Author: Araminta

Police forces confess 944 officers have a criminal record

Police forces confess 944 officers have a criminal record (link)

Freedom of information requests reveal police with convictions ranging from burglary to perverting the course of justice

I’m aghast and quite disturbed to read this. Can it be true?  I’m aware that the Police are not perfect, and some of the “crimes” seem quite minor, but nevertheless, this sounds somewhat alarming!

Generally speaking, I have always considered the Police to be hard-working and essentially honest, with a difficult job to do.

They did not cover themselves in glory during the recent riots, and generally they seem overwhelmed by paper-work and targets, unable to respond to burglaries and overzealous in persecuting motorists (an easy target perhaps) but I do find this quite unbelievable

Economics for Dummies

“Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pound ought and six, result misery.”

Wilkins Micawber

Sounds perfectly sensible to me, but then I’m no economist!

Now moving on to the bright ideas of John Maynard Keynes:

Continue reading “Economics for Dummies”

Apocalypse Now?

Apocalypse Now? Israel threatens Iran.

“ I love the smell of napalm in the morning” updated to 2011?

Apparently, according to Wiki, Iran’s Nuclear Programme was launched in the 1950’s with the help and support of the United States and Europe! Atoms for Peace, well it’s all gone a bit pear-shaped again, but that’s Realpolitik,  nicht wahr? Continue reading “Apocalypse Now?”

Bloomers and Bodices: November Short Story

Bloomers and Bodices: November Short Story

Ambrose had the feeling that the Extraordinary General Meeting of the Board of Grace Emporium was spiralling out of control. In all his years as Chairman, this was a first. Must be getting old, he thought as he listened to the increasingly angry exchanges between his two sons. Miss Phelps had abandoned her scribbles and looked hot and ill at ease as she gazed helplessly in his direction. He mimed raising a cup of tea, and was relieved when she slammed her shorthand pad on the boardroom table and fled the room.

They were still in full flow when Gladys, pushing a trolley through the heavy oak door, shouted “Tea’s up gentlemen, and by the way, Miss Phelps sends ‘er apologies. She’s gone ‘ome, she came over all poorly again.”

Continue reading “Bloomers and Bodices: November Short Story”

Knitting Pattern 1: A Cuddly Bear

Knitting Pattern: Teddy Bear

SIZE

Approximately 10 1/2” tall.

MATERIALS

BERROCO PLUSH (50 grs), 1 ball #1947 Bubblegum, #1023 Shocking Pink or #1901 Cream (1 ball for each bear).

Straight knitting needles, size 8 OR SIZE TO OBTAIN GAUGE.

Small amount of polyester fill for stuffing.

1/2 yd ribbon for neck bow.

GAUGE

7 sts = 2”; 11 rows = 2” in Reverse St st.

TO SAVE TIME, TAKE TIME TO CHECK GAUGE.

Continue reading “Knitting Pattern 1: A Cuddly Bear”

A Framework of Thought

There are several vital differences between totalitarianism and all the orthodoxies of the past, either in Europe or in the East. The most important is that the orthodoxies of the past did not change, or at least did not change rapidly. In medieval Europe the Church dictated what you should believe, but at least it allowed you to retain the same beliefs from birth to death. It did not tell you to believe one thing on Monday and another on Tuesday. And the same is more or less true of any orthodox Christian, Hindu, Buddhist or Muslim today. In a sense his thoughts are circumscribed, but he passed his whole life within the same framework of thought. His emotions are not tampered with.

Now, with totalitarianism, exactly the opposite is true. The peculiarity of the totalitarian state is that though it controls thought, it does not fix it. It sets up unquestionable dogmas, and it alters them from day to day. It needs the dogmas, because it needs absolute obedience from its subjects, but cannot avoid the changes, which are dictated by the needs of power politics. It declared itself infallible, and at the same time it attacks the very concept of objective truth.
 George Orwell

Continue reading “A Framework of Thought”

A Match made in Heaven: Short Story Competition.

Scene One: Castel Sant’Angelo, the Library.

He looked at Simon, the picture of despair, his elbows resting on the other side of the desk, his head in his hands.

What the hell are you going to do, Simon? It’s make your mind up time, I need some sleep. Are you going to marry her or what? Frankly, it’s a bit bloody late in the day to be having this conversation. We’re supposed to be at the church in precisely seven hours.


Ed, I just wanted to be normal, you know, not the target for stupid jokes from bigoted nutters. Jesus, I haven’t done it since I was seventeen. Do you know what that feels like? Always hiding, pretending to be something I’m not.  Look, Edward, just give me the bloody key; this may be my last chance!

Edward shook his head sadly as Simon just groaned again and poured himself another brandy. Edward took the key from the desk, opening the windows and raising his eyebrows, stood clear, and tried again to get through to his brother.

Who was it said “The one charm about marriage is that it makes a life of deception absolutely necessary for both parties.”. Just don’t do anything stupid, and I really think you should tell Kate if you are determined to go through with this. It’s her life too, you know.

Oscar Wilde? Simon responded automatically.

No, I can’t let her go and I can’t …

Simon hurled the glass in the direction of the fireplace , unfurled his wings and flew slightly unsteadily out of the open window. Continue reading “A Match made in Heaven: Short Story Competition.”