Choosing A Celebrity President
There’s this bit of fun on the BBC’s web site.
I answered it honestly and certainly got someone, who would do a better job than many politicians; Oprah Winfrey. Although, I’m not a fan and I’ve never seen any of her television programs or films. In fact, if you showed me a picture of her, I doubt I’d recognise her.
I then reversed my answers and got someone called LL Cool J. I certainly haven’t heard of him and from what I read on Wikipedia, I haven’t missed much.
Is The Popularity Of The Emirates Air-Line Falling?
The Emirates Air-Line wasn’t as busy as I’ve seen it, but for a rather dim Sunday in October, it was doing brisk business. There was a big queue to get on. And this despite the fact that there was no DLRb to the northern terminal!
Is The Popularity Of The Emirates Air-Line Falling?
On the other hand, some critics are being very gloomy about the cable-car’s future.
I think it’s going to be fine, especially as the charges seem to have been updated with a sort of cash-back scheme for frequent flyers.
But then politicians will always play silly games.
How To Make A Mountain Out Of A Molehill!
George Osborne didn’t have a First Class ticket, but as he got on the train at Wilmslow, he sent an aide to find the conductor to rectify the problem. The BBC report it here.
According to Virgin, the fare upgrade was paid and there was no abuse to staff. As one would hope!
But according to some statements, you’d think Osborne had refused to pay and more! After all, if there hadn’t been an ITV journalist on the train, no-one would have known about this non-story.
The real problem here are the very strict terms and conditions of the rail companies. We’ve all had a ticket for a train with a seat reservation and have missed our selected train. In many cases it doesn’t matter as our ticket is not a train specific one, so getting the next one is not a problem.
When I buy tickets to say go to Liverpool for the day, I will often buy a First Class Off Peak for the return, as there are always lots of free seats in the afternoon and evening. I won’t have a specific seat, but I’ll have a comfortable one.
Osborn’s problem was that he was returning to London on a Friday afternoon, which is not Off Peak and I suspect trains were pretty full, with all those footballers wives going to London for a weekend’s shopping.
The terms and conditions don’t need to be rewritten to disadvantage the train companies, but there needs to be a more flexible return part of a ticket. After all on many routes like Liverpool, you already have it within the current structures.
If he wasn’t sure about when he was returning to London, he should ave bought an Anytime First Ticket. I’ve just looked at next Friday and it would appear that there are few deals available from Wilmslow to London. It could be one of those routes where if you don’t book weeks earlier, the only ticket is the £189.50 Anytime First.
The question has to be asked, as to whether we expect important members of the government to organise their lives around cheap train tickets.
Surely though, his aides should have known of the problem. They certainly do now!
This problem will continue on this line until HS2 runs to Manchester.
SNP Changes Defence Policy
The SNP appears to be changing its defence policy. It all goes to illustrate the difficulties they will face on so many issues.
I’m not against nuclear weapons, but with the threat from a large superpower unlikely, I don’t think we need something like Trident. We perhaps need some some of retaliation weapon like submarine-launched nuclear missiles.
Presidential Pink
At least there’s one thing the two candidates wives in the United States election agree on. Wearing pink is a good idea.
Feuding In Downing Street
Or is this report on the BBC’s web site, just about cats being cats?
Do The Scots Want The Independence Referendum?
I have a feeling that this referendum is going to be one of the most over-hyped and over-budget pieces of political theatre in these isles since nineteen-hundred and God-knows-what!
I don’t care one way or the other, as Scottish independence will probably make no difference to me personally.
If Scotland leaves the Union, it could be argued that my taxes might go down. But I doubt it, as politicians will use my taxes for other purposes!
It could also be argued that taxes will go up, as we would have less revenue from oil.
If on the other hand, Scotland votes to stay in the Union, we’d constantly have these referenda called every year or so by the Scot Nats, until they get the answer they want.
My biggest worry about this referendum though, is of all the Scots I know, few seem to be in favour of the referendum. So we may see one of the most surprising votes in history.
Politicians should be concentrating on what matters. Like creating jobs!
The Issue Too Hot For The US Presidential Candidate
This piece on the BBC talks about the subject that is not being mentioned by either of the US Presidential candidates; guns and specially the case of Trayvon Martin.
The United States must get to grips with its gun culture. It’s now starting to spill over into the UK and it’s an American import we don’t want or need.
The Anonymous Widower 