Top Diaries

Any idea who is responsible?

Whoever they are - Russia would be better off without them.

by Sargon on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 04:06:56 PM EST
[ Parent ]

A statement by Finnish FM (4.00 / 2)

Erkki Tuomioja:

"Tunsin Anna Politkovskajan henkilökohtaisesti ja arvostin suuresti hänen työtään ja rohkeuttaan. Tällainen veriteko on suunnattu myös sananvapautta vastaan. On tärkeätä, että Venäjän viranomaiset pystyvät tapauksen nopeasti selvittämään ja saattamaan syylliset vastuuseen, johtivatpa jäljet mihin tahansa."

I knew Anna Politkovskaja personally and I had the highest admiration for her work and her courage. This bloodshed is aimed also at free speech. It is important that Russian officials are able to quickly solve the case and bring the culprits to justice - wherever the evidence leads.

You can't be me, I'm taken

by Sven Triloqvist on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 07:27:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Politkovskaya used to write for Novaya Gazeta. Could a kind soul translate this for those of us who can't read it?

Those whom the Gods wish to destroy They first make mad. -- Euripides

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 04:29:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Open Thread - Saturday Night (4.00 / 4)

Anna never has had anything to do with political intrigues or some "financial interests". It was absolutely impossible to silence or bribe her. She considered the quest for justice her human and journalist duty and was steadfast in this conviction. She was seeking truth and justice in tragic Chechen events - from the very start of the Chechen war until today, always aware of dangers involved.
We do not know today who killed her and why. We could only extend two major versions. This was either Ramzan Kadyrov's [Chechya's prime-minister - Sargon] revenge, about whose activity she wrote and spoke extensively. Or those who wanted the suspicion to fall on the Chechen prime minister, who, having passed 30-years-old age, could aspire to become the president of Chechnya.

by Sargon on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 06:33:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I first heard of Politkovskaya when she was reported poisoned as she flew to Beslan to cover the siege of the school there two years ago. At Novaya Gazeta they musthave some idea of what she was investigating of late.

Those whom the Gods wish to destroy They first make mad. -- Euripides

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 07:21:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Oh, and thanks for the translation.

Those whom the Gods wish to destroy They first make mad. -- Euripides

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 07:21:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

This is terrible news.

BTW I heard that there'll be a candle vigil in front of the Russian Embassy in Helsinki tomorrow at 7 pm. So if anyone's in Helsinki..

You have a normal feeling for a moment, then it passes. --More--

by tzt (tzt) on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 04:53:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I'll do my best.

You can't be me, I'm taken

by Sven Triloqvist on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 07:32:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]

More statistics fun: (4.00 / 3)

Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. -Voltaire

by p------- on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 02:07:18 PM EST

Re: More statistics fun: (none / 0)

LOL - this looks like a good reason to join ASKoD's Swedish Pirat party - he should be happy when he sees your chart.

by Fran on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 02:19:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: More statistics fun: (4.00 / 2)

They should run with this. If it isn't the centerpiece of their platform yet, they need to get their act together. ;)

Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. -Voltaire

by p------- on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 02:24:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Kitten news (4.00 / 2)

50% of the kittens got lost for a good part of this morning...

In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes

by Jerome a Paris (etg@eurotrib.com) on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 02:21:22 PM EST

Re: Kitten news (none / 1)

I hope the 50% only involved one kitten! ;)

They have a habit of doing this. You might want to be careful to not slam any drawers shut until they've doubled in size.

Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. -Voltaire

by p------- on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 02:26:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Kitten news (none / 0)

and you'll find that even then you'll find them in the back of cupboards or behind drawers, where it isn't possible for one to fit

Any idiot can face a crisis - it's day to day living that wears you out.

by ceebs (ceebs (at) eurotrib (dot) com) on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 02:54:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Kitten news (none / 0)

Yes, but by then your response to it is more likely to be "Dumb cat, get outta there, shoo," while trying to appear firm even though you think it is cute, instead of, "Oh Jesus Christ I almost just killed the kitten!" while suffering a mild heart attack. :)

Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. -Voltaire

by p------- on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 03:41:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Kitten news (none / 0)

The Kittens probably tired of graphs purporting to show "Peak Cat Food", became depressed, and went out to check and sample their potent stash of 'nip.

That's all.

"When the abyss stares at me, it wets its pants." Brian Hopkins

by EricC on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 04:25:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Useless Statistical Almanach (none / 0)

I had started a series over at Moon of Alabama when I was posting over there:

http://www.moonofalabama.org/2005/01/useless_statist.html
http://www.moonofalabama.org/2005/01/useless_statist_1.html
http://www.moonofalabama.org/2005/02/useless_statist.html
http://www.moonofalabama.org/2005/02/useless_statist_1.html
http://www.moonofalabama.org/2005/03/useless_statist.html

In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes

by Jerome a Paris (etg@eurotrib.com) on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 02:27:02 PM EST

(your turn)

Those whom the Gods wish to destroy They first make mad. -- Euripides

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 02:41:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

(your turn)

In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes

by Jerome a Paris (etg@eurotrib.com) on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 02:57:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

(your turn)

Those whom the Gods wish to destroy They first make mad. -- Euripides

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 03:12:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

(twice now)

In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes

by Jerome a Paris (etg@eurotrib.com) on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 03:25:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]

(your turns)

Those whom the Gods wish to destroy They first make mad. -- Euripides

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 03:34:28 PM EST
[ Parent ]

(again)

Those whom the Gods wish to destroy They first make mad. -- Euripides

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 04:40:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Open Thread - Saturday Night (4.00 / 4)

I spent Friday and today installing a new computer, and didn't got to report yesterday's events.

In short: yesterday the PM easily won the confidence vote (that wasn't in doubt), and main opposition party Fidesz's official mass protests started, and as expected were much bigger than last weeks'.

I couldn't find a better photo from above than this still frame from right-wing private news TV HírTV, still, some photos from Index.hu:

"Your time is off"

Masses of flag-wavers:

This is like a rock concert, for fans (of Orbán):

A TV initially estimated 80,000, the organisers claimed 350,000, it was most likely another in the 100,000-150,000 range (like 2-3 before since 1989). Today there were again 30,000, some impressions:

Pinocchio:

Fidesz has beautiful young people -- who write "In your style / IQ / FUCK OFF the seat of Batthány [revolutionary PM executed on this day 157 years ago]"

_{*Lunatic*, n.

One whose delusions are out of fashion.}

by DoDo on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 02:29:08 PM EST

Of course, I have nothing against street politics in principle, it's a special pain for me to see that it's the right-wingers out there (with their silly rightz-wing causes alongside and with their despicable leaders), drawing much of the politically active youth, while the true Left is in the underground and the official Left preaches democracy = politics in parliament.

_{*Lunatic*, n.

One whose delusions are out of fashion.}

by DoDo on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 02:33:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Open Thread - Saturday Night (4.00 / 3)

I have nothing against street politics in principle, it's a special pain for me to see that it's the right-wingers out there (with their silly rightz-wing causes

The Spanish right wing has been demonstrating 1) against peace; 2) against self-government; 3) against gay rights; 4) accusing the government of covering up "the truth about March 11".

Those whom the Gods wish to destroy They first make mad. -- Euripides

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 02:38:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

But they never matched the 2003 anti-war protesters in number... or the Basque peace protesters a few years ago.

_{*Lunatic*, n.

One whose delusions are out of fashion.}

by DoDo on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 02:41:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

There is a sad continuity between the Basque peace protests of the late 1990's and the demonstratins against the peace process today.

Those whom the Gods wish to destroy They first make mad. -- Euripides

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 02:43:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

The standard for demonstrations in France is the huge 1984 right wing march for private schools (about 1 million people).

It was more or less reached for the big anti-Le Pen demos in 2002.

In terms of disturbances, of course, the 3-week strike of all public transport in December 1995 will be hard to beat.

In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes

by Jerome a Paris (etg@eurotrib.com) on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 03:26:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

the true Left is in the underground and the official Left preaches

Introducing DoDo's TrueLeft™ certificates. </snark>

Those whom the Gods wish to destroy They first make mad. -- Euripides

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 02:44:28 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Well given my position you could have suspicions, but we are talking about a 'Left' that has every right-wing deviation of Bliar and nothing much to balance it beyond its name.

_{*Lunatic*, n.

One whose delusions are out of fashion.}

by DoDo on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 02:55:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Well, yes, the "third way" and all that.

The left is in disarray, what else is new?

Those whom the Gods wish to destroy They first make mad. -- Euripides

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 03:01:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Western European third-wayists at least have a large mass of disgruntled leftist voters and some murmuring backbench diehards.

_{*Lunatic*, n.

One whose delusions are out of fashion.}

by DoDo on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 03:06:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Large, but still insufficient. The only case where the Third Way has led to a successful splinter from the Social Democrats has been the WASG in Germany, it could only get into the Bundestag by joining te PDS and the alliance is already fraying at the edges...

Those whom the Gods wish to destroy They first make mad. -- Euripides

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 03:25:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Give me the post-WASG-breakaway SPD over the MSzP anytime.

Or even the CDU...

_{*Lunatic*, n.

One whose delusions are out of fashion.}

by DoDo on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 03:31:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Blairites, huh?

Those whom the Gods wish to destroy They first make mad. -- Euripides

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 03:33:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]

BTW, here is the most trade unions could gather.

Image Hosting by PicsPlace.to

This was on 8 July, a protest against the 'reforms'. A few hundred people on one side of a park. And a third of even that right-wing rent-a-crowds taking every chance at some booing. (On the other hand, I was pleased to hear that denouncements of plans to close railway branchlines was what got the strongest response from the crowd.)

_{*Lunatic*, n.

One whose delusions are out of fashion.}

by DoDo on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 02:51:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]

To what extent did Communism weaken unions?

Those whom the Gods wish to destroy They first make mad. -- Euripides

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 02:53:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]

To a large extent, by discrediting them and leaving behind concrete heads in the largest union who are both corrupt and cowards. That doesn't mean that unions are dead (now there are a lot of different ones), or that there would be no demand for them (I wrote a diary about a case), but unions are mostly significant at local level only, no mass strikes or 'civil society'.

(Incidentally, not unlike in France, the locomotive drivers' union is the one that is strong and visible.)

_{*Lunatic*, n.

One whose delusions are out of fashion.}

by DoDo on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 03:03:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]

It's a shame we don't have any Scottish posters.

I am sure the French football fans here won't mind me raising the issue...

by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 02:30:10 PM EST

Where is Izzy? Jerome said she would be back by now...

Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. -Voltaire

by p------- on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 02:33:11 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Last I heard from her, RealLife^TM was taking a little more sorting out than previously anticipated.

by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 04:12:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I understand, though I'm sorry to hear that.

Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. -Voltaire

by p------- on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 04:40:59 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Isn't ChrisCook Scottish?

Those whom the Gods wish to destroy They first make mad. -- Euripides

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 02:35:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Oh it's going to be fun in the pub tonight

dealing with all the Welsh football supporters.

But I do have an X-Rated Hypnotist and a street comedian to watch as well

Any idiot can face a crisis - it's day to day living that wears you out.

by ceebs (ceebs (at) eurotrib (dot) com) on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 03:15:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Oops. (none / 1)

Oops. Missed the game.
Oops. Scotland- France 1-0

In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes

by Jerome a Paris (etg@eurotrib.com) on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 03:01:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Oops. (none / 0)

Not to be outdone, Spain lost to Sweden 2-0. In the previous engagement Spain also lost to Northern Ireland.

Those whom the Gods wish to destroy They first make mad. -- Euripides

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 04:43:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Oops. (none / 0)

pilutta-pilutta

She believed in nothing; only her skepticism kept her from being an atheist. -- Jean-Paul Sartre

by ATinNM on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 07:21:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Raising the tissue? n/t (none / 0)

You can't be me, I'm taken

by Sven Triloqvist on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 04:01:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

As a result of the little scare around our the suspension of our child's after-school club, I have met with two Liberal Democrat councillors in the past two weeks, and I both have solicited me for membership...

Those whom the Gods wish to destroy They first make mad. -- Euripides

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 02:48:10 PM EST

Pollari Charged in Abu Omar Kidnapping (4.00 / 3)

The investigation into the kidnapping of Abu Omar was officially concluded Saturday afternoon, usually the last formal step before a trial. The accused may ask that the investigation be re-opened or may present counter-deductions in this final pre-trial phase.

39 people have been accused of crimes related to the kidnapping. 26 foreign agents, mostly linked to the CIA, are charged with kidnapping along with six Italian SISMI agents and the ROS (special forces carabinieri) Marshall Luciano Pironi. Two Libero reporters, Renato "Betulla" Farina and Claudio Antonelli have been charged with aiding and abetting, along with the SISMI officials, Pio Pompa and Luciano Seno.

General Nicolò Pollari, director of the Italian Intelligence Service SISMI, has been charged as an accomplice to the crime, according to most reports. La Repubblica, however, reports that Pollari has been charged with aiding and abetting rather than "grave complicity" in kidnapping.

I'll update as a diary when there's more news.

by de Gondi (publiobestia aaaatttthotmaildaughtusual) on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 06:01:29 PM EST

A neat anal probe... (none / 0)

...of Fox in the Independent. It plots the decline and gives evidence of why.

It also mocks the hollowness of Fox News claims that "We report, you decide". The core Fox audience is provenly more unaware of many issues and yet claims to be the best informed.

The article highlights some Fox gems of crassness:

Sometimes the spin is so dizzying it is almost funny. Back in February, Neil Cavuto's daytime show asked the question: "All-out civil war in Iraq: could it be a good thing?" Then, four days later, the same show framed the issue an entirely different way. "'Civil war' in Iraq: made up by the media?"

You can't be me, I'm taken

by Sven Triloqvist on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 06:58:08 PM EST

Re: A neat anal probe... (none / 1)

The cognitive dissonance capacity of right-wing people is just amazing.

Mine, my collagues, can change in short order from believing that there has been a revolution and police holds political prisoners, to believing that all the violence was by government provocators whom police left free rein. And then change back, and then again forth...

_{*Lunatic*, n.

One whose delusions are out of fashion.}

by DoDo on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 07:48:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: A neat anal probe... (none / 0)

The truly bizarre thing about US cable news is that before Fox there was CNN and now there is Comedy Central.

Those whom the Gods wish to destroy They first make mad. -- Euripides

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 08:08:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]

The second statistical joke is actually an invalid Figure II Categorical syllogism in the AAA mood.

It should be:

All dogs are animals
All cats are animals
Therefore, all cats are dogs

She believed in nothing; only her skepticism kept her from being an atheist. -- Jean-Paul Sartre

by ATinNM on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 07:31:19 PM EST

Surely you mean:

1. All dogs are animals

2. All cats are animals

3. Therefore, all animals are sometimes cats and dogs at the same time - but usually only when no one is looking.

Not many people realise that you can generalise quantum theory to syllogisms. And that this explains a lot about pet ownership.

(Does anyone here believe that kittens get trapped in furniture by climbing inside it?)

by ThatBritGuy (thatbritguy (at) googlemail.com) on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 08:31:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I'm keeping an open mind. I don't know how furniture behaves when I'm not looking at it.

by afew (afew(a in a circle)eurotrib_dot_com) on Sun Oct 8th, 2006 at 03:03:42 AM EST
[ Parent ]

George Carlin rant on who owns the U.S.A. (none / 1)

talk about not knowing whether to laugh or cry:

http://www.documentaries.ws/1/news.php

Truth unfolds in time through a communal process.

by marco on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 09:26:44 PM EST

Priceless quote: (none / 0)

"It's called the American Dream, because you have to be asleep to believe it!"

The Fates are kind.

by Gaianne on Sun Oct 8th, 2006 at 06:36:25 AM EST
[ Parent ]