What wonderful things computers are! In this modern day and age we cannot live without them. Once you become accustomed to their availability and then reliant on them to carry out all sorts of tasks should the facility be removed or break down it can feel like you have lost a limb. That’s why I am feeling less than happy that my home PC has crashed and is unlikely to recover and I have to find time and friends that have computers I can borrow, not least for composing a regular blog! (It's not the computers that are the problem, it's the friends...)
There is a more serious issue here, however, in that, irrespective of whatever back up processes there are in place to protect data, it isn’t much use if you haven’t got a functioning computer, network, system or whatever to utilise that data for the purpose intended.
Two scenarios spring to mind, firstly, banking. Many people now rely on computers and the internet for accessing details of their bank accounts and businesses rely on them for accounting purposes. Should we lose those facilities where does that leave us? Well, I don’t get paid and the bank can’t tell me what money I have. Ok, so this is only a short-term problem as there is the option to resort to cash and cheques eventually, that is, if the bank is prepared to do so. This would cause knock on problems with, for example, mortgages and other bills not being honoured through the standing order or direct debit process. Again, this could be overcome, but what if such a large-scale IT crash resulted in the potential for lives to be lost. It is a possibility and one with an increasing likelihood, so on to the second scenario.
How many people who have visited their doctors or hospitals in the last few years have waited at reception desks whilst they have been checked in on the computer? Most, I would suggest. It doesn’t end there though, as it is government policy to ensure that all patient records are held on computer within a certain timeframe, the details of which escape me for the moment. So what happens when patients are seriously ill and need help but reference to the medical record held on computer is required to ensure appropriate treatment is provided? What if the computer system is down, does the patient die? Would the death certificate record the cause of death as being “Computer Mal-function”?
Perhaps these are extreme scenarios and I would like to think that there are adequate back-up systems in place to take over, but what if they aren’t? If you’ve seen the film Die Hard IV then you will appreciate the problems such scenarios could cause.
There is also the issue of privacy too, how much information about individuals is available on-line? All you need to do is Google a name and you can potentially obtain a great deal of
information. If you have the specialist IT knowledge and the inclination how much more information could you obtain if you wanted it?
All of this doesn’t really help my situation though and I have to find a friendly computer, but it’s not your worry. When you go to sleep tonight you will have forgotten all about my plight but remember that you have a new and increasingly more powerful family member who knows a lot about you. Remember your new Big Brother…..
Wednesday 31 October 2007
Monday 29 October 2007
I Like The Word "Fool"
I like the word “fool”. It isn’t too offensive but sets the tone quite nicely. Next subject, or is it the same subject, is David Cameron or Dave as I am sure his chums call him. I am not sure how long he has been the leader of the Conservative Party but it is around the two year mark, so only now does he finally grasp the nettle and tackle the subject of immigration head on. It must be co-incidental that the Labour Party have recently also begun to talk about the issue.
Mr Cameron believes that net immigration is “currently too high”. Funny that, I thought that both Labour and the Tories thought immigration was good for us and that our society would collapse without it. I also understood they believed it was racist to discuss such issues. Apparently this is not the case, unless the “extreme-right” British National Party are discussing the issue. Of course, the BNP have been warning of the dangers of mass immigration for many years and have been vilified by the liberal-left media and the “Big 3” political parties. Does this now mean that Mr Cameron believes the BNP have been vindicated in all they have been saying? Is he going to sign up? No, of course not. Despite the BNP policies on immigration being no different to what I am sure Dave and Gord will be suggesting the BNP are still seen as a “threat” to democracy etc etc.
It seems that both Labour and the Tories are trying to steal the BNP’s thunder, but we must not forget the basic difference here. The BNP has always said that mass immigration is wrong, Labour and the Tories actively encouraged it and allowed the situation we now find ourselves in, to happen. Therefore they are now trying to put right what they put wrong. But when push comes to shove will they actually do anything about it? Well, Labour certainly won’t, they rely too much on the immigrant vote. The Tories? Well, they won’t be able to as they are not in government and neither are they a credible government in waiting and even if they were I think they would shy away from the issue for fear of upsetting anyone. Of course, it will fall to the British National Party to say it like it is and bring us the facts, the mainstream politicians cannot be trusted.
I visited London last week and whilst there noticed flags hanging in the Mall. I obviously recognised the Union Flag but these were interspersed with a greeny thing which I recognised as the Saudi Arabian flag. I was somewhat puzzled as to why these were there but all has become clear today, as I understand we are being visited by the Saudi Arabian King Abdullah. It seems that as upholders of a fine anti-democratic tradition they are being entertained by the British government. Foreign Office minister Kim Howells has already told a conference that Britain and Saudi Arabia could unite around their “shared values”. Presumably this is why King Abdullah has decided to lecture the British government on terrorism in that they did not pay enough heed to warnings about terrorist activity here. I’m sure we will also see the British government lecturing the Saudi king on human rights as with our “shared values” I have every confidence that when the Saudi king returns home he will make sweeping changes to the way things are done there….. or perhaps he won’t!
Finally today, cruel though it may be, I had to stifle a titter regarding the news that international development minister Shahid Malik was detained at Washington’s Dulles airport whilst his luggage was apparently searched for explosives. I would like to put the record straight here as I am sure they were not searching for explosives at all, but were looking for the excessive amount of money he has claimed in expenses.
Mr Cameron believes that net immigration is “currently too high”. Funny that, I thought that both Labour and the Tories thought immigration was good for us and that our society would collapse without it. I also understood they believed it was racist to discuss such issues. Apparently this is not the case, unless the “extreme-right” British National Party are discussing the issue. Of course, the BNP have been warning of the dangers of mass immigration for many years and have been vilified by the liberal-left media and the “Big 3” political parties. Does this now mean that Mr Cameron believes the BNP have been vindicated in all they have been saying? Is he going to sign up? No, of course not. Despite the BNP policies on immigration being no different to what I am sure Dave and Gord will be suggesting the BNP are still seen as a “threat” to democracy etc etc.
It seems that both Labour and the Tories are trying to steal the BNP’s thunder, but we must not forget the basic difference here. The BNP has always said that mass immigration is wrong, Labour and the Tories actively encouraged it and allowed the situation we now find ourselves in, to happen. Therefore they are now trying to put right what they put wrong. But when push comes to shove will they actually do anything about it? Well, Labour certainly won’t, they rely too much on the immigrant vote. The Tories? Well, they won’t be able to as they are not in government and neither are they a credible government in waiting and even if they were I think they would shy away from the issue for fear of upsetting anyone. Of course, it will fall to the British National Party to say it like it is and bring us the facts, the mainstream politicians cannot be trusted.
I visited London last week and whilst there noticed flags hanging in the Mall. I obviously recognised the Union Flag but these were interspersed with a greeny thing which I recognised as the Saudi Arabian flag. I was somewhat puzzled as to why these were there but all has become clear today, as I understand we are being visited by the Saudi Arabian King Abdullah. It seems that as upholders of a fine anti-democratic tradition they are being entertained by the British government. Foreign Office minister Kim Howells has already told a conference that Britain and Saudi Arabia could unite around their “shared values”. Presumably this is why King Abdullah has decided to lecture the British government on terrorism in that they did not pay enough heed to warnings about terrorist activity here. I’m sure we will also see the British government lecturing the Saudi king on human rights as with our “shared values” I have every confidence that when the Saudi king returns home he will make sweeping changes to the way things are done there….. or perhaps he won’t!
Finally today, cruel though it may be, I had to stifle a titter regarding the news that international development minister Shahid Malik was detained at Washington’s Dulles airport whilst his luggage was apparently searched for explosives. I would like to put the record straight here as I am sure they were not searching for explosives at all, but were looking for the excessive amount of money he has claimed in expenses.
Friday 26 October 2007
Remembrance Sunday was the subject of yesterday's blog and I read today about a related incident which has occured in northern France. Apparently the graves of British soldiers who died in the Battle of the Somme have been desecrated with graffiti including swastikas and Nazi SS signs. What sort of minds have those people who would do such a thing? Presumably they have no understanding of why so many fought and died in both World Wars in order to protect the way of life and freedoms we enjoy today.
I often wonder what those who died would think of our society today. What would they think, for example, of the way that our old folk are treated today? Many having retired after working hard all of their lives are now suffering hardship, some trapped in their own homes unable to get out and about as they once did, others having to sell the homes for which they have worked hard all of their lives to pay for, so that they can pay for the nursing care and accommodation they now find themselves in, and the indignity suffered by those who are mistreated and feel abandoned by the society they helped to build. I recall an experience earlier this year when I happened to be visiting a friend in hospital and I overheard a conversation between an elderly lady, who must have been in her mid-80s at least, and a male nurse. The nurse, who was not from theses shores was asking questions of the lady about her condition. I am sure the nurse was quite competent and well-qualified but I found it difficult to understand what he was saying so felt the old lady most probably understood even less. What I did glean was that the elderly woman was incontinent and the nurse was asking her questions about this, but using medical terminology which I am sure the lady would not have been familiar with. I am sure the nurse was doing his best to help her but it was obvious the lady was confused and upset. This old lady was alone but may well have family who were not with her, nor were fully aware of her plight. I am not ashamed to say that tears welled up in my eyes thinking of how this old lady, who was once young and enjoying life to the full, must have felt to suffer this indignity. I was also recently told of another story whereby a gentleman pensioner visited hospital to see a consultant regarding a chronic condition that he was suffering from. When he went in to see the consultant another person was present. This person introduced himself as the interpreter for the consultant. I understood there was such a thing as patient confidentiality which means that the patient has the right to keep his medical history confidential. By introducing a third party, an interpreter, in to the process, surely makes a mockery of this. Fortunately, this time the patient was able to speak out and demanded he be seen by a consultant who spoke English. It wasn't a racist demand, as so many of the weedy liberal-left members of the establishment might suggest, as the elderly gentleman made it plain that he didn't care where the consultant came from so long as he spoke English and therefore could communicate directly with him. Isn't it about time this government made ample provision to ensure that our elderly people are given the respect they deserve and allowed to live out their twilight years in a dignified manner without having to fear what may become of them?
I often wonder what those who died would think of our society today. What would they think, for example, of the way that our old folk are treated today? Many having retired after working hard all of their lives are now suffering hardship, some trapped in their own homes unable to get out and about as they once did, others having to sell the homes for which they have worked hard all of their lives to pay for, so that they can pay for the nursing care and accommodation they now find themselves in, and the indignity suffered by those who are mistreated and feel abandoned by the society they helped to build. I recall an experience earlier this year when I happened to be visiting a friend in hospital and I overheard a conversation between an elderly lady, who must have been in her mid-80s at least, and a male nurse. The nurse, who was not from theses shores was asking questions of the lady about her condition. I am sure the nurse was quite competent and well-qualified but I found it difficult to understand what he was saying so felt the old lady most probably understood even less. What I did glean was that the elderly woman was incontinent and the nurse was asking her questions about this, but using medical terminology which I am sure the lady would not have been familiar with. I am sure the nurse was doing his best to help her but it was obvious the lady was confused and upset. This old lady was alone but may well have family who were not with her, nor were fully aware of her plight. I am not ashamed to say that tears welled up in my eyes thinking of how this old lady, who was once young and enjoying life to the full, must have felt to suffer this indignity. I was also recently told of another story whereby a gentleman pensioner visited hospital to see a consultant regarding a chronic condition that he was suffering from. When he went in to see the consultant another person was present. This person introduced himself as the interpreter for the consultant. I understood there was such a thing as patient confidentiality which means that the patient has the right to keep his medical history confidential. By introducing a third party, an interpreter, in to the process, surely makes a mockery of this. Fortunately, this time the patient was able to speak out and demanded he be seen by a consultant who spoke English. It wasn't a racist demand, as so many of the weedy liberal-left members of the establishment might suggest, as the elderly gentleman made it plain that he didn't care where the consultant came from so long as he spoke English and therefore could communicate directly with him. Isn't it about time this government made ample provision to ensure that our elderly people are given the respect they deserve and allowed to live out their twilight years in a dignified manner without having to fear what may become of them?
Thursday 25 October 2007
Remembrance Sunday
Remembrance Sunday this year happens to fall on 11th November and is therefore just over two weeks away. Poppies are now appearing in the lapels of those who feel it important to remember all of those brave men and women who have given their lives and also to those injured and all of their families, over the last hundred years in the service of their country. I am wearing mine.
I have watched the Remembrance Day parades on the television every year for as long as I can recall and each year there seem to be fewer and fewer veterans taking part although some seem to go to extra-ordinary lengths to do so. Sooner or later none of those who fought in either World War will be marching, this year may be the year that no-one who fought in the First World War is taking part.
I would like to think that this act of Remembrance and all of the associated activities that take place throughout the world will continue for all time. However, I have concerns that in my lifetime, as a result of the apathy and selfish attitudes that seem all too prevalent in our society, only a token gesture will one day be made which replaces that which now takes place.
In Wiltshire, the launch of The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal will be marked tomorrow (Friday 26th October), by an open top bus joined by vehicles from the local Atwell Wilson Motor Museum parading through the centre of my home town of Calne. The vehicles will be carrying Royal British Legion members, veterans and children who will be presenting the first poppy to the Deputy Mayor of Calne, Mercy Baggs (my Aunt, should you be wondering). It is intended that this launch will bring renewed awareness of the need for more “Poppy Collectors” but also to remind people that it is the biggest welfare organisation for service men and women in the United Kingdom today and will also serve to maintain an awareness of the need for Remembrance. To find out more about The Poppy Appeal and the work of the Royal British Legion, see
http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/
I would like to think that we really will not forget them.
I have watched the Remembrance Day parades on the television every year for as long as I can recall and each year there seem to be fewer and fewer veterans taking part although some seem to go to extra-ordinary lengths to do so. Sooner or later none of those who fought in either World War will be marching, this year may be the year that no-one who fought in the First World War is taking part.
I would like to think that this act of Remembrance and all of the associated activities that take place throughout the world will continue for all time. However, I have concerns that in my lifetime, as a result of the apathy and selfish attitudes that seem all too prevalent in our society, only a token gesture will one day be made which replaces that which now takes place.
In Wiltshire, the launch of The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal will be marked tomorrow (Friday 26th October), by an open top bus joined by vehicles from the local Atwell Wilson Motor Museum parading through the centre of my home town of Calne. The vehicles will be carrying Royal British Legion members, veterans and children who will be presenting the first poppy to the Deputy Mayor of Calne, Mercy Baggs (my Aunt, should you be wondering). It is intended that this launch will bring renewed awareness of the need for more “Poppy Collectors” but also to remind people that it is the biggest welfare organisation for service men and women in the United Kingdom today and will also serve to maintain an awareness of the need for Remembrance. To find out more about The Poppy Appeal and the work of the Royal British Legion, see
http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/
I would like to think that we really will not forget them.
Tuesday 23 October 2007
Poles Apart?
Poles Apart? Did you know that five years ago that 3,000 of the Polish immigrant population here registered to vote in the Polish elections taking place in their homeland? This weekend I heard that 69,000 Polish immigrants registered for this years elections. That's a massive increase, these figure perhaps having a small influence on the latest population estimates announced today. Apparently by 2016, a mere 9 years away, the population is estimated to reach 65 millions! That will be an increase of 4.4 million on our current population, an increase of nearly 1,400 per day. It gets worse, by 2031, the population is estimated to reach 71 millions and by 2051, 77 millions. I can remember when I was at school, around 30 years ago, the population was around 52 millions, so potentially in my life time the population of these islands will have increased by around 50%.
Of this increase of 4.4 millions by 2016, 2.3 millions are estimated to be as a result of natural increases in the population, that is the birth rate. Now, I don't know about you, but I understood that the birth rate of the indigenous white British population was decreasing, but according to the news bulletins that carried this story the birth rate is increasing as a result of more thirty and forty somethings having children late in life. Some of the increase may be due to that factor but I have a feeling that by making this statement the media were actually hiding the fact that the main reason for the increased birth rate is down to immigrant populations having more children. All of this adds weight to the idea that the true Brit will become a minority in his own land in our lifetime! A sobering thought.
However, do not despair as the reports also stress that these figures are estimates only and will only occur should the government take no action on immigration. There you have it, there is an implication that the government is going to take some action to curb the currently excessive immigration levels in order to avoid further stretching the NHS, social services, housing, education, law and order etc., etc., even further than it is stretched already. Of course I do not think for one minute that there are any plans in place to do this and if any are announced whilst Gordon Brown is Prime Minister I will gladly admit what a fool I was for doubting him.
It seems that those who have been expressing their concerns about immigration for the last twenty or thirty years are being proved correct. I think that come election time people should remember that!
Of this increase of 4.4 millions by 2016, 2.3 millions are estimated to be as a result of natural increases in the population, that is the birth rate. Now, I don't know about you, but I understood that the birth rate of the indigenous white British population was decreasing, but according to the news bulletins that carried this story the birth rate is increasing as a result of more thirty and forty somethings having children late in life. Some of the increase may be due to that factor but I have a feeling that by making this statement the media were actually hiding the fact that the main reason for the increased birth rate is down to immigrant populations having more children. All of this adds weight to the idea that the true Brit will become a minority in his own land in our lifetime! A sobering thought.
However, do not despair as the reports also stress that these figures are estimates only and will only occur should the government take no action on immigration. There you have it, there is an implication that the government is going to take some action to curb the currently excessive immigration levels in order to avoid further stretching the NHS, social services, housing, education, law and order etc., etc., even further than it is stretched already. Of course I do not think for one minute that there are any plans in place to do this and if any are announced whilst Gordon Brown is Prime Minister I will gladly admit what a fool I was for doubting him.
It seems that those who have been expressing their concerns about immigration for the last twenty or thirty years are being proved correct. I think that come election time people should remember that!
Monday 22 October 2007
BNP Meeting In Corsham - Alan Lill
One of the highlights of my weekend was attending the latest British National Party meeting in Corsham, for a full report see HERE. Such meetings are not just great occasions for meeting and catching-up with old friends but also to meet new ones and to hear speeches from Party members and officials, on this occasion we heard from, amongst others, Councillor Mick Simpkins and Arthur Kemp. Such speeches serve to inspire members and supporters into becoming more involved with what we are trying to achieve as there is a lot of work to be done and not a lot of time to do it. We have come a long way in North Wiltshire from the meetings we held 5 or so years ago to what was achieved in Corsham yesterday with approximately 100 in attendance.
However, the highlight of the meeting for me was meeting a man that I haven’t seen for some time, a man that I have probably only encountered on a half-dozen occasions but nevertheless I count him as a friend. Alan Lill has been a real inspiration for me particularly and should be an inspiration for Nationalists everywhere. I owe Alan a huge amount of gratitude, as I met him for the first time when, as we do from time to time, feel a bit demoralised and lacking in motivation because of the extent of our struggle. I was taking a break from politics for a while and he encouraged me to play my part and not to sit back. Alan, quite frankly made me feel a bit pathetic, not deliberately of course, but because of his enthusiasm to keep on with the fight and also because he has been involved with the Nationalist cause for almost all of his life which is actually for more years than I have been alive! For a short time, whilst living in the area, Alan was out and about on his own, on the streets of Calne and surrounding towns and villages at the crack of dawn every day putting leaflets through letterboxes and generally spreading the word.
However, the real inspiration that all Nationalists must take from Alan was as a result of yesterday’s meeting. I am sure he wouldn’t mind me saying, but Alan is very unwell indeed and arrived at yesterday’s meeting in a wheelchair as he is so unwell that walking is now difficult. Apparently Alan was absolutely determined to attend the meeting despite his illness but unfortunately, as he was suffering a great deal of discomfort had to go home mid-way through it.
I think the message from all of this is quite simple – if people like Alan are prepared to make the effort, like he did yesterday, under the circumstances he now finds himself in, to attend a meeting and show support, then there is absolutely no excuse for others not to stand up and do their bit. It would be nice to think that Alan sees this blog and knows that his efforts are very much appreciated, not only by me but by Nationalists everywhere. I certainly feel proud to be associated with him and hope that the inspiration I have gained from this experience will rub off on all those that read this.
God bless you Alan, take care my friend.
However, the highlight of the meeting for me was meeting a man that I haven’t seen for some time, a man that I have probably only encountered on a half-dozen occasions but nevertheless I count him as a friend. Alan Lill has been a real inspiration for me particularly and should be an inspiration for Nationalists everywhere. I owe Alan a huge amount of gratitude, as I met him for the first time when, as we do from time to time, feel a bit demoralised and lacking in motivation because of the extent of our struggle. I was taking a break from politics for a while and he encouraged me to play my part and not to sit back. Alan, quite frankly made me feel a bit pathetic, not deliberately of course, but because of his enthusiasm to keep on with the fight and also because he has been involved with the Nationalist cause for almost all of his life which is actually for more years than I have been alive! For a short time, whilst living in the area, Alan was out and about on his own, on the streets of Calne and surrounding towns and villages at the crack of dawn every day putting leaflets through letterboxes and generally spreading the word.
However, the real inspiration that all Nationalists must take from Alan was as a result of yesterday’s meeting. I am sure he wouldn’t mind me saying, but Alan is very unwell indeed and arrived at yesterday’s meeting in a wheelchair as he is so unwell that walking is now difficult. Apparently Alan was absolutely determined to attend the meeting despite his illness but unfortunately, as he was suffering a great deal of discomfort had to go home mid-way through it.
I think the message from all of this is quite simple – if people like Alan are prepared to make the effort, like he did yesterday, under the circumstances he now finds himself in, to attend a meeting and show support, then there is absolutely no excuse for others not to stand up and do their bit. It would be nice to think that Alan sees this blog and knows that his efforts are very much appreciated, not only by me but by Nationalists everywhere. I certainly feel proud to be associated with him and hope that the inspiration I have gained from this experience will rub off on all those that read this.
God bless you Alan, take care my friend.
Saturday 20 October 2007
Wuz We Robbed?
Wuz we robbed? The rugby world cup is over and England have lost to South Africa. But for a disallowed try the result could have been so different, however it wasn't to be and you have to keep playing your best and they certainly did that. It was a case of no surrender from England and the bulldog spirit certainly shone through. We didn't win the game but there is no doubting the courage and determination that went into our attempt to do so. Anyone who doubts what a great nation we could be in all respects should watch and learn. But now we must accept the result and move on.
Watching the rugby brought an exciting end to a day that has seen me behaving somewhat sloth-like as a result of a rather late night yesterday. My girlfriend and I played host to a group of life-long friends at, what I suppose is strictly called, a dinner party, although that sounds rather grand and not what, we, the prodcuts of a working class environment would ever have thought we would be doing. But if a dinner party is what you call having friends around, having dinner and drinking rather a lot of alcohol, then a dinner party is what we had. The results of last nights alcohol made it difficult to do anything even slightly energetic today. However, it was worth it as a great time was had by all as we put the world to rights, talked about old times and also about times to come. The longer the night went on the more difficult the attempts to firm up plans on a group skiing trip became, but we have flights booked so that's a start. It's just that getting 14 people to agree on accommodation is the difficult part. I'm sure all will fall into place eventually, we managed it last year, so we know it can be done.
One of the things we did manage today was a trip to the local supermarket and as we were getting out of the car we overheard the conversation of those packing shopping into the neighbouring car. We first heard the teenage lad ask the older chap if he had ordered the speakers for his car yet. The older chap replied "No, they're discontinued". The teenage lad then said "What's that mean?", to which the older chap replied "They don't make them anymore". Perhaps it serves me right for ear-wigging, but this sort of conversation perhaps illustrates the sub-standard level of education available to some as surely the word "discontinued" is not one that should need explaining, should it? This has to be an indictment of the state of education these days. Despite the year-on-year improvements in GCSE and A level results the government take so much pleasure in announcing every year, we still seem to have an uneducated under-class that cannot understand basics. Surely a Labour government that makes so much of the "improved state of education" in this country cannot be proud of a system that it feels is performing at the top end but so obviously is failing at the bottom?
Such concerns about the failure of government to lead on issues related to our younger generation reminds me that it's getting late and I need to plan a speech I am making on this very subject for a meeting tomorrow. Best get on with it then.
Watching the rugby brought an exciting end to a day that has seen me behaving somewhat sloth-like as a result of a rather late night yesterday. My girlfriend and I played host to a group of life-long friends at, what I suppose is strictly called, a dinner party, although that sounds rather grand and not what, we, the prodcuts of a working class environment would ever have thought we would be doing. But if a dinner party is what you call having friends around, having dinner and drinking rather a lot of alcohol, then a dinner party is what we had. The results of last nights alcohol made it difficult to do anything even slightly energetic today. However, it was worth it as a great time was had by all as we put the world to rights, talked about old times and also about times to come. The longer the night went on the more difficult the attempts to firm up plans on a group skiing trip became, but we have flights booked so that's a start. It's just that getting 14 people to agree on accommodation is the difficult part. I'm sure all will fall into place eventually, we managed it last year, so we know it can be done.
One of the things we did manage today was a trip to the local supermarket and as we were getting out of the car we overheard the conversation of those packing shopping into the neighbouring car. We first heard the teenage lad ask the older chap if he had ordered the speakers for his car yet. The older chap replied "No, they're discontinued". The teenage lad then said "What's that mean?", to which the older chap replied "They don't make them anymore". Perhaps it serves me right for ear-wigging, but this sort of conversation perhaps illustrates the sub-standard level of education available to some as surely the word "discontinued" is not one that should need explaining, should it? This has to be an indictment of the state of education these days. Despite the year-on-year improvements in GCSE and A level results the government take so much pleasure in announcing every year, we still seem to have an uneducated under-class that cannot understand basics. Surely a Labour government that makes so much of the "improved state of education" in this country cannot be proud of a system that it feels is performing at the top end but so obviously is failing at the bottom?
Such concerns about the failure of government to lead on issues related to our younger generation reminds me that it's getting late and I need to plan a speech I am making on this very subject for a meeting tomorrow. Best get on with it then.
Friday 19 October 2007
Simon says “Are you ‘hattist’?”
Simon says “Are you ‘hattist’?”
After writing, in my blog of Thursday 11th October, about the tendency for the local rag, the Wiltshire Gazette, to occasionally publish a sensationalist story to boost their sales, another piece of incisive journalism appears in this week’s edition.
A couple of weeks ago there was a front page piece informing the local people that the National Front were coming to town and would be holding a march there. Now, any of us that are involved in Nationalist politics and really care about what is happening in this country know that the national membership of the NF probably only just creeps into three figures. So I fail to understand how the paper thinks a march could be organised in a town like Chippenham, which for now, is far removed from the multicultural nightmare suffered in other parts of the country where you might think any support for the NF might be found. Anyway, apparently the march was cancelled although it is reported that a local meeting was held with thirty in attendance – I don’t think so!
However, in this week’s editionof the Gazette, when everyone had just about forgotten about the NF, what do we see? Inside, on page 5, lo and behold, headlines saying “Protest March Over National Front Bid”!
Apparently local teenager Simon Messenger, an 18 year old youth worker at the Bridge Centre in Chippenham has decided to launch a campaign against the decision of the NF to set up a youth branch in the town. Again, does anyone seriously believe the NF has enough support anywhere to set up specific groups for youths and in Wiltshire? Simon said he is all for freedom of speech….but ….this will turn Chippenham into 1930’s Germany with little Hitler’s running around discriminating against minorities and he cannot sit back and let it happen. Obviously Simon needs to have a good look at society in general and see we already have little Hitler’s running around trying to indoctrinate us with what is called political correctness. Also I suggest Simon takes up a hobby as I think he is a little confused in not wanting to sit back and let nothing happen (?). Irrespective of common sense, Simon is aiming for more than 100 supporters and a two hour march, presumably very, very slowly, through the centre of Chippenham in December and is setting up an internet forum on MySpace over the next few weeks.
Why this fellow feels the need to get involved is actually explained towards the end of the article which can be found HERE. Apparently Simon was assaulted by a gang of 20 youths in the town centre last year for ……… wearing a leather cowboy hat.
Perhaps I now know why the National Front is such a tiny and insignificant group – its policies discriminate against those who wear hats!
After writing, in my blog of Thursday 11th October, about the tendency for the local rag, the Wiltshire Gazette, to occasionally publish a sensationalist story to boost their sales, another piece of incisive journalism appears in this week’s edition.
A couple of weeks ago there was a front page piece informing the local people that the National Front were coming to town and would be holding a march there. Now, any of us that are involved in Nationalist politics and really care about what is happening in this country know that the national membership of the NF probably only just creeps into three figures. So I fail to understand how the paper thinks a march could be organised in a town like Chippenham, which for now, is far removed from the multicultural nightmare suffered in other parts of the country where you might think any support for the NF might be found. Anyway, apparently the march was cancelled although it is reported that a local meeting was held with thirty in attendance – I don’t think so!
However, in this week’s editionof the Gazette, when everyone had just about forgotten about the NF, what do we see? Inside, on page 5, lo and behold, headlines saying “Protest March Over National Front Bid”!
Apparently local teenager Simon Messenger, an 18 year old youth worker at the Bridge Centre in Chippenham has decided to launch a campaign against the decision of the NF to set up a youth branch in the town. Again, does anyone seriously believe the NF has enough support anywhere to set up specific groups for youths and in Wiltshire? Simon said he is all for freedom of speech….but ….this will turn Chippenham into 1930’s Germany with little Hitler’s running around discriminating against minorities and he cannot sit back and let it happen. Obviously Simon needs to have a good look at society in general and see we already have little Hitler’s running around trying to indoctrinate us with what is called political correctness. Also I suggest Simon takes up a hobby as I think he is a little confused in not wanting to sit back and let nothing happen (?). Irrespective of common sense, Simon is aiming for more than 100 supporters and a two hour march, presumably very, very slowly, through the centre of Chippenham in December and is setting up an internet forum on MySpace over the next few weeks.
Why this fellow feels the need to get involved is actually explained towards the end of the article which can be found HERE. Apparently Simon was assaulted by a gang of 20 youths in the town centre last year for ……… wearing a leather cowboy hat.
Perhaps I now know why the National Front is such a tiny and insignificant group – its policies discriminate against those who wear hats!
Thursday 18 October 2007
Shot In The Head
Shot in the head. That was the fate of a 16 year old boy found dead in a park in the Burngreave area of Sheffield on Wednesday evening. Just another gun-crime statistic in this once great land of ours that I grew up in, never thinking for a moment Britain would become like America where the gun culture is an accepted part of their way of life. According to Chief Superintendent Jon House, who has since tried to reassure the local community that gun crime was rare in Sheffield, the unfortunate victim was a black youth from a respectable local family. I am sure the family of the un-named victim will think that gun-crime is not rare enough! Detectives were looking at possible links to another shooting in the city in the last 24 hours, so 2 shootings in 24 hours and gun crime is a rarity in Sheffield. It’s just as well gun crime is not a common problem then! It gets worse as it may also be linked to yet another shooting that took place six weeks ago. Chief Superintendent House is however, determined to solve the crime quickly and is not expecting retribution. No comment has been made as to whether the incidents were drug or gang related but recent trends would suggest there must be links. In the days when I was 16 I can’t recall any gun related incidents ever taking place. It just goes to show to what depths society has plunged as a result of the failure of successive governments in dealing with the real concerns of the public they are elected to serve, by cracking down hard on all types of crime and making sure there are real deterrents for offences of this nature.
Last night whilst this tragic event was taking place I was listening to music on my Ipod. Now if you are as a big a music fan as I am and you haven’t got an Ipod or similar device then I suggest you get one. It has certainly been a great investment and a wonderful present from my girlfriend. I am still adding tunes to the 6,000 odd so far downloaded and regularly use it in the shuffle mode, which, for those who don’t know, means it playing tracks at random. The first track it selected was the Smiths song "Meat is Murder", so after listening to that, I think I am lucky not to have succumbed and jumped under a bus, however things improved when a Scorpions song followed. The Scorpions remind me of the 4 years I spent living in Germany at the time the Berlin Wall came down and the associated euphoria that existed during this time. Having known what I do now, having experienced the dismantling of the Soviet bloc and witnessed the creation of the European Union I think I should have gone to Berlin and built the wall back up again. The third track played was "19 Years" by Lee Haggan (available from Great White Records), quite poignant now knowing of the boy’s murder in Sheffield.
On a final note I have been watching with interest the reaction and comment regarding the Searchlight mail-out to all who stood as candidates for the BNP at the May elections. For those who don’t know, Searchlight have decided, again, to demoralise those associated with the party in an attempt to destabilise it. This shows me that they have real worries about what is being achieved. A piece of advice given to me by Martin Wingfield (whose blog, http://www.martinwingfield.blogspot.com/, you may have seen), when discussing something similar a few years ago, was, I think, something he had heard Bill Shankly say on the lines of “If everyone else is doing their own job properly then we have no need to worry what the opposition are doing”.
Fine words, please take note.
Last night whilst this tragic event was taking place I was listening to music on my Ipod. Now if you are as a big a music fan as I am and you haven’t got an Ipod or similar device then I suggest you get one. It has certainly been a great investment and a wonderful present from my girlfriend. I am still adding tunes to the 6,000 odd so far downloaded and regularly use it in the shuffle mode, which, for those who don’t know, means it playing tracks at random. The first track it selected was the Smiths song "Meat is Murder", so after listening to that, I think I am lucky not to have succumbed and jumped under a bus, however things improved when a Scorpions song followed. The Scorpions remind me of the 4 years I spent living in Germany at the time the Berlin Wall came down and the associated euphoria that existed during this time. Having known what I do now, having experienced the dismantling of the Soviet bloc and witnessed the creation of the European Union I think I should have gone to Berlin and built the wall back up again. The third track played was "19 Years" by Lee Haggan (available from Great White Records), quite poignant now knowing of the boy’s murder in Sheffield.
On a final note I have been watching with interest the reaction and comment regarding the Searchlight mail-out to all who stood as candidates for the BNP at the May elections. For those who don’t know, Searchlight have decided, again, to demoralise those associated with the party in an attempt to destabilise it. This shows me that they have real worries about what is being achieved. A piece of advice given to me by Martin Wingfield (whose blog, http://www.martinwingfield.blogspot.com/, you may have seen), when discussing something similar a few years ago, was, I think, something he had heard Bill Shankly say on the lines of “If everyone else is doing their own job properly then we have no need to worry what the opposition are doing”.
Fine words, please take note.
Wednesday 17 October 2007
CONKERS!
CONKERS!
Great word, always reminds me of the Carry On films, as it has the potential to cause a titter whenever heard. You can almost visualise Sid James saying it and chuckling in his irrepressible way. However the reason I mention it is far from tittersome, in fact, it is most serious. On Sunday Ady Hurrell from Whittlesey in Cambridgeshire took the World Conker Championship beating France in the final of the 43rd championships in Ashton, Northants. The event drew more than 300 participants and was surprisingly sponsored by an organisation, which I had not previously heard of, called the Institution of Health and Safety. Fortunately, there was no need for those involved to wear hard hats and goggles or protective gloves but I’m sure this will be standard kit one day. I am sure England beating France at conkers was just as exciting as watching England beat France at rugby….
I mentioned in yesterday’s blog my visit to the wonderful village of Lacock. The journey to Lacock from my home must be around ten miles by road and a large part of this involves travelling through unspoilt countryside with views of the downland so common around this part of North Wiltshire. But the enjoyment had from this view is tinged with a certain sadness as an increasing amount of this land is taking over with building plots, a new housing estate here, a factory there. This is of course fantastic news for those involved in the building trade but we live on a relatively small island and therefore the capacity to build on it is limited. Scotsman Gordon Brown wants to build millions more houses here, why do we want them and where are they going to be and with a social infrastructure already buckling under the weight of immigration how are we going to cope? There is an ever larger voice crying out for Britain to close the door on further immigration, but is it too late and if it is, what hope is there for the true British people?
Having mentioned a Scot I thought I would mention the unease that I and many other English people have with the amount of Scots involved in the political scene in England. I am most definitely not anti-Scot, I have good friends and family who are Scottish. However, I cannot seem to understand why there is a Scottish Parliament for the Scottish people in Scotland run by Scottish MSPs, yet there is not a similar structure in England for the English. Yet, the leaders of the big three political parties, well, until the Sting of Ming, were all Scottish, as are our local MPs Michael Ancram and James Gray. The SNP tells us that they can go it alone and don’t need the rest of us. If that’s the case why are there so many Scots here? The Scottish people have benefits that we in England don’t have, for example, free university tuition. I should also say that I am also a supporter of the Union and would not wish to see it break up, but when the English are the poor relations within this Union there seems something sadly amiss. The English, Scots and Welsh should all receive the same benefits. The British nation was once the greatest nation in the world and that was because we all worked together to make it so. We will never be Great again unless we are truly united and work together once more for the common cause rather than as a group of smaller countries.
Great word, always reminds me of the Carry On films, as it has the potential to cause a titter whenever heard. You can almost visualise Sid James saying it and chuckling in his irrepressible way. However the reason I mention it is far from tittersome, in fact, it is most serious. On Sunday Ady Hurrell from Whittlesey in Cambridgeshire took the World Conker Championship beating France in the final of the 43rd championships in Ashton, Northants. The event drew more than 300 participants and was surprisingly sponsored by an organisation, which I had not previously heard of, called the Institution of Health and Safety. Fortunately, there was no need for those involved to wear hard hats and goggles or protective gloves but I’m sure this will be standard kit one day. I am sure England beating France at conkers was just as exciting as watching England beat France at rugby….
I mentioned in yesterday’s blog my visit to the wonderful village of Lacock. The journey to Lacock from my home must be around ten miles by road and a large part of this involves travelling through unspoilt countryside with views of the downland so common around this part of North Wiltshire. But the enjoyment had from this view is tinged with a certain sadness as an increasing amount of this land is taking over with building plots, a new housing estate here, a factory there. This is of course fantastic news for those involved in the building trade but we live on a relatively small island and therefore the capacity to build on it is limited. Scotsman Gordon Brown wants to build millions more houses here, why do we want them and where are they going to be and with a social infrastructure already buckling under the weight of immigration how are we going to cope? There is an ever larger voice crying out for Britain to close the door on further immigration, but is it too late and if it is, what hope is there for the true British people?
Having mentioned a Scot I thought I would mention the unease that I and many other English people have with the amount of Scots involved in the political scene in England. I am most definitely not anti-Scot, I have good friends and family who are Scottish. However, I cannot seem to understand why there is a Scottish Parliament for the Scottish people in Scotland run by Scottish MSPs, yet there is not a similar structure in England for the English. Yet, the leaders of the big three political parties, well, until the Sting of Ming, were all Scottish, as are our local MPs Michael Ancram and James Gray. The SNP tells us that they can go it alone and don’t need the rest of us. If that’s the case why are there so many Scots here? The Scottish people have benefits that we in England don’t have, for example, free university tuition. I should also say that I am also a supporter of the Union and would not wish to see it break up, but when the English are the poor relations within this Union there seems something sadly amiss. The English, Scots and Welsh should all receive the same benefits. The British nation was once the greatest nation in the world and that was because we all worked together to make it so. We will never be Great again unless we are truly united and work together once more for the common cause rather than as a group of smaller countries.
Tuesday 16 October 2007
Ming! They're Merciless!!
Ming! They’re merciless!!
Everyone is probably now aware that Menzies Campbell has resigned as the leader of the Liberal Democrats. Nothing has been seen or heard of him since the announcement was made yesterday evening so it seems likely he was forced out by his “colleagues”. What with a change in what I suppose you could loosely call the “leadership” of the Labour Party and the likelihood of a challenge to David Cameron if he doesn’t maintain his recently achieved lead in the polls, we will have had a clean sweep at the top of the big three parties.
What does this say to the voters and members of these parties? I think it shows that they haven’t a clue. At a time when there is so much social upheaval, uncertainty and discontent in the country what is needed is stability, strong leadership and a vision, a vision that reflects the concerns of the electorate and the policies to show a real desire to put things right and not policies created for political points. There is no reason that the whole face of politics shouldn’t be turned over with the major parties losing out to the smaller ones and with the big three eventually being replaced as main players. The time is right, all of the conditions are there, it just needs a lot of effort to capitalise on all those strands in life that concern people most, the NHS, education, law and order, immigration and so on. The big three have had it relatively easy for some time now and I believe it is time for them to move over and make way for those who really have the interests of the British people at heart. I’ll leave you to decide who that might be!
In an earlier blog I mentioned the increase in occurrences of the once unheard of infections associated with MRSA and C difficile. I understand that one of our brave young soldiers, the youngest actually, to have been injured in the conflict in Iraq has returned to England for treatment and has consequently been infected with not one of these bugs, but both. What message is this sending out to our troops who daily put their lives on the line in a conflict that should never have happened? I am sure the outcome would have been different had the military hospitals remained open, but no, our government knows best again.
On a similar theme, we may or may not agree with the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, but I think as British people we are duty bound to support our soldiers, sailors and airman in whatever they do for Queen and Country. They are only acting under orders as a result of government policy so if we have a problem with that we know who we should take our anger out on and it’s not the men and women serving in the armed forces. That’s why I find it extremely sad that where our soldiers have been allowed to parade through the streets of the towns in which they are stationed they are not met with cheering crowds but pretty much no-one. We may sometimes find the Americans way of doing things a little odd, but at least they get out and show the support that their armed forces deserve.
Finally, on a lighter note, my traditional roast beef Sunday lunch was excellent, enjoyed by all and even if I do say so myself having cooked it, the beef was perfect. Later on that afternoon as the weather was almost summery, not at all what you might expect in October, my girlfriend and I went for a lovely walk around the village of Lacock which is only a short drive away from where I live. To walk around this quaint old village makes you feel as if you have travelled back in time a couple of hundred years as it has remained largely untouched for so long. If you are unfamiliar with the village search for it on the internet, it truly is a wonder and has been used in filming numerous costume dramas for the television and big screen. The day was topped off by a quick drink, sitting in the garden of a nearby pub taking in the last of the sunshine. Splendid day, oh, and mine’s a pint of Molecatcher!
Everyone is probably now aware that Menzies Campbell has resigned as the leader of the Liberal Democrats. Nothing has been seen or heard of him since the announcement was made yesterday evening so it seems likely he was forced out by his “colleagues”. What with a change in what I suppose you could loosely call the “leadership” of the Labour Party and the likelihood of a challenge to David Cameron if he doesn’t maintain his recently achieved lead in the polls, we will have had a clean sweep at the top of the big three parties.
What does this say to the voters and members of these parties? I think it shows that they haven’t a clue. At a time when there is so much social upheaval, uncertainty and discontent in the country what is needed is stability, strong leadership and a vision, a vision that reflects the concerns of the electorate and the policies to show a real desire to put things right and not policies created for political points. There is no reason that the whole face of politics shouldn’t be turned over with the major parties losing out to the smaller ones and with the big three eventually being replaced as main players. The time is right, all of the conditions are there, it just needs a lot of effort to capitalise on all those strands in life that concern people most, the NHS, education, law and order, immigration and so on. The big three have had it relatively easy for some time now and I believe it is time for them to move over and make way for those who really have the interests of the British people at heart. I’ll leave you to decide who that might be!
In an earlier blog I mentioned the increase in occurrences of the once unheard of infections associated with MRSA and C difficile. I understand that one of our brave young soldiers, the youngest actually, to have been injured in the conflict in Iraq has returned to England for treatment and has consequently been infected with not one of these bugs, but both. What message is this sending out to our troops who daily put their lives on the line in a conflict that should never have happened? I am sure the outcome would have been different had the military hospitals remained open, but no, our government knows best again.
On a similar theme, we may or may not agree with the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, but I think as British people we are duty bound to support our soldiers, sailors and airman in whatever they do for Queen and Country. They are only acting under orders as a result of government policy so if we have a problem with that we know who we should take our anger out on and it’s not the men and women serving in the armed forces. That’s why I find it extremely sad that where our soldiers have been allowed to parade through the streets of the towns in which they are stationed they are not met with cheering crowds but pretty much no-one. We may sometimes find the Americans way of doing things a little odd, but at least they get out and show the support that their armed forces deserve.
Finally, on a lighter note, my traditional roast beef Sunday lunch was excellent, enjoyed by all and even if I do say so myself having cooked it, the beef was perfect. Later on that afternoon as the weather was almost summery, not at all what you might expect in October, my girlfriend and I went for a lovely walk around the village of Lacock which is only a short drive away from where I live. To walk around this quaint old village makes you feel as if you have travelled back in time a couple of hundred years as it has remained largely untouched for so long. If you are unfamiliar with the village search for it on the internet, it truly is a wonder and has been used in filming numerous costume dramas for the television and big screen. The day was topped off by a quick drink, sitting in the garden of a nearby pub taking in the last of the sunshine. Splendid day, oh, and mine’s a pint of Molecatcher!
Sunday 14 October 2007
The England Rugby Team Did Us Proud
Well the England rugby team did us proud! We beat the French 14-9 for a place in the final next week against the South Africans. It wasn't a great match but the final score was what mattered here and it was still a joy to watch, all nail-biting stuff. It was also a pleasure to watch for two other reasons. Firstly there was none of this prima donna play-acting you see in football when a player is involved in a tackle, falls to the ground in extreme agony, the game stops, the player is attended to and as if by a miracle he is up and running around within seconds like a spring lamb. No, in rugby when a player stays on the ground it is obvious there is something wrong, fortunately this happens infrequently. The second reason why watching international rugby is a joy is for the pre-match singing of the national anthems. To a man, the England team belt out the national anthem as if there is no tomorrow, with a real passion and with a real belief that they are here to serve their country and serve it they did. Although many argue that the national anthem is a bit dull and lifeless, it is nevertheless the anthem we have so we should make the most of it. It would be interesting to see how many people under the age of twenty actually know the words and whether in years to come we will just have to listen to the anthem led by a solo singer. The image of John Redwood when he was Secretary of State for Wales, at, I think the opening of the Welsh Assembly comes to mind, when he, centre stage tried to mime his way out of a song that he did not know the words to. We shall see.
Am off to start preparing Sunday lunch now, a traditional British roast beef lunch is on the cards today as my girlfriend and I entertain my Mum and Dad at home. It's not often that families seem to sit down to Sunday lunch together, or any meal for that matter, these days so it's nice to try to keep another traditional British custom alive.
Am off to start preparing Sunday lunch now, a traditional British roast beef lunch is on the cards today as my girlfriend and I entertain my Mum and Dad at home. It's not often that families seem to sit down to Sunday lunch together, or any meal for that matter, these days so it's nice to try to keep another traditional British custom alive.
Saturday 13 October 2007
Drive Carefully!
Well, many thanks to the fool who took the wing mirror of my car early evening yesterday. I’m sorry that the road was only wide enough to get a tank through particularly as my car was half parked on the path, so perhaps your car was wider than a tank. Not to worry though the glass was smashed so if the driver of the other car, or tank, is superstitious he will get 7 years bad luck or is it 6? Whatever it is, enjoy them. Perhaps the driver was very late for his opticians appointment…
Anyway, the football has just improved the weekend with a 3-0 win for England over Estonia. Good first half but it really should have been as Estonia are but one of the multitude of countries that resulted from the break-up of the old Soviet Union. The second half was dire. Why is it that once England know they have won they ease up? Wouldn’t it have been better to continue playing as they were and win 6-0? Perhaps they had felt their money had been earned, there seems no other incentive these days. Sadly, long gone are the days when footballers were just proud to play for their country irrespective of the financial reward. To see real guts and detrmination I will be watching the rugby, bring on the Froggies!
I’m sure the postal workers wouldn’t mind their annual salary being anything like the sum the England footballers received for their match today. I’m not sure where I stand on the postal strike as I believe the Post Office is an institution that should not be lost, but by striking, the postal workers are not gaining any sympathy with the general public and they need that sympathy. However, despite the strike I ordered an item from Amazon on Tuesday and it arrived on Thursday so it seems the postal service isn’t suffering too much as a result of their industrial action.
I suppose that to get a job as a postman you respond to advertisements in the local paper or job centre. I often wonder how people manage to get jobs like, for example, the man who holds the stop / go sign at roadworks, or the lady who puts the egg in those pork pies with eggs in the middle (sorry, don’t know what they’re called). One job I would like to apply for is as one of the 1,000 people taking part in the "citizen's summit" that is going to take place next year to help decide a new definition of British values. Apparently Justice minister Michael Wills said the panel will be chosen to be representative of the public at large and will be able to take evidence from witnesses during its deliberations. Who will these people be and what will they talk about? Do British people need a "statement of British values"? What will it be used for? Well, the summit to discuss this will also decide how the statement will be used across the country and what values it will contain. A representative of that summit will go to Parliament and Parliament will have a final say on it. That has given me even less confidence in the usefulness of this process as obviously it will be nothing more than a Labour government gimmick. Anyway, we wouldn’t want to leave it to any old Tom, Dick or Harry to decide, would we? As long as the Government has the final say it is bound to be a wonderful document, I'm sure!
I have already decided that if they don’t ask me I will pay no heed to it. I am British and I was born and bred in Britain at a time when we grew up understanding what it meant to be polite and honest and how to respect others. There, you don’t need a summit now, job done. I wonder how much the summit will cost? I could save the Government loads of money.
I suspect, however, this process is nothing more than an attempt to further indoctrinate our society with multiculturalism and to show how we value everyone living in this country and how all-inclusive we are with all of us "being British". I will leave it to you to wait and see if there is any news coverage of this summit. If there is, have a look at the faces of those participating and decide whether or not it representative of the community in which you live and whether or not this statement of British values is truly what we would expect it to be.
Now for the rugby....
Anyway, the football has just improved the weekend with a 3-0 win for England over Estonia. Good first half but it really should have been as Estonia are but one of the multitude of countries that resulted from the break-up of the old Soviet Union. The second half was dire. Why is it that once England know they have won they ease up? Wouldn’t it have been better to continue playing as they were and win 6-0? Perhaps they had felt their money had been earned, there seems no other incentive these days. Sadly, long gone are the days when footballers were just proud to play for their country irrespective of the financial reward. To see real guts and detrmination I will be watching the rugby, bring on the Froggies!
I’m sure the postal workers wouldn’t mind their annual salary being anything like the sum the England footballers received for their match today. I’m not sure where I stand on the postal strike as I believe the Post Office is an institution that should not be lost, but by striking, the postal workers are not gaining any sympathy with the general public and they need that sympathy. However, despite the strike I ordered an item from Amazon on Tuesday and it arrived on Thursday so it seems the postal service isn’t suffering too much as a result of their industrial action.
I suppose that to get a job as a postman you respond to advertisements in the local paper or job centre. I often wonder how people manage to get jobs like, for example, the man who holds the stop / go sign at roadworks, or the lady who puts the egg in those pork pies with eggs in the middle (sorry, don’t know what they’re called). One job I would like to apply for is as one of the 1,000 people taking part in the "citizen's summit" that is going to take place next year to help decide a new definition of British values. Apparently Justice minister Michael Wills said the panel will be chosen to be representative of the public at large and will be able to take evidence from witnesses during its deliberations. Who will these people be and what will they talk about? Do British people need a "statement of British values"? What will it be used for? Well, the summit to discuss this will also decide how the statement will be used across the country and what values it will contain. A representative of that summit will go to Parliament and Parliament will have a final say on it. That has given me even less confidence in the usefulness of this process as obviously it will be nothing more than a Labour government gimmick. Anyway, we wouldn’t want to leave it to any old Tom, Dick or Harry to decide, would we? As long as the Government has the final say it is bound to be a wonderful document, I'm sure!
I have already decided that if they don’t ask me I will pay no heed to it. I am British and I was born and bred in Britain at a time when we grew up understanding what it meant to be polite and honest and how to respect others. There, you don’t need a summit now, job done. I wonder how much the summit will cost? I could save the Government loads of money.
I suspect, however, this process is nothing more than an attempt to further indoctrinate our society with multiculturalism and to show how we value everyone living in this country and how all-inclusive we are with all of us "being British". I will leave it to you to wait and see if there is any news coverage of this summit. If there is, have a look at the faces of those participating and decide whether or not it representative of the community in which you live and whether or not this statement of British values is truly what we would expect it to be.
Now for the rugby....
Friday 12 October 2007
A Third World Health Service?
Until recently I, like most other people, had never heard of MRSA (methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus). Many people are carriers of the staphylococcus aureus organism which is harmless unless it gets under the skin when it can be very damaging. In the past Methicillin was used as an antibiotic to treat patients infected with the organism but eventually the organism became resistant to it, hence MRSA.
Yesterday for the very first time I heard of clostridium difficile as this bacterium was linked to 90 deaths at the Kent and Sussex Hospital, Pembury Hospital and Maidstone Hospital all run by the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust.
Both of these result from poor hygiene standards for which I believe there to be no excuse. However the root of the problem is much deeper than this. I know that the majority of those working in the health service are conscientious and hard-working. I also know that the government knows this and I also know that they take advantage of the good nature of those in the health service, particularly the support staff, those nursing and in administration, who feel they are helping their fellow man and accept they are paid poorly for doing so. But the tide is turning and the workers are fed up with being used and abused by those at the top, morale is at rock bottom and standards are falling. All of this is as a result of the government playing political games with the NHS. They want to give the impression that by pumping in loads of money all is well. The money isn’t going to those who prop the system up however, it’s going to the fat cat managers and consultants. The Labour government are so focussed on targets, which in themselves are not a bad thing, but they are forgetting that they are dealing with peoples lives. Reach the target, get the funding and then see if the patient and staff can fit into this nice cosy process.
It’s not working! The NHS is being forced to meet targets or suffer financial penalty. Consequently wages are kept low. Cleaning contracts are offered to those who can do the job cheaply and this means minimum wages for the mainly immigrant cleaners who are frankly, not up to the job. Nurses are rushed off their feet and replaced by those from abroad to save money. Patients are treated like commodities and are turned around as quickly as possible so the bed can be used by the next poor soul and some are left on trolleys until beds become available.
If I sound bitter that’s because I am. This Labour government led firstly by the slippery, smarmy, Tony Blair and now by that fish-faced, insincere fool, Gordon Brown are leading this once great nation of ours to become a laughing stock. The NHS that was created to serve the general public is just another pawn in their political game and the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats do virtually nothing to prevent this. Make no mistake we are heading for Third World status.
What’s needed is a radical shake-up, not only of the political system as it stands but also the NHS and every other organisation the government is intent on destroying.
I am not even going to mention who I think the only political party is that has the guts and the commitment to do such a task as there IS only one that actually believes in restoring this country to the Great Britain it once was.
Yesterday for the very first time I heard of clostridium difficile as this bacterium was linked to 90 deaths at the Kent and Sussex Hospital, Pembury Hospital and Maidstone Hospital all run by the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust.
Both of these result from poor hygiene standards for which I believe there to be no excuse. However the root of the problem is much deeper than this. I know that the majority of those working in the health service are conscientious and hard-working. I also know that the government knows this and I also know that they take advantage of the good nature of those in the health service, particularly the support staff, those nursing and in administration, who feel they are helping their fellow man and accept they are paid poorly for doing so. But the tide is turning and the workers are fed up with being used and abused by those at the top, morale is at rock bottom and standards are falling. All of this is as a result of the government playing political games with the NHS. They want to give the impression that by pumping in loads of money all is well. The money isn’t going to those who prop the system up however, it’s going to the fat cat managers and consultants. The Labour government are so focussed on targets, which in themselves are not a bad thing, but they are forgetting that they are dealing with peoples lives. Reach the target, get the funding and then see if the patient and staff can fit into this nice cosy process.
It’s not working! The NHS is being forced to meet targets or suffer financial penalty. Consequently wages are kept low. Cleaning contracts are offered to those who can do the job cheaply and this means minimum wages for the mainly immigrant cleaners who are frankly, not up to the job. Nurses are rushed off their feet and replaced by those from abroad to save money. Patients are treated like commodities and are turned around as quickly as possible so the bed can be used by the next poor soul and some are left on trolleys until beds become available.
If I sound bitter that’s because I am. This Labour government led firstly by the slippery, smarmy, Tony Blair and now by that fish-faced, insincere fool, Gordon Brown are leading this once great nation of ours to become a laughing stock. The NHS that was created to serve the general public is just another pawn in their political game and the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats do virtually nothing to prevent this. Make no mistake we are heading for Third World status.
What’s needed is a radical shake-up, not only of the political system as it stands but also the NHS and every other organisation the government is intent on destroying.
I am not even going to mention who I think the only political party is that has the guts and the commitment to do such a task as there IS only one that actually believes in restoring this country to the Great Britain it once was.
Thursday 11 October 2007
Bits and Pieces
Now that we no longer have Top of the Pops to look forward to on a Thursday I have had to choose an alternative form of recreation. Now the highlight of the day is reading my copy of the local weekly newspaper, The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald, highlights from which can be found on-line here
http://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/
and here
http://www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/
It’s always interesting to see the hatches, matches and despatches (births, marriages and deaths!). Sadly the older I get the more names I recognise amongst the despatches. This week’s edition reports the sad demise of Nicky James. Probably unknown to most but his claim to fame lies in the music business as having been one of those responsible for the forming of both The Moody Blues and The Move, both very successful bands from the 60s and 70s originating from Birmingham. Nicky lived in Wiltshire and died at the relatively young age of 64 after a six-month battle with cancer. I didn’t know you, but rest in peace mate.
Perhaps we should be grateful that the paper also includes news of a modern day music “star” who has moved into the area. Yes, apparently Pete Doherty has moved into Back Lane, Marlborough and has been seen out and about at various locations in and around the town. This grubby “rock star” has moved out of London to comply with his bail conditions. Perhaps if those responsible for sentencing at one of his numerous drug-related court appearances had had the bottle Doherty would have been locked up like he deserves to be.
Much of the news in the paper is not that interesting to most and consists of minor local issues. However from time to time the local hacks attempt to venture into the world of real journalism and write sensational stories that really aren’t, but us local yokels apparently like this sort of thing. Have a look here for an item placed on the BNP Regional Voices pages recently
http://regionalnews.bnp.org.uk/bnp-south-west-england-region/hate-saucers-seen-over-wiltshire-pubs-exclusive_1562.html
This week there is another scoop! A mother is refusing to send her 6 year-old daughter to school in the taxi provided under contract by Wiltshire County Council as the taxi firm 24/7 is owned by BNP councillor Mick Simpkins. A nicer bloke you couldn’t wish to meet but apparently the mother doesn’t want her daughter in a car with a man but also "Doesn't want her daughter exposed to that sort of thinking". (I might suggest to Mick that he refuses to transport telepathic passengers!). I know Mick can be quite persuasive but I am not quite sure his powers of persuasion would convince a 6 year-old that she should vote BNP when she grows up. I wonder how this woman would feel if she lived in Leeds, for example, where I seem to recall from when I lived there ten years ago, that the majority of the taxi drivers were Muslims?
Perhaps that would be ok……
http://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/
and here
http://www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/
It’s always interesting to see the hatches, matches and despatches (births, marriages and deaths!). Sadly the older I get the more names I recognise amongst the despatches. This week’s edition reports the sad demise of Nicky James. Probably unknown to most but his claim to fame lies in the music business as having been one of those responsible for the forming of both The Moody Blues and The Move, both very successful bands from the 60s and 70s originating from Birmingham. Nicky lived in Wiltshire and died at the relatively young age of 64 after a six-month battle with cancer. I didn’t know you, but rest in peace mate.
Perhaps we should be grateful that the paper also includes news of a modern day music “star” who has moved into the area. Yes, apparently Pete Doherty has moved into Back Lane, Marlborough and has been seen out and about at various locations in and around the town. This grubby “rock star” has moved out of London to comply with his bail conditions. Perhaps if those responsible for sentencing at one of his numerous drug-related court appearances had had the bottle Doherty would have been locked up like he deserves to be.
Much of the news in the paper is not that interesting to most and consists of minor local issues. However from time to time the local hacks attempt to venture into the world of real journalism and write sensational stories that really aren’t, but us local yokels apparently like this sort of thing. Have a look here for an item placed on the BNP Regional Voices pages recently
http://regionalnews.bnp.org.uk/bnp-south-west-england-region/hate-saucers-seen-over-wiltshire-pubs-exclusive_1562.html
This week there is another scoop! A mother is refusing to send her 6 year-old daughter to school in the taxi provided under contract by Wiltshire County Council as the taxi firm 24/7 is owned by BNP councillor Mick Simpkins. A nicer bloke you couldn’t wish to meet but apparently the mother doesn’t want her daughter in a car with a man but also "Doesn't want her daughter exposed to that sort of thinking". (I might suggest to Mick that he refuses to transport telepathic passengers!). I know Mick can be quite persuasive but I am not quite sure his powers of persuasion would convince a 6 year-old that she should vote BNP when she grows up. I wonder how this woman would feel if she lived in Leeds, for example, where I seem to recall from when I lived there ten years ago, that the majority of the taxi drivers were Muslims?
Perhaps that would be ok……
Wednesday 10 October 2007
Mr Magpie
Mr Magpie is how Chancellor Alistair Darling, he of the silver hair and black eye-brows, is being reported today after stealing Conservative plans for his mini-budget announced yesterday. I think we can all agree that this is a bit underhanded, but isn’t that what politics is all about? Politicians are never going to get anywhere unless they utilise the concerns of the electorate to develop policies and strategies in order to appeal to that electorate.
The thing is, how far do you go? The BNP seem to have had more foresight than most with policies that were developed by taking into account a long-term view rather than a short-term one that is created just to appeal to voters. That’s why they haven’t been as successful as they might like, but by looking at the bigger picture, which has proved the party correct, they can be seen as having vision resulting in the increase in popularity now being experienced as the electorate are realising that the BNP were right all along.
Back to the old magpie syndrome. Maggie Thatcher, whether you love her or hate her, has to have been the greatest post-war leader this country has seen and was a bit of a magpie herself. In the late 70s the National Front were becoming a force to be reckoned with and Maggie the Magpie essentially undermined their progress by suggesting in the run-up to the 1979 election, that she would get tough on immigration. As a result she got the anti-immigration vote and consequently caused the decline of the NF which then became the tiny and insignificant party it is today.
Over the last five or so years immigration has been a major theme for all of the major parties who have essentially been playing to the tune the BNP composed years ago. However, the BNP are “racist” for speaking about immigration but everyone else isn’t! For their stance on immigration there should be credit, where credit is due, but doesn’t it just go to show that the Big 3 are all fearful of the success the BNP is having?
Last week we were gearing up for another general election. This time it was the turn of UKIP to join the magpie flock. Nigel Farage, the UKIP leader, said at their conference, that he wanted to see all immigration to the UK halted for the next five years in a bid to take the strain off public services. Again, the BNP have been saying this for years! Funny how we were given to understand, by non-BNP politicians, that immigration is good for the country. You can’t have it both ways Mr Farage, or was this just a ploy to steal the BNP vote? You’re no Maggie, Nige!
So, in looking ahead, remember this prediction of mine – in the next 10 years this country will suffer from major civil unrest at least, God forbid what else at worst but carry on all you blinkered members of the electorate who think that Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats or even UKIP will save you.
Have another look at the BNP, there is light at the end of the tunnel!
The thing is, how far do you go? The BNP seem to have had more foresight than most with policies that were developed by taking into account a long-term view rather than a short-term one that is created just to appeal to voters. That’s why they haven’t been as successful as they might like, but by looking at the bigger picture, which has proved the party correct, they can be seen as having vision resulting in the increase in popularity now being experienced as the electorate are realising that the BNP were right all along.
Back to the old magpie syndrome. Maggie Thatcher, whether you love her or hate her, has to have been the greatest post-war leader this country has seen and was a bit of a magpie herself. In the late 70s the National Front were becoming a force to be reckoned with and Maggie the Magpie essentially undermined their progress by suggesting in the run-up to the 1979 election, that she would get tough on immigration. As a result she got the anti-immigration vote and consequently caused the decline of the NF which then became the tiny and insignificant party it is today.
Over the last five or so years immigration has been a major theme for all of the major parties who have essentially been playing to the tune the BNP composed years ago. However, the BNP are “racist” for speaking about immigration but everyone else isn’t! For their stance on immigration there should be credit, where credit is due, but doesn’t it just go to show that the Big 3 are all fearful of the success the BNP is having?
Last week we were gearing up for another general election. This time it was the turn of UKIP to join the magpie flock. Nigel Farage, the UKIP leader, said at their conference, that he wanted to see all immigration to the UK halted for the next five years in a bid to take the strain off public services. Again, the BNP have been saying this for years! Funny how we were given to understand, by non-BNP politicians, that immigration is good for the country. You can’t have it both ways Mr Farage, or was this just a ploy to steal the BNP vote? You’re no Maggie, Nige!
So, in looking ahead, remember this prediction of mine – in the next 10 years this country will suffer from major civil unrest at least, God forbid what else at worst but carry on all you blinkered members of the electorate who think that Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats or even UKIP will save you.
Have another look at the BNP, there is light at the end of the tunnel!
Tuesday 9 October 2007
Where To Begin?
Well, where to begin? I made a decision today that it was the right thing for me to become a regular blogger. Only time will tell whether or not this is a good decision but at the moment it feels like a good one.
There is much to look forward to and despite winter drawing on with the inevitable journey to and from work to be made in the dark a little light is always to be welcomed, particularly as I use my bicycle for the journey and it has no lights!
Calne is a very wet and dreary place today and were it not for the fact I have no chores this evening and can have a leisurely evening I think I would become miserable.
Just seen the news about police force ratings and it looks like Wiltshire Police haven't fared to well. Seems like the BNP pushing home the point about lack of resources to deal with law and order seems to have been spot on. Not much to crow about really, as the victims of crime are the ones that need the support and these are increasing all the time. Will there ever be a time when the punishment fits the crime? One day there will, one day!
There is much to look forward to and despite winter drawing on with the inevitable journey to and from work to be made in the dark a little light is always to be welcomed, particularly as I use my bicycle for the journey and it has no lights!
Calne is a very wet and dreary place today and were it not for the fact I have no chores this evening and can have a leisurely evening I think I would become miserable.
Just seen the news about police force ratings and it looks like Wiltshire Police haven't fared to well. Seems like the BNP pushing home the point about lack of resources to deal with law and order seems to have been spot on. Not much to crow about really, as the victims of crime are the ones that need the support and these are increasing all the time. Will there ever be a time when the punishment fits the crime? One day there will, one day!
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