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    The Great Gordino Newsletter - Issue 330 - Mon 29th Aug 2005
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    Archive Issues online at - gordonbryan.com/archive

    Hi There,

    I hope Monday finds you well.

    It's a Bank Holiday here in the UK.
    I won't launch into my usual tirade about why people go and buy
    10 loaves of bread on a Bank Holiday, but I will reminisce (ooh,
    good word), about when I worked for a high street bank.
    On a Friday before a Bank Holiday, I'd lose count of the number
    of people who'd come in and ask if we were open on the Bank
    Holiday.
    'What, the BANK Holiday?' I used to ask.

    It made me giggle, but I didn't sound overly sarcastic, because
    it was usually the blue rinse coffin dodger brigade, paying £1 off
    their catalogue bills, so I felt it would just be cruel!

    Talking of making myself giggle, last week I mentioned I had
    been offered to put a pictue of my choice on a credit card, and
    went for my Great Gordino shot.
    Well, it has been approved, and here's a picture of what it'll look
    like:
    Gordino Credit Card!

    If you can't make yourself giggle, it's a poor tale, and that's the
    story I'll be sticking to when I get quizzical looks from various
    cashiers!

    Perusing the TV schedules recently, I spotted a 2 hour
    documentary about the cultural revolution in China.
    Right then,' I thought, 'I'll have some of that!' and duly set the
    video.

    I was a bit disappointed, in that it didn't really cover how the
    communists came to power, but it was interesting, as it
    concentrated on the cultural side of the revolution.

    Chairman Mao wanted to empower the youth, and when students
    began to rebel in school, calling themsleves the Red Guards, he
    encouraged them, defending their right to rebel.

    As this developed, anarchy ensued, as violence was accepted as
    necessary to protect against 'enemies of the State.'

    The leaders kept changing the goalposts, so for example
    wearing a yellow shirt would get you a beating one week, the
    next week it would get you 5 years hard labour, and the next
    week it would get you a medal.

    It sounds ludicrous, but it was very real, and of course China is
    still a very insular country, with a none too impressive human
    rights record.

    Watching things like that, it's easy to feel superior that we live in
    free countries.

    We haven't got it all right though, as 2 things I saw in the paper
    confirm.

    One item mentioned a man who cannot work due
    to 'depression', and is on benefits.
    Now, I have been afflicted with depression myself.
    In fact it took me right to the edge of the abyss, and I looked
    over the edge, so I know full well that it can be the most
    debilitating thing.

    However, this man gets nearly £800 weekly from the taxpayer,
    to pay for himself, his non-working wife, and their 9 children!

    One of the symptoms of depression is a reduced libido, so
    something doesn't add up there for a kick off!
    Also, when I had it, I took mind numbing factory work, because
    it didn't stress my mind, and helped get me back in society.

    The welfare system in this country is there as a safety net for
    those who cannot work, not an easy option for those who *won't*
    work, so this depressed father of 9 should be made to do
    something for his money in my book.

    The second item concerned a smashed car window.

    The police said they wouldn't be taking action against the culprit,
    as he had been cautioned.
    The victim, who was looking at a bill of several hundred pounds
    to get his windscreen fixed, decided to take civil action to get his
    money from the culprit.
    The police said that because the culprit had been cautioned, his
    details were protected under the Data Protection Act, so they
    wouldn't give them out!

    This means the man has to pay for the damage himself, in
    order to protect the rights of the culprit!
    I've never heard such nonsense in all my life!
    What about the rights of the victim!
    It makes me fume - no-one on their right mind can think this is
    right, and yet it goes on.

    Send the little bugger to China, see how well he's protected then.

    So, yes, we are lucky to live in free countries, but we can get it
    wrong as much as anyone!

    Ok, that's my rantette over.

    I'll close by asking you 3 things.
    Firstly, what's the difference between Mao Zedong and Mao Tse
    Tung?
    Secondly, what's the difference between Yin-Yang and Ying-Yang?

    The third thing is a favour, to wish me luck.
    Tomorrow I am going on another of my blind dates, although as
    I always say, because we have emailed each other, and seen
    pictures, it's a partially sighted date.
    A cataract date.

    Ok, have a good week, I'm down to my last 2 loaves, so I'm off
    to the shops.

    What freedoms do you take for granted?

    'Til Next Time,
    Health and Happiness,
    Gordon
    email me at gordon@gordonbryan.com - you'll have to copy and paste
    thanks to the idiot online spammers!



    
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