EX-CONS TO BECOME MENTORS !!

What an amazing idea ! +Chris Grayling strikes again. Bless him.

Just before I rant about this wonderful concept, a note of caution, Chris: we're all potential crims. Maybe more attention should be given to figuring out why and then doing something about it? 

Whatever. We're told six out of ten offenders dealt with by the justice system return to crime within nine years. It's just not good enough! And so the idea is to meet  them by the prison gates shortly after the they wave a fond fairwell to the screws. The idea is to "help them go straight" in civvy-land.  (Ed:maybe a mis-print with the words "back in" missing?)

Imagine the conversation when our ex-Con Mentor first meets his subject.

"Right then, Fingers. I'm you're Mentor. Give us that £46 and we'll get off down the boozer for an initial chat"

"Sure, Boss, sure. (sniff)". "You got any (sniff) stuff for me(sniff)?"

"Have a seat, Fingers. I'll get the lemonade down.........there you go."

"Thanks, Boss, (sniff). Thanks.(sniff)"

"Now then. Before we start, a couple of simple rules. Mobile off when you're on a job. Gloves and a hood are a given. Got it, Fingers?"

"Got it, Boss. (sniff) Got it (sniff).".........

Now I'm not saying ex-gangland types are always not suitable for Mentoring.  I'm just saying that the number that are suitable might soon run out. Especially so if  the concept erroneously improves nine years to six.

Oh.....and by the way....I don't think I will be volunteering to Mentor anyone.  I don't have the requisite qualifications according to Grayling.  If I did I'm not sure I would want to run the risk of being exposed. And as I don't, I don't want to run the risk of people thinking I do !

What can we say? Bless you, Chris Grayling?

JIMMY SAVILE

I've been away for a bit so not had a chance to blog about the late Jimmy Savile.

Like many others my first reaction was to wonder whether there was any real benefit in pursuing the allegations given Savile's death.  No way to defend himself etc. Originally we heard allegations relating to the abuse of ~14 year old girls.  Later alleged abuse relating to younger girls and boys and alleged necrophilia.  Whilst doubting the practicability of collecting evidence of necrophilia I think we all quickly went to judgement on the other allegations.

The involvement of the BBC and others in alleged cover-ups soon clouded the situation somewhat; that is the focus seemed to change from the alleged behaviour of Jimmy Savile to the alleged behaviour of individuals part of the media in cover up or complicity.

Let's not forget.  If ultimately charges are brought then the Courts will decide.  That is the order of things. 

Of broader interest is the possibility that persons from all walks of life will now be spurred on to make similar allegations in respect of historic incidents which could well have been real but might have been imagined, and may even have been fabricated. Such allegations against previous workmates, family, friends or relatives, or anyone (there is no limit) will stand or fall on the balance of acceptable evidence. 

Until hard evidence of wrongdoing in the media or by individuals is produced, any charges brought, and decisions of  the Court reached, it's prudent to reserve personal judgement. 

Lets just hope the need to reach any judgement remains with a U.K. court and doesn't find its way to the horrendous European Court of Human Rights. Recent judgements there beggar belief.

WELCOME TO EUROPE - CUCKOO LAND

Here's a simple explanation. ( N.B. +Vince Cable :some things are not complicated ) 

Europhiles predict disaster for the U.K. if it leaves Europe.  They reckon that France and Germany and other European countries would cease buying U.K. products.  The U.K. would be left "out in the cold." What tripe!

The real outcome? France, Germany and their European cohorts would continue to buy U.K. products if they really wanted them. Simple eh ? So no change there !

And why would U.K. people want to remain part of something run with such apparently unbelievable incompetence?

Europe it seems is run by a posse of arrogant politicians so dumb, for example, they impose huge budget increases to bolster their  serial incompetence at the cost of poorer member countries who, concomitantly, are required to implement draconian austerity measures!  Welcome to cuckoo land!! 

If the UK has any sense it will get out of the EU as soon as it can. A vote for +UK Independence Party (UKIP) will get things moving.