The Government has introduced a scheme where members of the public can introduce e-petitions on matters to be considered for debate by MPs in the House of Commons. If such a petition attracts widespread support, Sir George Young, the Leader of the House of Commons, suggests a figure of one hundred thousand signatures, it could trigger such a debate.
The blogger, Guido Fawkes, has raised such a petition to restore the death penalty for the murder of children and on duty policemen and women and called upon current MPs to lend their support.
I believe Guido Fawkes is correct in assuming that the majority of UK citizens support the reintroduction of the death penalty and that MPs should reflect this sentiment.
If this petition attracts one hundred thousand followers, and I believe it will, what will the MPs do? As I understand it, any subsequent vote will not be binding. In the past MPs have declined to submit to the public will on the grounds that it uncivilized to adopt the 'eye for an eye' position as a basis for justice. Since many MPs have previously been trained in law I've suspected that they had sympathy for a judge who had to sentence a man to death and thereafter live with his judgement. Behind these positions is the fear that the convictions may subsequently be found to be unsafe. Whenever MPs have previously discussed this matter, I fear that in being mindful of the perpetrator and his 'human rights', they have never considered the victim or the families of the victims. This is wrong. The victims and those left behind need justice and their needs must take precedence.
With DNA technology so advanced these days, these fears are allayed but will the MP/ Judiciary axis bow to the public pressure?
The following are my further suggestions:
The death penalty should be available for the murder of :-
All public servants in the pursuit of their duties.
Children, particularly those who are subject to paedophilic attack.
Multiple persons in serial attacks.
Victims killed in the execution of a robbery or burglary.
The death penalty should only be considered in cases where the evidence is incontrovertible.
Once sentenced, a convicted murderer can only be reprieved by petition from the victim's immediate family.
A member of the victim's family can carry out the execution.
Saturday, 30 July 2011
Europe or Commonwealth
The UK's involvement in Europe looks set to continue and be strengthened because David Cameron recognises that forty percent of our trade is with the Euro block.
Why would not this continue if the UK withdrew? It would and it's a downright lie to suggest otherwise. What is true is that like the other members of the EU, the Country cannot afford to belong to a political Club that charges such extortionate fees. The Prime Minister is cutting costs everywhere except to the profligate European Union where he recently agreed to an increase and Overseas Aid despite overwhelming opposition from the 'charity begins at home' brigade. It's difficult for a person who has just lost his job and his home to appreciate the PM's arguments.
The UK has access to a resource that in years to come will be more valuable than ever; a resource that all the other European countries haven't access to. A resource that has been nurtured by the Queen for decades in a belief that could ultimately bring greater rewards than a cosy but false alliance with people, many of whom have been our traditional foes. Whilst decades of politicians, starting with Edward Heath have stupidly looked to Europe, the Queen has looked at the Commonwealth and I believe she will ultimately be proved right. The Countries of the Commonwealth share a commonality beyond that of geographic proximity. We have shared history which has largely been of ultimate benefit to all and which could, as modern travel shrinks the earth, bring even greater prosperity. For the most part, the Commonwealth has a common language, English, which must be important, not to mention similar laws and other institutional similarities that will make business easier.
My advice to Mr. Cameron:
Dump Europe politically and better embrace the Commonwealth.
Why would not this continue if the UK withdrew? It would and it's a downright lie to suggest otherwise. What is true is that like the other members of the EU, the Country cannot afford to belong to a political Club that charges such extortionate fees. The Prime Minister is cutting costs everywhere except to the profligate European Union where he recently agreed to an increase and Overseas Aid despite overwhelming opposition from the 'charity begins at home' brigade. It's difficult for a person who has just lost his job and his home to appreciate the PM's arguments.
The UK has access to a resource that in years to come will be more valuable than ever; a resource that all the other European countries haven't access to. A resource that has been nurtured by the Queen for decades in a belief that could ultimately bring greater rewards than a cosy but false alliance with people, many of whom have been our traditional foes. Whilst decades of politicians, starting with Edward Heath have stupidly looked to Europe, the Queen has looked at the Commonwealth and I believe she will ultimately be proved right. The Countries of the Commonwealth share a commonality beyond that of geographic proximity. We have shared history which has largely been of ultimate benefit to all and which could, as modern travel shrinks the earth, bring even greater prosperity. For the most part, the Commonwealth has a common language, English, which must be important, not to mention similar laws and other institutional similarities that will make business easier.
My advice to Mr. Cameron:
Dump Europe politically and better embrace the Commonwealth.
Thursday, 28 July 2011
Libya update
The UK has formally backed the National Transitional Council as the legitimate power in libya by expelling the diplomats appointed by the Gaddafi regime despite their still holding on to power in the capital, Tripoli. Why are they meddling in this country's affairs?
I have said it before and I'll say it again; this will all end in tears, as it will in Egypt and Syria. The Arab, so called 'Spring' uprising a phenomenon inspired by internet fuelled notions of democracy, will cause much hardship as the people realise it isn't the solution to their problems. In Egypt, people are becoming disatisfied with the slow pace of change, a natural consequence of 'democracy' at work where the National interest is put aside to appease multiple vested interests. You can't have it both ways; the Country is either run properly or you submit to the wishes of the people who, the world over, largely want something for nothing.
The general public cannot be relied upon to make good decisions in the National interest.
Gaddafi was probably a tyrant, guilty of running his country with nepotism and corruption. But surely it is a necessary qualification of being a dictatorial leader of a huge Country populated with several opposing tribes. Monarchy and Dictatorship are the ways that the Arab Nations have been traditionally ruled. Libya, like Egypt and Tunisia is a country on the Mediterranean rim, not far from Europe in terms of mileage. I fear that instead of cultivating better relations with these countries, the UK may alienate them even further by their interference.
I have said it before and I'll say it again; this will all end in tears, as it will in Egypt and Syria. The Arab, so called 'Spring' uprising a phenomenon inspired by internet fuelled notions of democracy, will cause much hardship as the people realise it isn't the solution to their problems. In Egypt, people are becoming disatisfied with the slow pace of change, a natural consequence of 'democracy' at work where the National interest is put aside to appease multiple vested interests. You can't have it both ways; the Country is either run properly or you submit to the wishes of the people who, the world over, largely want something for nothing.
The general public cannot be relied upon to make good decisions in the National interest.
Gaddafi was probably a tyrant, guilty of running his country with nepotism and corruption. But surely it is a necessary qualification of being a dictatorial leader of a huge Country populated with several opposing tribes. Monarchy and Dictatorship are the ways that the Arab Nations have been traditionally ruled. Libya, like Egypt and Tunisia is a country on the Mediterranean rim, not far from Europe in terms of mileage. I fear that instead of cultivating better relations with these countries, the UK may alienate them even further by their interference.
The Code
How nice of the BBC to broadcast a summary of some of the salient points of my blog, 'Nature abhors zero' published beforehand.
In a programme about numbers called 'The Code', a collaboration with the Open University, the presenter, Marcus du Sautoy, discussed both the equations listed in my blog without fully explaining their significance.
In a programme about numbers called 'The Code', a collaboration with the Open University, the presenter, Marcus du Sautoy, discussed both the equations listed in my blog without fully explaining their significance.
Tuesday, 26 July 2011
Higgs Boson. Still no sightings.
Nature abhors Zero
In my description of the dualistic nature of our universe, it is necessary to expand on the premise that because the whole amounts to NOTHING, there is no need of a creator; there is, in effect, nothing to create.
Before our universe came into being as a result of a quantum fluctuation, there was nothing, a timeless and infinite expanse of nothingness which has been described as a ‘Pleroma’, a ‘Bythos’ or a ‘Monad’. Although the quantum fluctuation that gave ‘life’ to our universe is special, because we are talking in terms of infinity, it must have occurred an infinite number of times before and will occur an infinite number of times in the future, creating an infinite number of universes.
Why is it dualistic? Mathematics are the only truth and they tell us that there must always be two solutions or parts to any entity because of the very nature of the number one, the unity through the fact that:
1= 1 x 1
1= -1 x –1
In other words, any entity which is a product of itself and unity must have this dual solution.
Although the universe is dualistic in nature, the sum of the two parts amounts to zero in terms of energy. If it were possible to perceive our universe from the outside, nothing would be seen or experienced.
Why does this happen? In the same way that nature abhors a vacuum, it also abhors zero. Scientists who have struggled to find ways to circumvent singularities in their calculations will know the problems of zero.
Nature would rather see zero as the sum of two equal and opposite quantities.
Take the equation: 0 = +1-1
This equation is not created; it is a statement of mathematical (the only truth) fact. In the same way, a dualistic universe that sums to zero does not need a creator.
That our and every universe is composed of two parts is possibly the reason why scientists are struggling to understand the fundamentals of our existence. They are trying to find the answers solely within our part of the universe. That they cannot find evidence of the Higgs boson and its associated Higgs field is not therefore a surprise. Nor should it be a surprise that nobody has yet seen or heard ‘dark matter’ or ‘dark energy’. They need to be examining their data assuming the existence of ‘negative’ dimensions.
Some further thoughts on an infinite and eternal Pleroma, Bythos or Monad.
Think of it if you can; a presence that can’t be sensed, a zero energy entity, with no boundaries in space or time that is full of universes of different ages. More universes are constantly coming into existence, each one of zero total energy and an infinite number more will form. When you think of the infinite some astonishing possibilities exist.
Each person on earth has been exactly reproduced an infinite number of times in the past and an infinite number will live exactly the same lives in the future. Of course there will be an infinite number of close replicas as well, leading almost identical lives. An infinite number of times in the past they have married the same women and in an infinite number of occasions they have married different ones.
The very existence of life will have been replicated an infinite number of times, leading to evolutionary developments that we have yet to see but which will be inevitable. When our universe impinges with one billions and trillions years older, they will coalesce and merge allowing travel between the universes.
To be continued
Test Matches at Lords 2
Having previously written of the curse of 'flat' pitches and their effect on fast bowlers, I must now applaud all those concerned with the first test match against India at Lords. It was, unless you support India, a perfect test match in that it finished in the last session of the final, fifth day with England emerging as worthy victors.
Much of the credit for this win must go to Pieterson for his double century, Prior for both his good keeping throughout the match and a fine century in England's second innings and a great display of swing bowling from James Anderson. Oh! and by the way, another factor will be the Indian Captain who, having won the toss, put England into bat first. Wrong! He might not have fancied facing England's bowlers on that first morning but to my mind it is almost never right not to have first use of the wicket.
The crowd on the last day was almost unprecedented and demonstrates that it is possible for five day test matches to be a success although one must remember this game was against India who have a huge following in the UK. Nevertheless, it was a great match and well done to all concerned, particularly those who prepared a great wicket that gave opportunities for those good enough to take advantage.
Much of the credit for this win must go to Pieterson for his double century, Prior for both his good keeping throughout the match and a fine century in England's second innings and a great display of swing bowling from James Anderson. Oh! and by the way, another factor will be the Indian Captain who, having won the toss, put England into bat first. Wrong! He might not have fancied facing England's bowlers on that first morning but to my mind it is almost never right not to have first use of the wicket.
The crowd on the last day was almost unprecedented and demonstrates that it is possible for five day test matches to be a success although one must remember this game was against India who have a huge following in the UK. Nevertheless, it was a great match and well done to all concerned, particularly those who prepared a great wicket that gave opportunities for those good enough to take advantage.
Sunday, 24 July 2011
Spanish youth unemployment
It is said that in Spain, roughly one in three all 16 to 29 year olds is unemployed.
What this statistic doesn't tell you is that the Spanish archaic unemployment rules ensure that the true figure will never be known. A huge number of Spaniards of this age work in the black economy because high social security costs make it uneconomic for employers to employ them legally.
If you start a business and want to employ ONE staff it will cost you 250€ in social security payments each month on top of wages. Why would anyone want to do that, particularly in the cash businesses of bars and restaurants? It's ludicrous!
The Spanish must rethink their old employment regulations along with their stupid property and planning laws. They need to be dragged screaming into the new century and European reality. Twenty years ago it didn't matter so much because the aged and small population, particularly in the agricultural south were peasants, scratching a living from the poor soil. Now it has all changed. Almeria, because of greenhouse farming and tourism is one of Spain's richest provinces, attracting large numbers of immigrants from northern Europe and north Africa. life is more complex and sophisticated. The Local Councils, the Ayuntamientos, are being called upon to give greater services but without the tax revenue it is impossible.
Spain must change its rules to make starting a business and employing people cheaper. It must do it NOW.
What this statistic doesn't tell you is that the Spanish archaic unemployment rules ensure that the true figure will never be known. A huge number of Spaniards of this age work in the black economy because high social security costs make it uneconomic for employers to employ them legally.
If you start a business and want to employ ONE staff it will cost you 250€ in social security payments each month on top of wages. Why would anyone want to do that, particularly in the cash businesses of bars and restaurants? It's ludicrous!
The Spanish must rethink their old employment regulations along with their stupid property and planning laws. They need to be dragged screaming into the new century and European reality. Twenty years ago it didn't matter so much because the aged and small population, particularly in the agricultural south were peasants, scratching a living from the poor soil. Now it has all changed. Almeria, because of greenhouse farming and tourism is one of Spain's richest provinces, attracting large numbers of immigrants from northern Europe and north Africa. life is more complex and sophisticated. The Local Councils, the Ayuntamientos, are being called upon to give greater services but without the tax revenue it is impossible.
Spain must change its rules to make starting a business and employing people cheaper. It must do it NOW.
Wednesday, 20 July 2011
Here we go again
Two reports in the Daily Mail caught my attention today (20/07/2011)
Goldman Sachs workers are in line for a £300,000 pay and bonus bonanza this year - despite an alarming plunge in profits.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2016572/Goldman-Sachs-workers-home-300-000-year-bank-halved-earnings.html#ixzz1Se6mL59d
&
The retirement plans of millions are being crippled by pension charges which wipe off up to 40 per cent of the fund’s value, a report warns today.
The campaign group Consumer Focus attacks the ‘excessively high costs and charges’ which must be paid by savers to pension firms and financial advisers.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2016683/The-hidden-fees-wipe-40-private-pension-funds.html#ixzz1Se7DCn4b
How long will Governments allow this outrageous transfer of money from the vulnerable to the very wealthy to continue?
These parasites in the Financial industry don't make or create anything in a life of greedy excess without real work. They exist on the earnings of other, hard working people, some very impoverished, from around the world.
Other article:
http://www.kevilldavies.com/2009/12/more-thoughts-on-banking.html
Goldman Sachs workers are in line for a £300,000 pay and bonus bonanza this year - despite an alarming plunge in profits.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2016572/Goldman-Sachs-workers-home-300-000-year-bank-halved-earnings.html#ixzz1Se6mL59d
&
The retirement plans of millions are being crippled by pension charges which wipe off up to 40 per cent of the fund’s value, a report warns today.
The campaign group Consumer Focus attacks the ‘excessively high costs and charges’ which must be paid by savers to pension firms and financial advisers.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2016683/The-hidden-fees-wipe-40-private-pension-funds.html#ixzz1Se7DCn4b
How long will Governments allow this outrageous transfer of money from the vulnerable to the very wealthy to continue?
These parasites in the Financial industry don't make or create anything in a life of greedy excess without real work. They exist on the earnings of other, hard working people, some very impoverished, from around the world.
Other article:
http://www.kevilldavies.com/2009/12/more-thoughts-on-banking.html
Monday, 18 July 2011
Ordure, ordure 4
Mr. Speaker: Charles Fanshawe
Fanshawe (Conservative member for Bustington) : Question number two, Sir.
Prime Minister: My head of communication assured me that he had no involvement whatsoever in any 'hacking' whilst he worked for that newspaper.
Fanshawe: Would the Prime Minister agree with me that a Nursery manager who employed a man with more than a whiff of paedophilia about him would be guilty of gross misjudgement even if he was assured by the man that he was completely innnocent?
Mr. Speaker: Ordure; ordure. I want to hear the Prime Minister's answer.
Fanshawe: Shut up you pathetic chancer!
Mr. Speaker: Ordure; ordure ... Sit down!
Fanshawe: I won't. Does the prime Minister further agree with me that a man can be judged by his friends?
Mr. Speaker: Ordure; ordure
Prime Minister: Look! Let me make this point. He came with a reputation of being good at bar-b-ques and everybody deserves a second chance. That's all I have to say on the matter.
Fanshawe (Conservative member for Bustington) : Question number two, Sir.
Prime Minister: My head of communication assured me that he had no involvement whatsoever in any 'hacking' whilst he worked for that newspaper.
Fanshawe: Would the Prime Minister agree with me that a Nursery manager who employed a man with more than a whiff of paedophilia about him would be guilty of gross misjudgement even if he was assured by the man that he was completely innnocent?
Mr. Speaker: Ordure; ordure. I want to hear the Prime Minister's answer.
Fanshawe: Shut up you pathetic chancer!
Mr. Speaker: Ordure; ordure ... Sit down!
Fanshawe: I won't. Does the prime Minister further agree with me that a man can be judged by his friends?
Mr. Speaker: Ordure; ordure
Prime Minister: Look! Let me make this point. He came with a reputation of being good at bar-b-ques and everybody deserves a second chance. That's all I have to say on the matter.
Miliband speaks
Ed Miliband spoke today of the need for people in the UK to take more personal responsibility.
He tried to be statesmanlike; his voice ordered to project more gravitas but I can't help but see Miliband as a Wallace and Grommit cartoon figure. It's his mouth; it's as if it's moulded with plasticine. With as much authority as he could muster he effectively said: 'one and one are ... er, two.'
The latest revelations about the behaviour of senior officials News International and senior officers of the Metropolitan Police is hot on the heels of the polititions own expenses scandal and the furore over banking bonuses. Miliband saw it as a National problem and grand failure of Noblesse Oblige where people with influence have abandoned the women and children, the elderly, the vulnerable, in a rush to get as much money as they can in as short a time as possible. He was merely stating the bleeding obvious in the hope that he would be seen as leading the debate on where the country goes from here. He might just as well as said: 'We are NOT all in this together!'
Nevertheless, we must be more charitable because what Miliband said reflects what many of us have been saying for some time. There must be a better way. As long as the acquisition of money is seen as the only game in town, young men in particular will all aspire to be traders in the City because it's seen as the quickest way of making big bucks without actually doing a stroke of proper work.
He tried to be statesmanlike; his voice ordered to project more gravitas but I can't help but see Miliband as a Wallace and Grommit cartoon figure. It's his mouth; it's as if it's moulded with plasticine. With as much authority as he could muster he effectively said: 'one and one are ... er, two.'
The latest revelations about the behaviour of senior officials News International and senior officers of the Metropolitan Police is hot on the heels of the polititions own expenses scandal and the furore over banking bonuses. Miliband saw it as a National problem and grand failure of Noblesse Oblige where people with influence have abandoned the women and children, the elderly, the vulnerable, in a rush to get as much money as they can in as short a time as possible. He was merely stating the bleeding obvious in the hope that he would be seen as leading the debate on where the country goes from here. He might just as well as said: 'We are NOT all in this together!'
Nevertheless, we must be more charitable because what Miliband said reflects what many of us have been saying for some time. There must be a better way. As long as the acquisition of money is seen as the only game in town, young men in particular will all aspire to be traders in the City because it's seen as the quickest way of making big bucks without actually doing a stroke of proper work.
Friday, 15 July 2011
The state of English Golf
It's the Open Championship, being held in Kent at Royal St. George's, Sandwich. Before the competition much was made of the resurgence of English golf with Poulter, Casey, Rose, Donald, the world number one, and Westwood, the world number two, being suggested as possible winners.
After round two the leading Englishman is an amateur, Tom Lewis, with the pride of English golf missing the cut. Even the Americans are playing well on a links course that should favour the home-grown players. What is it about the English that, apart from in war, they never really perform when the chips are down? Or should we be grateful for that small mercy?
After round two the leading Englishman is an amateur, Tom Lewis, with the pride of English golf missing the cut. Even the Americans are playing well on a links course that should favour the home-grown players. What is it about the English that, apart from in war, they never really perform when the chips are down? Or should we be grateful for that small mercy?
Murdoch's revenge
Surely Rupert Murdoch will have his revenge on the consortium of British political parties that so publically lambasted him and News International. He does not strike me as the sort of man that would take this setback lying down. No sirree; he'll be plotting something.
If Rebekah Brooks retaliates (She must know where the bodies are buried, for instance) for having to resign her position, it will be as nothing compared with Murdoch's treatment of the coalition and especially the Labour/ Socialist party under Ed Miliband. If he really cuts up rough about it, he might even put the skids under UK Ltd.
UKIP or even the BNP might benefit from the fallout.
If Rebekah Brooks retaliates (She must know where the bodies are buried, for instance) for having to resign her position, it will be as nothing compared with Murdoch's treatment of the coalition and especially the Labour/ Socialist party under Ed Miliband. If he really cuts up rough about it, he might even put the skids under UK Ltd.
UKIP or even the BNP might benefit from the fallout.
Juries out
A judge has administered her own justice after dismissing the jury for fear of 'nobbling'. GOOD. The country cannot afford this notion of justice at this price.
The judge, Miss English, found the defendants guilty of benefits and housing fraud at Wood Green Crown Court, sending the main protagonists to jail. I hope that all their properties are sold to pay the legal costs.
The defence lawyers, of course, wanted a retrial at the public's great expense but the judge felt she had more than enough evidence to execute justice.
It is about time that these parasitic lawyers were told to go and get a proper job rather than put their grubby hands in the public pocket by every possible legal aid connivance and loop hole.
The judge, Miss English, found the defendants guilty of benefits and housing fraud at Wood Green Crown Court, sending the main protagonists to jail. I hope that all their properties are sold to pay the legal costs.
The defence lawyers, of course, wanted a retrial at the public's great expense but the judge felt she had more than enough evidence to execute justice.
It is about time that these parasitic lawyers were told to go and get a proper job rather than put their grubby hands in the public pocket by every possible legal aid connivance and loop hole.
Wednesday, 13 July 2011
Chinnok crash on Mull of Kintyre
Today, it is hoped that the Defence Minister, Liam Fox, will absolve pilots Flight Lieutenants Jonathan Tapper and Richard Cook - from the charge of "gross negligence", when a chinook helicopter crashed in appalling weather on the Mull of Kintyre in 1994, killing all those on board. Good!
Two independent boards, Scottish Fatal Accident Inquiry and House of Commons Public Accounts Committee report could find no evidence that the very experienced pilots were responsible.
A House of Lords Select Committee was appointed to consider all the circumstances surrounding the crash and unanimously concluded "that the reviewing officers were not justified in finding that negligence on the part of the pilots caused the aircraft to crash".
The Air Chief Marshall in charge of the RAF enquiry, William Wratten, later an adviser to Rolls Royce Military Aero Engines, however, found the two officers guilty rather than accept the alternative reason of craft malfunction and thereby risking the grounding of the Chinook helicopters. Several Labour Defence Ministers have resisted repeated calls for a review of the case despite fresh evidence in support of a technical fault, fuelling speculation of a 'cover-up'. Jeremy Paxton in an interview with Wratten suggested that his refusal to accept the decision of the other inquiries was tantamount to arrogance.
I am all for the defence of the realm, but the castigation of two military officers for political convenience, is in this instance, reprehensible. They were sacrificed to cover up past mistakes by senior officers and the Ministry of Defence in claiming the aircraft were airworthy.
It has been suggested that the craft, carrying ten senior RUC intelligence officers, nine army intelligence officers and six MI5 officers on the eve of the 1994 IRA cessation was deliberatedly brought down. It couldn't happen; could it?
Two independent boards, Scottish Fatal Accident Inquiry and House of Commons Public Accounts Committee report could find no evidence that the very experienced pilots were responsible.
A House of Lords Select Committee was appointed to consider all the circumstances surrounding the crash and unanimously concluded "that the reviewing officers were not justified in finding that negligence on the part of the pilots caused the aircraft to crash".
The Air Chief Marshall in charge of the RAF enquiry, William Wratten, later an adviser to Rolls Royce Military Aero Engines, however, found the two officers guilty rather than accept the alternative reason of craft malfunction and thereby risking the grounding of the Chinook helicopters. Several Labour Defence Ministers have resisted repeated calls for a review of the case despite fresh evidence in support of a technical fault, fuelling speculation of a 'cover-up'. Jeremy Paxton in an interview with Wratten suggested that his refusal to accept the decision of the other inquiries was tantamount to arrogance.
I am all for the defence of the realm, but the castigation of two military officers for political convenience, is in this instance, reprehensible. They were sacrificed to cover up past mistakes by senior officers and the Ministry of Defence in claiming the aircraft were airworthy.
It has been suggested that the craft, carrying ten senior RUC intelligence officers, nine army intelligence officers and six MI5 officers on the eve of the 1994 IRA cessation was deliberatedly brought down. It couldn't happen; could it?
Promotion in the Met
In the Home Affairs Select Committee yesterday, MP Lorraine Fulbrooke suggested that the public would perceive Mr Haywood, former Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, as a 'dodgy geezer'.
He showed outrage at the suggestion that he took bribes but the Committee gave every indication that they also thought he was a 'dodgy geezer'.
How did this man rise to the rank he did? Somebody must have appointed him.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Tarique Ghaffur, was another who disappointed on attaining high office with his litiginous behaviour. When he was finally removed from his post there was uproar in the Racial discrimination ranks but Boris Johnson, the London Mayor, supported the move, which he said was necessary to restore confidence in the Met's operational efficiency.
How did this man rise to the rank he did? Somebody must have appointed him.
Assistant Commissioner, John Yates, has finally admitted he got it wrong when after reviewing the phone hacking scandal in 2009, he said there was no further leads to follow. He apologised for his mistake recently.
How did this man rise to the rank he did? Somebody must have appointed him.
The quality of people attaining the highest ranks of the Metropolitan Police is questionable. How can this be so? Under the last Labour administration, the post of Chief of the General staffs, for example, seemed to be given to those more amenable to the then Prime Minister, Tony Blair, often to the dismay of the forces they were meant to represent. As a consequence of this, British forces were sent to Afghanistan poorly resourced.
Could the same 'dumbing down' have happened to the Met, led for much of this time by Ian Blair, who seemed to have a good rapport with his namesake?
He showed outrage at the suggestion that he took bribes but the Committee gave every indication that they also thought he was a 'dodgy geezer'.
How did this man rise to the rank he did? Somebody must have appointed him.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Tarique Ghaffur, was another who disappointed on attaining high office with his litiginous behaviour. When he was finally removed from his post there was uproar in the Racial discrimination ranks but Boris Johnson, the London Mayor, supported the move, which he said was necessary to restore confidence in the Met's operational efficiency.
How did this man rise to the rank he did? Somebody must have appointed him.
Assistant Commissioner, John Yates, has finally admitted he got it wrong when after reviewing the phone hacking scandal in 2009, he said there was no further leads to follow. He apologised for his mistake recently.
How did this man rise to the rank he did? Somebody must have appointed him.
The quality of people attaining the highest ranks of the Metropolitan Police is questionable. How can this be so? Under the last Labour administration, the post of Chief of the General staffs, for example, seemed to be given to those more amenable to the then Prime Minister, Tony Blair, often to the dismay of the forces they were meant to represent. As a consequence of this, British forces were sent to Afghanistan poorly resourced.
Could the same 'dumbing down' have happened to the Met, led for much of this time by Ian Blair, who seemed to have a good rapport with his namesake?
Tuesday, 12 July 2011
Ghosts and Prof. Brian Cox
Professor Brian Cox has tweeted about believers of the paranormal, calling them 'utter nobbers'. His derogatory term suggests that he has closed his mind to the possibility of there being a science he cannot understand.
The Prof, now a celebrity after his hit series, 'Wonders of the Solar System' was talking of his disbelief in ghosts on a Radio 4 programme that was accused of being one-sided.
It is likely that ghosts have been around as long as Humans Beings have existed and wondered what happens to the human persona (souls) after death. Eventually, using much the same ignorance, a priest class emerged that took advantage of peoples fears and developed the earliest religions. As with many things that have been around since the beginning of Homo Sapiens, there may be an element of truth in what they say.
My son was playing in the basement of a friend's house in Watlington, when both boys saw a figure of a woman descending the steps. She was dressed in old fashioned clothes and on reaching the bottom of the steps she turned and vanished through a solid brick wall. Both boys witnessed the event and swore that it was true. My son, I know, is not given to imagining this sort of thing, so what happened?
Instead of poo-pooing this sort of thing, the good professor should try and envisage some truths that don't necessarily comply with his mathematically based science which states if you can't calculate it, it doesn't exist. Or can it?
Imagine a square with sides of one unit. It has an enclosed area of one square unit. (1x1=1) A handkerchief might be an example of such an object. You can see and touch it.
Now imagine a square with sides of minus one. You can't see it or touch it, but wait. It too has a positive area of one square unit. (-1x-1=1). Is this object, although we can't sense it, also real? This argument can be extended to three dimensional objects.
My point is that the universal truth of mathematics is flawed because the square root of one has TWO correct answers. Until scientists recognise this fundamental they will always be sceptical of the paranormal.
Could it be that ghosts are manifestations of negative dimensions!!
Saturday, 9 July 2011
Oh for a bidet!!
This report made me smile but it was a perfect example of why the use of BIDETS in the UK should be more widespread.
Thursday, 7 July 2011
News International
In my blog of the 2nd June, I pointed to the dangers of big businesses becoming so large they have an impact on the way countries are run.
With this week's news, we can see that the media company News International is one such company.
Politicians need the oxygen of publicity and even more they need the support of newspapers for their policies. This can lead to an unhealthy alliance of the owners of the newspapers and people with influence. News International, owners of the News of the World, The Times, the Sunday Times and the Sun is in a position to influence voters and therefore must play a part in the exercise of democratic Government.
The Company is not only influential, it is also very wealthy and therefore, of course, very powerful. As I said in my previous blog, this can lead not only to the undermining of the democratic process, it can also impinge on the very essence of capitalism, when too many titles are held in the same hands. The people need to have confidence that decisions taken by politicians in respect of the News International take-over of B-Sky-B are in the public interest.
With this week's news, we can see that the media company News International is one such company.
Politicians need the oxygen of publicity and even more they need the support of newspapers for their policies. This can lead to an unhealthy alliance of the owners of the newspapers and people with influence. News International, owners of the News of the World, The Times, the Sunday Times and the Sun is in a position to influence voters and therefore must play a part in the exercise of democratic Government.
The Company is not only influential, it is also very wealthy and therefore, of course, very powerful. As I said in my previous blog, this can lead not only to the undermining of the democratic process, it can also impinge on the very essence of capitalism, when too many titles are held in the same hands. The people need to have confidence that decisions taken by politicians in respect of the News International take-over of B-Sky-B are in the public interest.
Tuesday, 5 July 2011
Ordure, ordure 3
Mr. Speaker: Charles Fanshawe
Fanshawe (Conservative member for Bustington) : Question number two, Sir.
Prime Minister: In a difficult negotiation we believe that selecting the German firm, Siemens, ahead of the british firm, Bombardier, based on costings and following EC rules, we believe we've achieved the best value for the British taxpayer.
Fanshawe: Based on costings, you say? Achieved the best value for money? What price does the Prime Minister put on the value of years of experience lost when Bombardier lay off their workforce? What cost was attached to the despair of those who lose their jobs and that of their families? What price was attached to the community as the level of unemployment rises to ridiculously high levels ...?
Mr. Speaker: Ordure; ordure. I think the house has got the gist ...
Fanshawe: Shut up you fatuous oaf...
Mr. Speaker: Ordure; ordure ... Sit down!
Fanshawe: I won't. Forgetting for a moment the cost to the British taxpayer of unemployment benefits and welfare, does the Prime Minister further agree with me that this decision is a slap in the face for British industry that will lead to a loss of confidence in our manufacturing companies?
Mr. Speaker: Ordure; ordure
Prime Minister: No! I am not holding a referendum on membership of the EC.
Fanshawe (Conservative member for Bustington) : Question number two, Sir.
Prime Minister: In a difficult negotiation we believe that selecting the German firm, Siemens, ahead of the british firm, Bombardier, based on costings and following EC rules, we believe we've achieved the best value for the British taxpayer.
Fanshawe: Based on costings, you say? Achieved the best value for money? What price does the Prime Minister put on the value of years of experience lost when Bombardier lay off their workforce? What cost was attached to the despair of those who lose their jobs and that of their families? What price was attached to the community as the level of unemployment rises to ridiculously high levels ...?
Mr. Speaker: Ordure; ordure. I think the house has got the gist ...
Fanshawe: Shut up you fatuous oaf...
Mr. Speaker: Ordure; ordure ... Sit down!
Fanshawe: I won't. Forgetting for a moment the cost to the British taxpayer of unemployment benefits and welfare, does the Prime Minister further agree with me that this decision is a slap in the face for British industry that will lead to a loss of confidence in our manufacturing companies?
Mr. Speaker: Ordure; ordure
Prime Minister: No! I am not holding a referendum on membership of the EC.
Sunday, 3 July 2011
Demise of High Street shops
Recently Habitat has announced shop closures. They are not alone; others include Thorntons (chocolates), Jane Norman (fashion), TJ Hughes (Department Store), Carpetright (Carpets) and Moben Kitchens.
It's easy to list the names but behind each lies many human tragedies as people lose their employment and the community lose an asset. It is not a British problem, only. Where I live in a holiday village in southern Spain, bars and other shops are lying empty because of unrealistic rates demanded by the greedy landlords. Years ago property was cheap but in the last ten years prices have rocketed and so too have the rents, despite the fact that the season here only lasts three months in the year.
It's also easy to blame the general recession, but I believe the bigger, more specific, problem is excessively high rents based on inflated property values and stupidly high non-domestic rates imposed by local authorities to finance their profligate spending, including top salaries. I suffered this personally as a pub tenant. With regard to rents I believe there is another way.
Would it not stop widespread closures and the accompanying crises if commercial rents were a shared responsibility between the landlords and the shopkeeper? That an agreement is made whereby the landlord simply takes a percentage of the profit. In times of recession, the landlord receives a more modest return instead of nothing and in times of prosperity, may even profit by more than they would with a normal rent.
I can envisage that a landlord's reaction would be that the tenant couldn't be trusted to record the full profits. In the parnership I envisage, the trader, in exchange for more sensible rents must enter into an agreement to open up their accounts to a mutually acceptible accountant. Clearly this problem is worse with cash businesses.
Another problem would be if the landlord feared the trader was underperforming. There may be scope for introducing a minimum rental but the landlord ought to exercise more care in selecting his partners, bearing in mind the circumstances of the property and the trading district.
It's easy to list the names but behind each lies many human tragedies as people lose their employment and the community lose an asset. It is not a British problem, only. Where I live in a holiday village in southern Spain, bars and other shops are lying empty because of unrealistic rates demanded by the greedy landlords. Years ago property was cheap but in the last ten years prices have rocketed and so too have the rents, despite the fact that the season here only lasts three months in the year.
It's also easy to blame the general recession, but I believe the bigger, more specific, problem is excessively high rents based on inflated property values and stupidly high non-domestic rates imposed by local authorities to finance their profligate spending, including top salaries. I suffered this personally as a pub tenant. With regard to rents I believe there is another way.
Would it not stop widespread closures and the accompanying crises if commercial rents were a shared responsibility between the landlords and the shopkeeper? That an agreement is made whereby the landlord simply takes a percentage of the profit. In times of recession, the landlord receives a more modest return instead of nothing and in times of prosperity, may even profit by more than they would with a normal rent.
I can envisage that a landlord's reaction would be that the tenant couldn't be trusted to record the full profits. In the parnership I envisage, the trader, in exchange for more sensible rents must enter into an agreement to open up their accounts to a mutually acceptible accountant. Clearly this problem is worse with cash businesses.
Another problem would be if the landlord feared the trader was underperforming. There may be scope for introducing a minimum rental but the landlord ought to exercise more care in selecting his partners, bearing in mind the circumstances of the property and the trading district.
Saturday, 2 July 2011
BBC coverage of Ladies Singles Final at Wimbledon
I have just watched the BBC build up to the Ladies Singles Final at Wimbledon. Accompanying Sue Barker was not one, not two, but three American commentators. What's that all about? Are there no British people capable of analysing the match? Can you see three Brits commentating at the US Open Final? Sometimes you just despair of the BBC.
Wind Power- beyond hot air
So the truth is out. Britain's wind farms produced miniscule amounts of energy last year as the wind they feed on, died.
Is there any-one listening? I doubt it because it's not what those with a vested, financial, interest want to hear. Despite the Fukashima disaster, Nuclear energy represents the only real possibility for stable supply of energy in the foreseeable future. For those with safety concerns over Nuclear, it is worth pointing out that Fukashima was nearing the end of its very successful life and was only destroyed by a freak combination of natural disasters. It is unlikely to be repeated, but in any case, it's worth remembering that fossil fuel powered Stations suffer, not only their own troubles, but also those from the coal mines and oil platforms that produce the raw material and must be taken into account.
Stop the spread of windmill farms NOW!
Is there any-one listening? I doubt it because it's not what those with a vested, financial, interest want to hear. Despite the Fukashima disaster, Nuclear energy represents the only real possibility for stable supply of energy in the foreseeable future. For those with safety concerns over Nuclear, it is worth pointing out that Fukashima was nearing the end of its very successful life and was only destroyed by a freak combination of natural disasters. It is unlikely to be repeated, but in any case, it's worth remembering that fossil fuel powered Stations suffer, not only their own troubles, but also those from the coal mines and oil platforms that produce the raw material and must be taken into account.
Stop the spread of windmill farms NOW!
Friday, 1 July 2011
Youth employment
Ian Duncan-Smith has appealed to British businesses to employ British youngsters instead of immigrants. However a spokesman for the employers, David Frost, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: 'They expect young people to come forward to them who are able to read, to write, to be able to communicate and have a strong work ethic.' They can find these traits more in the immigrant population.
Who is responsible for the fact that British kids leave school so poorly educated? Step forward those teachers, many of whom follow socialist ideology that despise elitism, hate the thought that some children are better than others and therefore dumb down the whole curriculum thereby failing everyone. First the eleven plus was abolished and then many grammar schools as they stupidly tampered with a system that enabled the academically inclined to learn and the manually dextrous to make. These people didn't stop in the classroom; their ideology extended to the playing fields where for fear that a less sporting child should feel inadequate they banned competitive sports and sold off the playing fields. These people are still teaching our children and are active members of the National Union of Teachers, for many years a hotbed of socialist thinking. These are the people who have been on strike expecting the Nation's sympathy, whilst inconveniencing the people they are meant to serve. These people and the Labour, socialist governments have ruined a perfectly good education system for their own political ends. If the truth be told, they do not want an elite.
They have tried to persuade the public that they are succeeding by making the exams so easy that even the dimmest children achieve some sort of grade, whether they can count or not. Good teachers must despair of ever teaching unruly children protected from discipline by human rights laws that defy reason and headteachers with no backbone.
I came from a working class background, went to Grammar school and then to University. I can remember my teachers being largely graduates because teaching was then a proper profession. There were no beards and the use of first names. They attended in suits and attracted the respect of the pupils with command of their subject, intolerance of indiscipline and the backing of a headteacher who supported her team.
Let us get back to selection. The academics go to Grammar schools and those who want a trade with a view to taking an apprenticeship, attend a College of Further Education. Let's face it, there are many plumbers now who earn more than graduates so let nobody think this is a lesser option.
Who is responsible for the fact that British kids leave school so poorly educated? Step forward those teachers, many of whom follow socialist ideology that despise elitism, hate the thought that some children are better than others and therefore dumb down the whole curriculum thereby failing everyone. First the eleven plus was abolished and then many grammar schools as they stupidly tampered with a system that enabled the academically inclined to learn and the manually dextrous to make. These people didn't stop in the classroom; their ideology extended to the playing fields where for fear that a less sporting child should feel inadequate they banned competitive sports and sold off the playing fields. These people are still teaching our children and are active members of the National Union of Teachers, for many years a hotbed of socialist thinking. These are the people who have been on strike expecting the Nation's sympathy, whilst inconveniencing the people they are meant to serve. These people and the Labour, socialist governments have ruined a perfectly good education system for their own political ends. If the truth be told, they do not want an elite.
They have tried to persuade the public that they are succeeding by making the exams so easy that even the dimmest children achieve some sort of grade, whether they can count or not. Good teachers must despair of ever teaching unruly children protected from discipline by human rights laws that defy reason and headteachers with no backbone.
I came from a working class background, went to Grammar school and then to University. I can remember my teachers being largely graduates because teaching was then a proper profession. There were no beards and the use of first names. They attended in suits and attracted the respect of the pupils with command of their subject, intolerance of indiscipline and the backing of a headteacher who supported her team.
Let us get back to selection. The academics go to Grammar schools and those who want a trade with a view to taking an apprenticeship, attend a College of Further Education. Let's face it, there are many plumbers now who earn more than graduates so let nobody think this is a lesser option.
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