The cons sit comfortable in jail with no worries about getting to work or finding food to eat. The 'can work, won't work's' sit at home and do nothing.
The rest of us? Well, we struggle on and take risks to get to work so that we can earn the tax that pays for the above. What did we do to deserve this unfairness? Simples! We didn't break the law and we WANT to work.
Wednesday, 8 December 2010
Sunday, 28 November 2010
Wednesday, 24 November 2010
Surely this is a step too far...
Hot topic just now is the American TSA.
Quick video.. YouTube Video
Would it be acceptable for an adult male or female to be partially strip-searched in public? Would you remove your top if asked to do so?
Would you find it acceptable to have a complete stranger partially strip-search your child in public?
Quick video.. YouTube Video
Would it be acceptable for an adult male or female to be partially strip-searched in public? Would you remove your top if asked to do so?
Would you find it acceptable to have a complete stranger partially strip-search your child in public?
Thursday, 18 November 2010
The Gray Man
How is it possible to link Scottish Labour with the Police Academy films?
Remember Hooks from Police Academy? Little black lady with a squeaky and ineffective voice??
Iain Gray, of Scottish Labour erm.... fame? Little Gray man with a squeaky and ineffective voice??
While not quite George Galloway, Alex Salmond is a very effective communicator. Watch any of the exchanges in Holyrood and it is abundantly clear that he is always very well prepared and has an excellent grasp of one of the most powerful, essential qualities of a high-level politician. He can make a point and make it well!
Grannybel Goldie is also excellent at turning on the icy stare and language. Unfortunately, she doesn't completely shed the Morningside aspect of her character and this takes the edge of her lyrical waxing.
Lib Dims....well..... nevermind.
Then we have the Hooks of Scottish Labour - Iain Gray.
Almost everything he says is lost in the nervous-sounding squeak that is his voice. There is something about him that makes it hard to take him seriously. I think it is his voice. He never sounds quite sure of what he is saying. It never sounds researched and practiced. He comes across as someone who has been drafted in at the last minute to present the big show that will make or break the company. He does come up with some not bad lines. However, as Frank Carson will attest, it is the delivery of those lines that matter.
When it comes to the delivery, George Galloway is The Master. YouTube has numerous clips that demonstrate this. None more so than his epic testimony to the US Senate.
The possibility of GG returning to Scottish politics interests me. I imagine some monumental exchanges between him and Salmond. However, i am looking forward to him taking on The Gray Man.
That will be almost painful to watch. The Master destroying the apprentice!
Remember Hooks from Police Academy? Little black lady with a squeaky and ineffective voice??
Iain Gray, of Scottish Labour erm.... fame? Little Gray man with a squeaky and ineffective voice??
While not quite George Galloway, Alex Salmond is a very effective communicator. Watch any of the exchanges in Holyrood and it is abundantly clear that he is always very well prepared and has an excellent grasp of one of the most powerful, essential qualities of a high-level politician. He can make a point and make it well!
Grannybel Goldie is also excellent at turning on the icy stare and language. Unfortunately, she doesn't completely shed the Morningside aspect of her character and this takes the edge of her lyrical waxing.
Lib Dims....well..... nevermind.
Then we have the Hooks of Scottish Labour - Iain Gray.
Almost everything he says is lost in the nervous-sounding squeak that is his voice. There is something about him that makes it hard to take him seriously. I think it is his voice. He never sounds quite sure of what he is saying. It never sounds researched and practiced. He comes across as someone who has been drafted in at the last minute to present the big show that will make or break the company. He does come up with some not bad lines. However, as Frank Carson will attest, it is the delivery of those lines that matter.
When it comes to the delivery, George Galloway is The Master. YouTube has numerous clips that demonstrate this. None more so than his epic testimony to the US Senate.
The possibility of GG returning to Scottish politics interests me. I imagine some monumental exchanges between him and Salmond. However, i am looking forward to him taking on The Gray Man.
That will be almost painful to watch. The Master destroying the apprentice!
Above The Law
A curious case indeed....
After being found asleep in her car and refusing a breath test, Pamela Somerville was arrested and taken to Melkshan police station in July 2008. CCTV at the station shows Sgt Andrews drag her across the floor of the nick and dump her in a cell. Her immediate escape attempt is quickly thwarted. The second attempt is also unsuccessful. However, the way in which she is 'guided' back into the cell is a tad questionable. Have a look...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-11787126
As you would expect, Sgt Andrews ends up in court to explain himself and is found guilty of causing Actual Bodily Harm (ABH). The Judge stated that Andrews 'presided over an atmosphere of bullying and intimidation upon Ms Somerville'. Andrews' Assistant Chief Constable said that he was 'a disgrace' to the force and that 'There is no place in Wiltshire Police for an officer like this." A six-month sentence was delivered.
Justice done? Not according to the appeal Judge.
No criminal offence took place.
Surely someone has a few questions to answer here? The CCTV has not changed but the views of the court have and the ACC may have to take back his comments.
Suspended on full pay while a 'Conduct Hearing' takes place. The result of which will be made public.
So, if the Conduct Hearing exonerates Andrews, the ACC is going to look a bit daft and the public will rightly wonder what actually constitutes bad conduct. Look at the victims injuries. Are they not criminal?
If the Conduct Hearing is less than favourable, was the appeal Judge correct?
More importantly, how will this whole incident affect public confidence in the professionalism of the police?
After being found asleep in her car and refusing a breath test, Pamela Somerville was arrested and taken to Melkshan police station in July 2008. CCTV at the station shows Sgt Andrews drag her across the floor of the nick and dump her in a cell. Her immediate escape attempt is quickly thwarted. The second attempt is also unsuccessful. However, the way in which she is 'guided' back into the cell is a tad questionable. Have a look...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-11787126
As you would expect, Sgt Andrews ends up in court to explain himself and is found guilty of causing Actual Bodily Harm (ABH). The Judge stated that Andrews 'presided over an atmosphere of bullying and intimidation upon Ms Somerville'. Andrews' Assistant Chief Constable said that he was 'a disgrace' to the force and that 'There is no place in Wiltshire Police for an officer like this." A six-month sentence was delivered.
Justice done? Not according to the appeal Judge.
No criminal offence took place.
Surely someone has a few questions to answer here? The CCTV has not changed but the views of the court have and the ACC may have to take back his comments.
Suspended on full pay while a 'Conduct Hearing' takes place. The result of which will be made public.
So, if the Conduct Hearing exonerates Andrews, the ACC is going to look a bit daft and the public will rightly wonder what actually constitutes bad conduct. Look at the victims injuries. Are they not criminal?
If the Conduct Hearing is less than favourable, was the appeal Judge correct?
More importantly, how will this whole incident affect public confidence in the professionalism of the police?
Wednesday, 3 November 2010
Good old British Fairness
What's the difference between a law-abiding 16 or 17 year old and a convicted and imprisoned rapist, murderer or paedophile?
Simples!
The former has no say in the politics of his country, the latter may have soon.
But this is Scotland!!!! Surely Big Eck will be having none of this? Not the case i'm afraid. Justice may be a devolved matter, voting eligibility and good old compensation is reserved to the House of Shame down South.
Prisoners being able to vote for the party that promise them the most compensation. You couldn't make it up!
Simples!
The former has no say in the politics of his country, the latter may have soon.
But this is Scotland!!!! Surely Big Eck will be having none of this? Not the case i'm afraid. Justice may be a devolved matter, voting eligibility and good old compensation is reserved to the House of Shame down South.
Prisoners being able to vote for the party that promise them the most compensation. You couldn't make it up!
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
When will they learn....
Just read the following......
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-11220656
One day, the world will wake up to OS X.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-11220656
One day, the world will wake up to OS X.
Friday, 3 September 2010
Plenty 20
Good old Embra Cooncil.
Despite a long list of failed (and usually expensive) traffic control schemes, they have now brewed up a new idea. 25 miles of roads from Arthur's Seat to Blackford Hill are to have the speed limit reduced to 20mph.
Portsmouth is cited as the shining example of accident reduction (15%) under this type of scheme. Embra Cooncil have 'no doubt' that the £100k scheme would be a success. (Guffaw at that as much as you like).
I fail to follow the logic that a car travelling at 30mph is more likely to be involved in an accident than a car travelling at 20mph. This logic would mean that our motorways would be end-to-end scenes of carnage!!
Why can't they state that slower speed only reduces the severity of an accident?
Here is a far better plan to reduce the number of accidents...
Shift some responsibility back onto other road users. Pedestrians and cyclists especially!
Drive through any town at school lunchtime and you will see the pavements packed with kids who will step onto the road, and even attempt to cross, without bothering to look. What happened to the Green Cross Code? Have you seen the look on their faces when you audibly inform them of your vehicles presence? Do they hurry their pace to get out of danger?
Why do we test a driver at 17 and then assume they are fit to drive until they are 70? There are incompetent drivers from one age to the other.
Name the last street you drove down where your attention was NOT diverted by pointless speed bumps (mountains in some cases), potholes that some 3rd world families would call spacious and self-righteous cyclists who weave in and out of traffic, generally ignore the rules that drivers must abide by and seem to think that the roads, paid for by motorists, are there for them and no one else?
How much would it cost to ask people to be responsible for their own actions instead of treating the motorist as guilty regardless?
Despite a long list of failed (and usually expensive) traffic control schemes, they have now brewed up a new idea. 25 miles of roads from Arthur's Seat to Blackford Hill are to have the speed limit reduced to 20mph.
Portsmouth is cited as the shining example of accident reduction (15%) under this type of scheme. Embra Cooncil have 'no doubt' that the £100k scheme would be a success. (Guffaw at that as much as you like).
I fail to follow the logic that a car travelling at 30mph is more likely to be involved in an accident than a car travelling at 20mph. This logic would mean that our motorways would be end-to-end scenes of carnage!!
Why can't they state that slower speed only reduces the severity of an accident?
Here is a far better plan to reduce the number of accidents...
Shift some responsibility back onto other road users. Pedestrians and cyclists especially!
Drive through any town at school lunchtime and you will see the pavements packed with kids who will step onto the road, and even attempt to cross, without bothering to look. What happened to the Green Cross Code? Have you seen the look on their faces when you audibly inform them of your vehicles presence? Do they hurry their pace to get out of danger?
Why do we test a driver at 17 and then assume they are fit to drive until they are 70? There are incompetent drivers from one age to the other.
Name the last street you drove down where your attention was NOT diverted by pointless speed bumps (mountains in some cases), potholes that some 3rd world families would call spacious and self-righteous cyclists who weave in and out of traffic, generally ignore the rules that drivers must abide by and seem to think that the roads, paid for by motorists, are there for them and no one else?
How much would it cost to ask people to be responsible for their own actions instead of treating the motorist as guilty regardless?
Friday, 27 August 2010
Joe who?
Roads closed. Traffic diverted. Police escorts. Tram moved. Road resurfaced. Lampposts painted.
No money to fix the roads elsewhere. Cuts to every budget imaginable and massive disruption to the people who are paying for all this, no matter if they are a Catholic or not.
Somehow though, money is found that can be wasted on a visit by the big cheese of the Catholic Church.
Corruption, child abuse (and the cover ups) and total irrelevance in modern life means nothing.
An HIV epidemic that contraception can help stop? Don't be daft... the big book says... "Blah blah blah"
Thousands of Scots will be a Catholic for the day.... then revert to their totally un-catholic lifestyle straight after the pope mobile disappears. The people of Glasgow will wallow in the after effects for days. I wonder how many of them will end up in A&E - or dead - during the unavoidable massive increase in sectarianism that will surely follow. Years of effort by the governments of Scotland to rid this country of one of its most embarrassing facets wiped out.
The 'religious-for-a-day' types (You know the ones. Only a Catholic when a Protestant is in the vicinity, hates that Protestant but doesn't have any idea why) will then relax back into their science-enhanced lives that Joe Ratzinger and his like fight against.
Religion should be left where it thinks we should all live. In the past.
For those who still wish to follow it? It should be done in private and should not be shoved down the throats of the intelligent people who realise that science is the only thing worthy of worship.
No money to fix the roads elsewhere. Cuts to every budget imaginable and massive disruption to the people who are paying for all this, no matter if they are a Catholic or not.
Somehow though, money is found that can be wasted on a visit by the big cheese of the Catholic Church.
Corruption, child abuse (and the cover ups) and total irrelevance in modern life means nothing.
An HIV epidemic that contraception can help stop? Don't be daft... the big book says... "Blah blah blah"
Thousands of Scots will be a Catholic for the day.... then revert to their totally un-catholic lifestyle straight after the pope mobile disappears. The people of Glasgow will wallow in the after effects for days. I wonder how many of them will end up in A&E - or dead - during the unavoidable massive increase in sectarianism that will surely follow. Years of effort by the governments of Scotland to rid this country of one of its most embarrassing facets wiped out.
The 'religious-for-a-day' types (You know the ones. Only a Catholic when a Protestant is in the vicinity, hates that Protestant but doesn't have any idea why) will then relax back into their science-enhanced lives that Joe Ratzinger and his like fight against.
Religion should be left where it thinks we should all live. In the past.
For those who still wish to follow it? It should be done in private and should not be shoved down the throats of the intelligent people who realise that science is the only thing worthy of worship.
Tuesday, 24 August 2010
Cheque Fraud
Thought i would share a story with you on cheque fraud.
Back in June, i listed a projector on Gumtree that i wanted to sell. I ordered the wrong model and.... well... you don't need to know the details. A few weeks after posting the advert i was contacted by 'James Robinson' who wanted to buy the projector for £650. His email was in broken English and raised my suspicions immediately. He promised a cheque was on its way so i waited for it to arrive. Weeks passed... no cheque.
Ah well, i thought. Not to worry. Then, on the 18th of August, i received another mail from him stating that the cheque was on its way to me. I acknowledged the mail and gave it no more thought.
Monday morning comes and the postman has a letter for me. Without giving the envelope a second look i ripped it open to be greeted with a cheque for £2500. Nice!
Well, as the cheque was from the Transport and General Workers Union, it left me puzzled. Then i noticed that the top and bottom edges of the cheque looked like they had been cut (badly) with scissors. The envelope had a 25 Ruble stamp on it. The cheque from the TGWU had been sent from Russia!!!
I immediately spoke to my bank for advice and then contacted the TGWU. We all agreed that the cheque was fake, despite looking very genuine. Perforated left edge, fancy designed background image, ACCURATE SORT CODE AND ACCOUNT NUMBER and a stamped signature box.
To satisfy my mind that the cheque had come from 'James Robinson', i sent a short mail to say that a cheque had arrived. The confirmation came in his next reply. I have copied it below for your amusement.
Hello Kevan,
Good Day and How is your day going? i hope you are fine and alright. i
got your mailing address and There is something i think i must bring
to your notice. After a reconciliation of my gram ma`s account today,
She discovered that somehow her trustee must have over paid you. The
Amount that was meant for her insurances company was sent to you.
however i want to believe i won't have a problem with you. i believed
that i can trust you with her money. All you have to do when you
received the payment is to have it cash at your bank after cashing
you'll deduct your required amount for keeping the item in my favor
and also the extra 30 pounds i offer you,and send the remaining
balance to the shipping company account manager via Western Union
Money Transfer Service. Because It is the policy of the Global Express
Cargo Service to receive payment before coming for the pickup. You
have to please bear with me as it is the best i can do in this
transaction. I will provide you with the shipping company Account
Manager information where you're to send the rest balance once the
payment is delivered to you and immediately the fund is confirmed by
the shipping company they will come with all the necessary packaging
materials to have the item packaged and picked up.Payment should be
deliver today via USPS. I'll be waiting to hear back from you soon..
Best Regards
James Robinson
Back in June, i listed a projector on Gumtree that i wanted to sell. I ordered the wrong model and.... well... you don't need to know the details. A few weeks after posting the advert i was contacted by 'James Robinson' who wanted to buy the projector for £650. His email was in broken English and raised my suspicions immediately. He promised a cheque was on its way so i waited for it to arrive. Weeks passed... no cheque.
Ah well, i thought. Not to worry. Then, on the 18th of August, i received another mail from him stating that the cheque was on its way to me. I acknowledged the mail and gave it no more thought.
Monday morning comes and the postman has a letter for me. Without giving the envelope a second look i ripped it open to be greeted with a cheque for £2500. Nice!
Well, as the cheque was from the Transport and General Workers Union, it left me puzzled. Then i noticed that the top and bottom edges of the cheque looked like they had been cut (badly) with scissors. The envelope had a 25 Ruble stamp on it. The cheque from the TGWU had been sent from Russia!!!
I immediately spoke to my bank for advice and then contacted the TGWU. We all agreed that the cheque was fake, despite looking very genuine. Perforated left edge, fancy designed background image, ACCURATE SORT CODE AND ACCOUNT NUMBER and a stamped signature box.
To satisfy my mind that the cheque had come from 'James Robinson', i sent a short mail to say that a cheque had arrived. The confirmation came in his next reply. I have copied it below for your amusement.
Hello Kevan,
Good Day and How is your day going? i hope you are fine and alright. i
got your mailing address and There is something i think i must bring
to your notice. After a reconciliation of my gram ma`s account today,
She discovered that somehow her trustee must have over paid you. The
Amount that was meant for her insurances company was sent to you.
however i want to believe i won't have a problem with you. i believed
that i can trust you with her money. All you have to do when you
received the payment is to have it cash at your bank after cashing
you'll deduct your required amount for keeping the item in my favor
and also the extra 30 pounds i offer you,and send the remaining
balance to the shipping company account manager via Western Union
Money Transfer Service. Because It is the policy of the Global Express
Cargo Service to receive payment before coming for the pickup. You
have to please bear with me as it is the best i can do in this
transaction. I will provide you with the shipping company Account
Manager information where you're to send the rest balance once the
payment is delivered to you and immediately the fund is confirmed by
the shipping company they will come with all the necessary packaging
materials to have the item packaged and picked up.Payment should be
deliver today via USPS. I'll be waiting to hear back from you soon..
Best Regards
James Robinson
Monday, 23 August 2010
Has Andrew Burns moved to China?
Is chuckling at the misfortunes of others wrong?
Next time you are negotiating the A720 Edinburgh City Bypass at rush hour, spare a thought for those much MUCH less fortunate than yourself.
The BBC are reporting that a traffic jam in China has entered its 9th day!!
The jam now stretches from Jinning in Inner Mongolia to Huai'an in Hebeo province. That equates to 62 miles of vehicles. Poor souls!
The humour comes from the fact that locals are charging a fortune for food and water.
The major factor in this jam are roadworks. However, it is good to know that former Embra Cooncil Transport (insert suitable expletive) Andrew Burns has found a new job in China!
Next time you are negotiating the A720 Edinburgh City Bypass at rush hour, spare a thought for those much MUCH less fortunate than yourself.
The BBC are reporting that a traffic jam in China has entered its 9th day!!
The jam now stretches from Jinning in Inner Mongolia to Huai'an in Hebeo province. That equates to 62 miles of vehicles. Poor souls!
The humour comes from the fact that locals are charging a fortune for food and water.
The major factor in this jam are roadworks. However, it is good to know that former Embra Cooncil Transport (insert suitable expletive) Andrew Burns has found a new job in China!
Sunday, 22 August 2010
X-Factor Fraud
I noticed it. Seems that lots of other people did as well.
X-Factor is using 'Auto tune' to correct the out-of-tune hopefuls. What you are hearing at home is not what came out of their mouths and probably not what was heard in the arena.
Auto tune definitely has its place in the recording industry. An epic take of a track doesn't have to be discarded for the sake of one pitch slip.
However, X-Factor is very different from an accomplished artist singing in a studio somewhere. His Royal Cowellness will soon be asking us all to vote for our favourites. Every single vote filling his pockets with more and more cash. His record label will then exploit the eventual winner for maximum profit. He will need a few extra pockets stitched onto his nipple-high breeks!
I am keen to hear the explanation given for this. If it was done to hide the fact that none of those early auditions produced a strong enough performer to make episode one worthwhile...... i can maybe let it go.
However, if it is being done to ensure that high-breeks gets to exploit the one he views as the most marketable..... well i am not keen on the skullduggery.
X-Factor is using 'Auto tune' to correct the out-of-tune hopefuls. What you are hearing at home is not what came out of their mouths and probably not what was heard in the arena.
Auto tune definitely has its place in the recording industry. An epic take of a track doesn't have to be discarded for the sake of one pitch slip.
However, X-Factor is very different from an accomplished artist singing in a studio somewhere. His Royal Cowellness will soon be asking us all to vote for our favourites. Every single vote filling his pockets with more and more cash. His record label will then exploit the eventual winner for maximum profit. He will need a few extra pockets stitched onto his nipple-high breeks!
I am keen to hear the explanation given for this. If it was done to hide the fact that none of those early auditions produced a strong enough performer to make episode one worthwhile...... i can maybe let it go.
However, if it is being done to ensure that high-breeks gets to exploit the one he views as the most marketable..... well i am not keen on the skullduggery.
Friday, 20 August 2010
Hypocrites
First up is the hot news item of the day. On this very day, one year ago, Mr Megrahi was released from prison to go back home to Libya to die. The medical advice given at the time set the stopwatch at 3 months. Yet, 9 months later, the world is still waiting for him to die. A couple of Yankee bigwigs are up in arms (is there an election due or something) and are demanding answers from the UK/Scotland. Furthermore, they insist that we pander to their demands and send Government officials over to their enquiry. They seem to have forgotten what happened the last time a Scot appeared over there. Mr Galloway tore them a new one... and then some!!
The hypocrisy of the Yanks is astonishing! Who do they think they are?
Their bluster over Megrahi boggles the mind. While Megrahi was 'convicted' of the crime, surely there can't be many educated people left who believe he was the perpetrator. Relatives of victims have even had the courage to express their own beliefs that Mr Megrahi was innocent!!
If Bush and his cohorts had been asked to appear at the Chilcot Enquiry, would they have been on a plane here at the drop of a hat? Would they be keen to explain their reasoning for waging this illegal war? C'mon.... are you joking!
The best we would have received is a pre-prepared statement along the lines of what Blair gave us when he finally put the milk bottles out at No. 10 for the last time.
If Bush/Blair feel exonerated because they 'acted upon the information available at the time', does the same not apply in the Megrahi case?
If your aunt, uncle, mother, brother or son had been given only 3 months to live, would you not be delighted to still have them with you 9 months after they were supposed to have died? Would you want to celebrate that?
The case against Megrahi continues to have serious holes picked in it. The case against Bush/Blair et al has holes that are being filled and will continue to be filled. Let's just wait and see how many Yanks rush over here on a plane when they are requested to.
Megrahi civilian victims = 270
Bush/Blair civilian victims = have a look for yourself www.iraqbodycount.org
The hypocrisy of the Yanks is astonishing! Who do they think they are?
Their bluster over Megrahi boggles the mind. While Megrahi was 'convicted' of the crime, surely there can't be many educated people left who believe he was the perpetrator. Relatives of victims have even had the courage to express their own beliefs that Mr Megrahi was innocent!!
If Bush and his cohorts had been asked to appear at the Chilcot Enquiry, would they have been on a plane here at the drop of a hat? Would they be keen to explain their reasoning for waging this illegal war? C'mon.... are you joking!
The best we would have received is a pre-prepared statement along the lines of what Blair gave us when he finally put the milk bottles out at No. 10 for the last time.
If Bush/Blair feel exonerated because they 'acted upon the information available at the time', does the same not apply in the Megrahi case?
If your aunt, uncle, mother, brother or son had been given only 3 months to live, would you not be delighted to still have them with you 9 months after they were supposed to have died? Would you want to celebrate that?
The case against Megrahi continues to have serious holes picked in it. The case against Bush/Blair et al has holes that are being filled and will continue to be filled. Let's just wait and see how many Yanks rush over here on a plane when they are requested to.
Megrahi civilian victims = 270
Bush/Blair civilian victims = have a look for yourself www.iraqbodycount.org
Who is the biggest mass murderer?
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