Strait Jacketing the Sane ??

Once upon a time the UK was regarded as the epitome of freedom. Freedom of speech has always been the true reflection of democracy both in the UK and the US, who like to see themselves as the defenders. It was what our soldiers fought for in the dark days of  WW1 and WW2 and all the wars since  such as Korea and Vietnam.  A fight against the invader and its subsequent oppression of free people throughout the world, wherever that may be, except such as Zimbabwe, where there is no oil, and Ruanda where nobody cared what happened.

Our soldiers are, and have been fighting to maintain true rights and freedom against the enemy in Iraq and Afghanistan. Saddam Hussein was overthrown in order to gain the control of the oilfields in that country....and to get a strong strategic foothold for maybe the next war against Iran........ .er ........to free Iraqi people from dictatorship and to impose democracy.  

Meanwhile back in the UK, immense security systems have been put into place 'for security reasons', 'for people's safety' 'to fight against the War on Terror' 'to fight crime','to observe people's every move', in case they might have some kind of expression on their face that they may be thinking of doing something anti-social at the very least ! How long will it be before brain readings are incorporated into the surveillance system ? The surveillance society, supported by CCTV and covert social network monitoring in the UK has become so out of control it is incredible...or perhaps not. It is always easy to sell such an idea to the UK population. Yes and we are paying for it ! Does everyone feel safer? Is there justifiable proof that the billions spent is worth it ?  According to Big Brother Watch the answer is a resounding NO ! It is often said that if you have nothing to hide then why complain about the CCTV. In my view this is the usual passive non resistance you get in the UK, those who believe this are missing the point of the principal: that the fact we are being spied on is by nature is an invasion of privacy; an intrusion of our freedom to wander at will through a so called free country.
It seems it is fine for  authorities to spy on our every move but what if I suspected my neighbour might fly off the handle and commit a strange crime ? Could I install a camera on the coming and goings at his/her house. No, because that is illegal.

The abuse of cctv is already happening, for instance :-

Body Scanners at airports offer the opportunity for covert voyeurism by staff. 

Automatic Number Plate Recognition by Local Authorities etc. It would be expected that these are installed to record vehicle accidents or any street crime. I personally know of two instances which give another story. One of an accident at a major crossroads in London. Cameras did not record the accident. They were trained on parked cars just beyond the junction, no doubt to fine people who overstay or who are  not permitted to park there. Secondly a mugging in West London. Once again cameras were pointing at parked cars. Money is obviously more important than safety.

Cameras have been put into schools, including school changing rooms and toilets,perverted or what ? Also cameras are trained on teachers to assess their competence. According to Big Brother Watch there are over 100.000 cameras in our schools.The point here is that as far as I am aware, there is very little information as to who has access to the surveillance.

Local Authorities have also been keen to install cameras into dustbins to check on what is being thrown away rather than recycled.

Cameras in pub toilets trained on the urinals...perverted or what ?? One example, Wetherspoons in Epsom, Surrey.

The prospect of widespread Aerial Police Drones is a further attack on our civil liberties.

Add to all these the GPS systems which allow employers to track their staff.

There has also been a recent move to have cameras on the streets which will be able to identify peoples faces up to half a mile away. 

The internet social networks hold a wealth of information about our private lives. We offer it up voluntarily, but who actually knows where the details go ?

So all in all there is a massive behaviour monitoring system that has been put into place and will continue to grow. 

Whatever happened to dear old England ?? The sweet pill of technology is being used by the people. The bitter pill is that the people are also being abused by it ! The mass surveillance, the pressure of an over materialistic society, high costs of living and peer pressure which rejects individuality, has every chance of turning the UK people into robots. Perhaps this is their plan ? But who is it that think total behaviour control is necessary ? 

Relating to this post, in my other blog www.uktobulgaria.blogspot.com I write about surveillance in London and how it has affected my daily life in the capital.

Wheots....and Lord Bichard

Once again the British public has been subjected to an outpouring of  insensitive opinion spouted by a member of the Establishment. This time it is Lord Bichard who, to a Lords' committee, suggested that pensioners should be made to work, maybe in the community or voluntary work, or risk losing part of their pension. He does use the word 'encourage' in the context of his suggestion. However when the phrase  'or risk losing' follows in the same statement, there is an unsavoury feeling of ultimatum about it. Since his original statement he has pointed out that he did not make a formal proposal but merely 'floated an idea'. However he has not made any apology for the offensive nature of his 'floatation of an idea' which has, not surprisingly, angered not only pensioners but many working people across the UK. Also let us not forget that the Retirement Pension is an entitlement NOT a benefit. 

Here are a few snippets :-

Retired people could be encouraged to do community work such as caring for the "very old" or face losing some of their pension, a peer has suggested.

 "imaginative" ideas were needed to meet the cost of an ageing society."Are there ways in which we could use incentives to encourage older people, if not to be in full time work, to be making a contribution?," he asked the rest of the committee.

And although such a move might be controversial, it would stop older people being a "burden on the state".

I find the last phrase "burden on the state" particularly inflaming. Pensioners have contributed for years to earn their entitlement. Because of the ineptitude and greed of the Banks and Financial Institutions, coupled with the  the politicians' self interest, thousands now have to work an extra year or more beyond normal retirement age. I personally have known too many people who have gone to war for this country, who have worked hard for many years, who died and never saw their pensions. Plus others who were too ill to draw more than one or two payments before they too died.

To put things in perspective and I give due respect to his professional talents, with also due regard to a large slice of obsequious behaviour necessary in such circles, Lord Bichard KCB rose from Local Government to become a high ranking civil servant. His positions include Permanent  Secretary of the Department of Employment and Head of The Benefits Agency. He became a Knight of the Order of Bath in 1999 and in 2010 he was created Baron Bichard of Nailsworth in the House of Lords.....an unelected undemocratic institution as we all know. It could be said that he has been a burden on the state. He retired in 2001 at the age of 54 on a large state funded pension i.e. paid  for by you and me, which I am assured is part of an unsustainable financial burden on the UK economy and National Debt.

In case no one has realised what the acronym 'wheots' means, it stands for:- We've had enough of this Shite ......and I find this particularly relevant to Lord Bichard's repulsive speech. He has had a very successful career at the behest of the taxpayer, but obviously does not possess the grace of a gentlemen to remember that the country's taxpayers are the ones who have paid his salary since he entered employment, and who are still paying his pension to the tune of  £120.000 per annum !

New Blog

Well it has been even longer than I anticipated. Many things have been going on during the past few months. I have now left the United Kingdom and I have moved to Bulgaria. The sole reason I am writing this is to draw your attention to my new blog--- www.uktobulgaria.blogspot.com Before you all start rushing over there, it only has a title at present.  The aim is to inform those interested about what it is like to conceive of an international move to Bulgaria, proceed with the decision, then carry it out with   determination to try to ensure everything goes according to plan. Then there is matter of settling in, getting used to new foods, customs, attitudes and culture.
www.uktobulgaria.blogspot.com for first hand information, experience and travel in the beautiful country of Bulgaria which is virtually unknown to the average tourist.
So until next time ..........

Energy and resources and a new religion ?

This is a subject that has thundered its way to the forefront of daily thought. It makes sense to conserve energy of course. Or does it ? Earth has infinite sources of potential energy with her oceans, winds, rivers etc.doesn't it ? The Sun sends it every day. The Moon reflects it to us every night. And what about the inner core of our planet ? Now that is something that is not mentioned very often. The Sun has phenomenal energy. As I write, I believe that the Earth is being bombarded by Solar Storms. If only we could harness the tremendous power that is arriving free on our doorsteps. Of course by the time it would be harnessed, what has been provided freely by the cosmos would need to be paid for by we who use it, by way of those who channel it to us, ie the power companies plus the inevitable taxes. But money makes the world go round, with a great deal of stalling via governments, wars and bankers before it benefits the people.
The basic need of humanity is energy. Our human bodies are designed to produce energy by breathing. We also need fuel. This of course comes in the form of food which we digest to sustain us, incidentally on a planet which we inhabit, with no idea as to why we are here.
Apart from our physiological processes, we need to use other forms of energy to produce our food.
Since the days of the assumed low population of the planet many thousands of years ago, to these days of six billion or so on Earth  (and counting), more and more resources have become necessary to maintain humanity's hold and to follow our destiny. Funnily enough we don't know what that is either ! So organisations such as the various religions offer the explanation of the afterlife in paradise. Do we really believe these people ?? But surely it does makes sense to make every effort to keep going, just in case there is a paradise in the next world or a paradise here on Earth awaiting, maybe just after the next beneficial invention......ohhh ok... the one after that or errrr mmmm ??? Do we still believe this ?? Oh and by the way has anyone defined paradise yet ?
I might appear to be digressing, but the two subjects of energy and religion seem to me now to be connected.  As I say, since time immemorial humankind has needed to understand the reason for our being.  Indeed in these global awareness times that eternal question has still not been answered convincingly and we are still waiting and pondering. Religion seems to me to have become somewhat stale. I am not criticising peaceful ways of life via the world religions. But for years now since the first mention of greenhouse gases, the snowball has grown for a global thought gathering to accompany the Globalisation. To regain the ground lost through apathy for religious causes.
So !!! With a resouding drum roll !!! Enter Global Warming/ Climate Change/Energy Conservation and Renewal Taa Daaaaaaaa !!!!! The whole planet is now subject to this new belief and this religion is run by the State. I would like to know where the idea came from that we are actually running out of energy; that the Earth as we know it will cease to be because of climate change. The climate has always changed as has the Earth. Records have only been kept for a very short time when compared to the life of the Earth, unless you are a creationist that is, so I contest the scientific claims, as of course do many scientists.  Maybe oil has a doubtful future but as I said earlier there is infinite energy available. So the new regime of energy control comes into existence, with the usual weapon used ...guilt. The tool of religion from day one ! We are bombarded daily by this through the governments, local authorities and the national and local media. Being made to feel guilty if we do not recycle. Guilty if we drive our cars. Guilty if we travel by air too often. And there is a veritable army of inspectors ready to fine homeowners if they do not follow council rules. What a rubbish attitude !! This new religion is insidiously working its way into our lives, our minds and with its perceived momentum, into our consciousness and sub consciousness. It only takes a couple of generations to achieve this. Do we really have to endure another tyranny ?
Let us not poison our planet. Let us develop clean energy, but let us also remember that Carbon Dioxide is not a poison.  It is highly likely that the earth will become more fertile if Co2 emissions are left unchecked because of the extra moisture held in the atmosphere. And it just maybe that Co2 increase is in fact a part of our meaning of life, part of our destiny. Who knows ?

How long does a Zeitgeist last...How long is a piece of string ??

So ...what is the Zeitgeist ?...by definition it is the current way of thinking, or rather an aspect, a particularly driving aspect of thinking that manages to be assimilated into the everyday thought and behaviour of the people. Driven by Politics, the National Media, by RevolutionaryThought ?.... it then seeps into the common (pardon the word) consciousness and the way of thinking. The Local Media perpetuate the new way and it spreads to the pubs and cafes according to what has been said about such and such a thing ....or how such and such a person has behaved.......did you see that in the paper the other day ??? and ohhhh how wrong is that? Or how good is that ? How often do we hear positive media statements, unless it conforms to the current Zeitgeist ? However certain fashionable ways of social thinking are liable to disappear, or rather likely to to so. Times change. The superpowers and other subtler forces, by economic, cultural or military influence, change the everyday consciousness of the populace. Opinions change, often with repression or fear acting as the tool. For instance, we now know, and have known for a considerable time actually, that Germans do not eat babies. This was something put about in the war propaganda,and was it believed by an uneducated, impressionable class.  So I began to think that just like every dog, every Zeitgeist has its day. I also began to think how these invasive trends of influence have affected our lives. Also on how many levels does or do the Zeitgeist (s) influence, and for how long ? And when does a Zeitgeist stop being a Zeitgeist ? The most influential body of thought must surely be religion. It has been entrenched in the human mind since time immemorial. Oddly enough with no proof it seems, that there is an omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent god or gods that actually exist.
I would say the Zeitgeist's lifespan to be variable. That religion is not a Zeitgeist but that the Zeitgeist of Victorian principles was. That lasted for over a hundred years in the UK, until the people from those times had little influence on people's lives, mainly caused by them dying. I am also thinking that there are flippant Zeitgeists...triviality !! Those that the popular tabloids plaster all over their pages until the next trend is pushed from the press. These may last a few months or longer. So without going on forever here, I have concluded that a Zeitgeist is a temporary influence on social thought which lasts a relatively short time. It can move from generation to generation.  If it does not last long after that, such as with Victorian standards, then it is a Zeitgeist, or has been one. If the thinking becomes permanent then it loses its identity. What do you think?
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Well it has been while....so why not start 2012 with a little controversy

This is the link to send ...

http://www.davidicke.com/headlines/58555-david-icke-the-bloodthirsty-bloodline

Health and Safety hahahahaaaaa.... serious end :(

Some time ago I bought a another taxi. I was not quite sure how much diesel was in the tank, but I drove home and parked it overnight. The following day I set off to the local petrol station to fill up. The petrol station is exactly half a mile away from where I live...but ....splutter... splutter..... the fuel ran out on the way. Fortunately I was on the top of the small hill and I rolled onto the forecourt with a silence that must surely have been admired. I filled up and then...in case anyone is not au fait with clearing an airlock, which is what happens when a taxi runs out of diesel, I lifted the bonnet and proceeded to pump the diesel. This clears the airlock so that the engine will start. At this point I was approached by one of the employees of BP, who said that I could not do what I was doing because it was against HEALTH AND SAFETY. Against HEALTH AND SAFETY to start your engine on a BP forecourt!  So I asked him where do drivers start their engines here? Do they push their vehicles out onto the street before they start them?  I wanted to say more but I sincerely did not want to offend of course. I prefer to ridicule !This idiocy took place at the BP Station, Ewell Surrey.
You might think that I am going off at an illogical tangent but I think that this is an example of the state which England has reached. I am ashamed! My father, who was a regular soldier, mainly because of the depression and the threat of the Nazis during the 1930s, almost died in service of this country. By the 1970s he said England would have been better off under Hitler. The day to day erosion of freedom in this country particularly since 1979 is deplorable. Too much power has been given to those who work in our local authoriites. Supposedly they work for us, paid by us, but those who elevated them know that these people were never going to achieve, so they could be sure that they would revel in their authority, and bat out their time in subservience until retirement.
Where will the next OCCUPY movement begin ??

The Watershed

If you are like me in any way, there might be times when you do not go to bed before 9.00 pm. Or in international language 21.00 hrs. The Watershed, that is the time when adult viewing is acceptable begins at 21.00 in the UK. Other countries have different times, such as New Zealand which is 20.30.
So, quite often I sit until after midnight and I hear announcements on the television at the beginning of programmes that warn us...WARN US that the next film or sequel or one off drama contains STRONG LANGUAGE and/ or SCENES OF A SEXUAL NATURE and/ or NUDITY. Wouldn't you think that anyone who is watching television at this time would be aware that it is after 21.00 ? Why do they waste their time uttering patronising statements such as these ?  If anyone is still up watching this, then well...if they don't like it, hard luck ! If anyone complains they should be ignored. If anyone complains that their children saw these programmes after the Watershed, then it is the parents' responsibility to make sure that they are inaccessible to their children. We are adults and this nanny mollycoddling must stop !  Strangely I do not remember as many warnings about the depiction of violence. Maybe I am wrong? Or is violence more acceptable ?

In the quiet hours

It is early morning here as I write. Without making too much of what I am about to say, this is a time I feel for reflection. Almost one year ago my mother died. She had been in hospital for six months. As with most of my posts there is always an edge of criticism at least, and I do not have any hesitation in naming those who deserve to be named, in my view. My mother ws 93 when she died. She lived for many years in Epsom, renting her flat from The Epsom and Ewell Housing Association. They are an excellent charity who look after all their residents very well.
However there are certain private care companies who attend to those such as my mother, who have reached the stage where much more needs to be done for them. One early evening I was sitting outside in my car when her carer went into her flat. I saw the bathroom light go on, then about thirty seconds later her 'carer' left. A very short visit I thought. I rang the Epsom Social Services about this cursory visit and in due course another company took over. This company was Absolute Care who took over early in Spring 2010. I specifically pointed out to them that it would be necessary to make sure that my mother ate her meal during their visit, because I knew she was very lax in that respect. One day in June 2010 when I visited her flat, my mother had suddenly disappeared.  She had been taken to hospital and no one had notified me.  My mother was dehydtrated and was suffering from malnutrition. So much for care then ! Without saying too much more the so called carers did nothing more than make their call and move on to the next, according to their schedule, not what was needed by the person in need.  I found their daily reports which stated such things as 'my mother had already eaten' when they called. It seems that these care companies do very little and are paid vast sums of money by the local authorities. These are the fruits of privatisation which go hand in hand with no accountability it seems.

Post Riot Discontent

So...... the riots which took place in August in the UK in August now seem such a distant memory. We have been bombarded since then by the Eurozone crisis and the Occupy wherever movement. Many who took part have been gaoled and it is business as usual.  Those who suffered the looting, those who had their businesses burned and lost everything; those who lost their homes and almost their lives...well ......rest assured they have been ......it seems let down by the insurance companies who have, not surprisingly been very slow to compensate these victims, if at all according to today's news. I say not surprisingly because despite this country's pride in its first world status, this status reflects the greedy capitalist attitude, ie the insurance company asks itself a basic question I think,  "How can we get out of paying" ? It seems with no social conscience whatsoever.  As I said, the status quo has been restored. But the Occupy movement is much more organised and intellectually driven. I just wonder when the financial establishment will wake up to the fact that they are derided to a great extent by a growing number of people; that these days might just be the beginning of the end of the old fat cat/ cow attitude. That to display wealth openly might just become the spark for more social unrest and riots, but this time with specific targets and led by a more determined organisation. Those who openly flaunted their wealth in Greece have been targeted. Not well reported but it has happened.  Of course to keep order there will be police on the streets in riot gear to prevent what could escalate into anarchy. Determined people though will not merely be on the streets but will operate in a much more subversive manner,potentially much more dangerous.  And how do you identify the criminality? By those who march and occupy the streets disrupting life in their fight against what they see as major social injustice ? Or by pointing the finger at those who have creamed off and wasted billions of $$$$ ££££ €€€€ and expect everyone else to pay? Moreover to maintain their system ad infinitum?

A Trivial Pursuit ?

Yes and it remains trivial. There is nothing profound about ths subject. Or is there ??  Regarding the continuance of British society and the icons thereof..... I have noticed, as you might have done during some years now, that mobile phones have become quite common. Yes I think that is true ! I hope you agree. Otherwise I think my views are really suspect. Yet there was considerable outcry many years ago concerning the demise of the Red Telephone Box in our country ! It was almost considered heretical that the new, plastic, impersonal, faceless, non- descript usurpers of telephonic communication on our streets, overtook our beloved Red Telephone Boxes. Yet who cares now? There are quite a number around London. In my view paying lip service to tradition. But pretty nevertheless (?) Well I like them. Especially the friendly bunch leaning on one another in Kingston-upon-Thames whose only use is artistic.  But who could have imagined that the over confident,  'we are the future' representations on our streets would become virtually obsolete overnight?  How many people use them ? Does anybody use them? Does anybody see anybody using them? And how long before some now unknown technology, which may be already skipping across the skein of time towards us, brings about the end of the era of mobile phones ???  I might just start counting the users of street phones. Please let me know your results.No duplicates allowed. I am sure this is a worthwhile project.

More cold weather predicted-----in Winter ??

I almost feel like apologising for what might seem to be my preoccupation with weather predictions, but I think that this is becoming an ongoing comedy. Once again the Daily Express (2/11/11) predicted minus 20C to hit Britain within a few weeks.

James Madden, of Exacta Weather said, “I expect the most frequent and heavy snowfalls to occur across many parts of the UK during November, December, and January".

Jonathan Powell of Positive Weather Solutions stated  "By the look of things there will be sporadic episodes of wintry weather. December and January could be problematic this year"
This is so unexpected !! Cold weather and snow from November to January ? I can't believe it ! And where are the predicted Siberian temperatures to be?  James Madden continues.....  "There could also be frequent and significant snow across northern regions and Scotland throughout this winter".  How pathetic has this country become !! The trouble with these people is that they forget that those who have lived a considerable time are not surprised. We actually experienced cold weather across many years and dealt with it.  It has happened before ! Especially in winter! The alarming thing is that there seems to be a virtual army of paid 'experts' who are stating the "bleedin' obvious" or rather, the bleedin' obvious likelihood.
The Local Government Association has assured us that this year authorities has stockpiled salt to make sure roads will be cleared. Remember last year... er... and the year before ? They did not have enough salt. We will see. They will get their salaries regardless.
The Government has also put together new levels of alerts so people, especially the aged can cope with the cold. This is the Government's Cold Weather Plan. Levels of alerts ?  Well, these people have to justify their employment by being patronising and disrespectful in my view, to those who have lived through many cold winters.  What they need is more money in their pensions so that they do not have to worry about spending it on fuel !
I don't know why... but Britain, or rather the British media, when responding to weather conditions which are common, particularly in central and eastern Europe, relish the use of phrases such as 'crippling transport',  'cities grind to a halt', 'blizzards devastate transport'  All they succeed in doing is demonstrating how ill equipped this so called advanced country is, when it comes down to day to day management. Till the next headlines...........

OWS ....Something to think about and discuss

I have met David Icke a couple of times and also attended one of his talks.  He was originally derided by the press for his views. You can read all about his journey on his website www.davidicke.com. Of course you don't have to believe all he says. But there is plenty to which you can open up your mind, discuss and also research and confirm, especially at what now appears to be the opportunity to change the world. I would say that for many people a section of his ideas are pure science fiction,( or maybe calculated for that end). Here is the link. 32 minutes approx.


 http://www.davidicke.com/headlines/55045-david-icke-essential-knowledge-for-a-wall-street-protestor-and-everyone-else

OWS

OWS!!!  Occupy Wall Street ! The smug, righteous attitude of the 'democratic west' is now exposed to be no more than a facade! When the Arab Spring began early in 2011, it was hailed by the USA and Britain, among others, to be the unlocking of freedom among the Arab nations who are, and who have been oppressed for far too long. They would now be able to dictate their own national destiny. Their so called new found freedom was to be celebrated!! But behind the scenes the machine is already in motion to succour these pawns into financial submission. Bribe the leaders to be part of the greedy and power hungry capitalist dictatorship and there is the opportunity for the Wall Street Megalomaniacs to use their countries' wealth, to spread the slime of their greed into more of the world. Moreover to control our lives.
But who would have expected to see the financial gun of the USA turned against itself ? And how has the US responded ? By subjecting peaceful protesters to violence. Tear gas, rubber bullets, and batons used against the unarmed,including people who have served their country in the furtherance of so called freedom, and the disabled. Are these times the death throes of a disgustingly corrupt system? There is talk of cold weather stifling the protests, but we all know that a rolled snowball gets bigger. Is this the beginning of the end of the tyrants?

No Humble Pie Yet ?

Okay, here is another weather based piece. Do you remember the The Daily Express, by way of Positive Weather Solutions, predicting the  'hottest summer ever' in 2011?  The first article was printed on 14/5/11. The follow up was printed on 21/5/11, which backed up the likelihood, nay certainty (? hehe) of stifling temperatures across Britain. Is the mention of the Met Office's prediction of a 'barbecue summer' of 2010 relevant ? Remember that?  Well that did not happen, are you surprised ?  Recently Exacta, another weather based company via the Mail, predicted colder weather than usual in 'some parts of the uk', during October, with moderate to heavy snow predicted.  The Daily Express headlined that temperatures were predicted to go down to -20C. by the third week of October. The south east was likely to experience colder, frosty nights. Temperatures are predicted to be below average from November to January. Below average for those months or for the whole year ? Well that really is science in action isn't it ? That is where averages come from...fluctuations. Plus I was astounded to read that the worst of the cold weather was likely to affect Scotland and the North. I am aghast !!! Has that happened before? Er...probably 99% of the time (although I have not checked that one).
Although records of weather patterns have been measured since the seventeenth century, it is only since 1914 that official records have been kept. That meteorologists can make sweeping statements about unprecedented snowfall, below average temperatures or whatever, is arrogance borne from disregard of times past.
Despite the cold weather predicted in the south east for October, I am writing this on the 25th of the month. It has been, up to now a pleasant, mild month. There is another prediction by WSI (Weather Services International) , that a colder winter will be experienced by western Europe, but not as cold as the last two winters. We shall see.
Oh and by the way, from the Met Office's Website:-
"The term 'climate change' refers to a change in the average state of our climate and/or the variability of its properties. While there are noticeable highs and lows in year to year data, over longer periods of time there is a discernable warming trend across the globe. Natural causes can explain only a small part of this warming. The overwhelming majority of scientists agree that this is due to rising concentrations of heat-trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere caused by human activities."

The above paragraph states "natural causes can explain only a small part of this warming". Natural causes such as the enormous star which we call the Sun? The Sun is infinitely more powerful than the industry that humankind can produce. Its energy is phenomenal. Global Warming is a political concept not a scientific one. One that raises taxes !!!! How much respect can scientists expect when weather records have been kept only since 1914. Oh yes, and despite the certainty of Global Warming, scientists are stating that it does not mean everywhere on earth is warming. Some places are cooling ! What is the betting that there is a considerable anount of  picking and choosing locations which seem to be warming? They can be publicised as proof that Global Warming is a fact, and man made. 'Pull the other one', as we say !!!!
They obviously have a great understanding of Planet Earth ? I don't think so ! But a very good understanding of how people can be duped into what is tantamount to a new religion.

Grumpy about this

My first post was concerned with the Age of Discontent. Here is an example of what is so irritating about business in current times. Once again, not a major occurrence, but nevertheless representative of daily inefficiency. I took out a buy to let mortgage over a year ago. The agreement stated that the payment would increase after nine months. Then it was increased again without any notification sent to me ! I am now paying an extra £100 per month.
At the beginning I was obliged to provide a mailing address because I was not resident at the mortgaged property. I gave the address of my mother. Shortly afterwards my mother went into hospital. She died some months later.  I contacted the mortgage company informing them of her death and requested them to amend my contact details. I was assured that the new details I provided were the only ones they then held. Recently I requested a statement of what I had paid. I waited ten days, I received nothing. I telephoned again. I was told the statement had benn sent but to my mother's address. It seems they are keen to take our money but still fall very short of providing a service. The company is Mortgage Works, in case you want to make a note.

Celsius to Fahrenheit, Why ?

Well, not the most important topic of our world. Nevertheless I find it mildly irritating that many UK weather forecasters or radio announcers very often convert Celsius to Fahrenheit. As I recall, the BBC began to convert temperatures on their nightly weather map as far back as 1964. The aim being to phase out Fahrenheit. Yet now in 2011 we are still being told what a temperature is in both scales. Even on a recent plane journey I made, the pilot of a British airline when announcing weather conditions in the UK, converted Celsius to Fahrenheit. This was on a european flight between two countries which both use Celsius. One of them being Britain I admit, but how long does it take to just forget Fahrenheit.? As far as I am aware the United States and Belize are the only countries that use it. The other point is that in the UK, if is is hot,  then the media refer to temperatures in Fahrenheit. Well it seems hotter doesn't it ?100 degrees sounds much more than 38 degrees. However below freezing is spoken in Celsius. Just sort it out please. Stop living in the past and confusing the issue by using two scales when hot or cold !

AAAGGGhh A night out !!!

Well, this really is a toughie. How shocking !!! How appalled are you ???  The England Rugby players, yes Rugby players have had a 'night out'. The Sun stated that Mike Tindall has allegedly behaved inappropriately on a night out after their game against Argentina in New Zealand, reputedly pushing his head in between a woman's breasts during a dwarf throwing evening in New Zealand. In other words they have behaved like men..male Rugby players. What a pathetic story !! In short this is Rugby ! This kind of behaviour has happened since the time immemorial of the sport, obviously with more variation since its beginning, as a result of international competition.  Rugby songs have always been well known as raunchy. Mooning and participation in various other entertainments has now moved on to where other possibilities exist, but Rugby still commands more respect than football because of the discipline and professionalism within the game. I see this as another attempt to strait jacket the culture of England/ Britain and to take the humour from our country. If you suppress traditional behaviour in Rugby, then you will destroy the inherent morale of the game and the likelihood of success.  But then the Sun is more concerned with putting its head between the cheeks of Rupert Murdoch..

Health and Safety Madness

I just have to comment on the recent crop of crazy rules, which local authorities and other responsible bodies have imposed on people, to prevent participants from enjoying themselves.
Butlin's at Bognor Regis, Skegness,and Minehead have banned Dodgem cars from banging into one another.
The East Riding Authority have banned kite flying in Bridlington because a kite might hit someone.
Then at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships 'Murray Mound' was closed on wet days, in case somebody slipped.
On the day of the Royal Wedding, street parties with bunting that hung too low to let fire engines through were not allowed to go ahead.
The Royal British Legion can't use pins to attach poppies in case somebody pricks themself.
Children are not allowed to play on Monkey Bars in Oxfordshire because they might slip and graze themselves.
Drivers of floats in fancy dress processions are forbidden because of concern that they might work too many hours.
In Colchester council workers were forbidden to carry an old lady's tv away in case they hurt themselves.
Sack races at school events banned in case the children fell and twisted their ankle.
And lastly in Merseyside, leather footballs have been banned at school because one might hit a pupil in the face....only sponge footballs now allowed.
I remember when this country had resilient values. There are soldiers risking their lives fighting for these pathetic people in this country, who aren't capable of risk assessment with a view to children having fun, but hide behind their wimpish banner of Health and Safety.
At least this Health and Safety Madness is now being addressed. Chris Grayling is trying to bring common sense to this whole issue. Not before time !!!

Is this the revolution ? The beginning of ?? Unlikely !!!

But the violence on England's streets is alarming! Or is it simply something that has been waiting to be unleashed after years and years of condecension and platitudes from politicians and the 'I'm allright Jacks', who now have to face the fact that there has been such an undercurrent of resentment festering like an unburst boil,or appendix, or any of those other nasty things that exude ..... that it is now snarling and gnashing like the mad Pitbull set free? That now they might have to begin to stop their patronising, and actually improve the the perceived hopelessness that many of the rioters feel. Well it works both ways doesn't it?. You can't live in a maelstrom of 'you owe me my living', if those who are saying this, by throwing whatever they can find at the Police and looting and burning, have not made much, if any effort to achieve, to get out of the life that they find so disgusting. In my experience there has been a pride displayed in the attitude of 'we are what we are' and it is all your fault.
It seems clear that the IQ of at least some of the rioters is lower than the Pitbull that might have taken them for a walk,but they have no concept of working to achieve, and the owners are on the same level. Can I say "but seriously folks ?" It will not get any better until there is hope given to everyone. What do you think ?