becoming a Christian. Th