Friday, 25 July 2008

Meddlesome UN...

So, the UN in it's wisdom want us in the UK to be nice/nicer to Muslims.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1038460/You-nicer-Muslims-Britain-told-UN-human-rights-chiefs.html

It is a great pity the UN has lost it's way, either by design or exerted pressures.
Why don't they keep their combined noses out of individual countries internal situation and do what they are supposed to do best... ensure people are fed, ensure people are not massacred, etc.
We have a perverted 'system' called The Human Rights Act and this combined with a strange manifestation of Political Correctness, will I'm sure, ensure that any religion and/or religious follower who thinks they have been wronged, can appeal to for help/guidance.

So UN, how about this little reality checklist:
Darfur,
Zimbabwe,
Burma.

Get a grip and leave the UK in it's own mess.... we'll sort it out, thank you.

Monday, 21 July 2008

The conjunctive 'And'...

Oh, how I hate to see 'And,' 'But,' 'However,' 'Also,' etc., at the start of a sentence.
With a bit of thought the author(s) of such pieces of tabloid prose could re-arrange the words such that the conjunctive did not start the sentence.
It annoys to the same level as the non-possessive apostrophe 's.'
So...
However, I'm sure someone will ensure that school's teach their student's the correct use of 's and s' in future.
Because, if school's allow pupil's to use poor grammar, it will soon be dumb-down to an elaborate form of SMS's or text messaging.
I won't elaborate further.

Why do they go so fast...

Don't get me wrong, I have sympathy for anyone confined to a wheelchair for whatever reason.
It's good wheelchair bound folks can get out and integrate with society in electric wheelchairs.
What really annoys me is the inconsiderate driving on the pavements at speeds that must be around twice walking speed i.e. 8-10 miles per hour.
They are almost ranked along with the inconsiderate folks who push around pushchairs the size of supermarket trolleys, generally not looking where they are going.
Both these categories of 'pavement users' only make me 'stand my ground' with even more determination.
Why should we move out of the way for a high speed wheelchair or a aimlessly pushed pushchair?
The fact is we don't have to leap out of the way.
I'm considerate almost to a fault when it comes to pavement manners but I'll not be intimidated.
Apparently the wheelchairs, or some of them can be set to travel at 3-4 miles per hour. It should be the Law!
Pushchairs, child-conveying pantechnicons, whatever they called are often a damn nuisance.
If it doesn't suit me to move out of the way by trying to judge the intended direction of some inconsiderate adult, invariably either shrieking at another child and/or shouting down a mobile phone.
I turn to present a solid barrier and brace myself for the collision. Being old, grey and capable of a withering glare, the resultant impact often results in a stream of well rehearsed comment.
The results are variable but the satisfaction is long lasting.
So, stand your ground against these twin perils of the last sanctuary of the pedestrian...
Now, cyclists.... that is another story.
Cyclist on the pavement are breaking the law.
The cyclist who rode into a lady and killed her, getting off with a £2200 fine, might just have provided the impetus for a legal review.

Saturday, 19 July 2008

The missing 'A'...

It used to be that:
Admire
Aspire
Acquire
was the way to get goods, etc.
Nowadays, the middle 'A' seems to have disappeared, leaving:
Admire
Acquire
We are breeding a nation of, well I'm sure you get my drift.

Thursday, 17 July 2008

Something for the Spring...

We have been pestered in the past by squirrels eating the buds on the camellia bushes.
Stringing twine and thread does not deter them.
If you smear some good strong mustard on the lower branches or the branches that afford them easy access, you might find they leave the bushes alone.
We've had good success with good strong English mustard, some old curry paste and even horseradish sauce.
If the squirrels get the paste on their fur and attempt to clean themselves, the effect can be both amusing and rewarding in that they might leave the bushes alone.
I'm sure it will work on other plants/bushes, it just seems that our local squirrel troupe liked our camellias.