Priceless Paintings from W7

Britain’s so-called benefit culture (a term mostly used by conservative politicians and journalists, I think, and not really generally recognised to be part of British culture) is said to cost approximately £60…80bn per year.

Since the Chancellor of the Exchequer is short on money these days, and keen on making popular move to huge media fanfare, politicians such as Ian Duncan Smith give us the same nonsense that we heard for ages again and again already:

Tough measures are required to prevent fraud, they say. Fair enough, I say. Serious punishment of fraudsters and benefit cheats is another popular request, and, since those high earners making these suggestions know best how it is to live on the breadline, cuts and reductions to the benefit system are also a common suggestion.

Crucial is of course not the nonsense that is suggested, but what is not suggested.

You can search long and hard, up and down for a politician who would dare to suggest increased investment into benefit and welfare programs. Maybe not by way of direct cash payout, but surely those in need for help primarily need help to help themselves. These are the things a government is supposed to specialize in: Create jobs. Create incentives to recruit people. Provide infrastructure that enables people to go to work: affordable public transport or affordable quality daytime child care come to mind.

First of all, it seems we need to invest and buy our politicians some common sense, and the decency to be a government for the people, for all of them, rather than govern their own careers.

I think you heard this lament before. This won’t be the last time though.

Current Affairs, Thoughts Britain, Politics

In light of Britain’s debt amounting to £893.4bn, our George announced drastic spending cuts and savings. £100m taken from Network Rail, £108m from London Transport, £5m from the Arts Council, and so the list goes on.

All amounts to £6.2bn. £893.4bn on one hand, £6.2bn on the other – hmmm. That’s not even 1%, and a lot of damage is already done to important public services.

Would it not be much nicer to make huge big savings with few cuts, instead of negligible savings many times over and over and over again?

Take Trident for starters. Something between £76bn and £130bn, plus the running cost of £1bn per year. A costly thread to peace, without any contribution to our safety or to protecting our way of life. Scrap it!

That’s what I call savings, and made for a good cause, too.

The war in Iraq is comparatively cheap (£1bn per annum), but still big savings compared to the populist £100m here-and-there approach. Round-up these savings by withdrawing from Afghanistan, and not engaging in the next game of guns somewhere. The world would most certainly turn into a safer place at the moment that we stop playing God in the middle east.

I don’t mean to pretend that I can solve the problem of the £893.4bn deficit, but surely if anything can solve it, then this requires bold steps rather than pathetic £6.2bn and a little show for the media here and there.

Current Affairs Britain, Politics

Did you see the now unveiled mascot for the 2012 London Olympics?

Something tells me that this was bound to be a disaster, and guess what? It is.

The paper writes don’t fret. The children love them, but I wonder how much they paid those children. And, shockingly, those designers. Apparently, it’s all got to be a whirlwind mix of 3D rendering software and Teletubbies, rendered into larger-than-life plastic figures (and merchandise).

Maybe I don’t know what makes the 21st century’s children tick, but I thought a mascot ought to be something loveable. I guess that’s not true. I guess the truth is that the mascot ought to be good for merchandise and printing onto goods (within a sponsorship logo).

Anyway, I took a peek, and find one worse than the other. Check out the BBC’s Olympic mascots through the ages, or The Independent’s breakdown of Olympic figure heads. In my opinion, there are two clear winners, ahead of the field by orders of magnitude: 1972’s Waldi (Munich), which is said to have started the whole craze, and 1932’s mascot (Los Angeles), which doesn’t appear to be listed in most lists of historic Olympic mascots.

You’d think they should know by now to ask me first.

Current Affairs, Thoughts london, Olympics;

A convincing argument is something different than the comment my friend Nigel Bakhai, head of the local Liberal Democrats, produced in their February 2010 pamphlet.

The article comments on the planned closure of public toilets, and conversion of a couple of benches (typically only used by people holding beer cans from breakfast time onwards). Both are owned by the Lidl supermarket chain, who wants to replace the benches with trees, and probably assumes that the Hanwell Public Toilet Scheme (another Ealing Council brainfart) compensates for the removal of their own public toilets.

The Lib Dems’ article is entitled Inconvenient Truth. I was looking forward to find a good old rant over the fact that Ealing’s current conservative council is asset-striping the borough, failing to provide basic public services (such as road surface maintenance or, indeed, the provision of public toilets, trees, benches, or aid for those in need), yet find it fit to refund £50 “overpaid” council tax to almost every household in the borough.

A great opportunity to make a point in case. Sadly, Nigel knew nothing better to say than “It is a shame to lose the toilets and seats, but especially as this area is not being put to better use apart from a few extra trees.”

Trees are important, Nigel. So are public services, and so is the care for this unfortunate ones beginning their day with a can of extra-strong lager.

It is early in the 2010 election campaign. Let’s hope Nigel picks up sense, strength, speed and arguments on the way.

Current Affairs Ealing, liberal democrats, Politics

Easy, Tiger, easy. There was no need for this pathetic tear-jerking grovel of a public apology.

I wished you had just advised the media about the fact that your private life is, well, private. You could have also added a comment about the hypocritical nature of all those reporters and commentators.

They all had sex. Most liked it. Many had sex in ways, or with partners such that they’d rather not talk about. Certainly not in public, and not behind closed doors in many cases.

The public uproar of high morals is hypocritical at best. I find it disgusting.

Current Affairs, Thoughts human, life, society

Popp, she said, it just made Popp! and the light bulb was gone. (Thus are the ways of my domestic assignments.)

The bulb was gone, and with it, a good piece of history: it was one of the last remaining good old incandescent light bulbs. Oh, how I hate to see them go! The modern, “energy saving” fluorescent lamps have a very questionable overall ecologic value (given they are full of electronics, toxic substances and some heavy metals). They tend to give a greenish light rather than a comfortable warm one, and take minutes to reach the full brightness.

At this point, nothing and nobody stops me from stockpiling huge amounts of incandescent light bulbs in all wattages, shapes, clear or matt, with bayonet socket (UK) or a regular E14 or E27, … The world of light bulbs is my oyster!

Or, is it? I cannot really ignore the argument of 60 watts (incandescent) compared to 12 (fluorescent). Not now, when folks meet in Copenhagen, agree to cut CO2 emissions, and probably plan to build a couple new nuclear power stations to fill the gap with “clean” energy.

I don’t need to tell you where the madness lies in this, but in terms of replacement light bulbs, I am defeated. At least, I notice that they do get better in terms of start-up performance and colour temperature.

Bye Bye, Thomas Alva Edison!

Current Affairs, Thoughts energy, energy saving light bulbs, home

Ealing Council, it its endless wisdom and in neglect to their duties, decided to pay back part of the local tax. The argument is that they have “too much money,” the neglect is that they fail to spend it on any of the necessary things. Apparently, they consider it a job done, and think of the elections ahead.

Any half-wit can create a sheer endless list of things in need of the council’s attention and money. Schools, places for the young and places for the elderly. Road surfaces and pavement, playgrounds, public libraries, parks. Support for the arts. Public toilets. Fly tipping and littering, drug use and crime. Public transport, alternative transport, alternative energy. Support for the elderly, the sick, the poor. Wherever you look or point, there’s is need for work being done and moneys being committed.

People of Ealing. Please take the £50 cash back payment, which is due to arrive in your bank account in December, and turn it into some local goodness.

I round mine up to the next £100 and make a donation to Groundwork West London, supporting them to continue doing what the council should do in the first place. Whether you round up the £50 cash back is your decision, and so is the choice of the charity or cause you chose to support, but please use the money for the purpose it was intended for in the first place: for the best of the borough.

Please, pretty please?

Current Affairs, Thoughts Ealing, Ealing council, Politics

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) ordered the far right-wing British National Party (BNP) to change its constitution; the restriction to allow new members only from “indigenous Caucasian stock” must be removed. People of all ethic backgrounds, including Black or Asian, must be allowed to join the BNP.

This is of course nothing but a farce. Or, is it?

I am calling all non-White members of the British public to join the BNP. Do it. Do it now. All you have to do is join, be united in the same goal, and outnumber the current BNP members. Then change the BNP’s constitution. Oh, and leadership, and name.

Oh, I see. I ask for unity. Bummer.

Plan B then. Let’s get a different electorate.

Current Affairs Britain, Politics

Mehmet Goren, together with his brothers Ali and Cuma Goren, is accused of killing his own teenaged daughter Tulay Goren, back on January 1999, in an honour killing. The girl had run away from home and stayed with a man they didn’t approve of.

After a month, the girl foolishly returned home, and never left her family home again. At least, she never left it alive.

Honour killings within the own family, surely, must be among the worst things anyone can do.

It annoys me big time to find those three men who held the family honour in such high esteem to (allegedly) murder Tulay don’t have enough honour in them to stand up and admit it.

Current Affairs, Thoughts human, Religion and Spirituality

Image via Wikipedia

I am sure you’ve all heard it by now: the 2009 Peace Nobel prize went to Barak Obama. What? I had to hear, see and read the news thrice before I was sure the BBC didn’t run an April’s fool out of season.

I mean… come on!

Obama is undoubtedly the nicest US president the world had in a very long time, but to award the Peace Nobel Prize on grounds of his expressed intentions rather than actions accomplished…?

Plans that include reducing 2200 nuclear warheads to an unknown, but substantial and non-zero number?

Plans to withdraw troops from fighting action (not: from the country!) in a country invaded by the very same troops, thrown into shambles, and troops now realizing they got themselves into a not-winnable situation?

The BBC called it the Nobel Prize Committee’s bold move.

I call it the Nobel Prize Committee’s regrettable move. I’m sure many others are out there who actually made peace happen, rather than talk about it from the high chair and end up struggling when it comes to implementing those plans.

Oh well. I should certainly wish him all success. I’d even wished he’d get the Peace Nobel Prize when the mission is accomplished. As long as the policy of awarding in advance rules, I shall be the first to say:

Please, can I have the Turner prize?
After all, I have the most sincere intentions to create an influential piece of modern art.

Current Affairs Barack Obama

David Cameron is breaking the winds of change. I suppose there’s little to stop him now, following an eloquent speed containing lots of hollow phrases. Even though I hate the idea of yet another polished and styled politician leading the country, it is certainly time for a change.

Too bad there isn’t a real alternative to chose from.

Anyway, I wasn’t so much wondering about David Cameron but about Steve Hilton. I suppose initially, leading modern-time politicians and hopeful candidates had an advisor. A panel of advisors. An assistant. Maybe a press officer. A speech writer, and a campaign manager.

When did it start that hopeful candidates (and some of those elected) were in need of a Head of Marketing of the unquestioned calibre of advertising expert Steve Hilton?

I hate the idea that our modern politicians are all styled like one would otherwise brand a fashion accessory. Whatever happened to a convincing argument, a promising strategy, a steadfastness in certain principles of politics, humanity and morality?

Current Affairs, Thoughts Britain, Conservative Party, Politics

Why on earth would a nationwide vetting database cost one hundred and seventy million pound sterling? – yes, you read that right: The cost for the planned vetting database, a nationwide tool to help prevent unsuitable people from working with children and vulnerable adults, is estimated to be £170m (£84m have already been spent).

Call me naive if you like, but if you do so, please explain the cost to me. Remember the country already features well-established government offices and buildings, all readily networked. Council workers already have a desk and a computer. All that seems necessary is the creation of a database, a web front-end, a bit of security around it, redundancy, done. A few millions maybe, if you include printed manuals for every council worker and NHS employee, but £170m?

Someone is seriously milking the system, pulling the government’s leg big time and you know what? They fall for it. Fools.

Maybe someone can also explain why such a database is necessary in the first place, given that several “offenders registers” and the Criminal Records Bureau are already in existence.

P.S. Now returning to my blog break, but certain things just can’t wait, can they?

Current Affairs, Thoughts Britain

Following a campaign started by a local resident, the town elders have decided that the western part of Ealing needs a skate park, and have made plans to build it not far from us. Apparently, £200,000 are now set aside and consultation is open for a new skate park in Elthorne Park (http://www.westealingskatepark.net/).

You won’t be surprised to hear that those who are against everything (the “Hanwell Community Forum” in this case) also oppose this plan, with a series of the usual arguments. It’s too loud. It’s too remote. It’s too close.

Basically means to say “Yeah, skate park, right, well, if it cannot be avoided… but not in my front garden.”

On the upside, their leaflet doesn’t issue a blanket accusation of expected antisocial or criminal behaviour. Better than similar previous campaigns (by different groups).

I am not sure if a steel and concrete structure is the best possible way to provide young people with a means to bond, relax, grow-up, find purpose in life, but it sure is better than hanging out at the bus stop and smashing a phone booth for fun.

I suggest opponents of this plan should immediately remind themselves they were once young and might have children themselves, or grand-children soon. It’s hard enough growing up in the big city, nobody needs to be repeatedly told that he or she is unwanted on top of it.

Current Affairs, Thoughts Ealing, Ealing council, hanwell, london

In the 2008/09 financial year, Ealing Council has spent less than what they have rightfully earned (through direct and indirect taxes), so they came up with the clever plan:

All eligible households will automatically receive a £50 cash refund in December.

This was announced in the council’s monthly pamphlet for August 2009 [pdf – see page 5]

A popular move for sure, especially in light of future elections. When the time comes, I am sure we’ll hear all about it over and over again.

I call it proof of failure. Failure by neglect:

First, there is a minor failure in that they fail to explain which households are eligible for a payback, which ones aren’t, and why. A good example of transparent government and accounting.

Second, they decide to spend the cost of the administrative overhead for the populist payback scheme, rather than opting for holding back the surplus riches, and asking for smaller council tax contributions next year. Surely this would have been a more cost-efficient way to deal with a surplus?

Third, and most worrying: They must think they have done a perfect job all around the borough, and nothing else needs doing, so that they simply don’t know what to do with the money. There’s a gazillion small and big jobs around the borough, and all they can come up with is a refund? That’s like throwing hands in the air. Jesus. Lord. Almighty.

Although I didn’t vote for the current council (as you probably guessed), they are charged by everyone to spend the tax money wisely and for the better common good of everyone in the borough.

Apparently, they can’t be bothered to do what they were elected to do. I hope most people will see through this expensive populist move and can’t be bothered voting for them again.

Current Affairs, Thoughts Ealing, Ealing council, london

Knock, knock.

Who’s there?

Delores.

Delores who?

Delores my shepherd…

It wasn’t Delores, nor was it an African Christian missionary. Instead, it was the guy from down the road. And he didn’t tell any knock-knock jokes either:

Do you know about the planning application for the Red Lion, he asks. No, I say. (The Red Lion is a derelict pub at the end of my street). He explains that this is the last day to object a planning application to convert the derelict pub into (his words) “an African church.”

Oh, that’s good news, I say, why would I want to object replacing a derelict pub with a church?

Because, he tells me, we have parking problems here already. There’ll be hundreds of cars every Sunday.

You’d have been proud of me, how I stayed calm and cool, and in the friendliest possible way explained that I’d much rather have car parking problems on a Sunday morning, compared to nightly drug and knife-crime issues (as we used to have with the Red Lion).

I should have also informed him that, even though car parking space can be tight late in the evening, in comparison with most of suburbia, we do not have car parking problems at all.

I welcome “the African church” to my area (and plan on a lie-in Sunday mornings anyway). Some people just have to object anything. Ealing Council doesn’t have a great track record at showing common sense, but I sure hope they dismiss this objection.

Current Affairs Ealing, Ealing council, hanwell, human, london