KwAcKy's Konfessional |
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Nothing of interest; just mindless links to bikes Birmingham City Football Club and useless junk  
  
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28 June 2003
WhooHoo! Exams are over! 3 in one week - not funny. My last exam took place early on Friday, which meant I got to the pub for noon! Did a tour of some of the bars on Bristol Road and ended up staying in the Brisol Pear (aka the Railway) until kicking out time. Then me and a couple of mates came back to an empty house and stayed up 'til 4 watching some old music vids, doing lines, smoking weed and necking my vodka/lemon balm special cocktail. Always seems a good idea at the time. It never seems a good idea when you finally drag yourself from your pit. It's even worse when you recall what you got up the previous night! Ah well, I won't see them until September so everything should have calmed down by then. We were all going to meet up next Friday but I think I'll give it a miss and run straight home after work. Someone warn Bluetitch not to visit Switzerland and instead spend some time on this particular Blog We've been on standby for some form of terrorist attack since the attacks on the twin towers. One form of bomb, we're warned, could be a "dirty bomb", a crude nuclear device designed to scatter nuclear waste over a wide area. Security at key nuclear sites has been stepped up. So how the feck did they fail to see the cute ickle bunnies digging holes at a nuclear waste site? What if they are highly trained terrorist rabbits? They could be everywhere! Thorpe has made a lovely track sampling The Pinball Song from Sesame Street. A friend of his has made a video featuring the footage that accompanied it on the show. It's great, a funky nostalgia fest. The Dark Side Does Disco Think you know music? Check out the Music Correspondent's thoughts on your favourties. Bike stuff Looks like this years MotoGP is going to be fun. Sete Gibernau has taken his third MotoGP win this season at the third round of the world championship in Assen. The race was delayed by rain and the standing water made visibility difficult when it did get under way. Gibernau held the lead throughout the race but had to work hard to break away from the two Hondas of Max Biaggi and Valentino Rossi, eventually finishing over 10 seconds ahead of the Biaggi. Troy Bayliss was looking to take third place but went in too hot in an attempt to take Rossi, running wide in to the gravel trap and finishing the race in ninth. The Yamahas of Carlos Checa and Olivier Jacque took fourth and fifth followed by Ducati’s Loris Capirossi, who started the race on pole. Colin Edwards took seventh on the Alice Aprilia with Alex Barros nine seconds behind in eighth, but Edwards team-mate Noriyuki Haga highsided two laps before the end of the race. There's an interview with Craig Jones on the Triumph ValMoto site. This lad is going to be a world champion soon.  23 June 2003
21 June 2003
Good speach from Mr Robert Baer, a former member of the CIA who worked out in Iraq after the 1991 conflict. The speach might be pre- 2003 Gulf War but it shows the mind set of those in power. Seems that the US government thinks nothing of starving children, poisoning the World and leeching resources to the detriment of others, but assassinate? That's illegal! he BBC Website is running a "What the World thinks of America" special. 10 countries were invited to the debate. If you missed the programme then you can watch it by clicking a link on this page. There were two polls: What the World thinks of America, and What America thinks the world thinks of them. South Korea view the US as more of a threat than North Korea! Most of those quizzed, which included Americans, think that the US is arrogant in its approach to world politics. Clare Short gives us an insight into the world of international politics and, in my opinion, rightly warns of the backlash the US might face if it continues to throw its weight about. 
If you're the type who cuts straight to the chase, then these excellent flip-flops are just for you. Wear them on the beach and as you walk the message "SHAG ME" is stamped in the sand. Also featuring comfortable jelly straps - they're the ultimate eye-catching beach holiday accessories. 15 June 2003
The Washington Post has a decent piece on the rise of the newspaper since the demise of the Hussein government. However (you knew there would be a "however"), it appears that the invaders don't like too much free speech. Quick to show the world how the US has introduced freedom of speech, quick to censor. American authorities say they are working on a directive that would ban hate speech and incitements to violence and create a system for registering publications to lend some order to the media landscape. . The NewYork Press warns of "Trailers of Mass Destruction" These are the fabled mobile weapons of mass destruction. They must exist, US Intelligence (I love that phrase) insists they've seen them. They've even published photographs. Not quite as clear as the usual pictures of Nessie or Aliens, but photos nonetheless. I can just see some patriotic souls petrol bombing their local trailer park. The UN has asked Israel to stop building it's segregation wall. How many UN resolutions has the state ignored or broken? I can't see them paying heed to the latest plea. 'By the end of July, 12,000 Palestinians in 15 villages could find themselves wedged between the wall and the Green Line .. a further 138,000 Palestinians in 16 localities could be surrounded on three sides by the wall ..' Israel claims that the wall is aimed at preventing the entry of Palestinians to Israel in a bid to stop suicide bombings inside the green line. However, Israel has altered the route of the wall so that it encroaches several illegal settlements in the West Bank, making it almost impossible on the ground for a contiguous, Palestinian state to be established. The green line was the borderline between the West Bank (which was under Jordanian rule) and Israel prior to the 1967 war. The UN official meanwhile stressed that the wall would clearly obstruct international community efforts aimed at reviving the peace process, since it is being built east of the green line and not on it, as Israel claims. “It could easily be seen as jeopardizing the territorial contiguity of a Palestinian state and thereby inhibiting the establishment of a Palestinian state,” he said. [quotes taken from Palestine Media Center (http://www.palestine-pmc.com/).] It is a costly decision, with each kilometre of fencing estimated at $US1 million - now you know where that $10 billion has gone. Just to add some balance to the debate, here's the views of Professor Martin van Creveld, an Israeli military historian. Go and filch the final strip of my land, Ditch my youth in prison holes, Plunder my legacy, Burn my books, Feed your dogs on my fishes, Go and spread your net of terror Upon the roofs of my village, Enemy of man, I shall not compromise And to the end I shall fight, If you blow out all the candles in my eyes If you fill my anguish. Forge my coin, Uproot the smile from my children's faces, If you raise a thousand walls, And nail my eyes to humiliation, Enemy of man, I shall not compromise And to the end I shall fight." Samih Al-Qassem's poem "Report of a Bankrupt  Long time no Blog and all that. Iraq Stuff Everyone is gay. Well, that seems to be the current theme. Saddam Hussein is gay and we all know about Blair and Bush (nicked, without shame, from Mitch). The situation in Iraq is still "fluid" as reporters like to say. US troops are still meeting resistance. The press alleges that the Iraqi attackers are "loyal to Saddam Hussein". They're not terrorists, these are people who don't want to become the 51st state. 1,300 US soldiers entered Falluja to stamp out Iraqi opposition in that area, they left the next day after making just 7 arrests. Estimated number of civilian deaths during the assault on Iraq:- Min 5534 Max 7207 Bush has also decided (because no one needs to be consulted on these matters) that most major ports in Muslim Middle East countries whoudl have US inspectors to monitor and check all shipping. US inspectors are to be stationed at strategic locations. They include Dubai, a hub for shipping in the Persian Gulf. Also taking part are Malaysia and Turkey, both with predominantly Muslim populations. The move was announced by US Director of Homeland Security Tom Ridge: "The basic premise behind each of these elements is very clear. We extend our zone of security outward so that American sea ports and borders become the last line of defence, not the first. All your questions answered :- A WARMONGER EXPLAINS WAR TO A PEACENIK So paranoid am I about an attack while I sit at home (those nasty Arab types are after all of you, you know?!), that I'm searching for comfort by installing a new Firewall. It's seems to be doing a good job; no hacks or attacks (or so it tells me). Best check out this site, before there's nothing left. For those of you who like comic book and film art, check out Craig Mullins' site Bike Stuff Nice little intro into the world of MotoGP (just how poor is that accent, Ewan?) Even if you're not into bikes, its worth watching , just to get an insight into one of the most exciting and dangerous sports going (in my opinion ;-] ) On a sad note, we found out this weekend that a friend and member of the Sportsbiker crew was killed last Thursday whilst out on his bike. Tezza was only 21. His brave girlfriend worked her way through his mobile phone to tell his friends. We don['t know what happened, just that a car was involved. God rest his soul. Special mention to must go to Jim Moodie. Not only did he have the balls to get back on his bike after what could have been a fatal accident, but, when he got back from the Isle of Man, he took the time to e-mail all of his well wishers. Top rider, all round nice guy. Other Stuff Another Hallmark Holiday means I get a double Led Zep CD, a very large slab of Toblerone dark and a card! Talking of presents and cards, don't forget to wish Weebl and Bob "Happy Birthday" Is anyone suprised at the recent announcement that Homer J Simpson has been voted the Greatest American?  06 June 2003
Eight-year-old Palestinian boy Naseem Sobih, center, cries, as does his younger brother Hazim, 4, while other family members grieve queitly, as they crowd into their car, and vacate their village of Yanun, under ongoing pressure from nearby Israeli settlers, in the West Bank, Friday, Oct. 18, 2002. From the Palestine Chronicles "The US government is based on a constitution that includes separation of Church and state, equality, and withholding support of brutal regimes. Yet, according to Amnesty International all countries represented at this summit violate human rights." By Mazin B. Qumsiyeh, Ph.D. The joke being told in Palestinian circles at home and in the Diaspora is that the only part of the speech of Prime Minister Abbas not scripted by the Israelis is the part that says "in the name of God the most merciful." To viewers around the world, he Summit in Jordan was appeared totally surreal. While supposedly intended to begin implementing a road map for peace, the other authors of the road map were not invited: the Europeans, Russia, and the United Nations. Of the Arab countries, only those dictatorial regimes towing the Bush line were invited. As expected, Israeli Prime Minister Sharon talked about Israeli but not Palestinian security. The Palestinian "Prime Minister" Abbas talked about Israeli security but not Palestinian security. This is ironic since Israel has the fourth strongest Army in the world and massive stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction. The decimated Palestinians who have not seen security in 55 years were not allowed to talk about security for their own people but only to talk of "improving humanitarian conditions." But then again that is what is expected in negotiations between a jailer and prisoners. King Abdullah of Jordan talked about his vision of "lets all get along." President Bush talked about the New World Order the same as he always does with minor but important changes. While he had problems saying the word "contiguous", he was not allowed to utter words such as sovereignty for Palestine, International law, human rights, equality, or non-discrimination. In fact, for the first time a US president supported a theocracy by stating than not only he supports Israel as a sovereign state but he supports a "Jewish state" (verbally emphasizing the word "Jewish"). No one mentioned UN resolutions or addressed whether the envisioned Palestinian State will be analogous to the Bantustans/Ghettos under Apartheid South Africa. No one mentioned the massive walls being built around Palestinian enclaves. No one mentioned Arafat, the elected and yet isolated leader of the Palestinians. Sharon promised to immediately "begin" to dismantle unauthorized settlement outposts. No one mentioned that all Israeli settlements in the areas occupied in 1967 are illegal per International law and the 4th Geneva Convention. Israel has not even agreed to abide by the provisions of the road map calling for freeze on settlement activities. Everyone plays a game of "let us pretend." We pretend that the occupied and dispossessed will stop their resistance before their freedom is attained. We pretend that refugees will simply forget their rights to their homes, lands, and businesses. We pretend that settlements do not exist on confiscated Palestinian lands. We pretend that the Arab vassal regimes of Washington can keep the lid on their people's frustrations. We pretend that Israel, which doubled the number of settlers in the occupied areas after signing the Oslo accords will "deal with the settlements." And we pretend that all this talk will bring peace. The US government is based on a constitution that includes separation of Church and state, equality, and withholding support of brutal regimes. Yet, according to Amnesty International all countries represented at this summit violate human rights. Further, our taxes finance an Israeli government with no constitution and a set of basic laws to ensure it remains a country of, by, and for the Jewish people all while denying return of Christians and Muslims brutally and ethnically cleansed from their villages. 70% of Palestinians are refugees or displaced persons and their right of return is not only legal and moral but also logistically possible as studies have shown. Further, a quarter of Israel's 1.3 million non-Jews are considered by the Israeli legal system as "present absentees." Lands and homes vacated by Christian and Muslim refugees and "absentees" are considered state property and turned over to the Jewish agency that administers the land and leases it only to "Jewish development." Thus, the only objection to return is not security nor feasibility but merely maintaining a discriminatory and illegal behavior to favor one religion over others. Incomplete success of the removal of the natives led Israeli governments to isolate the remaining Palestinians in ghettos with high walls. Amnesty International stated that the basic flaw of the Oslo accords and what follows is that they ignored human rights. This is the essence of the "plans" to solve the "problem" in violation of International law. Thus, an alternative International conference is being held in Toronto June 20-22 and will draw emphasis on refugee rights as key to enduring peace in the Middle East and as an alternative to the game of pretense. Iraq Bush and Blair are struggling to come up with any answers about weapons of mass destruction. DOHA, Qatar (VOA) US President Bush says the United States will, "reveal the truth" about Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. Speaking Thursday to U.S. troops based in Qatar, the president said U.S. forces are on the lookout for the weapons, that he said ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein hid from United Nations weapons inspectors. A leaked US intelligence report has cast fresh doubt on the coalition claims that Iraq had banned weapons which served as justification for going to war. The secret September 2002 Pentagon intelligence report concluded that there was "no reliable information" that Iraq had biological or chemical weapons. It is believed the report was widely circulated among the Bush administration at a time when senior officials were putting the case for military action. The latest twist in the weapons row came as United Nations nuclear experts arrived in Iraq to investigate post-war looting of material from the country's main nuclear facility. No doubt giving the US a good excuse "er, the WMD's were looted and our reliable intelligence has informed us that they have been sold to [innsert name of country next on the list]." Meanwhile, the invaders, sorry, liberators are finding themselves most unwelcome. A U.S. Central Command statement says a U.S. soldier was killed and five others wounded early Thursday in the town of Fallujah when an unknown assailant fired on them with a rocket-propelled grenade. The Arab satellite television channel Al-Jazeera says U.S. troops conducted sweeps of the town after the attack. Several U.S. troops have been killed in recent weeks in Fallujah, which was a stronghold of the ousted regime. In a separate incident, a U.S. military spokesman says two American soldiers were wounded in Baghdad Thursday when attackers fired on them as they guarded a bank. The rocket grenade attack was featured on last nights excellent report on Channel 4. 02 June 2003
Nice write up on the TT from a personal perspective - Gixxer.Com Dave Jefferies was killed on the Isle of Man last week on a practice run. Conflicting reports about the crash. Some say he hit a car which was on the track, some that he slided on oil left by his bike and others say it was his own bike that lost oil. When you're riding on a road at 170 mph the most you can do is pray. He died on the spot due to his injuries. DJ was one of those racers who was admired, not for his skill and speed, but because he was an average punter who loved bikes. Famous for stuffing his cakehole full of pies and enjoying a beer, DJ was sure to entertain and his TT lap record still stands. May he always find some sticky tarmac and a local pie shop. Valmoto's Jim Moodie was on the same lap as DJ. D hit a telegraph pole and as Moodie came round the corner the wires wrapped round his neck. He managed to bring his bike to a halt before being hauled off his bike. Moodie is very lucky to be alive. What's more incredulous is that he escaped with minor injuries and was able to race the next day. My Bike Last Saturday I went out for a spin on the bike. It's amazing how quickly you forget the speed of your bike! When I opened it up she scared me. But, I soon got into the swing of things. I went out with my neighbour who has gone, in less than 2 years, from a real wobbler to a track day demon. Andy's Gixer 750 handles like a dream and just screams to be ridden fast. It's nice to see how well the triple fairs against the 4 cylinder bikes - I can just launch out of a corner on a huge torque curve while the 4s wait for the revs to climb and hit that powerband. I need to get back on a track. I've not done a track day since my spill at Donnington and I've lost some of my confidence. There's an evening session this Tuesday but I need a new front tyre and I'm waiting for an aftermarket shock from the guy who runs Triumph Rider Site - WebHamster. The shock has a ride height adjuster so if I jack the backside into the air the bike will turn in quicker. Webhamster has trading in his Sprint RS for a new Daytona 600. I'm taking one out for a test ride on Tuesday (weather permitting) just to see if it handles as well as everyone makes out. I won't get one for the simple reason that I can't ride a 600cc anymore - just too much like hard work! With exams coming up I don't think I'll be doing a track day this month :-( I think I'll book one for next month to keep me going :-) Football More talk about Upson and England. Other Stuff Seen the new World Mystery Theme park? Wouldn't be much of a mystery if everyone knew about it! I dread to think what sort of people will be attracted to this attraction. I have this mental image of real life comic book vendors a la The Simpsons I wondered how long it would take someone to milk 9/11 and produce a film. A made for TV movie is ready for release. This film depicts George Jr's "heroic handling of the crisis" (I kid you not). I shows Bush as a good old boy from Texas standing his ground and challenging his foes with quotes that wouldn't be amiss froma 50's Cowboy matinee film. As Air Force One (now why can't the yanks friendly fire that aircraft ffs?) hurtled him into history, he was heard to say ""If some tinhorn terrorist wants me, tell him to come and get me! I'll be at home! Waiting for the bastard!" That's it George. Demonstrate your understanding of the situation. By the way, if you're waiting for details of the 9/11 attack, don't hold your breath. Congress has decided it's "too sensitive" and must be kept secret for reasons of national security. The Miami Herald has more. If a version is released, expect it to be ghost written by the same people who brought us the intelligence report on the weapons of mass destruction. If you do want to see the Congress report, click here 
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