The news that the average pay increase for top executives has been 49% this year is deeply worrying.
The deputy Prime Minister says it is a slap in the face - I have to hope that is an understatement.
It is a total outrage and the real problem with these things is there will never be a rebalancing 49% cut.
Saturday, 29 October 2011
Sunday, 23 October 2011
Gaddafi
A man is beaten up by a mob and shot. Should we be concerned ? Should we only be bothered if we like the person ? or do some people deserve to be shot and given a taste of their own medicine ?
I am not keen on the death penalty, but I accept there are strong arguments for executing some people.
But death at the hands of a mob ? It's not a good way to start a new regime.
If it had been an action order by Gaddafi, it would rightly been seen as a crime, so do we wish to replace Gaddafi with something better or something much the same or worse? It is strange to hear news report talk about people having waited 40 years for liberation form his rule, as if no-one had ever supported him. I suspect that at many times he had more popular support than our own Prime Minister.
Of course only a cynic would suggest this is about oil - which is why British Oil Companies are already trying to get lucrative contracts in place.
I am not keen on the death penalty, but I accept there are strong arguments for executing some people.
But death at the hands of a mob ? It's not a good way to start a new regime.
If it had been an action order by Gaddafi, it would rightly been seen as a crime, so do we wish to replace Gaddafi with something better or something much the same or worse? It is strange to hear news report talk about people having waited 40 years for liberation form his rule, as if no-one had ever supported him. I suspect that at many times he had more popular support than our own Prime Minister.
Of course only a cynic would suggest this is about oil - which is why British Oil Companies are already trying to get lucrative contracts in place.
who do you think you are
Comedian Jeremy Hardy is well known to fans of Radio 4 programmes like the news quiz and I'm sorry I haven't a clue - but as he says, he not quite famous enough to be asked to do those ancestor research programmes like who do you think you are.
Instead he has embarked on his own research to trace his ancestors.
It is an amusing book, as one would hope. Interestingly, like I suspect most people, it seems his ancestors are on the whole, ordinary people in his case, from surrey and hampshire, so although he has a longing for something a bit more exotic and follows the trials of family legends about lost lands, decent from Sir Christopher Wren and mysterious deaths in police custody - to find out what happens - read the book! I like the bit where he get excited as having discovered the grave of Sarah Bell, only for his partner to point out that it is the grave of Sarah Bee.
Instead he has embarked on his own research to trace his ancestors.
It is an amusing book, as one would hope. Interestingly, like I suspect most people, it seems his ancestors are on the whole, ordinary people in his case, from surrey and hampshire, so although he has a longing for something a bit more exotic and follows the trials of family legends about lost lands, decent from Sir Christopher Wren and mysterious deaths in police custody - to find out what happens - read the book! I like the bit where he get excited as having discovered the grave of Sarah Bell, only for his partner to point out that it is the grave of Sarah Bee.
Sunday, 9 October 2011
Library Books
How to be smart with your money - Duncan Bannatyne isbn 978-1-4091-1713-1
A very good book about financial management of household budgets. It's not about cutting out coupons or price comparisons or saving a tenner. It's about the fundamentals of finance and your relationship with money.
It's very jargon free and offers advice on how to decide whether you need to buy stuff, savings, good and bad borrowing etc.
A very good book about financial management of household budgets. It's not about cutting out coupons or price comparisons or saving a tenner. It's about the fundamentals of finance and your relationship with money.
It's very jargon free and offers advice on how to decide whether you need to buy stuff, savings, good and bad borrowing etc.
Tuesday, 27 September 2011
A return to feudalism
In feudal times, the serf I am told had to work two days on the land of their lord and had the rest of week for their own land. We have a similar situation now in the UK where some people have to give the proceeds of 2 out of the 5 days they work in housing costs. At the same time - a new breed of 'Buy too let Barons' - have property empires of tens, and in some cases hundreds and thousands of properties. I am sure being a responsible landlord involves more than just collecting rent each month, but most of us might think it's hardly the toughest way to get money. Of course there are some awful tennants who can make the lives of landlords a misery and trash much love properties - but on the whole I wonder if a property owning democracy would be better is we had a maximum number of properties one person can own? Just a thought.
Tuesday, 6 September 2011
Books
Comedy Rules - From the Cambridge Footlights to Yes Prime Minister by Jonathan Lynn. ISBN 978-0-571-27795-7
150 essential rules of comedy.
Probably the best book on writing comedy ever. It is not a how to do book, not a practical guide, it is part memoir, part stories and part 150 views on what makes people laugh.
150 essential rules of comedy.
Probably the best book on writing comedy ever. It is not a how to do book, not a practical guide, it is part memoir, part stories and part 150 views on what makes people laugh.
Saturday, 3 September 2011
Charles Kennedy
Charles Kennedy - A Tragic Flaw by Greg Hurst ISBN -10:1-84275-176-X
The blurb on the covers says Greg Hurst understands the personalities and working of the Liberal Democrats better than any other political journalist... a fascinating and often dramatic, insider account of Charles Kennedy's leadership.
The first part of that is undoubted true, the second part rather undersells a book which covers Kennedy's entire life and career as well as providing a clear account of the history and workings of the SDP and the Liberal Democrats.
The tragic flaw is of course alcoholism, which very sadly. As a friends of Kennedy say - it is hard to tell when heavy drinking turns into alcoholism, even when Kennedy appeared to cut down on his drinking, his body was already less able to cope both with and without alcohol. That is the cruel dilemma for addicts.
The events in the book often seem like a different age, how quickly politics can move on. Even Kennedy resignation as leader is almost 6 years ago.
Kennedy emerges as a politician of great judgement and rare ability to connect with the public. Rather than
'lazy' as he was sometimes painted, he comes over a thoughtful and unwilling to close down options and seeking to avoid unnecessary conflict. Clearly he was not someone for detailed policy but that need not be a disadvantage for a party leader.
Little snippets - the revolting Labour party by-election campaigns - particularly at Birmingham Hodge Hill.
The huge frustration of leading a party which gained over a million more votes and yet won only a handful more seats. The huge reluctance of the Lib Dem MPs to be ruthless in getting rid of Kennedy,which made the process worse.
Despite his easy TV manner and chat/game show appearances, Kennedy was a shy person, disliked long formal meetings, sometimes lacking in self-confidence despite his ability to master a brief incredibly quickly.
The book almost argues that Kennedy fatal flaw was being elected an MP at 23, being a gifted politician who would have been a Cabinet Minister in any other party but who instead chose the SDP and Liberal Democrats, but in the end it concludes that failure to address his drinking until it was too late was the fatal flaw.
The blurb on the covers says Greg Hurst understands the personalities and working of the Liberal Democrats better than any other political journalist... a fascinating and often dramatic, insider account of Charles Kennedy's leadership.
The first part of that is undoubted true, the second part rather undersells a book which covers Kennedy's entire life and career as well as providing a clear account of the history and workings of the SDP and the Liberal Democrats.
The tragic flaw is of course alcoholism, which very sadly. As a friends of Kennedy say - it is hard to tell when heavy drinking turns into alcoholism, even when Kennedy appeared to cut down on his drinking, his body was already less able to cope both with and without alcohol. That is the cruel dilemma for addicts.
The events in the book often seem like a different age, how quickly politics can move on. Even Kennedy resignation as leader is almost 6 years ago.
Kennedy emerges as a politician of great judgement and rare ability to connect with the public. Rather than
'lazy' as he was sometimes painted, he comes over a thoughtful and unwilling to close down options and seeking to avoid unnecessary conflict. Clearly he was not someone for detailed policy but that need not be a disadvantage for a party leader.
Little snippets - the revolting Labour party by-election campaigns - particularly at Birmingham Hodge Hill.
The huge frustration of leading a party which gained over a million more votes and yet won only a handful more seats. The huge reluctance of the Lib Dem MPs to be ruthless in getting rid of Kennedy,which made the process worse.
Despite his easy TV manner and chat/game show appearances, Kennedy was a shy person, disliked long formal meetings, sometimes lacking in self-confidence despite his ability to master a brief incredibly quickly.
The book almost argues that Kennedy fatal flaw was being elected an MP at 23, being a gifted politician who would have been a Cabinet Minister in any other party but who instead chose the SDP and Liberal Democrats, but in the end it concludes that failure to address his drinking until it was too late was the fatal flaw.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)