Earlier this week came news of what have been described as personal tragedies.
In one incident a man murdered his family and then killed himself in Fordingbridge. In the other two young men were found dead in woodland Northumberland and police have said that nobody else was involved. It seems that in both instances, stress and depression played an important part. A coroner might decide that the perpetrators possibly acted whilst the balance of the mind was unstable.
I noticed that the date of these tragedies coincided with the day of the full moon, July 26th, or thereabouts.
I might not have made the connection where it not for the fact that I, too, was gripped by a strong melancholy at the time. It is not the first time that I have found myself depressed at this time of the month, nor is it a previously unknown phenomenon. That the moon affected the behaviour of plants and animals, has been known since earliest times. The Egyptions planted their crops according to the lunar cycle and depression in humans at the time of the full moon, has been recorded since earliest times. Wolves are traditionally thought to howl at the time of the full moon.
I have no records or statistics to offer and science can find no correlation between depression and the lunar cycle and yet the notion persists. Can it be true? Is it yet another example of science still being unable to fathom the workings of the brain?
Scientists will admit we have much still to learn about the brain, but they are reluctant to postulate processes that seem to us to be remarkable. Extra-sensory perception is one such idea. The possibility of a hidden sixth sense remains in the realms of science fiction.
I believe it's time to have another look at Lunacy.
Thursday, 29 July 2010
Wednesday, 28 July 2010
24 hour drinking Licenses
It is reported that the Government is minded to change the policy on allowing 24 hour drink licenses, reversing a trend introduced by the last Labour administration. The hope they had of introducing a 'Cafe' style culture in the UK hasn't worked as youngsters continue to drink in the way they always have; hard.
I believe that extended licenses have always been around. Night Clubs, for instance, have been able to stay open into the early hours and I don't suppose this will change. Many licensees never took advantage of the new licenses because their customers, usually working folk, didn't want to be out all night, so the revoking of this legislation will not be so important as would first seem. With one exception. Most of the pubs that would be affected are brewery owned managed bars. Their sole aim is to sell beer and lots of it. Managers are under instructions to meet tough sales targets, which give rise to to some of the main problems associated with drink.
Managers encourage excessive drinking with 'Happy hours' and other offers.
They routinely serve drunks, contrary to the law.
The atmosphere in these bars is largely aimed at the young end of the market often giving rise to testosterone fuelled trouble. Social drinking has given way to social bingeing. It is seen as cool to be 'wasted'. I would like to see more 'role models' disabusing the vulnerable young of this notion. I would like to hear people saying that it is 'unattractive' and anti-sociable to be inebriated. Why not a double move of removing twenty-four hour drinking and the vilification of drinking to excess.
I believe, having worked in the trade for over twenty-five years, that clipping the wings of these mega bars must have a beneficial effect on the trade as a whole as would a return to more tenancies at realistic rents.
I believe that extended licenses have always been around. Night Clubs, for instance, have been able to stay open into the early hours and I don't suppose this will change. Many licensees never took advantage of the new licenses because their customers, usually working folk, didn't want to be out all night, so the revoking of this legislation will not be so important as would first seem. With one exception. Most of the pubs that would be affected are brewery owned managed bars. Their sole aim is to sell beer and lots of it. Managers are under instructions to meet tough sales targets, which give rise to to some of the main problems associated with drink.
Managers encourage excessive drinking with 'Happy hours' and other offers.
They routinely serve drunks, contrary to the law.
The atmosphere in these bars is largely aimed at the young end of the market often giving rise to testosterone fuelled trouble. Social drinking has given way to social bingeing. It is seen as cool to be 'wasted'. I would like to see more 'role models' disabusing the vulnerable young of this notion. I would like to hear people saying that it is 'unattractive' and anti-sociable to be inebriated. Why not a double move of removing twenty-four hour drinking and the vilification of drinking to excess.
I believe, having worked in the trade for over twenty-five years, that clipping the wings of these mega bars must have a beneficial effect on the trade as a whole as would a return to more tenancies at realistic rents.
Monday, 26 July 2010
Wikileaks
There has been widespread dismay at some of the revelations from secret documents exposed on the internet recently. They relate to unpalateble incidences during the war in Afghanistan, many exposing the deaths of civilians. The reports also seem to document the assassination of Taliban leaders without trial.
Why are people still surprised that these covert operations still go on? Why do the 'Not in my name' brigade still thinks that even in war, protocol observes all the niceties of civilized life.
This war will not be fought under the rules of the Geneva Convention or for that matter under any other romantic code of chivalry. In modern warfare we do not see the combatants displaying the etiquette of honourable battle, particularly if one side is motivated by religious zeal and unhampered by regard for human life. The Taliban have, for instance, no qualms about using women and children as shields when fighting.
The most important decision a statesman will ever make is to commit his people to war against another people. In the UK, I can't ever remember a spokesman in the House of Commons, telling the MPs in hushed tones: "That this Country is now at war with the Taliban." However the UK and USA are committed and although it bears no resemblance to the great wars of the twentieth century, it is a war and as such, having been begun must be prosecuted until won. By this I mean that it must be won by all available means including dark operations and political accommodation. Special forces regularly fight undercover and assassinate other troops. Why should the Taliban leaders be different, any more that our own Generals and political leaders.
Where do you draw the line? I wouldn't be at all surprised if US or UK chemists aren't devising a bacteria or virus that targets only those with Taliban genes in them. Why not! Remember that coming second in War really shouldn't be an option unless you want a country governed by Zealots abiding by Sharia law.
Why are people still surprised that these covert operations still go on? Why do the 'Not in my name' brigade still thinks that even in war, protocol observes all the niceties of civilized life.
This war will not be fought under the rules of the Geneva Convention or for that matter under any other romantic code of chivalry. In modern warfare we do not see the combatants displaying the etiquette of honourable battle, particularly if one side is motivated by religious zeal and unhampered by regard for human life. The Taliban have, for instance, no qualms about using women and children as shields when fighting.
The most important decision a statesman will ever make is to commit his people to war against another people. In the UK, I can't ever remember a spokesman in the House of Commons, telling the MPs in hushed tones: "That this Country is now at war with the Taliban." However the UK and USA are committed and although it bears no resemblance to the great wars of the twentieth century, it is a war and as such, having been begun must be prosecuted until won. By this I mean that it must be won by all available means including dark operations and political accommodation. Special forces regularly fight undercover and assassinate other troops. Why should the Taliban leaders be different, any more that our own Generals and political leaders.
Where do you draw the line? I wouldn't be at all surprised if US or UK chemists aren't devising a bacteria or virus that targets only those with Taliban genes in them. Why not! Remember that coming second in War really shouldn't be an option unless you want a country governed by Zealots abiding by Sharia law.
Thursday, 22 July 2010
Cameron's Gaffe
David Cameron let down his nation yesterday, saying that in 1940, the UK (And its Commonwealth Partners) were junior partners in the Second World War.
Since the US didn't enter the war until 1941, the brunt of the defence of the free world fell to Britain and its Commonwealth partners. Cameron has, like so many of his predecessors, failed to stick up for our great nation. To forcibly make the point that in many respects we will never be inferior to any other state on earth and that we are all proud of our past achiebvements. We need to say that we are sick to the back teeth of anyone who tries to undermine the nation, its history and its people.
To all those Labour supporters who try and make political capital out of the PM's gaffe- DON'T. It'll backfire.
Since the US didn't enter the war until 1941, the brunt of the defence of the free world fell to Britain and its Commonwealth partners. Cameron has, like so many of his predecessors, failed to stick up for our great nation. To forcibly make the point that in many respects we will never be inferior to any other state on earth and that we are all proud of our past achiebvements. We need to say that we are sick to the back teeth of anyone who tries to undermine the nation, its history and its people.
To all those Labour supporters who try and make political capital out of the PM's gaffe- DON'T. It'll backfire.
Thursday, 15 July 2010
New Vatican Guidelines
Vatican labels the ordination of women a 'grave crime' to be dealt with in the same way as sex abuse
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1295012/Outcry-Vatican-labels-ordination-women-grave-crime-dealt-way-sex-abuse.html#ixzz0tmcEwBzh
I'm sorry if it offends but these people, the Vatican, are taking billions of vulnerable and needy people for a ride. There is no mention of reporting active paedophiles in the Church to the police. It has been going on for years in every corner of the globe and is doubtless still going on but the Vatican think it merits the same attention as ordination of women.
Let me ask those with the faith, whether or not they believe that if there were a God, he would sanction the buggery and rape of children in his Church. If he was omnipotent, would he not do something about it? It's no good hiding behind the excuses of the guardians of the canon. If God won't do something about it he can't- because he doesn't exist; he never has and never will. Get it into your heads that we human beings are animals on a rock circulating in the cosmos according to natural physical laws. We have a spiritual side that has been hijacked by witch doctors and other shamanistic frauds for their own advantage and to further their own interests.
Wake up people. Wherever you are in the world, disown these frauds. Like parasites they live off your hard work, seducing you with promises they can't guarantee about your life after death, based on words written by MAN, not by a divine hand.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1295012/Outcry-Vatican-labels-ordination-women-grave-crime-dealt-way-sex-abuse.html#ixzz0tmcEwBzh
I'm sorry if it offends but these people, the Vatican, are taking billions of vulnerable and needy people for a ride. There is no mention of reporting active paedophiles in the Church to the police. It has been going on for years in every corner of the globe and is doubtless still going on but the Vatican think it merits the same attention as ordination of women.
Let me ask those with the faith, whether or not they believe that if there were a God, he would sanction the buggery and rape of children in his Church. If he was omnipotent, would he not do something about it? It's no good hiding behind the excuses of the guardians of the canon. If God won't do something about it he can't- because he doesn't exist; he never has and never will. Get it into your heads that we human beings are animals on a rock circulating in the cosmos according to natural physical laws. We have a spiritual side that has been hijacked by witch doctors and other shamanistic frauds for their own advantage and to further their own interests.
Wake up people. Wherever you are in the world, disown these frauds. Like parasites they live off your hard work, seducing you with promises they can't guarantee about your life after death, based on words written by MAN, not by a divine hand.
Lord Prescott
What a hypocrite! How can anyone look at this man again without thinking he's an opportunist chancer on the make at the expense of the general public. For all his bluster about maintaining the opportunity to debate on behalf of those he's always represented, see a meal ticket for life for him and his social ladder climbing wife. He's a disgrace like all the Socialist members of the last New Labour Government. Why don't decent Labour Party members such as Dennis Skinner and Frank Field disassociate themselves from these freeloaders and self servers? Why don't they speak out and oppose those such as Ed Balls who are positively detrimental to the future of the beloved United kingdom.
The Labour Party, if ever again elected, will bring the country to its knees again as they have always done with their warped ideology, pushing their poisoned promise of milk and honey to the masses whilst looking after their own interests. Look at Tony Blair to see what I mean.
The Labour Party, if ever again elected, will bring the country to its knees again as they have always done with their warped ideology, pushing their poisoned promise of milk and honey to the masses whilst looking after their own interests. Look at Tony Blair to see what I mean.
BBC Transfer news
So Graham Norton is to take over from Jonathon Ross on the Friday night BBC tv show.
So WHO GIVES A DAMN? They may imagine that they verbally entertain but they contribute nothing, zero, zilch to mankind's evolution, survival or wellbeing. They create nothing, make nothing but claim huge amounts of money for what? Absolutely nothing of real importance. They are like parasites, drawing income (Lifeblood) from the victims, those that earn money ( the license fee payee) under the pretext of supplying a service of entertainment.
So WHO GIVES A DAMN? They may imagine that they verbally entertain but they contribute nothing, zero, zilch to mankind's evolution, survival or wellbeing. They create nothing, make nothing but claim huge amounts of money for what? Absolutely nothing of real importance. They are like parasites, drawing income (Lifeblood) from the victims, those that earn money ( the license fee payee) under the pretext of supplying a service of entertainment.
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