A Letter on Justice and Open Debate | Harper's Magazine


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Vada a bordo, cazzo!

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Francesco Schettino, the self-styled 'Captain of the Costa Concordia' who jumped ship, was ordered by back on board his stricken vessel  with the words - ' vada a bordo, cazzo! '. The coastguard official who gave that order - even if you don't understand Italian, you just know it IS an order - has been hailed a hero for his no nonsense approach.  That's in sharp contrast to the braggart captain who has caused 11 or so deaths and so much tragedy. So how does this, now famous, order translate? I'm told it goes somethimng like this, "Get back on board for f**k's sake".  Helpfully Google Translate gives us, "go on boardf, f**k!" The phrase has made it onto t-shirts - see graphic.  You can hear the radio exchange on  YouTube : As for me, I won't be buying their coffee ever again! Nb: The Captain's name is pronounced 'Skettino', not as you may have wished.
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Croydon's in debt ... and we're all paying

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London Councils are owed a total £642 million in council tax arrears - an average of £188 per household. Six percent of that total is owed to Croydon Council, who have – amazingly – slightly reduced the amount owing in the last year!!! I suppose we long-suffering tax-payers should be grateful, but the £40m outstanding adds about £271 to all our individual bills. UK Council Tax debt league 1.       Liverpool - £114m, adds £528 to average bill 2.       Hackney - £41.8m, adds £403 to average bill 3.       Haringey - £32.6m, adds £313 to average bill 4.       Hounslow - £29.7m, adds £306 to average bill 5.       Lambeth - £38m, adds £284 to average bill 6.       Islington - £28.1m, adds £277 to average bill 7.       Croydon - £40m, adds £271 to average bill 8.  ...
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Yeugh cult!

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Everyone knows so-called 'probiotic drinks are sugar and water masquerading as health food.  And that great customer relations is about listening to what people are saying.  So how do you explain this - below - from the distributors of Yakult in response to my mate 'Nutters's’ complaint?? First, I'd better explain that the milkman left 24 free samples of this expensive confection at 'Nutters's' place of work.  'Nutters' didn't ask for them ... didn't welcome them and told Mr Yakult as much. You will notice that Yakult's careful, official, line is not to claim health benefits, just the weasel words about ‘positive outcomes’.  I shall be following this up at some reputable sources, including Quack Watch and Bad Science. Watch this space. Here's the official response: Subject: RE: Yakult freebies Dear , Thank you for your email; I am very sorry that you were disappointed with your recent free delivery of Yakult. Just to give you so...
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