Wednesday, December 31, 2003
AP has a hugely significant exclusive -- an admission by one of the most senior surviving Cambodian Khmer Rouge leaders, Khieu Samphan, that the regime committed genocide.
It marks the first time that a member of the KR hierarchy has taken responsibility for the atrocities committed during the 1970s and will have major implications on the planned UN tribunal:
AP: Ex-Khmer Rouge Leader Admits Genocide
It marks the first time that a member of the KR hierarchy has taken responsibility for the atrocities committed during the 1970s and will have major implications on the planned UN tribunal:
AP: Ex-Khmer Rouge Leader Admits Genocide
Tuesday, December 30, 2003
Leading (exiled) Iranian blogger Hossein Derakhshan comments at last on the Bam earthquake.
Muchas gracias a David Rojo y las periodistas de Periodista Digital para la mención y el acoplamiento.
Apologías por mi español terrible!!
Apologías por mi español terrible!!
It's been a while since I named an Amputee of the Week.
There's no particular reason; I've just been too idle to seek out new candidates.
This week, though, someone caught my eye who made me think it's time AOTW was resurrected for the New Year.
Steve Johnson, from Southport, had his leg amputated above the knee in 1985 after a footballing accident.
Despite losing the limb he went on to become coach of the England amputee football team and was named Amputee World Player of the Year in 1999.
Johnson has just been taken onto the coaching staff at Everton Football Club -- making him the first football coach in Britain with a "disability" to be employed full-time.
(Read an interview with Steve Johnson here.)
Reading through the amputee football rule book I came across some bizarre gems, such as:
"An 'able bodied' individual may tend goal if no arm amputees are available. That individual must keep one arm tucked inside his/her jersey while on the playing field."
and:
"Residual limbs may not be used to advance the ball. That keeps it fair, since someone with longer residual limbs would have a distinct advantage over those with shorter residuals. Incidental contact is OK, but a player may not use the residual limb to trap, block, or pass the ball.
When I had two feet I was the most appalling footballer, so I can only imagine what I'd be like now.
I'm tempted to give it a go, but I'm put off by the fact that the rules state that the game must be played on crutches and without a prosthesis. While I can see this makes it fairer for above-knee amputees to play alongside BKs like me, the thought of trying to last 90 minutes on crutches fills me with dread.
As I said on Boxing Day, I think I'll hold out for a place with the Shrewsbury Town first team instead.
(Find out more about amputee football here, here and here.)
As always, all suggestions for a future Amputee of the Week are extremely welcome.
There's no particular reason; I've just been too idle to seek out new candidates.
This week, though, someone caught my eye who made me think it's time AOTW was resurrected for the New Year.
Steve Johnson, from Southport, had his leg amputated above the knee in 1985 after a footballing accident.
Despite losing the limb he went on to become coach of the England amputee football team and was named Amputee World Player of the Year in 1999.
Johnson has just been taken onto the coaching staff at Everton Football Club -- making him the first football coach in Britain with a "disability" to be employed full-time.
(Read an interview with Steve Johnson here.)
Reading through the amputee football rule book I came across some bizarre gems, such as:
"An 'able bodied' individual may tend goal if no arm amputees are available. That individual must keep one arm tucked inside his/her jersey while on the playing field."
and:
"Residual limbs may not be used to advance the ball. That keeps it fair, since someone with longer residual limbs would have a distinct advantage over those with shorter residuals. Incidental contact is OK, but a player may not use the residual limb to trap, block, or pass the ball.
When I had two feet I was the most appalling footballer, so I can only imagine what I'd be like now.
I'm tempted to give it a go, but I'm put off by the fact that the rules state that the game must be played on crutches and without a prosthesis. While I can see this makes it fairer for above-knee amputees to play alongside BKs like me, the thought of trying to last 90 minutes on crutches fills me with dread.
As I said on Boxing Day, I think I'll hold out for a place with the Shrewsbury Town first team instead.
(Find out more about amputee football here, here and here.)
As always, all suggestions for a future Amputee of the Week are extremely welcome.
A sigh of relief while packing my warm weather gear in readiness for tomorrow morning's flight to Reykjavik to celebrate New Year in Iceland.
I realised that I hadn't checked my hiking boots to make sure I can get them onto my new leg. It's a constant concern for me. The ankle on my prosthesis doesn't bend and flex like the real thing. As a result, trousers are forever getting stuck around it and putting on a pair of boots often turns into a wrestling match between me and my artificial leg.
No worries tonight, though. A quick tug with the shoe horn and the boot popped on without a problem.
Last time I was in Iceland was during the Summertime, when it barely got dark. This time, I'll be lucky if there are a handful of hours of daylight. Even so, I can't wait....Iceland is a magical country. I may even get round to reading Independent People by Iceland's Nobel Prize-winning author, Halldor Laxness. It's supposed to be the work of modern Icelandic literature but every time I read the synopsis I curiously remember that there's something really, really important I need to do first.
The plot outline is as follows: "Bjartur is a sheep farmer. After 18 years of servitude to a master he despises, he desires to raise his flocks unbeholden to any man. Only Asta, the child he brings up, can pierce his rebatative soul, but she wishes to live unbeholden to him."
One for those long, Icelandic winter nights, I think.
Everything in Iceland is breath-taking expensive and I'm sure that counts for internet access too, so I may not update until my return on Saturday.
I realised that I hadn't checked my hiking boots to make sure I can get them onto my new leg. It's a constant concern for me. The ankle on my prosthesis doesn't bend and flex like the real thing. As a result, trousers are forever getting stuck around it and putting on a pair of boots often turns into a wrestling match between me and my artificial leg.
No worries tonight, though. A quick tug with the shoe horn and the boot popped on without a problem.
Last time I was in Iceland was during the Summertime, when it barely got dark. This time, I'll be lucky if there are a handful of hours of daylight. Even so, I can't wait....Iceland is a magical country. I may even get round to reading Independent People by Iceland's Nobel Prize-winning author, Halldor Laxness. It's supposed to be the work of modern Icelandic literature but every time I read the synopsis I curiously remember that there's something really, really important I need to do first.
The plot outline is as follows: "Bjartur is a sheep farmer. After 18 years of servitude to a master he despises, he desires to raise his flocks unbeholden to any man. Only Asta, the child he brings up, can pierce his rebatative soul, but she wishes to live unbeholden to him."
One for those long, Icelandic winter nights, I think.
Everything in Iceland is breath-taking expensive and I'm sure that counts for internet access too, so I may not update until my return on Saturday.
MICROPHONE, NOTEBOOK.....FIREARM?
Baghdad-based New York Times reporter Dexter Filkins crosses a fundamental line if this article is correct.
The report claims that Filkins has made a habit of carrying a gun on assignment.
This is simply unacceptable.
While the desire for a journalist to carry a weapon for self-protection in a dangerous environment is understandable, especially given the increasing frequency with which journalists are being killed, it cannot be condoned under any circumstances. It blurs the line between observer and participant in a war zone -- and leaves journalists vulnerable to attack.
As the Committee to Protect Journalists explains:
"Journalists covering conflicts should never carry arms or travel with other journalists who carry weapons. Doing so jeopardizes a journalist's status as a neutral observer and can make combatants view correspondents as legitimate military targets" (Source: On Assignment -- A Guide to Reporting in Dangerous Situations)
In the most notorious incident, Fox News crackpot Geraldo Rivera rightly earned widespread condemnation for packing a pistol in Afghanistan. Live on air, Rivera bragged that "If they're going to get us, it's going to be in a gunfight."
While it's easy to dismiss Rivera's actions as those of a crazed loon (whose death in a gunfight would be a relief to most journalists), the implications of his idiocy are extremely serious.
Steve Bell, who covered the Vietnam War for ABC, was captured by the Viet Cong in 1970 and had to persuade the soldiers that he wasn't a CIA agent. "If I had been carrying a weapon, I doubt if that argument would have gone over well," Bell says.
While working in Iraq, I twice had to confront the issue. A Kurdish driver I hired insisted on carrying a Kalashnikov in the boot of the vehicle and a pistol on his hip. He was quickly dismissed. In another incident, I visited an army barracks, only to find that the Peshmerga soldiers had taken a pick-up truck with a heavy machine gun mounted on the back and written the words "TV" in large red letters on the sides -- the idea being that enemy forces would think they were reporters rather than combatants and leave the vehicle alone. Through my translator I explained to the commander that this was unacceptable. Thankfully, he agreed to remove the signs.
In an increasingly competitive and dangerous media environment, Washington Post Baghdad Bureau Chief Rajiv Chandrasekaran adopts a safety policy that should be followed by every journalist and media organisation in every hostile environment -- "If you feel you need a gun to cover a story, then you shouldn't be doing the story," he says.
Baghdad-based New York Times reporter Dexter Filkins crosses a fundamental line if this article is correct.
The report claims that Filkins has made a habit of carrying a gun on assignment.
This is simply unacceptable.
While the desire for a journalist to carry a weapon for self-protection in a dangerous environment is understandable, especially given the increasing frequency with which journalists are being killed, it cannot be condoned under any circumstances. It blurs the line between observer and participant in a war zone -- and leaves journalists vulnerable to attack.
As the Committee to Protect Journalists explains:
"Journalists covering conflicts should never carry arms or travel with other journalists who carry weapons. Doing so jeopardizes a journalist's status as a neutral observer and can make combatants view correspondents as legitimate military targets" (Source: On Assignment -- A Guide to Reporting in Dangerous Situations)
In the most notorious incident, Fox News crackpot Geraldo Rivera rightly earned widespread condemnation for packing a pistol in Afghanistan. Live on air, Rivera bragged that "If they're going to get us, it's going to be in a gunfight."
While it's easy to dismiss Rivera's actions as those of a crazed loon (whose death in a gunfight would be a relief to most journalists), the implications of his idiocy are extremely serious.
Steve Bell, who covered the Vietnam War for ABC, was captured by the Viet Cong in 1970 and had to persuade the soldiers that he wasn't a CIA agent. "If I had been carrying a weapon, I doubt if that argument would have gone over well," Bell says.
While working in Iraq, I twice had to confront the issue. A Kurdish driver I hired insisted on carrying a Kalashnikov in the boot of the vehicle and a pistol on his hip. He was quickly dismissed. In another incident, I visited an army barracks, only to find that the Peshmerga soldiers had taken a pick-up truck with a heavy machine gun mounted on the back and written the words "TV" in large red letters on the sides -- the idea being that enemy forces would think they were reporters rather than combatants and leave the vehicle alone. Through my translator I explained to the commander that this was unacceptable. Thankfully, he agreed to remove the signs.
In an increasingly competitive and dangerous media environment, Washington Post Baghdad Bureau Chief Rajiv Chandrasekaran adopts a safety policy that should be followed by every journalist and media organisation in every hostile environment -- "If you feel you need a gun to cover a story, then you shouldn't be doing the story," he says.
While chatting to my brother, Steve, in Canada on MSN this evening he sent over a picture of his daughter Elin getting stuck into the presents on Christmas Day.
My attention was caught by one of her toys and I asked him naively who Dora the Explorer was.
Steve pointed me here and explained that little Ellie is quite a fan of the 7-year-old Latina.
I was quite taken by the programme's high-minded aims -- to "teach children how to observe situations and solve problems as they explore Dora's world with her. Along the way, kids learn basic Spanish words and phrases, as well as math skills, music, and physical coordination."
OK, so French might be more useful than Spanish for a young girl growing up in Canada but for a cartoon show it's pretty impressive nonetheless.
Then I clicked across to the shop. There are no fewer than 110 items of merchandise related to the show, ranging from loot bags at $2.49 to a vanity and stool set at $79.99.
Each item of merchandise is designed for and targetted towards pre-school children. Not teenagers with their own pocket money but kids who have only recently learnt to talk and are now being taught to shop.
This is nothing new, of course. I had my Evel Knievel Stunt Cycle (which never made it up the ramp and always crashed straight into the kitchen door) and Six Million Dollar Man Action Figure (with bionic eye and roll up skin on his arm) as a kid -- and I wanted them precisely because I'd seen them on television. But I'm sure neither Evel Knievel or Steve Austen attempted to "teach little kids problem-solving skills" while simultaneously trying to flog them as much associated bedding, collectibles, gift packs, play tents and stuffed animals and dolls as a pre-schooler can handle.
Dora the Explorer? Dora the Consumer, more like.
Monday, December 29, 2003
The New York Times has a fascinating article on how Bush campaign officials are using conservative-minded local radio shows in politically important states to sell the Republican message ahead of the 2004 election.
It doesn't matter that some of the stations have tiny audiences because, as one academic tells the paper, "you can win a national election 50,000 listeners at a time."
Such a carefully-targetted media strategy wouldn't work in the same way here in the UK in because talk radio doesn't feature in the media landscape in the same way as it does in the US. But there's still a network of local radio stations across the country with limited resources and hours of air time to fill -- not to mention hundreds of local daily and weekly newspapers.
Political strategists are waking up to the fact that it's not just the national media that wins hearts and minds during election campaigns.
It doesn't matter that some of the stations have tiny audiences because, as one academic tells the paper, "you can win a national election 50,000 listeners at a time."
Such a carefully-targetted media strategy wouldn't work in the same way here in the UK in because talk radio doesn't feature in the media landscape in the same way as it does in the US. But there's still a network of local radio stations across the country with limited resources and hours of air time to fill -- not to mention hundreds of local daily and weekly newspapers.
Political strategists are waking up to the fact that it's not just the national media that wins hearts and minds during election campaigns.
Landmines and Concorde's nosecone...and the connection is what, exactly?
New York Post: FOLLOWING HIS 'NO$E'
New York Post: FOLLOWING HIS 'NO$E'
Sunday, December 28, 2003
Spent the day working through some of the Christmas presents, starting with Longitudes and Attitudes
by Thomas Friedman. It's collection of Friedman's writings for the New York Times both before and after September 11th and because of this it makes for rather unsatisfactory reading.
Friedman's columns are thought-provoking nuggets but collected together and read side-by-side they seem superficial and overly showy. Still, Friedman's workview is fundamentally sound -- even if his repertoire of core themes is limited. My advice; Read the Prologue -- "The Super-Story" -- in the bookshop and skip the rest. The into tells you everything you need to know about his take on the world.
My soundtrack to the drive back to London has been Uninvisible by New York Trip-Boppers Medeski, Martin and Wood. It's my first MMW album; it won't be my last.
This evening I had the misfortune to watch My Little Eye which I tried hard to like because the director Marc Evans is Welsh. But even patriotic allegiance couldn't save it. It's thoroughly awful. How one of the main characters manages to log onto the internet through a handheld GPS device is anyone's guess. He might as well have logged on using a washing machine. Avoid.
by Thomas Friedman. It's collection of Friedman's writings for the New York Times both before and after September 11th and because of this it makes for rather unsatisfactory reading.
Friedman's columns are thought-provoking nuggets but collected together and read side-by-side they seem superficial and overly showy. Still, Friedman's workview is fundamentally sound -- even if his repertoire of core themes is limited. My advice; Read the Prologue -- "The Super-Story" -- in the bookshop and skip the rest. The into tells you everything you need to know about his take on the world.
My soundtrack to the drive back to London has been Uninvisible by New York Trip-Boppers Medeski, Martin and Wood. It's my first MMW album; it won't be my last.
This evening I had the misfortune to watch My Little Eye which I tried hard to like because the director Marc Evans is Welsh. But even patriotic allegiance couldn't save it. It's thoroughly awful. How one of the main characters manages to log onto the internet through a handheld GPS device is anyone's guess. He might as well have logged on using a washing machine. Avoid.
A first class little mix up by the head of the Coalition Provisional Authority, Paul Bremer, who dismissed claims of "massive evidence" of clandestine WMD labs in Iraq as a "red herring" made up by someone to upset the rebuilding effort.....such as.....er.....Tony Blair. Oops.
Full marks to Mr Bremer for realising when he's being lied to.
BBC News Online: Bremer 'rejects' Blair WMD claims
Full marks to Mr Bremer for realising when he's being lied to.
BBC News Online: Bremer 'rejects' Blair WMD claims
Friday, December 26, 2003
I’m currently pursuing a compensation claim for the trauma suffered as a result of my injury in Iraq.
After today, I’m widening the claim to take in the trauma suffered as a result of watching Shrewsbury Town “Football” Club.
The Shrews were relegated from Division Three down into the Nationwide Conference last season. After watching them play this afternoon I can see why. It was, without doubt, one of the worst displays of football I’ve ever seen – and I’m speaking as a Cardiff City fan.
Don’t let the blurring in this photograph deceive you into thinking the players were running around the pitch. A tortoise with sciatica has more pace. In fact, I was expecting a call up onto the subs bench at any moment – and with my new leg I’m sure I wouldn’t have embarrassed myself.
Still, Boxing Day is football day and watching a local football team grind out a 3-1 victory in the pouring rain was an example of everything that’s great about the game. The pride, the passion, the pies – and the inexplicable motivations of these people who paid good money to stand in the open air in driving rain for 90 minutes and support their team in resigned silence. Each one of them deserves to be decorated in the New Years Honours List.
At half time, I watched paramedics stretcher away one of the supporters from the terraces. He’d probably collapsed from boredom, although I’m sure the doctors at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital are used to dealing with casualties of this kind when Shrewsbury Town are playing at home.
BBC Sport Online: Shrewsbury Vs Northwich Match Report
Thursday, December 25, 2003
Pity poor Mark Henderson.
The 32 year-old television producer spent more than 100 days being held hostage by Colombian rebels.
After finally being released, he arrived back in the UK just in time to spend Christmas with his mother and father in North Yorkshire.
He was featured with his delighted parents on the news here this evening opening his Christmas presents. And guess what he received?
A bloody horrible stripy woolly jumper.
I kid you not -- watch the news report if you think I'm joking. 100 days as an ELN hostage and he gets home to find the same piss-poor presents he gets every year from his mum. It'll be going straight down the charity shop come Boxing Day, although give the guy full credit he did pretend to be pleased for the cameras.
I bet he's already wishing the guerillas had kept him captive a bit longer.
The 32 year-old television producer spent more than 100 days being held hostage by Colombian rebels.
After finally being released, he arrived back in the UK just in time to spend Christmas with his mother and father in North Yorkshire.
He was featured with his delighted parents on the news here this evening opening his Christmas presents. And guess what he received?
A bloody horrible stripy woolly jumper.
I kid you not -- watch the news report if you think I'm joking. 100 days as an ELN hostage and he gets home to find the same piss-poor presents he gets every year from his mum. It'll be going straight down the charity shop come Boxing Day, although give the guy full credit he did pretend to be pleased for the cameras.
I bet he's already wishing the guerillas had kept him captive a bit longer.
Christmas greetings arrive from AP hackista and blog Guest Writer Jamie Tarabay and her sisters in Sydney.
Form an orderly queue, gents.
Form an orderly queue, gents.
The miracle of Christmas – I've been to church. It’s becoming something of a habit; that’s twice this year. First the Iraq memorial service, now this.
I’m almost a regular.
My attendance was completely unplanned. Christmas Eve started innocently enough with a few pints with my Dad in my uncle’s local in a village outside Shrewsbury. But Guinness does strange things to one’s judgment and before I knew it I’d been persuaded to accompany the family to “midnight” service (Shropshire is apparently on a different time zone to the rest of the UK because the service actually began at 10pm – aptly, the same time that churchgoers in Bethlehem were seeing in Christmas.)
I’m a confirmed atheist, more so than ever after the events of this year, but I confess that singing carols in an old country church decked out for Christmas filled me with a warm festive glow.
But maybe it was just the Guinness.
Picture: Christmas Church
Picture: Christmas Church 2
Wednesday, December 24, 2003
Borders blogging from Shropcestershire, where I'm spending Christmas with family.
Blogging activities may be curtailed for the next day or two, because it gets in the way of festive drinking commitments.
Season's greetings!
Blogging activities may be curtailed for the next day or two, because it gets in the way of festive drinking commitments.
Season's greetings!
Talking to Julian Worricker from BBC Wales’s studios in Cardiff.
An audioblog from the interview will follow in due course but it’ll have to wait until I get back to London and get hold of the archive.
"I think he ought to receive the ultimate penalty for what he has done...." -- George W Bush
In the 6th century BCE the Greek author Aesop wrote his timeless fables -- short narratives in which animals are the central characters and the aim is to convey a moral message.
Were he alive today, Aesop would doubtlessly have appreciated the moral undertones in the news story that Princess Anne's dog has bitten and killed the Queen's beloved corgi, Pharos.
The Royal Family has begun devouring itself.
Princess Anne's English bull terrier, Dotty, is turning into something of a recidivist.
In November 2002, the Princess pleaded guilty to a charge that the dog attacked two children. Then, the judge warned that any future attacks could result in Dotty being destroyed.
Like that other notorious murderer currently in the public eye, my only hope is that Dotty receives a fair trial before being put to death.
In the 6th century BCE the Greek author Aesop wrote his timeless fables -- short narratives in which animals are the central characters and the aim is to convey a moral message.
Were he alive today, Aesop would doubtlessly have appreciated the moral undertones in the news story that Princess Anne's dog has bitten and killed the Queen's beloved corgi, Pharos.
The Royal Family has begun devouring itself.
Princess Anne's English bull terrier, Dotty, is turning into something of a recidivist.
In November 2002, the Princess pleaded guilty to a charge that the dog attacked two children. Then, the judge warned that any future attacks could result in Dotty being destroyed.
Like that other notorious murderer currently in the public eye, my only hope is that Dotty receives a fair trial before being put to death.
Spoke to Steve Priestley, Senior Technical Adviser with MAG this evening, ahead of the interview we're going to do in the morning on Five Live.
Steve has just returned from Northern Iraq. Earlier in the year he carried out an assessment of the site near Kifri where my accident happened.
It was the first time I've spoken to him because he's usually out of the country. He filled me in with some interesting pieces of information I hadn't been aware of.
He explained that the Iraqi defensive positions had been reinforced in the run up to the war, with fresh mines laid to bolster existing minefields. Steve said the Iraqis were fairly rigorous in marking out mined areas with fences or lengths of razor wire. Therefore to come across an unmarked minefield, as we did, was extremely unusual. "You probably walked into the only unmarked minefield in Northern Iraq," he said.
Just my luck -- but at least now I don't feel quite so much of an idiot.
I'm reassured by the fact that we didn't blindly ignore all the warning signs and plunder headlong into an area that everyone else and his goat knew was thick with mines. We didn't pick up on the danger signals because there weren't any. Steve's explanation also helps to clarify why the Kurdish Peshmerga soldier we were travelling with didn't realise the dangers. If he was used to seeing clearly demarcated minefields he probably didn't expect to accidentally stumble across an unmarked zone. Naive perhaps, but understandable in the circumstances.
Steve's theory is that the Iraqis, under close observation by the Kurds, laid the mines at night, under the cover of darkness. They didn't choose to hang around to carefully mark out the minefields. With the collapse of Saddam Hussein's regime just days away and American B52 bombers carrying out regular raids against them, I can't really blame them.
The majority of the devices uncovered when the deminers finally got to work in the area were recently-made Iraqi copies of Soviet designed PMN blast mines. I already knew that it was probably a PMN-type mine that took my foot. Unlike the Soviet-made PMNs, which are sensitive and need to be destroyed in situ (as I saw in Cambodia), the Iraqi versions are relatively easy to disarm, making the clearance process quicker.
However, the deminers also found some particularly nasty hidden surprises -- highly deadly Valmara 69 bounding fragmentation mines and 20 litre drums of napalm connected to trip wires and explosive charges.
As difficult as it is for me to comprehend, of all the devices lurking in the area ready to kill and maim it seems I found one of the less lethal -- and for that I'll be forever thankful.
One other piece of good news from Steve -- he says security in Northern Iraq away from Mosul is relatively good at the moment, which increases the likelihood that I'll be able to get over there to film a second documentary after my assignment in Iran in late February.
Steve has just returned from Northern Iraq. Earlier in the year he carried out an assessment of the site near Kifri where my accident happened.
It was the first time I've spoken to him because he's usually out of the country. He filled me in with some interesting pieces of information I hadn't been aware of.
He explained that the Iraqi defensive positions had been reinforced in the run up to the war, with fresh mines laid to bolster existing minefields. Steve said the Iraqis were fairly rigorous in marking out mined areas with fences or lengths of razor wire. Therefore to come across an unmarked minefield, as we did, was extremely unusual. "You probably walked into the only unmarked minefield in Northern Iraq," he said.
Just my luck -- but at least now I don't feel quite so much of an idiot.
I'm reassured by the fact that we didn't blindly ignore all the warning signs and plunder headlong into an area that everyone else and his goat knew was thick with mines. We didn't pick up on the danger signals because there weren't any. Steve's explanation also helps to clarify why the Kurdish Peshmerga soldier we were travelling with didn't realise the dangers. If he was used to seeing clearly demarcated minefields he probably didn't expect to accidentally stumble across an unmarked zone. Naive perhaps, but understandable in the circumstances.
Steve's theory is that the Iraqis, under close observation by the Kurds, laid the mines at night, under the cover of darkness. They didn't choose to hang around to carefully mark out the minefields. With the collapse of Saddam Hussein's regime just days away and American B52 bombers carrying out regular raids against them, I can't really blame them.
The majority of the devices uncovered when the deminers finally got to work in the area were recently-made Iraqi copies of Soviet designed PMN blast mines. I already knew that it was probably a PMN-type mine that took my foot. Unlike the Soviet-made PMNs, which are sensitive and need to be destroyed in situ (as I saw in Cambodia), the Iraqi versions are relatively easy to disarm, making the clearance process quicker.
However, the deminers also found some particularly nasty hidden surprises -- highly deadly Valmara 69 bounding fragmentation mines and 20 litre drums of napalm connected to trip wires and explosive charges.
As difficult as it is for me to comprehend, of all the devices lurking in the area ready to kill and maim it seems I found one of the less lethal -- and for that I'll be forever thankful.
One other piece of good news from Steve -- he says security in Northern Iraq away from Mosul is relatively good at the moment, which increases the likelihood that I'll be able to get over there to film a second documentary after my assignment in Iran in late February.
JUSTICE AT LAST
...for Lenny Bruce:
BBC News Online: New York pardons late Lenny Bruce
Read more on Lenny Bruce, and listen to audio clips, here.
...for Lenny Bruce:
BBC News Online: New York pardons late Lenny Bruce
Read more on Lenny Bruce, and listen to audio clips, here.
Tuesday, December 23, 2003
CNN reports that a German energy firm is turning incontinence pads into energy.
If only the hawks in the Bush administration had known this earlier this year. Rather than invading Iraq to get their hands on the oil, all they needed to do was to hang around outside the nation's old peoples' homes and collect up the piss-stained granny nappies.
No need for a second UN resolution -- and more environmentally friendly to boot.
If only the hawks in the Bush administration had known this earlier this year. Rather than invading Iraq to get their hands on the oil, all they needed to do was to hang around outside the nation's old peoples' homes and collect up the piss-stained granny nappies.
No need for a second UN resolution -- and more environmentally friendly to boot.
Pssst....Do you want to know what I'm wearing under my trousers?
It's long and hard and it 's made of plastic....it's my new leg.
As I mentioned yesterday, it's not in its finished state. In a few weeks' time it'll have a proper cover put over the top to replace the temporary ankle piece. It feels great -- it's the perfect Christmas gift!
The new foot is actually an old friend brought back to life. It's the Freedom Innovations foot I had on my first, bulky limb, reattached to a new slimline socket.
I expected it to take a while to get comfortable with the new limb but in fact there was nothing of the sort. I clicked it on, stood up and off I went. The old prosthesis was getting so oversized that even though the new one felt a little unfamiliar at first it only took a few steps to get used to.
It appears my recent experiments in blogging from Cambodia weren't the first from that country. Even King Sihanouk is at it....the world's first blogging monarch!
The Guardian: King of the world wide web
The Guardian: King of the world wide web
Advance notice that I'll be talking to Radio Five Live's Julian Worricker tomorrow morning from 1100GMT.
Listeners outside the UK can tune in here.
Listeners outside the UK can tune in here.
Monday, December 22, 2003
Regular readers will already know of my passion for those stories which only appear in local newspapers.
At Christmas, there is one cast-iron certainty -- the story of the Heartless Thief.
Every year at around this time, you can be sure that the Heartless Thief will be in action in local newspaper patches up and down the country, nicking childrens' presents from under the tree, robbing old ladies of the money they were going to give to their grandchildren and pilfering from charity collection boxes. And you can be equally sure that the hacks won't be far behind, ready to tell their readers all about the nefarious activities of the cardiac-free ne'er do-wells.
For some reason, Heartless Thieves only seem to come out at Christmas. Presumably, the rest of the year they're too busy carrying out Brutal Murders or Particularly Vicious Attacks.
So are the Heartless Thieves out and about this Festive Season? You better believe it.
Coventry ET: Callous crooks grab gifts from under tree
East Kilbride News: Heartless conmen rob elderly women
Leigh Reporter: Grave Raid Angers Mum
Strabane Weekly News: Time to celebrate: Munchie's home for Christmas
Belfast Telegraph: Heartless Thieves Take Family Jewellery
Daily Post: Crash victim's memorial stolen
I could go on.....
All further examples gratefully received.
At Christmas, there is one cast-iron certainty -- the story of the Heartless Thief.
Every year at around this time, you can be sure that the Heartless Thief will be in action in local newspaper patches up and down the country, nicking childrens' presents from under the tree, robbing old ladies of the money they were going to give to their grandchildren and pilfering from charity collection boxes. And you can be equally sure that the hacks won't be far behind, ready to tell their readers all about the nefarious activities of the cardiac-free ne'er do-wells.
For some reason, Heartless Thieves only seem to come out at Christmas. Presumably, the rest of the year they're too busy carrying out Brutal Murders or Particularly Vicious Attacks.
So are the Heartless Thieves out and about this Festive Season? You better believe it.
Coventry ET: Callous crooks grab gifts from under tree
East Kilbride News: Heartless conmen rob elderly women
Leigh Reporter: Grave Raid Angers Mum
Strabane Weekly News: Time to celebrate: Munchie's home for Christmas
Belfast Telegraph: Heartless Thieves Take Family Jewellery
Daily Post: Crash victim's memorial stolen
I could go on.....
All further examples gratefully received.
A slight false alert on the new leg, I'm afraid.
It is ready -- and it feels brilliant -- but it needs a final bit of buffing and polishing in the workshop before I'm allowed to take it home for Christmas.
Thankfully, I don't have long to wait -- I'm going to pick it up tomorrow morning, although it'll be without its full cosmetic cover. It's going to be left au naturel for a few weeks so that I can get used to it and have any adjustments made before the outer cosmesis, which hides all the moving parts, is attached.
After today's test drive, though, I'm confident that the new leg is going to be a real winner. It feels a hundred times more comfortable than the one I'm wearing now -- within a few minutes of putting it on for the first time I was jogging up and down the hospital corridors!
Technically, it's very similar to the prosthesis I have now, except for one major difference. It's fitted with a torsion adapter. What it means is that rather than being a single tube of metal, the "leg" section of the prosthesis has a component on it that enables me to twist to the left and right while still keeping my foot planted on the ground. It has huge benefits when walking around corners and turning my body.
So, a small delay -- but tomorrow the leg will be mine!
It is ready -- and it feels brilliant -- but it needs a final bit of buffing and polishing in the workshop before I'm allowed to take it home for Christmas.
Thankfully, I don't have long to wait -- I'm going to pick it up tomorrow morning, although it'll be without its full cosmetic cover. It's going to be left au naturel for a few weeks so that I can get used to it and have any adjustments made before the outer cosmesis, which hides all the moving parts, is attached.
After today's test drive, though, I'm confident that the new leg is going to be a real winner. It feels a hundred times more comfortable than the one I'm wearing now -- within a few minutes of putting it on for the first time I was jogging up and down the hospital corridors!
Technically, it's very similar to the prosthesis I have now, except for one major difference. It's fitted with a torsion adapter. What it means is that rather than being a single tube of metal, the "leg" section of the prosthesis has a component on it that enables me to twist to the left and right while still keeping my foot planted on the ground. It has huge benefits when walking around corners and turning my body.
So, a small delay -- but tomorrow the leg will be mine!
A shocking story from Wiltshire of a two-year-old girl who lost both her legs below the knees because doctors failed to detect a life-threatening illness.
The doctors told Lydia Cross's parents she was suffering from a mild virus and advised them to give her Calpol. In fact she was close to death.
Sky News: Toddler Loses Legs
The Sun: Brave tot maimed by docs
The Guardian talks sense in its leader column today (I am nothing if not predictable) on the Libyan WMDs affair:
"What a great pity that Iraq's supposed WMD could not have been handled in a similarly intelligent, non-violent fashion. Certain ministers claim to find retrospective justification for the Iraq war in Libya's action, suggesting it had somehow been scared into compliance. This is sad, shabby stuff....This slow process of rapprochement, including the ever painful Lockerbie saga, was in train long before Mr Bush let rip over Baghdad.
"To this delicate process, Washington's bellicosity formed a worrying backdrop, not a spur....If anything, it now seems Mr Bush may have inadvertently invaded the wrong country. The fabled WMD were in Libya all along. All the more reason, next time around, for preferring words to guns and gung-ho."
The paper also urges the international community to stop turning a blind eye to the world's fifth largest nuclear power -- Israel. If Libya can do it, why not Israel? it asks.
A good question -- and when the BBC asked it earlier this year the Israeli government withdrew co-operation with the corporation.
"What a great pity that Iraq's supposed WMD could not have been handled in a similarly intelligent, non-violent fashion. Certain ministers claim to find retrospective justification for the Iraq war in Libya's action, suggesting it had somehow been scared into compliance. This is sad, shabby stuff....This slow process of rapprochement, including the ever painful Lockerbie saga, was in train long before Mr Bush let rip over Baghdad.
"To this delicate process, Washington's bellicosity formed a worrying backdrop, not a spur....If anything, it now seems Mr Bush may have inadvertently invaded the wrong country. The fabled WMD were in Libya all along. All the more reason, next time around, for preferring words to guns and gung-ho."
The paper also urges the international community to stop turning a blind eye to the world's fifth largest nuclear power -- Israel. If Libya can do it, why not Israel? it asks.
A good question -- and when the BBC asked it earlier this year the Israeli government withdrew co-operation with the corporation.
The International Federation of Journalists has published its annual report on members of the profession killed this year -- and it makes for depressing reading.
At least 83 journalists and media workers were died in the line of duty during 2003 -- 13 more than last year.
What are the authorities doing to bring the killers of journalists like Mazen Dana and James Miller to justice? Not enough, according to the IFJ, which says "We see journalists being targeted for their work in many parts of the world, but many governments simply don’t care about what these tragedies mean for democracy and free expression."
Read the full list of those killed here -- Kaveh's is case number 25.
At least 83 journalists and media workers were died in the line of duty during 2003 -- 13 more than last year.
What are the authorities doing to bring the killers of journalists like Mazen Dana and James Miller to justice? Not enough, according to the IFJ, which says "We see journalists being targeted for their work in many parts of the world, but many governments simply don’t care about what these tragedies mean for democracy and free expression."
Read the full list of those killed here -- Kaveh's is case number 25.
The Kurds are challenging the Pentagon's account of Saddam Hussein's capture, insisting that it was they who provided the vital intelligence that led the Americans to the former dictator's spider hole south of Tikrit.
It seems that on this occasion the PUK's intelligence was better than it was on April 2nd, when the Kurdish peshmerga soldier accompanying my team to the town of Kifri told us categorically that the land he wanted us to park our vehicle on wasn't mined.
I guess you can't be right all the time.
It seems that on this occasion the PUK's intelligence was better than it was on April 2nd, when the Kurdish peshmerga soldier accompanying my team to the town of Kifri told us categorically that the land he wanted us to park our vehicle on wasn't mined.
I guess you can't be right all the time.
Heading to Cardiff this morning to pick up my new leg.
It's long overdue -- the one I'm wearing at the moment only fits if I put six socks on underneath it.
Photos of the new model to follow later...
It's long overdue -- the one I'm wearing at the moment only fits if I put six socks on underneath it.
Photos of the new model to follow later...
Sunday, December 21, 2003
The Sunday Times has launched a Christmas Appeal to raise money to provide physiotherapy and artificial limbs for landmine victims in Afghanistan through Sandy Gall's charity.
"In a poor country where everything has broken down, mobility is vital," says Sandy Gall's daughter, Fiona.
"If by having a wheelchair a disabled man can sell food in the market, he is transformed from a burden on his family to a breadwinner. If a girl can learn to walk with prosthetic limbs, she can help in household tasks and stands a better chance of marrying."
Sunday Times: Gifts help child mine victims walk again
"In a poor country where everything has broken down, mobility is vital," says Sandy Gall's daughter, Fiona.
"If by having a wheelchair a disabled man can sell food in the market, he is transformed from a burden on his family to a breadwinner. If a girl can learn to walk with prosthetic limbs, she can help in household tasks and stands a better chance of marrying."
Sunday Times: Gifts help child mine victims walk again
Saturday, December 20, 2003
Thanks to Shirin for this link to an article by landmine campaigner, Bobby Muller.
"It is a fact that 80% of antipersonal land mine victims are innocent victims. In their absurdity, they serve as a good way to illustrate what conflict has become: violence which is unable to discriminate between soldiers and civilians," Muller says.
"It is a fact that 80% of antipersonal land mine victims are innocent victims. In their absurdity, they serve as a good way to illustrate what conflict has become: violence which is unable to discriminate between soldiers and civilians," Muller says.
Friday, December 19, 2003
Brace yourself for spin overdrive as Downing Street and the White House trumpet Libya's promise to dismantle its WMD capabilities and attempt to sell the move as proof that the War In Iraq was justified, even though it was Baghdad that was targetted and not Tripoli.
The Prime Minister says Libya's move on WMDs entitles the country to rejoin the international community.
Before we celebrate, let's look at what Human Rights Watch said in January:
"Over the past three decades, Libya’s human rights record has been appalling. It has included the abduction, forced disappearance or assassination of political opponents; torture and mistreatment of detainees; and long-term detention without charge or trial or after grossly unfair trials.
"Today hundreds of people remain arbitrarily detained, some for over a decade, and there are serious concerns about treatment in detention and the fairness of procedures in several on-going high profile trials before the Peoples’ Courts. Libya has been a closed country for United Nations and non-governmental human rights investigators. "
Indeed, Human Rights Watch accused Libya of being a member of an "abusers club" of governments hostile to human rights.
Welcome to the international community, Libya!
(Read more on Libya's human rights record here.)
The Prime Minister says Libya's move on WMDs entitles the country to rejoin the international community.
Before we celebrate, let's look at what Human Rights Watch said in January:
"Over the past three decades, Libya’s human rights record has been appalling. It has included the abduction, forced disappearance or assassination of political opponents; torture and mistreatment of detainees; and long-term detention without charge or trial or after grossly unfair trials.
"Today hundreds of people remain arbitrarily detained, some for over a decade, and there are serious concerns about treatment in detention and the fairness of procedures in several on-going high profile trials before the Peoples’ Courts. Libya has been a closed country for United Nations and non-governmental human rights investigators. "
Indeed, Human Rights Watch accused Libya of being a member of an "abusers club" of governments hostile to human rights.
Welcome to the international community, Libya!
(Read more on Libya's human rights record here.)
More encouraging news that the war crimes tribunal for former Khmer Rouge leaders in Cambodia may finally be drawing closer.
BBC News Online reports that the former head of state in the Khmer Rouge government, Khieu Samphan, has been seeking legal help.
Samphan was the public face of the Khmer Rouge and the group's top negotiator and chief propagandist. After the collapse of the regime he is believed to have led a guerilla movement after Pol Pot stepped back from the spotlight and played only an advisory role.
He is seeing out his dotage rearing ducks near the border with Thailand. Like the rest of the KR heirarchy he has never answered for his actions in court. Finally, belatedly, he might.
BBC News Online reports that the former head of state in the Khmer Rouge government, Khieu Samphan, has been seeking legal help.
Samphan was the public face of the Khmer Rouge and the group's top negotiator and chief propagandist. After the collapse of the regime he is believed to have led a guerilla movement after Pol Pot stepped back from the spotlight and played only an advisory role.
He is seeing out his dotage rearing ducks near the border with Thailand. Like the rest of the KR heirarchy he has never answered for his actions in court. Finally, belatedly, he might.
The devil makes work for idle MPs.
Today's numero uno workshy Parliamentarian is Moray MP Angus Robertson, chairman of that essential Westminster body, the Commons South Caucasus All Party Parliamentary Group.
The Scotsman: South Caucasus Talks 'A Success So Far'
Good luck on dealing with the thorny issue of Nagorno-Karabakh, Angus.
Today's numero uno workshy Parliamentarian is Moray MP Angus Robertson, chairman of that essential Westminster body, the Commons South Caucasus All Party Parliamentary Group.
The Scotsman: South Caucasus Talks 'A Success So Far'
Good luck on dealing with the thorny issue of Nagorno-Karabakh, Angus.
The head of Al Hurra, a new US government-sponsored Arabic television station being set up in Virginia say the new channel will be "fair and balanced" (Source: IHT)
"Fair and balanced." Now where have I heard that slogan before?
Presumably if Al Hurra does choose to officially adopt the slogan it can expect an Al Franken-esque lawsuit.
"Fair and balanced." Now where have I heard that slogan before?
Presumably if Al Hurra does choose to officially adopt the slogan it can expect an Al Franken-esque lawsuit.
Writing in the Times, ITV News's (DON'T say ITN) Political Editor Nick Robinson relates this sobering tale about hapless colleague Julian Manyon:
"Hours later, ITV News’s Julian Manyon made it to the site of Saddam’s arrest: the first British television reporter to do so. Others had not wanted to leave their Bagdhad satellite dishes to make the treacherous journey. Manyon got his scoop on tape before hurtling back to transmit it. On the way he had to battle through street protests, road blocks and who knows what other delights the Sunni Triangle has to offer.
"Back in the Iraqi capital, adrenalin still pumping, he pressed the button to play to London his first-hand account of a day that changed the world. An expectant newsroom came to a standstill. They saw nothing. They never did. The tape had broken."
Those of us who have worked alongside Manyon in action in the field will know that the disaster couldn't have happened to a nicer person, and I'm sure the guards of Bagram airbase would agree. And Lara Logan.
While Manyon was lamenting his broken tape, the BBC's man James Rodgers was exploring the spider hole -- and getting it on air.
"Hours later, ITV News’s Julian Manyon made it to the site of Saddam’s arrest: the first British television reporter to do so. Others had not wanted to leave their Bagdhad satellite dishes to make the treacherous journey. Manyon got his scoop on tape before hurtling back to transmit it. On the way he had to battle through street protests, road blocks and who knows what other delights the Sunni Triangle has to offer.
"Back in the Iraqi capital, adrenalin still pumping, he pressed the button to play to London his first-hand account of a day that changed the world. An expectant newsroom came to a standstill. They saw nothing. They never did. The tape had broken."
Those of us who have worked alongside Manyon in action in the field will know that the disaster couldn't have happened to a nicer person, and I'm sure the guards of Bagram airbase would agree. And Lara Logan.
While Manyon was lamenting his broken tape, the BBC's man James Rodgers was exploring the spider hole -- and getting it on air.
From 45 minute readiness, to evidence of chemical weapons "programmes," to...
Independent: Is the search for weapons over?
Independent: Is the search for weapons over?
Brian H e-mails following this thread on the origins of the phrase "spider hole" -- and offers another suggestion.
He points to this link about trapdoor spiders. "Most trapdoor spiders but not all are misleadingly named, as not all species make a door for their burrows. These highly camouflaged entrances are almost undetectable, unless the door is open," it says.
He points to this link about trapdoor spiders. "Most trapdoor spiders but not all are misleadingly named, as not all species make a door for their burrows. These highly camouflaged entrances are almost undetectable, unless the door is open," it says.
RUMOUR MILL
International broadcasting networks are showing heightened twitchiness over the health of a certain former American president.
The problem, as my recent Papal planning has shown, is that people rarely die in order to coincide with the next news cycle.
International broadcasting networks are showing heightened twitchiness over the health of a certain former American president.
The problem, as my recent Papal planning has shown, is that people rarely die in order to coincide with the next news cycle.
Driving across London this evening I heard Five Live's Matthew Bannister asking whether alleged child molester and sometime pop singer Michael Jackson should be allowed into britain to promote his new album now that he has been formally charged with kiddy fiddling.
My advice to Jackson if he wants to slip into the UK while avoiding the detection of the British authorities is simple. Do an Ian Huntley and change your name to Michael Nixon -- that way you can be sure the police won't cotton onto the fact that you're the same person.
Or better still change your name to Michael X.
My advice to Jackson if he wants to slip into the UK while avoiding the detection of the British authorities is simple. Do an Ian Huntley and change your name to Michael Nixon -- that way you can be sure the police won't cotton onto the fact that you're the same person.
Or better still change your name to Michael X.
Thursday, December 18, 2003
LOOKING DOWN THE BARREL OF A....ER....CAMERA
At the risk of sounding increasingly like a camera anorak, the New York Times has more on the Sony PD150, the DV camera I've mentioned a few times recently.
The Times reveals that the digital wonder was responsible for recording the pictures of Saddam undergoing his medical exam. It seems it's not just us hacks who love 'em -- the US military are using them too.
Quote of the day comes from "combat cameraman" Staff Sgt. Wesley Wooten in Baghdad, who says:
"Basically what we're trained for is that the camera is our first weapon, and then our attack weapon is secondary to the camera...Me personally, I try to do both. We're lucky enough to carry pistols...You can shoot and shoot at the same time."
At the risk of sounding increasingly like a camera anorak, the New York Times has more on the Sony PD150, the DV camera I've mentioned a few times recently.
The Times reveals that the digital wonder was responsible for recording the pictures of Saddam undergoing his medical exam. It seems it's not just us hacks who love 'em -- the US military are using them too.
Quote of the day comes from "combat cameraman" Staff Sgt. Wesley Wooten in Baghdad, who says:
"Basically what we're trained for is that the camera is our first weapon, and then our attack weapon is secondary to the camera...Me personally, I try to do both. We're lucky enough to carry pistols...You can shoot and shoot at the same time."
Assignment news....to Athens on January 7th to visit the building site that is the home of the 2004 Olympics.
Better pack the hard hat.
Better pack the hard hat.
A bizarre complaint in an otherwise strong article by Derrick Z. Jackson in the Boston Globe -- the Americans nabbed Saddam without a search warrant.
Knock knock.
"You Saddam Hussein the murderous Eye-Rakki dictator."
"Yup."
"We're coming in."
"You got a warrant."
"Er, no. Sorry to have disturbed you sir."
(Note to 4th Infantry Division: Search warrants can be downloaded here.)
Knock knock.
"You Saddam Hussein the murderous Eye-Rakki dictator."
"Yup."
"We're coming in."
"You got a warrant."
"Er, no. Sorry to have disturbed you sir."
(Note to 4th Infantry Division: Search warrants can be downloaded here.)
This is getting scary now. I may have to lie down.
Weblog heaven
Jane Perrone hunts down the figures whose weblogs have caused the biggest stir both in and outside the blogosphere.
Stuart Hughes
BBC News producer who set up a weblog on the spur of the moment before setting out to cover the conflict in northern Iraq. Stuart's life - and consequently his blog - changed forever when he had his right foot and part of his leg amputated after stepping on a landmine. Along with American multimedia journalist Kevin Sites, Stuart has set the standard for journalists blogging from the field, as well as earning respect from the weblog community for his dignified account of coming to terms with being an amputee and his determination to get back to work.
(Source: The Guardian)
Weblog heaven
Jane Perrone hunts down the figures whose weblogs have caused the biggest stir both in and outside the blogosphere.
Stuart Hughes
BBC News producer who set up a weblog on the spur of the moment before setting out to cover the conflict in northern Iraq. Stuart's life - and consequently his blog - changed forever when he had his right foot and part of his leg amputated after stepping on a landmine. Along with American multimedia journalist Kevin Sites, Stuart has set the standard for journalists blogging from the field, as well as earning respect from the weblog community for his dignified account of coming to terms with being an amputee and his determination to get back to work.
(Source: The Guardian)
One from the BNI mailbag. Alex Lemon writes, with her typical understatement:
"The winner in your category only won because she's a hooker and the Guardian bods think they look cool by embracing the seedier side of life. Besides, anyone who calls their boyfriend 'The Boy' in that irritating, unoriginal, hackneyed way deserves to be shot - or at least fall into the shadow cast by the brilliance of your blog.
"That one is not the best written and it doesn't have any of the thought-provoking wit or visually-appealing twinkly bits that yours does. No, in my book you win and 'Belle du Jour' catches chlamydia from one of her clients."
Harsh but fair.
"The winner in your category only won because she's a hooker and the Guardian bods think they look cool by embracing the seedier side of life. Besides, anyone who calls their boyfriend 'The Boy' in that irritating, unoriginal, hackneyed way deserves to be shot - or at least fall into the shadow cast by the brilliance of your blog.
"That one is not the best written and it doesn't have any of the thought-provoking wit or visually-appealing twinkly bits that yours does. No, in my book you win and 'Belle du Jour' catches chlamydia from one of her clients."
Harsh but fair.
Pity the poor buggers facing the prospect of Christmas in Baghdad. We've got a team of about a dozen people who'll be spending the festive season dodging RPGs, while the rest of us slumber in front of the TV.
Amazingly, some of them will be there of their own volition. Their home lives must be in a bad state.
This morning, my foreign news colleagues have been packaging up supplies for them, to be taken out this weekend along with the cameras, flak jackets and helmets. BBC Baghdad will be feasting on fine chocolates, pate, Christmas cake and a wealth of other delicacies.
It can't be much compensation, but hopefully it'll help.
Amazingly, some of them will be there of their own volition. Their home lives must be in a bad state.
This morning, my foreign news colleagues have been packaging up supplies for them, to be taken out this weekend along with the cameras, flak jackets and helmets. BBC Baghdad will be feasting on fine chocolates, pate, Christmas cake and a wealth of other delicacies.
It can't be much compensation, but hopefully it'll help.
If I'm going to lose out to anyone, it might as well be a call girl. I'd like to be able to say it's not the first time I've been shafted by a prostitute, but to do so would just be crass.
The Guardian's Best British Blogs for 2003 have been announced this morning and Beyond Northern Iraq is highly commended in the Best Written category.
Chairman of the judges, Simon Waldman says: "Stuart Hughes is the BBC reporter who lost his leg to a landmine in Iraq. Since February he has been keeping a brilliant blog called Beyond Northern Iraq (not endorsed by the BBC). It is an excellent daily take on happenings in the Gulf written by someone with personal experience, providing a really good read with smart links."
Stop it now, I'm blushing.
The winner was Belle Du Jour, the diary of a London call girl. I lost out to a worthy winner. A one-legged, slightly out of shape hack versus a mysterious femme de nuit -- it's really no contest.
Having said that, I guess I should use the Guardian commendation and the massive spike in traffic it has generated to welcome new readers. Please wipe your feet, put a pin in the guest map, tell your friends and drop by regularly.
If you want to get up to speed on what happened post-Iraq, the best place to start is here.
BBC News reports on the accident can be found here, here and here, while the weekly diary I wrote through the summer for BBC News Online is archived here.
My most recent blogging experiments have been with videoblogging, starting with my recent trip to Cambodia. You can find a list of "vlogs" here with an accompanying audioblog here.
Aside from that, the best thing to do is simply to graze freely on the varied pastures of this blog -- and feel free to e-mail if there's anything you'd like to ask.
Wednesday, December 17, 2003
Further to my comments about Laura Bush's bedtime story, I'm delighted to note that the First Lady's recitation of "Angelina's Christmas," by Katharine Holabird has now been posted up on the White House website.
It's the best piece of television I've seen in ages -- and that's a lovely manicure Mrs Bush has got.
I'm amazed the "mainstream" media hasn't picked up on this story.
It's the best piece of television I've seen in ages -- and that's a lovely manicure Mrs Bush has got.
I'm amazed the "mainstream" media hasn't picked up on this story.
Good news on the landmine issue from Burundi:
VOA: Burundi Rebel Group Renounces Landmine Use
VOA: Burundi Rebel Group Renounces Landmine Use
QUEER EYE FOR THAT SADDAM GUY
Thanks to Mark in Australia for this gem.
Five gay men, out to make over the world — one former Iraqi dictator at a time.
Thanks to Mark in Australia for this gem.
Five gay men, out to make over the world — one former Iraqi dictator at a time.
Tuesday, December 16, 2003
Former BBC correspondent Martin Bell, thought-provoking as ever, discusses the culture of 24 hour news in The Independent.
Bell's argument: "The 24-hour news channels wish it to be known that they bring you the news wherever it breaks, and watch the world with an unblinking eye. They don't, of course. They offer roof-top television instead. It consists of correspondents perched on the roofs of hotels and television stations, exchanging guesswork with other correspondents on other roofs, about the crisis of the moment."
Hear hear.
Bell's argument: "The 24-hour news channels wish it to be known that they bring you the news wherever it breaks, and watch the world with an unblinking eye. They don't, of course. They offer roof-top television instead. It consists of correspondents perched on the roofs of hotels and television stations, exchanging guesswork with other correspondents on other roofs, about the crisis of the moment."
Hear hear.
Still scratching your head looking for that one last Christmas present?
Treat your loved one this festive season with the Captured Saddam action figure complete with Ace of Spades T-shirt and available for just $29.95. (Thanks for the link, Jude)
Make the Butcher of Baghdad's humiliation complete by buying the matching HeroBuilders S and M outfit comprising riding crop, body harness, g-string briefs, and knee pads.
It's the perfect gift.
But what about blogs?
Media Guardian: BBC confirms ban on columnists
Media Guardian: BBC confirms ban on columnists
Monday, December 15, 2003
It's been bugging me (excuse the pun) all day. What the fuck is a spider hole?
A bolt hole, a rabbit hole, yes. But a spider hole?
This evening I finally looked it up.
It seems that during the Vietnam war the Viet Cong built an intricate network of mud tunnels -- the Cu Chi Tunnels -- stretching more than 200km and connecting command posts, hospitals, shelter and weapon factories. Dug out of hard laterite by hand tools without the use of cement, the network was never discovered.
Depending on who you believe, they were called spider holes either a) because the network of tunnels stretched out like a spiders web or b) because the exteriors were camoflaged to looks like spiders nests or c) because they were actually full of poisonous spiders. You can see a picture of one here and here.
William Safire in the NY Times has more.
So now I know.
A bolt hole, a rabbit hole, yes. But a spider hole?
This evening I finally looked it up.
It seems that during the Vietnam war the Viet Cong built an intricate network of mud tunnels -- the Cu Chi Tunnels -- stretching more than 200km and connecting command posts, hospitals, shelter and weapon factories. Dug out of hard laterite by hand tools without the use of cement, the network was never discovered.
Depending on who you believe, they were called spider holes either a) because the network of tunnels stretched out like a spiders web or b) because the exteriors were camoflaged to looks like spiders nests or c) because they were actually full of poisonous spiders. You can see a picture of one here and here.
William Safire in the NY Times has more.
So now I know.
WILL YOU TUCK ME IN AS WELL, MRS BUSH?
Is that seemingly never-ending War on Terror keeping you awake at night?
Before you reach for the Nytol....wait.
Let Laura Bush read you a bedtime story.
We should be grateful. At least she can read.
Is that seemingly never-ending War on Terror keeping you awake at night?
Before you reach for the Nytol....wait.
Let Laura Bush read you a bedtime story.
We should be grateful. At least she can read.
The New York Times has an interesting piece, dissecting the PR strategy behind the announcement of Saddam Hussein's capture.
FOR SALE
Beyond Northern Iraq Estate Agents are delighted to offer onto the market this rarely-available "trou de souris."
Nestled amid extensive farmland near the picturesque village of Adwar, this discreet studio apartment is hidden from the main road. Privacy is assured through a unique brick and dirt camoflage exterior.
The property is fully air conditioned via a traditional Iraqi tin exhaust pipe and is within the Tikrit Grammar School catchment area.
Some modernisation is required, making the property especially attractive to an investor or keen DIYer.
Suit batchelor or fugitive dictator. The current owner is reluctant to part with this remarkable property but unexpected circumstances have forced sale.
An early internal inspection is highly recommended.
Beyond Northern Iraq Estate Agents are delighted to offer onto the market this rarely-available "trou de souris."
Nestled amid extensive farmland near the picturesque village of Adwar, this discreet studio apartment is hidden from the main road. Privacy is assured through a unique brick and dirt camoflage exterior.
The property is fully air conditioned via a traditional Iraqi tin exhaust pipe and is within the Tikrit Grammar School catchment area.
Some modernisation is required, making the property especially attractive to an investor or keen DIYer.
Suit batchelor or fugitive dictator. The current owner is reluctant to part with this remarkable property but unexpected circumstances have forced sale.
An early internal inspection is highly recommended.
Sorry to sound like a stick in the mud, but lest we all get carried away in the Saddam Capture Euphoria, let's remember a few basic facts.
The War in Iraq was waged, was it not, because "the former regime sponsored terror, possessed and used weapons of mass destruction, and for 12 years defied the clear demands of the United Nations Security Council." (Source: BBC News Online -- my emphasis)
Yet now, we learn from CNN that "Time magazine correspondent Brian Bennett in Baghdad said the former Iraqi leader asserted that the United States invented the presence of WMD to justify an invasion of his country.
"He also said he didn't play nice with U.N. [weapons] inspectors so that he could protect the privacy of his presidential areas," Bennett said on CNN's "Newsnight," quoting a U.S. official in Iraq who had seen an initial interrogation report."
Saddam could, of course, be lying. It's too early to say. But let's not forget why we went to war in the first place. It wasn't so we could track down a bemused dictator hiding in a hole.
The War in Iraq was waged, was it not, because "the former regime sponsored terror, possessed and used weapons of mass destruction, and for 12 years defied the clear demands of the United Nations Security Council." (Source: BBC News Online -- my emphasis)
Yet now, we learn from CNN that "Time magazine correspondent Brian Bennett in Baghdad said the former Iraqi leader asserted that the United States invented the presence of WMD to justify an invasion of his country.
"He also said he didn't play nice with U.N. [weapons] inspectors so that he could protect the privacy of his presidential areas," Bennett said on CNN's "Newsnight," quoting a U.S. official in Iraq who had seen an initial interrogation report."
Saddam could, of course, be lying. It's too early to say. But let's not forget why we went to war in the first place. It wasn't so we could track down a bemused dictator hiding in a hole.
Sunday, December 14, 2003
The leaks have started already.
Time magazine has the best exclusive I've seen so far on Saddam's capture. "He’s not been very cooperative," according to Time.
Time magazine has the best exclusive I've seen so far on Saddam's capture. "He’s not been very cooperative," according to Time.
This weekend, completely by accident, I stumbled across a PBS documentary aired last year as part of the Frontline/World strand.
In it, reporter Amanda Pike travelled to Cambodia and scored quite a scoop by tracking down Nuon Chea, known as "Brother Number Two" in the Khmer Rouge heirarchy.
The whole programme, together with an extensive set of background resources, is available as part of a multi-award winning website. It's a first-class introduction to Cambodia's recent bloody history and I can't recommend it highly enough.
Pike's programme has a modesty and integrity lacking in a lot of news documentaries. She tells the story -- but doesn't intrude on it.
Interestingly, this article explains that the doc was shot using a Sony PD-150 -- the same camera we're using to make the documentary about my recovery. For those interested in the future of Newsgathering, the article has some interesting things to say about the use of lightweight and relatively cheap DV equipment to seek out stories that wouldn't otherwise get on air.
In it, reporter Amanda Pike travelled to Cambodia and scored quite a scoop by tracking down Nuon Chea, known as "Brother Number Two" in the Khmer Rouge heirarchy.
The whole programme, together with an extensive set of background resources, is available as part of a multi-award winning website. It's a first-class introduction to Cambodia's recent bloody history and I can't recommend it highly enough.
Pike's programme has a modesty and integrity lacking in a lot of news documentaries. She tells the story -- but doesn't intrude on it.
Interestingly, this article explains that the doc was shot using a Sony PD-150 -- the same camera we're using to make the documentary about my recovery. For those interested in the future of Newsgathering, the article has some interesting things to say about the use of lightweight and relatively cheap DV equipment to seek out stories that wouldn't otherwise get on air.
WELCOME TO STUART'S JOURNALISM MASTERCLASS
Today's lesson: Editorial Independence.
"There should be no axes to grind or hidden agendas in the BBC's journalism; indeed, unless it is already involved in a story as a participating organisation, it has no point of view" (Source: BBC World Service)
"Iraqi journalists...at the press conference given by the coalition broke out into spontaneous applause and cheering as pictures were shown of a dishevelled, tired old man wearing a long greying beard: Saddam Hussein" (Source: BBC)
Shall I just run through that once more?
Today's lesson: Editorial Independence.
"There should be no axes to grind or hidden agendas in the BBC's journalism; indeed, unless it is already involved in a story as a participating organisation, it has no point of view" (Source: BBC World Service)
"Iraqi journalists...at the press conference given by the coalition broke out into spontaneous applause and cheering as pictures were shown of a dishevelled, tired old man wearing a long greying beard: Saddam Hussein" (Source: BBC)
Shall I just run through that once more?
Human Rights Watch has spoken out again about the Iraqi war crimes tribunal, following Saddam Hussein's capture.
Few people -- least of all me -- will be anything but delighted at Saddam Hussein's capture.
Now, with the former Iraqi leader behind bars, attention turns to the manner in which any trial is conducted.
Tony Blair has already said that the Iraqi people will decide his fate. But questions are being raised as to whether the Iraqi-led war crimes tribunal established last week will comply with international standards of fairness.
Human Rights Watch is among the groups to have spoken out about the tribunal, warning that "key provisions are lacking to ensure credible and legitimate trials."
Some may argue, understandably, that a tyrant of Saddam Hussein's magnitude does not deserve fairness. But to deny him the basic rights he denied millions of Iraqis smacks of revenge, not justice.
This week's Economist reports on the potential problems with Iraq's war crimes tribunal. The article is available by subscription only, so I've put it into a Word and plain text document below.
Economist: Bringing the old regime to trial (.doc)
Economist: Bringing the old regime to trial (.txt)
Now, with the former Iraqi leader behind bars, attention turns to the manner in which any trial is conducted.
Tony Blair has already said that the Iraqi people will decide his fate. But questions are being raised as to whether the Iraqi-led war crimes tribunal established last week will comply with international standards of fairness.
Human Rights Watch is among the groups to have spoken out about the tribunal, warning that "key provisions are lacking to ensure credible and legitimate trials."
Some may argue, understandably, that a tyrant of Saddam Hussein's magnitude does not deserve fairness. But to deny him the basic rights he denied millions of Iraqis smacks of revenge, not justice.
This week's Economist reports on the potential problems with Iraq's war crimes tribunal. The article is available by subscription only, so I've put it into a Word and plain text document below.
Economist: Bringing the old regime to trial (.doc)
Economist: Bringing the old regime to trial (.txt)
Saturday, December 13, 2003
Following on from the Human Rights Watch report on cluster bombs,....USA Today has also been investigating the weapons.
The paper says that "A four-month examination by USA TODAY of how cluster bombs were used in the Iraq war found dozens of deaths that were unintended but predictable."
As I've explained before, cluster bombs are unpleasant weapons but some groups within the humanitarian community -- including MAG -- warn against focusing too much on cluster munitions because they're a small part of a much wider problem. The vast majority of casualties in Iraq and elsewhere, they say, have been caused by landmines and abandoned bomb and ammunition dumps -- not by cluster bombs.
In addition, MAG says that areas that have been cluster bombed can be cleared quickly and relatively easily -- unlike areas where landmines have been laid.
The conclusion -- Cluster bombs are bad, but landmines are much, much worse.
The paper says that "A four-month examination by USA TODAY of how cluster bombs were used in the Iraq war found dozens of deaths that were unintended but predictable."
As I've explained before, cluster bombs are unpleasant weapons but some groups within the humanitarian community -- including MAG -- warn against focusing too much on cluster munitions because they're a small part of a much wider problem. The vast majority of casualties in Iraq and elsewhere, they say, have been caused by landmines and abandoned bomb and ammunition dumps -- not by cluster bombs.
In addition, MAG says that areas that have been cluster bombed can be cleared quickly and relatively easily -- unlike areas where landmines have been laid.
The conclusion -- Cluster bombs are bad, but landmines are much, much worse.
A message to Gunnlaugur from Iceland, who put a pin in the guestmap a few days ago....if you read this can you e-mail me...I've tried e-mailing you but it keeps bouncing. Thanks!
The UN has reported back on its mission to prepare for the establishment of war crimes court to try former leaders of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia:
UN News Centre: UN team says visit to help Cambodia set up war crimes court a success
UN News Centre: UN team says visit to help Cambodia set up war crimes court a success
Friday, December 12, 2003
It's not very often I make the time to enjoy the treats of London on my doorstep -- but today I made the effort and went to see the Lord of the Rings Exhibition at the Science Museum.
I can't get past the first page of the Tolkein books, and loathe the fantasy genre as a whole, but I must confess to a secret liking for the films. Maybe it's just because I've seen the first two while still filled with post-Christmas cheer, or maybe the Guardian's right when it says that we're all nerds now.
I have my limits, though. I won't be rushing out to buy a Glamdring sword with genuine leather-wrapped handgrip, antique silver-finished solid metal guard and pommel engraved with elvish writing.
Then on to see Touching The Void, a documentary based on Joe Simpson's classic mountaineering book which -- for my money -- is one of the greatest stories of human endurance of all time.
The film's a dispassionate recounting of Simpson's unbelievable story of survival and is well-worth seeing -- but the book's better.
I can't get past the first page of the Tolkein books, and loathe the fantasy genre as a whole, but I must confess to a secret liking for the films. Maybe it's just because I've seen the first two while still filled with post-Christmas cheer, or maybe the Guardian's right when it says that we're all nerds now.
I have my limits, though. I won't be rushing out to buy a Glamdring sword with genuine leather-wrapped handgrip, antique silver-finished solid metal guard and pommel engraved with elvish writing.
Then on to see Touching The Void, a documentary based on Joe Simpson's classic mountaineering book which -- for my money -- is one of the greatest stories of human endurance of all time.
The film's a dispassionate recounting of Simpson's unbelievable story of survival and is well-worth seeing -- but the book's better.
Details of the Human Rights Watch report I mentioned yesterday.
The headline: "The use of cluster munitions in populated areas caused more civilian casualties than any other factor in the coalition´s conduct of major military operations in March and April."
HRW: Cluster Munitions, ‘Decapitation’ Attacks Condemned
BBC News Online: Iraqi civilian deaths 'avoidable'
The headline: "The use of cluster munitions in populated areas caused more civilian casualties than any other factor in the coalition´s conduct of major military operations in March and April."
HRW: Cluster Munitions, ‘Decapitation’ Attacks Condemned
BBC News Online: Iraqi civilian deaths 'avoidable'
Thursday, December 11, 2003
More on the Cambodian data entry firm mentioned here a few days ago:
BBC News Online: 'Cyber Oscar' for landmine project
BBC News Online: 'Cyber Oscar' for landmine project
The controversy over cluster bombs is set to be ignited again tomorrow with the publication of a Human Rights Watch report which will say that more than 1,000 Iraqi civilians were needlessly killed by the weapons, which were dropped by U.S. and British forces during the war.
It'll say the coalition could have done more to keep civilians from being killed by imprecise air strikes and will criticise British forces for not securing caches of explosives and ammunition abandoned by the Iraqi military.
I'll respect HRW's embargo -- full details of the report will follow tomorrow.
It'll say the coalition could have done more to keep civilians from being killed by imprecise air strikes and will criticise British forces for not securing caches of explosives and ammunition abandoned by the Iraqi military.
I'll respect HRW's embargo -- full details of the report will follow tomorrow.
And so farewell Jennicam -- and not before time. She's been boring as shit for ages (er...like I can talk.)
CNN: Voyeur Web site JenniCam to go dark
CNN: Voyeur Web site JenniCam to go dark
Assignment news....Looks like I'm on my way to Washington DC on January 15th to provide back up at the BBC bureau for a busy few weeks that'll include the Iowa caucuses, New Hampshire primary, “Super Seven” primaries and the State of the Union address. More to follow.
Wednesday, December 10, 2003
As promised earlier, here's a taste of the Cambodian end of the audioblog posted up earlier, to put some pictures to the sounds.
It's a 2'21" snatch of video filmed by Sean as I did the live radio report you can hear here.
As always with the videoblogs, the resolution is fairly low to keep the file size down (it's 560Kb). If you want to see it at a higher resolution, just drop me an e-mail.
Videoblog: Live on Radio Five From The Minefield (.wmv)
I'd been hoping to be able to post this audioblog up since I got back from Cambodia. Of all the work I did while I was there, this is the piece I was most pleased with. This afternoon I finally managed to track down the archive recording.
While visiting the Auchamlong minefield it occured to me...why don't I broadcast the safe detonation of a landmind live from the minefield? It seemed like a stupid idea but the more I thought about it, the more I wanted to do it. I couldn't imagine there had been many live landmine explosions before in the history of broadcasting. It was a chance to use the satellite technology -- which allows us to broadcast in studio quality from pretty much anywhere in the world -- to its full potential.
So I set up the satellite dish on the bamboo roof of a long-drop toilet, ran a cable to a safe distance from the spot where the explosion would take place, put an effects microphone out as close as I could to catch the full sound of the bang and plonked my ass down on the ground to broadcast.
When I went live I gave a hand signal to the demolition team to begin the countdown to the detonation -- and the rest you can hear for yourself. I heard the full recording for the first time today and I was particularly pleased with the explosion itself, which sounds very dramatic!
The MP3 below is just over 9 minutes long as is a 1.6Mb download. I've dropped the bit rate from the original. It was originally broadcast on BBC Radio Five Live's Up All Night programme. Sean captured some of the broadcast on video and I'll endeavour to post up a little videoblog when I get home later.
Audioblog: Live From The Minefield
While visiting the Auchamlong minefield it occured to me...why don't I broadcast the safe detonation of a landmind live from the minefield? It seemed like a stupid idea but the more I thought about it, the more I wanted to do it. I couldn't imagine there had been many live landmine explosions before in the history of broadcasting. It was a chance to use the satellite technology -- which allows us to broadcast in studio quality from pretty much anywhere in the world -- to its full potential.
So I set up the satellite dish on the bamboo roof of a long-drop toilet, ran a cable to a safe distance from the spot where the explosion would take place, put an effects microphone out as close as I could to catch the full sound of the bang and plonked my ass down on the ground to broadcast.
When I went live I gave a hand signal to the demolition team to begin the countdown to the detonation -- and the rest you can hear for yourself. I heard the full recording for the first time today and I was particularly pleased with the explosion itself, which sounds very dramatic!
The MP3 below is just over 9 minutes long as is a 1.6Mb download. I've dropped the bit rate from the original. It was originally broadcast on BBC Radio Five Live's Up All Night programme. Sean captured some of the broadcast on video and I'll endeavour to post up a little videoblog when I get home later.
Audioblog: Live From The Minefield
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan is showing signs of impatience at Cambodia's delay in reaching an agreement on the establishment of a war crimes tribunal to try Khmer Rouge leaders:
Reuters: UN wants Cambodia war crime trials to start soon
Reuters: UN wants Cambodia war crime trials to start soon
Today marks Human Rights Day.
Last year, human rights were abused in more than 150 countries.
As billions of pounds were spent on the "war on terror," millions of people faced a daily battle against corruption, repression, discrimination, extreme poverty and preventable diseases.
Do something about it.
Is it a bird, is it a plane....nope, it's HTML superhero Claire H, who has added permalinks to my template. You should now be able to link directly to the post of your choice.
Tuesday, December 09, 2003
A special hello to Gunnlaugur Lárusson, who has fulfilled a long-held ambition of mine by putting a pin in the guest map from my favourite country in the world -- Iceland.
Góðan daginn, Gunnlaugur -- and I can't wait to spend New Year in your beautiful country.
There are still plenty of uncharted territories on the guest map, so stick your pin in here.
Góðan daginn, Gunnlaugur -- and I can't wait to spend New Year in your beautiful country.
There are still plenty of uncharted territories on the guest map, so stick your pin in here.
A day's filming and editing in Cardiff means I'm able to post up a new videoblog -- the most televisually complex one so far.
I was asked by MAG to give a speech at a conference for schoolchildren in Brussels next month organised by the European Commission's Humanitarian Aid Office, ECHO.
I had to decline as I'm going to be on assignment, either in Switzerland or Washington.
As I can't be there in person, I agreed to make a short film to show at the conference instead.
I did the talking and Tony -- who's masterminding the BBC Wales documentary we're making -- did all the clever stuff, editing the video on Final Cut Pro (which is an absolute dream of an editing package.)
You can get an exclusive preview of the finished product by clicking on the link below. It's six and a half minutes long and is a 1.6Mb download. Apologies for the relatively low quality but it's in order to keep the file size down.
To view:
1) Right click on the link and "Save Target As"
2) Save the file on your hard drive.
3) Right click on the downloaded file.
4) Select "Play"
Videoblog: MAG Brussels Message
I was asked by MAG to give a speech at a conference for schoolchildren in Brussels next month organised by the European Commission's Humanitarian Aid Office, ECHO.
I had to decline as I'm going to be on assignment, either in Switzerland or Washington.
As I can't be there in person, I agreed to make a short film to show at the conference instead.
I did the talking and Tony -- who's masterminding the BBC Wales documentary we're making -- did all the clever stuff, editing the video on Final Cut Pro (which is an absolute dream of an editing package.)
You can get an exclusive preview of the finished product by clicking on the link below. It's six and a half minutes long and is a 1.6Mb download. Apologies for the relatively low quality but it's in order to keep the file size down.
To view:
1) Right click on the link and "Save Target As"
2) Save the file on your hard drive.
3) Right click on the downloaded file.
4) Select "Play"
Videoblog: MAG Brussels Message
Monday, December 08, 2003
Thanks to Xeni Jardin and the fine people at Boing Boing for the link regarding my videoblogging efforts.
A link from Boing Boing always sends the traffic off the scale -- so if you're a first time visitor, you're very welcome. Tell your friends, sign the guestmap, and I hope you become a regular.
The Videoblogs have slipped down the homepage, so here they all are again in an easy-to-find form. To view:
1) Right click on the link and "Save Target As"
2) Save the file on your hard drive.
3) Right click on the downloaded file.
4) Select "Play"
Enjoy -- and, as always, all comments/suggestions are welcome:
Videoblog: Controlled Landmine Explosion (.wmv)
Videoblog: Controlled Landmine Explosion (.rm)
Videoblog: Auchamlong Piece to Camera (.wmv)
Videoblog: Auchamlong Piece to Camera (.rm)
Videoblog: MAG Cambodia 1 (.wmv)
As the Boing Boing link has probably attracted lots of new readers, I suppose I should also do my tin-rattling routine. If you were intrigued/moved/inspired by the videoblog and want to find out more about landmines and what's being done to clear them, your first port of call should be the MAG website.
A link from Boing Boing always sends the traffic off the scale -- so if you're a first time visitor, you're very welcome. Tell your friends, sign the guestmap, and I hope you become a regular.
The Videoblogs have slipped down the homepage, so here they all are again in an easy-to-find form. To view:
1) Right click on the link and "Save Target As"
2) Save the file on your hard drive.
3) Right click on the downloaded file.
4) Select "Play"
Enjoy -- and, as always, all comments/suggestions are welcome:
Videoblog: Controlled Landmine Explosion (.wmv)
Videoblog: Controlled Landmine Explosion (.rm)
Videoblog: Auchamlong Piece to Camera (.wmv)
Videoblog: Auchamlong Piece to Camera (.rm)
Videoblog: MAG Cambodia 1 (.wmv)
As the Boing Boing link has probably attracted lots of new readers, I suppose I should also do my tin-rattling routine. If you were intrigued/moved/inspired by the videoblog and want to find out more about landmines and what's being done to clear them, your first port of call should be the MAG website.
Welcome to Needless Cosmetic Surgery Corner, presented by Leslie Ash.
In today's episode: Cosmetic Podiatry.
Girls, just say no.
I only intended to have the dead skin on the soles of my feet removed -- and look what happened to me.
NY Times: If Shoe Won't Fit, Fix the Foot? Popular Surgery Raises Concern
In today's episode: Cosmetic Podiatry.
Girls, just say no.
I only intended to have the dead skin on the soles of my feet removed -- and look what happened to me.
NY Times: If Shoe Won't Fit, Fix the Foot? Popular Surgery Raises Concern
Alex writes with an extract from an e-mail she received from a friend serving with the armed forces in Iraq (no names or places on request):
He says:
"Delightfully, the former regime loyalists have recently started mounting anti-personnel mines at head height on lamposts and detonate them as patrols go past....which is proving a little depressing at the moment, thankfully no-one has been hurt yet, but again one gets the feeling of inevitability given time..."
He says:
"Delightfully, the former regime loyalists have recently started mounting anti-personnel mines at head height on lamposts and detonate them as patrols go past....which is proving a little depressing at the moment, thankfully no-one has been hurt yet, but again one gets the feeling of inevitability given time..."
MAG have collected together the audio and video material I did in Cambodia and posted them up on their website.
If you're a regular reader you'll have seen them already, but if not click here and then click on "More stories in Multi-Media," under the photo of the women deminers.
If you're a regular reader you'll have seen them already, but if not click here and then click on "More stories in Multi-Media," under the photo of the women deminers.
Pouting Hollwood sex goddess and Cambodian holiday-home owner Angelina Jolie marked the sixth anniversary of the signing of the Ottawa Treaty by writing (or at least putting her name to) this article in the Bangkok Post.
Apologies for the lack of blogging activity over the last few days. Sad anorak that I am, I spent the weekend installing a new hard drive on my computer to put all the video files I've been playing with on. Then I dashed down to Cardiff (where I still am) for a "diagnostic fitting" for the new leg.
My prosthetist, Ian, has made two clear fibreglass casts, one slightly bigger than the other, which will form the basis of my new leg. This morning I tried them both on, while Ian checked for fit and even pressure distribution. The slightly larger cast felt much more comfortable, not such a tight squeeze, so it's that one he'll use to make the leg socket.
Ian marked out a few spots on the cast where he'll put in pressure pads and cut down excess ridges and he's now taken it away to make up the final leg.
Delivery date is 22nd December -- just in time for Christmas! He's promised to wrap it up for me, although I think the shape will be a dead give away when I put it with the other presents under the tree.
I'm itching to get the leg. The one I'm wearing has given me good service and taken me to Spain, Italy and Cambodia but I now have to wear it with five socks underneath because Mr Stumpy has shrunk so much over the past few months. It's time to retire it gracefully.
My prosthetist, Ian, has made two clear fibreglass casts, one slightly bigger than the other, which will form the basis of my new leg. This morning I tried them both on, while Ian checked for fit and even pressure distribution. The slightly larger cast felt much more comfortable, not such a tight squeeze, so it's that one he'll use to make the leg socket.
Ian marked out a few spots on the cast where he'll put in pressure pads and cut down excess ridges and he's now taken it away to make up the final leg.
Delivery date is 22nd December -- just in time for Christmas! He's promised to wrap it up for me, although I think the shape will be a dead give away when I put it with the other presents under the tree.
I'm itching to get the leg. The one I'm wearing has given me good service and taken me to Spain, Italy and Cambodia but I now have to wear it with five socks underneath because Mr Stumpy has shrunk so much over the past few months. It's time to retire it gracefully.
Friday, December 05, 2003
SWINGING ON A STAR
Saddam Hussein and Osama Bin Laden are still on the run, the insurgency in Iraq shows no sign of abating, the Middle East peace process is going nowhere and there are fears of terrorist atrocities in the world's major capitals.
What can we do in this time of global uncertainty?
Why, fuck off to the moon, of course.
Saddam Hussein and Osama Bin Laden are still on the run, the insurgency in Iraq shows no sign of abating, the Middle East peace process is going nowhere and there are fears of terrorist atrocities in the world's major capitals.
What can we do in this time of global uncertainty?
Why, fuck off to the moon, of course.
I'm afraid I always chuck the Society Guardian section straight into the bin, as I'm not a social worker.
Hence I missed Sean talking about the power of images:
Guardian: A Thousand Words
Guardian: The Power of the Picture
Hence I missed Sean talking about the power of images:
Guardian: A Thousand Words
Guardian: The Power of the Picture
Thursday, December 04, 2003
This letter just forwarded to the editor of the Radio Times about the Leslie Ash's Lips-Gate affair:
As someone who lost part of my leg in a landmine accident while covering the War In Iraq for the BBC I felt compelled to write to say how disgusted I was by leslie Ash's comments in this week's Radio Times.
To compare her own failed botox procedure to an amputation is offensive in the extreme and her comment that "people don't laugh at Heather Mills because she lost a leg" beggars belief. Heather Mills -- and the thousands of other amputees in Britain -- had no choice over the enforced changes to their bodies….unlike Leslie Ash, who paid the price for her own vanity.
Amputation is not a fashion decision.
As someone who lost part of my leg in a landmine accident while covering the War In Iraq for the BBC I felt compelled to write to say how disgusted I was by leslie Ash's comments in this week's Radio Times.
To compare her own failed botox procedure to an amputation is offensive in the extreme and her comment that "people don't laugh at Heather Mills because she lost a leg" beggars belief. Heather Mills -- and the thousands of other amputees in Britain -- had no choice over the enforced changes to their bodies….unlike Leslie Ash, who paid the price for her own vanity.
Amputation is not a fashion decision.
Thanks to Marie for the link to this (tall?) tale about Henry Kissinger's visit to Cambodia.
In the latest edition of the BBC's internal Newsgathering magazine, Jim Muir reflects on the everyday turmoils of working as a journalist in Iran:
"Tehran: It's not so much the evil machinations of sinister mullahs, but crap technology, defective infrastructure, chaotic organisation and dead-hand bureaucracy that conspire.
"And fate, which robbed us of our much-loved cameraman Kaveh Golestan in an Iraqi minefield in April. We soldier on, but there's not a day that we don't remember and miss him."
"Tehran: It's not so much the evil machinations of sinister mullahs, but crap technology, defective infrastructure, chaotic organisation and dead-hand bureaucracy that conspire.
"And fate, which robbed us of our much-loved cameraman Kaveh Golestan in an Iraqi minefield in April. We soldier on, but there's not a day that we don't remember and miss him."
Searching for Cambodia stories on the wires I came across this little gem from Reuters. Next time you find you haven't got any money to pay for fuel, just give the cashier a relative instead.
Forgetful Cambodian finds petrol relatively cheap
PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - A Cambodian who found he had forgotten his wallet after filling up his motorbike with petrol
ended up paying for the three litres of petrol with his nephew.
The Kampuchea Thmey (New Cambodia) newspaper said on Monday the nine-year-old, who it named as Dy, had been on a trip with his uncle in March 2002 to try and track down his father in a nearby province in the war-scarred southeast Asian nation.
However, their motorbike ran out of petrol before reaching their destination and, after filling up with three litres of
gasoline from a roadside stall, the uncle realised he had no money.
Eventually he convinced the old lady selling petrol to take his nephew as a guarantee he would return with the cash --
about $1.5, the paper said.
Nearly two years later, she is still waiting -- but has opted to keep the youngster.
"I have decided to take care of him and raise him as my own grandson," she told the paper.
Despite a huge U.N.-backed reconstruction effort in the early 1990s, child rights remain a distant dream in Cambodia
where society still bears the scars of decades of civil war, including the Khmer Rogue genocide of the 1970s.
Forgetful Cambodian finds petrol relatively cheap
PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - A Cambodian who found he had forgotten his wallet after filling up his motorbike with petrol
ended up paying for the three litres of petrol with his nephew.
The Kampuchea Thmey (New Cambodia) newspaper said on Monday the nine-year-old, who it named as Dy, had been on a trip with his uncle in March 2002 to try and track down his father in a nearby province in the war-scarred southeast Asian nation.
However, their motorbike ran out of petrol before reaching their destination and, after filling up with three litres of
gasoline from a roadside stall, the uncle realised he had no money.
Eventually he convinced the old lady selling petrol to take his nephew as a guarantee he would return with the cash --
about $1.5, the paper said.
Nearly two years later, she is still waiting -- but has opted to keep the youngster.
"I have decided to take care of him and raise him as my own grandson," she told the paper.
Despite a huge U.N.-backed reconstruction effort in the early 1990s, child rights remain a distant dream in Cambodia
where society still bears the scars of decades of civil war, including the Khmer Rogue genocide of the 1970s.
MEANWHILE, ABOARD THE STARSHIP ENTERPRISE...
"....I cannae find the extra power, captain. We're gonna blow...."
Media Guardian: BBC hit by second power cut
"....I cannae find the extra power, captain. We're gonna blow...."
Media Guardian: BBC hit by second power cut
The UN has been marking the sixth anniversary of the Ottawa Treaty by saying that $288 million is needed next year for mine clearance, mine risk education and survivor assistance:
UN News Centre: UN agencies ask for $288 million to tackle the effects of landmines
UN News Centre: Annan praises Disney daughter, Roots of Peace founder for landmine activism
UN News Centre: UN agencies ask for $288 million to tackle the effects of landmines
UN News Centre: Annan praises Disney daughter, Roots of Peace founder for landmine activism
Wednesday, December 03, 2003
One of the most horrific aspects of the Rwandan genocide in 1994 was the way the so called "hate media" was used to encourage the extermination of Tutsis and moderate Hutus.
Survivors of the genocide nicknamed the most prominent station -- Radio Television Libre des Mille Collines -- Radio Tele La Mort (Radio Death).
Executives from RTLM have now been convicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda of inciting violence.
It sends a strong signal that it's not just the people with guns and bombs in their hands that are capable of killing.
Read more about hate media here.
Survivors of the genocide nicknamed the most prominent station -- Radio Television Libre des Mille Collines -- Radio Tele La Mort (Radio Death).
Executives from RTLM have now been convicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda of inciting violence.
It sends a strong signal that it's not just the people with guns and bombs in their hands that are capable of killing.
Read more about hate media here.
A few people (including my Dad) have e-mailed to say that they can't open the recent videoblogs because they either don't have, or object to, Real Player.
In response, here's the 30" clip of the landmine being blown up in situ encoded as a 132Kb .wmv file instead.
To view:
1) Right click on the link and "Save Target As"
2) Save the file on your hard drive.
3) Right click on the downloaded file.
4) Select "Play"
Let me know if you have any problems with it.
Videoblog: Controlled Landmine Explosion (.wmv)
...and here's the piece to camera I did from the minefield, which is just over 700Kb.
Videoblog: Auchamlong Piece to Camera (.wmv)
In response, here's the 30" clip of the landmine being blown up in situ encoded as a 132Kb .wmv file instead.
To view:
1) Right click on the link and "Save Target As"
2) Save the file on your hard drive.
3) Right click on the downloaded file.
4) Select "Play"
Let me know if you have any problems with it.
Videoblog: Controlled Landmine Explosion (.wmv)
...and here's the piece to camera I did from the minefield, which is just over 700Kb.
Videoblog: Auchamlong Piece to Camera (.wmv)
Sean's just had his black and white photos of the women deminers back from Snappy Snaps and he's sent me a few samples. Most impressive.
Here's a taster -- although I've put a whopping great copyright note through the middle to stop any naughty tykes from copying them. They give you the idea, at least.
If you want to reproduce 'em -- ask Sean!
Picture: Women Deminers 1
Picture: Women Deminers 2
Picture: Women Deminers 3
Picture: Women Deminers 4
Here's a taster -- although I've put a whopping great copyright note through the middle to stop any naughty tykes from copying them. They give you the idea, at least.
If you want to reproduce 'em -- ask Sean!
Picture: Women Deminers 1
Picture: Women Deminers 2
Picture: Women Deminers 3
Picture: Women Deminers 4
Many thanks to those nice people at the International Campaign to Ban Landmines for the mention on the links section of their website.
This week, the ICBL is marking the sixth anniversary of the signing of the 1997 Ottawa Mine Ban Treaty and launching the process leading to the 2004 Nairobi Summit on a Mine Free World, which will take place from 29 November to 3 December 2004.
(Read more about the Nairobi Review conference here.)
Worryingly, the ICBL is warning that landmine use is rising in Nepal, where troops and Maoist rebels are apparently using mines with increasing frequency.
This week, the ICBL is marking the sixth anniversary of the signing of the 1997 Ottawa Mine Ban Treaty and launching the process leading to the 2004 Nairobi Summit on a Mine Free World, which will take place from 29 November to 3 December 2004.
(Read more about the Nairobi Review conference here.)
Worryingly, the ICBL is warning that landmine use is rising in Nepal, where troops and Maoist rebels are apparently using mines with increasing frequency.
WHO KNOWS WHAT?
Yesterday, US Secretary of State Donald Rumsfeld won a "Foot in Mouth" award for comments made at a news conference in February in which he said:
"There are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns." In other words -- there are things that we know we don't know (you still following?).
Today we learn from US psychologists that some animals, including rhesus monkeys, are apparently capable of thinking about thinking -- and of knowing that they don't know something.
Just like Donald Rumsfeld.
I thought the similarities between the two were startling until I discovered that monkeys have an innate sense of justice and fairness.
Maybe the similarities aren't so great, after all.
Yesterday, US Secretary of State Donald Rumsfeld won a "Foot in Mouth" award for comments made at a news conference in February in which he said:
"There are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns." In other words -- there are things that we know we don't know (you still following?).
Today we learn from US psychologists that some animals, including rhesus monkeys, are apparently capable of thinking about thinking -- and of knowing that they don't know something.
Just like Donald Rumsfeld.
I thought the similarities between the two were startling until I discovered that monkeys have an innate sense of justice and fairness.
Maybe the similarities aren't so great, after all.
I've just endured what was possibly the most depressing experience since my accident -- the government-approved medical.
It was held at an office on the Euston Road which resembled a cross between a Victorian asylum, a TB ward and the headquarters of the Stasi.
The doctor assigned to decide whether I did indeed have an industrial accident at work (and am hence entitled to claim a few measly quid from the state) peered over the top of the glasses at me and asked "do you know why you're here, Mr Hughes?" (as if he expected me to reply, "No, I'm glad you asked me that. I went into a trance and before I knew what was happening I found myself here and thought I'd died and gone to Hell. What is this place, exactly?"
Thankfully, once we got down to business it was all fairly cursory. I told him what happened, he had a a squint at the leg, I filled out a few forms and then headed back out onto the pollution-choked streets of Camden, leaving the sound of the coughing, muttering unfortunates in the waiting room far behind me.
It's not an experience I want to repeat.
It was held at an office on the Euston Road which resembled a cross between a Victorian asylum, a TB ward and the headquarters of the Stasi.
The doctor assigned to decide whether I did indeed have an industrial accident at work (and am hence entitled to claim a few measly quid from the state) peered over the top of the glasses at me and asked "do you know why you're here, Mr Hughes?" (as if he expected me to reply, "No, I'm glad you asked me that. I went into a trance and before I knew what was happening I found myself here and thought I'd died and gone to Hell. What is this place, exactly?"
Thankfully, once we got down to business it was all fairly cursory. I told him what happened, he had a a squint at the leg, I filled out a few forms and then headed back out onto the pollution-choked streets of Camden, leaving the sound of the coughing, muttering unfortunates in the waiting room far behind me.
It's not an experience I want to repeat.
A thought-provoking and courageous Dispatches doc on Channel 4 last night: Iran Uncovered.
Canadian journalist Jane Kokan went undercover to explore the hidden side of the Iran.
Well worth watching if it's repeated.
Canadian journalist Jane Kokan went undercover to explore the hidden side of the Iran.
Well worth watching if it's repeated.
Tuesday, December 02, 2003
My recent forays into the world of videoblogging encourage Lorenzo Manes to e-mail from Milan, Italy.
Lorenzo's internet start-up firm Lulop.com is among the companies breaking the mould of TV newsgathering, whereby a small number of news agencies (such as APTN and Reuters TV) with large resources distribute the footage you see on most news channels around the world.
Lulop is providing a platform to allow anyone with a video camera and a story to tell to sell their tapes, in broadcast quality, directly to TV stations. They call it Internet Newsgathering -- and it could just be the future of news.
On their website, they explain the business model:
"Challenging the existing model of news gathering and using the latest developments in video compression algorithms, Lulop offers new revenues to producers and new images to TV stations....We want to build a neutral and transparent distribution channel and a syndication platform for independent video-reporters. Upload your last videos and help us to offer a real alternative to the main news agencies."
It's a fascinating and important development.
The BBC is currently looking closely at ways of using video-capable mobile phones to transmit moving pictures and still images from the scene of breaking news stories (read more about the trials here.) I've been looking at the results this week and they are certainly crude -- but it's still very early days and even with the current technology, seeing jerky pictures from a major news story is an improvement on voice alone.
It's not quite yet the "satellite truck in your pocket" that the techno-enthusiasts would like to claim, but it opens up an exciting world of possibilities. It can only be the matter of a few years at most before those of us who work in foreign newsgathering are carrying around broadcast quality satellite uplink kits the size of a briefcase.
(Those interested in new newsgathering technology might also be interested in the Inmarsat BGAN system used with some success to file compressed video reports from the field by myself and others during the War In Iraq. Read more here.)
And so to the latest videoblog.
At the end of each shift in the minefields of Cambodia, the deminers detonate the mines they've found in situ. The mines are too sensitive to remove and so they're surrounded by an explosive charge and blown up. The latest vlog shows one such detonation, of a PMN landmine similar to the one that blew off my leg.
Because the clip's shorter than the ones I've already uploaded (just 30") I've pushed the boat out and encoded it at a higher quality, to capture its full explosive power. It's a 2.15Mb download.
Videoblog: Controlled Landmine Explosion (.rm)
As always, if the format or quality doesn't suit your system, drop me an e-mail and I'll aim to help out.
One final media line -- where are all the anchors in Iraq asks USA Today.
The shallowness of American network news is exposed by CBS's Dan Rather.
Says Rather: "If you are in Iraq and there is an attack in America, you're going to look out of position, and no one wants that, particularly during a sweeps month (when programme ratings set advertising rates)."
That's the spirit, Dan. Sideline the story that is happening in favour of the one that isn't. That isn't news -- it's showbiz.
Lorenzo's internet start-up firm Lulop.com is among the companies breaking the mould of TV newsgathering, whereby a small number of news agencies (such as APTN and Reuters TV) with large resources distribute the footage you see on most news channels around the world.
Lulop is providing a platform to allow anyone with a video camera and a story to tell to sell their tapes, in broadcast quality, directly to TV stations. They call it Internet Newsgathering -- and it could just be the future of news.
On their website, they explain the business model:
"Challenging the existing model of news gathering and using the latest developments in video compression algorithms, Lulop offers new revenues to producers and new images to TV stations....We want to build a neutral and transparent distribution channel and a syndication platform for independent video-reporters. Upload your last videos and help us to offer a real alternative to the main news agencies."
It's a fascinating and important development.
The BBC is currently looking closely at ways of using video-capable mobile phones to transmit moving pictures and still images from the scene of breaking news stories (read more about the trials here.) I've been looking at the results this week and they are certainly crude -- but it's still very early days and even with the current technology, seeing jerky pictures from a major news story is an improvement on voice alone.
It's not quite yet the "satellite truck in your pocket" that the techno-enthusiasts would like to claim, but it opens up an exciting world of possibilities. It can only be the matter of a few years at most before those of us who work in foreign newsgathering are carrying around broadcast quality satellite uplink kits the size of a briefcase.
(Those interested in new newsgathering technology might also be interested in the Inmarsat BGAN system used with some success to file compressed video reports from the field by myself and others during the War In Iraq. Read more here.)
And so to the latest videoblog.
At the end of each shift in the minefields of Cambodia, the deminers detonate the mines they've found in situ. The mines are too sensitive to remove and so they're surrounded by an explosive charge and blown up. The latest vlog shows one such detonation, of a PMN landmine similar to the one that blew off my leg.
Because the clip's shorter than the ones I've already uploaded (just 30") I've pushed the boat out and encoded it at a higher quality, to capture its full explosive power. It's a 2.15Mb download.
Videoblog: Controlled Landmine Explosion (.rm)
As always, if the format or quality doesn't suit your system, drop me an e-mail and I'll aim to help out.
One final media line -- where are all the anchors in Iraq asks USA Today.
The shallowness of American network news is exposed by CBS's Dan Rather.
Says Rather: "If you are in Iraq and there is an attack in America, you're going to look out of position, and no one wants that, particularly during a sweeps month (when programme ratings set advertising rates)."
That's the spirit, Dan. Sideline the story that is happening in favour of the one that isn't. That isn't news -- it's showbiz.
Blogging activity has been limited today as I've spent the afternoon bashing out 1500 words on the female demining team I spent the day with in Cambodia.
The copy will be used for MAG publicity purposes, although we're also hoping to sell it to a newspaper along with Sean's photographs.
So, long before you read it in the paper, here's the article. Reprinting is forbidden without prior permission.
Women Deminers (.doc)
Women Deminers(.txt)
The copy will be used for MAG publicity purposes, although we're also hoping to sell it to a newspaper along with Sean's photographs.
So, long before you read it in the paper, here's the article. Reprinting is forbidden without prior permission.
Women Deminers (.doc)
Women Deminers(.txt)
Monday, December 01, 2003
I've been a bit slow picking up on this story.
More than 90 countries, including the United States, has committed themselves to cleaning up the debris of war to try to reduce the number of civilian casualties caused by UXO.
More than 90 countries, including the United States, has committed themselves to cleaning up the debris of war to try to reduce the number of civilian casualties caused by UXO.
Showbiz trout Leslie Ash gets scratched off the Beyond Northern Iraq Christmas card list for comparing her botox disaster to losing a leg.
"People don't laugh at Heather Mills because she lost a leg," Ash says.
Er....that'll be because Heather Mills lost her leg in an accident, whereas Ash ended up looking ridiculous because of her own vanity.
Speaking from experience, I think I can safely say that an amputation is absolutely nothing like a dodgy botox procedure.
From Friday's South Wales Echo:
SW Echo: Blue badge holder asks drivers to think twice
SW Echo: Blue badge holder asks drivers to think twice
An interesting piece in today's Media Guardian about the British military's broadcasting (read: propaganda) arm, BFBS, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary.
This videoblogging business is taking off -- I think I may be on to something.
High praise from Silicon Valley guru Dan Gillmor, who's clearly confusing me with someone else.
High praise from Silicon Valley guru Dan Gillmor, who's clearly confusing me with someone else.
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