Smoking in California Prisons
I hadn’t realised this but California is one of the few places where prisoners are not allowed to smoke. Or at least those who have been admitted after a certain day. A post on the Internet says that it has caused no-end of problems.
It now appears that they have now banned salt and pepper on health grounds.
As California has one of the highest prison populations in the world, these measures don’t seem to be too effective at cutting crime.
FlyGlobeSpan and BA Cabin Crew
On the one hand the Scottish airline, FlyGlobeSpan, has gone bust and on the other we have BA’s cabin crew threatening a twelve day strike.
These are in effect two ends of the same problem. There are too many airlines chasing too little business and difficult choices have to be made. In BA’s case, they have to cut costs to survive and as I understand it, they are just reducing the conditions at the staff they employ at Heathrow to those at Gatwick and other bases.
Perhaps, the Scottish experience will knock some sense into the BA cabin crew. But it doesn’t look hopeful!
As Prudence bailed out the Scottish banks will he bail out this Scottish airline?
After all, there are a lot of Labour constituencies in Scotland!
What Elans are for!
Although the Elan limped home from Holland on Sunday, it is now fit and very well. Should it be he, she or it? Incidentally, the refitting of the gear-box cable, replacement of two instrument panel lights, a quick check on all wearable parts and a very good valet cost just £84. Perhaps a very good reason to buy an old Lotus Elan.
Last night, I wanted to go to London to do some shopping and have supper with my middle son. My youngest son, wanted a car, so he needed the Jaguar, so despite the forecast of rain, I took the Elan and parked it in Blackhorse Road for the Underground. As an aside here, if they want to encourage people to use public transport, why do they still charge £3.50 to use the car-park at the station at all times of the day? That applies even if you park at five in the afternoon, when the car-park is half-empty.
I was raining hard, but the M11 wasn’t that busy, so I did push it a bit. But there wasn’t really any standing water, so the journey was safe. But does every car handle as nimbly and well in the rain? Visibility is very good and the wipers create a clear screen, although perhaps not quite as clear on the Jaguar. But then the car is a twenty-year-old design! An hour after leaving home and I was in the car park at Blackhorse Road.
The return journey was clear and without incident. I was also listening to the football on the radio in the car. Not the original, I should say, that wasn’t the best because of the plastic body, but a new SONY, that seems to work well in all conditions. I can even get BBC Radio 5 on the other side of the North Sea in Holland.
I may have had my problems in the last year, but if I want to feel really alive and get a lift, I just get in the Elan and drive.
That’s Elans they are for!
The Anonymous Widower 