Cascade

Cascade………..I like the word cascade. Not as nice a word as moist, but a very good word, none the less. Cascade…………I like the word. I already said that, thats how much I like it.

It sounds like a word of falling, diluting as it falls, the responsibility falling like a stone, fragmenting into grains of sand as it falls and lands around the feet of some poor sod at the bottom of the heap who is a little fed up of being cascaded upon.

I don’t know what the cascader’s handbook calls it. It must be important, a sort of “I told you so.” title would be appropriate. Its all connected with training, devolving responsibility downwards, in a cascade funilly enough. There itis again. Cascade……..I like the word cascade. It only appears during the day,a strange sort of beast. Afraid of the dark, I am led to understand. Its still a nice word though.

Cascade…………there, one last time.

Most popular penholder in America

This is supposed to be the most popular pen holder in America at the moment, apparently.
I wonder why ?

Police & puddles

I have just seen this, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvdpYgX4f7Q
concerning some of our colleagues and some water, very funny, but not for those concerned.

Remember, out there someone is watching and waiting.

Under Pressure

The Police Service is under pressure to meet a Home Office target of 7% of officers coming from non-white backgrounds by 2009. Police chiefs have admitted they face a massive task convincing officers of the merits of plans to push job applications from white males to the bottom of the pile.

The Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) had called for a change in the law so that “priority could be given to minority ethnic and female applicants”.”Acpo is hoping to educate people within the force, because there is a defensiveness there which comes from not understanding what [affirmative action] is all about,”

The Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, slammed the proposal, saying it went beyond positive action. They said: “These new proposals could be counter-productive. All officers, including black and female officers, want to be recognised for their skills and abilities rather than receiving preferential treatment.”

108 applicants were told they had been “randomly de-selected” from the recruitment process by one Force. It later emerged that nearly two-thirds of white men who applied to join the constabulary in the latest recruitment drive were turned down, whereas every ethnic minority candidate was invited for an assessment. The Force said it was obliged by law to bring the ethnic breakdown of its officers into line with that of the community it serves.

Another Force has admitted that his force used “inappropriate” recruitment techniques when excluding white applicants. They admitted that a recruitment scheme which relied on positive discrimination to increase the proportion of women and ethnic minorities in the force was “not appropriate”. A man rejected by this Force because he was white has won an undisclosed sum in compensation in an out-of-court settlement. It could mean a massive payout if the other 185 applicants decide to follow suit. It faces a bill of up to £4m if all those rejected on racial grounds come forward. Let’s see, what could we get with 4 million?

So remember, if ever you face discipline on the alleged grounds of racism, that phrase positive discrimination. If itis good enough for a Chief Constable not to lose his job, it may be good enough for you. It is racism, after all. But then again, perhaps not.

Vacancies at Car Park Central

Whilst looking through some papers for the recycling trip I came across an article which reminded me of this, http://whichendbites.blogspot.com/2007/06/what-difference-day-makes.html

It appears that in an Essex town the Police are asking residents if they can have permission to park their cars on empty drives for the day. They were informed that the presence of cars on the drives of their homes may deter potential burglars. This all comes about after a change to the local parking regs which leave no-where to park for free. Cough up £2-60 per day in the pay & display or find a friendly resident with a drive. I would imagine that only the select & privileged few get the benefits of somewhere to park at that particular station, where ever the epping hell it is.

Or, if all else fails, get a job at car-park central.

Tough on crime ?

After over a week following my computer crashing I have been subject to considerable depression with the constant and regular accounts in the media that show exactly how tough on crime this government really is. Not only do the persistent offenders appear to get next to no meaningful sentences, they also appear about to be released back out onto the streets, back into the community, again to continue to re-offend. To make room for even more offenders. What’s more, some of them are to be paid handsomely for the privilege. Trust me on this, it is a real privilege and they seem to constantly abuse this freedom of liberty by making the lives of far too many decent, law-abiding miserable with their thieving antics, namely offending. This Government clearly believe that if they are non-violent then everything is OK. Another sign as to who in this country has the rights.

Beer or make-up ?

After some darker moments I am in need of a laugh. This cheered me up.

People who live in glass houses.

I heard a bit of what the outgoing Prime Minister was saying during his reported comments concerning his slating of sections of the media. Feral hordes of reporters ripping the reputations of people to shreds.

The race for the latest updates on every ‘hot’ story appear to give the impression that reporting the news is fast becoming trial by media with the common excuse of being in the public interest.

We seem to have media by opposition with reporters seeming to always take the other side as though they are playing devil’s advocates on almost every story by allowing their questions to take the opposite view.

Mr Blah has a valid point. I do find it a bit hypocritical when his Government appears to use the media when it suits to promote the brand and swing its spin but then come out with the statement he made. People in glass houses and stones come to mind.

At the end of the day there is a balance between reporting the news and printing trash.
Its your money, you have to decide what papers to buy, if you buy any at all. What channel to see, if any.

As for the Government, well X marks the spot every five years or so. But they never change, they promise the world yet seem to deliver little.

I am appalled at how easily we accept shocking and terrifying news and then move on, with little or no concerns to what has happened. Yesterday’s news is old news and unless there is something particularly tasty then the stories pass down a quick and sorry road into oblivion all too quickly. Then its the next shocker, and then the next. For how long ?

Another murder, another serious offence against children, another criminal released because of a loophole, another illegally at large person, another person on bail, another, another, another, another this or another that which falls into one long tale of grief and misery. There always seems to be another. Another excuse for not doing something. Another reason that covers your arse. Another person to blame. Its always the same.

Officer down

Yet another frontline officer has been killed whilst on duty and protecting the public.
Pc Jonathan Henry was responded to an report of an attack on a window cleaner in George Street, Luton. He died at Luton and Dunstable Hospital. Reports state that officers used a baton round and Taser electric stun gun to restrain the knifeman, who has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

My deepest and sincerest wishes go to the family, friends and colleagues of Constable Jonathan Henry.

Arrests over ‘dolphin harassment’

Dave the dolphin is protected by animal welfare legislation as he swims in waters off the Kent coast. Two men are being questioned following their arrest after police received harassment reports against the dolphin.

Insp Gavin Roy said: “They are protected by law and should be treated with respect.”

Animal welfare charities have previously expressed concern over swimmers, kayakers and other watercraft users possibly causing distress or alarm to Dave. I wonder if any of them wear hoodies.

The paperchase begins. And there must be detected crimes to be had somewhere.

The same thing happens to old, weak and vulnerable people all over the country, gangs of the hooded hoardes get a lot of their enjoyment out of teasing and intimidating the old, weak and vulnerable. Surely thats harrassment as well ?

As the Inspector so rightly says, “They are protected by law and should be treated with respect.”