tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9374143607260127552012-01-28T18:41:56.267ZAn irreverent political blog written by Dr Philip Thomas, Conservative councillor for Pontefract North ward, and reflecting his opinions only.Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.comBlogger3801100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-40126414036832594962008-12-07T16:49:00.004Z2008-12-07T17:03:22.018Z

From the BBC:A teenager who sparked a land and air rescue operation after stealing a boat has almost completed a sponsored walk around Britain to make amends.Seb Green was 15 when he and a friend sparked a search costing £20,000 when they got stranded near Weymouth Harbour, Dorset, in May 2004.He set off from Preston, Dorset, on his 5,821-mile (9,367km) walk with his border collie Flash on 1

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-50240238878723831022008-12-01T20:14:00.004Z2008-12-01T21:11:05.967Z

Via Obo, I find the following Times article:The free provision of heroin to addicts won the overwhelming support of Swiss voters yesterday.Projections based on early results indicated that 69 per cent of voters approved the programme, believed to be the first of its kind in the world, in a poll called under the country's system of direct democracy.Crime by heroin addicts has fallen 60 per cent

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-60147249485165811582008-12-01T18:28:00.005Z2008-12-01T19:48:47.358Z

The application for a lap-dancing bar on Beastfair, Pontefract, was approved today. As stated, I had public order concerns about this application, but not because of the proposed dancing, which I view as a private matter between attending adults. However, having spoken with local police in the interim, it appears they are confident that the intended venue will be sufficiently distinct from some

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-12978172897364987682008-11-30T14:22:00.006Z2008-11-30T14:33:20.100Z

More images at the failblog.

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com56tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-67002355431767980322008-11-30T12:18:00.003Z2008-11-30T12:32:49.796Z

Downfall (starring Mervyn King, Yvette Cooper, Ed Balls, Peter Mandelson and Gordon Brown - H/T Obo)Yvette Cooper has a bit in the Ponte & Cas Express where she talks about the pre-budget report. She mentions a host of different things but here's a few highlights:“We are giving a £60 cheque to every pensioner as well as families with disabled children [in the Five Towns area]”I wish the

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-22145036715080805982008-11-29T20:58:00.008Z2008-11-29T23:03:28.939Z

A woman who drank two bottles of wine after she could not find her Alcoholics Anonymous meeting was described as the "most drunken driver" police had ever seen. Pontefract makes the national papers and not for the best of reasons. Still, I'm hardly one to talk considering my infamy. I hear her husband makes damn fine pork pies though.The Yorkshire Evening Post title is best:Driver got pie-eyed

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com67tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-4344258721479360352008-11-29T20:26:00.010Z2008-11-30T12:46:22.877Z

Let's look at the pre-budget report. This is probably the first one that I can remember where I actually like a number of the proposals. Here's some of the changes that caught my eye:They've brought in a new 45% income tax bracket for those earning £150,000 or more a year. It's standard envy economics but really it's just for show as it only further complicates the tax regime and won't bring

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-7587592803283809662008-11-26T17:26:00.001Z2008-11-26T17:31:57.536Z

A man with a 10 Mars Bars-a-day habit has blamed lack of sugar for an attack on his girlfriend, a court has heard. It was only a matter of time before Britain got its version of the Twinkie defence.

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-90344089922865127972008-11-24T19:39:00.006Z2008-11-25T22:58:19.321Z

There is an application for a lap-dancing bar on Beastfair in Pontefract. I'm surprised a sleepy town of 35,000 has sufficient demand for such a place but we shall see. Some residents have expressed concerns about the very idea of lap-dancing in Pontefract. Perhaps it is prudent that I should outline my opinions.I'm not opposed to the concept of lap-dancing, though it is not an activity to

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-43538888629565042262008-11-24T19:23:00.007Z2008-11-25T23:22:07.360Z

Pontefract switched on its Christmas lights today in a very popular event. You may have seen me up on stage singing along and looking every bit of the fool I frequently am. As I stood chatting with some of the other councillors near the corner of Ropergate, a large white van rounded the corner and clipped a green Ka, scraping the paintwork and flattening one of its tyres. The van carried on

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-58975566848808708262008-11-23T16:57:00.008Z2008-11-24T21:38:19.951Z

Following on from my previous post on the BNP, two recent events:1) I got in a heated discussion with a neighbour whom made no secret of having voted BNP at the last election. He is not unusual; for example, in his Council ward the BNP typically come second in local elections. He works as a bricky and has seen his wages depressed through competition from Polish immigrants. They are willing to

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-73704604830144706302008-11-23T13:22:00.002Z2008-11-23T13:36:13.564Z

The masterful "Thunder Road" from 1975's album "Born to Run":And its sequel "The Promise":"The Promise" wasn't released until 1999, despite being an outtake of Bruce Springsteen's 1978 album "Darkness on the edge of town" and having gained fame amongst fans during the interim. It says something of an artist when such is the standard of the songs that don't make it onto an album.

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-52405095382115356042008-11-22T19:32:00.004Z2008-11-23T13:22:22.523Z

The membership list of the British National Party (BNP) has been leaked online. I know people that have voted for them so I might know some people on the list. It being private information, whether leaked or not, I have not sought it out. Quite how much the BNP's members and voters support its policies, I don't know. I do know that just as it is false to presume that members or voters support

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-36737863897532178442008-11-20T22:07:00.004Z2008-11-23T14:12:40.871Z

"A THIEF who siphoned money from his employers has been jailed for failing to pay back what he owed ...()... was sentenced to a two-year community order in September last year after admitting scamming the refund procedure at the Glasshoughton store ...()... He was found to have benefited to the tune of £59,857 and was ordered to pay back £17,085 within nine months or face jail" Let me get this

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-52619294077153122112008-11-20T17:30:00.005Z2008-11-20T19:56:35.331Z

The Standards Board for England has cleared me for comments made on this blog, stating that there are no grounds to further investigate as no breach has been made.I have always been honest in the expression of my opinions here and elsewhere and I will continue to do so. This episode has taught me to be more careful in how they are phrased, but the most acute lesson has been in how quickly

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-90351517435097584962008-11-19T00:29:00.004Z2008-11-19T20:57:44.306Z

The Labour party made a great move in 1997 by making the Bank of England independent. It was a real slap-on-the-back affair. The problem is that after that initial liberalisation, they, like all politicians, have proven unable to resist the urge to meddle. I have previously outlined some of their faults here. The BoE has numerous important functions but one of the most influential is its

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-858043451840742262008-11-16T08:30:00.004Z2008-11-16T09:47:46.476Z

Interesting example of how sometimes the media hides the whole truth whilst still reporting parts of it. First watch this vid:So it appears that Barrack Obama (26,339 votes) would win by a staggeringly large margin over McCain (1,973 votes) on whowouldtheworldeelect.com. No real surprise there. Dig a little deeper and we see that the real winner is Ron Paul (a whopping 68,609 votes). Now

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-5604802798112330352008-11-15T08:13:00.004Z2008-11-15T14:34:25.426Z

The bellicose Jon Gaunt makes the point in The Sun that banning smokers from fostering children is idiotic in the face of 60,000 kids needing foster homes. He's right that choosing parents that will love these kids should take precedence over any other concern. In fact, I find the presumption that smokers are bad parents tremendously insulting.

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-47486073787295592292008-11-14T22:09:00.010Z2008-11-15T15:07:27.906Z

It appears that my opinions on the European Union aren't too different from Jamie Oliver's. There are lots of reasons not to like the EU, especially when it comes to food.Its Common Fisheries Policy has made fish stocks more vulnerable to overexploitation. A failed attempt to solve this has been the quota system that forces fishermen to throw back what fish they've caught (despite being dead

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-13010867443062066092008-11-14T19:03:00.010Z2008-11-14T23:07:17.543Z

At last Council meeting, the Labour Councillors asked more written questions than they have in the last five years combined and almost as many as the Conservatives have been asking of them on a near-monthly basis. However, though all but one of Labour's questions were about Conservative national policy and Councillors, the questions were aimed at other Labour councillors. Frankly, it was a

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com61tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-69416482055398463192008-11-13T18:39:00.001Z2008-11-13T18:45:16.165Z

I wonder if Hazel thinks these blogs add value?And I stumbled across a Labour MP blogger, whom at least uses the medium to make some interesting points.

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-30267504585900612912008-11-12T22:37:00.010Z2008-11-13T07:43:11.963Z

In the Council meeting today a number of things happened; I'll address some of them in later posts. One thing that intrigued me from the offset was the Labour Head of Council mentioning that he'd written a letter congratulating US President-elect Obama on his victory. Fair enough. I couldn't work out if I was annoyed or amused when he suggested the local Conservatives supported McCain. I was

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-47104804927173521702008-11-11T22:06:00.009Z2008-11-16T20:29:53.531Z

A frustration of mine with government is its complacent attitude towards moral hazard. Basically, if you insulate individuals from risk because that risk is a Bad Thing, then they will behave differently, probably doing more of that Bad Thing now that the risk is no longer there to dissuade them from it. A simple, commonly-quoted example is means-testing state pensions: if you give more money

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-71410602524464949602008-11-11T19:53:00.003Z2008-11-11T20:26:44.615Z

My earlier rant has prompted me to submit the following question to tomorrow's Council meeting:"In light of Councillor Wallis' concerns regarding car parks in Castleford, I would like to draw the Council's attention to another related issue. According to parking services, all Council-run pay and display parking machines in the district state "No change given". This stands in direct contrast to

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-60582065338479186422008-11-11T18:38:00.001Z2008-11-11T18:39:45.560Z

One can become immune to horrors.And then this happens.(H/T Mr E)

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-18790210520575484982008-11-11T17:12:00.009Z2008-11-12T07:35:47.210Z

All Saint's Church in Pontefract runs a soup kitchen for the homeless. It needs funds to upgrade some of its appliances. Unfortunately, the Community Chest is all but depleted, meaning this extremely worthy cause will likely struggle. If you have anything you can offer, please do. The homeless gentleman I met had attended there not long before his passing. For some, these projects can be the

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-64787520052065361162008-11-11T17:09:00.001Z2008-11-11T17:12:12.881Z

The Filthy Smoker has written a great post over at the Kitchen pointing out the wilfully inaccurate advice about drinking whilst pregnant. There is abundant evidence that frequent and sustained drinking is disastrous to the child. There is no evidence that the occasional tipple is harmful to the child. Yet rather than the previous recommendation of restraint in consumption, they now recommend

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-48855935934702797712008-11-11T11:05:00.005Z2008-11-11T11:11:19.240Z

Pontefract's Monkhill railway station is a poor indictment of this fine town. It is bleak, exposed and too often dangerous. Nearly a mile from the town centre, it lingers at the end of a grim cul-de-sac. The Pontefract Civic Society has quite rightly pushed for the station to be upgraded by building a connecting road between this dead-end and Ferrybridge Road. This would allow a continuous

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-80887158412003530622008-11-10T22:28:00.005Z2008-11-13T17:40:05.625Z

Former British Prime Minister Harold Wilson may have been suffering the early effects of Alzheimer's disease when he resigned, research has suggested. Didn't we know this already? I thought it was understood that he was one of our most intellectual prime ministers and sufficiently so to recognise that his faculties were going. A police force's has decided to put life-size cardboard cut-outs of

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-66743407730247193322008-11-09T08:47:00.006Z2008-11-09T13:02:29.478Z

As ever, Trevor Phillips has something to say. From the Telegraph:"If Barack Obama had lived here I would be very surprised if even somebody as brilliant as him would have been able to break through the institutional stranglehold on power within the Labour Party.""The parties and the unions and the think-tanks are all very happy to sign up to the general idea of advancing the cause of minorities

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-12281462618672333962008-11-09T07:56:00.009Z2008-11-09T14:26:06.208Z

Photo by Tim Britton (freefoto.com)There are many poems about war. Many will be read today, this Remembrance Sunday. This one is unlikely to be, yet it has much to say that still rests true."Drummer Hodge" by Thomas HardyIThey throw in Drummer Hodge, to restUncoffined - just as found:His landmark is a kopje-crestThat breaks the veldt around;And foreign constellations westEach night above his

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-84955850828122257832008-11-08T23:16:00.003Z2008-11-08T23:28:28.612Z

From the BBC:The owner of an Indian food store in Bristol has received an apology letter and £100 from a former drug addict who stole cigarettes from the shop in 2001. "As part of my ongoing recovery I try to put right all of the wrongs I have done in the past, at least where I can, and this is why I am giving you back the money which I stole from you. Have you ever seen the TV show "My name is

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-72613364071667057852008-11-08T22:19:00.007Z2008-11-08T23:11:56.763Z

On the Telegraph's homepage was this link:'I should be Sports Personality'Leading to an article with this title:Rebecca Adlington: I am better BBC Sports Personality than Lewis HamiltonWow, those are some strong words, the link is in quotations marks and the title is a provocative statement. But wait... here from the article is the statement she actually made:"I think that Chris Hoy, with his

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-30996646645593430232008-11-08T07:58:00.002Z2008-11-10T14:25:54.845Z

Deeply satisfying google searches.No wonder so many Americans dropped by during the elections.

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-90534018994716993642008-11-08T06:45:00.005Z2008-11-08T20:44:37.579Z

Remembrance Sunday is tomorrow. There is a parade in Pontefract, collecting at the Town Hall at 10:15am for a service starting at 11:00am (details of other nearby services). In the spirit of remembrance, here's a poem I wrote many years ago about loss. I don't claim to be very good at this sort of thing so don't be too critical:We'll not forget the things you said,the way you looked, the books

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-45939755411769207992008-11-07T23:53:00.010Z2008-11-08T08:07:56.617Z

Hazel Blears has something to say:Unless and until political blogging adds value to our political culture, by allowing new and disparate voices, ideas and legitimate protest and challenge, and until the mainstream media reports politics in a calmer, more responsible manner, it will continue to fuel a culture of cynicism and despair.Hmm, so this is what adding value looks like.Must...stay...

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-72728191846145204082008-11-07T22:39:00.004Z2008-11-10T14:22:42.475Z

In light of this article, I'm resurrecting my occasional series. Today's is "No change given".I see it on damn near every parking meter I encounter, be they in Pontefract or elsewhere. What sort of sloppy machinery is this? I have a tired-looking contraption in my pocket that can send and receive messages from around the world, yet the mechanism that'll get me silver coins back from a pound

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-13229254074489285252008-11-07T21:37:00.004Z2008-11-07T23:15:22.658Z

Labour's surprise victory in the Glenrothes by-election is an endorsement of the Government's handling of the credit crisis, Gordon Brown has said. They did win by a large but narrowed margin. It's a pretty new seat, but if we include Central Fife, the seat most of it used to be, then it's been Labour since its creation in 1974. So to be fair, it's neither an "endorsement", nor a "surprise" nor

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-54118445997947191832008-11-06T09:49:00.002Z2008-11-10T14:22:28.177Z

Pontefract is presently facing two major problems: a stretched infrastructure and a low police presence. We should use the delays in the developments of the Prince of Wales Colliery site to address these two concerns before they are made worse by nearly a thousand proposed homes and their accompanying people and cars being added to our town. Consider our drains and roads. Our water system is

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-24285056081219650202008-11-06T09:25:00.006Z2008-11-11T20:41:27.648Z

A week ago, the following letter was published in the Ponte & Cas Express:Who is this (supposed) councillor of the people who likes to play with knives and machettes [sic] and now tries to stop a ban against open air drinking by yobs around the market place?Did people really know what this person stood for before voting for him?How long do we have to wait for the next election of councillors and

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-36043459836518542582008-11-05T23:50:00.003Z2008-11-05T23:58:10.661Z

Homework - Read Valerie's letter from the chapter Valerie in the graphic novel. Extension work is to purchase and read the rest of the book; it is different to the film in many important respects so I'll know if you've been cheating.

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-81920571140113816822008-11-05T07:09:00.004Z2008-11-10T14:25:54.847Z

Obama wins the US presidential race. Congratulations to him. The Democrats ran an impressive campaign in comparison to the stuttering Republicans. America will now have an attractive and articulate president that talked well of change but seemed to offer relatively little in the way of political change. I started off excited by the possibilities of the man but, after the initial gloss wore off

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-46110099104856502712008-11-04T08:21:00.002Z2008-11-04T08:28:57.503Z

Ha ha. I wonder how long that lasts.It reminds me of the American magician/comedian Penn Jillette and his daughter Moxie Crimefighter Jillette, so named because "people do not generally know other people's middle names, and they might as well 'have some fun with it'".

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-62192789678817100522008-11-03T23:09:00.013Z2008-11-16T22:08:57.004Z

A couple of weeks ago, my girlfriend was having a lot of trouble with violence where she lives in Trinidad. It culminated in a man standing outside her house brandishing a gun in broad daylight and threatening her. Because of her looks and her job working in promotions, she attracts considerable attention, all of it undesired. He was a notorious and wanted criminal with such a reputation for

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-65188949670772636902008-11-03T13:02:00.006Z2008-11-04T11:19:29.111Z

X-factor, that TV show where the dreams of starry-eyed youths are brutally dashed in front of a live studio audience, has released a song (now No. 1) in support of charity. Good. I can't abide the song (a cover of a Maria Carey hit) but I appreciate that the proceeds will go to two charities that carry out the noble task of assisting ex-service personnel. You can buy the song in stores now or

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-43917870074844302122008-11-03T10:10:00.002Z2008-11-03T10:18:53.118Z

A Very British Dude lays waste to Jacqui Smith's defence of 42-day detention with a superb point-by-point demolition of her arguments.

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com70tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-78223208062602114832008-11-02T11:47:00.010Z2008-11-03T10:10:50.564Z

Councils ban 'elitist' and 'discriminatory' Latin phrases.Et tu, Wake?Wakefield isn't mentioned but I sincerely doubt that we would be so absurd (from the Latin absurdus).The Plain English Campaign has congratulated the councils for introducing the bans.Marie Clair, its spokesman, said: "If you look at the diversity of all our communities you have got people for whom English is a second language.

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-9277300094909054632008-11-01T23:13:00.006Z2008-11-02T09:28:53.794Z

Oops, I accidentally lost the Conservative tree from my title graphic when I recently rejigged it. Now returned. No comment intended about allegiances. Indeed I'm chuffed to hear the Tory leadership talking about cutting the TV licence by nearly £400million. That's only £6 per licence payer but it's a start. If they cut it totally, as many Tory MPs are pushing for, that would be a tax cut of

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-38409375643252325092008-11-01T12:43:00.002Z2008-11-01T13:17:12.668Z

From the Telegraph:The poll, by Ipsos MORI, found that 81 per cent of people had a favourable view of members of the Armed Forces - the highest level on record. The remaining 19%...they can't all be in government can they?

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-28680598601053811282008-11-01T07:55:00.002Z2008-11-01T08:00:50.908Z

PETA doing its bit to help kids to sleep.

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-84418801276307311922008-11-01T00:33:00.011Z2008-11-01T20:10:45.127Z

A number of bloggers have expressed concerns about how a photographer in Middlesborough was stopped and questioned by the police simply for taking photographs. Apparently, this is not unusual.As stated previously, I view the police as one third of the institutional trifecta by which the state can fulfil its primary objective: the protection of property rights (IMO all rights are property rights

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-68309613726531716872008-10-31T16:22:00.009Z2008-11-01T12:29:33.466Z

From the Telegraph:Homosexuality was a "deviation" that must be rooted out in would-be clergy early on in order to prevent "tragedies", the Vatican decreed in new guidelines on the issue.I hope that the tragedy is a reference to the personal difficulties that a priest might feel in their role and not an insinuation that homosexuals are more likely to be sexual abusers or to lapse in their vows of

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-17741377858325785722008-10-31T16:10:00.000Z2008-10-31T16:11:44.522Z

Asda in Pontefract has applied for a 24-hour alcohol licence. I spent yesterday afternoon knocking on nearby resident's doors to see how they felt about it. This was following some residents raising it as an issue at one of my surgeries. With the ban in public drinking in the town centre, there are concerns that some of the more disruptive drunks will be drawn away from that commercial area and

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-27146408224435423802008-10-31T08:25:00.007Z2008-11-02T09:27:35.007Z

More on yesterday's topic, the scandal surrounding Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand's ill-advised comedy routine. From the Telegraph:David Davies, the Conservative MP for Monmouth, said: "I've never thought that he (Ross) was worth £6 million of our money and he has proved by his actions that he is not."He should be fired, and the BBC should stop paying such ridiculous salaries at a time when

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-9756680523789132772008-10-30T07:40:00.008Z2008-11-03T09:29:47.422Z

To summarise the latest scandal, Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross were supposed to have a telephone interview with the actor Andrew Sachs for Brand's radio show. They called him, he wasn't in, so they left a message on his answerphone, and by message I mean a huge conversation, that suggested Brand had sex with Sachs' granddaughter.The media loves stories like this (probably because it's easy

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-69629806587633238042008-10-29T16:55:00.003Z2008-10-29T17:16:10.881Z

Moneysavingexpert's weekly money moral dilemma is "Should you give cash to a drunk homeless man?"It reminded me of a night out with friends some time ago. As we strolled along, we passed a homeless man.One friend stopped to give him some money whilst the rest of us walked on.When he rejoined us, another commented that the homeless man would only spend it on booze.The friend replied, "That's all

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-34931329572897561762008-10-29T13:41:00.005Z2008-10-29T13:55:33.597Z

From the Telegraph:More than 10 million people in England are drinking too much, with around one in four adults consuming alcohol at “hazardous” levels, according to a Government watchdog.The Government recommends a limit of 14 units a week for women and 21 for men, but 31 per cent of men and 20 per cent of women now regularly drink above this level.“Hazardous” drinkers are women who regularly

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-66110389342135383842008-10-29T08:15:00.010Z2008-11-10T14:25:54.849Z

From the Telegraph:At least seven children have been placed in care over fears they were too fat, it has been disclosed....()...Another boy in London, aged 12, was put into care with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 28 - 60 per cent above the 17.5 average for his age.Few points about obesity.1) I agree that overindulging children can be as abusive as neglecting them and that in extreme cases this may

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-41703468490758622112008-10-28T11:16:00.003Z2008-10-28T11:44:21.706Z

Local readers might be aware that there is a plan to restructure the fire service across the Five Towns. This will involve a new fire station in Pontefract in a new location. Plans for this were submitted on 10/9/08 and can be accessed online at planning (ref: 08/02308/FUL). A decision is due on 15/12/08. I support the application, though I have reservations about certain aspects. Here is

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-29970275730707952672008-10-28T07:41:00.006Z2008-10-28T11:16:08.937Z

From the Telegraph:Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, is to announce a package of measures aimed at making it harder for extremists to enter the country.The eternal dilemma: how does a tolerant society deal with the intolerant? Correctly we draw a distinction between freedom of opinion and acting or calling others to act upon that opinion. It appears these new rules might also make such a

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-34268420744108975112008-10-27T09:50:00.005Z2008-10-27T12:28:24.919Z

A lucid article over at the Guardian on the parallels between the taxation of gin in the mid-18th century and the potential tax revenues from a modern legalised drug market.Quick question, do we think this is a left-wing or right-wing idea? I ask because the Guardian is a left-wing paper but I've previously been branded a "right-wing fantasist" for agreeing with it on this point. (H/T ASI)

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-61860157416608694322008-10-27T09:32:00.005Z2008-10-27T15:34:12.763Z

Brown and Darling's Keynesian plans to spend our way out of the recession have met with expected criticism from a number of economists. As Jock points out, earlier efforts by the government to delay the inevitable slump have exaggerated it so I'm not holding my breath on this one. Ultimately, any such plan's outcomes are limited by the fact that spending must be met by either taxation or

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-89334724249653929502008-10-27T08:11:00.004Z2008-10-27T09:50:20.361Z

Within a fortnight, NHS patients will be able to purchase additional private care to supplement the care that they receive from the NHS. In at least 30 hospitals this has already been the case, despite the law of the land.Good. People should be able to use their own resources to provide for the healthcare of themselves and their loved ones. Such actions should not undermine their access to NHS

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-7723862323101682782008-10-25T16:33:00.007+01:002008-10-25T16:54:46.450+01:00

I'm a young computer-literate guy but I can't make head-nor-tail of this story:A woman in Japan has been arrested after she murdered her virtual husband in a computer game. She killed his pretend character after he dissolved their pretend marriage? So she gets arrested, transported 620 miles and could face up to five years in jail? Neither the crime nor the punishment make a great deal of sense

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-83977741002253573792008-10-25T16:03:00.008+01:002008-10-25T16:18:02.490+01:00

AQA have admitted making Science exams easier to increase the pass rate.Errr, big surprise. It might be the first time an exam board has admitted it but the papers of previous years were always there as proof for those willing to look beyond the party line.That isn't to say the exams are easy, many find them hard, but students and parents have a right to consistency, not of success, but of

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-31407405968533605202008-10-25T15:33:00.006+01:002008-10-25T18:51:05.218+01:00

The Telegraph reports that Asda are to open an eco-superstore that has all sorts of fancy gubbins to help reduce its carbon footprint. Helen Rimmer, a campaigner for Friends of the Earth, said: "While green technology can improve the environmental footprint of a building, this is a small part of a supermarket's impact, which includes emissions from food freight and customer travel to stores."Sigh

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-33850668303569047452008-10-25T14:05:00.003+01:002008-10-25T15:32:31.354+01:00

Do tales of myth and magic undermine children's development of rationality by promoting superstitious rather than scientific thinking? Professor Richard Dawkins thinks they might:"The book I write next year will be a children's book on how to think about the world, science thinking contrasted with mythical thinking.""I think looking back to my own childhood, the fact that so many of the stories

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-26602047770416245462008-10-24T22:59:00.006+01:002008-11-16T22:53:17.966Z

A temporary ice rink planned for Bath has now been scrapped due to fears of predatory paedophiles. Sygma, the company behind the project, withdraw after the event risked controversy they didn’t want a part of. A representative is quoted in the Telegraph:“It’s a great shame when something as innocent as an ice rink can be thwarted due to unfounded suggestions by a minority with a misguided

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-40799045115683754462008-10-24T21:20:00.007+01:002008-10-25T00:58:31.188+01:00

As the economic climate continues to look overcast, we are seeing recent immigrants become emigrants. A third of Poles in Britain and Ireland are expected to leave in the next year. That’s a staggering 400,000 gone. Brits seem to be worried that their leaving will hurt our economy; Poles are worried that the return will hurt theirs. I’m not so pessimistic. The advantage of such fair-weather

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-72385003436243506122008-10-23T09:18:00.006+01:002008-10-23T19:53:04.425+01:00

From the Telegraph:Supermarket shoppers buying alcohol could be forced to do a 'walk of shame' to a special alcohol-only checkout counter under new plans being considered by the Government.Look at this another way: alcohol-only purchases get a priority check-out.At said checkout you will be able to buy alcohol but not food because as we all know speedy access to drinking alcohol on an empty

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-82471060552903468462008-10-20T12:51:00.002+01:002008-11-10T14:25:54.851Z

Colin Powell impresses with straight-talk:

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-77924265293724585872008-10-20T08:47:00.007+01:002008-10-20T13:24:11.655+01:00

Via Tim, I learn this from The Times:Everyone who buys a mobile telephone will be forced to register their identity on a national database under government plans to extend massively the powers of state surveillance.Phone buyers would have to present a passport or other official form of identification at the point of purchase. Privacy campaigners fear it marks the latest government move to create

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-88940646326649153262008-10-18T18:47:00.003+01:002008-10-20T08:46:54.796+01:00

Why, oh why, would a Council take someone to court for using imperial measures?Thankfully, it shall not be happening any more.Let's be simple about this. Here's how I see the chain of thought:1) The intention of trading standards is to protect consumers.2) Consumers might be at risk of being deceived about the quantities of produce they were buying.3) To avoid this, recognised measures should be

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-8075558028930675222008-10-18T18:39:00.004+01:002008-10-18T18:46:53.439+01:00

A fire broke out at Carlton Community High School in Pontefract around 3am this morning. Dozens of fire engines responded. By this morning, the fire was out but much had been destroyed. No one was hurt, thank God.With inset days planned for Monday and Tuesday and half-term starting at the end of the week, the school has only had to cancel teaching on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of next week

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-65693141424501903242008-10-18T18:04:00.004+01:002008-10-18T18:46:09.799+01:00

The Ponte & Cas Express have quoted me on my opposition to the booze ban in the Town Centre.

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-86810367055950149382008-10-17T10:23:00.007+01:002008-11-10T14:25:54.853Z

Yesterday, US Presidential candidate Obama joked that he was DC Comics' Superman.Guess that means that magic and Kryptonite are the only things that can dent his lead in the polls.But if Obama sees himself as Superman, then whom might his opponent McCain be?Ah....Lex.Obama should be careful of such literary allusions. In the comics, Lex Luthor successfully became president, much to Superman's

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-56492982730899929602008-10-16T08:43:00.000+01:002008-10-16T08:44:53.143+01:00

Good, now I can rest easy.

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-86822750125500195502008-10-16T08:20:00.003+01:002008-10-16T08:38:56.009+01:00

Russia never disappoints for interesting stories.From the Telegraph:Passengers and cabin staff aboard a Turkish airliner bound for St Petersburg wrestled an inebriated holidaymaker to the floor after he claimed to have a bomb strapped to his waist and tried to storm the cockpit....()...Police arrested the man shortly after the aircraft landed at St Petersburg's Pulkovo Airport. Details on his

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-40858468378603815702008-10-14T15:50:00.005+01:002008-10-17T17:39:58.536+01:00

Tim wrote a nice little article on the hidden costs of recycling:The UKip MP, Dr Bob Spink, asked the environment secretary "what estimate he has made of the average time per year spent by a household in sorting and recycling rubbish." An important question of course, for that time spent sorting items to be recycled is obviously a cost of such recycling schemes. The answer came back from Jane

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-37259180024903298042008-10-13T07:53:00.006+01:002008-10-13T18:49:44.921+01:00

My girlfriend is back in Trinidad. I'm starting to wish she wasn't. Last week, about 1am on Wednesday morning, she was awoken by a repeated crashing sound. A man was beating on the glass of her mother's bedroom window, howling to be let in. He pounded with such vigour as to break several panes. Thankfully, the window frame consists of a metal lattice that prevents access. He eventually

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-1102799871695236702008-10-13T07:42:00.002+01:002008-10-13T07:53:24.945+01:00

The government's plans for 42-day detention without charge or trial appear to be stalling in the House of Lords after a successful vote in the House of Commons some months ago. It seems unlikely that the government will bypass the House of Lords' decison via the damnable Parliament act because enthusiasm for the bill seems to be flagging. It is a pity that deteriorating support for Labour and

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-91615150967709638812008-10-12T10:27:00.006+01:002008-10-13T18:48:17.586+01:00

I had a great day last Friday teaching one of my favourite topics: evolution. Here is South Park's slightly swear-filled satirical take on it:Some regard the theory of evolution as not too dissimilar from this. The idea of "coming from dirt", as the creationist Dr Kent Hovind puts it, is seen as ugly and mundane compared to divine creation in our present form. Sometimes they view that teaching

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-50041698408303380302008-10-09T09:07:00.006+01:002008-10-09T10:15:06.160+01:00

Every year the 147,000+ houses in Wakefield receive a letter asking them to register for the elections. I imagine it's much the same in other districts. This registration can be done by post, by telephone and by the Internet. 27.63% of households have already registered by the telephone or Internet. Doing so costs the Council, and by extension the taxpayer, slightly less than by post. So how

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-20865150534570616502008-10-09T08:01:00.008+01:002008-10-09T08:59:50.636+01:00

A new campaign to discourage Ukrainian women from entering into prostitution in Europe has created Euro notes with ladies of the night amongst their fictional, generic architecture. It's perhaps more appropriate than they know. Fornication, that which one traditionally engages in with prostitutes, takes its root from the latin word Fornix, meaning vault or arch. It was under these arches that

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-35127351284726773382008-10-08T23:46:00.001+01:002008-10-08T23:49:00.577+01:00

A SHORT LOVE STORY IN STOP MOTION from Carlos Lascano on Vimeo.A little uplift during troubled times.

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-35892274239263697622008-10-08T20:08:00.014+01:002008-10-09T10:26:14.876+01:00

In today's Council meeting a vote was passed creating an alcohol exclusion zone in Pontefract town centre, mine being the sole vote against. I'd previously mentioned my opposition to it. All, myself included, were concerned about the drunken debacle that is the contemporary British town centre at night. I opposed the order because, whilst drinking alcohol in public may sometimes be vulgar, it

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-57746058764729588492008-10-02T11:05:00.003+01:002008-10-02T11:15:41.482+01:00

The government is to encourage more pupils to join the cadets. In Year 9, i.e. when we were about 13 years old, we had a choice of joining either the army, navy or air force cadet squadrons or running a voluntary service units. Shooting guns and flying planes sounded more fun than running clubs for youngsters so I joined the RAF cadets. Never regretted it. You had to solve physical problems

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-8767149569005507252008-10-02T10:43:00.003+01:002008-10-02T11:04:37.997+01:00

From the Telegraph:Newsagent George Pillai, 40, whose shop in Grimsby has suffered 47 reported crimes in the last 18 months, attacked Ryan Baldock as he tried to steal a bottle of wine.Baldock claimed to have a knife, but the shopkeeper took out his own knife which he was using to open boxes.Mr Pillai wounded Baldock in his face and shoulder. He said he was trying to protect himself and his wife

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-78766386141879217202008-10-02T10:31:00.002+01:002008-10-02T10:43:17.014+01:00

The University of Manchester has replaced the men and women signs of its toilets with “toilet” and “toilet with urinals” signs so as not to offend transgender students. Apparently they suffered confusion at which toilet was appropriate and so the best policy was to extend that confusion to the entire student body. At least, that's what their reasoning appears to be.These days this may be

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-51471067493153137032008-10-02T10:23:00.006+01:002008-10-02T11:46:57.429+01:00

The gurkhas have won the right to stay in the UK. Good. Why again was it that we wanted them to leave? They may not have been born on our shores, but they’ve certainly earned the right to walk them. Judging by their reputation, they're the sort of soldiers you want to keep onside.

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-32748386488978201612008-10-02T10:17:00.004+01:002008-10-16T14:45:59.180+01:00

Gavin Webb was deselected as the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Stoke-on-Trent a week or so ago. His “ultra-liberal” views of legalising firearms, drugs and prostitution prompted his dismissal by the party highers but his local Lib Dem association still stand by him. He has issued a challenge to the Lib Dem leadership by asking if they are truly liberal or simply a social

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-69412097996678508592008-09-20T10:15:00.005+01:002008-09-20T10:31:43.199+01:00

CERN Rap from Will Barras on Vimeo.A scientifically-accurate but musically-questionable rap about the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. I find these efforts to peel back the layers of the Universe and understand its workings inspiring. To paraphrase Carl Sagan, we are the means by which the Universe can understand itself.

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-25402504447984142032008-09-16T09:43:00.009+01:002008-09-18T13:08:02.393+01:00

The local No2ID group had a stall in Pontefract market place this Saturday. Well done to those people for giving up some of their weekend to fight the good fight against the ever-growing surveillance state.The campaign against ID cards and their attendant register unites people from across the political spectrum. Implementing this scheme is estimated to cost between £4.5 and £5.5 billion. Not

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-15981816683464267662008-09-12T12:24:00.005+01:002008-09-12T12:35:19.786+01:00

Regular visitors may have noticed that blogging has been lighter of late as more of my time has been taken up with ward work and resolving some of the controversy that this blog, or more accurately my candour, has sparked. In response to the last Council meeting, held this Wednesday gone, Cllr Bryan Denson, Leader of the Conservative group, issued the following statement regarding the manner in

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-59253720334211274332008-09-09T11:29:00.006+01:002008-09-09T17:35:36.313+01:00

So we've seen that local branches of big companies can do good things. However, we always expected the underlings to be alright. It is the super-rich guys in charge we have to worry about, isn't it? Watch this discussion with Timberland CEO Jeff Swartz on the Colbert report:Whatever your opinion on his views (I know a few people that will dispute the value of going Carbon-neutral), the point is

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-18744977723626130442008-09-09T09:56:00.003+01:002008-09-09T17:27:00.236+01:00

The local B&Q at Glasshoughton has donated hundreds of pounds worth of materials to a youth group trying to establish an allotment in Monkhill, Pontefract. This is the second donation that B&Q has given to the group of which I am aware and such generosity has been much appreciated.Now, companies, especially large international ones, such as B&Q, are often decried as immoral, detached from people

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-74387685012443008722008-09-03T23:08:00.004+01:002008-09-03T23:23:28.601+01:00

Scotland will end Council tax.The SNP are proposing to replace it with a local income tax. I'm no fan of Council tax but local income taxes open up a whole new can of worms. I'd favour shifting to a tax on land value rather than property value (the current Council tax). I'll clarify why another time (though check Mark Wadsworth for regular advocation of the idea).What startles me is that Alec

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-54712514872687077552008-09-03T22:53:00.006+01:002008-09-03T23:07:46.599+01:00

Finans, a weekly business magazine, has composed a list of the Russian super-rich and suggests that over a hundred heirs stand to inherit over a billion US$ each. There is always something gob-smacking about such huge sums of money but what really caught my eye in the Telegraph was:The table also assumes that each child will be left the same amount. Such a supposition is questionable. Finans,

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-83611969900422782842008-09-03T15:07:00.006+01:002008-09-03T16:32:12.598+01:00

From the Telegraph, I learn that a poem, "Education for leisure" by Carol Ann Duffy, has been removed from the AQA English syllabus because of its content suggesting knife-killing:The poem has been included in an anthology - aimed at 15 and 16-year-olds - since 2004, despite protests from teachers....But a spokesman said AQA had received a fresh complaint and - fuelled by concerns over a rise in

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937414360726012755.post-45465451741874211362008-09-03T14:40:00.004+01:002008-09-03T16:29:30.168+01:00

Skateboarder breaks a 50mph speed limit on a public road in Germany.I haven't seen the video of this guy but apparently footage of his madcap ride, accelerated by initially holding a motorbike, has made the German TV news. Alike that skier who went down the escalator at Angel tube station, this story showcases that perennially-popular disregard for obvious danger. I'm not surprised the police

Philip Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704867066228361715noreply@blogger.com0