HAL9000

She sat on my bicycle built-for-two and was assimilated - resistance was futile.

Some intractable problems with speed-averaging networks: A speeding vehicle that does not enter or leave the local speed-averaging network will not be detected. A speeding vehicle that enters and leaves the network by the same gateway will not be detected. A speeding vehicle whose journey begins and ends within adjacent networks will not be detected. A speeding vehicle whose driver stops to buy a bag of crisps may not be detected.

I'm ambidextrous so can switch knife/fork hands and usage style to whatever is the accepted norm on my travels. Good table manners are a virtue but they are also highly relative - different cultures have very different standards. I find all the Old School, class-conscious, U and non-U guff that masquerades for etiquette in Europe, and the UK in particular, a bit antiquated in this enlightened age. For some time now I?ve resisted adopting upper class affectations - even when dining with royalty.

An overview of the key issue is available here: Police-enforced ANPR in the UK

Huguenot Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > So is HAL9000 suggesting that there should be no > regulation at all, that regulation should be > optional based on the driver's opinion of their > need, or just no regulation for him? ;-) HAL asked (paraphrasing): do we really need a new, GPS-based, speed-averaging surveillance camera network in Southwark? HAL thinks: we have enough surveillance systems already - we don't need another one (cites personal example). Some forumites agree, others don't. And there's Huguenot with his wooden spoon :)

I thought for a moment Nick Clegg was going to offer 'Free Chocolate For All" - damn!

If it is Icelandic ash, the only way it could have got into your garden is by hitching a ride inside a jet engine.

Ladymuck Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > where are you having the problems? Thank you for your concern. I don't have any problems (at the moment, anyway) - all my tickets have been cancelled. I've cited this particular experience as one of many reasons why I object to the unfettered proliferation of CCTV-based, revenue-generating surveillance systems, which I perceive as an erosion of Civil Liberties.

nashoi Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > The company website doesn't mention satellites ... Apparently, the reference to 'satellites' translates to some sort of GPS functionality. > ... isn't it a case of > ticking the box "Offence did not occur" then > providing a copy of the Blue Badge? In theory, yes. In practice, cancellation is at the Local Authority's discretion, especially when the passenger had to be escorted to or from the vehicle. It usually comes down to how long they think is reasonable: 3, 5, or 10 minutes - there are no firm guidelines, as far as I can see. Local postal strikes and delays have also exacerbated the processing of some notices in my case.

There's a famous local photography club that runs courses - I can't remember the name but someone else might help out here?

The problem I've highlighted concerns picking up and setting down a blue badge passenger at places like bus stops, train stations or along major routes. We've not had any problems regarding disabled parking spaces per se.

As the OP I thought I'd explain my objection to more CCTV surveillance systems on our roads - this is how it affects me: I often pick up and drop off a disabled passenger with a blue badge on display. Over the last couple of years I've received over a dozen parking fines via CCTV surveillance because the operators cannot see the blue badge. The time and effort required to make the necessary representations, witness statements, statutory declarations, appeals, reviews, etc., etc. has filled an archive box with paperwork at a cost of over 100 man hours and ?100 in recorded postal and Commissioner for Oaths fees on my part ? I can?t even guess what it has cost the Local Authorities - a hell of a lot more. Every one of those parking fines was cancelled, eventually - some took two years to wend their way through the system. From my point of view, this farcical situation is a complete and utter waste of time and resources.

I'm not angry nor do I exceed the prevailing speed limits. I am concerned about living in an environment in which every move is tracked and recorded by the state - Big Brother style. As an aside, I started this thread at 08:05PM today. Later, over in the Drawing Room ... General Election Debates - Announcement Posted by: The Chair Today, 09:57PM Questions have now been sent to all four candidates to answer. The questions are: 3) Do you accept that whilst the crime solving benefits of surveillance are considerable, there must surely be a level at which the costs to an individual's privacy and sense of freedom outweigh the potential benefits? Proof, as if any were needed, of my dastardly psychic powers. So there!

The Home Office is testing a new type of speed camera that uses satellites to measure average speed over long distances. One of the (apparently secret) test sites is in Southwark. As far as I can see, this system has no other use except as a sophisticated speed trap. Isn't this going too far! We already have more CCTV surveillance cameras per capita than any other country in the world - foisted upon us on the pretext of fighting crime but now serving as cash cows for local authorities quick to fine citizens at every opportunity. Full Telegraph article: New speed cameras trap motorists from space

EasyJet's Customer Information Page may be helpful: http://easyjet.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3917/kw/vulcano/r_id/166

katie1997 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I used to wonder why the cowardly Lion (in the > Wizard of Oz) was given a heart when he eventually > got to the Emerald city. In my mind he had > clearly asked for curry? Ahem. The Scarecrow asked for a brain, the Tin Man a heart and the Cowardly Lion courage (curry?). (Katie1997 performs a 'Moment of Madness' in front of a live audience at the EDF!)

The eruption of Iceland's Laki volcano on on 8 June, 1783 may have contributed to as many as 20,000 fatalities in the UK! The eruption that changed Iceland forever

Mistook calamine lotion for kayoline and morphine - spent the next hour vomiting like a foam fire extinguisher.

Reminds me of Billy Joel's song " ".

This is a useful link for monitoring the ash cloud: Volcanic Ash Advisory from London - Issued graphics

SteveT Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > what kind of mother or father allows their child > to indulge so? Body type/shape is largely determined by genetics - one or both of her parents probably has a similar size/shape. Once the genetic die is cast, there's little one can do about it.

ROTFLAM[O] = Rolling On The Floor Laughing My Ass/Arse [Off] See NetLingo List of Internet Acronyms & Text Message Jargon

I'm fairly certain there was a light dusting of volcanic ash on my car this morning. I got some in my mouth accidentally (don't ask): it's nasty stuff - it caused mild irritation, a horrid crunchy grittiness and eventually blood-tinged spit. I'm seriously considering wearing a dust mask when out and about if this situation continues. Meanwhile, the Met Office's Jet Stream forecast suggests the prevailing winds will continue until next Friday or Saturday before any uncontaminated winds blow over the UK.

It looks to me like this guy pleaded guilty. Mr Jolyon Tuck, defending, said he uses the knife to cut up fruit on picnics with his wife. He said:"He accepts it is in his car and the law is very clear. He admits possession of it and he had no good reason for having it." There's no defence there. He didn?t put up a fight ? probably didn?t know the law and talked too much to the police before getting legal advice. As a retired maintenance engineer he probably had a valid reason on a plate - I think a not guilty verdict was achievable in this case.