European Stitch-Up

Last week we had a pretty unanimous conclusion from within the government about the impact of the meetings on Thursday night. The use of the British veto was necessary, because, as he said last Friday: “The demands Britain made for safeguards, on which the Coalition Government was united, were modest and reasonable. They were safeguards … Continue reading

What next for the Euro?

So once again, it’s the bad old Brits who’ve ruined things in Europe. OK, don’t expect this to be entirely rational. I was up until early this morning signing Christmas cards. Still, my natural grumpiness has been enhanced today by the entirely predictable sulkiness of Mr Sarkozy this morning. It’s all Britain’s fault. Mr Sarkozy … Continue reading

The Emperor’s New Clothes

As an ex-computer salesman, this really grabbed my interest today. The idea that a man could propose stopping using emails is pretty remarkable for any business. But for a senior exec? The article’s here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16055310 The first thing to strike you is that it’s ludicrous that a senior businessman could suggest not using email. I … Continue reading

Europe: the Locomotive without brakes

There is nothing wrong with the idea of Europe. Right. I’ve said it. I don’t object to Europe, and in fact since it’s been a project on the go since I was a boy in shorts, I’m quite used to it – sort of. However, I’m not quite sure what it is I’m supposed to … Continue reading

Pensions and Strikes

There is to be a strike tomorrow. Thousands of people are going to down tools, stop work, and march shouting slogans first thought up by their ancestors long, long ago. Do I support them? No. To be fair (I try to be, sometimes), my first annoyance with this whole matter was the money, but then … Continue reading

BBC Short Story Slashing!

It really is BBC Lunacy. Oh, I know. There are so many aspects of the BBC that call for the searing satire of a Swift, and yet here I am, a mentally meandering crime hack, doing my best with one aspect only. Which? The latest changes to the Radio 4 schedule, of course. Ok, so … Continue reading

So, is this one a real or a political promise, Dave?

Just for the record, let me state that I love Germany, France, Austria, Italy, and every other European country I’ve visited. I like Europe. And the european people. And I especially like going to Europe, partaking of their foods and wines, and enjoying their cultures. That, though, is the point. They all have different cultures. … Continue reading

Drugs again

Drugs – Yet Again Ach, I really, really dislike returning to this, but really, what is the point of the anti-drugs policy? I saw this today http://chapman.dailymail.co.uk/2011/11/your-best-friend-calls-you-and-tells-you-heshes-really-sick-how-do-you-show-you-care-1.html and felt the irritation rising again. A nice picture needed to calm me down now. Let’s see. Ah, water. That’s good. Is there a purpose to our “War … Continue reading

Working – written with the active non-cooperation of HTC.

So, after a short interlude, I’m back. No, I didn’t have a holiday. Just too many things on, particularly school holidays, for me to be able to sit down and type sensibly! I said two weeks ago, I think, that I would write something about writing with the new tablet. So here it is. There … Continue reading

Ebooks and Stuff!

Good news potentially, from the Frankfurt Book Fair. Apparently agents are warning of a reckoning to come, because of the low royalties paid to authors. If you want to read more, go and look at The Bookseller for the full article here: http://www.thebookseller.com/news/agents-warn-e-book-reckoning.html Many people have asked me in the last few months why so … Continue reading