Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 7-11-2019: The Ol’ One Two.

7th November, 2019.

The boiler saga … ?

Has taken another twist … !

You’ve probably realised that I’ve been trying to get the dratted thing replaced, yes?

You possibly already knew I was supposed to be phoning my landlords, to see what that’s be happy about authorising?

And not been able to do, as I’d not been able to get through to them.

I was going to give them another try, yesterday … 

Until the heating contractors phoned me, yesterday.

They’re coming on Tuesday afternoon, to do the repairs … 

~≈◊≈~

You’re possibly aware I’m not necessarily comfortable being political, here.

But will if I feel I must.

I’ve been voting Green* in many local and national elections: I’ve never voted Conservative, Labour — in Brentwood — have no chance†, and I’ve not voted Liberal Democrat since the coalition.

Indeed, I’ve spoilt my vote, several times, rather than vote for any of the big three: and still see this as a viable option, if needed.

So seeing this piece of news was worrying: as it seems to imply that the Greens won’t necessarily be standing in Brentwood.

I’ve just checked: Messenging the local party, through their Facebook page.

Seemingly, they’re now not standing in Chelmsford: but still planning to stand in Brentwood, once the crowdfunding page hits its target.

Here’s hoping.

~≈◊≈~

Frost/Nixon: Talking Heads Are Rarely This Good …

23/08/2012 22:58

Do you remember me saying, a while ago, now, that there seemed to be a rule — for certain kinds of horror or thriller movie — that says Keep ’em isolated, it’ll scare ’em senseless … ?

Well, I did.

And I hate to admit it, I think I’ve ALSO come across something else, here, too.

Sometimes … ?

Riveting drama is just two people talking.

At least, Silence of the Lambs famously showed us that.

As did the movie I’ve just caught, tonight: the 2008 film, Ron Howard, Frost/Nixon … 

‹‹·››

24/08/2012 21:53

Based on the play of the same name, Frost/Nixon tells the story of the by now famous series of interviews of disgraced former US president, Richard Nixon (Frank Langella) by David Frost (Michael Sheen): including Frost’s efforts to both fund — and sell — the interviews to US networks.

And Nixon’s efforts to throw his interviewer off track: something that’s not always as successful as he wants.

Oh … Just to show you how accurate that was … 

You can tell this is going to end badly, can’t you … ?

‹‹·››

Now, I have to admit, I’ve not seen Michael Sheen in his breakout role — as Tony Blairº in The Deal — but have always been impressed by him in those appearances of of his I have caught*.

Personally, though, I thought the real scene stealer was Frank Langella as Nixon: incredible stuff!

Either way, I am seriously going to suggest you catch this film, even if you — like me — aren’t as au fait with the Watergate Scandal, the original play, or the original interviews as you could be.

You’ll catch a bloody good drama … that boils down to two people talking …

Frost/Nixon★★★★

*        Do I mention The Doctor’s Wife, here … ?   Sheen voiced House … 

º        Although I don’t know if it’s as good as John Culshaw’s … 

The Doctor is IN …

Any one see the Red Nose Day Dr Who specials … ?

Anyone … ?

I’ve got to admit, I did, and thoroughly enjoyed them: in particular, the fact they had a BIG announcement at the end, informing us Series 6 will be aired at Easter, this year.

Spoilers, Debbi, just in case you’re reading this …

At ANY rate … ?

One other thing I do know is I’ve just seen a tweet go past from Steven Moffat, the show’s lead writer.

Showing us the link to something on the official Dr Who site: something he calls a ‘prequel’ …

Here …

Enjoy that: I’ll leave you the trailer, and other bits, too …

WikiLeaks: An open Letter to President Barack Obama

Right …

I’ve got to confess, this is the first time I think I’ve done something like this.

But, after hearing on the news, tonight, about the latest twist in the WikiLeaks saga, I thought I had to say something to possibly the most powerful bloke on the planet.

According to the BBC news report I’ve just seen, about the subpœna that Twitter has received, ordering them to hand over details of the Twitter accounts for half a dozen or so prominent people involved with WikiLeaks, it get’s worse.

It seems that this also involves similar levels of detail about their followers.

I’m insulted.

If the US Justice system wants my details, they have two choices.

Either they can politely ask me for them, themselves: complete with an explanation of why they want them.

Or they can sod off.

Either way, I got inspired.

Inspired enough to send this open letter …

To President Barack Obama.

Here …

President Barack Obama

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW,

Washington DC

USA

Dear Mr Obama,

I’m writing to you, after hearing the news that the Federal District Court in Virginia, has subpœnaed Twitter.com, in order to gain access to private account details of four Twitter users linked to the ongoing US dispute with the whistle blowing site, WikiLeaks.

I’m given to understand this includes:

• Mailing addresses
• Billing information
• Connection records
• IP addresses
• And email addresses.

I’m also given to understand that this includes similar details for the followers of the four people.

I’m one of those followers.

I’ve taken an interest in the ongoing story, as I believe that — regardless of any specific security concerns — the WikiLeaks site has and is capable of making contributions to open government, whichever government it happens to be.

And also object to the fact that the US government wants my details, as part of its dispute with the site.

I am a UK citizen, and thus have no protection under US law from what I believe is a gross invasion of privacy: something I understand is granted to US citizens, by US law.

Mr Obama, when you were elected many people around the world, saw it as a sign of positive change in the world.

I was one of them.

Change typified by that now famous phrase, “Yes, we can”.

Looking at the WikiLeaks story … ?

I now believe that those who believe that change to be just around the corner …

Believed that you represented a cleaner form of American government …

Believed that your administration would be better than the one it replaced …

Have been seriously let down.

For that, I hold you responsible.

Yours,

Paul Downie.

Now, I don’t know if he’ll read it.

Or what sort of response I’ll get*.

But if you’d like to do the same … ?

Firstly, copy and paste the relevant bit of textº.

Then send it here.

To paraphrase The Ramones … ?

“Heigh-Ho, Lets Go”.

* Hopefully, it won’t include marines abseiling down the side of my flat …

º Creative Commons License, remember … ? I’ll waive the attribution clause, just for this letter.