I went to a village in Buckinghamshire to see my dearest and her neighbour. It was supposed to be a "short" visit BUT as always ten minutes turned out to be one hour and beyond, within this period, we had consumed bottles of wine, and tons of unhealthy snacks. But having not seen both for months (3 in fact), we are excused from indulging in life's little albeit unhealthy pleasures. From one conversation we went into another and another and another and THEN, she started talking about her call to her local authority about the wasps' nest she found in her loft. She was told that it will cost £38 or about US$70. She then asked if there are discounts for pensioners - my friend is a 66 year old retired illustrator. She was told that there are no discounts for pensioner, but then the lady on the telephone went on to ask her if she was unemployed, she replied that she is retired, the local government official went on to ask her a series of questions: is she pregnant, is claiming income support and a series of other ridiculous questions.
My friend clearly stated her age and current status, i.e., that she is retired. But our inept local government official was more concerned about reading out what was on the screen rather than listen to her. Today, many of our local government staff behave like robots and cannot think for themselves. Interesting that these men and women make decision about our daily lives.
Thursday, 7 August 2008
The Energy Crisis & Political Solution
The recent fuel prices and the rising food prices have caused mayhem for all countries of the world. In Britain, many people have blamed the increasing development in China and India, other blamed the use of agricultural lands for alternative fuel crops. So much for world planners and economic smart alecs. The truth is that only the POOR suffer.
Today, the 8 of August 2008, 06.45am, I was listening to BBC Radio 4 when Professor Paul Stephen of Chattam House - a UK think tank advised about governments' and petroleum companies' short-sightedness in terms of sharp increases in fuel prices - possibly reaching $200 a barrel. Most importantly, my attention was drawn to his comment on the recent rantings in the USA political campaigns about oil drilling in Alaska and elsewhere. He cautioned that even if oil drilling started today, the first drop of oil will probably be available in about 10 years time.
My question is, why are the US electorates not being made aware of this. Many of those polled believed that once drilling of oil is started, the price of fuel at their local pumps will drop sharply.
My advice to my fellow electorate is to read a book by Dr Runciman of the University of Cambridge called Political Hypocrisy. The book talks about why those who suffer most in the political arena are the most honest ones - for example, the current Prime Minister of the UK - Gordon Brown. Though very honest and principled, he is still not trusted by the general public because the public do not expect politicians to be honest. I might add, the media (mostly from the right)and the recent world economic difficulties have not helped his cause. For me, the general publics lack of trust simply reflects how we all are.
Today, the 8 of August 2008, 06.45am, I was listening to BBC Radio 4 when Professor Paul Stephen of Chattam House - a UK think tank advised about governments' and petroleum companies' short-sightedness in terms of sharp increases in fuel prices - possibly reaching $200 a barrel. Most importantly, my attention was drawn to his comment on the recent rantings in the USA political campaigns about oil drilling in Alaska and elsewhere. He cautioned that even if oil drilling started today, the first drop of oil will probably be available in about 10 years time.
My question is, why are the US electorates not being made aware of this. Many of those polled believed that once drilling of oil is started, the price of fuel at their local pumps will drop sharply.
My advice to my fellow electorate is to read a book by Dr Runciman of the University of Cambridge called Political Hypocrisy. The book talks about why those who suffer most in the political arena are the most honest ones - for example, the current Prime Minister of the UK - Gordon Brown. Though very honest and principled, he is still not trusted by the general public because the public do not expect politicians to be honest. I might add, the media (mostly from the right)and the recent world economic difficulties have not helped his cause. For me, the general publics lack of trust simply reflects how we all are.
Wednesday, 6 August 2008
John McCain's TV Ad
The recent ad by the Republican presidential candidate is not only a disgrace to all the elderly people, it demeans the Party that Senator McCain represents. First he is old enough to be a grand father to either Brittany Spears - a young woman who obviously is trying to resolve some difficulty in her personal life, and Paris Hilton, who is fortunate to be born into wealth. Senator Obama does not have the personal wealth of both young ladies, he was not born into wealth and neither is his personal life traumatised.
Senator Obama represents that "america dream" what many both poor and hard working people in America crave for - a very stable young man who has managed to overcome some of the traumas that afflicted his early life - death of his beloved mother, an absent father and raised by his wonderful maternal grandparent(s) albeit with some reservations about black people.
But the racial tinge in Senator McCain's ad is somehow being overlooked (deliberate or otherwise) by the media and public alike. This ad simply put represents in McCain's views that what he percieved as the worst of white America - in this case Paris Hilton and Brittany Spears, is the best of black America - Obama. McCain is a confused senile old man who will do anything to get elected. All these nonsense about decent campaign is pure deception. Senator John McCain is a political chamelion and I hope that Americans see this before 'another' mistake is made.
Senator Obama represents that "america dream" what many both poor and hard working people in America crave for - a very stable young man who has managed to overcome some of the traumas that afflicted his early life - death of his beloved mother, an absent father and raised by his wonderful maternal grandparent(s) albeit with some reservations about black people.
But the racial tinge in Senator McCain's ad is somehow being overlooked (deliberate or otherwise) by the media and public alike. This ad simply put represents in McCain's views that what he percieved as the worst of white America - in this case Paris Hilton and Brittany Spears, is the best of black America - Obama. McCain is a confused senile old man who will do anything to get elected. All these nonsense about decent campaign is pure deception. Senator John McCain is a political chamelion and I hope that Americans see this before 'another' mistake is made.
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