[edinburgh] war on dog doos

You all know the sterling Freedom and Whisky of course but I only discovered it yesterday and immediately was referred to Ewan Aitkens who had written this: I cannot understand why people let their dog’s foul not just pavements but football pitches, parks, verges, playgrounds and all the rest of it. It is a despicable, disgusting disrespectful action and I despise it and those who don’t clean up after their dogs. It’s like letting some one defecate in their front room. Public space is shared space and to ruin it like that is simply unacceptable. It’s about the most anti-social act I come across…It is individualism in the extreme. You’d have to agree with him, wouldn’t you think?

[house of lords] your time is coming once again

How would you like to have a name like: Thomas Galloway Dunlop du Roy de Blicquy Galbraith, 2nd Baron Strathclyde? The man in the photo does and it gives one a warm feeling of solidity, of safety somehow. He’s the Lord Chancellor [I refuse to use the altered terminology] and should be one of the chief advisers to the Sovereign in this fair land.

[aging] the dilemma of the elderly

Reported by Conservative Home some days ago: "David Cameron will today promise to end the 'national disgrace' of the elderly being separated from their families and sent to die in care homes he calls grey ghettoes. The Tory leader will pledge that a Conservative government would shake up the housing laws to make it easier for old people to live with their loved ones." - Daily Mail One hopes it really will amount to more than pre-election words but I can’t see how he’ll change the practice. The problem stems from how the middle-aged view the elderly and how far they deal with the ‘burden’ they see old people as being. I really hope against hope that Cameron can make a difference.

[house of lords] modest proposals for the restoration of same

Edward III would turn in his grave at the Lords Destruction Bill intended to be presented shortly. The US has a grand system, suitable for the US but Britain still has the vestiges of its own time honoured system. Thus I present a small selection of the Lords Preservation Proposals for your perusal: Firstly, the House of Lords is to be known, in perpetuity, as the House of Lords and the Woolsack remains untouched by grubby comm--- sorry. Next, a selection of proposals on Composition, Law Lords and Bills here.

[sublime noise] what is your fondest memory

"It must be generally admitted that Beethoven's Fifth Symphony is the most sublime noise that ever penetrated the ear of man," wrote E.M. Forster in Howard's End. Sublime … yes. But how about this: Leeds’ Lord Mayor, members of the Clothworkers’ Foundation and music enthusiasts from across the region heard Murray Perahia’s virtuoso performance of Schubert’s Impromptu in E flat. Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor David Sugden, said: “We are honoured and privileged to have witnessed such a sublime performance in this stunning hall.” So what is the most sublime noise you’ve ever heard, by whom and where? Brahms’ Trio for Clarinet, Cello and Piano or perhaps Juan Garcia de Salazar’s Dixit Dominus?

[political correctness] raising its ugly head in glasgow

More than surprised that the blogforce north of the border didn’t pick up on this one: I am delighted that Glasgow City Council is going to outlaw sexism. I really despise being referred to as 'hen' and feel there is no place for this level of offensive disempowerment. I'm actively involved in trying to rid the church of exclusive language, and would like to see certain words banned such as brethren.....and yes, I'd like to see the end of the word chairman. Chairperson is absolutely fine. That comes from some hen called Helen, in reaction to the GCC’s Lovely Liz and reported by, of all people, Vox Day in the US of A. Political Correctness. Excuse me one moment - I need to find a bucket.