Be careful with British higher education

The government basically wants universities to economise, there’s a suggestion of two year degrees.

A lady from the Russell Group (UK Ivy league) on channel 4 news made the point that it’s not as if British unis are operating in a mass of waste. She also said that in order to come effectively out of a recession, it is vital we have credible and high quality universities so that our young people can compete in the global job market. Government says to cut back and save cash – like families this Christmas.

Government, in this case David Lammy, the relevant minister, doesn’t get it; I agree with the Russell Group lady. Universities are not the same as families – the problem of money needs to be dealt with differently. The UK is not in a good position when it comes to competitive workers – we need to be beefing up this area not weakening it. Admittedly, many of our problems in these areas do not relate to our universities but it doesn’t make sense to weaken our position by lessening the effectiveness of our unis and trust me – cutting funding will weaken their effectiveness.

How about some inventive thinking so that people can be allowed to study effectively on a part time basis? More inventive on campus job opportunities for people in exchange for tuition? Some tax breaks for people who study for a period of time? Bonding people to work in the public sector for a minimum of 2 years after studying? Things can be done. There are some lazy officials out there I think.

Let something good come of this.

So they have convicted Tobin for killing that girl which is excellent. Now that justice has been done in that quarter let us turn our attention to an important matter.

Let us impart upon our daughters the importance of taking the utmost care of themselves. One thing my mother drummed into me? DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES ACCEPT A RIDE FROM A MAN YOU DO NOT KNOW! Please let your daughters know this. It can save their lives.

Tax,tax, tax

Bills, bills, tax, tax. Mi ah suck salt troo wooden spoon!

Why is it that the only way this government sees its way out of any spending issue is to tax people who are already heavily taxed eh? Because they are weak and lazy that's why.

Intelligent wealthy people find ways to avoid paying as much tax as possible and they will continue to do so. It's the rest of us salaried workers who pay the taxes that run the country. Why don't they just do the work that needs to be done to ensure a fair payment of tax (in my opinion a flat rate of income tax only because calculating and collecting all the different taxes costs a lot to administer)? Because they are weak (they want to win votes and many unthinking people think taxing a wealthy people somehow does them some good. People it doesn't. If you are in a low paying job with not qualifications your position is not ameliorated by a wealthy person losing money). And because they are lazy. To fix to fiscal problems we have takes application, ingenuity and hard work. It is much easier for them to put a plaster over the chasm rather than build an appropriate bridge.

I do not agree with the majority of Brits that success and wealth should be taxed to the point of punishment. All of us should be encouraged to do well and once we are we will all benefit. I mean one of Alistair Darling's proposals is to tax patents on people's ideas! So what, you come up with a good idea, work on it and protect it with a patent and you are to be punished?

I've said it before and will say it again, if they carry on like this the country will run further into the ground. The only people left will be those who are shiftless and or dumb. The hardworking and intelligent will have all buggered off to Europe or America.

Is the music dying?

After watching about half an hour of music TV I had to ask myself this question. The proliferation of crap music and even crappier videos is depressing.

Some say that talent shows of the ilk of X-Factor have contributed to the crap. It contributes but is not the cause I think. I think marketing and recording people who want to make a quick buck, in conjunction with an increasingly dumb, young public are the cause of the problem.

Undoubtedly there is some good music out there but more and more, you get record companies who only want to make a quick buck plus young untalented people who just want to be famous inflicted on us. That lady who used to be on Fame Academy was quoted in a daily the other day as saying she was working with a talented young singer who won a national singing contest, sounded excellent but sadly couldn’t get a record deal. The companies apparently needed to be assured the public would like her – talent was definitely not enough. She had to go on a few years later to win the X-Factor in order to prove herself. Now, Leona may very well have found a deal without X-Factor but it’s a shame she couldn’t isn’t it?

Good sense in Iran

It’s nice that those guys who got lost in their boat have been released. From the media reports that had been floating all over the place it had seemed as though there might be a major international incident. However, it would seem the media were wrong and those anticipating a major dust up have been left disappointed. Well I am not. I am glad these guys have been freed and sent home. After all what else would you expect from reasonable people? Well now that reason has prevailed here perhaps it can prevail elsewhere? I wait with baited breath.

Give Real Presents This Christmas

Here’s a thought. Be honest, most of the presents you will buy for people will be unwanted and unused right? Just like most that you will get. So how about not buying any or at least restricting how many you buy? Do what my family does. Everyone’s name in a hat, you all pick one name and buy that person something. Or what about doing something for someone instead? Like taking them out to a place they’ve always wanted to go to – create some memories you know?

Try and make your gifts, REAL gifts – an expression of your love for someone else and not just an empty mindless activity done just because you think you must.
Happy Christmas when it comes!

Funny Signs

Check out these ridiculous signs http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/travel_images/article6814134.ece.

Race and science

Very interesting programme on Channel Four last night. Rageh Omaar took head on the lies people tell about black people being genetically dumber than whites.

As intelligent people know, how smart you are depends on many factors – all contributing to your intellectual capabilities. He was very brave for doing it. He spoke to some pretty disgusting people but his investigative approach to this topic was refreshing. Channel Four is having a week of documentaries on race and science. They are on at about 10pm UK time. If you can – worth watching. Tonight’s is on the myth that the standard of beauty is white.

Rat Trap

Only in Jamaica! Check out the community of Rat Trap http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20091014/news/news1.html

Thanks God for some commonsense.

It would seem that the government has seen sense and will allow friends to make reciprocal child care arrangements without the need for vetting by the authorities.

Duh! People have been doing this for years and it has been helpful in the extreme. There have been no statistics that say that these reciprocal arrangements have contributed to rising paedophilia. Apparently parents are OK as long as no money changes hands. This is stupid too I think. How does money changing hands put your child at risk? The focus is on the wrong things. If the authorities really care about the well being of kids they need to attack those things that put that well being at risk. Not waste time making up stupid rules.

PS. Rest in peace Sonny Bradshaw

Why does New Technology Take so Long to Come to the UK?

The Kindle was unveiled in 2007. The Sony book reader also about a couple of years ago. Here in the UK the Sony reader has just become available a few months ago and now there's news the UK friendly Kindle will be available in two weeks - but only through Amazon.com so we'll have to pay import duties for it!

Why did it take 2 years for these items to become available in the UK?

When I was living in Jamaica I could get access to all kinds of things as son as they were released. Now that I'm what's known as a first world country I have to wait 2 years! That makes sense to anyone?

Is the answer that we aren't producing new technology - the Americans are?

Come on - in this global world surely we should be able to have access to the best the world has to offer right here in our own back yard? Yeah sure, over the past two years I could have bought a Sony reader in the States and brought it back here but I live here. I should be able to buy this stuff here shouldn't I?

A No Brainer

The country is in debt. Many, many people are out of work. Within this context, digest the following:

1) Our population will be made up of more and more pensioners in the coming years. They will need to be supported.
2) Age Concern brought a case to abolish or amend the retirement age – they lost and people are still often forced to stop earning a living at 60 or 65.

Now it seems a no brainer to me. In this day and age many people over the age of 60 are more than capable of contributing to the economy by working. Many prefer to keep active – yet they are often prevented from doing so.
In a time when we will be having more pensioners to care for and a time when we are running out of cash – surely anyone who isn’t brain dead would allow all people to work until they feel they don’t want to?

Disturbing Rape of Kids in Kenya

Take a read of this story http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/world/africa/the+untold+suffering+of+kenyas+children/3356597

It is very disturbing but it is good to be aware of these issues. Look for ways to get involved to help stop this.

Be Realistic - Don't Vouch for Anyone Unconditionally

It’s amazing how people will lie to themselves about their loved ones even in face of evidence to the contrary.

Yes, you know and love them but no, you cannot completely vouch for everything they do. Don’t be stupid and put yourself on the line for someone else. We can never completely know what is in someone’s heart.

So stick up for them by all means – but don’t be naive and rule out all types of behaviour – because, well, you never know do you?

Check out some Tyler Perry Material

Just been having a great laugh watching some Madea videos on YouTube. I checked it out and you can get them in the UK at Amazon. Check this one out here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iggHnObk0ZY

I have always been fascinated with Tyler Perry because he does what I’d love to – write great material, act in it and produce it. Here’s to more people like him.

Enable People to Support Themselves

So the new unemployment figures are out and there is the usual talk. I agree with one point being made – I think the TUC made it. They say that just because some things are improving we can’t say we are coming out of this recession until people are able to get jobs. And not only get jobs, but get ones that pay a salary that can keep them.

One of the major problems I see here in the UK is that many jobs do not pay a salary that can keep a person and their family. So you have an awful lot of working poor and to be honest, they and their families are better off if they stop working and take benefits.

This is stupid. People should be able to earn a living wage. Surely it’s better for the country for people to be able to support themselves and to contribute to the country’s coffers through purchasing goods and services and taxes?

And here we have one of the largest stumbling blocks. The British tax policy. It is totally against the ordinary working person. If we were taxed fairly people would probably be able to support themselves and their families on the wages they ear, at least they’d be able to support them more.

If there was a flat rate of income tax that would be better. People earning more would automatically pay more for those of you who are so inclined. If they scrapped the tax on having a TV that would be an extra £150 a year on average. If they were reasonable about fuel tax the majority of things would be cheaper. About 70p out of the average £1.04 for each litre of gas is tax - madness!

If council tax was a reasonable figure and you were able to get a decent service in return – that would help.

And the biggie – if child care costs weren’t so astronomical it would help get a whole bunch of people into work. If you have more than ne child your salary is cancelled out by nursery costs.
Yes, something definitely needs to be done to get people a salary that can support them.

Are we forgetting that the criminals are in the minority?

Instituting these new rules regarding taking care of children is ridiculous. It seems to have come out of the fact that Ian Huntley was able to get a job at a school even though he had complaints or offences against children.

This is one of the major sicknesses with British society.

Somebody is negligent or a mistake occurs. Instead of punishing the negligent party and making things right by enforcing the rule that already exists, we create a whole new elaborate set of rules and force law abiding citizens to abide by them – oh – and the new rule is completely useless and ineffective.

This is the case with this situation. In this case someone was negligent. Huntley should have undergone a CRB check before he got that job. He either didn’t or more disturbingly, he did and the school’s authorities ignored the result and hired him anyway. So what do they do after Huntley murders those girls? Tighten up the existing rules, examine them and plug any loopholes? Nope. They wait a couple of years and institute this farce of an idea.
The majority of adults are not paedophiles – this will only hurt kids. Those who are paedophiles will not be stopped by the new rules.

Talk to the relevant authorities and the relevant specialists, i.e. teachers, parents and relevant groups and help them to come up with a sensible solution. Don’t scare responsible decent people from taking care of kids.

Taking a year out

Wouldn’t it be lovely to be able to rent your home, just pay any outstanding bills online and take off for a year of travelling?

HRH loves tennis and we could then travel around visiting the various grand slams. I dream of being able to do this. Anyone had experience of doing this? How did it work financially?

I am at the point in life where I would love to enjoy the wide open and varied spaces this world has to offer. I realise that you can spend the majority of your life sitting in an airless, too bright office, sitting in front of a computer screen and not really experience life or people or the world. And what keeps us there? Maintaining our lifestyles. So perhaps if I change my lifestyle I can get to live a little. Who know when my time will be up? So hopefully within a year or two this is what I would like to do – travel the world.

Wish me luck!

Political Debates in the UK

There is some talk here in the papers of the political parties engaging in a US style debate. I don’t believe in copying things for copying things’ sake but I believe in copying thinks that can be of benefit to you. I believe such debates can be of great benefit to the UK. It will force politicians to actually face the public, it will expose those who are not up to the job and it may very well get more people engaged in political issues.

Now, I know that performing well in a debate does not replace a person’s ability to serve their country but it is a pretty good chance to see what they are made of isn’t it?

Channel Four News Needs to do Better

There was a discussion on Channel Four news last night about the Kennedys. It disturbed me because it seemed to be pandering to some ridiculous notion that a famous politician is by definition on useful because of their fame.

The panel were positing whether or not certain US ‘dynasties’ were in effect. They mentioned the Kennedy s, the Clintons and the Bushes.

The gist of their conversation was that these people got into power because of their name.
Now I understand that in politics name recognition is important and it must play some part. But to make it seem as thought name recognition is the major reason why someone like Senator Kennedy was what he was is disrespectful.

The panel didn’t pay much attention to his actual political career – legislation he had put through, issues he had championed. They just kept on about the name. At one point the news anchor Krishnan made some point about the Americans being fascinated with political dynasties because they don’t have a royal family! How silly.

From what I have read, the Kennedy’s have been a family that believe in public service. And not all of them went into public service. Also, I don’t see how the Bushes or the Clintons can be seen as dynasties.

Basically, if a news show is going to discuss something important such as the passing of an influential man like Ted Kennedy they should do it a lot better than they did it last night.