Archive for October, 2005
Troubled warfare
Troubled of Washington DC asks
I am involved to a certain degree in the government of a large global superpower. We have recently got ourselves tangled up in the political pocess of another country which we invaded as part of misguided and badly thought out “war on terrorism”. Now two years down the line we have had over 1000 soldiers killed and tens of thousands injured. Our problem is that we have no clear sense of purpose anymore and no obvious exit plan. Would it be alright to simply remove our troops and leave the now dangerously de-stabilised country to fend for itself and sort out the near civil war that we have caused?
One pearl of wisdom on “Troubled warfare”
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Crime Prevention or Job Creation?
From A Scottish Police Force
Do you think it would be a good idea to create a new team specifically for unsolved crimes?
2 lacklustre pieces of inspiration on “Crime Prevention or Job Creation?”
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Consultant K Says:
October 6th, 2005 at 1:53 pmAre your staff currently only working on solved crimes? Maybe you should make it the unresolved squad instead of the unsolved.
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October 6th, 2005 at 9:06 pmBy “create a new team specifically for unsolved crimes” do you mean a team to commit them, or to solve them? If you mean commit them, then this is almost certainly a bad idea.
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Wildlife management issues
This problem from an unspecified northern European country
I work for a governmental organisation and, following a detailed programme of objective research, it has been recommended that species x (name withheld for confidentiality reasons) be re-introduced into the wild in my country. However, a few individuals are attempting to block the re-introduction on the basis of spurious, unsubstantiated arguments. I am responsible for the plan, and need to make a decision. What should I do ?
7 lacklustre pieces of inspiration on “Wildlife management issues”
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October 6th, 2005 at 12:41 pmIntroduce species x anyway and see if they notice.
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October 6th, 2005 at 12:55 pmWell, to be honest, under Article 22 of the EU Habitats Directive
(92/43/EEC), Member States are encouraged to examine the potential for the re-introduction of native species that have become extinct in their country. Since 16 other European countries have, or are considering re establishing species x, you may, in the long run, find it difficult justifying not to introduce x. In other words, yes, just get on with it. -
October 6th, 2005 at 1:54 pmI think you should keep beavering away at the issue
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October 6th, 2005 at 3:09 pmBut they are so keen on damming the whole thing…
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October 6th, 2005 at 3:12 pmAye, welcome to the tail end of it. some folk just keep on pelting the idea.
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October 6th, 2005 at 3:14 pmOh I still don’t think we have got our teeth into it yet
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October 6th, 2005 at 3:32 pmThere is still a wee gnawing problem here.
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Overgrown pet python
This query from Florida, USA
I have a pet burmese python which I have had since it was a little baby. It has grown far to big for the tank in which I keep it. Should I release it into the wild where it will have more space?
One pearl of wisdom on “Overgrown pet python”
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October 6th, 2005 at 11:03 amReleasing non native species into the wild is never a good idea, and is generally illegal. Instead, why not consider giving the animal away to a new home such as a zoo, or selling it to a collector. Releasing it may result in all sorts of messy problems (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4313978.stm).
As is often the case, this situation must have arisen from a lack of common sense many years ago, and instead of buying small childern pythons (generally inappropriate as pets) it may have been better if you had been bought a small furry mammal (e.g. hamster, gerbil) which are easier to look after, and are less dangerous in the long run.If all else fails, you could consider contacting a resteraunt in Korea.
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No smoke without fire
My mother wants to know
Can you have a fire without smoke?
2 lacklustre pieces of inspiration on “No smoke without fire”
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October 5th, 2005 at 11:52 pmYes. Many smaller chain hydrocarbons, such as methane (natural gas), burn without smoke. My cooker burns it every day with no visible smoke, and my smoke alarm remains pleasingly quiet.
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October 6th, 2005 at 11:31 amJuniper wood was reknown by illicit whisky distillers in the Highlands due to its combustion producing very little smoke. This was obviosuly an advantage when Customs & Excise men where looking for such stills with no give-away plume of smoke.
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Not all plane selling
Bob from Newburgh asks
I’m trying to sell my Cesna 172 - any suggestions?
3 lacklustre pieces of inspiration on “Not all plane selling”
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October 5th, 2005 at 11:27 pmHave you tried putting an advert in the window?
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October 5th, 2005 at 11:30 pmYou could try auctioning it on eBay or advertising it on http://www.ukaircraftsales.com/ There are all manner of aircraft and helicopters for sale there.
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October 5th, 2005 at 11:57 pmJust to help it on its way we have added a link to the ebay advert that we suggested. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4580496761&fromMakeTrack=true
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Teenage pregnancy
This question from an unknown location in the UK:
I am 16 and have just found out that I am pregnant,
how did this happen?
3 lacklustre pieces of inspiration on “Teenage pregnancy”
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October 5th, 2005 at 11:17 pmThis happens when the sperm (male gamete) and the ova (female gamete), both of which are haploid, combine to produce a fertilised zygote. The resultant cleavage produces a blastocyst which embeds onto the uterine lining.
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October 5th, 2005 at 11:19 pmYou had unprotected sex and should have abstained or used a condom.
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October 6th, 2005 at 11:33 amYou were quite possibly drunk but were certainly foolish.
October 6th, 2005 at 2:28 pm
Say you had a dripping tap and you tried to fix it and all you did was make it worse. What would you do? Probably call in an expert. Well maybe that is what you should do. I beleive the UN do a nice line in peace keeping. Also, should you have been a little more patient at the start they would have prevented you from turning a dripping tap into a burst pipe