The end of this week was characterised by an interesting mass activity on Facebook. The billion people who choose to interact in the virtual world set themselves an interesting task. Facebook users invited other Facebook users to “change your profile picture to one of your favourite cartoon characters from your childhood. The aim of the game? To no longer see human faces on Facebook but a true invasion of childhood memories….”

So there we were. Those of us who playfully went along with the game found ourselves submerged in this massive exercise of de-humanisation as familiar faces were switched to the Jeegs (my ex aequo choice), Lupins, Goldrakes, Occhi di Gatto’s, Roadrunners, Felixes and Pink Panthers of the world of toons. Not since “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” had the fine line between the comic and the real been so heavily transcended.

Then something happened that seemed to be one of those serendipitous moments in which life throws funny coincidences that seem to have been scripted by a deity with a wicked sense of humour. For just as the frivolous faction of the facetious Facebook community toggled with the idea of transcending human form for just one day, I decided to tune in to the online live stream of Bishop Nikol Cauchi’s funeral. The man who had presided over my confirmation (December 1986) was getting his last farewell in the church in which I was baptised (November 1975). My cousin Nathaniel was doing a fine job with the commentary (could it be otherwise?) until Bishop Mario Grech kicked off with his sermon (November 2010).

Penumbra

And what a sermon that was. It was peppered with moments of chiaroscuro worthy of the best Caravaggio. Bishop Grech warned against straying away from the light and from having Christ as the purpose in our life. He warned against the short-term aims of modern materialistic society in his characteristic slow drawl interspersed with all-too long pauses. Then came the surgical cut. In exalting the qualities of the recently deceased shepherd of the Gozitan church, he stressed that Cauchi was a man who appreciated the human qualities of his brethren. Grech could not help but use this occasion to win the term human and humanist away from the heretic “humanists” who have taken up the layman’s cudgel in the modern day intellectual debate.

There we were. On the one hand an entire Facebook posse engaged in the process of de-humanisation by posting the images of a latter-day iconography in lieu of their own, while in a wonderfully decked cathedral a servant of the Lord reminded the people that his church and its love of light would best be served by respecting the “humanity” of us all. I wonder: how many roads must a man walk down before you can call him a man? And when you do, what cartoon character will best fit his profile pic?

Fl-isem tal-Missier (In the Name of the Father)

Facebook is much more than a platform for nostalgic exercises that are a sort of pop art equivalent to iconographic hagiography. One of the most precious Youtube videos doing the rounds on the social networks is an interview taken from this year’s Web 2.0 summit featuring Facebook’s eccentric founder Mark Zuckerberg. There’s an hour of hot stuff and insights into the modus operandi (or at least modus cogitandi) of one of the most powerful people on the web.

There’s something menacing about the amplitude of the spread of Facebook in the daily lives of each and every one of us. It has, in some way, been documented already in much the same way primitive man might have spent nights around the fire discussing the properties of a flame. What we are still discovering is the potential of the social network for the future. Only last week Facebook had an important announcement to make to its users. Facebook engineers had come up with a new mode of communication they insisted on calling “Messaging”. They are trying to… wait for it… make e-mailing simpler.

It would seem that such things as “subject lines” and “formal introductions” and “paragraphs” are becoming too much of an encumbrance for the latest generation of social media users. The SMS (short message service) form for messages is much more efficient according to these abusers of the opposable thumb. So they are simplifying messages. The idea is to create a seamless system between e-mail, SMS, Facebook messages and whatever other modern equivalent of the smoke signal is available. It won’t make a ‘differecet’ what you use – the message will cross barriers of form and shape but the content will get there.

Kliem ir-Rih (The words of the wind)

It is hard to summarise the importance of such tiny steps on the web. It is hard to avoid clichés about information, interaction, data processing and algorithmic sorting that are part of the package when discussing the evolution of the social media. Zuckerberg comes across as a bit of a smart arse who was at the right place (Harvard) at the right time (six years ago) with the right idea (was it his? Watch “The Social Network”) and who is now destined to eternal gloating as his personal patrimony is enough to bail Ireland out of its financial crisis.

I’d love to be able to sell the idea to Zuckerberg to try Malta out as his mini petri dish for new ideas. He could test the effectiveness of online social networks in breaking down established ones through the power of realising what people want, what people need and what actually is happening. He could move the role of social networks into places where they have not yet ventured – the real blood of political administration and governance. Not the election campaigns on Facebook. That would be the easy part. I mean the business of government.

Il-Ktieb ta’ Barabba (Barabbas’ Book)

Yes, Ireland has gone off cap in hand to the EU’s leaders requesting help for a bail out from the ills and ailments caused by the big recession. It’s not potato famine material, yet, but as J’accuse documented a few weeks back, it is already causing a new exodus of young Irish to more fertile pastures. The discussion in some parts of the British press about the Irish conundrum has been very instructive. Some have felt the urge to gloat about the UK’s supposed intelligence at having avoided joining the eurozone and not having succumbed to the latest pressure from the “common market”.

The Joseph Muscats of the UK world trumpeted notes of triumphant ecstasy at the supposed brilliance of their scheming. Which would have been all right had they not got the whole factoring of cause and effect completely wrong. For Ireland is not in a worse position than the UK because of its membership of the euro. As an Irish economist pointed out, much of the blame lay with the management of the Celtic Tiger in the boom years. He called it “double-dipping”, a combination of a free-for-all on interest rates and excessive enthusiasm to milk the market that was sanctioned by the governmental administrators of the day.

As for the UK, all this Cameron-fuelled Thatcherite yelling of “No, No, No” fails to take into account the simple fact that the UK is not that great contributor to EU funds that the Tory press like to make believe that it is. Ever since Thatcher’s dealings with the EC, the UK has benefited from huge discounts from its EU duties, which made Cameron’s heading of the anti-bailout plan league of 11 nations a rather incongruous affair.

Juann Mamo (Grajja Maltija) (A Maltese happening)

Which brings us to matters budgetary closer to home. The Saturday papers reported a speech by Central Bank Governor Michael Bonello. Reading the summaries of Mr Bonello’s delivery was very salutary for the mental constitution of the sane. Here was someone with his feet stuck firmly on the ground and who had no trouble calling a spade a spade. More importantly (and thankfully for a Central Bank Governor), he does not seem to have any symptoms of the local virus of Malta-centricity displayed by politicians of all colours.

It is a pity then that such wise words as the following will be lost on the ears of the politically twisted and irrelevant world of the concerted practices of two parties. Much as columnists like Ranier Fsadni would like to capture the economic positions of the two parties as something reasonable in terms of neo-keynesianism, we will still be lumped with short-term “policies” based on populist knee-jerk assumptions. Here is what Michael Bonello stated:

“What I am advocating is not austerity but enlightened self-interest. It is a commonsensical appeal for a closer alignment of our priorities with the economy’s strategic objectives and for a more efficient allocation of resources.” Which is polite speak for: “Get your act together and punch some intelligent thinking into those marketing fuelled chicken heads. Be prudent and diligent with our money or you’ll end up like Ireland.”

What did “the people” and “the press” read in his speech? The first noise to be made was with regard to his proposal to rationalise stipends. Dear dear. Alfred Sant was right then no? Of course he was… 14 years ago. Judging by comment board reaction, it was finally time for the students to get their comeuppance. It’s Monty Python’s Yorkshire Policemen all over again. “In my days nobody paid me to study and I had papyrus books and had to go to university in a self-propelled pushchair with three wheels and we stood up all through the lectures that were delivered in a cupboard.”

Arlogg ta’ Darba (A one time clock)

Just like back in 1998, the stipend issue should not be about society’s imagined vendetta on spoilt brats. It should be a rationalisation of what the nation is prepared to invest in an educated workforce. What will HR recruiters of the future be faced with? Presumably, now (14 years on from Sant, remember – that’s 14 generations of graduates) is the time to invest in specific courses in order to incentivise certain career paths from which the nation will benefit as a whole.

Is it that difficult to conceive? A target-oriented stipend that combines elements of “means-testing” (difficult one that) with desirability of graduates in certain sectors (less difficult but badly in need of stronger uni-public-private sector collaboration). How else will we ensure that the gambling companies, which have become the bread and butter for an important part of good taxpayers, will continue to be attracted by the efficient workforce we so proudly claim to have? Electronics, IT, environmental planners and engineers, political studies (the real ones), spring to mind as obvious sectors for investment.

It won’t be up to just the government to foot the bill of specific courses. One could think about involving the private sector more and promote the idea of part-time students who are already getting their practical experience in the labour market. The difference between this kind of scheme and the Mintoffian parrini is the element of choice. Obviously, no course should be closed. If we still have 500 young men and women a year wanting to become lawyers then so be it. The difference would be that the stipend for such courses would be less than that for other courses.

I know that this idea is anathema to many – I have been through this very closely. It would be ignorant of us not to acknowledge the changing times and needs. It would be ignorant to fail to take note of Bonello’s stern but reasoned warning. A closer alignment of priorities is just what the doctor ordered. Better still. He ordered a strong dose of a rarity in these times: Common sense. Good luck with that.

Kotba (books)

This week’s subheadings were dedicated to some of the recently published books that featured in the Fiera tal-Ktieb. That is one event I hate to miss and I still have not had the opportunity to peruse any of the books mentioned. There are other books of course and the Maltese publishing industry seems to be traversing a happy moment. That’s a good sign. An even better sign would be for us to go out buy the books – Maltese and others – and get down to reading more and more. The narrative and the story is what makes us most human of all – whether it is the story of transcendental humanism of a deity made man or the travails of a boy-wizard in his battle against evil, the secret lies in not forgetting the magical stuff from which our mind weaves great ideas.

Cogito ergo sum. Isn’t it brilliant? Quick… change your status on Facebook.

www.akkuza.com is all set for the first snow in Luxembourg. Come tell us what cartoon character you are and share a thought or two.

This has to be the facebook quote of the week. After last season’s ‘controversial’ programmes Bondi+ will be back again with more of the topical, relevant and cutting edge investigative journalism. Don’t hold your breath though, judging by today’s facebook post we are in for another mind-numbing ride:

Lou Bondi: This is the time of year when I start getting a knot in the stomach: how can we come up with another 9 months worth of topics for Bondiplus? Then the knot goes away by mid-September and before I know it its June. 18 years in the business and the same thing happens every year.

Go figure.

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It’s only recently that Facebook has finally given in to installing a “panic button” that should allow young, vulnerable browsers and users to alert the authorities whenever they perceive a danger. Facebook dangers are not only about paedophiles and sex-offenders though. There’s the risk of scavengers for information and personal data gaining access to your inner sancta sanctorum. Knowing how to manage the information that you make available on facebook is just as important as the panic button for youngsters.

One of the most common ways of gaining access to other peoples’ profile and photos is by creating a fake identity and then befriending people on facebook. Most people are flattered by a friend request and more so when the person in question looks rather “attractive” in his or her profile pic. Which is why probably more men fall for the add a friend bit than women. Men are suckers for what they assume to be another admirer. I was alerted to the activities of a supposed “Anne Borg” on facebook.

So I checked out Ms Borg. The profile photos aren’t exactly revealing – a single photo taken of a woman looking sideways – and a supposed location of Los Angeles (California). There’s little or nothing by way of clues and activity only a long list of friends. The usual suspects really. Semi-celebrities who might have been flattered by another “fan” and politicos – quite a few of those. Funny how nobody’s suspicion was piqued by a one photo character with the commonest surname in Malta and innocuous name living in LA. I was.

So I did an image search. An easy thing to do nowadays. Anne Borg’s photo turns out to be for sale on a professional photographers’ site. Here is Nathan Rupert’s site. Now check out Scream Daisy loving Anne Borg. You gotta love the anonymous fecker behind the site. The face doesn’t get as anonymously harmless than that.

"Anne Borg" on Facebook

"Anne Borg" by Nathan Rupert

There you go. Not so difficult to tell the fake from the real is it? So to all you who have gotten sucked in by this impostor don’t forget to unfriend asap (quick Bocca if you’re reading this … it’s not a fan it’s a stalker).

Some tips from another website about security awareness are in order:

• Consider restricting access to your profile. If the site allows it, it’s a good idea to limit access to your profile. Don’t allow strangers to learn everything they can about you. It’s just not safe.
• Keep your private information private. Never post your full name, Social Security number, address, phone number, financial information or schedule. These will make you vulnerable to identity thieves, scams, burglars, or worse.
• Choose a screen name that is different from your real name. Avoid using any personal information that would help someone identify or locate you offline.
• Think twice before posting your photo. Photos can be used to identify you offline. They can also be altered or shared without your knowledge.
• Don’t post information that makes you vulnerable to a physical attack. Revealing where you plan to meet your friends, your class schedule, or your street address is almost an open invitation for someone to find you. Remember that a photo in front of the Co-op tells strangers you are in Austin, and quite likely at the university.
• Use your common sense. If you are contacted by a stranger online, find out if any of your established friends know the person, or run an online search on them (after all, you can use these things to your own benefit too!). If you agree to meet them, make it in a public place and invite others to join you.
• Trust your instincts. If you feel threatened or uncomfortable during an online interaction, don’t continue the dialogue. Report any offensive behavior to the social networking Web site administrators.
• Be suspicious. Don’t take any information you receive from a new online contact at face value. The Internet makes it easy for people to say or do things they would never say or do in public or in face-to-face interactions. Protecting yourself is the smart thing to do.

BE PREPARED!!

This has been J’accuse. Snooping so you don’t have to.

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Gode di Immunità Ecclesiastica
The sponsors of the anti-divorce billboard erected by the Zebbug Parish are performing all sorts of cartwheels in order to make it clear that they are actually fence-sitters of the prime order and are neither for or against divorce. I guess it is important to know that Mega Tech of Mdina Road, Zebbug, fine purveyors of electronic gaming, have absolutely no opinion whatsoever in favour or against divorce though I am sure you could buy a copy of The Sims (check out the Guide to Marriage in the Sims at the end of this post) from the establishment – complete with married couples and all.

I like the way Jason Grech of Mega Tech used the smoking metaphor for an analogy as to why sponsors should not be associated with the message. Rothmans used to sponsor the football league, he says, but it does not mean that smoking is good for footballers. Bank of Valletta are into their tenth year of sponsoring the MFA’s premier league and we are inching towards legislation that bans advertising of cigarettes completely. That’s the thing about advertising Jason, it’s full of those irritating messages you can’t control. You should stick to the PLPN way – you give them the off the books bung and the Curia/Parish will give you a highway to heaven.

Apparently the church billboard did not need a permit because it fell under socio-religious classification which means it can be erected for 21 days without a permit. I wonder if some company is willing to sponsor the J’accuse Billboard that we could erect in Zebbug square for 21 days – it would state “God has no vote/ Alla m’ghandux vot”. Anonymous bungs accepted.

Tut Tut Flies and Aedes Albopictus

Image via Wikipedia

No new sightings have been made of the dangerous Asian Tiger Mosquito in Malta. The albino-like varmint had shaken a few feathers with two sightings in September and November. It is a carrier of such niceties as dengue and yellow fevers. Thankfully the committee specially appointed by the government for the search and destroy mission did not make any further sightings. What Malta is still full of is the local “tut tut” fly. People complaining endlessly about the heat (justified), prices (not entirely justified) and anything they can complain about in mid conversation. Speaking of mid-conversation, J’accuse spotted fellow a fellow Luxembourg dweller bravely wearing these pink crocs at the Embassy in Valletta.

Driving Maniacs

There is absolutely no reason whatsoever why we should wonder at all the accidents happening this summer. How can you marvel when walking or driving involves exposing your self to manifest danger for life and limb. Students equipped with almost half a brain pop out at the most improbable of places to cross the road. Yesterday I risked a head on collision from behind in order to slow down for two absolute nincompoops who were crossing a dark road on Regional Road at Saint Andrew’s right at the blind corner after the lights at Jessie’s Bar (direction Qawra). If I was not risking a mad bus ramming my rented 107 I would have got out of the car and given them a good beating myself such was the anger they provoked with their nonchalant attitude towards safety.

Students living at the Coastline hotel are waiting for the lights to turn green before crossing. (Green for them not for the cars of course). Which does not mean that an accident will not happen there any time soon. It just takes one hair brained crosser or worse one of those arseholes who think that the coast road is Le Mans revisited and boom you have your “tilef il-kontroll tal-vettura” and “ghal xi raguni ma hix maghrufa” all over again. Bugger to all that. We should reintroduce impaling as a punishment for serious traffic offences.

Valletta & Paceville

The capital is getting nicer and nicer what with all the embellishments and road works. At least they are worth something ad maiorem popoli commoditatem unlike the cacophonic chaos that are the works in the streets of the suburb that never sleeps. Check out my funky snapshots of the city (on my facebook album). I enjoyed taking them with my little Nikon Coolpix. You’ve just gotta love the Public Convenience in Strait Street. I also managed to be in VLT at midday to witness the St George’s Square spitting to music thingy. Water bounced and jumped to Charles Camilleri.

I think I like what they’ve done to the square (whose surface looks like an Olly and Benjy football pitch) but it still will never justify the expenses that were dispensed for the launching concert. It’s benches, lampposts and a couple of water spitters. At least we can console ourselves that urban planners have finally discovered the pleasures of open spaces. Slowly, slowly.

***

Guide to Marriage in the Sims (from ask.com)

A gay proposal in The Sims (yes, it also means happy)

“The Sims” is a fun simulation that gets some parts of life right. We all get cranky if we don’t have enough fun, food, and rest. But when it comes to marriage, the game is very different.

Steps to Getting Married
Friendship is a requirement for Sims to get married. They have to have a relationship score of 70. Then it is safe to turn on the heat, by lots of kissing and hugging. The proposal action becomes available once the relationship score is met. In order for a proposal to be accepted, the potential spouse needs to be in a good mood. They can easily refuse the proposal just because they aren’t hungry or need to empty their bladder. Once you are sure they are in a good mood, then propose. But even then, nothing is guaranteed.
The Wedding

When the proposal is accepted the Sims will immediately have a wedding. They change into wedding clothes and that’s it!

After the Wedding
The visiting sim will move into the home adding their assets to the bank account. The last name of the Sim moving in is changed. Children of the new spouse will move in as well, except if there is another adult at the original home.

Divorce? New Spouse?
Once married, that’s it! No divorce for Sims. They can, however, marry other Sims. Each Sim can have multiple spouses. A male Sim could have 7 other wives living with him, as long as he proposed to each in his own home.

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J’accuse has received a copy of Lou Bondi‘s defence argument before the Broadcasting Authority. It makes for very very interesting reading. Much as we would like to enter the debate on the issue of whether or not Lowell should have been allowed on the programme (and elsewhere we have done just that), we are more intrigued by the manner in which this ‘apologia’ continues to expose Lou’s selective amnesia as well as double-standards with regards to the weight of public opinion.

You will find below a link to the full document presented by Lou Bondi to the BA and you might like to read through it with particular attention to point 12 – regarding public opinion. Two questions stand out: firstly that Lou is arguing a technical point based on the very public opinion he chose to minimise in the Delimara program (Programmes People Watch).

Then there is the blatant selective amnesia – such as has been displayed before on the occasion of the infamous Plategate Bondiplus programme. Just look at point 12 of Lou’s apologia: first he quotes media guru Joe Borg and then he quotes an article in the Times – referring to the comments section. Having thus exhausted (according to Lou) all instances where his programme was mentioned and criticised he concludes:

Jidher car li ftit hafna kienu dawk li argumentaw li l-programm ma’ kellux isir. Interessanti wkoll li hafna minn dawk li qalu li l-programm kellu jsir, jikkritikaw, anki bl-ahrax, lil NL.

Brilliant. But false. Lou would like everybody to believe it. He probably believes it himself but the problem is tha this very forum chronicled the response in the mainstream media for you in the post entitled Gurnalizmu fuq Kollox (The Sunday Quotes). Claire Bonello, Mikela Spiteri and Tanja Cilia – all on the Times – and the Indy in a report all mentioned and criticised Bondiplus without any qualms.

You will notice of course that this assessment of all that Lou left out does not include the boringly irrelevant reality of the “peclieqa” on blogs… still, even without that proof you can see how selective Lou has been.

If you want a wider assessment of public opinion then dive to the wiked site youropenbook.org and input “norman lowell”. J’accuse has done it for you just click here. Scroll down to the period on and after 3rd May and see for yourself.

The farce continues….

Click to open the “Risposta BA re: Lowell” file.

Some guy gets fined €500 under the Press Act for having commented that the pope should be shot through the hands and feet in order to feel closer to Jesus. This declaration was made within the “confines” (that’s sarcasm guys) of a facebook group called “No to the Pope in Malta”.

The charge was of incitement under the Press Act. Some people including, surprisingly, defence lawyer Owen Bonnici, argue that the publication in question (a Facebook entry) is not made in Malta but wherever Facebook has opted to have as a place of abode. What rubbish. We have repeated time and time again that the important thing with regard to publications is not where the site is registered but where it can be read. Hence anything you write on public forums/sites/comment boards etc is liable to be subject to Maltese law for the simple reason that it can be read on a computer in Malta.

My gripe is more on the issue of “incitement” than anything else. the police must have received a complaint and proceeded thereupon – they are not so much to blame. My worry is how far do we define this incitement and with what limits. For one thing it would be evident to any reasonable minded individual that Karl Farrugia’s comment regarding the perforation of the papal limbs with projectiles is surely not in the same league of seriousness as, let’s say, a loony rightist leader’s intimation of the use of violence methods for the expulsion of immigrants.

I believe that neither in the case of Karl nor in the case of the (fictitious) loony leader are we confronted with an equivocal statement as that uttered by Henry II. History leads us to believe that speaking of Becket Henry said “Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest”. In actual fact it went more like this:

“What miserable drones and traitors have I nurtured and promoted in my household who let their lord be treated with such shameful contempt by a low-born cleric!”

Four knights – Reginald Fitzurse, Hugh de Morville, Willieam de Tracy and Richard le Breton – overheard the regent’s appeal and took him to his word. They found Becket in Canterbury cathedral and brutally murdered him. The King lived to regret this deed while the four knights ended up being excommunicated for their troubles. In any case their interpretation of the royal despair as some form of command might be forgiven. Whether we should think that Karl Farrugia’s exhortation is an invitation in the manner of Henry II is something I doubt very much.

True, people should be more aware of the consequences of their utterings and postings on such tools as facebook but surely no one in his right mind would believe that Karl Farrugia’s statement was meant to be taken literally?

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Some time ago J’accuse commented on how Bondi’s programme Bondiplus represented the death of investigative journalism. Only last week we pointed out the incongruency of the next programme planned by Lou – with Norman Lowell as guest. So. Is it still Gurnalizmu fuq Kollox? Hardly. Here’s what was said in the press today:

The day after last Monday’s show, when people were aghast in that very ‘what was Bondi thinking’ sort of way, disturbed by the exposure he was given, seeing it as some sort of incitement to racial hatred, I on the other hand seemed unable to fathom what all the fuss was about. Lowell worries me as much as Mary Poppins does. The only worrying thing about last Monday’s programme was that we were hardly going to be in for any surprises and we certainly were not going to hear anything we hadn’t already heard before. – Mikela Spiteri (“Our very own inglorious basterd“, Times)

When you consider these factors, it’s not surprising to see why Bondi invited Lowell along during a period when the topic of immigration is not very topical. Put yourself in his shoes. You can root around for a relevant subject (preferably one that puts the Labour Party in a bad light and hasn’t already been done to death in previous editions), spend long hours carrying out tedious research, and then have a programme where people only wake up for the closing credits and Rod Stewart crooning away. Alternatively, you could invite Lowell, choose choice extracts from a book which has been published for years, make a quick photomontage of black icons, and let Lowell do the talking. You’d be guaranteed a much wider audience with minimal effort, and if it was audience survey week, you’d be in with a winner. Never mind the fact that you’re providing a visibility platform for someone who spouts obnoxious and criminal views. That’s just a tiny niggle to be ignored when you’re in the business of producing ‘Programmes People Watch’. I wonder if the earlier Bondiplus slogan ‘Ġurnaliżmu Fuq Kollox’ has been replaced. It would look like it. – Claire Bonello (“Chasing ratings, not respect“, Times)

This week, Lou Bondí decided to take a break from the sublime and descend to the ridiculous. This week’s Bondí+ treated us to a people-bashing session by Norman Lowell, wearing his cravat backwards. The arguments were as cohesive as a jigsaw puzzle with several bits missing. But it was unfair of Bondí to try to put words into Lowell’s mouth by dint of repetition. – Tanja Cilia (“Blank versus“, Times)

One wonders whether these assertions will be met with the usual wall of deafening silence. There were also reactions elsewhere. The Indy reports that the BA has issued a charge against PBS for the Bondiplus Norman Lowell programme:

The Bondiplus programme led to mixed reactions and many heated discussions online, particularly on Facebook, with some arguing that the right to free speech should also include Mr Lowell’s right to express his beliefs, while others pointed out that his racist views were tantamount to incitement to hatred of specific groups, and therefore illegal. Other viewers felt that the programme only served to ridicule Mr Lowell, thus neutralising any potential influence he may have on viewers. While there were those who admitted they merely watched the programme “for a laugh”, there is real concern that Lowell’s followers are increasing in number, especially among the younger age group. (Independent)

Meanwhile Lou has been providing his guru expertise to the MZPN. Here’s a link to a pre-UK election discussion where Lou and Refalo discuss the extreme dangers of unstable government. MZPN Vid on Facebook

It’s another we told you so moment for J’accuse. As Chris would say: we’re doing the I told you so dance… all over again.

While we are on the subject of links here are two blogs from the UK Big League that featured J’accuse this week.

Iain Dale – writer, speaker, broadcaster and politician – gave J’accuse a mention on his blog’s feature “the Daley Dozen” on Wednesday. Here is an extract from Dale’s bio:

Iain Dale is one of Britain’s leading political commentators, appearing regularly on TV and radio. Iain is best known for his political blog, Iain Dale’s Diary and football blog, West Ham Till I Die. He is a contributing editor and columnist for GQ Magazine, writes for the Daily Telegraph and a fortnightly diary for the Eastern Daily Press. He was the chief anchor of Britain’s first political internet TV channel, 18 Doughty Street.com and is a presenter on LBC Radio. He appears regularly as a political pundit on Sky News, the BBC News Channel, Newsnight, Radio 4 and Radio 5 Live. He is the publisher of the monthly magazine, Total Politics and the author or editor of more than twenty books. He is managing director of the new book publisher, Biteback Publishing.

Yep a Tory AND a Hammer… still, he did appreciate our critique of his Telegraph article (internet elections) – enough to grant J’accuse a second appearance on the Daley Dozen.

Then there was Charles Crawford, fresh from his latest encounter with the darker side of Maltese blogging. The former FCO diplomatic servant and speechwriter now blogs regularly at charlescrawford.biz and has had a scrape with the Maltese net media thanks to the Conspiracy Theory of the Foreign Consultant. Crawford revised his blog post Malta’s Dramatic Blogosphere to include a reference to both Blogs of Malta and J’accuse.

Not bad for a week of links. Who said netiquette is not useful?

Still observing the UK Election from the Web angle. J’accuse brings you another possible tool – direct Q&A with the leaders. Of course this entails meeting the leaders of the political parties and that means that they have to accept answering questions but just look at what the use of Youtube and Facebook combined manages to contribute to an election debate.

The Youtube page in question is Ukelection, and there you will find that following a poll with Youtube and Facebook users, a set of questions were put to the three UK party leaders — Brown, Cameron and Clegg. Their answers were available for all to see, compare – and significantly – vote upon.

You can visit the Youtube site now and see the result.This was the original promo ad for the debate.

and here is a sample answer – chosen by biased j’accuse: Nick Clegg commenting on the electoral system: