This week I watched two films that the critics raved over.
On Saturday night I watched Helen Mirren in The Queen. As we all know it won Mirren an Oscar but I didn't think I had watched an Academy Award-winning performance.
We knew the story - the royals' reaction to the death of Diana, Princess of Wales and how Tony Blair saved them.
It was an entertaining film but Oscar-winning? No. And one scene did make me laugh - when Alastair Campbell comes back from the meeting at the Palace to discuss Diana's funeral, he walks into Downing Street and exclaims, "Flipping heck!"
Alastair Campbell? Flipping heck? I don't think so...
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The other film was Borat.
I had seen clips and yes those clips did make me laugh but the whole film left an unpleasant taste in my mouth.
The Americans in the film were narrow-minded, bigoted or stupid but you can find those people in any country. And if some man tried to kiss me on a train, I think I would probably take umbrage as well. Similarly, if I was attending a function in a hotel, I would be shocked by the site of two naked men wrestling.
Good in small doses, not so funny in 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Showing posts with label Politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Politics. Show all posts
Friday, 20 April 2007
Thursday, 8 February 2007
Now the government is paying to organise terrorism
There have been seven postal bombs in three weeks. Thankfully, no one has been killed but I was surprised to learn that there is apparently a policeman called Anton Setchell whose job title is national co-ordinator for domestic extremism.
With all the problems with terrorism - domestic and international - at the moment, I would have thought the last thing we need is someone on the government payroll to co-ordinate the whole shebang.
With all the problems with terrorism - domestic and international - at the moment, I would have thought the last thing we need is someone on the government payroll to co-ordinate the whole shebang.
Saturday, 3 February 2007
What's in a name?
What is it with companies and organisations that insist on changing their names for no good reason?
On 5 February 2007 the Eating Disorders Association changed its name to beat. Why? The name of the Eating Disorders Association is perfect - it does what it says on the tin. But beat? It makes it sounds like some throwback musical group. "We wanted to have a name that could be a message of hope as well as a call to action," said Sarah Ringwood, its chief executive. Where do they get these people?
British Steel - yep, I understand that one. It's a firm that is British and makes steel. Perfect. Corus? I know it changed its name after a merger but why not leave the British arm with the same name? What the hell does Corus mean?
In 2000 the Royal Mail became Consignia, but after public outcry only for two years but even so... What kind of idiot dreamed up Consignia and can I have his no doubt huge salary, please?
On 5 February 2007 the Eating Disorders Association changed its name to beat. Why? The name of the Eating Disorders Association is perfect - it does what it says on the tin. But beat? It makes it sounds like some throwback musical group. "We wanted to have a name that could be a message of hope as well as a call to action," said Sarah Ringwood, its chief executive. Where do they get these people?
British Steel - yep, I understand that one. It's a firm that is British and makes steel. Perfect. Corus? I know it changed its name after a merger but why not leave the British arm with the same name? What the hell does Corus mean?
In 2000 the Royal Mail became Consignia, but after public outcry only for two years but even so... What kind of idiot dreamed up Consignia and can I have his no doubt huge salary, please?
Friday, 26 January 2007
We have lost a sense of proportion
Today we learned that at Exeter Crown Court, paedophile 46-year-old Keith Morris, from Newton Abbot, Devon, escaped jail after pleading guilty to three offences of causing a person under 16 to engage in sexual activity without consent and one of sexual activity with a child under 16.
Judge Graham Cottle released Morris, facing a maximum of 14 years in jail, on bail pending a pre-sentence report because of prison overcrowding. "If this case had been here last week it would have been over by now and he would be in Exeter Prison," Judge Cottle told the court.
Also today, journalist Clive Goodman was sentenced to four months in prison after pleading guilty to intercepting phone messages. On 29 November 2005 Goodman pleaded guilty to conspiracy to intercept communications without lawful authority, under the Criminal Law Act 1977.
The charges related to three members of the royal household (Helen Asprey, the personal secretary to Princes William and Harry, Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, the princes' private secretary, and Paddy Harverson, Prince Charles's communications secretary), but the investigation found that targets also included David Blunkett, then home secretary, the minister David Miliband, the footballer Sol Campbell, and The Sun editor Rebekah Wade.
Home Secretary John Reid has recently told judges to jail only the most dangerous and serial offenders to ease prison overcrowding. Or possibly, Mr Reid reiterated sentencing guidelines.
I would not seek to defend Clive Goodman's actions which have cost him his reputation, his livelihood and, today, his liberty as well his boss, Andy Coulson, his job as well.
However, will the public interest be served by jailing a tabloid hack and letting a paedophile walk free?
Judge Graham Cottle released Morris, facing a maximum of 14 years in jail, on bail pending a pre-sentence report because of prison overcrowding. "If this case had been here last week it would have been over by now and he would be in Exeter Prison," Judge Cottle told the court.
Also today, journalist Clive Goodman was sentenced to four months in prison after pleading guilty to intercepting phone messages. On 29 November 2005 Goodman pleaded guilty to conspiracy to intercept communications without lawful authority, under the Criminal Law Act 1977.
The charges related to three members of the royal household (Helen Asprey, the personal secretary to Princes William and Harry, Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, the princes' private secretary, and Paddy Harverson, Prince Charles's communications secretary), but the investigation found that targets also included David Blunkett, then home secretary, the minister David Miliband, the footballer Sol Campbell, and The Sun editor Rebekah Wade.
Home Secretary John Reid has recently told judges to jail only the most dangerous and serial offenders to ease prison overcrowding. Or possibly, Mr Reid reiterated sentencing guidelines.
I would not seek to defend Clive Goodman's actions which have cost him his reputation, his livelihood and, today, his liberty as well his boss, Andy Coulson, his job as well.
However, will the public interest be served by jailing a tabloid hack and letting a paedophile walk free?
Friday, 5 January 2007
Get us out of the EU - it's killing us
If it is not bad enough that our membership of the unelected, unrepresentative EU costs every man, woman and child in Britain £873 per year, then our membership is now killing people.
A 73-year-old man collapsed in a bookies in Edmonton, north London, on New Year's Eve with a suspected heart attack. Although a paramedic quickly arrived by car after a 999 call, he had to wait 30 minutes for an ambulance to arrive because TWO paramedic ambulance crews were taking a break under the European Working Time Directive and were not allowed to be disturbed.
The man may have still died had the ambulance arrived but it is likely he would have passed away in a hospital under the care of medical staff, rather than on the floor of a bookies under fluorescent lighting and cigarette smoke.
A 73-year-old man collapsed in a bookies in Edmonton, north London, on New Year's Eve with a suspected heart attack. Although a paramedic quickly arrived by car after a 999 call, he had to wait 30 minutes for an ambulance to arrive because TWO paramedic ambulance crews were taking a break under the European Working Time Directive and were not allowed to be disturbed.
The man may have still died had the ambulance arrived but it is likely he would have passed away in a hospital under the care of medical staff, rather than on the floor of a bookies under fluorescent lighting and cigarette smoke.
Saturday, 30 December 2006
How much 2: The costs have started rising already
I said that I would probably be posting several times on the spiralling costs of hosting the 2012 Olympics.
This could be a post that runs and runs.
As David Harrison writes in The Sunday Telegraph: “The bill for clearing businesses and residents from the London Olympics site has risen by £250million from the original official estimates – and the figure is expected to be even higher by the time the bulldozers arrive in July [2007].
“The cost of evicting hundreds of companies and residents has soared from £370million in a 2002 feasibility study to at least £620million – with dozens of businesses still to be compensated.
“The rise in relocation costs is in addition to the £900million bill increase announced in November by Tessa Jowell, the Secretary for Culture, Media and Sport, which included £400million for hiring a project management consortium.”
Why is it that nothing run by governments seems to run on time or to cost? This is our money that they are wasting. Ours - mine and yours. Who is accountable? No one. It is about time that governments were held to account like private companies and the minister in charge sacked if projects go over time and over budget.
This could be a post that runs and runs.
As David Harrison writes in The Sunday Telegraph: “The bill for clearing businesses and residents from the London Olympics site has risen by £250million from the original official estimates – and the figure is expected to be even higher by the time the bulldozers arrive in July [2007].
“The cost of evicting hundreds of companies and residents has soared from £370million in a 2002 feasibility study to at least £620million – with dozens of businesses still to be compensated.
“The rise in relocation costs is in addition to the £900million bill increase announced in November by Tessa Jowell, the Secretary for Culture, Media and Sport, which included £400million for hiring a project management consortium.”
Why is it that nothing run by governments seems to run on time or to cost? This is our money that they are wasting. Ours - mine and yours. Who is accountable? No one. It is about time that governments were held to account like private companies and the minister in charge sacked if projects go over time and over budget.
Thursday, 28 December 2006
Yet more non-jobs on the public payroll
Every Wednesday in The Guardian is a selection of advertisements for jobs in, usually, local government. You know the sort of thing “Five-a-day Co-ordinator required”, “Walking to school Organiser”, etc, etc. The kind of jobs that never used to exist years ago when we all managed to walk to school without interference from the local council.
Times change and so, apparently, do our needs. If you add up all the salaries on offer for these "jobs" it comes to £787million (slightly less than the £787 million total advertised in 2005). The average starting salary for a full time position was £36,893 a year - £11,405 more than the average private sector wage in 2006.
Many of the jobs are patently ridiculous and utterly unnecessary. However, it does generate a way for Labour to buy votes. If the Tories promise to abolish many if not all of these positions, which they should do, then these people will naturally vote Labour to keep their jobs and gold-plated pensions - something not available to those of us in the private sector who actually do a proper job.
I choose just one “job” to advertise the ridiculousness of the situation. Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council advertised for a Civil Resilience Manager on £39,132-a-year. A council spokesman said: “Most, if not all, major local authorities now have an equivalent post. Emergencies could range from serious highways incidents, building collapses, and large fires requiring evacuation.”
Is that not the job of the local police and fire chiefs?
The spokesman continues: “The Council also needs to be prepared, like all local authorities, for the possibility of pandemic flu and terrorist activity.”
Yes, because Stockport is so high on the list of Muslim terror targets...
Times change and so, apparently, do our needs. If you add up all the salaries on offer for these "jobs" it comes to £787million (slightly less than the £787 million total advertised in 2005). The average starting salary for a full time position was £36,893 a year - £11,405 more than the average private sector wage in 2006.
Many of the jobs are patently ridiculous and utterly unnecessary. However, it does generate a way for Labour to buy votes. If the Tories promise to abolish many if not all of these positions, which they should do, then these people will naturally vote Labour to keep their jobs and gold-plated pensions - something not available to those of us in the private sector who actually do a proper job.
I choose just one “job” to advertise the ridiculousness of the situation. Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council advertised for a Civil Resilience Manager on £39,132-a-year. A council spokesman said: “Most, if not all, major local authorities now have an equivalent post. Emergencies could range from serious highways incidents, building collapses, and large fires requiring evacuation.”
Is that not the job of the local police and fire chiefs?
The spokesman continues: “The Council also needs to be prepared, like all local authorities, for the possibility of pandemic flu and terrorist activity.”
Yes, because Stockport is so high on the list of Muslim terror targets...
Friday, 15 December 2006
Cash for honours - the row rumbles on
Well, well, so Inspector Knacker of the Yard finally paid a visit to No 10 for "a chat" lasting two hours with Tony Blair over the "cash for honours" scandal.
And what a day to choose. Lord Stephens presented his report into the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. Meanwhile, in Suffolk police are investigating the murders of five prostitutes, found naked apart from their jewellery. If ever there was a day to bury bad news, this was it.
The PM's official spokesman denied that there was a link and some lickspittle Labour MP went on television to claim that "people cannot choose when they are interviewed by the police". Maybe "people" can't but the Prime Minister certainly can. Imagine the uproar if Knacker had turned up unannounced and Mr Blair was otherwise engaged. "Sorry, the PM can't see you today - he is off to Washington."
Mr Blair explained, "The particular issues concerned were not for honours given by me as a prime minister for public service. On the contrary, they were nominated by me as a party leader for party service. That's the basic distinction that lies at the heart of this."
Hang on a second. Many of the donors were not Labour supporters so there is no way that they would have been working Labour peers. Many had given money to the Tories. And why were the donations kept secret? Does Mr Blair really expect us to believe him?
No 10 is a formidable spinning machine. They knew exactly what was going on and how much news coverage could be expected.
Now they are saying that it is all over and the police won't be interviewing Mr Blair again. Hmm, maybe, maybe not.
And what a day to choose. Lord Stephens presented his report into the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. Meanwhile, in Suffolk police are investigating the murders of five prostitutes, found naked apart from their jewellery. If ever there was a day to bury bad news, this was it.
The PM's official spokesman denied that there was a link and some lickspittle Labour MP went on television to claim that "people cannot choose when they are interviewed by the police". Maybe "people" can't but the Prime Minister certainly can. Imagine the uproar if Knacker had turned up unannounced and Mr Blair was otherwise engaged. "Sorry, the PM can't see you today - he is off to Washington."
Mr Blair explained, "The particular issues concerned were not for honours given by me as a prime minister for public service. On the contrary, they were nominated by me as a party leader for party service. That's the basic distinction that lies at the heart of this."
Hang on a second. Many of the donors were not Labour supporters so there is no way that they would have been working Labour peers. Many had given money to the Tories. And why were the donations kept secret? Does Mr Blair really expect us to believe him?
No 10 is a formidable spinning machine. They knew exactly what was going on and how much news coverage could be expected.
Now they are saying that it is all over and the police won't be interviewing Mr Blair again. Hmm, maybe, maybe not.
Thursday, 30 November 2006
Nary a good word to say
Actions may speak louder than words but such is the animus between Tony Blair and Gordon Brown that the prime minister can't bring himself to say anything publicly about the sad news that Mr Brown's young son, Fraser, has the life threatening illness cystic fibrosis.
Tory leader David Cameron, whose own son, Ivan, has a rare condition that combines epilepsy and cerebral palsy, said: "Sam and I are thinking of Gordon and Sarah and their family at this time and we send them our best wishes for the future."
Mr Brown's shadow, George Osborne, has offered his support: "My thoughts and best wishes go to Gordon and Sarah and their family at this difficult time."
But of Mr Brown's supposed friend, there is not a word. Downing Street said that anything Tony Blair said to Mr Brown would be private.
For the party that sticks together when things get tough - Vote Labour!
Tory leader David Cameron, whose own son, Ivan, has a rare condition that combines epilepsy and cerebral palsy, said: "Sam and I are thinking of Gordon and Sarah and their family at this time and we send them our best wishes for the future."
Mr Brown's shadow, George Osborne, has offered his support: "My thoughts and best wishes go to Gordon and Sarah and their family at this difficult time."
But of Mr Brown's supposed friend, there is not a word. Downing Street said that anything Tony Blair said to Mr Brown would be private.
For the party that sticks together when things get tough - Vote Labour!
Monday, 27 November 2006
Are they serious?
Yesterday on the BBC Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain accused Russian president Vladimir Putin of "huge attacks on individual liberty and democracy".
Is he serious?
This from a man who is a member of a government that wants to introduce ID cards and presides over more CCTV than any country in the world. A government that wants to limit even more the individual's freedom; a government that says to be free, we have to lose some liberties.
Yes, of course we do.
Vote Labour!
Is he serious?
This from a man who is a member of a government that wants to introduce ID cards and presides over more CCTV than any country in the world. A government that wants to limit even more the individual's freedom; a government that says to be free, we have to lose some liberties.
Yes, of course we do.
Vote Labour!
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