"The OITC proposed to invest US$150 million in a hydro-electric project in the region, subject to Ullauri placing $20,000 in a bank account in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia as a deposit. She paid in the money as requested in December 2005 but several months later there was no sign of the promised millions from the OITC.[11] In mid-April 2006 Ullauri publicly denounced the OITC as a fraud and lodged a complaint against its principal, Ray Cchat Dam, and two Ecuadorians said to be its local agents.[12]"
It seems to me that the simplest explanation is that Lord James of Blackheath is barking mad. One commenter at Stross's blog remarks that he's had a stroke, which may or may not be relevant.
Lord James is small fry. This is a country where, in 1976, the former [thanks, zb] Prime Minister summoned 2 journalists to his office, and declared to them:
"I see myself as a big fat spider in the corner of the room. Sometimes I speak when I’m asleep. You should both listen. Occasionally when we meet, I might tell you to go to the Charing Cross Road and kick a blind man standing on the corner. That blind man may tell you something, lead you somewhere."
"They decided to devote the words to the most obscene account of Hermann Göring having sexual congress with a lady kangaroo, which ultimately proved fatal to him because it would not stop jumping. After that, the Reverend Wynn decided that there should be no more of that."
He is a member of the House of Lords. This is our unelected upper house. Their actual role in legislative government is somewhat complex (though they do have a role, some of which is not exercised by convention, some of which lacks power).
But you are right; from a practical "man on the street" perspective he is not a member of "the government".
My personal banker's indiscretions are bubbling up to daily light. I told Morty to keep his personal business apart from mine and leave any trails pointing away from my accounts.
This draws the line and he will be fired for this airing of my account's balances in plebeian circles. My apologies to the fine people of England and the circle of Lords unfortunate enough to have been bothered with the matter.
[+] [-] dansingerman|15 years ago|reply
Significant excerpt:
"The OITC proposed to invest US$150 million in a hydro-electric project in the region, subject to Ullauri placing $20,000 in a bank account in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia as a deposit. She paid in the money as requested in December 2005 but several months later there was no sign of the promised millions from the OITC.[11] In mid-April 2006 Ullauri publicly denounced the OITC as a fraud and lodged a complaint against its principal, Ray Cchat Dam, and two Ecuadorians said to be its local agents.[12]"
[+] [-] thaumaturgy|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] angusgr|15 years ago|reply
Although why a more mainstream news organisation hasn't picked it up, I do not know (too wacky?)
[+] [-] gjm11|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] enko|15 years ago|reply
Wait, what's that, you don't think casting aspersions on someone's mental capacity is a valid counterargument? Well then.
[+] [-] arethuza|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] mhd|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] danohuiginn|15 years ago|reply
"I see myself as a big fat spider in the corner of the room. Sometimes I speak when I’m asleep. You should both listen. Occasionally when we meet, I might tell you to go to the Charing Cross Road and kick a blind man standing on the corner. That blind man may tell you something, lead you somewhere."
[+] [-] DanI-S|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] arethuza|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] genghy|15 years ago|reply
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201011/ldhansrd/t...
"They decided to devote the words to the most obscene account of Hermann Göring having sexual congress with a lady kangaroo, which ultimately proved fatal to him because it would not stop jumping. After that, the Reverend Wynn decided that there should be no more of that."
[+] [-] Luc|15 years ago|reply
As far as I can tell from his Wikipedia page he is a member of one of the houses of parliament, but has never been a member of government.
[+] [-] ErrantX|15 years ago|reply
But you are right; from a practical "man on the street" perspective he is not a member of "the government".
[+] [-] ryanc|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] dc2k08|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] mrjohnsly|15 years ago|reply
Video from 22:42:30
[+] [-] wildmXranat|15 years ago|reply
This draws the line and he will be fired for this airing of my account's balances in plebeian circles. My apologies to the fine people of England and the circle of Lords unfortunate enough to have been bothered with the matter.
[+] [-] tlb|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] gort|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] djtumolo|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] sjs|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] sorbus|15 years ago|reply
"The Guardian has called Serco "probably the biggest company you've never heard of." "
[+] [-] unknown|15 years ago|reply
[deleted]