Ippoippo

I don’t normally subscribe to a lot of weird and wonderful conspiracy theories, but this one is class.
It revolves around the fact that BBC World news, when reporting on ’9/11′ announced at 4:57 (local time) that WTC 7 (known as Salomon Brothers Building) had collapsed. It then went on to talk about it, including a live interview with someone in New York while you can see it still in the background!!! That’s cos the building collapsed at 5:20 local time.
You can see this for yourself at this site.

The BBC have now responded to this, over here.

Me, what do I think? Well, I’m of the opinion that basically the BBC screwed up. They misreported, and screwed up. Though, there is an interesting question. If they just blindly feed out what they were receiving via news feeds without actually verifying things… who feed them that news in the first place?
Real ‘tin-foil’ hat questions ehh?

Meanwhile, there was quite an interesting little weekly poll on the Japan Today site. Basically, it was about the cancelled publication of the book about Princess Masako in Japan. You can see it here.
A comment by a chap called Ryohei caught my attention.

“I am not interested in reading the book because I am not sure how well the author understands Japan. But no matter how much he understands, I don’t think the cultural difference can be eliminated when talking on the subject. But the fact that the publisher decided to cancel the release is probably due to political pressure from the outside. Neither side would ever admit it, but I am certain that is the case. It would mean that freedom of expression and freedom of the press are at stake. It is a hard call whether it was the right or wrong decision by the government since I never read the book, but I guess the government made the right choice in the end.”

“….but I guess the government made the right choice in the end”. This is a typical Japanese reaction unfortunately. There are those who govern, and those who are governed. It got me thinking though. Sometimes I get annoyed by the attitude of some people in this country, who ALWAYS complain about what the government is doing. The issue is sometimes, the government has to do something which is inherently unpopular, and the population does need to accept that the government has made the right choice.
There’s the rub… true democracy cannot work because the general population collectively cannot make hard decisions for the good of the whole. But, a system where nobody questions the ruling class does not work either.

….. I say yesterday how good it is to be riding back and forth from the railway station… and bad luck strikes. Yep, managed to pick up a puncture on the way home, and a 40 minute journey turned into a much longer one. ARSE!!!!!

This week, finally started riding from where I live on the edge of Cardiff, down the main train station in the central part of Cardiff. Yesterday wasn’t too bad, about 35 minutes (took my time), and about 45 to get back (uphill).
Today was not so nice… lots of rain, and I’m feeling rather soggy (still, even though it’s lunchtime). Quite annoying considering I had waterproof over-trousers.

Ahh well. Good to get fit, and keep my carbon footprint down a little bit.

As has been discussed in previous posts of mine back from October-November 2006 timeframe, Yuko had been having kimono lessons, to learn how to put on a kimono properly. It was a good idea, because she didn’t know how, and it would be useful for those rare occaisions when she gets to wear it in the UK (Weddings, when we are entertaining guests etc). The only downside I discovered was that it was bloody expensive! If I’d know, I wouldn’t have suggested it.
Of course, the other day, I found this site. Bugger. Yuko could have just read this, copied the pictures and everything would have been alright!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/6376617.stm

In other random stuff I found on the net.

In Japan, one of my pet gripes was people riding bicycles on pavements, especially when the pavements were busy. Sure, we’ve all sometimes gone onto the pavement in the UK, but only when the pavement is relatively clear, and not in a built up are. Anyway, Japundit has a little rant abour this, which includes a fantastic video showing how Japanese people automatically react to the sound of a bicycle bell behind them. Check out the end of the video, when the scenarios become somewhat ridculous.

In the world of Peak Oil, there was a story about Saudi Arabia concerns, and another about how a town in Italy is maybe preparing for when the fuel starts running short.
In the UK, Michael Meacher has announced he will stand against Gordon Brown for the leadership of the Labour Party (and thus Prime Ministership of the UK, until the next election anyway). Whilst I doubt he’ll win the contest, I hope he is able to raise some awareness of Peak Oil and Global Warming issues. I just hope he keeps his mouth shut on some of his strange 9/11 theories. Whilst those 9/11 theories are just far out, he’s views in Peak Oil are perfectly valid and need to be aired.
The timing of this is quite good, because there were more reports about the continual collapse of the North Sea Oil and Gas reserves.

My final word on all this gloom and doom is a little video I found (via the Powerswitch Folks) talking about the Truth about Money. Basically, it shows how the current money system in use is basically a Pyramid scheme, and it MUST eventually collapse. It’s so bloody obvious it will eventually collapse. I recommend you watch this, and start questioning everything you thought you knew about money.

And finally, something amusing. It seems the Israeli Defence Minister needs to be taught how to use binoculars.