Bikers and Buses

New London mayor Boris Johnson has squared up to the subject of bikers in bus lanes and come down firmly on the side of powered two wheelers being allowed to join cyclists and taxi's in the specially marked bus lanes. To date, bikers caught straying into these lanes would automatically pick up a £120 fine!

Despite stiff opposition from cycling groups worried that push-cyclists could be put in greater danger, Mr Johnson looked at evidence from studies showing an actual improvement in safety when powered two wheelers were allowed into the reserved bus lanes.

Bikers have been allowed to use bus lanes for some years in Bristol and there has also been a three year trial in which motorcyclists used the bus lanes in A23 Brixton Road, the A13 Leamouth Road and Butcher Row East and A41 Finchley. This study in London concluded that allowing motorcycles to use bus lanes proved safer for pedestrians, cyclists, bikers and all road users with a 42% reduction in collisions.

Global Warming

Undoubtedly global warming is here, and is caused by CO2. Scientists have various research to determine if we are to blame for our over use of fossil fuels and wasteful of energy consumption.

The recent Live Earth Movement included a series of large concerts around the globe with an effort to promote our participation in the fight on global warming. They promote The Kyoto Protocol (a global plan to slow down global warming) and with sponsors like Chevy and their fuel efficient vehicles and Phillips Electronics with their slogan "its so simple" they hope to save the earth.

Using compact light bulbs that last longer and use less energy, turning down the heating, turning of the tap when you brush your teeth, taking the bus or train are all simple things we can do to save energy and prevent the every increasing temperature on out planet.

But it really isn't so simple. Preventing catastrophic global warming calls for a complete restructuring of the global economy; Live Earth concerts with daily jet setting stars and buying energy efficient light bulbs isn't going to do it.

Bjorn Lomborg a pronounced author on the subject says :

"The Kyoto Protocol will cut CO2 emissions from industrialised countries by 50% in 2050. Yet, if everyone (including the US) lived up to the protocol's rules, and stuck to it throughout the century, the change would be almost immeasurable, postponing warming for just six years in 2100. And the economic models tell us that the cost would be substantial - at least $150 billion a year." Just six years.

The United Nations estimates that half that amount could permanently solve all of the world's major problems: hunger, conflict, diseases like HIV, lack of clean drinking water and lack of education are all things that i think need attention in preference to climate change.

It's a shame to have to prioritise important issues but we don't have enough resources to win all the wars on our planet. The Governments of our world need to prioritise these issues and decide in which area we can do the most good.

Global warming is one of the biggest debates of our generation, with so many angles. What caused the cool down freeze of the 1950s to switch so dramatically to global warming? Are they both exaggerations of fact or proper gander to get use to be less wasteful in our lives? Are we to blame? We are at the end of an ice age after all.

Tea House Fox

I have made a new friend: The little tea house fox ^_^

This little guy has taken the neon lit office cubical world by storm! And I love him too ^_^ Who would think such a content little fox could be such a superstar : )

He is one of the many header "themes" for iGoogles home page, and the scene changes every 2 hours or so to view the Fox doing a different activity in accordance with your local time zone.

First thing in the morning Fox is fishing, then as the morning wears on he picks oranges from the orchard his little tea house sits in. Later in the day he fishes and has a little picnic. At night he has tea outside on the porch and plays a shiemsien on the dock before curling up in a sleeping bag to catch 40 winks. There are other scenes too, including rumours of a ghostly visit at 3 am…..

Go check out folks, I certainly enjoy the small, free things in life and this is one highly recommended! So go and enjoy : )

Sophie Lancaster

I am sitting in front of my computer, nearly speechless, wondering how someone could have so much hate for the way a person looks or for the music they enjoy, or how they could be so ignorant as to want to harm someone for being different.

On august 11th 2007 Sophie Lancaster (20) and Rob Maltby (21) were attacked but a group of 11 or 12 teenage boys. They beat Rob to un-consciousness, when Sophie tried to cradle and protect him but they stamped on her head. I can’t stomach to write the rest of the horrific details that this group of boys inflicted on these two students. Both victims were in comas; after 13 days Sophie died. Rob recovered with brain damage and disability.

I’m sure I don’t need to fill you in on the tragic details but in case you’re new to the story here are some related links, some information on wikipedia, an article in the telegraph and also the bbc

This vicious attack was carried out by a known gang from a local area, who not only attacked Sophie and Rob, but also filmed this and placed it on the internet. Yesterday Brendan Harris (15), who initially denied the murder, was found guilty. Ryan Herbert (16) pleaded guilty to the murder. Three other youths (ages 15, 16 and 17) were also found guilty of GBH to both victims.

During questioning Brendan Harris and his mother sniggered at the police. This is shocking behaviour for such a serious situation. Why encourage it? Someone I was with, on hearing the news, laughed out loud and said "I’m not surprised, dressing like an idiot" he also added "she deserved it" and he was not alone, another man also laughed with him and a third agreed. This appalling attitude sickens me almost as much as the tragedy which provoked such comments.

It has been said that "society is no more violent than it was ten or twenty years ago, it’s just that these things are being reported more" This is NOT true. Gangs of lads were NOT going around beating young women up and stamping on their heads. They continue to beat those that are different from them, those who are smaller, younger, outnumbered by them and they do not stop. They beat them when they are down, they don’t care who they are or if they are male or female. They have no morals. And it makes me sick. Why do they feel it is acceptable to behave in such a savage way and enjoy the pain of others?

It has also been reported that this is an isolated case. This is NOT an isolated incident. This is a very serious attack but there are stories of un-provoked violence up and down the country (I have myself have been involved in one or two) but with few independent witnesses and lack of evidence there are very few convictions.

How can we change these appalling attitudes towards other people’s right to be respected? How do we teach the generations to come that it is un-acceptable to behave is such way?

I felt so much disbelief and horror, at a purely human level that something like this could happen. Violent hate crimes baffle and sicken me. Goth or otherwise, first and foremost they are people, human beings and they both deserved the same respect that any of us do. It’s all so senseless and heartbreaking that I felt I had to express myself.

Please check out S.O.P.H.I.E (Stamp Out Predjudice Hatred and Intolerance Everywhere) and read up on some interesting work by Sophie’s mother Mrs Sylvia Lancester to raise awareness for hate crime. Also take a look at some wise words for some more information.

I can’t explain how much Sophie’s ordeal touched me. The extent of sheer cruelty is simply disturbing and utterly disgusting.

Uniformed Troops

I've read a lot about protests and abuse towards service men and women in recent times – you may notice the radio and TV today is big on news about the RAF being told to not wear their uniform in Peterborough. This is news to the general public but it the no uniform rule has been around for a while for one reason: servicemen are targets.

People are calling servicemen names as well as shouting abuse at them in the street. It's frustrating, they are blaming the wrong people. They should take their complaints to their MP's or to local governments or direct to Westminster if they so wish, not our brave troops. Its such a shame that in patriotic America their soldiers are treated with great respect. Wether in uniform or not they are given handshakes and respect by the public. I don't expect the same here but the complete opposite is un-acceptable.

These people obviously don't realise that they are just doing their jobs. They go where they're told and do what they're told to do. The servicemen of our country have the hardest job of all and are currently working in confrontation situations abroad let alone in the streets of their home town. They should not be trying to fight on two fronts, and with each casualty, and with so many experienced soldiers, sailors and airmen leaving the Armed Forces, their days get harder and harder. They should reflect on how much sacrifice is given, not just the front line but to their personal lives as well.

Despite the widely held opinion that the war was unjust in the first place, (one which i agree with) they should be honoured as the war heroes that they are.

Zelda live action movie and Bard class in Wow

In case you haven’t heard what an awesome April fool it was this year in the gaming world I thought I would enlighten you : ) First up is ING’s Zelda live action movie trailer; I love it! It’s a rather extravagant spoof made by rainfall productions, the trailer took 3 months to film, had a massive casting program and most of the special effects done at home on a Mac ^_^

Then there is blizzard…. They are a bunch of big kids with a lot of time (and money for that matter) on their hands. For instance, did you know that Lich King would be adding an awesome bard class to World of Warcraft or that WoW was coming to consoles with Molten Core (there’s even a trailer!)? And you must have heard about Tauren marines in StarCraft II, right? You haven’t even seen Diablo II: Loot Pinata??

If you are a gamer, I highly recommend you go check them all out : D