It has been days since I have written for immediate publication although I have written much over the past two weeks and much to others across the earth world, but os confidential from respect to them and the rules of my work project.
The sun is shining brightly outside and in my life and which could change significantly over the next three months. I try to keep in mind the law of unintended consequences and that even when we walk through the door that leads into the rose garden of TS Elliot we are likely to find the Mad Hatter’s tea party of Lewis Carroll.
I remain interested and affected by events in Afghanistan, in Cumbria and British politics. In Afghanistan the 300th soldier has died which means not just 300 bereaved families but a thousand, perhaps two or three thousand wounded soldiers, many of whom ill be forced to retire on health grounds and profound physical disability. Young lives changed forever however much they are provide with physical support. It is unlikely the British public will tolerate the continuation of this level of deaths for much longer.
Later this week the new Chancellor of the Exchequer will announce the Government’s financial programme in general terms for the next four to five years. This will have the effect of reducing public borrowing, and primarily public expenditure to a significantly reduced level from that at present. This will have the effect of reducing economic growth for the UK from the original Labour forecast of over 3% to 2% and less than 2.6% recently announced by the new independent unit set up by the coalition. It should not result in in what is described as a double dip recession but will result in an increase in the number of the unemployed, in reduced income from taxation and great payments in benefits. This is likely to offset but to what extent by taxation increases with capital gains tax which has been use by those on vary high incomes to avoid the higher tax rates. The raising of VAT is an issue and the removal of some tax advantages such as taking child credits away from those with incomes over a level. Frank Field the Labour back bench Member of Parliament has agreed to look at the whole system of welfare payments and there is likely to be renewed effort to discourage long term dependency especially by the young, the long term sick and those who are unemployed on benefit for long periods.
Yesterday a former Labour Minister also agreed to look at the question of public sector pension of which there are two kinds. Mine, other local Government pensions and regional public services have schemes which the employers contribute as well as the members and the overall fund is managed in such a way as to ensure there is income and capital to meet the cost of the pensions without government use of additional public monies. This is not the situation of other public servants, civil servants and the police for example where the government pays the pensions and where it has been customary for the police, and for firemen to retire in their late forties and early fifties and gain new employment will receiving half pay pensions. The tax payer pays the pension without reference to any backing fund. This clearly has to change but will my position be affected. There is talk of a pay freeze for those earning above a certain figure.
There have been developments in the Coalition with the departure of the highly regarded number two at the treasury because of expenses issues arising from the non disclosure of a same sex relationship. Then former leadership challenger Chis Hulne and now Cabinet Minister responsible for the Environment has disclosed he and his wife have parted and that he has established a life with someone else. I have watched many of the maiden speeches and eben impressed by the new arrivals . There are some interest new female member sin Newcastle and Sunderland who I expect to rise in the party over the course of the Parliament.
The most important political event of the past days has been the publication of the 10 volume report into the Bloody Sunday shootings in Northern Ireland when it is evident individual soldiers lost their heads and killed a number of protestors, have since lied and their actions covered up by the military and governments for over two decades before the Labour Government initiated the inquiry over a decade ago.
The release of the report was well staged managed with the families of those killed given them report early and watched the Prime Minister make a statement to the Commons in which he admitted the action was wrong and that none of hose killed were terrorists. He apologised on behalf of the government’s past. It has taken £200 million and making several law firms very rich for the truth to emerge. It shows the power of the state in a democracy with a former Chief Justice accepting failing to get anywhere close to the truth by choosing to believe the lies of the army and individual soldiers against the testimony of demonstrators and witnesses bystanders. It is a scar on Britain but does not surprise. The Prime MInister did well as he has done so far. On early votes he commands a good majority of the order of 90 to 100.
In terms of reaction the media was well briefed to put the case against the IRA and the death of 3000 other individuals in what is called the Troubles since then. I have always been quite clear that previous British Government were solidly behind the corrupt religious racist Protestant Parties which dominated Northern Ireland prevented Catholics from holding public office or achieving social advancement unless they renounced their faith and republicanism. So much for British democracy. The Protestant politicians sued to boast how the diverted British government fund for their political purpose. Bloody Sunday was the catylist to turn the general Catholic community behind republicanism with the resultant bloodshedding on both sides and British service men caught up in the middle. North American money then fuelled Republican terorrism. The holding of the Bloody Sunday Inquiry was the price for the ITA laying down its arms and turning to political action and it si to the credit fo of both sides hat they were able to work together in the Northern Ireland power sharing talks and self governing process, as well as of Tony Blair and USA senior politicians who stemned the flow of funds and helped to get people talking. While the publication and findings of the report will bring closure for many Catholics there were indications that some hard nosed so called loyalists were trying to get more government funding for raking over the coals of all the other atrocities, particularly the part played by Martin McGuiness in the IRA re-examined despite his major contribution in the Power Sharing executive since its inception.
The past two weeks has seen several important sporting events. I went to the Odeon Cinema at the Metro Centre Gateshead to watch England’s first game against eh USA on the big Screen for free. I arrived early to check if tickets were available, and intended to find a pub in Newcastle if none were available. I then a couple of hours before the theatre opened for the preliminaries at 6.30 so took the opportunity have a an explore of the centre. It had been exceptionally quiet for a Saturday evening as most people decided to watch with their families at home adn the centre was also deserted although I have not been at this time of day on a Saturday evening. In Newcastle the centre is always packed until just before closing when the crowds thin out quickly as the evening revellers take over.
It was also first time I had seen the new Odeon opened. It has a massive entrance foyer on what is the first floor of the shopping malls and the third floor of the yellow car park. I now know the way to this car park for future reference.
There is also a large Costa Coffee within the Cinema area where before the showing I enjoyed a coffee and a packet of crisps with a cheese twist. Had also ascended the floor lit staircase to the upper floor . The stairway is impressive Hollywood style. I later found the lifts. At the top there is the entrance to the Imax theatre and special lounge where for an additional premium one can sit in comfort and given a soft drink popcorn as part of the package. There is also a modern bar where I enjoyed a Peroni before locating the toilet and the lifts.
I had no idea what kind of audience would come for the showing and was pleasantly surprised by families, a couple of mothers with their sons, several Asian families and small groups of well behaved young men. There was also evidence of the British version of the long single tone trumpet sounding instrument which creates a cacophony of mindless sound by South Africans drowning out the usual crowd chanting and shoutings. It was a great pity that England performed so badly after scoring their only goal in the first few minutes. It was evident that Wayne Rooney was several notches below par form and Heskey in particular missed a goal scoring opportunity. I had taken by inner black coat which was thrown under the seat.
It was not until Monday morning that I discovered I could not find my bank card and after several checks of coats and other clothing and areas where it might have placed on return home thought the most likely explanation was it had dropped out of the coat under the seat. There was the usual difficulties of finding a human being to talk to on the main Odeon Internet contact site, but I managed and they put me through to the Duty manager who maxde enquiries and rang back to say the card hand been handed in. I made arrangements to collect the card on my way to cricket at Durham later that evening. This added to being impressed with the cinema where in the bar an assistant admitted that it was generally quiet although more quiet than usual. The various restaurants nearby did not appear tio be doing sufficient trade to be profit making on the evening or Monday lunch time when it was also quieter than on previous visits. For the cricket, the morot racing, England’s second game and anything else I can remember I will write tomorrow.
The sun is shining brightly outside and in my life and which could change significantly over the next three months. I try to keep in mind the law of unintended consequences and that even when we walk through the door that leads into the rose garden of TS Elliot we are likely to find the Mad Hatter’s tea party of Lewis Carroll.
I remain interested and affected by events in Afghanistan, in Cumbria and British politics. In Afghanistan the 300th soldier has died which means not just 300 bereaved families but a thousand, perhaps two or three thousand wounded soldiers, many of whom ill be forced to retire on health grounds and profound physical disability. Young lives changed forever however much they are provide with physical support. It is unlikely the British public will tolerate the continuation of this level of deaths for much longer.
Later this week the new Chancellor of the Exchequer will announce the Government’s financial programme in general terms for the next four to five years. This will have the effect of reducing public borrowing, and primarily public expenditure to a significantly reduced level from that at present. This will have the effect of reducing economic growth for the UK from the original Labour forecast of over 3% to 2% and less than 2.6% recently announced by the new independent unit set up by the coalition. It should not result in in what is described as a double dip recession but will result in an increase in the number of the unemployed, in reduced income from taxation and great payments in benefits. This is likely to offset but to what extent by taxation increases with capital gains tax which has been use by those on vary high incomes to avoid the higher tax rates. The raising of VAT is an issue and the removal of some tax advantages such as taking child credits away from those with incomes over a level. Frank Field the Labour back bench Member of Parliament has agreed to look at the whole system of welfare payments and there is likely to be renewed effort to discourage long term dependency especially by the young, the long term sick and those who are unemployed on benefit for long periods.
Yesterday a former Labour Minister also agreed to look at the question of public sector pension of which there are two kinds. Mine, other local Government pensions and regional public services have schemes which the employers contribute as well as the members and the overall fund is managed in such a way as to ensure there is income and capital to meet the cost of the pensions without government use of additional public monies. This is not the situation of other public servants, civil servants and the police for example where the government pays the pensions and where it has been customary for the police, and for firemen to retire in their late forties and early fifties and gain new employment will receiving half pay pensions. The tax payer pays the pension without reference to any backing fund. This clearly has to change but will my position be affected. There is talk of a pay freeze for those earning above a certain figure.
There have been developments in the Coalition with the departure of the highly regarded number two at the treasury because of expenses issues arising from the non disclosure of a same sex relationship. Then former leadership challenger Chis Hulne and now Cabinet Minister responsible for the Environment has disclosed he and his wife have parted and that he has established a life with someone else. I have watched many of the maiden speeches and eben impressed by the new arrivals . There are some interest new female member sin Newcastle and Sunderland who I expect to rise in the party over the course of the Parliament.
The most important political event of the past days has been the publication of the 10 volume report into the Bloody Sunday shootings in Northern Ireland when it is evident individual soldiers lost their heads and killed a number of protestors, have since lied and their actions covered up by the military and governments for over two decades before the Labour Government initiated the inquiry over a decade ago.
The release of the report was well staged managed with the families of those killed given them report early and watched the Prime Minister make a statement to the Commons in which he admitted the action was wrong and that none of hose killed were terrorists. He apologised on behalf of the government’s past. It has taken £200 million and making several law firms very rich for the truth to emerge. It shows the power of the state in a democracy with a former Chief Justice accepting failing to get anywhere close to the truth by choosing to believe the lies of the army and individual soldiers against the testimony of demonstrators and witnesses bystanders. It is a scar on Britain but does not surprise. The Prime MInister did well as he has done so far. On early votes he commands a good majority of the order of 90 to 100.
In terms of reaction the media was well briefed to put the case against the IRA and the death of 3000 other individuals in what is called the Troubles since then. I have always been quite clear that previous British Government were solidly behind the corrupt religious racist Protestant Parties which dominated Northern Ireland prevented Catholics from holding public office or achieving social advancement unless they renounced their faith and republicanism. So much for British democracy. The Protestant politicians sued to boast how the diverted British government fund for their political purpose. Bloody Sunday was the catylist to turn the general Catholic community behind republicanism with the resultant bloodshedding on both sides and British service men caught up in the middle. North American money then fuelled Republican terorrism. The holding of the Bloody Sunday Inquiry was the price for the ITA laying down its arms and turning to political action and it si to the credit fo of both sides hat they were able to work together in the Northern Ireland power sharing talks and self governing process, as well as of Tony Blair and USA senior politicians who stemned the flow of funds and helped to get people talking. While the publication and findings of the report will bring closure for many Catholics there were indications that some hard nosed so called loyalists were trying to get more government funding for raking over the coals of all the other atrocities, particularly the part played by Martin McGuiness in the IRA re-examined despite his major contribution in the Power Sharing executive since its inception.
The past two weeks has seen several important sporting events. I went to the Odeon Cinema at the Metro Centre Gateshead to watch England’s first game against eh USA on the big Screen for free. I arrived early to check if tickets were available, and intended to find a pub in Newcastle if none were available. I then a couple of hours before the theatre opened for the preliminaries at 6.30 so took the opportunity have a an explore of the centre. It had been exceptionally quiet for a Saturday evening as most people decided to watch with their families at home adn the centre was also deserted although I have not been at this time of day on a Saturday evening. In Newcastle the centre is always packed until just before closing when the crowds thin out quickly as the evening revellers take over.
It was also first time I had seen the new Odeon opened. It has a massive entrance foyer on what is the first floor of the shopping malls and the third floor of the yellow car park. I now know the way to this car park for future reference.
There is also a large Costa Coffee within the Cinema area where before the showing I enjoyed a coffee and a packet of crisps with a cheese twist. Had also ascended the floor lit staircase to the upper floor . The stairway is impressive Hollywood style. I later found the lifts. At the top there is the entrance to the Imax theatre and special lounge where for an additional premium one can sit in comfort and given a soft drink popcorn as part of the package. There is also a modern bar where I enjoyed a Peroni before locating the toilet and the lifts.
I had no idea what kind of audience would come for the showing and was pleasantly surprised by families, a couple of mothers with their sons, several Asian families and small groups of well behaved young men. There was also evidence of the British version of the long single tone trumpet sounding instrument which creates a cacophony of mindless sound by South Africans drowning out the usual crowd chanting and shoutings. It was a great pity that England performed so badly after scoring their only goal in the first few minutes. It was evident that Wayne Rooney was several notches below par form and Heskey in particular missed a goal scoring opportunity. I had taken by inner black coat which was thrown under the seat.
It was not until Monday morning that I discovered I could not find my bank card and after several checks of coats and other clothing and areas where it might have placed on return home thought the most likely explanation was it had dropped out of the coat under the seat. There was the usual difficulties of finding a human being to talk to on the main Odeon Internet contact site, but I managed and they put me through to the Duty manager who maxde enquiries and rang back to say the card hand been handed in. I made arrangements to collect the card on my way to cricket at Durham later that evening. This added to being impressed with the cinema where in the bar an assistant admitted that it was generally quiet although more quiet than usual. The various restaurants nearby did not appear tio be doing sufficient trade to be profit making on the evening or Monday lunch time when it was also quieter than on previous visits. For the cricket, the morot racing, England’s second game and anything else I can remember I will write tomorrow.
No comments:
Post a Comment