Northern Rock saga. UK Gov action beyond stupidity

UK government stupidity Level 1
The Northern Rock bank was nationalised in 2008 following its near collapse at the onset of the global credit crunch. The government subsequently split the bank into two:
Northern Rock plc with good assets,  and Northern Rock (Asset Management), into which was placed its bad debt.

UK government stupidity Level 2
Government had injected £1.4bn of taxpayers money into Northern Rock plc.

UK government stupidity Level 3
Northern Rock plc is being sold to Virgin Money for £747m. Virgin Money was "expected" to pay an additional £50m within six months, and then a further £150m.
So Northern Rock plc will be rebranded as Virgin Money, which has pledged no compulsory job cuts for three years.

UK government stupidity Level 4
Northern Rock (Asset Management), whit its bad debt, left to taxpayers to swallow and it still owes the Treasury £21bn. The government said it had no plans to sell Northern Rock (Asset Management).

UK government stupidity Level 5
Chancellor George Osborne said: "The sale of Northern Rock to Virgin Money is an important first step in getting the British taxpayer out of the business of owning banks. "It represents value for money, will increase choice on the High Street for customers, and safeguards jobs in the North East."

UK government stupidity above any Level
George Osborne appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer of the United Kingdom, on the basis of lifetime experience in the world of finances:
1) Osborne's first job was entering the names of people who had died in London into a National Health Service computer.
2) He also briefly worked for Selfridges, counting and re-folding towels.
3) And that is about it.

Warning

Do not try this at home, in public or to yourself unless you are Financial Genius.

A scientific test for older men....

A study by the University of Hawaii Department of Psychology has determined older men may have difficulty with computer Internet technology..  An initial analysis suggests it may be due to brain age, prior alcohol or drug abuse, shrinkage of the Occipital lobes, resulting in the deterioration of concentration and visual impairment and visual impairment requiring an increased need for stronger glasses or contact lenses.

 
To this purpose, The University of Hawaii Department of Psychology developed this Test to help you determine if you have symptoms which may require medical attention.  Take the Test to help you determine if you should consider consulting a professional.

TEST FOR OLDER MEN:

Warning

Do not try this at home, in public or to yourself unless you are an Old Idiot.

An Idiot Belarus Communist Dictator allows people to applaud in public

Belarusian police will allow people to applaud during Minsk Day celebrations on September 10, withdrawing a previous ban imposed after a series of opposition rallies across the country that involved public clapping.

During the past summer, Belarusian opposition activists held several rallies in various cities, during which they were expressing their protest against government policies and a police crackdown on protest demonstrations by applauding - an activity which demonstrators believed could not be prohibited.

But ahead of Independence Day celebrations on July 3, police said applauding in the street would be considered a breach of public order, unless it is in honor of the country's military or veterans.

On Wednesday, however, Interior Ministry official Ivan Kubrakov, who is responsible for public order in Belarus, told journalists applauding would be allowed on Minsk Day. "No one should be afraid of applauding if there is reason for this," he said. "No problem, you are welcome to applaud."

In early September, several jailed Belarusian opposition activists were released as Lukashenko, labeled by the White House as "Europe's last dictator," seeks to patch up ties with the West.

Relations between Belarus and the West have sunk to new lows after a brutal crackdown on protesters following the December 19 presidential vote, which Lukashenko won with 80%. International observers said the elections were deeply flawed.

Warning

Do not try this at home, in public or to your people unless you are an Idiot Communist Dictator

Cattle nitrate poisoning is a major concern, who cares about humans

Extreme drought conditions across Oklahoma dried up hay and forage crops, making it necessary for ranchers to find new ways to feed livestock, officials said. Sowing cool-season grasses and weaning calves earlier are among options for feeding livestock through the winter, said Andy Qualls, technician at the Muskogee County.

Ranchers have had difficulty feeding livestock. The drought and temperatures exceeding 95 degrees have boosted potentially deadly nitrate levels in corn and other forage crops, the Muskogee (Okla.) Phoenix reported.

"The nitrate problem is particularly bad this year," Qualls said. "Livestock is especially susceptible, and this can cause death." High temperatures stunt plant growth, resulting in nitrogen becoming trapped in the plants, Qualls said. Ranchers planning to use crops that have accumulated nitrates are encouraged to have levels tested by the Oklahoma State University Extension Service.

Nitrate in itself is not toxic to animals, but at elevated levels it causes a disease called nitrate poisoning. Nitrates are normally found in forages are converted by the digestion process to nitrite, and in turn the nitrite is converted to ammonia. The ammonia is then converted to protein by bacteria in the rumen. If cattle rapidly ingest large quantities of plants that contain high levels of nitrate, nitrite will accumulate in the rumen. Nitrite is ten times (10 X) as toxic to cattle as nitrate.

Nitrite is absorbed into red blood cells and combines with hemoglobin (oxygen carrying molecule) to form methemoglobin. Methemoglobin cannot transport oxygen as efficiently as hemoglobin, so the animal's heart rate and respiration increases, the blood and tissues of the animal take on a blue to chocolate brown tinge, muscle tremors can develop, staggering occurs, and the animal eventually suffocates.

Warning

Do not try this at home, in public or to yourself unless you are an Idiot poisoning your cattle and humans.