Archbishop knocks social networking

Archbishop Nichols said society was losing some of its ability to build communities through inter-personal communication, as the result of excessive use of texts and e-mails rather than face-to-face meetings or telephone conversations. He said skills such as reading a person's mood and body language were in decline, and that exclusive use of electronic information had a "dehumanising" effect on community life. BBC News2/8/09.

An interesting piece, raising questions about the way we understand our rapidly changing society.  While it is true that face to face relationships are important, computer mediated communications add to, rather than replace, the way we communicate. Interpersonal relationships continue - in schools, the workplace, pubs and clubs. The notion of lonely young people sitting hermit like in darkened rooms staring at flickering computer screens is largely a myth.

It is true that our sense of 'community' has diminished over the last few decades. However, I would suggest that this is due more to changing social values (consumerism, greed) and the nature of the workplace (more demanding, busier) than CMCs.

Mail and Guardian vindicated on Oilgate exposé

(Judge Ntsikelelo) Poswa’s ruling vindicates the M&G. It sets aside Mushwana’s report and orders a new investigation, including of the matters which Mushwana claimed were outside his mandate. He also awarded costs to the M&G. Mail and Guardian.

It has taken four years for the M&G to be vindicated for their report which showed how the ANC stole R11m from the public purse via a party front, Imvume Management. The ANC, via a supposed black empowerment company Imvume Management, promised support to Suddam Hussein in exchange for oil via a rigged tender. Ther proceeds of the sale to Petro SA went into ANC coffers.

Public Protector (?) Lawrence Mushwana did everything he could to stop a full and proper investigation, claiming that “Much of what has been published by the Mail & Guardian was factually incorrect, based on incomplete information and documentation and comprised unsubstantiated suggestions and unjustified speculation.”

We now know better.

Up yours Lawrence. Twat.

Update on Friday, July 31, 2009 at 07:34AM by Inyoka

The vindication of the M&Gs reporting on the Oilgate issue raises one's hopes that other cases will be brought into the open - not only in SA but other countries like the UK.

Britain has seen a number of miscarriages of justice recently, including the decision by the CPS not to prosecute in the  Cash for Honours case, the whitewash of police after the disastrous operation which led to the death of Jean Charles De Menezes (the officer in charge, Cressida Dick was promoted even before the investigation), the circumstances surrounding the hounding and death of Dr David Kelly and the whole issue of the 'sexing up' of the WMD issue which resulted in the UK deciding to get involved in Iraq. The narrow remits of the Hutton and Butler reports resulted in the the Labour government being vindicated on these counts.

It is to be hoped that the eventual inquiry into the War in Iraq will turn around some of the more dubious whitewashes. However, the final report will only come out after Labour are out of power. Would that it provides enough evidence to get Blair and his supporters arrested and facing a charge of war crimes, like Charles Taylor.

Expenses clean up bill passed

However, the government dropped plans for a legally-binding code of conduct and two new criminal offences for MPs in the face of stiff opposition.  BBC News.

So... no legally binding code of conduct, no way of prosecuting offenders.

Business as usual then.

Quintenial MOTs for teachers

Ed Balls, the schools secretary, said: "It may be that we will discover some teachers who don't make the grade ... We want this to be a profession which is continually learning and developing, and that will be central to the licence. It's saying we want to ensure the best teachers in every classroom in every part of the country." The Guardian.

It's a pity the same stringent checks do not apply to corrupt, fraudulent, self seeking twats in parliament and especially to the arrogant Balls who seems to think that he can simply ignore freedom of speech and dictate to everyone.

There are some interesting bits in this paper but again we see what will result in a continuation of lowest common factor provision which is the hallmark of just about everything our politically correct, nanny state government believes in. Taking money away from good schools and giving it to crappy ones does not work.

There are also impractical promises, such as the "new plans for one-to-one tuition for every child who is below the expected level at 11 – currently one in five of all pupils." This means employing a huge number of people to help poor students. Or does it? Perhaps it means that existing teachers are required to spend 'some' individual time with the bottom 20%, in which case there is nothing new, revolutionary or different to what is already happening... more meaningless government spin and  claptrap.

Balls - pots calling kettles black.

Children's Secretary Ed Balls has sacked the governors of a secondary school amid claims of illegal staff bonuses. Mr Balls said he was "very concerned" about the allegations."Robust governance and management must be established as soon as possible at Copland," he said.

BBC News.

Would that the same applies in parliament where Balls, his missus and numerous others of the same seedy, corrupt ilk have been ripping the taxpayer off for years.

Don't you love the irony? Thing is, Balls probably does not, given the dubious syndrome of entitlement that has held sway for so long in parliament.