Thursday, 29 January 2015
Monday, 26 January 2015
Sunday, 25 January 2015
Dear Editor As a secular, atheist, free speaking and free thinking Australian I am appalled by the continual destruction of human life and human meaning by the Great Religions, whether they be Baptists, Bath'ists, Bejesusus or BeJews Bemohammedans or Buddhists. To me, they are all an equal blight of cancer upon human societies and human intelligence and are only propelled through thousands of years by the powers of property ownership and buggery, which is all they are all basically interested in. Good riddance to bad rubbish. As for laws about free speech, well, I think if you have the courage to think it, then you have the courage to state it, and woe be to anyone who stands against that in the 21st century.
Saturday, 24 January 2015
Tuesday, 13 January 2015
The Enforced Narrative and why I am not Charlie
3 weeks ago the US launched a massive rocket attack on what they believed was an Al Q'ada administrative headquarters in Yemen.
The attack killed and dismembered some Al Q'ada people who we would define as bad guys, but also killed, burnt, dismembered hundreds of innocent Yemeni men women and children who we don't care about anyway.
The Paris attack, and the Martin Place strike before it, when see from the perspective of a 'tit-for-tat' response remain very mild, and almost compassionate, in comparison.
This is about 'business': property, ownership of resources and wealth; none of this is about religion, neither our bizarre morality or the morality of the other players.
Meanwhile, France, Australia, Canada and the US continue the massive indiscriminate bombing and white phosphorous attacks on Iraqis, and we think this is somehow a good and moral thing...and the media is careful not to mention this in relation to the response in Paris.
And then, to see Benjamin Netanyahu in the front line of a march to support human rights...instead of in the dock of the International Criminal Court... Goodness me. No, I am not Charlie.
Saturday, 10 January 2015
N. Korea pushing for missile-launching submarines
N. Korea pushing for missile-launching submarines: analysis
Capability would present serious problems for regional opponents, but successful development far from assured
Satellite imagery appears to indicate that North Korea is working at equipping submarines with missile-launching capabilities, analysis published Thursday said.
In an analysis published at 38 North, Joseph Bermudez wrote that the conning tower of a submarine first seen in July may contain vertical launch tubes for ballistic or cruise missiles. Also, the satellite imagery reveals the North to have invested a considerable amount in upgrading its Sinpo South Shipyard, indicating a major naval development program, possibly relating to submarines.
If they succeeded in equipping their submarines with missile-launching capabilities, this would significantly increase the threat to the interests of the U.S. and its regional allies, he wrote.
“Submarines carrying land-attack missiles would be challenging to locate and track, would be mobile assets able to attack from any direction, and could operate at significant distances from the Korean (P)eninsula,” Bermudez wrote.
Bermudez did include in his analysis, however, that the North did not yet have this capability, that development would be time-consuming and expensive and that there is no guarantee it will succeed even if such capability is its priority.
Still, Van Jackson of the Center for a New American Security said that sea-launched ballistic missile capability is a central objective for the North Korean Navy, even if it is not for Kim Jong Un personally.
“At a minimum, Kim Jong Un is permitting the research and development necessary for his Navy to eventually establish a sea-based leg of a nuclear triad capability, and the North Korean Navy seems to be allocating funding and manpower for it as a priority,” Jackson said. “Whether North Korea can reach an initial operating capability milestone in five years or 20 years will depend on how much and how quickly they invest in (submarine launched ballistic missile) technology and testing.”
North Korea’s objective is retaliatory nuclear strike capability, which Jackson said would “box in” South Korea and the United States, forcing them to pursue reconciliation with the nuclear-armed Pyongyang regime or “be prepared for North Korea to engage in coercive violence at will.”
“As best I can tell, everybody recognizes North Korea is on this path yet I know of no plan or strategy to disrupt them. At the same time, I have my doubts that either the U.S. or South Korea would be willing to reconcile politically with North Korea as a nuclear state,” he said.
However, one South Korea-based expert cast doubts on Bermudez’s analysis.
“There are aspects of 38 North’s coverage of the Sinpo-class submarine’s missile capabilities that stretch the truth,” said Kim Min-seok, research fellow at the Korea Defense & Security Forum.
For one, Kim said that this submarine’s size and hull length made the type of missile launch described in the 38 North analysis “almost impossible.”
Also, Kim emphasized the difficulty and expense of developing the technology for the vertical launch of missiles from submarines. For example, South Korea has already been working for 10 years on a vertical launch system to be deployed by 2023, he said.
“Although North Korea is likely researching a submarine missile launching system in Sinpo, contrary to 38 North’s claim, Sinpo-class submarine is not likely to operate this system,” he said.
Picture: KCNA
N. Korea makes more military leadership changes
N. Korea makes more military leadership changes
Two officers assume new senior leadership roles, new air force commander elevated in rank
North Korea made some recent changes in senior military positions, a Korean Central News Agency report revealed Wednesday. Among the numerous military officers who were present with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at a recoilless gun drill, two were new holders of their posts and another was promoted
Saturday, 3 January 2015
world politics in general, noting the rise of Kim Yo Jong
Nothing much is happening.
The Middle East is the mess it always has been since the US and its surrogate Israel continue to seek to redefine the region in their image.... which never works, never has worked, never can work.
Meanwhile, in the real world, in the Powerhouse of North Asia, Kim Yo Jong, the little sister of Kim Jong Un, is positioning herself very securely to take over from her brother Kim Jong Un as the need arises. He is unwell and plans must be made.
To us North Korea, the DPRK, seems kind of mad, for sure; but it isn't mad. It's an evil regime, for sure, but it's not crazy, and it does make wise pragmatic decisions... and young Kim Yo Jong, at 27, is safely positioned to take the reins as necessary. If one can survive that system to run it, that person does have remarkable human political, and human survival skills.
on cars and motorbikes
On cars:
The Volvo C30S SSRI Coupe of 2009
I bought this over a year ago, trading in the 2009 Mazda B50 2WD Ute - which was a fantastic vehicle in excellent condition. I bought the Mazda Ute almost new as an experiment to see how it went over 2 years when used not as a ute at all but as a two seater car, basically. It is the only car I've ever had that basically appreciated in value in the 2 years I had it. Why? Because I had used it simply as a car. Very strong, lots of added on things like side steps and dark glass and bullbar and great spotlights etc.
It was great except I found it very difficult to park because of the one tonne tray sticking out beyond the cabin-line and there were quite a number of occasions when I reversed it into steel poles...doing no damage at all to the ute, mind you. Finally, after I reversed it into the side door of a new Mitsubishi Pajero at low speed and basically tore off the door of the Pajero, still with no damage to the Ute, I began thinking about trading the Ute in. Just poor vision reversing, and me with a sore neck.
It was comfortable. The bumpiness of the rear leaf-springs were well balanced simply by having a 20 kg bag of sand in the centre back of the tray. Thus: car-like suspension. Good diesel engine. Cheap to run, and problem free.
Anyway, the Volvo is a good coupe. Low and fast and safe. The only car I've owned where you don't have to slow down when going around corners or changing directions radically...It just does what you want. No complaints, no back-end drifting etc. The other day was a good example, I did an illegal U-turn at some lights and failed to see a fast approaching very large Toyota Sahara 4WD so I was in a bit of a pickle...so...planted foot to the floor on the accelerator...and the Volvo just ignored all its inbuilt safety-gear tuned to the particular driver's habits, and it just threw itself forward out of the way in a great pool of seething rubber and smoke. Brilliant. Fortunate.
I bought it second hand 3 year old at about the same price as a new basic Toyota Corolla (the famous and indestructible Bangkok Taxi) so, its value depreciation was about 20% per year, and continues to devalue each year faster than a Corolla would, although this is only a concern if one wants to sell it. I like it and it reminds me of Simon Templar's Volvo in The Saint, and so its resale value means nothing as I wish to keep it. Volvo engines are great - especially the C30S 5 cylinder donk...massive power in a very heavy body...and will do an easy 600,000km without effort or much that needs fixing. Fuel costs are twice that of a Corolla.
If I had to make a dispassionate objective analysis and asked myself Is the Volvo, when new, worth the money...maybe $50,000...then NO, not at all. A Daihatsu Terios or Sirion, a Hyundai Getz, or even the Toyota Corolla is a much smarter way to get around and you could buy 4 Hyundai Getz for the price of the Volvo. The Getz will last as long and maybe even be a bit more reliable...but I just like the glass boot, the 'shooting brake' configuration of the Volvo that hearkens back to the 1969 PT model of Roger Moore/ that's all. I like it. And Volvo does have the most comfortable car seats in the world.
Cars I would like to have in the future, whilst keeping the Volvo: a fifteen year old Mercedes S500 Long Wheel Base. You can pick them up for around $15,000 now, with 130,000km on the clock, which is a drop from $150,000 when new...and they are great loungerooms to drive around in. They came in V6, V8 and V12...and I would kinda like the V12. I'd also like a low km 2012 Hyundai Getz 2 door 1.4l car and do it up a treat as they are very brilliant machines. Zonking down from Rockhampton to Brisbane in the Getz, or from Rockhampton to Cairns were comfortable, fast and excellently affordable experiences.
So, favourite owned cars, in order of excellence, for me, would be:
1: Hyundai Getz
2: Volvo C30S SSRI Coupe + Holden Kingswood Station Wagon in green
3: Daihatsu Terios + 3: Mazda B50 2WD Ute
Motorbikes:
Favoured:
BMW R1100R Randy Mammola Replica 2002 in police colours of Blue and White
Moto Guzzi Tenni Le Mans 2000 in green, brown, white and red (quite an Italian pastiche)
Ducati ST4S in yellow, with design elements from Benetton and Marchesini fine mechanicals
KIM YO JONG
North Korea: Dictator's Sister Kim Yo-jong Confirmed in Top Party Job
-
November 27, 2014 08:03 GMT
The younger sister of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un has officially taken up a prominent role in the regime's administration, after speculation she had stepped in for her brother when he mysteriously disappeared for six weeks, earlier this year.
Kim Yo-jong, believed to be 27, was referred to as deputy director for Northern department of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, according to KCNA, the official news agency of the secretive nation.
Analysts said that her ascent in the party ranks signalled the increasing grip on power of Kim's close family.
In October, as her brother disappeared from public eye sparking wiled speculations on his whereabouts and health conditions, reports surfaced suggesting she had taken up crucial government powers becoming the de facto second-in-command in the hermit kingdom.
A shadowy figure, Kim Yo-jong is rarely featured in North Korean media, where her dictator brother is a dominant presence instead.
The world first took notice of her as she was he was seen in tears at Kim Jong-il's funeral in 2011. She has since sporadically appeared in public alongside Kim Jong-un over the past few years.
In March official media first suggested she had been entrusted with official roles by Pyongyang, when she was photographed trailing the Supreme Leader and party officials on their way to a polling satiation in Pyongyang.
NK leader's sister weds son of Choe Ryong-hae (Yonhap News) The younger sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was married last year to a son of Choe Ryong-hae, one of the closest aides to Kim, sources said Friday.
North Korea: Kim Jong-un's sister marries son of close aide Choe Ryong-hae
- ByJanuary 2, 2015 09:19 GMT
Kim Yo-jong, the younger sister of the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, is pictured casting her vote in parliamentary elections in March 2014North Korean TV News
Kim Yo-jong, the younger sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, married last year a son of one of the closest aides to the leader.
YonhapNews quoted a reliable source based in China as saying: "As far as I know, Kim Yo-jong, deputy director of the Workers' Party, got married to a son of the party's secretary Choe Ryong-hae."
Choe is one of the most powerful officials in the communist nation after Kim Jong-un.
The party secretary has two sons and a daughter, another source said. "The second son, Choe Song, is her husband," added the source, as quoted by the South Korean news agency.
He is reportedly in his early 30s and his job title is not confirmed as of now.
North Korean media on Friday released a photo of the 28-year-old accompanying the leader in a visit to a Pyongyang orphanage on New Year's Day.
In the picture it was clear that she was wearing a wedding ring.
Thursday, 1 January 2015
choon woo hee
Chun Woo-hee Named Most Promising Actress
Chun Woo-hee
Actress Chun Woo-hee has been chosen as the most promising discovery of 2014 by film critics and industry watchers. Chun was the biggest surprise at the annual Blue Dragon Film Awards by winning the best actress award despite being a relative newcomer.
Many critics, however, agreed that she deserved the award, as she had built her career slowly and gradually and has strong potential to grow further.
Chun won the award for her superb performance in indie film "Han Gong-ju" that only attracted some 220,000 viewers. Although that is respectable for an indie film, it is hardly a match for the big blockbusters of the year.
But Chun's portrayal of the troubled rape victim in the film was so impressive that it won everyone over.
In her acceptance speech, a tearful Chun said, "I think this award sends me a message never to give up. I will do my best to keep on acting with confidence, I hope this will help spark more interest in indie and small-budget films."
Film critic Shim Young-seop said, "It's great to see a new actress who is capable of carrying a film on her own."
Korean films starring a single actress have struggled to achieve commercial success recently, which makes Chun's triumph all the more significant.
Many critics, however, agreed that she deserved the award, as she had built her career slowly and gradually and has strong potential to grow further.
Chun won the award for her superb performance in indie film "Han Gong-ju" that only attracted some 220,000 viewers. Although that is respectable for an indie film, it is hardly a match for the big blockbusters of the year.
But Chun's portrayal of the troubled rape victim in the film was so impressive that it won everyone over.
In her acceptance speech, a tearful Chun said, "I think this award sends me a message never to give up. I will do my best to keep on acting with confidence, I hope this will help spark more interest in indie and small-budget films."
Film critic Shim Young-seop said, "It's great to see a new actress who is capable of carrying a film on her own."
Korean films starring a single actress have struggled to achieve commercial success recently, which makes Chun's triumph all the more significant.
Doubts regarding North Korea's involvement in Sony hack continue to grow
Firm briefs FBI on Sony hack, doubts NK involvement
Cyber intelligence company sees involvement from Sony employee in incident
The FBI have been briefed by U.S. security experts who have pointed to a source other than North Korea for the recent Sony hacking.
The cyber intelligence firm Norse have pointed to hackers working with a Sony employee. The company briefed the FBI Monday afternoon, a senior vice president at Norse told Politico on Monday.
The cyber intelligence community was taken aback by the how quickly the FBI had fingered the North as he culprits for the attack, said senior vice president of market development Kurt Stammberger, “because it’s really hard to pin this on anyone within days of the attack.”
The FBI said it welcomes contributions from the private sector on the ongoing investigation, but said it stands by its original conclusion.
“Attribution to North Korea is based on intelligence from the FBI, the U.S. intelligence community, DHS, foreign partners and the private sector,” a statement from the bureau said.
Challenges to the FBI’s conclusions have emerged on several fronts, with Taia Global Linguists’ analysisof the 20 messages purportedly sent by the hackers concluding that their native language is most likely Russian, and “not likely” Korean.
Security expert Bruce Schneier has also called the FBI’s evidence that the North carried out the attack “tenuous at best.”
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