In a public Library using a computer there this afternoon. On either side of me, also using computers, was a nice little old Austrian lady and an affable young asian man. Both were trying to buy travel tickets online but were having a little success and were not being quiet about it. Barraged by a host of questions by these two on how to navigate ticket booking sites I decided (perhaps not wisely) that helping out would enable them to to get their tickets, they would quiet down and I could get on with my business. It quickly became obvious that English was not their first language and they were both impatient, incompetent computer users, unable to follow the simplest instructions and quick to blame others for their lack of progress. The little old Austrian lady became irate at my inability to telekinetically evoke a return ticket for £70 to Zurich and eventually went to the Librarians desk to complain about me. The Librarian approached and, after a few terse passive aggressive comments towards me, took over as Webmaster! While the Librarian took centre stage I swiftly logged out and departed while everyone's attention was directed elsewhere. As I left the Library I managed to get a glimpse of a confused Librarian beginning to realise the quagmire he was in.

The whole thing could be written up as a comedy moment.
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Hero Initiative: Helping comic creators in need

The majority of comic creators work their whole life trying to make something we like. That's a fact. They know this because if we don't like it we don't buy it which means they don't get paid.

Most comic creators do not make millions out of films made out their work. Comic creators often work for comic companies to make certain they get enough money to feed themselves and any dependents. Comic companies only ever rarely employ comic creators on anything else than a casual basis. So they have no job security, no medical insurance and no pension for many comic creators. And the comic creators who do decide to self-publish their own comics do so without any financial safety blanket.

Comic creators who do choose to work for comic companies, unlike many other authors, rarely get copyright ownership of stories or characters they have created or developed. Which means they do not get any royalties for the work they have done. And now some  comic companies are filing 'cease and desist  notices on any comic creator that dares to draw and sell characters they have created and developed to private collectors.

Some comic creators also have families. Many comic creators of very popular comics and comic characters have died without a penny. And while we are all keen to see new legislation appear that awards copyright ownership to the creators and not corporations in the meantime there are some guys that could do with a helping hand just to survive.

Want to help? Click on the link below...

Hero Initiative: Helping comic creators in need

Still in doubt? They can dig ditches? Sure^^ They can also draw porn(: They can also work on advertisements to help make them just that little bit more convincing so you spend more money on things you don't want:)

If you appreciate comics you could do worse than show that appreciation by donating some cash to the Hero Initiative. Think of it as a Kickstart Project in reverse. You've already had the product, or at least a taster, now I'm asking you to reach into your pockets. Click on the Hero Initiative link...

Hero Initiative: Helping comic creators in need

X-Posted: lambeth_comics

Whoops! The French oust the defender of the faith, Sarkozy, in favour of the demonic socialist, Hollande.

Reuters: Socialist Hollande ousts Sarkozy as French leader

Watch the US panic. Europe is going over to the dark side!

What terrible depredations will the evil eurotrash socialists bring down upon the freedom loving children of god, or at least Republicans? Will they smuggle Muslim terrorists in humongous cheeses into the last bastion of freedom and home of the perpetual super-sized meal? Or will the French just flip the US the finger next time they are asked to put troops behind yet another corporate venture in the land of the endless black gold.

Never mind the US can always nuke Canada ...they're French, aren't they??

Wired: 3M Cloud Library Lends Not Only E-Books, But Also E-Reader Hardware

The article above gives an excellent example of what services UK public libraries should be providing now, not in the future! UK public libraries suffer from a lack of confidence from the public in their ability to provide a modern information service. This leaves UK libraries with very little support to avert proposed austerity measures to make libraries 'economically viable'(: Our libraries try to keep up with the times. But it is rarely more than lip service. The problem is primarily one of upper management and a willingness to invest. A serious investment in e-technology with an business awareness would be of use to business community both as an advertising services and as a means for clients to search and purchase products. If UK public libraries don't seize e-technology now they will lose their place as respected providers of information to the public... because someone else will take the future and us with it.  

The New York Times: Berezniki Journal - A Russian City Always on the Watch Against Being Sucked Into the Earth

		Berezniki, Russia has a 24 hour monitoring station looking out for sinkholes and sign of earth movement. Berezniki, an old mining town is under a constant threat of sinkholes opening up and swallowing any building, the occupants with it. Check link below... But is it just because Berezniki is too close to the mines or is it something decidedly more dodgy? Marvel have been documenting the adventures infamies of the nefarious adversary of the Fantastic Four, The Moleman for decades. The Moleman is well known for raising gargantuan monsters from subterranean depths and leaving nothing behind but sink holes to mark his attacks. Check the images below of the Berezniki sinkhole and a Marvel archive image of a sinkhole in Russia
	Fantastic Four welcoming Moleman

Sinkhole in Berezniki, Russia.		Moleman attack in the old USSR

More from Silver Age Comics on the close relationship between Fantastic Four and Moleman... here

Looked better last night:(... to be edited.



.............:p

X-Posted: lambeth_comics

As we can see from the way Wikileaks is being demonised the hypocrisy of authority in persecuting whistleblowers is a topical issue... well not really(: The truth is our lords and masters have always come down hard on anyone who pointed out the emperor wears no clothes... or is preying on your community...

The New York Times: Dutch Church Is Accused of Castrating Young Men

The story highlights that rather than whistleblowers given any credence they are treated as the most dangerous criminals except they are denied trial. Their crime? Revealing the authorities, we trust to govern us, as immoral and criminal whose only response to having it's authority challenged is punitive and violent and without any reason or jurisprudence. The fact that the Dutch state aided and abetted the Catholic Church's illegal detainment and mutilation of whistleblowers with no apparent investigation or jurisprudence shows a clear history of corrupt partnership between Church and State. I believe this is an evidence of a culture which the participating members; governments, corporates and established religions have a relationship which exists primarily to protect their interests no matter what the cost to those they are sworn to serve. Which is why I am going to be very surprised when Sweden does not conduct a Kangaroo court against Julian Assange and does not deport him to America without due process.