Global temperature up?

Something for Christmas Eve

The apartheid state of Israel strikes again

http://www.israellycool.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/trees.jpg

It's time to fight Slave Leia fatigue - Kaley Cuoco explains

Pay attention; it's the fancy dress party season so think before you wear that slave Leia costume...

Synthetic Personnel Using Dielectric Substitution

An interesting acronym used by Boeing. It's part of Boeing's project to put wifi in planes.

You can read more in the LA Times -
http://touch.latimes.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-73756022/

Yes Boeing are using potatoes instead of people, insulting to all except Ian Hislop. The acronym is SPUDS!

Thanks to Jon Worth @jonworth for the spot on Twitter

A sign as to how much India has changed

The Hindustan Times reports that:

'Our attitude to truffles is changing. Now, they are all around us – in upmarket grocery shops, at weddings, parties, restaurants. But they’ll always be a luxury. One measure of how quickly India is changing – in food and wine terms, at least – is our attitude to truffles. When I first

wrote about truffles, most readers of Rude Food knew very little about them. They associated the term ‘truffle’ with those round chocolates and were not sure how it was pronounced. Was it ‘troofle’ or ‘truffle’? (It is, of course, the latter.)

Now, just five or six years later, truffles are all around us. Upmarket grocery shops in our metropolitan cities sell bottled truffles and truffle sauces. Chefs reach for their bottles of truffle oil at the slightest provocation. Truffles are served at top weddings and parties. And restaurants import white truffles every autumn when the season begins in Italy.
I’ve always been something of a truffle devotee. So, five years ago, I would go to Italian restaurants carrying my own truffles (and usually, a truffle slicer) so that I could grate them over eggs, pasta or risotto.

Strictly speaking, the chefs would have been within their rights to refuse to let me eat my own truffles. But, in reality, most were so thrilled to see fresh white truffles, that nobody ever refused. (If I had asked to be able to use my own Kraft cheese, on the other hand, I’m sure they would have thrown me out.)

But these days, you don’t need to take your own truffles. Let’s take the example of Travertino, the swish Italian restaurant at the Delhi Oberoi.

Many years ago, when I first took a white truffle to the restaurant, the Italian chef was so delighted that he tried to devise a special truffle menu while the Indian chefs all lined up to smell and feel the truffle because they’d only read about fresh white truffles but had never actually seen them.

Two weeks ago, the same Travertino was serving an elaborate truffle feast, supervised by a Michelin-starred chef from Italy, and the hotel’s own Soumya Goswami. The Oberoi chefs were shaving fresh white truffles on to thin, crispy pizzas at Threesixty, the all-day dining restaurant located next door to Travertino. Nobody thought of truffles as being such a big deal any longer.

In fact, I think I’ve probably eaten more truffles in Delhi this season than I’ve ever eaten in my life. The Princess’s two parties for her husband’s birthday turned into truffle fests as guests ate alarming quantities of the finest Piedmont truffles with pizza bianca, risotto, tagliolini or simply grated over fried eggs.

The Princess was being extraordinarily generous. But even those of us who did not benefit from her largesse had many opportunities to eat truffles elsewhere.

At Sevilla, the Mediterranean restaurant at Delhi’s Claridges (now back on the gastronomic map), I had a truffle dinner with the hotel’s general manager, Oliver Martin: baked eggs with white truffle, pasta with truffle and then finally, truffles freshly grated on Japanese wagyu. Nor was this a special treat for me: the truffles were on the Sevilla menu.'

 Delhi is changing and the rest of India is too. 20 years ago Claridges had a Dhabba restaurant, a very good one, now it has an upmarket Italian one as well. More shockingly, what is a restaurant in Hindu Delhi doing serving wagyu beef, that is something that I never thought I'd see on a Delhi menu. I know cows are not, as many people mistakenly think, sacred to Hindus but no Hindus that I know would ever eat beef, it is taboo.  I on the other hand love a nice, juicy, rare steak.

What is happening on the flightdeck of your plane? Not Safe For Work

Quite a lot from the look of these two videos... You don't even get that sort of service in First Class!


stewardess strip powered by YouPorn.


Air Stewardess Tease powered by YouPorn.

A ridiculous Israeli own goal - literally!

Maccabi Haifa goalkeeper Assaf Mendes takes on a very strong wind...

The worst football freekick ever?

Sam Corcoran takes a disastrous free kick for Chelmsford City against Hayes and Yeading

Is swearing at the poice a crime?

From The Telegraph last year:

'Swearing at police is not a crime because officers hear foul language “too frequently” to be offended, a judge has ruled.

...

Overturning Denzel Cassius Harvey's conviction, Mr Justice Bean said officers were so regularly on the receiving end of the "rather commonplace" expletive that it was unlikely to cause them "harassment, alarm or distress".'

There's something that defenders of the police position re Andrew Mitchell would do well to think about.

Some good news

Assuming the Mayans were wrong then here's some good news.

At 11:12 GMT today, the sun will reach its (apparent) southernmost point and start (apparently) travelling northward, thus for us in the northern hemisphere the days will start getting longer. In other words today is the winter solstice.

What is 'Hate Speech' or Why Islamic Fascists Get Away With Hate Speech - No Compulsion

http://nocompulsion.com/why-islamic-fascists-get-away-with-hate-speech/

"It's not about Jews, it's about Israel"

The next time you hear a 'pro-Palestinian' activist inform you that the Middle East problems are not about Jews but just Israel, call them out as a liar. Many use that explanation to try and excuse their visceral hatred of Israel AND Jews. If they are demonstrating their support for Hezbollah, maybe claiming that it is a social organisation dedicated to helping the Lebanese people, remind them what Hezbollah's leader Hassan Nasrallah said:

"If all the Jews gathered in Israel, it will save us the trouble of going after them worldwide. . . . It is an open war until the elimination of Israel and until the death of the last Jew on earth."

Pretty clear? Is Hezbollah interested in 'just' destroying Israel or in killing all Jews?

Mother of 'I Am Bomb, Jihad' T-Shirt Boy Appears in French Court - Israel National News

Followers of the religion of peace in action again...  http://www.israelnationalnews.com/wap/Item.aspx?type=0&item=163353

Another magic date and time

20:12 20.12.2012

Hypocrisy?

UN leaders to condemn Palestinians for incitement to terrorism | CiF Watch

United Nations do something useful, I am in shock...
http://cifwatch.com/2012/12/20/un-leaders-to-condemn-palestinians-for-incitement-to-terrorism/

The four European members of the United Nations security council are drawing up a strong joint condemnation of recent Palestinian acts of terrorist incitement amid growing international censure.

The unusual statement, expected this week from the UK, France, Germany and Portugal, follows blunt criticism from the US of official PA radio broadcast of songs explicitly encouraging 

Palestinians to engage in deadly suicide bombings against Israelis.  

Western leaders were especially incensed that such incitement was aired a mere two days after ‘Palestine’ was granted observer status at the UN.  The statement also condemned recent videos broadcast by Hamas, on Al-Aqsa TV, describing the killing of Jews as “a religious act in worship of Allah”.

Actually when I read the next part I thought something might be up:

William Hague, the British foreign secretary, urged Palestinians not to approve such broadcasts, saying that if they continue “it would make a negotiated two-state solution very difficult to achieve”.  Government sanctioned calls to murder civilians are “illegal under international human rights law”, he added.

 William Hague taking a stand against Palestinian incitements to terrorism, yeah right.

The article is of course a spoof...

Wow and I thought Chris Patten was arrogant, he's got nothing on Piers Morgan

Great interviewing style Piers...
Piers Morgan on his CNN show 'interviewing' Larry Pratt, the Executive Director of Gun Owners of America, calling him "an unbelievably stupid man" who's "dangerous," - Thank heavens Piers Morgan is no longer on British TV, I hope CNN see sense soon.

Nazis ‘shipped arms to Palestinians’ - Israel News, Ynetnews

Is anyone surprised that the Nazis supported the Palestinians? Maybe Jeremy Bowen and Jon Donnison but anyone else?
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3248081,00.html

Merry Christmas from Funeraria Lopez

The weirdest corporate Christmas advert ever?

'Two Little Boys'

Last night's programme on Christmas Number Ones had some glaring omissions, not a mention of Dave Edmunds' classic 'I Hear You Knocking' (1970) , Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody' (TWICE - 1975 & 1991), Wings' 'Mull of Kintyre' (1977), The Flying Pickets' 'Only You' (1983), Jackie Wilson's 'Reet Petite' (1986), The Pet Shop Boys 'Always On My Mind' (1987), Michael Jackson's dire 'Earth Song' (1995) or Robbie Williams & Nicole Kidman's 'Something Stupid' (2001).

However the programme did a little piece on Rolf Harris's 1969 Christmas Number One - 'Two Little Boys' - Ah the memories...



And from 1980 here's Splodgenessabounds' cover version, apologies for the Jimmy Saville intro - he just couldn't hide it, could he?

In case you can't access the Biased-BBC blog

Biased-BBC has moved, it's now current, maybe temporary, address is now http://biasedbbc.org/

I Want Candy

The Strangeloves original version from 1965




The Bow Wow cover version from 1982 - my favourite version
The hideous Jedward version from 2010.

The BBC's sensitive about mentions of the Balen Report

I have just realised that I never did post the BBC's Stephanie Harris's latest response to my complaint about Jeremy Bowen's choice of one of the two holiest days in the Jewish calendar to hold a Twitter Q&A. Here is is, my response will follow later.

Stephanie Harris 10 Dec Dear Sir/Madam Thank you for your further email. With regard to publication of the Balen report, the BBC did not wish to publish this internal report and fought against its disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, as you are aware. The reason for this was that we regarded it as a crucial point of principle to protect our journalism. The BBC maintained that the report was held for the purpose of journalism and was therefore not disclosable under the Act. Repeated court rulings agreed with this position which was endorsed by the Supreme Court. We were forced to defend our position because free and impartial journalism is vital to viewers and listeners. If we are not able to pursue our journalism freely and have honest debate and analysis over how we are covering important issues, then our ability to serve the public effectively will be diminished. This was one of the reasons that Parliament enacted the "journalism" designation for Public Service Broadcasters in the first place. I hope this explanation is helpful. Meanwhile, I will await the outcome of the Trust’s deliberations in relation to your substantive appeal. Yours sincerely Stephanie Harris Head of Editorial Compliance & Accountability, BBC News

'Israeli death squads involved in Sandy Hook bloodbath: Intelligence analyst'

Iran's Press TV are at it again. 'It' being blaming the Jews for everything. Read the article here if you want to despair of the world.

Worthy of note?

' Thus, it appears that the last month without a mortar or rocket being fired from Gaza into Israel was at some point in 2004, if not further back.'
http://challahhuakbar.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/the-last-month-without-rocket-or-mortar.html

Another Amanda Palmer song with great lyrics

Amanda Palmer - "In My Mind"

Gazzo's cup and ball magic

Tomorrows World had a mobile telephone in 1979

'From the BBC Archive 'Tomorrow's World' collection: http://www.bbc.co.uk/archive/tomorrowsworld/index.shtml Michael Rodd makes a call with an experimental cordless mobile phone. It's 1979 and time for the telephone to go mobile. In this report from a longer programme, Michael Rodd (pictured above) examines a British prototype for a cordless telephone that allows the user to make calls from anywhere. Also included at the end of this item is a rather nice out-take as Rodd also experiences the first mobile wrong number.'

Fascinating, quite fascinating.

The one hundred and seventieth weekly 'No shit Sherlock' award

This week's award is presented to Thames Valley Police for this tweet:

Eating and drinking lots at xmas is to be expected, be aware that alcohol can effect peoples judgement and behaviour http://t.co/k5u78Z1j -- Thames Valley Police (@ThamesVP)

People will eat and drink a lot at Christmas - No shit, Sherlock
Alcohol can affect people's judgement and behaviour - No shit, Sherlock

I don't usually subscribe to conspiracy theories, but...

Politico reports that:

'The State Department said Saturday that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton fainted and suffered a concussion, but did not specify when that happened or the circumstances surrounding the incident.
She will not testify this week before House and Senate committees about the Sept. 11 attacks on Benghazi as scheduled, congressional sources said.'

Hmm, convenient?

If you like conspiracy theories then Politics & Finance have a doozy ...

Another person that fooled Penn & Teller

Like last night's post this is someone who fooled Penn & Teller

Maybe the second best Big Bang Theory scene ever

Yes the ball pit scene is probably the best but this had me laughing as well, it's the basketball one - on - one between Sheldon and Barry Kripke



"I wan out of woom"

Israel Matzav: 'Palestinian' reaction to Newtown, Connecticut massacre

Another pro Palestinian shows his feelings... http://israelmatzav.blogspot.com/2012/12/palestinian-reaction-to-newtown.html

Elder of Ziyon: Palestinian Arabs - killing their own kids to win a propaganda war

'Think about it from the Palestinian Arab leaderships' perspective. If Israel gives them free treatment, they win. If the children die because Israeli hospitals cannot afford to provide free care for them, they simply publicize this and they win even more.

The only losers are the Palestinian Arab people - and they are just cannon fodder anyway, if you are Mahmoud Abbas or Khaled Meshal. '

Read whole story here - http://elderofziyon.blogspot.co.il/2012/12/palestinian-arabs-killing-their-own.html

Chief Islamic Judge of the Palestinian Authority, Who Said “Where Hitler Failed, We Must Succeed”, Wants to Run for President

Here's some views out of the Palestinian Authority that I can pretty much guarantee that the anti Israel BBC will not report. I can't even be bothered to complain as I know what their reply would be: we don't report every comment from either side. That's a crap excuse and I have identified the clear bias in BBC reporting comments before. The Balen Report must have found anti Israel bias or else why are the BBC so desperate to keep it secret.

"The Jews are destined to be persecuted, humiliated, and tortured forever… , and it is a Muslim duty to see to it that they reap their due.  No petty arguments must be allowed to divide us.  Where Hitler failed, we must succeed."

More here at Frontpage

That's Israel's 'Partners in Peace'. Makes you sick. Well it does unless you're Jeremy Bowen, Jon Donnison etc.

A brilliant magic trick

I love magic, especially card tricks, and the Penn & Teller 'Fool Us' format was great. Here's one that I somehow missed as Sean Farquar fools them

What does a map of Tasmania look like? Slightly NSFW

Answer 1:

Answer 2:

Amanda Palmer and The Young Punx - "Map of Tasmania" 8ft. Records

'They don’t play the song on the radio
They don’t show the tits on the video
They don’t know that we are the media
They don’t know that we start the mania
Your Eyes don’t want to see what I’m making you
Your ass is off its seat and I’m shaking you
Walking down the street I’m the lady – ah -
Showing off my map of Tasmania
Soft and sweet and shaped like a triangle
Some girls want no shape and they shave it all
That’s so whack, it hurts with the stubble
Walking ’round and look like an eight-year-old
Soft and sweet and shaped like a triangle
Some girls want no shape and they shave it all
That’s so whack, it hurts with the stubble
Walking ’round and look like an eight-year-old
I say grow that shit like a jungle
Give ‘em something strong to hold onto
Let it fly in the open wind
If it get too bushy, you can trim
They don’t play the song on the radio
They don’t show the tits on the video
They don’t know that we are the media
They don’t know that we start the mania
You Eyes don’t want to see what I’m making you
Your ass is off its seat and I’m shaking you
Walking down the street I’m the lady – ah -
Showing off my map of Tasmania
My map is symbolic
It get drunk a lot
Hey, does that make it an alcoholic?
Call it M.O.T. for short
Let’s take this bottomless case straight to the court
Freedom down there, i swear, do you see me smirkin’?
Do you see me wearing a merkin ?
Get in the formation let start
Triangle jerkin’
Triangle jerkin’'

Delicious for Chanukah?

Thanks to Theo Spark for the spot at Walmart. 

I suppose the BBC's Jeremy Bowen would use this as proof that Jews don't observe the religious rules and so it's fine to hold a Twitter Q&A on the Middle East on Rosh Hashonah.

Kate Upton SI Swimsuit 2011 - A Rule 5 Friday post - NSFW

Kate Upton in swimsuits, what's not to like?

Is this porn?

I don't think it is!

Cornershop - Brimful of Asha - 2 versions

The original single version



The Norman Cook mix

Which do you prefer? I'm not sure, I loved the original but the remix is quite catchy too.

Another Labour activist not identified as such by BBC

Guido Fawkes has the story...  http://order-order.com/2012/12/14/newsnight-parent-governor-actually-labour-activist/

John Archer fools Penn and Teller with one of the simplest magic tricks that I have ever seen - not at all Vegas

It's 1984 and Steve Jobs wants to introduce the new Apple Mac

Hold on is that really Steve Jobs? Where's the black turtle neck?

Don't mention the Balen Report

I have received a response to my last email to BBC re Jeremy Bowen's choice of Rosh Hashanah for a Twitter q & a. I dared to mention the Balen Report and Stephanie Harris has sent me a fascinating response.
I will fisk it properly when I have time.
A complaint to the BBC Trust will be sent over the Christmas period anyway.

The mobile telephone was envisaged in 1906

Charles E. Alden was a visionary with his 'telephone for your vest pocket'

It's time...

At 12 seconds after noon on today the time and date showed as 12:12:12 12/12/12 - rather pleasing.

The next time this happens will be on New Years Day 2101, I am unlikely to see that happen!

Israel's borders - a short history lesson

BBC News - Netherlands 'halal homes' ignite religious row

Study the language the BBC reports uses to identify views of Muslims & opponents of these 'modifications'. Pretty obvious which side the BBC is on? I thought the BBC was meant to be unbiased...
http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20679558

E-Commerce predicted in 1969

Slightly sexist?

Joy to the world - Butties style

The Butties are a Beatles tribute band, this is their Beatleesque version of the carol Joy to the World. Love it. Thanks to Radio London's Gary Crowley for the spot.

The funniest Big Bang Theory scene ever?

The ball-pit...

Now that's an odd date and time

At 12 seconds after noon on Wednesday the time and date will be 12:12:12 12/12/12 - rather pleasing.

The next time this happens will be on New Years Day 2101, I am unlikely to see that happen!

Gratuitious cleavage shot

A gratuitious cleavage shot from 0:15 in this video of Vicki Butler Henderson...

"I promise you the President has a big stick"

Vice President Jow Biden back in April with a comment that seemed to pass by the British topical news programmes. If it's a Biden gaffe, it's just not newsworthy. In fact I only found this clip after watching this 'Innuendo Bingo' clip with Rachel Riley...

The Mobira Cityman 1320

Before Nokia was Nokia, there was the Mobira Cityman 1320. Nice Joy Division soundtrack, albeit Isolation was a 1980 track.

Doctor Who?

I found this rather good homemade trailer on YouTube, nice use of all the incarnations of The Doctor... It was created as a trailer for The First Question episode. The first question, the oldest question, hidden in plain sight being 'Doctor Who?'

'Openly reading a book related to a historically and racially abhorrent subject'

The censorship of free speech in the United States is scary but does anyone think there is much more freedom of speech at UCL or Oxford University, let alone SOAS?

Egypt’s President Morsi prays for destruction of Jews: not enough for Zawahiri who wants full implementation of Sharia law…CatholicismUSA | CatholicismUSA

http://www.CatholicismUSA.com/egypts-president-morsi-prays-for-destruction-of-jews-not-enough-for-zawahiri-who-wants-full-implementation-of-sharia-law/
Remember President Morsi is the choice of the Muslim Brotherhood, the organisation that the BBC's Middle East editor described as moderate & peaceful. 'nuff said?

What's the best number?

"The best number is 73.
Why?
73 is the 21st prime number.
Its mirror (37) is the 12th and its mirror (21) is the product of multiplying 7 and 3.
In binary, 73 is a palindrome, 1001001 which backwards is 1001001." 

This passage appeared in the 73rd episode in the entire Big Bang Theory series.

University students quit after ‘toxic’ antisemitism in Edinburgh | The Jewish Chronicle

http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/93495/university-students-quit-after-toxic%E2%80%99-antisemitism-edinburgh

Sheldon prefers Windows Vista to Windows 7

Hannukah starts tonight

Hannukah starts tonight and here's Dr Dreidel to teach you how to make latkas.




"Happy Hannukah, bitches"

When Dr Elizabeth Plimpton stripped what did Leonard see? A Rule 5 Friday Post - NSFW

Here's the Big Bang Theory scene I am referring to, as if you needed reminding



And here's roughly what Leonard saw...

The lovely Judy Greer from the film Adaption.

"The annhiliation of the Jews here in Palestine is one of the most splendid blessings for Palestine"

Some video of Hamas talking peace...

The BBC respond - inadequately, of course

Further to this post I have finally received a response from the BBC. It's a long response but it doesn't satisfy me.


Stephanie Harris
6 December 2012 15:27
Dear Sir/Madam,
Thank you for your emails to Helen Boaden which have beens passed to me, as it is my role as Head of Accountability for BBC News to investigate such matters on behalf of the Director of BBC News. You suggest that the BBC's Middle East Editor was biased when he held a Q&A session on September 17^th, the date of the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashonah, because you believe he was excluding “the vast majority of Jews” who would not have been able to take part. You also suggest that he “would not dream of scheduling such an event for a Friday during Ramadan. You have made clear that you contacted Jeremy Bowen about your concern and have had a tweeted response from him. I think his reply suggesting that in his experience the religious holiday didn’t preclude Jews from using social media was fair enough, but I’m sorry you weren’t convinced. I am sorry, too, that you remain dissatisfied by the subsequent emailed replies you have received to your complaint. the questions were sent in by Twitter and reported on the BBC News website. For reference a digest of the live session is available here:

Your questions to Jeremy Bowen

Muslim rage is an odd thing

BBC promotion of the ‘targeting the media’ myth | BBC Watch

http://bbcwatch.org/2012/12/05/bbc-promotion-of-the-targeting-the-media-myth/