Your starter for 10

It's quiz time! Tonight a group of us are putting our brains together and entering a team in a quiz being organised by the PTA of our local Primary School. Tempted as much by the food on offer (Malaysian curries) as the desire to show how smart we are, it should be a good night.

It was while thinking about this quiz that I read a report of something that Nick Clegg said recently. Something about the fact that the Lib Dems are the “only true alternative” to the Conservatives. Alternative, Nick? Really, Nick?

So I thought I'd devise a little quiz for all my readers. First, read through the following and then answer the question:

Cuts to local government funds, abolition of the Agricultural Wages Board for England and Wales, Health and Social Care bill for England, selling off the public forests in England, reactionary changes to social housing tenancies and rents, abolition of the Educational Maintenance Allowance in England, raising of university tuition fees, axing the planned extension to free school meals, cuts to housing benefits, ending the Building Schools for the Future program for England, increasing VAT, abolition of the Future Jobs Fund, privatisation of the NHS..................

Right, now say whether you think these national measures are:
(a) The works of Satan or the archangel Gabriel.
(b) The works of only the Conservatives, done while the Libdems were out of the room making the coffee and sandwiches.
(c) The works of the Tory Libdem coalition.

Alternative, Nick? Really, Nick? I wonder if we'll be asked tonight who you remind us of?

Bluebird: a poem by Charles Bukowski

I'm a fairly regular listener of the Radio 4 programme, Poetry Please and, every now and again, a little gem hits me. Last week, it was a reading of one entitled 'Bluebird' by an American poet, Charles Bukowski. You can listen to the reading by the poet himself on this short YouTube clip I think his voice is wonderfully expressive. Whilst looking for the clip, I came across an animation based on the poem and you can find that here
They are both well worth a couple of minutes of time viewing. OK, I admit that the theme is not particularly cheerful and I'm sure that the fact that the poem resonates with me is open to all sorts of interpretations. I won't indulge in any self analysis but I will say: let's all let our inner bluebirds free.
Here are the words but you really ought to hear the poet read them before forming an opinion on the poem.
There's a bluebird in my heart that
wants to get out
but I'm too tough for him,
I say, stay in there, I'm not going
to let anybody see
you.
There's a bluebird in my heart that
wants to get out
but I pour whiskey on him and inhale
cigarette smoke
and the whores and the bartenders
and the grocery clerks
never know that
he's
in there.
There's a bluebird in my heart that
wants to get out
but I'm too tough for him,
I say,
stay down, do you want to mess
me up?
you want to screw up the
works?
you want to blow my book sales in
Europe?
There's a bluebird in my heart that
wants to get out
but I'm too clever, I only let him out
at night sometimes
when everybody's asleep.
I say, I know that you're there,
so don't be
sad.

Then I put him back,
but he's singing a little
in there, I haven't quite let him
die
and we sleep together like
that
with our
secret pact
and it's nice enough to
make a man
weep, but I don't
weep, do
you?

Out of the mouth of babes.......

When asked what he thought of his grandfather's blogs, Josh came straight to the point and let his feelings be known.

From the cartoonist's pen

Sometimes cartoonists can capture the essence of an argument in a minimalist way. Here are three cartoons that caught my eye today.
The first encapsulates the general quality of the debate of the issues in the UK. For heavens sake, when the views of Melanie Phillips and Nigel Lawson on global warming are taken seriously by many, what hope is there for the rest of us who want to know the truth?

The second seems to be the prevailing attitude of most people in this country. A simplification? An overstatement? I don't believe so. If you disagree, show me where I'm wrong.

The third follows from the second and shows the rather touching faith that the general public seems to have in the ability of scientists and technology to sort the problem out. It just ain't going to happen, folks, unless WE do something about it directly.

Authoritative reports on Global Warming: Part 1

A good friend from North Carolina (thank you, Carl) sent me a link to an important and authoritative report entitled 'Global climate change impacts in the United States'. The examples it gives, as the title implies, are USA-related but, given the very nature of global warming, there is much in the report of direct relevance to us in the UK. I've abstracted the main points of the summary to the report and given these below. I think two of them sum up the situation very succinctly.
Global warming is unequivocal and primarily human-induced and Future climate change and its impacts depend on choices made today.
The report (linked through the graphic) does not make for cheerful reading but its conclusions can neither be ignored or minimised. Coincidentally another report on the same issue came out this week and I shall refer to that, and make some general observations, in my next posting.

1. Global warming is unequivocal and primarily human-induced. Global temperature has increased over the past 50 years. This observed increase is due primarily to human-induced emissions of heat-trapping gases.

2. Climate changes are underway in the United States and are projected to grow. Climate-related changes are already observed in the United States and its coastal waters. These include increases in heavy downpours, rising temperature and sea level, rapidly retreating glaciers, thawing permafrost, lengthening growing seasons, lengthening ice-free seasons in the ocean and on lakes and rivers, earlier snowmelt, and alterations in river flows. These changes are projected to grow.

3. Widespread climate-related impacts are occurring now and are expected to increase. Climate changes are already affecting water, energy, transportation, agriculture, ecosystems, and health. These impacts are different from region to region and will grow under projected climate change.

4. Climate change will stress water resources. Water is an issue in every region, but the nature of the potential impacts varies. Drought, related to reduced precipitation, increased evaporation, and increased water loss from plants, is an important issue in many regions, especially in the West. Floods and water quality problems are likely to be amplified by climate change in most regions. Declines in mountain snowpack are important in the West and Alaska where snowpack provides vital natural water storage.

5. Crop and livestock production will be increasingly challenged. Many crops show positive responses to elevated responses to carbon dioxide. However, increased heat, pests, water stress, diseases, and weather extremes will pose adaptation challenges for crop and livestock production.

6. Coastal areas are at increasing risk from sea-level rise and storm surge. Sea-level rise and storm surge place many U.S. coastal areas at increasing risk of erosion and flooding, especially along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, Pacific Islands, and parts of Alaska. Energy and transportation infrastructure and other property in coastal areas are very likely to be adversely affected.

7. Risks to human health will increase. Health impacts of climate change are related to heat stress, waterborne diseases, poor air quality, extreme weather events, and diseases transmitted by insects and rodents. Robust public health infrastructure can reduce the potential for negative impacts.

8. Climate change will interact with many social and environmental stresses. Climate change will combine with pollution, population growth, overuse of resources, urbanization, and other social, economic, and environmental stresses to create larger impacts than from any of these factors alone.

9. Thresholds will be crossed, leading to large changes in climate and ecosystems. There are a variety of thresholds in the climate system and ecosystems. These thresholds determine, for example, the presence of sea ice and permafrost, and the survival of species, from fish to insect pests, with implications for society. With further climate change, the crossing of additional thresholds is expected.

10. Future climate change and its impacts depend on choices made today. The amount and rate of future climate change depend primarily on current and future human-caused emissions of heat-trapping gases and airborne particles. Responses involve reducing emissions to limit future warming, and adapting to the changes that are unavoidable.

How to save £3,100,000,000

I have been a supporter of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) for more years than I care to remember (I've got happy memories of various 'Ban the Bomb' activities at Aberystwyth University in the '60s!). To me it is a matter of principle as I believe strongly that we should be working to rid the globe of all nuclear weapons, so that we can make the World a safer and more secure place.
I find it indefensible that while our beloved (but not by me!) coalition government is forcing through swingeing cuts to vital public services, it is continuing to spend billions of pounds on nuclear weapons. How can any government justify spending £3.1 billion of taxpayers’ money on the Trident nuclear missile system each year? That's £3,100,000,000; yes, £3,100,000,000. Just think what that amount could do if it was spent on social housing, job creation, education, health, policing, community groups, etc! Or, perish the thought, used to reduce the oft-mentioned debt mountain.
The Government has also authorised the expenditure of billions of pounds on its scheme to replace the Trident nuclear submarines / weapons system, even though the decision on whether to press ahead with the replacement will not even be taken until 2016. The original estimate for the new submarines was a massive £11-14 billion, but recently the government has published a progress report which shows that the actual costs are likely to be in the region of £25-26 billion. It has also been acknowledged that the total cost of the whole programme, including lifetime costs, will probably exceed £100 billion. And let's not forget that runaway increases in costs have blighted almost every major defence project in recent years. With that in mind, perhaps £100 billion is an underestimate.
What a waste of our money. David Cameron and his acolytes repeatedly say that they are prepared to take the tough decisions. I bet they don't have the bottle to take this one on.

Correction to my last post.

Looks like the spin doctors were quick off the mark.

A recommendation from No 10

Who would have thought that my fame would spread that far?

Xmas Presents for the Grandchildren? Problem Solved!

I don't think so! But isn't it amazing what you can buy over the internet these days?
(In case you are wondering, DUI = Driving under the influence).

The Oracle of Risca has spoken - be afraid, be very afraid.

My mother-in-law is fond of saying "things come in threes" and I'm wondering what she would make of the terrible trio now facing us.

#1: The global financial crisis and its various manifestations.
#2: Global warming and its implications.
#3: The increase in global population and what that means for future generations. Future generations? Actually, that sounds somewhat abstract - let's make it personal and use "my children and grandchildren". Take a look at this chart from Nature News (published online October 19th 2011 at http://www.nature.com/news/2011/111019/full/478300a/box/1.html)
Of course, there are many who will downplay each and everyone of the above (look out for vested interests who want to maintain the status quo - ask yourself "why?") and say that human ingenuity will triumph. I wish I could agree with that view but I can't. It's a mess and the worrying thing is that I detect no cogent arguments for the best way forward. No cogent arguments at the state level from the political classes, that is, but plenty of activity lower down the pecking order - witness what is happening outside of St Paul's and elsewhere. I'm not so naive to believe that such demonstrations will change the world but it is heartening to realise that there is an increasing level of discontent felt by many people. How can this all be channelled into making real changes for the better? I can offer no solutions apart from taking every opportunity to engage with the real world (and I don't mean the world of soporific celebrity and impoverishing consumerism) and not accepting that more of the same will pull us through. It won't....and on that cheerful note, I'm off to get my porridge!

In praise of Private Eye

I'm a huge fan of Private Eye. I like pretty much everything about it: its daring attitude, the way it puts two fingers up to the establishment, the cartoons and the fact that no one is sacred or untouchable (which sometimes makes for some uncomfortable reading). It's all still packaged in quite an old fashioned sort of way - not that far removed from cut and paste really. The covers are something else - always very funny or bluntly to the point but never too complicated or too clever for their own good.
It's been going since 1961 and I've been a regular reader since 1964 (I know I was certainly reading it when I was doing my GCE 'O' levels). Despite not always agreeing with what it contains or sometimes (but not that often) thinking that they've gone over the line of good taste, I've never been remotely tempted to give it up. If not Private Eye, what is there in the same category? Nothing at all and that, in a way, is a condemnation of the British press.
My favourite pieces? I've always had a soft-spot for The Cloggies, Barry McKenzie and the writings of Claud Cockburn and Paul Foot. Oh, and the various cartoonists.
How long can it continue? Let's hope that it does without changing too much. Its perspective is much needed.

In the midst of life, there is death!

It may seem premature but I've been thinking of my own mortality recently. As far as I know, I am not dying. I recently celebrated my 64th birthday and with the exception of a few aches and pains, I seem to be in reasonable shape for my age. Indeed, my latest annual medical check-up confirms this. If the actuarial survival tables are to be believed and my family history is any guide, I have many more years left on this planet to irritate friends and family. But life is uncertain and, for a while now, I've had this nagging feeling that I should plan for my death. What's brought this on? I really don't know as I'm having a very good time at the moment and enjoying being alive. Maybe it is because so many people I have known and cared about have died in the last few years? Maybe it's a reaction to my recent birthday? Maybe I'm turning into a miserable old git? Whatever the reason, what am I going to do?
Jan and I have been pretty good at keeping our wills up-to-date over the years and have signed advance directives and Powers of Attorney for medical and finance matters. So we've already taken care of these things. But there is a whole stack of other stuff I think could be problematical in the wake of some kind of unexpected or traumatic death that concerns me. Would my family know how to cash in my pension? Would they know where all the bank and building society accounts were located? And all the passwords and security hurdles for those on-line? What about the credit cards and subscriptions. The list goes on. What would happen with my blog. e-mail accounts and my Facebook page if I died?
There will be surprises (but hopefully no embarassments!) if I die suddenly as I won’t be able to foresee all the issues but I am going to make time to provide my family with a complete list of accounts, contact numbers, and instructions about what they need to do in the aftermath of my demise. I'm even thinking of setting out a basic set of instructions about the funeral - I feel an irrational desire to ensure that no one would decide to include a Graham Kendrick song [shudder] as a final practical joke on me! In a strange way, I'm quite looking forward to doing it. It could be a very cathartic experience, not sad or depressing at all. However it turns out, it will be an exercise well worth the effort if it makes the tasks of those remaining a little easier.

A Graham Kendrick free zone

It's with extreme pleasure that I am spending a week in a place when the name of Graham Kendrick does not cast a shadow over the music! Traditional evensong in the glorious setting of the choir stalls of St David's cathedral. I do like four-part harmony singing and, for me, this setting brings out the best in any choir. Last night I was perched on a miserichord carved around 1300, singing music derived directly from the plain chant that would have been sung at the time. Beat that, X-factor! Two more to go but with my favourite setting for canticles on the order of service for tonight - Brewer in D - a good opportunity to give it some 'welly'!

Annual sojourn in St David's

Back again in St David's for a week walking, singing and not doing much else. A time for rest and relaxation.
Yesterday we ventured a little further east than we normally go and took in a walk around Bosherston Lily Ponds and the coastal footpath, taking in Stackpole Head, Barafundle Bay and Stackpole Quay. Just under 7 miles in perfect weather - dry, good visibility and not too hot. On the way back, we had a quick trip around Pembroke Castle.
Today? It's pouring down with rain and we may very well be cottage-bound. But there are definately worst places to be on a day like this.

Who are you?

I checked the statistics for this blog for the first time in a LONG time just now. And I'm amazed that it gets hits every day - admittedly not that many but not zero.
Take a look at where the hits have come from since I've been posting:
United States 348
United Kingdom 201
South Korea 18
Japan 16
Brazil 14
India 9
Spain 8
Germany 6
Venezuela 6
China 4
Who are you? Search-engine users looking for "Higher Downgate+nothing+drivel"? Long lost fans? Cyber-stalkers? I'm curious but not that curious that I want you all (?!) to tell me. Let me believe that it's a guilty secret that you indulge but tell no-one about. Like smoking or having five extra chocolate covered hobnobs or liking Tony Blair. Whoever you are, and wherever you are, I salute you.
There is, of course, an even bigger question. Why?

Fuel on the Fire: Oil and Politics in Occupied Iraq

Just back from a public meeting arranged by the Tavistock Peace Action Group (a small but perfectly formed group of ordinary people concerned about peace). The speaker was Greg Muttit and his topic (and also the title of his recent book) was 'Fuel on the Fire: Oil and Politics in Occupied Iraq'. An excellent speaker and a fascinating, but disturbing, story he had to tell.
He dealt with the way the West, predominantly the UK and the USA, manipulated the war in Iraq, and the subsequent 'peace', to make sure that 'we' controlled the oil. Despite, of course, what Blair said at the time - didn't he claim that the "conspiracy theory of us going into Iraq for the oil was nonsensical"? And it's still going on as we continue to double deal to ensure that we get the prize. The parallels with what is going on in Libya are unsettling.
Putting the subject matter to one side, what really gets to me is the fact that this is being done in my name! I wonder if private and public state morality will ever coincide? Does realpolitik always mean that immoral acts are acceptable?

X-Factor and Strictly Come Dancing

Mediocre, nauseating rubbish.

11th September 2001

Jan and I were in Hawaii on this day and were woken up by Laura telling us to turn on the TV. Terrible images and a terrible aftermath. I'm not going to dwell on any aspect of it other than to acknowledge the anniversary.

From Neil Kinnock to the French Revolution via D.Ream

A strange title, perhaps, but bear with me as I string my thoughts together.
In my last blog, I mentioned Neil Kinnock. After I'd written that piece, I could not stop myself from whistling (both mentally and actual) that sublimely irritating song of D.Ream 'Things can only get better'. I think the connection with Neil Kinnock was themes used as political slogans. As any political pedant will know, the connection of that song with Neil Kinnock is spurious, as it was used in the 1997 General Election by Tony Blair and his cohorts.
Be that as it may, my mind wandered further and I started musing on a number of other political slogans. A few of the ones I could recall (in no particular order) are: 'You've never had it so good', 'Labour isn't working', 'Beef and Beer for all', 'Power to the People', 'Long live the Revolution', 'Better dead than red', 'Are you thinking what we're thinking?', 'Labour's tax bombshell'....and there are lots more. What struck me is how inane and empty they all are. Hardly battle cries that would inspire me to take to the metaphorical barricades.
That set me wondering whether there was any political slogan that did stand the test of time and actually meant something. Almost immediately, three words came to me: Liberty, Egality, Fraternity.
The demand for 'liberty, equality (egality) and fraternity' during the French Revolution resonates with many of the points I have previously alluded to. The more I pondered on this slogan, the more relevant it seemed. It strikes me that it focuses attention on dimensions of social relations which matter most if we are to see a better society and see a difference to the real quality of our lives.
At the time, 'Liberty' meant not being subvervient or beholden to the feudal nobility and landed aristocracy. We can bring this up-to-date and say that we don't want to be, and should not be, subservient or beholden to the interests of large corporations, banks or any institution motivated purely by profits.
'Fraternity' reflected a desire for greater mutuality and reciprocity in social relations. Nowadays we raise exactly the same issues when we talk about community, social cohesion and, how I hate to quote Posh-boy Dave, the Big Society. Time and time again, research shows the importance of community to many facets of human wellbeing.
'Equality' meant a levelling of the gross inequalities between those at the top and those at the bottom of pre-revolutionary France. Liberty and Fraternity cannot happen without 'Equality', which is prerequisite for getting them right. Not only do large inequalities produce many (all?) of the problems caused by social differences and the divisive class prejudices which go with them, they also weaken many aspects of community life. Against what is emerging under the Con-Lib Coalition, how hollow sounds the slogan 'we are all in this together'. How rich sounds the slogan ' Liberty, Fraternity and Equality'. Where is the politician who will take up the challenge and use this slogan as their rallying call? Answers on a postcard to.........