Wednesday 30 March 2011

364 days

And tomorrow is day 365 - a year since we said our tearful farewell to Danny.

Mrs B and I still get upset when we think about him and that is why you might notice our departure from the cyber world for a couple of days. But Danny will be with us, he has never left us in a way.

Danny

There is one best place to bury a dog.

If you bury him in this spot, he will come to you when you call - 
come to you over the grim, dim frontier of death, 
and down the well-remembered path, and to your side again.  

And though you call a dozen living dogs to heel, they shall not growl at
him, nor resent his coming, for he belongs there.

People may scoff at you, who see no lightest blade of grass bent by his
footfall, who hear no whimper, people who may never really have had a dog.

Smile at them, for you shall know something that is hidden from them,
and which is well worth the knowing.

The one best place to bury a good dog is in the heart of his master. 


B H Lampman

Monday 28 March 2011

Libya.

Just a quick thought about the situation in Libya - initially I was for the UN backed action, if for no other reason than to stop a massacre in Benghazi, but what they are doing now seems a little too much.

The NATO spokesmen said today that it is not about taking sides, it is about protecting civilians who come under fire and this is all that is happening. It is a consequence of this action that allows the rebels to strengthen their position and move along the coast towards Tripoli.

A consequence...

So, bombing tanks and other legitimate targets loyal to Gaddafi because of the threat to civilian life is OK according to the coalition of forces involved in the action - so what happens when the bombing allows the rebels to stand at the gates of Tripoli where they begin to shell the city - thereby endangering the lives of civilians?

If this happens, and there is no reason why it could not happen, will NATO forces drop bombs on the rebel troops?

Answers please, addressed to Dr Liam Fox, and in doing so we might remind him of part of the oath that many in his profession swear:


'I will remember that I remain a member of society, with special obligations to all my fellow human beings'...

Yes Dr Fox - even to those loyal to Gaddafi.

We may not like it but if we are not even handed in our dealings in Libya - it will just be another Iraq.

Just my view...

Sunday 27 March 2011

A Week Is A Long Time....

...in politics. So said Harold Wilson, smoking his pipe and wearing his raincoat like a cross between Columbo and Monsieur Hulot.

Now you know me my children, I do have political views and I sometimes mention them but of course politics and religion are two of the things that always cause friction when debated - and I have been the cause of much friction over the years.

Talking of friction - this week I was approached by a man who asked me to do something I had never considered. He smiled nicely, he said lots of nice things and he did his best to persuade me that I should try it. If I didn't want to do it at home he could arrange for me to do it where no one would know me.

It didn't need to be a one off either, he had plans for the future.

I said that I thought Mrs B wouldn't like me to do it - and she didn't.

So, I had to let the man know that I would not be able nor willing to do the thing he had asked of me - and already I hear John F Kennedy yelling from the annals of history - 'what can you do for your country?'

Becoming a local councillor - couldn't do it. First of all, where would I get the time, it would mean neglecting you, my cyber flock.

Secondly, I think anyone looking at some of the things I have said in the past about...well, about everyone and everything really, they would have a field day throwing it all back at me. How can you take a man who writes this sort of shit seriously?

And perhaps that is ultimately the real reason I don't want to join the ranks of the motivated local citizenry - I would have to give up speaking my mind...I wouldn't like that. I'd have to start going to London and marching, and that just looks really boring and you'd miss Harry Hill's TV Burp.

I thought all about these things as I walked down to the bank in Mansfield - another cock-up ensued with the paying in machine but I expect that now from Nat West, useless bunch. As I walked out of the bank I spotted a performance artist, he was dressed in a totally gold costume, a cavalier get-up, and he was standing on a box like a big statue - not moving a muscle. I dropped 20p in his pot and told him there was a great job opportunity going at Nat West for a man like him - he would just have to learn to slow down a little.

Anyway, I walked around town, looking at my fellow travellers and thinking how could I represent these people? Most of them probably shop in Tesco and so they would never vote for me. The only time any of them put an X on a form is when they sign their names. Educashun, Educashun Educashun!

The best way I can affect change is to carry on being me - fearless in the crusade against all things and all people - perhaps I should start my own party - here is my slogan - Vote for the Guru, he won't make your life any better but unlike most politicians, he wont make it any worse!

I have had a brush with public service before, almost becoming a magistrate - same restrictions ended that really, I like to say what comes into my head and I don't like to be told 'you can't say that'.

No, I can do my best work from the comfort of my office chair, poking my digital digits into the metaphorical pies of others and then offering my opinion on their pastry...

I don't think I will be a great loss to the political world - I would be a loss to you, wouldn't I, my little gang of confused and bewildered monkeys. Sat in front of your computer screens, scratching your head and saying thank you dear Guru, thank you for not deserting us.

As if I would...

Finally let me say thank you to that certain gentleman who made the offer, it was flattering to be considered as almost normal enough to run for public office.