A FABLE OF MODERN BRITAIN.

The author's daughter, mother of two schoolchildren, and wife of a hard working husband, explained the following to me over the Christmas break. Daughter Molly, for whom we have aspirations as a possible multi-linguist, although not yet twelve years of age and in her first year at senior school, has been streamed into the section for German. To enhance the pupils' progress, a trip to Koblenz has been arranged, but with limited numbers. My granddaughter brought details home to her parents, which in order to secure a place required a £50 deposit. My daughter, who is a stay at home, hands on mother, explained to Molly, that they would have to await her father's salary payment due in two days time. This they did, and fortunately, a place was confirmed for her. Incidentally, my daughter is aware that she can always come to me on such occasions; her stoicism, however, precludes her from doing that.

Although all is well, my daughter had it out with the school; begging the question, why is it that all the children whose parents are on benefit can be placed on the list immediately, while hardworking 'strivers' have to go through the anxiety of whether or not they can afford it?

THAT'S MY GIRL!

RACING TOWARDS DISASTER, SPURRED ON BY DECADENCE.

Here in the United Kingdom, we march blithely on, ignoring the danger signs that surround us, casting our morals as we go. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, we were witnessing the trial of two domestic assistants, sisters, by the name of Grillo. Their accusers, Charles Saatchi and his former wife Nigella Lawson, their employers, implied that the two sisters had abused their generosity, by spending many thousands of pounds on the credit cards given to them. The jury found them not guilty. What turned out to be the main fact to come from the proceedings, was the alleged use of cocaine by Ms. Lawson, and the apparent acceptance by many folk in the country, because it happened to be the 'Domestic Goddess' herself, Nigella. Using class 'A' drugs is still a serious offence here in Britain, so how can it be trivialised by using it as some sort of defence when giving evidence in court?

One of the more in depth articles on the outcome of the aforementioned court case was written by Julie Bindel, who describes herself as a left-wing, middle aged feminist. She goes on to explain, that people would think this is exactly the background for such indulgences. Bindel, however, makes it clear how prevalent the practise is, as she regularly witnesses the passing around of the 'toot', the childlike expression for the snorting habit, rather like cheese and biscuits. When encouraged to imbibe on these occasions, she gives them lectures on the harm that it is doing to the world; not just the users, but the army of gatherers along the supply chain. The London Elite, along with other metropolitan centres around the world, seem to ignore such warnings, probably treating the practice as a little fun. How shallow!

Columnist Peter Hitchens, from what the author reads, is one of the more vociferous on the dangers of drugs. For example: When soldier Lee Rigby was murdered in London in broad daylight, having his body mutilated for passers-by to witness, Hitchens wrote at the time that the two assailants smoked cannabis, in fact they lived in a property used as a cannabis farm.

The lack of will to stop this criminal activity, which is giving the wrong impression to the younger generation, is appalling. Not overlooking the fact that many an intensive care unit around the country is full to overflowing with patients suffering from this outlawed habit.

ALL THIS WILL EVENTUALLY BITE US IN THE TAIL.

THE APPALLING NEW ENGLISH LANGUAGE.

Every now and then the author feels the need to make a stand against the pathetic misuse of the English language, particularly by the British. Hot on the heels of the bad news regarding depreciating standards in education, particularly in Great Britain, compared with the performance of many Asian nations. The Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted), following comprehensive school inspections, is getting more derogatory regarding this deplorable dumbing down, so admired by the left wing body that runs the everyday business of trying to develop our youngsters. I'm sure that out there we have some conscientious teachers, but too many, possibly those of the National Union of Teachers (NUT), spend more time concentrating on strike action, rather than educating and disciplining their charges. This may be a deep seated ploy by the Labour movement to insure that well educated, intelligent people won't vote for socialism. The front bench of the Parliamentary Labour Party, I'm sure, advocates this policy, as they are particularly dim, to a man/woman.

The point that this item is endeavouring to clarify, however, is that from a language bristling with descriptive words, in the main folk limit themselves to but a few. The nauseating misuse of words such as issue, focus and amazing is frightful. One imagines that the media is fighting against our limited education system, which never appears to fight back. I can't comprehend, that during my school days, had I included the unnecessary 'like' in my speech, I would have been corrected instantly. The same would have happened at home, had my mother heard me speak in such a pathetic fashion. 'Cool' is another word at every verse end, even by adults. As a jazz fan, the word was descriptive in the mid 20th.century with the transition in styles from 'hot', bop to cool; Shorty Rogers/Gerry Mulligan on the West Coast of USA, and Miles Davis in the East. Unfortunately, rather like the term, 'chill out', which seems to be a by product of the drugs culture, so beloved by 'trendy' folk, mainly in the media, and the British Broadcasting Corporation in particular.

Interestingly, my hackles were raised on the subject when watching a newscast from the BBC on the very subject outlined above. The broadcast was overloaded with all these nonsensical words: One assumes that for 'focus' the reporter means concentrate; try concern or problem for 'issue'. Finally, during the weather forecast that followed the bulletin, the viewers saw an impressive photograph of the towers at Canary Wharf, peeking above the top of the low lying cloud; the forecaster referred to the situation as amazing, which would suggest that it was some kind of ascension; I'm sure 'extraordinary' would have been more suitable.

DON'T GET ME STARTED ON 'UNI', FOR YOU KNOW WHAT.

NELSON MANDELA: A REMARKABLE HUMAN BEING.

The passing of the first black president of South Africa, which was hardly a surprise at 95 years of age,    evoked considerable emotion and breast beating. The fact that he had spent almost three decades incarcerated in gaol could have made him considerably bitter. He, however, appears to have gone through a Damascene conversion, which is no doubt the reason for the world's reaction to this loss.

Mandela certainly had the charisma to influence former President, De Klerk, the last 'white' to hold the office. We should pause here to acknowledge De Klerk's role in what passed. Nelson Mandela was a man true to his word, almost performing a miracle of transformation in the power structure. Some might consider this to be a type of 'coming again'. Unfortunately, with the sad news, the world had to go over the top, most people claiming a piece of Nelson; something the author has witnessed in Israel, where so many try to sell us a 'piece of Jesus'; a kind of business opportunity.

How on earth did Mandela, during his years behind bars, turn to reconciliation, should he get the opportunity to attain power? This must have seemed to be but a 'pipe dream'. What has to be considered here is, that he had been an active terrorist with the African National Party, an outfit backed by international communism. The indiscriminate bombing killed many innocent people, as does all this type of terrorist activity. Mandela so obviously had this ability to consider the method needed to fight the disgraceful excesses of the former Apartheid regime; this is undoubtedly where his genius lay.

In watching all the outpouring since the announcement of the man's passing, two moments will linger: One, the official reaction from current President, Zuma, the untrustworthy incumbent. I get that chilling feeling that here is another Mugabe, who can now introduce his own agenda. Secondly, this feeling was compounded, in noting the countenance of Archbishop TuTu, which suggested that his fellow traveller will not be present to oversee what comes next. Fingers crossed.

NELSON MANDELA: R.I.P.

THE PARENTAL STATE, CREATING A DIABOLICAL STATE, AT OUR EXPENSE.

One of the author's biggest disappointments is to have lived through an era when the welfare state, having created worthless parents, along with illegitimacy, took, and continues to take control of many young lives; handing them over to foster parents. The state, nevertheless, retains control.

In today's national press, there is a letter that is an abject lesson of  government control that is frankly appalling. The letter emanates from a couple, who, in addition to having two children of their own, are also foster parents. Their latest charges are two brothers aged fourteen and eleven, who have no intention of being groomed into what most of us consider to be an acceptable approach to life, responsibility. Whereas, the foster parents dress their own children with items from the supermarket, the foster children, knowing their rights, which social services make sure that they are aware of, insist on designer clothes; so as not to look anything less than David Beckham for example. The school, evidently, has a smoking area. Be aware that taxpayer GB, apart from paying for this activity, will surely be picking up the tab for their drug abuse as they progress in life. In addition, the fostered boys miss school regularly, but the foster parents are not allowed to chastise them on this score. These boys are also vociferous about having no intention of working when they reach school leaving age; as they intend to live a life on benefits, following in the footsteps of their real parents.

For those who read this blog outside the UK, beware socialism, ours started to take root in 1945.


THERE CAN BE ONLY CHAOS AHEAD.