Before we go all Gung-ho into Mali under the pretense of driving out militant Islamist rebels, let’s have a look at the real reasons why France, and now Britain, have such a keen interest in securing the region:
*Gold: Mali is Africa’s third largest gold producer with large scale exploration ongoing.
*Uranium: encouraging signs and exploration in full swing. Exploration is currently being carried out by several companies with clear indications of deposits of uranium in Mali.
*Diamonds: Mali has potential to develop its diamond exploration: in the Kayes administrative region (Mining region 1), thirty (30) kimberlitic pipes have been discovered of which eight are show traces of diamonds.
*Iron Ore, Bauxite and Manganese: significant resources present in Mali but still unexploited. Mali has according to estimates more than 2 million tonnes of potential iron ore reserves located in the areas of Djidian-Kenieba, Diamou and Bale.
And let’s not forget our old favourite – oil.
*Mali’s Petroleum potential already attracting significant interest from investors Mali’s Petroleums potential has been documented since the 1970’s where sporadic seismic and drilling revealed probable indications of oil. With the increasing price of global oil and gas resources, Mali has stepped up its promotion and research for oil exploration, production and potential exports. Mali could also provide a strategic transport route for Sub-Saharan oil and gas exports through to the Western world and there is the possibility of connecting the Taoudeni basin to European market through Algeria.
*Source: Global Research
I’m not saying we shouldn’t help the people of Mali rid themselves of bands of terrorists controlling huge swathes of the country. I’m saying we should have some transparency.
What exactly has President Hollande promised Cameron for his help? BP getting first dibs on oil exploration?
Before we send our troops out to die in the Sahara under the banner of defending The West from the tyranny of global terrorism, let’s have a bit of honesty about the real reasons we are going in there.
And that is to strip Mali, and its environs, of its natural resources.
Tory MP for Mid-Bedfordshire, Nadine Dorries.
(Not in Mid-Bedfordshire by the looks of things.)
Tory MP, Nadine Dorries, is in the Australian jungle in the reality TV show I’m a celebrity get me out of here. Personally, I think she should stay there. I’d also prefer it if the rest of her Tory party chums were sent out to join her. But I believe we gave up that practice a few years ago.
The problem I have with her being on this jungle jolly is that she is still drawing her £65,738 MP’s salary + expenses. (So that could be anywhere up to a couple of million quid.) And she has publicly stated that she isn’t foregoing any of it. On top of that she’s also going to be paid £40 grand by ITV for appearing on the show. Doubtless there’ll be dozens of paid-for media opportunities once she gets out.
It’s common knowledge that eating koala babies and supping crocodile blood is nothing new to Tory MPs, so chowing down on a brace of Skippy’s gonads shouldn’t be much of an ordeal for Ms Dorries. But the simple fact is, she should be back here doing the job she is being paid to do by the British tax payer, which is representing the constituents of Mid-Bedfordshire.
Surely, absconding for a month while still drawing a salary is tantamount to gross misconduct?
And, before anyone says: ‘well, she’s got a wider audience to get her views across by appearing on the show’; have a listen to this radio interview. It features Nadine’s “speechless”parliamentary assistant being quizzed as to why one of her constituents isn’t getting a response to her letters.
I say she should be fired and a by-election held in Mid-Bedfordshire before she gets back.
If you agree with me, perhaps you’d be so kind as to share this petit post via Twitter and Facebook. And, if you don’t, enjoy that roasted koala baby you’re having for your dinner.
Nadine sucking a baby wombat’s eye out.
What’s that you say, Skippy? Nadine has fallen down an abandoned mineshaft at the old goldmine? Well, get those gelding irons and grab a slab of stubbies, we’re having a barbie!
True, it may not be as ambitious and world-changing as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s. But it’s a dream nonetheless.
To be honest, I wasn’t going to post about it until I felt I was in more of a position to realise this dream. But short of winning the Euro Millions Lottery, it aint going to happen without some serious philanthropic backer.
So, what is my dream?
Well, it’s to build a School of Arts for under-privileged kids.
Kids from low socioeconomic backgrounds in large inner-city estates. Kids who might not ordinarily get the opportunity to explore the more creative aspects of their nature.
What good would that do society? We’re in a depression, don’t you know!
Problems in every field of human endeavour are virtually always solved by creative thinking. Even the great Albert Einstein said so himself. Creativity allows us to look at problems from different angles and apply new thinking to solve problems.
Moreover, I don’t see it as a school that produces an unprecedented amount of artists. But an unprecedented amount of creative thinkers – whichever vocation they choose to pursue later in life. Whether it be mathematics, science, business, computers, product design, or economics.
And yes, a few more more artists too. And what’s wrong with that? Art is seen as a dirty word in this country. If I tell people I write poetry, they shift uneasily in their seats. If I said I write poetry in Ireland the response would be a polite smile and a nod toward the back of the queue.
Do you think the first rocket flight to the moon was dreamed up by a scientist?
Sure, scientists and engineers made it a reality. But it is creative people who come up with the ideas and the original solutions of how they can be achieved.
What will the kids do?
The school will develop and encourage creative thinking and self-expression.
It will foster, nurture and encourage exploration of the arts in all its many and varied forms including: painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, poetry, literature, screenplays, theatre, drama, dance, music, design, digital arts, film, photography, humanities, languages, and the classics.
Where is this school?
I quite fancy the idea of transforming a derelict Victorian mill. There’s something quite ironic about that. Though it certainly wouldn’t be a prerequisite. (Salts Mill in Bradford is a good example.)
Initially, an inner-city campus close to urban populations that have a high level of low socioeconomic families. Basically, anywhere across the Manchester – Huddersfield – Halifax – Leeds belt. It’s also sufficiently ‘central’ enough to accommodate children from further afield.
It would also be good to have a rural retreat – somewhere like the Lake District, Peak District or the Yorkshire Dales, where children can attend week-long courses/classes which double up as a holiday.
I would also like to open an international sister school in India or Sri Lanka where people from distinctly different cultures can share ideas. These schools could also participate in exchange programmes. (Then subsequently, even further afield: China, South America, South Asia.)
What about science subjects?
This school wouldn’t be a replacement for existing schools and their curricula – more of an extension to them.
Would it exclude people from non low socioeconomic backgrounds?
Not at all. But opportunities for middle-class families in other schools are much more accessible, regardless of ability.
Intake for low income kids would be based as much on desire and enthusiasm to participate rather than ability. There would be a limited number of places for more affluent children. Sort of like Eton – in reverse.
What kind of courses will it run?
Day-long workshops for visiting schools.
After-school classes.
Week-long courses. (Which would include accommodation for traveling students.)
Weekend classes.
Full-time sixth form courses. (A-levels.)
Masters and PhD courses.
What ages are we talking about?
Key Stage 3, up to, and including, sixth form.
Undergraduate, Masters and PhD courses.
What else does the school have?
Apart from studios and classrooms?
There’d be accommodation for students who are visiting from further afield.
Cafe / restaurant.
Gallery to promote and sell students’ work.
Gallery featuring independent contemporary and traditional art.
Masterclasses from guest lecturers.
State of the art library. (Both on and off-line.)
Book shop.
Art-house cinema.
Who will pay for it?
Well, that’s the biggest question of all.
A like-minded philanthropist would be nice.
Arts Council grant.
Lottery funding.
A percentage of Masters and PhD students’ tuition fees could go towards funding.
Sales from restaurant and galleries.
Fundraising / donations.
An Ideal World School of Arts.
Salts Mill, Bradford.
David Hockney at Salts Mill.
Salts Mill interior.
Studio space?
Any constructive criticism and advice about how to get something like this funded and off the ground would be greatly appreciated.
Filed under Advertising, Animation, Architecture, Art, Books, Brand, Cartoons, Ceramics, Children, Children's books, Children's stories, Classical music, Comedy, community, Contemporary Arts, Creativity, Dance, Design, Digital, Disability, Economy, Education, Film, Haiku, Ideas, Illustration, Innovation, Inspiration, Inventions, Literature, Music, Philosophy, Photography, Poetry, Radio, Screenplays, Sculpture, Short stories, Writing
I’m not much of a DIY person per se, but t’other day, I found myself pottering about in the shed* looking for a bottle of meths**, when I came across an old t-shirt that I’d been using as a fuse for a Molotov cocktail***.
Well, it put me in a mind to set up a There is no Cavalry fashion label.
The idea was to take everyday warnings that you might find on clothing, food, medicines or cleaning products, and apply them to humans.
Recently ordered colour variant.
Recently ordered colour variant.
Another courtesy of Mr Mannion.
© DMC
From a gag in Steve Martin’s classic movie – The Jerk
© DMC
© DMC
© DMC
© DMC
© DMC
© DMC
© DMC
Type detail. Lovingly kerned Gothic 821. 48/42pt.
Recently purchased colour variants.
© DMC
© DMC
You might not wear one or two of them to meet the in-laws. But they might just be a conversation starter in Ibiza.
If anyone would like one, drop me a line, and I’ll get you one made up.
Having looked at a few t-shirt printing websites, we’re probably looking in the region of £15 plus postage for a good quality one.
SIZES: XS – XXXXL
Available colours
Colours: Black, White, Navy Blue, Royal Blue, Red, Heather Grey, Sky Blue, Maroon, Yellow and Bottle Green.
Headlines are interchangeable on different coloured t-shirts. So if there’s a combo you want that isn’t here just let me know and I’ll do you your own version and email it to you for sign off before going to print.
Email me at: dmc@anidealworld.co.uk if you’re interested.
As orders are coming in thick and fast I’ve added a Paypal button. But please DON’T pay anything until you’ve contacted me by email. Just so we can confirm sizes, colours, destination etc. This is also because I don’t know what the additional postage charge will be until I come to send them off to you.
Cheers,
DMC.
Size guide
*I don’t have a shed.
**I don’t drink meths.
***I don’t make Molotov cocktails. (Well, not anymore.)
Filed under Advertising, Art, Brand, community, Contemporary Arts, Creativity, Design, Economy, Ideas, Innovation, Inspiration, Strategy, TINCa-Ts, Writing
One of the things that’s been playing on my mind this past while is: How will this recession affect people’s mental health in years to come?
The reason I’ve been pondering this notion is that, most people I know who are in full time employment, have had to take between 15% – 25% pay cuts and are working about 30% – 50% more hours per week.
Basically, they are having to do the jobs of the people who have been made redundant, (as well as their own), for less money.
Descent Into Hell, by Michael Hensley
I’m not having a pop at employers. I know a lot of businesses are in a very difficult situation: Trying to be more competitive; trying to hold on to staff; trying to stay afloat etc…
Some may say they are lucky to be in a job. But if these people are doing one and a half jobs then there is going to be a physical and mental consequence to this at some point in the future.
Burn out.
Longer hours, less money, the stress of potential redundancy. It is, and will continue, taking its toll on marriages and parents’ relationships with their kids.
Will we see an increase in the rate of divorce?
How many children will lose one of their parents to the recession?
More cases of depression?
Will suicide be more prevalent?
More people undertaking psychotherapy?
More people on medication?
And, most importantly for the government, who will pay for it?
Because someone will have to. Have they budgeted for it? Has it even crossed their minds?
Perhaps it has. Perhaps it’s all part of a ‘separating the wheat from the chaff’ policy.
It might even take 10 years before people’s ruined lives show up on a statistician’s spike.
But rest assured, there will be a price to be paid, and it won’t necessarily be fiscal.
The Scream by Edvard Munch
There’s been a lot of talk of late about a referendum on Scottish independence.
Let ‘em ‘ave it! is what I say.
By that, I don’t mean open up on ‘em with a battery of Gatling guns. I mean, it’s their country, it’s up to them.
If it was me, I’d vote yes.
Some people say it will result in England, Wales, NornIrn and Scotland having less muscle in Europe.
Is that what independence is about – political and economic might?
I thought it was about being able to determine your own destiny.
Being Free.
But it did get me thinking about England and the proverbial divide between north and south and whether it was time for a referendum on whether we should split the country in half.
Below is a rough border of where I think England should be divided.
North / Saarf divide
Then I was wondering about what we should call these two ‘new’ countries. And I couldn’t help getting my hackles up about when the glorious House of York was duped off the throne by that pesky Henry Tudor, (who was Welsh, by the way), and his turncoat ally, Lord Stanley.
So to redress the balance, and to give Yorkshire back its rightful inheritance, I thought this might be a suitable name for the new Motherland:
The Democratic Republic of Yorkshireland
Then I started to get a bit giddy. I don’t know if it was the power going to my head, or my formative years being filled with “Guess the pink bit” on the map of the world, but I thought this iteration was a marked improvement.
The Commonwealth of Yorkshireland
Of course, we’d need a new flag as well. I was thinking of something simple…
White Rose
Anyhoo, I think it’d be a great idea. So, I’m nominating myself as the inaugural President of Yorkshireland.
All those in favour say: Aye, ‘appen as mebby.
Filed under Comedy, community, Cross of Iron, Economy, Ideas, Inspiration, Inventions, Politics, Strategy
Bail out the people, not the banks.
The govt has spent almost £1.2 trillion in bank bailouts. That includes money given, money lent, underwriting and subsidies. If you divide that by the number of UK people of working age (approx 30 million), that equates to around 40 grand each.
Yes. £40,000 big ones. Each.
Now, I don’t know about you, but mortgages aside, I’m sure forty grand would go a long way to clearing most people’s debts with a little bit leftover for injecting back into the economy in the way of purchasing power.
Obviously, banks would still get a huge percentage of this money, because it would be used to pay down debt.
Unfortunately, the banks don’t really want you to be debt free as that would lose them billions in extortionate interest rates.
However, there is something to smile about for the banks, because those who do have money left over might even be tempted to put it back into the banks either as investments or savings. Just not triple-A rated derivatives, thank you very much.
Alternatively, we can keep giving it to the banks to use on big, fat, juicy bonuses.
If you like the thought of this universal windfall, I’d appreciate it if you could take a minute to sign my #ResetTheDebt petition:
https://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/resetthedebt
Just pop your name and location in the box on the left hand side and share with as many people as possible. Thanks.
David Milligan-Croft
