Corrections to my crappy post @#9

Series I,II and III are available from booksdirect.

Not VI , VII and VII - which could mean all sorts.- what a muppet.

I don't like plugs, but I have Vol I and Vol II and got them from eTSP (or Booksdirect) you need to join, but as far as book clubs go it's a good one, with no minimum purchase and no bloody Editor Choice.

VI, VII and VII are going for £62.91 vs RRP £280.

This links might work...

http://www.booksdirect.co.uk/products/VIP/PID-000000000000158275(BooksDirect).aspx

http://www.booksdirect.co.uk/products/VIP/PID-000000000000156082(BooksDirect).aspx

&tc

Am I the only one for whom the phrase "First build grubstake by minstrelsy.." holds no meaning to me? Is this Newspeak? or is it perfectly clear to those fluent in American English?

'Roving Bands....'

It sounds very quaint, I thinking minstrals, lutes, and a bladder on a stick

All together ..." I been the Wild Rover for many a year,
And I spent all my money on Whiskey and Beer.'

Very timely, this from the BBC about the London-Centric nature of one of the TV networks.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7413494.stm

Gilbert @38..

I'm with you, it is nice here, I read the headlines (Daily Mail/Express) and it confirms that really the National Newpapers (in fact most of the press) are only reflecting on the worse of what London has to offer.

The kids near me (SW England) are mostly happy, cheeky and sometimes mischievious, nothing worse than I got up to in the 70's or my dad in the 60'.

As far as the story, It's from the Sun?...You were expecting what? A balanced article? Tits on Page 3 tho!

Adam (and Jamie) are gods. But would anyone agree that the most recent Mythbusters have been a little disapointing? Most episodes consist of two myths (one 'seniors' one for the 'juniors') that get padded to fit the time. Personnally I like seeing the design and build of the myths just as much as the 'money shot'

Or maybe I'm just getting grumpy.

JL..

I call non sequitur on that..

Do you really think that people who go on gun 'rampages' would build a bomb instead? In my very limited exposure to mass gun killings, the individuals involved have been troubled, disturbed and most often loners. The bombers who have been an aspect of my life ever since I can remember were and are politically, ideologically and/or religiously motivated, working in groups towards a determined goal.

I am finding it difficult to see the link. I don’t think that the same (I don’t like the word, can someone help with an alternative?) ‘Rampage’ can be easily conducted with anything else other than a firearm?

The stats from Switzerland are interesting (2006) 420,000 Assault rifles (SIG 550s) held in private homes, 300 suicides, 34 Killings or attempted killings. So who knows?

@126 JL

My comment wasn't suggesting a panacea for reducing violent crime, just pointing to events when gun owners go on a killing spree.

I am not sure that I can forsee a dozen or so people being mown down by a guy in Cricket Whites and a willow bat. (Robot...maybe. DA fans know what I mean)

I would like to comment, but am unsure of my qualification to do so. I am a UK citizen and have held one firearm ever, an L85 (or SA80) at an army open day.

It is quite clear that in the US gun control is all but impossible, given the sheer numbers and years of the Right to Bear Arms. It has seemed to work in the UK (in some fashion) from the following facts:

1. Assault Rifle used in Hungerford 14 killed(1987). Automatic weapons banned - No further mass killings with automatic weapons.

2. 1996 Man kills 16 primary school kids and teacher with hand gun in Dunblane. handguns banned - No further mass killings with handguns.

I know it's tenuous, but it (seems) to have made things a little safer?

OFC I live in the country and any Hot Fuzz fan will know, "Everyone and his Mum is packing here"

The BBC ran an interesting show about bottled waters, their target for 'Added Value' bottles was 'Fiji Water' The following page explains the some of the ethics etc behind this trade.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/panorama/7247130.stm

Also, for BB's UK readers I would like to suggest Belu water if you must have bottled water. It's carbon neutral,has a compostable bottle (made from corn - nice geeky explaination on their site), and all the profits go to Wateraid.

http://www.belu.org/

I can concur, I work for a Silicon Semiconductor Manf. and there are many paralells! Though, as the product is rather smaller than a ship, we tend to isolate the processing equipement, and either pump it to Vacuum or purge with something inert.

But we still wear dopey suits.

I do hope that one day I can become smart enough to understand why repeated images of creepy Pierrots, kitties and bloody Ukuleles is a worthy subject for so much BB space.

I'm not expecting an answer, as I have seen what happens to posters who do not share the authors love of Amy. See http://www.boingboing.net/2007/11/09/amy-crehores-deja-vu.html for the 'if you don't like it shut up' post.

For all you tool junkies, who (like me) have had your Leatherman swiped by TSA (or equiv.) How about http://www.leatherman.com/products/tools/Knifeless-Fuse/default.asp

Knifeless Leatherman Fuse!