Phlegma weblog

The New 007

Orlando Bloom is the new James Bond. He has been signed by Miramax to star in the movie, about Bond's college days after being expelled from Eton.

There's also a rumour that Bloom will take over the part from Pierce Brosnan in the next movie that is expected in November 2005.

Norway hotel staff want porn ban

It's good to see that the big norwegian news are beeing given international recognition.

Animal rights chief want to kill scientists

A top adviser to Britain's two most powerful animal rights protest groups caused outrage last night by claiming that the assassination of scientists working in biomedical research would save millions of animals' lives.

To the fury of groups working with animals, Jerry Vlasak, a trauma surgeon and prominent figure in the anti-vivisection movement, told The Observer: 'I think violence is part of the struggle against oppression. If something bad happens to these people [animal researchers], it will discourage others. It is inevitable that violence will be used in the struggle and that it will be effective.' (Guardian)

A 35 year old small step

35 years ago today, millions gathered infront of their television sets to watch Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin's walk on the moon - while Michael Collins were orbiting the moon.

Washington Posts Sue Anne Pressley have written a piece on the effect on the US. A good read.

Sex stunt gives rise to another heavy fine

A music festival in the southern Norwegian town of Kristiansand was hit with a heavy fine Friday for failing to interrupt a live act that included a couple having sex on stage. Local police have already fined those involved in the sex stunt. (Aftenposten)

The sex stunt lasted for around 10 minutes, without any of the stagehands or festival workers in the area interrupting it. During all of this, the Cumshots (The name of the band, not the couple) continued to play. The NOK 50,000 fine (about USD 7,100) was levied against the Quart Festival itself, not its individual officials.

If we just forget about the moral indecency of this act, I must say that I'm impressed. It's quite a feat to be able to perform in front of 3.000 people.

Archdiocese to declare bankrupt

A Roman Catholic archdiocese in the US is to declare bankruptcy because it cannot meet the cost of claims by people allegedly abused by its priests. The Archdiocese of Portland, Oregon, will be the first in the US to do so. (BBC)

The action will suspend the start of a civil trial of a priest accused of molesting more than 50 boys.

Other US Roman Catholic dioceses are also facing bankruptcy, or have had to sell property, to meet the cost of abuse claims brought against priests.

Chapter 11 bankruptcy - the legal term for the action taken by the Portland Archdiocese - gives an organisation freedom from legal action by creditors while it reorganises, but cedes some control over finances to the courts.

The plaintiff Jim Devereau isn't happy about the bankruptcy:

I think this is just another corrupt tactic of the Roman Catholic Church archdiocese of Portland

Personally I'm as allways shocked when I hear stories like this. But that a church is being forced to declare itself bankrupt is beyond me. This makes me wonder about the system of punitive damages. And the fact that focus is taken away from the victims and placed on money is just another proof that the system is not entirely right. The society should punish the perpetrators - and punish them hard. But is the archdiocese a perp?

I must stress that I feel for the victims of this - and similar - cases. It's the system that I think may have to be adjusted.

237 misleading statements from the Bush administration

Henry Waxman have just brought us the the Iraq on Record Database, which contains 237 misleading statements about the threat posed by Iraq that were made by George Bush Junior, Dick Chaney, Defence Secretary Rumsfeld, Foreign Secretary Powell and Security advisor Rice.

Thanks to Manic at Bloggerheads for finding this. I will surely use it - as should you all.

Russians and the polling stations

Today the Russians are heading for the polling stations to elect a president for the third time since the collapse of the Soviet Union. No one seems to think that any of the five candidates who are running for the precidency have a chance against Putin. He is going for a landslide victory. But his victory may not be valid.

To have a valid russian election, the turn-out has to be higher than 50 percent. This may be the only thing that stops Putin from cruising to a second term in office.

This is a problem that Putin has allready foreseen. A couple of weeks ago, Putin dismissed his own cabinet, and thus created a bit of excitement in an extremly dull campain.

We'll see if this is enough to secure a valid victory. Because as long as there isn't any candidate that can beet Putin, his opponents have to rely on the constitution - and stay away from the polling stations.

I just cried

It's several years since last time. But seeing the appalling atrocity in Madrid is just horrible. My tears are shed for the 199, the 1,400, the spaniards and our virginity. Where's the glory?

Where's the glory in that?

Today I need help to express my emotions. I turn to U2-lyrics for that help:

They don't talk about the glory of killing for the revolution What's the glory in taking a man from his bed And gunning him down in front of his wife and children Where's the glory in that?

Where's the glory in bombing a rememberence day parade
Of old age pensioners their medals taken out and polished up for the day
Where's the glory in that?

To leave them dying, or crippled for life, or dead
Under the rubble of the revolution

Taken from Sunday, Bloody Sunday. A different conflict - but the broken ideals are the same.