Off over the cliff

I've nearly given up reading the news (and part of the reason for stepping away from Facebook is to get away from it), but it's almost impossible to avoid the impending doom of Brexit.

I do listen to the radio, and given Nick's French genes (he's half French) we do discuss what may or may not happen.

For me this cartoon from Der Spiegel says it all.  I had to look up a translation but to be honest I think it's pretty obvious.

The top says 'unregulated Brexit' and the bottom says 'regulated Brexit'- either way we're rushing headlong towards a very large cliff.

No Smoking

One of the women I share an office with (and have to sit with regularly during my training) is a smoker.

Her choice, I don't have a problem with it as such, but I do dislike sitting next to her when she really does smell disgusting (do smokers really not realise, or do they just not care?).

So I was interested in the news today when I heard that Notts County Council are thinking of banning all smoking during  working hours (including breaks).  The ban will be in all buildings (which should have been the case for years any way), all land and vehicles, and include e-cigarettes.

I've often thought about this when I've shared offices with people who smoke - why should they get to have three or four five minute breaks each day, when non-smokers don't? 

Years ago I worked in an office that had a smoking room (yes I'm that old), and colleagues would disappear in there for twenty minutes at a time, socials would be organised and gossip exchanged - those who didn't go were often the last to know what was going on.  I guess at least now smoking breaks are shorter as they have to stand outside!

Anyway, I allow myself 'Facebook' or 'blogging' breaks instead! It's certainly more healthy! 

In The Jungle

Immigration and migration is big news at the moment, mainly spurred on (in my cynical opinion) by the current government's (wankers) and media anti-EU stance (we are due to have a referendum next year on whether to stay in the EU).

Scaremongering news stories tell of 'swarms' (our Prime Minister's word) of migrants trying to get in via the channel tunnel, breaking into lorries coming over, and desperate to come to the UK to steal our jobs and live off our benefits.  Of course this is bollocks.

Many of those who are trying to get to the UK actually would be given asylum if they got here (they're fleeing fighting in Syria), or are just trying to get away from certain death in wars in their own country that they have nothing to do with (often started or funded by countries in the west!).  

A make shift camp has grown around the port at Calais, known by the inhabitants as 'The Jungle'.  It's unofficial so many of the 'shelters' are built from pallets and tarpaulins, plastic sheeting or whatever people can find, many people sleep in the open.  It was originally supposed to house about 1000 people, but current estimates put the number at over 4000.

Now, regardless of your politics, or their reasons for being there, or your thoughts on immigration; winter is coming - and these people have nothing.  They're lucky to be alive (having faced horrific journeys by sea or land), and only have the clothing they are wearing.

No matter what you think of the politics, these people need help if they are to survive the coming winter.  Across the UK Facebook is being used to rally people to collect supplies and drive them over to The Jungle.

I joined the main UK FB page, but also the Sheffield based one.  We have a 4x4 going this coming weekend, and then other trips are planned in the coming months.  I'd like to go, but I really can't afford the petrol or ferry crossing at the moment.

So I'm helping to collect supplies for the trips.  We've arranged a drop off and storage site in the old Woolworth store on The Moor in town.  Olly and I staffed the point on Saturday and although we didn't get masses of stuff, I was totally blown away by the generosity of some people.

A woman came in with three bags of brand new men's boots and shoes, she'd been into a discount shoe shop and bought them!  A man rocked up in his car with loads of men's clothing, and then a woman appeared with three carrier bags full of stuff from Poundland - plasters, tea, deodorant, notepads, pens, razors, toothpaste, painkillers, wooden spoons, toothbrushes, playing cards....she'd spent £43!! (The receipt was in the bags too).

I'm so impressed with the generosity of strangers.

Although I don't think I'll have time to go next weekend to help with collection, they are collecting again.  I've emailed many of my friends, and put it on Facebook - which might not be popular with some people I know, but I don't care.  These people need compassion and help not victimisation and persecution.

This video was made a while ago, but it's worth a look to get an idea of the conditions people are living in - imagine being there in December?!

Http://www.theguardian.com/UK-news/video/2015/jul/27/Calais-migrants-jungle-camp-video

No friend of mine

I don't watch the news or read newspapers often, I get much of my news from Facebook and BBC Radio, and one recent news item has been upsetting and disgusting me in equal measure - the fate of the poor migrants trying to get to safety from their war torn or starving countries to Europe and the UK.

They'll try anything to get to what they believe is a better life, but in not so sure it will be if some of the comments and posts I've seen from English people is anything to go by.

Over 4000 are now sheltering in 'The Jungle', a camp just outside the port at Calais - a came that was never intended to hold more than 1000.  They arrive hungry and tired with nothing but the clothes they're wearing (often not suitable for the European weather).

The UK media, and our government seem intent on portraying these people as savages or criminals intent on coming over to take 'our' jobs, and 'our' benefits.

Thankfully none of my friends feel like this - or at least that's what I thought.

Yesterday I reposted a petition on Facebook calling for the government to do more to help the migrants, and many of my friends commented, shared or liked the post.  And then a young lad I met in Thailand (although he's originally from West Yorkshire) commented.

His comments upset and astounded me, how could anyone really wish such violence on other humans?  

Needless to say my lovely friends put hominem his place, and he changed his original post to be less violent.

I'm posting screen grabs of his comments here so you can see - I've also unfriended him. 

His original post

His edited post after he'd been shamed by myself and my friends.

And a final comment before I unfriended him.

What a nasty piece of work - I'm glad I found out and unfriended him.  

So upset

Anyone who knows me will know that I love giraffes.  There are hundreds of pictures, statues and cuddly toy giraffes all over my house (although I'm rationing myself these days as it was getting a bit out of hand!).

However I don't like zoos; wildlife parks are mildly acceptable as i do believe we need animals in captivity for research, breeding programmes and awareness raising.  But generally zoos are not good places for animals.

Today I woke up to the news that Copenhagen zoo have killed a 'surplus' 18 month old giraffe!!!!!!  How can any animal be surplus?  They bred the animal, they kept it for 18 months, and now suddenly it's surplus?!?

What the fuck is going on in this world?  

Other zoos and wildlife parks across Europe offered to take him, including Yorkshire Wildlife Park, but still they went ahead with shooting him with a bolt (lethal injection would have contaminated the meat so it couldn't be fed to other animals?!).

I was feeling sad today anyway, but this just tipped me over the edge.

The world is an amazing, wonderful, beautiful place - but it seems to me that the human race are intent on spoiling everything with their greed and meanness.

End times

It really must be like living in the 'end times', 78,000 empty houses, closed factories and public buildings, only 40% of street lights working, few emergency services and private security firms being the only people making any money.

Welcome to Detroit, population 700,000 - the same as in 1910, down from 2,000,000 sixty years ago at the height of the car building boom.

It seems hard to believe that in the US, supposedly a world leader, a city such as Detroit can actually have filed for bankruptcy - with debts of between $18 - $20 billion.

If this isn't a clear sign that the world is broken, that capitalism has not worked as intended, then I don't know what is. For me it's the the thought of those 700,000 - how many of them are left there because they have no where else to go?

We (the rest of the world) should be taking notice of this, but we don't seem to be.

Those left must be clinging to the cities motto - 'Speramus Meliora; Resurget Cineribus' - 'We hope for better days; it shall rise from the ashes'.  The founders of Detroit obviously knew trouble was ahead (the city was founded in 1827).

Airbrushed Queen

This is a digitally created image of Mary, Queen of Scots created by the Universiry of Dundee and it makes me sad and mildly annoyed!

I don't know how they did it, or what they based it on, and I'm not qualified to comment in the artistic accuracy of the image - who knows perhaps she looked just like this.

But one thing we can be sure of is that her skin was not as flawless as shown here (the mark on her nose is a printing error in the paper)- even today with the makeup developments and good nutrition very few of us (if any) have completely faultless skin.

So why has she?!  It seems highly improbable, and in my opinion it's wrong.

Have we really got to the stage that even historical figures have to be airbrushed and photoshopped?  

£5 million well spent?

It's sad and heartbreaking that Madeleine McCann is still missing, and it may be that she's never found - I genuinely do feel great sadness for her family - but (and you knew there would be a but).

How many people go missing each year and after an initial bit of media attention (if they are lucky), get forgotten by the press, the pubic and often the police?

It might seem wrong (and I'm sure I've voiced this opinion before), but I can't help but question the need to spend £5 million on a 2 year review looking for one person.

If Madeleine had been a black teenager, or a middle aged man, or an older woman, would so much money be thrown at the case?  I seriously doubt it.

So because she's a little blonde girl (or was, she'd be 10 years old now), and her parents have the money and wherewithal to employ a publicist, money that could be spent search for numerous other people - I'm not saying give up looking for Madeleine, but perhaps it's time to be more realistic about the chances of finding her (and the money spent attempting to do so).

Heritage news

I worked for EH for 7 years, not connected to their historic properties in anyway except for if they needed archaeological advice or planning permission.

However, as an employee I had a pass which got me free access to any of their sites, and I did take advantage of this, visiting some of the most amazing historic sites and buildings we have across the country; Dover Castle, Audley End House, Stonehenge.

But being an employee I also saw first hand the struggle that the organisation had to keep the properties in good repair and open to the public - often only just managing to make ends meet.  Also, the dichotomy of one part of EH giving advice and permission to another part of the organisation when it came to our own properties.

I often commented on the fact that the National Trust were much better at managing, marketing and making money from their historic properties, and that perhaps EH should 'gift' the management of their properties to NT.  Being a charity meant that NT are able to access different funding, specifically that of the public.

It seems that recently mightier brains than mine have come to the same conclusion - but found a different solution.  Instead of moving the assets (and that's what they are, as well as liabilities) to NT, the government has announced that EH will become a charity to look after the 'National Heritage Collection'.

The advice/designation/planning side of the organisation (which I worked for) will remain as a quango named (for now) 'the national heritage protection service' and still be funded by the government.

I'm unsure about this, I think that EH the charity are going to have an uphill battle with funding and the resources to manage the properties, and with bringing in the support of the public (now is not a good time to start a new massive charity), despite the £80 million bung and two year notice they are getting.

So, exciting times for heritage in many ways, unlike the giant EH PR machine, I reserve judgement on whether this is a good thing for our nations heritage.

Housing

In many ways I feel sorry for my younger friends, the country really is in a mess and doing them no favours; but I also don't understand this 'need' we have in the UK to own property (and yes I know I own my house).

The Office for National Statistics has shown that the average single person on a wage a little more than mine will have to save for 43 years in order to buy a house!  What's the point?

Is buying a house that important?  In the US and on the continent many more people rent, it's what happens and society seems no worse for it.

Here owning a house has been built up to be the most important thing, a life achievement, but why?  Houses are expensive to buy, expensive maintain, hard to leave if you job moves or changes and a source of stress.

I love my house, and wouldn't want to be without it, but I was lucky (and unlucky!) enough to have a large deposit, and even in the current market I don't have negative equity - but, I have to pay out for repairs (new boiler etc), and if I want to move for work or go travelling the house becomes I liability.

I understand that people want to get on the property ladder, but at what cost?  Years of scrimping and saving to buy a property that will just eat more money and they'll probably never actually pay off the mortgage, but as they get older (and so does the house) they'll have to pay someone to do the maintainance.

For me the sad thing is the lack of choice people have, and the lack of affordable rental properties; greedy landlords and badly built properties.

The government need to be making sure more affordable housing is built (and well built), and that empty properties are renovated (a tax break for renovation?), instead the current housing minister is living in some kind of parallel universe when he says 'housing is at its most affordable since 2003 with the highest number of first-time buyers since 2007' - and this is with the current average price of a first time buyer house in London at £321,000!!!

Great we're second

It seems that South Yorkshire has the second highest number of recorded anti-social acts - 65.7 for every 1000 people (number one was Manchester with 86).

Not that the government will give a shit, Cameron is continuing Thatcher's ambition to destroy the will of northern people and devastate northern cities.

I should point out that London had more incidents, but since the population is so large there are less per 1000 people (43).

Biting hunger

It's been a while since I've felt compelled to comment on the news, and it's not because I haven't had plenty to rant about - more that with the absolute bastards we currently have in government I've felt overwhelmed by all the shit.

However today as I wait for the train and read the headline of the Metro news rag I have to comment on two news items - totally unconnected.

Firstly, it seems that the UK is in such as state that nearly 350,000 people have received meals from food banks - which might not strike you as bad until you compare it with the figures from 2008-9, when only 26,000 needed help!

AND the changes to the benefits system have only just come in to affect. The most striking thing for me is that many of the people needing help are working - and yet they are still going hungry.

Yet we've become a nation of armchair complainers and computer petition signers - why are we not rioting in the streets? Why aren't we calling our politicians to account?

Because it seems to even say the wrong word in public can get you arrested and charged - we are all too scared.

Except, it seems, footballers. The other headline that caught my eye was the fact that a footballer has bitten a member of the opposing team during a match - and is surprised that he's been banned from playing for 10 matches.

Personally I can't understand why he's not been charged with assault and been banned from ever playing football again.

If I bit someone in the street you can bet I'd be arrested and probably lose my job - instead a footballer gets a telling off and a suspension (presumably with full pay of thousands of pounds a day).

This country is seriously fucked up.

Not my data, thank you.

Am I the only person who thinks this is a bad idea (obviously it's actually a good idea, but since the Government and some management of the NHS can't look after our data it becomes a bad idea)??

Back in 2009/10 there was discussion of the 'Summary care record' (SCR), a massive database which would be accessible to all NHS emergency staff, hospitals, nurses, and basically anyone with a 'smartcard' and pin number......and we all know how safe they are!?

These records (all held electronically and in addition to your medical records) would record your allergies, and what medication you are taking - a great plan (except mine will be empty!).  But WHAT IF the information got into the wrong hands?  What if the database was compromised in some way? What if a less than honest member of the medical profession (yes, they are rare but they do exist) decided to 'sell' or even 'give' their access to the database to someone else?

What is the guarantee that the NHS in a few years might have been squeezed of all funding and decides that the way to make some cash is sell your data - to insurance companies, or prospective employers who want to check you aren't taking medication for something you aren't telling them about......

For those of us who managed to find out about the plan, there was a form you could get from your doctor to fill in to 'Opt out' of having a SCR - I filled one in and handed it in at the doctors surgery.

But then a lot of people got rather upset about the idea, and the then Labour Government slowed things down, but it seems that the whole idea wasn't shelved at all.

At 5pm on a Friday afternoon I have just received a text message that reads as follows;

On 19/2 a Summary of your key health info to assist staff in an emergency will be created. Go to......

It came from the same text number that I get my doctors appointment reminders from (NHS-NoReply).

So, if I filled in the form why am I getting this text? Perhaps its a generic text sent to everyone via my doctors surgery - I called the number given to ask for information.

The nice man (in India) told me that he couldn't check if I had opted in or not, and to check this I would have to make an appointment to see my doctor.  I asked if the receptionist at my surgery could check so that I didn't have to WASTE my doctors time (since I'm not ill) - but no, it has to be my doctor.

Luckily I live 2 minutes from my doctors surgery, so a wandered across and spoke to the receptionist - it seems that she couldn't help me (the guy in India was correct!), she gave me ANOTHER of the Opt out forms to fill in (which I did), and I asked for confirmation to be sent to me that this had been actioned.

It also seems that if a record is made for you, there is absolutely no way it can be deleted - even if it is incorrect - scary shit! So Opting out AFTER the fact is not possible.

I don't have a particular problem with the idea of SCRs, for those who have complicated medication or allergies that could be life threatening, they will be a complete life saver - what I have a problem with is the 'opt out' nature of this (if we can do this for a database, why not organ donation?!), instead of the much more sensible 'opt in' option  - I've had to work hard to try and make sure that there is no record for me.  And the fact that the government and health authorities have yet to prove that they are able to look after our personal data.

Hahaha! whilst I was writing this post I found a PDF version of the leaflet that came out about the SCR, and it says;

You can choose not to have a Summary Care Record:
If you don’t want a Summary Care Record, you need to let your
GP practice know by filling in and returning an opt-out form.
See pages 6/7 for more information about this.

But the leaflet is actually only 3 pages long!!

Closing down

This week alone Jessops and Blockbuster have gone into receivership, before that Stead and Simpson and Comet also went bust. 

But the big one recently has been HMV, after 91 years of trading, it seems the death of the high street wasn't greatly exaggerated.

It's sad but I have to say rather inevitable, we live in a society where we work longer hours and have less time, shops aren't open at a time when I can shop (evenings) and anyway to get anything but the latest chart book, film or music releases you have to go online. To get anything original or slightly interesting sites like Etsy or Folksy are a godsend, any small maker or retailer who doesn't have a website or web presence, and work hard at social media may as well pack up now, it's only going to get worse.

I fully expect WHSmiths to not be long for this world, on the few occasions I've been in their shop they've not had anything I wanted, if anything saves them it will be that other than supermarkets they are one of the few places that magazines can be bought (but that can't last long, how many people actually read magazines anymore? - I haven't bought a paper for over a year).

I try to search out small independent shops (real or virtual) to buy stuff, but my money is short and so is time, I don't want to shop at Amazon or The Book Depository (which is owned by Amazon) but sometimes I have to.

Horsing around

I'm not surprised that cheap burgers have been found to contain horse meat, I am surprised (slightly) at the uproar.

Okay, so in the UK it's not socially acceptable to eat horse (I wouldn't want to), but it's not poisonous to us, it won't do us any harm and probably tastes no different to many other animals we do choose to eat happily.

So why the uproar, it's not unhealthy or likely to make us ill, it just doesn't sit with our ethics - but in many countries (including France) horse meat is as acceptable as cow or pig. People (and especially the media) need to get over themselves, it's ridiculous!

For me the issue is that the burgers in question were supposed to be 'beef' burgers, made with 'cow', and labelled as such. We should be in much more uproar at the fact that they also contained 'pig', there are many people who can't or choose not to eat pig products for religious reasons (I am purposely using the animal to describe the meat).

Those of us who eat meat need to get off our high horse (haha!), and accept the fact instead of hiding it. If we accept that what we eat is fuel that we need, and if we are going to eat meat then surely any meat that is fit to eat should be considered - but clearly labelled so that we can make an informed choice.

For me the problem isn't so much the inclusion of horse in the burger, it's the miss information that appears on the labels. But then, how many people actually read the label anyway?!?

Yay!

It has to be the hardest job on the planet, and I really don't think Obama has done as good a job as I'd hoped, BUT I truly believe he's done better than any Republican would have.

Well done America.

And now I can visit without feeling guilty - Woop! Just over two weeks and I'll be New York City!

Poppies

I read the following letter in the I newspaper today and it sums up how I feel so well that I thought I'd record it here:-

'It's started again. Poppies on out newsreaders, sports commentators, weather girls.

I will donate to the British Legion but will not sport an emblem which so many nowadays regard as "patriotic" support got out illegal wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and wherever else we try to pretend we're the world's policemen'

Well said Christopher Morley of Halesowen.

Despite being a pacifist, I do support the British Legion for the support they give to the servicemen and women of the two world wars (and their families), the charity I hate is Help for Heroes - they beg for charity money in order to do what I believe the Ministry of Defence and government should be doing.

What makes a soldier killed or injured doing his or her job anymore worthy of help that a nurse, teacher, fireman or police officer? When soldiers sign up they know what they are putting themselves forward for, and if our stupid government sends them to war then the state should find the money to pick up the pieces afterwards.

Rant over....!

Stupidity

You can always rely on The Metro newspaper to show the stupidity of the population of this country!

The is actually a full page article about how two women found a tortoise in their garden and when it wouldn't eat they called in a rescue centre - only to be told that the reason it wouldn't eat was probably because it was ceramic!!

What I'm more amazed about is to that two grown women didn't wonder why the animal wasn't moving its head (or anything else), but who alerted the newspaper?! Both the women were named - did they phone the paper themselves (admittedly this is the type of story that probably came from a local paper first)? Or has someone else publicised their stupidity?

If I'd been that stupid I sure as hell wouldn't want anyone to know!

You wouldn't treat an animal like this

We claim to be a civilised country, progressive and modern, but sometimes I really do question that.

Yesterday, yet again a judge and the English legal system made the decision that a paralysed man does not have the right to end his life (with assistance).

He believes (and i believe that it is truly no one else's call) that life is not living in a body that no longer works - and due to his paralysis he can't take his own life without the help of doctors. Like previous court cases, this one was brought in an attempt to make sure that whoever helped him would not be prosecuted.

How can we allow this to continue, people like him are clearly able to make the decision for themselves, there can be no doubt of his wishes, yet the courts condemn him to years of living hell as they fear 'making a major change in law'.

Come on people, get with the programme - we shoot horses who break their legs (an injury which they can easily recover from), or put down pets when they are 'in pain' (how do we know?!?) - yet people are left to suffer whilst medicine keeps them alive in a body that has all but shut down.

I'm not calling for a blanket change in the law, but case by case review by a qualified panel or something similar - I'm not qualified to comment really, but I do think this is something we should be discussing as a nation (but politicians seem terrified of it, and unfortunately they are the only ones who can change things).

My biggest fear is a stroke or accident which leaves me reliant on others and unable to look after myself - I hope that my family would make the right decisions if it came to it (turn off the machine and donate my organs).

Postscript (22nd August) - it's just been announced that the man in question has passed away.  After the court ruling he stopped eating, and today died of natural causes (although I hazard to guess that it wasn't a pleasant death for him).  How sad.

Dan is Desperate

Sorry, couldn't resist that title! Although I was always a Beano kid, it is sad to hear that The Dandy is to close in December on its 75th birthday.

Although if I'm honest I'm surprised it's lasted as long as it has in the internet age. It will continue online, but that's not the same as getting a comic from the news agents every week or it dropping through your letter box.

I was a tomboy, but even then I wasn't interested in Dan, much preferring the mischievous antics of Minnie the Minx and Dennis the Menace.

I'm sure that with the publicity surrounding the closure of the comic their sales will be boosted for a while, but it will only be short lived, and if people cared that much they should have been buying it before - only 8000 people a week were.