‘Culture’ Archives
THATCHER: The Crying Game.
During the last week, the disingenuousness of the rabble-rousing Socialist press has plumbed new depths. In fact, in the last few days, they truly dived the Mariana Trench of modern journalism. They have taken every opportunity to vilify a confused [...]
The Eurocrisis isn’t just Financial.
The Eurozone crisis has managed to morph from a plain old currency crisis to a debt crisis, an economic crisis and now, a full-blown political crisis - although no-one seems to have noticed........ and it's not just the Eurozone: In the United [...]
Maggie’s Big Bang.
Although, in common with many others, I feel a sadness for the passing of Margaret Thatcher, there is one major part of her legacy which recent history has shown to have been an over-sold concept - The Big Bang. That was the day - 27th October 1986 [...]
Gideon and the Welfare State.
This is what Chancellor Gideon said about Mick Philpott, the scumbag who killed his own children through an act of gross stupidity: “Philpott is responsible for these absolutely horrendous crimes and these are crimes that have shocked the nation. [...]
Dangerous Dog – or just Playful?
A few years ago a well-known record producer friend of mine was living on his yacht in Antibes marina. One day he decided that he missed his dog. As he'd left the dog behind in the States , he arranged for the animal to be flown over to France. It [...]
Prime Minister David Cameron is SO predictable. In order to placate the Tory Right, he is fulfilling my 2013 Prediction #17 HERE...........sounding more and more like Nigel Farage. By the way Dave, 7% of immigrants claim benefits, compared to 17% [...]
Cyprus: A blessing in disguise?
The United States, the Eurozone and even our own administration here in the United Kingdom have shown us that we are fast approaching the time for a major rethink of the Democratic Model. The Global Economy is becoming permanently unstable and [...]
Here we go! The Vatican has denied that Pope Francis failed to speak out against human rights abuses during military rule in his native Argentina. HERE.
Media Regulation? No point!
What is the POINT of Regulation? IT DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK!!!! Before our politicians scratch each others' eyes out on Monday, fighting over Royal Commissions and Press Regulation, they should consider what good a similar process did to the [...]
There's little point in the medical profession scaremongering about our increasing resistance to antibiotics and the Government's Chief Medical Officer Professor Dame Sally Davies taking a leaf out of the No 10 Sound Bite Manual and declaring [...]
Economic ruin: The Root (Banking) Cause.
Here is some simple high-level analysis which always helps to crystallise issues: The 2008 mortgage-driven banking industry meltdown was directly responsible for the Eurozone debt crisis, political chaos, austerity, recession (in some cases - [...]
Government Immigration Success!!
It looks as if the Coalition Government's policies are finally working and controlling immigration to the United Kingdom. The only problem is that it is NOT government immigration policies which are having such a powerful effect on the influx [...]
God Bless America!
Need some motivation? Just watch these nice American folk having a good time in the Oklahoma countryside. Just like an English Village Fete but a little noisier:
Titanic 2.
It was interesting to see the plans and confidence lavished on the Titanic 2 project! Especially as there will never be a change of course - in spite of the recent Moody's downgrade! (Click on the photo for the report.)
Popetastic!
I am NOT writing this because I'm a sick dude. I am writing it because I am totally cynical in respect of all of the machinations, exaggerations, theatre and downright nonsense of the senior Men in Frocks who run the Holy Roman Church. Here [...]
Eastleigh. A new beginning?
Eastleigh electors must make sure that they do not waste their vote in the forthcoming by-election. There was a time when government had nothing to do with Political Parties but sadly, that is no longer the case. Hopefully, one day all [...]
Management: Two views
As an Executive Coach of over 25 years, there is one pet hate which I have developed - the Management Model. Every year, new models arrive and new training methods sprout like weeds. 99% of them are derivative. For instance, when applying a bit [...]
Crushed Nuts 2.
Earlier this week, I promised to print the opening of the sequel to "Crushed Nuts on the Cote d'Azur" which is still on Amazon HERE. If you don't have access to a KINDLE, you can download Kindle for PC here and it's FREE! In the original novel, [...]
HS2 high-speed rail route. The Coalition’s next train crash?
Everything that our Coalition government has touched so far has been a train crash. Today's initiative, announced by the Secretary of State for Transport, will be no exception. The latest economic miracle-cure is the HS2 high-speed rail link [...]
It’s Burns Night!
A Happy Burns Night to all you Jocks! Bagpies, Burns, Haggis and Malt: Listening to the Inharmonious, Reciting the incomprehensible, Consuming the Inedible and Drinking the Toxic. Have good time!
Dave Camenor and the Banker – a Fable
The Gates to Economic Recovery and New Prosperity were being guarded by the Bankers. A tired and bedraggled band of travellers stood before them. They were led by Flashman, the legendary illusionist and Prime Minister of the Ukshire. The [...]
NRA:A pointless and ill-judged pro-gun campaign.
NRA, rather inappropriately targets the Obama girls:
Old and Wise.
I post this every year-end in order to remind myself of the irreversible arrow of time. I hope you like it.
A “Happy” Christmas……
My wife and I ALWAYS make the effort to entertain at least one old person during the Christmas Holiday. They really do appreciate it. Just look at the unbounded joy on this one's little face!! Bless!
50 Predictions for 2013
Last year's predictions are HERE. Some were right, some were nearly right whilst others were nowhere near! That's because most forecasting is a mixture of extrapolation, conjecture, wishful-thinking and luck..............apart, that is, political [...]
Not a Graduate? Tough!
It has become fashionable for politicians to spout about "apprenticeships" - although most look and sound as if they may not quite be sure what one is. Although they do know that it is something that the young underclass does at "work" [...]
Buy or Rent?
Remember, if you take a mortgage to "buy" a house, you are effectively RENTING from your bank - but YOU are taking the capital risk plus YOU pay for the maintenance and insurance of the BANK'S asset. If you fall behind with your "rent" to a [...]
Gore and Death
Writer, thinker, wit and contrarian Gore Vidal has died and will be missed. My favourite quote of his: "There is no human problem which could not be solved if people would simply do as I advise."
Olympic Boyle.
The London 2012 Olympic ceremony allowed Danny Boyle to finally shatter the worldwide caricature of the average Englishman as a bowler-hatted, goofy, umbrella-carrying, upper-class twit who laughs and snorts at nothing in particular. In a few short [...]
Chipping Norton Net
David Cameron must be feeling a bit uncomfortable with the thought of his friend Rebekah with friend and former employee Andy Coulson facing the prospect of prison. Needless to say, both of their initial reactions are of the "I'm totally innocent [...]
So what did the Lords ever do for us?
The House of Lords provides us with what every proper democracy needs and which every single Law demands in unlimited portions. WISDOM. We may well caricature the Lords as the Westminster Chapter of God's Waiting Room, populated by trembling, [...]
Merkel Gives No Ground on Demands for Oversight in Debt Crisis
(Bloomberg) -- Chancellor Angela Merkel gave no ground on Germany’s demands for more European control over member states in return for joint burden-sharing as she conceded that the bloc has yet to master the debt crisis. The German leader said [...]
House of Lords farce……..
Before MPs vote on whether or not to continue with the reorganisation or reformation of the House of Lords, with the ultimate intent of a totally elected Upper House, they should first consider a few things. For instance, how many in the House of [...]
Barclays Bob
Some may be wondering about the timing of Bob Diamond's decision to "walk" from what is the best-paid and most high-profile banking job in the UK. Some may believe that he was hounded out by the banking establishment. I reckon that he walked in [...]
Barclays out of CONTROL?
A few years ago, I moved away from teaching and coaching the "soft" skills of management and have been concentrating much more on the "hard" skills. One of the hard skills of management, which everyone running a department or process should know, [...]
The Older Woman Rocks….
There has been a lot of debate about the "older woman" TV presenter and the comparison between her and the young airhead "Autocutie". Thankfully, mature lady presenters are making a major comeback but one cannot help but wonder about the [...]
Insoluble Syria?
These kids are NOT sleeping. They're dead. Syria: Usually in a Civil War, the model is pretty straightforward: The Good Guys versus the Bad Guys. In Syria, they appear to have adopted to European Union Organisational model with LOTS of Chiefs and [...]
Greek Texas Hold ‘Em
The Greek Syriza leader has the measure of the Eurozone sheep. You may not agree with his politics but Alexis Tsipras is THE ONE that Eurozone leaders do NOT want to negotiate with. They have been bluffing that they're "ready" for a Greek Euro [...]
German Hypocricy knows no bounds – especially in respect of Greece!
Twice during the 20th Century, Germany left Europe in a mess. Now, in the 21st Century, it is their intransigence rather than their high explosives which may once again create European chaos. Germany had to pay reparations after WW1. However, [...]
Do we in the UK have any proof that OUR judicial system and the quality of our police investigation is any better that anywhere else. For instance.....Portugal?
Screw the Interview
Some of you may have read my "How to get to the top with absolutely NO talent" which gives a few tongue-in-cheek pointers as to what NOT to when attending a job interview. I thought that it might also be useful to tell you a few other pitfalls - [...]
2032
The Labour-Liberal Coalition is just about managing to cope with the constant rioting but at least immigration has been halted. No-one wants to move here anymore. Head Minister Yvette wishes that she hadn’t defeated David Miliband because her [...]
Greece and the Moneylenders
Today, there appears to be a general sigh of relief in Europe. Stock Markets are climbing , driven by a new banker confidence. Positive noises are beginning to emanate from Eurozone Ministers. They are all looking forward to the approval of the [...]
Greek party leaders seek deal as bankruptcy looms
By NICHOLAS PAPHITIS Associated Press ATHENS, Greece (AP) -- Greek party leaders on Tuesday will seek a long-delayed agreement on harsh cutbacks demanded to avoid looming bankruptcy, amid intense pressure from its bailout creditors to reach a [...]
Quaint Liberals?
Quaintness pervades British Society - from our cute little village tea rooms, the genetically coded-in inferiority complex of the working classes, Barristers' wigs to the way we run our Parliament and economy. We wear 21st century clothes which [...]
Franco-German Munificence!!
In January 2011, French President Nicolas Sarkozy proclaimed that by the end of the year, France was ready to implement a financial transactions tax (FTT) to help poor countries. The German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, also expressed her [...]
50 Predictions for 2012
An economy used to depend on the interactions between consumers, commerce, politics and investors. Nowadays, we have to add banks (which used to be no more than a service industry) as an additional entity. Keynesian economics are all well and good [...]
Greece points the way.
Many have said that the defining photograph of 2011 was taken earlier this year, somewhere in or near Tahrir Square. I disagree. For me it is this image . It represents the normally stoic Greeks shouting "Enough!" and trailblazing in a way [...]
John Terry – white c***
Apologies if you find what I've written below offensive but I find both racism and moronic soccer players offensive. John Terry allegedly called Anton Ferdinand, brother of Rio Ferdinand who replaced Terry as England captain, after Terry been [...]
Kim Jong Ill-judged?
Kim Jong Il's death in North Korea will inevitably shift the focus of Western disdain to his son and president "elect", Kim Jong Un. Here in the West, his PR will very soon become as colourfully sneering as that enjoyed by his dead [...]
Forget Exercise.
Has there ever been a less edifying sight than that of a purple-faced executive in over-tight shorts and headband staggering around a squash court - pausing only to puke and get his pulse rate back to below 200? Well the good news is that [...]
There may be trouble ahead….
In my predictions for 2011, I suggested riots and civil unrest. Many said that I was being too pessimistic but Italy, Greece , Portugal and the United Kingdom have clearly shown that civil dissidence is on the increase. Tents may be pulled down, [...]
Syria has been suspended from the Arab League. "Suspended" is certainly a word which seems appropriate to apply to certain members the current Syrian regime.
October 2011 Eurozone Output
This is what they said: 1. Over the last three years, we have taken unprecedented steps to combat the effects of the world-wide financial crisis, both in the European Union as such and within the euro area. The strategy we have put into place [...]
Gaddafi dead? Or Alive?
We don't need any more sanctimoniously hypocritical nonsense about whether or not Gaddafi was "murdered in cold blood" or whatever.... Admittedly, because Gaddafi was not taken alive, the legal profession has missed-out on yet another Lawyer [...]
Eurozone decision-makers.
You know when an organisation, government or even a collection of governments is in trouble. The directors, senior management - the leaders - instead of thinking strategically, concern themselves with day-to-day issues. Some call it Crisis [...]
Publishing Crushed Nuts
"Crushed Nuts on the Cote d'Azur" is published on Amazon and on several other sites and is doing very well thank you - but it has been a long road to publishing. I have been writing commercially for many years and have had articles, training [...]
Dans la merde or in der Scheiße?
Good to see Italy and Greece on top. I just have a look at the European stock markets and on the surface everything appears to be quite normal. The banks are doing especially well! Today's showing in the markets is the most clear indicator so [...]
Casino Economics
After three years, the scales have fallen from our eyes and finally, the light has flooded in. It has been long time coming but suddenly - an Epiphany! The politicians, bankers, economists and even the Central Bank astrologers have absolutely [...]
Bilderberg 2011
Wondering where real decisions are made? This is a list of attendees at this year's Bilderberg Conference. The conference is held annually with about 140 participants. This year the conference was on 11th June at the Suvretta hotel in St. Moritz, [...]
Neo Mushroom Management
The standard of senior management in the United Kingdom appears to be deteriorating at an alarming rate and it seems to be a comparatively new phenomenon. It all started about four years ago. Bank Directors had no idea that their banker-underlings [...]
Syria and Hilary.
The reason NATO is showing no interest in direct assistance to Syrian rebels is because they have requested NO foreign interference. They've seen the results in Afghanistan, Iraq, Croydon and now Libya. They are obviously very happy to trash [...]
We’re in the Shapps!
House building in the United Kingdom has slumped to a 90-year low. Home ownership is predicted to slump to approximately 65%. The proportion of people living in owner-occupied homes is forecast to fall to 63.8% by 2021, down from 72.5% in 2001 [...]
States of the economies.
The next economic and banking collapse is going to make the 2008 crash look like a slight adjustment. Once-powerful Western economies are booking quarterly GDP growths of 1% or less. For the non-mathematicians, that is within a rounding error of [...]
Morton’s Fork lives!
Libya Post-Saddam-type chaos in Libya will NOT be avoided. That's nigh-on impossible. One of the overlooked plans of the Iraq campaign was the Exit Strategy. Well, bugger me, the West has done it again in Libya. The next major initiative will be [...]
Survival of the Weakest?
Usually when there is any battle between two factions, the stronger of the two wins. It triumphs because there are more of them, they are better organised or have better equipment. This is NOT the case in Libya. Without the NATO intervention, there [...]
Libya: Freedom or Democracy?
Democracy is comparatively easy. Democracy, self-determination, having a say in the decisions which affect your life or whatever else you want to call it - can all be arranged comparatively easily. But there's the much grander concept of freedom - [...]
Riot Overkill
Looking at the increasingly worrying sentencing discrepancies, it looks as if Judges are sentencing people NOT for the mainly minor offences committed but for the fact that people participated in rioting. Opportunist pilferers should NOT be [...]
The inevitably violent?
We live in a society where success is measured by consumption - the ability to buy. In recent years, the buying-game has become a celebrity sport which is advertised daily in the media. The "haves" flaunt their riches whereas all that the "have [...]
The Mass Murderer
Mass Murder by an individual is undoubtedly the ultimate cry for help, the supreme statement as well as the pinnacle of attention-seeking. There are no reasons or answers. There are no solutions. Like an earthquake, the shooter is a natural [...]
Murdoch, Fox and 9/11
Up to now, we, the British public have had our share of fun and entertainment at News International's expense. However, the whole circus is about to move into a new and darker phase. The only brief piece of theatre (or should I say "farce") will be [...]
Direct Sales? No thanks!
We have imported many things from the United States - some good and some not so good. One of the most popular American business activities which we seemed to embrace in the 1950s and which is only now dying out, is “cold-calling”. That is to [...]
Political Creep
Recently, military men and politicians have been talking about "mission creep" in Libya. There is a certain inevitability about conflict escalation, yet in spite of tons of historical evidence, politicians ignore the phenomenon - at their peril. [...]
Toynbee or not Toynbee?
The daily circulation of the Sun newspaper is just over 3 million, closely followed by the Daily Mail at 2.14 million with the once-great Daily Mirror at a struggling 1.2million. At the other end of the scale ( below the Daily Star and the Daily [...]
Sex, Brits and Injunctions
We Brits are not very good at sex but by God, we like to read about others doing it. There's nothing we enjoy more, except perhaps witnessing a successful person's life unravelling whilst we wallow in those delicious Sunday-morning waves [...]
What?! Mandelson for the IMF?
(Yes, yes! We ALL thought that it was a nose-bleed) The Chinese have asked if Prince of Darkness, Peter Mandelson would be interested in THE job at the International Monetary Fund! Does a Pope crap in the woods? Is the bear a Catholic? It is [...]
Gaddafi the Dictator-King
Muammar Gaddafi has probably been studied by the West more than any other post-war leader, yet, judging by the way that he is being treated by the anti Gaddafi, pro-rebel Coalition, it is plain to see that to them, he is still an enigma. Over [...]
Sun and Drink….the sunshine reminded me..
The late Seventies and early Eighties were my Hemingway days. My home was a dark-blue , John Bain-designed pointy barely-floating box called MV Silver Bird. It was parked, or should I say it "leaned" near the Capitainerie in Antibes. [...]
Gaddafi – mad, bad or “fitted-up”
Politicians are pack animals and their chosen mode of transport is the bandwagon. They have now gathered around Gaddafi and individually are beginning to bite lumps out of him and then scuttling back to the pack in order to give the next one [...]
The Halo effect.
I have dealt with politicians for many years and one of the first things that I learned was to distinguish between real ability and perceived ability. The Halo Effect. Most politicians (except close chums of the PM) - have to go through a [...]
In the steps of Jesus?
Henry Bellingham, (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Africa and the United Nations), Foreign and Commonwealth Office, made a statement last week about the expenses incurred by the taxpayer as a result of Pope Ratzinger's visit to the [...]
When you are very old.
So, where are your parents? Are you looking after them, keeping them active, taking them out to the Garden Centre or a drive round the countryside? Or have you forgotten them? Are they living on their own, pretending that they're eating well and all [...]
The organogram.
This is a simple analogy, specifically designed for those new to management. The message is simple: When top level people look down, they see shit. When bottom-level people look up, all they see are assholes. This applies to every activity which [...]
Lie of the Tiger
"Hole in one" Tiger Woods has apologised publicly in a heartfelt, sincere, genuine and earnest press conference written by his public relations company. The Act of Contrition took place before family, friends and a hand-picked audience. [...]
In praise of Alcohol
Alcohol has not only become an occasional part of our lives but it has evolved into one of the strongest influences on our civilisation. As Homer Simpson said in his famous toast: ” To alcohol. the cause-of and solution-to all of life’s [...]
Ricky “Tumbleweed” Gervais
The 2010 Golden Globes gave Ricky "Tumbleweed" Gervais the opportunity to disprove one of the basic laws of life: "Throw enough shit at a wall and some of it is bound to stick." None of it stuck. I have always believed that the [...]
You want Fame?
I am looking for one person who wishes to take part in an unusual experiment. One of my businesses is a Public Relations company. We normally only take-on projects which are guaranteed to make money but this particular proposed project is more [...]
Twenty-one 2010 predictions
On 15th May 2008, I predicted the nationalisation of British Banks. On 20th April 2009, I predicted that by the end of the year the FTSE 100 would fall to below 2500. On 3rd November 2009, I predicted the collapse of the dollar and of the [...]
Experts? You’re f*****g joking!
There is a class of individual in politics, industry and commerce to whom people turn when they do not have the answers and that is the ubiquitous "expert". The experts are the "shamen" of our economy and judging by past results - just as [...]
Vomito ergo sum
" If you feel something hairy in your mouth, followed by your underpants - swallow it all quickly." This is not the first time that I have written about the rather eccentric attitude that the [...]
Gobbledygook awards
Congratulations.The Plain English Campaign has awarded the Golden Bull to the following (translations are provided in brackets): Peter Mandelson: Perhaps we need not more people looking round more corners but the same people looking round more [...]
Warning No.2
PLEASE FORWARD THIS WARNING ! You should be alert during the next few days. Do not open any message with an attachment entitled 'POSTCARD FROM HALLMARK' , regardless of who sent it to you. It is a virus which opens A POSTCARD IMAGE, which [...]