Friday 27 September 2013

HE'S NOT THE MESSIAH, HE'S A ....
METRO NEWSPAPER-25TH SEPTEMBER 2013

27TH SEPTEMBER 2013

At last I have an idea of what The Labour party stands for.
The plan to freeze energy prices set the business world shaking and trying to create a thunderous panic amongst the people at large - loss of jobs and investment. Code for loss of profit and loss of shareholder dividends. But the next day N-Power, one of the big six suppliers announces an offer of prices frozen until 2017. Cashing in on the moment and proving they can survive.
Keep going Ed - dare to be different or something other than a rerun on the New Labour experiment.

K


Saturday 21 September 2013

21st SEPTEMBER 2013

NOTHING MUCH TO WRITE TODAY. A cold laid me up for a few days.

I did notice UKIP showing it's true colours. They are like the Conservatives. They try and stuff their demons into a satchel and hide it in the cupboard. But the door was left ajar and someone always pops out. Like that embarrassing uncle who turns up at family functions and by his second Sherry is on a roll. While everyone shuffles uncomfortably in their seat and hopes he will fall asleep soon.

I also noticed how India can afford a space programme and has just tested a nuclear missile which could fire a warhead into China. New Delhi calls it a"deterrence for peace" in attempt to warn China about its ambitions in the Indian Ocean. How silent the International community was about that. But Iran can't have nuclear bombs. And India has a mass of people still consignedl to poverty. But bombs come first in our capitalist system.

And the deafening anti-Assad noise continues. While Al-Quaeda makes its mark in the area. And Israel continues to do whatever it fancies.

Labour will repeal the Bedroom Tax if they win power. At last they have something to do that isn't a copy of the Con-Dem coalition.

Anyway time for bed.

Sunday 15 September 2013

15th SEPTEMBER 2013 - FROM THE LAND OF THE FREE.

Why do Western Politicians hide behind their hypocritical coat of fighting for truth, freedom and democracy? Led by Marshall Obama and with the hapless Sheriffs – Cameron and Hollande flailing behind, they roar about the murderous behaviour of the Assad regime. Former friends?  The financial costs of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan are estimated to reach $3.7 trillion dollars (www.costsofwar.org) with the on-going human costs immeasurable. Firing one cruise missile costs about a million dollars. But in the land of the free and home of the brave you have to fight for healthcare.

We know the elections in Zimbabwe have been suspect. Mugabe and his henchmen manipulate and oppress a once thriving country. Human rights trampled on – No action taken.
Israel constantly breaks International law by seizing land and building illegal settlements. There is a clear intent to stop the chance of a true two State solution. Palestinian rights trampled on. – No action taken.
Let’s not start talking about the nuclear arsenal Israel holds.
By the way any news on the Israel/Palestinian peace talks and our illustrious peace envoy.

But Saddam Hussein – Action!

Assad/Syria - 100,000 deaths, two million refugees. Suddenly the arrival of a chemical attack that crosses a “red line”. Action!
With speed and a commitment to bring about a change warships, planes and bombs are made ready. The money is found to keep this military hardware waiting until it is time for the Marshall to press the button. Meanwhile at home jobs are lost; nearly one million young people are out of work; services are cut; people lose their homes and a massive increase in the number of people using foodbanks. (In 2008-9 - 26,000 people in 2011-12 - 128,697 www.bbc.co.uk/news/business).

And this charge to teach Assad a lesson is led by a Nobel Peace Prize winner who has Jesus, Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela as his heroes and inspiration. Our leaders have all the eloquence of the podium for their speeches. But our Leaders have values and truths that are variable with the fleeting moment. Or with the numbers of the latest opinion poll or focus group responses. There are no easy and straightforward answers but we have the technology and intellect to spend time finding them. Just not the energy or will to do it.

GIVE ME A BREAK

More rubbish fly on the wall progammes. Really? The goings on in a Take-away Chicken shop; life on the Railways and the Great British Bake Off – people in tears because their custard pie was soggy. Pull yourself together and get down to M. and S. and buy some. What would the great civilisations make of our T.V. schedule.

THE BITCH IS BACK.

What a great year – a new David Bowie album and now a new Elton John album.


K

Saturday 7 September 2013

6th SEPTEMBER 2013 - LITTLE SNIPPETS

IT'S BEEN A BUSY WEEK. Still no news on when the bombs will fall on Assad. But at least he has enough warning to sort things out. Tidy up before the guests arrive. 100,00 people killed and two million refugees - no bombs then.  
Israel continues to break international law and build settlements on the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Mugabe had field day with democracy again. But the world(especially the Americans) remain silent here.Oh, any news on our Middle East Peace Envoy?

GOVE SPEAKS...

Pupils have to resit their English and Maths exams if they do not pass first time around – they have to get a grade C or keep resitting the exam.

NO! -  Not everyone can achieve that level. How many times will someone have to resit the exam?

YES! – It’s about time we raised our expectations of ALL young people and of ourselves. It’s time to explain to them clearly why, both at home and in school, they can and need to aim high. It is a shame on this “civilised society” of ours that it is acceptable for young adults to leave school, after 10 years (39-40 weeks per school year) unable to read and write properly.
And why does the staff in the education system accept this as a norm? Our overworked and hard pressed teachers – everyone is overworked.

On top of that we then create a whole system that employs people to mop up these failures. There are a range of organisations, charities etc who now train these young people to improve their literacy and numeracy skills. Those, that is, who are lucky enough to get that help, otherwise unemployment, low paid work and a life full of unfulfilled potential is the reward for those who don’t get found. And still the world turns.


K