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


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Vada a bordo, cazzo!

Image
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.
Read more

Standards Czar's bright idea - MPs must be honest! I say they should also show humility

Here's a bit of a joke, the Committee on Standfards in Public Life is asking the PM to get MPs to sign up to some simple ethical standards, like honesty and openness. See the patronising letter nbelow. But, criminally, the Committee Chairman, Lord Bew, doesn't mention that quality almost totally absent from public life - humility.  Let's have more oif it.  Compulsory! Foreword from the Chair of the Committee on Standards in Public Life Dear Prime Minister, The message of this report is very simple. Awareness and understanding of the Seven Principles of Public Life cannot be left to chance. We need to make sure that all of those in public life, whether employed, appointed or elected, are aware of their ethical responsibilities and are prepared to act as ethical leaders. The public expects nothing less. An important first step in building that ethical awareness and understanding is induction. For most of those in public life, receiving induction is a n...
Read more

Yeugh cult!

Image
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...
Read more