Items selected on general interest and abelard's long-term purpose to develop a more rational and thoughtful society; not driven by current affairs as first priority. Updated as items of interest are found. News topic classification is flexible - the world is seamless. http://www.abelard.org/news.htm http://www.livejournal.com/userpic/18354399/4102511 http://www.abelard.org/news.htm 10078 http://www.abelard.org/news/behaviour0804.php#burma_usa_france_090508 http://www.abelard.org/news/behaviour0804.php#burma_usa_france_090508 A lesson in how behaving with integrity is more intelligent than succumbing to paranoia and dominance. Sadly, millions of human lives are at stake. http://www.abelard.org/news/politics0805.php#controlling_iran_090508 http://www.abelard.org/news/politics0805.php#controlling_iran_090508 The threats created by a country run by fanatical and dishonest despots can no longer be safely brushed aside. http://www.abelard.org/news/ecology0805.php#peak_oil_090508 http://www.abelard.org/news/ecology0805.php#peak_oil_090508 Back to self-sufficiency, and darning socks! http://www.abelard.org/news/politics0805.php#korea_usa_080508 http://www.abelard.org/news/politics0805.php#korea_usa_080508 A statesman of integrity and honour acts. Would presidential hopefuls have behaved similarly? Well, maybe not. http://www.abelard.org/news/fun0803.php#one_horsepower_080508 http://www.abelard.org/news/fun0803.php#one_horsepower_080508 Clever idea, but why bother with the ironmongery? Isn't a saddle or a buggy sufficient? http://www.abelard.org/news/politics0805.php#nu_labour_leader_060508 http://www.abelard.org/news/politics0805.php#nu_labour_leader_060508 After the worst local election results for over forty years, what will the UK party in government do to try and recover credibility? http://www.abelard.org/news/lite0805.php#tethered_windmills_060508 http://www.abelard.org/news/lite0805.php#tethered_windmills_060508 This looks a good suggestion - get rid of huge static windmills on poles and instead, use rotating blimps, flown like kites. http://www.abelard.org/news/politics0805.php#biofuel_politics_050508 http://www.abelard.org/news/politics0805.php#biofuel_politics_050508 If the right sources are chosen, biofuels do not need to 'steal' food. Now to make the politicos understand and act. http://www.abelard.org/news/energy0805.php#cellulosic_ethanol_050508 http://www.abelard.org/news/energy0805.php#cellulosic_ethanol_050508 Producing alternative fuels without 'stealing' food resources means using non-food sources, like plant cellulose - you know, the inedible or woody bits. Here's further progress. http://www.abelard.org/news/politics0805.php#clown_pensions_030508 http://www.abelard.org/news/politics0805.php#clown_pensions_030508 A clear example of socialism, as created by Gordon Brown - tax until the people bleed, while giving the money to union and government cronies. http://www.abelard.org/news/civil-liberties2008.php#socialist_transparency_030508 http://www.abelard.org/news/civil-liberties2008.php#socialist_transparency_030508 According to socialists, your most personal details will be available - on the net - for anyone good or bad to see. http://www.abelard.org/news/fun0803.php#zero_gravity_boomerang_020508 http://www.abelard.org/news/fun0803.php#zero_gravity_boomerang_020508 Does it work? Yes, but then there is still air. So aerodynamics is not dependent on gravity - how about that?! http://www.abelard.org/news/economics0805.php#browns_northern_crock_errors_010508 http://www.abelard.org/news/economics0805.php#browns_northern_crock_errors_010508 Gordon Brown's central command policy removed the wise head that could have prevented a severely weakened UK high street bank now being owned by the government. http://www.abelard.org/news/energy0805.php#uk_mps_nuclear_010508 http://www.abelard.org/news/energy0805.php#uk_mps_nuclear_010508 The knowledge and intelligence gap of elected UK politicians regarding the development of nuclear power. It looks like Luddite greenies are determined to maintain ignorance and fear in the wider public, including politicos, and so ensure the return to, at least, the Middle Ages. http://www.abelard.org/news/ecology0803.php#vertical_farms_290408 http://www.abelard.org/news/ecology0803.php#vertical_farms_290408 With more and more people needing housing and feeding, keeping the land for homes and putting crops in skyscrapers could make sense. http://www.abelard.org/france/pyrenees_mountain_range.php http://www.abelard.org/france/pyrenees_mountain_range.php The Pyrenees are almost two hundred and seventy miles of spectacular rocks, rivers and scenery, providing opportunities for skiing, walking, contemplation and study. Many new photographs, maps, facts, figures and commentary. A beta release. http://www.abelard.org/news/lite0802.php#lift_elevator_270408 http://www.abelard.org/news/lite0802.php#lift_elevator_270408 A box that goes up and down? Of course, it's a lift (or an elevator if you are in the USA). What makes them tick! http://www.abelard.org/news/politics0804.php#france_defiguree_260408 http://www.abelard.org/news/politics0804.php#france_defiguree_260408 The underside of France in pictures and words. http://www.abelard.org/news/politics0804.php#obama_constituencies_250408 http://www.abelard.org/news/politics0804.php#obama_constituencies_250408 Who supports Barack Obama, and are any of them racist? http://www.abelard.org/news/gordon_brown.php http://www.abelard.org/news/gordon_brown.php abelard looks at the British Prime minister, who is proving to not be as bright a spark as he was billed.