I wish him well and hope that he recovers from this setback. News link to come…

From Willamette Week, 6/11/08:

SUBTERRANEAN BLISS: With the hominess of a house show, the covert charm of a speakeasy, a menu filled with delicious-sounding cheap Persian vegetarian specialties and bric-a-brac décor recalling a ’50s beatnik cafe, The Cave (636 SW Jackson St., 274-4294) is an unpretentious blessing to Portland jazz. Last Saturday night, it was tough to find a seat as multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Robert Moore and friends played to a mixed crowd: College-age kids slouched on sofas while a gaggle of “honored citizens” huddled up close and personal with the musicians—all for a cheap five bucks that goes directly to the performers. After banging my head (twice) on the low-hanging ceiling beams and quietly cursing to myself, I ordered a glass of Côtes du Rhône ($5) to wash down my falafel ($6.95), which came piled high with a stack of chickpea goodness, topped with tahini sauce and surrounded on all sides by warm pita. Later, an order of the rosewater- and saffron-infused Persian ice cream ($3.95) did wonders to help soothe the fast-growing welts on my forehead. According to Sousan Brown—owner of upstairs restaurant the Green Onion (local drummer/composer Alan Jones books the downstairs space, which began hosting live music in early May)—they had to haul truckloads of garbage out of the basement in order to clear room for the venue. This makes the Cave the best product of spring cleaning I’ve come across in a long time.

Elio de Angelis' name ended up in a number of Formula 1 team bosses' notebooks after finishing second to Didier Pironi in the 1977 Monaco F3 Grand Prix. His only 4th car race ever! With further wins that year at Monza and Misano allowed him to win the Italian F3 title at his first attempt. That year he also took part in some Formula 2 races with Giancarlo Minardi's Scuderia Everest and led his first race.

In 1978 he raced in F2 with a Ferrari-engined Chevron B42 of Scuderia Everest. But the car was uncompetitive and after some disappointing results De Angelis decided to step and haveanother go in F3, eyeing a win in the - at the time - prestigious Monaco-F3 GP. He duly accomplished this feat and, as a result, got an offer to test for the Shadow F1 team in September that year.

Signing the deal with Shadow, his father paying the bills, the 20-year-old got rid of his reputation of being a pay-driver very quickly. Colin Chapman signed him to join Mario Andretti at Team Essex-Lotus and already in his second race with the team, he finished 2nd in Brazil. He did not score again until the Austrian GP in the summer but was then 4th at Monza and Watkins Glen.

His first Grand Prix victory came at the 1982 Austrian GP, finishing just ahead of Keke Rosberg's Williams. It was one of the closest finishes in history, the last time Colin Chapman would thow his cap up in the air and the end of the winning ways of Cosworth V8s. Althoug win-less, 1984 would be his best season, finishing 3td in the final standings. In 1985 he scored another victory after Alain Prost was disqualified at Imola. By now however Ayrton Senna had joined Lotus and it was clear that if De Angelis wanted to stay he would have to do so as the number two.

In 1986 he moved to Brabham and was joined by Riccardo Patrese. The team ran the unusual BMW-engined BT55, a car so flat that it was known as "the skateboard" and it was while testing this on 14th of May at Paul Ricard that he was killed when a rear wing failed, the car careered through the fences and caught fire. De Angelis had to be rescued by Alan Jones and Nigel Mansell, also testing in Le Castellet that day, and the Brabham mechanics. He died early next morning in a hospital in Marseille as a consequence of the symptoms of asfixiation due to the inhaled smoke.

Born: 26th of March 1958 in Rome, Italy
Died: 15th of May 1986 in Marseilles, France, aged 28.

Os chefões da Formula 1 tomaram conhecimento do nome Elio de Angelis pela primeira vez quando o piloto romano terminou o GP de Formula 3 de Mônaco de1977 em 2º lugar, só perdeu para Didier Pironi. Ainda mais porque este clássico foi somente a sua quarta corrida de automóvel! Vitórias em Monza e Misano garantiram o titulo de campeão italiano de F3. Naquele mesmo ano ainda estreou na Formula 2 com a Scuderia Everest de Giancarlo Minardi e chegou a liderar na sua estréia na categoria.

Em 1978 começou a temporada com um Chevron B42 da Scuderia Everest, mas com o motor do Ferrari Dino não tinha como vencer corridas. Então Elio resolveu dar um passinho pra trás e participar novamente no GP de F3 de Mônaco, uma vitória naquele clássico era considerada naquela época como bilhete ingresso para a Formula 1. E funcionou. Não só venceu como também fechou contrato com a Shadow para estrear a temporada seguinte na categoria máxima com apenas 20 anos de idade. Conquistando o 4º lugar no GP dos EUA com o material inferior em Watkins Glen, o piloto romano chamou atenção dos demais chefes de equipe.

E foi com Colin Chapman que o italiano fechou para a temporada de 1980. No GP do Brasil, sua segunda atuação pela Essex-Lotus, já conquistou o 2º lugar e entrou para o livro de recordes: Com 21 anos, 10 meses e dois dias de idade tornou-se o piloto mais jovem a conquistar um pódio. Um recorde que permaneceria intacto durante 17 anos. Mas a Lotus já não estava mais no auge, outro sucessos demorariam em chegar.

No GP da Áustria de 1982, em Zeltweg, de Angelis comemorou a sua primeira vitória na F1 com uma das menores margens de vitória ao segundo colocado da história da F1. Foi a última vez que Colin Chapman iria prestigiar com o famoso gesto de jogar o seu famoso boné ao alto, pouco depois o gênio da F1 iria falecer. Foi igualmente a penúltima vitória da Cosworth na F1.

Em 1983, já sem Colin Chapman, a Lotus já está em certas dificuldades. Mesmo usando os motores Renault V6 turbo, a Lotus 93 T não se mostrou como carro de ponta. Mesmo assim De Angelis conquistou a sua primeira pole position no GP da Europa, em Brands Hatch.

1984 começou com o 3º lugar no GP do Brasil largando da pole e uma série de bons resultados leva o italiano a liderar o campeonato, mas o 2º lugar em Detroit permanece o melhor resultado do ano. Sem vitórias, 3º lugar na tabela, uma pole e quatro pódios tornariam esta a melhor temporada de sua carreira. Ainda porque Ayrton Senna ingressou na Lotus em 1985, o que não impediu Elio de vencer em Imola e conquistar a pole no Canadá. Mesmo assim, Senna começou a assumir o controle dentro da Lotus.

Inconformado, de Angelis aceitou a proposta de Bernie Ecclestone de correr pela Brabham em 1986 ao lado do conterrâneo Ricardo Patrese com o radical baixo BT 55. Um carro problemático e difícil de "sentir" devido à posição deitada. O GP de Mônaco, no qual largou do ultimo lugar no grid, foi uma das piores corridas na carreira do italiano. Ele precisava entender os problemas que sofria com o BT55 pediu para poder testar em Paul Ricard. Em 14 de Maio de 1986 a quebra do aerofólio traseiro a 290 Km/h fez o carro sair do chão e capotar nas redes de proteção. Virado pra baixo e enroscado nas telas de arame, o motor incendiou-se.

Alan Jones e Nigel Mansell, que também estavam testando, tentaram desesperadamente apagar o fogo. Longos minutos depois conseguiram resgatar o piloto com a ajuda dos mecânicos da Brabham. De Angelis acabou falecendo na madrugada do dia seguinte em conseqüência de danos cerebrais por asfixia em um hospital em Marselha.

Nasceu: 26 de Março de 1958 em Roma na Itália.
Faleceu: 15 de Maio de 1986 em Marselha na França aos 28 anos

P.S. Esta homenagem levou praticamente o dia inteiro para ser constituída porque a "carroça" que é TIM Web impedia qualquer trabalhao sério. Pudera... à 15 (!) kbps de velocidade...

Elio De Angelis war ein höflicher junger Römer, ein feiner Sportler, exzellenter Piano Virtuose und ein schneller und sehr ruhiger Rennfahrer. Er starb bei einem tragischen Testunfall in Paul Ricard im Jahre 1986. Seine Karriere hatte im Alter von 14 Jahren im Kart-Sport begonnen. Er fuhr in einem 100cc Kart unter anderem gegen den jungen Eddie Cheever. Der Aufstieg zu internationaler Anerkennung ging schnell – 1975 Vizemeister in de der WM und Europameister 1976.

Mit 19 Jahren machte er den Sprung in die Formel 3 und gewann am Steuer eines Chevron sein drittes Autorennen auf dem Kurs von Mugello in der Nähe von Florenz. Zwei Wochen später wurde er beim Formel 3 Grand prix in Monaco Zweiter – eine eindrucksvolle Vorstellung. Später wechselte er auf einen Ralt und feierte in selben Jahr weitere Siege in Monza and Misano. Dadurch gewann er auf Anhieb den Titel in der italienischen Formel 3 Meisterschaft. In diesem Jahr bestritt er für Giancarlo Minardis Scuderia Everest auch einige Formel 2 Rennen und führte sein erstes Rennen an.

1978 kam die Chance mit einem Scuderia Everest Chevron B42 mit Ferrari-Motor in der Formel 2 zu fahren. Die Ergebnisse waren enttäuschend und gegen Mitte der Saisn beschloss De Angelis, in die Formel 3 zurückzukehren und zu versuchen, den Formel 3-Grand Prix von Monaco noch ein Mal zu gewinnen. Das gelang ihm auch und dieser Sieg, in jenen Zeiten fast eine Garantie für einen Formel 1-Vertrag, brachte ihm die Chance ein, im September für das Shadow Formel 1 Team zu testen.

Es gab zwar einen Vertrag mit Tyrrell, aber schlussendlich landete der Unterneherssohn bei Shadow. Im Alter von 20 Jahren debütierte er in der Formel 1, aber mit dem Ruf ein „Pay-Driver“ zu sein. Einer, der f6ur das Fahren Geld mitbringt. Zu Unrecht. Ende der Saison sah die Geschichte bereits anders aus, Colin Chapman nahm den jungen Römer unter Vertrag. De Angelis stieg aus seinem Shadow-Vertrag aus und wurde bei Lotus Teamkollege von Mario Andretti. Die Klage von Shadow folget auf dem Fusse, aber die Entscheidung war die richtige und bei seinem zweiten Rennen für Lotus wurde er in Brasilien Zweiter. Die nächsten Rennen bis Österreich blieben zwar punktelos, in Monza und Watkins Glen wurde er Vierter.

Sein erster Sieg errang Elio beim Grossen Preis von Österreich 1982, ein wahrer Krimi, bei dem de Angelis haarknapp vor Keke Rosberg im Williams die Ziellinie überquerte. 1985 feierte er seinen nächsten Sieg nachdem Alain Prost in Imola disqualifiziert wurde. Zu diesem Zeitpunkt war aber Ayrton Senna ins Team gekommen und es war klar, dass de Angelis, wenn er bei Lotus bleiben wollte, sich mit der Nummer zwei begnügen musste.

1986 nahm er Bernie Ecclestones Einladung an und wechselte zu Brabham als Teamkollege von Riccardo Patrese. Das Team hatte den radikal flachen BT55 mit BMW-Turbo-Motor. Das Auto war so niedrig, dass es den Spitznamen “Skateboard” bekam. Bei Testfahrten am 14. Mai in Paul Ricard geschah das Unglück. Der Heckflügels löste sich, das Auto hob ab, Überscshlug sich durch die Fangzäune und fing Feuer. De Angelis musste von Alan Jones und Nigel Mansell, die an diesem Tag auch in Le Castellet testeten, und seinen Brabham Mechanikern aus dem Auto geholt werden. Er starb am frühen Morgen des folgenden Tages in einem Krankenhaus in Marseille durch einen Atemstillstand – eine Folge des giftigen Rauches, den er eingeatmet hatte.

Geboren: 26. März 1958 in Rom, Italien
Gestorben: 15. Mai 1986 in Marseille, Frankreich, im Alter von 28 Jahren.

The graph below illustrates the predicted emissions from the housing sector by age of housing stock for the period 2002 to 2050. It shows that the overwhelming proportion of emissions will continue to come from houses built before 2002. The dotted lines represent the emissions from all housing required to achieve a 60% and 80% reduction in emissions vs 1990 levels. Emissions from each band decreases over time due to demolition.

Figure 1. Carbon emissions from housing sector by age of housing stock, 2002 - 2050

Clearly by focusing so heavily on new housing we're ignoring the heart of the problem: existing stock. If we're going to get anywhere near the 60% (or 80%) reduction in emissions, we need a strategy that drastically cuts emissions from existing housing. 

Yes, Code 6 is a good thing, at least in principle. All new homes should be zero carbon and they should be allowed to take advantage of off-site renewables provided strict rules on additionality can be met. So let's take it as read that no net emissions from new homes is good and make it as easy as reasonably possible for developers to meet this target.

But dreaming about Code 7 isn't productive. Neither is it productive to consider each new development in isolation. Sure the GLA  and some other planning authorities are insisting that new buildings are "district heating ready" but they continue to be limited by the Woking mindset, where small islands are considered independently. They're not thinking big enough to make a real dent in emissions.

Instead we need to invest in improving efficiency and in systems that supply energy on the block and district scale. We need to use new developments as energy hubs that can reach into areas of existing stock with high density of demand. We need to follow the Danish model of investing in the central energy infrastructure required to move heat from the point of generation to the point of consumption. And then we can take advantage of the economies of scale allowed by large scale combined heat and power, energy from waste, and any other sources of low carbon heat. Messing about with a tiny CHP engine here and there will do nothing to address the larger issue.

You might point to past and ongoing feasibility studies into heat networks in London other cities and argue that things are already moving in the right direction. But these studies have been going on for years. Consultants get paid, reports get published, and nothing happens. Absolutely nothing. I hope Lord Turner will agree, it's time to take action.

Notes on the graph. I took housing stock figure for 2002 and 2050 from figures from the Environmental Change institute. Break down in housing stock by age comes from the Survey of English Housing, figures available here (.xls) and I've assumed the proportions for all UK housing stock. Emissions from each type of housing stock up to 2002 come from GPG 171 (pdf) but I had to tweak them a tiny bit to get the overall totals to agree with the total emissions from the housing sector as published by DEFRA. For 2002 to 2015 I based the emissions on SAP with an allowance for cooking, appliances, and more realistic occupant behaviour. For demolition, I assumed that probability of demolition is proportional to the age of the house.

Jones reckoned that testing in November and December will be like a sweetner for the German who won 7 world titles, and being competitive he would be getting the bug to return full time.

He also reckoned that Schumacher could do what Niki Lauda did, taking some time out, then returning to win the title.

"After nearly a year out of the saddle, I can image him thinking, 'Maybe I'd like to have another go.' It must be just like coming back from an extended Christmas break." Jones told Autosport Magazine

"He used to take a couple of months off at the end of each season, so another few months won't make a big difference. Two or three years might have done.

"It's a win-win situation: Ferrari gains from his expertise and he enjoys it. And you can never rule out a comeback - he might be thinking, 'I'm really enjoying this!' Money won't be his motivation, it will be to prove a point.

"Niki Lauda was out for several seasons and came back and won the title. Michael could do the same."

I wanted to write a post about an item on tonight's edition of MediaWatch (an ABC program here in Oz), I intended to link to the MediaWatch page but the relevant content isn't up yet. The main story on MediaWatch tonight was about the commercial stations reporting on African gangs in Melbourne. These prime time news programs claimed that gangs of Africans were roaming the streets, causing trouble, raiding bottle shops and scaring the bejesus out of everyone. The news items co-incided with a decision by the Government to prevent African refugees entering Australia until the middle of next year. The MediaWatch team found that the stories were completely fabricated, the 'witnesses' were misquoted and mis-represented. On closer inspection, it was easy to see that the video evidence that was used to support the story - on various channels - didn't even feature Africans! How can this happen? Worse still, what percentage of commercial news viewers watch MediaWatch? Not many; they are still under the impression that Africans gangs are running Melbourne suburbs. As the original eye witness said 'this is a gang issue' not a 'race issue'. This fair minded commentary was obviously ommitted from the news coverage because it didn't fit with the broader political agenda. How are we supposed to have faith in global news agencies and news producers when this type of manipulation is occurring at the local level? 

I believe that the above is partly a reflection of commercial broadcast media in Australia, which is at worst racist and bigoted and at best peurile and pointless. Take Alan Jones, who fails to disclose his personal interests (which are in the millions of dollars) while positioning himself as the 'voice of the people'. Link to this MediaWatch story for more on this. In the end, all Australians suffer...while those in power manipulate and spin to suit their own self serving agenda.  

I am over celebrity criminals, in the same way I am over celebrity chefs and Big Brother bogans polluting the airwaves with their inane drivel.  The following is a list of people who should be imprisoned for the term of their natural life.

John Howard - for crimes against humanity

Paris Hilton - for being a brain dead trashbag

Lindsay Lohan - ditto

Nicole Ritchie - for being an upchucking trashbag

Britney Spears - psychobitch trashbag

Pole Huggers - the cretins on the train who take up all the available space.

Alan Jones - rancid, toilet trading rightwing polluter of the airwaves

Gossip columnists - the vile molls who write Sydney Confidential

Naomi Robson - tabloid cretin

Anna Coren - as one tabloid cretin dies, another pops up

Tracey Grimshaw - she should know better

By removing these people from society we will live in a better world.  It is time all good people rose up and launched a law and order kick,  If you see any of these people out and about on the street, please for the sake of your fellow citizen, take them directly to jail. 

Alan Jones has been sacked from his $100, 000 a year job delivering turgid editorials on the Nine Network's Today programme.  Thank God! 

And while this is undoubtedly good news for those who like me hate the man;  I am amazed, flabbergasted even, that it took twenty years to get rid of the right wing toss pot. 

Seriously, the man has all the warmth of heated-up gangrene.   And on breakfast television too! 

Time and time again the alleged toilet-trader has been busted for plagiarism. 

Time and time again he is before the courts for breaching broadcasting standards. 

And time and time again he has made me want to throw my cornflakes at the tele. 

Well no more.  Alan, it is time for you to go mate.  Perhaps in your retirement, you and the suburban solicitor could play a round of golf. 

The history preceding the findings against Jones should be set out before looking at the allegations in detail.

On 4 December 2005, two or three off-duty volunteer lifesavers were reported to have been assaulted by a group of Lebanese men at Cronulla beach. Jones mentioned the issue on his program on from Monday 5 - Friday 9 December 2005. It was alleged was that gangs of Lebanese men had been harassing beachgoers over a number of years, that it was a persistent problem and that the State government and the police were unwilling or unable to do anything about the matter.

On 7 December 2005, Jones read out a letter from a listener:

‘J’ has a good answer, he says police and the council are impotent here; all rhetoric and no action: "My suggestion is to invite the biker gangs to be present at Cronulla Railway station when these Lebanese thugs arrive, the biker gangs have been much maligned but they do a lot of good things – it would be worth the price of admission to watch these cowards scurry back onto the train for the return trip to their lairs…and wouldn’t it be brilliant if the whole event was captured on TV cameras and featured on the evening news so that we, their parents, family and friends can see who these bastards are…Australians old and new should not have to put up with this scum..."

[offending statement emphasised]

On 8 December 2005, Jones mentioned a text message which was being sent around which stated, "This Sunday every Aussie in the Shire get down to North Cronulla to support the Leb and Wog bashing day, bring your mates, let's show them that this is our beach and they're never welcome." He then said:

"And I say to all those young - hey, you're not in charge of law and order, we do have law and order people. Boys, don't get down there and come at this nonsense, this will only make things worse. The police are genuinely concerned now that the SMS is going to inflame things even further and we'll – we're talking about vigilante retribution."

A caller, 'B', contacted Jones on 8 December expressed concern that the issue was not as one-sided as it had been portrayed, and that both sides were egging each other on. Jones responded as follows:

"Yeah, let’s not get too carried away ‘B’, we don’t have Anglo-Saxon kids out there raping women in Western Sydney. So let’s not get carried away with all this mealy-mouthed talk about there being two sides. I can tell you, because my correspondence here from mums and dads I am inundated, and I don’t hear people complaining about Catholics and Protestants and Anglicans, I’m sorry, but there’s this religious element in all of this and we've got to make sure that we welcome people into our community but we welcome them in on certain terms and certain standards and those standards are not being met. So let's not have this mealy mouth talk about oh well, everyone's to blame. All across Sydney there is a universal concern that there are gangs, the gangs are of one ethnic composition, and they have one thing in mind and I've read some of the correspondence from here…"

[offending statement emphasised]

On 11 December 2005, there was a gathering of people at Cronulla beach to "reclaim the beach". Although the event started off peacefully, the demonstrators began to assault people of a "Middle Eastern appearance". They also threw cans at and attacked police and ambulance personnel. On the evening of 11 December and the following day, there were retaliatory attacks by groups of youths of "Middle Eastern appearance", in which vehicles and shops were vandalised, some people were assaulted and one man was stabbed. This event later became known as the 2005 Cronulla Riots.

There was a perception that the NSW State government trod very lightly on this issue because of fears that they could alienate a certain sector of the voting public. It is worth noting that Lakemba is in Premier Iemma's electorate. But this does no one any favours. In the long run, it increases tension and resentment. Jones was able to pick up the perception of preferential treatment, and use it to his advantage. If there is a problem with ethnic gangs in Sydney, it should be faced openly by all (police, government, Lebanese-Australians and other Australians). Gang members should be treated equally by police and the government, regardless of their ethnicity. It is not good to try and suppress concerns on the basis of "political correctness".

I think it is a mistake to simply write off the Cronulla riots as "racist". As caller 'B' said to Jones, there are two sides to every story. On the one hand, groups of young men (seemingly of predominantly Lebanese extraction) were coming to Cronulla beach to make trouble. But on the other hand, it is not fair if innocent people (Lebanese, Middle Eastern or just "of Middle Eastern appearance") are prevented from coming to Cronulla beach or are abused because of their appearance. As I have always said on this blog, people should not be judged on the basis of their ethnic background or their religion, but by their behaviour. Each group needs to take a long hard look at violent, racist behaviour within their own community, and make it clear that there is no excuse for picking fights or harassing innocent beach goers.

It seems clear, also, that there was a failure by the State government to take the problem seriously until matters had escalated. If there had been more police available to patrol the beaches before the riots occurred, and to nip any fights in the bud, it may be that the riots would not have happened.

It seems to me that Jones' comments were very ill-considered indeed, and he certainly inflamed tensions. The comment that really gets my goat is "we don’t have Anglo-Saxon kids out there raping women in Western Sydney." This suggests that Anglo-Saxon men do not commit rape, but Middle Eastern and Lebanese men do. Anyone who looks at criminal law cases involving rape will know that rapists come from all ethnicities and backgrounds. One only has to look at this report about two recent rapes to establish this (one rapist appears to have been an Anglo-Australian man, born and bred here; the other appears to have been a dark-skinned man who originated from another country.)

To my mind, Alan Jones is no better than the Mufti, Sheik Hillaly. The Mufti suggests Australian women are asking for it; Jones suggests that all Lebanese Muslim men are rapists. Both comments are utterly irresponsible. Both pander to popular stereotypes held by their respective audiences, and do not admit any moderation. I believe that Jones should resign, just as I believe that the Mufti should resign. Rape is not about how much clothing the victim is wearing. Nor is it about the ethnicity of the perpetrator. Both of these things are excuses. Rape is about power, and a desire to degrade the victim.

The comment about "we don’t have Anglo-Saxon kids out there raping women in Western Sydney" refers to the Sydney gang rapes committed by the Skaf brothers and their associates. The perpetrators were of a Lebanese background. This underlying issue contributed greatly to the tension leading to the Cronulla riots. Bilal Skaf was alleged to have taunted his victims about their Australian background. He is said to have called one rape victim an "Aussie pig", asked her if "Leb cock tasted better than Aussie cock" and explained to her that she would now be raped "Leb-style". Another victim was said to have been told by a perpetrator, "You deserve it because you're an Australian". Although I apologise for the offensive nature of these comments, I have set them out in full to show that a passing reference by Jones to the matter was capable of creating great anger and distress in listeners.

As I have discussed before, if there was not a racist element to the crime, the background of the perpetrators would be irrelevant. But because of the racial motive, the ethnic background of the perpetrators should be mentioned, because otherwise the crime cannot be fully understood.

However, the media has to be responsible about the way in which it reports and deals with these problems. People who hold a great deal of power to sway public opinion should be very careful. Just because some Muslim Lebanese people are thugs does not mean all Muslim Lebanese people are bad. By the same token, just because some Australian people are thugs does not mean all Australians are bad. While one should not be bound by "political correctness", and should be able to say that particular people within a group are behaving badly, it is irresponsible to suggest that an entire community is bad. To suggest that the problem only comes from one group or the other does not help matters at all. It just inflames tensions further, and increases resentment between the two groups. But I suspect that is how a demagogue like Jones gets his jollies.

I really dislike the politics of fear. It results in bad decisions. It allows an angry mob to jump to conclusions. It is difficult to control once released. I am very wary of appeals to mass prejudice - that way lies immense evil. I wish our political leaders had had the courage of their convictions to reject the siren call of people like Jones.

"They don't fear fines and they laugh at the courts."

Sound familiar? Naming a child witness in a murder trial and asking bikie gangs to beat up ethnic kids at a beach is the worst kind of media rubbish. It will be interesting to see if the Today morning show continues to keep Alan Jones's "daily editorial comment" [Update: not only did they keep him on, they let him defend himself as his daily comment]. Is John Howard going to continue to appear on Alan Jones' show?
Read the findings - Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) MR35/2007

[Updated 21st April 2007: Well it appears crime really does pay in Australia for the media whores at 2GB - a $1000 fine and nine month good behaviour bond for Alan Jones, $3000 fine for Harbour Radio and $4000 fine for the Telegraph. Nice to see our justice system protected. I'm sure witnesses will feel secure giving evidence while under age as long as Alan Jones is on a good behaviour bond. His actions could easily have resulted in the murder of the juvenile witness in a murder trial. He's not sorry, he's telling regulators to get stuffed! Alan Jones needs a stint in jail, not a slap on the wrist. You're responsible for your actions Alan Jones, take some responsibility for them like a grown man.

On another note, the following advertisers are *still* giving their money to 2GB, these messages of bigotry, violence and hatred are funded with the assistance of: Addbuild Additions, Blue Haven Pools, Dedes Restaurant, Doors Plus, Dyldam, Flying Fish, Health & Image, MBT Centre, Heart Check Medical Clinic, L.J. Hooker, Nature Bee, Nick's Seafood Restaurant, Nimbo Fork Luxury Fly Fishing Lodge, Officespace Australia Wide, P&O Cruises, Park Trent Properties Group, Premier Cabs Pty Limited, Sam the Paving Man, Switzer Financial Services, The Eye Institute, The Gazebo and Woolooware Shores Lifestyle Village and have recently added Parklea Markets and Robemaker to their list of bigotry supporters. Do you think these two new advertisers have brought in more money than the fines took out? Way to go ACMA, you've sold our airwaves out, hope you're getting a cut.]

Each district ward has three members to represent it, and last Thursday evening Budleigh's Conservative branch underwent a selection process to determine who would represent them in the Budleigh ward.

Of the six applicants - two female and four male - the three chosen were all male. They are sitting councillor and East Devon District Council portfolio holder for the environment Ray Franklin and two with no political experience - Malcolm Florey, former head of Biction College, and local businessman Steve Hall.

One of the two unsuccessful female candidates was a sitting Independent councillor since 2003, Lesley Roden, who had expressed a wish to cross the floor to the Conservative Party last summer.

The other candidate was Caz Sismore-Hunt, a Budleigh town councillor for 12 years and former town mayor.

Mrs Sismore-Hunt said: "I'm obviously disappointed that I didn't get selected. It is curious that not a single woman has been selected to stand for the Conservative Party in the Budleigh Ward for 16 years."

Each of the six candidates was asked the same six questions and was given 15 minutes to respond to a nine-member selection committee before being given the chance to ask their own questions.

Alan Jones, a member of the selection committee said: "There was no conspiracy from what I could see. They chose the best candidates for the job. Everybody had a vote and after we voted they were nominated as candidates. To me it seemed perfectly above board."

Neither branch treasurer Tim Wood nor Tory agent for East Budleigh and Budleigh Salterton, Jonathon Quinn, had a vote and were chosen as independent observers.

Mr Quinn said: "Everyone who voted was a member of the local branch, all from Budleigh. I'm keen to stamp out this nonsense about us being against women candidates. In the past we have had many female councillors representing Budleigh.

"The current leader of the Conservative group at Devon County Council is Christine Channon, and she was selected by this committee.

"Everything was done by the rules, but we are not just going to select women for the sake of it. We chose the best candidates for the job.

Conservative leader David Cameron has introduced an action plan to identify potential 'A-list' female candidates for parliamentary elections.

But a spokesman from Conservative Central Office confirmed there were no plans for a similar strategy at local level.

Source: Exmouthjournal.co.uk

The previous week had seen the tragic and untimely death of Stefan Bellof at Spa in a 1000km sportscar race and there is a brief tribute at the start from Ken Tyrell who was running Stefan this year.

It's interesting to see the cars sliding around so much during the first couple of laps, particularly through "curva grande" and the "lesmos" and notice how the circuit has changed during the last 20 years. I'd completely forgotten the first chicane was a left/right and the "lesmos" look great with the turbo cars going through.

Listen out for Mansell's very sick Williams Honda early on and notice Stefan Johansson thumbing a lift back to the pits with Elio de Angelis just after the finish. Alan Jones also makes a brief appearance in the Beatrice Lola Hart after been tempted out of retirement.

The full video is 27 minutes with commentary from Murray Walker and James Hunt.

For full race stats visit Wikipedia or Forix.

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