Mystified

I am standing on the platform of a railway station in south London. I can read the sign "Mind the gap". Next to this sign is a similar sign but it is upside down. I thought as to why this should be and realised that the sign facing me is to be read as I board the train. The other is to be read by those passengers (customers) leaving the train. I boarded the train and thought for some time about the word "MIND".

Mind the gap ... is about being aware of the gap. It is "mind" as a warning, similar to "Beware of the dog". "Mind the dog" suggests looking after or caring for the dog. Or "mind" could mean not "beware" but "Be aware of the dog". There is "mind" in the context of "Body and Mind". Does the dog have a mind? Do you mind if .. "I sit, stand, push, yell, scream, put my rubbish in your dustbin" or "Do you mind if I go ahead in the queue".

All this is social exchange and the answer is "I do mind", (grumpy), or "I do mind" (charming) especially if you have a walking stick. So, "Mind the gap" can have your mind racing in many directions. And "Mind how you go" could mean "Be careful" or just a friendly "Goodbye".
Walter Vego

Change or disrupt

I am of an age when I notice CHANGE. It is perhaps that I walk more slowly, wait for the green light to cross the road or even notice the increasing cost of using the gentlemen's toilet. Be that as it may, have you noticed that the 19 and 38 bus routes have changed? I only found out on my third journey, because I thought that the buses had been temporarily re-routed. This experience allows me to ruminate on the nature of "Information". We are knee-deep in information, and in order to remain sane one develops an information selective filter. I am working on this device. However, consulting friends with a similar problem I am told that I need a pre-filter. I am at the design stage of such a device and will report any progress in due course.
Walter Vego.

Flattery

Overheard at election lunch......Flattery is like perfume, enjoy, inhale, wallow in it .....swallowing it is a bad idea...I think the reference was to a politician.

One commentator reciting the woes of Britain said it was all due to an "over genitalisation" of modern life. I wonder what he meant......Walter Vego

Hung Parliament

We are facing the General Election to choose a party that will govern Britain for the next 5 years. But as the different polls suggest, we may get a HUNG PARLIAMENT. If we accept the polls may become a reality on the 6th May when the electorate cast their votes in the ballot boxes, we may face certain problems.

Whichever side - Labour or Conservative - that tries to form a Government will not have its own way. It would have to include any alliance party's manifesto proposals to form a government. Any drastic measures proposed by the new Government to improve economic, social or health issues may not get through the legislature as the supporting parties' views might be different on those issues.

Late Lord Callaghan faced the same dilemma when his Labour Government was supported by the Liberal Party between 1974-1979. It caused economic stagnation, labour unrest, strikes and excessive taxation (both direct and indirect). Lord Callaghan sent Dennis Healey to the IMF to borrow money to prop up sterling.

It is quite common in other European countries to have coalition parties in the Government yet here it is very difficult to carry out the respective party’s ethos in coalition.

The Conservatives think the economy should run on free market principles and health and education systems should run in parallel (both private and public). There should be no unemployment money for young people who are not ill, not in education, not in training or not in jobs, they should be made to work for their benefit.

On the other hand, Labour traditionally supports blue collar workers. They view the Conservatives as the party for business, the privileged and for rich people. The labour party dogmas still exist as vast amounts of the party’s revenues come from the Unions.

So whoever forms a Government with the support of Liberal, SNP, Ulster Union party would not be able to be as effective as it should be in carrying out its manifesto promises.

So before long we would face another election to choose a party with a clear majority to form a Government.

Going by what happens in the other European Countries, I personally think it is better for democracy if the ruling party do not have an absolute majority, as it may cause the Government not to listen to the public on various issues i.e taxation, immigration, criminal justice system, health, social security, national insurance, VAT etc as they presume that they had the mandate to put their dogmas into legislation.

Shape of things

There are so many things to groan about - grist for my mill.

I used to be one of the " deeply concerned". Then I joined the "deeply worried". Lately, I realise that I have become both bewildered and confused.

I am suffering from information overload. It is my fault - but I find it hard NOT to listen, NOT to see and NOT to hear.

My post box is flooded with election "literature". I am promised a life of bliss not in the hereafter but NOW. If, ah if, I pay for it, ah yes - how much? When I die! There are in fact many solutions - sorry, there are three solutions but only one per party.

This is enough for the present. I could mention the environment, foreign investment in UK industries, energy prices, health and safety, striking railways, STOP!

No one mentions the flowering cherry trees . The weather report says that winter is loosening its grip which is a trifle dramatic.

Happy Easter everybody..........

Walter Vego

Child protection

Children must be protected, of course ... no argument here. This means to me that children must be protected from the adult world. There is no question of "contributory negligence"when a child is injured in any way. However, over the years it seems to me that the adult world is seeking ways to absolve itself of responsibility to the child. I know that there are laws regarding child protection but I want to draw attention to a small matter of the information given on medicines or materials likely to harm children.

I remember when instructions or information on any harmful material simply stated "Keep away from children". This was then amended to "Keep out of the reach of children". Something must have happened recently to have an addition to this, that is "Keep out of the reach and SIGHT of children". I wonder when someone will see fit to add "SOUND".

Perhaps the best way to protect children from harm is not to have them at all.

Walter Vego

Weather and climate

There is a clear distinction to be made between "weather" and "climate". The weather report that one hears several times a day is often mentioned as "climate change". Whatever the weather, the effect of "weather" on the individual and the population is profound.

In the UK we seem to be unprepared for any change in the weather. Spring rains, summer heat, winter snows are all equally unexpected.

We may not believe in a changing climate or global warming, as a matter of fact, we do not believe the weather reports. Why should we? Chop down the trees, burn the oil, live fast, die young, postpone the bills, we can pay the price....tomorrow .... Ahgggha ..... too late, money won't work anymore.

Walter Vego