Education should be free

The leveller of all humanity is without doubt education. Someone who has knowledge will have power over another individual especially when the knowledge is needed. However there is also a generalised advantage of being educated because knowledge can be adapted. An argument against this is we forget things anyway, so why waste money on education. What is important is not all knowledge is forgotten and the learning process stays with you. Another advantage is self confidence. For example, I have dabbled with spreadsheets, but I don't need to know a great deal about them, I've heard of a pivot table but don't know how to apply it. I am educated to a high level in statistics and forgotten a lot of it. However, I know in my self, if I apply myself I could pick up spreadsheets and how to use them to a higher level and even possibly apply statistical formula to large sets of data  competent spread sheet users would not understand. It's there, I know I got it hidden away in the recesses of my mind and will over time improve my spread sheet knowledge a little further, but I'm not particularly bothered.

Yet after secondary school in the UK knowledge comes at a cost. I believe Universities should be free and every educational subject under the sun taught for free in evening classes. Further none of it should be compulsory. Of course if there are failing students who are just there to stop getting on with their life they should be kicked out of classes.  The cost of free education would be the continued passing of exams. It is people who have the motivation to learn which matters.  School children should be given the choice to continue school from the age of 16 to 18 it should not be compulsory and in some circumstances I believe if they are 15 there could be special exception to allow them to leave. Unemployment benefits however, would not be free.  There would be a tailored regime for those who are unemployed.  Training in job application, training in interview techniques and if the failure of their getting a job is their own education then educational classes should become compulsory linked to their claims for benefits. There should be no free meal.  In any educational system though there would have to be exceptions allowed for the vulnerable, the disabled and those who need extra help.

Lastly the application of education needs to be thoroughly examined.  The serious question is, do teachers teach their subjects in a way which makes them understandable and can they be remembered?  There are both good and poor teachers, if the poor ones have students who continually fail then the poor teachers should be re trained or helped to find an alternative vocation.

The saddest thing about society is the number of individuals who don't recognise their own worth, the number of very intelligent people who sit and watch TVs, who play game consuls who have opinions on subjects but just don't have a little more knowledge to take their passions further.  Equally sad are those who just don't want to learn and want to condemn their selves to lives of boredom and have no interest in self improvement.  But education is not everything, some life occupations are highly important and just as respectful as the queen's.

Scotland isn't stupid you idiot

The Westminster idiots association got together today, to say how important it was for the UK union of Scotland and England to stay together. In a together forever notion which is like closing the gate after the horse has bolted. Cameron, Clegg (the-hanger-on) and to be Milliband hope by a last ditch effort of personal advertising the Scottish people will vote to keep the Union rather than vote yes to get out of the Union.  Their last ditch attempt and pulling back votes is by any standard a complete insult to the Scottish people and a humiliation to them as serious politicians.  The Tory party has completely lost the plot if they think they have any say in Scottish politics, because even a pre school child knows they don't.  Cameron visiting Scotland will do the opposite of what he intends to do.  Like a stick of rock from the sea side, every real Scot has the following words running through their soul "vote any party but Tory." After the many historical fiascos which have been tried out in Scotland first before being generalised to England there is a deep mistrust and even hatred towards English politicians.  Alex Salmond is probably rubbing his hands together and thanking this motley crew of Westminster idiots for playing their part. Oh yes there may well be a lot of English people living in Scotland, but if you are English and living in Scotland it wouldn't take too long to understand the Scottish mentality and the Scottish love of Scotland. In short, any true Scot hates England and what the English people have done to their country.  Unfortunately they do not differentiate between the politicians of Westminster and the English people. I have experienced it as an English man in Scotland, racism because I was English. If you are not known to them then you are judged on your accent and a tosser to say the least.

I also ask myself do the idiots think they will swing the undecided vote. For the undecided are so fickle they can be influenced by a politician who has not shown their head and commented in Scotland on a Scottish nationality issue since it became a reality. They would look on this dubiously, if you are undecided still and Cameron arrogantly says he will be heart broken, it really isn't going to hold any weight at all in the decision making process. It seems to me people like this didn't think it was important enough to help campaign in the last two years so what has got the wind up their skirts now? Oh yes, the fear of numbers being too close to call. The fear they will not hold as much power as they used to hold in  a couple of weeks time. For this sudden pang of conscientiousness is really nothing more than self preservation. Equally their appearance will be considered a swing to devolution so they should be very afraid, none of them has a right to stand anywhere in Scotland and think they have any power.

So it is with hand on heart I pledge allegiance to Scotland and if Scotland becomes independent I want to be the first nationalised Scottish person.  I don't want to bow down to the authority of Westminster or pledge my life to and forever life to the English Royal family. Who are in one view nothing more than upper class parasites free-loading on their historical heritage of once winning a few bloody battles. Their plinth of power is really nothing more than arbitrary rule, they are no more special than any other person and I will not genuflect for them or an imaginary super entity. This is also true of the Scots.

When looking back at the great British days of the so called Empire, when Britain ruled the world, what the world doesn't realise, it was not Britain which ruled it, rather it was the ruling upper classes which ruled the world. By subjugating their own citizens they were able to make them into anything they wanted and for a pittance of a pay. The ruling classes skimmed everything off the top. There they stand with creamy white upper lips and fat belly's smiling in contentment.  From this there is a lesson to be learned, it is simple.  Keep the down trodden workers, the lower classes as ignorant as possible, give them religion and a pat on the head like they were loyal dogs, but then kick the living shit out of them.  Every country in the world which has the stigma of colonial British power hanging around their necks doesn't understand this concept. They don't understand their bias and animosities towards the UK should be directed towards the ruling classes not the whole of the British society.  But alas when little Johnny ran off to join the army he was listening to a glorious song, he had no real understandings of what life was about, or how he could actually be a tool for someone else. He would then lose his life in a foreign land.  The queen certainly wouldn't weep for him but his family would.

It all comes down to knowledge and ignorance, and so the Westminster idiots today have shown their combined stupidity by heading up north. Personally if I were Scottish, which I hope to be one day, the taste of bile would be in my mouth. Long live the thistle!  Oh flower of Scotland...

Scandal as BB Bitch Helen wins BB 2014

Well in a massively disappointing final we see one of the worst, maladaptive personality who has been on BB win, Helen. In the meantime any other hopeful failed.  Helen unfortunately had in her corner a cornerstone person support her, Ash.  Ash unlike Helen had shown to be one of the most laid back people around.  Unlike Helen he was low of the gun to scream short or slag any other individual off.  I just can not understand how such a nasty individual can win the final and the grand prize of £100,000 and be chosen by the public. In the circumstances the only reason can be is the public got it wrong, and especially those who were more likely to vote for the winner.  As Emma Willis said to Chris during his interview about HMs speaking their mind "sometimes just keep it to yourself, of share it with the diary room" because Chris chose to use the diary room as his own confessional box, but did it in order to keep his sanity.  His best friend in the house was Ashleigh and she was my hot favourite to win, as was Christopher who showed himself to be a man true to his word in may respects, but too much of him would do your head in.

The thing is trying to find out what the voting statistics were for the program is a near impossible task. In a twist of fate the BB production team had change the way voting in 2014 took place, rather than vote for the winner, voters were asked to vote for the ones they wanted to see evicted. However, Emma in interviewing runner up Ashleigh mentioned there was only 1.2 percent difference in the vote between the two of them, close but still the actual numbers were not revealed.

The final tell tale disappointment was witnessed by a mixed crowd, but were I to put my money on their support for Helen, I'd say she didn't have it.  More were booing her than cheering her. Fortunately, BB always plays the eviction music loud enough to drown out the majority of the crowd.  This is one individual who does not deserve a lottery win, a BB win or any kind of win for the way she has behaved.  However, even Helen said "Ashleigh was the winner" this was what she thought when she was interviewed by Emma.  Helen is aggressive, is nasty and was a bully throughout the entire BB 2014 series.  So how the hell did she get voted as the winner?  Helen believed it was other people in the house who were making it difficult for her to make friends, this is not the thoughts of someone who is sane. Helen needs psychological treatment and a dramatic insight into how other people see her because she did not deserve to win anything and certainly not BB 2014.

BB 2014 a short profile of Helen

Well it's the final week of BB 2014, at bloody last, and as usual the finalists prepare for these last few days. Helen and Ash as usual have their general hubris of being the coolest kids on the block. What they don't know is they are the only ones who feel this. Ash wants to live the dream in LA and he is in the house to have fun, whereas Helen admits to being a bitch. The house is smaller, and the cool kids have a substantially reduced gang. Ash although coming across like a cool dude anyone would like to know has been a substantial support to Helen. When you think about it Helen would not of survived this long without the relationship she fostered with Ash. They provide each other with solace, companionship and tactile comfort. Were Ash not there Helen would fall apart. She is actually a vulnerable woman who has self esteem issues, no matter what happens she is unable to bite her tongue when she says something it is her opinion.  She does not consider the consequences of  hurting another person, the act of biting her own tongue does not come into it. She cannot think for a single moment and not let her opinion be known. She is always in the right, she doesn't believe or understand other housemates have a point of view and opinion, then she doesn't listen to them. Ash humorously said  Helen's three self descriptive words were that of a Pitbull.  As is known, many a true word is said in jest.  In this case it certainly was, Helen says outside of BB she has a close grouping of people, but I'd say if she does have such a grouping it is on an asymmetric level. Because just like the house she will have a power of voice over them, whether it is as an employer, a mother or the leader of a female pack of wolves.

Pitbull seems to kind a word.

BB 2014 and Assholes

There are two personalities in BB 2014, who are so up their own arseholes a song has been written for the both of them. It is Helen and Ash, Helen being one of Satan's hell hounds and Ash thinking just looking good means he has a ticket pass to everything and freely admits to never working in his life. Well wonderful, great news, someone who hasn't had it tough and doesn't understand how cruel the world can be, someone who has never grown up wanting a meal. It makes me wonder if he is a Tory, he certainly must be.  Below is a vid just for Ash and Helen, I'm sure they would do a great duet singing this with the utmost of sincerity.
Tonight in a catch up session of BB 2014 we see both Helen and Ash debate who is deserving of winning the £100k prize money. As though they have the right to elect a winner of the show. Helen has been given a golden ticket to the final and has done from the beginning of the show.  This may have made her more nasty than she already is, but that's probably quite difficult. She has no incite into her behaviour on other house mates, when BB shows her clips of how she has behaved she has always been remorseful. However, she doesn't change. Which gets me to thinking she becomes remorseful because she thinks BB is about to kick her out rather than because of the way she behaves. Her pass has been a two edged sword, BB has been entertaining, but the entertainment is nasty and malevolent. It has been of bullies ganging up and controlling the atmosphere of the house.  This is a very poor judgement of BB to have allowed it to continue, Helen's pass should of been stripped from her many weeks ago.

Fortunately, two sheep have been kicked out this week, both Winston and Mark.  So it means in the final week Helen's nasty gang are weaker, it is only a pity it wasn't Ash and Mark who got kicked out.  However both Winston and Mark are non entities in many respects and should of gone earlier. It was amazing to watch Mark's interview with Emma, she tried to get him to see the effects of being in the bully group and how their power scythed other house mates. Yet he could not understand this or acknowledge it. Just like Helen, Mark just can not see and understand his own behaviour and the consequences of it. He might think he was a peace keeper, but he was not. He is out of the house and good bloody riddance.

Only one more week left, and the small grouping of Ashleigh, Chris and Christopher are on my bets to contain the winner. I hope so, at least they are not the bullies.

Zoe Birkett is kicked out of BB 2014

In a dash to catch up with the Big Brother series for 2014 I have now seen singer and Y listing part celebrity and nobody Zoe Birkett kicked out of BB.  They say the voting was close between Chris, Pav and Zoe, however I am in no doubt Zoe was the right person to get kicked out of BB.  Which has been blamed on a short snippet of conversation she had with Ash.  In this conversation she illustrated her life was so exciting and she had done so much it was good to arrive in a household with a lot of powerful people.  She intimated if she had come into a household where the house mates had worked at a superstore stacking shelves she would of had nothing in common and found them all boring.  In defence during later interviews she said this snippet of video had been taken out of proportion. The conversation she'd had with Ash had lasted a half hour. Further she said she had done all sorts of jobs just to keep a roof over her head, including delivering leaflets.  Unfortunately, Zoe wanted to excuse herself and explain why she said what she said she did not even reflect what she voiced may have been taken differently by the ordinary viewer.

Zoe believes she is an incredibly bubbly person, she is loud and loves other energetic people, but she really is not getting the significance of what she said.  There was no sincere apology and understanding she had got it wrong.  In fact during her stay in the BB household it seemed there just happened to be a band stand singing task. Of course this would of been fantastic for her profiling in the public eye as well. To some extent BB has helped boost her career, depending that is whether her move to America and American's get to see Zoe's profile, in reality they probably will not.  But one thing is for sure she will for the time being be making a bundle of cash from her appearance on BB 2014.  Whether it is for doing private singing at parties or endorsing BB, she will momentarily be in the money.  Except for this one comment which has demeaned her in the eyes of some people.  Someone who is constantly talking and loud has some kind of issue in the background. Her ability to think about the how she may be perceived by other people is certainly at a shallow level.

In Big Brother's Bit on the Side BBOTS the panel were all sad Zoe had left and they wished Chris had left. This panel again was not representative of a normal panel of interviewers, there was Lord Lionel Blair, who in his hey day was a self obsessed dancer with airs of his own royalty.  Now he can hardly be neutral because he had been in the very business Zoe currently is in, i.e, Zoe being on the West End in musicals and stage productions.  Then there is also a Nolan sister, famous for being part of the Nolan Sister's singers, well there's no connection there is there (said with sarcasm)? Lastly Luisa Zissman, who just doesn't like Chris in any form at all.  While on Bit on the Psych, one panel member advised Zoe of her constant defensiveness and talking, trying to get Zoe to see what she was doing at that very moment.  But still it did not work.

Zoe could have repealed her status in the public eye had she firstly apologised for this small snippet, and had she then reflected how it may have been seen by the viewers.  Her failure to do so is the mark of someone who does not have humility.  Her social support comes primarily from her family who must be constantly stroking her and telling her how wonderful she is, because they certainly have not challenged her behaviour.

Zoe if I never see you again on TV it wouldn't bother me, unless perhaps you gained a little understanding and stepped down from your own soap box.

The dsigrace of PMQs

In what should be one of the most revered establishments of democracy in the UK Prime Minster's Questions is farcical. As always the Prime Minister avoids answering questions and answers the one he wish they had asked.  The end of his response will be a jibe at the oppositions record, from which he would of had researchers delve into dubious statistics. Of course the use of reports and statistics is something both sides of the House use. However, they do not use the same sets and choose to use those which favour their own.  So what the public get is a skewed view, or not a lie but dubious truth of what the present state of the country is.  Maybe Mr Not-so-honourable Cameron does not like answering questions properly. If he were to do an exam paper at secondary school he would not get marks for answering a question he thought was asked but wasn't, he'd fail and never pass his exams. But he got where he is today, after going to a high profile University.  Therefore he must know how to answer a question, but he chooses not to answer the question.  He could be embarrassed by it, or the true answer would make him and his party look incompetent, or he just doesn't know the answer.  So it is a matter of avoidance and it is purposeful.  This can be seen when Cameron has nothing but a counter attack strategy to a question, as the saying goes "the best form of defence is offence." Which he certainly does advocate.

At PMQs MPs engage in what can only be seen as barbaric behaviour.  Every PMQ is as worse than supporters at a football match.  There is booing, jeering, shouting, screaming, the Speaker stands up and with a red and angry face points in one direction of the house and tells them "the question will be heard."  It is no wonder the online group called Mumsnet partitioned Berco about this behaviour.

What is needed is a set of rules, rules set out on the expected behaviour of all MPs at PMQ, expected behaviour on how questions should be answered, because they frankly never are, unless they happen to be benign.  However, politics is a cut throat game, and PMQs shows how bad it has become. It's only a pity both sides of the house are not working towards a strategy of government for everyone's advantage.  At the moment, it is only MPs themselves who are coming up on top, possibly because of their large pay cheques.