Nick Jordan » News

Petrol Prices

Nick — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 08:18:19 +0000

I’m no longer an active biker, so the issue doesn’t directly affect me, but I was watching a news report on TV this morning about rising petrol prices and I had to laugh at the interviewee who complained that fuel was so expensive that it was cheaper for him to take the train to work. Correct me if I’m wrong, but surely that’s a good thing and exactly the situation we should be aiming for.

Nobody in their right mind is claiming that reducing car use is going to be painless but most of us agree that it’s necessary. It benefits all of us, including those who still drive because they have no choice.

Homeopathy is Nonsense

Nick — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 13:40:04 +0000

A nice little article about tomorrow’s planned protest against companies like Boots selling this snake oil despite stating that they have no evidence that it works.

Homeopathy does not work beyond placebo, it is a menace to public health and a drain on the limited resource of the NHS. It is an 18th century quack medicine consisting of magical rituals practised by deluded, cargo-cult “doctors” that has no place in government thinking, and it should not be endorsed by the registered pharmacists who are at the frontline of public health in the UK.

Hear, hear!

A Bit of an Overreaction

Nick — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 13:20:05 +0000

‘Lying down’ NHS staff suspended. Is it me or does this seem to be an overreaction to a bit of harmless enjoyment. Somebody in management has clearly had a sense of humour failure. Besides, things like this are generally good for morale and, if there’s no danger to patients as a result, why shouldn’t staff let off a bit of steam and have a little fun?

Public Wellbeing

Nick — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:27:14 +0000

‘Public wellbeing’: the new approach to mental health. The government’s New Horizons strategy is the next bold step for mental health policy. What is changing, and will politics allow it to work?

Interesting. I shall be keeping an eye on this to see how it all works out.

Tree Foxes

Nick — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 10:18:48 +0000

Foxes ‘nest’ in tree. Ah yes, the well-known Suffolk Tree Fox. Not to be confused with the Norfolk Shed Stoat.

The Great Giveaway

Nick — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 09:03:14 +0000

Private firm may track all email and calls. Let’s just parcel up all our communications data and hand it over to the private sector. Rarely have I heard a madder or more dangerous idea. This has to be stopped, and stopped now. I can’t believe that something so stupid would even be considered.

No Means No

Nick — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 16:11:32 +0000

What part of Ireland’s ‘no’ does the EU not understand? A nice little piece by Brendan O’Neill on the recent Irish rejection of the Lisbon treaty. I couldn’t agree more with his point of view that the Irish people were presented with the arguments, made their minds up and voted, and there the matter should rest. Disagreeing with a particular piece of EU legislation does not amount to a wholesale rejection of the EU itself, and to chide the Irish for ‘making the wrong decision’ is insulting and makes a nonsense of the democratic process.

In other words, suck it up, guys.

Go As Fast As You Like

Nick — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 10:20:14 +0000

Paperwork error means Scotland has no legal motorways. If this is true it’s absolutely fantastic news. I’m planning a trip to Scotland with some friends next year and, while we’re not planning on spending too much time on fast roads, this still could lead to some real fun. I’d love to see someone testing an outrageously quick home-build vehicle of some kind up there. Jet-powered skateboard, anyone?

A Short Delay

Nick — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 22:21:18 +0000

Nasa delays its next Mars mission. It’s a bit of a shame but a year’s not really all that long, and clearly it’s extremely important to get everything right before the launch.

Putting it Into Perspective

Nick — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 09:22:03 +0000

NewsBiscuit: Refugees from Congo Civil War �more angry about Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand�. Nothing I’ve seen or heard puts the current furore over Ross and Brand into perspective better than this. The prank was stupid and they should have known better but there are more important things happening in the world. Besides, the sheer quantity of coverage of this has become deeply irritating, at least to me. Can we forget this and go and solve some real problems now? It’s not as if there aren’t plenty of them.