World-News

I feel very uncomfortable about how cosy Spiked and mmO2 are. Whilst it is interesting that corporates are increasingly obliged to be seen to attend to corporate social responsibility, the Monbiot story about how a whole media organisation was set up by the tobacco industry and ran undetected for years producing "science" makes one very wary.

http://www.spiked-online.com/sections/technology/debates/mobilesocietyprotection/default.htm

Responses at:
http://www.spiked-online.com/sections/technology/debates/mobilesocietyprotection/responses.htm

Peter Erskine can't afford debates like this to run disconnected from their corporate message, especially with kids accessing what they like from the Internet from mmO2 phones with iMode.

But there are serious issues here, and commentators in this Spiked debate are presenting cogent warnings about kids and phones as much as cow-towing to the "fear and safety" scam.

I suggest we all try and chip in on this one with sensible, and if possible parental, sentiments on where we think it's all going.

Lots of very serious questions to ask:

False fear generated to create a market on "safety"?

Spying and surveillance?

Inappropriate content?
Separation of the young peer groups from the parental world and awareness?

False sense of safety because having a phone leads kids to unsafe places where they feel they have a lifeline?

Levels of bullying, levels of street crime, the extremes of rape and killing videoed by phone: is this avoidable given the culture phones have created?

Parents paying huge annual bills without really knowing what it's producing?

What is a phone for a child for? Designer / gadget / marketing contrary to ecological principles re phone turnover and contaminating waste? And what will the "mobile communicator" have become for our kids when they are adult?

Happy debating; don't let this industry think it's just a sales opportunity.

Andy

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Mobile phone use and exposures in children
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/1004419/

Children and Mobile Phones… Is There a Health Risk?
http://www.acnem.org/journal/22-2_august_2003/children_and_mobile_phones.htm

Children & Mobile Phone Use: Is there a risk?
http://www.acnem.org/articles/children_mobile_phone_use-maisch.htm
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/1337433/

Teddy bear mobile ‘puts 4-year-olds at risk from radiation’
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/1204405/

Child warning over mobile phones
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4163003.stm

Get off that mobile, expert tells children
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-1431415,00.html

Children's use of Mobile Phones needed urgent Attention
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/349736/

The cellular telephone and children
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/1178705/

Hide Cellular Phones From Children
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/1178177/

http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0207-25.htm



EXPOSED: THE SECRET CORPORATE FUNDING BEHIND HEALTH RESEARCH

ACADEMICS AND THE MEDIA HAVE FAILED DISMALLY TO ASK THE CRUCIAL QUESTION OF SCIENTISTS' CLAIMS: WHO IS PAYING YOU?

By George Monbiot
The Guardian
Tuesday, February 7, 2006

http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,1703694,00.html


Informant: NHNE

--------

Three cheers for George Monbiot!

I emailed him after the Live 8 fiasco as he had been one of the very few people to speak out about the way that it missed the point, as the multinationals and Blair and Bush were actually the problem, not the solution etc. I passed on the information about Coltan, and the PFI issue of telcos assuming the guise of other companies, and, of course, the 'research' that was being bandied about by the operators and government, and he actually emailed me back and thanked me, which I thought was encouraging, as on his web-site he explains that he cannot reply individually to emails as he gets so many! (I was really disappointed when I was on the climate change march as my coach left before I heard him speak, because he is one of the few trustworthy voices of reason in this country to get any airtime). Today's article at least shows that through figures like George M, even the Guardian (which has been pretty appalling for siding with the industry lately) has to print stories which highlight our case. It will be interesting to see if any letters from mast campaigners get past the editor!

Amanda

You have been sent this article link by Amanda courtesy of smh.com.au

Personal Message: It's happening in Ozz too, the difference is, they're being told about it. Interesting article on tracking employees through mobiles.

Mobile phone technology allows better cyber sleuthing

February 7, 2006

To view the entire article, click on: http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2006/02/06/1139074158789.html

From: Eileen O'Connor
eileen@smokestackltd.co.uk
Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2006 10:44:57 -0000
Subject: fantastic presentation enclosed

Please find enclosed an excellent presentation from Ray; it contains some valuable information on legal issues, planning issues for phone masts and health, which everyone should find useful. See message enclosed from Ray.


Best wishes

Eileen



Hi Eileen,

If anyone wants to use the presentation that I made to Waverley BC as a basis for their input they are very welcome. No need to reinvent all the wheels!!

http://www.buergerwelle.de/pdf/dccf_final_full.pdf

Please fully acknowledge that I made extensive use of information from several mast action groups' websites and contact lines, including yours! It was (still is!) a steep learning curve and these were all a great help.


Kind regards

Ray

Lynne Featherstone MP has asked a question of Ruth Kelly

Would any of you be able to ask your MP to do the same? This would put more weight behind the question. They might take it seriously as its to do with children. I think the question could be beefed up though. Something like 'a phone mast in the classroom?"

Thanks

Sarah P



This is what we sent

Wireless computer networks (WLAN) and other microwave emitting devices http://www.buergerwelle.de/pdf/wlan_only.doc

Children Act 1989 Part 3 Section 17
http://www.buergerwelle.de/pdf/childrens_act.doc


The Rt Hon Ruth Kelly MP Sanctuary Buildings Great Smith Street London Sw1P 3BT


Our Ref: P-WLANNetwork

Date: 29 September 2005


Dear Ruth

Re: WLAN Systems in schools

I write on the behalf of one of my constituents who has expressed concerns about WLAN computer networks being used in schools.

As this gives off radiation she is asking the government to present guidelines to schools advising against the use of WLAN Networks in schools. I would be grateful if you could inform me on the government's position on this issue.


Parliamentary Researcher to:
Lynne Featherstone
MP Liberal Democrat
Member of Parliament for Hornsey & Wood Green lynne@lynnefeatherstone.org
House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA
(: 020 7219 8401 (Parliamentary) or 020 8340 5459 (Constituency) http://www.lynnefeatherstone.org

Some of you may be aware of the dire situation that the villagers in Penally, Pembrokeshire are facing, and in Particular, the Harriet Davis Trust Respite Holiday Home for teminally ill and severely disabled children, where mm02 have put in yet another application for them to deal with. Pembs Cc Planning dept still appear to be more on the side of MM02 than the residents and the Trust.

There are already four masts sited nearby, which have been there for years,and are part of the landscape, in fact, they provide coverage for the whole area. They got a Public Inquiry as Pembs CC didnt make a decision on time for the last application and were slapped with an Appeal for "non determination" by mm02, who tried to get the appeal heard by written submissions, which Pembs CC agreed to on 22nd November. The first any of the residents heard of it was a letter approx 8th December giving them till Jan 3rd to submit written submissions in triplicate! (Usuall tactics) Luckily they were awarded a Local Public Inquiry which will be on May 9th! Mm02 have used a loophole in Welsh Planning Law to hit them with a second identical Application. They have it on good authority that Pembs CC are trying to push this through the system asap to avoid their Inquiry. Anne from Penally has asked for as many people as possible to write to Mr D Lawrence, Head of Planning, Pembrokeshire County Council , County Hall, Haverfordwest SA61 1TP to OBJECT to Planning no 05/1254/PA. They have Visual Amenity, Mast Prolifereration, History of Planning and Appeal rejections with reasons still valid today and most importantly..Harriet Davis Trust Holiday Home for severely disabled and life-limited children and their families within 50-75 metres of the proposed Tetra. With the PERCEIVED health fears these vulnerable souls will face and the disastrous knock on financial effect to the Trust itself!

I know that LPAs usually disregard objections from out of the area, but because of the nature of this case it could be argued that we all have an interest, because the Harriet Davis Trust is the sort of project that should be encouraged, not put out of business. Their website is http://www.harriet-davis-trust.brecon.co.uk , if anyone wants any further details.

Objections need to be sent in asap, as they only have just over a week until the deadline.

Many thanks to anyone who can wite in support of villagers and name and shame 02!

AmandaWesley

--------

I believe his name is David so his email address should be david.lawrence@pembrokeshire.gov.uk .

Angie (ORAM)

--------

I have received a letter from Pembrokeshire County Council in response to my objection letter, stating that they will take my comments into consideration - although I live in Kent, I objected on the grounds that because I have a disabled child I may want to use the Harriet Davis Trust Respite Holiday Home.

I hope this helps - please let me know how it turns out.

Thanks. Angie (ORAM)>

--------

That's briliant Angie,

I also contacted Peter Limbrick of interconnections, the bulletin for Children with special needs, and I know that he has objected.
02 apparently stated in their application that the HD Trust was two miles away from the proposed site, when in fact it is 50-75 metres away, and of course, PEmbs cc do not know much about TETRA applications etc, and seem happy to go along with everything 02 tell them!

Amanda

--------

I don't know if this is of any use but to cut a long story short, I know that a leading member of the Acoustic Neuroma Association, Brian Lloyd, lives near Penally in Hodgeston. His email address is:

brian@beachcomber.freeuk.com

He has his own Acoustic Neuroma website "One Ear to the Ground" which is as follows:

http://home.freeuk.net/beachcomber/oneear/about.htm

I have spoken to Brian on a couple of occasions (when on holiday in Pembrikeshire, but do not know if he is sympathetic to our cause. Might be worth contacting him? (My objection letter to Pembrokeshire C.C will be sent today).


Regards,


John Elliott


--------


http://omega.twoday.net/search?q=Acoustic+Neuroma

Today (1st Feb) a feature article appeared in Sussex wide paper The Argus titled "The modern blots on the landscape" by Sara Wallis. As usual it was lengthy and windy - little more than quotes from concerned residents, city councillors, and with the inevitable last words given to Telecom spokespeople. Below are some of their gems - I think it would help if people wrote to the letters page which is good at publishing letters (if they are no more than 250 words and ideally locally relevant) as Brighton & Hove are now a microwave nightmare. Send letters to letters@theargus.co.uk

Regards

Gary
Brighton

O2 spokesman: "The antennae are completely safe. There is no danger at all from them"

T Mobile spokeswoman: "Base atations are low powered radio transmitters and it is important to recognise that the radio frequency signal from the masts represents only one source in everyday lives"

"The radio waves from nearby base stations are favourably comparable to exposure from distant masts and from TV and FM radio and other transmitters".

"Based on 40 years of research T Mobile is confident its base stations, operatiing within strict national and international guidelines recognised by the World Health Organisation, do not present a health risk".

Omega this is not true. See under:
http://omega.twoday.net/topics/Wissenschaft+zu+Mobilfunk/
http://omega.twoday.net/search?q=Cancer+Cluster
http://www.buergerwelle.de/body_science.html

Omega read "Base Stations, operating within strict national and international Guidelines, do not present a Health Risk?" under: http://omega.twoday.net/stories/771911/

From: Eileen O'Connor
eileen@smokestackltd.co.uk
Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2006 15:08:41 -0000
Subject: Important - EU health information

Please find enclosed link to full report:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/health/ph_determinants/environment/EMF/pub_emf_en.htm

I've not had time to read the EU report in full, however it includes the Reflex project showing an image of cell damage, DNA strand breaks after 24hr continuous exposure to mobile phone radiation, similar cell damage appeared after the cell was exposed to gamma-irradiation, 0.5Gy = to 1600 chest x-rays.

The Ramp 2001 project admits that a growing number of research studies are beginning to undermine faith in mobile phones. Research suggests that low frequency RF fields may have biological effects unrelated to heating. Although many in the scientific community and industry dispute the relevance of the research, some groups argue that non-thermal effects warrant further investigation.


Eileen O'Connor

EM Radiation Research Trust

http://www.radiationresearch.org
http://www.scram.uk.com/

Attachment on questions asked by Lynne Featherstone on Phone Masts
http://www.buergerwelle.de/pdf/questions_by_lynne_featherstone_on_phone_masts.doc

You could also look at Parliamnetary questions lynne has asked about it -see attachment.

I am also enclosing a letter Lynne wrote to haringey council on it.


Gideon Bull
Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Committee
Haringey Council


Our Ref: MastScrutiny
Date: Thursday, 26 January 2006


Dear Cllr Bull

Re: Submission from Lynne Featherstone MP to the Scrutiny Review of Mobile Phone Masts

As the panel will be aware - there are an endless stream of masts erected in the borough. Virtually each one commands its own group of local residents and parents protesting against its siting. Sometimes a particular mast application is defeated for one reason or another. However, there is an inexorable increase rolling ever forward. I have been contacted over recent years by many, many local residents who are extremely concerned primarily for the well-being of their children.

Whilst a high percentage of the population now use mobile phones and therefore inevitably there will be a need for masts to be sited, what is not clear is what damage is being done in terms of possible detriment to the health of those in proximity to mast sites. Therefore we need to do what we can to put in safeguards against the potential damage by protecting our most vulnerable both by preventing siting near vulnerable residents and by proper information dissemination.

The Council states that the 'planning system is not the place to determine health safeguards'. I would like to point out that the government have adopted the precautionary approach recommended by the Stewart Group. The Group concluded that it is not possible at present to say that exposure to RF radiation, even at levels below national guidelines, is totally without potential adverse health effects and that the gaps in knowledge are sufficient to justify a precautionary approach.

I have Parliamentary Questions down to the Government to ask them to carry out proper research into the health of 'clusters' around masts in situ for 10 years or more with a control group nearby so that we can establish from proper research the reality or otherwise of the suspicions that surround health problems in proximity to masts.

All ground based masts are already subject to planning control so that if the local authority considers that the development will pose a serious threat to amenity, it is able to refuse approval. Haringey Council should therefore take this into account, especially when considering a base station in close proximity to a school.

In relation to the Planning Service, I would ask the Council to ensure that the database of masts in the constituency is kept updated with information about current planning applications as well as the planning and consultation processes easily accessible.


Yours sincerely,

Lynne Featherstone MP
Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Hornsey and Wood Green


This is an Early Day Motion that Lynne tabled in Parliament.


EDM 767


MOBILE PHONE MASTS (No. 2)

14.10.2005


Featherstone, Lynne

43 signatures

Baker, Norman
Barrett, John
Brake, Tom
Breed, Colin
Burstow, Paul
Burt, Lorely
Cable, Vincent
Campbell, Gregory
Caton, Martin
Clapham, Michael
Clark, Katy
Cooper, Rosie
Cryer, Ann
Davey, Edward
Dean, Janet
Devine, Jim
Dodds, Nigel
Donaldson, Jeffrey
Durkan, Mark
Engel, Natascha
Etherington, Bill
George, Andrew
Hammond, Stephen
Hancock, Mike
Hemming, John
Holmes, Paul
Hunter, Mark
Jenkins, Brian
Keetch, Paul
McCafferty, Chris
McDonnell, John
Mulholland, Greg
Riordan, Linda
Robinson, Iris
Rowen, Paul
Simpson, Alan
Vis, Rudi
Webb, Steve
Williams, Betty
Williams, Hywel
Williams, Mark
Willott, Jenny

That this House acknowledges the benefits that mobile telecommunications bring; recognises the high level of concern in many communities such as Hornsey and Wood Green regarding mobile phone masts; urges the Government to undertake an independent and wide-ranging study of epidemiology in relation to mobile phone masts; believes that the current planning control is inadequate, failing to consider safety and local and environmental concerns; and calls on the Government to bring mobile phone masts, regardless of size, under strict planning control and to bring in the precautionary principle, to give extra safeguards to schools, homes and medical facilities from the risk of excessive radiation.

Please let me know if you want some more information or clarification.


Kind regards,

Mette

Parliamentary Researcher to:
Lynne Featherstone
MP Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Hornsey & Wood Green lynne@lynnefeatherstone.org
House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA *: 020 7219 8401 (Parliamentary) or 020 8340 5459 (Constituency) http://www.lynnefeatherstone.org/

For everyone's info. Any press releases or anyone who wants to write an article or comment can be sent to this site and will usually be put on BBCOnline where other programmes may pick them up.

Here's how to get press releases onto BBC online

** Your news, your say, your pics ** Got some news? Tell the BBC News website what it should be covering. < http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/1/hi/uk/4417370.stm >


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Sarah P