I noticed that Kevin Rudd (PM of Australia), after seeing Great Britain's success in the Olympics, has decided that the reason for this was the National Lottery. Undoubtedly the Funds from the National Lottery has helped, but when you look back, Team GB's success came from hard work and dedication, and the framework that allowed this came from how Australia did it. Fortunately that funds were spent wisely and the end result was the 19 gold medals with the silver and bronze too. Team GB had seen how Australia had done it and did similar. Now Australia are thinking of doing similar! We copy them, they copy us... strange! And as far as the lottery is concerned, that is open for concern as Australia has a problem with gambling, and so question arises, is it easy to get off the lottery than the pokies (slot machines).
Education in Australia might be taking a turn for the worse with the introduction of league tables. Here in the UK league tables has changed education from teaching students a subject and how to use it in the world (or how useless it is) to how to pass exams so the school came go up the league table. I know this is a very sweeping statement and there are schools out there who teach well, but when universities complain that the level of education is lower now than 10 years ago, but the pass rate is at an all time high,it make you wonder, is there something not working properly?. Also employers are saying students don't know how to use the knowledge they have. Personally I think a better way would be something like a short list of areas, like, happiness of students/ teachers/ parents, cleanliness, attendance, discipline, would a student recommend the school to a friend, would a parent recommend the school to a friend, points 1 - 5 and a yes/ no answer. These, I think would be more informative than league tables.
I've been waiting for the UK government to announce their package to help the housing market. There seems to me to be too much emphasis put on the housing market and the value of houses. The only time the value of a house matters is when you are about to sell it and buy another, or when you are about to buy for the first time. At this point one of the main hurdles is finding a mortgage, and this only after doing some math and making sure one can afford it, now AND in the future. The govt. has suspended stamp duty on housing up to £175000 for 12 months. This means that if you want to buy a property for £175000 you will 'save' £1750. When I say save, its not actually a saving, its something else you don't have to pay. They have also said that if you are a first time buyer you might be able to get an interest free loan of up to 1/3 of the value of the property for five years. Now, for some this will be good, assuming there aren't too many hoops to jump through to get the loan. Years ago, the housing market wasn't as 'fluid' as it was a year ago, so why so much emphasis to this. Money I would suggest. The suspension of Stamp duty will 'cost' the govt. £650 million. This actually means hat the govt would not be getting £650 million over the next year in taxes. Yes, if you move house, you are taxed! If you pull out a mortgage, the interest you pay to the back is taxed, and therefore you pay more so the banks can make a bit of money too. But at the end of the day, after about 25 years, the house you live in and have been toiling every day to pay the mortgage, will be yours.
And now, there's even more going on in politics with Mr Clark's writings in the Statesman. Incidentally, I agree with him. Politicians in the Labour Party and particularly Gordon Brown's supporters don't and have been knocking him as an embittered man. And call me cynical, but they seem to be the young and up-and-coming, and feathering their own nest, "look at me, I'm loyal Mr Brown". But what I like about this is that once in a while there comes a man with his head screwed on right, who knows that his career in his party is no more and therefore he might as well speak sense rather than the "party line". It makes me wonder that if they had spoken out when younger and think about the country rather than their career in "the party" and speaking the "right thing" in the light of his party boss, the country might just be in a better place. And when interviewed, Mr Clark was quite straight forward and clear about the position the Labour Party and the country . The politicians who are knocking Mr Clark just seem to repeat and repeat the same old mantra as if repetition would make it true, and that "forces beyond our control" like "the free, open market" has caused the problems and not them and their policies. Who has been supporting the open market the last ten years? Who hasn't put regulation in place. Look at the game of football. A free and open game is beauty to watch, BUT its done within the rules and regultions of the game. Without the rules and regulations the game of football would be a farce, anarchy. If there are no regulations in the "free and open" market, the natural tendency of a capitalistic society is to take advanage of the situation and make as much money as possible, at the expence of others. But I digress, I look forward to more from Mr Clark. The more people like him speak out, speak sence, the better this country will be, and politics as a whole.
Wednesday, 27 August 2008
Friday, 22 August 2008
The Friday Letter - Learning from history
Only a quickie this week.
Learing from histroy...
In the 1930's a leader from one country went to another and came back with a signature on a piece of paper 'guarenteeing' peace in Europe. Then Hitler's troops invaded Poland and the 39-45 World War began... Does this ring any bells? Maybe Russia and Georgia? Didn't Russia sign a bit a paper saying they would leave Georgia, and they haven't. They are even suggesting that part of Georgia isn't part of Georgia. And thier reason for invading - to protect Russian passport holders... humm. I'm sure there are various groups of Russian passport holder around the world. I wounder, if the Americans rounded up and put in a camp would Russia would invade America to protect it's passort holders? Phew-ee. It would appear that Russia is paranoid. It also appears that Russia feels that it can say one thing to appese those making noises, and then go ahead and do something else.
This reminds me of another "leader" who time and again does this, Robert Mugabe. Is it a pre-requisit to be a criminal and a lier to rule a country in Africa? I heard today that in Zimbabwe inflation is at 11 million percent. Eleven million! Wow. I wonder how people can live, or even survive. Do people now barter for bread, milk, eggs, cane rat? Or do they nip down to the bank and draw a couple of million and hope to buy an egg before the price goes up? or is it a grain of rice, maize?
So, what do we learn from history? I would suggest that "the only thing we learn from history is that we don't learn from history!"
Learing from histroy...
In the 1930's a leader from one country went to another and came back with a signature on a piece of paper 'guarenteeing' peace in Europe. Then Hitler's troops invaded Poland and the 39-45 World War began... Does this ring any bells? Maybe Russia and Georgia? Didn't Russia sign a bit a paper saying they would leave Georgia, and they haven't. They are even suggesting that part of Georgia isn't part of Georgia. And thier reason for invading - to protect Russian passport holders... humm. I'm sure there are various groups of Russian passport holder around the world. I wounder, if the Americans rounded up and put in a camp would Russia would invade America to protect it's passort holders? Phew-ee. It would appear that Russia is paranoid. It also appears that Russia feels that it can say one thing to appese those making noises, and then go ahead and do something else.
This reminds me of another "leader" who time and again does this, Robert Mugabe. Is it a pre-requisit to be a criminal and a lier to rule a country in Africa? I heard today that in Zimbabwe inflation is at 11 million percent. Eleven million! Wow. I wonder how people can live, or even survive. Do people now barter for bread, milk, eggs, cane rat? Or do they nip down to the bank and draw a couple of million and hope to buy an egg before the price goes up? or is it a grain of rice, maize?
So, what do we learn from history? I would suggest that "the only thing we learn from history is that we don't learn from history!"
Wednesday, 13 August 2008
Friday letter, Housing, sport and education
Friday letter 2
The housing market and stamp duty
I am astounded that the government would let the home office leak information that the government is thinking of changing stamp duty and then announcing that they are 'looking at various measures' and say nothing about stamp duty, and therefore stagnated the housing market at a time when it doesn't need it. Shame on you Mr Darling!
The Olympics
The run up to the Olympics has been a strange one as there has been and still is a tension between sport and politics. Those countries who have a financial and therefore political connection have sent their 'heads of state' to China. Those who have decided that what China is doing in repressing various areas of its society are not sending their 'heads of state'. This I think is to be applauded. What I find appalling is that the Olympics, as good and wonderful as it is, has embraced a capitalistic fervor for what ever reason. One-up-man-ship. Each Olympics has to be better than the last, and to what cost? Who has actually build the 'Olympic village'? How many have be displaced, without evening be asked if they wanted the games or if they wanted to move and where to? The politicians have been saying, more to convince themselves then anyone else, that the Olympics is good for the economy. The only Olympics that I know of that came anywhere near breaking even was the Sydney Olympics, and that after the games had finished for a number of years. A little bit like the Eurovision Song contest, Ireland decided NOT to win the contest because it didn't want to fork out thousands of pounds to host it. The Olympics i feel is going the same way it that it is becoming more and more expensive and a day will come when no-one will want to host it because of the expense. Until then, people will be displaced and the country tax payers will fund it whether they want to or not.
Ho humm!
"London's Telegraph newspaper reports that some of the fireworks which appeared over Beijing during the television broadcast of the Olympic Opening Ceremony were actually computer generated. But — hold on — it's not necessarily as bad as you think. The faked fireworks were actually set-off at the stadium, but because of potential dangers in filming the display live from a helicopter, viewers at home were shown a pre-recorded, computer-generated shot." (Quote from the internet.)
And then there's the little seven year old singer who wasn't allowed to take the stage at the opening ceremony because she has 'a chubby face and uneven teeth'. The vanity of the leaders astounds me.
A Levels were released this week. It was expected that the pass rate would go up, the 26th year in a row. Are A levels valid? I'm not having a go at students, I do think that they work hard for the exams, but I think they have been let down by the system. Are students are being taught to pass exams or are they being taught the subject and how to use it? Is it all down to the pressures of league tables of the schools. Has the ideals of giving parents all the information to make an informed choice failed the students? Do league tables give the right information for an informed choice? Is the pass rate the only information needed? Going back a few years to when I was at school the choice parents made about which school to send your children was done by speaking to other parents and visiting to schools during term time. If parents cant get time off work, then maybe they should re-appraise their priorities and where their children come in the grand scheme of their lives?? Also, many of the students would be employed locally, so if someone is employable then the school must be doing something right. And a bigger also, their was also a community where families would gather and help and be with each other, 'do life together' and in that you would get to know which schools had good discipline, good teaching standards and where the students are happy (a much missed attribute). One thing I am really grateful for is that I was taught how to learn, and at a young age. This did two things, firstly it made it easier for the teachers to teach because we could to learn and secondly, it made it fun and I had a great sense of achievement at the end because I understood the subject.
I was going to comment on the sad state of affairs in Georgia, but I will only say that this reminds me of the paranoid USSR of the 60's 70's and 80's.
And on a lighter note, Youtube was showing a video of some pro-Tibet demonstrators. Youtube then took it down because the IOC asked them to legally, Youtube asked them if they would go through with the action, they withdrew the complaint, so the video went back up. Good for Youtube, free speech and all that.
The housing market and stamp duty
I am astounded that the government would let the home office leak information that the government is thinking of changing stamp duty and then announcing that they are 'looking at various measures' and say nothing about stamp duty, and therefore stagnated the housing market at a time when it doesn't need it. Shame on you Mr Darling!
The Olympics
The run up to the Olympics has been a strange one as there has been and still is a tension between sport and politics. Those countries who have a financial and therefore political connection have sent their 'heads of state' to China. Those who have decided that what China is doing in repressing various areas of its society are not sending their 'heads of state'. This I think is to be applauded. What I find appalling is that the Olympics, as good and wonderful as it is, has embraced a capitalistic fervor for what ever reason. One-up-man-ship. Each Olympics has to be better than the last, and to what cost? Who has actually build the 'Olympic village'? How many have be displaced, without evening be asked if they wanted the games or if they wanted to move and where to? The politicians have been saying, more to convince themselves then anyone else, that the Olympics is good for the economy. The only Olympics that I know of that came anywhere near breaking even was the Sydney Olympics, and that after the games had finished for a number of years. A little bit like the Eurovision Song contest, Ireland decided NOT to win the contest because it didn't want to fork out thousands of pounds to host it. The Olympics i feel is going the same way it that it is becoming more and more expensive and a day will come when no-one will want to host it because of the expense. Until then, people will be displaced and the country tax payers will fund it whether they want to or not.
Ho humm!
"London's Telegraph newspaper reports that some of the fireworks which appeared over Beijing during the television broadcast of the Olympic Opening Ceremony were actually computer generated. But — hold on — it's not necessarily as bad as you think. The faked fireworks were actually set-off at the stadium, but because of potential dangers in filming the display live from a helicopter, viewers at home were shown a pre-recorded, computer-generated shot." (Quote from the internet.)
And then there's the little seven year old singer who wasn't allowed to take the stage at the opening ceremony because she has 'a chubby face and uneven teeth'. The vanity of the leaders astounds me.
A Levels were released this week. It was expected that the pass rate would go up, the 26th year in a row. Are A levels valid? I'm not having a go at students, I do think that they work hard for the exams, but I think they have been let down by the system. Are students are being taught to pass exams or are they being taught the subject and how to use it? Is it all down to the pressures of league tables of the schools. Has the ideals of giving parents all the information to make an informed choice failed the students? Do league tables give the right information for an informed choice? Is the pass rate the only information needed? Going back a few years to when I was at school the choice parents made about which school to send your children was done by speaking to other parents and visiting to schools during term time. If parents cant get time off work, then maybe they should re-appraise their priorities and where their children come in the grand scheme of their lives?? Also, many of the students would be employed locally, so if someone is employable then the school must be doing something right. And a bigger also, their was also a community where families would gather and help and be with each other, 'do life together' and in that you would get to know which schools had good discipline, good teaching standards and where the students are happy (a much missed attribute). One thing I am really grateful for is that I was taught how to learn, and at a young age. This did two things, firstly it made it easier for the teachers to teach because we could to learn and secondly, it made it fun and I had a great sense of achievement at the end because I understood the subject.
I was going to comment on the sad state of affairs in Georgia, but I will only say that this reminds me of the paranoid USSR of the 60's 70's and 80's.
And on a lighter note, Youtube was showing a video of some pro-Tibet demonstrators. Youtube then took it down because the IOC asked them to legally, Youtube asked them if they would go through with the action, they withdrew the complaint, so the video went back up. Good for Youtube, free speech and all that.
Wednesday, 6 August 2008
A few observations
The Friday Letter One
I was delighted to hear this morning someone (from the Evening Standard) have a pop at the heads of the banks. This financial mess we are in, or has been imposed on us are mainly due to irresponsible lending. Who in there right mind would lend to someone more than they had? It seems to me that a 110% mortgage is daft. Just in case some of you didn't know, the banks set out mortgages, and then sold these mortgages for securities to sell more mortgages. "Reap what you sow" springs to mind!
The financial climate seems to be one of debt and loans.
I remember years ago with my dads business which always seemed to have an overdraft. My dad tried his hardest to reduce the overdraft. He knew that it was wrong. I was taught at home that if you wanted something (normally toys!) then you either saved up for it or you hoped that you got it for Christmas or birthday. At school it was the case that you made profits to invest back into the business so it can grow and then make more profits etc. Sometimes there is a case for borrowing short term to expand or invest, but it shouldn't be the norm. Now it seems to be the norm. I wonder just how many businesses don't have loans or an overdraft or in debt of some sort. The problem with borrowing is that you become 'the slave' of the lender. Not good.
I was thinking the other day about Gordon Brown (Prime Minister) and his future and as to why people and other ministers are having a go at him, even wen he is on holiday and therefore not in the light to reply or defend himself. I was reading the other day about a business conference in the USA where the main subject was leadership. The conclusion of the conference was there was nothing less than a crisis of leadership in American society; the nation was being guided, not by leaders but by managers and its condition could be described as being over-managed and under-led*. I think this is true of the UK now. Gordon Brown I think is a good manager, but as a leader I'm not sure. Tony Blair had a vision and everyone could see it. I don't even know what Mr Browns vision is.
In the book of Proverbs it is written: Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained. In other words, without a vision, there is no focus, no path, and people feel lost.
Shell announced massive profits and cash turnover, but still charge lots at the pump. They say most of the price at the pump is tax, which is true. But, Shell extract the oil, refine it and then tanker it to the forecourts. Each part of the process is done but a different part of the business. So Shell sells to Shell the extracted oil, who then refines it and sells it to Shell, who then sells and transports it to the forecourts (Shell) who then sells it to you and me. So who's making the money? Shell (except the "forecourt Shell") and the government (about 64% of the pump price). It staggers me that various companies set themselves up so they can make full use of a market and appear to have a clear conscience where in fact they have us over a barrel and no-one sees it, or if they do, not to question it. After all, Shell is Shell is Shell, isn't it?
On a lighter note,
The name Jean Luc Picard of the Starship Enterprize was apparently named after John Picard who liked to fly by being attached to helium balloons!
I was delighted to hear this morning someone (from the Evening Standard) have a pop at the heads of the banks. This financial mess we are in, or has been imposed on us are mainly due to irresponsible lending. Who in there right mind would lend to someone more than they had? It seems to me that a 110% mortgage is daft. Just in case some of you didn't know, the banks set out mortgages, and then sold these mortgages for securities to sell more mortgages. "Reap what you sow" springs to mind!
The financial climate seems to be one of debt and loans.
I remember years ago with my dads business which always seemed to have an overdraft. My dad tried his hardest to reduce the overdraft. He knew that it was wrong. I was taught at home that if you wanted something (normally toys!) then you either saved up for it or you hoped that you got it for Christmas or birthday. At school it was the case that you made profits to invest back into the business so it can grow and then make more profits etc. Sometimes there is a case for borrowing short term to expand or invest, but it shouldn't be the norm. Now it seems to be the norm. I wonder just how many businesses don't have loans or an overdraft or in debt of some sort. The problem with borrowing is that you become 'the slave' of the lender. Not good.
I was thinking the other day about Gordon Brown (Prime Minister) and his future and as to why people and other ministers are having a go at him, even wen he is on holiday and therefore not in the light to reply or defend himself. I was reading the other day about a business conference in the USA where the main subject was leadership. The conclusion of the conference was there was nothing less than a crisis of leadership in American society; the nation was being guided, not by leaders but by managers and its condition could be described as being over-managed and under-led*. I think this is true of the UK now. Gordon Brown I think is a good manager, but as a leader I'm not sure. Tony Blair had a vision and everyone could see it. I don't even know what Mr Browns vision is.
In the book of Proverbs it is written: Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained. In other words, without a vision, there is no focus, no path, and people feel lost.
Shell announced massive profits and cash turnover, but still charge lots at the pump. They say most of the price at the pump is tax, which is true. But, Shell extract the oil, refine it and then tanker it to the forecourts. Each part of the process is done but a different part of the business. So Shell sells to Shell the extracted oil, who then refines it and sells it to Shell, who then sells and transports it to the forecourts (Shell) who then sells it to you and me. So who's making the money? Shell (except the "forecourt Shell") and the government (about 64% of the pump price). It staggers me that various companies set themselves up so they can make full use of a market and appear to have a clear conscience where in fact they have us over a barrel and no-one sees it, or if they do, not to question it. After all, Shell is Shell is Shell, isn't it?
On a lighter note,
The name Jean Luc Picard of the Starship Enterprize was apparently named after John Picard who liked to fly by being attached to helium balloons!
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