-
Recent Comments
knotrune on Slaves in Workfare Ian Morson on Slaves in Workfare Lenny on Slaves in Workfare writerlywitterer on Slaves in Workfare writerlywitterer on Slaves in Workfare
Slaves in Workfare
There is a lot in the press this week about workfare and the idea of poor jobless fellows becoming mindless drones, slaving away at a supermarket’s shelves without decent compensation. Up goes the shout: Slavery! When I was out of work (thirteen times in thirteen years before I employed myself), one of the worst … Read more
Blasted BBC Again!
Blasted BBC stupidity once more! There are few things that can reduce me in moments to sheer, gibbering rage, but this one’s got me. Worked in a nanosecond. No, not one of the usual ones. Not politicians claiming their food allowances, not even politicians lying through their teeth. No, this was much, much worse. It’s … Read more
Pirates and SOPA
I don’t think SOPA was well written legislation. In fact I can easily understand why it would have been so unpopular, because it did seem to be a catch-all for any misbehaviour. The UK and USA already have extradition laws in place. There is a fellow, Richard O’Dwyer who is currently fighting his extradition … Read more
Give ‘Em A Damn Good Thrashing
Smacking – Ye Gods, I am agreeing with David Lammy! Today he has called for the law to be changed so that parents can once more smack their children. Well, I wasn’t aware that it was illegal to do so (within reason). But I applaud his common sense. Shame so few politicians seem to possess … Read more
Social Dependency – Doesn’t Help Anyone
Whenever you hear people talking about the reform of the “Welfare State” it’s usually best to duck, shove on a Kevlar helmet and run for the nearest cover. There are few areas of political life which are used to better effect to empasise the tribal allegiances of political parties. For me, it’s irrelevant because I … Read more
Sit back and take the medicine
More on pensions. Are you getting the idea that there’s a certain amount of jealousy here on my part? Today the British Medical Association has declared that they will be ballotting their members on strike action over proposed reforms to the NHS. The BMA is a trade union for doctors and consultants, and it is … Read more
European Stitch-Up
Last week we had a pretty unanimous conclusion from within the government about the impact of the meetings on Thursday night. The use of the British veto was necessary, because, as he said last Friday: “The demands Britain made for safeguards, on which the Coalition Government was united, were modest and reasonable. They were safeguards … Read more
What next for the Euro?
So once again, it’s the bad old Brits who’ve ruined things in Europe. OK, don’t expect this to be entirely rational. I was up until early this morning signing Christmas cards. Still, my natural grumpiness has been enhanced today by the entirely predictable sulkiness of Mr Sarkozy this morning. It’s all Britain’s fault. Mr Sarkozy … Read more
The Emperor’s New Clothes
As an ex-computer salesman, this really grabbed my interest today. The idea that a man could propose stopping using emails is pretty remarkable for any business. But for a senior exec? The article’s here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16055310 The first thing to strike you is that it’s ludicrous that a senior businessman could suggest not using email. I … Read more
Europe: the Locomotive without brakes
There is nothing wrong with the idea of Europe. Right. I’ve said it. I don’t object to Europe, and in fact since it’s been a project on the go since I was a boy in shorts, I’m quite used to it – sort of. However, I’m not quite sure what it is I’m supposed to … Read more
-
Flickr Photos
More Photos
