Misunderstood...Behind blue eyes

Our leaders, such as they are, nearly always disappoint me when faced with a critical decision to make. It seems it is human nature to make the self-serving decision, or the belligerent decision (the 'my army's bigger than your army!' one).
But perhaps I am guilty of misunderstanding. This brilliant post, on an equally great blog, could be applied in a thousand situations, and the news in Thailand this week reminded me of the classic Who song (improved by the Limp Bizkit cover).
Thailand's National Anti-Corruption committee have been collectively found guilty of corruption. The irony is almost too much to bear! They are now refusing to resign from office, and their 2-year suspended jail sentences do not seem to officially make that a foregone conclusion!? But their dreams, they aren't as empty as their conscience seems to be!
The Thai airport scanner scandal rumbles on, despite the papers trumpeting the headline that the US embassy confirmed there was no corruption involved. On closer reading it transpired that an anonymous member of the embassy staff appeared to some journalists who were forbade from taking pictures, and lo, he did tell them that all was well in the Kingdom of Thailand, and no kickbacks were received by any government official...behind blue eyes!
The fact that the US embassy would be involved in something this shady says a lot...they have not yet disowned the statements.
So, next time you feel disgust down in the pit of your stomach with the incompetence, blatant self-interest and tissue of lies that seems to hold our societies together, just remember, no-one knows what it's like, to be the bad man, to be the sad man, behind blue eyes.

Web trends

Has anyone noticed that the web has changed? Whereas before we were all quite content to use it as a tool. To book a holiday, order a pizza, download music (paid for, of course, ahem), find the latest news on the Iraq debacle, etc.
Now there is this seemingly unquenchable desire to tell others that we are here! Presence. What is your web presence? It started with chat, then moved to IM, and now we are seeing the next phase with blogs and sites like 43things and flickr.
My thoughts are that this trend will continue and lead to stronger and stronger communities on the web.
People always like to belong, they like to be in the golf club, the rotary, an American, a frenchman, a Linux devotee, Xbox360 or PS3, and so on.
On the web, I have trouble believing that there will be a meaningful community called Scottish, for example. It is too broad and although I might be a member of that group, I am unlikely to consider it my 'home' ('home, home on the range/net' ).
What does this say about countries, and communities in general? Communities of large numbers of people have power, they can affect things in the real world.
If there was a community of people for, say, Manchester United, how many people would that be? What level of loyalty would they have to the 'brand'? What influence would they have on issues like travel (to Manchester). What if they elected representatives and collected large quantities of money as 'tax'/subscription?
As it says on despair.com, "never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups". Food for thought.....?

Hmmm...What's in a name!?

First post to this blog and I thought I'd better explain the title.
This blog has no gratuitous sex, but does have (or will have) some discussion on Plato, Literature, Technology, Alcohol, Current Affairs, Sex and Sport, all subjects close to my heart ;P
In the past this might have comprised of talking to a bargirl about a book on Plato and its relevance to AI while somewhat inebriated and simultaneously watching Liverpool on the bar TV.
However, now those days are gone...so instead of rambling on to various unsuspecting bar staff, I'll be taking it out on you!