I'm an addict, from youtube to radio, to TV to those small cute or funny clips which pop up on my FB feed. It is a combination of addiction and procrastination. I can sit for hours just watching cute cats, dogs or minutes of repeated fails. Then there are the instant Karma videos, street food videos and amateur comedy clips. They take up hours of time which could be used doing something else instead. Yet I don't want to be studying, I'm being passive and enjoying procrastination of the internet side. My partner knows this and ensures I'm set up with tasks to do, which usually take hours and hours and mean I have to show something from the time spent rather than a flat bum sitting on a seat or an increased utility bill from sitting close to the fire. I know this is not good and I know a lot of time is wasted. In effort to try and stop this I then do write up review of things related to work or which interest me. Items for my own self and good. However, within half an hour or so before realising it I am then drawn back to FB to see how my soldiers have done in an online game. One which requires a minimum of logging in twice a day. What is happening why is this internet taking such control over me. I feed my brain with passive chair sitting and engagement in entertainment and can't find a way out. It means I am truly an addict.
Help!
Sunday, 20 November 2016
Sunday, 9 October 2016
Shami Chakrabati new love of Tory ideals
I used to think that Shami Chakrabati was the proverbial knight in white armour, standing up for the rights of the poor, the vanguard of Liberty and above the sodden damned behaviour of a Tory. Yet this is not the case, since leaving Liberty, getting her honours and becoming Baroness Shcarabati with a CBE there is an apparent hypocritical aspect of her behaviour. In fact, if I hadn't known otherwise I'd of said she was now right leaning and possibly sitting on the electric fence of the nasty Tory party. For example, accepting her honours stinks of someone like all of those who have before, being a sycophant to the establishment. And especially to royalty, which in normal left circles would be like drinking tea laced with cyanide. No lefty in their right mind would accept a CBE honours, it is disgraceful behaviour to say the least. Going into the house of Lords though could have a advantage to the Labour party as it puts another red bum on a seat. Perhaps slightly strengthening their position, except for the fact the Lords is overrun with Tory incumbents and more Lords than there are seats.
Another item which has come out now in the press, is Shami sending her son to a private £18,000 a year school. This is so disgusting it will probably mean some olden labour members will have thought they'd just washed their mouths out with sewage. Shami has been for state schools and improvement of the education system but it is as though her popularity, wealth and fame has now pushed her to the heights of try Toryism. She has become a complete and utter hypocrite. How can she stand up and advocate for the rights of the under privileged in this country and yet drink from and eat from the tables of the fat privileged classes? By all means Shami support your son in his education, get him a private tutor at the weekend or in the evenings but give him a understanding of the values state school provides, not the arrogance of the wanker Tories. Shami is now by default making her son a right wing priveleged member of the elite who will look down on the rest of society as the Tory bench does now. Believing their rule and wealth is something of an entitlement and is not never wrong.
I know Shami is trying to be a help to Corbyn, it was her who wrote a report into the labour party and it's anti-semetic actions and how to deal with racist, xenophobic members. Yet, Shami is stinking now so much in opulence she should take herself out of the public eye and never again venture into the political realm. Unless of course she accepts she is now a full Tory. Then we can all elaborate on how very nasty she is.
Another item which has come out now in the press, is Shami sending her son to a private £18,000 a year school. This is so disgusting it will probably mean some olden labour members will have thought they'd just washed their mouths out with sewage. Shami has been for state schools and improvement of the education system but it is as though her popularity, wealth and fame has now pushed her to the heights of try Toryism. She has become a complete and utter hypocrite. How can she stand up and advocate for the rights of the under privileged in this country and yet drink from and eat from the tables of the fat privileged classes? By all means Shami support your son in his education, get him a private tutor at the weekend or in the evenings but give him a understanding of the values state school provides, not the arrogance of the wanker Tories. Shami is now by default making her son a right wing priveleged member of the elite who will look down on the rest of society as the Tory bench does now. Believing their rule and wealth is something of an entitlement and is not never wrong.
I know Shami is trying to be a help to Corbyn, it was her who wrote a report into the labour party and it's anti-semetic actions and how to deal with racist, xenophobic members. Yet, Shami is stinking now so much in opulence she should take herself out of the public eye and never again venture into the political realm. Unless of course she accepts she is now a full Tory. Then we can all elaborate on how very nasty she is.
Sunday, 25 September 2016
The value of books
A book read has value, one which is not has no value. However, in addition to this physical books take up room in an environment, they are nice to know they are but unless used on a regular basis what is their need? Perhaps it is in the knowledge they hold within and sometimes it is just good to have a book in order to refer to it. Pick it up off the shelf and take a gander, a cursory look because from nowhere at all a question has popped up in your head and that book can answer your question. yet nowadays we have infamous search engines which can do the work and nearly everyone has an electronic devise which will allow instantaneous look up. But still a book takes up space on the shelf, gathers dust and sits there patiently to be used, if at all. Some books just sit there and are not used at all waiting to be read. Whilst others have to be carried around to be read at stolen moments in time. On a bus journey from home to work or during a lunch break. They deserve respect and time and are wonderful things, unless they happen to be a little bulky in which case it becomes the brick, the little short fat friend which resides in a ruck sack on your back until it has been finished.
I love books, I love knowledge and I hate forgetting all the things I've read but this is something which I can not do anything about. Mnemonic devices take time to master and it is way much easier just to sit down and have a drink than to sit and roam a memory palace.
The written word can now be held in your bag on an electronic device. For example those multiple pdf reports can be converted to readable Kindle reports and carried about without the need to carry masses of paper. Even somewhat large smart phones can be used as reading devices. However, a degrading and annoying aspect of printers is the need to swindle the same amount of money out of a customer for downloading a book as it would cost to purchase a paper copy. This is most annoying when said book has been around for years and years but may actually be a specialist item. For instance something you would study from if at university or college. Or happen to be a manager and just wanted to keep up or understand the literature on management practices. It is at this point the second hand book comes into a value market all of it's own.
Recently I wanted to purchase a book for my Kindle it is titled Flawed Advice and the Management Trap by Chris Argyris. With the subtitle of How Managers Can Know When they're Getting Good Advice and When They're Not. The book was printed in 2000, so is a good few years old, but is still worthy reading material and something I had an interest in. However, purchasing it for my Kindle would of meant nearly paying out £30 and this was a factor I was not going to agree to. So I checked out the second hand book market and got the same book for about £5. Approximately five or six times cheaper than the Kindle version. I found this second hand version to have some character, it had to travel all the way from America to the UK. However I was not bothered about waiting time and it would arrive when it arrives. Some of the pages had thin copper page markers on which I had never seen before, I removed these and dropped them in my personal stationary. Some pages had writing on them and even yellow highlighting. Yet each page was in great condition, none of them has been bent over and folded. The previous owner of this book had left their imprint on it, I can read their notes are see their highlighted passages and then agree or disagree to myself whether they thought each part was important or not. I also now write in the book with my own pencil. I don't think pen ink should be used unless there is little choice, but perhaps the ex owner knew the book was only going to be used briefly and then resold on.
The value of this book is just as it was when it first was printed, but only if you really needed to have it. I am enjoying my read and note taking and equally shafting the publishers who wanted to gain monies a second time from something they printed many years ago. Given Mr Argyris died three years ago he's not being deprived of royalties, it's a shame all books are not given free knowledge status once the author has died, after all how can society benefit and improve if it is not allowed the luxury of reading it's own history or science?
I love books, I love knowledge and I hate forgetting all the things I've read but this is something which I can not do anything about. Mnemonic devices take time to master and it is way much easier just to sit down and have a drink than to sit and roam a memory palace.
The written word can now be held in your bag on an electronic device. For example those multiple pdf reports can be converted to readable Kindle reports and carried about without the need to carry masses of paper. Even somewhat large smart phones can be used as reading devices. However, a degrading and annoying aspect of printers is the need to swindle the same amount of money out of a customer for downloading a book as it would cost to purchase a paper copy. This is most annoying when said book has been around for years and years but may actually be a specialist item. For instance something you would study from if at university or college. Or happen to be a manager and just wanted to keep up or understand the literature on management practices. It is at this point the second hand book comes into a value market all of it's own.
Recently I wanted to purchase a book for my Kindle it is titled Flawed Advice and the Management Trap by Chris Argyris. With the subtitle of How Managers Can Know When they're Getting Good Advice and When They're Not. The book was printed in 2000, so is a good few years old, but is still worthy reading material and something I had an interest in. However, purchasing it for my Kindle would of meant nearly paying out £30 and this was a factor I was not going to agree to. So I checked out the second hand book market and got the same book for about £5. Approximately five or six times cheaper than the Kindle version. I found this second hand version to have some character, it had to travel all the way from America to the UK. However I was not bothered about waiting time and it would arrive when it arrives. Some of the pages had thin copper page markers on which I had never seen before, I removed these and dropped them in my personal stationary. Some pages had writing on them and even yellow highlighting. Yet each page was in great condition, none of them has been bent over and folded. The previous owner of this book had left their imprint on it, I can read their notes are see their highlighted passages and then agree or disagree to myself whether they thought each part was important or not. I also now write in the book with my own pencil. I don't think pen ink should be used unless there is little choice, but perhaps the ex owner knew the book was only going to be used briefly and then resold on.
The value of this book is just as it was when it first was printed, but only if you really needed to have it. I am enjoying my read and note taking and equally shafting the publishers who wanted to gain monies a second time from something they printed many years ago. Given Mr Argyris died three years ago he's not being deprived of royalties, it's a shame all books are not given free knowledge status once the author has died, after all how can society benefit and improve if it is not allowed the luxury of reading it's own history or science?
Saturday, 10 September 2016
Education, society and the 11 plus exam
There is an indisputable fact the world is unfair and becomes more apparent when growing up, in the finite steps between childhood to adulthood success and failure is determined. The availability of opportunities determines the direction where an individual is going. Not their actual mental ability. Whilst, an espoused theme is educational attainment level relates to opportunity. This is not true, for education is not particularly the most important thing for a child. It is the alleged educational level decides a child's future. Yes, education can be a highly significant factor in a child's future however a further advantage can be sort by providing a child with the want and the motivation to get the highest grades possible. Paying for this through private schooling, tutoring or lots of parental assistance is always adding to their advantage.
No matter how the political system of the UK changes, any conscious person can see the wealthier and more engaged parents are with their children the more opportunities there will be. Parenting skills and upbringing have a direct relationship to where a child ends up as an adult. The unfairness of Britain's education system or rather life opportunity system is that parents behaviour will decide how well a child progression in life. Adult can make their own opportunities yet again with the help of a family network or a wealthy to wealthy network they will go further. The educational achievements of the vast majority of Tory MPs and ministers is testimony to this, just as does their public speaking. They are from a different social class one which endeavours to increase the advantage of their kin whenever possible. It is an open secret. However, regardless of their class there is a unchallengeable truth, the majority of politicians, leaders and world leaders actually fail to impress with their intelligence and quiet often their personality.
In the UK an argument continues about education, Prime Minister Teresa May, who is unelected has decided to introduce two further changes to the education system. The re-introduction of grammar schools and the allowance of 100 per cent selection for faith based schools. Faith schools are based on selecting pupils who are of a particular faith, the notion is if both education and faith are intertwined they will be congruent with each other. Of course this does not question whether their faith is a faith which should be used as a model of society. When considering the number of faiths there are in the world. A system based on this notion would ensure the homogeneity of a select part of society for a long time. When we are living in a secular society this is abhorrent. Secularism gives individuals the chance to change their faith a when it doesn't make sense. To move away from something they may not believe and don't want to be controlled by. A 100 per cent faith school will be 100 per cent control. Society will become even more segregated than it has ever been. A person going to a faith school may never know what the thoughts feelings and attitudes of someone from another different faith background. They will be susceptible to believe their faith is above the laws of society and not have to follow the same rules as everyone else. Ultimately society will become polarised, with separate groups defined by their faith, clothes and practices and seclude themselves from contact with those who are not the same. I can not think of a more destructive societal system. If a faith is strong it should not matter how it is challenged, for strength comes from challenge. If a faith is weak it will fail in the face of challenge. Importantly in an equal society all faiths are equal and so is the belief in non-faith (Atheist) logic and scientific.
Grammar schools were developed with the idea education attainment should be a guide to where a child progresses from the age of 11 onwards. If they pass their 11 plus exam they then have the automatic right to attend a grammar school. This is a school with a lot more resources than the normal state secondary school and fewer pupils per teacher. Grammar schools have high standards, not the standards of faith schools which are based on specific religious contexts but standards based on educational attainment with good teaching.
The 11 plus exam is made to weed out those children who do not have dedicated parents, who do not have indigenous links in society and a wider network to call on and those who are likely to be relegated to the lower echelons of society. More than this it is another stab into the self-esteem of children. Children who for a moment are noticed by parents who want them to do well, but at the same time think, well if I didn't pass it then I don't expect my child to pass it. This is self defeatism of the poor and the weak minded. Who perceive their world to be the downtrodden and it will always stay there. They are broken and in turn imbibe the same broken spirit in their children. Social movement cannot even be considered in their mindset. Their place is their place, full stop.
Secondary state schools are where the rest of society go, these are persons who are not considered elite and are not given additional help up the ladder. They don't stand on the shoulders of helping hands. The majority will go to secondary schools, but of course not all secondary schools are the same they to have a league table and the term 'secondary' is now being replaced with 'Academy' school. Meaning the head of the school will determine the pay levels of teachers and can seek to get private sponsorship to help the school. And just like 'secondary' schools Academy schools are not all equal. It seems equality or rather inequality is rife.
Here is a notion one which would even the field. Why not have just one type of secondary school, no private schools and no faith schools. Make it compulsory all children must attend one of these schools and illegal for full-time home based education. Those parents who want the best for their children can then either chose to engage with the school to bring up it's standard or engage private teachers out of the school system. In addition the school should be in a relatively close area, perhaps within a three mile maximum distance. Each of such school would have to be accountable, teachers would be accountable and students would be accountable, and lastly parents must be accountable. Society would integrate as different faiths are crossed at an early age and so are challenged. Those who want better for their children can become school governors and push for the school to improve. Governors can advocate for changes to systems in use, set standards, push for bad teachers to be sacked and lets face it we've all memories of bad teachers. Burnt out teachers who should never of been in the profession because they didn't have a love for it but needed the money and a job. Lastly eduction should be based on sound educational learning theory and psychological theory. Children love to learn when it is fun and there is encouragement for effort, not just for achievement. In the end it is passion for something which results in real results.
No matter how the political system of the UK changes, any conscious person can see the wealthier and more engaged parents are with their children the more opportunities there will be. Parenting skills and upbringing have a direct relationship to where a child ends up as an adult. The unfairness of Britain's education system or rather life opportunity system is that parents behaviour will decide how well a child progression in life. Adult can make their own opportunities yet again with the help of a family network or a wealthy to wealthy network they will go further. The educational achievements of the vast majority of Tory MPs and ministers is testimony to this, just as does their public speaking. They are from a different social class one which endeavours to increase the advantage of their kin whenever possible. It is an open secret. However, regardless of their class there is a unchallengeable truth, the majority of politicians, leaders and world leaders actually fail to impress with their intelligence and quiet often their personality.
In the UK an argument continues about education, Prime Minister Teresa May, who is unelected has decided to introduce two further changes to the education system. The re-introduction of grammar schools and the allowance of 100 per cent selection for faith based schools. Faith schools are based on selecting pupils who are of a particular faith, the notion is if both education and faith are intertwined they will be congruent with each other. Of course this does not question whether their faith is a faith which should be used as a model of society. When considering the number of faiths there are in the world. A system based on this notion would ensure the homogeneity of a select part of society for a long time. When we are living in a secular society this is abhorrent. Secularism gives individuals the chance to change their faith a when it doesn't make sense. To move away from something they may not believe and don't want to be controlled by. A 100 per cent faith school will be 100 per cent control. Society will become even more segregated than it has ever been. A person going to a faith school may never know what the thoughts feelings and attitudes of someone from another different faith background. They will be susceptible to believe their faith is above the laws of society and not have to follow the same rules as everyone else. Ultimately society will become polarised, with separate groups defined by their faith, clothes and practices and seclude themselves from contact with those who are not the same. I can not think of a more destructive societal system. If a faith is strong it should not matter how it is challenged, for strength comes from challenge. If a faith is weak it will fail in the face of challenge. Importantly in an equal society all faiths are equal and so is the belief in non-faith (Atheist) logic and scientific.
Grammar schools were developed with the idea education attainment should be a guide to where a child progresses from the age of 11 onwards. If they pass their 11 plus exam they then have the automatic right to attend a grammar school. This is a school with a lot more resources than the normal state secondary school and fewer pupils per teacher. Grammar schools have high standards, not the standards of faith schools which are based on specific religious contexts but standards based on educational attainment with good teaching.
The 11 plus exam is made to weed out those children who do not have dedicated parents, who do not have indigenous links in society and a wider network to call on and those who are likely to be relegated to the lower echelons of society. More than this it is another stab into the self-esteem of children. Children who for a moment are noticed by parents who want them to do well, but at the same time think, well if I didn't pass it then I don't expect my child to pass it. This is self defeatism of the poor and the weak minded. Who perceive their world to be the downtrodden and it will always stay there. They are broken and in turn imbibe the same broken spirit in their children. Social movement cannot even be considered in their mindset. Their place is their place, full stop.
Secondary state schools are where the rest of society go, these are persons who are not considered elite and are not given additional help up the ladder. They don't stand on the shoulders of helping hands. The majority will go to secondary schools, but of course not all secondary schools are the same they to have a league table and the term 'secondary' is now being replaced with 'Academy' school. Meaning the head of the school will determine the pay levels of teachers and can seek to get private sponsorship to help the school. And just like 'secondary' schools Academy schools are not all equal. It seems equality or rather inequality is rife.
Here is a notion one which would even the field. Why not have just one type of secondary school, no private schools and no faith schools. Make it compulsory all children must attend one of these schools and illegal for full-time home based education. Those parents who want the best for their children can then either chose to engage with the school to bring up it's standard or engage private teachers out of the school system. In addition the school should be in a relatively close area, perhaps within a three mile maximum distance. Each of such school would have to be accountable, teachers would be accountable and students would be accountable, and lastly parents must be accountable. Society would integrate as different faiths are crossed at an early age and so are challenged. Those who want better for their children can become school governors and push for the school to improve. Governors can advocate for changes to systems in use, set standards, push for bad teachers to be sacked and lets face it we've all memories of bad teachers. Burnt out teachers who should never of been in the profession because they didn't have a love for it but needed the money and a job. Lastly eduction should be based on sound educational learning theory and psychological theory. Children love to learn when it is fun and there is encouragement for effort, not just for achievement. In the end it is passion for something which results in real results.
Tuesday, 28 June 2016
BREXIT the right choice
In the first few days of the referendum the UK has gone histrionic paranoid. The pound has dropped against the dollar and euro, shares have dropped and it is like a green card out is for the racists of the world to go and vent their opinion. Doing racist things, graffiti, hate language and prejudice. Yet, this is the surface which the media is quick to jump on. Showing the worst things of society sells papers and gets high news viewing figures. In the mean time listening to radio and TV the voice of EU immigrants who work in the UK are not just concerned about racism but also about their status, these are people who do hard work and contribute to society. They don't know whether they have to leave the UK and they look around in suspicion looking at British people in a different way. As thought hey have been betrayed. The situation is complete madness fuelled by those who react and don't think first. Even the renown Mr Junker wants to punish the UK and petulantly shows his disdain by publicly ensuring no EU top ranking officials will be allowed to have back room conversations with British representatives. Factually this is the kettle calling the pot black. Corporations already know the EU is the biggested lobbying place in the world. An example is the in secret disaster looming behind the doors of TTIP negotiations. There is madness and it is going to take a moment of high intensity candle burning before it wears out and calm descends. Be assured though calm and rational thought will arrive. Providing the news is not given too much weight especially the tabloids.
The stock-market roller coaster reaction is exactly what traders love. It makes quick millionaires and billionaires. They love it and like fanatic football fans jump for joy, it's the best thing in the world. Except of course if it is your particular shares happen to be the ones dropping like a stone, or your pension is affected because the pension fund manager is not quick enough off the mark. It is the little man who's affected not the rich man. And this point is true of the artificial recession which has been here for a decade ever since the banking disaster. Bought on by buying toxic American mortgages. In addition the recession is an result of exceedingly poor judgement from ruling political parties. A tory party who took on a coalition with power hungry Liberal Democrats who are now guaranteed never to have a political voice for at least another 70 years. This was the biggest mistake they have made in their entire political history. A mistake that ensured Tory power and ensured the further entrenchment of the UKs recession.
The fact is we do not know what the future holds, and am fed up with the pessimism of doom and catastrophe. The fact is the UK needs trading agreements it does not need covert ruling from an undemocratically nominated set of 5 presidents in the EU. We can have trading agreements with other countries, we can have agreements with the EU and it is in both the favour of the EU and the UK to continue trading. It is trade which builds bridges, it is trade which also brings peace. In weeks from now there may be calm. If there is then this frenzied rage of stupidly raging will be seen for what it is just fear and scape-goating. The UK now needs a strong and decisive government, but one which listens to the people and doesn't follow the faction from which it comes. For it is a thing which affects all citizens not just the elite rich kids, we all have a say in this country and the result of this referendum is the voice of the people.
The UK will not be leaving the EU until article 50 has been engaged by the prime minister. Fortunately the current worst prime minister in history Cameron will no longer be here, the same should be fore Gideon Osborne who freely confessed he had no plan for the UK if it voted out. He was explicit and this is a man we can not tolerate in the cabinet, he must go. There is a way forward and it begins by having a calm head and looking at the facts. Gently moving, being diplomatic and fostering friendships, which should be on both sides of the house. We are still in a recession and the need is not just to raise us out of the recession but to raise the entire country to a equality
The stock-market roller coaster reaction is exactly what traders love. It makes quick millionaires and billionaires. They love it and like fanatic football fans jump for joy, it's the best thing in the world. Except of course if it is your particular shares happen to be the ones dropping like a stone, or your pension is affected because the pension fund manager is not quick enough off the mark. It is the little man who's affected not the rich man. And this point is true of the artificial recession which has been here for a decade ever since the banking disaster. Bought on by buying toxic American mortgages. In addition the recession is an result of exceedingly poor judgement from ruling political parties. A tory party who took on a coalition with power hungry Liberal Democrats who are now guaranteed never to have a political voice for at least another 70 years. This was the biggest mistake they have made in their entire political history. A mistake that ensured Tory power and ensured the further entrenchment of the UKs recession.
The fact is we do not know what the future holds, and am fed up with the pessimism of doom and catastrophe. The fact is the UK needs trading agreements it does not need covert ruling from an undemocratically nominated set of 5 presidents in the EU. We can have trading agreements with other countries, we can have agreements with the EU and it is in both the favour of the EU and the UK to continue trading. It is trade which builds bridges, it is trade which also brings peace. In weeks from now there may be calm. If there is then this frenzied rage of stupidly raging will be seen for what it is just fear and scape-goating. The UK now needs a strong and decisive government, but one which listens to the people and doesn't follow the faction from which it comes. For it is a thing which affects all citizens not just the elite rich kids, we all have a say in this country and the result of this referendum is the voice of the people.
The UK will not be leaving the EU until article 50 has been engaged by the prime minister. Fortunately the current worst prime minister in history Cameron will no longer be here, the same should be fore Gideon Osborne who freely confessed he had no plan for the UK if it voted out. He was explicit and this is a man we can not tolerate in the cabinet, he must go. There is a way forward and it begins by having a calm head and looking at the facts. Gently moving, being diplomatic and fostering friendships, which should be on both sides of the house. We are still in a recession and the need is not just to raise us out of the recession but to raise the entire country to a equality
Wednesday, 15 June 2016
Phillip Green and the British Home Stores debacle
Well it seems Sir Phillip Green, likes to dodge the bullet by not answering questions and looking pretty pathetic. He sat there on his own, maybe looking a little vulernable, yet immediately behind him the first row of seats appeared to be occupied primarily by suited and booted men. I wondered whether these were part of Green's gang. They had not been called up, but they were there to witness and their presence to provide moral support. Indeed it might of been better had he a few additional supporters sat with him. Maybe there would of been some answers then. Or perhaps his wife should of been present, given she has
her name inscribed on most documentation. And she is being paid £20 million every
year from BHS, in something difficult to grasp, considering she has
likely not stepped in a BHS store in her life. With another £108 million yet to be paid to her. Of course it doesn't take a genius to know his wife's involvement is only for tax dodging purposes.
The Commons Select Committee tried desperately to get answers from Green but he just held his hands up saying in terms a market trader would, accepting the buck but at the same time saying it wasn't me. Deferring responsibly for as much as he possibly could. This behaviour was clearly contradictory. You could tell he was been rattled for he kept answering and ending with the word "right" as if to emphasise a point. Just like a drunk would do in the pub. He failed to answer what his responsibility or liability for the BHS pension scheme. He knew a contribution had to be made but just didn't bother while the company was in his ownership. The little he would do was far too small and far too late. Many times in answering questions Green tried to direct the committee to where he wanted them to go to give his point, to say he'd done his best and repeatedly read from some papers the balance sheet of BHS. Green didn't know the answers or if he did was not going to admit to them. Green's memory was conveniently failing him and when one MP said were they in a position of having to attend a committee they would of done their homework first. But Green was impervious to this preferring not to answer why. Yet he must of been watching every second of earlier select committee meetings because he referred to them.
One of the most astounding things was to learn the extent of the dividends BHS had paid out to share holders. So large it was no doubt a contributor to the downfall of the company. Oh yes he says he invested in BHS, but certainly not enough. You could conclude to keep the business running profitably he was not doing enough with the possibility it was intentional. But who is to know what his intentions were, perhaps not even Green because his memory of events is worse than a third hand sieve at a car boot sale.
Does Green give a toss about the pensioners? As Shakespeare said, this is the question, to be or not to be? Why did he not be involved in this part of his business? Green was not going to answer this. He states there was an agreement where he would put additional monies into the pensions fund, it was like he had made an undocumented hand shake agreement. He had deliberately delayed contributing to Project Thor, because it would of effected the business. Green had sold BHS to Dominic Chappel for the poultry sum of £1 but during the committee hearing Green talked as though he still owned BHS and he would still seek a solution to the pension crisis. If only he would be allowed a phone call. In persistent questions from an MP on the question of pensions Green pleaded with the chair such questions should not be asked because of his ongoing intention to do something. Like a small boy who was guilty of stealing biscuits before his dinner, Green again did his best to avoid any conclusion to the committee. Chappel expected BHS to be debt free and pension free, but of course from a previous committee session Chappel was clearly in the business just for himself and didn't give an iota while he to was taking millions out of the business.
Perhaps at the end of this Green might of done something concrete to help those employees in the BHS pension scheme, however given his history any solution would likely be meaningless. It is a sad state of affairs and you may conclude these business people have shown how negligence works and how it is the innocent who are affected not the decision makers.
The Commons Select Committee tried desperately to get answers from Green but he just held his hands up saying in terms a market trader would, accepting the buck but at the same time saying it wasn't me. Deferring responsibly for as much as he possibly could. This behaviour was clearly contradictory. You could tell he was been rattled for he kept answering and ending with the word "right" as if to emphasise a point. Just like a drunk would do in the pub. He failed to answer what his responsibility or liability for the BHS pension scheme. He knew a contribution had to be made but just didn't bother while the company was in his ownership. The little he would do was far too small and far too late. Many times in answering questions Green tried to direct the committee to where he wanted them to go to give his point, to say he'd done his best and repeatedly read from some papers the balance sheet of BHS. Green didn't know the answers or if he did was not going to admit to them. Green's memory was conveniently failing him and when one MP said were they in a position of having to attend a committee they would of done their homework first. But Green was impervious to this preferring not to answer why. Yet he must of been watching every second of earlier select committee meetings because he referred to them.
One of the most astounding things was to learn the extent of the dividends BHS had paid out to share holders. So large it was no doubt a contributor to the downfall of the company. Oh yes he says he invested in BHS, but certainly not enough. You could conclude to keep the business running profitably he was not doing enough with the possibility it was intentional. But who is to know what his intentions were, perhaps not even Green because his memory of events is worse than a third hand sieve at a car boot sale.
Does Green give a toss about the pensioners? As Shakespeare said, this is the question, to be or not to be? Why did he not be involved in this part of his business? Green was not going to answer this. He states there was an agreement where he would put additional monies into the pensions fund, it was like he had made an undocumented hand shake agreement. He had deliberately delayed contributing to Project Thor, because it would of effected the business. Green had sold BHS to Dominic Chappel for the poultry sum of £1 but during the committee hearing Green talked as though he still owned BHS and he would still seek a solution to the pension crisis. If only he would be allowed a phone call. In persistent questions from an MP on the question of pensions Green pleaded with the chair such questions should not be asked because of his ongoing intention to do something. Like a small boy who was guilty of stealing biscuits before his dinner, Green again did his best to avoid any conclusion to the committee. Chappel expected BHS to be debt free and pension free, but of course from a previous committee session Chappel was clearly in the business just for himself and didn't give an iota while he to was taking millions out of the business.
Perhaps at the end of this Green might of done something concrete to help those employees in the BHS pension scheme, however given his history any solution would likely be meaningless. It is a sad state of affairs and you may conclude these business people have shown how negligence works and how it is the innocent who are affected not the decision makers.
Wednesday, 29 July 2015
Windows 10 to instal or not to instal, that is the question
Today Microsoft are giving away Windows 10 to those who already have Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 users. It is free for one year. After which it is going to cost you real greens. However, the golden question really is should you or should you not change over. Personally I feel my fingers itching to get this because it is free, but I'm not going to rush to press the download button. For a start I would be upgrading not clean installing which is a worry. A rule of thumb for any sane person is never to buy anything which is new for there are always problems which need to be ironed out. Although in this case it is free, in the long run it may not actually be as free as it seems to be. I personally love to use a basic operating system for a few years four or five years at least. Although Microsoft would have given Window's 10 to Beta testers you still have to be reserved.
Windows 7 is a good operating system, I use it all the time and use three different versions, professional, home and enterprise. It is easy enough to go from one to another and in many respects it has been built with familiarity in mind. Even if you had gone from windows 3.11 to Windows 7 you would catch on pretty quickly. Whereas Windows 8 which I never owned but had seen in use on other peoples computers was never impressive. Especially after giving it time and finding what the reviews were like, it became a highly unlikely option to ever update to this system. So it goes with caution in mind should you upgrade to Windows 10? Here are a list of reason why you might or might not change over:
Well I can't help myself, I will not being going to install Windows 10, not immediately but will keep an eye on it and see what happens in about 7 or 8 months time. Keep an eye on youtube videos and on reviews and wait for the problems to arise. Then make a more educated and weighted decision over whether to change or not change.
Windows 7 is a good operating system, I use it all the time and use three different versions, professional, home and enterprise. It is easy enough to go from one to another and in many respects it has been built with familiarity in mind. Even if you had gone from windows 3.11 to Windows 7 you would catch on pretty quickly. Whereas Windows 8 which I never owned but had seen in use on other peoples computers was never impressive. Especially after giving it time and finding what the reviews were like, it became a highly unlikely option to ever update to this system. So it goes with caution in mind should you upgrade to Windows 10? Here are a list of reason why you might or might not change over:
- It's newly developed software so will have bugs. However, it is probably the most beta tested operating system ever so there will be fewer bugs as well.
- You would be one of the first to download it and therefore a cool dude who would be leading the pack. Yet I can't think there is also a little bit of stupidity in people who act in this way, like those who wait outside shops just so they can be the first to buy a new product. It's crazy.
- The software is new and therefore independent third parties have not had time to upgrade patches or new releases to be compatible. It is necessary to think about your peripherals, printers, scanners, cameras etc. In a worst case scenario they may not work at all.
- It is not known if you can uninstal Windows 10, or if you do install it whether it would leave your hard-disk in such an untidy way an uninstall is going to make things worse.
- What's the catch? There is always a catch as the saying goes there is no such thing as a free lunch, what are Microsoft going to get out of this are we all going to become the equivalent of Windows 10 heroine junkies, will there be a critical update in 18 months time where you have to put your hand in your pocket? Or worse a denial from Microsoft such a fault in the system doesn't exist but third parties are willing to provide the solution.
- At some point Microsoft will cease to support other Windows versions. However this is inevitable the only hope is when the date comes it is easier to convert to a different operating system because you had left it so long.
- Is Windows 10 safe, how secure is it going to be? Well of big unknowns this could be one of the biggest. Have you heard the joke about making something idiot proof then along comes a 24 karat idiot who shows it is not idiot proof.
- Will it become like Windows 8 a useless piece of bloat ware which after a couple of years use makes your computer/tablet unusable?
Well I can't help myself, I will not being going to install Windows 10, not immediately but will keep an eye on it and see what happens in about 7 or 8 months time. Keep an eye on youtube videos and on reviews and wait for the problems to arise. Then make a more educated and weighted decision over whether to change or not change.
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