Straw targeted by online fraudsters

Sorry for not being around for a while, but I’m not sure anyone actually reads my blogs!

However in case someone does, I’ll return every two weeks or so (if not more), however I am finding my time is much more precious suddenly. I think my blog has become a place where I like to talk about the current news, and I especially like this idea because there’s so much interesting gossip out there.

This week, the Honourable Jack Straw is in the media – for the usual dodgy African scam. Justice Secretary Jack Straw has been targeted by Nigerian internet fraudsters. Requests for money were sent by email to hundreds of the Blackburn MP's contacts, claiming that he had lost his wallet while on charity work in Africa and needed 3,000 US dollars to get home.

No one falls for these kinds of scams any more. Or so I thought. A friend of a friend had and sent 500 Euro’s to some “princess” in Nigeria. Guess what? He never saw it again. MADNESS or DESPERATION.

Anyway, suffice it to say – no one fell for this scam, although Mr Straw received many phone calls: "I started getting phone calls from various constituents asking if I was really in Nigeria needing 3,000 dollars. It was an issue for constituents, not the Government. We are checking all that and I am assured there's no evidence that confidentiality of constituents was affected."

I bet that was annoying for him. :O)

Cold Case Probe - 1926

I have been talking about television too much recently, so I am going to discuss the gruesome crime, murder. Recently I saw on the news that an 83-year-old 'cold case' has been reopened after a dying man allegedly confessed to killing a missing teenage girl. Some people probably think this is a complete waste of police time. I don’t.

Apparently, Sussex police are not trying to find the murderer (it has been too long), but the poor girl who was murdered. So how can this be a waste of police time? I don't think so. A family needs to know and a family needs to bury their family.

No trace of her was ever found during the original search but the 2009 detective in charge, Detective Chief Inspector Trevor Bowles said new information has led officers to believe she might have been murdered near her home and dumped in a nearby pond.

I hope they find her, so she can finally be at rest..

Snow!

One thing that confirms that this country is full of lazy people is when it snows. We knew it was going to snow heavily about a week ago, but we are still unprepared and so in the South East, schools, transport and work stops. A useful excuse for a duvet day! Look here.

I remember being in New York in about 2003, when they had the worst snow on record. In the morning, everything was at a stand still, and the snow would have been up to my neck if I’d ventured out (I’m 5ft 11). Nothing worked and all planes were cancelled – including mine. However, by lunch time, New York’s gritters had gone out and done their work – and the roads and pavements were clear. The planes were still cancelled, but we had managed to get a flight the next day.

Now spot the difference.

We get a bit of snow – everything is cancelled. Most things are going to be cancelled until tomorrow, and if the snow continues to be heavy, probably another day.
What a crazy and pathetic country we live in. We’re no longer proud to go to work – we all try and find an excuse to have a duvet day. I love this country, but we all need to start pulling our socks up. Here are two thoughts to finish with:

(1) Many people get the day off, because they “can’t get in”. But, our essential services (nurses etc) will still need to make sure they get in. And they do.

(2) If any country wanted to invade us, they would need to invent a way of creating snow. All of us would be at home, whilst the enemy took over. Now there’s a thought.

Virgin: the world's best passenger complaint letter?

The Telegraph has reproduced this wonderful complaint letter. Have a look here, and let me know what you think. Genius. I am also impressed to know that Mr Branson called up the customer. Good business sense.

Hearbeat is axed

I was a fan of Hearbeat when it first began, but I have not been for the last few years, because it's tired itself out! One of the things that always bugged me was the show's chronology. When the programme began, it was set in 1964. The setting then moved on, approximately in "real time", until it reached early 1969, where – apart from the Christmas episodes – it has now remained for some years. However, the show's chronology has been seen to be quite flexible: the inhabitants of Ashfordly and Aidensfield have certainly celebrated more than four Christmases between 1965 and 1969. What?! I just can't handle that, especially as they should be somewhere in the mid 70's by now!

All's well that ends well though, as ITV have announced they are axing it. It was on the news media today, please see here. I am pleased to say I thoroughly enjoyed adding this fact on the Wikipedia page for Heartbeat.

Until next time!

Doctor Who and Martin Clunes

I can only apologise for writing another blog, but I still appear to want to, so I may as well carry on! I can see in the future that these will become less frequent, but for now, I hope someone out there in the wilderness of the internet is looking and enjoying my blog!

I am a Doctor Who fan, and I particularly like the old stuff - William Hartnell and Patrick Troughton, although a lot of their stuff is now lost by the BBC, see here. It's a shame that we can't watch classics like "Evil of the Daleks" and "The Highlanders", but sometimes it's a relief that we can't watch some obviously dire stories!!

Although I like the old stuff, I have enjoyed the new stuff (and still do)! I really liked how David Tennant played the Doctor - with characteristics of previous Doctor's within, and so I think it's a shame that he has decided to hand over the Tardis keys. The BBC recently announced that an unknown actor, Matt Smith, would be taking over - fair enough! I'll trust them, and if they honestly believe he is the guy, then fine. However, I recently saw this news item about Martin Clunes - apparently he was offered the part, but was too expensive! How much has probably changed since Mr Clunes was last in Doctor Who, wearing a very garish costume!! See below!

Sky

Since I wrote my last message about the BBC's decision NOT to show the emergency appeal, Sky has now confirmed they will not either. Have a look here. Why is this seen as being "inpartial", when both channels look like they are siding with Israel by not showing the appeal...

Why is it that so many real "bad guys" in the world are so easily ignored?