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TheSTEVEDAQ
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Commentary
Genius?
Isn’t mowing the lawn therapeutic. Having found that much of the afternoon had passed me by while I updated my website and caught up with some admin, I decided to cut the grass, to complement the great work Mrs C had been doing during the afternoon. With nothing else to think about for a few minutes I pondered England’s chances at this year’s World Cup in Germany, or rather what chance now that our star talent Wayne Rooney has been struck by England’s nemesis the broken metatarsal.
Without going off on a tangent, something I am second to none at, it turns out that this recent flurry of broken feet, something that seems to be fairly unique to English football? is all to do with the nil protection afforded to footballer’s feet from the super thin leather upper of a modern day tech-football boot. It’s no accident that the likes of Beckham, Owen and Rooney are so deft with their feet nowadays. Pele would have killed to have the control afforded by kicking the ball with virtually the surface of your instep and not have a thick lump of leather spoil the pinpoint transference of energy from foot to ball and hopefully goal. Of course the downside is that if you have the likes of Paolo Ferreira bearing down on you and they (happen) to tread on your foot, you’re for want of a better expression, up the creek without a paddle. Stud to metatarsal equals the entire football following part of a nation’s heart sinking.
So, back to chances. To win these games you need ‘World Class’ players. These people if there was one, we assume would play for the World Eleven against aliens or extraterrestrials who would field an equally impressive team of defenders, midfield and strikers. World Class players make the difference between a good team and an excellent team. Even International teams only often field one World Class player. Once you have been elevated in a commentator’s opinion to World Class, you may make it to the Grand Master of descriptions ‘Genius’. I’m not even sure Beckham has been described as genius. Well, he might have been, when as a teenager he scored that cheeky goal from the halfway line, of single-handedly beat (Greece?) to ensure our qualification to the last World Cup – thereafter breaking his metatarsal and causing The Sun to distribute prayer mats with its six million copies. No, genius is reserved to the likes of Pele, Cruff, Maradonna (flawed) Best (flawed) there’s a trend here, and Rooney.
As someone who would classify even an average surgeon as a genius, the phrase is a little over-used nowadays, but even I have found myself defending the term against Mrs C’s rant that “How on earth a footballer could be called a genius is beyond me?” Which then often segues into my mother’s catchphrase “Ask them to get the washing in, or put the rubbish out” (add any chore to this), or “Could they perform open heart surgery?” Of course they couldn’t. But ask them to take control of a game where another twenty one people are also participating, odds-on when the going gets tough, they will get going e.g. Steven Gerrard in the second half of last year’s Champions League Final.
Our chances in this year’s finals. Pretty slim. Unless of course we adopt the tactics of one Mr Sam Allardyce, Bolton FC manager and England Football Manager candidate who I quote “If we can’t play them off the field, we get in their faces.” Arsene Wenger hates that”. He hasn’t got the job. But if his tactics were to beat Brazil three nil in a World Cup Final he’s be a genius too!
P.S I am not prepared to discuss the phrase 'Top, top drawer.
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Out Of Step
Why are politicians so out of step with reality now. Or have they always been?
Just been listening to a Radio 4 interview with David Millibrand MP (Big Cheese in our Government) who I quote said " People are seeing real change (for the good) in the country". Yeah right... I don't want to start sounding like the "What have The Romans ever done for us" Monty Python sketch but...
This town is being overrun by East Europeans some of whom, whether they have made it worse of not, are involved in prostitution and God knows what else. The Portugese community, who I hope are contributing to the local economy, seem pretty clued up as to what support they can get for whatever project is favour of the month. We just don't know how much of a strain this uncontrolled immigration is having on loal resources and the effect on council budgets. We do know our Council Tax has increased disproportionately.
Everyone who visits the town centre comments on the drunks, quite what government department they would come under I don't know, probably mental health - another area where local health authorities are having to make cuts to bring their overall budgets into line.
The local secondary school, overrun by 'special needs' and social basket cases concentrates on these kids to the detriment of the brighter ones. The consequence being that the school fails so many bright kids who go there from feeder schools with top marks. The kids are traumatised by the behaviour and attitude of the underprivileged kids who they have just come across. But it's OK, the kids are presented with qualifications from 20% correct, "13 passes from A to E" What?! Oh, and a certificate in 'life skills' to prove they might be able to write a letter for a job interview.
We have government ministers who don't know where rapists and murderers are, who should have been deported on release. The rest of them are having affairs with civil servants, with the 'support' of the Prime Minister. I'm sure there's plenty of well qualified tyro politicians coming up through the ranks who could replace the current incumbents. If we have to wait another four years for an election the least that the Labour party could do is shuffle some capable people in, and shuffle the likes of Prescott out.
I travel much more on public transport nowadays. I think it's time to encourage more politicians to listen to the conversations I do, or look around at the average intellience of the adult population and report back. The country is going to the dogs, but the ministers are more interested in shagging their secretaries.
I stand back and take a look at everything and think I shouldn't moan about these things because what am I doing about it? Well actually, I am paying a huge amount of tax along with everybody else to fund the system that's supposed to be running a tight ship. I say ship up, or ship out!
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Eight
Eight moments from Live 8 for the scrapbook. One of those days that no matter what they say, will be repeated, but probably not with the now ageing talent from the golden era of rock, late sixties and early seventies. Macca, Daltrey, Townsend, Gilmour, Waters, may read like a who's who edition of Mojo, but you cannot deny they put on a great and often virtuoso performance.
Imitation of life. Fake Beatle horn section kicks off Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band. Macca's first ever live performance of the eponymous tune.
Coldplay recruit a charismatic frontman. Richard Ashcroft, not entirely coming in on time, but showing verve, a very welcome return.
Unfortunately Pete did nothing other than to enhance his status as the new Sid Vicious. Never mind Children Of The Revolution, more like Accidents Will Happen. But of course he is the man of the hour and we wish him well. Who knows, in twenty years time he'll still look half his age and be one of those R'n'R survivors.
Johnny B did the opposite, broker says Buy Razorlight stock. They have a golden touch right now.
Stipe, "We are REM, this is what we do" Virtuoso stadium rockers. No mirrors backstage Michael?
The incredible story of the girl close to death in the 1985 Cars - Drive video, saved by relief and would run Iman as African Supermodel. A wonderful moment that reinforces the Geldof moral that we can do something to make a difference.
The right kind of headlines for tinatus suffering rocker Pete Townsend. The Who in top anti-establishment form with We Won't Get Fooled Again. Anyone under the age of sixteen brought up on reality pop stars was probably thinking Who Are You and how do you play the guitar like that?
Comfortably Numbed by the Floyd reunion. Joins Radiohead's Karma Police as joint favourite Live moment of recent years. Could have called the inclusion of Money in the set-list. Money, it's a gas....get your hands off my stash - so sixties hippy speak. Ending with a finale that included McCartney singing Helter Skelter, dusted off from the taboo cupboard, and another call, The Long And Winding Road (to Edinburgh.) One would hope that the great and the good can come to an agreement on the most critical part of the deal. Improved trade with poor and developing nations. Over to you Tony, George et al. Twenty -six million people have joined the petition that's more than voted in the election.
Pics courtesy of the Beeb, do you really think I would have got into the press pit 
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The "people" will decide....
I definitely want a mouse and a keyboard that's actually connected to the back of the box and a [spacebar] that bloody works so I don't have to tab back and enter the spaces between words. I don't look up while I am typing so thislongstringofprose looks like that.
It's election day and I have definitely been in the trendy 'floating voter' mode. Dropped down to make my mark and as usual you cannot go anywhere around here without bumping into someone you know. And yes, instead of saying the same old "Hi, how are you" bollocks..it's a mental "Hi, who are you voting for."
It amazes me what a huge majority the Conservatives hold (not Tory anymore we're told) considering the low-life between here and Bognor. This isn't Arundel and the South Downs, Or Worthing West that comes to but a mile away. Nope this is officially a Crap Town, and despite my protestations at it's inclusion, you cannot get away from the Chav primordial pond dwellers that inhabit the area and crawl out to the town after midday. It should definitely be a Labour seat, especially once the Portugese and Eastern Bloc immigrants become naturalised. They already own every cafe, and 'nail' bar within a five mile radius. Wan't to buy something in five years time? You better bloody speak Ukranian. Evidently immigration is a key issue ? Well. probably about five years ago maybe, but they slipped under the radar during TB's second term.
Have you also noticed that during this election the phenomenon of uneducated Chav learning a word containing more than three or four letters. The word? Indigenous. Yep, they're suddenly indigenous like it's a badge. It always used to be derogatory to be described as indigenous. Try telling an Aborigine or an Inuit that indigenous is something that builds self esteem.
Another amusing take on racism is the second generation Asians and West Indians objecting in true 'Love Thy Neighbour' stylee..."There's no more room for these asylum seekers". As a Belarus 'David Putnam' might say, "The East Europeans" are coming. I have a hunch they're already here..they like an X5 with the 'privacy glass' or two.
If I've given the impression that I am anti immigration, far from it. I've not come across an economic migrant, (and they all seem to be working) in the last ten years from either Ghana, Croatia, Poland or Ukraine that hasn't been fantastic value - and if blogs existed then, Blog value too!
Finally, listen and look out for Michael Howard pronouncing "people" it's been my Word Of The Day impression.
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Joined Up Thinking
It's not been called but there's an election likely in May, each of the three main parties has gone into policy overdrive to convince us that they are best placed to govern the country. With such a huge majority, I doubt the election will trouble Blair and the Labour party. Although the Labour machine, I am convinced, is going to get a bloody nose - who knows, even such a small majority as John Major was challenged by during his stint as elected PM maybe on the cards if, as I anticipate, the Liberal Democrats win closer to one hundred seats.
The fact is that whoever retains or obtains power after May we're unlikely to see a real change in the way the country is run. It always amazes me that when you listen to the average man in the street, they have an understanding of what is basically right. Law, education, health, environment, a grasp of economics that ensures most pay the tax they owe to keep the country running, and when polled, offer to pay more to ensure something clearly deficient is put right. But when you examine the way the country is being run now, by a government in power for eight years, who followed a Conservative government of seventeen we're describing a twenty five year missed opportunity to put the following right already. Not more promises to do something in the next five years. Here are some policies that will get discussed and promises will be made over, but I guarantee in five years will be no further forward or their consequences resolved. The government has billions at it's disposal - I say tear up the rule book and appropriate money to departments in such a way as to start with a clean sheet of paper.
Law and order
The biggest problem facing us is petty crime and mugging with the cause of the majority of this being drug use. So joined up thinking number one. Take a proper look at society and drug use, and decide what needs to be done to destroy the suppliers and reinvest the money in a larger and more efficient police force. If that means a relaxation in drug laws, even prescription supply, the cost will be far less than the cost of clearing up the crime that drives to industry. Reinvest the saving in fighting the drug suppliers and working Internationally to destroy their supply as well as educating those users who despite everything said about the ill effects have fallen by the wayside.
Education
It doesn't matter how this is spun to us, our education system is in a state. I have seen a child through the modern education system and if her experience is anything to go by - nobody inspired her - just like nobody inspired me twenty five years before. Her performance in key areas diminished as she progressed through secondary school. She was subjected to numerous unsettling mid-term teacher replacements and only her own motivation and some private tutoring got her near to the exam qualifications she would have expected at the end of her secondary education. Yet all through this time I've paid higher rate tax and my wife has been there for her before and after school. Despite the positive influence on children's upbringing, housewives don't get paid, or married couples any tax breaks to cover the disproportionate tax we pay compared to other couples, or those who receive various state benefits. So joined up thinking number two. Give tax breaks to mothers and couples who elect to have one wage earner and one at home to bring up children. There is a correlation between nurture and pre-school education against crime statistics and the huge cost of the penal system. A sound pre-school education is also a foundation for a solid education that every child is entitled to. The result being children leaving school being able to write, spell and read. Have good maths skills to contend with everyday adult life and a general knowledge to enable them to make an interesting career choice. Setting a target of fifty percent to go onto higher education is soundbite clap-trap. A good proportion of vocationally educated people who can earn a decent living, with the elite going onto higher education is more cost effective and of more benefit to them and society. At the current rate, there will be millions of British musicians and artists with just a few carpenters, plumbers and electricians.
Environment & Transport
Until we get an efficient public transport system we are not going to improve the congestion on our roads and the associated pollution. Whilst cars are only the tip of the industrial iceberg, they contribure heavily towards CO2 greenhouse gasses and ground level lead poisoning. Somewhere in this re-evaluation of departmental budget percentage we need to invest heavily in new railways and public transport. Kyoto or not, we cannot influence other countries participation in reducing harmfull emissions of CO2, CFC's and Carbon but we can exceed our agreed reduction quota and lead the way. Joined up thinking number three. Invest in state of the art public transport and reduce car use. This will have the added benefit of making our industry more efficient and more profitable. A healthier balance of trade deficit will do us no harm whatsoever.
Health Service
We've been heading in the right direction with banning smoking and the causes of lung cancer, now it's time to tackle obesity - the cause of increased heart disease. There has been a huge increase in fast food and chocolate consumption in the last twenty years. We even feed junk to our kids at home and at school. We can't be surprised when our cute six year olds turn into two hundred and fifty pound out of breath sixteen year olds. Joined up thinking number four. Tax fast food and fattening consumer goods in the same way that we have tobacco. Encourage healthy eating and exercise and take a long view on future health problems. The money we save dealing with the effect of feeding ourselves to death we can invest in clean hospitals and reducing waiting lists for major and critical operations.
Utopia....definitely.
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The six month rule..
Readers of TheSTEVEDAQ from it's infancy will recall my brush with the law, or let's say it's brush with me - I hadn't done anything illegal and was let's say a soft target. My unfortunate situation arose because following some police paper shuffling, some wise guy seargeant realised that if they didn't get their act together before six months had elapsed since the alleged incident, they would have no change of a prosecution.
Well, time flies and I am reminded of this on hearing that another person, this time an employee was mugged for her mobile phone. A couple of months ago a friend of my daughter's was attacked by three girls (yes, girls) who stole her purse , credit cards and mobile phone. She was left unconscious at nearly midnight and the guys that found her assumed she had been drinking - a great reflection on modern society. She spent the weekend in hospital having scans and needed a neck brace for a while afterwards. The neckbrace may be gone, but her confidence is still recovering.
Her family made some enquiries with the airtime provider and unsurprisingly the girls who had stolen her phone had been using it to call their friends with. A fairly dumb thing to do, but then again people who do this kind of thing are hardly blessed with any sense. Despite this, I haven't heard that the police are anywhere nearer arresting the culprits, despite knowing who their friends are. As there is a culture of not 'grassing' up criminals I suppose they think they are being clever. As the days tick off, six months will come and go and the case will be dropped. I hope that as much effort is being put into the search for these girls as was put into finding me, a completely innocent party in a web of teenage lies. With hard evidence that these people by default know who commited the crime, they should be put up before a court and made to purjure themselves by lying that they do not know who phoned them. Maybe the threat of jail would be enough to make them cough up the detail.
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Us and Them
As the world (evidently) holds it's breath for the Iraq election, with the country so divided I think it's a precursor for a Civil War myself, I was trying to think of a song that would commemorate the occasion. Lyrics, sentiment etc. How about this one. Pink Floyd's Us and Them the music of which was written for a violent riot sequence in the film Zabriske Point but wasn't used. It appeared first on the greatest Floyd album of them all and arguably the greatest album of all time by anyone, The Dark Side Of The Moon (fourteen years on the chart says something!)
I don't have it as an mp3 file, but where there's a will there's a way peeps. It certainly wasn't written thirty years ago for this occasion but you wouldn't know. Here's the lyrics..
Us and them
And after all we're only ordinary men
Me and you
God only knows it's not what we would choose to do
Forward he cried from the rear
and the front rank died
The General sat, and the lines on the map
moved from side to side
Black and blue
And who knows which is which and who is who
Up and down
And in the end it's only round and round
And round
Haven't you heard it's a battle of words
the poster bearer cried
Listen son, said the man with the gun
There's room for you inside
Down and out
It can't be helped but there's a lot of it about
With, without
And who'll deny it's what the fighting's all about
Out of the way, it's a busy day
I've got things on my mind
For want of the price of tea and a slice
The old man died
What do you think?
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