Richard Pitman’s Good Deed
Richard Pitman was a good jump jockey, but more famous for losing the Grand National on Crisp in the last few strides to Red Rum. He was also a reliable BBC commentator and presenter.
He was reported yesterday as having donated a kidney to a complete stranger, after seeing his friend deteriorate whilst waiting for a transplant. He was on BBC Breakfast and the story is also related here.
On a day when Baroness Warsi was complaining that we are turning from religion, isn’t what Pitman did a much more altruistic act, than most of the worthless words we get from those with so-called religion. Name a religious leader, who did what Pitman did for a start!
Incidentally, a kidney transplant expert, told me that one in a hundred of us only have one kidney.
I do think that Pitman upset a few people in what he did, as it wasn’t covered very deeply in the media.
Chelsea in a Pickle
Chelsea’s pickle is not financial, but the sort of problem you get when everybody tries to pull in different ways. It’s described here on the BBC.
I would think that working for Roman Abramovitch must be difficult in any capacity., from a gateman and a tea lady upwards.
I certainly think that unless something remarkable happens, Andre Villas-Boas doesn’t have long left at Stamford Bridge.
Rangers in a Pickle
Glasgow Rangers went into administration yesterday and it looks more than your average mess, if you read this article on the BBC.
If you read the comments in the BBC article, they are blaming everybody.
I suppose that as it’s the HMRC that has caused the club to go into aministration, then the UK government will get the blame.
Topical Valentine Poems
We all know the poems that start Roses are red, violets are blue etc.
Richard Bacon on BBC Radio 5 Live proposed a topical one and listeners added a few more.
Roses are red, violets are blue, I’d like to be under permanent house arrest with you.
Roses are red, violets are blue, I think I’ll form a coalition with you.
Our Crazy Extradition Laws
I actually think that to extradite Abu Qatada to Jordan to stand trial might be the wrong thing to do. Although many in this country from Lord Carlile and the Prime Minister downwards think he should go.
But then I also think to leave him here might be the wrong thing to do as well. If you read about him on the Internet he has annoyed a lot of powerful and/or nasty people, who have a record of making sure people they don’t like, can’t hurt them.
But then we are quite happy to send people to the United States, as we did with the NatWest Three and are soon to do with Christopher Tappin and a few others, due to Tony Blair’s one-sided extradition treaty, that he signed to curry favour with the United States.
It all doesn’t seem fair, that we have no control over our extradition process. Either the European Court stops us or we just say yes to the United States.
A Large Valentine’s Day Present
This story surprised me. The original data from the Co-Operative Bank, shows that this Valentine’s Day £41 million will be spent on presents for pets.
Is the Glasgow Premier League Going to Get Smaller?
It has been reported this afternoon that Glasgow Rangers may be going into Administration, so if they did, it would affectively leave Glasgow Celtic as the only major club in Glasgow.
So does this mean the end for Rangers?
The major creditor is reported to be HMRC, who lately have demanded their money.
But whatever happens they’ll get a ten-point deduction, just as Portsmouth will in England, who’ve also gone into administration.
It is also been reported that Celtic’s Chief Executive is not worried if Rangers folds. That in my view is not a very charitable altitude.
How do We get Drugs out of the Music Business?
Yesterday we had the tragic death of Whitney Houston. Not necessarily from drugs, as we don’t know yet. But it does seem that every star in the music business seems to have fought addiction at some time. And in many cases, it’s killed them or assisted them on their way!
They set a very bad example to young people! And to everyone in fact!
But last night at the Grammys did anybody speak up against drugs? Not that I have seen in any report! They gave Whitney Houston a tribute, but didn’t say how stupid she was to get involved in drugs and alcohol.
WIll This Greek Package Work?
The Greek government passed a new package of austerity measures last night as this report says. but will the Greek public accept it? As Greeks by repute seem to feel that taxes are optional, I doubt that this deal will stick.
Missing Links on the Overground
Late this year, the extension of the East London line of the London Overground to Clapham Junction station will be opened. I say “will be opened” as given Transport for London‘s record, they usually hit their own targets.
You will then be able to do all sort of circular journeys around London, but there will still be a couple of missing links in the complete circle or if you include Stratford, the circle and stub. But it’s never been intended that you get on one train and go all the way round.
Here are the missing links.
Passing through Clapham Junction from east to north
Passing through Clapham Junction from north to east
These two have been solved by an elegant solution, where the northbound trains use one end of the platform and the eastbound the other. So passengers just walk a few metres to their next train or where it is expected.
East London line stations to Stratford
The standard way is to change from the East London line to the North London line at Canonbury or Highbury and Islington, which involves a lift-assisted bridge crossing. But you can always go to Canada Water and then take the Jubilee line to Stratford. They might rebuild the Eastern Curve at Dalston, but I think that will only happen, if they need to send significant traffic from Stratford to South London.
Stratford to East London line stations
The standard way is to change from the North London line to the Line London line at Canonbury or Highbury and Islington, which involves just a walk across the platform.
East London line stations to Richmond
Richmond to East London line stations
These two will again need a lift assisted walk over the tracks at Canonbury or Highbury and Islington. I’d take the second as you have a bigger choice of direct stations without changing when travelling from Richmond.
To show how I use it, I’ll give a simple example. Say, I’ve been to the Eastfield John Lewis at Stratford and I’m bringing home a heavy parcel, I’ll get off at Canonbury and take the first train to Dalston Junction, where I’ll often take the first bus home, to avoid carrying the parcel. It’s also step-free all the way.
The reinstatement of the Dalston Eastern Curve would save a few minutes, but then you’d probably have to wait a couple for a suitable train at Stratford. So from a passenger point of view, it’s probably not worth building, especially, as you can use the Jubilee line as a by-pass to South London. In fact the Jubilee is very much circular tube through South London.
The Anonymous Widower 