NationStates Jolt Archive


Brit MP launches drug test machine, then Tests positive for drugs and other headlines

Patra Caesar
18-06-2005, 03:54
In the news this week, two British MPs who launched a new high-tech drug machine have returned positive results for cannabis at the launch. Don't lauch, it's no joke, I probably should have written one though... This is followed by an 87 year old man who beat off a violent home invader with a shoe. Something for Eutrusca to look forward to I guess. Then, in our third story we have the tale of a feline felon, yes, it's Catwoman. Rounding up the week, Indonesia's president has given out his mobile phone number in an attempt to be closer to the people. Alas so many people rang and text him that the phone number has been clogged. Enjoy!


MP launches drug test machine, tests positive
June 16, 2005
Source (http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,15630870-13762,00.html)

THE efficiency of a high-tech drug-testing machine unveiled in Britain was amply proven when the government minister showing it off tested positive for cannabis.

Edwina Hart, social justice minister in the semi-autonomous regional government of Wales, was found to have been in contact with the drug after having a hand swab analysed by the Ion Track narcotics machine.

William Graham, a member of the Welsh Assembly, who had arranged for police to demonstrate the machine at the Assembly building, also tested positive for cannabis.

However, the politicians were keen to stress that such was the power of the device, positive results could easily come from so-called "cross contamination", for example by touching cash or a door handle previously handled by a drugs user.

"You could pick it up from anywhere couldn't you?" Hart said.

"I can't think where I could have got it from," added Graham.
Sure! Sure! We all believe you! ;)

The Ion Track machine can detect minute traces of drugs, or explosives, several days after someone has come into contact with them, even if they have washed their hands.

Police explained later that while a positive test could not be used as evidence in court, it could help police to target people to search or question.


87-year-old beats up intruder
June 14, 2005
Source (http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,15610975-13762,00.html)

AN 87-year-old man who beat off an intruder with his shoe says he'll be ready if his attacker ever returns to his home.

Semi-retired horse trainer Johnny Oswin was attacked by a man wielding a metal bar at his home at Mt Eliza, south of Melbourne, about 9pm (AEST) yesterday. Mr Oswin suffered cuts and bruises to his head and arms.

"If he comes back, I'll do him up. I'll be ready for him next time," he said.

"I didn't expect anybody to come in wanting to do me up, did I?

"I'll fix him up if he comes in, I'll use my fists on him next time, I'm pretty handy."

In a strange twist, Mr Oswin said the intruder demanded to know about a man named Bert, a front-end loader and the location where Bert had buried his sister Cathy.

"They've got the wrong bloke," Mr Oswin said.

Police would not comment on the claim.

The attacker struck Mr Oswin several times on the head and right arm before Mr Oswin hit back with his shoe.

"I took the bloody shoe off and thumped him," Mr Oswin said.

"I probably broke his nose and broke his teeth and he fell over.

"By this time he got up and I thumped him again. He ran out the door and he said 'I'll get you, I'll come back to get you'.

"He was a bit determined."

Detective Sergeant Rob Clark of Mornington police, urged home invasion victims not to fight back if confronted.

"Obviously it's a vicious attack on an elderly man in his own home," he said.

"We don't recommend people to confront assailants."

The attacker entered the house through an unlocked back door, Detective Sergeant Clark said.

The attacker was described as 182cm tall, aged in his early 30s with a gold upper tooth.

He was wearing a blue suit and a white tie, police said.


Cat calls emergency hotline
June 16, 2005
Source (http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,15630864-13762,00.html)

POLICE in New Zealand broke down the door to an Auckland home after receiving an emergency call from the building, only to find that the call had apparently been made by the resident cat.

It seems Tabby the cat had rung the 111 emergency number while taking a stroll across a telephone attached to a fax machine in the house. The family living in the house were out at the time.

Concerned police smashed in the front door after getting no response from inside the house and were surprised to find the feline rather than a felon.

Four-month-old Tabby had previously been known to turn the television on when tangling with the remote control but the emergency call was the first time he had been known to use the telephone.

The family arrived home to find the front door smashed in but were slightly less alarmed when they discovered a note explaining it had been done by police rather than burglars.



Text me, says Indonesian President
From correspondents in Jakarta
June 13, 2005
Source (http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,15598167-13762,00.html)

A BID by Indonesia's first directly elected president to be closer to his people by publicising his mobile phone number backfired over the weekend, after thousands of calls crashed the line.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono announced the number on Saturday and said anyone could call or send text messages if they wanted to complain about government services.

By today, Indonesian newspapers were carrying stories of people complaining they couldn't get through. Local media reported more than 3,000 calls had been made to the number.

"The number is now clogged and cannot be used anymore.

"The president said there should be five more numbers, but we need to install a new computerised system first," said presidential spokesman Andi Mallarangeng.

It was not clear if Yudhoyono had answered any of the calls himself.

The former army general became Indonesia's first directly elected president last year, and has worked hard to build an image of being close to the masses.

"He was chosen by the people so it's natural for the people to have access to the president," said Mallarangeng, who was previously a popular political TV commentator.

A survey in March showed 92 per cent of Indonesians had a favourable impression of Yudhoyono, and 57 per cent were satisfied with his administration.


Bin robots run amok in Britain
June 16, 2005
Source (http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,15630877-13762,00.html)

A COSTLY British art project involving moving litter bins and benches was shut down within hours after an embarrassing series of smash-ups.

The £110,000 ($261,000) display in Cambridge, eastern England, was meant to see the robotic solar-powered bins keep roaming outside the Junction music venue in the city, The Daily Telegraph reported.

But despite being fitted with sensors designed to prevent crashes, the bins and benches lasted just three hours before being recaptured after running amok and repeatedly slamming into everything in the vicinity.

"On the launch day they were showing signs of some anti-social behaviour and kept on being intimate with the bike racks and with each other," said Gordon Glass, spokesman for the Junction.

"The artists felt there was no other option but to take them away."
Patra Caesar
18-06-2005, 04:01
Not exactly the enthusiastic reply I was after... ;)
Potaria
18-06-2005, 04:08
Pot-smoking police officers in the U.K., criminal-womping old dudes in Australia, and cats that call the police in New Zealand?

What a wonderful world.
Leonstein
18-06-2005, 04:27
I like the Indonesian president's mobile campaign.
I reckon that should be a model for other countries. Finally a way to actually contact the bigwigs (assuming he checks the phone himself)
Patra Caesar
18-06-2005, 05:00
I'd personally like to see the next election run by the "American Idol" people so we can SMS our vote. ;)
Potaria
18-06-2005, 05:01
I'd personally like to see the next election run by the "American Idol" people so we can SMS our vote. ;)

I've never seen American Idol, so I have no idea of what the hell you're talking about.
Vaevictis
18-06-2005, 05:13
Ha, well, they're Welsh, what do you expect? Incidentally, the source is wrong, neither one of them is an MP, they're not Members of the UK Parliament they're members of the Welsh Assembly, so they're AM (Assembly Member).
Patra Caesar
18-06-2005, 05:59
I've never seen American Idol, so I have no idea of what the hell you're talking about.

You know text messagine on mobile phones, or short messaging service (SMS) well you send a message to a special telephone number with your mobile phone to vote for who you want to stay. Wouldn't it be good if you could vote for politicians in this way? You could vote without leaving your home! Direct democracy could once again return to the people. We could vote for not only politicians, but also for/against legislation! Of course security might be a problem...
Potaria
18-06-2005, 06:02
You know text messagine on mobile phones, or short messaging service (SMS) well you send a message to a special telephone number with your mobile phone to vote for who you want to stay. Wouldn't it be good if you could vote for politicians in this way? You could vote without leaving your home! Direct democracy could once again return to the people. We could vote for not only politicians, but also for/against legislation! Of course security might be a problem...

That would be interesting. Think of how many cases there would be of "Oh, SHIT! I PRESSED THE WRONG BUTTON!!!".
Patra Caesar
18-06-2005, 06:13
That would be interesting. Think of how many cases there would be of "Oh, SHIT! I PRESSED THE WRONG BUTTON!!!".

About as many as who do the same thing with punchcards and chads or Florida's electronic voting booths...

The government could make a profit from voters, charge them $0.55/SMS.
Potaria
18-06-2005, 06:18
About as many as who do the same thing with punchcards and chads or Florida's electronic voting booths...

The government could make a profit from voters, charge them $0.55/SMS.

Hahaha, yeah. Natural selection, eh?

The profit would be nice, though.