A trail starts on Monday of the proposed ID cards…but what do you think of them? I’m personally against them really, since I don’t think they will be of benefit. The arguments put forward for them are, generally…

Prevent illegal immigration
I can’t see how this can be the case. Why will an illegal immigrant find it any more difficult to ‘disappear’? They don’t have any identification documents at the moment, so why will not having a card hinder them? Unless, of course, we’re going to be forced to produce them at request, which is a dangerous route to take.

Prevent illegal working
Most employers who have illegal workers know that the workers are illegal. Besides which, we all have National Insurance numbers that can (and do) do this anyway.

Aid anti-terrorism measures
If I’m going to fly a jumbo into a towerblock, why will a plastic card stop me? The Spanish have identity cards, and they’ve suffered one of the worst terrorist attacks of modern times.

Tackle identity theft
This depends very much on how they are used, and if they are used as I suspect, as a single identity document in themselves, then stealing this card immediately opens you to identity theft. Biometric data is only useful for those who have readers, and photographs don’t prevent someone passing themselves off as someone else, as we see with stolen Passports every day.

Reduce benefit fraud and abuse of public services
We have a number of systems already in place to ensure that public services are only used by those entitled. If these were properly enforced, which would be a much cheaper option, then there would be no need for any new system (eg you are supposed to take your NHS Card each time you go to the doctors….Do you?)

Enhance sense of community
Tell me this is a joke. If I was racist, I would still be racist whether or not the other person had a card.

I do understand that they would be a handy form of ID, but that’s an argument against them. When you have to provide two forms of photo ID, it’s hard to find them, you have to go searching to dig out your passport and driving licence (or similar). If you have this card on you all the time, and your Driving Licence, then there’s two forms of photo ID that are stolen right off the bat if your bag is stolen.

The whole point of this ID process is that it’s difficult for the real person, and so almost impossible for a fraudster.

So why ask us all to pay £35 for a card that is pointless?

Originally posted on The LBSC

But I don’t want to.

Here’s a birthday treat from me to you. With all of the constant exposés in the papers of the lives of former celebrities, have you ever found yourself wondering, “What ever happened to Alvin, Simon and Theodore?”. The Chipmunks tell the real story, here.

My ears still feel like construction of the bacterial equivalent of the Channel Tunnel is well underway, thanks to me being blighted for two weeks (it’s the two-week anniversary of the bacteria moving in today) with Otitis Externa.

And in other news, I am the only person to have noticed that Tony Blair has NOT, repeat NOT announced that he will hold a referendum on the EU Constitution? In his speech he promised a referendum before the introduction of the Euro, but only that “The electorate should be asked for their opinion” on the EU Constitution. He apparently asked for our opinion on stuff in the Big Conversation. And besides, if he’s only asking for our opinion that does not stop him from saying that we’re just poorly informed, and going ahead with it anyway.

That’s all for now. I’m sure that my LBSC Birthday Present much just be delayed in the post.

Originally posted on The LBSC

The joys of owning a website… I’ve tweaked sjhoward.co.uk’s design template, and thrown in a Forum to boot, if you wish to populate it with your wit. Or, if it goes the same way as Tilly Talk , your comments on…well, let’s not go there.

In other news…well, there isn’t any really. All I can say is that I’m into week four of my Easter break, and I’m really not doing much at all, besides the occasional bit of work (Booooo!). And stuffing my face with chocolate, and reapplying for my Student Loans etc. for next year (You had £3000 of debt…But We don’t want to give you that! You now have £6000!).

Well done to Lancashire County Council for improving the PR1 form massively, it’s still a 24-page killer but at least it now includes the loan application instead of that being another 24-page form. Why the first question can’t just be “Are you carrying on from last year and wanting the same loan arrangements? Y/N” I really don’t know. Think how many trees would be saved. And well done on getting Internet Applications set up too, even though I’m far too lazy to use it (Hell, if you make a mistake on the net version it’s obviously your fault…if you mess up on the handwritten one you can blame the person who has to type it into the computer at the other end). Boooo to the DfEE or whatever it is these days for failing to produce the explanatory booklet in time to be sent out with the form. You should be ashamed of yourselves. HANG YOUR HEADS.

I think I have an ear infection.

Just seven days left of being 18, I hope you’re all saving up for some humungous online birthday present. A statue in my horour in Trafalgar Square or something small like that will be fine, thanks. Don’t go naming any buildings or planets after me or anything, unless you really want to.

I can’t get enough of that Mexican Pot Noodle advert. It’s the best ever.

Two words (I use that term in the loosest possible sense) that should be banned NOW: ‘Bling’ and ‘Flava’. Just ban them.

I’ve just thought of the freakiest thing. I hate Dubya. Dubya was the governer of Texas. Texas was Homebase’s original name. I hate Homebase. It’s a perfect circle of hate. [Angelic Ahhhhh]

That’s all I have to say now, I’m off to find a little drinkypoos. Goodnight.

Originally posted on The LBSC

Just under two years after Christopher Price’s tragic death, Liquid News has finally died. Just when Claudia and Paddy were beginning to make it all better again.

Still, the presenters’ and crews’ general displeasure at the axing was cheerily noticeable, with the “Liquid News Helpline” strap (“We haven’t got enough money left for a box of tissues, let alone a sodding helpline. Pull yourself together”), the redubbing of the Kill Bill clip to Kill Stuart (the BBC Three controller), and the “We really shouldn’t tell you this, but the money for the LA satellite feed ran out three weeks ago so all the ‘Latest’ news we’ve been bringing you from Hollywood over the last month was actually filmed in February”.

At least they went with dignity, dedicating the programme to Christopher and reshowing the tribute to him right after.

But that’s it. The end of Liquid. It makes me want to cry. And Christopher Price dying was a WHOLE lot more tragic than the Feeder drummer.

I’m off to sulk now (whilst also looking forward to the new extended 7 O’Clock News in May and, on a completely different topic, GMail. And if you’re expecting me to expand on either of those, you’re about to be disappointed. But please, for the sake of us all, keep your hamster away from the printer.

Originally posted on The LBSC