England Expects - Perhaps Too Much?

Am I alone in thinking that the wailing and gnashing of teeth about England's exit from the World Cup is something of an overreaction? To read the press (all of it) and to hear the bitter comments of returning England fans on the TV, you would think it was a national disaster on the scale of the fall of Singapore, 1942. While I can understand that fans who have spent a lot of money to travel to South Africa are fed up about their early return, the reaction of so many to losing one football match is quite baffling. It seems to be taken as a national humiliation and a sign of loss of virility - and it's not. Aftter all, England beat Australia at cricket and Andy Murray went through to his next round at Wimbledon. Why don't we celebrate events of that kind?

 In my opinion, international football has become an unhealthy national obsession which leads to unrealistic expectations of England International players.  I think that those expectations are part of the problem, as the players are so clearly aware of what is (unfairly) expected of them. Let's save our soul-searching and scapegoating for something (and someone) else. These men in the picture below are not dealing drugs, helping the Taliban or cutting public spending. In a few weeks time, they will be heroes to their home club supporters all over again. Let's save our opprobrium for the real villains who blight our lives.

The Mad Axeman Has Struck!

Well, he's done it. The Chancellor has followed the dictates of Thatcherite Ideology and has launched an undisguised attack on the public sector. The answer to the crimes and bungling of avaricious bankers would appear to lie in punishing those of us who work for national and local government.
The cuts will slash an average of 25% from all department budgets – save for the NHS and overseas aid, which the coalition has protected – and that average figure will only be reduced if more than the target of £11bn can be cut from the welfare bill.
All affected public services now face a nervous summer awaiting the outcome of the comprehensive spending review, on 20 October, which will dictate the precise cuts in each area. The chancellor indicated that schools and military spending would be the first to be protected after the NHS and aid but that means that higher and adult education, the police and prisons are now even more in the firing line.
The amount the UK owes stands at (about) £135bn. These cuts will save a mere £11bn. I wonder where the other £124bn will be found?

 The Mad Axeman

The Mad Axeman Cometh

I have to admit, this government does not believe in wasting time. Already, they have announced £2 billion in cuts which, presumably, will do us the world of good. Even better news of course, is that there are worse cuts to come. With all the talk about the necessity of tightening our belts and near-masochistic ramblings about living within our means, it should be remembered that none of this crisis is the fault of ordinary people living lives of excess, but bad gambling by a bunch of greedy bankers. These initial cuts will cost a lot of workers their jobs; the cuts to come will cost us a lot more. I enclose below a picture of the Chancellor of the Exchequer:

Bloody Sunday - Prosecutions?

The report on the Bloody Sunday shootings of 1972 will be read to Parliament tomorrow. The inquiry has lasted for years and has cost millions of pounds - mostly in lawyers' fees. Has it been worth it? While the relatives of the 14 people shot dead understandably want justice, will justice be served by (possibly) jailing ex-soldiers nearly 40 years after the event? After all, both Loyalist and Republican paramilitaries guilty of crimes during the Troubles have been released. What views do we have?

Murder in Cumbria

Like everyone else, I'm stunned at the slaughter in Cumbria. I don't often agree with David Cameron, but he's right to say that our thoughts should be with the victims and their families. He is also correct to say that we should not rush into "knee-jerk", populist, firearms legislation. I was once a handgun owner, but surrendered my weapons and ammunition, as required by law, after the Dunblane Massacre. At the time, I didn't think it would stop such a massacre happening again, and, to my sorrow, I was right. Nor has it prevented a rise in handgun murders; illegal firearms are more plentiful than ever. In the understandable emotional reaction to yesterday's horrific events, there will be calls for even tighter firearms legislation. I have to say: it won't work. No Act of Parliament can prevent an individual's slide into madness (such as Derrick Bird, below). Nor will it stop criminals getting their hands on firearms - or selling them to anyone who wants them.

The Killer, Derrick Bird