Other Election News

Hi,

The US presidential race is occupying alot of press - but right now the Austrian election is holding my interest the most.

Austria has a good electoral system which encourages more than usual 2 horse race (10 parties took part in the latest legislative election). Of course this means that minority governments and coalition governments are the norm.

The current election currently has the Social Democtrats in the lead holding 29.7% of the seats. The interesting thing is that two far right wing parties now hold 29% between them.

That represents a huge swing to the far far right - which has got alot of commentators and European pundits worried.

But this is not the rise of a fascist state. Its the people of a democratic nation voting for the leadership of their country. I applaud the fact that Austrians actually get a choice when they vote on election day and that their choices can bring a radical change to how they are governed.

Part of me is still slightly anxious about this result.

Its just as well the two charismatic leaders of the right wing parties loathe each other and do not agree on anything.

NP Out

I'm starting to be predictable

Hi,

There are lots of things that come to mind to blog about today.

• Archaeologists discover Egyptian zombie plague

• Ancient Iranian city a matriarchy - shocking

• Over reaction to the Large Hadron Collider
  

But as per usual I'm going to go with giant fertility symbols cropping up in strange places.

Global warming is causing all manner of strange icebergs to crop up, and this one made me laugh so hard coffee came out of my nose.

Is mother earth showing an extreme reaction to mankinds neglect - or just letting us know what she thinks of us?

I'm voting on the later.

NP Out

Chrome Doesn't Suck

Hi,

One more quick update. I've been testing the new Google Chrome browser all of this morning.

It is quite frankly brilliant.

Chrome is similar to Opera, but faster, easier to use and completely open.

If you're a Windows user go get it now - you won't be sorry. MAC and Linux users have to wait a bit though.

NP Out

Is the Anglican Church changing Gods?

Hi,

Interesting news from the Anglican church, who always get alot of respect from me for adapting to meet the needs of modern society.

But have they gone too far this time?

The Birmigham Cathedral is going to open Anglican themed wine bars as a way to encourage converts and hopefully make some money.

The clergy of the cathedral are behind this move which is definately blurring the line between the church and its community of alcohol loving English folk.

"Fully in line with Christian sacrement" you might say. But - as with most of the rest of Christian dogma and ceremonies a wine sacrement was borrowed from other older religions.

Most well known is of course the worship of Dionysus. Who is actually alot older than his most associated Greek pantheon.

Lets hope that this subtle switch of deviotions does not spread. Orthodox Christians will not like their Sunday worship turned into a all out debauched revel.

Then again it might tempt me into attending...

NP Out

Veils - Its a cultural thing

Hi,

Middle eastern females wear veils and their cultures reinforce them doing so.

Parts of the Koran also talk about veils and body concealment. but then again you can read an awful lot into the Koran.

There continues to be alot of discussion about this on the net. Is it a religious thing, is it an oppression thing etc. Blogs in the west tend to agree that mandatory veil wearing is not a good thing.

But don't veils make women more alluring and sexy?

The Egyptians are definitely pushing this angle with advertising showing that girls who wear veils find it easier to get a husband. In fact Egyptian women are finding that veils just increase harassment.

In some ways do veils and body covering clothing mean that a woman has to be alluring on a more than physical level. There are middle eastern "beauty" contests where other attributes are seen as being more important than just good looks.

Isn't considering a woman as something more than being physically attractive a good thing?

Of course the clothing police do not stop at veils.

There are new lines of clothing for Strict Muslim ladies to allow them to enjoy sporting activities without exposing their bodies.

So at what point do veils and concealing clothing become something that is aberrant to western women?

Well the control aspect is definitely not their cup of tea. Especially when it can be enforced to extremis.

Or are Western women just preoccupied with their looks?

NP Out

Favourite Philosophers No 1 - Alan Watts

Hi,

Just a quick blog about a philosopher I never stop reading or listening to - Alan Watts.

He was a conflicted man, both personally and philosophically. But his take on common sense mysticism and his deep understanding of different points of view / religions is something I find alot of solace in.

He was a late 60's counter culture philosopher, but also in his life a minister and theologian. By the time he died he had published numerous philosophical works and changed a generation.

Here are some on-line links to some of his talks and video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKGO7dAIvQU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRq0ZnA4V7s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0caqNCIUSZM

He's the kind of philosopher who can point out the emperor is naked and turn it into dry humour. The emperor in this case being a society of people accepting everything they are told.

Also he's normally sporting a top beard, which earns him several hundred cool points.

Np Out

The Darker Side of Photo ID

Hi,

I'm a big fan of anonymity. When someone wants to shrink into the background and not have their daily routine and habits measured they should be encouraged to do so.

I won't even carry a Flybuys or swipe my AA card when I buy something just out of general principle. I'm missing out on my reward points which is fine by me - though my better half gets a little up tight about it...

The Liberty organisation in the UK is dedicated to maintaining equal rights and the ability of citizens to be anonymous if they want to. They've been around for years and campaign against things national ID cards and photo drivers licenses. I fully support them.

However there are other reasons to insist on anonymity that I find intriguing and scary at the same time.

The increasing level of surveillance and ID tracking is a sign to some people that Satan has arrived and is busy marking his followers.

I'm all for people believing what they want - but the thought of people making decisions based on a fiery revelations ending makes my knuckles itch.

NP Out