Black Bob

Shell in $15.5m Nigeria deaths settlement

This item is in the news today. So Shell is finally offering some restitution for it's disgraceful behavior in Nigeria! Perhaps it's not too late for the multinational to start admitting to it's wrongdoing in Mayo also where it is similarly trampling on the local population in it's quest for profit - aided and abetted unfortunately by our corrupt government which has signed over our natural resources to Shell.

"Royal Dutch Shell has agreed to a $15.5m payout to settle a lawsuit alleging complicity in murder, torture and other abuses by Nigeria's former military government.

The settlement brings to an end a decade-long battle by relatives of Nigerian writer and activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and others executed in 1995 in what plaintiffs said was a campaign of repression backed by Shell.

Mr Saro-Wiwa led a non-violent protest against environmental destruction and abuses against the Ogoni people in the Niger Delta. He was hanged along with other activists after trial in a military court.

Human rights lawyers hailed the agreement in New York as a precedent for holding Shell and other oil giants responsible for activities in countries with repressive governments.

Shell denies all accusations, but the settlement will spare the oil giant from the potential embarrassment of having to defend itself in court."

For more information visit:
Shell to Sea at www.corribsos.com and Wikipedia on the Corrib gas controversy

If It Sounds Too Good To Be True...

It probably is!

I got this message from a young lady via a dating website:

"I think, that I the nice, young girl. I search for the man for fine attitudes, but for me the age has no what value. think, that older men are more serious, experienced and family-oriented!!! They can give me some advices, because sometimes I really need them a lot!!! Older men are ready to create serious relations and not just play the games!!! I love a life and I like to enjoy a life. As I like to listen to music. I have no harmful habits. I do not smoke, I do not drink alcoholic drinks. I go in for sports, I go on discos, I love the work. I very careful girl. I like to prepare for a meal. I very much am pleasant to be introduced order at home. I think, that with my qualities I shall find the man the man of my dream. I shall hope, that the man of my dream is here. I very much would like to get acquainted with the man of the dream. I hope, that using this site I shall find the dream. I very much would like to become the happy girl, but now I am absolutely unfortunate.
My ideal date would be:
I love a life and I like to enjoy a life. As I like to listen to music. I have no harmful habits. I do not smoke, I do not drink alcoholic drinks. I go in for sports, I go on discos, I love the work. I very careful girl. I like"

Election Day

Today in Ireland we have the elections for the European parliament, the local government elections and also two bye-elections. According to the polls the government parties will get a drubbing - and rightly so, because the Fianna Fáil and Green Party led adminstration is one of the worst we have ever had in the history of this state. Corruption, scandalous waste of money, inept politicians...