Archive for May 19th, 2005

Galloway ridicules US Senate

United Kingdom, United States | Posted by Terence
May 19 2005

Those who missed George Galloway’s statement to the US Senate about allegations he received money from Saddam through the oil-for-food programme can view the full hearing video, streamed by the BBC. Or read the full transcript.

I wouldn’t vote for him, and I didn’t join his party. But nonetheless, his oratory skills have shown once again and made a complete fool of the US senate – more specifically, senator Norm Coleman. Whilst i’m in no position to side with either party, it is clear that Coleman should have better prepared his allegations and found more substantiated evidence. As it stands, Coleman looks nothing short of amateur in his proceedings and only shows that some US politicians would still stand by US pride and patriotism over rational well grounded decision making.

Update:
I don’t aim to form a personal opinion of Galloway nor start a debate here – but Harry does print a copy of the statement released by the Charity Commission regarding Galloway’s statement on his excellent blog. Much of his posts in the surrounding week also contain interesting comments against Galloway.

The Socialist Worker on the other hand has an interesting article on how they forged the case against Galloway.

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Now the luncheon meat talks

Hong Kong | Posted by Terence
May 19 2005

Tuesday’s Technology Post in the SCMP highlighted the problem faced by many Hong Kong people these days : mobile spam.

Recorded sales messages – delivered at high speed through annoyingly high-pitched monologues – are now a mainstay of using a mobile phone in Hong Kong.

Answered in Hong Kong, these unsolicited calls may be little more than a rude interruption. Answering overseas, however, involves expensive roaming charges.

My last roaming bill from three days in Singapore/Malaysia was some $1600 – part of that thanks to sales calls I received during my trip. Telephone spam is becoming an increasing problem in Hong Kong, in a city that lacks legislation banning such cold calling to mobile telephones (many countries have laws against this). I easily receive at least four spam calls a week to my cell phone – usually a combination of both automated and human calls. Unfortunately, most have their caller ID’s blocked – now leaving me weary about answering unidentified calls. One such call was from Wharf Telecom (no caller ID) – they were advertising a service to “unblock all caller ID’s”. Oh the irony! But they don’t win my custom ; congratulations, they’ve now made my blacklist.

Sadly, most people in Hong Kong lack education of the fundamental moral principals of privacy and would fail to see the ethical problems of employing such tactics in the workplace. Education is definitely the key – business owners need to be convinced that there are better ways of marketing their products, and that treating your customers well is the prelude to a good long term relationship. Unfortunately, some Hong Kongers still have the “earn more now ; who cares if we see them again” mentality.

It’s good that the government is finalising an anti-spam bill – albeit not to be tabulated to Legco till 2006. Although it currently excludes voice spamming, this will hopefully be included in the legislation too. Nonetheless, such legislation has been long awaited – all I can hope is that punishments are severe. Nine years would satisfy me… per word.

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