OCCUPIED COUNTRY

How Do You Sleep?

Mater and Pater have finally been transferred to the latest innovation in dishing out the state pension. It takes the form of a 'credit' card type affair which, when presented with your pin number, allows you to draw your pension each week.

'Cept of course when you forget your pin. As you're apt to do when the brain cells start fading and the events of 1948 seem a lot clearer and closer than the events of last week.

Which me Dad did today. He's convinced that the pin he used was the same as part of his army number. (He left in the early 50s but he's adamant that's the pin he picked - and I'm inclined to believe him).

So he's advised of the 'procedure' for getting pin numbers unlocked and given a phone number to ring. The two of them toddle off home and my Mother rings the number, chooses the myriad options available and finally reached the queue for unlocking pins

The usual crap: "Thank you for calling the 'I've forgot me pin I'm that old' helpline. Currently all our operators are otherwise engaged and you, you poor bastard, are 130th in the queue."

Now, most of that last paragraph was exaggerated for effect (I guess you noticed), apart from one stone cold, nailed on, absolute FACT! Yup, that's right she was 130th. Don't worry though 'cos the call is charged at local rate?

IT SHOULDN'T BE CHARGED FOR AT ALL YOU THATCHERITE BASTARDS. I'ts a phone line PENSIONERS HAVE to use to sort their pin numbers out so they can DRAW THEIR PENSIONS! You know, the friggin' disgraceful pittance that this SOCIALIST government reckons is all it can afford. Well, y'know, with the war and everything????

I've said it before and I'll say it again: 'is this what I voted for?'

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Over the past few weeks I have, via t'internet, watched the Bush-Kerry debates in their entirety. I have one thing to say:-

? I don't care what your political persuasion is, Kerry won all three. I base my judgement on his abilty to speak whereas George...well was unable to piece together a rational sentence nevermind a road map to peace in the Middle East or an exit strategy for Iraq.

I'm sorry but if your President can't think on his feet (and I do believe that even Ronnie was streets ahead of George Jnr on this point), then you most categorically should not be electing him the President of the most powerful country on the planet.

Or at least if you do - and it's looking increasingly likely - then at least let's hope the new Administration adopts an Isolationist policy.

I doubt it somehow.