Michael Moore: Why don’t Canadians kill each other?

Canadian kids watch same violent movies & play same violent video games. In their 10M households r 7M guns. Why don't they kill like we do?

—
Michael Moore (@MMFlint) December 21, 2012

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Live blog: End of the world special

11:14

Well, that’s the end of the liveblog. We’re alive.

11:12

The end of the world is now!

11:09

Isaac Newton said that #endoftheworld would be no earlier than 2060 - so you have time to see his portrait in Rm 8! ow.ly/ghvDN

—
Portrait Gallery (@NPGLondon) December 21, 2012

11:00

12 minutes to go.

10:48

Apparently, an alien graveyard has been found in Mexico:

Close to the small Mexican village of Onavas, south Sonora, archaeologists have uncovered the first pre-Hispanic cemetery of that area, dating to around 1,000 years ago.

The burial ground consists of 25 individuals; 13 have intentional cranial deformation and five also have dental mutilation, cultural practices which are similar to those of pre-Hispanic groups in southern Sinaloa and northern Nayarit, but until now, have not been seen in Sonora.

…For archaeologists, the discovery is exciting new evidence of cranial deformation, something which has not been recorded before in the Sonora cultural groups.

…The archaeologist said that, “Cranial deformation in Mesoamerican cultures was used to differentiate one social group from another and for ritual purposes, while the dental mutilation in cultures such as the Nayarit was seen as a rite of passage into adolescence. This is confirmed by the findings at the Sonora cemetery where the five bodies with dental mutilation are all over 12 years in age.”

However, she continued,“In this case, you cannot recognise any social differences because all the burials seem to have the same characteristics. Nor have we been able to determine why some were wearing ornaments and others not, or why of the 25 skeletons only one was female. “

10:42

Well, not long to go. However, this will give some people a fright this morning;

M4.3 – 92km S of Champerico, Guatemala 2012-12-21 07:05:10 UTC

Guatemala was home to the ancient Mayan empire.

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So, how will the world end tomorrow?

This video amuses me…

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My atheism and Ruth 1:16

An odd conversation topic at work; as an atheist, I was asked if the Bible actually contained a verse I either a) liked or b) admired. Oddly enough, I do. Ruth 1:16

And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:

The reason I enjoy this verse, I can even quote it word for word, is the compassion and desire for companionship. Whatever dilemmas and trials we face in life, true friends will be by your side until the bitter end – and will never judge you.

As a libertarian, I passionately believe in the defence of individual rights and, strangely, Ruth 1:16 reminds me of those values.

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In other news, Norwich are the new Barcalona…

This shocked me

It is not often that you can find a way to place Norwich City and Barcelona in the same sentence, but at this moment in time, of all 98 teams in the big five European leagues, the Spanish giants are the only side that can boast a longer unbeaten league run than the Canaries.

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UK to arm Syrian rebels?

[From PoliticsHome]

David Cameron tells MP the United Kingdom should consider arming Syrian rebels in order to ‘shape’ any emerging political settlement.

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The tragedy of Sandy Hook

I decided to wait a few days to pen my thoughts; but still, I really don’t know what to say. This is a heinous crime, and one of the most shocking in recent years. Whilst I still believe in humanity and its enormous potential, these unspeakable acts remind us that some individuals are capable of utter destruction.

I really still don’t know what to say.

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Ed “Progressive” Miliband wants to ban immigrants from certain jobs

This, from PoliticsHome, nearly caused me to faint this morning…

Ed Miliband is to call for immigrants to be barred from public sector service jobs unless they can speak English properly

Beyond extreme; not even UKip would advocate a draconian policy such as this. Firstly, this is near enough impossible – unless we leave the European Union and the European Courts of Human Rights.

If this is only applied to non-EU immigrants, however, then Britain faces countless embarrassing investigations from the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Either way, it’s difficult to actual achieve.

Not only is it discrimination, and borderline xenophobia,  but it’s economic protectionism. The consequences for the labour market would be dire, if we restrict work for non-British citizens. Labour, like most parties, avoids explaining the benefits of migrant workers because it is simple not popular; supporting immigration does not win you votes.

I find it remarkable that Ed Miliband, of all people, is taking such as strong stance on immigration.

 

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Maria Miller under investigation over £90,000 expenses

Oh dear, oh dear…

John Lyon, the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, launched an inquiry after The Telegraph published details about Mrs Miller’s expenses this week.

Between 2005 and 2009, the Culture Secretary claimed the cost of the mortgage and other expenses associated with a South London property, which has been her parents’ home for “nearly two decades”.

Mrs Miller insists her expenses are “absolutely in order” but the watchdog has decided to look at whether there is a case to answer.

Looks like this story could result in the downfall of the Culture Secretary….

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Will Britain miss Christianity when it’s gone?

Telegraph columnist, Tim Stanley, wrote a passionate comment on the decline of religion in Britain and the consequences of a post-Christian Britain. However, it reminded me of a humorous clip from Family Guy.

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