Spitting

First off, fortunately, I couldn't find a picture that portrays my disgust at this habit, - which is probably a good thing.

I travel to work each day on public transport and most days there is some callow youth standing on the platform spitting every 30 seconds or so. Some of these boys (I have rarely seen girls doing this) seem to enjoy sniffing up and pulling up enough sputum to sink the Titanic. Rolling it around the mouth as if savoring a fine wine, before ejecting it, with some velocity, onto the ground. It is disgusting!

But why do they do it? I don't need to spit, so why do they? Do they not have any idea what their activity does to other people? Have they no respect for the majority, non-spitting traveling public? Don't they know that they can easily spread disease? It doesn't help when TV have close-ups of sportsmen gobbing all over the pitch!

The other night I got to the station, walked to my favourite spot on the platform, went to put my bag down and noticed what seemed like a pint of the stuff. No, I'm pretty hardy about such things, but this almost turned my stomach.

I have tried to talk to a couple of these yobs, only to be told "F*** Off, Grandad, what you're going to do about it?" If only I was allowed to do what I wanted to do, he would have great difficulty spitting anything!

I'm all for youthful rebellion and contempt for adults, but this is going too far.

A Man And His Cat

This story really touched my heart:

A man came downstairs one morning and found his cat, lying very still on the kitchen floor.

Now he was very attached to the beast and didn't like to think the obvious, so he took it to the vet to see if there was anything could be done for it.

"Well," says the vet, "it looks a bit dead to me, but I can examine it professionally if you like. But it'll cost you fifty quid." So the man puts poor pussy on the table, the vet has a poke around its eyes and mouth and so on, turns round and says, "yes, I'm really sorry but your cat is definitely dead."

"But I'm really fond of my cat," says the man, "can I have a second opinion?"

"You can, but it'll cost you more," says the vet."Ok, Ok, anything." So the vet opens the door and whistles, and in strolls a big ginger tom-cat. It jumps up on the table, looks at the moggie, has a sniff, looks at the vet, shakes its head, jumps down and walks out. "There you are," says the vet. "The cat says it's dead. What more do you want?"

"But look, my cat's special, isn't there any hope at all?"

"I could get a third opinion for you, but it really will cost you."

"Ok, I don't care, my cat is worth it to me." So the vet opens the door and whistles again, and this time in walks a big black Labrador. It jumps up on the table, looks at the cat, has a sniff and a scratch, looks at the vet, shakes its head, jumps down and walks out. "I'm sorry," says the vet, "but there's no hope at all. I say your cat is dead, the tom says it's dead, and the Labrador says it's dead. That will be five hundred pounds please."

The man is pretty shocked by this. "You said it would be expensive, but I didn't expect that much. Why is it such a lot?"

"Well," says the vet. "Medical procedures are expensive. You could have just taken my word for it, but no, you had to go for the full CAT scan and lab tests..."

Death Of The High Street

Tesco underlined its dominance of the retail sector today by reporting annual profits of £2.21bn - almost 17% higher than a year earlier. It now commands almost 30% of the market and its position seems unassailable.

Six years ago, we moved to a small town on the outskirts of Wigan, and at the time there was a thriving High Street. There were shops of all kinds, including a super-market which housed the local Post Office, but 3 years ago, the super-market closed, Tesco bought the site and put up a mediumn sized super-market in its place. Of course, with the prices that Tesco is able to charge, there was no competition from the high street, and now a third of the shops are closed and boarded up. The local diversity that once existed has been destroyed, and will probably never return.

But it is their tactics that seem very mercenary and preditary. For example, they have bought large tracts of land in prime locations with the sole purpose of stopping rivals and local competitors from getting a foot hold. These "land banks" have recently been criticised by the Office of Fair Trading and is considering taking it to the Competition Commission. In other places, they swamp the area, again, with the objective of killing off any meaningful competition. Aberdeen has four Tesco super stores around it's perimeter, with a couple of Tesco Metro's and Expresses within the city for good measure.

In response to Tesco's "booming" profits today, Friends of the Earth (FoE) said it was "time to put the brakes on the Tesco juggernaut". An FoE campaigner, Sandra Bell, said: "The government and competition authorities must recognise the value of small shops to local communities and create an environment that allows retail choice to flourish."

I'm not against super-markets in principle. They do have a role to play, but I feel that it is dangerous when one company has such a stranglehold in the market, and is openly searching for ways to increase that share. There has to be room for diversity, or we will all be living in Tescoland!

Holiday Over

Tomorrow, it's back to work. Oh joy!

My small week of freedom and liberty has come to an end. No more the pleasure of getting up and making my own decisions about the day. No more the delight of looking at the weather and deciding that a day of day-time TV is just what the doctor ordered.

No! It's back to routine. Catching the train, walking to the office, the same problems day in day out, the lack of choice in how I choose to conduct my life.

It's not a bad job as jobs go, and I suppose I should feel privileged to have one, but I just feel that I'm missing opportunities in those parts of my life that matter.

I'm fed-up!

Huddersfield Narrow Canal

For our first major bike ride of the year, I decided to search for pastures new and chose to do a stretch of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal. This canal starts in Ashton-Under-Lyne, about 8 miles east of Manchester at a point where 3 canals meet. The Ashton canal that runs to Manchester, and the Forest Peak canal that runs south towards the Peak District in Derbyshire. The canal rises very quickly through numerous locks towards the Pennines and at Diggle, it enters the Standedge Tunnel which runs for approximately 2 miles under Pule Hill to Marsden. Unfortunately there isn't a tow-path, so for us to reach Huddersfield, we'll have to go over!

Jayne and I, armed with our Greater Manchester Ranger tickets, set off by train from Hindley to Greenfield which is about 5 miles north-east of Stalybridge, about 9 miles up the canal from Ashton-Under-Lyne. Here, we joined the canal and started riding north-east up the canal towards the Pennines.

It becomes very quickly apparent that this canal is not for the faint hearted. It is a rugged, tough, no-nonsense canal. The locks are many and most of them have steps rather than a slope up the side so bikes have to be pushed. However, the hard work is rewarded by the magnificent views of the hills and the changing countryside the canal transcends.

We cycled on to Diggle and stopped to re-assess the situation. I could clearly see the hill we would have to go over, and in our present state of fitness, I felt it would be a step too far, so I decided we would descend the canal and cycle down to Stalybridge. This was a reasonably straight-forward ride, and it was interesting to see how the countryside changes from rugged moorland to a softer, more gentle countryside the further down we went. Throughout the ride, we never really lost site of the dark imposing bulk of Saddleworth Moor, and the canal has constant companions in the form of the railway and the River Tame.




Stopped for lunch at the Tollemarche Arms in Mossley and enjoyed a refreshing pint of Hatters. In the beer garden, there is a bench that commemorates a favoured local - now that's the way I would like to be remembered! From there, the canal drops down towards Stalybridge, running through Scout Tunnel which has a towpath. It was a bit creepy in the middle, but there were railings to stop us from falling in.


Arriving at Stalybridge, we found the station, and in particular, the station buffet bar which is a reasonable restoration of a 1930's/1940's buffet bar, - think Brief Encounter. It serves good food, and an interesting range of real ales, - mine was a pint of Miller's. From there we got the train back home.

Not a massive ride, but a tough workout none-the-less. I saw enough to make me want to go back again, and a few more rides will ensure that we can make it over the hill next time, - even if we have to walk it!

For a complete set of pictures, you can find them here.

I'm Supporting The Boston Red Socks

Red Socks - Again, originally uploaded by markhsal.

I've been given to believe that there is a rounders team in America that many support called the Boston Red Socks (for some reason, some people spell it Sox - very strange!). As red is a favourite colour of mine and Jayne, we decided to become supporters too and get some red socks. As you can see, we also got the tea out so we could have a party - Earl Grey of course!

Rounders is a game loved by lots of girls and women over here, and I'm sure they would love to come across and play against the American rounders teams like the Red Socks.

I also hear that there is a team that plays in white socks! I wonder if other teams play in different coloured socks? How about green, brown, yellow, - perhaps pink, that would be nice. Mind you, it would be easier to spot if the kits were different colours, - socks must be very difficult to spot from a distance.

Happy Easter

Here's hoping you have a good, relaxing Easter Day, and that the Easter Bunny brings all your favourite chocolate.

If it hasn't got to you yet, it is on the way, - our back garden is full of the stuff! Mind you, with the world cat problem increasing each year, it does get tougher for it, - especially around Texas!

It's Finished

The decoration of the hall and stairs is now finished, and I think it looks a lot better. The space is lighter and feels more welcoming, but now we've got to find the right pictures to go on it to give it some colour and highlight.

Please Read This

Please read this and pass it on.

Thanks Sande.

Are We Or Are We Not Monkeys?

Two stories from the papers this weekend have brought into focus the evolution/creationist debate.

In the Guardian newspaper on Saturday, came a report about an animal, scientists have called Tiktaalik which provides evidence of the 'missing' link between fish and animals. This animal showed that the transfer from sea to land happened slowly, with fish first starting to inhabit shallow water, before moving onto land completely. Further details of this fascinating animal can be found here.

But then I read in the Observer newspaper, that John Mackay, and Australian geologist and leading member of the creationist movement, is coming to the UK to visit schools, universities and churches to put the view of 'Intelligent Design'. One of the arguments used by the creationists is that there are breaks in the fossil record, well, the story above which was first published in Nature, and hopefully, rigorously peer-reviewed, should knock a further dent in this particular 'scientific' theory.

I am very much an evolutionist, but as a believer in free speech, John Mackay has the right to his point of view. It's just that I wish the creationist theory could be debunked sooner rather than later, so mankind can move and evolve forward.

To All My Subscribers

My apologies to my subscribers who have not been receiving notification of changes to my blog, but there seems to have been a problem with Bloglet, the site that controls this activity. It appears to have lost its connection to my site.

Hopefully, that has now been restored.

DIY v GSI

This week we have embarked on a long over due renovation and decoration of the hall and stairs. The reason it is overdue is because neither of us have either the time or inclination for DIY (do-it-yourself), so this time we are going GSI (get-someone-in) which has become the new DIY.

So far the experience has not proved too stress full.

If you look carefully at the picture, you can see the ghosts of previous decorations on the walls. Quite weird really!

I'll post further pictures of the completed job in a later post. All comments, as long as they are favourable, are welcome!!

Only The Government Was Surprised By This!

A draft report has been seen by the Observer newspaper that states that Britain's involvement in Iraq was a major contributory factor for the four London Bombers last July. This flies in the face of Blair's assertion that the decision to go to war would make Britain safer.

At the time, Blair and the Government played down the importance of the conflict as motivation for the bombers, - but they were probably the only people in the UK who believed that. Other factors included social and economic deprivation, but the premier reason by far, was our involvement in Iraq.

Even more worrying, Mohammad Sidique Khan, the ring-leader, who appeared on a video released after the bombings, confirmed the reason as Iraq. Khan had apparently been monitored by the security forces, but that monitoring was withdraw as Khan was seen as a "peripheral" player in terrorist organisations, and that they were considered 'nothing exceptional' about them prior to the attack.

Tony Blair pleads with us not to connect the bombings with Iraq, but how could any thinking person not make that connection!

Who Paid For This Criminal?

I don't want to waste any more time on this topic, but I do have a question. Whose footing the bill for this war criminal Codoleeza Rice's visit, in particular the security and disruption that has been such a feature of this 'private' visit?

I hope my taxes are not paying for it, - not when wards are being closed in hospitals for lack of funds. Mind you, a few more dead people is not going to worry someone such as her, - not when there is the possibility of a half decent photo oportunity which can be spun for her personal political advancement!

Two War Criminals At Large, Sighted in North-West England

Two wanted war criminals, Condoleeza 'we don't do torture' Rice and Jack 'I'm clutching at..' Straw were seen at large in Liverpool and Blackburn last night and today. The pictures here, give proof to this statement, though local residents were astounded by the behaviour of the police who refused to arrest them.

One resident was overheard to say, "The police just did nothing. They just stood around while these terrorists, responsible for thousands of deaths, accosted school children in a local school, attempting to poison their minds with their own particular brand of hatred and bigotry. The police actually looked as if they were protecting them as if they were people of importance and note. I'd write to my MP, except he's New Labour as well!"



Condoleeza 'yes you can go wee-wee' Rice did say that in a democratic country, there should be the right to protest, "I get it in every town I go in America."

Pity she doesn't get the message.

A Few Media Links To This Story
BBC
USA Today
Reuters
China View
The Times
The Guardian
Manchester Evening News
And finally, a really acerbic piece in The Australian

War Criminals Not Welcome Here

This week sees a visit from US Secretary of State (and Bush's toilet nanny). She is visiting the Blackburn constituency of Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, and will be visiting 2008 City of Culture, Liverpool, over the weekend. This is nothing more than a personal photo opportunity for her, and given the GOP's record in using photos (see Moxiegrrrl's post here), it will be interesting to see how and where they are used.

As one of the top US war criminals, we do not want her here.

She is not welcome. But, unsurprisingly in Blair's Britain, civil liberties are being brushed aside as legal protest will not be allowed within her hearing. We wouldn't want to upset the sensitivities of such a warm, sensitive and compassionate person, would we? She may even want to go shopping for shoes on Bold Street! No, just clear all protest away.

This woman is a major player in the illegality of the Iraq war, Guantanamo Bay and a supporter of rendition, - the secret transporting of uncharged, innocent people to be tortured in other countries. Perhaps, for once, the police could actually arrest the right person, - but I'm not holding my breath.

Clearly, this woman has no shame and very little sense of morality. We should send here back to the cess pit that is GOP Washington as soon as possible.

Brian Haw - Blair's Favourite Protester.

On the 2nd June 2001, Brian Haw took up residence on Parliament Square outside the Houses of Parliament, to protest about UK and US policy towards Iraq.

During this period of occupation, Brian has seen off many attempts to have him leave and give up. The most embarrassing attempt being when Government ministers tagged onto the Organised Crime and Police Bill, a clause that would make it unlawful to protest within a 1 kilometer radius of the Houses of Parliament (this means that Whitehall and Downing Street would be protected from hearing those who disagree). This clause was specifically drawn up with the intention of removing Brian from his, as far as the Government were concerned, embarrassing and very public pitch.

Unfortunately, the Government proved incompetent in drafting this clause, and Brian won on appeal last June. So there he can stay, but no-one else is allowed to protest with him.

Yesterday, a supporter, Barbara Tucker, joined him and raised a banner and she was arrested to illegal protest within the 1 Km perimeter. Of course Brian was also arrested, even though he is there totally legally. They were both held for a couple of hours and then released pending a decision by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Last October, when I was in London, I saw Brian at his protest. Above is the picture I took at the time. As can be seen, his protest is quite visible, but doesn't stop people walking the pavement, or their enjoyment of the area. No, the only people it upsets are those who know they lied to get us into a war with the US on the off-chance a few crumbs from Haliburton's table would fall in our direction. In the meantime, British and American children are killed, along with tens of thousands of local Iraqis in the bloody civil war that is now in progress.

Other visitors have included Cindy Sheehan who came across last December and joined him on his vigil.

I am proud that this country can still produce world class protesters such as Brian. He doesn't make a great deal of noise, but his presence has become the conscience of all politicians entering the Houses of Parliament. The fact that the Government of the day was so scared of this one man that they had to draft a law to get rid of him (and couldn't even succeed at that) is demonstration enough of his power.

The fact that we no longer have the freedom to protest our freedoms outside the place that should be defending our freedoms is an absolute and disgusting disgrace.

You can read more of Brian's protest on his website.

Now Photographers Are A Threat

I confess. I enjoy taking pictures. I'll snap a few shots when I get the chance, or something catches my eye. I also like to share my photographs, and people are welcome to view my public pictures on Flickr. I've even got a badge you can click to take you to my page on Flickr somewhere down there on the left.

However, I feel I am responsible and sensible when it comes to taking pictures, so it comes as a shock to read about a photographer doing exactly what I would be doing, - except, he was arrested!

After reading the story, I honestly had as much sympathy for the police as I had for the photographer. It does seem that the administration in America has ratched up the hysteria to such a point that a photographer taking a picture of a public building from a public place was arrested and held for over 2 hours, because the police on duty thought he was a threat.

Could this happen here? Would I be arrested if I took pictures of the Old Bailey, or the Houses of Parliament? When are our governments going to release us from this atmosphere of fear and hysteria? For goodness sake, lets reclaim our lives from fear before it's too late.

Do I Hate Cats?

Someone, whose identity I won't reveal has unjustly and publicly accused of hating cats. Now, I resent that, and would like to take this opportunity to put the record straight.

Cats. They make me sneeze, wheeze, snort, cough, choke. My eyes run, my nose runs, and I want leave rooms when a cat is present. I don't hate cats, - I abhor cats. I detest cats.. They're extremely unfriendly, conceited, self-centred and all around boorish individuals.

And those meows! How the good Lord in His wisdom could let a sound like that on this green earth mystifies me.

Consider also, the sound from their nocturnal amorous forays? Well, as they say, it's enough to raise the dead. Or the living for that matter. I distinctly recall waking in a cold sweat on many nights, a condition undoubtedly induced by those eerie, preternatural wails that emit from feline throats.

But enough.

Let's get down to specifics; let's try for some objectivity here. Lets examine the 'domesticated' cat in his habitat.

The first thing is that cats don't seem to feel they belong to anyone. They're kicked out of the house and their first action is to come straight round to your garden for their toilet. They leave poo in the petunias and wee on the wisteria. Priceless seedlings scratched up and left for dead looking like a horticultural vision of the Somme. I won't mention the stress experienced amongst the local bird population, - some of whom have probably had to seek psychiatric help.

Needless to say, any sane, right thinking person would find this extremely distressing and distasteful.

Now let's move into the living room of a cat lover's house, where it seems the cat gains no greater pleasure than popping onto your lap just as your settling down with the Sunday paper and a cup of real coffee. The paper gets trampled, and, of course, if you're drinking said coffee, the entire scalding mug goes everywhere, except inside you. Moreover, when you get up and escape the torture go back to your own house, half the cat comes with you in the form of hair attached to just about every item of clothing, prolonging your period of complete and utter distress.

Push a cat away and it comes back for more. Get rough with it, and out come those claws to rake your arm, draw blood and raise welts on the skin that can take hours- even days - to disappear. God forbid if you take a swipe at that lowly cousin to the King of Beasts. That's when every cat lover in the room comes out of the woodwork , calls the RSPCA and turns you in for animal abuse. When it was all a case of self-defense in the the first place!

Finally, my children adore them, and chastise me every time I exercise my freedom to criticise the flea-ridden beasts.

But it's not just cats, - any beast the licks its own backside or enjoys swallowing its own fur only to later sick it back up is not welcome in my house

The Knives Are Out

It is reported that senior ministers, headed by Charles Clarke; the Home Secretary, are now openly criticising Jack Dromey, Labour party treasurer who instigated an investigation into the 'loans' issue now embroiling the Labour Party.

£14million were raised for election funds by the use of loans which, unlike donations, do not need to be declared as long as the loans are offered at commercial rates. Recently, however, this has come back to bite the party on the bum, when some of these lenders were turned down for honours, while others were getting increased contracts for Government work. All the hallmarks of sleaze that mired the last Conservative government. New Labour promoted themselves as being different, purer, more honest and yet here we are, back to the future!

Mr Dromey only launched the enquiry when he heard about the loans through the media. He says he has no knowledge of them, or how they were processed through the accounts.

How does a treasurer NOT know about such things as loans?

Anyway, party luminaries are not happy with this course of action, and his abilities are now being questioned by senior ministers. A rift is opening up between the Labour party and the Labour government, and this could all become a bit dirty. It is a real disappointment to me that a left wing party and government could allow itself to be bogged down in a scandal one would more likely to associate with the right.

The fundamental question remains. Who do our politicians work for, the voter or those with money and influence?