Those of you who read my occasional writings, will understand that I have a penchant for expressing my views on most subjects but I am particularly vocal about injustice and the way people are treated. Politics and sport often come up.
So I ask the following question:
Which fucking tosser decided that an additional runway for Heathrow is a good idea?
Have you driven around the M25 where it meets the M4, M40 and goes off to the airport? Are you completely insane? Gatwick would have been bad enough but Heathrow you've got to be havin a giraff! I know governments are influenced by big business and money but come on this is one of the worse decisions ever perpetrated on the public and specifically the local community.
clearly the government has lost all reason and I might add an inability to understand simple logistics. The road system is not brilliant anywhere around big cities but the traffic in this area is chaos unless it is the middle of the night!
I understand there will be consultation and a parliamentary vote, well woop de do, that makes it all okay then!
The economy, naturally needs to grow but do we ever really do more than play lip service to the human and environmental cost? I am not the most green advocate on the planet but I do understand that we cannot keep pouring pollution into the atmosphere.
As a former diplomat ( I may have mentioned this in prior writings) I have seen first hand how infrastructure schemes can damage localities and displace people without seemingly caring about the consequences. Progress must never be made simply to increase capacity without a clear plan as to how the knock on effect will affect every thing else. Much that will be affected will not come to light for many years after the change is made.
If we must increase the capacity for air traffic, can it no be done somewhere where the impact would be less and if the surrounding infrastructure is not adequate improve it. No matter where or what is done there will be objection and disruption but Heathrow is a joke of a decision and should rightly condemned.
SIR GUESTLING THORN: - The thoughts of my alto ego I have opinions on everthing and am not afraid to express them I hope for more kindness and joy in the world!
Tuesday, October 25, 2016
Saturday, October 22, 2016
Age
You know I've never worried about how old I am, it is inevitable one gets older and thank goodness for it, it means you are still around to celebrate!
Age is supposed to lend wisdom and experience and I suppose it does, knowledge accumulated over your lifetime gives one a perspective that your younger self could not have had. Having it is one thing the real trick is how one uses it. I like to believe that I am a wiser more balanced man these days, am I, in some things definitely, in others I am the same as I have always been. there are certain personality traits that you seem unable to change, quieten, get under control but never lose. In my case I've never liked being told what to do and to this day I still don't. Of course I have learn't to control it in most circumstances but it is always there bubbling under the surface. There are others but it is not my purpose to write a list and explain each one and how it may have changed after all some mysteries have to remain and those who know me well would be bored to tears.
Today happens to be my birthday an appropriate reason for this missive.
I know several people who share this day with me though naturally we are not all the same age, though I am sure there are one or two who are. I know Jeff Goldblum the actor is and so to him and everyone else who shares October 22nd as there day of birth, may I wish you all many happy returns and whatever age you are may you live a long and happy life.
Age is supposed to lend wisdom and experience and I suppose it does, knowledge accumulated over your lifetime gives one a perspective that your younger self could not have had. Having it is one thing the real trick is how one uses it. I like to believe that I am a wiser more balanced man these days, am I, in some things definitely, in others I am the same as I have always been. there are certain personality traits that you seem unable to change, quieten, get under control but never lose. In my case I've never liked being told what to do and to this day I still don't. Of course I have learn't to control it in most circumstances but it is always there bubbling under the surface. There are others but it is not my purpose to write a list and explain each one and how it may have changed after all some mysteries have to remain and those who know me well would be bored to tears.
Today happens to be my birthday an appropriate reason for this missive.
I know several people who share this day with me though naturally we are not all the same age, though I am sure there are one or two who are. I know Jeff Goldblum the actor is and so to him and everyone else who shares October 22nd as there day of birth, may I wish you all many happy returns and whatever age you are may you live a long and happy life.
Friday, October 21, 2016
Equality
As a diplomat of many years service, I have witnessed my fair share of inequality. whether it is the unequal struggle of the ordinary people against those who wield power or the subjugation of certain minorities because of religious prejudice, the desperation of poverty or simply the dominance that one family member or an entire political elite can have of another. In the diplomatic service as in many other spheres men work alongside women and in the main they usually are given the same status. Of all the inequalities perpetrated, the one that I dislike the most is woman's inequality with man. I believe this was instilled in me form an early age and I like to think it is just a natural part of my thinking. I am not unique in this and nor would I try to persuade you that it is some kind of virtuous trait, it should be not even need to discussed. Indeed the very need for me to write like this is in itself is patronising.
I am constantly shocked at the way women still have to fight and are asked questions that no man in the same position would ever be asked. We in the West often condemn other cultures for the way they treat women transferring our values into a situation we usually do not understand and whilst many of the practices in those cultures are abhorrent to any right thinking civilised society and should rightly be condemned, we do not yet have a fully equal playing field.
On a slightly different tack old Guesty has noticed a worrying trend since this awful "Brexit" business of a heightening in racial slurs and attacks. Now I'm no saint, I've made plenty of off colour references in my life mostly born out of ignorance or a misguided attempt at levity but as I have matured it has occurred to me that the human race is obsessed with highlighting the differences between us and almost never emphasizing the similarities. It would be better for all if race, creed, religion, culture or colour was just never mentioned, easy to say almost impossible to perform. Trouble all around the world seems to stem in most cases from one of these well springs (including money and power) and just never seems to stop. The human race seems destined to keep repeating the same mistakes, in a never ending spiral of destruction.
I was speaking with an old chum of mine, with whom I play a regular round of golf, a charming chap who we all refer to as Sid. He readily admitted that as a youth and into adulthood, through ignorance and little exposure to other cultures his language was peppered with derogatory terms that are no longer acceptable. It was not spoken with malice or to cause insult, it was normal to him in the environment he was brought up in. His children who are of school age, now correct him if he misspeaks and he is delighted when they do so, as it shows they are being educated in the right way. It is clear that education of the correct nature, is the key to eradicating most prejudice, intentional or otherwise.
In my scribbling I know that I often comment on these intangibles and especially the way that one people treat one another, regardless of their background, I am daily reminded in small ways that this ignorance continues no matter how enlightened our society believes it is. It is unlikely I will live long enough to see prejudice eradicated, if indeed it can be but it must be one of the most important attitudes that we must all strive to eliminate. A broad subject encompassing every aspect of human interaction to be sure but one all the more worthwhile pursuing for that very reason.
I understand that most people want just to get on with their lives and not involve them selves in the bigger questions that affect the human condition and that's fine, perhaps it actually does not matter but think on this would you as an individual not like to leave this life by making it a better one, if only with your family, no matter how small or trivial you may feel your contribution is?
Well that's enough rambling for this addition to the Guestling cannon, until next time.
I am constantly shocked at the way women still have to fight and are asked questions that no man in the same position would ever be asked. We in the West often condemn other cultures for the way they treat women transferring our values into a situation we usually do not understand and whilst many of the practices in those cultures are abhorrent to any right thinking civilised society and should rightly be condemned, we do not yet have a fully equal playing field.
On a slightly different tack old Guesty has noticed a worrying trend since this awful "Brexit" business of a heightening in racial slurs and attacks. Now I'm no saint, I've made plenty of off colour references in my life mostly born out of ignorance or a misguided attempt at levity but as I have matured it has occurred to me that the human race is obsessed with highlighting the differences between us and almost never emphasizing the similarities. It would be better for all if race, creed, religion, culture or colour was just never mentioned, easy to say almost impossible to perform. Trouble all around the world seems to stem in most cases from one of these well springs (including money and power) and just never seems to stop. The human race seems destined to keep repeating the same mistakes, in a never ending spiral of destruction.
I was speaking with an old chum of mine, with whom I play a regular round of golf, a charming chap who we all refer to as Sid. He readily admitted that as a youth and into adulthood, through ignorance and little exposure to other cultures his language was peppered with derogatory terms that are no longer acceptable. It was not spoken with malice or to cause insult, it was normal to him in the environment he was brought up in. His children who are of school age, now correct him if he misspeaks and he is delighted when they do so, as it shows they are being educated in the right way. It is clear that education of the correct nature, is the key to eradicating most prejudice, intentional or otherwise.
In my scribbling I know that I often comment on these intangibles and especially the way that one people treat one another, regardless of their background, I am daily reminded in small ways that this ignorance continues no matter how enlightened our society believes it is. It is unlikely I will live long enough to see prejudice eradicated, if indeed it can be but it must be one of the most important attitudes that we must all strive to eliminate. A broad subject encompassing every aspect of human interaction to be sure but one all the more worthwhile pursuing for that very reason.
I understand that most people want just to get on with their lives and not involve them selves in the bigger questions that affect the human condition and that's fine, perhaps it actually does not matter but think on this would you as an individual not like to leave this life by making it a better one, if only with your family, no matter how small or trivial you may feel your contribution is?
Well that's enough rambling for this addition to the Guestling cannon, until next time.
Monday, October 3, 2016
Managerial Material
No sooner had the FA appointed a new England football manager and the team had played one match, it seems that he could not take the job any more and having engineered a great back up plan should he need an exit, he used it and got himself out of the firing line. Old Guesty was always pretty sly at manipulating my way out of an untenable situation but Allardyce must be considered a genius, he saw the mammoth scale of his task and decided he could not succeed. Better to be thought of as a man who talks out of turn and gets caught by an undercover sting than carry on with an impossible job! Talk about Machiavellian, Big Sam was always known for his meticulous planning but what a bale out plan. My hats off to him! He must be sitting at home with a big smile and a glass of champers telling his nearest and dearest what a close shave that was!
No wonder Southgate has chosen to take the task on temporarily and not commit himself to the poison chalice on a permanent basis.
As I have said before who would want to take on the task of managing the national side? The FA (which surely stands for Foolish Arses!) must wish that a hole would open up and swallow them. Get the appointment right and wrong all at the same time, brilliant!
So who is next for the suicide mission that is the England managers job? Would you wish to be one of the bookies favourites?
If I was given the task, I would treat the whole gig as a hostile situation, after all if you play well and win, nobody gives you credit and if you loose or worse play badly you have to take all the criticism. The media never treat those two impostors the same, it is always blown out of proportion. So my plan would be, look lads we are going to get stick no matter what we do, so go out without a care in the world play like you were on the playground and whatever you do score more goals than the opposition. If they were just better than us then we will just hold up our hands and say so. If we win and we will say little and just get on with the next game. Guesty, I hear you say that's not the way the whole thing works, well I bally well don't give a toss, the media will hype and write whatever they want whatever, so sod the bloody lot of them! It's all to serious anyway, there are worse things happening in the world.
Vacancy, England Manager, requirements, thick skin, a plastered smile, ability to pick a squad of players, a warped sense of humour, ability to change ones answer within the same sentence and most of all a fail safe plan to loose the job when required! Simple.
No wonder Southgate has chosen to take the task on temporarily and not commit himself to the poison chalice on a permanent basis.
As I have said before who would want to take on the task of managing the national side? The FA (which surely stands for Foolish Arses!) must wish that a hole would open up and swallow them. Get the appointment right and wrong all at the same time, brilliant!
So who is next for the suicide mission that is the England managers job? Would you wish to be one of the bookies favourites?
If I was given the task, I would treat the whole gig as a hostile situation, after all if you play well and win, nobody gives you credit and if you loose or worse play badly you have to take all the criticism. The media never treat those two impostors the same, it is always blown out of proportion. So my plan would be, look lads we are going to get stick no matter what we do, so go out without a care in the world play like you were on the playground and whatever you do score more goals than the opposition. If they were just better than us then we will just hold up our hands and say so. If we win and we will say little and just get on with the next game. Guesty, I hear you say that's not the way the whole thing works, well I bally well don't give a toss, the media will hype and write whatever they want whatever, so sod the bloody lot of them! It's all to serious anyway, there are worse things happening in the world.
Vacancy, England Manager, requirements, thick skin, a plastered smile, ability to pick a squad of players, a warped sense of humour, ability to change ones answer within the same sentence and most of all a fail safe plan to loose the job when required! Simple.
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
England
I notice that the England football team has yet another new handler, Mr Allardyce. It occurs to me, that whilst we have always over-hyped our chances, that this is a poison chalice and yet it seems one which many a manager is keen to drink from. Of course I wish him and the team every good fortune but having been around long enough to clearly remember when we actually won a tournament, it behooves me to point out that you have to actually have "world" class players and since that time with very very few exceptions we have not had players of this caliber!
So high expectations will come to nothing as we do not have players capable of operating at a level required to win tournaments. I have occasionally watched our team in action and now and then they do raise their game to more than a sluggish trot of pass the ball across the field countless times whilst not finding a way through the oppositions defense. Of course every now and then we meet a team who are naturally inferior and give them a jolly good thrashing. Every now and then we beat a team who are nominally better than we are!
The Premier league has been diluted by the long term influx of players from other counties. Less opportunity for home grown players and whilst we may not have produced any better players than currently, we could have had a bigger choice? I do not see the same fighting spirit and collective camaraderie that is displayed by other UK teams, Wales, Scotland and the two Ireland's. If we could generate that it would go a long way to improving our overall performance.
Now old Guesty is no expert, I was no footballer and certainly I've never managed but it does not need an expert to know that we are simply not good enough.
Well the Guestling solution is keep it simple, play everyone in their right position, get them to do their job and try to score more goals than the opposition. You see simple and simple is always best!
So high expectations will come to nothing as we do not have players capable of operating at a level required to win tournaments. I have occasionally watched our team in action and now and then they do raise their game to more than a sluggish trot of pass the ball across the field countless times whilst not finding a way through the oppositions defense. Of course every now and then we meet a team who are naturally inferior and give them a jolly good thrashing. Every now and then we beat a team who are nominally better than we are!
The Premier league has been diluted by the long term influx of players from other counties. Less opportunity for home grown players and whilst we may not have produced any better players than currently, we could have had a bigger choice? I do not see the same fighting spirit and collective camaraderie that is displayed by other UK teams, Wales, Scotland and the two Ireland's. If we could generate that it would go a long way to improving our overall performance.
Now old Guesty is no expert, I was no footballer and certainly I've never managed but it does not need an expert to know that we are simply not good enough.
Well the Guestling solution is keep it simple, play everyone in their right position, get them to do their job and try to score more goals than the opposition. You see simple and simple is always best!
Thursday, September 1, 2016
Sir Guestling is back
To my faithful reader I apologise for being unable to publish anything. It was a technical fault and I could not access my page. Not to worry I'm back now.
The world has turned a few more revolutions and it appears to be no different. In the USA, Trump is still walking round with his foot firmly in his gob, Premier league teams have spent more money than ever, interest rates in the UK have almost reached 0% but footballers it seem to have no ceiling to their inflationary fees! Lady Thorn is so disgusted by the exorbitant sums paid out that she cannot bring herself to comment and I have taken the high road should the subject arise! Pomfrey dryly commented that players should wear the fee they cost on their shirts instead of their names! It appears that Brexit will continue but at a slow pace, perhaps in reality it will not happen? Summer has finished and September is upon us. My old dad used to say that autumn is the time to pause, though he never did say what for?
And what is Guesty up to these days, well the odd round of golf, keeping out of trouble and trying to keep the Thorn coffers topped up. Of course that is easy said than done and one is always looking for ever more creative ways to engineer a bob or two. The good lady is ever more dubious about some of my schemes but she says little and lets me get on with it. Tooky Fairweather, an old chum from school days put me on to a good tip with the gee gees and I won a few quid from that. To be fair Tooky did have an arterial motive and was keen to get in my good graces. He wanted me to introduce him to a fellow I know who is a wizard with vintage motors, his old Rolls was is need of attention and he knew I guarded my friendship with him with a secretive zeal, not wanting to share his skills with everyone but as he had done me such a good turn, I relented and the Rolls is purring once more.
Anyway not much more to say and a Thorn never outstays his welcome.
The world has turned a few more revolutions and it appears to be no different. In the USA, Trump is still walking round with his foot firmly in his gob, Premier league teams have spent more money than ever, interest rates in the UK have almost reached 0% but footballers it seem to have no ceiling to their inflationary fees! Lady Thorn is so disgusted by the exorbitant sums paid out that she cannot bring herself to comment and I have taken the high road should the subject arise! Pomfrey dryly commented that players should wear the fee they cost on their shirts instead of their names! It appears that Brexit will continue but at a slow pace, perhaps in reality it will not happen? Summer has finished and September is upon us. My old dad used to say that autumn is the time to pause, though he never did say what for?
And what is Guesty up to these days, well the odd round of golf, keeping out of trouble and trying to keep the Thorn coffers topped up. Of course that is easy said than done and one is always looking for ever more creative ways to engineer a bob or two. The good lady is ever more dubious about some of my schemes but she says little and lets me get on with it. Tooky Fairweather, an old chum from school days put me on to a good tip with the gee gees and I won a few quid from that. To be fair Tooky did have an arterial motive and was keen to get in my good graces. He wanted me to introduce him to a fellow I know who is a wizard with vintage motors, his old Rolls was is need of attention and he knew I guarded my friendship with him with a secretive zeal, not wanting to share his skills with everyone but as he had done me such a good turn, I relented and the Rolls is purring once more.
Anyway not much more to say and a Thorn never outstays his welcome.
Monday, August 1, 2016
Sunday
Guesty back writing on the old blog. Here sat in Thorn Towers one can contemplate many of the issues that beset this world of ours. Pomfrey my faithful valet has for years brought me the Sunday papers but since I have finally convinced him to take it easy and I am far to lazy to read them these days, I have taken to reading the news online, yes on the world wide web! I have one of these tablet thingy, made by some company named after a fruit, the dear lady wife bought it for me as a present. Of course I as I have said before I make out that I am sorely ignorant about technology but the truth is that I am actually quite savvy about computers.
Of course one would think that in many ways there is nothing but bad news, with the world in such a mess, as always and yet here and there there is a nugget of good cheer, some heartwarming story of good deeds or lost love.
I admit I,ll have no truck with all that social media nonsense. Why I would want to know where someone is or what they are eating etc is beyond me and I have no intention of getting involved. Tweets, Twitter, Instagram and all the other mediums through which people share what appears to be every waking moment, has no appeal for this old fart. As for selfies, recently in Crete, Lady Thorn and I noticed a number of people wandering round with "selfie sticks" what is this obsession with recording every place with you in it? We have also noticed, usually young women, have a preponderance to "pose" in some coy and cliched manner, whilst their picture is taken. I tried, for a laugh, to get the good lady to take one of me in such a pose but she walked off in disgust, although I did detect the faint look of a smile on her face!
So, yes, I understand technology and the many benefits it can offer but there is no doubt in my mind that if we are not careful it will become all intrusive and we maybe sucked into the ether never to return!
Of course one would think that in many ways there is nothing but bad news, with the world in such a mess, as always and yet here and there there is a nugget of good cheer, some heartwarming story of good deeds or lost love.
I admit I,ll have no truck with all that social media nonsense. Why I would want to know where someone is or what they are eating etc is beyond me and I have no intention of getting involved. Tweets, Twitter, Instagram and all the other mediums through which people share what appears to be every waking moment, has no appeal for this old fart. As for selfies, recently in Crete, Lady Thorn and I noticed a number of people wandering round with "selfie sticks" what is this obsession with recording every place with you in it? We have also noticed, usually young women, have a preponderance to "pose" in some coy and cliched manner, whilst their picture is taken. I tried, for a laugh, to get the good lady to take one of me in such a pose but she walked off in disgust, although I did detect the faint look of a smile on her face!
So, yes, I understand technology and the many benefits it can offer but there is no doubt in my mind that if we are not careful it will become all intrusive and we maybe sucked into the ether never to return!
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