PC's Soapbox

What do wars achieve?

2007-03-20T16:48:00.000-07:00

I've often thought about this one, I suppose because there seems to be so many of them. Someone must ultimately decide that a war is good for something or will achieve a certain objective. The are currently over 40 separate wars currently being fought on this planet. Do you think that when they are over, if they ever are, that the people will rejoice? Unlikely considering the place they live in will be mostly destroyed, the people they love will be mostly destroyed and for generations the remains of war will still be destroying them.

Modern warfare is all about damage, civilian damage. It spoils everything and pollutes the land with discarded weaponry and munitions. Explosives wait patiently for years before unleashing their power on the unwary. Todays wars are fought as far away from home as possible because once touched by war, it is never the same again.

The welcome liberation of a country from an unwanted and uninvited enemy is a justification for war of sorts. But when applied to places like Iraq and the middle east, who is the enemy and who is the defender?

Cover Up

2007-03-05T05:22:00.000-08:00

I hear today that in this so called country of free speech, a newspaper and the BBC have been 'gagged' from broadcasting more details about the cash for honors scandal and an apparent cover up. This all sounds like bully boy tactics from the government to me. This government has been ebroiled in more scandals and cover ups than any I can remember. How do you tell if a politician is lyiing? Their mouth is moving. This old chestnut should take on new meaning these days with email taking the place of a quick chat with someone influential. The only problem is that all electronic communications leave a trail for others to follow.

Remember the reasons for the war in Iraq? The british public where duped with lies and a plagiarised thesis from a student. Did we demand that the governement make right it 's wrong doing? No, we simply forgot and moved on to pastures new. Did we demand a full public enquiry into when people of respected opinion suddenly died in less than normal circumstances? No, we forgot and moved onto something new.

On the form of Blair and company, I hope that their time in office is short lived and never repeated. This has been a government that has completely altered our standing in this world. I hope that a future tory government will fully and truthfully investigate labours time in office and bring those to justice who have wronged. So the modern equivalent for 'how to tell if a politician is lying' must be that you will never be allowed to but you can safely assume they are anyway.

The Saga Continues

2007-02-28T16:03:00.000-08:00

The faulty fire had been returned and a replacement, for a short time at least, filled the void in the wall. This fire lasted exactly 10 minutes before deciding to do it's bit for the environment and switch off. This fire follows it's predecessor back to the shop and the third and final fire is loaded in the car.

This one doesn't even get fully out the box as all my enthusiasm has now evaporated. One look convinces me that I'd rather have a recess than a fire sticking out the wall. A couple of nice candles and some pebbles is much cheaper.

Typical Bloody Purchase

2007-02-26T16:16:00.000-08:00

DIY mania struck yesterday and in a frenzied three hour session have restored a doorway back to an arch and removed the old gas fire. A successful trip to B&Q and I returned with a 'bargain' fire that belied it's cheap price with a sleek modern look. Some major hammering and drilling later and the hole in the wall is finally ready. Once fitted, it looked the part and when plugged in the effects where extremely pleasant on the eye.

Tonight the fire got it's first real test as I settled down to watch some TV. Five minutes and a click later and the fire seems to have entered 'power saver mode'. "Unplug, wait five minutes, and plug in again" say the instructions. I don't recall seeing a 'made for windows' sticker on the fire but carry out the reboot anyway. Well that sorted out the lifeless fire, it is now permanently on and due for a return to it's maker.

As the title says, this is a typical purchase for me. I seem to attract items with missing parts, items that don't work or items that break within days. If it seems too good to be true, then it probably is, and this fire seemed too good to be true.

Happy Birthday to Me

2007-02-23T03:28:00.000-08:00

43 years ago today I enetered this life. Had a good day at work, came home and started my 'birthday tea' which tonight is the tasty delights of the local indian takeaway. Three mouthfulls in and I suddenly get this overwhelming sensation of being full up. My stomache feels like I've eaten a five course meal. Further disaster happens when a migraine starts. I'm starting to feel that I'm not meant to enjoy this birthday. 2 tablets and an hour in bed thankfully save the night and by nine o'clock I'm feeling mucho betterer and the birthday can continue.

Welcome

2007-02-15T16:47:00.000-08:00

Seeing as you're reading this, I'd better introduce myself. My name is Paul and I lilve in North Wales. I'm married with two children and work in the IT solutions industry. I'm currently 42, almost 43 and living a content life. I'm writing this blog as a personal record of my thoughts and views.

Site Development

2007-02-13T03:28:00.002-08:00

This site has been developed using Rapidweaver on my MAC Mini. I wanted to create a blog site that was easy to update as I must be the worlds worst 'doer'. I spend plenty of time thinking about things but not enough doing things. If adding content to this site involves anyhting more than filling in a box and clicking submit it'll end up getting neglected. Rapidweaver gives me just that.

First Posting

2007-02-10T03:14:00.000-08:00

They say there's a bug going round! Well it came round here and stopped for the week. It personally thanked everyone for having it and left, just like that.