This is a couple of days old, but I don't believe it's a double post. Apparently Islamofascism isn't the UK's only problem. Fred, can I still play at Rantburg?
After walking the Great Wall of China and making plans for a trip to Russia, Shirley Greening-Jackson thought signing up for a new internet service would be a doddle. But the young man behind the counter had other ideas. He said she was barred - because she was too old. The 75-year-old would only be allowed to sign the forms for the Carphone Warehouse's TalkTalk phone and broadband package if she was accompanied by a younger member of her family who could explain the small print to her. If I have to bring a younger person with me his title will be Esquire and you aren't going to like him.
Mrs Greening-Jackson, who sits on the board of several charities, said: "I was absolutely furious. The young man said, 'Sorry, you're over 70. It's company policy. We don't sign anyone up who is over 70.' "Later a young lady said company policy is that anyone over 70 might not understand the contract. She said, 'If you would be prepared to go to the shop in town and take a younger member of your family we might give you a contract.'
"I have just completed a visa form to go to Russia. Last year we did one for walking the Wall in China and here is this person saying I would not be able to understand a basic form - and it was basic. It is pure ageism. "Somebody has decided when you turn 70 you lose a lot of your mind. I find this is ridiculous."
When her case came to light on Radio 4's You And Yours last week, Carphone Warehouse admitted it had adopted an over-70 rule. But the firm insisted it was not a blanket policy and claimed the guidance was to protect the elderly.
A spokeswoman said: "It is not our policy to refuse business from adult customers of any age group. However, we do ask our agents to use their discretion when dealing with older customers." She added that the discretionary rule had been introduced in response to complaints that staff had mis-sold products last year. And then her lips fell off.
Liberal Democrat MP Paul Burstow, who chairs the all-party parliamentary group on older people, described the practice as 'deeply offensive'. He said: "It is nonsense to assume those over the age of 70 cannot understand this sort of package, especially with the huge explosion of 'silver surfers' using the net." New laws next month will outlaw ageism in the workplace. But Help the Aged wants the rules extended to protect consumers. "We see companies putting in place arbitrary age rules all the time,' a spokeswoman said. "To deny people services because of their age is just crazy. There needs to be legislation to address this." Deeply offensive and then some. Is Carphone Warehouse the only game in town? Nobody in my family, young or old, would do business with these A$$holes.
#4
Thanks for reminding me BR. Renting or borrowing a car might be a problem for me on our trip to Europe next year. May have even driven illegally the last time we were there.
Adult film star, aka porn queen, Alana Evans has apparently heard from her pals that pop singing sensation and American Idol star Kelly Clarkson dumped her new car because it was just like Evan's car, she told Page Six.
Apparently, when Clarkson found out that the star of "Britney Rears 3" had the same hot pink Mustang designed by the same custom auto company, she immediately dumped it the $60K auto like a bad STD.
Says the "Private Calls" Sirius radio show hostess, "She was upset that I had the same car and threw a big fit."
As amusing as it seems, the porn queen doesn't understand why Clarkson doesn't relate to her, or would be so quick to get rid of such a gaudy lookalike drive-toy.
"It's insulting because she doesn't even know me. I thought, 'What kind of American Idol is this?' It's funny because when Kelly had the car, some of my friends saw her and asked me, 'Who was that fat brunette driving your car?'"
Ah, just couldn't resist that little dig.
Who's the 'fat' brunette driving you car? She's the one who doesn't let strangers sodomize her on film for money. YJCMTSU
STEVE Irwin's grieving wife Terri will have the final say on whether footage of his last moments alive is made public, the head of the US TV company that broadcasts his show said today. The film has already been handed to Queensland police preparing a report for the Coroner as fans worldwide come to grips with the "freak" death.
Billy Campbell, the president of Discovery Networks, which owns the Animal Planet channel, said it was far too early to decide what footage viewers would see from Irwin's fatal trip on the Great Barrier Reef. Talks would take place with Terri at a suitable time, he said. "It's still too early," Mr Campbell said. "We'll have to take a look at it."
Irwin suffered a deadly blow from a stingray yesterday while shooting footage for a new show he was doing with his eight-year-old daughter, Bindi.
Continued on Page 49
#3
...I understand that there's a call in some quarters this morning for Irwin to recieve a state funeral as he was considered - and quite rightfully so - an outstanding ambassador for Australia. I've got to say I agree with the sentiment, but I really don't think Irwin would have agreed. He had a good time doing what he did and certainly enjoyed the fame and money it brought him, but he seemed to be a sufficiently humble guy to know that his message - responsible, practical conservation - was far more important. I suspect that in the end, he'll be buried the way Charles Lindbergh was - a quiet, private family ceremony, with him laid to rest in his khakis overlooking a place he loved.
Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski ||
09/05/2006 9:10 Comments ||
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#4
I feel sorry for his wife and kids, but a man who wanders around picking up every poisonous snake in Australia (to name but one examople) is unlikely to die at home of old age.
#8
They have the incident on film showing the barbed tail went into his heart, and Steve pulled it out. That's likely what killed him so fast. If he had left it in, plugging the hole, they might have been able to get him to hospital. Same thing if you get stabbed with a knife, leave it in until a doctor can remove it.
I always figured one of his crocs would get him. He was real careful with the snakes, but took too many chances with the crocs. We'll miss him.
Posted by: Steve ||
09/05/2006 14:24 Comments ||
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Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.), battling for reelection in a state where President Bush is not popular, gave a full-throated defense of the president yesterday and said the United States must prevail in the Iraq war. In his first and perhaps only debate with Democratic challenger Bob Casey Jr., Santorum lived up to his reputation as a feisty, unapologetic conservative, even though it has caused him problems in moderate-voting Pennsylvania. Ignoring Casey's taunts that he is a "rubber stamp" for Bush, Santorum embraced the president and most of his anti-terrorism policies.
"I think he's been a terrific president, absolutely," Santorum said in the nearly hour-long debate on NBC's "Meet the Press." Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld -- whose resignation is being sought by some Republican candidates -- "has done a fine job," he said, and "there is no question that the Iraq war should have commenced."
Polls consistently have shown Casey, the state treasurer and son of a popular former governor, leading Santorum. Democrats see the race as among their two or three best chances for gaining a Senate seat on Nov. 7, although Santorum has a record of winning tough elections. Santorum, who has asked for many debates, spent much of the
Posted by: Fred ||
09/05/2006 00:00 ||
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#1
"Democrats worry that Casey is playing it too safe by refusing most debate invitations and offering unspecific solutions to many problems." SOP for Dem Candidates. Their belief that "Everybody hates Bush" will carry any candidate to the finish line is going to bite them big in the next few weeks.
#2
Santorum kicked Casey's ass in the debate on Meet the Press. It was truly lopsided. Even far left dems said so. Dunno if it's enough, but hopefully he can pull it out.
Sharaqpur police arrested four people involved in attacking a church, beating women and children and injuring people in the vicinity of Sharaqpur.
A group of armed people had kidnapped Bashir Maseeh on the night of August 12. According to a press release by the Centre for Legal Aid Assistance on Monday, the organisation's coordinator Joseph Francis and legal adviser Anita Maria met Anwer Virk, deputy inspector general of police (DIG) in Sheikhupura, and asked him to take action against the criminals. Four criminals have been arrested and the police is raiding various localities to arrest the remaining 12 members of the gang. Another group of armed men who had injured Mahmood Sikander, Sharafat Maseeh and Muneer Maseeh and harmed the Church building are still at large.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/05/2006 00:00 ||
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A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
Adult film star, aka porn queen, Alana Evans has apparently heard from her pals that pop singing sensation and American Idol star Kelly Clarkson dumped her new car because it was just like Evan's car, she told Page Six.
STEVE Irwin's grieving wife Terri will have the final say on whether footage of his last moments alive is made public, the head of the US TV company that broadcasts his show said today. The film has already been handed to Queensland police preparing a report for the Coroner as fans worldwide come to grips with the "freak" death.
Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.), battling for reelection in a state where President Bush is not popular, gave a full-throated defense of the president yesterday and said the United States must prevail in the Iraq war. In his first and perhaps only debate with Democratic challenger Bob Casey Jr., Santorum lived up to his reputation as a feisty, unapologetic conservative, even though it has caused him problems in moderate-voting Pennsylvania. Ignoring Casey's taunts that he is a "rubber stamp" for Bush, Santorum embraced the president and most of his anti-terrorism policies.
Sharaqpur police arrested four people involved in attacking a church, beating women and children and injuring people in the vicinity of Sharaqpur.
