Over the last 3 years or so there’s been a lot of rumors going around about the host hotels at Dragon Con blocking signals, sometimes cellphone, sometimes Wi-Fi. The important thing to understand is that these rumors are not true, and have never been true, but are based on misunderstandings and interpretations of news reports that had people making assumptions. Continue reading…
Dragon Con 2016
So, this is normally the time I’d release my schedule of panels for this years Dragon Con, so people interested in seeing me (both of you) can look there instead of sending me a message the usual way.
I was actually down for several panels, but a week or two back I realised I wouldn’t be able to attend for a uniquely American reason – Medical Bills.
Back in May it was the High School Graduation of my eldest (yes I’m that old), and going to watch it meant sitting on bleacher seats and that aggravated a back injury I’ve had for a few decades.
Now, were I back in the UK, this wouldn’t be an issue, I’d go to the doctor, get referred to a specialist or the hospital if needed, maybe spend some money on a prescription or two. However, this is the US, where no chance to make a buck can be allowed to go by. As a result, the money put aside for Dragon Con (yes, I have to pay for everything except my badge, despite both me and my wife being track assistant directors – me the EFF track, my wife with Signage) has gone to medical care instead. Continue reading…
[LIVE] EU Referendum Liveblog
Today is the big day for the EU referendum. I’ve already pointed out how some of the problems of voting to leave, as well as the lies used to justify the position, but many won’t listen, so I thought some live coverage, with discussion, news and so on might be handy for those wanting to get a “non-traditional media perspective”. Continue reading…
Brexit is Naught But Tissue of Lies
Later this week, the EU referendum will take place. Safe to say I’m strongly in the ‘remain’ camp, not because I’m actively an EU fan (I’m not) but because as someone who focuses on evidence-based policies, and deals with things based on facts and data. In this, the ‘Leave the EU’ campaigns (‘Brexit’ or ‘Brexitor’) have done absolutely nothing to endear themselves to me, swaddling themselves in lies, deception and emotional manipulation to try and get their way.
For many, the reason is obvious – they want to be a big fish in a smaller pool, rather than the tiddler in an ocean they would otherwise be. Anthony Hilton talked to media baron Rupert Murdoch about the EU years ago and said this
“I once asked Rupert Murdoch why he was so opposed to the European Union. ‘That’s easy,’ he replied. ‘When I go into Downing Street they do what I say; when I go to Brussels they take no notice.‘”
In Memoriam: Lee Reherman
Lee Reherman — better known to many as American Gladiator, ‘Hawk’ — died February 29th in California. He was 49.
Some might wonder what difference that makes, as we seem to have a glut of famous people of all ages dying at present, but Lee had a role you won’t see if you look at his Wikipedia page as I write this. He was BattleBots™ very first host at the Long Beach, CA event back in 1999. Continue reading…
Inquest Holds Police Accountable for Hillsborough’s 96 Dead
A Coroner’s inquest today found that West Yorkshire Police, and specifically Chief Superintendent David Duckenfield was “responsible for manslaughter by gross negligence” in the 1989 incident which left 96 dead and 766 injured. The injuries were sustained by Liverpool fans as they were crowded into stands at Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough stadium beyond its capacity, leading to people being crushed against the fences. The police, and some media, blamed Liverpool fans for the actions, and accused them of rowdy and drunk behavior which not only caused injuries, but which hampered efforts to assist those injured. To put it simply, the police caused a massive tragedy, blamed the victims, and lick-spittle pockets of the ‘press’ joined in to put the boot to a city that’s routinely derided for all manner of things. Continue reading…