Thursday 15 July 2010

Always Look on the Black Side of Life.

Having written two posts on June that were fairly cheerful I started to think of aspects in the month that got me going. After all, I'm not called Grumpy for nothing!
For instance, the idiot fat cats in the world never suffer in hard times. I noticed, there are 172 Civil Servants earning more than the Prime Minister. (£150,000 or more.) Plus more than 100 BBC staff also earn more than David Cameron. (The most senior executive, Carol Thomson earns £333,000 a year.)
Our chief executive of Derby City Council, Adam Wilkinson earns a mere £160,000 a year. Poor man, except that Kent County Council gave him severance pay of £365,000 when he quit as director of environment after twelve months. Justin King, chief executive of Sainsbury's received almost £8,000,000 last year. What a pity they recorded their worst growth in six years, lest some of my more affluent readers try to suggest such indecent bonuses, salaries and pensions are justified. The trend is that the salaries of directors of large companies are increasing whilst profits are decreasing. (BBC News, 4th July.)
The word effluence springs to mind rather than affluence. I notice a loaf of bread made in Nailsworth has up to a hundred customers in the Cotswolds despite costing £21 each. I'm not so sure about the sensibilities of that either in these austere times.
One can argue that one's money is yours to spend as you please, but is it that simple. Whilst half the world starves, Britain is in the middle of the worst depression for many decades and Cabestan, a Swiss company offer a watch for sale at £250,000. (The Scuderia Ferrari One.)
I think that what gets my goat, so to speak, is the hypocrisy of it all, big business and the rich purporting to care whilst continuing to profit massively in a troubled world. Not all company profits are decreasing. I noticed brewers Fuller, Smith and Turner showing great concern for the future. Well, it didn't stop your yearly profits being up 17% on the year, did it lads.
I've suffered several dodgy life threatening experiences over the last few years. So much so that I made a vow not to concern myself with things I can't change. Yet here I am, raving about stupid, greedy imbeciles who really don't deserve a minute of my time. So why do I do it? I refuse to read regularly either The Daily Express or The Daily Mail. What pathetic apologies for newspapers they are. Negative, subversive, biased, frankly unpleasant and pandering to their readers prejudices. It worries me that many, particularly the older generation like my mother in law are influenced by the propaganda of people with a hidden agenda. (I do of course recognise that The Sun wields great influence but I always assume, naively in all probability that most realise the Sun is a comic at heart.) If none of us ever read a newspaper ever again I doubt our lives would be too diminished. We need to know of the world beyond our immediate environment, but how much do we need to know in reality.
Is it paranoia or merely concern that makes me so het up at times. Many things in June besides 'fat cats' caught my eye. In Gloucester Cathedral flower arrangers have been told they must undergo Criminal Record Bureau checks. The usual PC rubbish. Plus the EU attempting to ban the sale of eggs by the dozen is mind bendingly dumb. A dozen is divisible by half, a quarter, a third, a sixth, try that, you metric lovers. I don't know what is worse, the interference or the stupidity.
The police had many, many chances to apprehend a rapist in London and failing to do so makes me angry and not a little sad. This alongside the case of Eddie Gilfoyle whose conviction for murder after eighteen years now seems highly suspect. The police failing to heed the written warning given when Raoul Moat was released from prison is enough to make even the fairest of individuals roar with frustration. (Yet the police had until recently a Home Office Adviser on red tape. Officially 'the independent reducing bureaucracy advocate'.)
France -Inter sacking comedians because they had the temerity to suggest Nicolas Sarkozy is a midget is pathetic but at least it's funny. Of course he is a midget. I too at five feet four am a midget. Of course you are a midget, Sarkozy, so deal with it, you power mad French fool.
Just some of life's irritations from the past weeks. All off my chest now! Do you get steamed up with the world out there or is it just me. And is it the same for my readers overseas? Same or similar problems? How do you cope with it all; I'd love to know.
This was to be the end of this miserable post. Except that I've just had four superb days in the Yorkshire Dales in the motorhome. Met a chap whose father is a lord. A chap without a bit of swagger or brag, what a lovely guy you are. Stayed once again on my favourite campsite, Cow Close Barn near Leyburn. 'Mike, the 'boss', affable and helpful as ever. Dad, Alec, not in the best of health but never one to let his problems affect others. Both utter charmers, plus their equally lovely, hard working wives; always a pleasure to meet again. Four days with my own smashing wife savouring the delights of great people and beautiful countryside. What the heck am I doing letting the idiots in the world get to me. You tell me!

26 comments:

the fly in the web said...

Only becausethe idiots are in charge of government spending and grabbing our taxes.
I know where I would put my dosh..and it's not on employing social wokers!

Jennytc said...

How on earth did we get to this state whereby it is viewed as perfectly acceptable to 'reward' CEOs etc with exhorbitant amounts of money, regardless of their performance. About the same time that it became acceptable for MPs and others to refuse to accept responsibility for their mistakes and wrongdoings, maybe? ("I did nothing wrong!")
I gave up reading newspapers long ago to avoid getting het up about things I can't change.

Valerie said...

I actually enjoyed reading your rant, Ken, simply because of the marvellous way you have of ranting. I haven't read a newspaper for years, preferring to form my own opinions rather than have them thrust on me by people who twist things to suit their own ends, eg selling newspapers.
I'm so glad you enjoyed your four days in the heavenly Dales. Wish I was there....

GrumpyRN said...

"What the heck am I doing letting the idiots in the world get to me. You tell me!" - Cos' we have to justify the title Grumpy and if nothing else, it is good for our blood pressure to let the steam off. I have often found myself shouting at a news item or some 'fly on the wall' programme for it's stupidity and generally dumbing down to the lowest common denominator.
I used to like reading 'The Times' but nowadays it is 'The Sun' with bigger words. I am now sticking to our local paper - at least I know what it's political leanings are and it's always good to see who has been jailed or fined.

Saz said...

its not amiserable post Ken, its hilarious!!!

thanks for making me laugh out loud...love the Sarkozy rant!!!


saz x

Nota Bene said...

Now don't get me going.....

Sueann said...

Because the idiots are in charge like fly in the web says. That is why we all get upset. And they get paid the big bucks as well! They also have the best health insurance and all the perks that go with power! Makes me sick.
And I don't read one newspaper. I learned long ago...they are only out to deceive the masses in as profitable way as possible.
Glad you had a great holiday
Hugs
SueAnn

Freda said...

Enjoyed the rant, and am pleased the campervan break made things seem better.

Strawberry Jam Anne said...

I do agree with you Ken. I do not read newspapers but do try to catch news on the radio and/or TV (and of course read your monthly round-up)! Politicians, bankers and the like no longer amaze me with their shenanigans. What does upset me is the abuse of children which happens all too frequently these days. (I know what I would do if I ever got my hands on any of the perpetrators, which probably takes me towards their level) and/or the natural disasters that occur in the world. Keep on ranting Ken - it's good if it helps to get it off your chest! A

Lakeland Jo said...

I enjoyed reading your rant Ken. It made me feel better. I have had a horrible week and I needed a rant but hadn't the energy. You have done it for me. I pretty much agreed with all you said, and I love that part of Yorkshire you talk about too XX

The bike shed said...

Not been here for a while. Nice to see you as grumpy as ever. I think I'll have a another rant myself - having just had a mini one on private education over at my place

Gill - That British Woman said...

well I was felling a tad depressed until I read the last paragraph, at least that wasn't depressing!!

Gill in Canada

Oh and by the way it's no better over here in Canada.

Fat Grump said...

Ken, just wanted tosay I loved this post - for it's thought-provoking nature. Don't apologise for having a very worthy rant! Have to agree with your sentiments and yes, I suspect that we really would be less anxious/cross if we concerned ourselves only with our own little worlds, places where we can make a difference, given the massive injustices out there, globally. We can get blue in the face regarding the wrong-doings of others and the unfairness of so many situations, but can we make a jot of difference - really? It's good to be aware but it would seem we are fighting losing battles in trying to see justice done in the world. It's all so sad.

Glad you enjoyed your break in Yorkshire. Yes...I think re-charging the batteries if we can keeps us going. Sometimes we just have to forget being angry about the injustice of it all, and soldier on, wearing blinkers if necessary. (I only say that because despite my own ravings about poverty, fat cats, stupidity, discrimination etc things remain the same...and always will I suspect. (The only thing that changes is my blood-pressure!) Good post. Thank you :)

Grumpy Old Ken said...

fly in the web
Exactly! I suppose its partly our fault for electing fools.

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Jennyta
I read newspapers (some) but you are probably wiser not to.

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Valerie
Thanks. Interesting, another non newspaper reader.

Grumpy Old Ken said...

GrumpyRN
I gave up my local as its boring and incestuous, but its Daily Mail group so why be surprised. Is it good to get irate?

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Saz
Thanks! Can't men be utter prats at times!

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Nota Bene
They all get us going at times. How often do they get you going!

Grumpy Old Ken said...

slommler
All very true. Glad were not on our own over here!

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Freda
Glad you weren't too depressed by it all, it soon passes with me!

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Anne
Thanks. I think you're right, it doesn't do too much harm as long as we dont rant too often!

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Lakeland Jo
Thanks. Keep fighting and the next rant will be yours!

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Mark
Enjoyed your rant. You are much more sustained and anylitical than me. Perhaps its an age thing!

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Gill
Interesting, I always think of canadian life as being far more sensible than over here.

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Fat Grump
Welcome and thanks. You are obviously someone who thinks a lot and is concerned too.