Save May Day! - Part Deux...

Ok it's been about a month since the first result of the letter writing... a rather prompt response from Buckingham Palace!

There were also letters sent to David Cameron and Nick Clegg. As you will recall from my first blog post, I was told the letter originally sent to The Queen was forwarded to one of her ministers.

Well, this morning I received two letters, from two government departments, one as a result of the letter to The Queen, and one as a result of the letter to Nick Clegg.

Although it appears we may have won the battle in saving May Day for a couple of years, the letter from Chris Green, of the DCMS indicates the war may not yet be over...

 

Computer “Infections”... the latest scam!

Earlier today I got a call from 24seven PC Care, advising me that as a windows user my computer may have been subject to some “infection”. Oh-no I thought! “Is that like a virus?” I asked. “Oh, no,” I was told “these can not be picked up be any anti-virus software... this is not a virus... it's an infection.” “What like a malware infection?” I enquired. “Erm... yeah... things like that.”

Now being the natural sceptic that I am... and knowing my way round a PC I knew he was talking bull as much as he did... but just for sport... “So, how do I know if I have one of theses infections?” I asked.

Over the next 10 minutes the “customer advisor” aka salesman. Talked me through, in very simple step by step actions, accessing the applications history in the computers Run menu. He then proceeded to tell me that every 'warning' that appeared on there was one of these new “infections” trying to attack my computer. Now to me, because I kind of know what I'm doing, a warning file is just that a general 'warning' and not anything to be overly concerned about. But, had I not been a little tech savvy, I imagine this would have caused a lot of people to panic. But, that’s ok, because they will then talk you through going to their website and allowing one of their technicians to remotely scan your computer.

Now I was a little annoyed already because I could imagine how this call would have, entirely needlessly, struck fear into many of my friends and family members. So I informed them that I could not allow remote access to my computer as I worked from home and held information on there I could not risk anyone else accessing. “Oh but they can not access those files.” I was told “They simply scan the computer.” At which point I pointed out that if I granted them remote access to my PC, they could indeed do that. I was then told that because they have the Windows logo on their site, that meant they were partners of Microsoft, and I shouldn't worry about a thing. Oh well... as long as there's a picture on your website, that must mean everything's ok.

“So if I give you access to my PC, and you find any of these files, what happens then?” I asked, already knowing full well what the answer would be. “Then we can offer you full support and maintenance for just £76.”

Now, because I take online security fairly seriously, there's no way I was giving these people remote access to my PC. But, I'd bet my life on the fact they would have found one of these dangerous infections that required me to purchase there services.

Do not fall for these scams. Talk to less well experienced PC users you know, and make sure they do not fall for these scams. Stick with the tried and tested, reputable, online security products that don't rely on ill informed salesmen calling you and attempting to terrify you.

Defeated

I look at you fallen, your palace laid to waste.

But what did you expect? You built it with such haste.

Did you think it would last forever? That your luck would never run dry?

Did you realise when it did, it wouldn't be your tears that were cried?

Did you stop to consider those who'd stood firmly by your side?

Did you fail to notice them, as you pushed them aside?

You look for those that love you, and wonder where they are.

People can't be there for you, if you tear them apart.

You were so busy running everywhere, being everyone’s "best friend".

But where were you for those who needed you, those you had sworn to defend?

This place was once so happy, full of laughter, love and song.

Now an empty pile of memories, with you wondering what went wrong.

The meek that you once courted, that you could manipulate, have grown.

Your neglect has made them stronger, they have struck out on their own.

The rich man is he who sees value in everything he has,

Never takes things for granted, assuming it all will last.

The poor man neglects his trinkets, as he is always seeking more,

Not taking time to see the treasures, but what comes easy is often flawed.

Those flaws become more obvious, as the days wear on.

You have to start from scratch again, always moving on.

Maybe it will be these ruins that finally speak to you.

Make you change your ways, your intentions true.

Or could this be your last battle, maybe you have no more fight,

Maybe you'll slip from this world, as day turns into night.

But I will not judge too harshly, when I remember how you did me wrong,

For I was the meek you, inadvertently, turned so strong.

Ostara Photo's

These are a collection of photos that I shot around the National Park between Wylam and Prudhoe.

Save May Day!

Ok, this issue has been rattling round for a while now! Basically in a move to "extend the British tourist season" the ConDems have decided it would be a peachy idea to move May Day (aka Beltane) - Yes... seriously!

Well as you can imagine no-one, least of all the pagan community is very happy about this, including me. So what did I do? Well first of all there have been a couple of good online petitions and campaigns set up;

"Save May Day" Facebook group

38Degrees campaign

so I signed up to these straight away. I then thought about writing to MP's, but then thought... 'wait... instead of starting with my local MP and working up... lets start at the top and work down.'

Now as we all know, if you want a job done properly, talk to a woman...

 

Ok, now on to Cameron and Clegg!

to be continued...

Anti-witchcraft propaganda: Wicca & Witchcraft: Understanding the dangers, by Elizabeth Dodd

On the 18th of January 2011, The Catholic Truth Society published a book by Elizabeth Dodd entitled “Wicca & Witchcraft: Understanding the dangers.” It’s lack of research and outright inaccuracy caused no surprise amongst the magical community. Nor did the lazy, bigoted, band wagon jumping article it inspired from journalist, (and I use the word ‘journalist’ as a job title rather then any kind of accurate description), Damian Thompson of The Telegraph. The booklet was also mentioned in The Daily Mail, though in this case I’m please to report Simon Cauldwell provided a ‘to the point’ non-bias piece.


Now it’s fair to say that most people are well aware that the catholic church is not the greatest fan of witchcraft. It’s also fair to say that most people would expect them to try and bring those of other faiths over to Catholicism. The pagan and wiccan community have come to accept a certain level of lazy journalistic endeavours over the years. And, expect anything published by The Catholic Truth Society to be preach Catholicism as the only true path to happiness. But, there’s a few things about this publication that have really caused stirrings of outrage.

Firstly there are claims within the book that are just outright incorrect. Such as, Wicca is mainly practiced by young girls. A ridiculous claim with no evidence, (probably because none exists), to back it up. There are also some of the fantastically ludicrous statements that have been made by Dodd since the publication began getting attention and criticism. Statements such as;

“I can understand why a discussion of ‘the dangers’ of Wicca might seem persecutory. But Wicca is a potentially dangerous religion – I’m sure many Wiccans would agree. The threefold law implies danger – cast a negative spell and three times’ the negativity comes back to you.”

Yeah, almost as dangerous as eternal torture in a fiery pit for breaking the rules.

Though Dodd does let slip the true point of this exercise eventually;

“From my research, Wiccans are frequently young people. Sometimes it feels like that’s a demographic the Church is missing.”

So the fact the whole congregation only have their pensions to live on is starting to hit the collection plates is it? I’m guessing younger people are also more likely to click the ‘donate’ button on The Catholic Truth Society’s website.

I also think it’s fair to say that catholic organisations are probably amongst the least qualified people in the world to be handing out advice on ensuring young impressionable people are protected, and not led into dangerous situations.

Of course The Catholic Truth Society have been trying to ride the wave of attention to their advantage. Dismissing any protests and criticism they say;

“What began as a small document to inform Catholics about the realities of Wicca … appears to have re-ignited the persecution complex among Wiccans that I was hoping to diffuse.”

What they don’t seem to realise is when people ask you to justify something you’ve stated as fact, telling them they have a complex is not going to stop them asking the questions. And the more of them you can’t come up with an answer to, the less credibility you have.