Ooops (2)...

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Late again, almost missed it: just enough time to ketchup... (I'll get my coat). Buñol's annual tomato fight; hat-tip JD at Nourishing obscurity.

P.S. 5 posts in one day, an Owsblog first (makes up for possible period of light-blogging coming up)

Overlords' obrogate...

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ESM Treaty: Euro Slave Mafia European Financial Stabilisation Mechanism: "This is racketeering and money laundering on a continental scale." It's also bloody scary; read it all at IPJ's blog/journal. HERE in pdf (save a copy).

Old Osram opinion...

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No offence to Osram at all (in fact I had a very close family connection with the brand); just handy that it's the lightbulb manufacturer whose image is on this BBC Magazine article: "The 60W bulb: A luminary love affair". "The once ubiquitous 60W light bulb is about to plop off the production line for the last time across Europe." And it won't just be going the way of candles, oh no, as of tomorrow, September 1st, an EU-wide BAN on "the manufacturing and importing of 60W incandescent clear light bulbs comes into force". Exactly 2 years ago, the EU had already admitted that 'Energy saving' light bulbs are "not as bright as their traditional counterparts and claims about the amount of light they produce are 'exaggerated'" (!!!) but I'd like to give you a personal example of the apparent benefits (Source: Energy Saving Trust...no, really!) I have one 60W bulb which has lasted 4 years (and counting) in my modern apartment: I have replaced 20 cunting energy saving ugly shite bulbs - at least two more than twice. My comments in (bold):
1. Can run for up to 10,000 hours (but never do, not even close)
2. Use up to 80% less electricity than a standard bulb (straw man/see no.4)
3. Fitting just one bulb can save you on average £2.50 a year (so at least 2 years to recoup the exorbitant cost and you need to change them before that anyway)
4. More expensive but difference will be recouped on electricity bill in about a year (the more expensive is damn right, the rest is a fucking lie)
5. Invention of "soft tone" bulbs has given them a warmer glow (and?)
6. Dimmable bulbs are now available (what the fuck for? they're dim enough already)

P.S. Gildy has posted on this topic twice before (you'll note my wrath in the comments).

Optimising on-board organisation...

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Airlines, call U.S. astrophysicist Dr. Jason Steffen, NOW! He's waiting for their call - hoping commercial airlines will take an interest - "especially given that he estimates it could save them millions." The predictions and conclusions made on paper reflect the actual trial results: the most efficient way to board a passenger plane. [Link]

Ominous (obvious?) overview...

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"At moderate levels, debt improves welfare and can enhance growth. But high levels can be damaging. When does the level of debt go from good to bad?... beyond a certain level, debt is bad for growth. ...The immediate implication is that countries with high debt must act quickly and decisively to address their fiscal problems. ...Up to a point, corporate and household debt can be good for growth. But when corporate debt goes beyond 90% of GDP, our results suggest that it becomes a drag on growth. And for household debt, we report a threshold around 85% of GDP, although the impact is very imprecisely estimated.".

Parts of the abstract of "The real effects of debt", from the Bank for International Settlements, BIS. Full document pdf HERE. Look at Table 1, page 6: one country is WAY way out from the crowd in terms of changes in household, corporate and government debt as a percentage of nominal GDP between 2000 and 2010. The balls and brownstuff is smothered over the bed and the UK has to lie in it. Also, we may soon know more of the reasons why: Darling on the "brutal and volcanic" Brownstuff.

Update: and obviously the UK isn't the only one that will be 'changing the sheets'; Ruth Lea on the EU's woes.

Organisation of observation options...

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Sky wins battle for Tripoli: "It's really time we asked whether the TV Tax is going to the right people" writes Raedwald; he's not alone and even the BBC tried to get their defense in early; will this be Sky's rebirth as per CNN and the Gulf War? Chris Cramer, the then head of the Beeb's newsgathering operation admits he was so humiliated by CNN's superior coverage he finally went to work for them.

Now, the point of this post is that today Labour is seeking parliamentary support to tighten rules on media takeovers; Ed Miliband has told David Cameron that he should prevent Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation bid for BSkyB. Ivan Lewis the shadow culture secretary says Labour wants a wider "public interest test". I'll be honest Ivan, careful what you wish for: looking at news coverage of Libya as an example (there are many more), if it was for the public interest the bid would already be accepted!

Let's be clear: Miliband last month called a company with 20% of the - shrinking rapidly - newspaper market unhealthy and "frankly quite dangerous." I'll be frank too, in terms of news provision, only one organisation has a dangerous and unhealthy monopoly in the UK.

Outstanding Oz...

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For the first time in a decade Australia have won the Tri-Nations Rugby tournament. Despite almost throwing away a 17 point half-time lead today the Wallabies held out. You know what this means don't you? At last the All Blacks will start the Rugby World Cup (at Home for them) coming off a losing streak...so they're bound to win! Every time they're always favourites and beating everyone beforehand only to fall at the final hurdle...not this time? I hope for a NZ vs. England final (making England the first team to reach three consecutive finals).

P.S. For those looking for the Women's rugby picture you have to click on the image above.

Omen of oncoming obsequies...

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From Marcus at Harry's Place: "In the Navy". "Have a look at this clipping from January 2009.

"Russia has decided to establish naval bases in Libya, Syria and Yemen within a few years, a Russian military official was quoted as saying on Friday by Itar-Tass news agency...“It is difficult to say how much time it will take to create the bases for our fleet in these countries, but within a few years this will be done without question"

Gives a new twist to the Arab Spring; not so close to home it may also be getting Hugo a bit nervous what with a strategic bomber base, joint manoeuvres plus gold and uranium...what say 2012, mi pana primavera?

Update:...and loans to buy weapons.