Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 12-5-2021: The Norge Pole

12th May, 2021.

Remember yesterday’s Teaser post … ?

Where I talked about the Voter ID provisions in the Queens Speech?

I’ve posted a few bits and bobs on Facebook, including a link to an official petition about it.

You can find that, here, if it’s something you want to sign.   Oh, and you’re in the UK.

I’ve ALSO emailed my MP about it.

If you’re in the UK, feel free to do likewise.

Here’s what I wrote, if you wanted to use a template:

“I seen today’s Queen Speech: and noted, with interest, the announcements about the Election Integrity Bill.

Including its provision for photo ID.

Can I ask if you’ll be voting for this bill?

As I feel there are objections to it: in particular, the clause about photographic ID.

As someone who’s unemployed?

The clause means spending money on ID.

Money I don’t have much of, as I’m on Universal Credit.

Money that needs to be spent on food and bills.

And money I don’t need to spend: on a human right — voting — that I can currently do for free.

It’s an objection I feel many I know will have: an objection that says you — and your fellow MPs — are making us buy our right to vote.

It’s not the only objection.

Because many will not be able to afford ID, this will reduce the number of people turning out to vote.

Something I know MPs have complained about.

Any MPs voting for this clause, including you?

Will be voting to reduce voter turnout.   Will be voting to reduce the number of people voting for them, and you.

Something that could well be fatal in marginal Conservative seats: and see your own majority fall.

I hate to sound crass: but an MP voting for this would be a turkey voting for Christmas.

As a final objection?

I’m told the bill is designed to prevent voter fraud.

And have to ask how  photo ID will prevent this: as most voter fraud is done through postal vote.   Something I know Eric Pickles, your predecessor as Brentwood and Ongar MP, has reported on.

With all this said?

I must reiterate and expand my original question.

Will you be voting for this bill?

And will you be voting for this clause?

Especially when it denies many of us a vote.”

You’ll find your MP, here.

As a final point?

I’m told that the government commissioned a report on the subject: here.

It specifically addresses the idea of free photo ID, twice: in the Introduction and Methodology section.

It’s good to see it acknowledged.

But?   As Radio Four’s Today programme has just pointed out?

There are STILL hidden costs, there.

You have to pay for the ID photos.   You’ll need to show proof of address: a bill, for example.   In all probability, you’ll need a birth certificate.

The last couple of times I needed photos?   I had to borrow money to get them: and travel to Chelmsford, as the photo booth in Brentwood wasn’t working.

Bills?   Mine are increasingly on line.   And printing them out at the library, difficult, under lockdown.

Don’t get me started on Birth Certificates: a replacement one costs anything up to £35 … 

It’s … 

Frankly?

Voter ID is a nice idea.

But it’s a badly thought out bad idea: with still too many hidden costs, and (possible) hidden damage … 

~≈🗳≈~

Let’s move on, shall we?

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Trevor*, Olga†, Mum‡, Debbi^ and Edithª putting in their answers: with Olga,Trevor and Debbi scoring five out of five, and Mum and Edith on four.

Let’s see how they, and you, does with today’s questions, shall we?

Here they are, along with the How To, License and video … 

Q1)        The Norge went over the North Pole: on 12th May of which year of the 1920s?

Q2)        Was the Norge an aeroplane, an air ship or a submarine?   (You never know where you find clues …)

Q3)        Which Norwegian explorer was in charge of the expedition?

Q4)        Which nationality was the Norge: American, Norwegian or Italian?

Q5)        Finally?   The Norge flew over the North Pole.   Yes or No: is there a landmass at the North Pole?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers … 

Q1)        The Diamond Sutra — the world’s oldest known printed book — was printed on 11th May, 868AD.   It was printed in which country: China, India or Ghana?

A1)        China.   (It’s also — technically — copyright free: as one of the book’s end notes says “for universal free distribution.”)

Q2)        11th May, 1933, saw the birth of Louise Farrakhan.   He’s the leader of what: the Church of Scientology, the Nation of Islam or the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster?

A2)        The Nation of Islam.

Q3)        11th May, 1941, saw the birth of singer, Eric Burdon.   He was the singer of which British band: the Beatles, the Animals or the Hollys?

A3)        The Animals.

Q4)        11th May, 1918, saw the birth of theoretical physicist, Richard Feynman.   He worked on the superfluidity of liquid what: hydrogen, helium or oxygen?

A4)        Helium.   Does anyone know what a superfluid fluid actually is?

Q5)        The first Pokhran-II nuclear tests were carried out: on 11th May, 1998.   By which nation: China, Israel or India?

A5)        India.

Here’s a thought … 

“The Norge … carried out the first verified trip of any kind to the North Pole.”

From the Wikipedia entry on the Norge.

And a song …

Today’s questions will be answered in tomorrow’s Teaser.

Feel free to share today’s video Teaser.

Have a good day.

*        They’re a little bit before my time, Trevor … !   (Hang on, their surname was Chinery?)

†        I’ll be honest, Olga, I’m looking forward to using them: today’s the first day of the new set of exercises: and I’m very aware my knees are creeping!   And I know what you mean about the ache.   Believe it or not, I did a couple of half marathons, many years ago.   My legs felt like lead piping, for about a week, afterwards!

As for the cards … ?   As I think — ha! — I mentioned, the company that did the research for the government mentions it.   But doesn’t — from what I could see — mention the hidden costs.    Birth certificate, bill printing, photos … … 

‡        Hello, Mum.

^        That he did, Debbi: he and Lovecraft wrote for some of the fantasy, SF and horror pulps in the 1920s and 30s.   I believe Eris Stanley Gardner got his start in them, as well, didn’t he?   A little bit later, though, if I’ve got the timing right!   According to the Wikipedia, one critic says the Perry Mason novels were as structured as Japanese Noh dramas.   I don’t think Raymond Burr could carry it off!

ª        Oh, I seen what you mean, Edith!   Carlene’s rather good, if that song’s any guide.   And according to Wikipedia, Carlene’s Maybelle’s grand-daughter, and Johnny Cash is Carlene’s step-dad!   She’s country music royalty, then!

Oh, and she was married to Nick Lowe, at one point: he had a couple of hits, when I was younger.