Well, It's been a number of months since I last posted on my blog and I have a good excuse. Unfortunately back in May, my father sadly passed away after a long illness. About 7 years ago he became sick and within 2 weeks, was virtually incapacitated. The diagnosis was COPD - a chronic lung disorder - more commonly called emphysemia.
Dad had worked in hazardous environments all his life, including 18 months Submarine duty while serving in the Navy. Years working in construction during the pre-legislative asbestos era and many years working in the dirty farming industry. This is however, sub-contributories to the main reason why he contracted COPD, the main reason being smoking. For 40+ years he smoked 40+ cigarettes per day, which obviously left his lungs full off dirt which was impossible to move.
Nevertheless, although my father and I didn't have too much of a relationship to speak of, a look at his work history tells you what a hard worker he was. I didn't spend too much quality time with him as a youngster and spent most of my teenage years and adult life butting heads with him, but I can't deny that was caused by working in demanding jobs, for low pay, while he was putting food on the table and clothes on the backs of three children (me and my 2 younger sisters).
Each of us have turned out to be good people in our own ways, my oldest sister being a good mother and wife (expecting a third little bundle in January), with two fine and good little children. My younger sister having completed a course in hotel management and settling with a boyfriend in the NE of Scotland, and myself having travelled around a bit, and being now in possession of 50 Higher modules and well on the way to a Law Degree. Not bad for three farmers kids.
We have all faced our problems head on, and our work ethic has grown out of watching our father trail himself out of bed at 5 every morning to work a minimum 12 hour shift. I worked alongside my dad on a Saturday milk delivery round, and learnt how to treat other members of the local community and why good manners and appearance were so important.
In short, I have taken the good parts of my dads demeanor for myself, and will never forget the good lessons he has taught me. Hopefully my son will benefit from me in the same way, without having to learn from the mistakes that my father made with me.
For that I'm truely grateful.
Question 1. Explain the significance of the following to industrial relations.
a. ACAS;
The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) provide a range of services significant to industrial relations. A government department derived from the Conciliation Act (1896), mediated in industrial disputes and other employment matters of importance, was replaced by an independant organisation shortly after the concept and implimentation of the Employment Protection Act (1975), which removed the powers of arbitration and conciliation from the Department of Employment. The new and independant body which replaced the powers the Department of Employment wielded recieved powers to carry out a number of functions, including;
Providing Advice on a range of industrial matters relating to employers and associations, employees, workers and trade unions.
Powers to hold inquiries on any matter relating to industrial relations (dervived from TULRCA (1992) s214 (1)).
Powers to issue codes of practice relating to the improvement of industrial relations.
designation of independant experts to report on equal pay claims.
Powers to maintain confidentiality during proceedings where ACAS feel it would benefit both parties to an industrial dispute, to have the information and consultation process remain so.
b. Certification Officer;
The Certification Officer is an independant officer granted statutory responsibility for a broad range of functions relating to trade unions and employers associations (derived from TULRCA (1992) s254). These fuctions include;
Maintaining lists of unions and employers associations.
Ensuring unions and employers associations compliance with statutory accounting obligations.
Determination of Trade Union statutory 'independance' obligations.
Regulation of trade union election complaints.
Observance of trade union political fund procedures.
Investigation of trade union finacial affairs.
Investigation of statutory breaches and alleged union rule breaches.
Provision of a non-court orientated system of redress for union members.
Payment of applicant and witness hearing attendance costs.
Implimentation of 'enforcement orders', which either;
Specify steps to remedy declared failures, or;
Specify abstention from future specified acts.
N.B. Failure to comply with the Certification Officer's declaration deems a trade union liable for 'contempt of court', as these 'enforcement orders' are enforced in the same manner as court orders (see (Contempt of Court Act 1981)).
c. Commisioner for Rights of Trade Union Members;
Derived from the Employment Act (198
, this position was created in order that legal and financial assistance be awarded to members of trade unions who wish to bring High Court proceedings against their union.
Question 2. Explain the legal status of a trade union.
The main areas which apply to the legal status of trade unions are;
Status is derived from common law where the association of members bound by a contract regulates the relationship between the members.
Both common law and corporate status is regulated by a broad range of statutory regulations which modify these requirements in important areas.
Registered trade unions are granted corporate staus in TULRCA (1992) s10(1), which amended the function of the Industrial Relations Act (1971) s74. This allows trade unions the same legal attributes as any other corporate entity, including rights to sue or be sued, subject to criminal proceedings, making contracts, etc.
Question 3. What is meant by 'freedom of association'?
'Freedom of Association' is a concept derived from the ECHR (1950) and intigrated into U.K. law in the Human Rights Act (199 , however, the concept of 'Freedom of Association' in employment law preceeded the Human Rights Act by some 48 years. Schedule 1 Part I article 11(1), prescribes 'everyone the right of freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of association with others, including the right to form and join trade unions for the protection of his interests'. Article 11(2) then goes on to define where restrictions may be placed on 'Freedom of association' where 'prescribed by law'. some restrictions are contained in several different statutes, including;
The Employment Rights Act (2004)
The Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act (1992) [TULRCA]
International Labour Organisation conventions (1949 - 1950)
Question 4. What is the effect of s.146 TULRCA 1992?
The effect of TULRCA (1992) s.146, is to specify the right not to be denied access to employment, or to suffer detriment in employment on grounds of trade union membership, or activities and allows members the right to time off for union duties or activities. However, this is restricted if an employee normally works outside the U.K., as the employee would then fall outwith the jurisdiction of U.K. law (TULRCA 1992 s.285 (1A)). The requirements of section 146 are mirrored in the Employment Rights Act 1996 sections 47, 61 and 103.
Question 5. Explain the rules on union ballots.
In accordance with the current climate of a democracy where faith is placed in a few individuals to represent the interests of the members, it is necessary for trade union members to select representatives to sit on the union executive. As a rule entitlement to vote should be accorded equally to all members of the union as defined in TULRCA 1992 s.50(1), however some restrictions can be placed on which members are allowed to vote (although strictly speaking to bar any member from voting is not democratic). These are;
The unemployed.
Those in arrears of subscriptions.
Apprentices.
Trainees.
New Members.
Overseas members (after ajudication).
N.B. Restrictions are contained in TULRCA (1992) s.50(2)
Unions may also lawfully restrict members voting where they fall within a class determined by;
Trade or occupation.
Geographical area.
Under union rules any members which are treated as a seperate section within the union.
Ballots at this time are conducted entirely by 'postal voting' and exclude delivery by hand, internal mail or private courier (TULRCA (1992) s.298).
TULRCA (1992) s.51 outlines several other regulations designed to ensure both the secrecy and security of a ballot. These are;
Members must be allowed to vote at no cost to themselves (return postage paid by the union).
Voters must be free from interference or constraint imposed by the union, any union member, official or employee.
Votes must be fairly and accurately counted.
Accidental inaccuracy in counting votes, which does not affect the outcome will be disregarded.
Counting, storage and distribution must be undertaken by an independant ajudicator appointed by the union.
Independant ajudicators must issue a report stating, inter alia, that he/she is satisfied with the arrangements for handling the balloting.
No publication of the ballot outcome will proceed the publication of the independant ajudicators report.
Contents of the independant ajudicators report will be made freely available to trade union members on request (fees may apply).
Normally the representative who canvasses the most votes (counted) will be elected (first past the post), however the use of a single transferable vote (STV) is permitted where union rules only allow a certain number of members from certain classes to sit on the executive, i.e. trade or occupation or geographical area.
Question 6. What are the Bridlington Principles?
Bridlington Principles were designed pre-World War II in order that disputes between affiliated unions over membership issues were minimized. The principles bind the different unions under the umbrella of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to investigate and restrict membership where an applicant has recently left, or been removed from a previous union.
Question 7. What is the effect of industrial action on an individuals contract of employment?
The effect of industrial action on an individuals contract of employment depends very much on whether the action reflects what would be percieved as a breach of the employment contract. If the action is assumed to be a breach then an employer has three courses of action. These are;
Sue employees for the loss of revenue caused by the action.
Withholding employees wages.
Dismissal without notice, although depending on the circumstances an employee may move a claim of unfair dismissal. It is however likely that a court would deem industrial action as a material breach of the common law requirements of mutual trust and respect and rule in favour of the employer, since it is not the tribunals place to replace the opinion of the employer with their own (See the Employment Rights Act (1996) s.98 - band of reasonable responses test).
Question 8. What is the definition of a trade dispute?
A 'trade dispute' is defined as a disagreement between an employer and their employee (used loosely), which relate mainly to one or more issue, which fall into the category of 'collective bargaining'. This applies to both 'workers' and 'employees', since 'workers' can be fully incorporated trade union members regardless of whether they have a 'contract of service' or 'contract of employment'.
Question 9. What criminal sanctions are in force to prevent unlawful picketing?
A number of sanctions can be implimented in order to prevent unlawful picketing. These are designed to stop malicious assemblies, which generally are formed to maximize distruption to the workplace and are deemed to be a danger to public safety, so called 'scabs' (those who cross the picket line to continue work during industrial action) and of course the intended targets of the action (employers). Criminal law places liability for unlawful picketing on the individual, rather than the civil remedies which tends to prosecute the organisers. The criminal remedies are as follow;
TULRCA (1992) s.241 - Makes it an offence to commit one of 5 acts '[wrongfully and without legal authority...with the view to compelling (another person) to abstain from doing or to do any act which that person has a legal right to do or abstain from doing'. These 5 acts are;
Using violence or intimidation against a person, his family, or injuring his family.
Following a person persistantly.
Hiding tools, clothes or property owned or used by a person, or depriving or hindering his use of said items thereafter.
Watching or besetting a persons place of residence, work, business, or his approach to said places.
Following aperson with two or more persons in disorderly manner through any street or road.
Since 'breach of contract' constitutes liability in that it is 'wrongful', the penalties on the individual for breach of this section are harsh. Penalties of of up to 6 months imprisonment and a level 5 fine (£5,000), as defined in the Criminal Justice Act (1982) s.37(2), as amended in the Criminal Justice Act (1991) are the maximums for unlawful picketing which induces breach of contract. Lesser charges are also contained in;
The Protection from Harassment Act (1997) - Fear of violence (5 years imprisonment and unlimited fine).
The Highways Act (1980) s.137 - Wilful obstruction of a public highway without lawful authority or excuse.
The Police Act (1996) s.89(2) - Arises when pickets refuse to follow police instruction designed to prevent breach of the peace (51 weeks imprisonment and a level 3 fine (£1,000)).
The Public Order Act 1986 ss.12/14 - To control public processions and assemblies. It is an offence to organise, take part in, or incite others to take part in assemblies or processions, which knowingly fail to comply with conditions set by the police.
The Anti-Social behaviour Act (2003) s.57 - Amends section 16 of the Public Order Act (1986) (see above).
The Criminal Justice and Public Order Act (1994) - Inserts into the Public Order Act (1986) a new offence of intentional harassment (6 months imprisonment and a level 5 fine (£5,000)).
The Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act (2004) - Powers of police arrest where there is a gathering of persons which may have the potential to cause significant and persistant antisocial behaviour (only applicable to small numbers).
The Civic Government (Scotland) Act (1982) s.62(1) - Where an unlawful picket is taken place without the permission of Local Government and the Chief Constable, the police are granted powers of arrest.
Differences Between Women And Men
1.NAMES
If Laurie, Linda, Elizabeth and Barbara go out for lunch, they will call each other Laurie, Linda, Elizabeth and Barbara.
If Mark, Chris, Eric and Tom go out, they will affectionately refer to each other as Fat Boy, Godzilla, Peanut-Head and Scrappy.
2.EATING OUT
When the bill arrives, Mark, Chris, Eric and Tom will each throw in a $20, even though it's only for $32.50. None of them will have anything smaller and none will actually admit they want change back.
When the women get their bill, out come the pocket calculators.
3.MONEY
A man will pay $2 for a $1 item he needs.
A woman will pay $1 for a $2 item that she doesn't need, but it's on sale.
4.BATHROOMS
A man has five items in his bathroom: a toothbrush, shaving cream, razor, a bar of soap, and a towel from the Marriott.
The average number of items in the typical woman's bathroom is 337. A man would not be able to identify most of these items.
5.ARGUMENTS
A woman has the last word in any argument.
Anything a man says after that... is the beginning of a new argument.
6.CATS
Women love cats.
Men say they love cats, but when women aren't looking, men kick cats.
7.FUTURE
A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband.
A man never worries about the future until he gets a wife.
8.SUCCESS
A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend.
A successful woman is one who can find such a man.
9.MARRIAGE
A woman marries a man expecting he will change, but he doesn't.
A man marries a woman expecting that she won't change, and she does.
10.DRESSING UP
A woman will dress up to go shopping, water the plants, empty the garbage, answer the phone, read a book, and get the mail.
A man will dress up for weddings and funerals.
11.NATURAL
Men wake up as good-looking as they went to bed.
Women somehow deteriorate during the night.
12.OFFSPRING
Ah, children. A woman knows all about her children. She knows about dentist appointments and romances, best friends, favorite foods, secret fears and hopes and dreams.
A man is vaguely aware of some short people living in the house.
13.THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Any married man should forget his mistakes. There's no use in two people remembering the same thing.
14. AND FINALLY....
A couple drove down a country road for several miles, not saying a word. An earlier discussion had led to an argument and neither of them wanted to concede their position.
As they passed a barnyard of mules, jack asses, and pigs, the husband asked sarcastically, "Relatives of yours?"
"Yep," the wife replied, "in-laws."
VERY PROUD TO BE BRITISH BECAUSE:
Only in Britain.. can a pizza get to your house faster than an ambulance.
Only in Britain.. do supermarkets make sick people walk all the way to the
back of the store to get their prescriptions, whilst the healthy people can
buy cigarettes at the front.
Only in Britain.. do people order double cheeseburgers, large fries and A
DIET coke.
Only in Britain.. do banks leave both doors open and chain the pens to the
counters.
Only in Britain.. do we leave thousands of pounds worth of car on the Drive
and lock our junk and cheap lawn mower in the garage.
Only in Britain.. do we use answering machines to screen our calls and Then
have call waiting so that we won't miss a call from someone we didn't want
to speak to in the first place.
Only in Britain.. are there disabled car parking spaces in front of a
skating rink.
NOT TO MENTION....
3 Brits die each year testing a 9 volt battery to see if it works on their
tongue.
142 Brits were injured in 1999 by not removing all the pins from new shirts.
58 Brits are injured each year by using sharp knives instead of
screwdrivers.
31 Brits have died since 1996 through watering their Christmas tree while
the fairy lights were plugged in.
19 Brits have died in the last 3 years believing that the Christmas
decorations on the tree were chocolate.
British hospitals reported 4 broken arms last year after cracker pulling
accidents.
101 Brits have had broken parts of plastic toys pulled out of the soles of
their feet since 1999.
18 Brits had serious burns in 2000 by trying on a new jumper with a lit
cigarette in their mouth.
A massive 543 Brits were admitted to A & E in the last 2 years after opening
bottles of beer with their teeth.
5 Brits were injured last year in accidents involving out of control
Scalextric cars.
THE YEAR'S BEST [actual] HEADLINES OF 2005:
CRACK FOUND ON GOVERNOR'S DAUGHTER
[Imagine that!]
Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says
[No, really?]
Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers
[ That'll stop 'em. ]
Is There a Ring of Debris around Uranus?
[Not if I wipe thoroughly!]
Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over
[What a guy!]
Miners Refuse to Work after Death
[No-good-for-nothing lazy so-and-sos!]
Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant
[See if that works any better than a fair trial!]
War Dims Hope for Peace
[I can see where it might have that effect!]
If Strike Isn't Settled Quickly, It May Last Awhile
[You think?]
Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures
[Who would have thought!]
Enfield (London) Couple Slain; Police Suspect Homicide
[They may be on to something!]
Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges !
[You mean there's something stronger than duct tape?]
Man Struck By Lightning: Faces Battery Charge
[he probably IS the battery charge!]
New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger
Test Group
[Weren't they fat enough?!]
Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft
[That's what he gets for eating those beans!]
Kids Make Nutritious Snacks
[Taste like chicken?]
Local High School Dropouts Cut In Half
[Chainsaw Massacre all over again!]
Hospitals are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors
[Boy, are they tall!]
And the winner is....
Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead
Now that you've smiled at least once, it's your turn to spread the stupidity
and send this to someone you want to bring a smile to
(Maybe even a chuckle).
We all need a good laugh, keep on smiling 
Well guys and dolls, Im off for my Christmas vacation tommorow, so as from then the hoochykoochy journal will be closing down until January. As per usual I won't leave you without food for thought though, so I leave you with a number of issues for your consideration over the festive period.
Gordon Brown (U.K. Chancellor of the Exchequer) will be todays first victim. The RT Hon gentleman has no doubt continually promoted himself as a potential Labour party leader, thus replacement Prime Minister for Tony Blair, but his latest budget has left me feeling a little confused about his intentions for the future of Great Britain. Firstly he decided to increase the Stamp Duty on house purchases, in order that the rise reflects the boom in the housing market over the last decade. To me that decision proved to be a double edged sword. In the UK the rise in housing prices has made purchases for most people starting out on the property ladder almost impossible and further shortfalls in appropriate housing, in combination with a substantial rise in the cost of renting, makes the 'average joes' dream of owning their own little castle to great a financial burden (remembering that those paying high rental prices don't have the funds to save towards getting onto the property ladder). The rise in stamp duty while intended to tax those with multi properties and property developers has a far wider impact on those who will only ever own one house at a time (you and me). Instead of taxing those who have only an interset in improving their standard of living, Mr Brown should have considered implimenting council tax obligations for those who own secondary properties. At the moment there is no obligation for those in multi ownership to pay full council taxation, instaed they are given huge levy's in order that they may acheive multi-ownership. The stamp duty increase only decreases the average families profit margins in house sales and removes the chance they have of improving their life quality. Bad choice Gordy!
Again he panders to the Alcoholics (most members of parliament) and freezes the duty on wines beers and spirits. While a tax on this would affect most (if not all), it makes little sense when the government appear to be promoting clean living. Recent statistics show that there has been a massive rise in alcohol related crime in the last decade, yet Gordons lack of taxation in this area shows that his policy does not mirror his parties one. It depends how you feel about this one, but my opinion is that although he has endevoured to keep the price of having fun down, maybe he could have imposed a taxation which appropriated some of the corporations profitablity rather than missing this area altogether. Points scoring will get you nowhere Gogs!
Cigarette smokers again carry the burden where the wider group of drinkers have failed to be taxed. A huge 7p hike in the price of tobbaco brings the budget in line with party policy, but a half of that would have done considering the smoking ban coming into effect in the UK in 2006, while placing the other 3.5p increase on booze. Effective, but discriminatory Gordza.
Sigh, again with the non-taxation of petrol and other such fuel pump services, Mr Brown forgets himself. While again this levy helps most normal people it fails to address the huge public safety implications of fossil fuel use. Rises in cancer cases, the ozone layer, kyoto treaty and the recent explosion in Hemelhemstead show that the chancellor is more interested in money than in public health and safety. In any case he has imposed huge taxes on the oil field companies which will do doubt affect the car user at the petrol pump and in their household bills. Mr Brown should use his huge influence to generate new business instead of promoting dying ones. Levys to firms intorducing new technology to road users instead of pandering to those who wreck our environment would have been more suitable. Clean air means clean living. Let us give the little man a chance to improve society instead of paving the way for the innovative centres at the already established companies to continue work after the wells run dry (i.e. Shell Enterprise establish and conduct multi-million pound research into new energy resources and almost definately already have the answers to the fuel crisis, but are happy to continue to make Billions of pound of profit yearly without paying nearly enough for their detriment to society). An underacheivement - could do much better Googles!
Further concessions to corporate taxes show us the real face of Gordon Brown. His winter fuel allowances for OAPs and increases in family orientated benefits are piecemeal offerings when you consider the amonts of money being wasted on ill-thought country invasions and the total mess of all of the civil services. Also count on 9 million per year being wasted in admin costs in the Scottish Parliament, no doubt being doubled in Westminster totalling a huge £27 million in wasted revenue that could have been better spent on something worthwhile. Take into account the lack of help for the rising number of single males and females, who remain content with the single life and we begin to see a system that smacks of imperialism and pandering to big business. Sounds ever so slightly Tory Gordon!
George Bush will be the next target of todays discussion. I absolutely wet myself last night when I heard his 'apology' for screwing up Iraq. He finally came out and said that 'We were wrong' for the invasion of Iraq, but that wasn't the funny part. What was funny was the way he tried to justify his actions. Firstly he blamed the intelligence agencies and then all the other countries (even those who didn't go to war), and then turned around and said HE instigated a new democratic system into Iraq (which isn't democratic), and that he had implimented policies which would rectify the failings og the intelligence agencies. Absolutely incredible. No, 'damn I'm sorry we got the WMD thing wrong, which resulted in the dealth of Dr Kelly (suicide)', No, 'I'm sorry for feeding you guys which have been the victims of terrorist attacks causing the deaths of thousands, with duff information'. No, 'Damn I'm an incompetent fool who is only interested in oil revenue, which incidentaly we now have, which increases my financial standing giving me a nice little nest egg for when I have to retire before some fanatic blows my brain out with a high powered elephant gun'. No 'Well actually god wasn't talking to me, it was just my wallet telling me to go for it', and most importantly No, 'I'm sorry for the Human Rights atrocities that are now occuring in Iraq, the lack of clean water and electricity, the deaths of thousands of innocent citizens and the deaths of all the soldiers whom have died during the conflict. Instead it's 'I'm the man and your all ***kers'. I'm telling you what if you continue to back this fool, he will bring a war upon us that will end all wars.
Tony Blair next. Well to be fair he is trying to address the energy crisis, but the past weekends massive explosion in Hemelhemstead has brought home the dangers of having inland energy resources which place the general publics safety at risk. A huge catastrophe was avoided, because of luck and not because health and safety protections. Such an explosion could have killed thousands, but the ramifications of the event have not yet been fully felt. What damage has the huge ploom of smoke done to the SE of Englands environment? How many actually died in the tragedy? Why did it happen? Remain unanswered at this time, but when you consider that Tony Blair issued his intent to establish a number of Nuclear Power Stations throughout the UK, only a week or two before, an event like this highlights the clear and present danger such places entail. There are alternatives. Tony should be using the money available to him to speed up research into renewable energy sources instead of wasting billions on building institutions which are a serious danger to those around them. Come on Tony, if nothing else this should have brought this issue right into your head.
Lastly Scottish Parliament are gonna get it. The recent release of information regarding the administartion expenditure of the MSP's highlight the cost of an underahceiving local gvernment. £9 Million is way to much money to be wasting of anyones, but least of all that of the people of Scotland. Travel expenses for MSP's travelling to and from their constituencies appears to be the biggest waste, while the parliament continues to pussyfoot around the issues that matter. The Scotland Act 1998 was designed in order that the new devolved Parliament would give the people of Scotland a voice. Having watch many times debates on television and visting the Parliament to watch a committee meeting debate the formulation of legislation, the only voices I can hear are the MSP's. It's time to increase consultation and education by using the latest technology, in order that Scotland moves towards the 'Total Democracy' which the countries of the world claim to wish to acheive, instead of protecting their own positions and advancing their careers. Look forward to December 2007 where I will be releasing a white paper which will analyse democracy from its humble beginnings, through the ages, highlighting it's faults and misuse and ultimately what true democracy is and a solution to acheiving that aim. The paper will be called 'The Road to Democracy and its Final Destination', By K.H. Grant.
Have a blinding Christmas everybody! See y'all in the New Year!
Sigh, I went to the pub at half time in the Aberdeen v Celtic match yesterday. 0-0 it was when I left the house, but by the time I got to the pub it was 1-3. I had to double check the score. It's always the same, everytime I go out when the footies on somebody bloody scores.
Anyway, although I'm an Aberdeen FC fan, I actually want to talf about Heart of Midlothian FC, who are based in Edinburgh (for those who didn't know). Recently a gentleman by the name of Vladimir Romanov bought over the club and introduced a host of foreign players. Under the shrewd leadership of former Scotland stalwart George Burley, Hearts began a meteoric rise to the top of the division. Unfortunately only about a month or so ago, the heels came off when firstly Romanov sacked his manager after only a few short months in charge. Soon afterwards, Phil Anderton, Chief Executive was dismissed and replaced by Romanovs son. Within one day club stalwart and member of parliament George Foulkes handed in his resignation claiming that Romanov was far to brutal (that's rich coming from an MP). Then only a few weeks ago, Hearts appointed a new coach after interviewing a host of top managerial candidates including Bobby Robson, Gianluca Vialli and Claudio Ranieria (Jose Mourinho's predecessor). Instead they plumped for former Chelsea coach Graham Rix, whom in 1999 was convicted of having unlawful sex with a 15 year old (girl).
Tynecastle Stadium
Now the SFA are to investigate whether Rix is a suitable person to be coaching children (he's still a registered sex offender), and Romanov is being investigated for tax fraud. It has become clear to me that Romanov has his own agenda to make Hearts a viable business and not a football club. last season under Chris Robinson (former chairman) Hearts were in such a bad financial position that they had put their stadium up for sale, which had the fans in turmoil. romanov came to the club and bailed it out, but it seems that all he has done is transferred the debts from one bank to another and has actually put very little of his own investment into the club. Before long I expect to see Rix removed as head coach of Hearts. Although I have a certain amount of sympathy with the man (after all he served his sentence), the huge weight of public opinion is going to leave Romanov with little choice. Romanov himself is treading a thin line. He has consistently flouted the law and made claims to the effect of, any man crossing him would be finished. I'm not sure how to take that statement, but if my judgement proves to be correct, Romanov will sell Tynecastle to housing developers once the value of property in the area has reached it's optimum level (benefited of course by a team doing well in league and cup competitions), and move Hearts to Murryfiled stadium. He will then pay himself a huge salary and bail out of the club, taking the guts of the investment with him. The club will then be crippled by debts. Hearts fans, be warned.
Hoorah! The festive period starts in earnest today, so get those advent calenders opened kick back and have a laugh at some of the funnies that landed in my e-mail inbox over the last few days.
Mad Hatter?
During a visit to the mental asylum, a visitor asked the Director what the criterion was which defined whether or not a patient should be institutionalized.
"Well," said the Director, "we fill up a bathtub, then we offer a teaspoon, a teacup and a bucket to the patient and ask him or her to empty the bathtub."
"Oh, I understand," said the visitor. "A normal person would use the bucket because it's bigger than the spoon or the teacup."
No." said the Director, "A normal person would pull the plug." Do you want a room with or without a view?
Airbags for Bikes??
Room 302
Anyone who has ever been in a hospital or had a loved one in the hospital will enjoy this:
A woman called a local hospital. "Hello. Could you connect me to the person who gives information about patients. I'd like to find out if a patient is getting better, doing as expected, or getting worse" The voice on the other end said, "What is the patient's name and room number?"
"Sarah Finkel, room 302."
"I'll connect you with the nursing station."
"3-A Nursing Station. How can I help You?"
"I'd like to know the condition of Sarah Finkel in room 302."
"Just a moment. Let me look at her records.
Mrs. Finkel is doing very well. In fact, she's had two full meals, her blood pressure is fine, to be taken off the heart monitor in a couple of hours and, if she continues this improvement, Dr. Cohen is going to send her home Tuesday at noon."
The woman said, "What a relief! Oh, that's fantastic... that's wonderful news!"
The nurse said, "From your enthusiasm, I take it you are a close family member or a very close friend!"
"Neither! I'm Sarah Finkel in 302! Nobody here tells me anything."
A Nice Pair Of Gloves
A nice young man wanted to purchase a Christmas gift for his new sweetheart. As they had not been dating very long, after some careful consideration, he decided that a pair of elegant winter gloves would strike just the right note - romantic, but not too personal.
Accompanied by his sweetheart's younger sister, he went to a fine department store and chose a pair of lovely white fur-lined gloves. The sister did her own shopping, buying a pair of panties for herself. While the clerk was wrapping the items, she got the boxes mixed up, and gave the gloves to the sister and gift-wrapped the panties for the young man.
The young man sealed the package without noticing and sent it to his sweetheart, who opened it on Christmas to find his enclosed note:
"I chose these because I noticed that you are not in the habit of wearing
any when we go out in the evening. If it had not been for your sister, I would have chosen the long ones with the buttons, but she demonstrated the short ones she wears that are easier to remove.
These are a delicate shade, but the lady I bought them from showed me the
pair she had been wearing for the past three weeks and they were hardly soiled. I had her try yours on for me and she looked very sharp.
I wish I was there to put them on for you the first time, as no doubt other hands will come in contact with them before I have a chance to see you again. When you take them off, remember to blow in them before putting them away, as they will naturally be a little damp from wearing.
Scroll down and you'll see Santa's willy!
.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
For Crying out loud......... Act your age........ there is no Santa
It's the late 1980's and the publics insatiable appetite for new forms of music is still driving the innnovators within the industry to create new forms of music. Then along comes the much respected DJ / Collective the Wild Bunch to form a band which would meld soul, dub, hip hop, reagge and a choice range of melodies and samples into a diverse collection of tracks that introduced a generation to a new form of music. Trip-Hop. Following the sucesses of the innovating Massive Attack, came bands like Portishead, Morcheeba, The Sneaker Pimps as well as many other big name artists to found a new artform, which is capable of crossing the age divide, as well as the genre divide.
Andrew 'Mushroom' Vowels, Tricky, Grant 'Daddy G' Marshall, Robert Del Naja (alias 3D), Shara Nelson, Nellee Hooper (also of soul II soul), were the original members of the band, but they were joined in the late 90's by Cocteau Twins, Elizabeth Frazer, Raegge singer Horace Andy, and Sara Jay to compile pehaps one of the defining albums of the 90's - Mezzanine. Massive Attack received worldwide recognition for 'Safe from Harm' taken from their very first album 'Blue Lines', as well as receiving critical acclaim, and further cult status for 'Unfinished Sympathy', which is an essential part of the soundtrack for the 90's generation.
'One Love' provided the Raegge tip on the album, which set out the stall of a combo that would change the face of dance, soul, and hip hop forever. The album itself is compiled and arranged to take the listener on a musical journey that, enhances the deepest drum riffs, to the most orchestral of melodies, while the lyrics and rap styles of the various artists, show a deeper respect for music, than the ordinary DJ could ever provide. It would be impossible to imagine the band with any of the elements missing, yet somehow I think they'd still pull it off.
Verdict: Genius? You betcha.
Tracklist:
Wild Bunch / Virgin Records 1991
Safe From Harm
One Love
Blue Lines
Be Thankful For What You Got
Five Man Army
Unfinished Sympathy
Daydreaming
Lately
Hymn Of The Big Wheel
Something amazing happened to me this weekend...About a week ago I was complaining about parental responsibility and mentioned some of the personal circumstances in which the UK's proposed changes to the child benefit system might make to me... well, amazingly I walked into the local pub near where I live, in Leith, Edinburgh and there was a Karoke competition on (no hoochy did not partake, he did not want to blow the competition away). A girl stands up and starts singing a Shania Twain song, and I'm standing at the bar thinking 'I know her'. In any case it turns out that she's the sister of the mother of my son (lewis) whom I haven't seen since he was a little baby.
After a bit of a fall out (she was understandably upset), we got talking and I managed to get lewis's mums telephone number. I called, set up a meeting for Saturday with mum, in which we cleared the air (actually I had a nice talk with her), and on Sunday I got to spend two and a half hours with my son, who is very clever. I had a whale of a time, after I got over the initial nerves!!
I know I have missed a big an important chunk of his life already, but there is still alot of time for us. I now intend to make full use of the opportunity I have been given, and fully intend to be as active as I possibly can as a his dad. It might turn out that I end up being hit with a bill for thousands of pounds from the CSA that I was slating the other week, but I don't care. I regretted this situation for to long, and if I have to step away from my study to meet financial obligations, then that's how it will have to be. I'm not a boy anymore!!
Apart from that I'm extremely busy with university work right now, so excuse the non (or late) appearance of posts over the next week or two. Gotta prioritise!!
Just goes to show, that even in the darkest of times, a little light can come from the most unexpected of places. What was that I was saying about hope...
Just to address the issue of the renewable energy source I outlined last week, I have decided to conduct a bit more research, so as I can properly lay out a lamens terms design for you guys to consider. With that in mind it will take a little longer for me to get the info up than I first expected. I don't want the idea to be sold short by bad explaination or design. So please excuse the delay.
Now onto my exciting first trip to Scottish Parliament...Joy. In actual fact it turned out to be a most enjoyable day out, and most educational. As you guys are aware I have very harsh words to say about some politicians, so now that I've been I can actually speak with a little more authority on those subjects. Myself and 3 members of my class were assigned a group report on the procedure of a parliamentary committee, which were formulating Scottish Legislation. I'm not going to bore you with the procedure, however I'm going to address a few issues which came about during the debate, and my trip round the 'famous' new Scottish Parliament.
I had before seen various shots of the Parliament building, and had come to the conclusion that it was an eyesore, however I was quite prepared to give it the benefit of the doubt. As I reached the building, I stood out front stepped back as far as I could, and almost puked. No, it wasn't the effects of alcohol poisoning, it was more the disbelief that the people of scotland could have allowed the spending of some £450million of our hard earned on that monstrosity. Nevertheless, I was prepared to give the inside a chance. Errrr, that was in fact worse. While the committee room its self was well laid out, reasonably comfortable and well kitted with the latest technology, as a long term servant of the construction industry I have a bad habit (some would say) of paying particular attention to detail. The corridors were actually bare concrete, of the type that you would see in a high rise car park. Laminated paper signs showed the way to various areas (rather than decent brass ones), the lifts were too small, and some of the finishing decorating left alot to be desired. Some of the rooms are so odd shaped, I can understand why the building took so long to construct and also why it cost so much.
In any case, the committee were reviewing the Family (Scotland) Bill, and were discussing further amendments at stage 2 of the legislative process. This is a piece of subordinate legislation, which applies specifically to Scotland, however still needs the approval of Westminster before it will be passed. The debate was interesting. Should co-habitees be allowed some of the same rights as married couples, i.e. Succession Rights, division of goods on seperation, etc, so it was something that has ramifications for both hetro, and homosexual relationships. At one point one of the members used an argument provided by the Catholic Church in Scotland, which compared the amendments to the Bill, which potentially amends the position of the sanctity of marriage, as 'Rape, Murder and Theft', which only goes to affirm the Church as a draconian system with only its own interests at heart. Perhaps the minister should consider his use of public consultation more carefully in the future.
The meeting then turned into a bit of a sham, when one ex-lawyer stated 'If scottish parliament doesn't know what its doing, then how are the people of scotland expected to?' I was mortified that he would say something so bloody stupid publically, but then since it has taken 6 years to get to this stage of amending the bill, and when the Executive member spoke he was clearly ill prepared for his statements, and had to answer the committees questions with the aid of his legal advisors, maybe its a question that we should all be asking ourselves.
Take the time to visit and find out exactly what your money is being wasted on. Lets have full power in Scottish Parliament, or none at all. What we have in between is something of nothing!!
Bravenet Blog 
Blog Community
Get a Free Blog
Manage your Blog
bravenet.com