Saturday, October 04, 2008

Mischievous Mandy drops another brick

I haven't blogged for a while but thought this story about Mandelson would show the character of this politician.

I quote

It was only weeks ago that Peter Mandelson was, in the words of a senior Tory source, “dripping pure poison” about Gordon Brown in his ears. These were not just passing remarks but a well-constructed critique of the prime minister’s failings born of intimate knowledge. The government’s vulnerability to the charge of overloading the country with debt was also discussed, I can reveal.
This article will let you know who the senior Tory is.

When Peter picked a peck of pitta ...

Could the Taverna Agni be the new Granita? It has already been noted that European Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson dined with shadow chancellor George Osborne at the taverna in northern Corfu in August, and Osborne has said he has broken bread with Mandelson before, at Davos earlier this year.

But since when was Corfu the scene of high-powered political meetings? Mandelson has been a keen visitor to the island since banker and philanthropist Lord Rothschild, who owns a swish villa there, began extending his hospitality to the former spin doctor. And Osborne has also been schmoozing with the banking family. He has found a keen fan in the shape of Lady Serena Rothschild, who donated £190,000 to the Conservative party, specifically for Osborne's office.

What could Osborne and Mandelson be talking of while chewing their calamari? Surely Mandelson, occasional friend of Gordon Brown, would not have been so naughty as to offer advice to Osborne on strategy?

Gordon will reap what he has sowed.

Mischievous Mandy drops another brick | Martin Ivens - Times Online

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

Clear - Secure Data?

Secure data is just a dream until companies and governments work out just what they are dealing with. The basic problem is that processes to access and store data are inadequate. This is why until proper processes and procedures are in place we need to accept that "secure" data is just not possible particularly in large scale systems, such as the NHS Spine, which transport data to and from many smaller systems or access points.

The simple example shown in this article where supposedly highly secure data on verified travellers show just how dangerous this problem could be. The company operating the system, FlyClear, is now not accepting new customers as they "upgrade" their systems. Interestingly as late as July 2008 they were still extolling their privacy and how they were secure, including details of an audit performed by Ernst and Young. Their parent company is intriguingly called Verified Identity Pass Inc.

It may also find out the hard way that one error in this type of market can lead to the end of the business. Significantly the system causing the problem was called "Clear" and obviously this is how they liked to view their data.

The Times today also has another example, not new, of how the supposed "Fakeproof" E-Passport can be cloned in minutes.

What this shows is that anything claimed as "uncrackable" or "unbreakable" just isn't at the moment so don't believe it.

Slashdot | "Clear" Air-Travel Pass Data Stolen From SFO

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Robbing Oil to pay for Rock.

What's the betting our dearly beloved leader will come up with a "Windfall" tax on Energy Companies of about £3bn. Just enough to fund the £3bn needed to prop up Northern Rock and it's jobs in the Labour Heartlands.

Job done, profits from well run businesses supporting thousands of jobs are used to prop up irresponsible and criminally stupid business which deserved to fail. I wonder where we have seen this before.

BBC NEWS | Business | Northern Rock makes a £585m loss

Don't Buy a house in August...

... the number of houses sold in August/September should plummet now this news has been "leaked". Another shot in the foot for "Jonah" Brown and his team of Brownies

However at least in later months he may be able to say the temporary scrapping increased sales!


Ministers Consider Plans To Temporarily Scrap Stamp Duty To Boost Housing Market Business Sky News

Monday, August 04, 2008

Dual the A9 campaign

Could I ask all reader/s to sign this campaign. The A9 is currently Scotland's most deadly road and, whilst it is not considered the most dangerous, because of it's length, it is a route traversed for many miles by most drivers. It's mix of single/dual carriageway, local, national and foreign drivers, cars, caravans and lorries and type of terrain make it one of the roads I try not travel on if at all possible.

Add to this it being a truly scenic road make it one of the most dangerous in Scotland.



Dual the A9 Campaign

Friday, July 25, 2008

SNP win Glasgow East - Tories third - Brown out?

SNP 11277 43.1%
Lab 10912 41.7%
Tory 1639
Lib Dems 915

Swing to SNP about 26%.
Majority 365.

Brown is surely deeply in trouble now. This was Labour's 25th safest seat. Many Labour MP's in marginal seats will be really begin to worry now.

Congratulations to the SNP.

Recount - It's a Curran Problem

Apparently the recount is a Curran problem as their are two hopeless lefties with the surname. I know what it's like to a have a problem with Curran's as I have a Curran as my wife but she is definitely not a leftie!

SNP have apparently a 350-400 majority according to sources.

Recount in Glasgow East!!!!

Spoke to soon before. Looks like recount now! Still to be confirmed. Who is calling for it.

Scotland just about to kill off Brown?

Result in Glasgow East due in next 5 mins. Will this see Scotland send Brown to Political Wilderness.?

No recount for Glasgow East

This indicates a decent majority for the SNP? Result due about 01:20-30

SNP may have 1500 majority in Glasgow East

... Liberals to lose deposit!

SNP are already celebrating in Glasgow East

Just seen John Mason celebrating with his supporters on the BBC. Labour out to 20-1 on Betfair. "Gnasher" Sturgeon having fun laughing at Danny Alexander.

Spectator says - The word is that Labour has lost

More encouraging news!

The word is that Labour has lost | Coffee House

Herald says Labour Concedes Defeat In Glasgow East Byelection (from The Herald )

Hopefully this is true!

Labour Concedes Defeat In Glasgow East Byelection (from The Herald )

Might the SNP kill off Brown?

Staying up to watch the hopeful demise of Labour in Glasgow East. Turnout is high at 42.245%.

Whatever happens Gordon Brown's Scottish Labour will have had a very bloody nose.

Reports are that the Tories may even get up to third which will be a good result.



BBC NEWS | Scotland | Glasgow, Lanarkshire and West | Glasgow by-election polls close

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Virus, Government and Microsoft

The words Virus, Microsoft and Government Websites in one article should make us all a bit wary.

Despite the appalling spelling, the article is as follows.

Key Government websites have been infected by a virus that allows cyber-criminals to steal browsers' personal details, it was reported today. More than a thousand Government and consumer sites are said to have been hit, including some run by the NHS and a local council.
The Times Online says the hackers are Eastern European and that security experts estimate at least two million coputers worldwide have been affected.
It reports that the Asprox virus is unlink other viruses; it sits undetected on mainstream sites and automatically installs itself on a user's computer potentially allowing the hackers to have access to financial information. Joe Stewart, director of malware research at SecureWorks, said Asprox "appears to be trying to build up the size of the botnet, infecting people through web pages by adding an IFRAME.” According to securecomputing.net, the attacks occur on websites that are running Microsoft SQL-SVR (Server) that already have some sort of vulnerability.
The Times article is here.

Virus 'has infected major Government websites' - Home News, UK - The Independent

More Batman Bale Victims?

Are these poor creatures more victims of Christian Bale the star of the new Batman movie "The Dark Knight,".

BBC NEWS | Scotland | North East/N Isles | Bemused rescuers pick up penguins

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Eilean Donan Castle


Eilean Donan Castle
Originally uploaded by fitaloon
A final Holiday Photo before a return to normal service

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Bla Bheinn


Bla Bheinn
Originally uploaded by fitaloon
On a visit to Skye we went on a trip to Elgol to view the Cuillins. This is Bla Bheinn about half way to Elgol

Friday, July 18, 2008

Torridon Hills Sunset


Torridon Hills Sunset
Originally uploaded by fitaloon
A view from our Holiday house on the banks of Loch Torriidon one evening.