Zimbabwe.

It’s a long since we made our last comments about the state of disaster in Zimbabwe. The nightmare continues. Mugabe and his fascist ZanuPF continues in power, using its ruthless control  of society through the police and secret police to maintain its grip on society. Inflation running  at anything between 24,000% to 50,000%. The economy in total ruin. We believe there are supposed to be “elections” held on 29 March. These “elections” are for presidential, parliamentary and local government.

The opposition MDC factions led by Tsvangirai and Mutumbara will be contesting though one wonders why? Since any “elections” in Zimbabwe are a complete fraud. Now we believe former minister Simba Makoni is placing himself forward as a presidential candidate.

“Elections” are not the way forward in Zimbabwe the regime will not be toppled by “elections”.  There is only one way to overthrow Mugabe and ZanuPF and that is armed struggle.

Parents, children & crime.

Firstly, let’s make this very clear, it is time that the media, including not just the printed but TV & radio feature more prominently positive images and stories of youth, that means good role models simply because there are youths who do play a positive role in society and the problem is that the the media as a whole concentrates solely on bad news which then gets hyped up to the maximum.

Secondly, given there is a real social problem in regard to bad behaviour and criminal behaviour from children and youths then this is an issue that must be dealt with and dealt with firmly. Parents whose children behave in criminal or anti social activities need to be brought to account if necessary their benefits; as in many cases the parents may well be single parents who apparently care little where their children are after school. We have seen a list of cases, the most recent well known case being that of the tragic story of Garry Newlove.

Children need to be taught that they have duties in society, that whilst we regard corporeal punishment as being outdated there is a need to respect those older than themselves.

We need to also consider the role of retail outlets for selling energy drinks and alcohol, perhaps the time has come to outlaw retail outlets selling energy and alcoholic drinks.

Shock, Horror stories.

A naval officer appears to have lost a laptop computer in unclear circumstances which contains the details of 600,000 people. For some weird reason our delightful Tory inspired mass media outlets along with their current playmates accuse the government of this latest failure in security. Another story is circulating of papers being dumped again with sensitive information. The likely effect of these little tales, though we are not underestimating the seriousness of events, is merely to build on an agenda of cynicism in regard to government. If some civil servant or military officer loses sensitive information then surely the fault lies with the offender. Government cannot be in a free society a magic eye watching every move its employees make. Whilst there may be regulations and duties concerning employees, surely its employees must also have some sort of common sense not to allow or risk sensitive information to fall into the wrong hands. Perhaps, after the necessary inquiries have taken place if  an individual is at fault then that individual must face the ultimate penalty of dismissal.  Cameron and his fellow Tories need to address themselves in regard to real issues not momentary silliness.

Lark Rise to Candleford.

The current BBC production of Lark Rise to Candleford is a welcome addition to the BBC’s collection of drama. The first episode of ten was screened last night. This production is brilliant. It’s been a good few years since I’ve read Flora Thompson’s Lark Rise to Candleford, a novel first published in 1939; it chronicles life in a fictional Oxfordshire village and it’s neighbouring market town in Victorian England at the end of the 19th century. The cast selection is superb. Another recent good BBC production was an adaptation  of Jane Austin’s Sense & Sensibility published 1811. Good cast selection and filming. I hope that these productions will encourage TV viewers to go a find a copy of these novels and read them, they will find themselves enriched.