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The diaTribe blog is our occasional take on life, the universe and everything. Observations on current affairs, the environment, politics, humour and music/gig reviews. Travel diary and extreme sports stories, along with the usual rants/raves are also chucked in for good measure.

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Stop ISP snooping! Oppose Phorm

Stop PHORM!

If they have their way all your web browsing history will be collected and sold to the highest bidder.

Fight back!

Technology at it's most pointless
May15

Falwell Kicks The Bucket

Hustler's parody ad of Falwell - 1983 (click to enlarge)

Todays news item about the death of Jerry Falwell has left me in a somewhat ambivalent frame of mind.

On one hand Falwell was an ignorant, fake, bible-thumping, god-bothering, Olympic-class, racist bigot of the first order and frankly, in my view the world is better off without his form of medieval morality.

On the other hand, Falwell’s views made him such a ludicrously comic figure that he was a fantastic target for a long history of satire, culminating with the world-famous Hustler Campari Ad parody, for which he (unsuccessfully) tried to sue … for this at least, he will be missed.

If there is a God, I genuinely hope (s)he manifests herself to ol’ Jerry as a Black Jewish Lesbian Democrat – just to see the look on his face.

RiH Jerry…

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3 Comments
May09

Rant: Jail Paris Hilton!

Jail Paris Hilton

It seems that an e-petition to keep the the rich slapper Paris Hilton out of jail has been started.

The petition itself states that: “Paris Hilton did not hurt, injure, or kill anyone or anything, and yet she must do jail time.”

It also claims “She provides hope for young people all over the U.S. and the world. She provides beauty and excitement to our otherwise mundane lives.”

What the…?!

… more »

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4 Comments
May03

Polling Day

Polling Day

Today is local elections polling day throughout the UK.

Traditionally, this is a day where some 70% of us can’t be arsed getting down to our local polling stations to vote.

As someone who makes a point of voting in local, national and European MEP elections, it does strike me as odd that more people don’t turn out for local elections. Even euro elections get a bigger turnout. And yet the local Councillors that are elected in today’s polls certainly have more of a direct effect on our everyday lives than either our MP’s or our MEP’s.

If I was only allowed to vote in ONE election, then the local elections would be my first choice without question; not only are they more relevant to me but of all the elections they are also the least partisan election in terms of party affiliations.

So c’mon folks – it’s a beautiful day. Take a walk to your polling station after dinner. Do your duty and vote – and then stop off at a pub for a well-deserved pint!

You’ll feel better…trust me!

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Comments Off
May02

Rave: Spain unveils new green power station design

PS10 Solar Power Plant, nr Seville, Spain

PS10 (Planta Solar 10) is a highly innovative new power station prototype which is being trialled near Seville in Southern Spain.

The futuristic-looking tower that is surrounded by over 600 giant mirrors is able to convert solar energy to geothermal energy, which in turn drives electrical turbines to produce electricity. The Beeb has a video tour of the tower which is well worth a look.

… more »

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3 Comments
Apr30

UK Bomb Plot

Thames House, London. Photo:Security Service - OGLicence

Today’s news that 5 men have been convicted of a bomb plot in the UK is a real result for the work done by the security services, who in the past haven’t always got it right.

Amid a seemingly endless list of political and operational gaffs by some segments of the Home office in recent times, today’s convictions show what can be achieved with the right combination of accurate intelligence, inter-agency cooperation and assistance from a vigilant public.

… more »

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1 Comment
Apr22

Andy does the London Marathon

Andy at the London Marathon

It’s what he’s been training for, for months and today he joined the 1000′s of others to run the London Marathon.

Nice job mate – Bloody well done!

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Comments Off
Apr20

Rant: One rule for us and another for THEM!

Norman Baker - Hero of the HourNorman Baker – Hero of the Hour

Heartening news on the Beeb today; Former Conservative chief whip David Maclean tried – and FAILED – to introduce a private members bill to exempt MP’s from the Freedom of Information act.

Thankfully, the bill was effectively thrown out during initial debates (many thanks to Lib Dem MP Norman Baker and a handful of MPs from all parties who managed to talk out the planned bill by making sure the debate continued for five hours, ensuring that the bill now goes to the bottom of the pile of private member’s bills.)

… more »

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4 Comments

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