I awoke yesterday to year that George Galloway MP had been beaten up. I am not a fan of Mr Galloway and my first thoughts were "Ha Ha Ha, he deserved it". Then I thought about what actually happened a little bit more deeply and I realised that my gut reaction was completely wrong. We live in a democracy. That means we sort out political issues via the ballot box. The report I heard indicated that Mr Galloways assailant shouted something about the holocaust before the attack. The implication was that the assailant was enraged by Mr Galloways opposition to Israel and perceived anti semitism. Many of my Jewish friends were rather chuffed in their responses on Facebook and Twitter. I think they should step back and think about it. Sure Mr Galloway is offensive. He actually strikes me as a bully. On several occasions on TV I've seen him actuallyask "invite" opponents out side to settle things "man to man". He revels in his image as a tough, Glaswegan ex boxer. Usually the people he's picked on are slightly built academic types, who are not exactly likely to take up the offer. As such it is extremely hard not snigger at him getting duffed up. However we must. No matter how good it may feel to see an obnoxious bully get put in his place, it demeans us all to sink to his level and use the violence to settle arguments. Every tweeter and facebooker who has revelled in Galloways misfortune is in effect condoning violence.
If it's OK for Galloway to get a smack because he disagrees with the policy of the Israeli govt, then no one can complain if someone gets a smack for the opposite point of view. The logical conclusion for such behaviour is ISIS and Hamas. The biggest bully wins. In the UK we have always rejected violence as a legitimate way to settle such disputes. There is an interesting piece in the Sunday Times today that says armed police in the Met have only shot dead one person in the last three years. for such a large city that is extraordinary. We don't condone violence and we dont believe in thuggery.
That is why, however tempting it may seem at the time, we should condemn anyone whoe beats someone up for their political views, even if that person is George Galloway
Sunday, 31 August 2014
Saturday, 30 August 2014
The Saturday List #67 - The ten fatal mistakes that have doomed Manchester United
In truth though, the situation is not something that happened overnight. The crisis has been building up for several years. Here are the fatal mistakes that United have made.
1. Underinvestment in the squad under Sir Alex Ferguson. Fergie worked a miracle winning the league two years ago, but he did it with a threadbare squad. Bringing in Van Persie was the catalyst that allowed the feat to be pulled off, but it was clear to everyone that United had an ageing defence and midfield. With Scholes, Giggs, Evra, Ferdinand and Vidic getting long in the tooth, all should have been replaced by then, or at least have credible replacements lined up. Take that out of the League winning team and you don't have a team.
2. Bad succession planning in the business. It was clear that Fergie would go at some point. To lose the Chief Exec at the same time was catastrophic. All businesses need a degree of continuity in their team. United lost the plot, by allowing themselves to get into this situation.
3. Flawed process for appointing a new manager. United are one of the worlds top brands. They could have their pick of managers. It seems the process was that they simply let Fergie pick a name out of the hat. Worse than that, they picked a manager with no trophies and no Champoins league experience.
4. Bad signings. We listed the five key players who were past their sell by date. They replaced none of them, instead indulving Moyes by signing Fellani, a player they didn't need and who doesn't fit in. It was clear what United needed, they left it too late and picked the wrong players.
5. Inept clearout of backroom staff. The first act of Moyes was a clearout of backroom staff such as Mike Phelan. As such he had no one around who could offer any insight into how to get the best out of the players, why things may not be working.
6. Ineptitude in conducting transfer business. The debacle of the attempt to sign Leighton Baines and Fellani showed the world that United were there for the taking. This has resulted in them paying top dollar for all subsequent signings such as Di Maria and Mata signings.
7. Panic buys in the transfer window. When it was clear that it was going wrong under Moyes, United made the classic mistake of a big name panic buy, bring Juan Mata to the club. Whilst it is true that you can't have enough great players, Mata addressed none of Uniteds problems and unsettled the existing attackers.
8. Showing a lack of class in sacking Moyes. United sacked Moyes the day after they technically couldn't qualify for the Champions League. This was done to save the compensation bill. This type of behaviour saves money in the short term, but in the long term sets down a marker which shows the club are more interested in bean counting than running a football club. Ryan Giggs was brought in as a temporary manager to get the club through to the end of the season. Whilst this may have given him a bit of experience and may assist him in his ongoing role at the club, the whole sorry episode tarnished United.
9. Lack of planning for managerial appointment. Whilst Louis Van Gaal is an excellent manager, with a great track record, given the mess United are in, I believe he was the wrong appointment. The reason is simple. United needed a root and branch rebuilding. the timing of the sacking of Moyes showed that they had clearly been planning the change. They chose someone who couldn't come in until almost the end of the Pre Season. With Van Gaal being totally wrapped up in the World Cup, the pre season was wasted. Had they brough a new manager in when Moyes was sacked, they could have gone into the pre season with somone who'd actually seen the players in action. Transfer targets would be identified and the players could be prepared. As it is, Van Gaal turned up and half the squad were missing. I believe his current predicament is caused by the fact that when the real business started, he hadn't got a clue what his squad could actually do. As such, by the time the transfer window reopens and he actually knows what he needs, United may again be out of the chase for a Champions league place.
10. Chosen the wrong man again? It is too early to say, but for me the signs are not good. In the first point, I listed the players United need to replace. You could argue that Di Maria may be a suitable replacement for Ryan Giggs. That still leaves the other four to replace. Not only that, but Van Gaal has tried to implement a 3-4-3 system with players who clearly are not up to it. Watching the first three games, it was clear to me that the players look terrified. Johnny Evans looked particularly uncomfortable against the mighty MK Dons. Van Gaal has a rep as a stern disciplinarian, to me it looked as if the United defence were scared stiff of making mistakes, so were nervous and jumpy. In the opening PL games, on numerous occasions defenders would receive the ball in space and simply look for a quick sideways pass. Under Fergie in their pomp, they would drive forward and create space elsewhere. Another disturbing feature of Van Gaal is the way he publicly attacked Luke Shaw. Shaw is a young player with a lot of expectation. His manager has put the boot in. How will this help build him up. I cannot imagine Ferguson making such a statement ever. I also think that Van Gaals statements about United not being fit for purpose don't help his cause. Other teams are losing their fear of facing United and these sort of statements don't help. It also undermines his existing players. How must they feel?
Of course, I'm a City fan so I find it hilarious, but that is really by the by. I don't think a single thing I've said hasn't been mentioned by friends who are on the dark side of the football divide.
Friday, 29 August 2014
The Friday Joke - 29/8/2014 - Biker special !
We know you've been waiting for it!
Big Mick says to his mate Greasy Jeff
'My mate came off his bike today'.
'Oh really?' Says Greasy Jeff'
Yup' Big Mick answers 'He has brain damage, 2
broken arms and is blind in one eye!'
Greasy Jeff says ' Feckin Hell, no wonder he fell off!'
Thursday, 28 August 2014
Do you care about how benefits cuts affect the disabled - Sign this petition now please
I just saw this post on Facebook from a mate of mine. Says it all really
My son (aged 17) is Autistic. I dread to think what will happen to him when we are no longer around if this is how the DWP people behave towards the vulnerable.
.
My son (aged 17) is Autistic. I dread to think what will happen to him when we are no longer around if this is how the DWP people behave towards the vulnerable.
.
15128 signatures are still needed!
Rotherham child abuse scandal
I am somewhat incredulous at the current debate around the child abuse scandal in Rotherham. Why is there any debate at all about a bunch of incompetents keeping their jobs, which lets face it, are about as important as it gets. As a parent, I happen to believe keeping children safe is probably the primary thing any half decent human being should aim to do. The fact that people were paid large salaries and decided that they couldn't be bothered is pretty much the end of the argument.
Let me draw an analogy. I have run a rock and roll band for the last 35 years. Clearly this is on a different planet in the scale of importance. So lets for arguments sake say I am auditioning a new drummer and I say to the candidate "We are going to play a cover version Rebel Rebel by David Bowie at the audition, so make sure you've learnt it". Just suppose he turns up and when we start playing it, we realise he's not bothered to even listen to it. We'd show him the door. Why? Because he clearly isn't interested in doing the job which he was engaged to do. It isn't hard is it?
What is interesting is that the whole scandal is being blamed on "political correctness". I find this a rather bizarre conclusion. What do we blame the Jimmy Savile, the Rolf Harris and the Cyril Smith scandals on? All of these scandals have one thing in common. People didn't do the job they were well paid to perform. As Savile roamed the wards of hospitals, preying on unsuspecting minors, hundreds of people saw what was going on. None of them did anything about it. In my book, they are all just as guilty as the actual perpetrators, as they were facilitators. Whilst the Savile type characters did it for perverse self gratification, those who were getting paid a wage to look after people and didn't are a different breed. They pocketed the cash and sat on their hands. There is no excuse and the sooner we start sending the message out that if you work in the public sector in a position of responsibility, with a big salary and you don't do your job, you will lose your job and you pension, the sooner these sort of terrible scandals will stop.
Let me draw an analogy. I have run a rock and roll band for the last 35 years. Clearly this is on a different planet in the scale of importance. So lets for arguments sake say I am auditioning a new drummer and I say to the candidate "We are going to play a cover version Rebel Rebel by David Bowie at the audition, so make sure you've learnt it". Just suppose he turns up and when we start playing it, we realise he's not bothered to even listen to it. We'd show him the door. Why? Because he clearly isn't interested in doing the job which he was engaged to do. It isn't hard is it?
What is interesting is that the whole scandal is being blamed on "political correctness". I find this a rather bizarre conclusion. What do we blame the Jimmy Savile, the Rolf Harris and the Cyril Smith scandals on? All of these scandals have one thing in common. People didn't do the job they were well paid to perform. As Savile roamed the wards of hospitals, preying on unsuspecting minors, hundreds of people saw what was going on. None of them did anything about it. In my book, they are all just as guilty as the actual perpetrators, as they were facilitators. Whilst the Savile type characters did it for perverse self gratification, those who were getting paid a wage to look after people and didn't are a different breed. They pocketed the cash and sat on their hands. There is no excuse and the sooner we start sending the message out that if you work in the public sector in a position of responsibility, with a big salary and you don't do your job, you will lose your job and you pension, the sooner these sort of terrible scandals will stop.
Scottish Independence - The death of a National rail network?
One of my biggest fears for the UK, in the event of a Yes vote for Scottish Independence is the calamatous effect it is likely to have on the UK rail network. There are two huge issues that no one really seems to have considered or discussed.
1. Network Rail. This is a 'not for profit' company which is wholly owned by the government. Presumably it will have to be split into two organisations in the event of Independence. This will require a whole new layer of bureaucracy, a whole raft of new IT systems and a massive team of lawyers to sort out issues arising from this divorce. Presumably the new "Network Rail Scotland" will be given its orders from the new Parliament and these will be a whole set of different orders from those issued to "Network Rail UK" in Westminster. What will this mean in practical terms? For one thing it will mean that HS2 will never reach Scotland. It is likely to ultimately also mean a massive shift away from freight on the railways to more and more lorries thundering up and down overused and underinvested motorways. Political decisions about transport spending will not be made for the benefit of the UK economy. Instead, they are likely to be made with short term pork barrelling in mind, which invariably means projects which benefit small areas rather than a more strategic long term plan to ensure freight is move efficiently and in an Eco freindly manner around the UK. Upgrading railway infrastructure is horrendously expensive and why on earth would Westminster invest a penny to improve links with a foreign country, with little benefit to the UK economy. The Scots are likely to make their infrastructure spending decisions around projects which will deliver votes, ie small scale improvements close to large centres of population. This means that longer term schemes, which deliver few votes but have massive eco benefit such as upgrading long distance freight handling capacity will be put on the back burner.
2. Awards of franchises. At present these are awarded on a UK national level. What happens with the franchises that straddle borders such as the East and West Coast main line contracts? At present Virgin runs the West Coast and the Government runs the East Coast, following the last debacle. It is inconceivable that the newly elected Scottish government will be happy to simply let the UK govt dish out such important contracts. So the franchise bidders will have to dealw ith two governments with presumably very different agendas. Once the divorce is completed, there is no reason why the UK government would have any interest in ensuring decent services north of the Border. One presumes that for the Scots, they will be keen to preserve services and ensure that any franchise award doesn't damage their economy, but how on earth can this be practically achieved? Of course where there are lucrative contracts on well used services this will not be too much of a problem, but over the course of time the network is likely to evolve into a more Uk centric system. With ever increasing demands on capacity, it seems likely that services to Scotland will be the first to go when making decisions as to timetabling constraints on overcrowded lines. It seems highly unlikely that the UK government will want to give any subsidies to prop up less well used regional services and will divert this money towards improvements which benefit the UK rather than the Scottish taxpayer.
Furthermore, one has to wonder what will be the view of the UK government on cross border road links. If the cross border rail network is run down to provide better inter UK services, then what will happen to the roads as traffic builds up? Will the ministry of transport sanction huge spending and development on expensive new roads and upgrades to existing roads? Again this seems unlikely if the chief beneficiaries are the Scottish taxpayer.
So who will benefit? It seems likely to me that the biggest winners will be the low cost airlines. They will take up the slack. Both Scottish and English airports will benefit from this, but again there are only so many air traffic control slots and can they cope with a massive expansion of cross border short haul flights. What seems fairly clear is that flying, which is the most polluting and non eco friendly mode of transport will be the growth area for transport in this brave new world.
So to sum up, what will the likely effect on the transport network.
1) Move away from rail freight between UK & Scotland
2) Running down of long distance passenger services between UK and Scotland
3) More concentration on urban rail services
4) Running down of UK/Scotland Motorways
5) Increase in cross border flights & air traffic congestion
Is this a problem? Well for someone like me who lives in London and rarely visits Scotland, but travels into London every day, a huge refocussing of transport spending away from Scotland and into more local services could actually be a good thing. I don't liv near enough to any airports for the extra noise to overly disturb me and in actual fact more spending on transport in London would probably improve air quality locally. I wouldn't be so sure it was a good idea if I was Scottish though. I can't logically see how any of these developments would persuade international businesses that Scotland is a good place to invest.
1. Network Rail. This is a 'not for profit' company which is wholly owned by the government. Presumably it will have to be split into two organisations in the event of Independence. This will require a whole new layer of bureaucracy, a whole raft of new IT systems and a massive team of lawyers to sort out issues arising from this divorce. Presumably the new "Network Rail Scotland" will be given its orders from the new Parliament and these will be a whole set of different orders from those issued to "Network Rail UK" in Westminster. What will this mean in practical terms? For one thing it will mean that HS2 will never reach Scotland. It is likely to ultimately also mean a massive shift away from freight on the railways to more and more lorries thundering up and down overused and underinvested motorways. Political decisions about transport spending will not be made for the benefit of the UK economy. Instead, they are likely to be made with short term pork barrelling in mind, which invariably means projects which benefit small areas rather than a more strategic long term plan to ensure freight is move efficiently and in an Eco freindly manner around the UK. Upgrading railway infrastructure is horrendously expensive and why on earth would Westminster invest a penny to improve links with a foreign country, with little benefit to the UK economy. The Scots are likely to make their infrastructure spending decisions around projects which will deliver votes, ie small scale improvements close to large centres of population. This means that longer term schemes, which deliver few votes but have massive eco benefit such as upgrading long distance freight handling capacity will be put on the back burner.
2. Awards of franchises. At present these are awarded on a UK national level. What happens with the franchises that straddle borders such as the East and West Coast main line contracts? At present Virgin runs the West Coast and the Government runs the East Coast, following the last debacle. It is inconceivable that the newly elected Scottish government will be happy to simply let the UK govt dish out such important contracts. So the franchise bidders will have to dealw ith two governments with presumably very different agendas. Once the divorce is completed, there is no reason why the UK government would have any interest in ensuring decent services north of the Border. One presumes that for the Scots, they will be keen to preserve services and ensure that any franchise award doesn't damage their economy, but how on earth can this be practically achieved? Of course where there are lucrative contracts on well used services this will not be too much of a problem, but over the course of time the network is likely to evolve into a more Uk centric system. With ever increasing demands on capacity, it seems likely that services to Scotland will be the first to go when making decisions as to timetabling constraints on overcrowded lines. It seems highly unlikely that the UK government will want to give any subsidies to prop up less well used regional services and will divert this money towards improvements which benefit the UK rather than the Scottish taxpayer.
Furthermore, one has to wonder what will be the view of the UK government on cross border road links. If the cross border rail network is run down to provide better inter UK services, then what will happen to the roads as traffic builds up? Will the ministry of transport sanction huge spending and development on expensive new roads and upgrades to existing roads? Again this seems unlikely if the chief beneficiaries are the Scottish taxpayer.
So who will benefit? It seems likely to me that the biggest winners will be the low cost airlines. They will take up the slack. Both Scottish and English airports will benefit from this, but again there are only so many air traffic control slots and can they cope with a massive expansion of cross border short haul flights. What seems fairly clear is that flying, which is the most polluting and non eco friendly mode of transport will be the growth area for transport in this brave new world.
So to sum up, what will the likely effect on the transport network.
1) Move away from rail freight between UK & Scotland
2) Running down of long distance passenger services between UK and Scotland
3) More concentration on urban rail services
4) Running down of UK/Scotland Motorways
5) Increase in cross border flights & air traffic congestion
Is this a problem? Well for someone like me who lives in London and rarely visits Scotland, but travels into London every day, a huge refocussing of transport spending away from Scotland and into more local services could actually be a good thing. I don't liv near enough to any airports for the extra noise to overly disturb me and in actual fact more spending on transport in London would probably improve air quality locally. I wouldn't be so sure it was a good idea if I was Scottish though. I can't logically see how any of these developments would persuade international businesses that Scotland is a good place to invest.
Tuesday, 26 August 2014
A short walk to dictatorship holding hands with Boris Johnson
I was appalled to hear Boris Johnsons suggestion that anyone travelling to Iraq or Syria would have to provide "a good reason" or be presumed guilty of being a terrorist. I am truly amazed that a so called libertarian Tory could tear up a thousand years of legal precedence of "Innocent untiln proven guilty" in the British legal system, purely because a few spotty, adolescent young men choose to decamp abroad to join up with a rag tag bunch of fundamentalist nutcases.
The concept of going abroad to fight other peoples wars is not new. George Orwell wrote a book about his experiences in the Spanish civil war with the Left fighting Franco in Homage to Catalonia. In fact one of the largest contingents to decamp to Spain were anarchists, who were at the time seem as a grave threat to the UK. These arguments are in no way new. What is even more ridiculous is Boris Johnsons idea that he could easily identify those who have signed up with ISIS. Does Boris really think that those who are planning terrorist outrages would broadcast the fact. During the 1980's I travelled extensively around the USSR without paperwork and documentation. It is easy enough to bypass border controls if you know a few people who are familiar with the system. Anyone planning on joining ISIS will have a whole network of contacts who could set up all manner of routes via Turkey, Jordan etc, perhaps via two or three other stops. It is not even particularly difficult to get bogus ID's or "spare passports" especially from other countries where a UK citizen has dual nationality. My father was a commercial pilot working in the Middle East in the 1940's and 1950's and he specifically had two passports due to issues with certain countries objecting to certain other countries border stamps. One was British and one was Austrailian, which afforded him the luxury of getting less hassle in countries where Great Britain was none too popular at the time.
So what would happen in practise is that the terrorists would do what terrorists always do. They will hide in the shadows, and evade the autorities. Who will be inconvenienced and treated as criminals? Well I guess everyone with family and friends in Iraq and Syria, wishing to pay a visit. Everyone who wants to volunteer to do humanitarian work in countries suffering all manner of terrible sufferings.
But lets put aside the practical stupidty of what Boris is suggesting. Lets look at the theory. How many countries do not have some sort of terrorist nutcase group operating within them? I've just returned from Egypt, which has had its own problems. What about closer to home? In Spain there are still active Basque separatist terrorists. In Northern Ireland, part of the UK we have the Real IRA, who I suppose are more likely to actually kill British people. Should anyone travalling to these countries "without good reason" have to be presumed guilty until they can explain themselves? You may say "What a ridiculous proposition", but once the principle is established, experience shows that no one can predict how it will develop. Let me give an example. Speed cameras were originally sold to us as a way of preventing accidents at hotspots. Within no time at all they became nothing more than a cash cow for tax greedy councils. Millions of motorists driving perfectly safely have been fined, often because cameras have been strategically placed at points where they are most likely to catch you ( a good example is the A1 approaching Apex corner from Sterling Corner, where the camera is immediately after the sign where the speed limit changes from 70 to 50 mph, so if you decellerate slightly too slowly you get caught).
What is interesting is that I've been doing some reading up on the so called terrorists who beheaded the US journalist. It seems that the main reason for taking hostages is to extract huge ransoms for them. These are paid by governments and companies. There is even a view that the beheading has made the trade more lucrative. In short, I suspect that they are more of a criminal gang than driven religious fundamentalists. As far as I understand, the execution of a journalist in retaliation for the US government bombings is something that is totally unjustifiable from any readings of the Koran. It seems to me rather sad that Boris doesn't have the wit to assemble a bunch of leading Islamic scholars to make the point. I suspect that Boris could actually make a difference if he used his power and his office to try and get the point over to these thugs that killing innocent people does not give you entry to heaven and 70 virgins, but a ticket to Hades and enternal torment. Boris has a huge intellect, but he is using it solely for the purposes of moving on "Project Boris for PM" rather than solving any problems or making the world a safe place.
Now I don't for one second think Boris is an idiot or any less travelled or versed in the ways of the world than I am. I don't for one second think Boris actually beleives that his rewriting of the principles of English law will stop a single terrorist. So why is he saying it? There are two possible believable reasons. The first is that Boris wants to appeal to the hard right core of his support, who don't really have a clue about anything beyond the bottom of their garden and who have never bothered to actually educate themselves. This lot never think things through and simply seem to rely on the likes of Boris to come up with bonkers schemes which have no practical purpose. The second is that he wants to set the scene so that if and when he becomes Prime Minister, he has all of the essential tools to run a banana republic, where we are even more controlled than we are at present. To me his 'guilty until proven innocent' stance has all manner of obnoxious outcomes. If I decide to go for a 3am walk to clear my head, will I have to prove I'm not a burglar? If I write a blog saying that I disagree with Boris on repressive laws, will I be a dangerous subversive?
The truth is that when I hear Boris talking as he has done, it scares me to death. Prior to the end of communism, when I travelled around the USSR, on several occasions I had conversations with friends who confided in me the true political situation in the USSR. They were so scared that they would only say this when no one else was around, as they weren't completely sure their mates wouldn't dob them in. I travelled from Minsk to Vilnius on a train (without accreditation) and the friend who took me insisted that if anyone else entered our compartment that I was under no circumstances to speak English. As a result on the return journey, I spent 2 hours simply drinking beer and looking out of the window as my friend chatted to a rather attactive young lady, who it transpired was a local state security co-ordinator. Amusingly she was disgusted by my behaviour and dismissed me a 'Belorussian Peasant' much to the amusement of our friends. You may wonder why I took such a risk? The answer is simple. I was curious to see what was actually going on in the USSR. according to the law of Boris, I suppose that makes me a terrorist. I wouldn't do it today, but if I was my teenage self, I would be quite interested to go to Iraq and Syria and see for myself what is actually going on. At the time I was obsessed with music and I was actually more interested in the Soviet music scene. I assumed that there would be a strong underground punk scene and all manner of exciting subcultures. In truth (bearing in mind no internet then) the whole thing was hugely disappointing in that my Russian friends were more interested in the Beatles. I can say for certain that if I was younger, I'd have flown back to find out about the "Pussy Riot" scene when that story broke. To me that was exciting and perhaps they are the first real punk band for 30 years.
But then we hear nothing from Boris about them and the way they are being repressed, do we? In fact, we even had blogs on the Boris Johnson fan club house mag (AKA The Spectator) that Pussy Riot were wrong http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/2012/08/why-pussy-riot-were-wrong/ - how a so called libertarian can oppose freedom of expression, I don't know, but there we have it.
In the last century, the UK has seen two world wars, a cold war, Northern Ireland, and a whole swathe of regional conflicts. Each has thrown up threats to the UK. Have any of these resulted in changes to the law requiring us to "prove we are innocent", even when the nation was threatened with destruction? Was I asked to justify my trip to the USSR, which had a hundreds of nuclear warheads pointed at London as I flew out? No of course I wasn't. But then, Boris wasn't in charge then, was he?
The concept of going abroad to fight other peoples wars is not new. George Orwell wrote a book about his experiences in the Spanish civil war with the Left fighting Franco in Homage to Catalonia. In fact one of the largest contingents to decamp to Spain were anarchists, who were at the time seem as a grave threat to the UK. These arguments are in no way new. What is even more ridiculous is Boris Johnsons idea that he could easily identify those who have signed up with ISIS. Does Boris really think that those who are planning terrorist outrages would broadcast the fact. During the 1980's I travelled extensively around the USSR without paperwork and documentation. It is easy enough to bypass border controls if you know a few people who are familiar with the system. Anyone planning on joining ISIS will have a whole network of contacts who could set up all manner of routes via Turkey, Jordan etc, perhaps via two or three other stops. It is not even particularly difficult to get bogus ID's or "spare passports" especially from other countries where a UK citizen has dual nationality. My father was a commercial pilot working in the Middle East in the 1940's and 1950's and he specifically had two passports due to issues with certain countries objecting to certain other countries border stamps. One was British and one was Austrailian, which afforded him the luxury of getting less hassle in countries where Great Britain was none too popular at the time.
So what would happen in practise is that the terrorists would do what terrorists always do. They will hide in the shadows, and evade the autorities. Who will be inconvenienced and treated as criminals? Well I guess everyone with family and friends in Iraq and Syria, wishing to pay a visit. Everyone who wants to volunteer to do humanitarian work in countries suffering all manner of terrible sufferings.
But lets put aside the practical stupidty of what Boris is suggesting. Lets look at the theory. How many countries do not have some sort of terrorist nutcase group operating within them? I've just returned from Egypt, which has had its own problems. What about closer to home? In Spain there are still active Basque separatist terrorists. In Northern Ireland, part of the UK we have the Real IRA, who I suppose are more likely to actually kill British people. Should anyone travalling to these countries "without good reason" have to be presumed guilty until they can explain themselves? You may say "What a ridiculous proposition", but once the principle is established, experience shows that no one can predict how it will develop. Let me give an example. Speed cameras were originally sold to us as a way of preventing accidents at hotspots. Within no time at all they became nothing more than a cash cow for tax greedy councils. Millions of motorists driving perfectly safely have been fined, often because cameras have been strategically placed at points where they are most likely to catch you ( a good example is the A1 approaching Apex corner from Sterling Corner, where the camera is immediately after the sign where the speed limit changes from 70 to 50 mph, so if you decellerate slightly too slowly you get caught).
What is interesting is that I've been doing some reading up on the so called terrorists who beheaded the US journalist. It seems that the main reason for taking hostages is to extract huge ransoms for them. These are paid by governments and companies. There is even a view that the beheading has made the trade more lucrative. In short, I suspect that they are more of a criminal gang than driven religious fundamentalists. As far as I understand, the execution of a journalist in retaliation for the US government bombings is something that is totally unjustifiable from any readings of the Koran. It seems to me rather sad that Boris doesn't have the wit to assemble a bunch of leading Islamic scholars to make the point. I suspect that Boris could actually make a difference if he used his power and his office to try and get the point over to these thugs that killing innocent people does not give you entry to heaven and 70 virgins, but a ticket to Hades and enternal torment. Boris has a huge intellect, but he is using it solely for the purposes of moving on "Project Boris for PM" rather than solving any problems or making the world a safe place.
Now I don't for one second think Boris is an idiot or any less travelled or versed in the ways of the world than I am. I don't for one second think Boris actually beleives that his rewriting of the principles of English law will stop a single terrorist. So why is he saying it? There are two possible believable reasons. The first is that Boris wants to appeal to the hard right core of his support, who don't really have a clue about anything beyond the bottom of their garden and who have never bothered to actually educate themselves. This lot never think things through and simply seem to rely on the likes of Boris to come up with bonkers schemes which have no practical purpose. The second is that he wants to set the scene so that if and when he becomes Prime Minister, he has all of the essential tools to run a banana republic, where we are even more controlled than we are at present. To me his 'guilty until proven innocent' stance has all manner of obnoxious outcomes. If I decide to go for a 3am walk to clear my head, will I have to prove I'm not a burglar? If I write a blog saying that I disagree with Boris on repressive laws, will I be a dangerous subversive?
The truth is that when I hear Boris talking as he has done, it scares me to death. Prior to the end of communism, when I travelled around the USSR, on several occasions I had conversations with friends who confided in me the true political situation in the USSR. They were so scared that they would only say this when no one else was around, as they weren't completely sure their mates wouldn't dob them in. I travelled from Minsk to Vilnius on a train (without accreditation) and the friend who took me insisted that if anyone else entered our compartment that I was under no circumstances to speak English. As a result on the return journey, I spent 2 hours simply drinking beer and looking out of the window as my friend chatted to a rather attactive young lady, who it transpired was a local state security co-ordinator. Amusingly she was disgusted by my behaviour and dismissed me a 'Belorussian Peasant' much to the amusement of our friends. You may wonder why I took such a risk? The answer is simple. I was curious to see what was actually going on in the USSR. according to the law of Boris, I suppose that makes me a terrorist. I wouldn't do it today, but if I was my teenage self, I would be quite interested to go to Iraq and Syria and see for myself what is actually going on. At the time I was obsessed with music and I was actually more interested in the Soviet music scene. I assumed that there would be a strong underground punk scene and all manner of exciting subcultures. In truth (bearing in mind no internet then) the whole thing was hugely disappointing in that my Russian friends were more interested in the Beatles. I can say for certain that if I was younger, I'd have flown back to find out about the "Pussy Riot" scene when that story broke. To me that was exciting and perhaps they are the first real punk band for 30 years.
But then we hear nothing from Boris about them and the way they are being repressed, do we? In fact, we even had blogs on the Boris Johnson fan club house mag (AKA The Spectator) that Pussy Riot were wrong http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/2012/08/why-pussy-riot-were-wrong/ - how a so called libertarian can oppose freedom of expression, I don't know, but there we have it.
In the last century, the UK has seen two world wars, a cold war, Northern Ireland, and a whole swathe of regional conflicts. Each has thrown up threats to the UK. Have any of these resulted in changes to the law requiring us to "prove we are innocent", even when the nation was threatened with destruction? Was I asked to justify my trip to the USSR, which had a hundreds of nuclear warheads pointed at London as I flew out? No of course I wasn't. But then, Boris wasn't in charge then, was he?
Monday, 25 August 2014
Bangers and Mash!
I've been in Sharm El Sheik for a week with the family. Guess what I've been up to? Nothing!
Well that's not entirely true. I've been eating, drinking and snorkelling. We stayed in the rather pleasant Grand Sharm hotel, on an all inclusive deal. In truth I was completely cream crackered and just needed to chill and relax and build up my energy. I didn't get a holiday last year and I reached the point where a week of nothing was called for. A last minute deal and we were off.
I used the opportunity to catch up on my reading. Amongst the things I read was the Keith Richards autobiography. I suspect I'd get on quite well with Keef.We both share a deep love of Rock and Roll music and whilst I suspect most readers of his book were fascinated with the tales of sex and drugs with Anita Pallenburg and a bevvy of other beauties, the thing I loved was the descriptions of recording sessions, the way he wrote songs and the way he tunes his guitar.
Perhaps the other thing I enjoyed reading were some of Keef's eating habits. The book contains Keefs trademark recipe for Bangers and Mash. As I was reading the book in an Islamic country, it set me lusting after a plate of bangers and mash. Although there was all manner of tasty food on the menu, pork was strictly off the menu. On arrival back yesterday, the very first thing I did was nip up to Cafe Buzz for a bacon butty and a catch up with Mr Mustard. The hotel had no effective internet, so I needed a full briefing on what I'd been missing.
So whats been going on whilst I was away?
Well perhaps the oddest thing was the news that Mr Mustard had been suspended from twitter for an ancient tweet which advised Barnet residents to chat to the then Barnet Council Cabinet member Robert Rams on his mobile phone, who got booted out in May.
Mr Mustard contacted twitter and pointed out that Mr Rams (he got booted out as a councillor in May, as electors realised what sort of character he was) published his own phone number on his own website, so in effect it was public domain. Twitter concurred with Mr Mustard that it couldn't claim it was an invasion of privacy if Robert Rams published it on the net himself and the suspension was lifted.
Of course Twitter didn't tell Mr M who complained, so I guess we'll all just have to guess who could possibly be upset enough about Mr Mustards tweet to dob him in. Anyway, alls well that ends well!
As Mr Mustard tweeted
For anyone who is missing Robert, he is still running the show for the London GLA Tories and he has a new career as a wrestling blogger. Rather commendably, he is also volunteering for a charity. On his blog he says
Reed and Richards are similar in a few ways, both have made some of the best music ever recorded, both were part of the 60's and 70's drug counter culture, both moved away from hard drugs and both seem to have found serenity and happiness on a personal level, emerging from that madness.
Reeds wife, Laurie Anderson described how Reeds final hours were spent doing Tai Chi movements and contemplating the beauty of nature. Richards is happily married and has a family he is clearly besotted with.
When it comes down to it, I think the chapter about the Bangers and Mash says more about Richards than anything. So anyway, here I am back up to speed and all fit and raring to take on whatever new challenges. Sharm El Sheik has a lot going for it. Guaranteed Sunshine, a tropical reef wit amazing fish on the private beach in the hotel, 38 degrees and clear blue sea. I must be mad, but I still prefer rainy old Mill Hill and a plate of Bangers and Mash.
Have a lovely Bank Holiday.
Well that's not entirely true. I've been eating, drinking and snorkelling. We stayed in the rather pleasant Grand Sharm hotel, on an all inclusive deal. In truth I was completely cream crackered and just needed to chill and relax and build up my energy. I didn't get a holiday last year and I reached the point where a week of nothing was called for. A last minute deal and we were off.
I used the opportunity to catch up on my reading. Amongst the things I read was the Keith Richards autobiography. I suspect I'd get on quite well with Keef.We both share a deep love of Rock and Roll music and whilst I suspect most readers of his book were fascinated with the tales of sex and drugs with Anita Pallenburg and a bevvy of other beauties, the thing I loved was the descriptions of recording sessions, the way he wrote songs and the way he tunes his guitar.
Perhaps the other thing I enjoyed reading were some of Keef's eating habits. The book contains Keefs trademark recipe for Bangers and Mash. As I was reading the book in an Islamic country, it set me lusting after a plate of bangers and mash. Although there was all manner of tasty food on the menu, pork was strictly off the menu. On arrival back yesterday, the very first thing I did was nip up to Cafe Buzz for a bacon butty and a catch up with Mr Mustard. The hotel had no effective internet, so I needed a full briefing on what I'd been missing.
So whats been going on whilst I was away?
Well perhaps the oddest thing was the news that Mr Mustard had been suspended from twitter for an ancient tweet which advised Barnet residents to chat to the then Barnet Council Cabinet member Robert Rams on his mobile phone, who got booted out in May.
Mr Mustard contacted twitter and pointed out that Mr Rams (he got booted out as a councillor in May, as electors realised what sort of character he was) published his own phone number on his own website, so in effect it was public domain. Twitter concurred with Mr Mustard that it couldn't claim it was an invasion of privacy if Robert Rams published it on the net himself and the suspension was lifted.
Of course Twitter didn't tell Mr M who complained, so I guess we'll all just have to guess who could possibly be upset enough about Mr Mustards tweet to dob him in. Anyway, alls well that ends well!
As Mr Mustard tweeted
I was suspended for tweeting a mobile phone number by the person who had put it on the web themselves. The tweet was in May!
Mr Mustard also gave me a full briefing on whats been going on at the Council. Like me, Mr Mustard considers our current Council Leader Richard Cornelius to be something of a PR genius. Unlike most of his thin skinned colleagues, Richard doesn't throw his toys out of the pram when he gets a bit of stick from blogs. He simply laughs and gets on with the job.About
I am the Head of Office for the Conservative Party on the London Assembly and also former aide to Nigel Evans MP. In my spare time I am a volunteer in the Jewish Lads and Girls Brigade the oldest Jewish youth organisation in the country. I write for the huffington post about wrestling.
So anyway, I had my bacon butty and waved adios to Mr Mustard. Next stop was down to the studios to see whats been going on in my absence. The good news was that we've had our best ever August. One of the interesting comments in the Keef Richards book was that people are still listening to the Rolling Stones music from the 60's and 70's and it still sounds fresh.When the stones started, the music from 40-50 years earlier was virtually from another planet from what they were doing. As a studio owner, it is interesting to see how music is developing. We had an interesting mix of customers in yesterday. old and young. I spent some time with a pleasant middle aged couple explaining to them how to care for their guitar and how to get the best sounds from it. Personally I'd like to see music be a compulsory subject and every child be given the chance to play an instrument.
Boris Johnson did announce a scheme to make it easier for young people to play instruments, but this was aimed mainly at classical instruments. I believe this shows that Boris is out of touch. Another book I read was Mick Walls biography of Lou Reed. Perhaps the most interesting chapter was the one about Transformer. If you listen to the orchestration and the composition on songs such as Perfect Day, I believe this shows that Rock and Roll is in no way a "lesser cousin" of classical music. If you love good music and are interested in how great albums are put together, watch this amazing documentary about the production of Transformer
Reed and Richards are similar in a few ways, both have made some of the best music ever recorded, both were part of the 60's and 70's drug counter culture, both moved away from hard drugs and both seem to have found serenity and happiness on a personal level, emerging from that madness.
Reeds wife, Laurie Anderson described how Reeds final hours were spent doing Tai Chi movements and contemplating the beauty of nature. Richards is happily married and has a family he is clearly besotted with.
When it comes down to it, I think the chapter about the Bangers and Mash says more about Richards than anything. So anyway, here I am back up to speed and all fit and raring to take on whatever new challenges. Sharm El Sheik has a lot going for it. Guaranteed Sunshine, a tropical reef wit amazing fish on the private beach in the hotel, 38 degrees and clear blue sea. I must be mad, but I still prefer rainy old Mill Hill and a plate of Bangers and Mash.
Have a lovely Bank Holiday.
Sunday, 24 August 2014
The Saturday List #66 - Scottish Independence - The massive hidden costs for us
I was thinking about Scottish Independence and all the things which will suddenly need to be completely changed. Some of these costs will clearly be borne by the Scots, but there will be huge costs involved in "de-integrating". Let me explain. Think how much every govt dept etc costs to run. Think how many departments there are. Each on of these will need to be split into two, have two sets of management where there was one. All the relevant data for those north of the border will need to be stripped out of the existing systems and loaded into new ones built from scratch. This is a major undertaking and will cost the taxpayer millions, the question is "which taxpayer"? The UK taxpayer had no say, so why should we pick up the bill for all this work? Here's a list of just a few organisations which one assumes will have to be set up from scratch, and will require huge IT projects, funded by taxpayers to get up and running. Even if the Scots pay for all the new systes, will they pay to have the data extracted and checked from the existing systems, work which will be done on existing UK systems.
1. UK Passports
2. DVLA licencing
3. HM Customs and Inland Revenue
4. Network Rail
5. UK Air traffic control
6. UK Immigration services
7. Coastguards
8. UK roads authorithy
9. Food standards agency
10. British Transport Policy
11. MOD
12. Royal Mint
Each of these will need to be split in two, HR systems replicated, databases split/shared, a new management structure enacted. All this work wil cost us a fortune, as we all know how bad the govt is at IT projects. It is not as simple as simply saying "Hoorah, we are Scottish" - how do you split air traffic control? Who pays for what?
I've not seen anyone explain how any of this would work and no one has told me how much it will cost me
1. UK Passports
2. DVLA licencing
3. HM Customs and Inland Revenue
4. Network Rail
5. UK Air traffic control
6. UK Immigration services
7. Coastguards
8. UK roads authorithy
9. Food standards agency
10. British Transport Policy
11. MOD
12. Royal Mint
Each of these will need to be split in two, HR systems replicated, databases split/shared, a new management structure enacted. All this work wil cost us a fortune, as we all know how bad the govt is at IT projects. It is not as simple as simply saying "Hoorah, we are Scottish" - how do you split air traffic control? Who pays for what?
I've not seen anyone explain how any of this would work and no one has told me how much it will cost me
Friday, 22 August 2014
The Friday Joke 22/8/2014
A
sound engineer dies and goes to heaven. St Peter enthusiastically greets
him and says 'we've been waiting for you. Your desk is ready and the
band are ready to start'. The engineer starts sobbing uncontollably
saying 'no no no anything but that'. St Peter is confused and says
'Whats wrong'. The engineer replies 'I was a sound engineer for 40 years
and I never once came across a decent band you'd let in here!'
Thursday, 21 August 2014
Thursday Music special #1 - Prince Buster
One of my favourite artists is Prince Buster. If you are not familair with his works, you really should check him out. Perhaps his best known work is Wine or Grine, used a few years ago in a TV commercial. It is excellent music for balmy summer evenings. SKA music is, in my opinion, one of the very best forms of entertainment and Prince Buster is one of the finest exponents of the form. It is good time music and we are lucky at our studios to have Lee Thompson Ska Orchestra as regular customers, who are leading a Ska revival. When I first started blogging, I intended to blog about music. I have decided that going forward, Thursday will be Music Special day on the Barnet Eye blog. We'll feature a different artist, some local, some cult. All of whom are people you should have a listen to. I can think of no better place to start than Prince Buster.
Keep an Eye out for the Thursday Music Special, we'll also be listing forthcoming local gigs of note.
The Lyrics so you can sing along
Wether you whine or grine.
Wether you whine or grine.
She shake it up right on time.
She shake it up right on time.
Shake up long, shake up strong,
Stay on your feet and you can't go wrong.
Wether you whine or grine.
First thing she ax, if you 'ave your brush,
If you 'ave your brush, you can avoid the rush.
Wether you whine or grine.
Come a ruff, ruff grine.
Come a cool, cool whine.
Wether you whine or grine.
(..)
Wether you whine or grine.
Wether you whine or grine.
She like when you whine or grine.
She love when you whine and grine.
First thing she ax, if you 'ave your brush,
If you 'ave your brush, you can avoid the rush.
Mek it come whine or grine.
She want you to whine and grine.
She says take a skiddip all the time.
She love when you whine and grine.
First thing she ax, if you 'ave your brush,
If you 'ave your brush, you can avoid the rush.
Wether you whine or grine.
She'll love when you whine and grine.
Just take a skiddip all the time.
She want a ruff, ruff stroker.
She want a cool, cool stroker.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rog T has run Mill Hill Music Complex studios since 1979 and plays guitar in the False Dots. The studios see over 1,000 musicians a week pass through the doors and have over 2,000 musicians registered on their on line booking system. It is North West Londons leading Independent studios.
Keep an Eye out for the Thursday Music Special, we'll also be listing forthcoming local gigs of note.
The Lyrics so you can sing along
Wether you whine or grine.
Wether you whine or grine.
She shake it up right on time.
She shake it up right on time.
Shake up long, shake up strong,
Stay on your feet and you can't go wrong.
Wether you whine or grine.
First thing she ax, if you 'ave your brush,
If you 'ave your brush, you can avoid the rush.
Wether you whine or grine.
Come a ruff, ruff grine.
Come a cool, cool whine.
Wether you whine or grine.
(..)
Wether you whine or grine.
Wether you whine or grine.
She like when you whine or grine.
She love when you whine and grine.
First thing she ax, if you 'ave your brush,
If you 'ave your brush, you can avoid the rush.
Mek it come whine or grine.
She want you to whine and grine.
She says take a skiddip all the time.
She love when you whine and grine.
First thing she ax, if you 'ave your brush,
If you 'ave your brush, you can avoid the rush.
Wether you whine or grine.
She'll love when you whine and grine.
Just take a skiddip all the time.
She want a ruff, ruff stroker.
She want a cool, cool stroker.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rog T has run Mill Hill Music Complex studios since 1979 and plays guitar in the False Dots. The studios see over 1,000 musicians a week pass through the doors and have over 2,000 musicians registered on their on line booking system. It is North West Londons leading Independent studios.
Wednesday, 20 August 2014
The great myth of Boris
Do you believe in the tooth fairy? Do you believe in the Easter Bunny? Do you believe in Boris Johnson? You may think his is a rather odd question but it seems to me that there are two Boris Johnsons. There is the one which exists in the minds of Tory activists and there is the real man. If you read some of the tweets coming out of camp Boris, you'd think that Boris is a mythical hero retrning from exile to reestablish the British Empire and lead us all to a wonderful fluffy future.
Here's a few examples from a member of team Boris who I had the misfortune to have a conversation with on Twitter
@Barneteye @LBC Boris is very good natured. Very very good quality. Have you ever heard him be nasty about anyone??
@Barneteye You R likely to have lefty friends tho. During Mayoral elections, lots of lefties voted Boris, he has cross party appeal.
@Barneteye Polling showed 60% of Labour voters thought he does a good job. Have a link!
@Barneteye I know because he wud destroy Labour if leader, they R really panicking. Boris Johnson
The claim that "lots of lefties" vote Boris is laughable. What is certainly true in London is that many of the local jewish community, who normally vote Labour, wouldn't touch Ken with a bargepole given his perceived antipathy for them. They voted Boris to see the back of Ken. Outside of London, I doubt that a single proper "Leftie" would touch Boris with a bargepole.
The concept that 60% of voters think Boris has done a good job is also a highly subjective claim. If you asked the average London Labour supporter if they thought Boris had done better than they expected, most would say yes. Many of us suspected that he'd screw up an be kicked out after the first Mayoral election. It was clear to me that Labour screwed up by selecting Ken again. Hi scampaign was lacklustre. It seems that Ken has a blind spot with Boris. He can't seem to understand why anyone would like him or vote for him, so concequently ran an extremely amatuer campaign.
In the event that Boris was leader of the Tories, he'd face a different prospect. He'd be exposed to weekly challenges such as those where he lost his temper with Dismore. He'd have all of those Tory MP's who feel betrayed when they don't get the plum jobs sniping. He'd not have the sweeping executive powers of Mayor. Whilst Boris gets away with all sorts as Mayor, as Leader of the Opposition or Prime Minister, every word is analysed to death by all manner of media.
It is vcry sweet that the likes of Angela, who seemingly does nothing except tweet 24 hours a day, are so enamoured with Boris. It is highly entertaining, but when you look more deeply at what such groupies have to say, it all falls down at the first hurdle when you dig a bit deeper.
Here's a few examples from a member of team Boris who I had the misfortune to have a conversation with on Twitter
angela
But is Boris really charming to all? Well last week we posted this blog which amongst other things showed clips of Boris discussing having someone duffed up and also telling someone to get stuffed. (click here for full details http://barneteye.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/10-reasons-why-tories-should-think.html )
Are Labour "running scared"? Not being a member of the party, I don't know but I'd be surprised. I think Boris is someone who gets London, but what about the rest of the country? I am not so sure. I suspect that up and down the country, the voters in the marginals willneed a little bit more convincing. Those of us in London forget that the rest of the country is a bit different. They don't take too much notice of London and are most certainly not likely to be too aware of any of Boris's perceived victories. Are Londoners that awre of the provinicial Mayor who got elected for dressing up as a Monkeys achievements? Nope. It is supreme arrogance to assume that the rest of the country have much more interest in Boris. Of course local Tory parties will have Boris fans, but the party is a tiny organisation nationally. One has to suspect that Boris would actually galvanise the core Labour vote in many marginals. It is a fact that Labour struggle far harder than the Tories to get their vote out, however Boris may just inspire people to turn up. Of course the Tories will point to the London Mayoral elections, but they won't have the mistakes of Ken Livingstone and the staunch suport of the Gilligan lead Evening Standard to help them.
I think his bumbling humour has a limited shelf life. As Mayor he can turn up, tell a joke, splash some cash and depart. As Leader he has to spend half his life upsetting people, many in his own party. It is a different gig.
The claim that "lots of lefties" vote Boris is laughable. What is certainly true in London is that many of the local jewish community, who normally vote Labour, wouldn't touch Ken with a bargepole given his perceived antipathy for them. They voted Boris to see the back of Ken. Outside of London, I doubt that a single proper "Leftie" would touch Boris with a bargepole.
The concept that 60% of voters think Boris has done a good job is also a highly subjective claim. If you asked the average London Labour supporter if they thought Boris had done better than they expected, most would say yes. Many of us suspected that he'd screw up an be kicked out after the first Mayoral election. It was clear to me that Labour screwed up by selecting Ken again. Hi scampaign was lacklustre. It seems that Ken has a blind spot with Boris. He can't seem to understand why anyone would like him or vote for him, so concequently ran an extremely amatuer campaign.
In the event that Boris was leader of the Tories, he'd face a different prospect. He'd be exposed to weekly challenges such as those where he lost his temper with Dismore. He'd have all of those Tory MP's who feel betrayed when they don't get the plum jobs sniping. He'd not have the sweeping executive powers of Mayor. Whilst Boris gets away with all sorts as Mayor, as Leader of the Opposition or Prime Minister, every word is analysed to death by all manner of media.
It is vcry sweet that the likes of Angela, who seemingly does nothing except tweet 24 hours a day, are so enamoured with Boris. It is highly entertaining, but when you look more deeply at what such groupies have to say, it all falls down at the first hurdle when you dig a bit deeper.
Tuesday, 19 August 2014
Can your cat actually speak to you?
It's August, it's the silly season, so I thought I'd buck the trend and concentrate on the questions that really matter. Todays question? Can your cat talk to you? It is a question that has troubled me for nearly 20 years. Let me explain. Back in 1994 I was managing a moderately successful rock and roll band. National tours, TV and Radio appearances was order of the day for the boys. The band were two singles into a 3 single strategy to make their name, prior to the album release. All of the band had quit their jobs to concentrate on their musical careers and they'd had all manner of press coverage etc. They'd had everything apart from financial success. We all believed that was justa round the corner when the singer quit. This was a bolt from the blue for the rest of the band. They were in a state of shock. All of them were living at home apart from the guitarist, who was living in my spare room. He took the situation exceptionally badly. Of all the band, he'd been the most clean living and sensible, but lets say he had a little wobble at this time. He had a little spell where he experimented with a few things he really shouldn't have. He would disappear for days on end and come back and sleep for several days on end. In truth I was a bit worried, but he was an adult and I could understand why he was so upset. One day, I went to bed and he wasn't around. This wasn't unusual. I went up to my room and fell asleep around midnight. At around 5am in the morning I was awoken by my lodger. He'd come in the room and woken me up. He was, shall we say, in a rather confused state and said "There's something really important I have to tell you?" I said "Has someone died?". He replied "No, nothing like that". So I told him to f off and tell me in the morning.
When morning came, his bedroom door was shut. I completely forgot about it for a couple of weeks and he didn't broach the subject. I was at the pub with some of the band and they mentioned that he'd been in a bit of a "heightened state of awareness" and asked if he'd woken me up a couple of weeks before. I said "Oh yes, now I remember, he said there was something important he wanted to tell me".
At this he returned from the bar and I asked. He got rather embarrassed and the rest of the band started teasing him. He clearly didn't want to tell me, but the rest of the band knew and realised that it was a good chance to embarrass him. I decided to join in and insisted he told me. Eventually the truth came out.
He confided that he'd taken a very strong, mind altering drug much favoured by bands in the 1960's out of curiosity. Upon returning to the house, he'd sat down to collect himself and get his thoughts together. At this, my cat, a short haired British Blue called Norman hopped on his knee. What happened next, may surprise you. Norman started chatting away in purrfect English (pardon the pun) and for about an hour, my guitarist lodger got the cats perspective on life. Apparently he thought I was a nice bloke but a slack cat owner. The other local moggies got better food and more treats. He also got a full personality run down of all the local moggies and which ones were nice. It seems he really hated the ginger tom up the road, who he thought was a nasty piece of work (perhaps such racist traits are not solely human)They also had nice quiet houses, which cats like. Our place was a mad house. When asked why he didn't take off Norman replied that he was used to it. He also confided that all cats could talk perfect English if they wanted to but it would breach the cat convention if they did. He was only chatting because my housemate was stoned and no one would believe him.
My lodger was so excited to realise all this that he insisted that Norman have a chat with me and assurred him I could keep a secret. Norman warned my lodger that I'd be cross. When I told him to F off, Norman said "Told you so". What disturbed my lodger most was he'd written it off as a dream until I confirmed he'd woken me up. That really disturbed him.
What was interesting was that when my lodger sobered up he was convinced that Norman could talk. He said it made him feel very uncomfortable. So can moggies talk. I've not really heard of anyone else having similar experiences. I've heard plenty of people claim there cat can talk to them, but not in English. I'd be intrigued to know if anyone else had ever had a similar experience.
So do I believe cats can talk? I've got to confess I'd have to see it and not be under the influence of anything stronger than a cup of tea at the time !
When morning came, his bedroom door was shut. I completely forgot about it for a couple of weeks and he didn't broach the subject. I was at the pub with some of the band and they mentioned that he'd been in a bit of a "heightened state of awareness" and asked if he'd woken me up a couple of weeks before. I said "Oh yes, now I remember, he said there was something important he wanted to tell me".
At this he returned from the bar and I asked. He got rather embarrassed and the rest of the band started teasing him. He clearly didn't want to tell me, but the rest of the band knew and realised that it was a good chance to embarrass him. I decided to join in and insisted he told me. Eventually the truth came out.
He confided that he'd taken a very strong, mind altering drug much favoured by bands in the 1960's out of curiosity. Upon returning to the house, he'd sat down to collect himself and get his thoughts together. At this, my cat, a short haired British Blue called Norman hopped on his knee. What happened next, may surprise you. Norman started chatting away in purrfect English (pardon the pun) and for about an hour, my guitarist lodger got the cats perspective on life. Apparently he thought I was a nice bloke but a slack cat owner. The other local moggies got better food and more treats. He also got a full personality run down of all the local moggies and which ones were nice. It seems he really hated the ginger tom up the road, who he thought was a nasty piece of work (perhaps such racist traits are not solely human)They also had nice quiet houses, which cats like. Our place was a mad house. When asked why he didn't take off Norman replied that he was used to it. He also confided that all cats could talk perfect English if they wanted to but it would breach the cat convention if they did. He was only chatting because my housemate was stoned and no one would believe him.
My lodger was so excited to realise all this that he insisted that Norman have a chat with me and assurred him I could keep a secret. Norman warned my lodger that I'd be cross. When I told him to F off, Norman said "Told you so". What disturbed my lodger most was he'd written it off as a dream until I confirmed he'd woken me up. That really disturbed him.
What was interesting was that when my lodger sobered up he was convinced that Norman could talk. He said it made him feel very uncomfortable. So can moggies talk. I've not really heard of anyone else having similar experiences. I've heard plenty of people claim there cat can talk to them, but not in English. I'd be intrigued to know if anyone else had ever had a similar experience.
So do I believe cats can talk? I've got to confess I'd have to see it and not be under the influence of anything stronger than a cup of tea at the time !
Monday, 18 August 2014
Barnet - The Borough where no one gives a Flying F***
Barnet Council has a petition website. This is where concerned residents can show how much they care about their community. I was rather shocked to see just how few people actually care
Most popular open petitions
We the undersigned petition Barnet Council to…- Protect Bury Farm Edgware from being developed into a golf course. (2006 signatures)
- refuse the resubmitted application to the proposed development of Church Walk House, Church Walk, NW2 (227 signatures)
- protect pedestrians, particularly our children and vulnerable people, from speeding traffic on Victoria Road. We propose the introduction of an enforced 20mph speed limit on Victoria Road along with a safe place to cross and request that Barnet Council look at additional ways to encourage drivers to slow down. We must not wait for serious injury or fatality to occur before Barnet Council takes action. (194 signatures)
- 1. Do all within its power to secure the restoration of routine breast screening services at Finchley Memorial Hospital as soon as is possible. 2. To set up a cross-party delegation to lobby for the provision of a static breast screening unit at Finchley Memorial Hospital. 3.To ask the Cabinet Member to ensure that future decisions regarding removal of services are communicated to all stakeholders and the public before they are implemented. (129 signatures)
- to support the community in its campaign to keep Alexandra Parade Post Office open (48 signatures)
Sunday, 17 August 2014
The death of football
This weekend the football season kicked off. Are you excited? I should be, my team Manchester City are defending champions. Last weekend I went to the Charity Shield. As the new sason kicks off, I am underwhelmed. I am more excited about the start of my sons youth team season, which starts in September. The reason? I am sick to death of the corporatisation of football. It is all about cash, money and corporate deals. Players "retire" from international football. I'm 51 and I'd run through hot coals being attacked by ninja's for the chance to play for England at Wembley (not that they'd ever have picked me!). How can anyone who is not a completely heartless fool not want the chance to represent their country? By the times modern players are ready to "retire" from England, they are multi millionaires. It is said they want to eke out another couple of seasons for their club. In my opinion no player is truly great unless they've won the World Cup. That is why players like Geoff Hurst and Gordon Banks will always to me be the most special of the English players.
At my club I see the finest squad ever assembled in English football. I'll cheer them through thick and thin, yet in some ways I felt more passionate when Paul Dickov scored in the Div 1 playoff final against Gillingham, than I felt when they won the League last season (yup I confess the Aguerro moment at QPR was a different feeling). How could I become so jaded with the money so soon.
Football has lost its way and is losing its grassroots. I am an addict, so I'm lumbered. I will watch it come what may, but it pains and troubles me. There is a little bit of curmudgeon in me that would like to see all the cash go away and us be transported back to the 1960's when Town teams such as Burnley were contenders, because they had a well run club. The terraces were packed and it cost sweet FA to get in. Those days are gone forever. More is the pity.
At my club I see the finest squad ever assembled in English football. I'll cheer them through thick and thin, yet in some ways I felt more passionate when Paul Dickov scored in the Div 1 playoff final against Gillingham, than I felt when they won the League last season (yup I confess the Aguerro moment at QPR was a different feeling). How could I become so jaded with the money so soon.
Football has lost its way and is losing its grassroots. I am an addict, so I'm lumbered. I will watch it come what may, but it pains and troubles me. There is a little bit of curmudgeon in me that would like to see all the cash go away and us be transported back to the 1960's when Town teams such as Burnley were contenders, because they had a well run club. The terraces were packed and it cost sweet FA to get in. Those days are gone forever. More is the pity.
Saturday, 16 August 2014
The Saturday List #65 - The Pope's top ten tips for happiness
In an interview published in part in the Argentine weekly "Viva" July
27, the pope listed his Top 10 tips for bringing greater joy to one's
life:
1. "Live and let live." Everyone should be guided by this principle, he said, which has a similar expression in Rome with the saying, "Move forward and let others do the same."
2. "Be giving of yourself to others." People need to be open and
generous toward others, he said, because "if you withdraw into yourself,
you run the risk of becoming egocentric. And stagnant water becomes
putrid."
3. "Proceed calmly" in life. The pope, who used to teach high school literature, used an image from an Argentine novel by Ricardo Guiraldes, in which the protagonist -- gaucho Don Segundo Sombra -- looks back on how he lived his life.
"He says that in his youth he was a stream full of rocks that he carried with him; as an adult, a rushing river; and in old age, he was still moving, but slowly, like a pool" of water, the pope said. He said he likes this latter image of a pool of water -- to have "the ability to move with kindness and humility, a calmness in life."
4. "A healthy sense of leisure." The pleasures of art, literature and playing together with children have been lost, he said.
"Consumerism has brought us anxiety" and stress, causing people to lose a "healthy culture of leisure." Their time is "swallowed up" so people can't share it with anyone.
Even though many parents work long hours, they must set aside time to play with their children; work schedules make it "complicated, but you must do it," he said.
Families must also turn off the TV when they sit down to eat because, even though television is useful for keeping up with the news, having it on during mealtime "doesn't let you communicate" with each other, the pope said.
5. Sundays should be holidays. Workers should have Sundays off because "Sunday is for family," he said.
6. Find innovative ways to create dignified jobs for young people. "We need to be creative with young people. If they have no opportunities they will get into drugs" and be more vulnerable to suicide, he said.
"It's not enough to give them food," he said. "Dignity is given to you when you can bring food home" from one's own labor.
7. Respect and take care of nature. Environmental degradation "is one of the biggest challenges we have," he said. "I think a question that we're not asking ourselves is: 'Isn't humanity committing suicide with this indiscriminate and tyrannical use of nature?'"
8. Stop being negative. "Needing to talk badly about others indicates low self-esteem. That means, 'I feel so low that instead of picking myself up I have to cut others down,'" the pope said. "Letting go of negative things quickly is healthy."
9. Don't proselytize; respect others' beliefs. "We can inspire others through witness so that one grows together in communicating. But the worst thing of all is religious proselytism, which paralyzes: 'I am talking with you in order to persuade you,' No. Each person dialogues, starting with his and her own identity. The church grows by attraction, not proselytizing," the pope said.
10. Work for peace. "We are living in a time of many wars," he said, and "the call for peace must be shouted. Peace sometimes gives the impression of being quiet, but it is never quiet, peace is always proactive" and dynamic.
I must saay ther eis not much on the Pope's list I disagree with
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The full details are available here - http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1403144.htm
1. "Live and let live." Everyone should be guided by this principle, he said, which has a similar expression in Rome with the saying, "Move forward and let others do the same."
 Pope Francis greets the crowd as he arrives to lead a general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican last month. (CNS/Paul Haring) |
3. "Proceed calmly" in life. The pope, who used to teach high school literature, used an image from an Argentine novel by Ricardo Guiraldes, in which the protagonist -- gaucho Don Segundo Sombra -- looks back on how he lived his life.
"He says that in his youth he was a stream full of rocks that he carried with him; as an adult, a rushing river; and in old age, he was still moving, but slowly, like a pool" of water, the pope said. He said he likes this latter image of a pool of water -- to have "the ability to move with kindness and humility, a calmness in life."
4. "A healthy sense of leisure." The pleasures of art, literature and playing together with children have been lost, he said.
"Consumerism has brought us anxiety" and stress, causing people to lose a "healthy culture of leisure." Their time is "swallowed up" so people can't share it with anyone.
Even though many parents work long hours, they must set aside time to play with their children; work schedules make it "complicated, but you must do it," he said.
Families must also turn off the TV when they sit down to eat because, even though television is useful for keeping up with the news, having it on during mealtime "doesn't let you communicate" with each other, the pope said.
5. Sundays should be holidays. Workers should have Sundays off because "Sunday is for family," he said.
6. Find innovative ways to create dignified jobs for young people. "We need to be creative with young people. If they have no opportunities they will get into drugs" and be more vulnerable to suicide, he said.
"It's not enough to give them food," he said. "Dignity is given to you when you can bring food home" from one's own labor.
7. Respect and take care of nature. Environmental degradation "is one of the biggest challenges we have," he said. "I think a question that we're not asking ourselves is: 'Isn't humanity committing suicide with this indiscriminate and tyrannical use of nature?'"
8. Stop being negative. "Needing to talk badly about others indicates low self-esteem. That means, 'I feel so low that instead of picking myself up I have to cut others down,'" the pope said. "Letting go of negative things quickly is healthy."
9. Don't proselytize; respect others' beliefs. "We can inspire others through witness so that one grows together in communicating. But the worst thing of all is religious proselytism, which paralyzes: 'I am talking with you in order to persuade you,' No. Each person dialogues, starting with his and her own identity. The church grows by attraction, not proselytizing," the pope said.
10. Work for peace. "We are living in a time of many wars," he said, and "the call for peace must be shouted. Peace sometimes gives the impression of being quiet, but it is never quiet, peace is always proactive" and dynamic.
I must saay ther eis not much on the Pope's list I disagree with
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The full details are available here - http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1403144.htm