Dangerous drunk driver banned from driving

According to the BBC, the actor Kris Marshall has been successfully prosecuted for drink driving. It is news that will bring relief to the thousands of motorists and pedestrians who have to risk their lives every time they step outside their house.

Ok, so sarcasm doesn’t carry over well on the internet, but this is fucking ridiculous. The truth is, the guy drove to a Tesco’s car park, decided to go an have a swift half, ended up having a bit more than that and made the decision that he shouldn't drive, so slept in his car. Good fucking man, he's taken the sensible option and not risked his licence, his life or anyone else’s.

Or so you would think. Turns out that both the police and the magistrates court in south Somerset think that the correct solution would have been to drive home. At least that’s the only conclusion I can draw from their actions, where between them, they breathalyse him (After waking him up!), haul him in and then ban him. If he had driven home, the chances are he would still have his license. Assuming the court is bright enough to realise this fact, then they must realise the message they are sending?

The article does not make this clear but apparently having the keys in the ignition counts as driving, even if your seat back is basically horizontal. I find myself wondering if this was by any chance a WPC who thinks the natural home for car keys is the bottom of a handbag, and that the appropriate time to reach for them is 5 minutes after you get into the car and have fiddled with your face and hair. Obviously if it was a man, then he would know that getting into the car and putting the key in the ignition are actually one and the same activity. Draw your own conclusions.

This whole keys in the ignition thing is frankly worrying as it means that I illegally drove my parents cars multiple times as a child, when they got out of the car to put the bins out, step into a newsagent and the like. Maybe I really was a child criminal, although I expect my mother would disagree (I think!) Still, given the insanity we are seeing more and more in this country, I'm surprised I'm not considered a hardened criminal because I sometimes like a glass of wine with dinner at home.

Music industry starting to flex it's new found censorship muscles

I don't think this is going to come as any great surprise, but according to the BBC the British Phonographic Industry have written to BT asking them to block the pirate bay, and claimed that they will take the matter to court if they don't comply willingly.

This is now the first real test of the damage done by the initial court ruling that forced BT to block access to newbinz earlier this year. If that case is used as precedent to get this pushed through, it will show once and for all that the big media corporations have been handed censorship rights over the UKs access to the Internet.

The only glimmer of hope is that the newsboy case revolepved around a site that had already been ordered cellars down once before. It is only to be hoped that a reasonable court will realise that the pirate bay has ot been declared illegal in the uk.

It is important to note that the pirate bay itself is a search engine, that they do not host any infringing material themselves. Indeed, the searches that the pirate bay allow can be performed just as easily with google as wi the pirate bay.

It is impossible to overemphasise the importance of this step. If this goes to court and BT are ordered to block access to the pirate bay, it will indicate the beginning of a trend at sees the big corporations able to block any site at they deem to be objectional. If ever there was a moment for a British justice system to recognise the importance of what they are being asked to rule on, it is now, and I very much fear that this will not be the case.

The broken Texas judge

As I'm sure a lot of you already know, there is a video circling the net at the minute of a judge from Texas, William Adams, savagely beating his 16 year old daughter with a belt. If you haven't seen it yet, you can view it here but BE WARNED, its horrible viewing. However, I think its important that people do see and understand what an abusive monster this fucker is.

Now, this isn't really anything to do with the purpose of this blog, so you may be wondering why I'm posting it. The simple fact is I want as many people as possible to see it, and to know who this abusing cunt is. I want him to never be able to walk into a bar without someone recognising him. I want him to become a complete pariah. I want him to die alone, preferably of something painful.

Now, before people start harping on that we don't know its him (The police are not confirming anything), please note, he was interviewed by NBC and acknowledged that it was him, before making excuses that it wasn't as bad as the video made it look (I'll let you judge for yourself on that one).

Further more, I offer redemption. The man has proved to the world that he is fit only to attack children. If he wishes to show other wise, let him fight someone his own size. So here is my offer. Him and me, in a cage, no gloves, no holds barred. Hell, we can use belts if you like, let you have your "home" advantage. Oh an no refs. The match doesn't end until one man decides to walk out and the other man can't stop him from doing so.

So coward, you got the balls?

UK Police aquire tech to remotley intercept/track shut down mobiles

Close your eyes and imagine a police state, where you have no real control over your life. In your imagination, how many people are using a mobile phone? None? This, scarily is the world that the Met police force would like to see in place, if their latest purchase is to be believed. According to the Guardian, they have the kit in place to force phones in a 10km circle to hand over their IMEI and IMSI numbers, which can then be used to track the phone in real time.

Worse still is that the Met are refusing to reveal whether the system has been used in anger or not. How did we end up in a world where the police can track you via your mobile phone, without a warrant, along with hundreds of others, and then refuse to tell the public about it when asked? The simple reality is that the police are becoming less and less a public service and more a tool of the government, and our lives are becoming less and less our own.

UK Judge hands American big copyright a blank cheque to filter the internet

As you may recall, back in July, a UK judge ordered BT to block newzbin at the request of the big copyright lobby in the states. This has now been given a date - BT have 14 days to enact this requirement.

The interesting (And by interesting I mean utterly ridiculous) part is that the ruling states that BT must also block "any other IP address or URL whose sole or predominant purpose is to enable or facilitate access to the Newzbin[2] website". What this means is that the companies that brought this suit can simply decide they don't like a website, and tell BT to block it.

Now, I know what your thinking. Your thinking that this only applies to newzbin, right? Wrong, it also applies to "any other IP address or URL whose sole or predominant purpose is to enable or facilitate access to the Newzbin website". So sure, that sounds straightforward. But what if a site has a newsbinz search engine? What if it links to a few choice downloads? What if it just links to newsbinz homepage? What if it just links to copyright material full stop? It will take time, but we will see this ruling allow the yank copyright lobby exert a tighter and tighter grip on our internet connections.

I can't even attempt to convey my feelings on this, that someone could have this little understanding or respect for our freedom, is beyond words. All I will say is, it is my fervent hope, as society starts to wake up to the realisation that it is now a possession of the government and big corporations, that this judge will realise the part his ignorance played in the downfall. Frankly, I hope the guilt kills him.

UK internet now controlled by American Corporations

A touch dramatic? Maybe not. According to this BBC report, the MPA has received an injunction from the high court, ruling that BT must block access to the site "newsbinz" using its "CleanFeed" system.

I don't know where to begin with this. I am actually, physically, angry about this. Does the high court really think the file sharing is the same level of problem as child porn? Because that's what the CleanFeed system was put in place to stop.

Next, the fact that the MPA is an American corporation, so this isn't even in the interests of a British company. Of all the things our high court could be dealing with, why is it dealing with an American corporate is considered worthwhile?

Of course this being a test case, it will now be a trivial matter of throwing lawyers at the problem to have other ISPs forced to block newsbinz in a similar fashion. And then, that's it, precedent set, if the MPA doesn't like a site, for the cost of some lawyers, they can have it blocked from the UK internet.

What really pisses me off about this is that its censorship. You should NEVER take down something with a valid legal purpose, just because it is also used for copyright infringement. As long as there is one valid file up there, then the ONLY correct solution is to go after the individual uploaders. Don't like it? Well, I can't shoot the CEO of a certain American collective in the face, and I don't like it, but thats just tough luck.

I'm sick and tired of legitimate resources being attacked over what is a non-issue. Are you listening big content? This is a NON-ISSUE - if you magically stopped all infringement of your content you know what would happen to your profit line? It would drop! Dramatically. I can't wait until people no longer buy CDs - once everything is digital, the Indie will be king and you will be crying into your milk.

And BT - Why are you not appealing this? Why are you not dragging this to the European Court of Human Rights? You were on the front line when it came to the DEA, why are you sitting back and taking this? Or are you all talk and no trousers?

Word cannot describe how angry I am that this idiot judge has allowed this censorship, rather than sending the MPA lawyers packing - or better yet, sticking them in the tower of London. When the revolution eventually gets off its computer chair, you sir will the first against the wall.

In Soviet Britain, MPA censor YOU!

Dear Auntie - An open letter to the BBC

In a high quality, fact checked bit of reporting, the BBC have interviewed a "downloader" regarding a recent report from the big content industry's stating that piracy is costing them 30% of their income.

Now dis-regarding the fact that this kind of report seems to get put out annually, and is generally debunked within seconds, could you please answer a few questions for me? Assuming you have done more than read the report and regurgitate it, you should be able to answer all of these.

Regarding the report
What methodology was used to gather this data?
Is this methodology valid?

Regarding the interview
You stated that downloading was both illegal and against the law - please clarify, what criminal offence do downloaders commit? Please note, non-profit copyright infringement is a civil issue, so is neither illegal, or against the law [sic]
Please name anyone who has been sent to jail in the UK for downloading
Please name anyone who has been successfully sued in the UK for downloading

Now, I'm under no illusions that anyone at the BBC is going to read my little blog post, much less respond to it, but on the off chance, I would appreciate that along side the wordy prose that justifies your report, you would actually answer the specific questions asked with specific answers.

Sincerely
BBC licence player

UK Barred from deporting 2 criminals

I was aware that our legal system had become a cesspit of liberalism, but it turns out the european court of human rights is worse. A couple of Somali crimnals who were to be deported back to Somalia are to allowed to stay in the UK as ordered by ECOHR.

Their crimes? - "burglary, threats to kill, robbery and dealing in class A drugs" according to the BBC. According to a spokesman for the ECOHR, they may face death or serious injury if returned to Somalia. and as such their crimes could not be taken into consideration.

Why the hell not? Did they care about the people they burgled and threatened? Live by the sword, die by the sword.

What kind of message is this sending? Come to the UK, if we don't give you citizenship, just commit a crime and then get the ECOHRs involved to block what should be an automatic deportation. There are 214 similar cases that now have a precedent set by this as well.

I am sick of hearing these liberal morons talking about how we need to protect these kinds of people. These are criminals. They break into peoples homes and threaten people with violence and death. Have you ever been burgled? I have, and frankly there is no limit to the harm and pain that I wish upon the perpetrators.

They have made the concious decision to gain at others expense, and they are entitled to nothing. They have decided they do not wish to be part of society, part of a civilied culture, and thats up to them, but the protections we are affording them are part of civilied culture. This isn't a buffet, you don't take the bits you like and ditch the rest. They are stealing the cake and eating it to. And then we are giving them free chocolate ice cream for afters.

Heres an idea instead. Lets ship every bugger convicted of a violent crime out to somalia, let them see what violent crime is really all about.

MPA trying to block Newzbins

According to the BBC, the MPA are seeking an injunction to force BT to block access to newzbins, using the same cleanfeed system currently used to block child porn.


Now, lets forget for a moment that this is a HUGE burden on BT (If you think this won't cause them to loose customers to unrestricted providers you are frankly an idiot)
The most important factor here is that they are asking our government to block a site that has not been declared illegal. That's right, there is no law that says that this site cannot be viewed or used in the UK. Yes, the site leave themselves open to civil law suits, but that's absolutely not the same thing. Yet they are seeking to make it impossible to view because they don't like it.


Think about that for a moment. Private entities (American ones at that) dictating what you may view based on whether they like it or not? Am I the only one who finds that incredibly scary?


Also, why are we allowing american interests to request injunctions through our legal system? Shouldn't our civil legal system be reserved for legitimate UK companies? I can understand trying criminal cases for foreign interests in some circumstances, but not civil issues.


Now what about BT? Whilst its true that the cleanfeed is also used by some other ISPs, there are those that have there own system. The upshot of this is that BT would be forced through no fault of their own to block a service that others will still offer, and people will leave them for those other providers. Yes, I'm sure if this does go through, that the other ISPs will be forced to match the block on their own systems eventually, but that will still take time, which will cost one of our bedrock companies customers and money. People will say its won't be many, or that they are big enough to take it, but that is not the point.


Amusingly, the MPA Euro president was quoted as saying "Newzbin has no regard for UK law" - Do you think that might be because when it was a UK owned operation, you sued it into administration, after which it has been bought by an outfit in the Seychelles? Funnily enough, I doubt they do care about UK law over there in Africa. But this brings up a very important point. The site is in Africa, it is not a UK site. Why are our legislators even looking at this? It is a matter for the African government to deal with (And no, I don't imagine they care, but I'm not feeling all that much sympathy for the MPA right now) and nothing whatsoever to do with the UK, other than it having UK users. This is an attempt at censorship of our internet. I cannot begin to describe how bad that is, please stop and think about that for a moment.


The day that one of our largest companies is damaged by the interests of a foreign private entity is an exceedingly black day indeed. The day that an America entity manages to censor a site from the public for their own ends is unimaginable.

"Rights holders" want the right to filter UK Net

One can only hope that this is one of those stories that appears, and the fades never to be seen again, but according to PCPro a group of "rights holders" are proposing that a council and expert body be set up with the intention of blocking web sites that are deemed to be infringing. Call me cynical, but my first thought was "Why do they want 2 bodys to make these decisions". My second thought was "Oh yes, to make the decisions harder to overturn"

Thats right, no oversight, no judicial review, just a group of Joe Publics (which won't consist entirely of industry people and industry shills, I'm sure) deciding what you may view on your internet in the UK. In the past I wouldn't have worried about this, but ever since Mandelson went on an all expenses paid holiday to the south of France with an industry exec and came back with the digital economy bill, I have realised quite how blatantly politicians can sell our freedoms (Do you hear me Mandelson, you treasonous little scrote?) The man to keep your eye on is Communications Minister Ed Vaizey - if this thing does raise its ugly little head again, we will know that he is either a Moron, or a traitor. And no, I don't think thats to strong a word for those who sell our freedom for profit.

So, assuming this all goes through (Big if, but we've seen worse get through in recent years) we will have essentially handed big content the rights to decide what we may not view, on a whim, with the only recourse a  legal battle from the owner of the site in question. So, if for example there was a blog that they did not like, they could block anyone in the UK from viewing it, unless the blog writer had the resources to take it to court, there is nothing anyone can do about it.

If you also take into account that they would use this as a spring board to ask for the same thing in other countries, we have a responsibility to ensure this plan dies. Vaizey - You have a very real responsibly to kick this thing to the curb. Failure on your part will see you ranked in history alongside Mandelson.

Why are we handing over our citizens to the states?

According to the Metro, the owner of TV Shack Richard O'Dwyer is facing extradition to the states over copyright infringement.

I don't know where to start with this - Not only were the servers not hosted in the states, but they also did not host any infringing material. For those of you that don't know, these sites work by providing links to other sites on which TV shows and movies can be found, meaning that the infringement is actually happening on these other hosts servers.

So why aren't they going after these other hosts? Simple. Because they can't. Mostly the videos are uploaded to legitimate video hosting sites (Similar to YouTube) by members of the public. Under Americas DMCA laws, the hosts are not liable so long as they take down this material when properly notified. This means that they would have to go after the up-loaders. Of course this is difficult, time consuming and ineffective because there are many up-loaders (There's a clue there Corporate America - People want to access content this way) so they don't bother - they try to twist the rules to suit themselves, meaning people like Richard getting caught in the middle.

Did I mention that copyright isn't clearly a crime under either American or UK law? There isn't sufficient case law yet, and as it stands its closer to a civil matter than a criminal one. Yet they want to extradite him to the states to face (I assume) criminal charges.

All of this is smack in the middle of his university education, so whatever else happens, "they" will get to see him punished by wrecking the final stage of his education. Look at the stress Gary McKinnon is under - imagine trying to get through uni with that happening to you. Guaranteed victory for some American corporations at the cost of on of our own.

There is something fundamentally wrong here, and it genuinely frightens and angers me that our government does not seem to realize it.