Although things appear to be going well, on a personal front, things are not quite so rosy with the outside world.
Islamic extremism remains the greatest threat to world wide peace. The horrendous assassination of Benazir Bhutto just the latest example in a long list of atrocities against those who strive for peace and reconciliation.
It seems apparent, to myself, that a recession is just around the corner. Greenspan is doing his best to destabilise the fragile US economy, Brown has all but bankrupted the UK, and mainland Europe continues to remain inefficient and corrupt.
Added to this is the British government's failure to maintain safety on the streets for the UK populace. Even the police want the right to strike as the Home Secretary renages on pay agreements. Our armed forces have been run ragged and overstretched. The English Channel no longer provides protecion against illegal immigration. The list goes on ...
So, this is a worrying time for us all. Having said that, a Happy New Year to one and all, and let's pray that my assessment is well wide of the mark.
Monday 31 December 2007
Sunday 23 December 2007
Queen Elizabeth, Longevity, and Success
Yesterday saw Queen Elizabeth II overtake Queen Victoria as Britain's oldest surviving monarch. The previous record being 81 years, seven months and 29 days.
However, her great-great grandmother Victoria will still hold the record as Britain's longest-reigning monarch, unless Queen Elizabeth II remains on the throne until 9th September 2015.
Putting aside longevity, it is interesting to note that the two queens managed to remain on the throne for so long whilst, some might argue, their somewhat weak successors remained on the sidelines until they too were advanced in years.
It is also of social interest that the two British Queens, and their English predecessor Elizabeth, count amongst the most able of British Monarchs. Since Tudor times, it is arguable whether any King has had such a positive effect on the Kingdom as the three women: much as the only woman British Prime Minister, since Churchill, has proved truly effective.
Then I think of Catherine in Russia, Christina in Sweden and, even, Golda Meir in Israel. All strong women who took their countries to the next level. Unfortunately, history proves that all were followed by mediocrity, which wasted much of the advancement under their respective leaderships.
However, her great-great grandmother Victoria will still hold the record as Britain's longest-reigning monarch, unless Queen Elizabeth II remains on the throne until 9th September 2015.
Putting aside longevity, it is interesting to note that the two queens managed to remain on the throne for so long whilst, some might argue, their somewhat weak successors remained on the sidelines until they too were advanced in years.
It is also of social interest that the two British Queens, and their English predecessor Elizabeth, count amongst the most able of British Monarchs. Since Tudor times, it is arguable whether any King has had such a positive effect on the Kingdom as the three women: much as the only woman British Prime Minister, since Churchill, has proved truly effective.
Then I think of Catherine in Russia, Christina in Sweden and, even, Golda Meir in Israel. All strong women who took their countries to the next level. Unfortunately, history proves that all were followed by mediocrity, which wasted much of the advancement under their respective leaderships.
Tuesday 18 December 2007
A Pox On All Those Who Tell Us How To Live
It is one of those annoying truths that every few weeks sees the latest headline grabbing doctor telling us how to be healthy. On many occasions, this contradicts the previous survey. Normally, this causes just a mild annoyance to me. The latest advice is swiftly forgotten as more important issues grab my ever diminishing attention span.
However, this particular research entered the world of historic comparison. Even worse, the research was sponsored by chemist chain Lloydspharmacy. So, in my opinion, Dr Roger Henderson could hardly be considered objective in his studies. Neither could his research be considered academic, in even the loosest sense of the meaning.
In summary, the reseach compared diets in Roman, Medieval, and modern Britain and found that "... the average British diet is now higher in fat, lower in fruit and vegetables and higher in refined sugar". Wow!!! Some research that.
Even more stunning was the conclusion that the modern diet has "... contributed to the rise in obesity-related disease and cholesterol."
His recommendation: avoid excess and exercise on a daily basis. Now, that's probably pretty good advice. However, the average life in medieval times was no more than half of what it is now. He seems to forget that the pox and plague was rampant in Britain, right into relatively modern times. The Great Fire of London was seen as a Godsend, as it cleared the disease ridden streets of plague carrying rats and allowed innovations such as an integral sewer system to be included in the rebuilt capital.
So what was the point of the survey? For me, I'd rather have an extra glass of wine ths Christmas and be pleased that I don't need to worry about the pox or plague running rampant through modern Britain.
However, this particular research entered the world of historic comparison. Even worse, the research was sponsored by chemist chain Lloydspharmacy. So, in my opinion, Dr Roger Henderson could hardly be considered objective in his studies. Neither could his research be considered academic, in even the loosest sense of the meaning.
In summary, the reseach compared diets in Roman, Medieval, and modern Britain and found that "... the average British diet is now higher in fat, lower in fruit and vegetables and higher in refined sugar". Wow!!! Some research that.
Even more stunning was the conclusion that the modern diet has "... contributed to the rise in obesity-related disease and cholesterol."
His recommendation: avoid excess and exercise on a daily basis. Now, that's probably pretty good advice. However, the average life in medieval times was no more than half of what it is now. He seems to forget that the pox and plague was rampant in Britain, right into relatively modern times. The Great Fire of London was seen as a Godsend, as it cleared the disease ridden streets of plague carrying rats and allowed innovations such as an integral sewer system to be included in the rebuilt capital.
So what was the point of the survey? For me, I'd rather have an extra glass of wine ths Christmas and be pleased that I don't need to worry about the pox or plague running rampant through modern Britain.
Monday 17 December 2007
Operational Overstretch for UK and US Air Forces?
It is perhaps reassuring to know that US politicians are managing to fail in a remarkably similar way to inept Labour politicians in the UK. Unfortunately, that is where the good news ends.
Age and operation overstretch has been blamed for the loss of the RAF Nimrod in Afghanistan on 2nd September 2006. The loss of 14 aircrew lives was the single loss of life for UK forces since the Falklands War.
Meanwhile, the US has been forced to ground it's fleet of approximately 700 F15s. The aircraft dates back to the mid-70s and is no longer in production. It is currently seeing service around the world including Iraq, Afghanistan and the UK. Perhaps, more importantly, it is also seeing service in outlying parts of the US; notably Alaska and Hawaii. Having already written about Russian incursions into US airspace, it was today reported by Fox News that Alaskan airspace will be defended by the Canadians until replacements can be found.
Whilst it can be assumed that F15 duties may be covered by other units, it is also known that the US Navy has now grounded a quarter of their 161 P-3Cs due to structural defects. Reuters reported that "that these aircraft are beyond known structural limits on the lower section of the P-3 wing". This is more problematic as these are submarine hunting aircraft, and replacements will be harder to come by.
What these events clearly demonstrate is that the two governments are sending airmen into the skies, in ageing aircraft that are well past their sell-by date. Not that the Nimrod or P-3 is obsolete. Rather, too much strain is put on the individual airframes, and without their replacements being funded for. These errors cost lives, and at a time when our politicians ask so much of the armed services.
Age and operation overstretch has been blamed for the loss of the RAF Nimrod in Afghanistan on 2nd September 2006. The loss of 14 aircrew lives was the single loss of life for UK forces since the Falklands War.
Meanwhile, the US has been forced to ground it's fleet of approximately 700 F15s. The aircraft dates back to the mid-70s and is no longer in production. It is currently seeing service around the world including Iraq, Afghanistan and the UK. Perhaps, more importantly, it is also seeing service in outlying parts of the US; notably Alaska and Hawaii. Having already written about Russian incursions into US airspace, it was today reported by Fox News that Alaskan airspace will be defended by the Canadians until replacements can be found.
Whilst it can be assumed that F15 duties may be covered by other units, it is also known that the US Navy has now grounded a quarter of their 161 P-3Cs due to structural defects. Reuters reported that "that these aircraft are beyond known structural limits on the lower section of the P-3 wing". This is more problematic as these are submarine hunting aircraft, and replacements will be harder to come by.
What these events clearly demonstrate is that the two governments are sending airmen into the skies, in ageing aircraft that are well past their sell-by date. Not that the Nimrod or P-3 is obsolete. Rather, too much strain is put on the individual airframes, and without their replacements being funded for. These errors cost lives, and at a time when our politicians ask so much of the armed services.
Sunday 16 December 2007
Time Is On My Side
This post isn't dedicated to Jagger and Richards, or their 1964 classic of the same name. If it was, it would probably be far more interesting.
However, after a couple of months of changes in my life, things are now settling down. I've certainly been remiss with my posts, but I'm sure that this hasn't been a loss to anybody other than myself.
Firstly, having accepted one position I chose another at the 11th hour. The reason is not important, but I'm certain I made the right decision. Demands have been great, but job satisfaction has been much greater.
Secondly, we've been involved with some renovations on the house. This will be an on-going thing for the next year, but hopefully it will prove worthwhile and not too time consuming. Unfortunately, it can be assumed that it will be all too consuming in terms of finance.
However, things have now returned to a somewhat less chaotic scenario. So, after several months of silence, time is now on my side. In what appears to be an exciting year ahead, I'll be able to enjoy my hobby of comparing the past with the present.
However, after a couple of months of changes in my life, things are now settling down. I've certainly been remiss with my posts, but I'm sure that this hasn't been a loss to anybody other than myself.
Firstly, having accepted one position I chose another at the 11th hour. The reason is not important, but I'm certain I made the right decision. Demands have been great, but job satisfaction has been much greater.
Secondly, we've been involved with some renovations on the house. This will be an on-going thing for the next year, but hopefully it will prove worthwhile and not too time consuming. Unfortunately, it can be assumed that it will be all too consuming in terms of finance.
However, things have now returned to a somewhat less chaotic scenario. So, after several months of silence, time is now on my side. In what appears to be an exciting year ahead, I'll be able to enjoy my hobby of comparing the past with the present.
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