tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296701012024-03-13T14:46:37.802+00:00The Remittance Man's MovedHE CAN NOW BE FOUND AT HTTP://THEREMITTANCEMAN.BLOGSPOT.COMThe Remittance Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13104149259707414863noreply@blogger.comBlogger1948125truetag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29670101.post-6967767699832379962008-09-14T15:02:00.003+00:002008-09-14T15:08:36.804+00:00RM HAS MOVED<div style="text-align: justify;">Yep, while the ASBO was amusing and a bit of a bloggie battlehonour, it was discouraging some readers (and you know how I am about my traffic stats)<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Anyway, as of today all posting will be done <a href="http://theremittanceman.blogspot.com/">here</a>. I've tried to keep everything looking the same so it shouldn' tprove too alarming for anybody. The old archives will remain here, and I shall be putting links to them on the new site.<br /><br />For those who wish to change links etc (please) here's the address<br /><br />http://theremittanceman.blogspot.com.<br /><br />Look forward to seeing you there.<br /><br /><br /></div>The Remittance Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13104149259707414863noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29670101.post-61212913613818602832008-09-12T17:32:00.005+00:002008-09-12T17:44:08.501+00:00OKAY, THAT'S IT FOR ONE NIGHT<div style="text-align: justify;">From the distant rumble I just heard I surmise the threatened thunder is approaching (or the mine's explosives magazine has just detonated - I guess I'll find out soon enough).<br /><br />On the blogging front, there is every chance that by Sunday kwaRemittance-on-the-Web will have shifted to a new, ASBO free location. I'm in the process of copying templates etc. I'll keep everyone posted as to progress. In the meantime, because it's fetishy Friday, here are some ladies in boots:<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kWEF0rAS3QU/SMqqAahUE-I/AAAAAAAADkE/xEoyLLg3is4/s1600-h/Boots+492.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 10pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kWEF0rAS3QU/SMqqAahUE-I/AAAAAAAADkE/xEoyLLg3is4/s200/Boots+492.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245191640122135522" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kWEF0rAS3QU/SMqp6CqyzJI/AAAAAAAADj8/63Q7MRqLzwE/s1600-h/Boots+474.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kWEF0rAS3QU/SMqp6CqyzJI/AAAAAAAADj8/63Q7MRqLzwE/s200/Boots+474.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245191530640231570" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kWEF0rAS3QU/SMqpzq9bTxI/AAAAAAAADj0/-jMI6uOrmRQ/s1600-h/Boots+467.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 10pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kWEF0rAS3QU/SMqpzq9bTxI/AAAAAAAADj0/-jMI6uOrmRQ/s200/Boots+467.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245191421196717842" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kWEF0rAS3QU/SMqpqr4JFiI/AAAAAAAADjs/n9oBlz1adJY/s1600-h/Boots+475.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kWEF0rAS3QU/SMqpqr4JFiI/AAAAAAAADjs/n9oBlz1adJY/s200/Boots+475.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245191266824164898" border="0" /></a>Goodnight everyone. Carry on Risaldar-Major.The Remittance Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13104149259707414863noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29670101.post-43782500957384868872008-09-12T17:26:00.002+00:002008-09-12T17:29:22.656+00:00THESE BASTARDS SEEM TO HAVE FORGOTTEN FOR WHOM THEY WORK<div style="text-align: justify;"><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2799136/Chelsea-barrister-shooting-family-attacked-for-asking-too-many-questions.html">The parents of a London barrister shot dead by police fled a courtroom and his sisters broke down in tears after they were attacked by lawyers for asking too many questions about his killing</a><span style="font-style: italic;">. </span><br /><br />I don’t know whether the shooting of Mark Saunders was justified or not and quite frankly that’s immaterial. What we do know is that an apparently educated and rational man was shot and killed by the police and his family obviously want to know why. Maybe it’s inconvenient and irritating, it might even seem a bit over the top; but that’s no excuse for what appears to be a rather nasty exercise in courtroom bullying.<br /><br />If anyone considers my opinion worthwhile, here it is:<br /><br />Someone needs to take those lawyers and the cops who hired them to one side. Then, with the aid of simple diagrams and the largest <a href="http://www.gm-cricket.com/">Gunn and Moore</a> SupaWhacker Pro Express, they should be re-acquainted with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peelian_Principles">Sir Robert Peel’s Nine Principles of Policing</a> and from whence (or rather whom) the pennies in their pay packets originate.<br /></div>The Remittance Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13104149259707414863noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29670101.post-41903184812114619322008-09-12T17:10:00.004+00:002008-09-12T17:25:18.375+00:00AND IN OTHER PHOTO NEWS<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.fmft.net/">Mr FM</a> has discovered evidence that the primordial soup my clan optomistically calls the Remittance gene pool might contain a dash of something oriental.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kWEF0rAS3QU/SMqkANsZjSI/AAAAAAAADjU/F2vnKQptKKg/s1600-h/Mr+FM.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kWEF0rAS3QU/SMqkANsZjSI/AAAAAAAADjU/F2vnKQptKKg/s400/Mr+FM.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245185039609204002" border="0" /></a><br />This might go a long way to explaining Uncle Ho Chi Remittance. Spot any family resemblance?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kWEF0rAS3QU/SMqkU1hkkuI/AAAAAAAADjc/KODZyr-GwFk/s1600-h/Uncle+Ho+Chi+Remittance.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kWEF0rAS3QU/SMqkU1hkkuI/AAAAAAAADjc/KODZyr-GwFk/s320/Uncle+Ho+Chi+Remittance.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245185393898590946" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWEF0rAS3QU/SMqlsQvPGzI/AAAAAAAADjk/64hrJ2Kh0jQ/s1600-h/rm+4.0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWEF0rAS3QU/SMqlsQvPGzI/AAAAAAAADjk/64hrJ2Kh0jQ/s320/rm+4.0.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245186895852280626" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div>The Remittance Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13104149259707414863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29670101.post-22203789809049302612008-09-12T17:07:00.002+00:002008-09-12T17:10:33.513+00:00SOMETIMES YOU JUST CAN’T BUY GOOD PUBLICITY<div style="text-align: justify;">What makes me think the executives at <a href="http://www.cat.com/">a certain American manufacturer of fuckoff big tonka toys</a> will find this picture highly gratifying.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kWEF0rAS3QU/SMqiKon0zsI/AAAAAAAADjM/G6920YQe3uo/s400/channel-tunnel-220_885460f.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245183019613212354" border="0" /></a><br />Before you ask: Yes, I did e-mail it to a chum at CAT HQ. I owe him for a couple of splendid evenings out at Mr Caterpillar’s expense.<br /><br />And because I’m an evil minded so and so with a sick sense of humour I also sent copies to chums at various other makers of FOB kit. Which I guess means I won’t be getting many calendars this Christmas.<br /><br />Ho hum!<br /></div>The Remittance Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13104149259707414863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29670101.post-29382553227418484662008-09-12T17:06:00.000+00:002008-09-12T17:07:51.195+00:00AND….?<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/2667840/David-Miliband-subjected-to-F-word-tirade-from-Russian-foreign-minister.html">Apparently during their meeting the Russian Foreign Minister subjected The Millipede to a verbal roasting of note including much use of the “f-word”</a>*.<br /><br />The question this raises, however, is this: “Why is it news?”<br /><br />The guy just found himself in a position to do what a lot of Brits would love to do if they ever got the chance to meet a NuLab cabinet minister in person.<br /><br />In a strange sort of way, I find it rather comforting: It shows that even if they are baby eating monsters from the Lubjanka Lagoon, Vlad the Impaler’s minions experience the same emotions as human beings. At least, they do when they when confronted with self-righteous little tits.<br /><br />One can only hope at the conclusion he bade The ‘pede farewell with a cheery “yob tvoyomaszh”**.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">*By which I think they mean “French”<br />**Or however it’s spelt. I’ve long regretted my Third Form decision to take Home Ec instead of Russian. I think it had something to do with Miss Honeywell having nicer legs than Old Trotsky Orlovski – I was a slave to my “urges” even then. </span><br /></div>The Remittance Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13104149259707414863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29670101.post-22457549459901217012008-09-12T17:02:00.004+00:002008-09-12T18:02:13.924+00:00I DON’T THINK SOAccording to <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2008/09/11/scistripe111.xml">The Telegraph</a> a scientist has “proved” that contrary to conventional wisdom horizontal stripes make people look thinner.<br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Stripes that run across the body are more slimming than supposedly-flattering vertical stripes, according to research by perception expert Peter Thompson of the University of York.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">He asked people to compare more than 200 pairs of pictures of women wearing horizontally and vertically striped dresses.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">He then asked them to say, in each case, which of the two they thought was fatter.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">His experiment revealed that when the two women were the same size, the one wearing the horizontal-striped dress appeared to people to be the thinner of the two.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">And to make the women appear to be the same size, the one wearing the horizontal stripes had to be six per cent wider.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kWEF0rAS3QU/SMqg40iKKoI/AAAAAAAADi8/VBfZFPk3GmQ/s1600-h/scistripe111.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kWEF0rAS3QU/SMqg40iKKoI/AAAAAAAADi8/VBfZFPk3GmQ/s320/scistripe111.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245181614061398658" border="0" /></a>But if this picture is an example of the ones he used in his experiment, can anyone spot the problem? No? Then let me help you.<br /><br />The picture of the lady in horizontal stripes has had the perception of depth deliberately enhanced especially around the hips and bust. With the figure on the right, however, all sense of depth has been erased, her dress is like those paper clothes kids pin on cut-out dollies.<br /><br />I’m no imaging specialist, but I do know that the creation of a sense of depth in an image is very important; it’s why men find women wearing sheer stockings (especially in dark colours) more alluring than those wearing woollen or neutral coloured ones. With sheer dark stockings the part of the leg directly facing the viewer appears considerably lighter than the rest. As the leg curves away the effect of the sheer weave is to darken the edges of the leg. This enhancement of shade creates the illusion of legs with superior slenderness, length and curviness – ie just the things needed to catch the eye of shallow, base males.<br /><br />But it’s not just ladies legs (and men’s pervie natures) that benefit from this either. Take sports for example:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kWEF0rAS3QU/SMqhKOQRrKI/AAAAAAAADjE/WR5-ayTMlBY/s1600-h/Private+Light+Company+10th+Foot.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kWEF0rAS3QU/SMqhKOQRrKI/AAAAAAAADjE/WR5-ayTMlBY/s320/Private+Light+Company+10th+Foot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245181913023491234" border="0" /></a>In contact games where physical intimidation is a factor, horizontal stripes are common, many rugby clubs wear jerseys with horizontal stripes after all. In soccer, the need is different; in that sport, creating the impression of lithe athleticism is more important so vertical stripes predominate.<br /><br />Old fashioned military uniforms also bore out the conventional fashion wisdom. In the days when fighting was done at ranges of fifty yards or less uniforms tended to have a lot of rows of lace and so on, predominantly diagonal or horizontal. But fancy uniforms were expensive, so why do it? Because all those pipe-clayed cross belts and horizontal bands of lace and epaulettes made men look bulkier and hence more frightening.<br /><br />These may only be small things compared to actually being bigger, faster, better armed or more curvaceous, but in sport, warfare and even the mating game a wise player uses every advantage and these have been around for a while. If they didn’t work, sartorial Darwinism would have culled them years ago.<br /><br />Unless The Telegraph is misrepresenting Mr Thomson’s research I have to say that I think he’s talking a load of cobblers having based his conclusions on answers to biased questions. So if he doesn’t mind, I’ll stick to the conventional wisdom practically proven by generations of ladies on the pull and rugby players around the world.<br /></div>The Remittance Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13104149259707414863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29670101.post-67037243520334827052008-09-12T15:31:00.001+00:002008-09-12T17:01:47.380+00:00COULDN’T FIND THEIR ARSES WITH BOTH HANDS<div style="text-align: justify;">Predictably the revelation that<a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article4735901.ece"> HMG tried to weasel its way out of helping Britain’s locally employed staff from Iraq</a> is generating much outrage. This is only right and proper. The government that acts on our behalf has been shown (once again) to have acted in a ways no decent person would. Personally I fully support <a href="http://timworstall.com/2008/09/11/hang-them/#comments">Tim’s opinion about what should happen to the bastards responsible for this</a>.<br /><br />But beyond the immediate story, this outrageous incident illustrates a deeper malaise within the administration. Over the past eleven years Britain has seen a massive increase in immigration, often on “compassionate” or “humanitarian” grounds. Yet many of the people to whom the nation has shown compassion come from countries which have absolutely no historic or cultural ties to Britain.<br /><br />From Iranian lesbians to radical North African God-botherers to Afghan hijackers, they’ve all been let in. Yet should anyone ever dare to question the wisdom of this they are branded racists. The party line says the inclusion of these people in British society is beneficial. Well, maybe it is, maybe it isn’t; I don’t want to reopen that particular argument here. But why, given the country’s apparent “open door policy”, does the government suddenly pull up the drawbridge when people to whom we do owe a recognisable duty of care start knocking at the gate?<br /><br />And it’s not just the Iraqi interpreters. Take the case of Bahadur Pun VC. Here’s a former Gurkha soldier who served Britain with great distinction and now in obvious need of the country’s help; yet he is only let in for medical care after a massive public outcry. After the invasion of Afghanistan, <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1422241/Taliban-refugee-still-sees-the-UK-as-his-enemy.html?mobile=true">HMG happily let former Taliban fighters into Britain both for medical attention and “humanitarian” grounds</a>. Even if they fought against British and allied troops and still regard Britain as an enemy.<br /><br />It’s not racism that makes people shout and scream about immigration and asylum seekers; it’s confusion and outrage at policies made in their name that have no apparent logical foundation yet appear to fly deliberately in the face of what normal people would call decency, honour and duty.<br /></div>The Remittance Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13104149259707414863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29670101.post-79681378023823169972008-09-12T15:27:00.002+00:002008-09-12T15:31:20.435+00:00SIGNIFICANT HISTORY<div style="text-align: justify;">On this day in 1683 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Vienna">the Polish Army under Jan Sobieski linked up with Austro-Hungarian forces and roundly defeated the Ottoman Turkish army besieging Vienna</a>, thus saving <s>European civilisation</s> damned good coffee and rich chocolate tart from the clutches of militant Islam.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kWEF0rAS3QU/SMqK_XE9E-I/AAAAAAAADi0/tYfwziqs8xk/s1600-h/Vienna_Battle_1683.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kWEF0rAS3QU/SMqK_XE9E-I/AAAAAAAADi0/tYfwziqs8xk/s400/Vienna_Battle_1683.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245157537157551074" border="0" /></a><br />I always knew the Poles were dashed fine fellows.<br /><br />Mzi! I feel a toast coming on. A glass of the Polish vodka. Manje manje.The Remittance Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13104149259707414863noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29670101.post-50491914009210611952008-09-12T15:11:00.010+00:002008-09-12T15:27:32.353+00:00THOSE THAT CAN DO, THOSE THAT CAN’T SET OUT THEIR VISION. ENDLESSLY<div style="text-align: justify;">On Wednesday <a href="http://www.order-order.com/2008/09/has-gordon-set-out-his-vision-this-year.html">Guido noted</a> that back in September 2007, Gordon Brown claimed he didn’t call an election “because he wanted to set out his vision”. With Brown now talking about renewing his vision, Mr Fawkes asks the reasonable question: “Does anyone now better understand his vision?”<br /><br />Well, actually, I think I do.<br /><br />Brown, like a lot of lefties, is a theoretician; he’s the type who loves to sit around engaging in endless discussions about the minutae of socialist dogma. I suspect his perfect vision is to spend his premiership continuously discussing, amending and updating his plan for Britain until it is ideologically perfect.<br /><br />Of course, this never ending process of theoretical masturbation means that no actual plan ever gets implemented. But, given the quality of typical socialist thinking, this is hardly a bad thing.<br /><br />In the meantime, expect more waffle about “developing our vision” and dubious tractor production statistics.<br /><br />UPDATE<br /><br />It appears I was wrong. Brown does have a real vision: Loft insulation for everyone.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">.....<span style="font-size:78%;">ooooo<span style="font-size:85%;">OOOOO<span style="font-size:100%;">OOOOO<span style="font-size:130%;">OOOOO<span style="font-size:180%;">OOOOOOOOOO<span style="font-size:130%;">OOOOO<span style="font-size:100%;">OOOOO<span style="font-size:85%;">OOOOO<span style="font-size:78%;">ooooo</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>.....</div><br />That was me engaging in an <s>exuberant</s> sardonic, one-man Mexican wave.<br /><br />Karl Marx must be so proud.<br /></div>The Remittance Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13104149259707414863noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29670101.post-70344446409063401822008-09-12T15:09:00.000+00:002008-09-12T15:11:04.390+00:00USEFUL ADVICE FROM THE THUNDERER<div style="text-align: justify;">The Times is offering an article entitled: <a href="http://timesbusiness.typepad.com/money_weblog/2008/09/top-10-tips-to.html">Ten Ways To Secure Your Identity</a>. It’s all sensible stuff and I’m sure that if one follows the advice the risk of one’s identity being abused by villainous types will be much reduced.<br /><br />But I do note with dismay that they don’t mention the Number One, absolute best way to ensure your personal details remain safe:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size:180%;">DO NOT GIVE THEM TO THE GOVERNMENT</span><br /></div></div>The Remittance Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13104149259707414863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29670101.post-73269016975572040692008-09-12T15:07:00.001+00:002008-09-12T15:09:33.744+00:00MORE MINING SUMMIT STUPIDITY<div style="text-align: justify;">And yet another example of labour and government marching in harmony towards disaster.<br /><br />In his speech at the mining summit on Wednesday, the main man what counts from the National Union of Mineworkers called on the government to set up a state owned mining company to take an active part in the gold, diamond and platinum mining sectors. At least he was clear (sort of) about his motivations: he wants to see a company that cares not only for its shareholders but the people it employs as well*.<br /><br />Sadly the state is not quite so clear (or honest). The same DME spokesman who thinks people being paid to take risks is a bad thing was all in favour, but for different reasons. He thought that a state owned mining company would be able to introduce advances in safety and technology faster than the private companies, presumably because the private companies just love behaving like inefficient dinosaurs.<br /><br />When I heard this I almost drove off the road in amazement. I mean, what flipping planet does this guy inhabit? Show me one place on earth where a state owned mining company has out performed its private sector rivals. At anything. I can’t think of one.<br /><br />As for the rationalisation! Puhleeeeez!<br /><br />Let’s look at the safety thing first. Over the past few decades the industry has made some pretty big advances and death and injury rates have fallen dramatically. But in the past few years the decline has started to flatten off. Talking to my chums in the safety business they say that this is because to date the approach has been systems based and they have reached their natural limit of effectiveness.<br /><br />According to the chums, the next big step change will only come when we manage to persuade everyone that they are responsible for their own. We have started down this road, but it’s hard work, especially on the labour relations front. Given that a state owned company is bound to be in thrall to the unions, can you imagine management being able to implement the necessary changes better than a private company? I can’t.<br /><br />So the safety thing is humbug. What about “new technology”. Oddly enough the private sector does this quite well; there’s a big incentive to improve the bottom line after all. Of course there are sometimes problems fitting new technology to decades old infrastructure, and even bigge problems training a badly educated workforce in new and complicated things. But on the whole I’d say we aren’t too bad at this.<br /><br />There is one problem however: The introduction of new technology often means changes in working practices and even reductions in labour. Can one imagine the management of a state owned mining company managing to get job cuts or even simple changes in working practice past their union controllers? I can’t.<br /><br />And that’s just two problems. I haven’t even started to consider the implications of under investment, short term thinking, ever changing political priorities and the general low grade corruption and moral degradation that are endemic to state owned enterprises worldwide.<br /><br />Nah! This idea is a disaster waiting to happen and if it gets approved, I don’t want to be anywhere near it when it all goes tits up.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">*Translation – cushy jobs for life and regular, large pay rises underwritten by the taxpayer.</span><br /></div>The Remittance Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13104149259707414863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29670101.post-1234175538812387762008-09-12T14:59:00.002+00:002008-09-12T15:06:44.961+00:00BACK AGAIN<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWEF0rAS3QU/SMqEZtRKJzI/AAAAAAAADis/v43Eohh9oW8/s1600-h/Derriere+543.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWEF0rAS3QU/SMqEZtRKJzI/AAAAAAAADis/v43Eohh9oW8/s320/Derriere+543.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245150293209524018" border="0" /></a>And kicking off with a delightful double derriere feature, just because it's Friday.<br /><br />Just one note of caution, I see clouds looming on the horizon which could be the precursor of the first rain of the season. If it is, it will be wonderfully early (oooooooh! Scary climate change thingies. Ooooooh!) but quite frankly we do need the rain.<br /><br />Anyway, the usual precautions concerning Cedric and thunder will be observed so if I suddenly disappear from air, you'll know why.<br /><br />Anyway, that's enough whittering, let's get on with the show.<br /></div>The Remittance Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13104149259707414863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29670101.post-77805113299110433882008-09-11T15:18:00.002+00:002008-09-11T15:22:51.768+00:00RISALDAR MAJOR. HAVE THE MEN REVERSE ARMS, IF YOU PLEASE<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kWEF0rAS3QU/SMk3SChKXaI/AAAAAAAADik/8jB2_j8LNv0/s1600-h/WTC+Flag.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kWEF0rAS3QU/SMk3SChKXaI/AAAAAAAADik/8jB2_j8LNv0/s400/WTC+Flag.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244784024102788514" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">We will return to our scheduled programming tomorrow.</div>The Remittance Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13104149259707414863noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29670101.post-76178749384055401222008-09-10T18:13:00.007+00:002008-09-10T18:27:08.510+00:00AAAAAARGH!<div style="text-align: justify;">That's just about as much idiocy as I can take for one day, and I'm sure you feel the same. Indeed, Doctor Remittance's only cure for the effects of reading about so much numptiness is to gaze upon pictures of attractive ladies until the pain goes away. In cases like this I recommend ladies of the sub-continent and add that the liberal consumption of spiritous liqeur greatly speeds recovery.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kWEF0rAS3QU/SMgQpPqn0NI/AAAAAAAADic/jaHUBJw2530/s1600-h/Indian+Lass+023.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 15pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kWEF0rAS3QU/SMgQpPqn0NI/AAAAAAAADic/jaHUBJw2530/s200/Indian+Lass+023.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244460066838925522" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kWEF0rAS3QU/SMgQjDlvd-I/AAAAAAAADiU/jmvli7q44Q0/s1600-h/Indian+Lass+022.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kWEF0rAS3QU/SMgQjDlvd-I/AAAAAAAADiU/jmvli7q44Q0/s200/Indian+Lass+022.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244459960518014946" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWEF0rAS3QU/SMgQcszgP1I/AAAAAAAADiM/e3WEHCd8gzI/s1600-h/Indian+Lass+020.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWEF0rAS3QU/SMgQcszgP1I/AAAAAAAADiM/e3WEHCd8gzI/s200/Indian+Lass+020.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244459851322507090" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kWEF0rAS3QU/SMgQUojzsVI/AAAAAAAADiE/dNUOyKfFTis/s1600-h/Indian+Lass+019.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 15px 10px 10pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kWEF0rAS3QU/SMgQUojzsVI/AAAAAAAADiE/dNUOyKfFTis/s200/Indian+Lass+019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244459712743977298" border="0" /></a>Goodnight everyone. Carry on Risaldar Major.</div>The Remittance Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13104149259707414863noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29670101.post-29244596029165238302008-09-10T18:10:00.001+00:002008-09-10T18:13:37.516+00:00AT LEAST GOVERNMENTAL STUPIDITY ISN'T CONFINED TO BRITAIN<div style="text-align: justify;">According to the SABC wireless the South African government’s Department for Minerals and Energy doesn’t seem to understand how the industry works.<br /><br />Basically down here the way things work is this: The state owns all the mineral rights in the country. It then leases these out to companies for fixed periods of time (thirty years is the current life of a mining lease, with first option to renew on expiry). In return the mining company must demonstrate that it is continually working to either expand its knowledge of the mineral resources on that lease (exploration) and/or actively exploiting those resources (mining). But once issued those leases are tradable commodities; Company A can sell its lease to Company B, Company B then assumes the rights to explore and/or mine as well as the obligation to show continuous work.<br /><br />Okay, that’s the legal side of things. Where do new mines come from?<br /><br />WELL, when a daddy mine loves a mummy mine …..<br /><br />No. Let’s start again.<br /><br />Mines are started by exploration. People go out and look for patches of ground with economic quantities of extractable minerals. This is called exploration. Many times the big mining companies (the Majors) are too busy running mines to do this themselves. Instead, smaller companies, called Juniors, do this. They look around until they find an interesting patch of ground, lease the exploration rights from the state and then do all sorts of exploration to see if the minerals are really there (see here for more background on reserves, resources and the value attached to increasing knowledge about them[http://remittanceman.blogspot.com/2008/02/mineral-reserves-and-resources-what.html]). If they are lucky and the minerals really do exist the more exploration they do increases the confidence in the ore body and hence its value. The equation is simple:<br /><br />Patch of ground which might maybe possibly contain minerals = cheap<br />Patch of ground with well known quantity of minerals = expensive<br /><br />Obviously the actual value will depend upon all sorts of other factors like reef thickness, extractability and the projected long term metal price but the basic principle remains.<br /><br />The problem is starting an underground mine can cost hundreds of millions of dollars and have a payback period of up to fifteen years. The Juniors frequently lack both the corporate infrastructure and access to that sort of capital to let them do this. What they do instead is sell the rights they have, plus the increased knowledge they have gathered, to someone who has both: one of the Majors.<br /><br />Typically at this point the directors of the Junior company buy a Caribbean island and retire to a life of luxurious indolence and sloth. Their employees, usually a handful of geologists, then have to find new employers. The thing is, the system works and basically keeps the industry going. So why my ire at the DME? It’s simple really:<br /><br />For the last couple of days the government has been holding its annual Mining Summit. This is a gathering of senior people from industry, the government and the unions and they are supposed to discuss how to make the industry fiunction better for all concerned. Normally its resolutions are pretty anodyne and based on common sense; obviously the unions and the industry types tend to butt heads but in the past the government has generally acted as the arbitrator. This year things appear to be different, for one thing the government appears to be leaning more to the side of the unions.<br /><br />To take one example it seems that the idea of juniors profiting from their exploration activities is now being frowned upon. Speaking on the wireless this afternoon, a DME spolesman used the example of “a man” (we know not who) who acquired an exploration lease for a patch of ground for R9 million, he then sold this to “a mining company” (again unnamed) for R3.4 billion. “And he still owes the bank R200 million”. This all said in tones more appropriate had “a man” just buggered the entire cabinet live on national tv.<br /><br />This is how the bloody industry works!<br /><br />“A man” took a risk. He acquired a lease on property which judging by its value nobody knew anything about. He then spent at least R200 million drilling and exploring that land. In other words he risked a shedload of money on a very risky investment. True most of that money belonged to the bank, but knowing how juniors operate “a man” was probably risking a lot of his personal capital as well. Fortunately for him his hunch paid off and he found minerals in sufficient abundance for a big mining company to reckon it was worth R3.4 billion. Presumably, and ESKOM willing, some time in the near future a mine that didn’t exist will be sunk, people who never had them will get jobs, previously inaccessible mineral wealth will be turned into stuff people can use, the government will be paid royalties and taxes and foreign exchange will be earned for the country. All thanks to “a man” taking a big risk. Yet, if the tone and meaning of the DME spokesman’s words are to be believed (and I honestly hope for the future of this industry and this country, I am wrong), “a man” is evil and this sort of thing will no longer be encouraged within the borders of South Africa.<br /><br />So what if “a man” is now contemplating the purchase of Jamaica? He shouldn’t be vilified, he should be proclaimed a national bloody hero and the President should be giving him the Order of Madiba* or whichever of the new national awards is appropriate.<br /><br />As I say: I truly, honestly pray I misunderstood the DME spokesman, or that he was talking out of class, because if he wasn’t then I’m liquidating my assets and getting the hell out of Dodge.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">*First Class. With Bells and Knobs</span><br /></div>The Remittance Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13104149259707414863noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29670101.post-19397883811915027682008-09-10T18:04:00.002+00:002008-09-10T18:10:00.351+00:00GORDON TRULY IS A MORON<div style="text-align: justify;">I know we all know this, but today’s evidence is provided by<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/barackobama/2713430/Gordon-Brown-triggers-row-with-John-McCain-by-backing-Barack-Obama.html"> The Telegraph</a>.<br /><br />It appears Her Majesty’s Prime Minister has broken with all diplomatic convention and publically endorsed Barack Obama for the Presidency of the United States of America.<br /><br />Now I am sure that my American readers, indeed most Americans, will be righteously miffed at this ill-mannered and unwarranted interference in their elections. But before they all rush off and bung teabags into Boston harbour I hope they consider this: Britain’s hapless (and hopeless) PM might just have done them a big favour.<br /><br />There is, after all, <a href="http://remittanceman.blogspot.com/2008/09/king-midas-may-have-been-mythical.html">strong evidence</a> that Gordon Brown’s endorsement is not exactly a thing sensible people actively seek. The Touch of Brown has been The Kiss of Death to the ambitions of numerous sportsmen and political candidates. <br /><br />Of course, for Brits, things are a little different. Once again the PM has displayed his gifts of stupidity and incompetence, embarrassing the country on the international stage. Not only has he demonstrated that he knows bugger all of the common decencies concerning relations between nations, but it appears he’s even done it for the wrong reasons. According to <a href="http://www.johnmccain.com/mccainreport/Read.aspx?guid=d7eb6c0b-d3c1-48b8-84cc-917f5faaa67f#">John McCain’s website</a>*, the specific policy of Obama that he singles out for praise was quietly dropped from the Democratic Manifesto a month ago.<br /><br />True to socialist form, the knee jerk reaction from Downing Street has been to blame some nameless “junior apparatchik” for the gaff. But this does rather expose the Dear Leader to a couple of embarrassing questions. Queries such as: “Why was an article not written by himself sent for publication under his name? Isn't that dishonest?”<br /><br />Even if the piece was penned by a minor functionary, surely Brown would have had the gumption to check it first. Or does the PM blithely sign every bit of paper put under his nose? If that’s the case I’ve got a bundle of expense claims and a resignation letter I need to get to Downing Street toot sweet.<br /><br />Truly! Is there anything these dipsticks have touched that didn’t turn to ratshit?<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">*Hat tip <a href="http://www.order-order.com/2008/09/gordon-openly-backs-obama-president.html">Guido</a> for that link</span><br /></div>The Remittance Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13104149259707414863noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29670101.post-18297287535742621432008-09-10T18:00:00.001+00:002008-09-10T18:04:27.157+00:00YEEEEEHAAAAH! THE CLASS WAR’S BACK!<div style="text-align: justify;">Apparently <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2712372/Harriet-Harman-Social-class-is-still-most-important-divide-in-Britain.html">Hattie Harman is going to tell the TUC conference in Brighton that the Class War is once again official NuLabour policy</a>. Doubtless this attempt to appeal to the party’s left wing is part of Gordon’s attempt to claw back support.<br /><br />Leaving aside <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harriet_Harman#Early_life">the irony of the privately educated daughter of a Harley Street physician</a>, lecturing The Bruvvers on the importance of class war, let’s try and analise this objectively.<br /><br />Arguably Tony Blair’s greatest success was to turn the unreconstructed socialist bogeymen of the old Labour Party into the cuddly social-democrats of NuLabour. By ditching Clause IV and embracing free markets, property rights and so on, Mondeo Man and Worcester Woman were persuaded that maybe voting Labour wasn’t so bad after all. And it worked. It might have pissed off diehard lefties, but Labour became electable again.<br /><br />Unfortunately eleven years have passed and the accumulation of clusterfucks, the change to a less charismatic leader and increasing economic woes are leading people to question whether the NuLabour brand is actually all it is cracked up to be. Indeed in the four most recent electoral tests the Labour Party has been handed its arse on a plate. But interestingly the Labour campaign in two of those elections was characterised by class war memes. Equally interestingly, in both cases, Labour lost what were relatively safe seats.<br /><br />The evidence seems to show that while the call to resume the class war might appeal to the die hard trades unionists in Brighton, I suspect that it will not go down so well with the electorate. The winter of discontent may have happened thirty years ago, but there are enough around who will publicise the links between that unhappy period, the increasing economic burden and the antics of any newly-invigourated, old-style socialists for people to make the connection.<br /><br />And if that isn’t enough, there are plenty naughty, blogging wingnuts who will happily point out that a significant number of Brown’s Clowns are products of privileged backgrounds.<br /><br />Then again, maybe the looming general election isn’t Brown’s first priority. <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/labour/2714193/Labour-gets-30-million-in-donations-from-trade-unions.html">Rumour has it</a> Labour Party is deeply in debt with individual donations falling. He could just be desperate to ward off the bailiff’s men with any money he can get hold of. Including that from The Bruvvers<br /></div>The Remittance Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13104149259707414863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29670101.post-35399331419217219972008-09-10T17:56:00.001+00:002008-09-10T18:00:18.882+00:00WHEN LEFTIES FIGHT AMONGST THEMSELVES<div style="text-align: justify;">Somehow political infighting amongst those of the left is always far more bitter, bloody and entertaining than anything the right can produce. And such is the latest case with the South African Communist Party.<br /><br />Last year businessman, Charles Modise, laid a charge against the party’s General Secretary, Blade Mzimande. Modise claimed that in 2002 he had made a R500,000 donation to the party. Rather oddly this donation was made in cash and his allegation was that instead of putting the money to good works, Mzimande had trousered it.<br /><br />Naturally Mzimande denied this and suspicion fell on SACP President Willie Madisha who, by his own admission, had acted as the bag man. Literaly. In a statement to the police Madisha said he had indeed collected the donation, in a black refuse bag, but that he had handed the money to Mzimande. Faced with a virtually impossible case of “he said, no, he said” the police withdrew from the investigation until the SACP could produce some sort of clarity.<br /><br />The party’s own internal machinations ultimately led to the purging of Willie Madisha. Meanwhile Modise had changed his tack and was now accusing Madisha and party Treasurer, Phillip Dexter, of an alleged campaign to malign his name.<br /><br />Dexter’s role in the actual donation issue actually appears to have been relatively minor. He had been appointed Treasurer after 2002 and according to the interview he gave the SABC yesterday he simply reported to the party’s hierarchy that there was no trace of the cash in the records. The problem appears to be that he was/is an ally of Madisha and his reasons for resigning seem to be related to that and his unhappiness with the way Madisha was purged.<br /><br />However, according to a longer article in <a href="http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=6&art_id=vn20080910061341846C147421">the IoL</a> this seems not to be Dexter’s only problem with the party. In his resignation letter he cites assorted “failings” and practices not least his own suspension for writing a letter critical of the SACP’s support for Jacob Zuma.<br /><br />Needless to say, given the track record of socialist parties worldwide, I don’t expect the matter to rest there. Standby for more revelations, accusations and political bloodletting in the continuing soap opera that is SA politics. Heck! We may even eventually find out where that mysterious half a million bucks went.<br /></div>The Remittance Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13104149259707414863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29670101.post-33586866609921681972008-09-10T17:48:00.002+00:002008-09-10T17:56:52.010+00:00MORE JACOB ZUMA<div style="text-align: justify;">In an interesting follow up to yesterday’s post regarding Mr Zuma’s legal travails, the wireless news today reports that there is quite a lot happening.<br /><br />Yesterday members of the MK Veterans’ Association* marched to the offices of the National Prosecuting Authority. This is part of a nationwide campaign by Zuma’s supporters to try and have the prosecution, which they view as politically motivated, quashed.<br /><br />On Friday, the ANC President will find out whether efforts to have his upcoming prosecution declared invalid in the High Court have been successful.<a href="http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=nw20080909145648533C193855"> Several thousand protesters are expected to gather outside the court</a>.<br /><br />But whether this succeeds or not, the SABC wireless is reporting today that there is also much speculation that Zuma and the NPA are in negotiations over a plea bargain. Interestingly, while both sides are playing coy and refusing to answer any questions, neither are they denying that such negotiations are taking place**.<br /><br />Meanwhile, <a href="http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=6&art_id=nw20080909182700626C815527">Zuma has been conducting a damage limitation exercise</a> after several instances where it appeared the more enthusiastic of his supporters had made threats and “inappropriate” comments regarding the judicial process and the independence of the judiciary.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">*aka The Old Terrorists’ Drinking Club<br />**PM Update, Zuma's spokesmen are now saying that there are no negotiations. Anything that might have happened has been put on hold since the case against his prosecution was launched.</span><br /></div>The Remittance Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13104149259707414863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29670101.post-8190170802707749012008-09-10T17:33:00.003+00:002008-09-10T17:40:24.427+00:00HELLO ONCE AGAIN<div style="text-align: justify;">Sadly today finds me in a less happy mood than yesterday. Not because of anything at work, or even within the confines of kwaRemittance. No my mood is disturbed by the incredible degrees of numptiness I see and hear about in the world at large. Honestly, people and especially politicians really do seem determined to prove that there are no limits to the depths of stupidity to which the human race can descend.<br /><br />Before continiung and for the benefit of your bloody pressure I heartily recommend a few minutes spent in peaceful contemplation of this young lady's derriere.<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kWEF0rAS3QU/SMgFGX0HlCI/AAAAAAAADh8/lUA5wNTP6uc/s1600-h/Derriere+357.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kWEF0rAS3QU/SMgFGX0HlCI/AAAAAAAADh8/lUA5wNTP6uc/s400/Derriere+357.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244447373102912546" border="0" /></a>Now on with the (horror) show.The Remittance Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13104149259707414863noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29670101.post-17502341380026649532008-09-09T16:18:00.007+00:002008-09-09T17:08:04.716+00:00HO HUM!The Fearsome Hounds of Remittance are making it known that it is now two minutes past their supper time and the minced burglar mightgo off if I leave things much longer. Come to think of it I didn't have much of a lunch today either. So if you will excuse me I shall be off to tend to the catering arrangements.<br /><br />But before I go, here are some delightful ladies in lingerie, to entertain you:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kWEF0rAS3QU/SMasRr63PrI/AAAAAAAADhU/UbxxMF44KUo/s1600-h/Lingerie+808.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kWEF0rAS3QU/SMasRr63PrI/AAAAAAAADhU/UbxxMF44KUo/s200/Lingerie+808.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244068235966889650" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWEF0rAS3QU/SMatBqQmRiI/AAAAAAAADh0/4ck2X4MMq0s/s1600-h/Lingerie+696.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWEF0rAS3QU/SMatBqQmRiI/AAAAAAAADh0/4ck2X4MMq0s/s200/Lingerie+696.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244069060154902050" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWEF0rAS3QU/SMas1Z_LEPI/AAAAAAAADhs/kOMH-7DJ_UA/s1600-h/Lingerie+725.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWEF0rAS3QU/SMas1Z_LEPI/AAAAAAAADhs/kOMH-7DJ_UA/s200/Lingerie+725.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244068849628418290" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kWEF0rAS3QU/SMasta8KOpI/AAAAAAAADhk/o97DXhDDvgo/s1600-h/Lingerie+707.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kWEF0rAS3QU/SMasta8KOpI/AAAAAAAADhk/o97DXhDDvgo/s200/Lingerie+707.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244068712445262482" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kWEF0rAS3QU/SMasaMNm6rI/AAAAAAAADhc/GpK-0kmS-9Q/s1600-h/Lingerie+800.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kWEF0rAS3QU/SMasaMNm6rI/AAAAAAAADhc/GpK-0kmS-9Q/s200/Lingerie+800.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244068382074399410" border="0" /></a>Goodnight everyone. Carry on Risaldar-Major.The Remittance Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13104149259707414863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29670101.post-74724296902517541822008-09-09T15:51:00.001+00:002008-09-09T16:18:36.712+00:00KING MIDAS MAY HAVE BEEN A MYTHICAL FIGURE<div style="text-align: justify;">But The Anti-Midas* is alive and well and living in No 10 Downing Street.<br /><br />I have <a href="http://remittanceman.blogspot.com/2008/09/first-up-olympics.html">mathematically demonstrated that Gordon Brown’s Jonah Effect is genuine</a>, but it’s still nice to see one’s theses further vindicated by events outside one’s control. It seems we have just experienced one of those moments.<br /><br />I don’t follow tennis, <a href="http://www.order-order.com/2008/09/jonah-put-his-curse-in-writing.html">but apparently some British chap got through to the finals of a big competition</a> on the other side of the pond and by all accounts this is a bit of a rare event. Anyway, once the biffer of balls had guaranteed his place in the final, Britain’s beloved PM stuck his head over the parapet long enough to wish the fellow well. Live on Sky News.<br /><br />Predictably Andy Murray then went on to lose in straight sets. Against a man he recently thrashed.<br /><br />How does it go? “Once is coincidence. Twice is suspicious. Three times and we’re starting to see a disturbing pattern developing”?<br /><br />*Everything he touches, <a href="http://remittanceman.blogspot.com/2008/09/of-euros-gold-sales-and-baby-seals.html">even gold</a>, turns to shit.<br /></div>The Remittance Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13104149259707414863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29670101.post-67963583292889578912008-09-09T15:44:00.003+00:002008-09-09T15:51:05.935+00:00AAAAAAAARGH!Also via <a href="http://iaindale.blogspot.com/2008/09/big-brother-wants-to-monoitor-your.html">Iain</a> from yesterday’s Evening Standard:<br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Town hall bureaucrats could soon dictate what homeowners grow in their gardens. The measure is one of 52 ways to cut household waste suggested in a report commissioned by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Restrictions on fast-growing plants, trees and flowers could be brought in by "including gardens in building regulations" it said.</span><br /><br />Iain says he’s almost stuck speechless by this. Me? I’ve got plenty to say. Sadly most of it is unprintable. Even on this website.<br /><br />What I can say is if there really are bureaucrats at DEFRA who have nothing better to do than concern themselves with the contents of peoples’ herbacious borders, then I can only conclude that there are bureaucrats at DEFRA who are superfluous to requirements. Indeed I guess that most normal people would look forward to the day when fuckers like them are thanked for their efforts, handed a P45 and shown to the door. I, on the other hand, would happily strap the useless wastes of space to the business ends of loaded, brass, nine-pound cannon before stepping round the back to apply a match to the blue touch paper.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kWEF0rAS3QU/SMabAV18vUI/AAAAAAAADhM/Eby67HJsQFU/s1600-h/delhi.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kWEF0rAS3QU/SMabAV18vUI/AAAAAAAADhM/Eby67HJsQFU/s400/delhi.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244049246285249858" border="0" /></a><br />It doesn’t matter whether you voted Labour, Conservative or Monster Raving Loony at the last election, I’m willing to bet the house that you didn’t vote to increase the powers of official peeking toms over what you and your neighbours choose to grow in your gardens*.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">*If you did actually base your voting decision on that one topic, then I shall not honour the bet. Not because I welch on wagers but because you are clearly the sort of illiberal, good-for-nothing piece of shite who deserves the same one-way-trip to eternity, as the oxygen thieving cunch of bunts from DEFRA.</span><br /></div>The Remittance Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13104149259707414863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29670101.post-78486024808361301172008-09-09T15:38:00.002+00:002008-09-09T15:43:56.434+00:00FFS!<div style="text-align: justify;">Living where I do and being a self-confessed, right-wing nut and a rude, cynical bugger too boot, many people might make the mistake of thinking me to be some sort of white hood wearing racial supremacist. Now, I wouldn’t be honest if I didn’t admit I can and do laugh/cry/pull my hair out in frustration at some of the things my African chums get up to. Frequently. What’s more I can be exceeding rude about them when they do things that are particularly dumb. But then I do exactly the same when I see or read about Brits, Europeans or any other people making fuckwits of themselves.<br /><br />I may be an opinionated, cynical, elitist bastard but at least I am an equal opportunities opinionated, cynical, elitist bastard.<br /><br />The real fact is, living where I do, I see the damage fucked up policies based on racial “differences” and segregation have caused*. I see the consequences every day and it makes me madder than hell to see the sheer bloody waste of so much human potential. I’ve also come to realise that while there are differences between me and my “native” neighbours these are pretty superficial in the grand scheme of things; there are a shedload more things we actually have in common.<br /><br />So when I read things like this my blood boils:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://iaindale.blogspot.com/2008/09/lee-jasper-calls-for-segregated-schools.html">Former Livingstone adviser Lee Jasper has today called for the creation of 'black only' schools. He thinks it is the only way to tackle knife crime and raise standards for Afro Caribbean pupils</a>.</span><br /><br />In my experience Afro-Caribbean people (certainly those from countries with an anglo-saxon influenced history, anyway) are about as law abiding and aspirational as any other collection of individuals. Where communities have lost these values it’s not because they look different, it's because they have been “taught” to lose them, either by well-meaning fuckwits or corrupt opportunist bastards.<br /><br />Neither type actually cares about the poor bloody people they claim to be helping. Nor do they have any incentive to actually improve their lot.<br /><br />The wmfs are typically people who need a “noble cause” to give them a reason to feel better about themselves. They are often unconscious racists who think that certain communities need “special care” because they are inherently incapable of looking after themselves.<br /><br />The cobs on the other hand are opportunists who view those same people as nothing but useful cannon fodder in their campaign for self enrichment and aggrandisement. The cobs’ concern for “their” people extends only so long as they can keep them revved up into a state of grievance.<br /><br />Whether Mr Jasper is a wmf, or a cob, I leave for you to decide, but I will say that going down the route he proposes is sure as fuck not going to solve the problems he claims he wants to solve.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">*And still do. The ANC can be just as racist as the Nats when it wants to be and thinks it can get away with it.</span><br /></div>The Remittance Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13104149259707414863noreply@blogger.com0