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The alternative vote

I do not know if this issue has been published widely in Spain, but today in the UK there are local elections which adds a referendum on changing the voting system after the next election. The current system, called "first past the post" (first past the post, or the first to reach the goal) means that whoever has more votes in a constituency, whether that be by a majority, wins the seat. As a lifetime. Like Eurovision, for example. The new proposal, called "alternative vote" (AV) means that each voter, by submitting your ballot, must indicate in what order the candidates prefer it. For example: first the Labour Party, Liberal Democrat second, third, the green room, conservative, and so the number of candidates have their ballot. If the first preference count each ballot the most voted candidate does not get absolute majority in the constituency are caught the game in ballots voted first preferences is eliminated and second preferences are added to the other parties. Counted again, and if now is a candidate with an absolute majority wins, and if not, the next game is removed unless re-voted and redistribute their ballots using the second preferences, and until a candidate with an absolute majority or only two candidates. Initially

sounds complicated but really, what makes this AV system is taken into account that the voters can have a second opinion on who wants to win the seat. For example, if your choice is an independent candidate, but that can not win, you may have a preference about who prefer after him (PSOE, PP, IU, another independent, other party, etc). Why, it does not take into account the second choice if your first choice is eliminated? This approach helps to take into account the views of the electorate rather than less. And the person who desire to pull this mess, you can always check only one candidate and not participate in subsequent rounds to be removed if it is. Some people explained it by comparing it to go shopping. If you go for beers, or detergent, and do not have the brand you want, you'll probably get another one, the second most prefer or that offers other things such as best price or more product for your money. Can be comical, but is well illustrated.

The funny (or not so) is that the debate on this system, as surely would happen in Spain, it is focusing on whether it helps or not better reflect the democratic views of the electorate, but what would help or hurt political parties and proponents and opponents of the proposal thus aligning just opportunistic. Thus, AV is supported by small parties, especially the liberal-democratic, the third most votes in the country, which, like the United Left in Spain, less performance out of their votes to the national level could another system. They like the AV not only because they provide more seats, but because in places where removed before the two large, their second preferences can swing the balance in the final tally on the side is best for their supporters, or at least less bad .

In contrast, the major parties prefer the current system, which encourages bipartisanship. The national parties spread their votes much as expensive pay their seats that never get too many, and the parties local, but devastate in a given region, will never make a big deal nationally.

Why should we vote this now in the UK? Because in the general elections did something very unusual, that there was no absolute majority. The largest party was the conservative, the second and the third Labour Liberal Democrat, was left with enough votes to give the government the key to any of the first two. Who give it to the closest ideologically Labour, which had lost the majority and large number of votes, seats and popularity, or the sworn enemy, the conservative right, which had won the election? In the end it was given to the latter, citing the condition, among others, to hold a referendum. And here it is. And you're going to lose.

'll see how the vote goes today, but polls say no AV. And one of the main reasons, it seems, is that the British believe that government coalitions are bad in themselves. I mean, not so much a possibility among others, is that if there is something intrinsically wrong, such as drought or flood. I must seem it's like playing a cup final and if someone does not win by a landslide, giving the trophy to six players on one team and five from another. Whenever there are elections, is seen as a showdown over all between two proposals, which sometimes slips a third party, but where he wins, obviously in a fair fight, style 'Chariots of Fire', gets the whole prize, the other claps, attends the ceremony and will train selflessly to the beach until you reach the next Games. Even the parliament is positioned so that half of the banks is in front of the other half, rather than the supposedly more egalitarian-Chamber coleguil.

is, that those governing rinses two parties together are not going, when are commonplace in other countries. Indeed, elsewhere the strange thing is that there is absolute majorities rule allowing a party without any support needed parliamentarian. Thus, in recent months, the British do not really know what to think of a government blue-gold, 70% Conservative, 30% Liberal Democrat, who is trying to be fiscally conservative and socially progressive, sometimes paddling two opposite directions, having no habit of talking with the enemy, rather than ignoring four years to the tea.

And as the AV is believed to have more favor coalitions in the future will surely be defeated in the referendum. Curious way to look, goodness gracious. Then see who complains that there are not enough choices that democratic party machinery eat any initiative.

And what would happen in Spain with something like this? Well, viz.

Yellow Blue Silver Wrapping Paper

Televicio 1x08 Releases March-April 2011 USA

Karma Bar (11 February)
http://current.com/shows/bar-karma/
"The first TV series developed by an internet community." This means that there is an open blog where people put their ideas, and some of them occasionally used for any of the episodes. The Title Bar Karma is a kind of pub outside of time and space where the unsuspecting customer who comes in he has the opportunity to change the course of his life seeing what might happen after a major decision. It is an interesting idea which has resulted in the execution. Breakout

kings (March 6)
The "king of the leaks" are some inmates that help capture other prisoners escaping, in exchange for sentence reductions. If during the capture of fugitive B, one of the escapees to turn tries to escape taking advantage of the circumstances, we will double the penalty. Easy to explain and easy to see the problems. Inmates are basically bolli cazapresos pseudodura the street and brainy nigger hateful. Each week we have to get away for someone to leak ingenious way, meet the group, find out where he is or is to be the escape, ensuring that everyone contributes their bit, caught the fugitive, and we will be telling something of the past all these people and the two cops who run them. If anyone was monkey 'Prison break', it may be worth. Especially since in the third inning the fugitive of the week is one of the most memorable characters of this series.

Mildred Pierce (March 27)
miniseries of five episodes of HBO, which adapts the novel of the same name, written in 1941. And there was a film version in 1945 with Joan Crawford. This time the protagonist is Kate Winslet. And this is not TV, this is HBO. It is the story of a housewife in the 30's whose husband leaves her in full recession, and has to leave the kitchen (from home) to start living for herself while caring two offspring, one of which is an insufferable snob. Sometimes it gets a bit melodramatic, but very well set and interpreted, with a fairly slow pace, or rather slow, which need not be boring if you know what is coming.

Body of proof (March 29)
The series has become known for have been released before in at least six countries outside the United States (including Spain) than inside. Would have been released in October 2010, but the failures of two other series of the same chain ('My Generation' and 'The whole truth') is the change made to the following spring. Quickly explained: someone has killed someone and that is the murderer is the "medical examiner (forensic vulgar, to continue with references to Gila," and was a doctor or anything, but I had a Ford, and we called the coroner. ") Has the same advantages and disadvantages that a lot of series of killings. Is easily and quickly, and everything has to be brilliantly solved in 42 minutes, during which we must submit to a significant number of characters that may be the murderer: the husband, the boss, the former girlfriend, the porter house the wedge, etc., who are trapped because science today is an outrage forward as you dare to scratch an ear ten minutes before the crime, you are lost. The actress, Dana Delany, he does very well (despite never getting off of the heels) and the other is quick and forgettable that burger. This does not have to be bad.

Camelot (April 1)
already made some progress in the previous chapter of this column, and I reaffirm what was said: I recommend approaching it with somewhat diminished expectations. Nor is 'Excalibur' and 'Spartacus' and 'Roma' or 'A Game of Thrones', of course. Maybe it looks a little closer to 'The Pillars of the Earth': correct and wasting actors. Joseph Fiennes as Merlin has great potential to be extremely tiresome (though the script with respect to it is quite interesting, making it a manipulator y mentiroso sin complejos), y el Arturo adolescente de anuncio de champú va a tener que mejorar bastante rápido (y preguntar si el otro es mejor que tú en la cama no ayuda). Eva Green, por otra parte, está espectacular de Morgana, y no solamente por lo guapa. Un problema que está teniendo la serie es con el uso de la magia, que intenta ser arcano y temible y resulta más bien ridículo hasta ahora, lleno de monjas, círculos satánicos y caras intensas. Ahí podrían aprenden de Tolkien y Martin, por ejemplo.

CHAOS (1 de abril)
Comedia dramática o drama cómico sobre espías que no es ni chicha ni limoná. Ha durado tres episodios antes de ser puesta “on hiatus” (Paused holiday), which means it will be canceled soon, perhaps by issuing what has already been filmed. And is it to get into Sudan, North Korea and former Soviet republics invented (Transnistria) with a rifle and a stolen van and will not wash. And much less get away with the mission accomplished and hair intact, while giving time to chistecillos bad. So Bond has changed the tone.

The Borgias (April 3)
like it if you liked 'The Tudors'. It is not good use of such phrases, but in this case it works. Certainly reach the same audience that saw the other and disappoint them. Same chain, same clothes spending, the same design gorgeous scene and less historical accuracy yet. Jeremy Irons is indisputable is his role and the other is yet to be decided. For those who do not sound, is the famous family of English origin (sorry, Valencia) during the XV and XVI walked in the intrigues of popes, dukes, wedding, clergy, scandals, deaths and conspiracies. It has already been renewed for another season.

The Kennedys (April 3)
miniseries that has been surrounded by some controversy in the United States. Commissioned by the History Channel (now History), was rejected because it was not enough historical (what to expect from a product of fiction, I ask myself), but is reportedly several Kennedy family members (including Maria Shriver, wife of Arnold Schwarzenegger) has been lobbying to prevent their issuance. Thus, chain after chain spent to buy the rights to a channel almost unknown, Reelz, founded less than five years ago, dared to it, and have delivered in record time: the eight chapters in six weeks. The series itself is a little thing, but I guess that is enough for a known family, with money and influence put to complain that Bobby was not well or not give true that Jack was having an affair with Marilyn. The best is Tom Wilkinson as the patriarch of the series, John Patrick, which shows that those who arrive high is because someone had to step on to soar. Many have gone to Katie Holmes for a very dull Jacqueline, but does not interfere much. The surprise is perhaps the brothers Bobby and JFK, where the former appears strong and determined, almost sending behind the throne, and the second is a henpecked both, in the wake of everything and everyone. Greg Kinnear, nevertheless, manages to seem physically a lot like JFK.

The Killing (April 3)
The most overrated of late, although it is still recommended to display. Based on a Danish series, is a dead teenager and how it's going to take thirteen episodes to find out who the murderer. For now will be well to dry, but many people is selling too much smoke on it, perhaps because it is the AMC, a station of 'Mad Men', 'Breaking Bad', 'The Walking Dead' and 'Rubicon' til now. Some reasons to prolong the case are well spun, but others, like the costume party, have clearly painted a trap to be able to change a suspect, and to reject evidence turns of the screw when desired. The political plot just not be very compelling. In return, the wet atmosphere and tone of Seattle urban crisis give it a somewhat gloomy and serioso that has its point at times. While you look, however it is the people accustomed to rain, you keep talking while jarrea up instead of getting into the car is a little stupid. It is very sad, very northern, very post-industrial, very end-of-century and very roll 'Seven', but people are not so stupid. Breaking

in (6 April)
sitcom about a company that is dedicated to enter places monitored to demonstrate its security flaws. To this has been and Christian Slater, one of the stars that never left the world of cinema. As the topic is very repetitive, the series is actually about how the new link to the girl wants cute place, although it has a boyfriend. Neither good nor bad, quite the opposite.

Workaholics (April 6)
sitcom about a trio of office workers never seem to work and are more interested in Mary and avoiding smoking heads in the gigs. No, do not look around, you do not come out. Not very polite and friendly tone, even if the humor is always bold that each viewer must decide. Much also depends on whether one is cute the bear's fur coats, for example. Some of his ideas seem to have more fun on paper (and probably in the smoke) that once rolled.

Happy Endings (April 13) more
Another sitcom based on three types and three gals between 28 and 32 years. There are two groups (black and white), two just leave (she is Elisha 'Daughter of Jack Bauer at 24 'Cuthbert), one is gay and the other is left. View each other's house, which are too large to be supposed to be Curritos middling exchanged jokes and pickups, sometimes appearing to annoy parents and siblings, etc, and everything goes peacefully to how many clones of 'Friends ', but no canned laughter, which is what you get now. At times commitment Graciet drop very quickly one after another, before people can decide whether to laugh or not. Be seen. The Paul Reiser

show (April 14)
comedian Paul Reiser is quoted in the U.S., which will surprise those who remember him mostly as Carter Burke, the bureaucratic cocoon of 'Aliens', a role that has nothing to do with the rest of his career as a stand-up comedian "(what in Spain is now called stand-up comedian). The inspiration for this series is clearly 'Curb Your Enthusiasm "(in Spain' Larry David '), where the protagonist plays a telecom version of himself. Indeed, so much so that Larry David appears in the first episode guest. However, while in 'Curb' was much more improvisation from a base situation, which was what has always distinguished from the others, in this case it seems more strictly scripted. We could also link a 'Seinfeld', the famous "show about nothing" where the protagonist simply react to situations more or less rare that everyday life throws up. There will be time for more, as it has been canceled after only two episodes, negative record-breaking ratings on NBC.

And finally, what we all been waiting for:

Game of Thrones (April 17)
The superb adaptation of the series 'A Song of Ice and Fire' by George RR Martin, who faces his biggest challenge career: to convince nonbelievers that a fantasy story can be as interesting as the recent success of HBO 'The Sopranos' 'Deadwood', 'Roma', 'The Wire', 'True Blood', 'Treme', 'Boardwalk Empire', 'Six Feet Under', etc. And this is important, because without spectators who are not already fans of the books will be difficult for the series to continue (although it has been renewed for another season.) For those who do not know what it is a story set in a fictitious continent the size of South America, divided into seven kingdoms, at times more or less medieval technology. The struggles of these kingdoms and groups together to achieve a share of power are more or less great that moves most of a large number of characters ranging from the current king to his principal nobles, the ambitious family of the queen, the sons of former king, etc. Any comparison with 'Lord of the Rings' has to be left out, since the content of this series is more explicit violence, sex and vocabulary, not so morbid as to its center. Just use those things as daily realities in a tough and uncompromising world, where the game of thrones you win or die. If the series of novels is ambitious, the series has not been left behind, and apart from the inevitable complaints from fans for missing this or that scene from the book or this or that detail has changed, it can be said from the beginning that is a great series jigsaw should not even among fans of the genre.

Sorority Initiations Paddling

The other

The summers of my childhood was spent between Chualar, crushed chiles and especially capirotada. Like everything in house, it was both very Mexican and for a very different to what school and lived in the neighborhood. At all times I had to give explanations about why the Chualar not popcorn, crushed chilies are a type of gamble and capirotada had nothing to do with that bread soaked in the inns. It was also strange to others that we were all the Easter to the church but not the pass giving us real lashes or emotional.

In the Protestant world the church is a place of important socialization, such as Good Friday service after the seven words was a holiday meal to follow at dusk. Easter Sunday was just to have breakfast with tamales and play for hours. Thus, the family was in the middle of everything as usual. Obviously we were not the only difference. The neighborhood, the city and the entire country is made up of different, but the myth of homogeneous and pasteurized Mexican made it and thereby deny ourselves. But the most unusual Easter for my self-flagellation were not Catholic, but the bewildering change of date of holiday and capirotada.

The days of the Earth's rotation, the lunar months and years revolution Earth around the Sun were to blame for my discomfort. Although in apparent synchrony are far from each other multiples round and thus have a simple, beautiful and clear calendar system to the frustration of everyone. By contrast the duration of the year is as ugly with its 365 days, 5 hours, 48 \u200b\u200bminutes and 45, 9678 (...) seconds what to do with those 48 minutes? "Playing football halftime? The extra quarter day each year or talk. So you better not be watching them and ancient civilizations were left as not wanting to build the thing, ignoring the wise aliens helped them to build pyramids. So things Asterix times for the disorder was sufficient to Roman chief executive realized he did not live in the day it should. Julio Cesar then decided that the universe would be nice with years of 365 ¼ days, and every four years add a day. Cute, except that were amassed eleven minutes a year that the Renaissance did drop the early spring around March 11. The good news is that the holidays coming soon, but that did not matter to Gregory XIII workholic tired of holding the carnival, even in winter (tanga ride in Venice and snow must be horrible), made use of a resource misunderstood today: CONACYT summoned medium Vatican to help him, this primitive custom was that the scholars and scientists instead of playing to join the dots on farmville SNI or resolve the problems of the empire (a practice quite eccentric). In this way was that Christopher Clavius \u200b\u200band other Jesuit mathematicians invented a dreadful but practical solution. First flew 10 days remaining, Europeans Catholic slept an October 5 and woke up 15 October. Second, set the length of the year at 365 days 24.22% of the day (instead of 25% previously). Third, the surplus it gathered in a February 29 every 4 years, less the years that were new century. The exception to this rule is that every 400 years instead of the century itself will leap by 29 February, as it was in 2000. February 29 that repeats every 400 years. With all the ugliness that can be this calendar, only delayed one day every 2, 800 years.

What about Easter? Easter is a lunar date and has little to do with it.

That is a mess and moves so far. The moon has a cycle around the Earth of 29.53059 days, which means there is no way to fit between a fixed number of full moons in a solar year equivalent to about 354. 36709 days is the length of the lunar year. To fit the twelve half Moon in the twelve months were invented lunar months of 29 and 30 days, 354 days achieving accurate. Sure eleven days missing a fit to the solar calendar, so he devised lunar cycles of 19 years seven of whom have extra lunar month. So the Jewish holidays (lunar calendar) get delayed with the Gregorian calendar, until it falls a year and anticipate extra month. The Islamic lunar calendar the leap month is not going backwards, and always with respect to our calendar, like Ramadan. So Muslim children are laughing at Santa Claus always going forward. Easter is even more tangled because it mixes elements of lunar and solar. Falls on the Sunday following the first full moon (element lunar) after the spring equinox (solar component). But what the hell is Easter that has gotten us into so many obstacles?

Easter Bunny after reading this blog and not being able to calculate Easter, 2023, the year of the rabbit

The Jews are a strange people because Easter celebrates the Exodus from Egypt where they lived with water, food, weekly English and legal benefits to end around in the desert, no water, no soap and no vaginal lubricant. It's called freedom and worth more than gold from Pharaoh. Jesus himself when was pouring a glass of wine with his buddies in the Easter holidays, not to just tell pa that the Romans were going to get good punks, was also celebrating the freedom that so impaired at the time so looked so much like today.

why the emphasis in Jewish texts, Christians and in general throughout the West on the treatment of aliens. That all were strangers, we are all foreigners and migrants. This also becomes more gloomy news on Easter on the graves in Tamaulipas, full of migrants crossing the desert in search of freedom (by definition poverty, like wealth, are contrary to liberty). This also makes more sinister reading these Facebook days in the comment of a little kid from the "progressive left" calling evil shit born to another because it is not Mexican. When in fact we are a country of migrants, different and foreign. When in reality only exist on the other in which we recognize and differentiate. After all God, really did not do a very couple Universe, or the calendars or its inhabitants.