17th June 2009 Video Blog

3rd April 2009

The G20 summit has brought about a historical world agreement. I believe that Gordon Brown has delivered on his promises to bring about economic change to bring us out of the current situation. The situation was created by Banks worldwide and therefore the regulation and changes had to be made by a world wide authority. Among the changes brought about by this agreement areas follows:

Tax havens will have to provide information about investors so there will no longer be the anomility of a Swiss Bank Account.

The resources of the IMF have been trebled to $750bn. This includes a new overdraft facility, or special drawing rights allocation, of $250bn

The G20 also supports increased lending to the world's poorest countries of at least $100bn by the multilateral development banks.

There will be a commitment of $250bn of support for trade finance made over the next two years.

This will be made available through export credit and investment agencies, as well as through multilateral development banks.

National regulators will be asked to make use of available flexibility in capital requirements for trade finance.

Financial regulation and oversight will be extended to all financial institutions, instruments and markets. This includes bringing hedge funds within the global regulatory net for the first time.

Credit rating agencies will be regulated in order to remove their conflicts of interest.

A common approach to cleaning up banks' toxic assets has been agreed .

A new Financial Stability Board, with a strengthened mandate, will replace the Financial Stability Forum.

The G20 has pledged to resist protectionism.

There will be a commitment to naming and shaming countries that breach free trade rules.

The G20 will notify the World Trade Organization (WTO) of any measures that constrain worldwide capital flows.

The G20 has called on the WTO to monitor and report publicly on these undertakings on a quarterly basis.

Although there is no new fiscal stimulus, Gordon Brown said G20 countries are already implementing "the biggest macroeconomic stimulus the world has ever seen" - an injection of $5tn by the end of next year.

These steps show a commitment that was not expected to resove this worldwide economic crisis. I trust the media will get behind the government and back these commitments.

Thursday 26th March 2009

There is an interview with Sheriff Kevin Drummond the Kevin is sheriff for the Sheriff Courts in the Scottish Borders. He was asked by the BBC online about his opinions on the connections between drinking and crime a he has been vocal on this in the past.

Sheriff Dummond stated that his statistics showed that 80% of of the cases he sees are alchol-related. This is a startling statistic. He went on to describe it as "pretty deppresing" as it related to young people. He believes that not enough is being done to tackle the problem. He states the only way of solving this problem is t give more help to those who have drink problems.

you can read the original article here

Video Blog 24th March 2009

Video Blog 21st March 2009

VLog1

Monday 9th March 2009

Yesterday morning we all woke up to the news that the Real IRA were back and had killed two more in Northern Ireland. I hope this is not the start of more deaths the murders have been condemed by all political parties in Northern Ireland this will not be the end of peace but I hope it isnt the start of anything else.

Sunday 8th March 2009

Well the police have at last arrested the activist who threw Green Custard over Peter Mandelson. Regardless of your political conviction everyone must hold on to the right to free voice and the right to disagree with the government or anyone for that matter but the right must go along with Non Violent Direct Action. This includes throwing items at the people you are protesting about.

The main thing that has come from this is to show how vunrable out Government Ministers are I would not like the way it is handeled in the us to be replectaed here but we need a happy medium and I dont mean Derek Achora.

Saturday 7th March 2009

It was announced today that world banks will meet in London on March the 24th to discuss regulation of the Financial sector. Banks from Japan, Europe and the USA are to meet just before the G20 summit. Well as I said yesterday the UK is leading the way in instigating financial recovery from the resession.

Friday 6th March 2009

Today was the start of the Scottish Labour Party Confrence in Dundee. A great speach by Gordon Brown on the economy and the global recession. Britain is leading the way.

Thursday 5th March 2009

Ok probably the localist festival of modern music in this area is the wickerman festival taken from the origal film with Edward Woodward who I hear is to star in Eastenders soon or so my kids tell me. They have me hooked on it again. well anyway the origal is the best saw the remake it is bloody awful. Right I started about the festival didnt I, well I understand there are a few bands in it this year including Billy Bragg one of my heros. So my wife suggested we go to it. I took a look at the price of the tickets and I got a shock. shows how long ago it is since i went to a concert.

Wedensday 4th March 2009

As I have said before I twitter as well as Blog and use Facebook I looked at the other social networking sites and with the exception of linkedin were i have all my buisness contacts the rest are not up to much in my opinion. Bebo is for teenagers and my space has been hijacked by inde musicians tio flog there songs. As you are no doubt aware there are a number of "Celebrities" who twitter tho David Tennant isnt one of them. Lisa Valentine twitters as TheDavidTennent she may not be Dr who but she is funny.

Tuesday 3rd March 2009

I had an appointment at the Out Patients Department at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmery sleep clinic. Now I have been before and the parking was fine today took me 20 min to get into the car park they were lots of peopleall wanting in at the same time.

We I have a diagnosis I have sleep apnia and will need to go and spend a night in the sleep room to get fitted with my Mask to help me breath while I am asleep.

Monday 2nd March 2009

I know I blogged about this yesterday. The Scottish Government have decided to try to introduce legislation to try to reduce the drinking problem. Now we have discovered in the past that price hikes dont stop people doing things that are bad for them. Look at Cigarettes people still smoke no matter how much tax you have to pay on it. Addiction is just that you cant stop so what we need is a more responsible society not by legislation but by education.

Sunday 1st March 2009

An article in Scotland on Sunday today states that the Scottish Government plans to push through changes to the law regarding the sale of alchohol. They plan to introduce a charge of 50p per unit this would have a devestateing effect on alcohol sales and kill of the pub industry in Scotland which is already on its knees. If studants cant afford alchol what will they get into.

I would urge studant associations to work with the retail and hospitality industrys to work together to put a stop to this idiotic proposed legislation.

Saturday 28th February 2009

The arguments continue over Sir Freds Pension. Looks like it could go to court this story will run and run at least the argument over who knew what and when has ended as its not a important as the fact that he states he wont give a penny back. Bit of a greedy git I hear you say.

Now the amout he is getting is the same as 140 pensioners.

Friday 27th February 2009

Ryan Air CEO announced today that he was looking at charging for using the toilet £1 a go now company when asked about it a spokesman was quick to say that he sometimes had thoughts that may not become company policy.

I dont see the problem really if it helps them keep the price of the flight down.

Thursday 26th February 2009

Today the Royal Bank of Scotland announced losses of £2.1 bn a record annual loss for UK Corporate History. On the same day it comes to light that Sir Goodwin the former CEO of RBS got a £650,000 Pension.

Now the row as developed over wheather he should get the pension which amouts to £16m now in my opinion it should be withheld. He was asked by the Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling to hand it back I understand that in a letter to the Treasury he has refused and is quoted as saying "I hope that you understand my rationale for declining your request to voluntarily reduce my pension entitlement".

It will be intresting to see where this goes now.

Wednesday 25th February 2009

I am not going to blog today just leave a quote from Gordon Brown about Ivan Cameron

I know that the whole House will want to express our sorrow at the sad death this morning of Ivan Cameron, at the age of just six years old, and our condolences go out to David, to Samantha and to the Cameron family. I know that in an all-too-brief young life, he brought joy to all those around him. And I know also that for all the days of his life, he was surrounded by his family's love. Every child is precious and irreplaceable and the death of a child is an unbearable sorrow that no parent should ever have to endure. Politics can sometimes divide us, but there is a common human bond that unites us in sympathy and compassion at times of trial and in support for each other at times of grief. Sarah and I have sent our condolences to David and Samantha, and I know that the whole country, our thoughts and our prayers, are with David and Samantha today.

I think this says it all.

Tuesday 24th February 2009

Those of you who remember the eighties will remember the TV comedy was great. However most of it is dated I just saw an advert for the new statesmen. Now it was Rik Mayell and he was fantastic but all the jokes revolved around the Thatcher Government.

Now Funny as that was at the I am not sure it will have as wide an audience as they hope for.

Now if they did a new version the New New Statesman set just now that would get a wide audience.

Monday 23rd February 2009

Its Monday again so whats the big story today. Well the Brits did well at the Oscars this of course is good news as there has been so much bad news recently. However here are a couple of stories that caught my eye.

Microsoft in the US have overpaid some of the staff they recently paid off and have asked them for it back they are claiming an administrative glitch. Wonder if someone put some wrong information into Excel.

Meanwhile a 65 year old man was sentenced to 5 years for smuggeling 286 kilos of cannabis resin into the UK. How did he do this you ask well it was under the bunk in his Fiat Campervan he was travelling with his daughter and nine year old grandson.

Sunday 22 February 2009

You Europe is united in fighting the global recession will it help lets hope so. They agree a "Global Solution is needed" . The problem is can we depend on the IMF. Its history speaks for its self.It is made up of 185 Countries and has in the past supported Military Dictatorships There are 20 countries where this has happened including Argintina which had been considered a Model Country.

I do not believe these people have our best intrests at heart.

Saturday 21st February

The Office of Fair Trade has reported that there is an increase in the number of Pyramid Schemes. This is Scams Awareness Month. The pyramid scheme encourages you to recruit people to your scheme and in most cases these are family therefore causeing additional distress hen you realise its a scam. The OFT state that the average amout lost by each peron caught by these scams in £930.00 and estimate that 480,000 people are conned a year. Thus making a loss of £420 Million pound lost by UK Consumers alone.

Thursday 19th February 2009

Today has been a bad day for the law. First of all Abdu Tada has been awarded £2,500 for being held in Jail while awaiting his appeals on extradition. This is out of order the man is a terrorist he has been found guilty in Jordan. Hopefully he wont get the chance to spend it as he will be back in Jordan.

Second a Teenager who put a 4 week old Kitten in a Microwave was sentenced to 120 hours of Community service. I cant state my distaste for this too much.

Last but by no means least Debbie Purdy a MS sufferer went to the European Court of human rights for the right to choose when she dies lost her case.

Wedensday 18th February 2009

I watched the PMs Monthly Press conference today and was very impressed with what he had to say on the economy. I will try to get a hold of the document he put out a get back to you.

The law lords ruled on a radical cleric named Abu Qatada they have agreed with the Home Secretary that he should be extradited to Jordan to face jail for terrorism. This is a fantastic decision as it means that we won’t be seen as a soft option for terrorists anymore.

Tuesday 17th February 2009

The bankers at the RBS have cut back on the bonuses a victory.

I watched a documetary last night on the Gangster and the pervert peer. Oh My God what a scandal and it never saw the light of day. This was my first hearing of it and I had read quite a bit on the Krays. The thing at the end where there are still people alive who tried to intervine was shocking too as it was still being covered up to this day.

Monday 16th Febuary 2009

I was not sure what to Blog on today in fact I asked on Facebook but I did not get any replies. Is that a statement on my Blogging skills or to do with the fact that there are only two subjects at the moment "The Economy" and Terrorism".

Both are Global issues but who do we blame for them as we live in a blame society. The Global Economy problem can be blamed on the bank and the Terrorism which if you want to start it on 11/09/2001 was started by Osama Bin Ladin.

So how do we solve these issues?

Sunday 15th February 2009

We have had the "U T.urn" by Alex Salmond and the SNP this week over a Local Income Tax. So at First Ministers Questions all the Major Parties had a dig and pointed out that the Next thing to go would be a referendum on Independence. More on that later the one point that was raised was what we do about the Council Tax now. The idea behind a Local Income Tax is unworkable and the SNP knew that and that they had no chance of getting the reform passed.

So do they now look at fixing Council Tax and if so how. It’s been tinkered with already around the edges. What sort of reform will work? The benefit system is not under the remit of the Scottish Government so it can’t amend that. It will be interesting to see it the opposition parties let this go or keep at them to go for reform of Local Government taxation.

Anyway back to the referendum on independence how do they plan to get his passed it has no support from the opposing parties but this is one they cant drop at the moment as they will be seen as the one policy party they are cant even though they got power as a minority party they cant get there main policy passed.

Friday 15th February 2009

We are all aware of the current climate and the fact that we have one Nationalised Bank in Northern Rock. The Government is the Majority shareholder in another The Royal Bank of Scotland (68%) and have a major interest in another HBOS (43%). So when the bankers want to give themselves bonuses we need to galvanise as a nation and say NO.

What a nerve the Bankers have to reward themselves for bringing this disaster about. There apologies were too little too late. Now there is a petition you can sign to show you don’t want the RBS bankers to get there bonus it’s at http://www.giveupthebonus.co.uk/

Show your support sign the petition

Thursday 13th February 2009

I have deciced to continue my blog on Social Networking as there is so much to say on it and it is a topical issue.

I told you already that I had joined Facebook and Twitter however there are also Bebo and My Space they are all aimed at diffrent demographics. The Bebo group all seem to be 18 to 24 year olds talking to one another about drinking etc and giving each other abuse. My Space as far as I can see so far is used by a similar age group and slighly older. Twitter seems to be completle used by all tho has been publisied as a outlet for celebritys to chat to there fans here there is a small cross over with my space. It is strange how the demographics have actully taken over the social networking rather than it being aimed at them.

I will continue to Blog on this topic and others

Thursday 5th February 2009

I have become a recent recruit to the joys of Social Networking.

However this has not stopped me from regular postings since I started. Facebook has become a big network for professional Networkers and Political activists. I have been able to network with other IT professionals from the Microsoft Dynamics Community and with People like John Prescott and Alastair Campbell who are setting up a Go Forth campaign online. It also allows you to find people you have worked with in the past I have friends on my Facebook with whom I have only reconnected with due to Facebook.

Social Networking can connect you to people you already know, people who you want to know and people you have not spoken to for sometime.

Wednesday 4th February 2009

Do you want to release your own press releases when you have news on your web site. you can do this by clicking on the link below.

A friend of mine uses it and it works

Free Press Release