Going around London causing havoc and wrecking people's businesses without a thought about what you are putting people through... University must have been a fun time for David Cameron, Boris Johnson, George Osborne and the rest of the Bullingdon Club!

Right, I thought I would make another post about the riots.

First of all, let me once again state that the people who took part in them were wrong to do so.  But what I am getting annoyed with is the way people are stating that this is the fault of a lack of morality.  Worse, that people are blaming this on a lack of parenting.

BBC News: David Cameron "sickened" by mindless violence.
At least when him and Boris went around smashing up people's livelihoods for no apparent reason, they were civilised enough to do it in bow ties and tailcoats and call themselves the Bullingdon Club. 

You see as I stated earlier.  People are blaming race, they are blaming parenting, they are blaming the lack of morals but they do not realise, that such behaviour is part of what we, the human race, are.

In the past, experiments on human behaviour have been carried out.  One was the Stanford Prison Experiment.  In this situation, a group of twenty four students were used.  Some were used as guards and some as prisoners.  Very quickly, the prisoners were abused.  Yet these were people who many would consider to have a good background and they took part in immoral acts.

Another example of how moral people would act in an immoral manner was the Milgram Experiment.  In this, a person would be required to give a shock to someone on the other side of a screen.  (The person giving the shock did not know that they were not actually harming anyone, but did hear faked screams when they gave them a shock.)  Once again, moral people took part in acts that most (even them) would consider immoral.

And members of the Bullingdon Club have acted in ways to cause public disorder.  This has been something that has happened in the recent and more distant past.  And this is, well in my opinion, important because Boris Johnson, David Cameron and George Osborne were members.  While I can find no evidence that they were involved in the infamous behaviour of the club, the simple fact is that they joined an organisation that was and is notorious for causing damage to private property that is not their own.  The only thing is that the members can call upon the wealth of their parents to pay for the damage while those involved can not do so.

The following is copied and pasted from this article in the Telegraph from 2007.  The key is for the picture above, one which the BBC is not allowed to use, and that the Independent has withdrawn.

1. Sebastian Grigg, 41
• Son of Anthony Ulrick David Dundas Grigg, 3rd Baron Altrincham, and Eliane de Cassagne de Beaufort.
• Educated at Eton and Oriel College, Oxford, where he studied modern history. Studied for an MBA at the Insead business school in France and joined Lazards investment bank before joining Goldman Sachs.
• Married Rachel Kelly, a journalist, in 1993 and they have five children.
2. David Cameron, 40
• Educated at Eton and Brasenose College Oxford, where he gained a first in Politics, Philosophy and Economics.
• Worked at the Conservative Research Department and at the Treasury and Home Office before spending seven years as Head of Corporate Communications at Carlton Television.
• He was elected as Conservative MP for Witney in Oxfordshire in 2001 and became party leader in 2005.
• Married Samantha in 1996 and they live in Notting Hill, West London with their three children.
3. Ralph Perry-Robinson, 40
• Educated at Bryanston in Dorset and Oriel College, Oxford.
• He had a role as a teenager in the film Another Country.
• At Oxford he was renowned, not just for the strange sunglasses, but also for slashing the cork from a champagne bottle with a sword and running around a quad dressed as a monk.
• He is an architect and furniture designer and lives in Wiltshire.
• Married Amanda in 1999 and they have two daughters.
4. Ewen Fergusson, 41
• Son of Scottish rugby player and diplomat Sir Ewen Fergusson.
• Educated at Rugby and Oriel College, Oxford, where he studied modern history.
• Is said to have been responsible for throwing a plant pot through a restaurant window the night after this photograph was taken.
• He is a partner in the banking and finance division of the City law firm Herbert Smith.
• Lives in Kensington, west London.
5. Matthew Benson, 40
• Grandson of the Earl of Wemyss and March.
• Educated at Eton and Oriel College, Oxford, where he studied modern history.
• Spent three years in international finance with Morgan Stanley and later established a consultancy business. Now works for Scottish property agents Rettie & Co.
• He lives in central Edinburgh with his wife Lulu, and they have three children aged six, eight and 15.
6. Sebastian James, 40
• Son of Lord Northbourne, a Kentish landowner.
• Educated at Eton School and Magdalen College, Oxford
• He is described by friends as an "entrepreneur" who was involved in running a chain of DVD shops called Silverscreen.
• Lives with his wife, Anna in Notting Hill, west London, and Deal, Kent, and they have two daughters.
7. Jonathan Ford, 41
• Bullingdon club president.
• Educated at Westminster and Magdalen College, Oxford where he studied modern history.
• Worked for investment bank Morgan Grenfell before joining the Evening Standard as a financial reporter and then moving to the Financial Times.
• He is a co-founder and deputy editor of the financial website breakingviews.com.
• Married journalist Susannah Herbert in 1999 and they live in Holland Park, west London.
8. Boris Johnson, 42
• Educated at Eton and Balliol College, Oxford where he studied classics and became President of the Union.
• Went on to become a journalist and editor of the Spectator.
• Was elected Conservative MP for Henley in 2001 and is shadow minister for higher education.
• Marriage to Allegra Mostyn-Owen in 1987 lasted less than a year. He later married Marina Wheeler, a barrister, in 1993, and they have four children.
9. Harry Eastwood, 39
• Educated at Eton and Oxford.
• Worked for Storehouse before setting up Filmbox which aimed to rent videos through vending machines. In 2001 he joined Will Macdonald, an old Oxford friend, to set up TV production company Monkey Kingdom. He is also director of a film production company with Lord Wahid Alli and Rupert Murdoch's daughter, Elisabeth.
• Married Gillian in 1998 and they live in Holland Park, west London.
10. Marc Rowlands, 39
• Educated at Marlborough and Magdalen College Oxford.
• Works as a barrister in London specialising in construction and engineering.
• Married Amanda, a former solicitor, in 1995 and they have four children aged between nine and five.
• Lives in Bath, Somerset and West London.
• Was spotted lunching with golfer Colin Montgomerie's wife before her divorce, although the two denied having an affair.

Envy

It has been an interesting few nights in the UK.  Riots have broken out and spread.  Initially, it was felt that this was due to people protesting about the cuts that the government have imposed.  Only now it is apparent that it is the act of criminals.  That there are so many is shocking, though when you think about it, not really surprising.

We live in a consumer society, where we are encouraged to covet the latest goods and gadgets and yet they are priced beyond the reach of many.

What is sad is the way that people have turned upon each other. Yes, it is only a few, but those few have shamed our nation and shame themselves. A vicious stupid minority of our nation, of all colours and surprisingly, from loads of different backgrounds. While this may have started due to racial tensions and the death of a man who was armed at the hands of the police, this is no longer an issue about the way part of the community has been treated. Yes, I do think that there is an element of annoyance at the cuts, and to be fair, this has brought the cuts in the police to the fore. People had warned that reducing the numbers of the police would result in more crime. I was one of many who felt that cutting police numbers would be a good idea. But, apparently, the Home Secretary felt that a fall in the numbers in the police service would result in a fall in the amount of crime.  Well that worked out well eh?

The conservatives refuse to accept that they cuts that they have made may be to blame for these acts.  And they are right in that the cuts are no excuse for these actions, but I do think that for some, it may be a factor.  When you are young, you need hope and an alternative.  When the future is bleak, you look for alternatives.  And when there are no alternatives, if the opportunity arises, you make them.  These crimes, and they are that, are inexcusable.  But for some, some of the acts are understandable.  But there is no excuse for attacking family run businesses.  There is no excuse for arson.  And there is no excuse for violence towards others, be they members of the police force, the fire service, or just everyday people.

God willing, these riots will be brought under control, and I hope that the people who have taken part in the looting and organising them face the full force of the law.  Quite simply, they are scum and they deserve everything that they get when it comes to punishment.

Envy, anger, boredom, cuts, poor parenting, whatever these criminals say is the reason, there is no excuse for this. Greed is not good.

During the rioting in Tottenham, looters broke into the White Hart Lane trophy room, Unfortunately the only thing to steal was the carpet.

Afternoon all.  The post title is a reference to the violence in London last night, and the picture, to the way ManUre seem to have loads of time added on when they are behind.

It has been a while since my last post about the kids, and for that I am sorry.

Since I last posted, we have been enjoying me having two weeks off.  I have been moonlighting over this time, but only at times.  We have watched a few films, both on DVD and at the cinema.  We have been to the beach and today, to the Brightlingsea Music Festival.  The only downside is that it rained.  When I say rained, it poured down.  And even that did not put a down on my day as I got to enjoy it with my family.  All were soaked to the skin but it was a laugh in many ways.

Other news, my daughter has lost three of her front teeth.  They have been falling out over the last two weeks, the third one having to be pulled out by my wife this morning.  It had started to come out yesterday after her brother's head smashed into her.  Both screamed a bit, especially as she cut her lip, her screaming due to her blood, he screaming as he saw his sister was bleeding!  She even had to see the dentist today afterwards as she was in pain, but typically, but the time she saw the dentist, things had got better.

Anyway, time to go and i hope the jokes bring a smile to your face.

McDonalds. Helping young footballer's shine.

With sweat, after making them 15 stone. 

Man City have offered ex MP David Blunkett £20,000 a week for next season.
They hope he will show them how to hold on to a lead. 

Roberto Mancini is looking for a new house in Manchester, nothing too extravagent though.

Just a 2 up, 3 down 

In the 64th minute of the 5 added on Man Utd score the winner, shock. 

I walked into a library and asked, do you have a book on drugs? The lady said, yes, it's wandering around aisle three talking to itself.

Well, I thought that with the death of Amy Winehouse, this would be a good time to make a post about the evil of drugs.

Her death was a tragic event, someone so talented, but, and I am sorry if this was sounds cynical, it was only a matter of time before it happened.

The simple message is that drugs screw people up.  Yes, I know that with her, alcohol was an issue as well, but with her, it appeared that both were responsible for killing her.  I work in health-care and see the harm that both drugs and alcohol cause.  While alcohol in moderation is not a problem, so long as it is drunk in a responsible manner, people still have problems with addiction to it.  And the simple fact is that drugs have a much more addictive nature.  I have seen harm come to users, and I have seen the damage that it does to the family and friends of addicts, both of alcohol and narcotics.

Many argue that cannabis is not harmful, but they ignore the issue that it is a mind affecting drug.  And there is a concrete link between cannabis use and schizophrenia.  Mild use is deemed by many to be harmful.  Personally, I am not too bothered if someone smokes the occasional joint.  Not that I ever have (when in Amsterdam with friends, I went to a cafe and was the only person there drinking coffee, my friends all smoking a joint).  But people who state that it causes no problems are not aware of the risks it has.  I have seen people who have had problems after just one joint, and I have seen people who have become addicted to cannabis.

As for heroin, cocaine and other drugs, again I have seen the problems that they cause.  While cannabis is not a problem for most, and stronger drugs are not a problem for a few people, all these drugs ruin lives.

Drugs ruin lives.

Which makes my views on drug legalisation strange to some.  I am in favour of legalisation of drugs, but also regulation.  We are not winning the war on drugs.  When I was a child, in an inner city school, drugs were not a problem.  Go to my old school now, and you will find that it is more of an issue as it is affecting the young more than it has in the past.  I was aware about drugs, and living in inner city London, I of course was 'exposed' to drugs in that I have been in places were drugs have been taken (again, not by me), but it is far more of a problem now.

Drugs fund terrorism, they fund crime and they ruin the lives of many of those who use them, and those who care about them, innocents caught up in drug related crime, and of course, those who grow them and others in nations where they are grown and nearby.  The thing is that heroin and cocaine have medical uses.  When made legally, they cost the health service pennies.  But, due to them being illegal, people have to pay inflated costs to buy them.  And when you are addicted to drugs, you have to pay for them, which means that for many, you have to engage in crime to fund your habit.

The profit from drugs being illegal means that drug barons and others who profit from the drugs trade will make money, loads of money.  In order to get money, drug wars take place, which would not bother me if they only harmed those involved in the drugs trade, but they do not.  Make drugs legal, and regulate them and you take away the profit motive that drives the crime associated with the movement of drugs from one country to another.  And make them legal, and there will be far less of a profit for those who grow them.

I once had the chance to talk to Brian Paddick (an ex-senior police officer) and his view, despite his actions on drugs when he worked in London, was that drugs should not be legalised due to the harm they cause to the people who use them (and those around them).  And if legalisation is to take place, that is a very important message to keep telling people.

Either way, while addicts have to want to be treated, it would be of use if there was more help for those who do want to come off drugs.  That way, god willing, the deaths of other addicts may be prevented.

But the bottom line is that the current approach is not wining the war on drugs.  We need a new approach, to prevent lives being ruined by them.

Steven Gerrard is set to miss the start of the season with a groin problem, leaving Kenny Dalglish with just 17 midfielders to choose from.

Of course this not a post about football.

Rather this is an update on the family.  I have been on holiday this week, though not much of one.  Last year on this day, I left my last job and instead I started to work in my new job.  It has required a pay cut, and due to that, I have had to work most weekends.  My new job involves me working harder than I did in my last job.  Due to working on the weekends, I do not get to see my family as much as I did before.

But I am so happy!

It is not just that I love where I work, it is not just that I can pop home on some Tuesday's to have lunch with my family, but it is the attitude of people where I work.  It is much more of a team, the people at the top leading from the front.  And they support each other.  

But back to me and the family.  I have had to do some moonlighting in the two weeks I have off.  And after having to work last week, we spent time with my wife's parents.  And today, we dropped my mother home who had been staying with us for two nights.  She kindly agreed to come up to babysit as on Friday night, my wife and I went out with some friends into Colchester for a muscial night out.  I had to miss the first part (as I was working) but I arrived for the last bit.  It was great to dance, and there were loads of kids there.  It is something that we might go to next year.  

And of course, the kids loved being in contact with their Grandparents.  It is great to be able to bring joy both to my mother and my mother-in-law and father-in-law and as the kids love it, well, seeing them smile makes me laugh.

I have to say, the last few days have been great, today especially so as it is the first Saturday night I have spent with my wife in ages.  And I miss Saturday's like this.

Anyone else find it funny that a group calling itself "Unite Against Fascism" wants to ban the BNP because they don't agree with their views?

Afternoon all.

I thought I would make this post about the far right today to highlight the links between the far right and terrorism, and of course, the links between supporters of the far right and other crmes.

I do not think that parties like the BNP should be banned, but I do think it is important that people know that the BNP are like, as well as the links between the far right and terrorism.

Of course, because of the tragic events in Norway, this is a big issue at present, but it has been a big issue for a while.  It is just that it is in the public eye again.

So, let me post about terrorists who have been associated with the far right in the UK.  Some of this has been taken from the Hope not Hate website, but I have expanded on the information that they have provided as the information they have is out of date.  In addition to which, I think that it is important to highlight the links of the far right to other crimes.  I am aware though that not all these criminals are linked to the BNP.  I am also aware that there are bad eggs in other political parties in the UK, each political party having ex-members who have convictions for violence and child abuse (or related crimes).  Other than Sinn Féin I do not really see any other political party in the UK having as many terrorists as the BNP.  Basically, I think it is important to publicise this, especially as the Far Right love to mention it when ethnic minorities, especially Muslims, are involved in crime.

• DAVID COPELAND – London nail bomber David Copeland brought havoc to London when he set off three nail bombs in 1999. He was a BNP member and activist in East London. He told police when questioned that he wanted to ignite a race war in Britain so that the white population would vote for a BNP government. Read more
• STEPHEN LENNON - convicted for football related violence, he is one of the founders of the EDL. 
• TONY LECOMBER was convicted and imprisoned for three years for five offences under the Explosives Act after he tried to blow up the offices of a political party. Police found hand grenades and detonators at his home. Despite this the BNP kept him on its payroll for over ten years. He was eventually forced out of his job after he approached Joe Owens to kill a leading politician.
• RODERICK ROWLEY - sentenced to 15 months in prison after admitting to fourteen charges of making, distributing or possessing obscene images of children.  He was a BNP candidate in Coventry.
• ALLEN BOYCE and TERRY COLLINS In July 2006 Allen Boyce, a BNP supporter, received a two-year suspended sentence for providing Terry Collins, a BNP activist, with bomb making instructions. Collins himself was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment in 2005 for conducting a racist terror campaign against the Asian community in Eastbourne. Read more 
• KARL HANSON - a BNP candidate found with heroin and crack cocaine before the election he stood for the BNP in 2005. 
• NEIL KEILTY - has a string of convictions dating back to 1987, including threatening behaviour, criminal damage and possession of an offensive weapon. In 1994, Keilty, was sentenced to one year for his part in an attack on a pub in London. He has a long history of involvement with extreme Right-wing groups, such as the National Front and Friends of Oswald Mosley, and has twice been banned from football grounds for hooligan behaviour.  And guess what, yes, involved with the BNP as well.
• MARK BULMAN – arsonist Mark Bulman, a BNP activist, was jailed for five years in January after trying to set fire to Swindon’s Broad Street mosque. He used a BNP leaflet as a fuse for his petrol bomb. Read more 
• JOHN JONES - from the non-racist party that has nothing to do with Hitler, was found guilty of giving a Nazi salute.
• JOHN LAIDLAW - another member of the far right who claimed links to the BNP was arrested after a shooting spree where he targeted black men.
• JOE OWENS – gangland hitman For three years until summer 2004 Joe Owens acted as the personal bodyguard to Nick Griffin, the BNP leader, as well as being the Merseyside organiser of the BNP. However, Owens was also known locally as a gangland hitman, whom police had linked to several underworld murders. 
• ROBERT BENNETT - used by the BNP to hand out leaflets, he was convicted of the rape of two 17 year old girls and had to serve five years.  This being before he was used by the BNP to spread the message of hate.
•  ROBERT COTTAGE convicted for possession of explosives once again highlighted the link between BNP members and racial violence and terrorism. While the BNP moved quickly to distance itself from the actions of a man who stood in three local elections as a BNP candidate, he joins a growing list of BNP members who have engaged in some form of terrorist or murderous behaviour. Read more.
• NEIL LEWINGTON - picked up by the police for an offence unrelated to terrorism, he was found to have bomb making equipment in his home the intention to launch a terror campaign.  At his home, the police found extreme right-wing material, including videos of notorious racist or white-supremacist bombers.  No link to the BNP, but a member of the far right. 
• IAN HINDLE and ANDREW WELLS - both were BNP members and were convicted for getting two fourteen year old girls drunk to have sex with them.
• STEVEN BARKER - the killer of Baby P, also known as Peter Connelly.  He was a member of the far right.  And later he was also convicted for raping a baby girl.  Not a BNP member though.  

And of course, let us remember that Nick Griffin went to Libya to get funding, from the leader who sponsored the IRA.

Amy Winehouse - The only person who had a surname to describe her liver

Afternoon all.  Right, first of all Friday.  As I mentioned before, it was my daughters last day at school.  My wife thanked her teacher for teaching her, and she said that it was a pleasure to teach my daughter and that also that my daughter loves to learn.  I do not know of any parent who does not like to hear nice things about their kids.

I did not get to spend as much time with them as I would have liked, both on Friday, or on Saturday.  My mother did come up though on Friday to baby sit so that we could go out for a meal with a couple that we know through school.  It was a great meal, and a bit of alcohol was drunk.  Of course, this was not helpful for me, as I had to go to work yesterday morning.  It was a long day with a three hour break, starting at ten, ending at midnight.  I did get to see them in the morning, and I had the energy to appreciate them.  And of course, I have played with them today.  I have managed to get some time away while they are watching My Favourite Martian upstairs.  Anyway, time to go upstairs to watch it with them.

Take care all. 

The comments below with the commentary are a list of things that Sara Cox says that you should not say to children.

1) "Leave me alone!"

Ok, so this one I've definitely said, to be precise though I say the Northern version, handed down through generations of proud Boltonian women: "Stop mithering!"

See also "Get out from under my feet!" which is most effective when thundered lovingly from atop a juddering ample bosom clad in a housecoat.

This one is a no-brainer for me; when pans are bubbling over and there's a child pulling at your arms, I see it as a warm shooing away for their own safety. Ok, next:

2) "You're so.."

Hmm, this is an interesting one 'cos there's so many words you can tag onto this: selfish/lazy/stupid are ones I'd never ever use. Daft/dramatic/soppy maybe, but said in a chiding way, though probably not ideal. Must try harder Saz. Labeling your child by telling them they are something is probably best avoided, unless its "You're so gorgeous/sweet/brilliant"

3) "Don't cry"

Yep, said it. This isn't really a bad one. It's more about validating their feelings. Saying "you must be sad Jamie cant play out today" is preferable though does take a while.

4) "Why can't you be more like your sister?"

This one only works if your child has a sister, otherwise they'll think you're insane. I don't do this one, but must confess to saying pointedly, "Oh, good girl Lola, eating your dinner so nicely" as Isaac rubs mashed potato in his hair.

5) "You Know Better Than That!"

Oh no. Wish I'd never started this! Yup, I've definitely said a version of that to Lola. When she's wrestling with a 6-pint carton of milk and spills it (though not worth crying over) I have been known to say "You kinda knew that'd happen, ask me for help next time". I suppose next time I ought to miss off the first half of the statement. Or buy smaller cartons of milk.

6) "Stop or I'll give you something to cry about!"

Ok, this one I never say. For two reasons: my mum used to say it a lot and I remember hating the menacing undercurrent of a promised smack and also, I'm a firm believer in following through threats and seeing as I don't hit my kids, this threat would be pointless.

I must however say I do now with hindsight understand why my mum would say it, as there are few things more annoying than a child theatrically bursting into tears at the drop of a hat/flapjack/crayon. It's manipulative and noisy.

7) "Hurry up!"

Well, I may as well get this one tattooed somewhere on my midriff to save time in a morning, so when I'm halfway out the door on a rainy Monday AM with a baby/blazer/book bag/games kit in my arms and my darling daughter not only hasn't put her shoes on (as I've asked her to six times) but is instead perched on the stairs plaiting her dolls hair I can simply flash my tummy tattoo instead of growling "hurry up" through a mouthful of half-munched apple.

8) "Wait 'til daddy gets home!"

Never said it. That's no threat. I'm the boss and they know it. In fact, they're probably excited about his arrival home to save them from me.

9) "Great job!" or "good girl!"

Hmm, apparently its better to be more specific, like "I can see how beautifully you've coloured in the butterfly wings on that picture" which obviously takes longer. I'm taking that one on board and will do my best, unless of course the butterfly is being illustrated when she should be getting her school shoes on (see above)

So that's the naughty nine. Whatever your score there's probably room for improvement but let's not beat ourselves up too much. I'm sure most of us had some of the 9 said to us as children and we're ok. Now stop mithering me, I'm off to bed.