ADVERTS!

I'm sick of TV adverts! I turn on Sky Sports News to be greeted with "When we come back...." so I switch to the Sky News and find those bloody Meerkats selling insurance! Now I note that these creatures have been a success, I suspect the kids are thrilled and daddy has to buy insurance because of this, just like that fat mutt adverting the Churchill rip off insurance. I turn to any other channel and find all have adverts on at the same time! No peace for the wicked, no freedom from the constant repetition on all channels of the same bloody adverts!!!! Insurance, dominates, and finance is not far behind! Several over cheery women sell 'Vanish,' promising to remove all stains from your laundry, don't buy it, this is a fraud! It never worked on my Royal Mail shirts! A vast number of cars whizz across the screen promising male watchers an image they cannot resist. You will note the actual performance of the car is rarely mentioned in such ads, all is image.

Not only are they always on, they last for four minutes (it feels like more) on all channels. Any programme going for eight minutes now halts for "A short break." No it isn't, it's a long break with the same bloody adverts we saw last time and the time before and the time before that! One more image of a clown wearing an oversized light bulb on his head desperate for a cheap loan and I will swap the light for an axe! (I have one spare!) One children's charity showed an ad featuring a small boy, three times in every break. This advert worked. The little boy is now buried in my back garden! The ad is not shown now.

So let's leave TV and the one hour programme that comprises four, yer four, four minute ad breaks, an intro that takes two minutes plus, and four "When we come backs..." which take two minutes each. Add to this the "Welcome back, coming up, ..." which takes another minute and a half, and we are left with twenty eight minutes of programme each hour! Only Murdoch could think this worth while! Many of his readers/viewers probably don't notice how little they actually watch, and much repeated from earlier in the day! Let's move to the radio. Hold on, three minutes of adverts, mostly for local companies, before the news comes on. Blasted Meerkats are there again also and that 'Direct Line' one! Enough, turn to something else, a talk show, even they are stopping off for a 'break!' Right, BBC it is. Guess what, they are shoving a trailer for an upcoming programme down our throat. They advertise themselves, even on the 'World Service' and 'Radio 3!'

Right that's it! If you want me I will be at the zoo. I'm going hunting for Meerkats!

Scotland 2 Macedonia 0

Thanks to a marvellous second half display,and an excellent goal from James MacFadden Scotland have left themselves with a chance of qualifying for South Africa! In spite of lively opponents, when they were not wasting time lying on the ground, we survived several smart moves from the visitors, and one or two poor efforts at goal. In the first half I was sure they would score, Macedonia are far from a poor side, and the 'team spirit' and hard work required of any successful side paid of in the second half. Scott Browns diving header was due reward for his hard work, and 'hard man' attitudes (you can tell he comes from Cowdenbeath) and the MacFadden second goal finished the tie and made up for his dreadful miss early on.

So we sit back and rejoice. We look forward to meeting Holland on Wednesday knowing that we must beat one of the teams tipped to win the World Cup. Are we worried? No way! Scotland have been here before, and will be here again - many times! No point in worrying, just fix up the wounded and get the boys prepared for Wednesday!

Isn't it nice when a woman knows her place?

Friday

Scotland play Macedonia at Hampden Park in a very important World Cup match tomorrow. George Burley the manager is 'under pressure' the press tell us repeatedly, and they would know! They have been against him from the beginning so he would be 'under pressure' wouldn't he? Having led the Heart of Midlothian into a position to challenge the finance led domination by the bigot twins in Glasgow he was always considered an 'enemy.' Not belonging to the 'Glasgow Mafia' leads the press, who do belong, to treat you with contempt, no matter the results from the team. In recent days we have been hearing of the importance of this game, the 'pressure,' and that this is 'win or lose,' as indeed it always happens to be! However the 'suits' that matter are shaking out their blazers and clearing the way for Burley's removal and ensuring they do not get any blame! George Peat, the president of the Scottish Football Association has put down his glass to let the world know that failure will remove Burley, and it's not his fault he was appointed. Declaring the managers position will be discussed after the Holland game he let everyone know that if we lose he will be sacked, 'The compensation package is already in place,' he said. What he meant was, 'It's no my fault!' he then returned to his table and the other suits. Gordon Smith was attending a referees meeting at the Lodge and was not available for comment.

Mike at Auld Reekie Rants has been ranting on about the latest attempt to deal with troublesome pupils, sorry, students, in Edinburgh schools. Apparently if the 'child' considers he (and it's always a 'he' apparently) will be troublesome in class he can use his 'Get out of class free' card, and excuse himself. This, considers a gathering of social workers, psychologists and head teachers, is an appropriate way to deal with such youths. Teachers are being instructed on handling difficult situations, and there is a possibility other 'Education Centres' (what happened to 'schools?') . Read Mikes item and then glance through this excellent site and consider your honest heartfelt response to the situation. 'Instruments of Punishment'

To finish try this BBC quiz.

Weekly World News Quiz.

September the 3rd 1939.

Today we commemorate the beginning of the Second World War. Actually it had begun on the First of the month when the Nazi party dressed prisoners in Polish uniforms and set them to attack, with no bullets, German border post. They were machine gunned into silence, and from this excuse the German invasion on the First began. The United Kingdom, under Chamberlain, one of the few men to interrupt Hitler when he was ranting, took Britain to war to free Poland, an objective never lost and unachieved only because of exhaustion and the red army.

For today's generation this is an event so far in the past as not worth talking about. This is of course understandable, as my generation, born a few years after the war, thought little about late Victorian Britain, or indeed anything outside of our ken. However the war meant a great deal to us. We ran about the school playground singing "We won the war, in 1944!" and this was twelve years after this event, revealing how close the memory was to the nation. The cinema was in the fifties filled with actors portraying a wide range of hero's on land, sea and air. 'The Dambuster's' was a highly emotive film, showing the bombers courage and reminding folk of the morale boost this gave at a time of many losses. 'The sea shall not have them,' was another reminder of the endurance of the men in both Royal and Merchant Navies, films, plays and books were used to release many inward tensions and emotions hidden during the actual conflict. This continued when TV became standard in the house. Sure attention was indeed more on the 'brave new world' built after the war, and television reflected this constantly, however the war would not go away. The first programme we saw when the TV arrived in our humble abode was a comedy called, 'The Army Game.' This somewhat unfunny programme did speak to millions who had endured, or understood, the 'joys' of military life! Field Marshall Montgomery appeared showing diagrams of how he had won the war single handedly, and would have done so quicker had the Yanks not kept interfering. "The enemy was Heeeyiah, Heeeyiah and Heeeyiah!' his plumy voice announced, "And my troops Heeeyiah, Heeeyiah and Heeeyiah! and I won!" He was of course right, and few would disagree that he was the best general of his time in the field, he certainly wouldn't!

The war that affected us so much had cost around fifty million lives, give or take a million. It had led to a rebuilt Europe that would see decades of peace for the fist time, possibly ever. It brought the US and the USSR to the fore and while we saw a peaceable 'Cold War,' ignoring the Cuban Missile crisis which brought us within minutes of mutual destruction, around fifty million died in proxy east v west wars in Central and South America, Asia and Africa. However they were far away so we let it happen! In some place the war did not end until 1974! Vietnam had been dominated by the French for many years and suffered invasion by the Japanese who came to deliver them from the western powers. Their domination was even more heartless and after they had been removed the French returned and fighting continued. The American suffered ignominious defeat there and at last the nation has peace, after almost forty years of conflict! We had it tough did you say?

War at least encourages invention, and aircraft as well as bombs, ships as well as radar developed in a handful of years. By 1945 the German Messerschmitt 262 jet fighter was bringing down allied bombers and piston engined flight was about to recede. Men had fought in the desert, in an almost 'chivalrous' way, in the jungle and on island against the Japanese in a far from chivalrous 'kill or be killed' manner. The Soviet forces, brutally handled by Stalin, had fought tooth an nail to remove the Nazi threat with at least twenty million dead in an action that was surely the worst known, so far, to man? Shipping in the Atlantic was devastated, men endured days and weeks in small lifeboats, many never recovered, while back home in spite of government warnings many still wasted what food was available, or made money on the 'black market.

Those who fought, losing friends and comrades never forget what they have seen. Rarely do they talk about it in depth, their emotions hidden in that 'manly' fashion. A fashion that often kills them when they allow the thoughts to surface many years later. Those who lose loved ones during the bombing often never remarry, other lost homes and never recovered their social position. Many of course found excitement and adventure, as long as they survived, and could say they enjoyed the war. Women found a freedom, usually sexual, that was missing during peacetime, and employment in ways they never dreamt of before the war. In short for those who served and those at home, whatever side they were on, the war was the biggest event they could ever face. The rest of their lives were governed by this event, and often the changes, especially during the sixties, were never comprehended by such as they.

One thing is sure, had Britain not 'stood alone,' had American not, eventually, entered the war, had Russia been ruled by a lesser man, we would not have a freedom nor a wealth that we possess today. Indeed without their sacrifice, often ignored by today's generation, we would not be here!




Can you imagine any politician daring to erect a poster like the one above in today's world?

Tetris is Good For the Brain!

According to reports in the 'Telegraph,' playing 'Tetris' develops the brain power! For office workers everywhere this is good news! Psychologists in Albuquerque somewhere in the US have been investigating changes in the brain when this game is played. The mental effort involved in juggling the shapes into lines across the board develop cortical thickness and develops a healthier brain. It has long been claimed that mental exercise, crossword puzzles and the like, prevents the brain deteriorating and keeps people young longer. The mental agility required using 'Tetris' is an excellent way to keep yourself alive!

'Tetris' is one of those silly computer games which have quickly spread worldwide, and now is enjoyed by millions everywhere. I am not surprised as it appears to me the most successful games are often the simplest, not the most complicated ones. Invented by Alexey Pajitnov in the USSR in 1984 the name combining 'Tetramino' & 'Tennis.' A 'Tetramino' as you are aware is a geometric shape. As the patent was granted to the USSR state the inventor made little money from his game. Regaining the patent in 1996 an effort has been made to remedy this. However as so many companies have patents, mostly illegal, many court room battles have taken place over the ownership and these continue today. A wide variety of imitators exist.

One thing is for sure, when interrupted in future for 'wasting time playing daft games' I can respond that I am merely improving my 'little gray cells.'

Banks!

Now I am not one to complain, as you know. However, today I checked, being the first of the month, what the banking situation actually was. No point yesterday as it was a 'bank holiday.' I found myself overdrawn on my overdraft, so I went up today and dug another hole to fill this one, and placed it, neatly, into the account.

Now normally when I pay in early it shows up by mid afternoon. Today it did not do this! However two unpaid Direct Debits did! This means the grasping bank, with huge profits in spite of the catastrophic Halifax/BoS takeover, will charge me £20 and probably still not pay the standing orders, unless I ask them to and then be charged for it, even though money is now there!

I was tempted to enter the bank and discuss this with the teller, but the crowd was rather longer than my temper and just as well as they would probably not serve me with the stocking on my head. I suspect whoever has not been paid will want more also. Looks like they can sing!

However I did come across a job that would really suit me, and I was gagging for this one. trouble is it is in Bournemouth, a hundred and something miles away! It's a cruel world. Still, worse things happen at sea. Which, when you think about it, is where I am at the moment!

August Bank Holiday

As I left behind my somnolence this morning, it struck me that this was a 'Bank Holiday.' I knew this immediately I glanced outside that this was a 'Bank Holiday' because the sky was battleship gray, and a strong wind was waving the tree branches opposite. The term 'Bank Holiday' refers to the time when the banks, and most others, took time of for religious festivals, 'Saints days,' as they were originally, at least in England. Over thirty were known in the early part of the nineteenth century and gradually these have been amended to a handful. No longer concerned with Saints or banks it has become a standing joke that each holiday is greeted with cries of despair as the rain teems down and the wind howls along the streets! However it is not always this way, this is the UK after all, and there is just as much chance of sunshine as rain on such a days. Now for instance, as I glance at the passing girls trees opposite I see the sun is shining and the sky is blue and people are out attempting to make the most of the hot sun.

This admiration for the sun I admit is not always good. A figure has just passed by on the other side, shirtless, with large bare boobs, and wearing my indoor glasses which are not good at that distance, I first thought it to be a female! But no, (and it's a big butt!) the creature was a near naked male taking his kids through the streets! I am just glad there were no whaling boats around just now or there may have been a harpoon flying in his direction! Jings what a sight! I'm glad I was wearing the wrong glasses! This sort of thing might be all right in the privacy of your own home but lease, not in public!

Anyway, early this morning, after stuffing my fat face I cycled off against the westerly wind and headed up the old railway. (Known as the Flitch Way)Because of the Holiday few were around even at that time, just after half past seven, and the empty track encouraged me to travel further afield than usual. In fact I made it to the old rail bridge that once led into Felsted railway station, I say once, as it has long since been removed. The station is now a private dwelling, (how nice is that?) and the occupants probably dislike the idea of people tramping past their window. Getting there and back gave me a run of around twelve miles on the bike, the most I have managed for a while. In the, now distant, past I made it all the way to Bishops Stortford and back, around thirty miles, yet today I struggle to do this little run. However at least I can do this and that pleases me, especially once I get home!

Very few people around, a few dog walkers, most giving a happy, if reluctant, greeting, except the miserable lass with two big gray dogs scowling as she always does. I think she believes herself attractive and expects men are looking at her, hmmm, not with an expression like that dearie! Why do women mistake a grunted greeting as you pass with an attempt on their honour (honour?). Is it arrogance that they think you should be looking at them, or that the girl is herself always on the lookout for a fancy man herself? Hmmm I wonder. One couple were noticed far ahead walking fast in an exercise pattern. Walking quickly, then swinging the arms, and I suspect knee bending every so often, as she put herself, and her man through torments to keep themselves young. They were probably the cheeriest people out there on the 'Flitch Way' today. As I made my way back they were still happily getting fit, although I believe he was already thinking of his bath, a quick rub down and a fine whisky by that time!


There is always one miserable jogger making his way along the old line. Usually someone in his late thirties, early forties, 'iPod' plugged in, doing his best to ignore the world and wishing death on each and everyone who greets his passing. What is it with such men? Are they desperate for fitness because of the needs of their job, or could it be a desperate desire to retain the last vestiges of youth? Sometimes I feel there is a mid life crises there and a fear of a slackening sex life, a loss of desirability to women, and a real fear that life has passed them by. The fact that we all go through this escapes them and their anguish is dealt with alone and unannounced to the world, at least in words. It's the manly way! I sometimes watch these men, often 'successful' in their sphere, big car, good house, good money, wife and kids, yet worried about their image or their place in the rat race. They are not content, that can be seen in their attitude. Now I realise that these attitudes change with each day, however we reveal ourselves more indirectly than directly in many occasions. I sometimes want to grab them and tell them Jesus can make their lives worthwhile, but you know they will pass by, either afraid to consider this or have no thoughts about Gods reality for them at all. What is going on in there?

The biggest problem today was of course the weather and the slopes of the old track. Now as I made my way west I hurtled along at a good speed as much of the line is flat and with the bike well oiled, and the tyres full of air, even on the slopes I made good time and this was indeed a fine healthy exercise for the heart. However the wind was somewhat against me though hidden to some extent by the trees and high bushes at each side. I was however glad the return journey could be taken in a more idle fashion, down hill. Naturally having reached the end, wandered around for a while to denumb my bum, I gratefully headed home. It was several minutes of avoiding the many rabbits that waited till the last minute before scurrying away at my passing before I realised I was still going upwards and now fighting an easterly wind. Where did this come from? Why is it that each and every day the wind and the slope is against you no matter which direction you are headed? I considered a phone call to the meteorological office but suspected that they would fiddle a computer somewhere and turn on the rain and complete my day for me. However I made it home, tired and grateful that I could cycle a bike, managed to smile at most folk I met, discussed the rules of the way with a dog or two and could stuff my fat face and then sit in a hot bath for an hour or two reading books (pictures available for a price!).

Of course my back now aches with stiffness, my knees are telling me this was too far, and I have not lost an ounce in weight. Still, it was worth it and I might try something similar tomorrow, if the weather lets me.

It;s Friday Night....

and I have nothing to say!



























So I will not say it!

Photographs

Have you ever wondered why it took several thousand years before we 'discovered' photography? I have. I just thought I would mention this. Taking pictures is one of the great, and simple, events in life. OK when I say simple I realise there is a big difference from the lass taking a snap of her wee boy covering himself in mud and a professional with thousands of pounds worth of camera producing an advert that could make a company millions, but basically it is simple. You see something, point the camera and shoot! All photographers know that it can take hundreds of shots before you get the 'one' that matters, but for most of us we take a handful of shots and usually find a decent enough shot to impress someone somewhere.

Photography has such uses. Advertising is with us everywhere, so much so we don't notice it, family history, just spend an hour going through old albums and see what you learn of folks from the past, identity at work and in some countries in the street. Try getting on a plane in the UK without any ID! However the best pictures are those you take yourself and rediscover years later. Memories, both good and bad, places and people long forgotten, and a realisation regarding just how good, or bad, some of your photography actually can be!

I like portrait photography and have taking hundred in days gone by, and I have at least three that have come out real well! Not that the one pictured liked their picture, especially when it really is them! "To see ourselves as others see us...."

So I demand that from now on you lot take more pictures and post them. The digital camera such as my cheap little thing here, has made posting pics so easy. It is fun and enlightening for the world. But mostly taking pictures is actually just fun!

Steam Trains

What an image!

Who can fail to be impressed when a steam train comes hurtling along the line? A living machine, full of character and with sounds and smells that cannot be forgotten. A steam train is an experience, an event, not just a machine to get people from one place to another!

Many more pictures here for people with a heart! Free Foto Preserved Rail



Is that not fantastic? I was never one of those anoraks who stood there with a notebook taking down the train numbers, that never crossed my little mind. However when in Cowdenbeath or Dunfermline I would hang around the station, there was nothing else to do, and watch the trains go by. In Cowdenbeath we were at the bridge and down below would thunder expresses from Aberdeen to all points south, goods trains with dozens of trucks, and a wide variety of local services, also the coal trains coming from the many pits around there. Marvellous to see and, being young, every driver and his mate responded to our waving! Just like our arrival at Waverley Station, we would offer the drivers sweets and it was never known for them to refuse! It was possible on occasions to see a queue waiting to feed the driver, and they always accepted. They must have had rotten teeth!



This is the famous 'Mallard' on one of it's 'special' runs. It will never again reach the fastest speed but still holds the world record. Gresley, the designer, produced several of these 'streamlined Pacific's' and I was once drawn back to Edinburgh from Cowdenbeath behind one of these, possibly 'The Union of South Africa' which did indeed run up to Aberdeen. It was twilight as the train entered the station and in the distance it looked great. However by the time it reached the platform and I heard the noise and saw the red hot cinders leap out the chimney at the front I took fright and ran behind everybody and hid! I was a bit younger then......

Monday Night

I wore out my typing fingers on the brief 'Lancaster' story on The Past.

So here is a picture of the back end of a traditional English Olde Worlde Curry House.

Now I'm not one to complain

However last night I did say, "'They' have it in for me, in similar manner to the way the SFA/SPL/Glasgow Mafia have it in for the Heart of Midlothian, which will clearly be seen tomorrow during the game!" And lo it has come to pass!
While it is clear we failed miserably to dominate when the Rangers were rightly reduced to ten men after Thomson's thuggish foul on Black, we ended up losing because of a penalty that never was - again! Once more Rangers side in need of points gets the penalty they require, thank to a Glasgow official! How many more times I ask?
However that really is not the reason we lost. We were well on top after the sending off, well on top after the goal, lucky though it was, and we stopped! Instead of keeping up the pressure and pace we backtracked, ponced about with the ball at the back rather than going forward. I realise Rangers fell back in to deep defence but surely we should have been more positive than this? They realised this failing of ours an Smith amended his side accordingly. They equalised then won in the dying minutes with a hand from the ref. I await his apology!

Any good points? Yes indeed. The team was up for the challenge, they took the game at first by the scruff of the neck and deservedly led, it should have been more! Also Jose Gonzalves played very well indeed and at all times looked as if he wanted to go forward. Great display from him, even allowing for his 'bomb scare' approach in the box sometimes! One thing is for sure, we need three experienced players there. Right back, striker, and midfielder. Vlad will not pay, and we could end up losing Casba! It's a disgrace!

As the sun was shining brightly here I decided to take advantage after the game and go out for the second time. I struggled along a different path, one full of slight slopes and big (to me) hills. On one of them I was overtaken by a fat lass on a bike going so fast I thought I had stopped so I got off, and found myself splattered all over the hillside! She didn't stop to help!
I made it to a country path used only by brats going to school and the occasional dog walker. It is years since I first found this, and about ten years since I have trolled along there. It has not improved. On the left is the by pass but on the right we find fields, recently harvested and one newly ploughed already. Real country vista with trees in the distance, round bales of hay and nothing moving but flying beasties and aircraft high above. If you look closely you will see that without the planes the sky would be almost cloudless. The muck thrown out by the jet engines fills the sky with trails. Later I crossed the park opposite and counted at least twenty six trails in the sky. No wonder the planet is polluted!


Tonight I attempted a pic of 'The Swan,' a pub that has stood there since 1560. Quite why it is called 'The Swan,' I do not know as there are no swans for miles! Not even in 1560 would a swan have waddled up the street, unless it was the sign of some right man of the town in that period. It could be of course they sold swans here around that time, but what do I know?

Nothing to Say

Another boring Saturday night. Nothing to say and nothing in my mind. The football was poor today, the baddies won and we don't play till tomorrow when the Rangers ref cheats us. I had no need to rummage through the shops as I had no needs and no money to meet them. TV is rotten, and the radio is not much better. There is no-one around, and my cooking today was rubbish! My knees ache after the short cycle today, the muscles are stiff, and, for reasons I will not go into, I am now scared stiff of spider bites! Now I find I can't get help from the 'Thai Massage and Takeaway Curry House' as some interfering immigration officials, with the help of several large police officers have deported them back home! I also had several very unlikely jobs to write pleading letters to, but just could not be bothered! I an spend a good while writing lies the details of my experience, I send it by post or e-mail, and get no reply! Some overpaid office wallah glances at this epistle and presses the 'delete' button and my life is in the bin. Probably beside a hundred or so others these days. Gone are the days when I could be bothered with all this. I just don't see the point just now. I have little to offer, the type of work I have done is out of reach now, and age is against me, as indeed being male these days! I confess that in the past I have yearned to be in work, but not know. Forty years of work have left me tired of the 'office politics,' daft bosses (just how do some companies survive I ask?) and a tiredness I just can't shake off leave me drained. I look for something exciting and worthwhile, but it hides in the bushes, and the bushes around here I am not going to search I can tell you! Even the newly acquired driving licence is not helping!

However as I wandered around town ogling the girls checking out the market as it closed, I noticed the sky. How marvellous is it? Lots of blue, and high above long streaky clouds, (I would give the correct meteorological name, but I don't want to exhaust you) and huge puffy ones. Several different types, not counting the muck spewed out of aircraft heading to and from Stansted Airport. (I'm tempted to say 'You cannot be cirrus, but I won't) In spite of huge rain clouds hovering over the majority of the UK, down here we have been enjoying balmy times. The wind has an edge today but it keeps the large clouds passing by and the air is warm, just how I like it! Although the nights are in fact drawing in, and Scotland benefits here as the skies there are better than down south, it is still bright blue outside. I'm tempted to wander outside and look for dropped coins once again!

Now as you know I am not one to complain, as you must know by now, but having the desire to post, and having nothing to write about can be wearying, as I'm sure you realise. However I am annoyed that i know nobody! You see, a form has arrived from the bank, concerning my mothers money. Simple enough except that we need to sign it. That too is simple, I can do joined up writing now. However it also requires a witness to sign claiming they have seen you sign this form. This week I have had no contact with anyone here! I have met several out there in the world, but not one here who could sign this form! Is that not just typical? It is a confederation of spite against me I tell you. 'They' have it in for me, in similar manner to the way the SFA/SPL/Glasgow Mafia have it in for the Heart of Midlothian, which will clearly be seen tomorrow during the game! Only today I went for the dinner I had placed in the fridge last night to discover it was in fact still in the freezer! Not for the first time this has happened. The other day I was up town and noticed my phone, which I never use, was not in my pocket, where it always is. 'They' had done it again, proof indeed that clearly 'they' are out to get me!

I must close now as I suspect 'they' will be rewriting this as gobbledegook the finish I brethren minute cobber, you watch!

Americans Are NOT Stupid!

Friday Evening

Friday evening, so here is a nice picture.

Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi

Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, the only man convicted of the Lockerbie bombing, has been released from Greenock prison and is on his way back to Libya.

Quite right too!

There are serious doubts as to this man's guilt. There clearly was political interference in this trial, and Scotland, with its own government, has been pressurised both by the UK and the US governments. I am proud of the way the Scots have decided to follow their own inclinations, and correct inclinations at that, to put mercy, a part of the Scots legal system, at the heart of the judicial decision. This was a legal decision, and a correct one.

How did we get into this mess?

The most likely reason is the incompetent, 'Gun-Ho' attitude of the USS Vincennes, under Captain Will Rogers III. The ship was known as 'Robocruiser,' by other US warships in the Gulf at the time. The US had placed many warships in the Gulf during the Iran-Iraq war for reasons of their own. Such ships began challenging every aircraft, commercial or otherwise, even including those approaching Dubai International Airport! Their panic, inspired by lurid anti-Iran propaganda, their incompetence and lack of training, their lack of knowledge of air routes and how commercial airlines operated, added to the 'John Wayne' closed minded bullying so beloved of American military men, inevitably led to disaster!

On 3rd July 1988, Iran Air IR655 took off on a regular commercial flight and headed over the Gulf. The pilot, Captain Mohsen Rezaian, an experienced pilot and a regular on this route, communicated with three air controllers as he flew. The channel he used meant he could not accept incoming calls from the Vincennes, as the ship ought to have realised, and he continued to ascend while the panicking US warship below decided he was in fact 'diving' to attack. Concluding, against all the evidence, that this was an F-14 Iranian Fighter the Yanks shot two heat seeking missiles and brought down 290 passengers and crew, including 66 children. Their bodies could be seen falling from the sky by other US ships.

The US propaganda went into full spin, supported by the ever faithful Margaret Thatcher. Claims of attacking Iranian gunboats, the airbus diving with a suicidal pilot and other lies filled the media. All were proved to be a lie. President Reagan, a comedian that would never have been elected in any other nation, apologised to the world, and considered this 'sufficient. He wrote to Congress stating 'This matter....is closed.' As he spoke most of the bodies lay unclaimed, and unrecognisable, in a warehouse.

Later, the USS Vincennes returned home to a hero's welcome. Te crew received 'combat medals,' and lauded by US for their prompt action. The dead were forgotten, after all they were mostly Iranian, and they were enemies sworn to destroy America. So that's all right then. The children probably had no idea America existed even when they fell out of the aircraft at 10,000 feet! However, they know now, don't they!

Aircraft leaving Heathrow and heading for North America follow a path towards the west coast of England and cross the border into Scotland shortly before heading over the Atlantic. On the 21st of December, four days before Christmas 1988, Pan-Am Boeing 747-121, named 'Clipper, Maid of the Seas,' flying at 31,000 feet, exploded just as it reached this point. A mere six months after Iran Air IR 655 had been brought down. The plane landed in the small Scots town of Lockerbie killing 243 passengers, 16 crew, and 11 people on the ground. 270 in all.

After an exhaustive investigation, covering many parts of the world, Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi was the only man convicted of the crime. The fact that one man took the blame indictaes something somewhere has never been revealed concerning this conviction. One man could never have taken this action, so who did? Did the Ayatollah Khomeini's talk of vengeance lead to Lockerbie? Did Ahmed Jibril, the leader of the PFLP-GC, or the Syrians have a part in this? Will we ever know? I doubt it.

One thing is clear, Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi is dying. Scot law allows for mercy, even to those convicted of serious crime, around three dozen such claims have already been made in Scottish prisons this year already. He may well have had a part in this crime yet I agree with this decision. It reflects well on Scottish standards, and indeed on the majority of the relatives of the many Britons killed in the Lockerbie incident. It reveals a great deal about American attitudes and in particular those relatives of US dead who wish to see this man die in jail. I wonder how they reacted to the USS Vincennes incident? Did they notice this happening? Did they excuse this as a ship 'defending' itself? is it possible these relatives were amongst those honouring the men responsible for the Iranian Airbus being brought down?

Life is very hard sometimes. Barbara W. Tuchman, an excellent American historian, wrote a book called, 'The March of Folly,' in which she used four wars to show how a lack of understanding of your enemy leads to conflict. A failure amongst US and Iranian political leaders, alongside Saddam Hussein's war with Iraq, political 'spin' ensuring the enemy is painted black and truth is avoided, on all sides. A culture with moral lack, and fear amongst men forced into places and situations they do not understand, all these led to 560 needless deaths!

We will hear much more of this situation for a while to come. We will however never find the truth! The media, following the lead of their owners will say whatever they are told to say, and some thought 'Pravda' was a lie, the papers concerned with the need to make money as opposed to honest journalism. Truth does not make money, giving the people what they 'wish' to read does!

Sending Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi home shows Scotland in a good light, merciful and just. I agree with the decision, as should all people. It does not help the relatives, but neither does the lack of truth, and that will never be revealed.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh has been named as the one city people wish to see 'before they die!' I can understand this! Scotland's capital city has the mighty Firth of Forth to the north and the Pentland Hills to the south, contains within it several other hills tourists long to traverse, and two, yes two, extinct volcanoes. (No I do not mean the corrupting remains of the twa wifies from Canonmills!) Also found there are historic buildings going back hundreds of years, buildings which contained the men, and one or two women, who brought civilisation to the world! History abounds in Edinburgh, from the Castle perched high upon the rock, down the Royal Mile to Holyrood House and all places in between.

The city contains two major universities, and lots of educational establishments, (I learnt one or two things in Edinburgh I can tell you) a financial sector second only to the City of London (and if you doubt this read up about our Fred!) A bright bustling economy which is fighting back against the US led recession, (ask our Fred about this also!) a religious history, many great revivals and missionary expeditions were centred on the Kirk in Scotland, many renown eating establishments, (which I canny afford) and hundreds of drinking ones (ask our friend Mike about those, especially 'The Diggers') a history of great men and thousands of positive steps forward into a better world for all, and of course two football teams. The Heart of Midlothian, Edinburgh's 'big team' and Hibernian, the Leith based 'wee team.'


Naturally the majority of people would wish to visit the city, and not just because I was born there! The Scottish capital came out ahead of Bath, Liverpool, Belfast, Glasgow and Oxford, a town named such because someone saw an Ox in a ford! Certainly one wonders why anyone would wish to visit Liverpool as outside of the Beatles there is nothing of value to be found there. Glasgow, a word which means 'Dear Green Place,' has many museums of course, however most of them are the buildings which house the scurrilous natives. Belfast may bring visitors to see the divided city's war zones and the surrounding country, but little else. Oxford of course is now the haunt of middle class types wasting three or so years of their lives before making far too much money. I actually went there myself so I know what I am talking about.
It was a lovely day.



London, Cardiff, York and Cambridge were the places that followed on as 'places to see before you die!' London naturally requires a visit, just don't live there for over twenty years in case you become old, cynical, and grumpy. I actually spent a night in Cardiff in 1976 and decided I would never go abroad again after that! York I have never visited but a postman who moved there says it is a delightful place, but the people are what Yorkshiremen are, dour, truculent and crabby. And as for Cambridge I don't even know where it is!

These surveys, by 'Travelodge' a hotel chain, always give a limited view of life but certain things can be agreed with, for instance Newcastle was regarded as the friendliest place, with Liverpool and Manchester not far behind. London, Birmingham and Glasgow were regarded as the least friendly, although outside of football matches I always found Glasgow a friendly place in the main. So if you wonder where to visit next Edinburgh is for you, and decent well run, (by two lovely young ladies) self catering 'Edinburgh Villa' accommodation is just around the corner also!

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On another subject Jerry, who dwells somewhere deep in the Ozark Mountains, wishes me to post this. He would himself he says, but his wife will not let him. Chicken!

Click to enlarge.

Portrait of Louise Jopling

Sir John Everett Millais (1829 - 1896)

I love portraits. Once upon a time when I had friends I used to attempt to become another Karsh or Snowdon. It was not to be however I did enjoy it and have a few snaps that I like. Those portrayed often did not like the pictures funnily enough, and this became worse for them when others cried "Oh that's just you!" Funny how we rarely like to see ourselves as we are. Women especially are like this because they will see only faults, and usually faults no man will see, faults they expect another woman to notice, and faults which in the end do not actually determine whether she is worth anything or not - the personality outshines all cosmetic faults.
Some men share the dislike of seeing themselves. This has less to do with the cosmetic side, shout "Hoi Ugly!" to any group of men and most will turn round, then point to their mate! However if the male has an image of himself, good or bad, and the picture reminds him of this, or indeed corrects his assumptions,then he feels attacked and reacts in the time honoured male fashion, he gets either violent and yells blue murder, or he sulks like a nine year old. (By the way, I have no pictures of me on view!) None the less photographs of ourselves will continue to be taken and the rich among you may well have an oil painting or two on your wall of yourself or a loved one. This is actually a good thing because in spite of you being you people wish to have a record of your existence, something the minority in history could possess.

My failure to make the grade is not equaled by Sir John Everett Millais. He became one of the foremost portrait painters, and he was not even a Scot! Louis Jopling was a well known portraitist herself and modelled for this picture. Millais then gave her the portrait as a gift foe her son, his Godson. As a leading member of 'Women's suffrage' she was clearly a troublemaker, although when she applied for a commission (worth £150) she lost out to Millais himself, who then earned £1000! Well she was just a woman after all!

Read about both, they sound admirable, and rich, people. Then study their pictures and take photos of those around you!

The New Season Has Arrived

The new season has arrived. The Heart of Midlothian tramped all the way to Dundee, on a Monday night, in spite of having to fly to Croatia tomorrow for the European match on Thursday. The anti-Heart of Midlothian SFA/SPL can be seen in action once again here!

However the season opens and we have made our first statement of intent - we lost! This was not all bad as I thought there were reasons for optimism in the defeat. Obua and Gonzalves looked good, especially after the defence sorted itself out at half time. Suso was lively and Nade was a lot slimmer than I thought. He must have been a mere 19 atone tonight. No wonder he had to come of after 75 minutes, tired and worn out.

Naturally the bias reared its head early into the game. A foul outside the box given as inside, their goalkeeper carrying the ball out the box ignored by the linesman that gave the penalty that wasn't. Our blatant penalty turned down and Michael Stewart again picked on by the ref just because he wore a maroon shirt!

Overall I was quite happy. I enjoyed the game, am used to us being cheated, and can see the team settling in quite well once the get to know one another better. United looked strong but made few chances, Zagreb on Thursday will be a lot harder.

Another Saturday Evening Post

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