A short and sweet offering today I am afraid, as the non-availability of a computer is beginning to prove a real problem. I have just written out my Christmas list and hopefully Santa will bring me a nice shiny new one… or perhaps he won’t!
I have several updates on previous blogs, the first and most important of which is to the story in my blog for Tuesday 27th November which advised of the story regarding the arrest of British teacher Gillian Gibbons for naming a teddy bear Mohammed (I think I spelt it Muhammad previously – which is correct?). Mrs Gibbons appeared in court in Khartoum today to face charges of inciting religious hatred. It is reported that 54 year old Mrs Gibbons looked tired and distressed but was not hand-cuffed and was escorted into the court by around 20 police officers. The prosecutor-general said Mrs Gibbons could expect a swift and fair trial under Sudanese law. The sentence, if found guilty, could be 6 months imprisonment, a fine and/or 40 lashes. The more extreme members of Islam were demanding her execution!Journalists were unable to enter the court, prevented from doing so by riot police, embassy officials nor her legal team were also initially prevented from entering although they were later allowed in. There has been international condemnation of the arrest and it remains to be seen as to what the outcome will be. It should be remembered thought that we are talking about a middle-aged female teacher being put on trial for naming a teddy bear Mohammed. Anyone want Islamic Law here?
Fortunately there are a couple of items I can add here that are less ridiculous although the first of these is none the less very interesting. My blog entry for Thursday 15th November mentioned the problems experienced with the selective reporting of the Wiltshire Gazette, the local weekly newspaper we see in Calne. It seems it is not only the BNP that suffer from this. At a meeting of Calne Town Council on Monday, concern was also expressed about this unbalanced reporting, if interested the minutes can be seen HERE – item 66.1 refers!
Finally on a more pleasant note, in my blog of Tuesday 16th October I mentioned what a wonderful village Lacock is. Some readers may already know, but if not, have a look at the splendid BBC series Cranford, based on the Elizabeth Gaskell novels, as Lacock is where it was filmed.
Thursday 29 November 2007
Tuesday 27 November 2007
Threats To Democracy
I had to check that it wasn't April Fools Day as I read the story of a British school teacher being arrested in Sudan accused of insulting those who follow Islam for allowing pupils to name a teddy bear Muhammad. Perhaps the bear should have been named Jesus and then the pathetic but very serious situation she now finds herself in could have been avoided. Gillian Gibbons apparently made an innocent mistake in letting her infant pupils name the bear. Why, it’s just a name and it’s just a bear, for Christ’s sake!
I am sure boxer, Muhammad Ali, is thanking the Lord that he never went to Sudan to box. He would never have left the country alive. As it is seen as an insult to attempt to make an image of the prophet, Ms Gibbons could be sent to prison for six months, suffer 40 lashes or be fined for charges under article 125 of their criminal law which covers insults against faith and religion. The school at which she taught is now closed until January for fear of reprisals. Of the 23 children in the class 20 chose the name Muhammad. I think this is what is called democracy.
Why do these people continue to go to Islamic countries knowing how intolerant they are and with this misguided vision of converting these people to our way of life? It’s not going to happen, we should leave the Muslims to live their own way of life in their own country and stop interfering.
Talking of democracy and free speech, it is interesting to see the type of people trying to prevent Nick Griffin from addressing students at Oxford last night.
Pictures I have seen, where faces weren’t covered, have been mainly of young students. Oh and the well-know TV celebrity cat, Respect politician and honorary Muslim, George Galloway was also present. It’s always been the student’s way to protest but I wonder how many of them live in the real world and how many are from privileged backgrounds with no real understanding of what the hard-working Brit has to put up with when faced with the pressures of modern life that result from the failed attempt at creating a multi-cultural utopia. I wonder how many of those protesting have actually looked at the BNP web-site or have even read any leaflets or BNP publications. Don’t you call people who make up their minds about something without any evidence “bigots”?
If anyone has heard Nick Griffin speak they would understand that he actually says nothing that could be considered offensive and is usually quite mild, in fact, when compared to what you can hear in pubs, clubs, in the street and even from those who consider the BNP racist and offensive. It seems that the so called anti-fascists cry for no platform for the BNP has failed. In the words of Simon Darby “No platform is no more”.
I am sure boxer, Muhammad Ali, is thanking the Lord that he never went to Sudan to box. He would never have left the country alive. As it is seen as an insult to attempt to make an image of the prophet, Ms Gibbons could be sent to prison for six months, suffer 40 lashes or be fined for charges under article 125 of their criminal law which covers insults against faith and religion. The school at which she taught is now closed until January for fear of reprisals. Of the 23 children in the class 20 chose the name Muhammad. I think this is what is called democracy.
Why do these people continue to go to Islamic countries knowing how intolerant they are and with this misguided vision of converting these people to our way of life? It’s not going to happen, we should leave the Muslims to live their own way of life in their own country and stop interfering.
Talking of democracy and free speech, it is interesting to see the type of people trying to prevent Nick Griffin from addressing students at Oxford last night.
Pictures I have seen, where faces weren’t covered, have been mainly of young students. Oh and the well-know TV celebrity cat, Respect politician and honorary Muslim, George Galloway was also present. It’s always been the student’s way to protest but I wonder how many of them live in the real world and how many are from privileged backgrounds with no real understanding of what the hard-working Brit has to put up with when faced with the pressures of modern life that result from the failed attempt at creating a multi-cultural utopia. I wonder how many of those protesting have actually looked at the BNP web-site or have even read any leaflets or BNP publications. Don’t you call people who make up their minds about something without any evidence “bigots”?
If anyone has heard Nick Griffin speak they would understand that he actually says nothing that could be considered offensive and is usually quite mild, in fact, when compared to what you can hear in pubs, clubs, in the street and even from those who consider the BNP racist and offensive. It seems that the so called anti-fascists cry for no platform for the BNP has failed. In the words of Simon Darby “No platform is no more”.
Sunday 25 November 2007
Goodbye Alan
The centre of Calne was at it's busiest last night as thousands of people filled the Strand and surrounding streets for the annual lantern parade and pre-Christmas festivities. Children from local schools and community groups have spent recent weeks creating their lanterns in readiness for the parade which was led by Father Christmas closely followed by a coach and horses which could have been taken straight from a Dicken's novel. Bringing up the rear was the local samba band - where the local silver band playing traditional Christmas carols got to I don't know, perhaps we'll see them next year. Many stalls selling food and mulled wine lined the streets with and the shops stayed open late. I spent the evening with friends bumping into old friends and very much enjoying the community atmosphere which, seems these days to be a bit of a rarity. I even saw some police officers, one of whom advised me I should not be drinking alcohol on the streets, as there is a ban in force! I don't know whether it was just me he spoke to or whether he also spoke to the hundreds of other people drinking mulled wine but it was all in good humour. I met and chatted with many local councillors and learnt a few things about the forthcoming by-election, bought a hot dog from one councillor, (my Aunt actually and I still didn't get any discount), and was criticised by another for the amount of mustard on it.
Talking of family reminded me to mention the situation regarding driving licences for the over 70s. Recently a relative discovered that her driving licence had expired and on passing this information on discovered a friends also had, subsequently we discovered another relatives had also expired. It seems likely this is a common occurrence so if any readers know any drivers aged over 70, ask them to check their driving licence. Once a driver reaches 70 they need to renew their licence every 3 years. It seems that no reminders are sent out by our caring government which again shows they are either incompetent or just do not care if the over 70s have a valid driving licence or not. If the driver with no licence wanted to make an insurance claim I presume the insurance company would have every right to refuse. Might be worth a check!
I was also discussing today, the weeks appalling football match as mentioned in an earlier blog. One of the methods for improving footballing standards amongst our young, you might think would be through the football academies introduced in recent years. Apparently however, unless you live within 90 miles of one of these you are not eligible to sign up. As a consequence of this not all places are being filled so what is happening? Well, you might have guessed that these places are being filled with foreign players to the extent that British players at these academies are in the minority. If anyone thinks the standard of football amongst our own people is going to improve and we are going to win the next world cup then I suggest you think again. We are in a qualifying group with Croatia by the way, so it will at least be interesting.
Finally, yesterday morning saw the lying to rest of our friend and comrade Alan Lill. Despite the cold and remoteness of the crematorium there was a good turnout to see Alan off. With his coffin draped in a cross of St George flag and stirring patriotic music I can’t help feeling Alan would have been watching and feeling that he had had a good send off. The service itself was very emotional with a particularly moving tribute from Chris Deacon, with whom Alan had spent his last days and also one by Mike Howson, our Regional Organiser. Fittingly we ended by singing Jerusalem despite the emotion.
Goodbye Alan, rest assured we’ll keep the flag flying.
Talking of family reminded me to mention the situation regarding driving licences for the over 70s. Recently a relative discovered that her driving licence had expired and on passing this information on discovered a friends also had, subsequently we discovered another relatives had also expired. It seems likely this is a common occurrence so if any readers know any drivers aged over 70, ask them to check their driving licence. Once a driver reaches 70 they need to renew their licence every 3 years. It seems that no reminders are sent out by our caring government which again shows they are either incompetent or just do not care if the over 70s have a valid driving licence or not. If the driver with no licence wanted to make an insurance claim I presume the insurance company would have every right to refuse. Might be worth a check!
I was also discussing today, the weeks appalling football match as mentioned in an earlier blog. One of the methods for improving footballing standards amongst our young, you might think would be through the football academies introduced in recent years. Apparently however, unless you live within 90 miles of one of these you are not eligible to sign up. As a consequence of this not all places are being filled so what is happening? Well, you might have guessed that these places are being filled with foreign players to the extent that British players at these academies are in the minority. If anyone thinks the standard of football amongst our own people is going to improve and we are going to win the next world cup then I suggest you think again. We are in a qualifying group with Croatia by the way, so it will at least be interesting.
Finally, yesterday morning saw the lying to rest of our friend and comrade Alan Lill. Despite the cold and remoteness of the crematorium there was a good turnout to see Alan off. With his coffin draped in a cross of St George flag and stirring patriotic music I can’t help feeling Alan would have been watching and feeling that he had had a good send off. The service itself was very emotional with a particularly moving tribute from Chris Deacon, with whom Alan had spent his last days and also one by Mike Howson, our Regional Organiser. Fittingly we ended by singing Jerusalem despite the emotion.
Goodbye Alan, rest assured we’ll keep the flag flying.
Friday 23 November 2007
England Had A Good Football Team Once
Apparently there was a football match on Wednesday…..
You may have heard….
If not, England played their last game in the qualifying group for the Euro 2008 football tournament and lost 3 goals to 2 to Croatia. As a result we failed to qualify for the finals next year and were third in a table of seven that included such reknowned footballing nations as Israel, FYR Macedonia, Estonia and Andorra and of course Croatia and Russia. England should have been top of this table and beaten all of these teams easily, but no, they failed to do so and have brought shame on our country and embarrassment for all of those that like to follow the national team. If the group had contained teams like France, Germany and Italy it might be excusable but I don’t even know where Macedonia or Estonia are and isn’t Andorra a county pretending to be a country?
The FA is looking very seriously at this situation and has already sacked Mr. McLaren the team coach. Will they actually do anything else or are they just blustering their way through a very difficult period to cover up the fact that they are as much to blame as anyone else for letting the situation get to this in the first place.
If they do not look seriously at the following suggestions and take some positive action then they also should be sacked:-
Point 1 – All footballers deemed good enough to play for England should be told they may only play for the pride of being selected for and representing England. Payment will be made on results – if they win they get a bonus.
Point 2 – The coach / manager of the England team should be English. It’s difficult to bring to mind anyone that is up to the job but there must be someone somewhere who is!
Point 3 – Limit the number of foreign players in English league football clubs, how can Chelsea or Arsenal, for example call themselves English teams if their English players are a small minority of the total squad?
Point 4 – The Government should pressurise the FA to bring back the Home International tournament. All British teams could then get some practice in! Would we, however, have to adjust the tournament to include Poland…?
Then once the Home Internationals were back in place, why stop there? Bring back the Royal Tournament and all other events that this Government have deemed no longer have a place in the modern Britain.
You never know, they may, with a bit of luck, bring back competitive sports in schools, national service and capital punishment. Now who would be brave enough…..?
You may have heard….
If not, England played their last game in the qualifying group for the Euro 2008 football tournament and lost 3 goals to 2 to Croatia. As a result we failed to qualify for the finals next year and were third in a table of seven that included such reknowned footballing nations as Israel, FYR Macedonia, Estonia and Andorra and of course Croatia and Russia. England should have been top of this table and beaten all of these teams easily, but no, they failed to do so and have brought shame on our country and embarrassment for all of those that like to follow the national team. If the group had contained teams like France, Germany and Italy it might be excusable but I don’t even know where Macedonia or Estonia are and isn’t Andorra a county pretending to be a country?
The FA is looking very seriously at this situation and has already sacked Mr. McLaren the team coach. Will they actually do anything else or are they just blustering their way through a very difficult period to cover up the fact that they are as much to blame as anyone else for letting the situation get to this in the first place.
If they do not look seriously at the following suggestions and take some positive action then they also should be sacked:-
Point 1 – All footballers deemed good enough to play for England should be told they may only play for the pride of being selected for and representing England. Payment will be made on results – if they win they get a bonus.
Point 2 – The coach / manager of the England team should be English. It’s difficult to bring to mind anyone that is up to the job but there must be someone somewhere who is!
Point 3 – Limit the number of foreign players in English league football clubs, how can Chelsea or Arsenal, for example call themselves English teams if their English players are a small minority of the total squad?
Point 4 – The Government should pressurise the FA to bring back the Home International tournament. All British teams could then get some practice in! Would we, however, have to adjust the tournament to include Poland…?
Then once the Home Internationals were back in place, why stop there? Bring back the Royal Tournament and all other events that this Government have deemed no longer have a place in the modern Britain.
You never know, they may, with a bit of luck, bring back competitive sports in schools, national service and capital punishment. Now who would be brave enough…..?
Tuesday 20 November 2007
Oh Ken, What Do You Look Like?
It’s dismal in Calne, it’s pouring with rain, it’s dark and it’s cold. There isn’t a great deal in the news to cheer anyone up either.
What would the general public think if a VIP from an Asian or African country visiting this country donned an outfit in the belief that it was out of some misguided show of respect? An example perhaps could have been the wearing of a top hat and the carrying of a briefcase and a brolly by the Saudi king during his recent visit. I think the vast majority of us would find it at least mildly amusing, so why do VIPs from this country feel that they have to do this when on visits abroad? I can only assume Ken Livingstone is following in the steps of the Beatles. I suggest you look for yourselves here.
My blog on Wednesday 31st October discussed potential problems with the quantities of data now being stored on computers. Today I hear that confidential details of 15 million child benefit recipients contained on computer discs have been lost by HM Revenue and Customs, already prompting the resignation of chairman Paul Gray. The records contain names, addresses and bank account details so this is not a trivial affair. It will be interesting to hear what Alistair Darling says in his emergency Commons statement this afternoon. Will he resign, particularly as ministers have apparently known about this for over a week? If, as is possible, the data on the discs are used for identity fraud, the potential for making large amounts of money is apparent. Having yesterday made another emergency statement in the commons regarding the Northern Rock fiasco perhaps it’s time to bring back Gordon Brown, at least his eyebrows were the same colour as his hair….
The number of Polish people in this country, is, the Government keep telling us, not as many as we think. If that is the case, then why is an average of 13-14 Polish babies born here every day? With the NHS unable to maintain cleanliness in hospitals and 25% of children leaving primary schools unable to read or write then how on earth are we ever going to relieve the pressure on our schools, hospitals, and benefits system by burdening it with foreigners. The news most definitely undermines Government claims about the exact scale of East European migration, with official records indicating the number of Poles registered to live and work in Britain being 230,000, but with actual numbers estimated at up to a million.
I know who I believe has the only solution to the problems in this country but unfortunately there is massive opposition to that solution – see details of the mass demonstration of those not wishing to allow the BNP their right to free speech at their Blackpool Conference – blog entry for Sunday 18th November refers here!
What would the general public think if a VIP from an Asian or African country visiting this country donned an outfit in the belief that it was out of some misguided show of respect? An example perhaps could have been the wearing of a top hat and the carrying of a briefcase and a brolly by the Saudi king during his recent visit. I think the vast majority of us would find it at least mildly amusing, so why do VIPs from this country feel that they have to do this when on visits abroad? I can only assume Ken Livingstone is following in the steps of the Beatles. I suggest you look for yourselves here.
My blog on Wednesday 31st October discussed potential problems with the quantities of data now being stored on computers. Today I hear that confidential details of 15 million child benefit recipients contained on computer discs have been lost by HM Revenue and Customs, already prompting the resignation of chairman Paul Gray. The records contain names, addresses and bank account details so this is not a trivial affair. It will be interesting to hear what Alistair Darling says in his emergency Commons statement this afternoon. Will he resign, particularly as ministers have apparently known about this for over a week? If, as is possible, the data on the discs are used for identity fraud, the potential for making large amounts of money is apparent. Having yesterday made another emergency statement in the commons regarding the Northern Rock fiasco perhaps it’s time to bring back Gordon Brown, at least his eyebrows were the same colour as his hair….
The number of Polish people in this country, is, the Government keep telling us, not as many as we think. If that is the case, then why is an average of 13-14 Polish babies born here every day? With the NHS unable to maintain cleanliness in hospitals and 25% of children leaving primary schools unable to read or write then how on earth are we ever going to relieve the pressure on our schools, hospitals, and benefits system by burdening it with foreigners. The news most definitely undermines Government claims about the exact scale of East European migration, with official records indicating the number of Poles registered to live and work in Britain being 230,000, but with actual numbers estimated at up to a million.
I know who I believe has the only solution to the problems in this country but unfortunately there is massive opposition to that solution – see details of the mass demonstration of those not wishing to allow the BNP their right to free speech at their Blackpool Conference – blog entry for Sunday 18th November refers here!
Monday 19 November 2007
BNP Annual Conference
The British National Party Annual Conference took place in Blackpool over this last weekend, not that you would have known so if you had to rely on the mass media. Their gagging by the “powers that be” becomes more and more pathetic as they refuse to report anything about the party for fear of helping increase their popularity even further. Fortunately this seems to be having the opposite effect as membership is up and hits to the party web-site ensure the site is the most popular political website in the country.
Reports from the left-wing anti-BNP types suggest that the conference was a flop. To see what really happened have a look HERE. I was unable to attend for various reasons, so Calne was not represented, although Wiltshire was and I am looking forward to hearing all about it. The fact that the mass media didn’t report on the conference is simply irksome but does re-affirm the belief that we do not have a free press in this country. The conferences of the big three parties were reported, as you would expect, but I also saw reports regarding those of the Green Party, UKIP and Respect, the latter two of who’s conferences are likely to be their last. UKIP is struggling, an email I recently received from a UKIP insider said
“….. every UKIP meeting I have been to is stuffed with old duffers - they are simply not a credible party that is linked to the wider electorate. I have asked our local UKIP branch on a number of occasions to give up and join the BNP, but they refused. Instead, they left UKIP and are now a free-floating association who doesn't have a party to vote for. Most strange.….”.
Most strange indeed! Respect is even worse having squabbled amongst themselves and essentially split in two. The reason why the BNP are given no coverage is obvious to me in that, they are seen as a major threat to the comfy, stable political scene that this country has put up with for so long and there are many politicians who fear that this comfortable life they now experience is threatened. Too right, they have had it too easy for too long!
Whilst the BBC do not report on the BNP they are increasingly reporting on the injustices that occur in the Middle East . The last paragraph in my blog of Thursday 1st November showed my unhappiness with how this country had welcomed the Saudi king here and allowed him to lecture to us on terrorism, whilst we did not take the opportunity to lecture to him on his country’s human rights record. I wonder if the story on the BBC website on Friday would have made any difference to our cowardly politicians. The BBC reported that a Saudi woman was punished as a result of her violating laws on segregating of the sexes after she was gang-raped. Her lawyer was sentenced to 200 lashes and six months in jail as a result. As a result of her appeal her initial sentence of 90 lashes was doubled and her lawyer was suspended. Hard to believe isn’t it? See Saudi Rape if you doubt me. If that’s what Islamic Law is all about then any right-minded woman (and man, for that matter) must find it abhorrent and something we most certainly do not want in this land of ours.
Reports from the left-wing anti-BNP types suggest that the conference was a flop. To see what really happened have a look HERE. I was unable to attend for various reasons, so Calne was not represented, although Wiltshire was and I am looking forward to hearing all about it. The fact that the mass media didn’t report on the conference is simply irksome but does re-affirm the belief that we do not have a free press in this country. The conferences of the big three parties were reported, as you would expect, but I also saw reports regarding those of the Green Party, UKIP and Respect, the latter two of who’s conferences are likely to be their last. UKIP is struggling, an email I recently received from a UKIP insider said
“….. every UKIP meeting I have been to is stuffed with old duffers - they are simply not a credible party that is linked to the wider electorate. I have asked our local UKIP branch on a number of occasions to give up and join the BNP, but they refused. Instead, they left UKIP and are now a free-floating association who doesn't have a party to vote for. Most strange.….”.
Most strange indeed! Respect is even worse having squabbled amongst themselves and essentially split in two. The reason why the BNP are given no coverage is obvious to me in that, they are seen as a major threat to the comfy, stable political scene that this country has put up with for so long and there are many politicians who fear that this comfortable life they now experience is threatened. Too right, they have had it too easy for too long!
Whilst the BBC do not report on the BNP they are increasingly reporting on the injustices that occur in the Middle East . The last paragraph in my blog of Thursday 1st November showed my unhappiness with how this country had welcomed the Saudi king here and allowed him to lecture to us on terrorism, whilst we did not take the opportunity to lecture to him on his country’s human rights record. I wonder if the story on the BBC website on Friday would have made any difference to our cowardly politicians. The BBC reported that a Saudi woman was punished as a result of her violating laws on segregating of the sexes after she was gang-raped. Her lawyer was sentenced to 200 lashes and six months in jail as a result. As a result of her appeal her initial sentence of 90 lashes was doubled and her lawyer was suspended. Hard to believe isn’t it? See Saudi Rape if you doubt me. If that’s what Islamic Law is all about then any right-minded woman (and man, for that matter) must find it abhorrent and something we most certainly do not want in this land of ours.
Saturday 17 November 2007
Children In Need, Indeed!
Here in Calne yesterday, I didn’t notice too much Children in Need activity although I am quite sure there was some. I think all of us feel the need to give a little to those less fortunate than ourselves and I am sure the majority of causes are very worthy in their own way. However, it came as something of a surprise to receive an email advising of certain alleged lucky recipients of funds contributed during the 2004 Children in Need event. I like to check my facts before I simply pass on information I receive so I contacted the Children in Need charity via their web-site to ask for details of those charities benefiting from the 2004 event. Being a charity you would think that they would be only to willing to respond with the information requested. However this is the response I received:-
Dear Robert,
Thank you for your e-mail. Unfortunately, this information is not currently in the public domain, and as such, unfortunately we are unable to provide you with the information. I am sorry if this comes as a disappointment to you, but the previous two years' grant details are available on our website, as previously stated.
Kind regards, Kate Database Information Assistant
BBC Children in Need Appeal
Very odd, I thought. If I had donated money I would like to know where it went, so I am a little suspicious as to why the information is not forthcoming. Consequently I forwarded the email to those responsible for administering the Freedom of Information Act. Apparently, according to their web-site, charities are largely exempt from the Act and therefore do not have to provide the information so we may never know. A formal response has not yet been received but when it is I will post it.
Anyway, here are a couple of the charities together with funds received, that were referred to in the email I received, whether or not they were those benefiting from the 2004 event remains to be seen.
Albanian Youth Action £41,040
Somali Teaching Group £5,670
Anjali Dance Company £5,800
Hounslow Asian & African Youth Association £15,300
Central African Youth in Enfield £4,680
Kurdish Children and Youth Centre £5,000
Greenwich Vietnam Community Youth Art Group £2,350
Oneg Shabbos Youth Club £6,200
Sudanese Children Centre £9,000
Afghan Youth Association £5,000
There were many more but I couldn’t be sure they were related to children hence possible doubts that I have that they were related to the Children in Need event. Nevertheless, I am sure they are all worthy causes but not causes that do anything to nurture this all-inclusiveness multi-cultural society we are so often told is a wonderful thing.
Now, I am happy to donate to charity if I know where my money is going and how it is going to be spent so when I am well off I will do my bit and contribute to a charity of my choice not someone elses.
I do find it a little hard to swallow, with all these well-publicised national charity events, which so many extremely rich celebrities spout off about the importance of digging deep and giving money. I work hard and am not well off so if I give any money to anyone it comes with a bit of pain. If these celebrities feel as strongly as they seem to do then would it give them much pain by donating money? When you hear multi-millionaires asking for my money I am sure that I would be more inclined to give if I knew they had given a substantial sum themselves. After all, when you earn millions, the odd million wouldn’t be missed surely. So, message to all the people that have made it big as a result of the public buying their records, watching their films and supporting their sports - prove you really do care and donate just one months earnings and let’s see what a difference that makes, just to disprove the fact that, perish the thought, you are really involved for your own publicity.
Dear Robert,
Thank you for your e-mail. Unfortunately, this information is not currently in the public domain, and as such, unfortunately we are unable to provide you with the information. I am sorry if this comes as a disappointment to you, but the previous two years' grant details are available on our website, as previously stated.
Kind regards, Kate Database Information Assistant
BBC Children in Need Appeal
Very odd, I thought. If I had donated money I would like to know where it went, so I am a little suspicious as to why the information is not forthcoming. Consequently I forwarded the email to those responsible for administering the Freedom of Information Act. Apparently, according to their web-site, charities are largely exempt from the Act and therefore do not have to provide the information so we may never know. A formal response has not yet been received but when it is I will post it.
Anyway, here are a couple of the charities together with funds received, that were referred to in the email I received, whether or not they were those benefiting from the 2004 event remains to be seen.
Albanian Youth Action £41,040
Somali Teaching Group £5,670
Anjali Dance Company £5,800
Hounslow Asian & African Youth Association £15,300
Central African Youth in Enfield £4,680
Kurdish Children and Youth Centre £5,000
Greenwich Vietnam Community Youth Art Group £2,350
Oneg Shabbos Youth Club £6,200
Sudanese Children Centre £9,000
Afghan Youth Association £5,000
There were many more but I couldn’t be sure they were related to children hence possible doubts that I have that they were related to the Children in Need event. Nevertheless, I am sure they are all worthy causes but not causes that do anything to nurture this all-inclusiveness multi-cultural society we are so often told is a wonderful thing.
Now, I am happy to donate to charity if I know where my money is going and how it is going to be spent so when I am well off I will do my bit and contribute to a charity of my choice not someone elses.
I do find it a little hard to swallow, with all these well-publicised national charity events, which so many extremely rich celebrities spout off about the importance of digging deep and giving money. I work hard and am not well off so if I give any money to anyone it comes with a bit of pain. If these celebrities feel as strongly as they seem to do then would it give them much pain by donating money? When you hear multi-millionaires asking for my money I am sure that I would be more inclined to give if I knew they had given a substantial sum themselves. After all, when you earn millions, the odd million wouldn’t be missed surely. So, message to all the people that have made it big as a result of the public buying their records, watching their films and supporting their sports - prove you really do care and donate just one months earnings and let’s see what a difference that makes, just to disprove the fact that, perish the thought, you are really involved for your own publicity.
Thursday 15 November 2007
Reporting Standards of the Wiltshire Gazette
It seems the Wiltshire Gazette have already lost out on a new subscriber! I suggested in my blog on 13th November, that if they reported fairly on the Calne Town Council Lickhill Ward by-election due to take place on Thursday 31st January, I would take out a subscription.
With their past track record I shouldn’t have expected anything different than the contents of the column headed “BNP will fight for town seat” in today’s edition. I suppose that’s why their reporters work for them and not the Daily Mail or Telegraph.
Although the quotes are attributed to me it is worth noting the context in which they were made rather than taking them out of context for effect. If anyone doubts what I am saying then ask me for the recording of the conversation I had with reporter Lucy Buckland.
Point 1 - “BNP has vowed to fight for town seat”. I said that all elections we are aware of are considered as possibilities for contending. Until nominations are in and verified on the 4th January nothing is certain.
Point 2 – “Robert Baggs ran in last election and lost”. Usual NUJ spin on this as to be expected and ok, yes, I did receive the least number of votes but see HERE for what really happened.
Point 3 – “Calne has had some problems in the past with a lot of problem families being placed in a certain area. Calne is dumping ground for problem families”. I was asked what I would concentrate on if I was campaigning. Law and order is one issue I mentioned which wasn’t reported on but locals will see our leaflets and know where we stand on this. I also mentioned that Calne has grown rapidly in the last few years and I would like to see the provision of an adequate infrastructure to support this growth. Calne is known for having problem areas and I said it would be helpful if the appropriate level of support was available for those with problems.
Point 4 – “Rumoured to be in the running are Peter Dolman Liberal Democrat and UKIP supporter Ellie Bland”. I have heard this also, I thought incidentally you had to be a party member not a supporter. I have also heard that there is likely to be a Conservative candidate together with a possible Labour and Green candidate, the latter being represented by a local celebrity known as “The Mad Hatter”. If both Labour and the Green stand then the BNP would have no worries about coming last this time having beaten them in the past in Calne!
Talking about mis-information it has been brought to my attention that apparently I was the one who arranged for the election to be called! I have been reliably informed by 2 independent people that John Ireland, the local UKIP organiser, announced that it was me. Sorry folks, not guilty. I think that it is likely that John himself arranged for the election to be called but was loathe to admit as much due to the fact that the seat became vacant in the first place as a result of the UKIP councillor who held it being unable to stay the course.
Whatever happens from here on I hope everyone remembers that the purpose of this by-election is to elect a councillor who will do his best for the people of Calne.
With their past track record I shouldn’t have expected anything different than the contents of the column headed “BNP will fight for town seat” in today’s edition. I suppose that’s why their reporters work for them and not the Daily Mail or Telegraph.
Although the quotes are attributed to me it is worth noting the context in which they were made rather than taking them out of context for effect. If anyone doubts what I am saying then ask me for the recording of the conversation I had with reporter Lucy Buckland.
Point 1 - “BNP has vowed to fight for town seat”. I said that all elections we are aware of are considered as possibilities for contending. Until nominations are in and verified on the 4th January nothing is certain.
Point 2 – “Robert Baggs ran in last election and lost”. Usual NUJ spin on this as to be expected and ok, yes, I did receive the least number of votes but see HERE for what really happened.
Point 3 – “Calne has had some problems in the past with a lot of problem families being placed in a certain area. Calne is dumping ground for problem families”. I was asked what I would concentrate on if I was campaigning. Law and order is one issue I mentioned which wasn’t reported on but locals will see our leaflets and know where we stand on this. I also mentioned that Calne has grown rapidly in the last few years and I would like to see the provision of an adequate infrastructure to support this growth. Calne is known for having problem areas and I said it would be helpful if the appropriate level of support was available for those with problems.
Point 4 – “Rumoured to be in the running are Peter Dolman Liberal Democrat and UKIP supporter Ellie Bland”. I have heard this also, I thought incidentally you had to be a party member not a supporter. I have also heard that there is likely to be a Conservative candidate together with a possible Labour and Green candidate, the latter being represented by a local celebrity known as “The Mad Hatter”. If both Labour and the Green stand then the BNP would have no worries about coming last this time having beaten them in the past in Calne!
Talking about mis-information it has been brought to my attention that apparently I was the one who arranged for the election to be called! I have been reliably informed by 2 independent people that John Ireland, the local UKIP organiser, announced that it was me. Sorry folks, not guilty. I think that it is likely that John himself arranged for the election to be called but was loathe to admit as much due to the fact that the seat became vacant in the first place as a result of the UKIP councillor who held it being unable to stay the course.
Whatever happens from here on I hope everyone remembers that the purpose of this by-election is to elect a councillor who will do his best for the people of Calne.
Wednesday 14 November 2007
Calne's Lull Before Its Storm
All is quiet in Calne today as regards the Lickhill Ward by-election due in the New Year. I am sure it is just the lull before the storm however I am sure things are going to get a lot more interesting.
On the national political scene there is always something of interest happening. I don’t know how this country would survive without the leadership of Gordon Brown. The Prime Minster has warned that Britain could be hit by terrorist attacks anywhere from any place. Perhaps his parents should have called him Sherlock instead of Gordon. Sherlock was speaking in advance of two major security reviews which, as far as I understand, highlight what must be done to protect the public from possible attacks in crowded locations. Short of banning gatherings of more than half a dozen people I am not sure what proposals are likely to come out of the report. I think that physical protection, similar to the bollards and concrete blocks placed around entrances to busy places may be on the cards but these don’t actually stop suicide bombers. One of the reports, I understand, will give more details of the new uniformed border patrols that will unite the Home Office Border and immigration Agency, Customs and the UK Visas overseas operation. Excellent idea, perhaps this force will be manned by unvetted security personnel and everyone will feel so much safer.
Sherlock also cited the July 7th London bomb attacks where the terrorists, I seem to recall they were Muslim (see yesterday’s blog), did so much damage here and suggested the battle we will have to fight we will be street by street, community by community and year by year. This sounds more like a serious civil uprising than the occasional terrorist attack. What is he saying? Again, if there are serious disturbances I am sure we will rest easy in our beds knowing he is in charge and those that are charged with our protection are equipped in the same way our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq are, or perhaps he will just employ more powerless PCSO’s to maintain order.
Talking of the “nearly” police, I was not totally surprised to hear that there were almost 29,000 complaints made about the “real” police to the Independent Police Complaints Commission in England and Wales last year. This compares to 15,800 in the year prior to it being set up. 29,000 per year equates to just over 79 per day or 1 every 20 minutes! Of these only 1 in 10 of the complaints that was investigated was upheld. The most common complaint was categorised as “neglect or failure in duty”, accounting for 24% of the total closely followed by “incivility, impoliteness or intolerance” at 21%. I know that your average bobby is conscientious and very keen to do the job signed up for but is constantly being hampered by the politically correct leadership they have to work under. These figures indicate to me that they are becoming increasingly frustrated by having their hands tied by the rules and regulations that they have to deal with and are unable to fulfil their traditional role of walking the beat and maintaining law and order. Having to deal with those that have no respect for authority, together with the failure of the judges to sentence criminals appropriately must also be a great demoraliser. For proof of this look at one of the many blogs written anonymously by disgruntled police officers, an example is HERE.
Anyway that’s me done for today, evenin’ all!
On the national political scene there is always something of interest happening. I don’t know how this country would survive without the leadership of Gordon Brown. The Prime Minster has warned that Britain could be hit by terrorist attacks anywhere from any place. Perhaps his parents should have called him Sherlock instead of Gordon. Sherlock was speaking in advance of two major security reviews which, as far as I understand, highlight what must be done to protect the public from possible attacks in crowded locations. Short of banning gatherings of more than half a dozen people I am not sure what proposals are likely to come out of the report. I think that physical protection, similar to the bollards and concrete blocks placed around entrances to busy places may be on the cards but these don’t actually stop suicide bombers. One of the reports, I understand, will give more details of the new uniformed border patrols that will unite the Home Office Border and immigration Agency, Customs and the UK Visas overseas operation. Excellent idea, perhaps this force will be manned by unvetted security personnel and everyone will feel so much safer.
Sherlock also cited the July 7th London bomb attacks where the terrorists, I seem to recall they were Muslim (see yesterday’s blog), did so much damage here and suggested the battle we will have to fight we will be street by street, community by community and year by year. This sounds more like a serious civil uprising than the occasional terrorist attack. What is he saying? Again, if there are serious disturbances I am sure we will rest easy in our beds knowing he is in charge and those that are charged with our protection are equipped in the same way our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq are, or perhaps he will just employ more powerless PCSO’s to maintain order.
Talking of the “nearly” police, I was not totally surprised to hear that there were almost 29,000 complaints made about the “real” police to the Independent Police Complaints Commission in England and Wales last year. This compares to 15,800 in the year prior to it being set up. 29,000 per year equates to just over 79 per day or 1 every 20 minutes! Of these only 1 in 10 of the complaints that was investigated was upheld. The most common complaint was categorised as “neglect or failure in duty”, accounting for 24% of the total closely followed by “incivility, impoliteness or intolerance” at 21%. I know that your average bobby is conscientious and very keen to do the job signed up for but is constantly being hampered by the politically correct leadership they have to work under. These figures indicate to me that they are becoming increasingly frustrated by having their hands tied by the rules and regulations that they have to deal with and are unable to fulfil their traditional role of walking the beat and maintaining law and order. Having to deal with those that have no respect for authority, together with the failure of the judges to sentence criminals appropriately must also be a great demoraliser. For proof of this look at one of the many blogs written anonymously by disgruntled police officers, an example is HERE.
Anyway that’s me done for today, evenin’ all!
Tuesday 13 November 2007
Democracy Is Served
Well it looks like democracy has been served and the electorate in the Lickhill Ward of Calne will get their say on who replaces the Calne Town Council seat left vacant by the resignation of UKIP councillor Jill Martin. The time isn’t a good one for elections as we have Christmas to cope with and unless our wonderful government decide to ban it in the next couple of weeks for fear it may offend someone, most people will be pre-occupied with that rather than local politics. Nevertheless, an election is going ahead on Thursday 31st January 2008. The announcement has been made in good time to meet publication deadlines for the local rag, The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald, so there may well be some comment about the election within its pages, as a by-election tends to attract a disproportionate amount of attention when compared with standard election coverage. Let’s hope that they retain impartiality and do not do what many papers do in picking their own particular favourites and reporting adversely on those not favoured. If they do report fairly I might even take out a subscription!
I am particularly looking forward to discovering which candidates will come forward, as when a by-election is rumoured to be likely, local politicians become rather coy suggesting they are not interested. Nominations aren’t due until Friday 4th January so there is plenty of time for things to develop. I can see I will have ample comment for my blogs as a result of this, certainly up to the middle of February anyway.
Having watched highlights of the National Service of Remembrance on BBC2 on Sunday evening I noticed that representatives from all religious denominations were present including a man who looked very much like Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari, head of the Muslim Council of Britain. It may not have been him and I sincerely hope it wasn’t. It was Dr Bari who made comments on Saturday, likening Britain to Nazi Germany because of the way in which Muslims are being treated. Why Dr Bari chose to make these comments on the day before Remembrance Sunday is beyond me and he inevitably upset many war widows and veterans who fought the Nazis so this country could be free to allow the likes of Dr Bari to speak freely. It seems to me that Dr Bari’s grasp of history is somewhat confused and that he is seemingly wishing to cloud the issues regarding Muslims here. Yes, the Nazi’s did poison their society resulting in the hatred and totally obscene treatment subsequently received by the Jewish community but I don’t seem to recall the Jews took part in many terrorist atrocities that could have been used by the Nazi’s as an excuse for this treatment. I would like to be corrected if I am wrong, but since the demise of the IRA, haven’t pretty much all terrorist acts in the past few years been perpetrated by Muslims? Perhaps Dr Bari would be happier if we censored the news so that such activities were not reported. Dr Bari would be better engaged in preaching to his own community about the evils of terrorism rather than to us about how we report on the activities of Muslims. If Dr Bari feels persecuted then there is nothing stopping him travelling to a country like Pakistan where Islam is the main religion and the press are free to report about the benefits of Islam, oh, sorry I just remembered the press aren't free at the moment. I think he ought to remember that he is able to live here because Nazism was defeated, if he doesn’t like it he should leave.
Incidentally, if Dr Bari is head of the Muslim Council of Britain, who is the head of the Christian Council of Pakistan……?
I am particularly looking forward to discovering which candidates will come forward, as when a by-election is rumoured to be likely, local politicians become rather coy suggesting they are not interested. Nominations aren’t due until Friday 4th January so there is plenty of time for things to develop. I can see I will have ample comment for my blogs as a result of this, certainly up to the middle of February anyway.
Having watched highlights of the National Service of Remembrance on BBC2 on Sunday evening I noticed that representatives from all religious denominations were present including a man who looked very much like Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari, head of the Muslim Council of Britain. It may not have been him and I sincerely hope it wasn’t. It was Dr Bari who made comments on Saturday, likening Britain to Nazi Germany because of the way in which Muslims are being treated. Why Dr Bari chose to make these comments on the day before Remembrance Sunday is beyond me and he inevitably upset many war widows and veterans who fought the Nazis so this country could be free to allow the likes of Dr Bari to speak freely. It seems to me that Dr Bari’s grasp of history is somewhat confused and that he is seemingly wishing to cloud the issues regarding Muslims here. Yes, the Nazi’s did poison their society resulting in the hatred and totally obscene treatment subsequently received by the Jewish community but I don’t seem to recall the Jews took part in many terrorist atrocities that could have been used by the Nazi’s as an excuse for this treatment. I would like to be corrected if I am wrong, but since the demise of the IRA, haven’t pretty much all terrorist acts in the past few years been perpetrated by Muslims? Perhaps Dr Bari would be happier if we censored the news so that such activities were not reported. Dr Bari would be better engaged in preaching to his own community about the evils of terrorism rather than to us about how we report on the activities of Muslims. If Dr Bari feels persecuted then there is nothing stopping him travelling to a country like Pakistan where Islam is the main religion and the press are free to report about the benefits of Islam, oh, sorry I just remembered the press aren't free at the moment. I think he ought to remember that he is able to live here because Nazism was defeated, if he doesn’t like it he should leave.
Incidentally, if Dr Bari is head of the Muslim Council of Britain, who is the head of the Christian Council of Pakistan……?
Monday 12 November 2007
We Want A By-election In Calne - I'm Told
Why is it that the older you get the faster time seems to pass? Is there a cure? Perhaps it’s just something that happens to Calne folk. It’s also quite sad that you wish your working week away but wish the weekend to last forever.
This weekend started with lots of phone calls regarding the situation in the potential by-election in Lickhill Ward, Calne. It seems several people are very keen for there to be an election and are sounding out the opposition. You can never be quite sure about the motives of those wishing to stand but I know that as a Calne man, my aim, irrespective of party politics has always been to do my best for the people of Calne. I like Calne and it has been my home for 35 of my 47 years. I went away aged 24 and came back aged 36 and for the 12 years I was away I always knew that I would return. Despite its problems Calne isn’t that bad a place to live, it could be better, but, having experienced life in other communities, I know it could be a great deal worse!
So, come midnight tonight we will know if the required 10 letters have been received to request a by-election and then presumably the gloves will be off. Whatever happens I would like to think that the contest will be a fair one and there will be no disruptive external influence that I have experienced in previous years. It is up to Calne people to decide what is best for them not these quasi-politicians from elsewhere.
Saturday was interesting, my girlfriend and I went down to the coast for the day and ended up in Mudeford. If you’ve never been it’s a splendid little seaside place not far from Bournemouth and despite it’s name isn’t actually muddy. The weather was pleasant, cold and sunny but at least it was dry and it helped that there weren’t too many people about. A highlight of my day at least, (although my girlfriend wasn’t that impressed), was that in the Haven Café on the seafront whilst drinking tea I noticed a familiar face. I’m sure we’ve all done it, seen someone we are sure is a celebrity, but never quite had the certainty to approach them in case it isn’t who you think it might be and you end up looking a plank. Fortunately there was no chance of me looking a plank, no, honest…. as I wouldn’t have intruded on the man’s privacy, but on the table opposite was none other than Ron Harris. No, not the Australian painter with a didgeridoo, but the ex-Chelsea footballer from the sixties and seventies who most males of my generation would be familiar with. I wasn’t a great football fan but I did know a lot of the players then. I suppose it was because, in those days, all of the players that played in Britain were actually British and had pronounceable names. I even googled “Ron Harris” on my mobile phone to check and yes, Chopper (as he was affectionately known, for some reason) Harris it was as I checked him against the photo on my phone. Apparently he has published an auto-biography that has a picture on the cover that left me in no doubt it was he. What with fresh cockles from the seafood stall and fish and chips a bit later on, a splendidly old-fashioned day out was quite perfect.
Talking of footballers, our local vicar, related to the sport in his Sunday sermon at the Remembrance service yesterday. He spoke about the tragic loss of life and of certain qualities that all individuals could have contributed to society, caused by armed conflicts in the past and that sadly continue today. It certainly provoked thoughts of what our society would have been like today should there not have been the wars that we are all too familiar with. Despite the rain there seemed to be more people present at the service and at the wreath–laying than in previous years. This seemed to be borne out by a comment made on the BBCs coverage of the national service of remembrance, that there were more veterans present for the march-past this year than there have been for several years despite nature reducing the numbers from World War II. Let’s hope this continues so that for once a year this country can be united for one cause at least.
This weekend started with lots of phone calls regarding the situation in the potential by-election in Lickhill Ward, Calne. It seems several people are very keen for there to be an election and are sounding out the opposition. You can never be quite sure about the motives of those wishing to stand but I know that as a Calne man, my aim, irrespective of party politics has always been to do my best for the people of Calne. I like Calne and it has been my home for 35 of my 47 years. I went away aged 24 and came back aged 36 and for the 12 years I was away I always knew that I would return. Despite its problems Calne isn’t that bad a place to live, it could be better, but, having experienced life in other communities, I know it could be a great deal worse!
So, come midnight tonight we will know if the required 10 letters have been received to request a by-election and then presumably the gloves will be off. Whatever happens I would like to think that the contest will be a fair one and there will be no disruptive external influence that I have experienced in previous years. It is up to Calne people to decide what is best for them not these quasi-politicians from elsewhere.
Saturday was interesting, my girlfriend and I went down to the coast for the day and ended up in Mudeford. If you’ve never been it’s a splendid little seaside place not far from Bournemouth and despite it’s name isn’t actually muddy. The weather was pleasant, cold and sunny but at least it was dry and it helped that there weren’t too many people about. A highlight of my day at least, (although my girlfriend wasn’t that impressed), was that in the Haven Café on the seafront whilst drinking tea I noticed a familiar face. I’m sure we’ve all done it, seen someone we are sure is a celebrity, but never quite had the certainty to approach them in case it isn’t who you think it might be and you end up looking a plank. Fortunately there was no chance of me looking a plank, no, honest…. as I wouldn’t have intruded on the man’s privacy, but on the table opposite was none other than Ron Harris. No, not the Australian painter with a didgeridoo, but the ex-Chelsea footballer from the sixties and seventies who most males of my generation would be familiar with. I wasn’t a great football fan but I did know a lot of the players then. I suppose it was because, in those days, all of the players that played in Britain were actually British and had pronounceable names. I even googled “Ron Harris” on my mobile phone to check and yes, Chopper (as he was affectionately known, for some reason) Harris it was as I checked him against the photo on my phone. Apparently he has published an auto-biography that has a picture on the cover that left me in no doubt it was he. What with fresh cockles from the seafood stall and fish and chips a bit later on, a splendidly old-fashioned day out was quite perfect.
Talking of footballers, our local vicar, related to the sport in his Sunday sermon at the Remembrance service yesterday. He spoke about the tragic loss of life and of certain qualities that all individuals could have contributed to society, caused by armed conflicts in the past and that sadly continue today. It certainly provoked thoughts of what our society would have been like today should there not have been the wars that we are all too familiar with. Despite the rain there seemed to be more people present at the service and at the wreath–laying than in previous years. This seemed to be borne out by a comment made on the BBCs coverage of the national service of remembrance, that there were more veterans present for the march-past this year than there have been for several years despite nature reducing the numbers from World War II. Let’s hope this continues so that for once a year this country can be united for one cause at least.
Friday 9 November 2007
To Blog Or Not To Blog?
I have been wondering if blogs are useful or not. I try to update my blog as often as possible but no more than once a day. Even this is a problem until I save up enough pennies to get a new PC, as imposing on friends to use theirs becomes a bit of a pain the longer it goes on. Perhaps Santa will favour me this year with a shiny new one!
Back to the original question, however. To set aside an hour a day to write up a blog is not a great burden and with the correct amount of discipline any of us could find the time to do it. I have mixed feelings about them in as much as they can provide a useful insight into a bloggers thoughts and activities and potentially inspire others to think more about events that occur in their lives. By highlighting issues that people were previously unaware of or didn’t think of in the same way may provoke discussion and debate and stir some to become actively involved with various issues. It seems likely that the more high profile an individual is the greater the potential impact his or her blog may have and can therefore be a very powerful tool indeed. This can be offset however by the fact that the number of “keyboard activists” are many and often very vocal and I wonder what the outcome would be if they spent as much time being physically active as they do on the keyboard.
The other point is that a blogger may not be aware whether his audience is large or small. There seems little point in spending the time blogging if the only person reading the blog is the blogger. With my blog I do have an analytical package that tells me how many viewers I have and roughly where they are from, amongst other things. It is quite encouraging that the number of viewers is steadily increasing but also interesting discovering the approximate whereabouts of the viewer. Obviously the majority of my readership is in the UK but I am very pleased to note that I have readers in the USA, France, Germany, Portugal, Denmark, Canada, Hong Kong, Algeria and Kuwait, although the latter two do give me some cause for concern!
Additionally there is also the concern about whether or not a blogger will find something fresh and interesting to write about on a regular basis, the last thing we want is to suffer from “bloggers block”. However, as this country continues to slide down the slippery slope to oblivion then there should always be something to write about. Whilst there are still those of us who feel as strongly as we do about the changes that are being imposed upon us, we will continue to blog in the hope that others will join us in this struggle we have to try our best to prevent this country from ending up in a position that is beyond help.
I am fortunate as I have done and continue to do my bit here, others are not so fortunate or inclined but so long as I have the opportunity to contribute to saving what I hold dear I will continue to do so. I know that when I am too old and frail to do anything about the situation I will at least be able to look back and feel that I have done my bit. I hope those reading this who feel similarly to me will be able to do the same.
I was going to end here but I think it well worth noting for those locals who read this, that local MP James Gray is in the wars again as disgruntled members of the North Wiltshire Conservative Association have organised a special meeting on Monday, November 19, to again debate the MP's future. More on this over the next few weeks.
Back to the original question, however. To set aside an hour a day to write up a blog is not a great burden and with the correct amount of discipline any of us could find the time to do it. I have mixed feelings about them in as much as they can provide a useful insight into a bloggers thoughts and activities and potentially inspire others to think more about events that occur in their lives. By highlighting issues that people were previously unaware of or didn’t think of in the same way may provoke discussion and debate and stir some to become actively involved with various issues. It seems likely that the more high profile an individual is the greater the potential impact his or her blog may have and can therefore be a very powerful tool indeed. This can be offset however by the fact that the number of “keyboard activists” are many and often very vocal and I wonder what the outcome would be if they spent as much time being physically active as they do on the keyboard.
The other point is that a blogger may not be aware whether his audience is large or small. There seems little point in spending the time blogging if the only person reading the blog is the blogger. With my blog I do have an analytical package that tells me how many viewers I have and roughly where they are from, amongst other things. It is quite encouraging that the number of viewers is steadily increasing but also interesting discovering the approximate whereabouts of the viewer. Obviously the majority of my readership is in the UK but I am very pleased to note that I have readers in the USA, France, Germany, Portugal, Denmark, Canada, Hong Kong, Algeria and Kuwait, although the latter two do give me some cause for concern!
Additionally there is also the concern about whether or not a blogger will find something fresh and interesting to write about on a regular basis, the last thing we want is to suffer from “bloggers block”. However, as this country continues to slide down the slippery slope to oblivion then there should always be something to write about. Whilst there are still those of us who feel as strongly as we do about the changes that are being imposed upon us, we will continue to blog in the hope that others will join us in this struggle we have to try our best to prevent this country from ending up in a position that is beyond help.
I am fortunate as I have done and continue to do my bit here, others are not so fortunate or inclined but so long as I have the opportunity to contribute to saving what I hold dear I will continue to do so. I know that when I am too old and frail to do anything about the situation I will at least be able to look back and feel that I have done my bit. I hope those reading this who feel similarly to me will be able to do the same.
I was going to end here but I think it well worth noting for those locals who read this, that local MP James Gray is in the wars again as disgruntled members of the North Wiltshire Conservative Association have organised a special meeting on Monday, November 19, to again debate the MP's future. More on this over the next few weeks.
Wednesday 7 November 2007
Dirty Hospitals - Let's Cut Back On Cleaners
My blog entry on Friday 12th October concerned the infections that occurred in hospitals as a result of poor standards of hygiene and cleanliness. As often happens with these issues they are headline news one day and then disappear only to re-appear some time later when the media deem it newsworthy again because of a different slant that can be given to the story.
Well, that has now happened here. On the local television news last night there was a report, as there was in the local paper, about the local hospital, the Great Western Hospital in Swindon, taking the decision to cut back on cleaners. The story is that the Swindon and Marlborough NHS Trust which runs the GWH has declared it’s intention to make savings in the order of £600,000 by cutting down on staff who cook and clean for the hospital. Apparently the bosses at the hospital believe there will be no change in the levels of cleanliness as the remaining staff will work in a more efficient way and some cleaning will be brought back under the control of nurses. I may not understand the processes involved here but I cannot really see that the logic adds up. Less cleaners working more efficiently, nurses cleaning and not nursing! No, sorry, it really doesn’t look like a workable solution, rather another of those plans created solely to save money, not always a bad thing but not if it as the expense of a reduced service.
It doesn’t end here though as apparently infection rates are of concern at the hospital:-
MRSA – the GWH has a target to ensure they have no more than 12 cases for the year. So far this year there have been 14. Target exceeded!
Clostridium Difficile (C Diff) – the GWH has a target of 217 cases for the year. 250 cases have been reported since April. Target exceeded! This “achievement” is apparently slightly worse than average compared to the rest of the country.
I am sure the hospital know that the national publicity has generated a great deal of anxiety about cleanliness and healthcare acquired infections and more people are coming forward when they see something they believe is not being done correctly.
Let’s hope that they now come forward and express their concerns about the proposed cutbacks in cleaning at the GWH. How can the Trust even consider cutting back on the budget for cleaning staff when they still obviously have a problem with the infections that result from an unclean environment?
As is usual with all NHS establishments I am sure the management are always very interested to hear views on what more can be done to improve conditions. So here’s one to start with – think again about cutting back on your cleaning budget at least until you have managed to reduce your infection rate to the targets imposed on you.
It will certainly be interesting to see how the infection rates change if the cuts go ahead.
Well, that has now happened here. On the local television news last night there was a report, as there was in the local paper, about the local hospital, the Great Western Hospital in Swindon, taking the decision to cut back on cleaners. The story is that the Swindon and Marlborough NHS Trust which runs the GWH has declared it’s intention to make savings in the order of £600,000 by cutting down on staff who cook and clean for the hospital. Apparently the bosses at the hospital believe there will be no change in the levels of cleanliness as the remaining staff will work in a more efficient way and some cleaning will be brought back under the control of nurses. I may not understand the processes involved here but I cannot really see that the logic adds up. Less cleaners working more efficiently, nurses cleaning and not nursing! No, sorry, it really doesn’t look like a workable solution, rather another of those plans created solely to save money, not always a bad thing but not if it as the expense of a reduced service.
It doesn’t end here though as apparently infection rates are of concern at the hospital:-
MRSA – the GWH has a target to ensure they have no more than 12 cases for the year. So far this year there have been 14. Target exceeded!
Clostridium Difficile (C Diff) – the GWH has a target of 217 cases for the year. 250 cases have been reported since April. Target exceeded! This “achievement” is apparently slightly worse than average compared to the rest of the country.
I am sure the hospital know that the national publicity has generated a great deal of anxiety about cleanliness and healthcare acquired infections and more people are coming forward when they see something they believe is not being done correctly.
Let’s hope that they now come forward and express their concerns about the proposed cutbacks in cleaning at the GWH. How can the Trust even consider cutting back on the budget for cleaning staff when they still obviously have a problem with the infections that result from an unclean environment?
As is usual with all NHS establishments I am sure the management are always very interested to hear views on what more can be done to improve conditions. So here’s one to start with – think again about cutting back on your cleaning budget at least until you have managed to reduce your infection rate to the targets imposed on you.
It will certainly be interesting to see how the infection rates change if the cuts go ahead.
Tuesday 6 November 2007
A By-election in Lickhill Ward, Calne or not?
Will there be a by-election in Lickhill Ward, Calne or not? I popped in to the Calne Town Council offices yesterday and asked in passing if they had heard anything about whether the ten letters needed to force a by-election had been received or not. Of course as loyal council employees they could divulge nothing but we did discuss and agree on the fact that it was unlikely the vast majority of the electorate in the ward even knew anything about it and if they did would be unlikely to put pen to paper to request that an election be held for a new councillor in preference to one being co-opted.
I find this absolutely astounding as I do when analysing election results and discovering that very rarely, certainly at local elections, do more than 35% of the electorate bother even to stir themselves to vote. Yet, every day you hear stories from people who are unhappy with this issue or that issue but seem not to want to do anything about it. Why is it that there is so much apathy and what will it take to stir this sleeping beast of a British public? It seems to me that only when things have gone too far will they rise up in a vain attempt to do something about it. Perhaps it has something to do with the fear they have of the powers that be, whoever they may be. There was an example of this earlier this week involving Nigel Hastilow, the Conservative party candidate for the Halesowen and Rowley Regis parliamentary constituency, who refused to apologise for declaring that Enoch Powell was right to make his famous Rivers of Blood speech in 1968. As a result of this he was summoned to a private meeting with his party chairman Caroline Spellman to explain his comments that had been reported in the Express and Star newspaper in Wolverhampton, but in refusing to withdraw his remarks he was subsequently forced to resign.
I am sure many people will agree that it is an absolute disgrace when it is apparently acceptable for David Cameron to now bang on about immigration having previously considered it an issue not to be touched. He then disciplines one of his merry men for adding his voice to the debate in suggesting that the issue was the one that the majority of the electorate were concerned about more than any other. If DC seriously thinks he is going to win the next election he needs to either swing one way or the other, not both.
DC will not find it hard to replace Nigel Hastilow, who should be commended for sticking to his guns, as a quick skim down the names on his A-list might throw something up for the good people of Halesowen and Rowley Regis. After all we were lucky enough in this area, to be blessed with the likes of The Black Farmer, Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones! (Private note for later - how well would a range of meat products go if I started up a company and called it The White Farmer?)
Anyway, back to my initial point. Perhaps there is so much apathy as a result of the fear instilled in people by such acts as the forced resignation of Nigel Hastilow. The thought that whatever they say or do may be picked up on by those that would report them must be enough to ensure they just sit back and do nothing about their concerns. I seem to recall that this is how the authorities used to operate in Nazi Germany and look how that ended up. I still have faith that the sleeping giant will one day have had enough and rise up to destroy this politically correct monster that is denying us the freedom of speech that our country once fought so hard to protect - however time is running out.
I find this absolutely astounding as I do when analysing election results and discovering that very rarely, certainly at local elections, do more than 35% of the electorate bother even to stir themselves to vote. Yet, every day you hear stories from people who are unhappy with this issue or that issue but seem not to want to do anything about it. Why is it that there is so much apathy and what will it take to stir this sleeping beast of a British public? It seems to me that only when things have gone too far will they rise up in a vain attempt to do something about it. Perhaps it has something to do with the fear they have of the powers that be, whoever they may be. There was an example of this earlier this week involving Nigel Hastilow, the Conservative party candidate for the Halesowen and Rowley Regis parliamentary constituency, who refused to apologise for declaring that Enoch Powell was right to make his famous Rivers of Blood speech in 1968. As a result of this he was summoned to a private meeting with his party chairman Caroline Spellman to explain his comments that had been reported in the Express and Star newspaper in Wolverhampton, but in refusing to withdraw his remarks he was subsequently forced to resign.
I am sure many people will agree that it is an absolute disgrace when it is apparently acceptable for David Cameron to now bang on about immigration having previously considered it an issue not to be touched. He then disciplines one of his merry men for adding his voice to the debate in suggesting that the issue was the one that the majority of the electorate were concerned about more than any other. If DC seriously thinks he is going to win the next election he needs to either swing one way or the other, not both.
DC will not find it hard to replace Nigel Hastilow, who should be commended for sticking to his guns, as a quick skim down the names on his A-list might throw something up for the good people of Halesowen and Rowley Regis. After all we were lucky enough in this area, to be blessed with the likes of The Black Farmer, Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones! (Private note for later - how well would a range of meat products go if I started up a company and called it The White Farmer?)
Anyway, back to my initial point. Perhaps there is so much apathy as a result of the fear instilled in people by such acts as the forced resignation of Nigel Hastilow. The thought that whatever they say or do may be picked up on by those that would report them must be enough to ensure they just sit back and do nothing about their concerns. I seem to recall that this is how the authorities used to operate in Nazi Germany and look how that ended up. I still have faith that the sleeping giant will one day have had enough and rise up to destroy this politically correct monster that is denying us the freedom of speech that our country once fought so hard to protect - however time is running out.
Monday 5 November 2007
Alan Lill RIP
Alan Lill RIP
Just a quick posting today as I've just been informed by Chris D that our good friend and comrade Alan passed away at 9.55 this morning.
Please read or re-read my blog entry for Monday 22nd October.
Rest In Peace Alan mate.
Just a quick posting today as I've just been informed by Chris D that our good friend and comrade Alan passed away at 9.55 this morning.
Please read or re-read my blog entry for Monday 22nd October.
Rest In Peace Alan mate.
Sunday 4 November 2007
Tally Ho! A Hunting We Will Go!
Tally Ho! A hunting we will go! The new hunting season has opened and I am sure that whilst this country is rapidly being reduced to third world status, the great and good will be spending a grossly disproportionate amount of time campaigning against hunting. I can imagine the conversation in Downing Street now – "Yes, the health service is falling apart, education is worse than 30 years ago, immigration is out of control and our soldiers are dying in foreign wars, but let’s first discuss that very important issue of fox-hunting".
I’m looking forward to following the Avon Vale Hunt this season as it moves around the countryside in North Wiltshire where I live, and also my occasional visits to support the South Herefordshire Hunt where I have connections. It is certainly a real thrill to see so many horses and riders, some wearing the traditional hunting attire and the eager hounds all charging across open fields in pursuit of the fox, oh sorry, I meant to say trail, accompanied by the distant sound of the hunting horn. The hunt itself is a great British tradition but much much more takes place behind the scenes with the running of pony clubs to the removal of dead stock from local farms.
If you are against hunting then that’s your choice but it would be interesting to analyse why that decision has been made. Most people that are anti-hunt consider it cruel to chase, catch and tear a fox to pieces. Of course, as a result of the legislation imposed by the Labour government that doesn’t now happen. Even if it were allowed, the truth of the matter is that, of all the hunts I have witnessed, I have never seen a fox caught. I have seen foxes but they haven’t earned the reputation of being wily for nothing. I particularly remember the Boxing Day outing at Lacock a couple of years ago when there were hundreds of supporters present. The hounds were pacing up and down a hedgerow in the knowledge foxes were close by, when two foxes appeared from the hedgerow and ran in opposite directions from each other across the fields whilst the hounds were still looking. The foxes were young and healthy and of course, got away. That’s part of the story really as the fit and healthy foxes were not the ones that got caught, the unlucky ones were usually the old, diseased and decrepit ones whose useful life was pretty much over. To farmers and land-owners all foxes are vermin. They hunt for food and will kill chickens and young lambs for food but they don’t just kill enough to eat, they will destroy many others in the process just for fun. They are a nuisance and need to be controlled. The fox is a pleasant looking creature, if it looked like a rat the anti-hunt movement would not exist. You only have to look at this Labour government to see that appearances can be very deceptive.
One other major reason for choosing the anti-hunt side is that it’s a pursuit enjoyed by the upper class. Admittedly you have to have a few bob to own a horse and land but for every "toff" there are probably ten or more working class people as well. Someone has to look after the hounds, muck out the horses and so on, no one can truly believe his Lordship would do that. But that’s pretty much the crux of the argument. The anti-hunt movement exists and is fuelled by liberal lefties simply to wipe out the hunt community and the livelihoods of country folk. They believe they have taken over the urban communities, now they want to take over the countryside. Judging by the ever-increasing support I have witnessed at hunts and the very strong anti-left message heard amongst this support the left certainly have a fight on their hands that they will not win!
I’m looking forward to following the Avon Vale Hunt this season as it moves around the countryside in North Wiltshire where I live, and also my occasional visits to support the South Herefordshire Hunt where I have connections. It is certainly a real thrill to see so many horses and riders, some wearing the traditional hunting attire and the eager hounds all charging across open fields in pursuit of the fox, oh sorry, I meant to say trail, accompanied by the distant sound of the hunting horn. The hunt itself is a great British tradition but much much more takes place behind the scenes with the running of pony clubs to the removal of dead stock from local farms.
If you are against hunting then that’s your choice but it would be interesting to analyse why that decision has been made. Most people that are anti-hunt consider it cruel to chase, catch and tear a fox to pieces. Of course, as a result of the legislation imposed by the Labour government that doesn’t now happen. Even if it were allowed, the truth of the matter is that, of all the hunts I have witnessed, I have never seen a fox caught. I have seen foxes but they haven’t earned the reputation of being wily for nothing. I particularly remember the Boxing Day outing at Lacock a couple of years ago when there were hundreds of supporters present. The hounds were pacing up and down a hedgerow in the knowledge foxes were close by, when two foxes appeared from the hedgerow and ran in opposite directions from each other across the fields whilst the hounds were still looking. The foxes were young and healthy and of course, got away. That’s part of the story really as the fit and healthy foxes were not the ones that got caught, the unlucky ones were usually the old, diseased and decrepit ones whose useful life was pretty much over. To farmers and land-owners all foxes are vermin. They hunt for food and will kill chickens and young lambs for food but they don’t just kill enough to eat, they will destroy many others in the process just for fun. They are a nuisance and need to be controlled. The fox is a pleasant looking creature, if it looked like a rat the anti-hunt movement would not exist. You only have to look at this Labour government to see that appearances can be very deceptive.
One other major reason for choosing the anti-hunt side is that it’s a pursuit enjoyed by the upper class. Admittedly you have to have a few bob to own a horse and land but for every "toff" there are probably ten or more working class people as well. Someone has to look after the hounds, muck out the horses and so on, no one can truly believe his Lordship would do that. But that’s pretty much the crux of the argument. The anti-hunt movement exists and is fuelled by liberal lefties simply to wipe out the hunt community and the livelihoods of country folk. They believe they have taken over the urban communities, now they want to take over the countryside. Judging by the ever-increasing support I have witnessed at hunts and the very strong anti-left message heard amongst this support the left certainly have a fight on their hands that they will not win!
Saturday 3 November 2007
When A Democracy Is Not A Democracy
When is a democracy not a democracy? Calne Town Council recently lost a town councillor from it’s Lickhill Ward due to the resignation of Mrs Jill Martin of the UK Independence Party. As a result there is currently a vacant seat on the council. The resignation was reported in our old favourite The Wiltshire Gazette, but within a news item about another subject, it wasn’t a news item in itself.
So the fact that there is a vacancy on Calne Town Council is in the public domain you might think, but does that mean that the electorate in general are aware of this situation? Who can say for sure, the one thing for certain is that it is in the interests of democracy for a by-election to be held. This will ensure that those who wish to put themselves forward as candidates and those wishing to exercise their democratic right to vote for the candidate they feel is best suited to serve the local population, can do so. Unfortunately it isn’t quite as simple as this and I am convinced the vast majority of the electorate do not know the facts, which I will explain in a while. First, however, I will mention the case of BNP Councillor Mick Simpkins, who holds a seat for the Rudloe Ward on Corsham Town Council, just down the road from Calne. Councillor Simpkins stood for election back in May of this year and was one of several candidates for one of the several vacant seats. The number of candidates equalled the number of seats vacant so consequently no election took place. As a result there was uproar from those liberal lefties who were most upset that a BNP candidate had become a councillor. So upset were they, in fact, that they called for a demonstration outside of the Town Hall when Councillor Simpkins took his seat, making a big noise about the fact he was essentially unelected and that democracy had not been served. Yes, from far and wide came the demonstrators but Corsham residents were conspicuous by their absence.
So what has this to do with the issue in Calne you may ask. Well, simply this. A by-election is not called automatically should a vacancy arise. A notice is posted, where I am not sure, but I seem to recall seeing them on lampposts, which advises that a vacancy exists. The notice advises members of the electorate, in Lickhill ward, that a by-election will be held, but only if the Town Council receives 10 requests to hold one, from those on the electoral roll, before midnight on Monday 12th November 2007. If, as I suspect and as mentioned earlier, that the majority of the electorate do not appreciate that this is what is required to ensure a by-election is held, then the council may well not get the 10 letters they require. If that is the case the Town Council can then co-opt a new councillor. No election is required, just an agreement amongst existing councillors on who they consider best suited for the job. In many respects, therefore, it is in the interests of the existing councillors, specifically those where several from the same party already hold a substantial share of the seats, to keep quiet about the possibility of a by-election, in the hope that they can then co-opt one of their own. I know exactly what will happen if this is allowed to take place and it is therefore in the interests of the electorate that they are advised of the 10-letter rule to force a by-election. So, there you have it, the parallel that exists. Do you think we will see a demonstration outside of Calne Town Hall should a new councillor be co-opted rather than elected, as this is certainly not serving democracy? I somehow think we will see no demonstration and I think the electorate may not even notice. It’s up to those of us who value their democracy to ensure the 10 letters are forthcoming.
So the fact that there is a vacancy on Calne Town Council is in the public domain you might think, but does that mean that the electorate in general are aware of this situation? Who can say for sure, the one thing for certain is that it is in the interests of democracy for a by-election to be held. This will ensure that those who wish to put themselves forward as candidates and those wishing to exercise their democratic right to vote for the candidate they feel is best suited to serve the local population, can do so. Unfortunately it isn’t quite as simple as this and I am convinced the vast majority of the electorate do not know the facts, which I will explain in a while. First, however, I will mention the case of BNP Councillor Mick Simpkins, who holds a seat for the Rudloe Ward on Corsham Town Council, just down the road from Calne. Councillor Simpkins stood for election back in May of this year and was one of several candidates for one of the several vacant seats. The number of candidates equalled the number of seats vacant so consequently no election took place. As a result there was uproar from those liberal lefties who were most upset that a BNP candidate had become a councillor. So upset were they, in fact, that they called for a demonstration outside of the Town Hall when Councillor Simpkins took his seat, making a big noise about the fact he was essentially unelected and that democracy had not been served. Yes, from far and wide came the demonstrators but Corsham residents were conspicuous by their absence.
So what has this to do with the issue in Calne you may ask. Well, simply this. A by-election is not called automatically should a vacancy arise. A notice is posted, where I am not sure, but I seem to recall seeing them on lampposts, which advises that a vacancy exists. The notice advises members of the electorate, in Lickhill ward, that a by-election will be held, but only if the Town Council receives 10 requests to hold one, from those on the electoral roll, before midnight on Monday 12th November 2007. If, as I suspect and as mentioned earlier, that the majority of the electorate do not appreciate that this is what is required to ensure a by-election is held, then the council may well not get the 10 letters they require. If that is the case the Town Council can then co-opt a new councillor. No election is required, just an agreement amongst existing councillors on who they consider best suited for the job. In many respects, therefore, it is in the interests of the existing councillors, specifically those where several from the same party already hold a substantial share of the seats, to keep quiet about the possibility of a by-election, in the hope that they can then co-opt one of their own. I know exactly what will happen if this is allowed to take place and it is therefore in the interests of the electorate that they are advised of the 10-letter rule to force a by-election. So, there you have it, the parallel that exists. Do you think we will see a demonstration outside of Calne Town Hall should a new councillor be co-opted rather than elected, as this is certainly not serving democracy? I somehow think we will see no demonstration and I think the electorate may not even notice. It’s up to those of us who value their democracy to ensure the 10 letters are forthcoming.
Thursday 1 November 2007
Christmas To Be Down-graded - God Bless You All!
Christmas to be down-graded! Around this time of year we have become accustomed to hearing stories of various political and non-political bodies suggesting that we tone down our Christmas celebrations in order not to offend those non-Christians in our society. This year is apparently no different as a Government think-tank (presumably their phrase, certainly not mine) has suggested that Christmas be down-graded unless other religious festivals are marked on an even footing. The Institute of Public Policy Research has suggested, in a report to be published next week, ways to make this once great nation of ours even more multicultural. It essentially says that if we are going to continue marking Christmas then other major religious festivals should also be marked. Well, I’m quite happy with that, I’ve always thought that Easter was very much under-played. Apparently in 2006 three out of four employers did not put up Christmas decorations for fear of offending staff of other cultures. Humbug, I say! Stories like this make me even more determined to make the most of Christmas and although I am not a particularly religious person I grew up in the Christian tradition with assembly every morning at school and carol services at Christmas. This is supposed to be a Christian country, if non-Christians want to celebrate their own festivals then fine, carry on, but I would suggest they are playing with fire if they want to reduce Christmas to the level of their minority religions.
HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!
I imagine that Rufford Primary School in Lye in the West Midlands will be one of schools that are not going to celebrate a traditional Christmas this year. Sally Bloomer, the head mistress, is involving the school in a diversity project to promote multiculturalism. As part of this project teachers and pupils at the school have been ordered to dress up as Muslims in a belated celebration of the Muslim festival of Eid (the festival to mark the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting). All 257 pupils, most of whom are Christian and 41 teachers, 2 of whom are Muslim, dressed up. A morning assembly was held to mark the event and an afternoon party was strictly for women only, because Muslim husbands object to their wives mixing with other men. Not all staff were happy with the event but felt that they were at risk of upsetting those obsessed with politically correctness. There is believed to be no truth in rumours that a goat was ritually slaughtered by the school cook whilst the pupils watched, nor any truth that one child who attempted to post Christmas cards through the slot in the veil of a teachers head-dress mistaking it for a post-box, was buried up to her chest in the sports field and stoned to death. To all at Rufford Primary School may I say HAPPY CHRISTMAS!
One Muslim has just left our country after a state visit. King Abdullah, the king of Saudi Arabia, has now gone back to where he belongs. Despite lecturing us on its failures in dealing with terrorism, King Abdullah did not discuss the issue of human rights, even though it was on the agenda for the visit. Prince Saud al Faisal, the Saudi Arabian foreign minister, admitted that the issue had not come up during the visit. Consequently the Saudi Arabians will continue to hold public executions, torture prisoners and treat women as second class citizens. I would like to wish all in Saudi Arabia a very HAPPY CHRISTMAS. God bless you all.
HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!
I imagine that Rufford Primary School in Lye in the West Midlands will be one of schools that are not going to celebrate a traditional Christmas this year. Sally Bloomer, the head mistress, is involving the school in a diversity project to promote multiculturalism. As part of this project teachers and pupils at the school have been ordered to dress up as Muslims in a belated celebration of the Muslim festival of Eid (the festival to mark the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting). All 257 pupils, most of whom are Christian and 41 teachers, 2 of whom are Muslim, dressed up. A morning assembly was held to mark the event and an afternoon party was strictly for women only, because Muslim husbands object to their wives mixing with other men. Not all staff were happy with the event but felt that they were at risk of upsetting those obsessed with politically correctness. There is believed to be no truth in rumours that a goat was ritually slaughtered by the school cook whilst the pupils watched, nor any truth that one child who attempted to post Christmas cards through the slot in the veil of a teachers head-dress mistaking it for a post-box, was buried up to her chest in the sports field and stoned to death. To all at Rufford Primary School may I say HAPPY CHRISTMAS!
One Muslim has just left our country after a state visit. King Abdullah, the king of Saudi Arabia, has now gone back to where he belongs. Despite lecturing us on its failures in dealing with terrorism, King Abdullah did not discuss the issue of human rights, even though it was on the agenda for the visit. Prince Saud al Faisal, the Saudi Arabian foreign minister, admitted that the issue had not come up during the visit. Consequently the Saudi Arabians will continue to hold public executions, torture prisoners and treat women as second class citizens. I would like to wish all in Saudi Arabia a very HAPPY CHRISTMAS. God bless you all.
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