I know a teacher who had a conversation with a pupil recently, where the pupil made some worrying conclusions on life:
His Mum and Dad do not work and have never worked. They drive a car that is only a few years old and live in a nice well maintained 3 bedroom house, with large garden. The benefits that they accrue provide enough cash to live on and even pay for a holiday abroad every summer. The house, council tax and all medical needs are met by the taxpayer. In years to come, they will continue to rely on the state for everything and we will pay it, including nursing home care and pensions.
The kid has decided, at around 14 or 15 years of age, that this is a pretty good life and working is for fools. Why work when the taxpayer will pay you to be lazy? Why work when the taxpayer will provide a nice house, maintain it and keep you healthy?... for your whole life.
This isn't some silly made up story, it's reality. There are a couple of websites that you can look at to see what benefits you can get and it's staggering - but only if you have no assets. I calculated that a small family can easily obtain over £19,000 in benefits each year and that's before the extras such as prescriptions, school meals, maintenance on the house and a host of allowances available at the Jobcentre.
Yes, you need to be a little lucky to get the house, but once you're in, it's a bitch for the authorities to pass that on to a family in need once your own children leave home.
And then you have others living in real poverty and really struggle simply due to a different family structure and/or location, especially older people. The whole system needs an overhaul and the scroungers benefits reduced to provide for those who better themselves through training or working in low paid jobs. Those that really want to work should maintain benefits when they need them and those who refuse to work, have them taken away. The Politicians have said this should be the case for years, yet it never happens.
The threshold where there is little point in working is quite high. Have a few savings, a little pension income and your own house and you are shafted financially.
Let me be very clear here: people that are searching for jobs in this tough economy have my admiration, but there is still an underclass that think that working is for mugs. This really has to stop. The kid in question doesn't realise that education gives him choice in life and that he will never fulfull any meaningful dreams relying on benefits, but for now he sees this lifestyle as a way to lay back and enjoy free money.
Showing posts with label Rant. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rant. Show all posts
Thursday, 24 November 2011
Public sector pensions
Unlike many rants, this one is coming from a position of knowledge... Next week we will see a huge strike of public sector workers who have been lied to by the unions.
In the past, public sector wages were lower than those in the private sector. A generous pension scheme offered to public sector workers was said to have compensated them for this lower income. In some ways, it made sense as the workers contributions were actually paying for those in retirement and therefore the schemes were self funding. But now, the cost of the various schemes is significant and growing dramatically. They are unjust when compared to benefits received by the taxpayers who are now funding the schemes.
Times have changed and public sector workers have wages broadly equivalent to comparable jobs in the private sector (something the unions overlook). The big difference is that public sector workers enjoy pensions that are guaranteed and worth the equivalent of over 15% of salary per annum to fund... Private sector workers can only dream of such benefits, with most receiving around 5% of salary into a pension that has no guarantees.
The plan by the Government is for a reduction in public sector benefits, but still a very fair scheme - far better than 95% of private sector workers. Remember that the unions have negotiated wage increases for the public sector people when the rest have static wages or even reductions. Yes, the Government is asking for workers to contribute more for lower benefits - it seems unfair on the face of it, but it is not. Accrued benefits are maintained and the eventual retirement income will still be impressive and guaranteed. In addition, those on lower incomes are unlikely to see much of a difference anyway under the plans.
The fact is, if you were to construct a public sector pension scheme today, you would never consider the current terms. They are too costly and too generous. Something has to change.
I believe that the unions have misled their members to promote their power. They have provided poor information knowing that most people don't have the true facts to hand. I do not support the strikes, especially knowing that negotiations are still ongoing. I hate blackmail and I hope the unions fail.
In the past, public sector wages were lower than those in the private sector. A generous pension scheme offered to public sector workers was said to have compensated them for this lower income. In some ways, it made sense as the workers contributions were actually paying for those in retirement and therefore the schemes were self funding. But now, the cost of the various schemes is significant and growing dramatically. They are unjust when compared to benefits received by the taxpayers who are now funding the schemes.
Times have changed and public sector workers have wages broadly equivalent to comparable jobs in the private sector (something the unions overlook). The big difference is that public sector workers enjoy pensions that are guaranteed and worth the equivalent of over 15% of salary per annum to fund... Private sector workers can only dream of such benefits, with most receiving around 5% of salary into a pension that has no guarantees.
The plan by the Government is for a reduction in public sector benefits, but still a very fair scheme - far better than 95% of private sector workers. Remember that the unions have negotiated wage increases for the public sector people when the rest have static wages or even reductions. Yes, the Government is asking for workers to contribute more for lower benefits - it seems unfair on the face of it, but it is not. Accrued benefits are maintained and the eventual retirement income will still be impressive and guaranteed. In addition, those on lower incomes are unlikely to see much of a difference anyway under the plans.
The fact is, if you were to construct a public sector pension scheme today, you would never consider the current terms. They are too costly and too generous. Something has to change.
I believe that the unions have misled their members to promote their power. They have provided poor information knowing that most people don't have the true facts to hand. I do not support the strikes, especially knowing that negotiations are still ongoing. I hate blackmail and I hope the unions fail.
Labels:
Rant
Tuesday, 22 November 2011
Some hatred in the world
I came across this image on Instagram and it enraged me. I left a comment, along with a few others, stating how we found this picture a little insulting. The God loving owner deleted the comments and started quoting the Bible. Amazing how Christians pick and choose the parts of the Bible that suit them and ignore the many parts about stoning women for doing almost anything normal.
If you have an iPhone and use Instagram, please leave a few comments. She obviously loves reading them: http://inkstagram.com/#/photos/354081969_6423368
If you have an iPhone and use Instagram, please leave a few comments. She obviously loves reading them: http://inkstagram.com/#/photos/354081969_6423368
Labels:
Rant
Thursday, 3 November 2011
Dear H&M
Call me petty...
Dear Sirs
There are many great quests in a man's life: scoring that first goal, finding the right partner and even seeking out the perfect Mojito. One quest that I thought I had completed successfully was that of finding the perfect underwear - courtesy of H&M.
A few years ago, I found that your boxer-briefs (the ones with 95% cotton and 5% elastane) were near perfect. Excellent support and comfort! The 'large' waist size was just right, especially after shrinking a little in the wash. And the added bonus was that the pants latest well.
However, over the past year or so, every pair I have purchased have worn badly at the crotch and within months, have been thrown away due to the hole. And also, the waist size for 'large' pairs has been decreased by around 1.5 inches, making them a little bit too cosy.
Please investigate the decrease in quality and size. Don't push me into the hands of Sloggi!
Dear Sirs
There are many great quests in a man's life: scoring that first goal, finding the right partner and even seeking out the perfect Mojito. One quest that I thought I had completed successfully was that of finding the perfect underwear - courtesy of H&M.
A few years ago, I found that your boxer-briefs (the ones with 95% cotton and 5% elastane) were near perfect. Excellent support and comfort! The 'large' waist size was just right, especially after shrinking a little in the wash. And the added bonus was that the pants latest well.
However, over the past year or so, every pair I have purchased have worn badly at the crotch and within months, have been thrown away due to the hole. And also, the waist size for 'large' pairs has been decreased by around 1.5 inches, making them a little bit too cosy.
Please investigate the decrease in quality and size. Don't push me into the hands of Sloggi!
Labels:
Rant
Monday, 3 October 2011
Poor service
So here I am telling my 9 readers about Tesco Mobile. :-)
Pete has had a contract for a little under a year but around 2 months ago, his mobile phone stopped working. Basically, people could barely hear him though he could hear them.
After sending the phone back THREE times and it being returned without being fixed, they now want him to send it back again. He has refused and demanded a replacement... which they will not do. Now I believe that they are breaking several consumer laws, but who do you complain to? The call centre staff are simply defensive and are unwilling to help.
The staff have cared little all through the process and one even refused to pass him to a manager when asked. He has now cancelled his plan and will be going elsewhere.
As we know, Tesco is huge and is trying to take over the world. I am sure that they couldn't give a damn about one small mobile contract. However, I will avoid their shops and petrol stations for a while to dent their profits by a few pence!
Labels:
Rant
Tuesday, 20 September 2011
Travellers
In recent days, reports in the media have focused on Travellers and their illegal occupation of land in Essex. Some of the stories are balanced, some not so. The broad range of articles usually look at how Travellers occupy land illegally and how local communities living in fear of being overun by Travellers, negatively affecting their lives.
Some perceptions of Travellers sites:
For many, the perception of Travellers making their home on a site nearby, whether legal or not, is highly unfavourable. Whilst I have my own views and experiences, it seems that it is difficult to obtain the full facts to allow all of us to make informed decisions and furthermore, it appears that anyone who criticises Travellers is accused of being racist.
I would therefore be interested to know the truth, as my views are not positive and I feel that we could all benefit from knowing whether Travellers are disruptive or merely neighbours living unconventional lives. Ideally, this should be investigated by the media, but failing that, I would like to hear some feedback from my readers; not hearsay or rumours, but actual experiences on the following areas of concern when Travellers move in:
Some perceptions of Travellers sites:
- Increased crime in the local area, including theft, damage and car crime.
- An increase in anti-social behaviour
- Mess and damage during and after occupation
- Planning laws flouted on official sites
- Travellers pay no income tax and council tax, yet always seem to be driving shiny new cars
- Travellers still make use social benefits and local council services
- Traveller groups are buying land and illegally living on it - where do they get hundreds of thousands of pounds to purchase the land?
- House prices are negatively affected near to sites.
Labels:
Rant
Friday, 8 July 2011
It's the end of The World as we know it
Yesterday it was announced that the News Of The World newspaper is to end publication after 186 years due to the phone hacking scandle (plus other questionable practises). The Murdoch empire has destroyed a piece of newspaper history. I have shared my views on it's sister newspaper before and I wont go over that again. Suffice to say that I wont be missing this newspaper - the News Of The World and The Sun represent the worst of this country in my opinion.
Closing the 'paper is a cynical attempt to fool the public into thinking that News International is a caring business. They have closed the newspaper just days after management had mentioned merging some operations of the two papers anyway. And with 2 fingers sticking up, they have already registered www.thesunonsunday.co.uk and the .com version! They have no intention of losing their share of the Sunday market.
They have one agenda - to make money at all costs. Making money is good - "at all costs" is bad. If I owned a major business that wanted to advertise, I would have avoided these publications anyway and found other ways to meet my audience, but will they now return to the NOTW2?
I doubt very much that other newspapers are whiter than white and after years of self regulation, perhaps it's time to get really serious. With websites dedicated to listing the lies and mistruths in every issue of The Sun, The Mail etc, it shows that something is wrong with our tabloid press. Have we now had enough of being treated like idiots and laying there and accepting it?
Closing the 'paper is a cynical attempt to fool the public into thinking that News International is a caring business. They have closed the newspaper just days after management had mentioned merging some operations of the two papers anyway. And with 2 fingers sticking up, they have already registered www.thesunonsunday.co.uk and the .com version! They have no intention of losing their share of the Sunday market.
They have one agenda - to make money at all costs. Making money is good - "at all costs" is bad. If I owned a major business that wanted to advertise, I would have avoided these publications anyway and found other ways to meet my audience, but will they now return to the NOTW2?
I doubt very much that other newspapers are whiter than white and after years of self regulation, perhaps it's time to get really serious. With websites dedicated to listing the lies and mistruths in every issue of The Sun, The Mail etc, it shows that something is wrong with our tabloid press. Have we now had enough of being treated like idiots and laying there and accepting it?
Labels:
Rant
Tuesday, 7 June 2011
The Sun sold here
'The Sun sold here' - a rant from the poolside...
I have seen this sign only twice in Portugal, but it still saddens me. A whole swathe of the UK feel that this dumbed down piece of rubbish is worthy buying and more worryingly, they believe the content.
I have complete dislike for The Sun and all on stands for. Therefore, I also have no respect for those that buy this embarrassing publication. This newspaper is full of mistruths and fabricated and exaggerated stories.
But worse still, it is the negative stance in most stories, tinged with a layer of anger than concerns me. It is 'blame culture' in print, with no solutions offered and obstructive viewpoints throughout.
A certain level of hatred seeps into their text, some with an 'almost' hidden level of xenophobia, racism and homophobia.
People in other countries must wonder if we really are a nation of drunk overweight idiots, obsessed with celebrity (i.e. people who are famous for doing nothing) and believing we are better than other nations.
The misleading stories and blatant lies do nothing to educate or inform the reader. Mud sticks and the editor knows that too well. Lies may be retracted, but it's too late by then.
And finally, free speech is something we should crave, but The Sun abuses our rights and I could only wish that it failed one day. I sadly know that it won't.
I have seen this sign only twice in Portugal, but it still saddens me. A whole swathe of the UK feel that this dumbed down piece of rubbish is worthy buying and more worryingly, they believe the content.
I have complete dislike for The Sun and all on stands for. Therefore, I also have no respect for those that buy this embarrassing publication. This newspaper is full of mistruths and fabricated and exaggerated stories.
But worse still, it is the negative stance in most stories, tinged with a layer of anger than concerns me. It is 'blame culture' in print, with no solutions offered and obstructive viewpoints throughout.
A certain level of hatred seeps into their text, some with an 'almost' hidden level of xenophobia, racism and homophobia.
People in other countries must wonder if we really are a nation of drunk overweight idiots, obsessed with celebrity (i.e. people who are famous for doing nothing) and believing we are better than other nations.
The misleading stories and blatant lies do nothing to educate or inform the reader. Mud sticks and the editor knows that too well. Lies may be retracted, but it's too late by then.
And finally, free speech is something we should crave, but The Sun abuses our rights and I could only wish that it failed one day. I sadly know that it won't.
Labels:
Rant
Friday, 15 April 2011
To all smokers...
I say this because I swept up a load that were piled up on the path over the road. The selfish idiot who parks there just threw her rubbish on the floor. I was tempted to put the pile of 50+ butts on her car bonnet but Pete wouldn't let me!
And while I am on this topic, a business owner I once spoke to told me this (I am paraphrasing a little):
"I never knowingly employ smokers. If someone is stupid enough to poison themselves, they cant have much self control and I want people who are positive thinkers."
An interesting and exteme take on smokers, don't you think? However, he continued...
"And let's face it, smokers take more breaks during the day and even the ones that say that they take a shorter lunch break always underestimate the time it takes to smoke."
I know a few people that will have perfect come backs to all points in this blog post! Smokers, in my view, are often excellent sales people as they have well rehearsed sentences to overcome every criticism of their smelly habit.
Here endith the posting.
Labels:
Rant
Thursday, 9 September 2010
Him & Her
We watched the new comedy from BBC3 called ‘Him and Her’ the other night (recorded on the Sky Player) and we managed a whole 7 minutes before switching it off.
It had started well but when a comedy resorts to severe toilet ‘humour’ so early to get a laugh, you know it’s going to struggle. Toilet humour appears to be used when the writer doesn’t know where to go. It is lazy writing.
I was disappointed to witness an actress on the toilet, complete with sound effects. I feel sorry that she was expected to do that and cant quite believe that a comedy writer and production team thought that it was acceptable on television, let alone funny. I like comedy and I like shocking comedy that surprises me. The opening scene of ‘Him & Her’ however, was amateurish and a complete turn off.
I pity Russell Tovey for getting involved as he is a great actor. BBC comedy can be outstanding, this one wasn't for me.
Let me end by saying that I'm not one of those stupid idiotic moaners that say that "the BBC is wasting my licence fee and I wont pay it blah blah blah". The BBC excels at producing top end TV and radio and you cant like everything that they do... no-one can.
Let me end by saying that I'm not one of those stupid idiotic moaners that say that "the BBC is wasting my licence fee and I wont pay it blah blah blah". The BBC excels at producing top end TV and radio and you cant like everything that they do... no-one can.
Friday, 27 August 2010
Tw*ts of the moment
The news this week featured 2 evil people, but they were nasty for very different reasons...
Thirty-two year old Wendy Lewis has been sentenced to 12 weeks in jail after being caught on CCTV urinating on the cenotaph at Blackpool. I could write for days on why this is so very wrong, but it's obvious of course.
And to make it even worse, her benefit scrounging husband felt that it was appropriate to give a nazi salute to the press. Such scummy people should have their benefits taken away. In fact, what do these people add to society? They take take take and don't give a damn what they do.
The greatest news coverage was the "bin lady". We may never know why this little old lady thought it would be funny to put a cat in a wheelie bin. There are even Facebook groups suggesting that horrible things happen to her.
Thirty-two year old Wendy Lewis has been sentenced to 12 weeks in jail after being caught on CCTV urinating on the cenotaph at Blackpool. I could write for days on why this is so very wrong, but it's obvious of course.
And to make it even worse, her benefit scrounging husband felt that it was appropriate to give a nazi salute to the press. Such scummy people should have their benefits taken away. In fact, what do these people add to society? They take take take and don't give a damn what they do. The greatest news coverage was the "bin lady". We may never know why this little old lady thought it would be funny to put a cat in a wheelie bin. There are even Facebook groups suggesting that horrible things happen to her.
Tuesday, 24 August 2010
Catholic church and justice
Nine people died in bombings in Claudy, County Londonderry in July 1972 and high-level talks led to the Priest, James Chesney, being moved to the Irish Republic.
In December 1972 Willie Whitelaw met Cardinal Conway to discuss the issue. According to one report, 'the cardinal said he knew the priest was a very bad man and would see what could be done'. The church leader mentioned 'the possibility of transferring him to Donegal...'
Doesn't this sound a little too similar to the church moving suspected pedophiles to another parish? Cover ups will always come to light and for me, all this bad press takes the church a long way from a loving and peaceful organisation. I appreciate that a minority of Priests are bad people, but the way the church deals with it's problems is foolish.
In 2005 the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for the leaders of Uganda’s brutal Lords Resistance Army and local Catholic clergy were quick to denounce the move as a threat to peace. Since then, the Archbishop of Gulu, Jean-Baptist Odama, has led a campaign against the indictment of LRA leader Joseph Kony, whose crimes include the large-scale sexual enslavement of children.
The power of many churches is worrying, but it seems that the Catholic church makes a habit of covering up crimes. Some representatives, who today have rightly condemned the decision made in Northern Ireland in 1972, must wonder about the love and understanding within their church.
It makes you wonder has complicit the Catholic church was in the Northern Ireland troubles. Did they harbour mass murderers? Did they allow hundreds of people to die by turning a blind eye?
The troubles are a complex historical mess and the church's involvement is likely to be very small. On a very very basic level, it seems to me that the many good people in Ulster have been tainted by the psychopathic murderers. These people have used their undemocratic and foul ideals, linked to religion and arguments that go back centuries, to carry out acts that are pure evil. Violence can't win this one I am sure, but perhaps many of them are not that bothered and just enjoy their violent ways.
The Catholic church needs an amazing PR guru to sort this one out.
Friday, 16 July 2010
Call centres
We've had some fun at home over the past few days. The broadband has been playing up, so BT sent a man round who said the line is damaged outside. Some workman turn up today and dig a hole and in the process cut through the electric power line. So 4 vans from the electric company turn up, making a mess of the front garden before fixing it. BT will be back tomorrow... maybe.
Contacting BT has been a challenge. Many companies have outsourced customer "support" services to the Indian subcontinent and to be honest, I avoid these companies wherever possible. I have to be careful here, so as not to be accused of being racist. It doesn't matter to me where in the world I am put through to, as long as I receive a certain standard of service. Unfortunately, from bitter experience I find remote centres fail on too many counts. When will these businesses see that the costs they save are offset by constantly bad service for the customer who will vote with their feet.
Three real experiences...
I called a major fund house for some information and the call went like this:
Me: "I am looking for a prospectus on your XXXX fund"
Call Centre: "We don't have a fund called XXXX"
Me: "It's your best selling fund!"
CC: "That's right"
Me: "So you have found the fund now?"
CC: "XXXX is our best selling fund"
Me: "I know, I just told you that! So can you email me the information?"
CC: "What fund would you like information on?"
Me: "XXXX fund, like I said"
It was a long call and I received zero information anyway!
National rail enquiries outsourced half of it's calls abroad. I called a while back before the automated voice recognition system that is far better was introduced:
Me: "Can you please tell me the next train leaving Victoria for West Malling?"
CC: "There is no such place as West Malling"
Me: "I believe there is" I spelled it out.
CC: "The computer doesn't recognise such a station"
Me: I spell it out again.
CC: "Is it near Manchester"
Me: "No, it's in Kent'. Long pause.
CC: "Oh, you mean Weeeest Mearline"
Me: "Hmmmm"
And the main reason for this posting was Pete's call with BT today that went something like this:
Pete: "I want to make a complaint about your telephone workmen cutting off our electric supply and the disruption caused today"
CC: "You want to move home?"
Pete: "No, I want speak to someone about making a complaint"
CC: "You want to move home?"
The call went on for a while with Pete getting nowhere and then asking to speak to someone else. The person repeatedly apologised until promising to get someone else to call him back. After 3 hours, no-one has.
Contacting BT has been a challenge. Many companies have outsourced customer "support" services to the Indian subcontinent and to be honest, I avoid these companies wherever possible. I have to be careful here, so as not to be accused of being racist. It doesn't matter to me where in the world I am put through to, as long as I receive a certain standard of service. Unfortunately, from bitter experience I find remote centres fail on too many counts. When will these businesses see that the costs they save are offset by constantly bad service for the customer who will vote with their feet.
Three real experiences...
I called a major fund house for some information and the call went like this:
Me: "I am looking for a prospectus on your XXXX fund"
Call Centre: "We don't have a fund called XXXX"
Me: "It's your best selling fund!"
CC: "That's right"
Me: "So you have found the fund now?"
CC: "XXXX is our best selling fund"
Me: "I know, I just told you that! So can you email me the information?"
CC: "What fund would you like information on?"
Me: "XXXX fund, like I said"
It was a long call and I received zero information anyway!
National rail enquiries outsourced half of it's calls abroad. I called a while back before the automated voice recognition system that is far better was introduced:
Me: "Can you please tell me the next train leaving Victoria for West Malling?"
CC: "There is no such place as West Malling"
Me: "I believe there is" I spelled it out.
CC: "The computer doesn't recognise such a station"
Me: I spell it out again.
CC: "Is it near Manchester"
Me: "No, it's in Kent'. Long pause.
CC: "Oh, you mean Weeeest Mearline"
Me: "Hmmmm"
And the main reason for this posting was Pete's call with BT today that went something like this:
Pete: "I want to make a complaint about your telephone workmen cutting off our electric supply and the disruption caused today"
CC: "You want to move home?"
Pete: "No, I want speak to someone about making a complaint"
CC: "You want to move home?"
The call went on for a while with Pete getting nowhere and then asking to speak to someone else. The person repeatedly apologised until promising to get someone else to call him back. After 3 hours, no-one has.
Labels:
Rant
Monday, 28 June 2010
England fails
Yesterday, Germany were certainly the better team in the game. However, the whole world saw the ball cross the line and Lampard's goal should have been given. Although we could have been 3 or 4 goals down at that point, the psychological effect on Germany of us pulling 2 goals back so quickly to level the game could well have changed the match.
I know that referees and their linesmen make mistakes, but the main aim of football is to score a goal and when a team is cheated from that objective by "the system", you have to question why technology is so hated by FIFA. Overall, football works as a game and we don't need lots of reasons to stop the flow by checking TV screens, but goal line technology has been proved to work and in this case might have seen a different result. Did anyone else note that the BBC had turned down the volume of the crowd due to cries of "the referee's a wanker"?
The goal that never was for Crystal Palace at the beginning of last season was even more obvious and had a hugely negative effect on on-loan striker Freddy Sears and the team for many matches.
As I say, Germany had been playing better before and after we were cheated out of a goal and we will never know what the final result will have been. I would much prefer to be beaten by a better team, rather than the ineptitude of a referee and his staff.
To brighten our day (except for you straight guys), here are some nice pictures of Torres that I've been drooling over lately...
Labels:
Fernando Torres,
football,
Rant
Saturday, 20 March 2010
Religulous
On Thursday night, Pete and I watched a documentary film called Religulous. It was made by comedian Bill Maher about how ludicrous religion is. I did a post about that a while back and despite saying I would never post about religion again... The film is very funny and although I appreciate that the arguments were selective, it does show religion makes very little sense on so many levels and is something probably just invented by man.
I loved that a lot of the religious followers believe that certain events were fact even though there is no real proof, the Bible has stories that contradict each other and that many beliefs are not in the Bible at all, especially Catholic ones.
I learnt many new things, including: Jesus never mentioned homosexuality, Mormons are loopy and most of the Bible was written decades after Jesus had supposed to have lived and can only therefore be rumours.
I also didn't know that there were a number of prophets before Jesus that had an almost identical life (virgin birth, walking on water, rising from the dead etc). It seems that Jesus just a good story based on older fables.
If you have any doubts about religion, watch this film - if only to laugh at how seemingly clever people can believe in talking snakes and things that simply couldn't happen. This small conversation about how God hears everything everybody says demonstrates this...
If you have any doubts about religion, watch this film - if only to laugh at how seemingly clever people can believe in talking snakes and things that simply couldn't happen. This small conversation about how God hears everything everybody says demonstrates this...
Bill Maher: If Santa Claus can hit every house in the world.
Steve Berg: No, we don't believe in Santa Claus.
Bill Maher: Of course not, that's one man flying all around the world and dropping presents down a chimney. One man hearing everybody murmur at him at the same time, that I get.
Saturday, 20 February 2010
The g word
A while ago I had a comment left on an old blog entry that asked why I had not capitalised the word "God" in a sentence that ended with "thank god". I laughed out loud at this - I found it a bit sad.
I really don't want to get into religion on this blog as it's a one-way
rant and words can be easily misunderstood and I have no desire to offend anyone, but...
I am actually a little of envious of people with a belief as they have some written rules to follow, but I personally find religion to be absurd on many levels and amazingly hypocritical (don't get me started on creationism!).
Anyway, each to their own, so please enjoy your God(s) and don't hate other people because they may not agree with you. So my first and last blog comment on religion is partially gay based.
From my experience, Christians tend to ignore certain parts of the Bible, because the section doesn't quite suit them, whereas the famous words: 'Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable' from Leviticus 18:22 are relied on as the true word.
Let's consider a certain Iris Robinson, the wife of Peter Robinson, Northern Ireland's first minister. She is a religious woman, believing that "just as a murderer can be redeemed by the blood of Christ, so can a homosexual". Her views goes even further with such evil words as: "There can be no viler act, apart from homosexuality and sodomy, than sexually abusing innocent children."
So you would imagine that such a God fearing woman would be above sinning. This 59 year old woman found herself a 19 year old lover and lent him £50,000 which is potentially a criminal offence. For a start, the boy could do far better and if the Bible isn't just fiction, she's in for some trouble from the man upstairs!
In Deuteronomy, there are some great lines for cheating women:
Death punishment for adultery (Deuteronomy 22.22)
“If a man be found lying with a woman married to a husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman and the woman; so shalt thou put away evil from Israel."
It's also worth noting that 22.20 advocates stoning for non-virginal women when you marry them. Hmmmm.
All in all, I am not surprised at Mrs Robinsons two-faced life as other religious figures have been found out to be liars. But I cant help but think that religion seems to be more about hate and love?
And a friend sent me this great link that does a better job than I at showing how crazy the Bible is.
I really don't want to get into religion on this blog as it's a one-way
rant and words can be easily misunderstood and I have no desire to offend anyone, but... I am actually a little of envious of people with a belief as they have some written rules to follow, but I personally find religion to be absurd on many levels and amazingly hypocritical (don't get me started on creationism!).
Anyway, each to their own, so please enjoy your God(s) and don't hate other people because they may not agree with you. So my first and last blog comment on religion is partially gay based.
From my experience, Christians tend to ignore certain parts of the Bible, because the section doesn't quite suit them, whereas the famous words: 'Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable' from Leviticus 18:22 are relied on as the true word.
Let's consider a certain Iris Robinson, the wife of Peter Robinson, Northern Ireland's first minister. She is a religious woman, believing that "just as a murderer can be redeemed by the blood of Christ, so can a homosexual". Her views goes even further with such evil words as: "There can be no viler act, apart from homosexuality and sodomy, than sexually abusing innocent children."
So you would imagine that such a God fearing woman would be above sinning. This 59 year old woman found herself a 19 year old lover and lent him £50,000 which is potentially a criminal offence. For a start, the boy could do far better and if the Bible isn't just fiction, she's in for some trouble from the man upstairs!
In Deuteronomy, there are some great lines for cheating women:
Death punishment for adultery (Deuteronomy 22.22)
“If a man be found lying with a woman married to a husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman and the woman; so shalt thou put away evil from Israel."
It's also worth noting that 22.20 advocates stoning for non-virginal women when you marry them. Hmmmm.
All in all, I am not surprised at Mrs Robinsons two-faced life as other religious figures have been found out to be liars. But I cant help but think that religion seems to be more about hate and love?
And a friend sent me this great link that does a better job than I at showing how crazy the Bible is.
Thursday, 18 February 2010
Cover up
There was always going to be a cover up over the Daily Mail article about the death of Stephen Gately.
The press watchdog has decided not to uphold a complaint about a newspaper comment piece on the death last year of Boyzone singer Stephen Gately. The Irish star's civil partner Andrew Cowles complained to the Press Complaints Commission (PCC) about Jan Moir's article in the Daily Mail. The PCC received a record 25,000 complaints about the article, which was perceived by many to be homophobic.
It recognised there were flaws in the article but the price of freedom of expression was that columnists said things which other people might find offensive or inappropriate.
The article was clearly wrong and full of hatred. It highlighted the incompetence of the Daily Mail and it's bigoted views. Draw your own conclusions from knowing that the head of the Press Complaints Commission is also the Daily Mail editor.
It seems that the press can say what it wants and get away with it and any apology it has to give is hidden well away inside the newspaper. This whole episode stinks.
Andrew Gilliver from the Lesbian and Gay Foundation does make a good point: "What's really important about this is the public have said we don't like this, we're not happy with reading this kind of stuff, it isn't what we want to read about people," he said.
Those who buy the Daily Mail should rethink their decision - though they are probably beyond redemption.
The press watchdog has decided not to uphold a complaint about a newspaper comment piece on the death last year of Boyzone singer Stephen Gately. The Irish star's civil partner Andrew Cowles complained to the Press Complaints Commission (PCC) about Jan Moir's article in the Daily Mail. The PCC received a record 25,000 complaints about the article, which was perceived by many to be homophobic.
It recognised there were flaws in the article but the price of freedom of expression was that columnists said things which other people might find offensive or inappropriate.
The article was clearly wrong and full of hatred. It highlighted the incompetence of the Daily Mail and it's bigoted views. Draw your own conclusions from knowing that the head of the Press Complaints Commission is also the Daily Mail editor.
It seems that the press can say what it wants and get away with it and any apology it has to give is hidden well away inside the newspaper. This whole episode stinks.
Andrew Gilliver from the Lesbian and Gay Foundation does make a good point: "What's really important about this is the public have said we don't like this, we're not happy with reading this kind of stuff, it isn't what we want to read about people," he said.
Those who buy the Daily Mail should rethink their decision - though they are probably beyond redemption.
Labels:
Rant
Tuesday, 9 February 2010
Halifax and Nat West adverts
Has anyone in the UK seen that awful Halifax advert set in a radio studio? Who on earth thought that this was funny, let alone a good piece of marketing?! It looks like it was made by some film students high on skunk. To put it bluntly, when an advert is too embarrassing to watch, the advertisers have missed the point. Here is a link to it - there's no way I am embedding it into this blog!
And when bloggers (here and here) are slagging it off too, maybe it's time to drop it.
Another terrible financial advert is the one from Natwest which shows a financial adviser (who looks more like a used car salesman) visiting a lady who wants her kids to be savers. I have a major problem with this advert:
During the piece, the adviser says "That would look like bank accounts, it would look like investment bonds..."
NO it would not look like investment bonds!!! An investment bond is a lump sum product with relatively high minimum investment amounts. It would never be suitable for a child to save into given that you cant pay in regular amounts and anyway, the child would be a non-taxpayer so this plan could well be unsuitable anyway. How can this crap get past Natwest compliance and not piss off the FSA?!
I am not saying that Natwest advisers are doing a bad job, it's just that this advert does nothing to improve the image of financial professionals.
And when bloggers (here and here) are slagging it off too, maybe it's time to drop it.
Another terrible financial advert is the one from Natwest which shows a financial adviser (who looks more like a used car salesman) visiting a lady who wants her kids to be savers. I have a major problem with this advert:
During the piece, the adviser says "That would look like bank accounts, it would look like investment bonds..."
NO it would not look like investment bonds!!! An investment bond is a lump sum product with relatively high minimum investment amounts. It would never be suitable for a child to save into given that you cant pay in regular amounts and anyway, the child would be a non-taxpayer so this plan could well be unsuitable anyway. How can this crap get past Natwest compliance and not piss off the FSA?!
I am not saying that Natwest advisers are doing a bad job, it's just that this advert does nothing to improve the image of financial professionals.
Tuesday, 2 February 2010
Devils advocate
As I mentioned in the last blog entry, I was in London yesterday at a trade event.
It was an incredibly dull day as a colleague and myself were only needed at the breaks between presentations and even then, few delegates wanted to chat - they just wanted their free pen and information pack. I saw a few of the presentations which were adequate.
Early in the day, a man came up to me who I had seen present a couple of years ago. I was very polite and complimented him on the service his company offers. He then asked a few basic questions and then let rip...
He started asking closed questions and after every answer I gave, he attacked our company with negative and petty comments. His patronising tone was perfectly balanced by his superior attitude and it was made even worse when, after each opinion, he said "don't take offence, I'm only playing Devil's advocate" as if that made it OK to be rude and disrespectful .
It's like the stupid people who insult someone, but preface it with "I'm not being funny but..." and then blame the other person for being offended.
I don't think I will be volunteering to host another event soon.
It was an incredibly dull day as a colleague and myself were only needed at the breaks between presentations and even then, few delegates wanted to chat - they just wanted their free pen and information pack. I saw a few of the presentations which were adequate.
Early in the day, a man came up to me who I had seen present a couple of years ago. I was very polite and complimented him on the service his company offers. He then asked a few basic questions and then let rip...
He started asking closed questions and after every answer I gave, he attacked our company with negative and petty comments. His patronising tone was perfectly balanced by his superior attitude and it was made even worse when, after each opinion, he said "don't take offence, I'm only playing Devil's advocate" as if that made it OK to be rude and disrespectful .
It's like the stupid people who insult someone, but preface it with "I'm not being funny but..." and then blame the other person for being offended.
I don't think I will be volunteering to host another event soon.
To end with - to the 372 people who visited this blog yesterday and went to this page and no other via Yahoo!, why did you visit my blog?! Was this an error, as I never get that many people in one day?
Saturday, 28 November 2009
When the customer doesn't matter
Yesterday was a crappy day. I had to take my car for a service and the closest centre I was allowed to use was in North London. So I set out at 7am and dropped the car off at 8.30, with the understanding that I would on my way before 11am.
So I found a Starbucks and caught up on some work reading before heading back at 11 only to find that the owners of the car (it's a lease hire car) had been arguing with the garage about what can and cant be done to the car and it hadn't been touched. It was meant to be a 48,000 mile service... simple!
This went on for a few hours, including the garage insisting that I needed new brake pads and the lease hire company not sure whether they wanted to pay for them.
I spent time looking in the local shops, then checking out the computers and home cinema setups in Comet, reading newspaper and eventually I left the garage at 4pm having read all the documents I had bought with me at least twice and written up my end of year report (the only good thing to come from the day). A complete waste of time.
This shows poor customer service in action, not necessarily from the garage - though they could have been a bit more helpful, but more from the lease hire firm who took around an hour to make a decision each time they were asked a question! And there's nothing I can do about it.
Bad mood now.
So I found a Starbucks and caught up on some work reading before heading back at 11 only to find that the owners of the car (it's a lease hire car) had been arguing with the garage about what can and cant be done to the car and it hadn't been touched. It was meant to be a 48,000 mile service... simple!
This went on for a few hours, including the garage insisting that I needed new brake pads and the lease hire company not sure whether they wanted to pay for them.
I spent time looking in the local shops, then checking out the computers and home cinema setups in Comet, reading newspaper and eventually I left the garage at 4pm having read all the documents I had bought with me at least twice and written up my end of year report (the only good thing to come from the day). A complete waste of time.
This shows poor customer service in action, not necessarily from the garage - though they could have been a bit more helpful, but more from the lease hire firm who took around an hour to make a decision each time they were asked a question! And there's nothing I can do about it.
Bad mood now.
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