That hoopy frude knew where his towel was

So, it would have been Douglas Adams’ 61st birthday today. That hoopy frude knew where his towel was.

We went to Devon for the weekend, and it snowed. Can you believe it, snow? In the middle of March! Global warming my dimpled arse! And it was perishing cold again this morning. I’ve had enough winter. I definitely need some sun. The dragon and the boy set sail for Taipei on Friday. I bet it’s warmer there. I wish I was going.

Apparently tomorrow the EU are to vote on the contents of a report concerning Women’s rights and gender equality. I wouldn’t normally be interested, but this particular report lays the foundations for a blanket ban on pornography in all media in the EU. It’s not clear exactly what “all media” means, though it has generally been accepted that the internet is included. It’s not clear either what definition will be used for “pornography”. At this stage it is only a report, which is a long way from legislation. My guess is that it will get thrown out fairly early on and we’ll here no more about it. There are some interesting comments made in the Telegraph by Brooke Magnanti, formally “Belle de Jour” which everyone should read.

I’m with Dr. Magnanti on this. It’s based on a flawed premise, it’s impossible to implement, and it will achieve nothing. There is also a freedom of choice issue at stake of course. But something occurs to me; how many MEPs are going to want to be seen voting against this? If it does get past this stage and some legislation is drafted, no prime minister is going to want to risk being seen as someone who supports the use of porn. It will be interesting to see where this goes.

The first World Naked Bike Ride events of 2013 have taken place in the southern hemisphere, and San Francisco. Does San Francisco do it twice a year? I like when I see the southern hemisphere do their events. It means it’s coming soon to the north. I hope the weather improves.

Chris Huhne and his ex-wife got eight months each for trying to share speeding tickets. Seems harsh. I thought it would be half that. They will only have to serve half their sentence however.

Unbelievably, the argument over the deportation of Abu Qatada took another turn today. The scumbag has been arrested again, on a technicality. He has breached his bail conditions by having mobile phone equipment in his home. The Home Secretary is now trying to suggest that Special Immigration Appeals Commission got it wrong when they blocked his deportation in November. Why the hell don’t they just kick the dirtball out?

Anyway, it’s late and I am going to go to bed.