The Sunday round up.

Just some things that I have been thinking about.

So in aid of charity people are giving up drinking alcohol for a month.

Now while I support people making an effort to raise awareness and funds, and I did in fact donate, but there's a bit of me that is asking if this particular effort is a good move.

Lets say just 5% of the population stop drinking for a whole month.

Wooohooo.

That's got a good spin to it hasn't it?

There's health benefits to stopping drinking and the person participating can save some cash while actually making some from sponsorship for a charity.

It's a win-win situation, but is it?

It means alcohol sales drop by 5%*, kebab sales drop, taxi drivers incomes drop and everything else that comes with a night out on the tiles that includes having a drink is impacted on.

While some businesses can absorb that very easily there will be those who are clinging on, and that months decline in income could terminally finish them off.

So is this really worth one person losing their job over?

Some would say it is, but surely not if there's an alternative.

I'm not saying people should stop supporting charities, but instead think about how they do it.

Lets not fuck up one persons life attempting to save another.

In fact here's an idea.

For every drink bought slip 20p in a collection tin.

Is that not a better idea?

Something else to think about.

What do we want our taxes going on.

Pay rises for politicians or to cancer support and research.?

* I only said 5% as an example. I have no idea how many people are giving up a drink or the impact in reality.

And keeping to the subject of where our taxes go.

This week the Government has described the neglect of the elderly in this country as something that we should all be deeply ashamed of.

They highlight just how lonely so many of the elderly are, and are looking to shame us all into upping our game.

Of course the elderly deserve our attention, support and respect.

That's not really worth arguing about is it?

I'm just wondering when they will lead by example.

Instead of admonishing everyone, and looking for us all to provide support at no cost to them, it would maybe be heartening to see them protect pensions, and look to create community schemes that assist the elderly while providing them with the much needed contact with the outside world that they deserve.

Possibly they could look to remove the fear of being unable to secure medical attention from the elderly.
Now here's one.

Could they maybe look to ensure that the figures of the elderly freezing to death over the winter months is addressed.

Maybe find some time to discuss the reality of fuel poverty.

There very obvious emotive manipulation is a slap on the face for every single carer out there who gives up their time to help the elderly.

Once the government starts matching the efforts of those people I may start taking them more seriously.
As it is they are still useless bar stewards clinging onto the idea that you can fool all of the people all of the time if you have a good pr team behind you.

The sliding scales of perception

'People are strange' isn't just a Doors song. It's a fact of life.
We are indeed strange, and one of the strangest things about us is how we can rationalize behaviour to the point where two people can do the same thing, and we can then claim that one persons actions are unacceptable, while the other persons are not just fine, but maybe even admirable.
Probably the best example of this is how we consider one individual to be a heinous criminal for taking another persons life in an act of violence, but it's a heroic act if it is state sanctioned.
Similarly this sort of excusing poor behaviour extends to the world of entertainment and that's also where the sometimes admirable angle comes in.
For instance the alcoholic who while drunkenly driving home manages to hit every other vehicle in his street is a complete and utter pain in the rectum, and without a doubt a danger to the public.
However when a rock start does it then his, or her, actions are an amusing anecdote to be repeated across the dinner table.
This must be human nature though as we see it every day in how we promote this strange attitude in the defence of family and friends.
If a neighbours kid tramples through your garden managing to destroy the flower bed that you have cultivated over a six month period, then they are classed as the offspring of Genghis Khan and nothing short of a public flogging will suffice as a punishment, but if the shoe is on the other foot and it's your kid that did it then it's a different story.
The livid neighbour is painted as someone who takes life too seriously. The curmudgeon that should get a grip.
I'm sure anyone reading could give more examples, and many - if they are honest - could admit to acting in this way to.
Personally I've never really understood this sliding scale of what is, and isn't acceptable, depending on who is displaying the poor behaviour, and I admit that I'm in the minority with my inability to rationalize it.
I don't do it with friend or family and consider that everyone without exception should accept responsibility for their actions, and the backlash – if it is fair - that they receive.
Very often we see people who would offer no second chances to a stranger magically finding compassion and empathy for a friend, and then throwing forth chance after chance after chance until the antisocial actions of their compadre can be described in amused terms such as 'Ach, you know what they are like?'
Yes. I do know what they are like actually.
They're an arse, and if it was anyone else you would be advocating that they got a slap.
Maybe even a high five, to the face, with a chair.
Is this attitude actually helpful?
Not the high five with the chair obviously, but this sliding scale being applied.
I don't think it is.
Why is one person a character and another a cunt when they do exactly the same thing?
I've asked this of people that I like and respect recently, and while the logic is accepted the rationalizing continues.
There's a distinct lack of equality to it all and it twists my melons.
Loyalty is an admirable trait, but misguided loyalty..........well, you know.

The Seven Billionth Child

Some words of wisdom from Stu Who. Please share the footage.