Chinook "Damaged" in Afghanistan

Note the spin on this story: the headline says the Chinook was damaged, which it was. But then it was deliberately destroyed in order to render it useless to the enemy...

So why wasn't the headline "Chinook Destroyed in Afghanistan"? Was it because destruction instantly makes the public know we're another helicopter short? As opposed to damaged, which signifies an ability to repair the helicopter.

Note the report goes on to say another Chinook suffered the same fate previously, so we're two Chinooks down.

The price of those cheap American Black Hawks we were offered a while back might start going up soon. Once we become desperate and will pay anything to replace our helicopter fleet, whats to stop the price going up?

UPDATE:

Defence of the Realm has the story too and basically agrees with my comment to Pavlovs Cat that its an indicator of how hostile the environment our forces are working in in that area. Although I'm not convinced the options DOTR promote for replacements are up to scratch.

Portsmouth Kite Festival

I've been interested in kite flying on and off since I was a kid. I've got an old parasail stunting kite I've had for 10 years or so that I get out every now and then. Since I moved to Portsmouth, I've been waiting for the annual Portsmouth International Kite Festival to come around, so I can have a look.

Went down to have a look yesterday and wasn't dissapointed, its pretty spectacular, with all the kites flying.

If you have kids, I'd recommend it, as there's nothing better than to get down on Southsea common and fly a kite for some parental bonding.

The weather is supposed to be good tomorrow, its free to enter, so why not pop down? Monday is free flying day: Buy a kite and fly it.

I've added pics I took yesterday on my phone camera, to show you what to expect.

I've also seen a kite I really, really like: a Revolution, which can do some pretty impressive aerobatics. If you go to the kite festival, check them out.

However, a Revolution is a bit out of my reach, as I'm not serious enough about my kites to justify the 150 quid asking price, even if I was working.

I think I'll stick with my 30 quid 10-year-old stunter for now.

UPDATE:

The weather is overcast and drizzly. So much for the weather forecast.

Best give kite flying a miss then.

UPDATE2:

The weather cleared to clear blue skies despite what I said at 7 o'clock. I've just come back from a couple of hours on Southsea common. It was packed to capacity.

Lots of dads flying kites, after the kids got fed up....

I still want a revolution, or at lest a kite that flies like it. Looks like I'll be doing some DIY: digging out the sewing machine and trying to cadge some ripstop nylon and some carbon poles.

Murdoch Attack on BBC News

This latest attck on the BBC from News Corporation and the Murdoch family in general is no suprise.

News Corp is already charging for news as they've found (as the dead tree press has) that there is no profit to be had in free news. The BBC are now a target because they provide news paid for by licence fees.

Ordinarily, I'd say there's no case to answer: thats the way we fund public broadcasting in this country and thats that. For drama, entertainment, documentaries and the like, the BBC should be beyond criticism. But for news, there's a fly in the ointment: the supposedly impartial BBC are far from impartial. Everyone knows over the past decade or more, the BBC has become more and more the propaganda wing of the Labour party, reiterating downing street press releases without any balancing commentary. A far cry from the days of Thatchers's and Major's governments.

I just wonder if Murdoch has found the chink in the BBC's armour, the weak spot that will eventually lead to the breal up of the BBC. Given News Corp's determination to make people pay for their news and the Murdoch clan's past record at sweeping competition aside, its a possibility.