3. oktober 2003

Best of SB As some of you have probably noticed, I have added a sidebar on the right side of the blog, linking to some of my previous articles and blog items. Some are favourites (my favourites, heh) from the articles section, but most are the writings I see attract a notable number of google hits. I'll keep adding new links, and probably swap a few old ones later. 1:25:03 PM    comment []  trackback []

Football gang rape: press leaks more The British press is starting to drop more and more hints of the identities of the alleged gang raping football stars, and of course the Sun is leading. By dropping a new hint every day, they can keep the case going in the media for weeks, and sell more of their sleezy rag. Well, the guy who took the girl home for consensual sex is revealed to be a Chelsea player (nudge nudge, wink wink). In the rumours he was called a Charlton player. One player is on loan from Chelsea to Charlton. He is not a rapist, allegedly, but one has to question the circumstances where he brings a teenage school girl (over the age of consent, though) to a hotel room, has sex with her, and later a group of players from another club rapes her. The girl told how she drank Coca-Cola with the player and some of his pals before agreeing to let him bed her. They went to room 316 and had sex. Seven players from the other club allegedly walked in. The girl claimed she was gang-raped and forced to have unnatural sex. While he took a shower? It is hard to see how he can be innocent on this, and merely become the prosecution's star witness in the most high profile sports scandal case in years. 10:02:10 AM    comment []  trackback []

Headline of the day "Cave man wins case against lawyer" (Nettavisen English) Even without bringing his stone axe to court. 7:41:48 AM    comment []  trackback []

— Norwegians are Europe's whiners Norway is one of the richest countries in the world, with an extensive welfare state, natural beauty and good space. The social and health care system is certainly not perfect, but all statistics indicate we aren't worse off than anybody else. Yet, in a large survey of Europeans, Norwegians came close to the top when it comes to complaining (only the Greeks were worse). The Irish, a much poorer nation, were Europe's most content people. While only 53 percent of the questioned Norwegians said that the health services provided were good service, 70 percent of the Belgians agreed. Norwegians felt however, a little safer than other Europeans. 61 percent said they felt safe, however, 74 percent of the Irish enjoyed the sense of feeling safe. 55 percent of Norwegians are pleased with their local environment, while the Irish once again appear as the most satisfied with 77 percent. 47 percent of Norwegians approve the public services as access to education and public transport, while the Belgians rise higher with 65 percent. Scholars speculate that one reason may be that as private affluence increases, people expect the same improvement in public services. Another factor may well be that public services get money allocated depending on which is screaming the loudest in the press about how horrible the situation is. I have another theory: we are content and lazy, and have no real complaints that puts it all into perspective. I actually have yet another theory: we have the most expensive beer, and it isn't even very good. The Irish, who are happy, have comparatively inexpensive and brilliant beer. Counterpoint: the Greeks have inexpensive beer, too, and they complain even more. However, in my experience, it isn't very good. PS: The local newspapers are quick to point out that people here in Bergen whine less than they do in the capital Oslo. 7:33:44 AM    comment []  trackback []

Who's the weasel? Scott Adams, the creator of Dilbert, are taking votes on the 2003 Weasel Awards. Most of the obvious candidates, from both sides of the political spectrum, are there, plus a few persons, organisations and behaviours most of us agree deserves the label. 4:09:16 AM    comment []  trackback []

WMD found, almost, again This story about an alleged find of Iraqi chemical and biological weapons is making the rounds in the blogsphere. Kuwaiti security authorities have foiled an attempt to smuggle $60 million worth of chemical weapons and biological warheads from Iraq to an unnamed European country, a Kuwaiti newspaper said on Wednesday. The pro-Government Al-Siyassah, quoting an unnamed security source, said the suspects had been watched by security since they arrived in Kuwait and were arrested "in due time." It did not say when or how the smugglers entered Kuwait or when they were arrested. It does come with an "Associated Press" tag, but the groundbreaking story is remarkably absent from almost the entire news world. So far, I can only find one other source that carries it. Outside the blogsphere, I mean. I'd be very, very skeptical. Especially considering that official sources are silent, and David Kay is busy explaining how it doesn't necessarily mean much that he still haven't found any WMDs in Iraq. 3:19:49 AM    comment []  trackback []

Gang rape allegations shock England's premier league The case hit the frontlines of The Sun, one of the sleezier British newspapers, and detonated in the football (aka soccer) world like a cluster bomb shell. A 17 year old girl accused a group of well-known football stars of having raped her, after first having consented to sex with one of them. The police have confirmed the allegations in the most general terms. In Britain, there are strict laws against reporting the names of suspects (sometimes, of course, violated), and the media has not even named the club where most of the alleged rapists came from. Think the Kobe Bryant case on steroids, with nudge nudge wink wink instead of direct disclosure of the accused's identity. However, the media provided enough detail for people to find out. 'Household names' and internationals were involved, and most of the assailants came from a Premier League (top division) club. The incident happened in a room at London's Grosvenor House hotel over the weekend. London teams don't stay at hotels, so it was down to the teams who had visited London teams then. The exact timing of the games ruled out most of them, and speculators were left with Aston Villa and Newcastle. Villa directly denied its players were involved, but Newcastle kept mum. And Newcastle just happens to have acquired a group of young players with a disciplinary record that would make the foreign legion think twice. British prosecutors issued sterm warnings against naming anyone, causing practically all unmoderated football discussion boards to shut down in Britain overnight. That leaves the boards outside UK jurisdiction with a lot of extra traffic, and if you want to read a colourful debate with lots of names thrown around, look no further. And Usenet is, as always, totally outside anyone's control, and it's just funny to see the powers that be puffing and huffing about more regulation. Newcastle, the still unnamed club which 'everybody' know is the target, is in dire straits, and not only because it had a horrible start of the season. The chairman has already read the players the riot act, and told them in no uncertain terms that either they cooperate 100% with the police, or they will be fired and banned from the game for life. The manager, legendary Sir Bobby Robson (picture), reportedly offered to resign, but this was turned down. And indeed, there was speculation about him resigning over unknown disciplinary troubles just before the gang rape case hit the headlines. Now the poor man is trying to put up a brave face in public, as the media plays the game of not pretending to know. For Newcastle United's next games, they will have to make the decision to either pull all the accused players from the team, effectively telling everybody who they are, or let them play and be booed and jeered by angered fans every time they come close to the ball. Newcastle play home against Southampton on Sat 4th, and away against Middlesbrough on Sat 18th. And in the meantime, the police are conducting their careful investigations into the allegations, and the rumour mill is working overtime. 1:56:04 AM    comment []  trackback []

© Copyright 2003 Jan Haugland. Last update: 01.11.2003; 03:18:13.