An American chestful

I’m sure this General well deserves the medals he has received, and that he has shown bravery during his army career.     

But doesn’t this picture just illustrate the feeling widespread amongst the British armed services that, in America, you just have to get up in the morning to get a medal.

This lot cover his chest, and are well on the way to cross the shoulder and go down the back!

Just a Question ………

So, what do we call that delightful, cuddly litle chap, with his striped trousers, his blue jacket, his bow tie, and his mop of uncontrollable woollen hair?   The one who used to provide comfort and pleasure to many a sad, lonely or hurt child.

The economics of snow ploughs

The News has just gleefully reported American, Australian and German broadcasters mocking us because six inches of snow brought the country to a standstill.

Well, it’s true that I didn’t take my car out.   If the weather forecasters and the police say only travel if it is essential then it is just crazy to drive.   I didn’t need to drive.   It would cause me problems if I got stuck, and would just make things worse for others stuck in snow-blocked traffic.   An elderly friend of mine won’t go out at all, not even if someone goes to collect him, because his front path and the pavement outside the house are so slippery.

But it is even more crazy to expect national and local government to provide snow ploughs and snow movers to cope with this level of snowfall.   It is 18 years since we last had this much snow.   It would  be pretty poor economics to have the equipment standing unused for the next 18 years.