(V): I heard Israel just placed a trade offer to The Holy See, they cited a lot less aggravation as the reason.

Tuesday: I have no problem with Israel existing, I have no problem with Jewish folk wanting a homeland after what they've been through.

... I accept the Arab nations have been very anti social to say at times. But that time is over.

Israel in the NT is a metaphor ie home, space, peace.

Übergeek 바둑이: I still remember when Iran was Persia

I think that the big problem with the Middle East is that western nations and the United Nations have double standards which greatly favour some countries, while acting to the detriment of others.

One good example is our view of democracy in the region. We tell Iran to become more democratic and to reform its electoral process, while we condone Saudi Arabia's autocratic regime. Most people don't know that women were not allowed to vote in Saudi Arabia in the first local election ever held (that's right, the first ever). Most likely they won't be allowed to vote in 2011 for the next election, just as they are not allowed to drive a car, or go out in public without a male relative or husband to accompany them. Yet our governments point the finger at Iran as the bad guy in the Middle East.

Another good example is nuclear proliferation. Our governments point fingers at Iran and North Korea, yet Israel is allowed to have nuclear weapons as a "deterrent". Israel has refused to sign the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, and they refuse to allow anyone to inspect their nuclear facilities. That's right, nobody can go into Israel and say "Are you making plutonium?" Yet we want other countries to abandon nuclear programs. We tell them "don't make weapons of mass destruction" even though our countries have the biggest and most deadly arsenals of weapons of mass destruction in history. That's right, nobody has WMDs than the US.

Another interesting one is military aid. Currently Israel gets US $3 billion per year in military aid from the American government. All that money goes to a country that has fighter jets, tanks, battle ships, nuclear weapons, etc. Israel has the 4th largest military in the world. In contrast Palestinians get no military aid. They have sling shots and stones, and when militants make poorly designed rockets everybody calls them terrorists. Imagine having a sling shot and having to fight the 4th largest army in the world, an army that gets billions in military aid every year?

The truth is that the Middle East will be a mess as long as western superpowers see political, economic and military benefits there. We see oil in Saudi Arabia, and a strategic location for military dominance in Israel. So our governments turn a blind eye to all the worngdoings in those places. Our enemies are those governments that act for their own self-interest rather than the political and economic interests of western capitalism. If Iran was a lackey of western superpowers, they would be allowed to have nuclear weapons just like Israel, Pakistan and India are. Then Iran would be called a "democracy" and not a "threat".

Tuesday: Maybe the Israeli secret intelligence got and moaned to their lackeys in the USA. Maybe it's the way she said it. Most intelligent people understand their is a big problem there that needs sorting, just with the USA blocking any serious efforts to sort the problem.. it goes on.

.. bit like the Korean war.. still not officially over. I wonder in that situation if they want to out do some European history regards to what is called the 100 years war.

Tuesday: no

Tuesday: I think the way Israel is behaving recently alot of people and governments are getting tired of the middle east situation. I can understand Israeli's not liking getting attacked.. but at the same time since when is it right that Palestinian people are being treated like the Jewish people were in WWII. Evicted from their homes illegally and forced to live in ghetto's and no-one willing to stop it even when the law is on their side.

No wonder hate is high in militant Palestinians. It's a stupid situation.

Global Climate Science Communications
Action Plan
Project Goal
A majority of the American public, including industry leadership, recognizes that significant uncertainties exist in climate science, and therefore raises questions among those (e.g. Congress) who chart the future U.S. course on global climate change.

Progress will be measured toward the goal. A measurement of the public's perspective on climate science will be taken before the plan is launched, and the same measurement will be taken at one or more as-yet-to-be-determined intervals as the plan is implemented,
Victory Will Be Achieved When

* Average citizens "understand" (recognize) uncertainties in climate science; recognition of uncertainties becomes part of the "conventional wisdom"
* Media "understands" (recognizes) uncertainties in climate science
* Media coverage reflects balance on climate science and recognition of the validity of viewpoints that challenge the current "conventional wisdom"
* Industry senior leadership understands uncertainties in climate science, making them stronger ambassadors to those who shape climate policy
* Those promoting the Kyoto treaty on the basis of extent science appears to be out of touch with reality.

Current Reality

Unless "climate change" becomes a non-issue, meaning that the Kyoto proposal is defeated and there are no further initiatives to thwart the threat of climate change, there may be no moment when we can declare victory for our efforts. It will be necessary to establish measurements for the science effort to track progress toward achieving the goal and strategic success.
Strategies and Tactics

I. National Media Relations Program: Develop and implement a national media relations program to inform the media about uncertainties in climate science; to generate national, regional and local media coverage on the scientific uncertainties, and thereby educate and inform the public, stimulating them to raise questions with policy makers.

Tactics: These tactics will be undertaken between now and the next climate meeting in Buenos Aires/Argentina, in November 1998, and will be continued thereafter, as appropriate. Activities will be launched as soon as the plan is approved, funding obtained, and the necessary resources (e.g., public relations counsel) arranged and deployed. In all cases, tactical implementation will be fully integrated with other elements of this action plan, most especially Strategy II (National Climate Science Data Center).

Identify, recruit and train a team of five independent scientists to participate in media outreach. These will be individuals who do not have a long history of visibility and/or participation in the climate change debate. Rather, this team will consist of new faces who will add their voices to those recognized scientists who already are vocal.

* Develop a global climate science information kit for media including peer-reviewed papers that undercut the "conventional wisdom"on climate science. This kit also will include understandable communications, including simple fact sheets that present scientific uncertainties in language that the media and public can understand.
* Conduct briefings by media-trained scientists for science writers in the top 20 media markets, using the information kits. Distribute the information kits to daily newspapers nationwide with offer of scientists to brief reporters at each paper. Develop, disseminate radio news releases featuring scientists nationwide, and offer scientists to appear on radio talk shows across the country.
* Produce, distribute a steady stream of climate science information via facsimile and e-mail to science writers around the country.
* Produce, distribute via syndicate and directly to newspapers nationwide a steady stream of op-ed columns and letters to the editor authored by scientists.
* Convince one of the major news national TV journalists (e.g., John Stossel ) to produce a report examining the scientific underpinnings of the Kyoto treaty.
* Organize, promote and conduct through grassroots organizations a series of campus/community workshops/debates on climate science in 10 most important states during the period mid-August through October, 1998.
* Consider advertising the scientific uncertainties in select markets to support national, regional and local (e.g., workshops / debates), as appropriate.



National Media Program Budget -- $600,000 plus paid advertising

II. Global Climate Science Information Source: Develop and implement a program to inject credible science and scientific accountability into the global climate debate, thereby raising questions about and undercutting the "prevailing scientific wisdom." The strategy will have the added benefit of providing a platform for credible, constructive criticism of the opposition's position on the science.

Bernice: Yes. The price of water supply and sewerage in my area is CZK 56.57 (approx. AUD 3.10) per 1,000 liters.

week before last our local govt. imposed a user pays method for out water usage....we now have to pay 69cents per 1000litres.

does anybody else have to pay and if so how much?

Snoopy: It wasn't that which got me, it was that he started behaving like "Tory boy" from the Harry Enfield progs...

creepy

(V): i like the fact that its going to be fixed term government which means we know when the next election is going to be
instead of ppl clinging on to power until the last second

(V): love it and esp how fast it happens



one goes out of Downing Street and within a hour and half the next one arrives

Yeahhhhhhh

We now have a coalition government.. Conservative and Liberal Democrat working together. Such is easily possible in the unwritten UK constitution.

I'm just wondering if this is some weird extra holiday scheme??

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/election_2010/8672859.stm

i just hope this dosnt leave us with yet another PM who hasnt been voted in

(V): anyone is better than having a prime minister that was NEVER voted in and hates the English so much

Snoopy: Tell me about it.. It's been asked for by various politicians for years and years, about time it happened

(V): i reckon it be alot to do with voting reform cause we sure do need it

Snoopy: Nick Clegg is saying it's upto the Conservatives to prove they can govern in the national interest and not the party interest.. I guess that's a statement that he will not through his support and that of his party's behind Labour.

(V): no im talking about
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dari_Taylor

she was so sure of herself man y many times our local newspaper asked her to reveal her expenses list and she refused every time saying it was nothing to do with anyone but herself

but the biggest shock up here was the lib dems taking Redcar over turning a massive Labour vote with a 25% swing to them

that was due to the closure of the Chorus steel works with 1500 job losses
and the fact the Labour party knew about this for 9 months
and decided to turn up and do something about 1 day before it was moth balled

Snoopy: Are you talking about Jacqui Smith?

I'm surprised she went for re-election.. She was bound to lose.

(V): i give it 6 months tops before we do it all again..lol

im happy that we got rid of one the most hated Labour MP,s up here esp over her expenses

GTCharlie: Don't the oil companies control oil prices? At least they seem to be doing well in big multi billion £/$ profits

... Hung Parliament!!

Here in the USA, gas prices rise even though demand is low.. the economy is still bad..and obama says..... huh what? it must be bush/cheney wanting their oil money

if ppl are outside a polling station some waiting for hours to vote and then get turned away without being allowed to vote beggars belief

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/election_2010/8662554.stm

one polling station running out of ballot papers

Snoopy: It was after Nick Griffin being pelted with an egg in the same area. I think the BNP wanted a fight. With the whistle being blown recently on them being a con I think they are a bit on edge.

why where the cameras there?
was it staged managed?
what was being said before hand to get these 3 men out of there house

bad mark to the guy who spit thats really low but

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/election_2010/england/8663681.stm?ls

Bernice: Old class system rules, but WWI saw an end to that. Probably a bit of old Christian enforced doctrine as well.

(V): what better excuse NOT to vote..lol

(V): they were too scared to give the women the vote because of their superior intelligence. And look what happened, some of the most brilliant minds emerged

Blimey.. in 1918 UK women could only vote if they were connected and over 30!! Full equality didn't happen till 1928.

Snoopy: Thanks

Snoopy: nahhhhh, it should be the rule that if the politicians mess up enough so people do not want to vote.. then the election is void. I mean.. in Parliament people are allowed to abstain, so why should us citizens be treated any different?

Bernice: on the form you receive once every year or 2 it does say not filling in form and sending it back can result in a fine of up to £1000

http://www.scarborough.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=14346

(V): Wikipedia states..."""In the UK voter registration is not compulsory, but registration is actively encouraged by central and local government. Voters must be on the electoral roll in order to vote in national, local or European elections"""

But even so, there should be a "fine" for not voting, even if you are/not registered

Can you please show me where there is a £1000 fine. I can't find anything on that.

(V): dosnt alter the fact that if your on the register
you should VOTE
and IMO it should be made law to make ppl do so

Snoopy & Bernice: It's illegal not to registered here which dates back to WWI

... Yet the reason why has been forgotten and with possible election fraud from people taking them from 'bedsit' land blocks.. You couldn't enforce it without alot of resources.
... The level of vote is a good indicator of the snooze factor when politicians succeed to bore us to sleep, or feel they are all no good. You can't fine someone for having an opinion that politicians are crooks.

And the fine for not registering is £1000

Btw... BNP did ya here the news?? It seems expenses problems, infighting, lack of co-ordination.... a mess.

that even some of his own party are now saying what ive been saying for years

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/election_2010/8659440.stm

Bernice: ah but we live in soft Britain where nothing really matters except lining there own pockets

(V): i think its a disgrace that ppl are not made to vote
they soon complain when things go wrong

they should think of the ppl in the world that would love to be able to vote but arnt able

(V): it is compulsory here, with a hefty fine if you dont.

Unless you have legitimate and valid reasons.

Today is the day before tomorrow aka UK General Election day.

We might this time get over 50% of people voting!!

Bernice: Nope.. not the biggest. He's made some clangers like we all do though.

(V): well at least he isnt as silly or as stupid as the Duke of Edinborough(SP) now he is the biggest "foot in mouth" ever heard of ROFLMBO....the Queen must cringe sometimes LOL