The madness...

A very good article describing the utter stupidity of the Australian Government's Hitlerian decision to force all international passengers to carry all liquids in 100ml bottles inside clear plastic bags. They really get things done in Oz - only 8 months after the 'threat' was uncovered they are going to put into place rules that other countries are trying to find ways to undo. Yay - go Australia.

I think I'll follow the advice of one of the commentators and take an empty plastic bottle through the security checks and fill it up from the bubbler in the departure lounge. $5 for a bottle of water? Allow me to react in the politest way I can muster right now; Screw You. I think I know what's prompted this interesting change in legislature and erosion of basic human freedoms.

Also a couple of good articles about the use and abuse of English.

First, a story about 'Globish', which sounds like a plug for a book, but has some interesting thoughts about language and the way things might go in a truly globalised world.

Also this year's nominations for the annual 'Foot In Mouth' prize.
To summarize... ahem...
"I love England, especially the food. There's nothing I like more than a lovely bowl of pasta." - Noami Campbell.
"The first attribute of the art object is that it creates a discontinuity between itself and the unsynthesised manifold." - Germaine Greer.
"the proof of the pudding is at the end of the day" and "I'll cross that chestnut when I come to it" - Geoff Boycott.
and finally, a quote from my favourite person in the whole wide world,
"One has a strong hand when there's more people playing your same cards" - George W. Bush.