Author Archives: odeboyz

The British Government’s response to the Jewish refugee crisis 1933-9

Posted on November 13, 2015 by odeboyz

British governments are not moral beacons when dealing with refugee crises. The current (2015) British government’s toxic position on Syria closely resembles the Jewish refugee crisis of 1933-9. Nazi efforts to make Germany ‘Jew free’ accelerated throughout those years. Despite … Continue reading →

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English Football Triumphs

Posted on November 10, 2015 by odeboyz

“Aguiero and Mata restore English pride” (Guardian Sport, October 1). Must have been the inspirational half-time St Crispin’s Day speech by Peligrini and van Gaal.* *None of those named are English Letter by Mike Hine Guardian 2nd October 2015 (Chris)

Posted in Humour, Sport | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

What is a car?

Posted on November 10, 2015 by odeboyz

If you’re relaxed and intellectually playful then the question ‘What is a car?’ won’t set your teeth on edge. At first sight it looks puerile. After all, even very young children can identify a car successfully. So what is a … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

A worn shabby old book

Posted on November 6, 2015 by odeboyz

The small book, given to me by my Dad, soon after I started my apprenticeship in the plumbing trade was called “Tables & Memoranda for Plumber, Builders Sanitary & Electrical Engineers”, by J. Write Clarke. It languished for years in … Continue reading →

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The ever wise Groucho Marx on political principles

Posted on November 3, 2015 by odeboyz

Those are my principles, and if you don’t like them… well, I have others. (Chris)

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Old Age

Posted on November 3, 2015 by odeboyz

It is said, three score years and ten Is your allotted span So after seventy, you have to wonder, when? Especially now you’re a shaky, old man. If lucky, I won’t have to wait too long I won’t miss this … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiography, Poetry | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

George Osborne’s Politicisation of Welfare in Britain 2010-15

Posted on October 30, 2015 by odeboyz

The Coalition government 2010-15 effectively won the economic argument that the British welfare budget had ballooned out of control in the Labour era (1997-2010). This intellectual and political victory produced the brilliant rhetorical flourish from the Chancellor ‘We’re all in … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Politics, statistics | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The River

Posted on October 27, 2015 by odeboyz

I wait for winter The river will freeze solidly It will flow next year (Chris)

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A Dinner Party Conversation

Posted on October 27, 2015 by odeboyz

Mummy: Don’t stare at Uncle Jim Jane. Jane: I don’t want to miss it Mummy. Mummy: Miss what Jane? Jane: I don’t want to miss seeing Uncle Jim drink like a fish. (Chris)

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Councils

Posted on October 23, 2015 by odeboyz

Just about any Council, be it Local Authority, district, Parish or Metropolitan, usually is only as good as its leadership, strategic planning and the capabilities of its workforce to implement planned decisions. Also pivotal to success, can often be the good … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiography, Economics, local politics, Politics | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment