Without the state

June Whitfield

Probably not known outside the UK, but a great comic actor with perfect timing.

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/gallery/2018/dec/29/june-whitfield-a-life-in-pictures

Quote for the day

In the wake of President Obama's decision to not release pictures of Osama bin Laden's body, a number of new conspiracy theories are surfacing claiming that bin Laden is not really dead.

Which means Barack Obama will go down in history as the first black person ever to have to prove that he killed someone.

Seth Meyers

(via Ronni Bennet)

Turning the tables - Non-gated communities

Oh I love this!

Security Theatre links

Battling terrorism one humiliated grandmother at a time (Canada)

U.S. scientists warned Friday that the full-body, graphic-image X-ray scanners that are being used to screen passengers and airline crews at airports around the country may be unsafe. (Canada)

German protest:

Bruce Schneier - blog article with lots of links - see this one especially

The word is spreading it seems (Japan): Saturday Night Live (USA): Reason.tv: MORE: The former Secret Service agent threatened with arrest over water in her 19 month old son's drinking cup... Video here: Or this 71 year old man man partially stripped in public because he has a prosthetic knee:

Nice one...

Yet more loonery

"I can't think of anything about the "green movement" which I support. It's a giant fraud, a scheme to seize more power."

I have been banned from Samizdata (on which more later - if I can be bothered), so can't respond to this directly, but it is typical of the conspiracy theory ridden mess that the comments are becoming.

Not your normal plane livery

http://colinseymour.smugmug.com/Other/Clips/-/781505036_HNuuY-XL-1.jpg

Flying 101 � Colin Seymour

A great livery from a South African airline -
Kulula Does Flying 101 - Colin Seymour.

Shaking Hands with Death

If you didn't see Terry Pratchett's Dimbleby Lecture on BBC TV last night then watch it now.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00qmfgn/Richard_Dimbleby_Lecture_Shaking_Hands_with_Death/

I'm not sure if this will be visible outside the UK, but I suspect it will be on YouTube very quickly.

Because of his condition, he couldn't deliver it himself and asked his friend Tony Robinson to read it for him.  This was itself a remarkable performance, delivered with passion and tenderness, and without once so far as I could see referring to the text in front of him.

Watch it if you can.

EDIT: Here is an extract published in the Independent today.

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/terry-pratchett-why-stop-trusting-a-doctor-who-has-the-power-to-kill-you-1886159.html

Boycott Scotland!

Boycott Scotland!

Every self-respecting American should immediately ensure that they do not purchase, own or use any of the following as it could be construed as supporting Scotland and their terrorist friendly regime.

Road Travel The pneumatic tyre, tarmac and the two stroke engine are all Scottish inventions and as such should be avoided. Unfortunately it is best if you don't cycle either as that was also invented by a Scotsman. For the time being please walk instead.

Television Set down the remote control, unhook the cable and turn off the television set as its inventor was born in Helensburgh. I know it might be difficult, but think about all the time you will have free to do other things, just make sure you walk to them.

Communication I urge you to please get the word out about this site and the Boycott, but do not telephone your loved ones or write to them (best to avoid postcards, fax & radio as well).

Bridges Please do not use any of America's suspension bridges as their construction is due to another Scottish invention. If you do have a suspension bridge in your area please consider contacting your local government official and demand its removal.

Thanks Brenda