I had a social network message off a friend yesterday asking about the snow.

“What snow?” thought me, until I stepped out into the freezing cold arctic conditions and above the village could see the 'white of those hills there yonder'. Now that what comes of being ill; you lose track of what's happening around you. Well that’s not strictly true as you may acquire a better understanding of what’s going on in the wider world through television and the internet. But I’m writing about that bubble around your personal space and the interaction between the person and their community and the local environment.

I could have sworn that when I last went outside I was wearing shorts and sandals and Mr Tister and I were enjoying an ice cream on the promenade. But then again I was just jabbering away to two family members, before I realised that they weren’t in the house!

The other clarification means that we have to return to the ice cream story. You see, Mr Tister was enjoying the frothy cone, but I was just looking on longingly and wondering if my pension could stretch to getting myself one, given the Government’s hike in taxation and the zero annual occupational pension increase that is currently my lot.

Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate getting a pension, and I also understand that if I had left in 2005 when I pleaded to go, then it would probably be a lot less. But ‘no increase’ every year doesn’t mean ‘no pay rise’, it means a pay loss. Not even a ‘pay freeze’ because while the pension hasn’t gone up, the actual cost of living seems to increase exponentially and those increases seems to occur monthly.

Parallel Universe

I found out recently that my other half of me in that Parallel Universe that must exist; likes Coffee, runs a Blog and is into many things including posing Lego figures, African coffee and the like. Now you all know that I am a fatalist and understand that all things happen for a reason. It may not always be for a good reason, but nevertheless the reasons are always there.

With this in mind I am really glad that ‘Roger Bennett’ sent me that Facebook message on 01 June 2011. More so in that this particular bit of fatalism has been a good thing. His likes and dislikes appear to be mirrored by mine and those of my friends. I have a really good friend who is a Registered Doorman, and another who writes Computer Code. I like posing figures, and I can see the fun in posing a ‘Lego’ storyboard in stills, or as a short film. His latest Blog is about music, and I wish that he had been around when I bought my latest surround sound system. Like me, he dislikes noisy computers, and I also dislike noisy surround sound Blue-Ray players. The more I hear about my Parallel Self; the more I would like to sit down with him and share a good coffee and a few beers. It’s strange really, the social networking that I have mentioned on many occasions as creating massive friendship numbers that really equate to very little, could, just could bring about a connection to my Parallel Universe.

The games that people play

Now don’t get me wrong; we all make mistakes when driving, but the trick is to learn about what happened and adjust your future driving accordingly. So please don’t think that I am the perfect driver, because I’m probably not. Careful yes, learning all the time yes, making occasional mistakes, of course. But what wifey and I have noticed a lot of late, is the games that people play.

I mean, you are driving your car forward, so please look at the road ahead and don’t pay undue attention to those behind you. they probably know what they are doing, they know how their car handles, and they probably understand anticipation, space and a safe pass. The driver behind doesn't need you to stare at that small bit of glass and in doing so hit the embankment or drift out over the broken white line. But alas that is what they do in their desire to try and stop others making that clean pass.

On Monday on a long drive back from a funeral we saw one car drift into the verge and another car deliberately cross the broken white line to stop an overtaking manoeuvre. Like, hey folks, why would you do that? What difference does it make to you if another car safely drifts on by and moves ahead of you? It’s not like they are speeding or making a dangerous manoeuvre. I stay within the limits of road design, speed enforcement, and personal ability. So just calm down and relax, it doesn’t matter if the car behind you stays there or drifts on by. Honest, it really doesn’t matter so cast off your hang-ups. Their progress does not affect you, but you can and do affect yourself.

This weekend we trundled down to Cardiff. We popped off left at the Carmarthen roundabout and the car in front immediately jumped from the left hand lane into the right hand lane. “What was that all about?” says wifey and we both giggled. I mean, fend me off why don’t you, but 1,000 yards before the next roundabout, are you serious? Time and time again we see it. Drive slow, opportunity for me to glide past and the driver in front speeds up and crosses the centre of the road. Like, uh huh, it’s not a game. This is the real deal folks and if you drive like a prat in your desire to stop others then someone will get hurt. Probably you because you simply are not concentrating, hence going up onto the verge or out into the oncoming lane.

Indeed, wifey and I think that the driving standards these days are quite diabolical. For instance you could never imagine the speed that oncoming vehicles take a blind junction from where we emerge very weekday morning. Each and every one of these drivers simply has no idea whatsoever what is outside of their line of sight. It could be a child or walker in the road, someone on a bike who has stopped or fallen off or a broken down car. But day in and day out; they take the shallow junction at speed and with complete gay abandon as to their fate.

So the next time you are out driving and you start to take an unhealthy interest in the car behind, stop and think. Does it really matter what he or she is doing? Does it matter if they glide past when it is safe to do so? No stop thinking about the person behind, and start wondering if I should slow down before I take that left up ahead. Mirrors are for reversing and manoeuvring and otherwise only tell you where you have been. What matters far more, is where you are going.

Old boot Car Boot

Now I quite like a good old Car Boot Sale; as there's always a chance that you will meet someone interesting, maybe see something worth buying, and of course there's all that 'lovely lolly'. But there is a downside to lazing away a Sunday morning. No, not the lack of exercise, but the lack of impact that your money will have to help those who are less fortunate than ourselves.

I have spent quite a few months whiling away the hours downsizing our possessions. That which is worthy of resale has been distributed to Wales Air Ambulance, Oxfam, Tenovus, and Barnardo's. In fact, for all but the Wales Air Ambulance; I am a Gift Aid Card carrier. What we give, is in fact seriously important stuff. Not the physical items, but the actual act of gifting. So as nice as a good old Car Boot Sale is; the charitable need far outweighs having a jolly good day out and collecting a few bob.

So this morning I have been pottering around and putting out some rubbish (that which isn't passed on, tends to be recycled, but some of course to my eternal shame can only go into land-fill). I have booted up the Laptop to say hello to all Bloggers, and now intend to paint the downstairs toilet. But the most important jobs of today are all happening later this afternoon. That is when I leave the village to travel into town and drop off a large box of items for Oxfam, another large box of items for the Air Ambulance (whom I note sold our dining table and chairs this week [thankfully it was the donated one, and not the small one we are using this evening!]) and a large bag of clothes to Barnardo's.

I'm also popping in to hand over a small monetary donation to the current DEC (Disasters Emergency Committee) Appeal. Those affected by the drought in East Africa really do need I help. Nearly all of us can spare a few bob, and think of that the next time you want to take yourself to an old Car Boot Sale to turn your stuff into cash.

What you get, you will flitter away in almost an instant, but what you donate will save at least one life

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Where is the NoW? And on Being Bonkers

In my last Blog post, I asked where the other news was. Maybe I should have asked where is the News of the World?

You have to be extremely naive to believe that spying including phone hacking is a new phenomenon. There are many examples of tape cassette recording, secret filming, telephone and room bugging of individuals to get a story. Best part is; this type of behaviour is nothing new. So maybe we have to ask ourselves what is new about what the News of the World has been accused of? Has our tolerance threshold for such behaviour declined, or is there some other influence that has caused the collapse of what is (was) the best selling Sunday newspaper.

You don't get that many readers from being useless or average, and you don't get that many stories from phone hacking.

To be perfectly honest with you, I am a (London) Times and Sunday Times reader. But I was shocked when I heard that the News of the World was closing. I mean lets be real, if you had sat at a table with a few friends a decade ago and one of them said; "In the next ten years, Woolworths will close, so will MFI, and Focus, and Habitat, oh and the News of the World", you would have quite rightly thought that he or she were completely and utterly bonkers. I mean, these were all institutions. OK, Focus wasn't right up there with the others. But hey ho, I'm sure that you get my drift.

I was so shocked about the News of the World, that this morning I had a copy of the last ever edition delivered to our hotel room. Along with my Sunday Times of course. "Hey, Mrs. B" I say, as I'm walking back into the room having just closed the door and with the two papers folded together. "I have the Sunday Times, do you want a read?"

"Yes," comes the reply, "chuck it on the bed and I'll have a look later." To which I respond as I swiftly take the goodies from behind my favourite read, "Oh, I've also got the News of the World!".

"Brilliant, pass it here" as she instantly starts the read. Sort of says it all, doesn't it? The fools, they should have sacked anyone who was to blame and ridden out the storm. Better still, they could have outed them all one at a time each and every Sunday and we would have queued to buy the next edition to see who was going to prison that week. It would have made a great serial. They could have even put a strap line under their Heading;

The News of the World
No hacking - only sacking

They missed a great opportunity, because everyone loves a bad boy turned good. Especially if others think that they had something to do with the cleansing. They may be rich and they may be powerful, but sometimes the best in the land could do with an impartial opinion of a qualified strategist. You have to look beyond the 'quick win'. There's no point in dumping a winning formula, if by doing so you run the risk of dumping everything else. I think that it was a big mistake, but then again, I'm not a billionaire so what do I know?

So what's next; 'the SUNday'

But where is the other News?

The level of reporting for the Stephen Lawrence murder trial may be correct, but there is certain other news that seems to have slipped from our radar. I would like to know what is happening to Ms Sakineh Ashtiani in Iran.

If the lack of news reporting is keeping her alive, then due credit to the Iranian authorities. We can all be quick to condemn but it's also important to give credit where it is due.

Now would be an excellent time for Iran to release Ms Ashtiani. To do so would be to seize the moral high ground in this saga. As any decision to release Ms Ashtiani would be made without any obvious external influence or pressure. Therefore Iran would be doing so of their own accord as a sovereign nation. The Iranian authorities could make the move and taunt the West. Especially if they accepted the Brazilian offer to grant Ms Ashtiani asylum. By taking this action, the Iranian authorities would be creating a win-win situation. They would seize the moral high ground, remove the problem to another Continent, and make new friends.

If you stop and think about it, then you realise that it's all too easy. But if it's not happening, then I would like to see some news coverage so that the case of Ms Ashtiani is not forgotten.

News

Yes the Stephen Lawrence murder trial, is in the news, but the story is not being reported at a level that I would have previously expected. Has society changed, or are the media backing off in case they hash this one up? I think it's more about the latter. The story is well known; black youth minding his own business, attacked by racist thugs and slaughtered in the street. You know the kind of story, little people, who are very brave in a gang. Especially when armed with a knife, and with the intent to use it on someone at some point in time.

The murder was sad enough, but the act was compounded by what appeared at the time to be poor policing. It led to a failed private prosecution and an enquiry.

I sincerely hope that the news is in many ways suppressed, if only so that at last justice can be done. If they did it then they go away for a very long time, and if they didn't do it then they walk free. The most important part being that the jury is not tainted by reporting and emotions, but instead consider the evidence and the pleadings as presented to them in the court room.

I was particularly pleased when I found the latest update in the (London) Times way back on page 28 or so. The small amount that was written and its position in the paper was relevant to the story as it now unfolds.

Well done to Justice Secretary Ken Clarke

A big well done to Justice Secretary Ken Clarke regarding his announcement today (29 June, 2011) of an intention to clarify the law regarding defending yourself when you find an intruder inside your property. I particularly welcome the remarks attributed to Mr Clarke that appear to suggest that ‘Reasonable Force’ may include killing an intruder providing that they are not running away from you, and you are not chasing them down the street as they attempt to flee. Nobody wants to see anyone die before their time, but as I have mentioned in two previous postings; a person faced with an intruder whether masked or not will at that moment in time, quite rightly and probably without exception be overcome with fear.

The size, physical strength, or professional background will not deviate from that fear. No one will know why the intruder is there, and the bottom line is that a reasonable person will be expecting violence against them or other members of their family.

I also welcome the comment from Mr Ken Clarke that; “nobody should be prosecuted and nobody should ever convict anybody who takes these steps”. I for one could not have convicted a person who harmed anyone who broke into their home and which they came face to face with. It is great news that the lawmakers have recognised that doubts in the existing law require clarity, and great news that the Coalition Government are doing something worthwhile and significant for all citizens.

Anyone who wants to break into a person’s home is welcome to do so as that is their choice. But in making that choice, please remember the new rule: ‘intruders beware’. You may get stuck with a knife, bludgeoned or strangled to death. The person who does it to you will not be prosecuted because of a new law that may recognise that an intrusion brings fear, and fear causes a reaction. Norbert Elias has taught us that fear drives people to act, and it is great news that as the law is developed it will recognise this response to fear. The new law will provide legal protection for those who are unfortunate to meet face to face with an intruder, and that fleeting moment where they will believe themselves to be vulnerable.

Well done Ken Clarke, and well done to David Cameron for supporting the move.

Thingamajig and Mathematics et al

I have mentioned in a previous Blog posting how we like to think that we are good at something and then someone comes along who is a whole lot better at the same task.

The other side to this position in life is those things that we are not very good at. Indeed sometimes, we are so bad that we are next to useless. Then all of a sudden something clicks and we are up and running. Worse still, all too often we don’t actually know what influenced the change.

Quite a few years back, mathematics was my “thing that I can’t do”. I recall my friend Adam explaining that it was not magic, and that there were a series of rules that had to be understood and then applied as appropriate to whatever mathematical problem was being scrutinised. Don’t ask me how, probably with the help of Adam, Daniel, and Joe; I overcame the mental block and went on to score an astonishing 86% in my University examination. It sort of clicked.

My latest ‘Wall’ is airbrushing. As an accomplished artist, it follows that I should be reasonably good. With a few degrees behind me, it also follows that I should understand the principles involved and be able to work through to find the solutions. But that has not been the case. Maybe, some of the problems are from being unwell, maybe there was a lack of confidence, but whatever the problem, not only was the ‘Wall’ still intact, but it had started to get bigger. Now there's nothing worse than a big wall when you aren't capable of climbing.

Then suddenly, for absolutely no good reason (other than stumbling upon a few solutions through trial and error) I am now wondering what all of the fuss was about. The 'capability' started off by accidentally putting the thinners into the mixing pot that connects to the airbrush and then adding the paint. This ensures that the thick paint doesn't clog the paint flow orifice from the paint holding pot into the airbrush and go on to clog the airbrush nozzle as well. Adding the thinners first, ensures that no clogging occurs. Followed by realising that airbrush nibs (the type that I use) come apart into three sections, all of which were easy to clean in water. Then I worked out that you layer it and wait between coats for the paint to dry. And don’t forget to blast it off to one side (in the cardboard box that doubles as my spray booth) before sweeping a stroke across the object that is being sprayed. The reason for that is to ensure that any start-up droplets (instead of the required and previously often hoped for, fine mist) land on the box and not the object being sprayed.

So says the man who up until a few days ago couldn’t get any of the nibs to work, didn’t know that they came apart, and didn’t know how to mix paint for airbrushing. I also didn’t understand what the variable thingamajig on the airbrush was for. Then out of the blue it all comes together.

It’s a strange world isn’t it?

Salford Burglary

For several reasons the media coverage of the Salford Burglary, represents an important part of the civilising process of the United Kingdom.

The coverage demonstrates the current freedom in this country that enables fair and accurate reporting. The detail contained in the reporting also suggests that the current law may be wrong when a householder is faced with an intruder, irrespective of whether or not that intruder is wearing a mask. The burglary and the untimely death of a criminal in many ways shows us that our laws, reporting systems, ideals, and beliefs, are subject to advancement and improvement.

But what strikes at the core for me; is this idea of 'defending your property'. I have explained in an earlier post, that any person faced with hearing or seeing an intruder in their home will at that precise moment be faced with absolute terror. There will be no thought about 'reasonable force', the 'rights of the criminal', or the 'defence of my property'. It will be a case of 'flight behavior'; with or without bowel movement, raised alertness, increased heart rate, sweating and so on.

The occupier will not know if the intruder is there to steal, or to rape, or to beat, or to kill.

So can we all please stop going on about 'his right to defend his property'. No one is defending their property, because the mere presence of an intruder whether masked or not, and whether alone or accompanied, whether armed or unarmed, for that precise moment in time is a real and absolute threat to the safety of the occupier and his or her family.

If you decide to break in, and as a result you are killed, then tough luck. No one deliberately set out at the start of that day to kill you. No one plotted your demise. You chose to break in, and the consequences of your act, should be yours alone.

The current debate is almost as fundamental as the last significant change in law, when those who stole a sheep or lamb would not be convicted by a jury who knew that they would be hung for the offence. Instead the punishment became deportation, and at that point jurors began to convict again.

The law is wrong regarding the need to attack an intruder. There is a need, simply because the occupier is in fear of his or her safety and the safety of anyone else in the household. The law has to be changed and that change needs to be well publicised by the media. Everyone should know that if you break into a property, then you run the risk of injury or death. This risk should include no legal consequence against the true victim i.e. the law abiding citizen at home who upon hearing or seeing an intruder is struck with fear.

Peter Flanagan should not be charged with any crime.

A home is a Castle

If a gang of people in the current example, or a single person breaks into someones home, then by doing so, they automatically scare the shit out of the occupier. Let's be straight here; the intruder doesn't have to do anything. The mere act of breaking in is enough, as any reasonable person would be terrified to hear or see a stranger who has broken into their home.

At that point, no one should act surprised if an intruder is killed. An Englishman's home is his Castle. The person who committed the crime, made a decision to cross the threshold into a property belonging to someone else. No one made anyone commit the crime, the act was based on choice.

If a person wants to live their life to the full; then they need to choose not to break into a persons home. The breaking and entering at the point of entry is an unknown act containing at that point in time, an unknown intent to steal, or rape, or beat, or to kill. It is an initial act, that is leading towards something unknown that will naturally place the occupier or occupiers in fear of their safety.

The occupier does not know if you have come to steal, or rape, or beat, or to kill. My view for what it is worth; is that the rights of an individual are automatically forfeited the moment that they break into a property belonging to someone else. There can be no scale of 'reasonable force'. The victim will be terrified as to why the intruder is there. The victim will not be thinking of reasonable force, and will only (and quite rightly) be thinking of self preservation.

The law should be 'Intruder Beware'. You choose, and if you get hurt or killed; then it was your choice. It is as simple as that, and the law needs to be changed to protect those who are faced with an intruder inside their home.

Alice Pyne

If you are ever feeling down, then go to: http://alicepyne.blogspot.com and read that Blog and be very grateful for everything you have and will ever have. The power of the Media and the Internet to bring information into your life that otherwise would have slipped you by. I cried when I read the article in the Times newspaper while sipping coffee in a coffee shop in Carmarthen, and I cried again when I used my Xperia X10 to access the Blog a few minutes later.

Joss Stone

I was appalled at the news story that broke yesterday regarding Joss Stone and the stuff that those who have been charged allegedly had in their car. This led me to write a poem about the Joss Stone story. It sickens me that people go and plot and plan the way that they do; with total disregard to their fellow human beings. Let's hope that those involved get what they fully deserve and that Joss Stone lives life safely.

Joss Stone

Rejoice to those who spotted the duo,
And for making the emergency call,
Praise the officers taking the lead,
And to those who searched the Punto.

Two now charged and unable to blag,
Why they were there at all,
Banged to rights they will plead,
The reasons why a sword and body-bag.

And when the jury find the guilt,
The two from Manchester shall fall,
Locked away so that others heed,
What happens if blood could be spilt.

Roger Bennett, June 2011

As always I reserve and execute my right to be identified as the author of this poem if anyone lifts it and uses it elsewhere. Oh, and some dosh please if you are a newspaper or other high volume reader organisation, as I'm just a poor pensioner. Tee he hee :-)

Parking in Aberystwyth

What's all this rubbish about Parking in Aberystwyth? I take my car into the centre of Aberystwyth every day, and I mean every day; even Saturdays and Sundays. For me the Parking Wardens going in Aberystwyth has not been a bad thing. Not because I haven't picked up any more tickets, but because I have been able to park my car legally and with ease every day since they have gone. Indeed, parking for me has become easier and not more difficult. Better still someone else said the same thing this afternoon about where he parks. And two others said similar yesterday. The press and the media coverage does not seem to reflect what is happening on the street. I'm not saying that it is bad reporting, but maybe it is poor informing. The media report what they are told.

So I have to ask; who is creating this story and for what reason? Is the real story about generating interest about the location, and thereby creating an improved tourism economy through product awareness?

Because parking is not a problem, far from it. The parking in Aberystwyth has never been any better, and the truth is that everyone is being sensible and Roger gets a legal space every day. Let's all hope that the story goes away and those in power don't waste public taxes on employing traffic wardens in the future. Instead put up a few automated enforcement cameras in the key locations such as the narrow part of High Street where illegal parking could prevent an Ambulance or Fire Engine getting through (High Street is a side street), and on Pier Street where the situation was no better with the traffic wardens as anyone with a blue disk - could and always did and still do - block the street and reduce it to a one vehicle width while the purpose built Disabled Car Park at the bottom of Aberystwyth usually remains half empty.

Better still folks, how much do you pay to park in the centre of your town? I park in the centre of mine legally for several hours almost seven days a week on road and free of charge. Work that one out and then tell me there's a problem, as many who read this would love to be in that position in their town centre.

Free parking - legally parked - space every time I look - space every day - space at peak afternoon times and Saturday morning times - no cost - no hassle - space found very quickly - a different space every time. Can someone please tell me where the Parking Problem is in Aberystwyth because I haven't found it yet!

Travel new and past

I have put in quite a few miles over the last few weeks. Which is simply astonishing given the 70,400 words that I have written. No, I don't type and drive. Mind you, if it was safe to do so, then that would be the perfect solution. Mainly because driving is mundane, and I'm not a mundane sort of person.

I have also managed to read two exceptionally good books. The latter one being "the Real Heroes of Telemark". An astonishingly good read, and one which I recommended to you before I reached the closing chapters. I knew parts of the story but I was unaware of "the Ferry of Death". War is about death, but fortunately not all conflict is war. There is conflict in relationships, conflict in employment, and conflict through religious or political differences. Sometimes something happens that transcends the differences, something that jells the actors and onlookers to work towards the common good. The true stories behind my recent reading are remarkable. Real 'Boys Own' sorts of stuff. A modern day hero, a soldier who fought 'for King and Country' and then went on to become active in clandestine activities which in many ways were also for the greater good. Hardship was portrayed in 'Rifleman', but probably not as much hardship as that which was endured in 'Hardanger' during that terrible winter. Both stories show how far man will got to hurt others, and how far man will go to try to right a wrong.

My next read, sweeps away from 'Boys Own'; to Imperialism and Colonialism. The story of British Colonial Intentions in Black Africa. Readers of the Blog will know how the British were outwitted by the superior leadership skills of the Zulu nation. The highly drilled British Soldiers had embarked on what must have also been an adventure similar to 'Rifleman' and 'Telemark'. Facing an enemy and not knowing if you will win through.

I mentioned in a recent Blog Post about the process of state formation. In the previous paragraph I mentioned the 'Zulu Nation', unfortunately their state formation process was not far enough advanced. In-fighting and agricultural demands led to weaknesses. Colonial Britain got lucky and Africa bore the burden of that success. Maybe over the next few Blog Posts I can mention some of my favourite bits from one of my favourite stories. Ian Knight is a great author, and this being the third book of his that I have read, there is bound to be some replication. But if I come across a few gems, then you can certainly be assured of some replication in this Blog. Until then, if you live in the UK, enjoy the early Summer. It may be all that we have. Although unlike Africa and the Zulu society many decades before; the clouds that gather for us, will only bring rain, and not death and oppression.

Reflection

For me, swimming is a reflective process. I always look back at the event and recall how enjoyable it all was, but I never look forward to getting up early and dragging myself to the Pool. This in some ways is a pity, as I do enjoy the swim.

I tend to average 150+ lengths a week, and a fair few Sauna's to boot. Popping into the Sauna is my way of adding some relaxation and further extending the workout period. The heat maintains the raised heartbeat from the exercise; well that's my theory anyway. Plus of course there's the Social Intercourse. Like many people, I enjoy a good chat, and popping to the Pool enables me to exchange a few words with some friends. Routine, motivation, dialogue, exercise, warmth, and reflection.

It's all very civilized. Elias mentioned that we are unable to understand the "civilizing of conduct" and the transformation of the structure of mental and emotional life without "tracing the process of state-formation" within the advancing centralization of society. Elias also mentioned that this "first found (...) visible expression in the absolutist form of rule." So our development links to those 'power chances' that were gifted to a central authority. Now we can trace this state formation back to the middle ages, and enforce our understanding of later events, by reviewing 15C records. But in many ways this 'central authority' mechanism operated throughout the 20C and is still visible today. This is evidence that the civilizing process is a continuum. What one person thinks is civilized is not, and what many believe to be civilized; is still subject to improvement as gradual changes are introduced. By inference, this latter model cannot be 'civilized' because if it were, then there could be no room for improvement. Better still, our understanding of the process is based on ‘reflection’ in that we have to look for evidence in order to determine if improvements or advances were made. I wonder what future historians will think of the current turmoil in Arab countries. Will they believe that UN intervention was correct? Will they regenerate the Crusader against Islam theory? Or will it all boil down to a mere side show. It is quite upsetting that conflict through choice, has displaced the Humanitarian disaster in Japan from the front pages. But this is all too often the case, a side show steps in and prevents us from executing our intention or necessary actions.

The problems always seem to happen through a craving for power. For these persons the money sector of the economy is all too often the driving influence, and this craving allows the actors to seize their ‘power chances’. Be it 'oil', 'Land', or other wealth; the names of the actors never matter. Yes they will be noted in history, but in real terms the names don't matter as the sequence seems to happen time and time again. Sometimes it all ends with a fight between ‘Good’ and ‘Evil’, conflict or force exercised by those that consider themselves to be ‘Civilized’ against those, who for no good reason, they consider to be ‘un-civilized’. I'm not saying that what we are doing in Libya is wrong, only that I truly believe that dialogue and negotiation is better than conflict. Mind you, that requires both parties to be listening, and all too often that is not the case. Then again, even when people appear to be listening and agreeing, we have to remember the farce that was the Munich Agreement.

I don't know much about what I have written, but I do know that in this 'civilized' (sic) era, it’s awfully civilized being able to pop along to the Swimming Pool most mornings.

Casey Heynes Australia

Now don't get me wrong, I do not condone violence. Indeed, I am a gentle man and have walked away from many of a fight. Indeed, I did not hit back when I was twice assaulted in the workplace with my back turned to the assailant. Once on a night shift while in bed waiting for a 999 call turnout, and once while I was sat at my desk and my assailant walked behind me before hitting me from behind. Nope, I am not a violent man. And I have to contextualise the statement before I hit on the main theme of this Blog post.

Victims of the World unite and follow Casey Heynes. Always a constant victim, he stands while his assailant punches him full force in the face. He doesn't react as his assailant makes two blows to the stomach. No, Casey Heynes is a gentle guy. He doesn't react and there is no one there to help him. Well actually there is. There's the person holding the Happy Slapping Camera Phone, and someone who you may think was around because all of a sudden he steps in between the bully and the victim. Nope, not to help Casey but to try and stop Casey hurting the bully. Eh, like what? Casey was never going to hurt the Bully tough guy. No, Casey simply picked the Bully up and Body Slammed him into the concrete. Now why didn't I think of that on those occasions that I was attacked? I know, because I wasn't looking. You see that's the things with Bullies, they only do what they think that they can get away with. Now that's some real Social Science for you, and if you are instead into Film and Theatre; then check out the numerous Casey Heynes videos on the Web.

By the way, the victim actually got suspended from School. I read somewhere on the Web that the only time Casey should have been given off School was to go and collect the Keys to the Town. There's a lot of people out there who need to answer for this one, and Casey Heynes isn't one of those people. Where were those who have a duty of care to a child in a school to prevent constant bullying occuring, where were the parents of the assailant, where were the parents of the camera holder, and where were the parents of the tough guy with the rucksack. Shame on all of you, and well done Casey Heynes. Oh, and well done to the young girl who tries to step in at the end. Well done to everyone who supports Casey Heynes and please continue to support him when he is allowed back into School.