Mad Mel

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/5230480.stm

Its bad enough he's peddling such shite as The Passion of the Christ with its orgy of violence supposedly to make us "believe" but now he's up for drunk driving and allegedly verbally abused the arresting officer.And he allegedly made anti-semitic comments.Is there anything he can't fuck up ?

How a US Senator thinks the Internet works

http://blog.wired.com/27BStroke6/?entry_id=1512499

Was led to this from Dave Farber's Interesting People archives .Its hilarious.I will amend this post later to credit the blog where I found the link.Great stuff.

Pringles :)

"I think Pringles' initial intention was to make tennis balls. But on the day that the rubber was supposed to show up, a big truckload of potatoes arrived. But Pringles is a laidback company. They said "Screw it. Cut em up." from the late comedian Mitch Hedberg. (Strategic Grill Locations and Mitch All Together)

from http://www.binarywolf.com/249/ a site which shows you how to make a DIY wireless antenna using a Pringles tin! Yes , I do have too much time on my hands :)

Hezbollah

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4314423.stm

Some background on Hezbollah.A question which occurs to me is why have the Lebanese government not taken them on and prevented them attacking Israel ? The attack by Israel looks like collective punishment of the Lebanese people for not doing so.I realise the Lebanese government is militarily weak and does have Hezbollah ministers but the Israeli attacks must cause some reaction.Looks like there will be an international force deployed to replace the ineffective UNIFIL.

Also today it will interesting to see what the repercussions will be after Israel apparently debliberately targeted a U.N. position and killed 4 U.N. observers.From the BBC website again:

'UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said he was "shocked" at the "apparently deliberate targeting" of the post. Israel has expressed "deep regret".'

Lebanon - Middle East Buddy List

http://www.slate.com/features/2006mideast/middleeast.html

Click on each square to see who are friends or enemies .Interesting.

The English newspaper The Independent's front page today analyses the options for Israel in Lebanon.There are no simple solutions.

I believe Israel had to do something about Hezbollah but their response has been excessive, with too many civilian casualties and the country devastated.I would like to see an international force deployed in southern Lebanon but they need to have adequate rules of engagement , as UNIFIL is ineffective.The weak Lebanese government is a major contributor to the chaos.

It remains to be seen if Conoleeza Rice's diplomatic initiative has any positive results.

Crazy Diamond shines no more

Syd Barrett, founder member of Pink Floyd and the subject of the song Shine on you Crazy Diamond, has passed away aged 60.Author of two of early Floyd's best songs Arnold Layne and See Emily Play, Barrett left the group as they became famous and he lived reclusively afterwards.

The CD "Wouldn't you miss me - The Best of.." is a collection of his solo work.


BBC link to Syd Barrett

Zidane's inglorious exit

Link to BBC report

It wasn't meant to end like this.

His final game : the possibility of a coronation with a second world cup triumph for the game's best player, and 10 seconds of madness ends it all.Zidane's explosive loss of temper , his headbutt of Matzerati, resulted in his dismissal, leaving France to contest a penalty shootout without their star player.Italy were cooler converting all 5 penalties to claim the trophy.

The speculation is that the Italian said something provocative, and Zidane , who was walking away, turned around and headbutted him in the chest.The 4th official reported it to the referee and the frenchman was shown the red card, shocking millions of viewers.Matzerati was silent when asked about the incident , leading to speculation that he did say something.But there is no excusing Zidane's actions.He had to go.

A terrible way to end your international career.