Monthly Archives: June 2014

The New Aristocrats

Posted on June 30, 2014 by the archivist

One hundred years ago yesterday, top European aristocrat Archduke Franz Ferdinand was shot dead in Sarajevo. This led to an ultimatum from the Austro-Hungarian empire to Serbia, whence the assassin had come. And it activated a whole set of alliances … Continue reading →

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The Waiting Room

Posted on June 29, 2014 by the archivist

Maybe it’s just me, but the medical profession seems to be getting seriously out of order, and calling for more and more bans. E-cigarettes should be banned in public places because they ‘normalise’ smoking, a leading doctor has said. Surgeon Ram … Continue reading →

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One Step Closer to Quitting Europe?

Posted on June 28, 2014 by the archivist

The appointment today of palaeo-federalist Jean-Claude Juncker as the next EU Commission President, in the face of vocal resistance by David Cameron,  brought immediate claims that Britain was on its way out of the EU. e.g. Daniel Hannan: As recently … Continue reading →

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Three Obscenities

Posted on June 27, 2014 by the archivist

Obscenity number one: BMA calls for tobacco prohibition: The British Medical Association (BMA) has voted by a large majority for the illegalisation of tobacco for people born after the year 2000. Dr. Tim Crocker-Buque, who is a Specialist Registrar in … Continue reading →

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A Loss of Self-Confidence

Posted on June 26, 2014 by the archivist

A lot to process today in the comments. But the line that stood out strongest for me was from one of Nightlight’s comments: …smokers believe ‘smoking kills’(hence it is sin). Just as there are no muggers organizing to defend their … Continue reading →

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Small Acts of Resistance

Posted on June 25, 2014 by the archivist

Carol2000 keeps on saying: We should be attacking their scientific fraud at every opportunity, and ultimately create or (our?) own opportunity with a lawsuit that calls on them to cease and desist, and which installs appropriate supervision over them. Well, the … Continue reading →

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UKIP Voters are a Bit Thick

Posted on June 24, 2014 by the archivist

I was a bit puzzled today to learn that… Ukip voters feel disconnected from mainstream politics because they don’t know how to send emails or browse the internet, Labour’s shadow business secretary has suggested… Mr Umunna said it was time for … Continue reading →

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Marketing Coffin Nails

Posted on June 23, 2014 by the archivist

H/T Harley for Tobacco Control: A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing, exploring the psychology of fear in antismoking warnings: So look at the gruesome image on the packet. Read the warning, “Smoking Kills.” And now look at the recommended action… Sorry, I … Continue reading →

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Why I Don’t Have a TV

Posted on June 22, 2014 by the archivist

I think this YouTube excerpt from a recent Channel 4 discussion might explain it all: It’s a sort of descent into hell, as Yasmin Alibhai-Brown launches into columnist Rod Liddle, accusing him of bigotry. It seems to have led to … Continue reading →

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The Death of Garrincha

Posted on June 21, 2014 by the archivist

I was going to write about Garrincha, who I watched play football on TV in Rio de Janeiro in 1964 – only to find that I had already already done so 4 years ago during the last World Cup. Garrincha … Continue reading →

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