Listening to the "Sunday Programme" today on ITV2, 29 of April, I was appalled to listen to Alex Salmon of the Scottish National Party (SNP)and his claim that his campaign for the local government election had been very positive. His rantings contained more of an attack on the Labour Party, Mr Gordon Brown and Tony Blair. Thus far, he said very little of what his party - SNP will do for the people of Scotland. The Iraqi war is still on and we have all condemned the Prime Minister, Tony Blair and his party for their misjudgement, but to continually use this to advance his career (or whatever is left of it) is nothing but pure political dishonesty!
On the same platform, I heard Michael Meacher of the New Labour on his silly campaign to become the leader of the labour Party. All I see is a repeat of Michael Foot's 1980s campaign - the only difference is that Michael Foot was a man of alertness and integrity during his campaign and sincerely believed in his quest. All I heard from Michael Meacher is a personal attack and more of a vindictive and jealous campaign to STOP Mr Gordon Brown becoming the leader of the New Labour. He claimed that the divide between the have and have not has widened, may be so but the country is more affluent that it has ever been and Mr Brown's success as chancellor of the exchequer is trivialized by this sad man. Do people start losing the senses when they get past 59? Meacher was just rambling on the failures of Gordon Brown as if Gordon Brown was the New Labour and if so, why did it take him almost ten years to start objecting? All I can see is Deceit, Dishonesty, Inconsistency and Abuse of electorates. This fool mus be allowed to have his last dance - by letting him run his campaign and see who his co dancers are before being consigned to his political grave !!!!!!!!!
Sunday, 29 April 2007
Tuesday, 24 April 2007
Nigeria Recent Presidential Election
Nigeria’s recent presidential election has attracted once more unwanted attention from the international community. And the outgoing president’s comment to the BBC yesterday 23 April more or less confirms international community’s concerns about the outcome. For European Union observers to describe the outcome as a “charade” is regrettable. Considering the tribal and religious differences in Nigeria, I find it incredible for any political party in the country to achieve 70 percent of votes cast in any presidential election.
What comes to mind is Saddam Husssein’s 99% victory in his last election. For Olusegun Obasanjo to deride the west for their concerns literally confirms his anger at not being allowed to rule Nigeria for ever as he had intended – i.e. trying to alter the constitution to suit his own warped agenda. Second, if Nigeria is aiming to raise her standards in the international arena, then Nigeria must be seen to be above election rigging and stuffing of ballot boxes with ghost names. Last week, in the local election, BBC Radio 4 reported that in one constituency, a 105% were achieved. It would appear that even those who were filling the ballot boxes did not know when to stop. And for Mr Olusegun Obasanjo, to deride the comparison of Nigeria’s electoral practices by western standards just confirms that ex military men, old delusional and dinosauric in their mentality MUST not be allowed to contest let alone be involved in the governing of Nigeria.
If Mr Obasanjo had issues with western practices, why did he spend most of his presidency travelling to different western countries? Why did he try to emulate and copy western lifestyles, security measures? This not to say that the west is free of faults – far from it, in the UK, we have had of postal voting malpractices and the difficulties when George W. Bush first came to power, but efforts were and continued to be made by these governments to tackle any malpractices. After, America impeached Nixon,. In the UK, Jonathan Aitken MP and Lord Archer were both imprisoned for misconduct.
For a more decent Nigeria, the population must be educated and their eyes opened for them to see how these so-called politicians have been pulling wools over their eyes. These mass of illiterate population and entrenched in tribal differences (or warfare) have been contributory factors in allowing these idiots and corrupt dinosaurs to continually hold on to power – for their own selfish interest.
With Nigeria’s massive oil wealth, the country should have been in position to challenge and contribute to world affairs – instead the country is only known for her corrupting influences. The only time that Nigeria was praised by an international media - BBC Worldservice’s programme “The Black Superpower” was not on improvement of populace’s welfare or security of the nation but more on her military commitments around the globe!! It is time that the country begin a process of detribalisation otherwise, we will be perpetually left in the doldrums for decades to come.
What comes to mind is Saddam Husssein’s 99% victory in his last election. For Olusegun Obasanjo to deride the west for their concerns literally confirms his anger at not being allowed to rule Nigeria for ever as he had intended – i.e. trying to alter the constitution to suit his own warped agenda. Second, if Nigeria is aiming to raise her standards in the international arena, then Nigeria must be seen to be above election rigging and stuffing of ballot boxes with ghost names. Last week, in the local election, BBC Radio 4 reported that in one constituency, a 105% were achieved. It would appear that even those who were filling the ballot boxes did not know when to stop. And for Mr Olusegun Obasanjo, to deride the comparison of Nigeria’s electoral practices by western standards just confirms that ex military men, old delusional and dinosauric in their mentality MUST not be allowed to contest let alone be involved in the governing of Nigeria.
If Mr Obasanjo had issues with western practices, why did he spend most of his presidency travelling to different western countries? Why did he try to emulate and copy western lifestyles, security measures? This not to say that the west is free of faults – far from it, in the UK, we have had of postal voting malpractices and the difficulties when George W. Bush first came to power, but efforts were and continued to be made by these governments to tackle any malpractices. After, America impeached Nixon,. In the UK, Jonathan Aitken MP and Lord Archer were both imprisoned for misconduct.
For a more decent Nigeria, the population must be educated and their eyes opened for them to see how these so-called politicians have been pulling wools over their eyes. These mass of illiterate population and entrenched in tribal differences (or warfare) have been contributory factors in allowing these idiots and corrupt dinosaurs to continually hold on to power – for their own selfish interest.
With Nigeria’s massive oil wealth, the country should have been in position to challenge and contribute to world affairs – instead the country is only known for her corrupting influences. The only time that Nigeria was praised by an international media - BBC Worldservice’s programme “The Black Superpower” was not on improvement of populace’s welfare or security of the nation but more on her military commitments around the globe!! It is time that the country begin a process of detribalisation otherwise, we will be perpetually left in the doldrums for decades to come.
Sunday, 22 April 2007
The Television Phone Scams
With the recent exposure of GMTV's phone scams - It goes to show that the so called developed world is not entirely free of fraudulent activities. The one thing usually reserved for so-called developing countries and ethnic minorities now seems to be infecting our "developed and decent society". BBC's recent discovery of GMTV phone scam is nothing short or pure theft, deception and downright fraud. We have had of BBC conning children in the Blue Peter programme, Channel 4's phone scam and Channel 5 and some radio stations. I wondered how many more institutions are involved all these cons. My colleague said we might as well put it in the category of "white collar crime" - that way, their effect is minimised and then trivialised. I quite agree
Manchester United and Chelsea
I am appalled by Chelsea Football Club manager's recent comment about the outcome of his team's match with Newcastle United. For a man who has literally been let off so many times, it'd appear that once more his short memory lets him down. With the number of times his defenders have handled the ball, I have wondered which of them is the goalkeeper. He must be told that in the UK, it pays sometimes to think before one opens his mouth!!!! It is time he grew up.
Saturday, 21 April 2007
Climate of Fear
Last night, 20th of April, on my way back from Heathrow airport, a woman boarded the trian from Hounslow East heading towards central London. Considering that the weather has been very warm and pleasant recently, she had a hooded top on and practically zipped it up so much so that even her eyes were not visible. She was also carrying a black bag and began fidgeting with it making many of the passengers - most of whom I believed were visitors to the country- very nervous. Many moved away from her and I made comment of how silly some people can be. Upon hearing my comment, she partially unzipped her hooded top, stared at me and called me a n***** to which I reproached her. Noticing my angry stare, she quickly jumped off the train at Baron Court tube station. I had to apologise to some of the passengers that this was "unLondon like".
Thursday, 19 April 2007
A Visit to My General Practitioner
This morning I went to my General Practitioner (GP) because of abdominal pains the night before. My GP surgery is in Tynemouth Road, London N15. This is my first in about 5 years. The last time I went there, the GP that attended to me told me that I was wasting his time because I complained of a pain in my groin, when I challenged his comments, he quickly retracted his statement blaming a work overload for his silly ranting. I reminded him that in light of men's reluctance to visit their GPs, he should be appreciative of the likes of me who visit their GPs only when they suspect something wrong with their general health. I also reminded him that considering that prior to that visit, I had not been to his surgery or any other for that matter in 10 years, to refer to me as a time waster was rude and disrespectful. He did apologise in the end but his comment is indicative of what many GPs think of their patients.
Although I have been experiencing this abdominal pain since Monday 16 April, I though it best to wait in case it was just an indigestion, as it turned out, 3 days after my first pain, the problem persisted. I called my GP to book an appointment only to be told that it was fully booked, but if I turn up before the surgery opens, I might be seen by a doctor. As I was up all night in terrible pain, I made sure that I was up this morning so that I will be - possibly, the first in the queue (since a queueing system existed). By 7am, I was third in the queue and waited for an hour and fifteen minutes for the surgery to open - 8.15am. In spite of my pain, when I saw the receptionist, she bluntly told me that the doctor cannot see me because I had not booked an appointment. Immediately, one is caught in this revolving door - you cannot be seen unless you book an appointment, and when you try to book an appointment, they are fully booked, but is advised to turn up early if you want to see a doctor and when you turn up, one is again told that you cannot see a doctor because you had no appointment.
It would appear that while GPs are happy to have you on their book, they are not willing to treat or even see you. I was told to go to the hospital!!! SO what exactly is the use of a GP if I cannot see any of them. I was even berated for not seeing my GP regularly. They should commend me for making less use of the service because I take good care of myself and not condemn me for being careful.
Although I have been experiencing this abdominal pain since Monday 16 April, I though it best to wait in case it was just an indigestion, as it turned out, 3 days after my first pain, the problem persisted. I called my GP to book an appointment only to be told that it was fully booked, but if I turn up before the surgery opens, I might be seen by a doctor. As I was up all night in terrible pain, I made sure that I was up this morning so that I will be - possibly, the first in the queue (since a queueing system existed). By 7am, I was third in the queue and waited for an hour and fifteen minutes for the surgery to open - 8.15am. In spite of my pain, when I saw the receptionist, she bluntly told me that the doctor cannot see me because I had not booked an appointment. Immediately, one is caught in this revolving door - you cannot be seen unless you book an appointment, and when you try to book an appointment, they are fully booked, but is advised to turn up early if you want to see a doctor and when you turn up, one is again told that you cannot see a doctor because you had no appointment.
It would appear that while GPs are happy to have you on their book, they are not willing to treat or even see you. I was told to go to the hospital!!! SO what exactly is the use of a GP if I cannot see any of them. I was even berated for not seeing my GP regularly. They should commend me for making less use of the service because I take good care of myself and not condemn me for being careful.
Wednesday, 18 April 2007
Hanging Out ?
On 17 April 2007, at about 9pm, a group of young men - aged between 15 to possibly 18 were loitering around the Tottenham area of London - UK. Initially, I considered this a normal event - i.e., young people enjoying the recent warm weather we have been having.
But at about 1.30am, these same boys had managed to acquire a motorcycle - most of them were wearing helmet - they were all black boys. This motorcycle was being raced so noisily up and down our street. This obviously woke some up the resident up including myself. We made some attempt to reason with them but were met with some very obscene languages and threats. Surprisingly, these boys do not live on our street. Our street is no longer than 300 metres - so in so small a road we are being menaced by children we barely know where they live or who they are. These young people ceased their foolish activities after 2.30am when a police siren was heard.
It is proper that young poeple's human rights have been fully restored, but is it right that other citizens' rights have to be trampled upon?
But at about 1.30am, these same boys had managed to acquire a motorcycle - most of them were wearing helmet - they were all black boys. This motorcycle was being raced so noisily up and down our street. This obviously woke some up the resident up including myself. We made some attempt to reason with them but were met with some very obscene languages and threats. Surprisingly, these boys do not live on our street. Our street is no longer than 300 metres - so in so small a road we are being menaced by children we barely know where they live or who they are. These young people ceased their foolish activities after 2.30am when a police siren was heard.
It is proper that young poeple's human rights have been fully restored, but is it right that other citizens' rights have to be trampled upon?
Monday, 9 April 2007
My Easter Monday & the Press
I woke up this morning to listen to the furore surrounding the Ministry of Defence's decision to allow the 15 British soldiers kidnapped by Iran to sell their stories. I find this decision distasteful particularly in a week when 4 young men & women lost their lives in Iraq. To assert that these personell's arrest or kidnap is unique is to trivialize the position of all POW's - past and present. If their position is unique, what will be the position of the dead and injured? These are the poeple who have made the ultimate sacrifice? May be the police officers will soon be allowed to sell their stories of their everyday beat.
It would have been better to wait for a couple of years before allowing these military personnel to tell us their own version of events. Why have the media not made similar offers to the families of the dead and injured? These are the real people who'd have needed the money.
For the first time, I agree with the Liberal & Tory leadership and some military generals who opposed have criticised decision. I am surprised about Labour's silence on the matter.
Today, BBC's Radio 4 commented on a report about the role of black fathers in their children's lives and the exclusion of black boys from school. These are old stories. These things have been running for a good number of years now. It is something we all know but do not want to address. Some black parents or fathers feel it unnecessary to get involved as it relieves them of all responsibilities - particularly, financial. And those who do get involved are made to look very ordinary when they attempt to inquire about their boys education. The sentence used these days to explain this awful situation is "institutional racism" - whatever this may mean. I think the everyday usage of these words has watered its usefulness down to the extent that those responsible for implementing policies appropriate it for their uselessness. As regards black parents' position, many feel that to "legally" ask parents not to discipline their children when they are misbehaving and then hold them responsible for their children's michief is like tying non swimmers hands behind their back and then asking them to swim.
There are so many police vehicle about and it is only 12hours.
It would have been better to wait for a couple of years before allowing these military personnel to tell us their own version of events. Why have the media not made similar offers to the families of the dead and injured? These are the real people who'd have needed the money.
For the first time, I agree with the Liberal & Tory leadership and some military generals who opposed have criticised decision. I am surprised about Labour's silence on the matter.
Today, BBC's Radio 4 commented on a report about the role of black fathers in their children's lives and the exclusion of black boys from school. These are old stories. These things have been running for a good number of years now. It is something we all know but do not want to address. Some black parents or fathers feel it unnecessary to get involved as it relieves them of all responsibilities - particularly, financial. And those who do get involved are made to look very ordinary when they attempt to inquire about their boys education. The sentence used these days to explain this awful situation is "institutional racism" - whatever this may mean. I think the everyday usage of these words has watered its usefulness down to the extent that those responsible for implementing policies appropriate it for their uselessness. As regards black parents' position, many feel that to "legally" ask parents not to discipline their children when they are misbehaving and then hold them responsible for their children's michief is like tying non swimmers hands behind their back and then asking them to swim.
There are so many police vehicle about and it is only 12hours.
Wednesday, 4 April 2007
Credit/Debit Card Theft
My uncle who is on holidays to the UK just called this morning. He is very upset, he arrived two weeks ago and used his credit card to top up his Virgin mobile phone. He has just found out that since this transaction, his credit card had been fraudulently used - over £700 has so far been taken from his account. The irony is that whoever the fraudster (possibly a staff) is, (s)he is using it on another Virgin service. My uncle apparently suspected this transaction last week and alerted his bank - HSBC, they cancelled and reissued him with a new card, but this morning he noticed that as at Friday 30 March 2007, money was still being taken from his account.
He went to the police in Hornsey N7 to report the fraud and was told by a police officer that they are no longer required to take details of stolen cards. Supposedly, the banks are now entrusted to handle these matters themselves. Considering that banks never wanted the general public to know about failures in their system, I wonder how this will reflect in the national crime data? If my experience serves me well, the theft of my Halifax bank cheque book in 2005 and the unauthorised withdrawals from my account - Halifax became very hostile when I questioned the withdrawal and more so when Iwent to the police to report the offence. MyChristmas of 2005 became a nightmare as I was not allowed to withdraw money from my account, some of their staff in one of their call centers told me to stop whingeing as some people have had more money stolen. They even charged me for some of the withdrawal and only when I threatened to go to the media and possibly to the court did they relent.
He went to the police in Hornsey N7 to report the fraud and was told by a police officer that they are no longer required to take details of stolen cards. Supposedly, the banks are now entrusted to handle these matters themselves. Considering that banks never wanted the general public to know about failures in their system, I wonder how this will reflect in the national crime data? If my experience serves me well, the theft of my Halifax bank cheque book in 2005 and the unauthorised withdrawals from my account - Halifax became very hostile when I questioned the withdrawal and more so when Iwent to the police to report the offence. MyChristmas of 2005 became a nightmare as I was not allowed to withdraw money from my account, some of their staff in one of their call centers told me to stop whingeing as some people have had more money stolen. They even charged me for some of the withdrawal and only when I threatened to go to the media and possibly to the court did they relent.
Police and Fire Service Sirens
Over the past few months in Tottenham, North London (UK) - police and ambulance sirens can be heard blaring between 3am and 4am. The problem is even more pronounced around the Monument Way. At this time of the morning, the roads are almost empty, yet these men and women felt it necessary to disturb the rest of the sleeping residents of Tottenham. It would appear that they could not even care about the health of these people they serve. The flashing lights are even visible from my apartment - so it is possible that other motorists - well the few that are on the road can too. The irony is that I sometimes stay with friends in Richmond, south London and in Buckinghamshire and have seen police and ambulance vehicles with their lights flashing late in the night but without sirens blaring? So why this nuisance in Tottenham???
Tuesday, 3 April 2007
Mobile Phone Menace
In early March 2007, we were informed that the police will now enforce (vigorously) the law against the use of mobile (cell) telephone. The attention paid by the media was immense - such was the immensity that we were shown on the television the first person to be caught by the police. As expected, the media attention has waned - until another teenager or a family on their way to church, school or family outing is killed. Today, many drivers continue to use their telephone with great impunity.
This morning, I took my uncle and aunt, who are visiting the UK to Billingsgate Fish Market in London. The market closes to memebers of the public at 0800 hours - I think. To see this vibrant market in operation, one is always advised to visit at 5am. To see all sorts of sea food under one roof is an experience in itself. Now back to my moan of the day. I left my flat in Tottenham with a friend to Finsbury Park to pick up my uncle and aunt for our trip to the fish market.
On our way from Tottenham to Finsbury Park in North London, we saw about 12 drivers - all on their mobile telephones - most oblivious to the presence of other vehicle. My friend and I decided to play a game of MMTAMV (My Mobile Telephone and My Vehicle). From Finsbury Park in North London to the market in the City of London, we counted not less than 23 drivers - all using their telephones. So much for law. In fact we did not drive past any police vehicle between the hours of 4am and 07.30am when we arrived back home.
On our way back, we witnessed a few drivers, surprisingly, among the one of these law breakers was a bus driver. So much for the STRICT ENFORCEMENT !!!
This morning, I took my uncle and aunt, who are visiting the UK to Billingsgate Fish Market in London. The market closes to memebers of the public at 0800 hours - I think. To see this vibrant market in operation, one is always advised to visit at 5am. To see all sorts of sea food under one roof is an experience in itself. Now back to my moan of the day. I left my flat in Tottenham with a friend to Finsbury Park to pick up my uncle and aunt for our trip to the fish market.
On our way from Tottenham to Finsbury Park in North London, we saw about 12 drivers - all on their mobile telephones - most oblivious to the presence of other vehicle. My friend and I decided to play a game of MMTAMV (My Mobile Telephone and My Vehicle). From Finsbury Park in North London to the market in the City of London, we counted not less than 23 drivers - all using their telephones. So much for law. In fact we did not drive past any police vehicle between the hours of 4am and 07.30am when we arrived back home.
On our way back, we witnessed a few drivers, surprisingly, among the one of these law breakers was a bus driver. So much for the STRICT ENFORCEMENT !!!
Sunday, 1 April 2007
David Cameron of the Conservative Party (UK)
As an ex Tory voter, I am concerned that many people in the UK have been sucked into David Cameron's camelial world. I have never known a Conservative leader change his views and beliefs so often. Having promised us of a political clean up, as soon as he took over the Conservative leadership, his first New Year's speech was an attack on Gordon Brown. This should have been an alarm warning to the rest of the country. At least with the GREAT Mrs T, we knew where we stood.
Some think Mr Cameron is the person to save the UK from a total meltdown. The truth is, as Channel 4's recent TV programme showed, David Cameron and his tiny group of friend have "hijacked" this great Party and are beginning to treat it as a private club.
I am appalled by his recent rantings about concern for the environment, ethnic minority and the elderly. The truth is, they could not give a "fish net" to these groups. His policy thus far remained very vague. The deflection on these are constant attacks on Mr Gordon Brown, the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Surprising that they accused him of squandering the nation's wealth, yet many of the people in the Tory Party and the wealthy in this country have seen their wealth quadruple under Mr Brown's chancellorship.
I think it is time for a re-visit to Mr Cameron's deceptive political world. We should not worry about the Labour Party, they have their own demon in Mr C. Clarke. All conservatives must be cautious and suspicious of This Great Pretender!
Some think Mr Cameron is the person to save the UK from a total meltdown. The truth is, as Channel 4's recent TV programme showed, David Cameron and his tiny group of friend have "hijacked" this great Party and are beginning to treat it as a private club.
I am appalled by his recent rantings about concern for the environment, ethnic minority and the elderly. The truth is, they could not give a "fish net" to these groups. His policy thus far remained very vague. The deflection on these are constant attacks on Mr Gordon Brown, the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Surprising that they accused him of squandering the nation's wealth, yet many of the people in the Tory Party and the wealthy in this country have seen their wealth quadruple under Mr Brown's chancellorship.
I think it is time for a re-visit to Mr Cameron's deceptive political world. We should not worry about the Labour Party, they have their own demon in Mr C. Clarke. All conservatives must be cautious and suspicious of This Great Pretender!
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