It seems the US doesn’t have a lock on padding governmental payrolls with salaried positions that don’t really add a lot of value to the tax-paying public. The Telegraph reports that Britain’s Coalition government is going after local councils for cutting back on essential services like libraries and education while retaining such employees as “cheerleading development officer”, bouncy castle attendant & “future shape programme manager”.
(I have to say that of those three, the only one I can actually fathom in terms of duties is the bouncy castle attendant. I didn’t even know Britain had cheerleaders. Hmm. Maybe future shape program management involves a Magic 8 Ball? I could do that job!)
Local councils are the infrastructure of the UK’s government—there’s Her Majesty’s Government (Parliament, ministries & some central services like motorways, Metropolitan Police & the NHS) & then there are the borough councils, who are pretty much responsible for everything else. Including a lot of the policies affecting the NHS within their jurisdictions.
Apparently the existence of these, uh, jobs of questionable community value (unless you’re restricting “community” to those persons who hold them) is not news. The Times (London) reported on them two years ago, back when Labour were in power. Evidently Glasgow employs a “street mediator”, who “deals” with kids hanging out on street corners.
(My question is: only one street mediator? In Glasgow? S/he must be busier than a flea-infested hound dog's hind leg.)
Trade unions are of course rearing up on their hind legs to defend the jobs & I’m sure the Tories/Lib-Dems are pounding fists about the waste (but are probably silent about who’s on their own staff doing what jobs). & since the jobs have been around for a long time (in one case—a ceremonial mace-bearer for Newcastle-upon-Tyne—evidently since 1399. According to a Newcastle former Lord Mayor), I’m betting that the story will die down without much being actually, you know, done about it.
So enjoy it while you can.
& if you have any thoughts on what a future-shape program manager or cheerleading development officer might be, please share.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Dustup
Here’s something else to spend some downtime considering: dust. Evidently, according to a report in the NY Times, the world is getting dustier.
Me—I don’t fire a lot of synapses on the subject, although looking at my TV stand I think it’s time to haul out the Pledge. But I have actually wondered what possible good a Swiffer does. In the end, you’re just pushing dust from one area to another, despite their advertising.
& even if it did “attract” dust particles—what happens to them when you clean the Swiffer or replace it?
Me—I don’t fire a lot of synapses on the subject, although looking at my TV stand I think it’s time to haul out the Pledge. But I have actually wondered what possible good a Swiffer does. In the end, you’re just pushing dust from one area to another, despite their advertising.
& even if it did “attract” dust particles—what happens to them when you clean the Swiffer or replace it?
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
News of the pedestrian
Evidently there is now an academically-studied phenomenon known as “sidewalk rage”. According to a report in the WSJ, sidewalk rage occurs when pedestrians who are walking slowly or several abreast, or who stop suddenly (to take a photo, consult a map or do something cell-phone-related), provoke the ire of fellow sidewalkers who are traveling at a faster rate.
Naturally, the focus of the story is on NYC, but the implication is that wherever there are pedestrians there’s the potential. Think the mall, or a walking trail or an airport.
I don’t know what to think of it—hard to choose between the rudeness of the self-absorbed morons who can’t be arsed to pay attention to their surroundings & show some consideration to those around them, & the ego-centric jerks who take personal affront at having to share the walkway with people who don’t get the hell out of their way. (I also don't know what to say about the fact that researchers are getting grants to study this whole thing.)
I do know, however, that if you park yourself on the left side of almost every subway escalator I’ve ever been on, you’re going to be mowed down by the people who know that the right side is for standing & the left for climbing up or down.
Naturally, the focus of the story is on NYC, but the implication is that wherever there are pedestrians there’s the potential. Think the mall, or a walking trail or an airport.
I don’t know what to think of it—hard to choose between the rudeness of the self-absorbed morons who can’t be arsed to pay attention to their surroundings & show some consideration to those around them, & the ego-centric jerks who take personal affront at having to share the walkway with people who don’t get the hell out of their way. (I also don't know what to say about the fact that researchers are getting grants to study this whole thing.)
I do know, however, that if you park yourself on the left side of almost every subway escalator I’ve ever been on, you’re going to be mowed down by the people who know that the right side is for standing & the left for climbing up or down.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Truth in advertising
Let’s take a break from the tensions in Egypt, Sudan, Syria, Indonesia & AIG: have a squint at this vintage EDS commercial from a Super Bowl long past.
Dunno what the ROI was on this ad, but anyone who’s ever been owned by a cat, & anyone who’s ever worked in a large corporation, will be of mixed minds. Funny, painful & all too true.
Dunno what the ROI was on this ad, but anyone who’s ever been owned by a cat, & anyone who’s ever worked in a large corporation, will be of mixed minds. Funny, painful & all too true.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)