Colonel Irrelevant » Serious stuff

Knowing the cost, ignoring the value

The Colonel — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 05:50:37 +0000

I’ve discovered, rather by accident, that the beeb have shuffled their news 24, parliament and alba services to a different satellite beam. This (in a non-technical description) keeps the Beeb more tightly focussed on the UK and reduces costs.

Hurrah! The beeb reduce costs. And coverage … And that for one of the most respected news services in the world. So many people living outside the reach of the new beam can’t see these channels. They can get $ky and Al Jezeera and stuff but that isn’t the Beeb despite the fact that many Brits now miss out and yet have a vote. If the best of British is now represented by Murdoch’s satellite station then there is little wonder the UK is less well thought of than in years gone by.

But don’t fret …

We’ve got the reduced costs and that’s all that matters isn’t it?

Membership lists

The Colonel — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:57:52 +0000

Seems that there is a dilemma for the far right in the UK. Do they use an act they are against (Human Rights) in their search for a solution to their membership list being on the internet?

Anyway, I found this interesting.

Have a look – you may be surprised!

Belsen …

The Colonel — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 15:25:35 +0000

After over a year travelling back and forth to Germany, I finally made it to the Belsen memorial. Truly horrific in scale, depressing and moving in equal measure. It’s hidden from the road by trees but it really makes for a strange experience as you walk around.

Ann Frank and her sister are remembered there along with people from many countries and ‘reasons’ for being imprisoned.

A memorable experience, although not one to be taken lightly …

Sorry for not posting!

The Colonel — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 10:54:03 +0000

GTP has closed down, so I’ve been working on setting up a wide-ranging sports/ current affairs/ stuff forum to replacesome parts of it. Towards the end, there was a split between those who wanted a pure Sports board and one that was comfortable covering life.

So, the lightning lounge is here, and growing.

If you like sport it could be a place to check out. There’s room for all (including Geordie Mackems) so drop by and see what you think!

Unfortunately trying to get this up and running has led to a drop in posting here, but I hope to get back to more regular posting from today!

Fear …

The Colonel — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 21:28:01 +0000

I get the impression that the main aim of the media is to scare us into submission.

16 knife murders in London is horrific, but it is scarcely a threat to Civilisation. There are, what, 7 million people in London and 16 teenagers killed? I bet there are nearly that many per day in LA or New York but the media present the story as if we are all about to be knifed.

Then on Sunday, The Observer, ran a piece on the 99 British Servicemen killed in Afghanistan. Tragic, again, but when you read the stories, one was murdered and then the killer committed suicide. Hardly an indictment of military ineptitude. And then 100 killed pales into some comparison when you consider the other news story of a mass grave from WWI being excavated and that contains the probable remains of 400 or so troops killed in a single day.

The best thing we can do is live life to the full, aware of the risks we face but delighting in life and possibility rather than fearing death and limiting ourselves and our experiences.

Living without fear is living, living with fear is like dying.

Me, I’m living …