Yes you read that right! I am about to be NICE about a unreconstructed old lefty!
Chris Mullins, Labour MP for Sunderland South, is standing down at this election.
Another old lefty who reads this blog (who has finally grown up and is now more centre right in his viewpoint :o)) gave me his dairies to read last summer whilst we were away on holiday. Mullins came across as a thoroughly decent man, a proper constituency MP, who did not do too well as a Junior Minister. He is writing in the Times today about his impending retirement and the fear he has about the future.
This is a man who still watches a black and white telly in his flat in London and his expenses were above board. An old fashioned left winger, with a respect for parliament and a duty to his constituents.
More Chris Mullins in Parliament and less Elliot Morley and Labour might be a more palatable party.
I look forward to reading the 2nd volume of his diaries later in the year and wish him a long and happy retirement.
Left wing music required for this post I think. Paul Weller then. His new single, complete 60s throwback, but very infectious - No More Tears to Cry.
Showing posts with label Politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Politics. Show all posts
Friday, 9 April 2010
Monday, 29 March 2010
Labour with a Working Majority
Hello Everyone!
Well I apologise profusely for the distinct lack of blogging. No excuse really, just the usual busy life, both at work and home. Not complaining, being busy at work is great and long may it continue.
Tonight's title is my prediction for the forthcoming General Election. I had a bit of an epiphany over the weekend in this respect. For months I've been watching with astonishment as the Conservative lead had dwindled. I was thinking, who in their right mind would vote back in a party that's led us to the state this country is now in. And this weekend I figured out why.
I was coming from this as the employee of a small private sector company. Someone who pays his taxes and works in a sector that is dependent on a strong economy and wealth generating organisations continuing to recruit skilled technical personnel and senior management with the business acumen to continue growing the business in a profitable manner.
I now concede I am in the minority in this country. And people like me are despised by this Government.
There is an army of people in this country who are dependent on this Government for their livelihoods. We have a Public Sector which would make the old Soviet Union envious. A clear example of how mollycoddled from the real world these people are is the recent strike. Why were they striking? The Government for once was trying to get them to agree to a more reasonable settlement in the unlikely event they were made redundant. No chance, everybody out.
Then we have the 8 million people who are "economically inactive" - all sitting at home on nice cushy benefits, again paid for by the tax payer. Of course there are some of these people desperate to get back into employment, but for every one of them, there's plenty happy to sit on their backsides and hoover up every penny they can get their hands on.
Only in the UK can you walk up a street, look at the cars parked outside houses and safely assume the newest, shiniest ones are owned by people who don't work.
So there you have it. Millions upon Millions of people in this country are totally in debt to this Government for their employment/benefits. The minority support them all. Turkeys don't vote for Christmas. Brown back as PM with a majority of around 20.
And fuck knows what us in the minority will do then. He hates us with a passion and he'll do everything he can to destroy us.
Only one song sums my mood up tonight. It's a stone cold classic. The Rolling Stones. Paint it Black.
Well I apologise profusely for the distinct lack of blogging. No excuse really, just the usual busy life, both at work and home. Not complaining, being busy at work is great and long may it continue.
Tonight's title is my prediction for the forthcoming General Election. I had a bit of an epiphany over the weekend in this respect. For months I've been watching with astonishment as the Conservative lead had dwindled. I was thinking, who in their right mind would vote back in a party that's led us to the state this country is now in. And this weekend I figured out why.
I was coming from this as the employee of a small private sector company. Someone who pays his taxes and works in a sector that is dependent on a strong economy and wealth generating organisations continuing to recruit skilled technical personnel and senior management with the business acumen to continue growing the business in a profitable manner.
I now concede I am in the minority in this country. And people like me are despised by this Government.
There is an army of people in this country who are dependent on this Government for their livelihoods. We have a Public Sector which would make the old Soviet Union envious. A clear example of how mollycoddled from the real world these people are is the recent strike. Why were they striking? The Government for once was trying to get them to agree to a more reasonable settlement in the unlikely event they were made redundant. No chance, everybody out.
Then we have the 8 million people who are "economically inactive" - all sitting at home on nice cushy benefits, again paid for by the tax payer. Of course there are some of these people desperate to get back into employment, but for every one of them, there's plenty happy to sit on their backsides and hoover up every penny they can get their hands on.
Only in the UK can you walk up a street, look at the cars parked outside houses and safely assume the newest, shiniest ones are owned by people who don't work.
So there you have it. Millions upon Millions of people in this country are totally in debt to this Government for their employment/benefits. The minority support them all. Turkeys don't vote for Christmas. Brown back as PM with a majority of around 20.
And fuck knows what us in the minority will do then. He hates us with a passion and he'll do everything he can to destroy us.
Only one song sums my mood up tonight. It's a stone cold classic. The Rolling Stones. Paint it Black.
Friday, 22 January 2010
UK Terror Threat Level
A bonus blog for you all tonight.
Bonus music recommendation - Green Day - "Good Riddance (Time of your Life)"
The UK terror threat level has just been raised from "substantial" to "severe"
The new level means a terrorist attack is considered "highly likely".
The Home Secretary claims it is in response to the perceived increased threat from international terrorism following the failed Detroit airliner bombing on Christmas Day.
Johnson stressed there was no intelligence to suggest a terrorist attack was imminent.
So they've increased the level to "highly likely" even thought they have no intelligence to suggest there's an attack imminent, but because of a failed bombing a month ago on a plane from Holland to the USA.
Anyone else confused by those seemingly contradictory statements?
Cyclops and the Postman wouldn't be ramping up the terror angle to make themselves look like Statesmen with a General Election looming would they?
Or even as a conduit to try and get the General Election postponed as the terror threat is "too great".......................surely not.
Just asking like.
Thursday, 14 January 2010
End of An Era - another Chance for the Lefties to Bash Thatcher
Hi Folks
Many thanks for all the queries about the lack of blogging. It's a real tonic that a lot of you are encouraging me to get back into it and that there's a lot of people who read it without having added themselves as followers - don't be shy folks get logged on and get commenting! And I promise I'll get back to blogging 3 or 4 times a week, time permitting. Truth be told it's not easy with work and home commitments, but I'll try my best!
So the thing that really caught my eye today was the news that the Mickey Mouse Government in Edinburgh are passing legislation to cease the sale of council houses to tenants.
This was a flagship Thatcherite policy of the 1980's and hundreds of thousands of working class families took advantage of the chance to buy a house. Many were the first in their families to have their own property and it gave the working classes a chance they'd never had before.
The lack of houses being built by the councils to compensate has been the main reason why there's now a dearth of "social housing" (what we called council houses!) and the housing associations that have popped up don't pick up all the slack.
It would also help of course if the available council houses weren't handed out to undeserving individuals and given instead to hard working families who've been priced out of the market. Get some buckfast or heroin down you guys, or have a few kids (dad can move in later once you've got the house) and you're straight to the top of the list.
But none of the above can take away the gratitude a large section of the working class of this country owe to Thatcher for the opportunity they were given. Yes that right lefties, the working class, you know the people you claim to help. Shame that once again a Labour Government will leave office with the poor worse off and more unemployed than when they came to power. Still let's not let facts get in the way of a "Tory toff" soundbite eh.
However the left wing of this country's absolute hatred for the Iron Lady means the bile is out again, blaming her for the mess the housing stock is now in. There's a mass of individuals in this country waiting to dance on her grave when she passes away. Of course she made mistakes. But the lefties forget the mess this place was in when she came to power.
Strikes, 3 day weeks, power cuts. Going cap in hand to the IMF. Rubbish left uncollected in the streets. The dead unburied. I remember as a kid many nights sitting round a paraffin heater, playing Monopoly by candlelight.
I'll blog again at a later date about the 80s and the rest of the Thatcher premiership. I was 10 when she came to power and 21 when she was ousted. I am one of Thatcher's despised children. Working class kids in the 80s were not seen to be aspiring to better themselves. Nope, historically we've been tarred as greedy, selfish bastards.
This country is now run by a clique of left wing media clowns (BBC, Guardian et al) who's spite and hatred for a woman (would they have been so hateful if it had been a male?) who has been out of office for 20 years is undiminished and they will peddle their myths about her and the generation who grew up under her Premiership until we're all in the grave.
People who's politics are Centre Right are now a small minority in Scotland. As recently as the 50s Scotland was predominantly Tory voting. Again I'll discuss the reasons for this more as the election draws nearer.
Tonight's music is by a man who was no fan of Mrs T but when he wrote songs like Sweet Gene Vincent you can let Ian Dury off with a lot. His band the Blockheads were brilliant, keeping the rhythm section perfect whilst Dury's lyrics meandered. A sad loss when he died, Dury had polio as a child but never let his disability get in the way of his powerful stage presence.
Many thanks for all the queries about the lack of blogging. It's a real tonic that a lot of you are encouraging me to get back into it and that there's a lot of people who read it without having added themselves as followers - don't be shy folks get logged on and get commenting! And I promise I'll get back to blogging 3 or 4 times a week, time permitting. Truth be told it's not easy with work and home commitments, but I'll try my best!
So the thing that really caught my eye today was the news that the Mickey Mouse Government in Edinburgh are passing legislation to cease the sale of council houses to tenants.
This was a flagship Thatcherite policy of the 1980's and hundreds of thousands of working class families took advantage of the chance to buy a house. Many were the first in their families to have their own property and it gave the working classes a chance they'd never had before.
The lack of houses being built by the councils to compensate has been the main reason why there's now a dearth of "social housing" (what we called council houses!) and the housing associations that have popped up don't pick up all the slack.
It would also help of course if the available council houses weren't handed out to undeserving individuals and given instead to hard working families who've been priced out of the market. Get some buckfast or heroin down you guys, or have a few kids (dad can move in later once you've got the house) and you're straight to the top of the list.
But none of the above can take away the gratitude a large section of the working class of this country owe to Thatcher for the opportunity they were given. Yes that right lefties, the working class, you know the people you claim to help. Shame that once again a Labour Government will leave office with the poor worse off and more unemployed than when they came to power. Still let's not let facts get in the way of a "Tory toff" soundbite eh.
However the left wing of this country's absolute hatred for the Iron Lady means the bile is out again, blaming her for the mess the housing stock is now in. There's a mass of individuals in this country waiting to dance on her grave when she passes away. Of course she made mistakes. But the lefties forget the mess this place was in when she came to power.
Strikes, 3 day weeks, power cuts. Going cap in hand to the IMF. Rubbish left uncollected in the streets. The dead unburied. I remember as a kid many nights sitting round a paraffin heater, playing Monopoly by candlelight.
I'll blog again at a later date about the 80s and the rest of the Thatcher premiership. I was 10 when she came to power and 21 when she was ousted. I am one of Thatcher's despised children. Working class kids in the 80s were not seen to be aspiring to better themselves. Nope, historically we've been tarred as greedy, selfish bastards.
This country is now run by a clique of left wing media clowns (BBC, Guardian et al) who's spite and hatred for a woman (would they have been so hateful if it had been a male?) who has been out of office for 20 years is undiminished and they will peddle their myths about her and the generation who grew up under her Premiership until we're all in the grave.
People who's politics are Centre Right are now a small minority in Scotland. As recently as the 50s Scotland was predominantly Tory voting. Again I'll discuss the reasons for this more as the election draws nearer.
Tonight's music is by a man who was no fan of Mrs T but when he wrote songs like Sweet Gene Vincent you can let Ian Dury off with a lot. His band the Blockheads were brilliant, keeping the rhythm section perfect whilst Dury's lyrics meandered. A sad loss when he died, Dury had polio as a child but never let his disability get in the way of his powerful stage presence.
Friday, 11 December 2009
Where will it End?
I keep coming back in this blog to the utter mess of the finances of the country. I know it may be boring, but it can't be underestimated. Our children and grandchildren will be paying for the complete and utter disaster. The numbers hurt your eyes. And still the bad news keeps coming and coming. As the title of this blog says, when will it all end. Here's just a few more snippets for you to ponder over your favourite malt this chilly December evening:
A regular Tragic Kingdom reader advises me that we're now in the Armageddon situation of the income tax from those in employment not even covering the benefit handouts to those who are "not economically active".
It's now being reported that, in the middle of a war which has all the hallmarks of becoming another Vietnam clusterfuck, massive defence cuts are on the way. This includes scaling back our presence in Cyprus, slashing the numbers of MoD Police and closing an air base in the UK. The two new aircraft carriers are in danger of being shelved too. Pound to a penny the air base to close will be Leuchers, Kinloss or Lossiemouth.
Brown has just spunked another £1.5 Billion at Copenhagen to sate his ego yet again purporting to be the man saving the world. This is far more than the Germans or French. Of course they have leaders who operate in the real world.
When will this mad man be stopped?
It really is time for Mandelson to take a glass of brandy and revolver to Brown's study for the good of the country.
Music tonight is a fantastic cover of the Neil Diamond song "Girl you'll be a Woman Soon" by Urge Overkill.
A regular Tragic Kingdom reader advises me that we're now in the Armageddon situation of the income tax from those in employment not even covering the benefit handouts to those who are "not economically active".
It's now being reported that, in the middle of a war which has all the hallmarks of becoming another Vietnam clusterfuck, massive defence cuts are on the way. This includes scaling back our presence in Cyprus, slashing the numbers of MoD Police and closing an air base in the UK. The two new aircraft carriers are in danger of being shelved too. Pound to a penny the air base to close will be Leuchers, Kinloss or Lossiemouth.
Brown has just spunked another £1.5 Billion at Copenhagen to sate his ego yet again purporting to be the man saving the world. This is far more than the Germans or French. Of course they have leaders who operate in the real world.
When will this mad man be stopped?
It really is time for Mandelson to take a glass of brandy and revolver to Brown's study for the good of the country.
Music tonight is a fantastic cover of the Neil Diamond song "Girl you'll be a Woman Soon" by Urge Overkill.
Tuesday, 8 December 2009
Climate Change
The Copenhagen summit is upon us and Climate Change is again at the top of the agenda. We're being bombarded with propaganda, the latest being that this is the warmest decade on record. Government officials are queuing up to let it be known that anyone who has any reservations or a differing point of view about the fact the world is warming up are "flat earthers" and "deniers". The deniers tag is abhorrent with it's deliberate connotations with the holocaust.
The emails from the CRU suggesting that there's been deliberate omissions in data have been given little credence. Our State Broadcaster has announced the "science is settled" and has abandoned it's Charter to become a propaganda mouthpiece for the "warmists".
Maybe the world is hotting up. Maybe it's not. I don't know. Because I've never been given the evidence to make up my own mind. All I've seen and read is biased nonsense from both sides. No real raw evidence. Just Polar Bears on shrinking icebergs or parts of emails telling people to bury evidence that doesn't fit the agenda. The powers that be and scientists whose livelihoods depend on their being global warming have told us they have the evidence to hand and that's that.
If they can give me satisfactory answers to the following questions, I will take the inevitable crushing taxes that are coming my way in the name of 'saving the planet' with a stiff upper lip as I will then know I'm doing it to make sure my sons live in a sustainable world:
What has happened over the past 35 years which has changed the experts minds from predicting an impending ice age to rampant global warming? Something catastrophic must have occurred for such a sea change in their mindset.
How do you explain the warmth spikes over the centuries, including a time when you could grow grapes as far north as York, when there were no cars etc to increase the heat?
How is the current cooling of temperature within Antarctica explained?
Explain this and have a truly independent research centre, which does not have to work to a Government Agenda to receive its grants and I'll be satisfied. Some of us want data and answers. We are not all brain deads who will do as we are told just because Nanny tells us it's for our own good.
Music tonight from a classic Scottish band from the late 80s - Hipsway with Tinder - a slice of laid back pop. The whole album (eponymously named) is outstanding, no bad tracks and well worth a listen.
The emails from the CRU suggesting that there's been deliberate omissions in data have been given little credence. Our State Broadcaster has announced the "science is settled" and has abandoned it's Charter to become a propaganda mouthpiece for the "warmists".
Maybe the world is hotting up. Maybe it's not. I don't know. Because I've never been given the evidence to make up my own mind. All I've seen and read is biased nonsense from both sides. No real raw evidence. Just Polar Bears on shrinking icebergs or parts of emails telling people to bury evidence that doesn't fit the agenda. The powers that be and scientists whose livelihoods depend on their being global warming have told us they have the evidence to hand and that's that.
If they can give me satisfactory answers to the following questions, I will take the inevitable crushing taxes that are coming my way in the name of 'saving the planet' with a stiff upper lip as I will then know I'm doing it to make sure my sons live in a sustainable world:
What has happened over the past 35 years which has changed the experts minds from predicting an impending ice age to rampant global warming? Something catastrophic must have occurred for such a sea change in their mindset.
How do you explain the warmth spikes over the centuries, including a time when you could grow grapes as far north as York, when there were no cars etc to increase the heat?
How is the current cooling of temperature within Antarctica explained?
Explain this and have a truly independent research centre, which does not have to work to a Government Agenda to receive its grants and I'll be satisfied. Some of us want data and answers. We are not all brain deads who will do as we are told just because Nanny tells us it's for our own good.
Music tonight from a classic Scottish band from the late 80s - Hipsway with Tinder - a slice of laid back pop. The whole album (eponymously named) is outstanding, no bad tracks and well worth a listen.
Saturday, 5 December 2009
Inform the Cokeheads, Hammer the Social Drinker
So this weekend is Cocaine awareness weekend. Yes you did read that properly. The glorified county council in Edinburgh are wasting yet more of our money, highlighting to "revellers" the dangers of using cocaine.
Community Safety Minister Fergus Ewing (aka Principal Nanny) said: "Many young people are not aware of the risks involved in cocaine use and the Scottish government want to ensure they have all the facts by providing clear information in pubs, clubs and student unions."
Give the young the facts about cocaine use. Did I miss the meeting when coke was legalised?
Contrast this liberal, namby pamby, "understanding and getting down with the kids whilst they indulge in illegal activities" bullshit with the rhetoric they save for moderate alcohol drinkers. You know that (just about) legal drug. You have a couple of glasses of wine on a Friday night after a hard week at work and you're a binge drinking, anti-social pariah who should be shot at dawn.
Snort coke and you're a young, liberal free thinking citizen, exercising your right to participate in illegal activities - as long as you have the facts, which have been helpfully passed to you by the caring government.
What next - Government Ministers out and about checking it before the cokeheads snort it to see if it's 100% pure or if someone has chucked some bicarbonate of soda in it.
Coming soon - Alex Salmond in Soul Bar, nodding his head at a gang of neds saying, "that's good shit dudes"
What is this country coming to?
Simple recommendation today for the music - it has to be Grandmaster Flash & Melle Mel - White Lines (Don't do it), which should be the message being given........
Community Safety Minister Fergus Ewing (aka Principal Nanny) said: "Many young people are not aware of the risks involved in cocaine use and the Scottish government want to ensure they have all the facts by providing clear information in pubs, clubs and student unions."
Give the young the facts about cocaine use. Did I miss the meeting when coke was legalised?
Contrast this liberal, namby pamby, "understanding and getting down with the kids whilst they indulge in illegal activities" bullshit with the rhetoric they save for moderate alcohol drinkers. You know that (just about) legal drug. You have a couple of glasses of wine on a Friday night after a hard week at work and you're a binge drinking, anti-social pariah who should be shot at dawn.
Snort coke and you're a young, liberal free thinking citizen, exercising your right to participate in illegal activities - as long as you have the facts, which have been helpfully passed to you by the caring government.
What next - Government Ministers out and about checking it before the cokeheads snort it to see if it's 100% pure or if someone has chucked some bicarbonate of soda in it.
Coming soon - Alex Salmond in Soul Bar, nodding his head at a gang of neds saying, "that's good shit dudes"
What is this country coming to?
Simple recommendation today for the music - it has to be Grandmaster Flash & Melle Mel - White Lines (Don't do it), which should be the message being given........
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
Recession is Almost Over - Who are they Kidding?
I see the BBC and our wretched Government are still peddling the myth that the recession is just about over. They were gutted when the economy contracted again last quarter, after constantly blowing smoke up our arse for weeks beforehand that it would grow.
So much for that bastard Brown's "best placed country to beat the recession" bullshit. We're now the only major Global Economy still in recession and yet the State Broadcaster hardly raises a peep in protest. Of course, the recession only hits one part of the population - the wealth creating, heavy tax paying private sector.
No wonder the BBC, Government and Public Sector think it hasn't been too bad out there. But you watch them squeal like piggies at the abattoir when they don't get their usual inflation busting pay rises next year. We'll have the power mad Union Barrons all over the airwaves demanding a 1970s "everyone out" scotched earth policy. I'm sure the rest of us will get by if the Romany Travellers Equality Diversity Yoghurt Knitting Breast Feeding Street Football Co-Ordinators go off on strike for a couple of days.
Back in the real world and working in recruitment I think I'm well positioned to judge, let me tell you the bad news. It's not getting any better. There's still a lot of people being made redundant. Every day we have desperate people phoning and emailing looking for work, applying for jobs they don't have any experience for, but I can understand why they do it. It's because they are desperate to work. Fancy that eh - people in this country with the ethics and dignity to want to work. They are becoming a minority that's for sure.
Just to keep the downbeat mood going, I can't see an improvement in the first half of next year. With a General Election on its way and up here the oil price still all over the shop, nothing will settle down till Q3 2010 at the earliest. If they don't get their own way Unison and their ilk will be out on the streets by then, especially if we have a Tory Government. What fun. By the way, anyone know when a Recession becomes a Depression?
Music tonight is from Indie Icons James - "Laid". Requested by an avid reader of the blog because of the "awesome drums". And I have to say I agree.
So much for that bastard Brown's "best placed country to beat the recession" bullshit. We're now the only major Global Economy still in recession and yet the State Broadcaster hardly raises a peep in protest. Of course, the recession only hits one part of the population - the wealth creating, heavy tax paying private sector.
No wonder the BBC, Government and Public Sector think it hasn't been too bad out there. But you watch them squeal like piggies at the abattoir when they don't get their usual inflation busting pay rises next year. We'll have the power mad Union Barrons all over the airwaves demanding a 1970s "everyone out" scotched earth policy. I'm sure the rest of us will get by if the Romany Travellers Equality Diversity Yoghurt Knitting Breast Feeding Street Football Co-Ordinators go off on strike for a couple of days.
Back in the real world and working in recruitment I think I'm well positioned to judge, let me tell you the bad news. It's not getting any better. There's still a lot of people being made redundant. Every day we have desperate people phoning and emailing looking for work, applying for jobs they don't have any experience for, but I can understand why they do it. It's because they are desperate to work. Fancy that eh - people in this country with the ethics and dignity to want to work. They are becoming a minority that's for sure.
Just to keep the downbeat mood going, I can't see an improvement in the first half of next year. With a General Election on its way and up here the oil price still all over the shop, nothing will settle down till Q3 2010 at the earliest. If they don't get their own way Unison and their ilk will be out on the streets by then, especially if we have a Tory Government. What fun. By the way, anyone know when a Recession becomes a Depression?
Music tonight is from Indie Icons James - "Laid". Requested by an avid reader of the blog because of the "awesome drums". And I have to say I agree.
Tuesday, 17 November 2009
Could it Happen?
I can't believe I'm about to write this but here goes -I'm beginning to think Labour might win the General Election, or at least hang on for a hung parliament. Brown has had his best couple of weeks in a long time, with Glasgow North East being held comfortably and the Sun's attack on him with regards his letter to the soldier's mother actually backfiring.
Now you can dismiss these two things as the ridiculous habit of the public for feeling sorry for a character who reaps what he sows and that in areas like Glasgow NE you could shave a chimp, stick a red rosette on its arse and they'd still vote for it, but I'm getting a little 1992 feeling here, when John Major upset the odds and beat Kinnock (who probably lost it with his excruciating rally in Birmingham - do you remember "well all right" - Jesus. And of course the Sun's front page "will the last person leaving Britain put the lights out if this man becomes Prime Minister).
It's bizarre, but Brown, who has no mandate from the people to be in the position he holds and who has systematically destroyed the financial structure of this country, is hanging on between 10 and 14 per cent behind in the polls. That's manageable and the party of government always has a late rally. With the constituency boundaries/first past the post system very much now in Labour's favour, for an outright win Call Me Dave needs about 15% more of the vote than Mr "I saved the world, it started in America". He's not there yet and outwith the South East of England he's struggling.
It defies belief. A big problem is people who have no clue about politics voting. A perfect example is at the last General Election a work colleague of mine was asked who she voted for. "Labour of course" she said. "Oh why?"
"Because I like Tony Blair's smile."
When you go to the polling station you should be handed a questionnaire. 5 questions, nothing too strenuous - who's the Chancellor, the Leader of the Opposition, Leader of the Lib Dems, that sort of thing. If you get 3 or more right, you know enough to make an informed decision in the voting booth. If not, you can't come in, because you'll vote for the shaved chimp or the nice smiley man or the nice man with the duck house and moat.
The fuckwits will know who's in "I'm a Celebrity" though.................
Back to the 80s tonight for the music slot and the teen idols who were Wham! "Freedom" may not have been their most famous track, but it actually sold more than the likes of "Wake me up before you go-go", was a huge number one and a fantastic pop song.
Now you can dismiss these two things as the ridiculous habit of the public for feeling sorry for a character who reaps what he sows and that in areas like Glasgow NE you could shave a chimp, stick a red rosette on its arse and they'd still vote for it, but I'm getting a little 1992 feeling here, when John Major upset the odds and beat Kinnock (who probably lost it with his excruciating rally in Birmingham - do you remember "well all right" - Jesus. And of course the Sun's front page "will the last person leaving Britain put the lights out if this man becomes Prime Minister).
It's bizarre, but Brown, who has no mandate from the people to be in the position he holds and who has systematically destroyed the financial structure of this country, is hanging on between 10 and 14 per cent behind in the polls. That's manageable and the party of government always has a late rally. With the constituency boundaries/first past the post system very much now in Labour's favour, for an outright win Call Me Dave needs about 15% more of the vote than Mr "I saved the world, it started in America". He's not there yet and outwith the South East of England he's struggling.
It defies belief. A big problem is people who have no clue about politics voting. A perfect example is at the last General Election a work colleague of mine was asked who she voted for. "Labour of course" she said. "Oh why?"
"Because I like Tony Blair's smile."
When you go to the polling station you should be handed a questionnaire. 5 questions, nothing too strenuous - who's the Chancellor, the Leader of the Opposition, Leader of the Lib Dems, that sort of thing. If you get 3 or more right, you know enough to make an informed decision in the voting booth. If not, you can't come in, because you'll vote for the shaved chimp or the nice smiley man or the nice man with the duck house and moat.
The fuckwits will know who's in "I'm a Celebrity" though.................
Back to the 80s tonight for the music slot and the teen idols who were Wham! "Freedom" may not have been their most famous track, but it actually sold more than the likes of "Wake me up before you go-go", was a huge number one and a fantastic pop song.
Friday, 23 October 2009
Playing into the Hands of the BNP
So, did you watch Question Time last night? Predictably, the "mainstream" parties (and the 'neutral' chairman of the panel Dimbleby) walked straight into the BNP's hands by attacking Griffin in the style of a lynch mob.
Griffin is an unsavoury character. In amongst the platitudes of 'moderating' his party last night there was a nod towards Holocaust denial. He is a politician all right.
So the way to neutralise him and his party is to engage them in a debate about their policies. Last night was the perfect chance to do so. Instead the BBC loaded their panel and audience with people whose hatred for the BNP clouded their judgement and ability to debate. Instead it became an all out attack on Griffin. He wasn't allowed to talk without interruption, so in effect got away scot-free.
Many viewers will have had sympathy for him because of the "performance" of the other panellists and therefore his reputation was wrongly enhanced. Jack Straw in particular was a disgrace, waffling and pontificating at every turn.
The liberal elite in this country of all political hues really do not have a clue. They sit in their ivory towers and multi-million pound houses in Notting Hill, pontificating over a Grande Latte about the disgrace the "extreme right wing" are.
Meanwhile in many working class areas (especially in England) there are genuine concerns over where this country is heading. Many of these people aged 50 and above have seen such fundamental change in the demographic of the country it is understandable they are worried. However if any of them try and speak about their concerns they are pilloried as "racists".
The BNP prey on this and the way the "establishment" act over immigration and multiculturalism only exacerbates the situation. And then they wonder why almost a million people voted for the BNP at the Euro Elections - many of whom I have no doubt do not know exactly what the party stands for.
It's hard to believe I know but we've seen the BNP in action here in rural Deeside! There was a local council election not long ago and I had the misfortune to be walking down to the local shop for the Sunday paper. A clapped out Transit van was sitting in the car park with a BNP sticker on the window. 4 or 5 middle aged denim clad men (jean suits are soooooooo 80s) were standing outside the van. I have to admit they intimidated me, so goodness knows how it would be for a pensioner answering their door to them.
This is the side of the BNP you don't see. But if the mainstream parties don't get a grip and tackle the BNP about their POLICIES, instead of writing them off as racist loonies, the foothold they've already got will become an irreversible base camp.
My song choice today embraces multicultural Britain as this band were suggested to me by my American follower! She is working in this country until at least the end of the year and it's nice to see us giving the colonials some work experience!! The band are called Wilco and they do a darned good blend of country/rock. Check out I Must be High and then Impossible Germany and you'll see these guys are no one trick ponies though. Cheers Terri!
Griffin is an unsavoury character. In amongst the platitudes of 'moderating' his party last night there was a nod towards Holocaust denial. He is a politician all right.
So the way to neutralise him and his party is to engage them in a debate about their policies. Last night was the perfect chance to do so. Instead the BBC loaded their panel and audience with people whose hatred for the BNP clouded their judgement and ability to debate. Instead it became an all out attack on Griffin. He wasn't allowed to talk without interruption, so in effect got away scot-free.
Many viewers will have had sympathy for him because of the "performance" of the other panellists and therefore his reputation was wrongly enhanced. Jack Straw in particular was a disgrace, waffling and pontificating at every turn.
The liberal elite in this country of all political hues really do not have a clue. They sit in their ivory towers and multi-million pound houses in Notting Hill, pontificating over a Grande Latte about the disgrace the "extreme right wing" are.
Meanwhile in many working class areas (especially in England) there are genuine concerns over where this country is heading. Many of these people aged 50 and above have seen such fundamental change in the demographic of the country it is understandable they are worried. However if any of them try and speak about their concerns they are pilloried as "racists".
The BNP prey on this and the way the "establishment" act over immigration and multiculturalism only exacerbates the situation. And then they wonder why almost a million people voted for the BNP at the Euro Elections - many of whom I have no doubt do not know exactly what the party stands for.
It's hard to believe I know but we've seen the BNP in action here in rural Deeside! There was a local council election not long ago and I had the misfortune to be walking down to the local shop for the Sunday paper. A clapped out Transit van was sitting in the car park with a BNP sticker on the window. 4 or 5 middle aged denim clad men (jean suits are soooooooo 80s) were standing outside the van. I have to admit they intimidated me, so goodness knows how it would be for a pensioner answering their door to them.
This is the side of the BNP you don't see. But if the mainstream parties don't get a grip and tackle the BNP about their POLICIES, instead of writing them off as racist loonies, the foothold they've already got will become an irreversible base camp.
My song choice today embraces multicultural Britain as this band were suggested to me by my American follower! She is working in this country until at least the end of the year and it's nice to see us giving the colonials some work experience!! The band are called Wilco and they do a darned good blend of country/rock. Check out I Must be High and then Impossible Germany and you'll see these guys are no one trick ponies though. Cheers Terri!
Wednesday, 14 October 2009
Rejoice! Only 90,000 More Unemployed!
Reading the BBC website today you might be forgiven for thinking we are living in a land of milk and honey.
In accounting the first adage you're told is "every debit must have a credit".....the BBC have used that very well today, with the following quotes:
"Unemployment figure has risen once again, but the rate of increase has slowed" (my emphasis on the but)
"The rise in the number of unemployed was the lowest since July 2008"
"While the number of people claiming benefit is now the highest since 1997, the rise compared with the previous month was the least since May 2008"
So that's all right then. Now I could let them off with this kind of "reporting" if the jobless figure went up 800. 8,000 even. But 88,000! That's around the population of Hartlepool (Peter "Fighter not a Quitter" Mandleson's old constituency).
To try and paint a picture that almost 90,000 people losing their job is some sort of positive news is an absolute disgrace. It is a shocking statistic which should have Government talking heads being taken to task by the State Broadcaster.
However you get the feeling that the BBC is very much a mouthpiece for the incumbent government. I think they fear a Conservative Government and what they might do to try and change the BBC. To be honest I don't think they should worry unduly, I can't see the Tories changing anything much, they seem a pretty spineless bunch.
But the Beeb can't take any chances and I think the next few months will see them becoming more and more like Pravda.
We'll be hearing the good news about increased tractor production in Siberia and hourly speeches from the Dear Leader before the year is out.
Music tonight comes from a left wing firebrand which Auntie Beeb would thoroughly approve of - Between the Wars by Billy Bragg.
In accounting the first adage you're told is "every debit must have a credit".....the BBC have used that very well today, with the following quotes:
"Unemployment figure has risen once again, but the rate of increase has slowed" (my emphasis on the but)
"The rise in the number of unemployed was the lowest since July 2008"
"While the number of people claiming benefit is now the highest since 1997, the rise compared with the previous month was the least since May 2008"
So that's all right then. Now I could let them off with this kind of "reporting" if the jobless figure went up 800. 8,000 even. But 88,000! That's around the population of Hartlepool (Peter "Fighter not a Quitter" Mandleson's old constituency).
To try and paint a picture that almost 90,000 people losing their job is some sort of positive news is an absolute disgrace. It is a shocking statistic which should have Government talking heads being taken to task by the State Broadcaster.
However you get the feeling that the BBC is very much a mouthpiece for the incumbent government. I think they fear a Conservative Government and what they might do to try and change the BBC. To be honest I don't think they should worry unduly, I can't see the Tories changing anything much, they seem a pretty spineless bunch.
But the Beeb can't take any chances and I think the next few months will see them becoming more and more like Pravda.
We'll be hearing the good news about increased tractor production in Siberia and hourly speeches from the Dear Leader before the year is out.
Music tonight comes from a left wing firebrand which Auntie Beeb would thoroughly approve of - Between the Wars by Billy Bragg.
Tuesday, 13 October 2009
Breaking My Rules over Politicians
When I started this blog just over a week ago I made a promise to myself - I wouldn't blog about the same subject on consecutive days. As usual with the double standards you'll no doubt see me employ a lot as time goes on, I'm going to break it already and blog again today about MPs expenses.
Why? Because I'm hot under the collar about it. Apparently backbench MPs are up in arms about what they perceive as the "changing of the goalposts" by Sir Thomas Legg as he requests they pay back expenses. We claimed, they whine, within the rules at the time. Well the rules, which they made up themselves, stank to high heaven.
These people are our representatives. How can they be so ostrich like and have no idea whatsoever as to how the likes of expense claims work in the real world. Do you really expect to be reimbursed for the likes of gardening and decorating when it is of no consequence to the job you are employed in?
I have worked for a few small to medium sized businesses. I have alway been entitled to mileage as I have had to travel 3 or 4 times a week to meet Clients and candidates. Very rarely will I claim for this.
Same with meeting people for coffee or lunch, which due the nature of my job I have to do frequently and would be quite entitled to claim on expenses. Again, I rarely do it. Every penny is a prisoner in the private sector and I get paid a decent salary for what I do. I'd feel like I was taking the piss if I claimed a couple of quid every time I took someone to Starbucks. I know people who do claim every last penny and they are generally viewed dimly by their peers.
But these brass necked parasites in the House of Commons feel they are "entitled" to claim for duck houses, light bulbs, grass cutting and tree pruning. They need to work for a small business who are being crippled by the punitive tax regime for a few weeks to see what the real world looks like. Let's see where they're told to stick their receipt for grass cutting outwith their Ivory Tower.
Totally different music tonight. Traditional North East of Scotland folk music. Bothy Ballads. Listen to the Barnyards of Delgaty, Charlie Allan or Willie Clark have fantastic versions. If you can't understand it, let me know, I'll translate! Now that's me loused till the morn's nicht!
Why? Because I'm hot under the collar about it. Apparently backbench MPs are up in arms about what they perceive as the "changing of the goalposts" by Sir Thomas Legg as he requests they pay back expenses. We claimed, they whine, within the rules at the time. Well the rules, which they made up themselves, stank to high heaven.
These people are our representatives. How can they be so ostrich like and have no idea whatsoever as to how the likes of expense claims work in the real world. Do you really expect to be reimbursed for the likes of gardening and decorating when it is of no consequence to the job you are employed in?
I have worked for a few small to medium sized businesses. I have alway been entitled to mileage as I have had to travel 3 or 4 times a week to meet Clients and candidates. Very rarely will I claim for this.
Same with meeting people for coffee or lunch, which due the nature of my job I have to do frequently and would be quite entitled to claim on expenses. Again, I rarely do it. Every penny is a prisoner in the private sector and I get paid a decent salary for what I do. I'd feel like I was taking the piss if I claimed a couple of quid every time I took someone to Starbucks. I know people who do claim every last penny and they are generally viewed dimly by their peers.
But these brass necked parasites in the House of Commons feel they are "entitled" to claim for duck houses, light bulbs, grass cutting and tree pruning. They need to work for a small business who are being crippled by the punitive tax regime for a few weeks to see what the real world looks like. Let's see where they're told to stick their receipt for grass cutting outwith their Ivory Tower.
Totally different music tonight. Traditional North East of Scotland folk music. Bothy Ballads. Listen to the Barnyards of Delgaty, Charlie Allan or Willie Clark have fantastic versions. If you can't understand it, let me know, I'll translate! Now that's me loused till the morn's nicht!
Monday, 12 October 2009
Another Great Day in the UK
Well what have we today. Another normal day in the "mother of paliaments". Our esteemed Prime Minister has to repay almost £12.5k he claimed for cleaning and gardening. That's 12 thousand pounds. A lot of people in this country hardly earn that in wages a year. Clegg (you may not know this nonentity, he is the 'leader' of the Lib Dems) has to pay back almost a grand for the same. Cameron is being asked for clarification on mortgage payments he claimed for.
Then the ex-home Secretary Jacqui Smith "apologises" to the House of Commons for a little local difficulty with her expenses. She designated her sister's house in London, which she shares, as her main home and then claimed second home allowances on her family home. And there was the fun with her hubby's porn film. No repayment of the money, and the apology seemed more like a child shouting "It's not fair".......with a rubbish little ditty about not being able to work for her constituents because of it all. She won't have to worry about that after May next year.
And finally they wish to sell off the last of the family silver (including the Tote, Dartford Crossing and the Channel Rail Link) for raise £16 billion. That sounds impressive doesn't it. Unfortunately that will pay off about one month of our debts.
And these clowns wonder why the public don't trust them. They are a disgrace.
Tonight's music is Sabotage by the Beastie Boys. A far cry from their early stuff and all the better for it.
Then the ex-home Secretary Jacqui Smith "apologises" to the House of Commons for a little local difficulty with her expenses. She designated her sister's house in London, which she shares, as her main home and then claimed second home allowances on her family home. And there was the fun with her hubby's porn film. No repayment of the money, and the apology seemed more like a child shouting "It's not fair".......with a rubbish little ditty about not being able to work for her constituents because of it all. She won't have to worry about that after May next year.
And finally they wish to sell off the last of the family silver (including the Tote, Dartford Crossing and the Channel Rail Link) for raise £16 billion. That sounds impressive doesn't it. Unfortunately that will pay off about one month of our debts.
And these clowns wonder why the public don't trust them. They are a disgrace.
Tonight's music is Sabotage by the Beastie Boys. A far cry from their early stuff and all the better for it.
Saturday, 10 October 2009
Back to the Future
The north east of Scotland is a beautiful place to live. Out here in Deeside the scenery is fantastic, it's generally low in crime and a great place to bring up your family. The weather can be dire, but if you've grown up here you're used to it. But it doesn't come without it's drawbacks, mainly in the sphere of transport.
Beeching decimated the railway system. Here in Lumphanan you can see the old Deeside railway line clearly and it annoys me that I can't jump on a train to work every day. The bus is over £8 SINGLE into Aberdeen. And it takes 90 minutes to get there, in the car you'll be there in less than half that time. There are about 3 buses a day, all of which are at times to suit the bus company, not the public. And they wonder why no-one uses public transport.
There is no chance of the railway being re-opened. It would cost too much and much of the old line has been built over. The bus company isn't going to reduce their prices, speed up or increase their service any time soon.
That's why every time a politician whines about getting us out of our cars and onto public transport, my eyes glaze over and my blood pressure heads up a little more. Surely once in a while these clowns can get into the real world and see how we live - they could do it in their annual leave, which seems to be a little more generous that the 28 days per annum most of us in the revenue generating sector of the population receive.
Music for today - try Happy Hour by the Housemartins. Cutting satire about the 9 to 5 in a killer feel good melody.
Beeching decimated the railway system. Here in Lumphanan you can see the old Deeside railway line clearly and it annoys me that I can't jump on a train to work every day. The bus is over £8 SINGLE into Aberdeen. And it takes 90 minutes to get there, in the car you'll be there in less than half that time. There are about 3 buses a day, all of which are at times to suit the bus company, not the public. And they wonder why no-one uses public transport.
There is no chance of the railway being re-opened. It would cost too much and much of the old line has been built over. The bus company isn't going to reduce their prices, speed up or increase their service any time soon.
That's why every time a politician whines about getting us out of our cars and onto public transport, my eyes glaze over and my blood pressure heads up a little more. Surely once in a while these clowns can get into the real world and see how we live - they could do it in their annual leave, which seems to be a little more generous that the 28 days per annum most of us in the revenue generating sector of the population receive.
Music for today - try Happy Hour by the Housemartins. Cutting satire about the 9 to 5 in a killer feel good melody.
Friday, 9 October 2009
Bingeing on the Nanny State
Friday night. The kids are settled and The Dark Knight is taped ready to watch. Down to the local shop for 4 cans of Guinness to relax and watch the film.
Go down there and it's adorned with signs everywhere - "drink aware", "know your limits", "no-one under 25 served alcohol". A young woman, obviously in her 20's is being refused the purchase of a bottle of wine. Embarrased, she walks out. The guy behind the counter, also embarrassed, is only doing his job. As I skulk out with my cans of Guinness, I feel like a criminal. Is this how it is for a junkie when they head into the daylight from a crack den?
Once I've drunk 2 or 3 of these cans, I'll be a 'binge drinker'. I haven't had a drink for a couple of weeks. This is a pretty normal state of affairs. I never drink on a 'school night', but if I go out of a weekend I'll drink more than the government "recommends". Sometimes a lot more. If I'm at home I'll maybe do what I'm doing tonight. This makes me some sort of evil, anti-social citizen according to the SNP "government" (more like a glorified regional council).
If you can't have a couple of beers at the weekend after a hard week at work without being castigated by these nannying busybodies at Hollyrood, god help us all. Now I think I'll go and find that nice bottle of Tomatin Malt and have a whisky chaser with this Guinness.
As a hard working, tax paying, adult, the recommended units of alcohol per day is any amount I damn well like.
Musical interlude tonight is an absolute classic - the Joy Division, Love will Tear us Apart. Ian Curtis' tragic life encapsulated in one heart tearing anthem. Listen to the words and if you're not moved you haven't got a soul.
Go down there and it's adorned with signs everywhere - "drink aware", "know your limits", "no-one under 25 served alcohol". A young woman, obviously in her 20's is being refused the purchase of a bottle of wine. Embarrased, she walks out. The guy behind the counter, also embarrassed, is only doing his job. As I skulk out with my cans of Guinness, I feel like a criminal. Is this how it is for a junkie when they head into the daylight from a crack den?
Once I've drunk 2 or 3 of these cans, I'll be a 'binge drinker'. I haven't had a drink for a couple of weeks. This is a pretty normal state of affairs. I never drink on a 'school night', but if I go out of a weekend I'll drink more than the government "recommends". Sometimes a lot more. If I'm at home I'll maybe do what I'm doing tonight. This makes me some sort of evil, anti-social citizen according to the SNP "government" (more like a glorified regional council).
If you can't have a couple of beers at the weekend after a hard week at work without being castigated by these nannying busybodies at Hollyrood, god help us all. Now I think I'll go and find that nice bottle of Tomatin Malt and have a whisky chaser with this Guinness.
As a hard working, tax paying, adult, the recommended units of alcohol per day is any amount I damn well like.
Musical interlude tonight is an absolute classic - the Joy Division, Love will Tear us Apart. Ian Curtis' tragic life encapsulated in one heart tearing anthem. Listen to the words and if you're not moved you haven't got a soul.
Tuesday, 6 October 2009
Blog Number One
I've read other blogs for quite some time now. I always said I'd get round to starting one of my own and tonight's the night. There's two reasons for this (apologies to Rod Stewart for nicking a song title from him in sentence 2. Start as you mean to go on my man):
- Number one son's parent's night went well. He needs to improve the layout of his writing, can dad help? Yes he can, he'll blog and show him how to present a page (or not as the case may be). See mum I was listening to you as you regaled me with the story of the parent's night. I stayed at home with son number two before you start having a pop about me not being there!
- The Conservative Party's announcement today about the increase in the Pension age to 66.
Now this blog will be a place where a guy who has just turned 40 vents his spleen a bit. And it'll be pretty eclectic, whatever takes my fancy on a certain day will be written about, but politics will feature a fair amount. So as good a place to start as any, especially with us being in the conference season.
New Labour have done my head in. Slippery, disingenuous, incompetent, arrogant and sleazy, you just can't imagine things could be any worse.
And then "Boy" George and Call Me Dave turn up and casually advise me "sorry old boy, country in a bit of a mess, you'll have to work another year". And you can bet your life it'll have gone up again by the time I think about spending my days on the golf course.
You end up with the idea that these Labour and Tory clowns are basically two cheeks of the same backside. It appears they've decided the people who do actually work will be made to do so until they drop down dead.
You know who you are - the "hard working families" they patronise once every 5 years when they want your vote. Then they squeeze every single penny they can out of you for the next 4 years, before giving you a few quid back as another bribe in the budget preceding the next General Election.
A cynic would suggest this latest bright idea is a ploy to make sure they don't have to pay any state pension to us at all, as we'll all have worked ourselves to death before we get to pension age. Either that or it's like the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. You get to 66, sorry it's now 67 until you get your dosh, 67th birthday arrives, sorry mate 68 now and so on..............
Never mind, our private pension pots are teeming with cash........oh hold on, Gordon stole all the cash out of there too..........
On a brighter note (I will try to end on a positive note when at all possible!!), every post will end with a recommendation of a song I think you should listen to/download. You'll find as we go along how much I love music, probably taken from my Dad who was a drummer in a band for many years.
Recommendation 1 - I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better by the Byrds. Listen to the vocal harmonies, awesome.
Well hope you've enjoyed Post 1. I think I'm going to enjoy this!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
