Sticks and Stones

This Canadian TV programme shows some of the extreme right-wing pundits on US television. And check the McKeown/Coulter exchange (same page) for a good example of their lies.

Upcoming.org

This site is one of a number of new social software sites which seek to use the Internet (or should that be "internet"?) for social interaction.

100 greatest albums

I am always suspicious about these kind of things. People were talking about this at work and so I looked at the channel 4 results. I prefer this one. Even with this list I was surprised at how high U2 were as I have never heard "The Joshua Tree" album. I don't mind U2 but I can't stand watching "The Edge" (could anyone really call themselves that?). Radiohead are around 140 on this but as I have never heard them (I know you like them Bobby) I will look them out in the library. My own favourite album is Forever Changes by Love. I would put the Pogues first album on my list of favourite albums and Nick Cave's "The boatman's call" but I don't think either of these are even in the 500.

I don't know if best albums make much sense. I sometimes buy albums or compilations just for one song. Now I suppose you can collect through downloads all the best songs from one artist or group without going to the albums. Albums though hold memories and I suppose that is a factor in making it difficult to judge between them. They bring back emotions rather than allowing aesthetic judgement. However in saying that I thought some people in my work liked shite.

New Pope

Given the level of hypocrisy about the death of the previous pope I think that this article may give some balance to thinking on the beneficial effects of religion in a secular society.

Pornography

"But the effect is not making men into raving beasts. On the contrary: The onslaught of porn is responsible for deadening male libido in relation to real women, and leading men to see fewer and fewer women as porn-worthy. Far from having to fend off porn-crazed young men, young women are worrying that as mere flesh and blood, they can scarcely get, let alone hold, their attention."

Some people thought that pornography would turn men into sex-crazed animals but this article argues that it kills men's interest in ordinary women.

This week's TV

This afternoon's FA Cup semi-final (BBC1) is the best football on TV this week and tonight's 100 Greatest Albums (Channel 4) sounds like it will be worth watching. It will be interesting to see which albums (selected by a "panel of music experts" from 125 nominations) make the top 10.

It clashes with Heysal - Requiem for a Cup Final which is also on at 9pm (BBC2). The new series of The Simpsons (Friday, Channel 4) is very good (last week's episode was brilliant) and Friday also has a good movie: Event Horizon at 12.15am (BBC1). Doctor Who continues on Saturday. Excellent special effects and (mostly) good acting don't entirely conceal so-so storylines and highly derivative characters -- Davies has plagiarised from TV (Buffy), movies (most of the special effects) and video games (such as Doom). Still, it beats most TV.

More election stuff

This survey is more detailed that whoshouldyouvotefor.com. The analysis of results is particularly impressive.

The Guardian is also hosting an election blog.

Who should you vote for?

This site seeks your views on a range of issues and then tells you which party best reflects your beliefs. Here are my results.

Who should I vote for?

Your expected outcome:

Labour

Your actual outcome:

Labour -18
Conservative -47
	Liberal Democrat 64
UK Independence Party -20
	Green 14

You should vote: Liberal Democrat

The LibDems take a strong stand against tax cuts and a strong one in favour of public services: they would make long-term residential care for the elderly free across the UK, and scrap university tuition fees. They are in favour of a ban on smoking in public places, but would relax laws on cannabis. They propose to change vehicle taxation to be based on usage rather than ownership.

Take the test at Who Should You Vote For

BBC - BBC TWO - Listings

To get some idea of Steve Earle the programme on Monday night on two and some live stuff from Cambridge after it should both be worth watching. The guy has got a great voice.

Death row blog

This is the first blog from someone on death row.

And I've completed my Kenya safari blog at last.

Spotted in Starbucks

Starbucks permits people to use computers in their cafes. But I don't think they meant your entire home computer system. I like their coffee but not everyone agrees.

Dire performance

I pretty much agree with Celtic Quick News analysis of yesterday's game. There was a lazy, arrogance about our performance. Anyway, the damage is done. Now we need seven straight wins. I don't think that the current bunch are capable of that. Let's hope that a new goalkeeper is on O'Neill's summer shopping list.

This week's TV highlights include two good movies. The Man with Two Brains is on tomorrow night (BBC1 at 11.45pm) and Vanilla Sky is on next Saturday (Channel 4 at 9.10pm). You get the chance to compare Hollywood's version of the movie with the original Spanish version (Friday, Channel 4 at 12.25am). Both movies are excellent although I preferred the US version.

Here [WMV] is the best description of golf that I've heard [NSFW].