The law is also open to interpretation. Once a law is written then it is open for change as judges use the law and set precedents that become pertinent for future cases. The law is being ’refined’ or altered in this way. Thus, the police and judges have a huge impact on the law in America and elsewhere in the world where there is a functioning police force and an independent judiciary.

I recently went to Thailand on holiday with my family. We stayed on Phangan island for several ways in a beautiful resort called See Through Boutique Resort in Haad Yao on the west coast of the island. I deliberately choose this beach as I thought it would be far from the party scene generated by the Full Moon Party that was happening during our stay.

I was surprised to find young people smoking joints in Haad Yao and also surprised that we were stopped driving to Thongsala and searched no doubt for marijuana. I don’t indulge. But I was curious.

I spoke to several Thai people and tourists about this. The tourists were universally scared of the Koh Phangan police and stated down to a person that the penalty was a stiff prison sentence that could only be avoided by paying a large ’fine’.

This turned out not to be the case. I found a young Thai student who was studying law. He explained that actually Thai judges were very lenient to cases of possession of small amounts of marijuana. And the ’fine’ that tourists thought they were paying were in fact bail fees. The fact that nobody hung around to attend court in Suratthani meant that the police could keep the bail money. And that if any tourist was brave enough to show up at his or her court case they would probably be given a small fine and their bail money returned to them.

Amazing how ignorance works and how it promotes corruption and fear.

There have been many instanced of toy recalls even from big brand companies like Fischer Price for instance. It’s not just them but a lot of children’s companies too, not just those selling toys. Even some ride-on toys for kids have been recalled for safety issues on certain parts of the toy. By being alert and taking promt action, we can safeguard our kids from harm. It doesn’t =always reuqire government intervention. You and I can do our part.

One of the most important thing to know is the component of your child’s toy: what is it made of? A couple of years ago, certain toys from China have been banned because they contain lead. Knowing how and where the toy was made would give you an insight on what it is made of. We need to ensure that these are safe for kids. I normally take time to check on the background of the company selling a particular toy I’m interested in buying before purchasing the product. It’s not hard if the toy is made by a highly trusted company like Little Tikes, however with smaller toy sellers, it might take time but it definitely pays of. After all, ensuring our loved one’s safety is of paramount importance.

It is amazing the stories you hear or read about how someone spent thousands of dollars on a fridge freezer.  When I see these I think to myself ’Are these people crazy???’  I can’t imagine myself ever spending thousands on something that is basically a commodity – which really describes all kitchen appliances.

White goods cool food, wash dishes, cook a roast – these are easy things to do!  All manufacturers know how to provide these basic functional capabilities in even the most inexpensive of appliances.  Why on earth would you pay a bunch of money for something that you can buy cheap?

I guess many rick folks have cash to blow on this type of thing, but not me.  I will continue to buy cheap whenever I can, and I don’t see that habit changing anytime soon!

On the weekend I will often fire up my Mac and load up CAD and tinker with my latest design. Around me are spread books on all manner of technical subjects. Each design has its own challenges. It is a battle with the laws of nature – how to make them work in our favor not against us. At the moment I’m working on a wind turbine. It’s fascinating how the smallest alteration to the fin either in shape or material can have an impact on the performance of the turbine. I believe wind power is going to be really important in the future. Although people might file pointless lawsuits complaining about the noise or the spectacle of wind farms, they seem to one of the few viable alternatives to fossil fuel electricity generation.

Next I want to design a turbine for a water environment. This could be to do with propulsion for water craft or again to do with power generation. I haven’t decided yet. When I finish it I will do the same thing I do with all my other designs, and that is post it on my site. I give all my designs away for free. My hobby is about helping people. Of course I add legal rejoinders to make sure people can’t sue me if my designs don’t work properly!