Myths and misteaks

Boozy British - It's a myth.
Facts always get in the way of a good story so don't believe the newspapers.

In spite of being a European leading wine producer, Spain is not among the top consumers of alcohol when measured in litres per person per annum. The figures show that in 2006 Luxemburg consumed the most at 15,5 litres per person, followed by France and Ireland with 13.4, Hungary 13.2 and Denmark 12.2. Spaniards drank 11.7; United Kingdom 10.9; Germany 10.1; Sweden 6.8 and Norway only 6.5. In Turkey, they swilled only 1.2 litres of alcohol per citizen.

Madrid could add siesta to list of protected Spanish cultural icons

The Spanish practice of napping in the afternoon should be declared a protected art form, Madrid's conservative government has been told.

An application has been presented to Madrid authorities calling for the 'siesta' to be given a special cultural status to ensure its preservation.

It comes following the announcement earlier this month by Esperanza Aguirre, the President of the conservative regional government in Madrid, that the bullfight was to be included on the list of items of "special cultural value" that were protected by law.

The controversial decision to put bullfighting on the same cultural level as Madrid's most important historical monuments caused outrage amongst animal rights activists.

Daniel Dorado, a lawyer who campaigns for the protection of animals, filed an application last week arguing that the siesta fulfills the same criteria for protected cultural patrimony as bullfighting.

"The siesta is a cultural fact of special relevance and significance, an art which deserves protection," he declared in the request presented last week.

"It has been part of Mediterranean and Spanish culture for time immemorial," he said echoing the argument used to justify the inclusion of bullfighting on the list.

Mr Dorado argues that the siesta - traditionally a post lunch snooze of up to an hour - was being threatened by the pressures of modern working practices and that its loss could bring about the demise of the country.

In an attempt to mock the law which protects the culture of bullfighting above the prevention of cruelty to animals he argued that Madrid was under obligation to preserve the siesta and should consider installing beds in the street!!!!!!!!!

A simple 'Time & Motion' study clearly indicates that the Spanish nation would be well advised to come into line with the other 26 countries if it is ever going to get itself out of the current financial mess.

Somnolence (or "drowsiness") is a state of near-sleep, a strong desire for sleep, or sleeping for unusually long periods (c.f. hypersomnia). It has two distinct meanings, referring both to the usual state preceding falling asleep, and the chronic condition referring to being in that state independent of a circadian rhythm.

Webeurope's wishes

Background

Allegedly, Karl Winn, Webeurope's founder and principle owner, has for many years supported numerous charitable organisations (NGO's), such organisations include: -

● The International Human Rights Network - Supporting others in applying Human Rights Based Approaches to UN Agencies, countries, and organisations.

● Film Makers Against War - FAW seeks to educate and raise awareness of UK and international war law

● Art and Sacred Places - Encourages the interaction of art and religion by commissioning artists to make work in sacred places.

● Relatives for Justice – A northern Ireland based organisation that supports and campaigns on behalf of the families of the 367 men, women, and children, who have been killed by members of the British Military and Police services. The campaign seeks to bring the perpetrators of such killings
before the courts.

Overview
Between 5th and 9th of March, there was a private and personal email exchange between Karl Winn and Graham Brown the Managing Director of Forces Recruitment Services Ltd. FRS specialises in the recruitment of ex-British Army personnel, as part of the “Hire-A-Hero” campaign.

In those emails Karl Winn stated that his personal preference would be to offer employment even to ex-offenders, rather than British Military personnel because at least the former had been investigated, and bought before the courts, and held accountable for their actions. “The reality for the families of their victims is that there will never be any justice, and there never will be any closure, for the loss of a son, a husband, a child, or a family member who has fallen victim to British Military personnel who are going beyond "just doing their job".

“The reality from the north of Ireland , to Afghanistan and Iraq , is that the perpetrators of such atrocities will always be free to get on with their lives, safe in the knowledge that the policy of the British Government is to ensure their protection from prosecution”.

... “we are not talking about people who do their duty. Nobody is going to condemn any service man or woman for that. What I'm referring to is the unwillingness of far too many service men and women to give evidence against those who commit criminal offences. .. I'm not talking about
incidents that happen in the heat of battle against armed combatants, but actions, that by any standard, amount to murder, or other such crimes against a civilian population. However, I accept we'll never agree on this. Your allegiance is to the British Military - mine is on the side of its victims”.

Forces Recruitment Services Ltd subsequently passed copies of those private emails to The Sun newspaper.

As a former soldier (1961-1991) I was called upon to serve in on active service in Borneo and particularly in NI and absolutely refute the allegations made by Winn. All conflicts have victims, the British Army sustained a massively distproportionate number of casualties by exercising 'restraint'. The 'Yellow Card' system meant that the 'enemy' always had the initiative and usually got the first strike with obvious consequences.

Notwithstanding this, the 'Troubles', as they were euphemistically called, are over now and we should all look to a new brighter future. This will not be possible whilst people such as Winn are allowed to perpetrate discrimination against any group such as the one he has chosen.

He is, no doubt, in this to make money and the latest press coverage will be free advertising albeit considered bad press by the majority. Perhaps he would be inclined to take a more sanguine view of the Armed Forces personnel if he too had been subjected to the bombing, torture and attrocities known to have been carried out against Captain Nairac and hundreds of others in NI and abroad.

And finally, as for prefering to employ peadophiles etc. rather than ex-forces, just rememeber, "Be careful what you wish for! You might just get it!"

Did you know that all pensioners (approx 11 million to date) were born on a Monday?
Well not really, but according to the DWP and Government Departments, Monday is the ONLY day on which they will register you for a pension.
If for example your birthday falls on a Tuesday, your pension will not commence until the following Monday!
This in effect means that the average pension bill for the Government will be significantly lower than it would otherwise be.
To you of course it's only 50 quid but collectively it adds up to a tidy sum! 11 million x an average of 3 days = 55 million pounds that they save!
Actually you do get it back later.
When you die they continue to pay until the next 'Monday' after your demise - Enjoy trying to spend it when your dead!
Lobby your local MP to remedy this invidious Government sponsored robbery.