Old entry from another blog - Peanut Politics

 (Originally posted on the 10th July 2009)

I was listening to a podcast from the Commonwealth Club of California the other day.

The podcast was a talk from Michael Moore on his work and films upto and including his new film 'Capitalism: a love story'.

Something was said during this that made me think of the question 'Why would someone vote for a politician whose policies are going to harm you'?

At the time I was thinking of the impending disaster of having a Conservative government in this country (something that appears to be all but inevitable at the moment when the General Election comes around next year), and the fact that a large number of poorer people in this country will end up voting for them, not because their policies will make these people better off (infact it is likely to be the exact opposite) but because the Conservative party are seen as the most likely party to 'kick out' the current 'New Labour' government as they are doing such a bad job of running the country at the moment.

This thought lead me to an analogy comparing this to a person who is allergic to nuts.

For someone who is allergic to nuts, it doesn't matter how attractive the packaging the nuts come in is, it doesn't matter how tasty the nut manufacturer claims the nuts are, it doesn't matter how glitzy the TV adverts are, if they eat those nuts it could kill them, so they wouldn't eat the nuts, would they?

The same idea can be applied to politicians. If doesn't matter how smartly dressed or nice they look, it doesn't matter how convincing their PR teams or adverts and party political broadcasts are, if doesn't matter how good a speaker or narrator they are, if their party's policies are going to harm you (either financially or in terms of your quality of life or some other way) you're not going to vote for them, are you?

Getting into the Ubuntu boot menu

This applies to version 10.04, not sure if it applies to other versions of Ubuntu.

Press and hold the Shift key on boot-up to access the Grub boot menu.

Do not repeatedly press the Shift key (in a VM environment on Windows this triggers prompts for turning on Sticky Keys and won't show you the boot menu!).

Kicking around an idea

Possible idea for a petition in the run up to next year European Elections:

Given the UK Independence Party's (UKIP's) stance with regards the UK's place in the European Union and the fact that the party's core policy and reason for existence is to withdraw the UK from the European Union, we call on Nigel Farage and all other UKIP MEP's to make a pledge to take a principled stance and refuse to take their seats in the European Parliament after the 2014 European Elections and to refuse any monetary contributions they would otherwise receive as MEP's in the same way that Sinn Fenn MP's in the UK do not take there seats in the House of Commons. Taking a stance like this would clearly show to the people of the UK that UKIP could not be accused of double standards with regards to exploiting a system that they do not agree with.

This is only an initial draft of an idea.

Displaying Tables data in MySQL

To display tables data in MySQL, run the following SQL statement:

show table status;

Tee Shirt websites

Here's a list of Tee Shirt websites that offer limited print Tee Shirts:

TeeMagnet - http://www.teemagnet.com
TeeFury - http://www.teefury.com
RIPT Apparel - http://www.riptapparel.com
Qwertee - http://www.qwertee.com
Shirt Woot! - http://shirt.woot.com
The Yetee - http://www.theyetee.com
Nowhere Bad - http://www.nowherebad.com/
ShirtPunch - http://www.shirtpunch.com/
OtherTees - http://www.othertees.com
Shirtoid - http://shirtoid.com/
TeeCraze - http://teecraze.com

Lyrics for My Blood by Ellie Goulding

that feeling that doesn’t go away just did
and I walked a thousand miles to prove it
and I’m caught in the crossfire
of my own thoughts
the colour of my blood
is all I see on the rocks
as you sail from me.

alarms will ring for eternity...
the waves will break every chain on me
my bones will bleach.. my flesh will flee.
So help my lifeless frame to breathe

and god knows I’m not dying
but I breathe now
and god knows It’s the only way
to heal now
with all the blood I lost with you
it drowns the love I thought I knew

the lost dreams I buried in my sleep
for him
and this was the ecstacy of love forgotten
and I’m thrown in the gunfire of empty
bullets and my blood is all I see as you
steal my soul from me.

alarms will ring for eternity... the waves
will break every chain on me
My bones will bleach... my flesh will flee...
So help my lifeless frame to breathe.

Lyrics for At Your Name by Tim Hughes

Verse 1:
At your name, the mountains shake and crumble,
At your name, the oceans roll and tumble
At your name, angels will bow, the earth will rejoice, your people cry out

Chorus:
Lord of all the earth we'll shout your name, shout your name
Filling up the skies with endless praise, endless praise
Yahweh Yahweh, we love to shout your name oh Lord

Verse 2:
At your name, the morning breaks in glory,
At your name, creation sings your story,
At your name, angels will bow, the earth will rejoice, your people cry out

Bridge:
There is no one like our God,
Jesus we will praise you,
There is no one like our God,
Sing, Sing

Lyrics for Let It Be Known by Worship Central

Come on let's turn it up 
We're gonna sing it out 
For all the world to hear 
Oh oh oh whoa 

There's love for everyone 
A new day has began 
Something to shout about 

Let it be known 
That our God saves 
Our God reigns 
We lift You up up 
Let it be known 
That love has come 
Love has won 
We lift You up up up oh 

Nothing can stop us now 
No one can keep us down 
We've found out voice again 
Oh oh oh whoa 

No need for fear and shame 
There's power in His name 
Come on let's free the reign 

Let it be known 
That our God saves 
Our God reigns 
We lift You up up 
Let it be known 
That love has come 
Love has won 
We lift You up up up oh 

Yo 
Let it be known, let it be known 
That our God reigns, our God rose to the throne 
Let it be known that everybody know 
That love has won, love has come 

We lift Your name up higher and higher 
We lift Your name up 
We shout Your name now louder and louder 
We shout it out now 

We lift Your name up higher and higher 
We lift Your name up, Jesus 
We shout Your name now louder and louder 
We shout it out now 

Let it be known 
That our God saves 
Our God reigns 
We lift You up up 
Let it be known 
That love has come 
Love has won 
We lift You up up up 

Let it be known 
That our God saves 
Our God reigns 
We lift You up up 
Let it be known 
That love has come 
Love has won 
We lift You up up up oh 

Let it be known, let it be known 
That our God reigns, our God rose to the throne 
Let it be known, let it be known 
That love has won, love has come 
(Let it be known) 
Let it be known, let it be known 
That our God rose to the throne 
Let it be known that everybody know 
That love has come, love has won

Lyrics for 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) by Matt Redman

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore

[Chorus x2]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name
Lord, I'll worship Your holy name

Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name
Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name
I'll worship Your holy name

Another Question of Government

If a government introduces policies or laws that ultimately causes the dead of its citizens, can the government be prosecuted for manslaughter?

Peace Groups

As a counter point to the excessive presence of gun culture in the USA (personified in the overly powerful, overly influential and un-remorseful  NRA), are there any influential groups in the USA that stand for Peace or (dare I say it) Pacifism?

How about Churches or christian denominations getting involved and making a move in this direction.

Any christian that advocates the right to bear arms without regulation clearly does not understand the Bible or the teaching of Jesus, especially in this Christmas season where he is referred to as the Prince of Peace (Isa.9.6 - http://nlt.to/Isa.9.6)

I'm sorry, how can any sane, right minded person advocate that the answer to the series of mass murders in the USA over recent time is to have more guns out there in the hands of ordinary people? Really? Seriously?

The Poverty Gap

Does the government not have a commitment (either legal or moral) to reduce the poverty gap between the rich and poor?

Possible Pokerstars tourneys to play

The daily €2.20 tourney (check start time)
The daily Big/Bigger $4.40 @ 22:30 UK Time
The daily Big/Bigger $2.20 @ 01:30 UK Time
The Hot $0.55 turbo @ 21:45 UK Time
The UKIPT League £1 tourney daily at 20:00 ish

Time is precious

Time is precious ...

My Life

My life is not in computers
My life is not in poker
My life is not in politics or green issues
My life is not in my family
My life is not in cross stitching or sound engineering or music or money or possesions or all the other things that I have been obsessed with over the years
My life is not in this world
My life is in God and Jesus even when they feel like they are a million miles away and that I feel like I am the loneliest person in the world

British National Anthem Words

1. God save our gracious Queen
Long live our noble Queen
God save the Queen
Send her victorious
Happy and glorious
Long to reign over us
God save the Queen

2. O Lord our God arise
Scatter her enemies 
And make them fall
Confound their politics
Frustrate their knavish tricks
On Thee our hopes we fix
God save us all

3. Thy choicest gifts in store 
On her be pleased to pour
Long may she reign
May she defend our laws
And ever give us cause 
To sing with heart and voice
God save the Queen

4. Not in this land alone
But be God's mercies known
From shore to shore
Lord make the nations see
That men should brothers be
And form one family
The wide world over

5. From every latent foe
From the assassins blow
God save the Queen
O'er her thine arm extend
For Britain's sake defend
Our mother, prince, and friend
God save the Queen

(Taken from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/1571287/God-Save-the-Queen-lyrics.html#)

A possible way to reuse an old PowerPC Mac

Here's a thought on how to reuse an old PowerPC Mac like the eMac. Port Android to PowerPC (preferably version 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)). There's already a X86 port for older PC's (such as the original EEE PC's) so why not PowerPC Macs?

A new type of Record Label

A co-operative record label were the 'shareholders' are the bands and artists that are promoted by the company.

Life got in the way ....

Quote from http://www.sixprizes.com/uncategorized/hawks-nest-rough/ :

"Life got in the way ..."

I know that feeling all too well :-(

Current popular Trainer cards and special energy cards in Pokemon TCG

Here is a list a popular trainer cards currently being played in competitive Pokemon decks:

Flower Shop Lady (HS Undaunted)

Supporter Card

Search your discard pile for 3 Pokémon and 3 basic Energy cards. Show them to your opponent and shuffle them into your deck.






Pokémon Collector (HeartGold & SoulSilver)

Supporter Card

Search your deck for up to 3 Basic Pokémon, show them to your opponent, and put them into your hand. Shuffle your deck afterward.






Twins (HS Triumphant)

Supporter Card

You may use this card only if you have more Prize cards left than your opponent. Search your deck for any 2 cards and put them into your hand. Shuffle your deck afterward.





Professor Oak's New Theory (HeartGold & SoulSilver)

Supporter Card

Shuffle your hand into your deck. Then, draw 6 cards.







Professor Juniper (Black & White)

Supporter Card

Discard your hand and draw 7 cards.







Professor Elm's Training Method (HeartGold & SoulSilver)

Supporter Card

Search your deck for an Evolution card, show it to your opponent, and put it into your hand. Shuffle your deck afterward.






Pokémon Communication (HeartGold & SoulSilver and Black & White)

Choose 1 Pokémon in your hand, show it to your opponent, and put it on top of your deck. If you do, search your deck for a Pokémon, show it to your opponent, and put it into your hand. Shuffle your deck afterward (HeartGold & SoulSilver wording)

Reveal a Pokémon in your hand and put it on top of your deck. If you do, search your deck for a Pokémon, reveal it, and put it into your hand. Shuffle your deck afterward (Black & White wording)


Rare Candy (HS Unleashed)

Choose 1 of your Basic Pokémon in play. If you have a Stage 1 or Stage 2 card that evolves from that Pokémon in your hand, put that card on the Basic Pokémon. (This counts as evolving that Pokémon.) (If you choose a Stage 2 Pokémon in your hand, put that Pokémon on the Basic Pokémon instead of on a Stage 1 Pokémon.)




Eviolite (Noble Victories)

If the Pokémon this card is attached to is a Basic Pokémon, any damage done to this Pokémon by attacks is reduced by 20 (after applying Weakness and Resistance).






Rescue Energy (HS Triumphant)

Rescue Energy provides  Energy. If the Pokémon that this card is attached to is Knocked Out by damage from an attack, put that Pokémon back into your hand. (Discard all cards attached to that Pokémon.)






Double Colorless Energy (HeartGold & SoulSilver)

Double Colorless Energy provides energy.








Rainbow Energy (HeartGold & SoulSilver)

Attach Rainbow Energy to 1 of your Pokémon. While in play, Rainbow Energy provides every type of Energy but provides only 1 Energy at a time. (Has no effect other than providing Energy.) When you attach this card from your hand to 1 of your Pokémon, put 1 damage counter on that Pokémon.
(While not in play, Rainbow Energy counts as  energy.)




Junk Arm (HS Triumphant)

Discard 2 cards from your hand. Search your discard pile for a Trainer card, show it to your opponent, and put it into your hand. You can't choose Junk Arm with the effect of this card.






Cheren (B&W Emerging Powers)

Supporter Card

Draw 3 cards.







N (B&W Noble Victories)

Supporter Card

Each player shuffles his or her hand into his or her deck. Then, each player draws a card for each of his or her remaining Prize cards.






Pokémon Catcher (B & W Emerging Powers)



Switch your opponent's Active Pokémon with 1 of his or her Benched Pokémon.







Super Rod (B & W Noble Victories)

Shuffle 3 in any combination of Pokémon and basic Energy cards from your discard pile back into your deck.







Fisherman (HeartGold & SoulSilver)

Supporter Card

Search your discard pile for 4 basic Energy cards, show them to your opponent, and put them into your hand.