The Politics of Nonsense

I am of the belief that our politicians have completely lost the plot. Three comments this week seem to capture their state of mind.

The first piece of political cack I heard came from Ian Wright prospective New Labour candidate in the upcoming Hartlepool by-election. He was given airtime on our national news where he venomously delivered a personal attack on the Lib Dem candidate Jody Dunn. The content was astonishing. Wright smeared her for ‘going to a private school’, ‘living in a big house', and coming from ‘outwith the constituency’.

Just like Peter Mandelson, the reason for the by-election; his sponsor to great office Tony Blair, the majority of the Labour Cabinet, and a wheen of the Parliamentary Labour Party. To which Mr Wright aspires.

This got me looking at the by-election coverage on the Internet. Both Dunn and Wright have their own websites. Ian’s boasts a ‘Shop-A-Yob’ section!

When I saw this I felt like turning in his boss, Tony Blair. The charge would be state terrorism regards the illegal invasion and occupation of Iraq.

Next day I see Iraqi interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi tell the world in Washington that everything is going great in Iraq. The people are delighted with things. Life is that braw that democratic elections will take place on schedule come January. This analysis and sentiment was echoed by no less a person than George W. Bush.

In the week when 300 Iraqi’s have been killed on US bombing missions, later on appeared US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. He told us that if there were still civil war elections would proceed but only in in safe areas.

That’s a great start on the Iraqi democratic road to freedom, eh!

There is nowhere in Iraq that is safe. That’s why the UN pulled out quite some time ago. That’s why it’s now impossible for ‘infidel’ foreign contractors to work over there.

What drugs are these people on?

The Psychology of Wellingtons

Prince Harry is currently in Lesotho, a tiny landlocked African Kingdom within South Africa.

He seems a nice big lad does Harry. A mere 20 and he is already is involved in AIDS work. He likes getting right in amongst it. He was on TV playing football with a group of Lesotho children. The smallest aged 3 or 4 had come into the world infected with the deadly virus. Harry gave him a pair of blue Wellingtons, and like the producer and camera crew was surprised and amused when the wee one wouldn’t take them off.

I wasn’t at all surprised. Nor amused. I was angry. The per capita income of Lesotho is $3 000, while in the USA its $37 800. Per capita income in the UK is $27 000.

The USA is the second richest economy in the world after Luxembourg, Britain 19th, and Lesotho 151st (http://www.worldfactsandfigures.com/gdp_country_desc.php).

A pair of wellies is a big thing in Lesotho. Shoes, even cheap Wellingtons have the same status value for a Lesotho child, as a mobile phone for our children has here. This child’s self-esteem will rise because of this. His self-respect will soar as a result of the respect now given him by his peers because of his gift. He will cherish them for years, becoming frustrated when his feet grow too big to fit into them! They will then become a household object to be brought out and admired when guests come calling. As much the same way someone might show off an honour they received in Britain. The child for as long as he lives will be feted. His blue Wellingtons a memorial to him when he is gone.

Wonder if the townspeople of Beslan got in much gardening this weekend?

It’s just a week since the terrible scenes from Beslan hit our screens, but already they are paling from consciousness. The world wants to move on. Hurricane Ivan replaces grieving parents. But don’t be surprised at the Russian revenge that is to come. They will claim the same global freedom to act just as the USA has. But state terrorism only exacerbates things. Ordinary people want to live in peace and harmony with each other. Why don’t our politicians concentrate their efforts in this direction?

I was listening to a politics programme on Radio 4 last night. One contributor raised the excellent question of go-it-alone UK military involvement in places where we really have no business. We lost the British Empire quite some time ago. And anyway where are other countries like Holland, Norway, Canada etc. when someone else’s problem arise? It’s all a bit bonkers actually.

Really enjoyed my teaching this week. The classes are holding together well. Everyone is working hard. There is a buzz about the place that I haven’t heard for quite a few years. That can happen when you get a good crop of students coming through the door. Time will tell, but so far so good.

The occasion of the week were of our national football teams beginning their 2006 World Cup campaigns. Scotland, God bless ‘em, were up against Slovenia. We build our hopes up so high only to see them crushed by later events.

To stand any real chance of qualifying Scotland should have won this home tie and captured 3 precious points, but only managed a 0-0 draw. It’s always uphill for such a wee nation as Scotland, but when we don’t seize chances we then face a mountain. Individually and collectively.

The weather has taken a turn for the worse. As if in sympathy with Beslan it’s turned extremely windy, with heavy showers. Plus it’s definitely getting darker earlier. Jiggered the hanging baskets good style. Managed to get the front grass cut this afternoon, probably its last of the season.

Wonder if the townspeople of Beslan got in much gardening this weekend?

A Tragic End To A Great Week

As I write details are filtering through to the UK about the tragic conclusion to the Beslan school seige in Russia. After 53 hours the almost predictable nightmare has happened, and 150 are dead.

The images on the TV are horrifying. Bombs and bullets. Naked, and semi-naked children fleeing the building. Blood soaked babies. Men and women wounded and killed. Its just too much.

One child who survived was so traumatised that he couldn't remember his name. As the bodies piled up, parents and relatives searched for unnaccounted for loved ones. What a tragedy.

President Putin is to appear on Russian TV tonight. In order to deflect any criticism, guaranteed he will attempt to apportion blame on some organisation or other.

But before any investigation has been conducted.

The last person he will point to will be himself, and his fellow politicians. However it is they who have created the conditions of such outrage.

Blame will lead to retaliation. That retaliation will lead to greater outrage. And so on and so on until the end of time unless the cause of such carnage is addressed. You have got to talk to the 'enemy'.

Accommodations must be made. Look at South Africa. Look at Nothern Ireland. They are both getting to somewhere far better then the chaos they had before. However unpalatable, you have compromise around why the terrorist has taken to the gun. You, and we will never get peace and harmony otherwise.

Kind of takes the gloss off what has been a superb week. This is because I'm back at the chalk with a vengeance. I've met all my classes, and they have met me. So far no problems, but that never lasts for long in teaching! I'm looking forward to teaching them all the very best I can.

I do hope they pick up the vibe in the Last Chance Saloon of FE.