The world returned to normal this morning. Vehicles sped up and down the road, the wireless offered death, despair and shock horror headlines, as did the rest of the media. People grumbled as the passed my door, and this not surprising as the howling gales blew rain in sheets against my window, and the passers-by! Indeed the world has forgotten the recent time of 'good will to all men,' and has returned to girning about the weather, the government, the neighbours and all else. I, still suffering this virus have hardly slept all night. Food is not retained and I feel awful again, so normality is found here also. My mood was not helped when the Landlords manager returned to work and informed me I will have to fix my dead oven myself! Oh yeah? How I ask? They will pay but my hamfisted approach will ensure a fire that destroys half the town, what then! Bah! The rain is still coming down and I am sure the postmen will be rejoicing in such weather. Gales blowing what mail there is out of their hands, rain filling the bags, and customers whining about 'paper mache' being put through their doors! Up north much destruction is being caused by the storms there. So we are not too bad I suppose.
One item caught my attention for a moment today. David Hockney, an artist, criticised other artists, in particular Damian Hirst, for not being sole authors of their 'work.' I found this quite amusing. Here we have a man made famous by banal empty pictures unhappy with Damian's approach. If only either were real 'artists' and produced something that made a difference as opposed to something that made them a name then life would be better for all. Both have large bank accounts, neither cares much for any other opinion as far as I can see, yet these two are feted and prized by the chattering classes. "It's a funny old world Saint!"
Now I like looking at aircraft. I am no 'spotter,' as I often have no idea what I am looking at, but I enjoy watching the machines fly by. Two 'Helicopter Spotters' claim to have driven into RAF Oldham, being 'waved by' by the security men as they followed a line of vehicles entering. They claim they thought a display was under way and innocently wandered about taking pictures of the machines. They drove up close to one or two and were somewhat surprised after ten minutes when an armed response unit responded with arms and locked them up. Max Award and Addison Bridet were interrogated for three hours and then released. The MOD spokesman said security had not been compromised. Not compromised? Two men drive in unchecked, wander about, taking photos and security is 'not compromised? Of course it was compromised! How easy would a terrorist have found an entrance here? How many other bases have poor security, and many employ 'outside security' to guard the base, partly to save money and [partly to release men for other duties. I have always found this dubious. The armed forces ought to guard themselves, and if RAF bases are so easily entered I suspect a resurgence in the RAF Regiment after this, although George Osbourne (the Chancellor) will not allow money to be spent on this.
.
5 comments:
Brother-in-Law was a senior airforce bloke, and at one time, commanding officer of a base that did secret stuff.
He told me, when I was visiting, never, ever, mistake the casual looking bloke on the gate as a sign of lax security. He's there deliberately not looking too threatening. There's another bloke with a rifle, who looks a little bit stern... But further up the road, shadowed under the trees, is a sandbagged emplacement...
You might just drive past the gate, I was told, but inside that dark letterbox-slot in the sandbags, is the bloke who'll ruin your day. He's looking at you over the sites of a hefty machine-gun, his magazines are full, and he's just itching for a chance do do the job he's trained for.
Then there are the failed police dogs.
They failed as police dogs, because they hate being told not to chew their prey. And they don't let go. And they see the world through a red mist of rage. These aren't the dogs like cop-dogs who can live in your house whilst off-duty. These are the nutters.
All in all, the picture he painted was one where you'd rather not visit even if invited.
Your Heli-spotters would have had a very different experience there.
Life returning to normal here as well. No more outrageous lines at the shoppe, but plenty of outraged customers returning items etc. As you point out, so much for good will to all mankind and christmas cheer. Finally two days off in a row and all I want to do is sleep! So sorry you are still experiencing the man plague. Hope you start feeling better soon.
xxx
Right.
I can't remember just exactly when, but it was while "W" was still in office that Air Force One flew low enough over where we used to live that I do believe that I could have hit the plane with rock without having to make all that hard of a throw. Being hardcore conservative central around here, I don't think President Obama would have the pilot make such a low approach if he ever came to town.
Soub, That sounds a proper air base.
RDG, So sorry you have such customers! I think the rest of the staff are at fault!
Max, Right!
Jerry, You failed to throw a rock at 'W?' tsk!
Post a Comment