Haha my friend was telling me about these a while back. Pretty fun stuff.
1
The latest oddities
Started By CodeCat, Dec 28 2006 21:33
1469 replies to this topic
#876
-
- Gold Member
-
- 5114 posts
Formerly known as Scopejim
-
Projects: Life
Posted 01 October 2010 - 22:04
#877
-
- Member
-
- 11705 posts
Member Title Goes Here
Posted 04 October 2010 - 02:49
Quote
Winston Churchill has become the first British prime minister ever to enter the pop charts after an album featuring some of his most famous speeches set to music debuted in fourth place at the weekend.
The album, Reach For The Skies, was recorded by the Central Band of the Royal Air Force to mark the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.
"It is great that to a long list of official chart stars including Elvis, Madonna, Cliff (Richard) and The Beatles, we can now add Winston Churchill," said Martin Talbot, managing director of the Official Charts Company.
"It is also a tribute to the amazing sacrifices of our servicemen that the British public have bought this RAF album in such large numbers."
The album, Reach For The Skies, was recorded by the Central Band of the Royal Air Force to mark the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.
"It is great that to a long list of official chart stars including Elvis, Madonna, Cliff (Richard) and The Beatles, we can now add Winston Churchill," said Martin Talbot, managing director of the Official Charts Company.
"It is also a tribute to the amazing sacrifices of our servicemen that the British public have bought this RAF album in such large numbers."
#878
-
- Administrator
-
- 9337 posts
Not a Wonky Gent.
Posted 05 October 2010 - 10:52
Quote
Museum Intentionally Showcases Particularly Bad Art
While New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Louvre in Paris need not lock up their treasures just yet, there is a new kid on the block.
The Museum of Particularly Bad Art in Melbourne, Australia, is attempting to boost the blossoming genre of paintings in poor taste with an annual exhibition and competition spotlighting, well, particularly bad art.
Inspired by the Museum of Bad Art in Boston, Museum of Particularly Bad Art curator Helen Round said her collection was kick-started in 1996 when friends presented her with a portrait of actor Scott Baio.
"Maybe you should never verbalize your dreams because someone will always make you follow them," Round joked to AOL News.
Subsequently hooked on art of dubious merit, Round began to amass a personal collection of paintings and other works of art that she eventually thought deserved a wider audience.
She mounted her debut exhibition in 1999 and another, more controversial, display in 2004.
That year, Round used her exhibition to protest the amount of money a local street festival was spending for what she perceived as little return.
"I said that for $400 I will get more attention than the $400,000 [they were spending]," Round explained. "The people I was protesting against heard and the next year they gave me funding."
An annual portrait exhibition and competition was born with art sourced from yard sales, secondhand stores and garbage piles.
"You find them everywhere," said Round, who says she owns more than 600 pieces of art -- a collection that could be the world's worst.
"I love earnest renderings and I love a passionate, yet uneducated, hand. That is what strikes a chord for me."
On a briefly serious note, Round said the amateur paintings do provide an insight into human behavior.
"They are time capsules," she said. "Which politicians, which celebrities, get painted? What is the fashionable breed of dog that gets painted? In the early 1980s there were lots of German shepherds. In the mid-'80s, there were lots of bull terriers.
"It is what people consider is important to themselves."
In the right circles, there's much money to be made in the art world, and Round estimates some of her collection might see a 100 percent return on her $2 investments.
"There are a lot of pieces that people would pay money for," she deadpanned. "You would be able to get a couple of hundred bucks a piece easily.
"I hope the exhibition can travel internationally," she added. "I would love to take it. A generous benefactor would be fantastic."
While New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Louvre in Paris need not lock up their treasures just yet, there is a new kid on the block.
The Museum of Particularly Bad Art in Melbourne, Australia, is attempting to boost the blossoming genre of paintings in poor taste with an annual exhibition and competition spotlighting, well, particularly bad art.
Inspired by the Museum of Bad Art in Boston, Museum of Particularly Bad Art curator Helen Round said her collection was kick-started in 1996 when friends presented her with a portrait of actor Scott Baio.
"Maybe you should never verbalize your dreams because someone will always make you follow them," Round joked to AOL News.
Subsequently hooked on art of dubious merit, Round began to amass a personal collection of paintings and other works of art that she eventually thought deserved a wider audience.
She mounted her debut exhibition in 1999 and another, more controversial, display in 2004.
That year, Round used her exhibition to protest the amount of money a local street festival was spending for what she perceived as little return.
"I said that for $400 I will get more attention than the $400,000 [they were spending]," Round explained. "The people I was protesting against heard and the next year they gave me funding."
An annual portrait exhibition and competition was born with art sourced from yard sales, secondhand stores and garbage piles.
"You find them everywhere," said Round, who says she owns more than 600 pieces of art -- a collection that could be the world's worst.
"I love earnest renderings and I love a passionate, yet uneducated, hand. That is what strikes a chord for me."
On a briefly serious note, Round said the amateur paintings do provide an insight into human behavior.
"They are time capsules," she said. "Which politicians, which celebrities, get painted? What is the fashionable breed of dog that gets painted? In the early 1980s there were lots of German shepherds. In the mid-'80s, there were lots of bull terriers.
"It is what people consider is important to themselves."
In the right circles, there's much money to be made in the art world, and Round estimates some of her collection might see a 100 percent return on her $2 investments.
"There are a lot of pieces that people would pay money for," she deadpanned. "You would be able to get a couple of hundred bucks a piece easily.
"I hope the exhibition can travel internationally," she added. "I would love to take it. A generous benefactor would be fantastic."
I don't think I have a macro strong enough for this. D;
Edited by Bob, 05 October 2010 - 10:53.
F O R T H E N S
#879
-
- Gold Member
-
- 5812 posts
Mountain Maniac
-
Projects: European Conflict - Particle FX & Coder
Posted 05 October 2010 - 15:11
Quote
a collection that could be the world's worst
No, that title is already taken by anyone who owns any art by Tracy Emin.
#880
-
- Member
-
- 11705 posts
Member Title Goes Here
Posted 09 October 2010 - 08:57
Quote
He is well-known for using foul language in lyrics, but rapper Eminem says bad words have no place in his own home with children around.
Early in his career, the Grammy-winning artist was often the object of complaints about violent, explicit, misogynistic and homophobic lyrics in songs from his albums such as The Slim Shady LP and The Marshal Mathers LP.
But at home, Eminem will have none of it. "Profanity around my house? No," he told 60 Minutes correspondent Anderson Cooper.
"I'm not saying there's not glimpses of me in the music, [that] there's not truth in... things that I say, but this is my music, this is my art," he added.
Eminem said he does not feel comfortable using profanity in front of his daughter Hailie, now 15, and his two other adopted daughters, Lainey and Whitney.
"I'm a parent, I have daughters. I mean, how would I really sound, as a person, walking around my house [saying] 'Bitch, pick this up.' You know what I mean? I don't cuss," he said.
Early in his career, the Grammy-winning artist was often the object of complaints about violent, explicit, misogynistic and homophobic lyrics in songs from his albums such as The Slim Shady LP and The Marshal Mathers LP.
But at home, Eminem will have none of it. "Profanity around my house? No," he told 60 Minutes correspondent Anderson Cooper.
"I'm not saying there's not glimpses of me in the music, [that] there's not truth in... things that I say, but this is my music, this is my art," he added.
Eminem said he does not feel comfortable using profanity in front of his daughter Hailie, now 15, and his two other adopted daughters, Lainey and Whitney.
"I'm a parent, I have daughters. I mean, how would I really sound, as a person, walking around my house [saying] 'Bitch, pick this up.' You know what I mean? I don't cuss," he said.
#881
-
- Gold Member
-
- 7580 posts
Forum Keymist
Posted 09 October 2010 - 10:00
Call me strange, but I'm not as surprised as I first thought I would be about that. Eminem is IMO quite different from most rappers; he's the only rapper I've ever heard who actually tries to make something out of his tracks. I guess if there is one rapper on the Earth who can be an artist, it's him. Of course the contrast this sketches is rather striking, but I mean, at least he's not one of those gangsta rappers who curse just because this impresses the locals.
TN
The brave hide behind technology. The stupid hide from it. The clever have technology, and hide it.
—The Book of Cataclysm
The brave hide behind technology. The stupid hide from it. The clever have technology, and hide it.
—The Book of Cataclysm
#882
-
- Gold Member
-
- 5812 posts
Mountain Maniac
-
Projects: European Conflict - Particle FX & Coder
Posted 09 October 2010 - 10:50
Chyros, on 9 Oct 2010, 11:00, said:
Call me strange, but I'm not as surprised as I first thought I would be about that. Eminem is IMO quite different from most rappers; he's the only rapper I've ever heard who actually tries to make something out of his tracks. I guess if there is one rapper on the Earth who can be an artist, it's him. Of course the contrast this sketches is rather striking, but I mean, at least he's not one of those gangsta rappers who curse just because this impresses the locals.
I couldn't have put it better myself, although Eminem had his share of bad rap, some of his songs did try to convey a message, this is in polar opposite to most mainstream rap which is just cuntfuckingly awful.
#883
-
- Member
-
- 11705 posts
Member Title Goes Here
Posted 10 October 2010 - 14:37
Quote
A South African community group wants US rap star 50 Cent to become the "godfather" to a rhino who survived a poaching attack after being shot nine times, just like the platinum-selling artist.
The black rhino named Phila survived two poaching attacks this year, despite being shot a total of nine times, community policing group eBlockwatch told South Africa's The Sunday Times.
50 Cent, most famous for hits like In Da Club and Candy Shop, was also shot nine times as he left drug-dealing on the streets of New York to begin his music career.
"We want to ask him if he wants to become the godfather of our rhino so that he can create awareness worldwide about rhino poaching," said Andre Snyman of eBlockwatch, which wants to tackle poaching in addition to its efforts to stop general crime.
Phila was shot twice in July but survived, he told the paper. Her owner on a private farm then cut off her horn to try to protect her, but three weeks later poachers returned, shot her seven times, and tried to hack out the stub.
Rhino poaching has doubled this year in South Africa, with 227 slaughtered so far compared to 122 in all of last year.
Experts blame the increase on demand for rhino horns in China and Vietnam, where it is used in traditional medicine.
If the rapper agrees to take on the project, Snyman said Phila could be renamed One Pound, because she's bigger than 50 Cent.
The black rhino named Phila survived two poaching attacks this year, despite being shot a total of nine times, community policing group eBlockwatch told South Africa's The Sunday Times.
50 Cent, most famous for hits like In Da Club and Candy Shop, was also shot nine times as he left drug-dealing on the streets of New York to begin his music career.
"We want to ask him if he wants to become the godfather of our rhino so that he can create awareness worldwide about rhino poaching," said Andre Snyman of eBlockwatch, which wants to tackle poaching in addition to its efforts to stop general crime.
Phila was shot twice in July but survived, he told the paper. Her owner on a private farm then cut off her horn to try to protect her, but three weeks later poachers returned, shot her seven times, and tried to hack out the stub.
Rhino poaching has doubled this year in South Africa, with 227 slaughtered so far compared to 122 in all of last year.
Experts blame the increase on demand for rhino horns in China and Vietnam, where it is used in traditional medicine.
If the rapper agrees to take on the project, Snyman said Phila could be renamed One Pound, because she's bigger than 50 Cent.
http://www.abc.net.a.../11/3034335.htm
#884
-
- Gold Member
-
- 5114 posts
Formerly known as Scopejim
-
Projects: Life
Posted 10 October 2010 - 17:58
Now THAT is absurd.Yeah Eminem is one of the few rappers I actually like and I can say this story is hardly surprising. I myself tend to swear far less at home around my parents, and if/when I do have kids, I would likely reduce my swearing to non-existence.
#885
-
- Member
-
- 11705 posts
Member Title Goes Here
Posted 10 October 2010 - 18:12
It's so bizarre that when I read the headline I swore they just pulled random words together. 
#886
-
- Gold Member
-
- 7580 posts
Forum Keymist
Posted 10 October 2010 - 21:03
Alias, on 10 Oct 2010, 16:37, said:
Quote
A South African community group wants US rap star 50 Cent to become the "godfather" to a rhino who survived a poaching attack after being shot nine times, just like the platinum-selling artist.
The black rhino named Phila survived two poaching attacks this year, despite being shot a total of nine times, community policing group eBlockwatch told South Africa's The Sunday Times.
50 Cent, most famous for hits like In Da Club and Candy Shop, was also shot nine times as he left drug-dealing on the streets of New York to begin his music career.
"We want to ask him if he wants to become the godfather of our rhino so that he can create awareness worldwide about rhino poaching," said Andre Snyman of eBlockwatch, which wants to tackle poaching in addition to its efforts to stop general crime.
Phila was shot twice in July but survived, he told the paper. Her owner on a private farm then cut off her horn to try to protect her, but three weeks later poachers returned, shot her seven times, and tried to hack out the stub.
Rhino poaching has doubled this year in South Africa, with 227 slaughtered so far compared to 122 in all of last year.
Experts blame the increase on demand for rhino horns in China and Vietnam, where it is used in traditional medicine.
If the rapper agrees to take on the project, Snyman said Phila could be renamed One Pound, because she's bigger than 50 Cent.
The black rhino named Phila survived two poaching attacks this year, despite being shot a total of nine times, community policing group eBlockwatch told South Africa's The Sunday Times.
50 Cent, most famous for hits like In Da Club and Candy Shop, was also shot nine times as he left drug-dealing on the streets of New York to begin his music career.
"We want to ask him if he wants to become the godfather of our rhino so that he can create awareness worldwide about rhino poaching," said Andre Snyman of eBlockwatch, which wants to tackle poaching in addition to its efforts to stop general crime.
Phila was shot twice in July but survived, he told the paper. Her owner on a private farm then cut off her horn to try to protect her, but three weeks later poachers returned, shot her seven times, and tried to hack out the stub.
Rhino poaching has doubled this year in South Africa, with 227 slaughtered so far compared to 122 in all of last year.
Experts blame the increase on demand for rhino horns in China and Vietnam, where it is used in traditional medicine.
If the rapper agrees to take on the project, Snyman said Phila could be renamed One Pound, because she's bigger than 50 Cent.
http://www.abc.net.a.../11/3034335.htm
.
TN
The brave hide behind technology. The stupid hide from it. The clever have technology, and hide it.
—The Book of Cataclysm
The brave hide behind technology. The stupid hide from it. The clever have technology, and hide it.
—The Book of Cataclysm
#887
-
- Member
-
- 11705 posts
Member Title Goes Here
Posted 14 October 2010 - 08:56
Quote
Aspiring civil servants in Indonesia have been quizzed about the music career of the country's president during their selection exam.
Since 2007 president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has released three albums, which mostly feature love ballads and religious songs.
About 3,000 candidates who were applying for vacancies at the trade ministry found that the general knowledge section of the test featured a question about the president's most recent collection of pop songs.
"I got a headache choosing the answer," one applicant, Anita, told the Okezone news website, describing the question as the hardest in the whole exam.
While she knew Mr Yudhoyono had released several albums, she says it was not part of her exam preparation.
But the trade ministry has defended the question, saying it was only a small part of the exam.
Trade ministry spokesman Robert James Bintaryo denied there was any hidden political agenda in the question.
"What is wrong if a general knowledge question is about SBY's song?" he said, using the president's nickname.
"It's part of the general knowledge questions. There were 30 to 40 questions in that section and the song title was only one question," he was quoted by the Jakarta Globe newspaper as saying.
The 61-year-old former general released his third romantic pop album I'm Certain I'll Get There earlier this year, following up from his 2007 debut My Longing for You and 2009's Evolution.
The liberal president won a second five-year term in July 2009 on a platform of bringing economic growth, political reform and good governance.
Since 2007 president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has released three albums, which mostly feature love ballads and religious songs.
About 3,000 candidates who were applying for vacancies at the trade ministry found that the general knowledge section of the test featured a question about the president's most recent collection of pop songs.
"I got a headache choosing the answer," one applicant, Anita, told the Okezone news website, describing the question as the hardest in the whole exam.
While she knew Mr Yudhoyono had released several albums, she says it was not part of her exam preparation.
But the trade ministry has defended the question, saying it was only a small part of the exam.
Trade ministry spokesman Robert James Bintaryo denied there was any hidden political agenda in the question.
"What is wrong if a general knowledge question is about SBY's song?" he said, using the president's nickname.
"It's part of the general knowledge questions. There were 30 to 40 questions in that section and the song title was only one question," he was quoted by the Jakarta Globe newspaper as saying.
The 61-year-old former general released his third romantic pop album I'm Certain I'll Get There earlier this year, following up from his 2007 debut My Longing for You and 2009's Evolution.
The liberal president won a second five-year term in July 2009 on a platform of bringing economic growth, political reform and good governance.
#888
-
- Project Leader
-
- 1417 posts
Lurker
-
Projects: NProject Mod, Recolonize, Tidal Wars
Posted 14 October 2010 - 11:36
I think they don't have better general knowledge questions.
NProject Mod -- Recolonize -- Tidal Wars
#889
-
- Administrator
-
- 5852 posts
Whispery Wizard
Posted 16 October 2010 - 22:17
[url="http://jalopnik.com/5665722/chinook-pilot-takes-a-headshot-then-flies-home"]Chinook Pilot Shot in the head, he just gets on with it.[/url]
[quote]
Watch as the British pilot of this Chinook takes multiple hits, including a glancing shot to his own head, on a troop extraction run in Afghanistan. This is the definition of a hero.
The Chinook took multiple hits severing a hydraulic line, raking the fuselage and windshield with rounds.
Watch as the pilot takes a glancing ricochet to his left temple and manages to keep his wits about him, saying "Ok chaps, just to let you know I took a round through my front windscreen which came up and hit me on the head." Even the Sun reporter — who also happens to host Wheeler Dealer, a car show on HD theater — does well to keep his composure during the report, as he himself is faced with the very real possibility of a crash and death.[/quote]
That guy is awesome
[quote]
Watch as the British pilot of this Chinook takes multiple hits, including a glancing shot to his own head, on a troop extraction run in Afghanistan. This is the definition of a hero.
The Chinook took multiple hits severing a hydraulic line, raking the fuselage and windshield with rounds.
Watch as the pilot takes a glancing ricochet to his left temple and manages to keep his wits about him, saying "Ok chaps, just to let you know I took a round through my front windscreen which came up and hit me on the head." Even the Sun reporter — who also happens to host Wheeler Dealer, a car show on HD theater — does well to keep his composure during the report, as he himself is faced with the very real possibility of a crash and death.[/quote]
That guy is awesome
F O R T H E N S
#890
-
- Administrator
-
- 9337 posts
Not a Wonky Gent.
Posted 17 October 2010 - 00:08
Holy... 
If there were any doubt he was a brit...
Quote
Ok chaps, just to let you know I took a round through my front windscreen which came up and hit me on the head.
If there were any doubt he was a brit...
F O R T H E N S
#891
-
- Member Test
-
- 3141 posts
Forum Nakadashi-er
Posted 17 October 2010 - 00:24
Damn, he's a real hero alright...very lucky, good that he managed to land the Chinook.
#892
-
- Project Leader
-
- 7224 posts
YOUR WORLDS WILL BECOME OUR LABORATORIES
-
Projects: EC, CORE, ER
Posted 17 October 2010 - 12:44
That was incredible :o
#893
-
- Project Team
-
- 991 posts
Duly Appointed Federal Marshal
-
Projects: The Pants Party, Irradiated Inc.
Posted 17 October 2010 - 18:57
I thought they make those "windscreens" bulletproof... 
Geez that'd be scary.
Geez that'd be scary.
AJ is responsible for this signature masterpiece... if you see him, tell him I say thanks.
#894
-
- Project Team
-
- 619 posts
That pro guy.
-
Projects: Situation Zero
Posted 17 October 2010 - 23:31
[quote name='TheDR' post='814681' date='16 Oct 2010, 22:17'][url="http://jalopnik.com/5665722/chinook-pilot-takes-a-headshot-then-flies-home"]Chinook Pilot Shot in the head, he just gets on with it.[/url]
[quote]
Watch as the British pilot of this Chinook takes multiple hits, including a glancing shot to his own head, on a troop extraction run in Afghanistan. This is the definition of a hero.
The Chinook took multiple hits severing a hydraulic line, raking the fuselage and windshield with rounds.
Watch as the pilot takes a glancing ricochet to his left temple and manages to keep his wits about him, saying "Ok chaps, just to let you know I took a round through my front windscreen which came up and hit me on the head." Even the Sun reporter — who also happens to host Wheeler Dealer, a car show on HD theater — does well to keep his composure during the report, as he himself is faced with the very real possibility of a crash and death.[/quote]
That guy is awesome
[/quote]
[size=5]
WIN[/size]
[quote]
Watch as the British pilot of this Chinook takes multiple hits, including a glancing shot to his own head, on a troop extraction run in Afghanistan. This is the definition of a hero.
The Chinook took multiple hits severing a hydraulic line, raking the fuselage and windshield with rounds.
Watch as the pilot takes a glancing ricochet to his left temple and manages to keep his wits about him, saying "Ok chaps, just to let you know I took a round through my front windscreen which came up and hit me on the head." Even the Sun reporter — who also happens to host Wheeler Dealer, a car show on HD theater — does well to keep his composure during the report, as he himself is faced with the very real possibility of a crash and death.[/quote]
That guy is awesome
[/quote]
[size=5]
WIN[/size]
#895
-
- Member Test
-
- 1681 posts
The riot act
-
Projects: So like when is my warn level coming down?
Posted 18 October 2010 - 10:59
Quote
VICTORIA Police is unlikely to scrap "point-to-point" speed cameras despite failures resulting in erroneous charges against innocent drivers.
Nine drivers have been wrongly issued with speeding infringements on the Hume Highway in Victoria since the new cameras - which measure vehicles' average speeds over distances of about 7-10km - were introduced in 2007.
The errors were discovered after a 20-year-old woman protested her innocence when officers went her home last Thursday to confiscate her vehicle under the state's hoon laws for speeding over 150km/h.
Victoria Police, the Department of Justice and camera contractor Redflex spent the weekend trawling through 68,000 penalties issued over the past three years and found the other cases.
Some drivers had paid their fines, one was convicted and fined after arguing their case in court, and another was refused a review by police after questioning the infringement, Deputy Commissioner Ken Lay said.
Victorian Premier John Brumby has raised the possibility of launching legal action against the contractor.
"Victoria Police and the department is examining legal action against the company. There's a contract, the system is meant to work 100 per cent of the time, and it didn't," Mr Brumby told said.
Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu said under a coalition government all speed cameras would be independently reviewed, and the findings, along with maintenance reports, would be made public.
Lawyer David Galbally QC called for all penalised drivers to have their fines refunded in full.
"If 68,000 people have been fined and there is a doubt as to the accuracy of the speed cameras from point to point, then refund the money. There shouldn't even be an argument," he said.
The only point-to-point cameras in Victoria are on the Hume Highway.
The problem, believed to be a technical fault relating to the cameras' clocks being out of sync, was confined to the stretch of road between the outer Melbourne suburb of Craigieburn and the town of Broadford.
Police have suspended the use of all the cameras until the problem is resolved, and mobile speed cameras will be used in the area in the meantime.
Mr Lay said the revelations were "enormously embarrassing" for Victoria Police, the Department of Justice and Redflex.
"It has also been very stressful and I imagine embarrassing for those nine people that have been wrongly accused of breaking the law by speeding," he said.
Police contacted two of the nine affected people last Thursday and were in the process of tracking down the remaining seven, Mr Lay said.
He said he had been provided with "very strong" advice by the Department of Justice that the problem did not affect any more than the nine infringements identified.
Mr Lay said he had been advised that a new software program could fix the problem, but he was yet to be convinced it would work.
"I'll need to see this system checked, double checked, triple checked, and checked again before I give this the OK," he said.
Police were unlikely to scrap the point-to-point cameras because measuring speed over several kilometres was arguably fairer than nabbing drivers for what could be momentary speeding, Mr Lay said.
"I see no reason why it shouldn't stay. It's strong technology," he said.
The controversial cameras replaced old cameras shut down in 2003 due to faults, after the government had been forced to refund 120,000 fines worth $17 million.
Nine drivers have been wrongly issued with speeding infringements on the Hume Highway in Victoria since the new cameras - which measure vehicles' average speeds over distances of about 7-10km - were introduced in 2007.
The errors were discovered after a 20-year-old woman protested her innocence when officers went her home last Thursday to confiscate her vehicle under the state's hoon laws for speeding over 150km/h.
Victoria Police, the Department of Justice and camera contractor Redflex spent the weekend trawling through 68,000 penalties issued over the past three years and found the other cases.
Some drivers had paid their fines, one was convicted and fined after arguing their case in court, and another was refused a review by police after questioning the infringement, Deputy Commissioner Ken Lay said.
Victorian Premier John Brumby has raised the possibility of launching legal action against the contractor.
"Victoria Police and the department is examining legal action against the company. There's a contract, the system is meant to work 100 per cent of the time, and it didn't," Mr Brumby told said.
Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu said under a coalition government all speed cameras would be independently reviewed, and the findings, along with maintenance reports, would be made public.
Lawyer David Galbally QC called for all penalised drivers to have their fines refunded in full.
"If 68,000 people have been fined and there is a doubt as to the accuracy of the speed cameras from point to point, then refund the money. There shouldn't even be an argument," he said.
The only point-to-point cameras in Victoria are on the Hume Highway.
The problem, believed to be a technical fault relating to the cameras' clocks being out of sync, was confined to the stretch of road between the outer Melbourne suburb of Craigieburn and the town of Broadford.
Police have suspended the use of all the cameras until the problem is resolved, and mobile speed cameras will be used in the area in the meantime.
Mr Lay said the revelations were "enormously embarrassing" for Victoria Police, the Department of Justice and Redflex.
"It has also been very stressful and I imagine embarrassing for those nine people that have been wrongly accused of breaking the law by speeding," he said.
Police contacted two of the nine affected people last Thursday and were in the process of tracking down the remaining seven, Mr Lay said.
He said he had been provided with "very strong" advice by the Department of Justice that the problem did not affect any more than the nine infringements identified.
Mr Lay said he had been advised that a new software program could fix the problem, but he was yet to be convinced it would work.
"I'll need to see this system checked, double checked, triple checked, and checked again before I give this the OK," he said.
Police were unlikely to scrap the point-to-point cameras because measuring speed over several kilometres was arguably fairer than nabbing drivers for what could be momentary speeding, Mr Lay said.
"I see no reason why it shouldn't stay. It's strong technology," he said.
The controversial cameras replaced old cameras shut down in 2003 due to faults, after the government had been forced to refund 120,000 fines worth $17 million.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-...x-1225940315080
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/...x-1225940001760
The video.
And you say that i am paranoid!
I question the general assumption that i am inherently deficient in the area of grammar and sentence structure
#896
-
- Project Team
-
- 1909 posts
veritas vos liberabit
-
Projects: Hangar 13 Projects
Posted 19 October 2010 - 21:22
Ghostrider, on 17 Oct 2010, 14:57, said:
I thought they make those "windscreens" bulletproof...
Geez that'd be scary.
Geez that'd be scary.
They are, in theory. Kinda. There's only so much you can toughen glass and still be able to see through it. Put enough large caliber rounds into it and you're shot. That said, this whole thing was amazing, and my hat is off for the pilot.
kinda, sorta alive.
#897
-
- Member Test
-
- 859 posts
Delta Operator
Posted 20 October 2010 - 07:09
Quote
Police serve intervention order through Facebook
Victoria Police have successfully served an intervention order against an accused cyber stalker by using the social networking website Facebook.
Police, who have called it an Australian first, were called in after an individual was threatened, bullied and harassed by a man using the site.
They tried to find the man by traditional methods, including standing outside his last known address and trying to contact him by phone.
But when all attempts failed, they investigated the Facebook option.
Strict conditions were placed on the use of the social media site as a substitute for serving the papers.
All of the papers were transcribed and typed into private messages sent to the person's Facebook account.
Police even recorded a video of Leading Senior Constable Stuart Walton reading and serving the intervention order.
Leading Senior Constable Walton eventually succeeded in making contact with the man, who said he understood the order and agreed to delete his Facebook account.
Victoria Police have successfully served an intervention order against an accused cyber stalker by using the social networking website Facebook.
Police, who have called it an Australian first, were called in after an individual was threatened, bullied and harassed by a man using the site.
They tried to find the man by traditional methods, including standing outside his last known address and trying to contact him by phone.
But when all attempts failed, they investigated the Facebook option.
Strict conditions were placed on the use of the social media site as a substitute for serving the papers.
All of the papers were transcribed and typed into private messages sent to the person's Facebook account.
Police even recorded a video of Leading Senior Constable Stuart Walton reading and serving the intervention order.
Leading Senior Constable Walton eventually succeeded in making contact with the man, who said he understood the order and agreed to delete his Facebook account.
"Facebooked"
----------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
--------------------
The name's Bond.
Covalent Bond.
------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
--------------------
The name's Bond.
Covalent Bond.
#898
-
- Member Test
-
- 1681 posts
The riot act
-
Projects: So like when is my warn level coming down?
Posted 20 October 2010 - 09:05
deltaepsilon, on 20 Oct 2010, 15:09, said:
Quote
Police serve intervention order through Facebook
Victoria Police have successfully served an intervention order against an accused cyber stalker by using the social networking website Facebook.
Police, who have called it an Australian first, were called in after an individual was threatened, bullied and harassed by a man using the site.
They tried to find the man by traditional methods, including standing outside his last known address and trying to contact him by phone.
But when all attempts failed, they investigated the Facebook option.
Strict conditions were placed on the use of the social media site as a substitute for serving the papers.
All of the papers were transcribed and typed into private messages sent to the person's Facebook account.
Police even recorded a video of Leading Senior Constable Stuart Walton reading and serving the intervention order.
Leading Senior Constable Walton eventually succeeded in making contact with the man, who said he understood the order and agreed to delete his Facebook account.
Victoria Police have successfully served an intervention order against an accused cyber stalker by using the social networking website Facebook.
Police, who have called it an Australian first, were called in after an individual was threatened, bullied and harassed by a man using the site.
They tried to find the man by traditional methods, including standing outside his last known address and trying to contact him by phone.
But when all attempts failed, they investigated the Facebook option.
Strict conditions were placed on the use of the social media site as a substitute for serving the papers.
All of the papers were transcribed and typed into private messages sent to the person's Facebook account.
Police even recorded a video of Leading Senior Constable Stuart Walton reading and serving the intervention order.
Leading Senior Constable Walton eventually succeeded in making contact with the man, who said he understood the order and agreed to delete his Facebook account.
"Facebooked"
Heard that on the radio and laughed by head off, they should do it more often!
I question the general assumption that i am inherently deficient in the area of grammar and sentence structure
#899
-
- Member Test
-
- 3141 posts
Forum Nakadashi-er
Posted 20 October 2010 - 10:32
It must've been one long PM
#900
-
- Member
-
- 11705 posts
Member Title Goes Here
Posted 21 October 2010 - 22:42
Quote
Spain's first national siesta championship is underway in Madrid to find the best napper and help revive the tradition of taking a snooze after lunch.
Participants are monitored as they lie on bright blue sofas in the middle of a shopping mall for a 20-minute nap.
Some wear pyjamas while others sport eye masks or cover their faces with their jackets.
They have pulse monitors attached to their bodies and the maximum of 20,000 points is awarded to those who manage to sleep for the full 20 minutes.
Sleeping fewer minutes means fewer points but judges also award marks for original sleeping positions, the loudest snore and the most eye-catching outfits.
The competition, organised by the National Association of Friends of the Siesta, began on October 14 and will wrap up on Saturday with the winner awarded a prize of 1,000 euros ($1,400).
"The mission of the championship is to spread the idea that the nap is something of ours that must be defended and practised, because it is healthy and good for everyone," the association says on its website.
"Being able to do it in public requires having a spirit of a champion and to be a great siesta taker."
Eight rounds of the competition are held daily with each involving five participants on sofas lined up in parallel lanes like those of a track and field meet.
Given the success of the siesta contest, the association is planning to repeat the event in the future and hold editions outside of Spain.
Participants are monitored as they lie on bright blue sofas in the middle of a shopping mall for a 20-minute nap.
Some wear pyjamas while others sport eye masks or cover their faces with their jackets.
They have pulse monitors attached to their bodies and the maximum of 20,000 points is awarded to those who manage to sleep for the full 20 minutes.
Sleeping fewer minutes means fewer points but judges also award marks for original sleeping positions, the loudest snore and the most eye-catching outfits.
The competition, organised by the National Association of Friends of the Siesta, began on October 14 and will wrap up on Saturday with the winner awarded a prize of 1,000 euros ($1,400).
"The mission of the championship is to spread the idea that the nap is something of ours that must be defended and practised, because it is healthy and good for everyone," the association says on its website.
"Being able to do it in public requires having a spirit of a champion and to be a great siesta taker."
Eight rounds of the competition are held daily with each involving five participants on sofas lined up in parallel lanes like those of a track and field meet.
Given the success of the siesta contest, the association is planning to repeat the event in the future and hold editions outside of Spain.
12 user(s) are reading this topic
0 members, 12 guests, 0 anonymous users
