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."

Stop & Search

A member of the 4th Battalion Rifles Regiment was shot and killed whilst being part of a stop & search operation north west of Basra, Iraq. This was the 150th British death in Iraq.

We think we got it tough with all that paper to complete when we do stop & search.

Time for a reality check. I'll stick to my forms thank you.

Trust the system.

Stephen Ayre is a convicted murderer, he murdered his lover in 1985. Like all convicted murderers he was given a life sentence. He was released in 2005. I don't understand why, but he was. Ten months after his release, he abducted and raped a10 year old boy. He was convicted and sentenced to a life sentence again, after admitting the offences. Yet another offender released to offend again. Not a insignificant offence mind you, they don't get much bigger than what he has committed.

Ask yourself an important question.

Why was he released early from the first life sentence ?

The Parole Board and the Probation Service had ordered reviews into his risk assessment and to why he was released early. It ruled that this important information comes under the Data Protection Act and the findings must remain confidential. A parole board spokesman has said that a new system had been set up to ensure data about dangerous offenders was considered.

That's nice to know then.

Not at all another arse covering excercise to protect the rights of someone who has more rights than yet another victim.

Ask yourself another question.

Could this have been avoided ?

You already know what the answer is likely to be, don't you ?

Retire and run a pig farm.

Interesting letter, this is a copy I have seen, names of farmers have not been included.

Rt Hon David Miliband MPSecretary of State,
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA),
Nobel House,
17 Smith SquareLondon
SW1P 3JR

16 May 2007

Dear Secretary of State,My friend, who is in farming at the moment, recently received a cheque for £3,000 from the Rural Payments Agency for not rearing pigs. I would now like to join the "not rearing pigs" business.

In your opinion, what is the best kind of farm not to rear pigs on, and which is the best breed of pigs not to rear? I want to be sure I approach this endeavour in keeping with all government policies, as dictated by the EU under the Common Agricultural Policy.

I would prefer not to rear bacon pigs, but if this is not the type you want not rearing, I will just as gladly not rear porkers. Are there any advantages in not rearing rare breeds such as Saddlebacks or Gloucester Old Spots, or are there too many people already not rearing these?

As I see it, the hardest part of this programme will be keeping an accurate record of how many pigs I haven't reared. Are there any Government or Local Authority courses on this?My friend is very satisfied with this business. He has been rearing pigs for forty years or so, and the best he ever made on them was £1,422 in 1968. That is - until this year, when he received a cheque for not rearing any.If I get £3,000 for not rearing 50 pigs, will I get £6,000 for not rearing 100?

I plan to operate on a small scale at first, holding myself down to about 4,000 pigs not raised, which will mean about £240,000 for the first year. As I become more expert in not rearing pigs,

I plan to be more ambitious, perhaps increasing to, say, 40,000 pigs not reared in my second year, for which I should expect about £2.4 million from your department. Incidentally, I wonder if I would be eligible to receive tradable carbon credits for all these pigs not producing harmful and polluting methane gases?Another point: These pigs that I plan not to rear will not eat 2,000 tonnes of cereals.

I understand that you also pay farmers for not growing crops. Will I qualify for payments for not growing cereals to not feed the pigs I don't rear?I am also considering the "not milking cows" business, so please send any information you have on that too. Please could you also include the current Defra advice on set aside fields? Can this be done on an e-commerce basis with virtual fields (of which I seem to have several thousand hectares)?In view of the above you will realise that I will be totally unemployed, and will therefore qualify for unemployment benefits.I shall of course be voting for your party at the next general election.

Yours faithfully,

+++++ +++++++++++++

THE PAOMNNEHAL PWEOR OF THE HMUAN MNID

THE PAOMNNEHAL PWEOR OF THE HMUAN


Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in
waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the
frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses
and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm.Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid
deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh?

Gingerism, the new racism?

Well if you believe this article it appears to be so.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/6725653.stm

Can being ginger really be that bad ?

What about baldism, twitchism or blondism, or is that just plain stupid ?

What a difference a day makes

Well there I am driving towards the metropolis that is affectionately known as HQ amongst other things. I approach the barrier that allows me into the delightful place and the security guard displays wonderful observations and allows me to enter the inner sanctum with a cheery wave. Now the problems begin. Where the bloody hell do I park by fully marked police vehicle. I am here on official business yet it seems that I am unable to park almost anywhere. I am not fortunate enough to have my own allocated bay, I dare not park on any verge else I incur the wrath of one of the non-police support sharks, I even more dare not park in one of the marked disabled bays, even though all are empty, running the risk of yet more grief. I will only be here for a couple of minutes (now where have I heard that before ?). I drive around the myriad of car parks, through the fields that are now car parks and find one amongst the places left by those who can't park in a marked bay to save their lives. I walk several hundred yards to get to my destination after asking directions and suffering the looks of those who think I represent the smeg end of the gene pool. I recognise several faces and think to myself, 'they were police officers, once.' but then again they still are, somewhere. Complete my task which involves signing, in triplicate, some paperwork to justify someone elses demands and then head back to find my vehicle. I feel uncomfortable, like some form of intruder. Then I'm off, back into reality, exiting the place with a series of cheery waves and luckily no calls during my visit or extended hike to and from my only available place to park.

So there I am driving towards the metroplois that is affectionately known as HQ amongst other things. I approach the barrier that allows me into the delightful place, I have to press a button and discuss the relevance of my visit and whilst explaining the barrier is raised and my entrance allowed into the hallowed grounds. No security staff to allow me access this time. I am here on official business, again, in my fully marked police vehicle, yet it seems that I am able to park almost anywhere. I cleverly decide to by-pass the allocated bays, disabled bays or the verges incase one of the sharks decides to scan the CCTV footage for such serious offences. I drive around the myriad of car parks, through the fields that are now car parks and find any number of spare spaces, in fact almost all of the spaces are empty. I become confused for choice. I stop, look around and take a few deep breaths.

I opt for a place near to the disabled bays, again all empty, not on the verge, enter the inner sanctum, complete my task and bid a fond farewell before driving out.

I have seen almost no-one at all. Nothing to sign, just left for me to collect. Where are all the people, have they gone missing ? Why should there be such a contrast as this is only a matter of days between the two visits. I leave, confused, bemused and a little worried.

Funny how everything returns to normal on Monday morning.

Stand still when you're told.

Its dark, again, the thieves are out again, targeting cars, the boys & girls are out on foot and there is a dog out there lurking, somewhere secret. In comes the call that a car window has gone in, nearby, and the masses begin the movement to encircle the suspects.

From the secret furtive place the beast moves slowly, surely and quietly towards one part of the territory knowing full well that itis just about the only quick exit back into the lanes & backways of the estate. This seems to be the obvious place but no-one has called up to say they are there, so there we wait. Then comes that call we are all waiting for.........'footchase'...........followed by a series of locations barely discernable inbetween the puffings & pantings, stuff being discarded to assist in the evasion from the Forces of good and then right passed the duo in waiting.

Shout the warning and release the beast because they aint stopping, not even the good guy in pursuit of the thief in the night. Thief in the night, fearing for his own safety decides to take refuge upon the roof of the nearest car, our brave good'un realises that the selective red-mist deafness is suddenly going to get a little painful and has a swift introduction to the world of canine dentistry.

Now that smarts a bit.

One very fortunate thief gets B & B on the Queen, detected crime and property recovered, one of the good guys ends up with a hospital visit.

You might not get one when you want one, they might come from miles away, but they are out there, somewhere, waiting for the chance to do the business for you.

Its not always too wet, too far, too windy or whatever other too this or that you might have heard.

More 'tough on crime' stuff

Its great when a plan comes together and a gang of ruthless car thieves are brought to book, the cost of the operation to arrest them and subsequent investigation, the process through our fine court system and the strong deterrant sentencing which is sure to make them think seriously before re-offending.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6710897.stm

Lets see, £4.5 million worth of high quality cars, some of them stolen at knifepoint or a gunpoint during car-jackings, (sounds like robbery to me) although most were stolen in burglaries. More than 190 cars in total. The amount of grief this lot must have caused to the victims is unthinkable. They were described as being "a particularly ruthless organised criminal network." They engaged in excessive violence through robberies or burglaries with no regard for the trauma and anguish caused to their victims.

There's that word again, victims.

They were part of a highly organised gang cloning and then selling high quality cars. They assisted in disposal of the cars and benefitted from selling them, they are as guilty as those who actually stole them. Lets see, £4.5 millions between them, not bad I'd say. I don't know how much we recovered from them, or how much the tax man claimed from them.

So you would imagine that suspended sentence, community service and various terms of imprisonment up to 5 years would be a satisfactory conclusion ?

Its great to know that the system is being tough on crime, we can all sleep a great deal easier now. I imagine the victims are all very satisfied with this result, aren't they ?