Sideswipe: August 22: Political party support

"Political parties supporting each other for once" says Laura

Elderly targets for the unscrupulous

A reader writes: "We must all watch our parents as they become elderly and vulnerable to such tactics. Most came from an era when people were more trustworthy. My parents have now passed away but I discovered that they also were paying way more for services than they should have been. In addition, someone who made the pretence of being a friend sold Mum a clapped-out ancient hearing aid that was just junk, for $100. Such actions really come under the heading of elder abuse, which is a serious issue and we really only hear about the tip of the iceberg, as many elderly people don't have anyone to watch out for them."

London hotspots to be avoided

A new official safety map of London for tourists visiting from the United Arab Emirates says Piccadilly and Oxford Circus are among the places to avoid. The safety advice was published on the UAE foreign ministry website after attacks on UAE nationals in London. Areas classed as "more dangerous" include tourist hotspots Soho and Oxford St -- where Selfridges "which attracts many Emiratis" is located. Shepherd's Bush market and Queensway are singled out as being "less safe". The foreign ministry warns of fraud, theft and pick-pocketing, and says its advice is based on information from the Metropolitan Police website. (Source: BBC.co.uk)

Threats over nothing

If you were actually killed by the last person who "threatened" to kill you, what did you get murdered for?

1. Farting on my sister. She's 15, I'm 27. They probably wouldn't even give her time.

2. Proving someone wrong on an internet forum.

(Via AskReddit.com)

Spark plug price explained

A mechanic/auto electrician writes: "The spark plug thing is perfectly legitimate. 'Premium' spark plugs, or long-life ones, will be either platinum or iridium-tipped. These last about five times as long as the regular cheap ones (up to 120,000km), and are what many cars use now when the spark plugs are 'buried' deep in the engine as they can often take an hour plus to replace each time. So don't be surprised to get a bill for $200 for spark plugs at around 100,000km as they probably won't have been changed!"

Wishful thinking? (Sign spotted at building site in Wellington.)

Separated at birth: Young Barry Manilow and master of satire Steve Braunias.

Only in America: "Investigators say the teacher contacted school officials after seeing the message containing the words "gun" and "take care of business," and police were then notified on Tuesday."

Picture this: Japanese tsunami victims photographed in what's left of their homes...

Billboard watch: Colin Craig spotted under lock and key in Onehunga...

Video:

Park and Recreation's poker face Nick Offerman reading Reddit's "Shower Thoughts" (i.e sometime profound, often just amusing) out loud...

Video:

(John Key) Stop Bullshitting Me is another excellent musical political protest. Watch it here before the Electoral Commission bans it!

(NSFW language)

Video: Delhi College of Linguistics presents How to Talk Australians, a parody about a training college that teaches Indian call centre workers to converse with Australians...

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Got a Sideswipe? Send your pictures, links and anecdotes to Ana at ana.samways@nzherald.co.nz