Deerly Beloved
I’ve already blogged this yesterday, but thanks to the mysteries of cyberspace, that piece of fine literature is now nowhere to be found, especially not on this blog, where it should be, and where it existed for about 5 minutes. It’s about deer.
Scottish deer are mysteriously appearing in Ireland. Non-native species that could cause a lot
of damage. How? Environmentalists say they are captured, sedated, then smuggled cross-borders in the backs of vans and trucks. Who? Irish hunters, who are bored to death by shooting Irish deer.
No finacial incentive is suspected behind the smuggling of live deer, it’s just that hunters need something new to shoot at. Irish deer must be boring. They need new victims, that feed, live, run, and hide in different places. There are a few problems with this. Deer that would otherwise live happily in Scotland might get dragged to Ireland and end up being killed, either by hunters or officials, as there is a policy that all non-native species have to be killed, on sight. If they are not killed, they may outcompete indigenous species in the evolutionary war for food, or simply cause overgrazing, living side-by-side with native deer. Then, there is disease. Animals are usually quarantined after being transferred from one country to another to prevent infection. Irish shoot organizers, who are possibly behind all this, demonstrated yet again how good people are in meddling with nature. At least Scottish border officiers are now on the watch for anybody smuggling deer.
http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/scotland/Who-killed-Bambi--Irish.5119977.jp
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
The second...
Crimestoppers
An anonymous hotline has helped police in Scotland make more than forty arrests concerning drugs-possession, dealing- from altogether 151 apprehensions using the hotline information. There was also a considerable amount of illegal substances removed from the streets due to the arrests. The hotline is completely anonymous, even police don't get names from them, which is clearly the main reason for its success. Consider the possibility that one drug dealer wants to eliminate competition in the neighborhood. All they have to do is dial the hotline, and if they provide enough detail or evidence that the police think it could lead to an arrest, then they have successfully achieved their goal. One down, lots of others to go, still, when fighting crime little victories count a lot. Naturally, most calls come from people worried about their community, and police forces admit that they get a lot of useful intelligence from the hotline, even though some overzealous cop wannabes can't be avoided. They encourage people to use the hotline to report events that are suspicious, or provide detail on individulas wanted by the authorities. It's a nice thing to see that something simple is working and has actual results. Stolen goods were another field where the hotline proved to be a major help. Still, drugs are the main objective, and so far the hotline has helped a great deal. Maybe it's time people realize they can help keep their communities clean by advocating police work, not hindering it. Just don't get too carried away.
http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/40-drug-dealers-charged-in.5120556.jp
Crimestoppers
An anonymous hotline has helped police in Scotland make more than forty arrests concerning drugs-possession, dealing- from altogether 151 apprehensions using the hotline information. There was also a considerable amount of illegal substances removed from the streets due to the arrests. The hotline is completely anonymous, even police don't get names from them, which is clearly the main reason for its success. Consider the possibility that one drug dealer wants to eliminate competition in the neighborhood. All they have to do is dial the hotline, and if they provide enough detail or evidence that the police think it could lead to an arrest, then they have successfully achieved their goal. One down, lots of others to go, still, when fighting crime little victories count a lot. Naturally, most calls come from people worried about their community, and police forces admit that they get a lot of useful intelligence from the hotline, even though some overzealous cop wannabes can't be avoided. They encourage people to use the hotline to report events that are suspicious, or provide detail on individulas wanted by the authorities. It's a nice thing to see that something simple is working and has actual results. Stolen goods were another field where the hotline proved to be a major help. Still, drugs are the main objective, and so far the hotline has helped a great deal. Maybe it's time people realize they can help keep their communities clean by advocating police work, not hindering it. Just don't get too carried away.
http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/40-drug-dealers-charged-in.5120556.jp
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Vanished Village
The tiny village of Tarbert, population 600, has vanished off of the face of the Earth, at least according to Google Maps. Guarded by the ruins of Robert the Bruce’s castle, the small fishing village fell victim to modernization, and now is in danger of losing a great share of its major source of income.
Sat nav systems are directing users away from the village leading to a major drop in tourism, which has gradually become the primary source of income for Tarbert, replacing fishing. These systems, redirecting traffic to a single track route - used mainly for recreational purposes originally - offer a short-cut to the nearby ferry to Islay, and, even worse, designate a city named Carse to the spot where Tarbert should be.
Traders and business owners are worried about losing hundreds of potential customers who have no idea that one of Scotland’s most beautiful harbors is awaiting them only a mile away.
How does a village that holds the second-largest annual yacht race in the UK just disappear? A popular tourist spot, Tarbert could suffer greatly from the mistake. The Community Council have already filed a complaint, since they have no control over the content of Google Maps, and are waiting for a solution.
Google Maps' main supplier, Tele Atlas, is investigating the complaint.
Meanwhile, the Council encourages people to use the mapping system available on their website, while others point out the importance of using old-fashioned maps. Old, but not at all obsolete.
http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/The-Scottish-village-that-has.5073841.jp
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Stem cell-brain drain
Scotland has been one of the world leaders in science for many years now, and recently, with the hot debates overseas over stem-cell research, it has strenghtened its position. Scottish scientists are considered the finest when it comes to the issue of stem-cells, but now they might leave their homeland for better opportunities, and more money, to continue their research in the U.S.
Former U.S. President Bush had issued a ban on stem-cell research in the States, which led to many scientists leaving the country to pursue their goals elsewhere, Scotland being a prime destination to many. As a result, Scotland became the world-leader in the area, but now the process might get reversed.
President Obama’s lift of the ban has some Scots worried about their ability to retain their premiere researchers, as a massive dose of funding is now expected to be available in America. It may cost Scotland some of its brightest minds, but, even more troubling is the fact that the country’s economy is expected to take a serious blow, as stem-cell research could mean an estimated 50 million pounds to Scotland by 2015.
Experts say its is difficult to compete with salaries in the U.S., and that the ban could cost Scotland its competitive edge.
Still, others are less pessimistic, seeing an opportunity for collaboration rather than being afraid of suffering a ‘brain drain’. As long as funding in the UK remains as it is, there is no need to panic, they argue. Also, Scotland’s expertise and public support could be decisive factors.
Whether the lift will have a positive or negative outcome regarding scientific life in Scotland is still to be decided. One thing is for sure: either in Scotland or in America, stem-cell reasearch will take center stage in years to come, and the possibilities, with new found wealth from the States to help, are limitless.
http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/Fears-of-brain-drain-from.5054077.jp
Scotland has been one of the world leaders in science for many years now, and recently, with the hot debates overseas over stem-cell research, it has strenghtened its position. Scottish scientists are considered the finest when it comes to the issue of stem-cells, but now they might leave their homeland for better opportunities, and more money, to continue their research in the U.S.
Former U.S. President Bush had issued a ban on stem-cell research in the States, which led to many scientists leaving the country to pursue their goals elsewhere, Scotland being a prime destination to many. As a result, Scotland became the world-leader in the area, but now the process might get reversed.
President Obama’s lift of the ban has some Scots worried about their ability to retain their premiere researchers, as a massive dose of funding is now expected to be available in America. It may cost Scotland some of its brightest minds, but, even more troubling is the fact that the country’s economy is expected to take a serious blow, as stem-cell research could mean an estimated 50 million pounds to Scotland by 2015.
Experts say its is difficult to compete with salaries in the U.S., and that the ban could cost Scotland its competitive edge.
Still, others are less pessimistic, seeing an opportunity for collaboration rather than being afraid of suffering a ‘brain drain’. As long as funding in the UK remains as it is, there is no need to panic, they argue. Also, Scotland’s expertise and public support could be decisive factors.
Whether the lift will have a positive or negative outcome regarding scientific life in Scotland is still to be decided. One thing is for sure: either in Scotland or in America, stem-cell reasearch will take center stage in years to come, and the possibilities, with new found wealth from the States to help, are limitless.
http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/Fears-of-brain-drain-from.5054077.jp
Sunday, March 1, 2009
U-turn by Health Board
After showing that Scotland is in the lead as an environmentalist country, they again demonstrated that they can set an example in other areas of life as well. This week in Glasgow a lesbian couple was offered help to concieve a baby after seeking damages at the court of Edinburgh. The initial rulig was that the couple was ineligible for NHS-funded fertility treantment, but an unprecedented U-turn by the health board changed their luck.
Their case lasted two years, starting in January 2007. Originally they were told their only chance would be expensive private treatment. Although the Board claimed they were not rejected on grounds of sexual orientation, the couple appealed at a court of law citing sexual discrimination as the cause.
NHS’ position in the beginning was straightforward. Although “treatment acceptance criteria" had been applied to the couple as they would have been to any other, “the board , initially took the view that the couple did not meet the necessary criteria to receive NHS-funded treatment.”
The rules, however, the couple claimed, made no reference to any requirements that only an opposite sex couple can get treatment. This, combined with the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Act 2008 and Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) regulations 2007, led to a strong case, and an eventual turnaround.
The couple now is eligible, and will recieve funded treatment to help them become parents.
Scotland again displayed the ability to overcome blinded bias, and set the path for other countries to follow in matters of equality.
http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/display.var.2492186.0.0.php
After showing that Scotland is in the lead as an environmentalist country, they again demonstrated that they can set an example in other areas of life as well. This week in Glasgow a lesbian couple was offered help to concieve a baby after seeking damages at the court of Edinburgh. The initial rulig was that the couple was ineligible for NHS-funded fertility treantment, but an unprecedented U-turn by the health board changed their luck.
Their case lasted two years, starting in January 2007. Originally they were told their only chance would be expensive private treatment. Although the Board claimed they were not rejected on grounds of sexual orientation, the couple appealed at a court of law citing sexual discrimination as the cause.
NHS’ position in the beginning was straightforward. Although “treatment acceptance criteria" had been applied to the couple as they would have been to any other, “the board , initially took the view that the couple did not meet the necessary criteria to receive NHS-funded treatment.”
The rules, however, the couple claimed, made no reference to any requirements that only an opposite sex couple can get treatment. This, combined with the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Act 2008 and Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) regulations 2007, led to a strong case, and an eventual turnaround.
The couple now is eligible, and will recieve funded treatment to help them become parents.
Scotland again displayed the ability to overcome blinded bias, and set the path for other countries to follow in matters of equality.
http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/display.var.2492186.0.0.php
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